Article Of Footwear Incorporating An Illuminable Panel

• US 20110192059A1
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Spanks, Jeffrey C., Beers, Tiffany A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,544,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/137
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/24 Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources

Abstract

An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes an illuminable panel and a plurality of strands positioned to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminable panel. The illuminable panel has a surface with a covered area and an exposed area. The covered area includes a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear. The strands are located to correspond with the exposed area of the illuminable panel. Light from the exposed area of the illuminable panel may enhance, highlight, or otherwise increase the visibility of the strands or areas of the upper that include the strands.

Claims

1. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:

an illuminable panel having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface being oriented to face toward an exterior of the footwear, and the second surface being oriented to face toward an interior of the footwear, the first surface having a covered area and an exposed area, the covered area including a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area being at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear; and

a plurality of strands positioned to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminable panel, the strands being located to correspond with the exposed area of the illuminable panel.

2. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the illuminable panel is a electroluminescent panel.

3. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the strands are located adjacent to the first surface of the illuminable panel.

4. The article of footwear recited in claim 3, wherein the strands contact the exposed area of the illuminable panel.

5. The article of footwear recited in claim 4, wherein an at least semi-transparent cover layer is secured to the first surface of the illuminable panel, the strands being located between the cover layer and the first surface of the illuminable panel.

6. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the strands are located adjacent to the second surface of the illuminable panel.

7. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein the exposed area includes a plurality of linear portions extending between a lace region of the upper and a region where the sole structure is joined to the upper.

8. The article of footwear recited in claim 7, wherein the exposed area further includes a portion that defines a shape of a symbol.

9. The article of footwear recited in claim 1, wherein a power source is at least partially embedded within the upper and electrically-coupled to the illuminable panel.

10. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:

an illuminable panel having a surface with a covered area and an exposed area, the covered area including a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area being at least partially visible from an exterior of the footwear, the exposed area including a plurality of linear portions extending between a lace region of the upper and a region where the sole structure is joined to the upper;

a cover layer extending adjacent to the surface of the illuminable panel and forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper, the cover layer being formed from an at least semi-transparent material; and

a plurality of strands positioned between the cover layer and the exposed area of the illuminable panel.

11. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein the illuminable panel is a electroluminescent panel.

12. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein the strands contact the exposed area of the illuminable panel.

13. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein portions of the cover layer that contact the strands protrude outward to form protrusions on the exterior surface of the upper.

14. The article of footwear recited in claim 10, wherein a power source is at least partially embedded within the upper and electrically-coupled to the illuminable panel.

15. An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the upper comprising:

a lace region having a plurality of lace-receiving elements;

a lower region where the sole structure is secured to the upper; and

an illuminable panel at least partially located between the lace region and the lower region, the illuminable panel defining a plurality of substantially linear areas extending between the lace region and the lower region; and

a plurality of strands positioned adjacent to the illuminable panel and extending along the linear areas of the illuminable panel.

16. The article of footwear recited in claim 15, wherein the illuminable panel is a electroluminescent panel.

17. The article of footwear recited in claim 15, wherein an at least semi-transparent cover layer extends adjacent to the illuminable panel, the strands being located between the cover layer and the linear areas of the illuminable panel.

18. The article of footwear recited in claim 15, wherein the panel includes a substantially opaque covering between the linear areas.

19. The article of footwear recited in claim 15, wherein the illuminable panel is located exterior of the strands.

20. The article of footwear recited in claim 15, wherein a power source is at least partially embedded within the upper and electrically-joined to the sections of electroluminescent wire.