Shoe with detachable illuminated heel

• US 3,946,505 A
• Filed: 10/04/1974
• Issued: 03/30/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred Dana III
• Original Assignee: Alfred Dana III
• Inventors: Dana, Alfred III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lawson, Patrick D.
• Application Number:
  US05/512,304
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 36/2.5 R, 36/2.5 K, 36/2.6, 36/36 R, 36/36 A, 36/36 B, 36/36 C
• US Class Current: 362/103
• 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 3/36 with light sources

Abstract

A shoe and a detachable transparent heel therefor. A beveled portion on the bottom back of a shoe upper cooperates with a rim portion having beveled edges formed on the top of a transparent heel. A latching means on the shoe upper selectively allows or prevents movement of the heel -- when assembled with the shoe upper -- away from the shoe sole. A light bulb and associated electrical components mounted on a printed circuit board are readily insertable into a cavity formed in the heel and communicating with the top and front portions thereof. Bores for receipt of an e.m.f. source or sources may also be provided in the heel.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising

a. a shoe upper,

b. a sole,

c. a transparent heel, said heel having formed therein a first cavity receiving a source of e.m.f. and a second cavity receiving an electrical assembly, said electrical assembly comprising a light bulb mounted on a printed circuit board and circuits on said board for providing electrical connection of a source of e.m.f. mounted in said first cavity to said light bulb, a three-position electrical switch mounted on said board and disposed in the circuits formed on said printed circuit board, and a mercury tilt switch disposed in a circuit between said switch and said light bulb, whereby said light bulb may be off, continuously on, or flashing on and off in response to heel movement, dependent upon the position of said three-position switch,

d. means for providing a secure but readily detachable connection between said heel and said upper, and

e. releasable means for either preventing or allowing relative movement of said heel with respect to said shoe upper in the direction away from said sole.

2. A shoe as recited in claim 1 wherein said second cavity in said heel communicates with the front and top portions of said heel, and wherein said electrical switch is positioned in said cavity so that an actuator therefor extends outwardly from the front of said heel near the top thereof.

3. A shoe as recited in claim 1 wherein said heel has a third cavity formed therein adapted to receive a source of e.m.f., each of said first and third cavities comprising a bore extending from the top of said heel toward the bottom thereof, and a means for electrically interconnecting e.m.f. sources disposed in said bores, said means including an electrically conducting member disposed within said heel and interconnecting the bottoms of said bores.

4. A shoe as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for providing a secure but readily detachable connection between said heel and said upper includes a plate portion formed on the bottom of said shoe upper near the back and partially around the sides thereof, said plate portion having a beveled edge formed around the periphery thereof corresponding to said shoe upper back and sides, and a rim portion formed on the upper surface of said heel around the back and sides thereof, said rim portion having a beveled portion formed thereon for cooperation with said beveled portion on said shoe upper, the cooperation of said side and back beveled portions preventing relative movement of said heel with respect to said shoe upper toward said sole or from side-to-side when said shoe upper and heel are assembled together.

5. A readily attachable-detachable shoe heel comprising

a. a transparent body member having generally flat top, bottom, front and side portions, and a generally arcuate back portion,

b. means defining a first cavity in said body member, said first cavity being open at the top of said heel body member and adapted to receive a source of e.m.f.,

c. means defining a second cavity in said body member, said second cavity being open at the top of said body member and adapted to receive an electrical assembly including a light bulb, and

d. an electrical assembly disposed in said second cavity, said assembly including a light bulb mounted on a printed circuit board and circuits on said board for providing electrical connection of a source of e.m.f. mounted in said first cavity to said light bulb, a three-position electrical switch mounted on said board and disposed in the circuits formed on said printed circuit board, and a mercury tilt switch disposed in a circuit between said switch and said light bulb, whereby said light bulb may be off, continuously on, or flashing on and off in response to heel movement, dependent upon the position of said three-position switch.

6. A heel as recited in claim 5 wherein said second cavity in said body member communicates with the front and top portions of said body member, and wherein said electrical switch is positioned in said cavity so that an actuator therefor extends outwardly from the front of said body member near the top thereof.

7. A heel as recited in claim 5 wherein said body member has a third cavity formed therein adapted to receive a source of e.m.f., each of said first and third cavities comprising a bore extending from the top of said body member toward the bottom thereof, and a means for electrically interconnecting e.m.f. sources disposed in said bores, said means including an electrically conducting member disposed within said body member and interconnecting the bottoms of said bores.

8. A readily attachable-detachable shoe heel comprising

a. a transparent body member having generally flat top, bottom, front and side portions, and a generally arcuate back portion,

b. means defining a first cavity in said body member, said first cavity being open at the top of said heel body member and adapted to receive a source of e.m.f.,

c. means defining a second cavity in said body member, said second cavity being open at the top of said body member and adapted to receive an electrical assembly including a light bulb,

d. an electrical assembly disposed in said second cavity, said assembly including a light bulb mounted on a printed circuit board, and circuits on said board for providing electrical connection of a source of e.m.f. mounted in said first cavity to the light bulb, and

e. means defining a third cavity formed in said body member, said third cavity adapted to receive a source of e.m.f., each of said first and third cavities comprising a bore extending from the top of said body member toward the bottom thereof, and a means for electrically interconnecting e.m.f. sources disposed in said bores, said means including an electrically conducting member disposed within said body member and interconnecting the bottoms of said bores.