Article of footwear with illuminated chamber

• US 7,937,856 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2007
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Steven S, Cook, Christopher S.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, ANABEL
• Application Number:
  US11/962,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20090158622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/101, 362/103
• US Class Current: 36/137
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/20 Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas inflatable linings for skiboots A43B5/0407
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources

Abstract

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper. The sole assembly has at least one fluid-filled chamber capable of transmitting light and a recess. A light source is positioned in the recess, and an outsole is secured to a lower surface of the sole assembly.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper;

a sole assembly secured to the upper and including;

at least one support column comprising a fluid-filled chamber capable of transmitting light and including a recess, an upper plate, and a lower plate, with the fluid-filled chamber being positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate; and

a light source positioned in the recess; and

an outsole secured to a lower surface of the sole assembly.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional light source positioned in a recess of a fluid-filled chamber capable of transmitting light.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the light sources flash on and off intermittently.

4. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein the light sources flash on and off in a desired sequence.

5. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein at least one of the light sources emits a color of light different than a color of light emitted by at least one other light source.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a power source operably connected to the light source.

7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the power source is a battery.

8. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the power source is positioned in the sole assembly.

9. The article of footwear of claim 6, further comprising a midsole have a recess formed therein, the power source being positioned in the midsole recess.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the midsole recess includes a cover.

11. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a midsole positioned between the sole assembly and the upper.

12. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the fluid-filled chambers are positioned in a heel portion of the sole assembly.

13. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the light source is an LED.

14. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a switch to control operation of the light source.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a pressure sensitive switch to control operation of the light source.

16. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper;

a midsole secured to the upper;

a sole assembly secured to the upper and including;

a plurality of support columns, each support column including a fluid-filled chamber capable of transmitting light, a recess in an upper surface thereof, an upper plate and a lower plate, with the fluid-filled chamber being positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate; and

a plurality of light sources, each light source being positioned in a corresponding recess; and

an outsole secured to a lower surface of the sole assembly.

17. The article of footwear of claim 16, further comprising a switch to control operation of the light sources.

18. The article of footwear of claim 16, wherein each light source is an LED.

19. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper;

a midsole secured to the upper;

a sole assembly secured to the midsole and including;

a plurality of support columns, each support column including a top plate, a bottom plate, and a fluid-filled chamber capable of transmitting light positioned between the top and bottom plates, with each fluid-filled chamber including a recess in an upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of LEDs, each LED being positioned in a corresponding recess;

a battery operably connected to the LEDs;

a switch operably connected to the battery; and

an outsole secured to a lower surface of the sole assembly.

20. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper;

a sole assembly secured to the upper and including;

at least one fluid-filled chamber including a recess formed in an upper surface thereof; and

a light source positioned in the recess; and

an outsole secured to a lower surface of the sole assembly.

21. The article of footwear of claim 20, wherein the sole assembly includes a fluid-filled bladder, a plurality of recesses being formed in an upper surface of the bladder.