Modular footwear display apparatus

• US 9,301,573 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elijah Clementy Jasmine
• Original Assignee: Elijah Clementy Jasmine
• Inventors: Jasmine, Elijah Clementy
• Primary Examiner(s): Mohandesi, Jila M
• Application Number:
  US13/536,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20130008058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• Field of Search: 361/32, 361/36, 361/37
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/24 Ornamental buckles; Other ornaments for shoes without fastening function
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements

Abstract

This invention is a removable module for customization of the display of images, animations or videos on footwear. It may synchronize with other like modules for a more dynamic and broader display across multiple pieces of footwear. In addition, it has a unique and sturdy attachment mechanism comprising a L-shaped attachment bar that locks into the data receptacle of the display. This allows stable binding of the module to footwear when in use and rapid attachment and removal.

Claims

1. A footwear apparatus for customizing a footwear, the footwear apparatus comprising:

an electronic display housing and a hooked latch, wherein said hooked latch is integrally connected to the electronic display housing by a hinge on a first side of the electronic display housing, wherein said electronic housing comprises a battery, a microprocessor, a circuit board, a data port, and an image display that uses visible radiant energy to make a footwear visible;

wherein said hooked latch comprises an L-shaped bar including a sliding portion with a substantially smooth and flat top surface, wherein said sliding portion has a greater length than a width, wherein said width of the sliding portion is less than a width of the electronic display housing to allow a more effective way of rapidly and securely attaching and detaching the electronic display housing to a lace of the footwear;

wherein said sliding portion, is integrally connected to a tab portion forming an angle of greater than 45 degrees;

wherein said tab portion has a substantially flat inner and an outer surfaces, wherein said inner surface further comprises a first catch portion that removably attaches to a second catch portion on a second opposite side of said electronic display housing for securely fastening the footwear apparatus to the footwear.

2. The footwear apparatus of claim 1, wherein said image display is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode display (LED), an electroluminescent display (ELD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin-film transistor display (TFT), an organic light emitting diode display (OLED), a capacitive touch screen, and a surface conduction electron emitter display (SED).

3. The footwear apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electronic display housing further comprises one or more data communication devices that are selected from the group consisting of an electromagnetic wave receiver, an electromagnetic wave transmitter, and blue tooth.