Lighted footwear

• US 9,410,691 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2013
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujian Yibao Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Fujian Yibao Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lin, Jiayang
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US14/101,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20150003047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0485 the sensor sensing the physical interaction between a user and certain areas located on the lighting device, e.g. a touch sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0492 the sensor detecting a change in orientation, a movement or an acceleration of the lighting device, e.g. a tilt switch
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A display apparatus for lighted footwear, having a spring switch, a battery-powered integrated circuit sealingly encapsulated, a plurality of illuminators, and a wiring harness connecting the illuminators to points of the integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being configured for activating the illuminators in a sequential pattern that can include repeated activation cycles when the spring switch is subjected to an effective acceleration. The display apparatus preferably includes the battery being sealingly encapsulated together with the spring switch and the integrated circuit; an ON/OFF switch can be included for selectively producing a deep sleep state of the integrated circuit that is unresponsive to the spring switch. Also disclosed is footwear incorporating the display apparatus, wherein the encapsulated enclosure is located within a sole heel portion of the shoe, and the illuminators are distributed on the footwear for external view.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising:

a. a circuit module comprising;

i. an inertia switch comprising a stationary element and an elastic element, the elements being electrically conductive and making contact when the inertia switch is subjected to an effective acceleration;

ii. a logic circuit electrically connected to the inertia switch;

iii. a battery for powering the integrated circuit; and

iv. an enclosure sealingly encapsulating the inertia switch and the logic circuit

b. a plurality of illuminators; and

c. a wiring harness connected to the illuminators outside the enclosure and having an end portion sealingly extending into the enclosure and connecting the illuminators to plural points of the logic circuit, the logic circuit being configured for activating the illuminators in a predetermined activation sequence upon the inertia switch being subjected to the effective acceleration, the activation sequence comprising a repeated plurality of activation cycles, successive activation cycles being spaced by an inter-cycle rest interval, wherein at least some of the illuminators are flashed sequentially at least once in each activation cycle.

2. The display apparatus of claim 1, the activation sequence having a single pair only of the activation cycles.

3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sequential flashings are spaced by an intra-cycle interval, the intra-cycle interval being shorter than the inter-cycle rest interval.

4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic circuit comprises a CMOS integrated circuit.

5. The display apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an ON/OFF switch connected to the logic circuit for selectively producing a deep sleep state in which the logic circuit is unresponsive to the inertia switch.

6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein the CMOS integrated circuit comprises a control switch and a clock circuit, the control switch being connected to the inertia switch and the clock circuit, the clock circuit being connected to the ON/OFF switch, the deep sleep state being produced by the clock circuit being disabled in response to operation of the ON/OFF switch.

7. The display apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ON/OFF switch makes momentary contact, the deep sleep state being entered and exited in response to alternate activations of the ON/OFF switch.

8. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery is sealingly encapsulated within the enclosure.

9. The display apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery comprises a rechargeable battery module.

10. The display apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a protective charging circuit connected to the battery module.

11. Lighted footwear, comprising:

a. footwear structure comprising a sole having toe and heel portions, and an upper for confining a wearer'"'"'s foot on the sole; and

b. the display apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

i. the encapsulated enclosure is located within the heel portion of the sole; and

ii. the illuminators are distributed on the footwear structure for external view.

12. The lighted footwear of claim 11, wherein the upper comprises a closure in the form of a fastening strap, at least some of the illuminators being located on the fastening strap.

13. The lighted footwear of claim 12, wherein at least some of the illuminators are flashed sequentially at least once in each activation cycle.

14. The lighted footwear of claim 13, wherein the sequential flashings are spaced by an intra-cycle interval, the intra-cycle interval being shorter than the inter-cycle rest interval.

15. The lighted footwear of claim 11, further comprising an ON/OFF switch connected through the wiring harness to the logic circuit, the ON/OFF switch being located on the upper for selectively blocking the activation sequence.

16. The lighted footwear of claim 11, wherein the activation sequence comprises a repeated plurality of activation cycles, successive activation cycles being spaced by an inter-cycle rest interval.

17. The lighted footwear of claim 16, the activation sequence having a single pair only of the activation cycles.

18. The lighted footwear of claim 11, wherein the logic circuit comprises a CMOS integrated circuit.

19. The lighted footwear of claim 18, further comprising an ON/OFF switch connected to the logic circuit for selectively producing a deep sleep state in which the logic circuit is unresponsive to the inertia switch.

20. The lighted footwear of claim 19, wherein the CMOS integrated circuit comprises a control switch and a clock circuit, the control switch being connected to the inertia switch and the clock circuit, the clock circuit being connected to the ON/OFF switch, the deep sleep state being produced by the clock circuit being disabled in response to operation of the ON/OFF switch.

21. The lighted footwear of claim 20, wherein the ON/OFF switch makes momentary contact, the deep sleep state being entered and exited in response to alternate activations of the ON/OFF switch.

22. The lighted footwear of claim 11 wherein the battery is sealingly encapsulated within the enclosure.

23. The lighted footwear of claim 11 wherein the battery comprises a rechargeable battery module.

24. The lighted footwear of claim 23, further comprising a protective charging circuit connected to the battery module.

25. The lighted footwear of claim 24 wherein the battery module is located in a heel portion of the sole.

26. The lighted footwear of claim 25 wherein the protective charging circuit is located within the sole of the shoe.

27. The lighted footwear of claim 25 wherein the protective charging circuit is located in a fastening strap of the shoe.

28. Lighted footwear, comprising:

a. footwear structure comprising a sole having toe and heel portions, and an upper for confining a wearer'"'"'s foot on the sole;

b. display apparatus comprising;

i. a circuit module comprising an inertia switch comprising a stationary element and an elastic element, the elements being electrically conductive and making contact when the inertia switch is subjected to an effective acceleration;

a CMOS logic circuit electrically connected to the inertia switch and including a control switch and a clock circuit, the control switch being connected to the inertia switch and the clock circuit; and

a battery within the enclosure for powering the integrated circuit; and

an enclosure sealingly encapsulating the inertia switch, the logic circuit, and the battery;

ii. a plurality of illuminators;

iii. a wiring harness connected to the illuminators outside the enclosure and having an end portion sealingly extending into the enclosure and connecting the illuminators to plural points of the logic circuit, the logic circuit being configured for activating the illuminators in a predetermined activation sequence upon the inertia switch being subjected to the effective acceleration; and

iv. the clock circuit being connected to an ON/OFF switch, a deep sleep state of the CMOS logic circuit being produced by the clock circuit being disabled in response to operation of the ON/OFF switch; and

c. wherein;

i. the encapsulated enclosure is located within the heel portion of the sole;

ii. the ON/OFF switch is located on the upper and making momentary contact, the deep sleep state being entered and exited in response to alternate activations of the ON/OFF switch;

iii. the activation sequence comprises a pair of activation cycles wherein at least some of the illuminators are flashed sequentially, the activation cycles being spaced by an inter cycle rest interval, the sequential flashings being spaced by an intra-cycle interval, the intra-cycle interval being shorter than the inter cycle rest interval; and

iv. the illuminators are distributed on the footwear for external view.