Footwear covert alarm and locator apparatus

• US 7,265,666 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2004
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fele Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fele Holding Corporation
• Inventors: Daniel, Sayo Isaac
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/979,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20060103538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/521, 340/531, 340/571, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 701/213, 342/357.1, 342/357.07, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12

Abstract

An alarm apparatus for footwear wherein the footwear includes a sole and a boot connected to the sole thereof. An alarm circuit for generating an alarm signal is positioned within and concealed by the sole of the footwear. An activation switch is positioned on an exterior surface of the boot and is electrically connected to the alarm circuit. Means for transmitting the alarm signal is connected to the alarm circuit. Upon activation of the alarm switch, the alarm signal is generated by the alarm circuit and transmitted by the transmitting means for receipt at a remote location thereby notifying a remote user that a local user is in distress.

Claims

1. An alarm apparatus comprising:

(a) an article of footwear comprising a sole and a boot connected to said sole;

(b) an alarm circuit for generating an alarm signal, said alarm circuit being positioned within, and concealed by, said sole of said footwear, said alarm circuit including means for determining the location of said alarm apparatus and means for encoding said location in said alarm signal;

(c) a covert activation switch for selective activation by the wearer of said footwear, said covert activation switch being positioned on an exterior surface of said boot and electrically connected to said alarm circuit, said covert activation switch being hidden from view; and

(d) means for transmitting said alarm signal, said means for transmitting being connected to said alarm circuit, wherein upon activation of said covert activation switch, said alarm signal is generated by said alarm circuit and said alarm signal, including said encoded location, is transmitted by said transmitting means for receipt at a remote location thereby notifying a remote user that a local user is in distress and simultaneously notifying said remote user of the location of said alarm apparatus.

2. The alarm apparatus of claim 1, wherein said alarm circuit comprises a circuit board having a processor positioned thereon and connected to said transmitting means, wherein said processor generates said alarm signal and provides said generated alarm signal to said transmitting means for transmission thereof.

3. The alarm apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for determining the location of said alarm apparatus and means for encoding said location in said alarm signal is comprised of a global positioning system receiver connected to said processor.

4. The alarm apparatus of claim 3, wherein said global positioning system receiver provides an output signal representative of the positional location of said local user to said processor and said generated alarm signal is encoded with said positional location.

5. The alarm apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a monitoring body for receiving said generated alarm signal having said positional location thereon and selectively notifying a responder that said local user is in distress and providing said responder with the location of said local user as encoded by said global positioning system.

6. The alarm apparatus of claim 5, wherein said monitoring body is able to visually monitor the positional location of said local user based on the receipt of said generated alarm signal having said positional location encoded thereon.

7. The alarm apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electrical connection between said covert activation switch and said alarm circuit is comprised of insulated copper wires.

8. The alarm apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a wiring harness for protecting said insulated copper wires.

9. The alarm apparatus of claim 8, wherein said wiring harness extends at least partially through said sole and said boot.

10. The alarm apparatus of claim 9, wherein said sole of said footwear protects said alarm circuit positioned therein.

11. The alarm apparatus of claim 10, wherein said sole is able to absorb shock associated with at least one of walking and running.

12. The alarm apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a cover hingedly connected to said boot for covering said covert activation switch.

13. The alarm apparatus of claim 12, wherein said cover is formed from a semi-rigid material for preventing inadvertent activation of said covert activation switch.

14. The alarm apparatus of claim 13, wherein said footwear is at least one of men'"'"'s footwear and women'"'"'s footwear.

15. The alarm apparatus of claim 14, wherein said footwear is at least one of a sneaker, a shoe, a boot, a pump, and a loafer.