Shoe light device and method

• US 9,863,631 B1
• Filed: 03/16/2014
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Douglas R. Storer
• Original Assignee: Douglas R. Storer
• Inventors: Storer, Douglas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Breval, Elmito
• Assistant Examiner(s): Farokhrooz, Fatima
• Application Number:
  US14/214,961
• Time in Patent Office: 1,395 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/36 with light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/02 characterised by the provision of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0885 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0008 Clothing or clothing accessories, e.g. scarfs, gloves or belts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/10 for personal use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

a light-monitoring apparatus includes a power source, a light detector, a computer processor coupled with the power source and in communication with the light detector and configured to receive and record light exposure detected by the light detector, an output device coupled with the computer processor, and a computer-readable medium coupled with the computer processor and storing instruction code for summing the recorded light exposure from the computer processor over time and communicating a signal to the output device to generate and communicate a signal indicating that a cumulative threshold light exposure for achieving a health benefit has been reached. The apparatus can accordingly be used by an individual to monitor cumulative light exposure from both natural and artificial sources, e.g., in the treatment of seasonal or non-seasonal depression.

Claims

1. A shoe light system comprising

a right shoe light configured to be attachable to a right shoe having a front a right side, and a rear, the right shoe light comprising

a right shoe light housing comprising a plurality of LEDs positioned in a right-sidewardly clockwise curved or inclined

a front portion,

a rear portion,

a rechargeable power source, and

a first light source comprising

a rear light source, such that the rear light source projects light from the right shoe light housing rear portion in a rearward and right side direction

a right shoe lace attachment element configured to mount the light housing on the bridge of the right shoe, and

a right shoe pivotable connector between the right shoe lace attachment element and the right shoe light housing;

a left shoe light configured to be attachable to a left shoe having a front, a left side, and a rear, the left shoe light comprising

a left shoe light housing comprising a plurality of LEDs positioned in a left-sidewardly counter-clockwise curved or inclined

a front portion,

a rear portion,

a rechargeable power source, and

a rear light source, such that the rear light source projects light from the left shoe light housing rear portion in a rearward and left side direction

a left shoe lace attachment element configured to mount the light housing on the bridge of the left shoe, and

a left shoe pivotable connector between the left shoe lace attachment element and the left shoe light housing;

such that the right shoe light housing and the left shoe light housing are different shapes and are mirror-images of each other; and

a power source recharging unit.

2. The shoe light system of claim 1 wherein

the power source recharging unit comprises

a dual connector attachable simultaneously to recharging ports in the light housings of the right shoe light and the left shoe light.

3. The shoe light system of claim 1 wherein the power source is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

4. The shoe light system of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe lace attachment element is a spring clip slide, a torque with clip, a hinge and snap, soft hook and loop strap, fixed mounting plate, rubber friction plate, magnet lock, twist lock screw, spring lock, criss cross, slide lock, top slide lock, hairclip, cross lock, snap lock, living hinge lock, press lock, cam lock, twist lock, or track lock.

5. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe pivotal connection is a ball joint, magnet joint, standard hinge, spring hinge, interlocking hinge, clip lock hinge, or metal pivot track.

6. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe light housing further comprises a lens.

7. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe light housing further comprises an on/off switch.

8. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe light housing further comprises a top overhang.

9. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe lace attachment element is a clip comprising

an upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm and lower arm connected at a first coupled end and spaced apart at a second gap end,

the lower arm positioned below laces in the shoe,

the gap end oriented toward the front of the shoe;

and

the right shoe pivotal connector is provided on the second gap end of the upper arm.

10. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe pivotal connector permits the right shoe light housing to be angled upward relative to the front of the shoe.

11. The shoe light of claim 1 wherein

the right shoe pivotal connector has a detachment feature to permit removing the right shoe light housing from at least a portion of the right shoe lace attachment element.

12. The shoe light system of claim 2 wherein

the recharging ports in the light housings of the right shoe light and the left shoe light are USB ports.

13. The shoe light of claim 7 wherein

the right shoe on/off switch is a control button to permit selection of one of a plurality of lighting modes.

14. A method of providing shoe lights on a right shoe, having a front, a right side, and a rear;

and on a left shoe, having a front, a left side, and a rear, the method comprising

providing a right shoe light comprising

a right shoe light housing comprising a right shoe rechargeable power source and a plurality of LEDs positioned in a right-sidewardly clockwise curved or inclined front portion,

a rear light source, such that the rear light source projects light from the right shoe light housing rear portion in a rearward and right side direction,

a right shoe lace attachment element, and

a right shoe pivotable connector between the lace attachment element and the light housing;

attaching the right shoe light to a right shoe by

securing the right shoe lace attachment element to laces on the first shoe, such that the right shoe light source provides a light in the direction of the front of the right shoe,

adjusting the right shoe pivotal connector to a desired angle relative to the right shoe lace attachment element;

providing a left shoe light comprising

a left shoe light housing, different in shape from, and a mirror image of, the right shoe housing, the left shoe light housing comprising a rechargeable power source and a plurality of LEDs positioned in a left-sidewardly counter-clockwise curved or inclined front portion,

a rear light source, such that the rear light source projects light from the left shoe light housing rear portion in a rearward and left side direction,

a left shoe lace attachment element; and

attaching the left shoe light to a second shoe by

securing the left shoe lace attachment element to laces on the left shoe, such that the left shoe light source provides a light in the direction of the front of the left shoe,

adjusting the left shoe pivotal connector to a desired angle relative to the left shoe lace attachment element;

turning on the right shoe light source and left shoe light source while walking or running with the shoe.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising

removing the right shoe and left shoe light housings from at least a portion of the right shoe and left shoe lace attachment elements;

and

recharging the power sources.