U.S. patent application number 13/688745 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-29 for internally illuminated footwear component.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roy Robert Smith, III. Invention is credited to Roy Robert Smith, III.
Application Number | 20140144050 13/688745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50772022 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140144050 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, III; Roy Robert |
May 29, 2014 |
Internally Illuminated Footwear Component
Abstract
The sole section of a shoe includes a midsole and an outsole,
with the midsole being made from a translucent material. An
illumination system is located inside the translucent midsole,
causing the translucent midsole to be internally illuminated when
the illumination system is active. Due to the translucent nature of
the midsole light from the illumination system reflects internally
throughout the midsole, increasing illumination. The light will
also illuminate adjacent translucent components, such as the
outsole if it is also made from a translucent material. Light from
the illumination system can be blocked, such as by an opaque
outsole or colored mold injection, and used to form an illuminated
design or logo. By blacking out or covering sections of the
translucent midsole, shapes and letters of visible light can be
created in the negative space of the obstruction sections. This
allows illuminated designs to easily be incorporated into
footwear.
Inventors: |
Smith, III; Roy Robert;
(Sugar Land, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smith, III; Roy Robert |
Sugar Land |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50772022 |
Appl. No.: |
13/688745 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/00 20130101;
A43B 1/0027 20130101; A43B 3/001 20130101; A43B 1/0072 20130101;
A43B 3/0078 20130101; A43B 1/0036 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/137 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/00 20060101
A43B003/00 |
Claims
1. An internally illuminated footwear component comprises, a sole
section; the sole section comprises a translucent midsole and a
translucent outsole; an illumination system; the illumination
system comprises a power source, a plurality of electrical wires,
and a plurality of illumination sources; an illumination housing;
the translucent midsole being positioned atop and connected to the
translucent outsole; the power source being electrically connected
to the plurality of illumination sources; the illumination housing
being positioned inside the translucent midsole; and the
illumination system being located within the illumination
housing.
2. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the illumination housing comprises a power
section, a plurality of channels, and a plurality of illumination
sections; the power source being positioned within the power
section; the plurality of illumination sources being positioned
within the plurality of illumination sections; the plurality of
electrical wires being positioned in the plurality of channels; the
power section being connected to the plurality of illumination
sections by the plurality of channels; and the plurality of
electrical wires being electrically connected to the power source
and the plurality of illumination sources.
3. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the plurality of illumination sources internally
illuminate the translucent midsole and the translucent outsole.
4. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the translucent midsole comprises a plurality of
open interior sections, a plurality of internal walls, and a
plurality of external walls, wherein the translucent midsole is of
a skeleton design; the plurality of open interior sections being
positioned within the translucent midsole; the plurality of
internal walls being positioned around the plurality of open
interior sections; the plurality of external walls being contourly
positioned around the translucent midsole; and the plurality of
external walls laterally surrounding the translucent midsole.
5. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 4, wherein the skeleton midsole design and a solid midsole
design are combined to form a partial skeleton midsole design.
6. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the translucent midsole and the translucent
outsole being integrally molded to form the sole section.
7. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 1 comprises, the translucent midsole and the translucent
outsole being separately molded, wherein the translucent midsole is
connected to the translucent outsole in order to form the sole
section.
8. An internally illuminated footwear component comprises, a sole
section; the sole section comprises a translucent midsole and an
opaque outsole; an illumination system; the illumination system
comprises a power source, a plurality of electrical wires, and a
plurality of illumination sources; an illumination housing; the
translucent midsole being positioned atop and connected to the
opaque outsole; the power source being electrically connected to
the plurality of illumination sources; the illumination housing
being positioned inside the translucent midsole; the illumination
system being located within the illumination housing; the
illumination housing comprises a power section, a plurality of
channels, and a plurality of illumination sections; the power
source being positioned within the power section; the plurality of
illumination sources being positioned within the plurality of
illumination sections; the plurality of electrical wires being
positioned in the plurality of channels; the power section being
connected to the plurality of illumination sections by the
plurality of channels; the plurality of electrical wires being
electrically connected to the power source and the plurality of
illumination sources; the opaque outsole comprises a plurality of
outsole design sections; the plurality of outsole design sections
traverse through the opaque outsole, wherein the translucent
midsole is visible through the plurality of outsole design
sections, and the plurality of outsole design sections is a
plurality of cavities in the opaque outsole or the plurality of
outsole design sections is a plurality of translucent sections in
the opaque outsole; the translucent midsole comprises a plurality
of open interior sections, a plurality of internal walls, and a
plurality of external walls, wherein the translucent midsole is of
a skeleton design; the plurality of open interior sections being
positioned within the translucent midsole; the plurality of
internal walls being positioned around the plurality of open
interior sections; the plurality of external walls being contourly
positioned around the translucent midsole; and the plurality of
external walls laterally surrounding the translucent midsole.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 8 comprises, a plurality of design inserts; the plurality of
design inserts being connected adjacent to the translucent midsole;
and the plurality of design inserts being aligned with the
plurality of outsole design sections.
14. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 13 comprises, the plurality of design inserts traversing from
the translucent midsole into the plurality of outsole design
sections, wherein the plurality of design inserts are shorter than
the plurality of outsole design sections.
15. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 13 comprises, the plurality of design inserts traversing from
the translucent midsole through the plurality of outsole design
sections, wherein the plurality of design inserts are flush with a
bottom surface of the opaque outsole.
16. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 13 comprises, the plurality of design inserts traversing from
the translucent midsole out of the plurality of outsole design
sections, wherein the plurality of design inserts are longer than
the plurality of outsole design sections.
17. (canceled)
18. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 8, wherein the skeleton midsole design and a solid midsole
design are combined to form a partial skeleton midsole design.
19. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 8 comprises, the translucent midsole and the opaque outsole
being integrally molded to form the sole section.
20. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 8 comprises, the translucent midsole and the opaque outsole
being separately molded, wherein the translucent midsole is
connected to the opaque outsole in order to form the sole
section.
21. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 8, wherein a front portion of a combined midsole is solid
while a rear portion of the combined midsole comprises a low
profile skeleton, the illumination system is placed in the
illumination housing during the multicolor molding process, and
permanently secured in place during an injection process.
22. The internally illuminated footwear component as claimed in
claim 8, wherein parts of the midsole are incorporated and protrude
from the midsole to form a flush bottom surface with the outsole.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a footwear
component with an internal illumination system and means of
displaying graphics and designs by selectively covering light from
the internal illumination system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Using light as an accessory to footwear is commonly employed
and has been for some time. Shoes, sneakers or otherwise, have been
given various arrangements of lighting systems to enhance visual
appeal of the shoe, especially towards children. Often times the
lights are external to the shoe, and serve as an accessory rather
than an integral part of the shoe, simply lighting up the outside
areas of the shoe. Generally, the lights do not internally
illuminate the shoe, instead providing illumination external to the
shoe.
[0003] While there are examples of footwear with internal lighting
systems, current methods of lighting a shoe can still use
improvement. Some solutions simply place a few lighting elements
inside the shoe, perhaps in a transparent compartment. While
certainly internal to the shoe, these lighting elements don't
really provide internal illumination. Some products hollow out
sections of shoes, where lights are placed. Sometimes these
hollowed sections have components inside, which are illuminated by
the lights. Other times the sections are empty, showing light along
the internal walls. These examples provide some measure of internal
illumination, but leave much to be desired. Generally, only small
portions of the shoe are illuminated, and even then, the shoe
itself is not illuminated so much as are various components and
internal surfaces which are located in the illuminated section.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an internally illuminated component for a shoe. It is a
further object of the present invention, to provide a method of
obstructing the internal illumination, to create visual designs
along the external surface, of the internally illuminated
component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, which embodies a singularly molded sole
section.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, which embodies a singularly molded sole
section.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top internal view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, which embodies a singularly molded sole
section.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a side internal view of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, which embodies a singularly molded sole
section.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a side internal view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a side internal view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an additional embodiment
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view showing the illumination
system of an additional embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first blackout
method of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second blackout
method of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a third blackout
method of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fourth blackout
method of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a fifth blackout
method of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a sixth blackout
method of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a right foot skeleton midsole
design of a first skeleton embodiment of the present invention with
a bottom mounted illumination system.
[0021] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of an outsole design of a first
skeleton embodiment of the present invention, which embodies
blackout method 5.
[0022] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of a combined skeleton midsole and
outsole of a first skeleton embodiment of the present invention,
which embodies blackout method 5.
[0023] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of a right foot skeleton midsole
design of a second skeleton embodiment of the present invention
with a bottom mounted illumination system and a midsole which
embodies blackout method 1.
[0024] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of an outsole design of a second
skeleton embodiment of the present invention, which embodies
blackout method 1.
[0025] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of a combined skeleton midsole and
outsole of a second skeleton embodiment of the present invention,
which embodies blackout method 1.
[0026] FIG. 22 is a bottom view of a right foot skeleton midsole
design of a third skeleton embodiment of the present invention with
a top mounted illumination system and a midsole which embodies
blackout method 1.
[0027] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of an outsole design of a third
skeleton embodiment of the present invention, which embodies
blackout method 1.
[0028] FIG. 24 is a bottom view of a combined skeleton midsole and
outsole of a third skeleton embodiment of the present invention,
which embodies blackout method 1.
[0029] FIG. 25 is a section view showing the interior of a skeleton
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 26 is a bottom view of a left foot showing a skeleton
embodiment of the present invention with a bottom mounted
illumination system.
[0031] FIG. 27 is a split view from heel to toe showing a skeleton
embodiment of the present invention with a bottom mounted
illumination system.
[0032] FIG. 28 is a top view of a right foot showing a skeleton
embodiment of the present invention with a top mounted illumination
system.
[0033] FIG. 29 is a split view from heel to toe showing a skeleton
embodiment of the present invention with a top mounted illumination
system.
[0034] FIG. 30 is a split view from heel to toe showing a partial
skeleton midsole embodiment of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0035] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0036] An internally illuminated footwear component comprises a
sole section 1, an illumination system 2, and an illumination
housing 3, shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The
illumination housing 3 is located within the midsole area and is
designed to receive the illumination system 2. Since the
illumination system 2 is placed within the midsole area, the
resulting footwear component is internally illuminated.
[0037] The sole section 1 further comprises a translucent midsole
11 and translucent outsole 12, which themselves are respectively
positioned in the midsole area and an outsole area. In the
preferred embodiment, this sole section 1 is molded as a single
translucent component, as depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. The
translucent midsole 11, which includes the illumination housing 3
illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, is located above the translucent
outsole 12, which itself comprises a tread pattern along a bottom
face. Atop the sole section 1, positioned around the perimeter of
the translucent midsole 11, is a welt 6 that forms a wall around
the translucent midsole 11. Visible in FIG. 3, this welt 6 is also
known as a lip, and is common to many footwear designs. This sole
section 1 is integral to the functioning of the present invention.
The sole section 1 can be used in various types of footwear
designs, providing both the required internal support and external
hardiness needed for the common footwear. The translucent nature of
the sole section 1 allows the sole section 1 to be internally
illuminated by the illumination system 2, which is installed in the
illumination housing 3 located in the translucent midsole 11. Due
to the translucent properties of the sole section 1, the light from
the illumination system 2 travels throughout both the translucent
midsole 11 and translucent outsole 12, providing a visually
appealing internally illuminated display.
[0038] Though the preferred embodiment describes the present
invention as being a singularly, solid molded component, that being
the sole section 1, it is also possible to mold the sole section 1
as separate pieces. In such a variation, the translucent midsole 11
would be molded independently from the translucent outsole 12. The
two individual components would then be connected to form the whole
sole section 1. In this variation, the sole section 1 is
essentially identical to that of the preferred embodiment, with the
only key difference being the assembly method. The illumination
system 2 and illumination housing 3 are still located in the
translucent midsole 11, while the welt 6 remains atop and around
the translucent midsole 11. Likewise, the bottom face of the
translucent outsole 12 contains a tread pattern. Examples of this
variation can be seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0039] In another embodiment, the sole section 1 comprises a
translucent midsole 11 and an opaque outsole 13. This embodiment
shares many aspects with the preferred embodiment. Located in the
translucent midsole 11 is an illumination housing 3, which itself
contains an illumination system 2. The translucent midsole 11 also
includes a welt 6, positioned around the top of the translucent
midsole 11. The opaque outsole 13, similar to the translucent
outsole 12 of the preferred embodiment, includes a tread pattern
along the bottom face. The differences in this other embodiment are
related to the opaque outsole 13. The opaque outsole 13 obstructs
views of the internally illuminated translucent midsole 11,
preventing the translucent midsole 11 from being seen from the
bottom face of the footwear; as a result, only the outer side
surfaces of the translucent midsole 13 is illuminated. To take
advantage of this, sections of the opaque outsole 13 can be
removed, allowing corresponding sections of the translucent midsole
11 to be seen through the cut areas of the opaque outsole 13. By
removing specific areas, logos, designs, and other illustrations
can be formed in the opaque outsole 13. Since the internally
illuminated translucent midsole 11 is visible through these areas,
the logos, designs, and other illustrations appear to be
illuminated. There are different ways of implementing these areas,
discussed later as blackout methods. An example of an opaque
outsole 13 is shown in FIG. 7, where the outsole actually wraps
around the side of the footwear and creates a design along the side
of the translucent midsole 11. The illustration in FIG. 7 depicts a
sole section 1 where the translucent midsole 11 and opaque outsole
13 may be created from either a single multicolor mold or from
separately molded components.
[0040] As mentioned in the above other embodiment, the sole section
1 can be built from a single mold, or assembled from two molds.
Since the translucent midsole 11 and opaque outsole 13 have
different properties, a multicolor mold is needed if the sole
section 1 is built from a single mold. Alternatively, if the
translucent midsole 11 and opaque outsole 13 are molded
individually, the two components can be connected to form the sole
section 1.
[0041] In a third embodiment, seen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the sole
section 1 is integrated into the full shoe, commonly referred to as
"jellies". Jellies are a type of footwear that is created from a
mold. With a jelly, the sole section 1 is often created as part of
the same component as the full shoe, unlike other methods where the
sole section 1 is created independently and later used as a base
for other components, such as a shoe upper 5. In the present
invention, the jelly is molded from a translucent material that is
internally illuminated by the illumination system 2. As the jelly
represents a footwear that is entirely translucent, the entire
jelly footwear is internally illuminated. Since the illumination
housing 3, and thus system, are located in the sole section 1, the
light from the illumination system 2 travels from the translucent
midsole 11 and translucent outsole 12 to the translucent upper 5.
As a result, 100% of the jelly footwear, including the translucent
midsole 11, translucent outsole 12, and upper 5, is
illuminated.
[0042] In the preferred embodiment the illumination housing 3 is
cut into the top of the translucent midsole 11, illustrated in FIG.
3. The illumination housing 3 comprises a power section 31, a
plurality of channels 32, and a plurality of illumination sections
33. The illumination housing 3 is aligned so that the illumination
system 2 is parallel with the top of the translucent midsole 11, as
well as being positioned so that the top of the illumination system
2 touches or nearly touches the plane of the top surface of the
translucent midsole 11, as illustrated in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, and FIG.
7. Each part of the illumination housing 3 is designed to contain a
specific part of the illumination system 2. Due to this, either a
single channel or plurality of channels 32 run from the power
section 31 to the plurality of illumination sections 33, as
illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8. In this preferred embodiment, the
illumination system 2 is held in place by friction. Since the
illumination housing 3 is cut into the top of the translucent
midsole 11, the illumination system 2 may be accessed even after a
shoe is assembled. This is done by removing the footbed, insole,
insert, or any other interfering components (which varies with the
type of shoe) that may be between the shoe interior and the
translucent midsole 11. One such example of an additional
interfering component is the lasting board. The lasting board
serves as the main connection point between a separately built
upper and the midsole, and is ubiquitous in shoe manufacturing. The
separately built upper is often stitched or glued to the lasting
board, while the lasting board itself is glued to the top of the
midsole, thus connecting the shoe's separately built upper to the
midsole. Since the lasting board covers the translucent midsole 11,
and thus the illumination housing 3, a means of access must be
provided if a manufacturer wants the illumination system 2 to be
accessible. There are two variations of providing access through
the lasting board.
[0043] One option is to cut access holes in the lasting board prior
to connecting the separately built upper to the lasting board. The
access holes correspond in shape and size to the illumination
housing 3. The access holes in the lasting board would be slightly
larger in size than the illumination housing 3, thus allowing for
easier alignment of the lasting board with the illumination housing
3 during the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the access holes
can be cut from the lasting board after connecting the separately
built upper to the lasting board. As with the first option, this
will still result in access holes that expose the illumination
housing 3, visible after removing the footbed or insole.
[0044] In other embodiments, where the translucent midsole 11 is
molded separate from the outsole, the illumination housing 3 could
alternatively be cut into the bottom of the translucent midsole 11,
rather than the top. In this configuration, the illumination system
2 is held in place by friction as well as the outsole. Prior to
connecting the outsole to the translucent midsole 11, the
illumination system 2 must be placed in the illumination housing 3.
After the outsole is connected to the translucent midsole 11 the
illumination system 2 will no longer be accessible, unless the
maker designs an outsole which is removable from the translucent
midsole 11. This is in contrast to the preferred embodiment, where
the illumination system 2 may be accessed from the top by removing
a shoe insert.
[0045] The illumination system 2 comprises a power source 21, a
plurality of electrical wires 22, and a plurality of illumination
sources 23, examples of which can be seen in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and
FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, the power
source 21 is located in the power section 31 of the illumination
housing 3. The plurality of electrical wires 22 are placed in the
plurality of channels 32. Likewise, the plurality of illumination
sources 23 are located in the plurality of illumination sections 33
of the illumination housing 3. The plurality of illumination
sources 23 are provided power from the power source 21 by the
plurality of electrical wires 22, connecting the power source 21 to
the plurality of illumination sources 23. The illumination sources
23 are preferably light-emitting diodes (LEDs), oriented so that
light travels parallel to the plane of the translucent midsole 11.
Light originating from the LEDs is affected as it approaches the
edge of the translucent midsole 11. Some of the light from the LEDs
will continue through the edge of the translucent midsole 11,
perhaps refracting, but still leaving the translucent midsole 11.
The light that is not transmitted will be internally reflected at
the barrier between the translucent midsole 11 and the outside
area. This internally reflected light will continue travelling
within the translucent midsole 11 until reaching another edge of
the translucent midsole 11, where the light will either be
transmitted, refracted, or internally reflected again. Due to the
internal reflection of the light, only a few LEDs need to be
included to provide the desired internal illumination for the
translucent midsole 11 or "jelly" type footwear.
[0046] A wide variety of LEDs are available and can be used to
achieve different effects as part of the illumination system 2. In
addition to being available in different colors, LEDs can have
different brightness values and viewing angles. LEDs with narrower
viewing angles can be used to provide more intense beams of light,
while larger viewing angles will provide a wider, more diffuse
coverage of the translucent midsole 11. LEDs with different colors
and brightness can be used together to create colorful and
intriguing visual displays. A large amount of combinations are
possible given the variety of LEDs in terms of color and other
attributes.
[0047] In all embodiments, a variety of "blackout" methods can be
implemented. The blackout methods are ways of blocking light from
the internally illuminated translucent midsole 11 (and translucent
outsole 12, when applicable). By strategically blocking light, it
is possible to incorporate designs, logos, and other embellishments
with the present invention. There are six different implementations
of the blackout method. Each variation of the blackout method uses
a plurality of outsole design sections 131, while some also require
the use of a plurality of design inserts 14. The outsole design
sections 131 and design inserts 14 can take numerous forms,
depending on the intended overall design. A common and simple
design is a word across the sole of the footwear, such as the name
of the product or brand. In this instance, the individual outsole
design sections 131 and design inserts 14 are simply the letters
that form the product name.
[0048] The first blackout method, shown in FIG. 10, utilizes the
plurality of outsole design sections 131 and the plurality of
design inserts 14. In this first blackout method, the outsole
design sections 131 are cut from the opaque outsole 13, creating a
plurality of cavities 132. This results in parts of the translucent
midsole 11 being exposed through the outsole design sections 131
cut from the opaque outsole 13. Molded as part of the translucent
midsole 11 and aligned with the outsole design sections 131 is the
plurality of design inserts 14. These design inserts 14 slightly
protrude from the translucent midsole 11, such that the design
inserts 14 will traverse into the outsole design sections 131 when
the opaque outsole 13 is connected to the translucent midsole 11.
As a result, when the sole section 1 is viewed from the bottom, the
design (e.g. product name) is defined by the outsole design
sections 131. It essentially appears that the design is
illuminated, even though only the translucent midsole 11 is
illuminated.
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a second blackout method, in which the
plurality of outsole design sections 131 are cut from the outsole,
just as in the first blackout method. However, in the second
blackout method a plurality of filters 133, separate from both the
translucent midsole 11 and the opaque outsole 13, are connected to
the translucent midsole 11. These filters 133 are used when the
plurality of outsole design sections 131 cannot fully replicate the
intended design. For example, with letters and numbers such as "A",
"O", "R", "Q", "9", and "6", there are center portions (e.g. the
triangle in "A") that cannot be cut from the outsole. In this
instance, the filters 133 are connected to the translucent midsole
11, aligned with the centers of the outsole design sections 131, in
order to block the centers of the outsole design sections 131.
Using this blackout method, the triangle in the center section of
the "A" will be opaque, helping to outline the entire "A" shape.
This is in contrast to the first blackout method where the
translucent midsole 11 is still visible in the center section of
the "A", causing the triangle to light up.
[0050] The third blackout method, similar to the first blackout
method, cuts a plurality of outsole design sections 131 from the
outsole to define a design or illustration as illustrated in FIG.
12. As with the first blackout method, the third blackout method
utilizes a plurality of design inserts 14. These design inserts 14
have the same shape and size as the outsole design sections 131,
and are positioned so that the design inserts 14 and outsole design
sections 131 overlap when the opaque outsole 13 is connected to the
translucent midsole 11. The design inserts 14 are extended from the
translucent midsole 11. The depth of these design inserts 14 is
equal to the depth of the cuts made into the opaque outsole 13. In
other words, their depth is equal to the thickness of the opaque
outsole 13. As a result, when the opaque outsole 13 is connected to
the translucent midsole 11, the design inserts 14 are flush with
the bottom surface 135 of the opaque outsole 13.
[0051] A fourth blackout method, depicted in FIG. 13, is a slight
variant of the third blackout method. As with the third blackout
method, a plurality of outsole design sections 131 are cut from the
opaque outsole 13, while a plurality of design inserts 14 are
extended from the translucent midsole 11. The difference between
the third blackout method and the fourth blackout method is how far
the design inserts 14 are extended. In the fourth blackout method,
the design inserts 14 are extended past the opaque outsole 13. That
is, the design inserts 14 have a depth greater than the thickness
of the opaque outsole 13. As a result, when the opaque outsole 13
is connected to the translucent midsole 11, the design inserts 14
extend past the bottom surface 135 of the opaque outsole 13,
similar to spikes.
[0052] Visible in FIG. 14, the fifth blackout method employs only a
plurality of outsole design sections 131. However, rather than
cutting the outsole design sections 131 from the opaque outsole 13,
the opaque outsole 13 is molded so that a plurality of translucent
sections 134 form the outsole design sections 131; these are made
from a clear or translucent material rather than an opaque material
like the rest of the opaque outsole 13. This blackout method
requires the use of a multicolor mold in order to create the
plurality of translucent sections 134 in the opaque outsole 13.
This effectively allows light from the internally illuminated
translucent midsole 11 to pass through the translucent sections 134
within the opaque outsole 13, similar to the other blackout
methods. Potentially, it is also possible to create "negative
designs", where the designs are defined by opaque sections, and the
translucent portion of the outsole creates the negative space. It's
conceptually similar to writing black letters on a white background
instead of writing white letters on a black background. In this
instance, the outsole is molded so that the outsole design sections
131 are opaque and the rest of the outsole is translucent. As a
result, the outsole is internally illuminated, like the midsole,
but the designs are defined by the opaque areas of the outsole.
[0053] The sixth blackout method, similar to the first method, cuts
the plurality of outsole design sections 131 from the opaque
outsole 13. In this blackout method, the cuts are made in a stencil
style, seen in FIG. 15; this is similar to the second blackout
method, in that it aims to address the center areas of letters such
as "A". In stenciling, such areas are referred to as islands.
Islands are spaces that are surrounded by pieces that need to be
cut, like the triangle shape in the aforementioned "A". Stencils
solve this problem by adding bridges to the designs. These bridges
connect islands to other parts of the stencil, allowing the stencil
to remain as one piece while still having the design ("A", in this
case) show up.
[0054] The various blackout methods can be applied anywhere along
the sole section 1. It is even possible to blackout illumination
from the side of the translucent midsole 11 or sole section 1,
whether through a multicolor mold or by extending the opaque
outsole 13 to cover parts or all of the side of the translucent
midsole 11. Resultantly, designs, logos, and other arrangements
could be incorporated across the sides of the sole section 1 and
translucent midsole 11, an example of which can be seen in FIG.
7.
[0055] In other embodiments the translucent midsole 11 may not be
solid, but instead built with a skeleton design, resulting in a
skeleton midsole. The skeleton midsole has open interior sections
111 formed by internal and external walls 113, which can be
produced in various arrangements, such as those shown in FIG. 25.
As with the preferred embodiment, the skeleton midsole will be a
translucent midsole 11. To enhance the internal passage of light
within the translucent skeleton midsole the corresponding areas of
the mold, which form the interior walls of the skeleton midsole,
are electroplated. This eliminates most, if not all, of the
reflection or refraction of light as it relates to the internal
walls 112 of the midsole. Electroplating these specific areas of
the production mold, in which the translucent midsole 11 is
produced, creates the smoothest and thus clearest surface possible
thus enhancing the internal illumination of the midsole. In
contrast with the internal walls 112, the parts of the mold
corresponding to the external walls 113 are non-electroplated. In
addition, the internal walls 112 curve as they meet the internal
base. Similar to electroplating, curving the internal walls 112
creates an easy pathway for light to travel and promotes internal
reflection and full illumination of the skeleton midsole.
[0056] When employing a skeleton midsole there are three variations
in how the illumination system 2, skeleton midsole, opaque outsole
13, and outsole design sections 131 are combined and arranged. In a
first variation, the illumination system 2 is installed in the
bottom of the skeleton midsole, with the outsole design sections
131 being positioned to overlap with the plurality of illumination
sources 23. In a second variation, the illumination system 2 is
also installed in the bottom of the skeleton midsole, but the
outsole design sections 131 do not overlap the plurality of
illumination sources 23. Examples of a bottom mounted illumination
system 2 are shown in FIG. 26 and FIG. 27. In a third variation,
the illumination system 2 is installed in the top of the skeleton
midsole, while the outsole design sections 131 can be positioned
anywhere; this variation works the same whether or not the outsole
design sections 131 overlap the illumination sources 23. Examples
of a top mounted illumination system 2 are seen in FIG. 28 and FIG.
29.
[0057] In the first variation, the outsole (FIG. 17) connects to
the skeleton midsole (FIG. 16), with the outsole design sections
131 overlapping a portion of the illumination system 2 and
illumination sources 23, as shown in FIG. 18. Given that blackout
methods 1 through 4 and 6 would result in exposing the illumination
housing 3 and illumination system 2, only blackout method 5, which
uses multicolor molding for the outsole, will function properly in
this variation.
[0058] In the second variation, as with the first variation, the
outsole (FIG. 20) is connected to the midsole (FIG. 19) adjacent to
the illumination system 2. However, unlike the first variation, the
outsole design sections 131 do not overlap with the illumination
system 2, as shown in FIG. 21. As a result, cuts, like used with
many of the blackout methods, can be made into the opaque outsole
13 without exposing the illumination housing 3 and illumination
system 2. This means that each discussed blackout method, 1-6, will
function properly in this second variation. Even methods such as
blackout method 1, where design inserts 14 are molded into the
skeleton midsole, will work.
[0059] In the third variation, the outsole (FIG. 23), as always, is
connected to the bottom of the midsole (FIG. 22) to create the full
sole section 1 (FIG. 24). The illumination system 2, on the other
hand, is installed in the top section of the skeleton midsole. As a
result, the illumination system 2 will not interfere with the
outsole design sections 131, regardless of whether the outsole
design section 131 overlaps the illumination system 2 or not. As
with the second variation, this means that any of the blackout
methods can be successfully applied to this third variation.
[0060] In addition to the mentioned embodiments there are a
multitude of slight variations that could be made to the present
invention. While a preferred solid midsole and a skeleton midsole
have been described, the two concepts could be combined in a single
design, such as in FIG. 30. In this combined midsole the front
portion of the combined midsole is solid while the rear portion
comprises a low profile skeleton. In this variation the
illumination system 2 can be placed in the illumination housing 3
during the multicolor molding process, and permanently secured in
place during an injection process. In another example, the outsole
does not need to completely cover the translucent midsole 11. Parts
of the translucent midsole 11 could be incorporated as part of the
sole, where sections of the translucent midsole 11 protrude from
the rest of the midsole and form a flush bottom surface 135 with
the outsole. Examples of this are visible in FIG. 16, FIG. 18, FIG.
22, and FIG. 24. Potentially, the translucent midsole 11 could be
hollowed out and designed to fill with water, providing an
alternative visual experience. However, this would require sealing
the translucent midsole 11 from the illumination housing 3, as well
as providing a way to fill the translucent midsole 11 with water. A
simpler change is placing a dispersive prism facing the
illumination source 23, refracting the light and further enhancing
the visual experience.
[0061] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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