U.S. patent application number 14/674917 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for illuminated shoe insert.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sam Escamilla. Invention is credited to Sam Escamilla.
Application Number | 20150272262 14/674917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54188582 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150272262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Escamilla; Sam |
October 1, 2015 |
Illuminated Shoe Insert
Abstract
An illuminated shoe insert that can be secured to a conventional
shoe. The shoe insert comprises an elongated body for placement
over the tongue of a shoe. The body has an arcuate shape to match
the curvature of the front portion of a shoe. The body includes
multiple side openings for receiving shoe laces therethrough, and
may further include center openings for receiving loops on the
tongue of a shoe. The shoe insert can be secured to the shoe by
threading the shoe laces through the openings thereon and through
the eyelets of the shoe. The body of the shoe insert includes one
or more lights thereon that illuminate the area in front of the
user's feet. The lights are selectively powered by a power source
disposed in a housing on the shoe insert.
Inventors: |
Escamilla; Sam; (Martin,
SD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Escamilla; Sam |
Martin |
SD |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54188582 |
Appl. No.: |
14/674917 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61972586 |
Mar 31, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/001 20130101;
A43B 23/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/00 20060101
A43B003/00 |
Claims
1) An illuminated shoe insert, comprising: a body adapted to be
positioned over a tongue of a shoe; a plurality of side openings
disposed on opposing sides of said body adapted to receive shoe
laces therethrough for securing said body to said shoe; one or more
lights disposed on said body.
2) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said body is
arcuate so as to conform to the shape of said shoe.
3) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said body is
semi-rigid.
4) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said plurality
of side openings are evenly spaced.
5) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said plurality
of side openings are arranged in pairs on opposing sides of said
body.
6) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, further comprising one
or more center openings adapted to receive a portion of said tongue
of said shoe therethrough.
7) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, wherein said one or more
lights are arranged in a row.
8) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, further comprising a
housing for a power source.
9) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 8, wherein said power
source comprises one or more batteries.
10) The illuminated shoe insert of claim 1, further comprises a
control switch for selectively illuminating said one or more
lights.
11) A illuminated shoe insert, comprising: an arcuate body adapted
to be positioned over a tongue of a shoe; a plurality of side
openings disposed on opposing sides of said body adapted to receive
shoe laces therethrough for securing said body to said shoe; one or
more lights disposed on an upper portion of said body that are
selectively illuminable; a housing adapted to hold a power source
for powering said one or more lights; a control switch for
selectively illuminating said one or more lights.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/972,586 filed on Mar. 31, 2014. The above
identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an illuminated shoe insert.
More specifically, the present invention provides a shoe insert to
be placed over the tongue of a shoe and that can be secured thereto
by threading the laces of the shoe through openings on the shoe
insert, wherein the shoe insert includes one or more lights thereon
for selectively providing illumination.
[0004] Many individuals enjoy running or walking during the night
for exercise or for leisure. However, running or walking outside
during periods of low light can be dangerous as obstacles, such as
sticks, rocks, potholes, and uneven surfaces can be hard to detect.
As a result, a person may stumble or fall, resulting in injury due
to the person's inability to see the obstacle. This is especially
problematic for runners who are moving at a faster rate of speed
and have less time to visualize obstacles prior to encountering the
same. Further, a runner may be distracted or preoccupied and may
not be paying close attention to the ground and objects
thereon.
[0005] As a result, some people walk or run with flashlights in
order to allow the person to see more easily. However, flashlights
can be heavy and unwieldy, particularly for a runner. The
flashlight creates an imbalance since the weight of the flashlight
is on one side of the user. Further, it can be difficult to hold
the flashlight steady while walking or running, and holding the
flashlight prevents the person from using their hands for other
purposes, such as carrying a water bottle, a cell phone, or other
such items.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
shoe lights. These include devices that have been patented and
published in patent application publications. These devices
generally relate to a shoes having lights thereon and light
attachments for shoes. The following is a list of devices deemed
most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described
for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique
aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the
drawbacks existing in the prior art.
[0008] One such device, U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,680 to Miller et al.
discloses a shoe light attachment. The device includes a harness
fitted to the dimensions of a shoe upper. The harness includes a
mounting panel disposed over the shoe laces and that includes
sockets for receiving a light device. The light device includes
extensions for moving the light device to various positions on the
mounting panel. The device further includes an elongated ridged
member to be secured under the shoe laces. Thus, Miller et al.
fails to disclose an illuminated shoe insert having a body with
openings thereon for threading shoe laces therethrough, and that
further includes one or more lights permanently affixed on an upper
portion thereof.
[0009] Another device, U.S. Pat. No. 8,444,284 to Malone discloses
a shoe lace shaped light securable to a shoe. The shoe lace shaped
light can be pre-folded and tied so that it may not become
unfolded. The shoe lace shaped light can be powered by batteries or
can be solar powered. Thus, Malone discloses a light securable to
shoes shaped light shoe laces, and does not disclose a body shaped
similarly to a shoe upper and securable to the shoe by threading
the shoe laces through openings on the body.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,847 to Lerch discloses a toe light to be
applied to a shoe. The device comprises a rectangular casing having
a central opening on the front wall thereof. A flashlight bulb is
secured within the bore of a protective shield positioned within
the opening on the front wall. Thus, while Lerch discloses a shoe
light, Lerch fails to disclose a shoe light having a body portion
shaped similarly to a shoe tongue that can be secured to the shoe
by threading the shoe laces through openings on the body.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,688 to Yuen et al. discloses an
interactive shoe light. The interactive shoe light comprises a
power source, a motion switch for generating an activation signal,
an integrated circuit, and lighting elements. The lighting elements
are illuminated in one or more predetermined patterns. Thus, Yuen
discloses a shoe light device, but does not disclose a shoe light
removably securable to a shoe and that is secured to the shoe by
engaging the laces of the shoe therewith.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,523 to Chien discloses a shoe with a
light strip. The device comprises a DC power supply, a DC-AC
inverter, and an electro-luminescent element mounted on an upper
portion of the shoe. The DC power supply and DC-inverter can be
mounted on the bottom of a shoe. Thus, Chien discloses a shoe
having lights integrated therein and does not disclose a removable
attachment for a shoe.
[0013] These prior art devices have several known drawbacks.
Several devices disclose lights integrated into a shoe. Thus, the
user must purchase a specific shoe having lights integrated therein
and cannot use a conventional pair of shoes, which can be
inconvenient and undesirable. Other devices provide removable shoe
lights but do not allow the user to easily secure the shoe lights
by securing the device to the shoe using the shoe laces. The user
must instead use separate fastening means and straps which can be
cumbersome and inconvenient for the user.
[0014] In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is
submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in
design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear
that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing shoe
light devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially
fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of shoe lights now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a new shoe light wherein the same can be
utilized for providing convenience for the user when providing
light in an area around the user's feet.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved shoe light device that has all of the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
shoe light device shaped similarly to the tongue of a shoe so that
it can be disposed thereover.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe
light device comprising a plurality of openings adapted to receive
a shoe lace therethrough for securing the shoe light device to the
shoe.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
shoe light device having one or more lights thereon adapted to
illuminate an area adjacent to a user's feet.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe
light device that may be readily fabricated from materials that
permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows front perspective view of an embodiment of the
illuminated shoe insert of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the illuminated shoe
insert as positioned adjacent to a shoe for installation.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the illuminated shoe insert as
secured to a shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the shoe light attachment. For the purposes
of presenting a brief and clear description of the present
invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for
providing light in the area surrounding a user's feet. The figures
are intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front perspective
view of an embodiment of the illuminated shoe insert of the present
invention. The illuminated shoe insert 11 comprises a body 12
shaped similarly to the tongue of a shoe. The body 12 is elongated
and comprises an arcuate shape so that it conforms to the shape of
a shoe. The body 12 is preferably semi-rigid and is composed of a
durable, plastic material. The body 12 includes an upper end 13
adapted to be adjacent to the upper portion or opening of a shoe
when installed thereon, and a lower end 14 adapted to be disposed
adjacent to the toe portion of the shoe.
[0028] The body 12 of the shoe insert 11 comprises a plurality of
side openings 15 thereon. The side openings 15 are positioned on
the periphery of the body 12 and along the side edges of the body
12. The side openings 15 are preferably arranged in pairs on
opposing sides of the body 12 such that the side openings 15 are
arranged similarly to the eyelets on a shoe. The side openings 15
are equally spaced and are adapted to be positioned adjacent to the
eyelets on a shoe so that shoe laces can be threaded therethrough.
Further, the body 12 may include center openings 16 disposed
between each pair of side openings 15. The center openings 16 allow
loops on a shoe tongue to pass therethrough so that the loops are
more easily accessed. The user can lace his or her shoes in the
desired fashion, and thread the laces through the side openings 15
and/or the center openings 16 so as to securely position shoe
insert 11 thereon.
[0029] The upper end 13 of the body 12 includes one or more lights
18 thereon. Preferably, the lights 18 are supported on a strip 17
and are arranged in a row. The lights 18 are preferably directed
toward the area in front of the user when the shoe insert 11 is
secured to a shoe. In this way, the lights can illuminate the area
adjacent to the user's feet and can illuminate an area directly in
front of the user so that the user can see obstacles on the ground
prior to encountering the same. The lights 18 preferably include
one or more LED lights. The lights 18 are powered by a power
source, such as one or more batteries. The power source is
contained within a housing 19 positioned on the upper end 13 of the
body 12. The housing 19 further includes a control switch thereon
that allows the user to turn the lights on or off. The housing 19
and the lights 18 are constructed so as to be waterproof in order
to prevent any damage to the device if the user is outside in the
rain or other inclement weather.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side perspective
view of the illuminated shoe insert as positioned adjacent to a
shoe for installation. The shoe insert 11 is shaped similarly to a
tongue 21 of a shoe 20 so that it can be positioned thereover. In
this way, the shoe insert 11 is arranged on the front portion of
the shoe 20 so that the lights 18 thereon are directed towards the
area in front of the user. The shoe insert 11 can be placed
directly over top of the shoe tongue 21 so that it is substantially
flush thereagainst and spans from the upper end of the shoe to the
lower end thereof. The shoe insert 11 is sized so as to fit on the
tongue and between opposing sides of the shoe 20.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front view of the
illuminated shoe insert as secured to a shoe. The body 12 of the
shoe insert 11 is positioned directly over the tongue of the shoe
20 and fits between the sides of the shoe 20. The body 12 is
positioned so the side openings 15 align with the eyelets on the
shoe 20. In this way, the shoe lace 22 can be laced through the
eyelets in the traditional manner, and the laces 22 are also
threaded through the side openings 15 on the shoe insert 11. In
this way, the shoe insert 11 is easily secured to the shoe 20 by
means of the laces 22 thereon. The center openings 16 are adapted
to allow loops on shoes having loops on the tongue to extend
therethrough. Thus, the user can lace their shoes in the ordinary
manner such that the laces 22 are disposed underneath the shoe
insert 11 of the present invention. However, the user can lace
their shoes in any desired manner such that the laces are used to
secure the shoe insert 11 to the shoe 20.
[0032] The upper end 13 of the shoe insert 11 includes one or more
lights 18 thereon. The lights are preferably arranged on a light
strip 17 which supports the lights 18. The lights are powered by a
power source enclosed within a housing 19. The power source is
preferably one or more batteries. The housing further includes at
least one control switch 25 adapted to allow the user to turn the
lights on or off so that the user can selectively illuminate the
lights. The user may wish to turn off the lights 18 when the shoes
are not in use or when the shoes are used during the day time. The
housing 19 is disposed on the exterior of the body 12 so that the
housing 19 is not in contact with the user's foot or ankle when the
shoe insert 11 is secured to the shoe 20.
[0033] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0034] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
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