BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to footwear providing audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals, and, more particularly, to an article of footwear having provisions for accepting modules, wherein said modules provide audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals.

Description of the Prior Art

It is known to provide circuitry for permanent installation in an article of footwear wherein, upon certain motions and/or positions of the footwear, the circuitry causes a light source, sound source, and/or other sensible source to be switched on. The circuitry typically includes a battery, a motion and/or position detecting device, and the light source, sound source, and/or the other sensible source. The circuitry is typically permanently installed in the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear.

It would be desirable to have access to such circuitry for replacement and/or repair purposes. For example, the battery may have to be replaced or the connective wiring may have to be repaired. It would also be desirable to remove and/or replace such circuitry from its permanently installed position in the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear. For example, it would be desirable to remove light source circuitry and replace it with sound source circuitry, or vice versa.

To date, no means has been prescribed for allowing such circuitry to be removed and/or replaced from its permanently installed position in the heel, sole, and/or

upper of the footwear other than by entirely removing and/or destructively invading the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a means for allowing such circuitry to be removed and/or replaced from its permanently installed position in the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear other than by entirely removing and/or destructively invading the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates an article of footwear designed to accept modules that provide audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals. The term sensible signals may mean a visible signal created by a light emitting diode (LED) , light bulb, or other light source, an audible signal created by a speaker, buzzer, or other sound source, or any other signal sensible to either the wearer of the footwear and/or someone in close proximity.

In accord with the present invention, there is provided an article of footwear having provisions for accepting modules, wherein said modules provide audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals. The article of footwear may be a fashion shoe having an upper, a sole, and a heel, a sport shoe having an upper and a sole, or a low shoe having just a sole. The provisions for accepting modules may be receptacle means formed within the article of footwear or attachment means formed without the article of footwear.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a fashion shoe accepts modules by way of attachment means formed without the upper of the fashion shoe.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a fashion shoe accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the sole of the fashion shoe.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, a fashion shoe accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the heel of the fashion shoe.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a sport shoe accepts modules by way of attachment means formed without the upper of the sport shoe.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a sport shoe accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the sole of the sport shoe.

In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a low shoe accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the sole of the low shoe.

From the above descriptive summary it is apparent how the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art by providing a means for allowing modules, that provide audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals, to be removed and/or replaced from within or without the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear other than by entirely removing and/or destructively invading the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a means for allowing modules, that provide audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals, to be removed and/or replaced from within or without the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear other than by entirely removing and/or destructively invading the heel, sole, and/or upper of the footwear.

Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is now be made to the appended drawings. The drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention, but are intended to be exemplary only.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fashion shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of first attachment means formed without the upper of the fashion shoe.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fashion shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of second attachment means formed without the upper of the fashion shoe.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fashion shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of third attachment means formed without the upper of the fashion shoe.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fashion shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the sole of the fashion shoe.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fashion shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules

by way of receptacle means formed within the heel of the fashion shoe.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a sport shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of first attachment means formed without the upper of the sport shoe.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sport shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of second attachment means formed without the upper of the sport shoe.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a sport shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of third attachment means formed without the upper of the sport shoe.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a sport shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the sole of the sport shoe.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a low shoe, according to the present invention, that accepts modules by way of receptacle means formed within the sole of the low shoe.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a fashion shoe 10 having an upper 12, a sole 14, and a heel 16. Without the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 there is a first attachment means 18 for accepting a module 20 according to the present invention. The first attachment means 18 comprises a pocket 18 that is sewn or stitched to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10. __Along the open edge of the pocket 18 a flap 22 is provided for removably

6652 PC17US95/ 03968

securing the module 20 within the pocket 18. The flap 22 is removably fastenable to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 by a mating snap combination 24 so as to allow the module 20 to be removably secured within the pocket 18 when the mating snap combination 24 is fastened and to allow the module 20 to be freely removed from and/or inserted into the pocket 18 when the mating snap combination 24 is unfastened. It should be noted that other means are available for removably fastening the flap 22 to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10, such as buckles or VELCRO fasteners.

As previously asserted, the present invention contemplates an article of footwear designed to accept modules that provide audio, visual, and/or other sensible signals, wherein the term sensible signals means a visible signal created by a light emitting diode (LED) , light bulb, or other light source, an audible signal created by a speaker, buzzer, or other sound source, or any other signal sensible to either the wearer of the footwear and/or someone in close proximity thereto. The module 20 shown in Figure 1 is equipped with means for providing audio and visual sensible signals, namely a speaker 26 and an LED 28, respectively. The size and positioning of the flap 22 is such that the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are sufficiently exposed so as to allow either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto to sense the sensible signals. At this point it should be noted that the speaker 26 and the LED 28, or any other means for creating a sensible signal, may be exposed through other areas of the pocket 18 or may be merely allegorically exposed so that either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto may be able to sense the sensible signals.

Referring to Figure 2, there is again shown the fashion shoe 10 having the upper 12, the sole 14, and the heel 16. Without the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 there is a second attachment means 30,32 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The second attachment means 30,32 comprises a pair of essentially orthogonally positioned straps 30 and 32 for removably securing the module 20 against the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10. Both ends of the straps 30,32 may be sewn or stitched to the upper 12, as shown, or the end of one or more straps 30,32 may be removably fastenable to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 by a mating snap combination 24 (see Figure 7) . It should be noted that other means are available for removably fastening the end of one or more straps 30,32 to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10, such as buckles or VELCRO fasteners.

If both ends of the straps 30,32 are sewn or stitched to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10, as shown, the module 20 may be freely removed from and/or inserted into its removably secured position against the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 by angling the module 20 between where the straps 30,32 are sewn or stitched to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10. If the end of one or more straps 30,32 are removably fastenable to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 (see Figure 7) , the module 20 may be freely removed from and/or inserted into its removably secured position against the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 through an opening(s) created when the one or more straps 30,32 are unfastened. In either case the straps 30,32 must be taught so as to prevent the module 20 from escaping from its removably secured position against the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10.

The module 20 shown in Figure 2 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. The size and positioning of the straps 30,32 are such that the speaker 26 and the LED

28 are sufficiently exposed so as to allow either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto to sense the sensible signals that the speaker 26 and the LED 28 provide.

Referring to Figure 3, there is again shown the fashion shoe 10 having the upper 12, the sole 14, and the heel 16. Without the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 there is a third attachment means 34,36 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The third attachment means 34,36 comprises a mating pair of VELCRO fasteners 34,36, wherein a first fastener 34 of the pair is permanently affixed to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 and a second fastener 36 of the pair is permanently affixed to the module 20. As is commonly known, when the first fastener 34 of the pair is pressed against the second fastener 36 of the pair the mating pair of VELCRO fasteners 34,36 become removably fastened together, thereby allowing the module 20 to be removably secured against the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10.

The module 20 shown in Figure 3 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. Since the mating pair of VELCRO fasteners 34,36 do not in any way shroud the speaker 26 and the LED 28, the sensible signals provided by the speaker 26 and the LED 28 may be sensed by either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto.

Referring to Figure 4, there is again shown the fashion shoe 10 having the upper 12, the sole 14, and the heel 16. Within the sole 14 of the fashion shoe 10 there is receptacle means 38 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The receptacle means 38 comprises a housing 40 that is molded or otherwise disposed in the sole 14 of the fashion shoe 10. The housing 40 has an opening 42, located along the side of

the sole 14 of the fashion shoe 10, for allowing the module 20 to be freely removed from and/or inserted into the housing 40.

The module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40 by a force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46, wherein a male plug 44 is permanently affixed to the module 20 and a female receptacle 46 is formed along the back wall of the housing 40. As is commonly known, when the male plug 44 is engaged with the female receptacle 46 the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46 becomes removably fastened together, thereby allowing the module 20 to be removably secured within the housing 40. It should be noted that a male plug may be permanently affixed to the housing 40 and a female receptacle may be formed in the module 20. It should also be noted that other means are available for removably securing the module 20 within the housing 40, such as mating snap combinations or VELCRO fasteners.

The module 20 shown in Figure 4 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. Since the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are exposed when the module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40, the sensible signals provided by the speaker 26 and the LED 28 may be sensed by either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto.

Referring to Figure 5, there is again shown the fashion shoe 10 having the upper 12, the sole 14, and the heel 16. Within the heel 16 of the fashion shoe 10 there is the receptacle means 38 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The receptacle means 38 comprises the housing 40 that is molded or otherwise disposed in the heel 16 of the fashion shoe 10. The housing 40 has the opening 42, located along the side of the heel 16 of the fashion shoe 10, for allowing the

module 20 to be freely removed from and/or inserted into the housing 40.

The module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40 by the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46, wherein the male plug 44 is permanently affixed to the module 20 and the female receptacle 46 is formed along the back wall of the housing 40. As is commonly known, when the male plug 44 is engaged with the female receptacle 46 the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46 becomes removably fastened together, thereby allowing the module 20 to be removably secured within the housing 40. It should be noted that a male plug may be permanently affixed to the housing 40 and a female receptacle may be formed in the module 20. It should also be noted that other means are available for removably securing the module 20 within the housing 40, such as mating snap combinations or VELCRO fasteners.

The module 20 shown in Figure 5 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. Since the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are exposed when the module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40, the sensible signals provided by the speaker 26 and the LED 28 may be sensed by either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a sport shoe 50 having an upper 12, and a sole 14. Without the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 there is the first attachment means 18 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The first attachment means 18 comprises the pocket 18 that is sewn or stitched to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50. Along the open edge of the pocket 18 the flap 22 is provided for removably securing the module 20 within the pocket 18. The flap 22 is removably fastenable to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10 by the

mating snap combination 24 so as to allow the module 20 to be removably secured within the pocket 18 when the mating snap combination 24 is fastened and to allow the module 20 to be freely removed from and/or inserted into the pocket 18 when the mating snap combination 24 is unfastened. It should be noted that other means are available for removably fastening the flap 22 to the upper 12 of the fashion shoe 10, such as buckles or VELCRO fasteners.

The module 20 shown in Figure 6 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. The size and positioning of the flap 22 is such that the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are sufficiently exposed so as to allow either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto to sense the sensible signals. At this point it should be noted that the speaker 26 and the LED 28, or any other means for creating a sensible signal, may be exposed through other areas of the pocket 18 or may be merely allegorically exposed so that either the wearer of the fashion shoe 10 and/or someone in close proximity thereto may be able to sense the sensible signals.

Referring to Figure l , there is again shown the sport shoe 50 having the upper 12 and the sole 14. Without the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 there is the second attachment means 30,32 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The second attachment means 30,32 comprises the pair of essentially orthogonally positioned straps 30 and 32 for removably securing the module 20 against the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50. Both ends of the straps 30,32 may be sewn or stitched to the upper 12 (see Figure 2 ) , or the end of one or more straps 30,32 may be removably fastenable to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 by the mating snap combination 24, as shown. It should be noted that other means are available for removably fastening the end of

one or more straps 30,32 to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50, such as buckles or VELCRO fasteners.

If both ends of the straps 30,32 are sewn or stitched to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 (see Figure 2) , the module 20 may be freely removed from and/or inserted into its removably secured position against the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 by angling the module 20 between where the straps 30,32 are sewn or stitched to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50. If the end of one or more straps 30,32 are removably fastenable to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50, as shown, the module 20 may be freely removed from and/or inserted into its removably secured position against the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 through an opening(s) created when the one or more straps 30,32 are unfastened. In either case the straps 30,32 must be taut so as to prevent the module 20 from escaping from its removably secured position against the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50.

The module 20 shown in Figure 7 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. The size and positioning of the straps 30,32 are such that the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are sufficiently exposed so as to allow either the wearer of the sport shoe 50 and/or someone in close proximity thereto to sense the sensible signals that the speaker 26 and the LED 28 provide.

Referring to Figure 8, there is again shown the sport shoe 50 having the upper 12 and the sole 14. Without the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 there is the third attachment means 34,36 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The third attachment means 34,36 comprises the mating pair of VELCRO fasteners 34,36, wherein the first fastener 34 of the pair is permanently affixed to the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50 and the second fastener 36 of the pair is permanently

affixed to the module 20. As is commonly known, when the first fastener 34 of the pair is pressed against the second fastener 36 of the pair the mating pair of VELCRO fasteners 34,36 become removably fastened together, thereby allowing the module 20 to be removably secured against the upper 12 of the sport shoe 50.

The module 20 shown in Figure 8 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. Since the mating pair of VELCRO fasteners 34,36 do not in any way shroud the speaker 26 and the LED 28, the sensible signals provided by the speaker 26 and the LED 28 may be sensed by either the wearer of the sport shoe 50 and/or someone in close proximity thereto.

Referring to Figure 9, there is again shown the sport shoe 50 having the upper 12 and the sole 14. Within the sole 14 of the sport shoe 50 there is the receptacle means 38 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The receptacle means 38 comprises the housing 40 that is molded or otherwise disposed in the sole 14 of the sport shoe 50. The housing 40 has the opening 42, located along the side of the sole 14 of the sport shoe 50, for allowing the module 20 to be freely removed from and/or inserted into the housing 40.

The module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40 by the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46, wherein the male plug 44 is permanently affixed to the module 20 and the female receptacle 46 is formed along the back wall of the housing 40. As is commonly known, when the male plug 44 is engaged with the female receptacle 46 the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46 becomes removably fastened together, thereby allowing the module 20 to be removably secured within the housing 40. It should be noted that a male plug may be permanently affixed to the housing 40 and a female

receptacle may be formed in the module 20. It should also be noted that other means are available for removably securing the module 20 within the housing 40, such as mating snap combinations or VELCRO fasteners.

The module 20 shown in Figure 9 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. Since the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are exposed when the module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40, the sensible signals provided by the speaker 26 and the LED 28 may be sensed by either the wearer of the sport shoe 50 and/or someone in close proximity thereto.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a low shoe 60 (i.e. a sandal) having thongs 62 and a sole 14. Within the sole 14 of the low shoe 60 there is the receptacle means 38 for accepting the module 20 according to the present invention. The receptacle means 38 comprises the housing 40 that is molded or otherwise disposed in the sole 14 of the low shoe 60. The housing 40 has the opening 42, located along the side of the sole 14 of the low shoe 60, for allowing the module 20 to be freely removed from and/or inserted into the housing 40.

The module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40 by the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46, wherein the male plug 44 is permanently affixed to the module 20 and the female receptacle 46 is formed along the back wall of the housing 40. As is commonly known, when the male plug 44 is engaged with the female receptacle 46 the force-fit plug/receptacle combination 44,46 becomes removably fastened together, thereby allowing the module 20 to be removably secured within the housing 40. It should be noted that a male plug may be permanently affixed to the housing 40 and a female receptacle may be formed in the module 20. It should also be noted that other means are available for

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15 removably securing the module 20 within the housing 40, such as mating snap combinations or VELCRO fasteners.

The module 20 shown in Figure 10 is equipped with the speaker 26 and the LED 28. Since the speaker 26 and the LED 28 are exposed when the module 20 is removably secured within the housing 40, the sensible signals provided by the speaker 26 and the LED 28 may be sensed by either the wearer of the low shoe 60 and/or someone in close proximity thereto.