US20120151800A1 - Shoe expressions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a line of athletic shoes featuring integrated sensor mechanisms, which emit a wide variety of pleasant sounds when the wearer is engaged in physical activity. Offered in all the standard shoes sizes the shoe is a standard high-top or low top sneaker shoe, made from a combination of leather and rubber materials. Positioned in the heel of the shoe is a pressure sensitive switch designed to be activated when force is applied, such as that exerted when running, jumping or otherwise engaged in physical activity. When activated, whimsical chimes or popular melodies available are played. The Shoe Expressions also includes an integrated light source such as an LED (light emitting diode) bulb which emits a brilliant flashing light when activated. Physical activity activates the Shoe Expressions, providing audible, and visual positive reinforcement which encourage participation in physical activities.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY
• This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/458,908 filed Dec. 3, 2010, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Shoe expressions.”
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention pertains to the field of sport apparel and more specifically to the field of sport shoes, targeting, but not exclusively limited to children.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The prior art has put forth several designs for sport shoes.
• Among these are:
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,300 to Micael Kianka describes a shoe activated sound synthesizer device that enables movement of a shoe to be translated into audible sounds.
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,355,519 to Kevin Grold, Adrian Pelkus and Michael P. Eddy describes a body force alarming apparatus and method to detect force and provide feedback to a runner or jogger so that the person can judge whether to adjust his or her stride in order to lessen the impact on his or her body.
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,378 to Matthew Feiner, Michelle Jane Yeeles, Elizabeth Pierotti and Frantz Cadet describes a performance and entertainment device and method of using the same comprising a device which can be attached to the tongue area of a show for providing feedback to a user based on the user's performance during a selected physical activity.
• None of these prior art references describe the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved pressure activated integrated light source and sound device for use in an athletic shoe to emit a brilliant flashing light and a wide variety of pleasant sounds when the wearer is engaged in physical activity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an athletic shoe showing the device of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the rear portion of an athletic shoe showing the heel raised from the ground.
• FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the rear portion of an athletic shoe showing the heel touching the ground thereby activating the sound and illumination device in the heel of the shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• A major concern faced by parents of young children and teens has to do with keeping their children physically active and healthy. Lured by hundreds of television channels, electronic video games and cellular telephones, many of today's youth are more likely to be found indoors sitting on the couch or holed up in their bedroom on a bright sunny day, as opposed to engaged in free spirited play outdoors. As such, children are less likely to be involved in regular physical activity and the result is that more and more youngsters are overweight and obese. Not surprisingly, overweight children are at greater risk for many serious health problems including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes. While a healthy and balanced diet can facilitate weight loss, one of the most natural and healthy things a child (or adult) can do to lose weight and improve overall health is to regularly engage in exercise. Unfortunately, actually encouraging a child to exercise can be rife with frustrating challenges, as many young children are simply unwilling to put down a game controller or remote control and don a pair of sneakers.
• The present invention hereinafter referred to as Shoe Expressions provides an innovative solution, which offers parents, caregivers, and health-conscious individuals a practical and fun means of encouraging exercise. Shoe Expressions is a specially designed line of athletic shoes featuring integrated sensor mechanisms, which emit a wide variety of pleasant sounds when the wearer is engaged in physical activity. Offered as a fun and novel fashion accessory, the Shoe Expressions provides a simple means of encouraging the wearer to participate in exercise activities in order to enjoy the lights and sounds emitted. Offered in all the standard shoes sizes appropriate for male and female children, teens and adults, the Shoe Expressions is a standard high-top or low top sneaker shoe, made from a combination of leather and rubber materials. Double stitched and reinforced, this stylish shoe can be adorned with any number of decorative embellishments which appeal to wearers. Most notably however, positioned in the heel of the shoe is a pressure sensitive switch designed to be activated when force is applied, such as that exerted when running, jumping or otherwise engaged in physical activity. Encased within a lightweight, water-resistant casing, this sensor mechanism is connected to an internal battery source and electronic sound chip and speaker, with whimsical chimes or popular melodies available. During wear, a child need only run across the playground to enjoy the sounds provided by the Shoe Expressions. The Shoe Expressions also includes an integrated light source such as an LED (light emitting diode) bulb which emits a brilliant flashing light when activated. Physical activity activates the Shoe Expressions, providing audible, and visual positive reinforcement which encourage the child's participation in physical activities.
• The Shoe Expressions offers consumers many significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, this stylish line of sneakers provides a simple means of encouraging physical activity and exercise by means of positive reinforcement. A specially designed line of athletic shoes featuring an integrated sensor mechanism which emits a pleasing melody or tune as the child engages in running, jumping or other physical activity, the Shoe Expressions provides an audible alert that encourages the child to keep exercising in order to enjoy more delightful sounds. Providing tangible reinforcement which encourages a child to put down the remote control or a video game and engage in some fun exercise, use of these unique shoes proves a simple step in combating childhood obesity while improving overall cardiovascular health. Striking in design, the Shoe Expressions allows children, teens, and young adults to visibly and audibly display a comfortable, casual new look that is highly unique in the world of fashion. In this manner, the Shoe Expressions offer a simple, affordable way to buck current trends while maintaining one's own personal style. Fully functional and comfortable footwear, the Shoe expressions provide cushiony support to the foot.
• The Shoe Expressions are a unique invention which encourages exercise while also offering consumers the freedom to express themselves by means of a creative and casual fashion accessory.
• Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. An athletic shoe device comprising a pressure activated sound device.

2. The athletic shoe device ofclaim 1, further comprising a pressure activated illumination device.

3. The athletic shoe device ofclaim 1, wherein the pressure activated sound device and the pressure activated illumination device comprise integrated sensor mechanisms, which emit a wide variety of pleasant sounds and lights when the wearer is engaged in physical activity.

4. The shoe device ofclaim 3 manufactured in standard shoe sizes appropriate for male and female children, teens and adults.

5. The shoe device ofclaim 3, manufactured in standard high-top or low top sneaker shoe, made from a combination of leather and rubber materials, wherein the sewing is double stitched and reinforced.

6. The shoe device ofclaim 3 further comprising decorative embellishments which appeal to wearers.

7. The shoe device ofclaim 3 wherein the sensor mechanisms comprise a pressure sensitive switch positioned in the heel of the shoe activated when force is applied, such as that exerted when running, jumping or otherwise engaged in physical activity.

8. The shoe device ofclaim 7 wherein the sensor mechanisms are encased within a lightweight, water-resistant casing, and wherein the sensor mechanisms are connected to an internal battery source and electronic sound chip and speaker, with whimsical chimes or popular melodies, further comprising an integrated light source such as an LED (light emitting diode) bulb which emits a brilliant flashing light when activated.

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