Article Of Footwear Incorporating An Illuminable Panel
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey C. Spanks, Tiffany A. Beers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The upper includes an illuminable panel and a plurality of strands positioned to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminable panel. The illuminable panel has a surface with a covered area and an exposed area. The covered area includes a substantially opaque covering, and the exposed area is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear. The strands are located to correspond with the exposed area of the illuminable panel. Light from the exposed area of the illuminable panel may enhance, highlight, or otherwise increase the visibility of the strands or areas of the upper that include the strands.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
A method of making an article of footwear comprising:
- securing a sole structure to an upper;
- providing an illuminating panel that emits light;
- removing one or more portions of the illuminating panel, thus forming one or more apertures extending through the illuminating panel;
- partially covering the illuminating panel with a substantially opaque covering blocking light emitted by the illuminating panel and defining an exposed area;
- and
- locating at least a portion of the illuminating panel between a lace region and a lower region of the upper;
- and
- positioning a plurality of strands adjacent to the illuminating panel and in the exposed area of the illuminating panel.
A method of making an article of footwear comprising:
- securing a sole structure to an upper;
- providing an illuminating panel that emits light, the illuminating panel having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface being oriented to face toward an exterior of the footwear, and the second surface being oriented to face toward an interior of the footwear;
- covering a portion of the first surface with a substantially opaque covering to form a covered area and an exposed area, the covered area being configured to block light emitted by the illuminating panel;
- and
- positioning a plurality of strands to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminating panel, such that the plurality of strands are located in the exposed area of the illuminating panel;
- removing at least a portion of the illuminating panel from the covered area, forming one or more apertures extending through the illuminating panel, thereby reducing the covered area of the illuminating panel to be illuminated, thus saving energy;
- and
- incorporating the illuminating panel into the upper such that the exposed area of the illuminating panel is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear
A method of making an article of footwear comprising:
- securing a sole structure to an upper;
- providing an illuminating panel that emits light, the illuminating panel having a surface;
- covering a portion of the surface of the illuminating panel with a substantially opaque covering to form a covered area and an exposed area, the covered area being configured to block light emitted by the illuminating panel;
- applying a cover layer adjacent to the surface of the illuminating panel, forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the upper, the cover layer being formed from an at least semi-transparent material;
- and
- positioning a plurality of strands to extend adjacent and parallel to the illuminating panel, such that the plurality of strands are located in the exposed area of the illuminating panel;
- removing at least a portion of the illuminating panel from the covered area, forming one or more apertures extending through the illuminating panel, thereby reducing the covered area of the illuminating panel to be illuminated, thus saving energy;
- and
- incorporating the illuminating panel into the upper such that the exposed area of the illuminating panel is at least partially visible from the exterior of the footwear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.