摘要 |
Illuminated footwear having a power source, at least one light source operatively connected to the power source, a switching circuit for selectively illuminating the light source, and a linear side-glow optical conduit positioned exteriorly on the footwear so as to be visible when illuminated, the linear optical conduit having opposed end portions and being capable of emitting light conducted therethrough radially outwardly from its circumferential periphery substantially along its entire length, at least one end portion of the linear optical conduit being positioned and located in close proximity to the light source so as to receive light therefrom when illuminated, the linear optical conduit being illuminated substantially along its entire length when the light source is selectively illuminated. In the preferred embodiment, the linear optical conduit extends substantially around the outer exterior front and side portions of the footwear, although other arrangements are also disclosed herein. An interchangeable filter member may also be positioned between the light source and the one end portion of the linear optical conduit positioned in close proximity thereto, the filter member determining the color of the light directed towards the linear optical conduit end portion. The main features of the present invention are also incorporated into a self-contained portable illumination unit which can be easily attached to and removed from a wide variety of footwear. All embodiments of the present invention are adaptable for use on and with a wide variety of different types and styles of footwear.
|