CN111683552B

CN111683552B - Footwear construction with electronic lighting system

Info

Publication number: CN111683552B
Application number: CN201880088512.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·莫莱迪波莱加托; M·齐利奥
Original assignee: Geox SpA
Current assignee: Geox SpA
Priority date: 2017-12-05
Filing date: 2018-12-04
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-04
Also published as: ES2913269T3; CN111683552A; EP3720310A1; EP3720310B1; WO2019111151A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a footwear structure (1) comprising a footwear unit (2) having an upper (3) and a sole (4), and an electronic light system (5) integrated in the footwear unit, wherein the upper and the sole are constrained to each other, and wherein the electronic light system comprises a power source (7), a programmable light screen (8), a connection port (9) and a first connection means (10), the first connection means (10) extending between the programmable light screen and the power source, and the electronic light system further comprises a second connection means (11) extending between the power source and the connection port, wherein the footwear unit is provided with a through hole extending over the upper or the sole, wherein the through hole comprises a first section and a second section branching off from the first section, wherein the programmable light screen overlaps the through hole from the outside of the footwear unit, and wherein the first connecting means comprises an uninterrupted first cable.

Description

Footwear construction with electronic lighting system

Technical Field

In its most general aspect, the present invention relates to a footwear structure comprising a footwear unit having a sole and an upper constrained to each other, and in particular to a footwear structure of the above-mentioned type comprising an electronic lighting system integrated in the footwear unit to display personalized lighting information.

Background

Shoes and articles of footwear in general equipped with lighting systems, in particular with lighting systems comprising lamps integrated in the sole or in the upper or both.

The light systems integrated in the articles of footwear available in the known art are usually activated by the user pressing a switch or as a result of a motion sensor which, for example, detects the stresses transmitted to the sole as an activation pulse when contacting the ground.

It is also known to remotely activate a light system of the above type, for example by means of a bluetooth signal.

The lighting system integrated in the article of footwear may emit one or more light sequences, also with different colours, and generally comprises one or more screens or light panels of the LED (light emitting diode) type or OLED (organic light emitting diode) type, which can display personalized information of the user, such as fixed information, rolling information, explosion information, etc., according to a predetermined lighting scheme.

These lighting systems may use disposable or rechargeable batteries as a power source, which are charged, for example, through a USB port housed in the article of footwear that also serves as a data exchange port, allowing information to be displayed to be entered into a storage device that is typically provided in the lighting systems referred to herein.

Patent application US 2009/0288317 describes an article of footwear or garment comprising a programmable display having a screen to display information selected by the user according to a predetermined scheme.

In particular, US 2009/0288317 describes an article of footwear with a sole and an upper, which also comprises a power supply for the screen and a so-called controller which controls the transmission of information on the screen and controls a light screen which displays the information. Among the available lighting schemes are, for example, constant, intermittent, decomposed and scrolling displays and combinations thereof. The displayed information may be textual information, symbols, images, logos, and combinations thereof.

In detail, US 2009/0288317 describes a first embodiment in which an LED (light emitting diode) screen, a controller and a power supply and command buttons and a so-called data port, such as USB, for recharging the power supply and inputting or exchanging information to be displayed are built into a substantially rigid programmable display.

In this first embodiment, the programmable display is housed in the article of footwear at the upper or sole.

A pre-arranged cradle-like support, which may be constrained inside and outside the article of footwear, is provided to secure the programmable display, the support being equipped with a window aligned with the screen for display. Alternatively, the programmable display may be disposed on the exterior of the article of footwear, and in particular, may be housed in a pocket that is constrained at an exterior surface of the article of footwear.

US 2009/0288317 describes another embodiment of an article of footwear in which the screen and the controller are not integrated in the same programmable display, but are separate from each other, the controller being of the remote or wireless type, and the screen being of the OLED (organic light emitting diode) type.

In this case, the programmable display is flexible and is combined with the article of footwear on the outside by means of an adhesive at the upper or sole, without the above considered bracket or pocket, the power source may be separate from the screen, for example, the power source may be arranged in the sole at the heel of the article of footwear, or it may be part of the screen.

Further, the power source may be a rechargeable battery or a generator, which may be connected with a plug-in energy source, which may be any plug-in connector type, such as a cable, cigarette lighter, adapter or other suitable connector.

Although the solutions proposed by US 2009/0288317 are advantageous, they are not without drawbacks.

Indeed, in the above-described embodiments comprising an LED screen and housing a programmable display inside the article of footwear, the window allowing the screen to be seen from the outside of the article of footwear must be of suitable dimensions, and precisely at least equal to the dimensions of the screen.

Such an enlarged window particularly exposes the article of footwear to water and infiltration of impurities from the outside.

Furthermore, the structure of the window with the relative dimensions and therefore the opening on the sole or upper also impairs the robustness of the article of footwear.

In embodiments that include an LED screen and house the programmable display in a suitable pocket on the exterior of the article of footwear, both the power source and the USB port are integrated into the programmable display, typically exposed to water and moisture and impurities, particularly, and of course, the article of footwear itself is also exposed to water, moisture and environmental impurities.

As a result, the correct operation of the programmable display may, disadvantageously, easily be accidentally impaired.

In embodiments where the programmable display includes a power source integrated in the OLED screen and houses the programmable display outside the article of footwear, the power source is particularly exposed to water, moisture, and environmental contaminants, and thus, as considered above, may accidentally impair proper operation of the programmable display to some extent.

Finally, in embodiments where the programmable display is housed outside the article of footwear and the power source and the screen are separated from each other, one of the power source and the screen being disposed in the upper and the other in the sole, since the manufacture of the upper and the manufacture of the sole are carried out separately, it is necessary to connect the screen and the power source to each other with an electrical connector.

Electrical connectors that precisely connect cables leading from a screen disposed outside the article of footwear to cables associated with a power source housed inside the article of footwear are a source of disadvantages.

In fact, the electrical connector is particularly sensitive to water and moisture, and therefore also to water penetration from the outside and to perspiration of the foot of the user of the article of footwear.

In addition, the high mechanical stresses to which the article of footwear may be exposed may impair proper operation of the electrical connector.

In addition, the presence of the electrical connector has a negative impact on the cost of the programmable display and thus the cost of the article of footwear.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide an article of footwear having structural and functional characteristics that overcome one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known prior art.

According to the invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved by a footwear structure comprising a footwear unit having an upper and a sole, and an electronic lighting system integrated in the above-mentioned footwear unit,

wherein the upper and the sole are constrained to each other, and wherein the electronic lighting system comprises:

a power source, a programmable optical screen, a connection port, and first connection means extending between said programmable optical screen and said power source,

characterized in that, this electronic lighting system includes:

a second connecting means extending between said power source and said connection port,

wherein the footwear unit is provided with a through-hole extending over the upper or over the sole, wherein the through-hole comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the second section branches off from the first section,

wherein the programmable light screen overlaps the through-hole from a lateral side of the footwear unit,

wherein said first connecting means comprises an uninterrupted first cable for continuously and directly connecting said programmable light screen and said power source.

Indeed, according to the invention, said first section and said second section are not parallel to each other, said through hole having a straight or rotated/curved/turned T-shape, a straight or rotated/curved/turned X-shape, a straight or rotated/curved/turned L-shape or a straight or rotated/curved/turned cross-shape, to allow said programmable light screen to pass through and to allow at least one first portion of said first connection means close to said programmable light screen to pass through or to accommodate in any way said at least one first portion.

Preferably, the programmable light screen comprises a housing, a printed circuit equipped with LEDs (light emitting diodes) or OLEDs (organic light emitting diodes) and a digital signal processor, all of which are accommodated in the housing.

Preferably, the length of the first section of the through hole is equal to or slightly greater than the height of the programmable optical screen.

Preferably, the height of the first section of the through hole is equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the programmable optical screen.

Preferably, the height of said first section of said through hole is less than the height of said first portion of said first connecting means, wherein said first portion extends from the peripheral edge of said housing in a substantially coplanar manner with respect to the programmable light screen.

Preferably, the height of said through hole at the maximum height is equal to or slightly greater than the height of said first portion of the first connecting means in the vicinity of said programmable light screen.

Preferably, the housing is made of a translucent plastic material.

Preferably, the housing is made of a flexible material.

Preferably, the housing is made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Preferably, the printed circuit is flexible.

Preferably, the upper includes an upper opening and/or a tongue, and preferably, the connection port is disposed at the upper opening or the tongue.

Preferably, said connection port is a port of known type, for example but not exclusively a USB port, suitable for powering and recharging said power supply and possibly for inputting data into said electronic light system.

Preferably, the second connecting means includes an uninterrupted second cable to continuously and directly connect the power supply to the connection port.

Preferably, the second section of the through-hole is defined by opposing walls that intersect the first section, wherein at least one of the opposing walls lies in a first plane that forms a non-zero angle θ with a second plane that includes the other of the opposing walls.

Preferably, said first plane and said second plane and thereby said opposing walls converge towards each other towards the exterior of said footwear unit. The above θ angle is preferably 10 ° to 45 °, more preferably 20 ° to 45 °, still more preferably 30 ° to 45 °.

Alternatively, the second section of the through-hole may be bounded by opposing walls that are parallel to each other and intersect the first section, wherein the inlet and outlet of the second section are not aligned with respect to each other.

Preferably, the footwear structure includes a receptacle disposed in the footwear unit and located in the sole, wherein the receptacle is engaged with the power source.

Preferably, said footwear structure comprises a plurality of first reinforcing areas arranged in said footwear unit, wherein said first reinforcing areas comprise blind holes or projections made in one piece with said sole and at least partially distributed around said housing seats.

Preferably, said footwear structure comprises a recess located in said sole inside said footwear unit and extending between said housing seat and a circumferential inner edge of said sole, possibly extending between said housing seat and said through hole, to house said first connecting means.

Preferably, said footwear structure comprises a plurality of second reinforcing areas arranged in said footwear unit, wherein said second reinforcing areas comprise blind holes or protrusions made in one piece with said sole or with said upper, and wherein said blind holes or protrusions are at least partially interspersed around said through holes.

Preferably, the footwear structure comprises a controller which can be removably combined with the footwear unit, wherein the controller comprises a first plug suitable for connecting the controller to an electronic processor and a second plug complementary to and combinable with the connection port of the electronic lighting system.

Preferably, the controller includes a third plug complementary to the connection port.

Preferably, the footwear structure comprises a motion sensor and/or a command button of the electronic lighting system, wherein the motion sensor and/or the command button are housed in the footwear unit.

Preferably, said footwear structure comprises a wireless module to manage said electronic lighting system by means of an electronic device.

According to the above and general meaning in the field of footwear, "upper" means the group of materials constituting the upper surface of the footwear and therefore of the above-mentioned footwear unit, this group of materials being constrained by the sole and intended to cover at least partially the upper instep portion of the user; "sole" means the lower part of the footwear, constrained at least in part by the upper and thus the above-mentioned footwear unit, intended to be in direct or indirect contact with the ground.

Thus, within the scope of the invention, the above-mentioned footwear units may be, for example, but not limited to, shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, flip-flops, sandals, ski boots, boots for skates, footwear for motorcycles or bicycles.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from a review of the following detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a footwear structure comprising a footwear unit and a controller detachably combined with the footwear unit, wherein the footwear unit comprises a sole, an upper and an integrated electronic light system with a programmable light screen according to the invention;

figure 2 schematically shows a top perspective view of a footwear unit of the footwear structure of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a perspective view of the electronic lighting system of the footwear structure of figure 1, separated from the above-mentioned footwear unit;

fig. 4 shows a plan view of a detail of the electronic light system of fig. 3, along the thickness direction of the above-mentioned programmable light screen;

fig. 5 shows a plan view of a detail of the electronic light system of fig. 3 along the height direction of the above-mentioned programmable light screen;

figure 6 shows a top view of the sole of the footwear unit of the footwear structure of figure 1;

figure 7 is a side view of a detail of the sole of figure 6;

figure 8 shows a cross-section of another detail of the sole of figure 6, along the arrow a-a' of figure 7;

fig. 9 shows a detail of fig. 8 according to an embodiment variant of the invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a footwear structure according to the invention.

The footwear structure 1 mainly comprises a footwear unit 2 having an upper 3 and a sole 4 constrained to each other, an electronic lighting system integrated in the footwear unit 2 and indicated as a whole with reference numeral 5, and a controller 6, which controller 6 is separate from the footwear unit 2 and can be removably combined with the footwear unit 2 to connect with an electronic processor and manage the electronic lighting system 5, as will become clearer below.

According to the invention, the electronic lighting system 5 comprises a power source 7 (for example a rechargeable battery), a programmable light screen 8, a connection port 9, first connection means 10 extending between the programmable light screen 8 and the power source 7, and second connection means 11 extending between the power source 7 and the connection port 9.

According to the example of the figures, the footwear unit 2 is equipped with a through hole 12 extending on the sole 4, but the possibility of providing such a through hole on the upper of the footwear unit is not excluded, this embodiment not being shown in the figures.

According to the invention, the through-hole 12, which is formed in particular in the side wall 13 of the sole 4, comprises a first section 14 and a second section 15, wherein the second section 15 branches off from the first section 14.

In fact, the first section 14 and the second section 15 are in communication with each other and therefore not parallel, which, according to the example of the figures, provide the through hole 12 with a rotated cross shape, but do not exclude the possibility of providing a straight cross, a straight or rotated T shape, a straight or rotated X shape or a straight or rotated L shape, according to the particular constructive requirements.

According to the invention, the dimensions of the through hole 12 and of the first and second sections constituting the through hole 12 are predetermined and calculated on the basis of the dimensions of the first connecting means 10 (in particular the first portion 16 of the first connecting means 10), which first portion 16 is close to the programmable light screen 8 and to the dimensions of the programmable light screen 8 itself, as will become clearer below.

In detail, the programmable light screen 8 overlaps the through holes 12 from the outer side of the footwear unit 2 (in particular on the lateral wall 13 of the sole 4), the programmable light screen 8 being bonded to the outer side of the footwear unit 2 (in particular on the lateral wall 13 of the sole 4) by means of a permanent adhesive.

In this way, first side 17 of programmable light screen 8 is displayed during normal use of footwear unit 2.

As far as the programmable light screen 8 is concerned, it should be said that it comprises a casing 18, a printed circuit 19 equipped with a light source and housed in the casing 18, and a digital signal processor 20 of known type, the digital signal processor 20 also being housed in the casing 18, connected to the printed circuit 19, the first connecting means 10 being connected and in particular soldered to the digital signal processor 20.

According to the example of the figures, the light source is an LED (light emitting diode), but the possibility of providing a light source of the OLED (organic light emitting diode) type is not excluded.

The programmable light screen 8 and, therefore, the housing 18 forming the outer body, are substantially flat, with a length l and a height a substantially greater than the thickness s, while the first portion 16 of the connection means 10 (which first portion 16 is, as said, close to the programmable light screen 8 and is exactly integral with the housing 18) extends from the peripheral/perimetric edge of the housing 18 in a substantially coplanar manner with respect to the programmable light screen 8, and with a height d greater than the above-mentioned thickness s.

It should be provided that the height d of the first portion 16 substantially corresponds to the size of the first connecting means 10 in the vicinity of the programmable light screen 8.

According to the invention, the length l 'of the first section 14 of the through hole 12 is equal to or slightly greater than the height a of the programmable light screen 8, and furthermore, the height a' of the first section 14 is equal to or slightly greater than the thickness s of the programmable light screen 8.

Still according to the invention, the height a' of the first section 14 of the through hole 12 is smaller than the height d of the first portion 16 of the first connection means 10, while the maximum value of the height of the through hole 12 is equal to or slightly greater than the height of the first portion 16 of the first connection means 10 in the vicinity of the programmable light screen 8.

Thus, according to the invention, in the implementation of the footwear structure, allowing the programmable light screen 8 and therefore the casing 18 to enter the through hole 12 and precisely into the first sector 14, in particular along the length of this casing 18, the second sector 15 is conveniently provided with a reduced size with respect to the first sector 14 and intersects the first sector 14 itself, this second sector 15 allowing the first connecting means 10 to enter, or in any case allowing the first portion 16 of the first connecting means 10 closer to the casing 18 to enter and house this first portion 16, when the programmable light screen 8 overlaps the through hole 12 to be coupled to the outside of the footwear unit 2.

According to the above, it is therefore possible to realize the upper 3 and the sole 4 in a separate manufacturing manner, as is normal in the field of footwear products, and therefore, according to the invention, it is advantageously possible to realize the first connecting means 10 for connecting the programmable light screen 8 and the power source 7 to each other without using electrical connectors.

That is, according to the invention, the first connection means 10 comprise an uninterrupted first cable to connect continuously and directly the programmable light screen 8 and the power source 7, said first cable being housed, according to the example of the figures, in the sole 4 of the footwear unit 2, as will become clearer below.

Furthermore, according to the above, a maximum contact surface between the programmable light screen 8 and the side wall 13 of the sole 4 is advantageously ensured.

In fact, therefore, the first and

second sectors

14, 15 intersecting each other allow to reduce to a minimum the extent of the through hole 12 without substantially reducing the surface supporting the programmable light screen 8.

In this way, maximum firmness of the sole 4 and therefore of the footwear unit 2 is guaranteed, as well as maximum sealing to prevent water infiltration and impurities from the outside to the inside of the footwear unit 2, and maximum sealing of the adhesive constraint between the programmable light screen 8 and the lateral wall 13 of the sole 4.

According to the example of the figures, the first section 14 and the second section 15 of the through hole 12 are shown as being substantially polygonal, in particular substantially quadrangular, but the possibility of providing the first and second sections with different geometries (for example oval) is not excluded according to the specific manufacturing requirements of the sole (for example of the mould for manufacturing the sole).

Still according to the example of the figures, it should be said that the first section 14 of the through hole 12 is substantially parallel to the lower part of the sole 4, in particular the part intended to contact the ground when using the footwear structure, while the second section 15 is substantially perpendicular to the first section 14, but without excluding the possibility of having a different arrangement of the first and second sections of the through hole.

Furthermore, in the case of the through hole 12, it should be said that the second section 15 is delimited by

opposite walls

21, 22, which

opposite walls

21, 22 intercept the first section 14 in a substantially parallel manner with respect to the normals n1 and n2 at the lateral wall 13 of the sole 4, wherein the normals n1 and n2 at the lateral wall 13 are calculated at the point of intersection between the

opposite walls

21, 22 and the lateral wall 13 itself, as shown in the sectional view of the example of fig. 8.

Alternatively, at least one of the opposing

walls

21, 22 of the second section 15 that intersects the first section 14 forms a non-zero angle θ with the normal n1 and/or the normal n2 at the side wall 13, wherein the normals n1 and n2 are calculated at the intersection between the opposing

walls

21, 22 and the side wall 13 itself, similar to above. In particular, in the sectional view of the example of fig. 9, the wall 21 delimits this angle θ, which according to the invention is preferably 10 ° to 45 °, more preferably 20 ° to 45 °, still more preferably 30 ° to 45 °.

The embodiment shown in the example of fig. 9 is particularly advantageous because it allows to define a lip 23, which lip 23 allows to better cover the first connecting means 10 and thus the first cables better without interruption, thus limiting the surfaces exposed to water infiltration or other impurities from the outside and making them less visible from the outside, thus also improving the aesthetics of the footwear structure.

In any case, it should be said that in the so-called hindfoot region, the side wall 13 of the sole 4 is formed inwardly with respect to the remaining lateral part of the sole 4, in particular the side wall 13 of the sole 4 is formed by means of an edge-defining step 24, the height of which corresponds substantially to the thickness s of the programmable light screen 8, so that the space of the programmable light screen is integrated in the space of the sole, possibly also in a region different from the hindfoot.

As previously contemplated, it should be said that the power source 7 is housed in the sole 4 according to the example of the figures.

To this end, the footwear structure according to the invention has a housing seat 25 formed in the sole 4, this housing seat 25 being internal to the footwear unit 2 and in particular engaged with the power source 7.

A recess 26 is also formed in the sole 4, which recess 26 extends between the housing seat 25 and the through hole 12 to house the first connecting means 10.

According to the invention, the footwear structure 1 also comprises a plurality of first reinforcing areas arranged in the footwear unit 2, which, according to the example of the figures, comprise blind holes 27 at least partially dispersed around the housing seats 25 and the recesses 26.

The first reinforcing region can also comprise or consist of a protuberance/relief made in one piece with the sole and always dispersed at least partially around the housing seat and the recess, this embodiment not being shown in the drawings.

Furthermore, the footwear structure according to the invention may also comprise a plurality of second reinforcing areas arranged in the footwear unit and comprising blind holes or bulges made in one piece with the sole or the upper, wherein the blind holes or bulges are at least partially interspersed around the above-mentioned through holes, an embodiment not shown in the drawings.

The first reinforced area and the second reinforced area allow for a partial reinforcement of the footwear unit, for example the sole, thus limiting the risk of crushing the power source and the programmable light screen under the weight of the user.

In particular, in the case where the first and second reinforcing areas are in the form of blind holes, it should be said that advantageously, during the manufacture of the sole for example, the blind holes are made by means of a mould such as a pivot or a pin around the surface of which a large amount of polymeric material, in particular the polymeric material from which the sole is made, accumulates during the moulding of the sole itself, so as to locally form a more dense area around the pivot or pin, thus forming a more resistant area to crushing.

Returning to the above-mentioned electronic light system 5, it should be said that the connection port 9 is a port of known type, for example, but not exclusively, a USB port suitable for powering and recharging the power source 7, and preferably also for inputting data into the electronic light system 5.

In particular, the electronic light system 5, and thus the programmable light screen 8, may be arranged to transmit the displayed personalized information according to a predetermined light scheme, for example according to a fixed, flashing, scrolling, exploding, rotating, bouncing, fading in and random scheme or a combination thereof.

In the case of the second connecting means 11, it should be said that they comprise a second cable and possibly an electrical connector.

In particular, in the example of the figures, the second connection means comprise, in addition to the second cable described above, an electrical connector 28 interposed between the power supply 7 and the connection port 9, but without excluding the possibility of providing second connection means, which are therefore uninterrupted, to connect the power supply and the connection port continuously and directly, this embodiment variant not being shown in the figures.

In any case, as far as the connection port 9 is concerned, it should be said that it is preferably arranged away from the sole 4, so as to limit the risk of accidental impacts and of excessive mechanical stresses due to the use of the footwear structure, and to limit the risk of damage by water and environmental impurities, which may be more easily located at the level of the sole, for example at the ground.

In this respect, the upper 3 comprises an upper mouth 29 and a tongue 30, the connection port 9 being arranged at the upper mouth or, as shown in the example of the figures, at the tongue 30.

Furthermore, advantageously, the tongue 30 comprises a movable and reversible portion 31, which covers and protects the connection port 9 when access to the connection port 9 is not required, and can be moved so as to expose the connection port 9 when access to the connection port 9 is necessary.

The second connecting means 11, which extend between the power source 7 and the connection port 9, are advantageously integrated in the footwear unit 2 and are arranged in particular between the upper and a lining associated with the upper inside the footwear unit, which is not shown in the example of the figures. In this way, the second connecting means 11 are limited from being exposed to perspiration inside the footwear unit 2, generated by the user's foot, and the second connecting means 11 are protected from any undesired friction due to contact with the foot, which could cause damage to the second connecting means 11.

If desired, the second connecting means can also extend along the sole for a limited section inside the sole itself, in particular between the housing seat for the power supply and the peripheral edge.

Other preferred features of the invention relate to the programmable light screen 8, in particular the housing 18, which is advantageously made of a translucent plastic material, advantageously of a flexible material, preferably of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Furthermore, it should be said that the programmable light screen 8 may be arranged in any region or portion of the sole 4, like the through holes 12, for example the midfoot region or the forefoot region of the foot, wherein the sole is dimensioned to accommodate the programmable light screen.

Other preferred features of the invention also relate to the printed circuit 19, which printed circuit 19 is advantageously flexible.

It should still be said that the footwear structure according to the invention preferably comprises command buttons 32 and/or a motion sensor, of known type and not shown in the example of the figures, active with respect to the electronic lighting system 5.

The command button 32 is advantageously housed at the movable and reversible portion 31 of the tongue 30 and can be advantageously used to select a stored light scheme for display, of course also to turn the electronic light system 5 on and off.

The motion sensor may be housed in the sole 4 of the footwear unit 2 and may be advantageously activated and deactivated by the user by means of a predetermined button, not shown in the example of the figures. After activation, the motion sensor may be configured to turn off the programmable light screen after a period of inactivity.

In the case of the controller 6 of the footwear structure according to the invention, it should be said that it is advantageously external and separate from the footwear unit 2 and that it advantageously comprises a first plug 33 and at least one second plug 34, the first plug 33 being suitable for connecting the controller 6 to an electronic processor and the second plug 34 being complementary to the connection port 9 of the electronic lighting system 5 and being removably combinable with the connection port 9.

Herein, the electronic processor refers to a PC, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a smart watch, a wearable device, and the like.

According to the example of the figures, the controller 6 also comprises a third plug 35, this third plug 35 also being complementary to the connection port 9 and being removably combinable with this connection port 9.

The second plug 34 and the third plug 35 are connected to the first plug 33 of the controller 6 by respective predetermined cables 36.

In this way, advantageously, the controller can be connected simultaneously with a first footwear unit 2 and a second footwear unit, identical to or different from the footwear unit 2, to recharge both power sources simultaneously, and to set both programmable light screens of both respective footwear units simultaneously.

The provision of the controller 6 physically separate from the footwear unit 2 also allows relatively expensive components, such as controllers, to be reused after the useful life of the footwear unit, thereby allowing the components to be reused on new footwear units having similar characteristics.

As an alternative or in addition to the controller 6, the footwear structure according to the invention may comprise a wireless module of a known type (not shown in the example of the figures) to manage the electronic lighting system 5, to set the above-mentioned lighting scheme by means of an electronic processor, and to transmit personalized lighting information.

One advantageous wireless module is of the bluetooth type, preferably of the low power consumption type (BLE). The preferred bluetooth module comprises a radio chip and a microcontroller and advantageously a signal amplifier.

As mentioned above, according to an embodiment variant of the invention, it should be reminded that the above-mentioned second connection means may be without electrical connectors, as the above-mentioned first connection means. In this embodiment variant, the above reference description is basically valid, during the manufacture of the footwear unit of the footwear structure, during the manufacture of the upper, a connection port and a second cable can be inserted in the upper, which connection port and second cable in fact constitute the second connection means, allowing to extract the power supply, the first cable and the programmable light screen from the upper, ready to be inserted in the sole as described above. In this way, the second cable and the first cable are uninterrupted and the electrical connector is protected from the corrosive action of perspiration, which may be generated by the user's body and which may condense in the footwear unit. This solution allows to further save the cost of the electronic light system, in favor of market competitiveness.

In a further embodiment variant of the invention, which is not shown in the example of the figures, but is substantially similar to the embodiment of the example of fig. 9, but in which a through hole is provided in the upper of the footwear unit instead of in the sole, it can be said in respect of the through hole that at least one of the opposing walls of the second section intersecting the first section lies on a first plane forming a non-zero angle θ with a second plane containing the other of the opposing walls, wherein the above-mentioned first plane and the above-mentioned second plane and thus the above-mentioned opposing walls converge towards each other towards the outside of the footwear unit, and wherein the angle θ is 10 ° to 45 °, preferably 20 ° to 45 °, more preferably 30 ° to 45 °.

Alternatively, the second section may be delimited by opposite walls parallel to each other and intersecting the first section, regardless of the position of the through hole on the sole or upper, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the second section are not aligned with each other.

In essence, whether the through-hole is provided on the sole or the upper, the second section of the through-hole may form a straight linear channel, an inclined linear channel or a trumpet channel in the upper or sole on one or both sides.

Still with reference to the above-described embodiment, which is provided with a through hole made on the upper and for which the above description is basically valid, it is additionally possible to provide, in general, a recess made in the sole inside the footwear unit and extending between the housing seat and the perimetric inner edge of the sole to house the first connecting means, which are thus advantageously arranged between the upper and the lining of the footwear unit associated with the upper.

In this case, during manufacture of the footwear unit of the footwear structure, the programmable light screen and the first cable may be inserted through the through-hole such that the programmable light screen is outside the upper.

Additionally, the footwear structure may include pockets at the upper externally associated with the footwear unit to accommodate the programmable light screen, in place of or in addition to a permanent adhesive that bonds the programmable light screen to the upper. In this case, the pocket must be sufficiently transparent to make the programmable light screen slightly visible from the outside.

The advantages of the invention that have become apparent in the above description can be summarized as follows: a footwear structure is provided that includes a footwear unit with an electronic lighting system integrated into the footwear unit, and because of this structure, both the footwear unit and the electronic lighting system are particularly strong, durable, and substantially impervious to water penetration and other external factors.

In addition, the footwear unit of the footwear structure may be advantageously obtained by methods and techniques known in the footwear art, advantageously at low cost, and may also reduce the number of electrical and electronic components that make up the electronic lighting system.

Furthermore advantageously, this footwear structure allows a high degree of customization, since it is possible to select and therefore store, by means of dedicated software, personalized electronic lighting information to be displayed in the system.

To satisfy contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may make numerous variations and modifications to the illustrated and described embodiments of the invention, all of which are included within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Footwear structure (1) comprising a footwear unit (2) having an upper (3) and a sole (4), and an electronic lighting system (5) integrated in the footwear unit (2),

wherein the upper (3) and the sole (4) are constrained to each other, wherein the electronic lighting system (5) comprises:

a power supply (7), a programmable light screen (8), a connection port (9) and first connection means (10), said first connection means (10) extending between said programmable light screen (8) and said power supply (7),

characterized in that the electronic lighting system (5) comprises second connection means (11) extending between the power source (7) and the connection port (9),

wherein the footwear unit (2) is provided with a through-hole (12) extending on the upper or on the sole, wherein the through-hole (12) comprises a first section (14) and a second section (15), wherein the second section (15) branches off from the first section (14),

wherein the programmable light screen (8) overlaps the through hole (12) from outside the footwear unit (2),

wherein said first connection means (10) comprise an uninterrupted first cable for continuously and directly connecting said programmable light screen (8) and said power supply (7),

wherein the length (l') of the first section (14) of the through hole (12) is equal to or slightly larger than the height (a) of the programmable light screen (8),

wherein the height (a') of the first section (14) of the through hole is equal to or slightly larger than the thickness(s) of the programmable light screen (8),

said through hole being adapted to allow said programmable light screen (8) to enter said first section (14) during implementation of the footwear structure (1) and to allow said first connecting means (10) to enter said second section (15) when said programmable light screen (8) overlaps said through hole (12) to be coupled to the lateral side of said footwear unit (2).

2. The footwear structure according to claim 1, wherein said through hole (12) has a straight or rotated T-shape, a straight or rotated X-shape, a straight or rotated L-shape or a straight or rotated cross-shape.

3. Footwear structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first connecting means (10) comprises a first portion (16) close to said programmable light screen (8), wherein the height (a') of said first section (14) of said through hole is smaller than the height (d) of said first portion (16) of said first connecting means (10).

4. Footwear structure according to claim 3, wherein the maximum height of said through hole is equal to or slightly greater than the height (d) of said first portion (16) of said first connecting means (10).

5. The footwear structure of claim 1, wherein the programmable light screen (8) is an organic light emitting diode screen or a light emitting diode screen, the programmable light screen (8) comprising a housing (18), a printed circuit (19) provided with organic light emitting diodes or light emitting diodes, and a digital processor (20), the printed circuit and the digital processor all being housed in the housing (18).

6. The footwear structure according to claim 5, wherein said casing (18) is made of a translucent plastic material.

7. Footwear structure according to claim 5, wherein said shell (18) is made of a flexible material.

8. The footwear structure according to claim 5, wherein the printed circuit (19) is flexible.

9. The footwear structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper (3) comprises an upper mouth (29) and/or a tongue (30), wherein the connection port (9) is arranged at the upper mouth (29) or the tongue (30).

10. Footwear structure according to claim 1, wherein said second connection means (11) comprise an uninterrupted second cable for continuously and directly connecting said power source (7) and said connection port (9).

11. The footwear structure of claim 1, wherein the second section (15) of the through-hole (12) is defined by opposing walls (21, 22) intersecting the first section (14), wherein at least one of the opposing walls (21, 22) lies on a first plane that forms a non-zero θ angle with a second plane containing the other of the opposing walls.

12. The footwear structure of claim 11, wherein the Θ angle is 10 ° to 45 °.

13. The footwear structure of claim 11, wherein the θ angle is 20 ° to 45 °.

14. The footwear structure of claim 11, wherein the Θ angle is 30 to 45 °.

15. Footwear structure according to claim 1, comprising a housing seat (25), said housing seat (25) being obtained in said sole (4) and being engaged with said power source (7).

16. The footwear structure according to claim 15, further comprising a plurality of first reinforcing areas for reinforcing the sole (4), wherein said first reinforcing areas comprise blind holes (27) or projections, said blind holes (27) or projections being made in one piece with the sole (4) and being at least partially dispersed around the housing seat (25).

17. Footwear structure according to claim 15, comprising a recess (26), said recess (26) being obtained in said sole (4) and extending between said housing seat (25) and said through hole (12), said recess being intended to house said first connecting means (10).

18. Footwear structure according to claim 1, comprising a controller (6) which can be removably combined with said footwear unit (2), wherein said controller comprises a first plug (33) and a second plug (34), said first plug (33) being suitable for connecting said controller (6) with an electronic processor, said second plug (34) being complementary to said connection port (9) of said electronic lighting system (5).

19. The footwear structure according to claim 18, wherein said controller further comprises a third plug (35) complementary to said connection port (9).

20. Footwear structure according to claim 1, comprising a wireless module for managing said electronic lighting system (5) and/or a motion sensor and/or a command button (32) operating on said electronic lighting system (5), wherein said motion sensor and/or said command button (32) are housed in said footwear unit (2).