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  Article of footwear with solar panel assemblyUSPTO Application #: 20070044346Title: Article of footwear with solar panel assembly Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly and has an exterior surface. At least one solar cell on the exterior surface of the upper is configured to provide power to a power receiving device. (end of abstract) Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. - Boston, MA, US Inventors: Joseph L. Ungari, Chia-Chyi Cheng USPTO Applicaton #: 20070044346 - Class: 036136000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Shoe Attachment (e.g., Ornament, Pocket, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070044346. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to an article of footwear and, in particular, to an article of footwear having a solar panel assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Electronic devices are commonly integrated into footwear including, for example, illuminated elements such as flashing lights. Flashing lights can provide aesthetic appeal and improve safety for the user by providing increased visibility. The users of such footwear face the problem of providing sufficient power to the electronic devices incorporated in the footwear. It would be desirable to provide a source of power in the footwear to power electronic devices or provide power to other devices that may be temporarily stored in or attached to the footwear. [0003] Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments. SUMMARY [0004] The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide an article of footwear with a solar panel assembly. In accordance with a first aspect, an article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly and has an exterior surface. At least one solar cell on the exterior surface of the upper is configured to provide power to a power receiving device. [0005] In accordance with another aspect, an article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly and having an exterior surface. A solar panel assembly includes a plurality of solar cells on the exterior surface of the upper and a plurality of wires connecting the solar cells. A rechargeable battery is connected to the solar cells by the wires. [0006] In accordance with a further aspect, an article of footwear includes a sole assembly and an upper secured to the sole assembly and having an exterior surface. A solar panel assembly includes a plurality of solar cells releasably secured to the exterior surface of the upper and a rechargeable battery operably connected to the at least one solar cell. [0007] Substantial advantage is achieved by providing an article of footwear with a solar panel assembly. In particular, certain embodiments of the present invention allow powered elements on the footwear to operate without an independent power source. This will allow a user to operate an electrical device on their footwear for an indefinite period of time, without the need to worry about replacing batteries, enhancing convenience for the user and reducing operating costs. [0008] These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear with a solar panel assembly including a plurality of solar cells on an exterior surface of its upper. [0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a solar cell and a portion of the upper of the article of footwear of FIG. 1 to which it is attached, showing a fastener that secures the solar cell to the upper. [0011] FIG. 3 is a section view of the solar panel assembly of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, showing two solar cells connected to a battery. [0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, shown partially broken away, of another embodiment of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, showing a removable battery. [0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an article of footwear with a solar panel assembly. [0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an article of footwear with a solar panel assembly. [0015] The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the article of footwear with a solar panel assembly depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Footwear with solar panels as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] The present invention may be embodied in various forms. An embodiment of an article of footwear 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Footwear 10 includes an upper 12 and a sole assembly 14 secured to upper 12. Sole assembly 14 may be secured to upper 12 by adhesive or any other suitable means. For purposes of general reference, footwear 10 may be divided into three general portions: a forefoot portion 16, a midfoot portion 18, and a heel portion 20. Portions 16, 18, and 20 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear 10. Rather, portions 16, 18, and 20 are intended to represent general areas of footwear 10 that provide a frame of reference during the following discussion. In addition, as seen in FIG. 4, footwear 10 includes a medial, or inner, side 22 and a lateral, or outer, side 24. [0017] Unless otherwise stated, or otherwise clear from the context below, directional terms used herein, such as rearwardly, forwardly, top, bottom, inwardly, downwardly, upwardly, etc., refer to directions relative to footwear 10 itself. Footwear 10 is shown in FIG. 1 to be disposed substantially horizontally, as it would be positioned on a horizontal surface when worn by a wearer. However, it is to be appreciated that footwear 10 need not be limited to such an orientation. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, rearwardly is toward heel portion 20, that is, to the left as seen in FIG. 1. Naturally, forwardly is toward forefoot portion 16, that is, to the right as seen in FIG. 1, and downwardly is toward the bottom of the page as seen in FIG. 1. [0018] Top refers to elements toward the top of the page as seen in FIG. 1, while bottom refers to elements toward the bottom of the page as seen in FIG. 1. Inwardly is toward the center of footwear 10, and outwardly is toward the outer peripheral edge of footwear 10. [0019] Sole assembly 14 may include an insole (not shown) located within upper 12, a midsole 26, and an outsole 28. Midsole 26 is attached to upper 12 and functions as the primary shock-attenuating and energy-absorbing component of footwear 10. Midsole 26 may be secured to upper 12 by adhesive or other suitable means. Suitable materials for midsole 26 include polymer foam materials such as ethylvinylacetate or polyurethane, or any other material that compresses resiliently. Outsole 28 is attached to the lower surface of midsole 26 by adhesive or other suitable means. Suitable materials for outsole 28 include polymers, e.g., polyether-block co-polyamide polymers (sold as Pebax.RTM. by ATOFINA Chemicals of Philadelphia, Pa.), and nylon resins such as Zytel.RTM., sold by Dupont. Other suitable materials for outsole 28 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. Continue reading... Full patent description for Article of footwear with solar panel assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Article of footwear with solar panel assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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