Athletic shoe with timing device

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises illuminating a light emitting device on said shoe throughout said time interval.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises flashing a plurality of flashing lights on said shoe throughout said time interval.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises providing an audible sound from said shoe.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4 wherein the audible sound provided in step (c) is an enunciation of elapsed time of said time interval.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises providing a visibly readable message on said shoe of elapsed time in said time interval.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of inhibiting said visibly readable message during walking and running steps by said person.

Claim 9

The method of claim 7 wherein said step of inhibiting comprises inhibiting said visibly readable message unless said elapsed time exceeds a predetermined minimum time.

Claim 10

The method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined minimum time is at least 0.2 seconds.

Claim 13

The method of claim 10 wherein step (b) comprises determining that said person has jumped off the ground when the measured elapsed time is at least 0.2 seconds.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10 wherein step (c) comprises providing a visibly readable indication on said shoe of the measured elapsed time.

Claim 15

An athletic shoe comprising: a sole; a shoe upper mounted on said sole; pressure responsive means mounted on said shoe for providing a signal in said shoe in response to said shoe leaving the ground when on the foot of a person, and for removing said signal in response to said shoe returning to the ground; a timer in said shoe actuable in response to said signal for measuring elapsed time; and an elapsed time display at said shoe for providing a visible reading of the elapsed time measured by said timer.

Claim 16

An athletic shoe comprising: a sole; a shoe upper mounted on said sole; pressure responsive means mounted on said shoe for providing a signal in said shoe in response to said shoe leaving the ground when on the foot of a person, and for removing said signal in response to said shoe returning to the ground; a timer in said shoe actuable in response to said signal for measuring elapsed time; and an elapsed time display at said shoe for providing a visible reading of the elapsed time measured by said timer.

Claim 17

The athletic shoe of claim 13 further comprising: means in said shoe for inhibiting said visible reading unless the elapsed time measured by said timer exceeds a predetermined time corresponding to the time a shoe is normally off the ground during running and walking steps.

Claim 18

The athletic shoe of claim 14 wherein said predetermined time is at least 0.2 seconds.

Claim 19

The athletic shoe of claim 13 wherein said elapsed time display is a liquid crystal numerical display.

Claim 20

The athletic shoe of claim 13 further comprising a tongue secured to said upper, and wherein said elapsed time display is mounted on said tongue.

Claim 21

The athletic shoe of claim 17 wherein said means is a switch mounted in said sole and actuable in response to compressive force urging said sole against the ground.

Claim 22

An athletic shoe comprising: a sole; a shoe upper mounted on said sole; pressure responsive means on said shoe for providing a signal in response to said shoe leaving the ground when on the foot of an individual, and for removing said signal in response to said shoe returning to the ground; circuit means in said shoe actuable in response to said signal; and indicator means at said shoe responsive to actuation of said circuit means for providing a perceptible indication related to the time said shoe is off the ground.

Claim 23

An athletic shoe comprising: a sole; a shoe upper mounted on said sole; pressure responsive means on said shoe for providing a signal in response to said shoe leaving the ground when on the foot of an individual, and for removing said signal in response to said shoe returning to the ground; circuit means in said shoe actuable in response to said signal; and indicator means at said shoe responsive to actuation of said circuit means for providing a perceptible indication related to the time said shoe is off the ground.

Claim 24

The athletic shoe of claim 19 wherein said indicator means comprises at least one device responsive to actuation of said circuit means for emitting light while said shoe is off the ground.

Claim 25

The athletic shoe of claim 19 wherein said indicator means comprises a device responsive to actuation of said circuit means for providing an audible signal while said shoe is off the ground.

Claim 26

In an athletic shoe having an upper member secured to a sole member, the sole member having a heel portion with a cavity in which circuitry is housed, apparatus for indicating the time that the athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air during a jump by a person wearing the athletic shoe, said apparatus comprising: a pressure responsive switch producing a signal when said athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air, said switch being disposed in the sole member of said athletic shoe; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the athletic shoe, said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting light during the period of time when the athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air during said jump to provide a visual indication of the amount of time that the athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air; a controller disposed in the sole member of the athletic shoe and connected to said switch and to said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein said controller is responsive to said signal to cause said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit said light during said period of time that said athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air; and a power source connected to said switch, to said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and to said controller, said power source disposed in the sole member of said athletic shoe.

Claim 27

In an athletic shoe having an upper member secured to a sole member, the sole member having a heel portion with a cavity in which circuitry is housed, apparatus for indicating the time that the athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air during a jump by a person wearing the athletic shoe, said apparatus comprising: a pressure responsive switch producing a signal when said athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air, said switch being disposed in the sole member of said athletic shoe; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the athletic shoe, said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting light during the period of time when the athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air during said jump to provide a visual indication of the amount of time that the athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air; a controller disposed in the sole member of the athletic shoe and connected to said switch and to said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein said controller is responsive to said signal to cause said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit said light during said period of time that said athletic shoe is off the ground and in the air; and a power source connected to said switch, to said plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and to said controller, said power source disposed in the sole member of said athletic shoe.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said switch, said plurality of LEDs, said controller and said power source are disposed in the heel portion of the sole member of said athletic shoe.