Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system

a piezoelectric energy harvesting and footwear technology, applied in footwear, electrical equipment, electric/electrostriction/magnetostriction machines, etc., can solve the problem of not storing energy for later, and achieve the effect of simple and uncluttered design

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-02-02
FACE BRADBURY R
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described which is inexpensive and of a simple and uncluttered design.

Problems solved by technology

The Chiang, et al. device and other prior lighted footwear devices create a lighted effect that is novel and pleasing to the eye, but does not store the energy for later use in any way.

Method used

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  • Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system
  • Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system
  • Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0034] As seen in FIG. 3, modern footwear, particularly the type of athletic and casual shoes to which the present invention is readily adapted, typically comprise a soft, flexible upper portion 28 adapted to surround at least a portion of the upper surface of a wearer's foot, and a resilient sole portion 26 attached to the bottom of the upper portion 28 and adapted to underlie the wearer's foot and protect it against uncomfortable contact with the ground.

[0035] Typical materials for the upper portion 28 include leather and man-made sheet materials, such as polyvinyl or polyurethane sheets, or combinations of these, which are die- or laser-cut and then stitched together over a foot-shaped cast to form the finished upper 28. The sole portion 26 is typically molded of man-made elastomeric materials, such as rubber, foamed or solid polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate, to include certain common structural features, such as a top, or “footbed,” surface 33, a peripheral sidewall surfa...

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PUM

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Abstract

An article of footwear having a piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus in the sole member. Walking or running applies a first force deforming a piezoelectric actuator, thereby generating electrical energy. An energy storage circuit stores electrical energy generated by the piezoelectric actuator for later application to electrical devices.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from earlier filed provisional patent application 60 / 589,087 filed Jul. 19, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an energy harvesting system incorporated in footwear. More specifically the present invention relates to footwear incorporating at least one piezoelectric element which, when activated, enables the wearer of the footwear to harvest energy from the deformation of the piezoelectric element. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] The present invention is a unique article of footwear which incorporates a piezoelectric system which may be advantageously used in a preferred embodiment of the invention to enable the wearer of said article of footwear to store energy harvested from the piezoelectric element. Energy generated by a piezoelectric element as a result of the impact of the footwear against the ground is stored in an energy storage circuit and i...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A43B5/00
CPCA43B3/00A43B3/0005H02N2/18A43B13/00A43B3/0015A43B3/38A43B3/34
Inventor FACE, BRADBURY R.
Owner FACE BRADBURY R
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