Device for generating electricity by pedestrian and vehicular traffic

• US 4,434,374 A
• Filed: 09/14/1981
• Issued: 02/28/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roy L. Lundgren
• Original Assignee: Roy L. Lundgren
• Inventors: Lundgren, Roy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truhe, J. V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wade, Shelley
• Application Number:
  US06/309,276
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1 R, 340/31 R, 404/10, 404/11, 417/229
• US Class Current: 290/1.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 5/06 other than of endless-walk type

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved device for capturing and converting energy expended by pedestrian or vehicular traffic. In one embodiment, the device comprises a tread plate (34) having an elongated generally channel formed member having a top web with downwardly extending side walls (36) with inwardly directed flanges (40) which mates with a base member (54) having a channel formed member defining a base web with upstanding side walls (52) of a common height which terminate at outwardly directed flanges, (56) the tread plate in mating telescopic engagement with the base enabling relative vertical movement of the tread plate. The base web includes a plurality of supports (70) stamped therefrom, each of the supports having an aperture therein, all of the apertures in axially alignment. A rocker arm shaft (80) is rotatably mounted to each of the supports and carries a plurality of rocker arms (201) mounted by one way clutches (100). The rocker arms are upwardly biased by resilient tabs (301) spot welded to the base web. The rocker arms are spaced so that at least two rocker arms are depressed whenever weight is exerted on the tread plate. The design of the tread plate enables the rocker arms to depress even when downward force is applied around the outer periphery of the tread plate. The shaft is connected to a gear generator device (97) by way of a torque energy storage device (80b) so that torque energy insufficient to initially turn the gear generator will be stored and utilized whenever possible. The design of the improved device enables the device to be manufactured and assembled in a much more time saving and economic manner.

Claims

1. A device for generating electricity by utilizing the weight of pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow and to recoup energy from the traffic flow comprising:

a base having a generally channel-formed member defining a base web and spaced upstanding walls of equal height each terminating at outwardly directed flanges and a frame portion extending outwardly from said spaced upstanding walls;

a plurality of spaced apart, parallel support means formed from and integral with said base web and perpendicular thereto, each said support means having an aperture therein, said apertures in coaxial alignment;

a shaft means for transmitting torque rotatably mounted in said apertures;

a tread plate having at least a first and a second angled member, each angled member having a downwardly extending portion and a horizontally extending portion, said horizontally extending portions being in overlapping relation with respect to one another, said first and second angled members operably connected to said frame portion;

said tread plate operably engaged with said base for relative vertical movement therebetween;

rocker arm means in tangential engagement with said tread plate for following movement of said tread plate;

biasing means for biasing said rocker arm means upwardly into engagement with said tread plate, said biasing means connected to said base web;

one-way clutch means for movably connecting said rocker arm means to said shaft means, said clutch means engaging said shaft means upon downward movement of said rocker arm means causing rotation of said shaft means and disengaging said shaft means upon upward movement of said rocker arm means;

energy means for storing or converting mechanical energy to electrical energy;

connecting means for connecting said shaft means to said energy means, said connecting means storing energy insufficient to activate said energy means until said energy means is activated.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a resilient cushioning means for dampening movement of said tread plate, said cushioning means captivated between said frame portion and said first and second angled members.

3. A device for generating electricity by utilizing the weight of pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow and to recoup energy from the traffic flow comprising:

a base having a generally channel formed member defining a base web and spaced upstanding walls of equal height each terminating at outwardly directed flanges,

a plurality of spaced apart, parallel support means formed from and integral with said base web and perpendicular thereto, each said support means having an aperture therein, said apertures in coaxial alignment;

a shaft means for transmitting torque rotatably mounted in said apertures;

a tread plate having a generally channel-formed member defining a tread plate web with a pair of downwardly extending side wall portions each terminating at inwardly directed flanges, said tread plate operably engaged with said base for relative vertical movement therebetween;

rocker arm means in tangential engagement with said tread plate following movement of said tread plate;

biasing means for biasing said rocker arm means upwardly into engagement with said tread plate,

said biasing means connected to said base web;

wherein;

each said inwardly directed flange extending an equal distance from said side wall portion, each said inwardly directed flange in sliding engagement with a respective side wall of said support means and said outwardly directed flanges in sliding engagement with a respective downwardly extending side wall portion of said tread plate.