Footwear incorporating piezoelectric spring system
First Claim
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1. An article of performance enhancing footwear, comprising:
- a shoe upper member having a bottom edge;
a sole member having a footbed, a contact surface, a heel portion, an instep portion, and a deformable resilient section;
said bottom edge of said shoe upper member being attached to said footbed;
said sole member having a cavity between said contact surface and said footbed, said cavity having an upper surface and a lower surface;
said deformable resilient section being disposed between said lower surface of said cavity and said contact surface;
a piezoelectric spring apparatus within said cavity, said piezoelectric spring apparatus comprising;
a piezoelectric actuator element having top and bottom opposing major surfaces;
said bottom major surface of said piezoelectric actuator element being in mechanical contact with said lower surface of said cavity;
said top major surface of said piezoelectric actuator element being in mechanical contact with said upper surface of said cavity;
an electrode on each of said top and bottom opposing major surfaces; and
energy storage means for storing piezoelectrically generated electrical energy, said energy storage means being in electrical communication with each of said electrodes;
whereby, upon application of a first force to said contact surface, said first force causes a deformation of said resilient deformable section;
and whereby said deformation of said resilient deformable section causes a deformation of said piezoelectric actuator element, thereby piezoelectrically generating electrical energy with said piezoelectric actuator element.
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Abstract
An article of performance enhancing footwear having a piezoelectric spring 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. Sensing means is provided to sense the release of a second force greater than the first force, which triggers the release of stored electrical energy back into the piezoelectric actuator. The resulting deformation of the piezoelectric actuator imparts a force into the bottom contact surface of the sole member.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An article of performance enhancing footwear, comprising:
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a shoe upper member having a bottom edge; a sole member having a footbed, a contact surface, a heel portion, an instep portion, and a deformable resilient section; said bottom edge of said shoe upper member being attached to said footbed; said sole member having a cavity between said contact surface and said footbed, said cavity having an upper surface and a lower surface; said deformable resilient section being disposed between said lower surface of said cavity and said contact surface; a piezoelectric spring apparatus within said cavity, said piezoelectric spring apparatus comprising; a piezoelectric actuator element having top and bottom opposing major surfaces; said bottom major surface of said piezoelectric actuator element being in mechanical contact with said lower surface of said cavity; said top major surface of said piezoelectric actuator element being in mechanical contact with said upper surface of said cavity; an electrode on each of said top and bottom opposing major surfaces; and energy storage means for storing piezoelectrically generated electrical energy, said energy storage means being in electrical communication with each of said electrodes; whereby, upon application of a first force to said contact surface, said first force causes a deformation of said resilient deformable section; and whereby said deformation of said resilient deformable section causes a deformation of said piezoelectric actuator element, thereby piezoelectrically generating electrical energy with said piezoelectric actuator element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification