Manually-powered apparatus for powering a portable electronic device

• US 6,293,771 B1
• Filed: 10/27/1999
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Multimedia Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Schultz, David Evan, Pierce, Paul Michael, Lytel, Ronald Leroy, Haney, Paul Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Paik, Sang
• Assistant Examiner(s): FASTOVSKY, LEONID M
• Application Number:
  US09/428,620
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 417/374, 417/234, 417/262, 322/1, 322/7, 322/28, 322/29, 322/8, 322/10, 322/14, 290/1.R, 290/1.A, 290/1.D
• US Class Current: 417/374
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 33/00 Pumps actuated by muscle power, e.g. for inflating
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

An apparatus includes a manually operable air pump for providing a compressed flow of air to an air motor. An electrical generator is coupled to the air motor and is powered thereby. The generator in turn provides electrical power to a portable electrical device. In one embodiment, device is disposed in a shoe and the air pumping is manually provided by the user'"'"'s walking or running. In another embodiment, the air pump comprises squeegy devices for each hand of a runner or walker.

Claims

1. An apparatus for powering an electronic device comprising:

an air pump means which compresses a flow by manual operation;

said air pump means comprising a selected one of an air bulb sgueezeable by hand and a shoe with an inflatable cushion sgueezeable by foot; and

an electrical generator coupled to said air motor and rotating in response thereto, for generating electrical power which is providable to a portable electronic device, said electrical power being available for use immediately upon compression of said air by said air pump means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a rechargeable battery chargeable by electrical power from said generator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said portable electronic device is a radio or a compact disc player.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air bulb includes a nozzle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said nozzle is a converging nozzle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a check valve which opens to permit air flow into said air pump and which closes to restrict air from flowing back out of said air pump.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises one of a pulley mechanism and a gear train for coupling said generator to said air motor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 which further comprises a battery for storing generated electrical power.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air motor is a flywheel with air flow intercepting means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the flywheel is unitary with the generator.

11. A method comprising:

compressing air by squeezing a pair of air bulbs held in respective hands of a user to generate an air flow to cause rotation of an air motor;

blocking air flow between said air bulbs;

rotating an electrical generator powered by the air motor immediately upon compression of said air; and

powering a portable electronic device from the power generated by the generator.

12. The method of claim 11 which further comprises storing generated electrical power in a battery.

13. An apparatus for powering an electronic device comprising:

an air pump which compresses air by manual operation;

means for conducting the air from said air pump to an air motor;

said air motor rotating in response to the flow of air;

an electrical generator coupled to said air motor and rotating in response thereto, said generator being able to provide electrical power to a portable electronic device immediately upon compression of said air by said air pump,

the apparatus, including the air pump, the air flow conducting means and the generator, being disposed within a shoe and manually operated by walking or running of the user.

14. An apparatus for powering an electronic device comprising;

an air pump which compresses air by manual operation, the air pump comprising at least a pair of squeegy devices held in respective hands of an operator and alternately squeezed;

check valve means disposed between the squeegy devices for preventing air flow therebetween;

means for conducting a flow of air from said air pump to an air motor, said air motor rotating in response to the flow of air; and

an electrical generator coupled to said air motor for receiving flowing air therefrom and rotating in response thereto, said generator being able to provide a source of electrical power to power a portable electronic device.