Foot-powered energy generator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A foot-powered energy generation device, comprising:
- a base configured to fit within a footwear item;
a step plate having an upper position and a lower position;
a generator comprising a rotor;
a gear train comprising a first gear and a second gear that are configured so that rotation of the first gear will cause the second gear to rotate, and rotation of the second gear will cause the rotor to rotate; and
a carriage that is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the first gear so that the carriage will cause the first gear to rotate in response to movement of the step plate between the upper position and the lower position;
wherein;
the second gear comprises a planetary gear having a center, andthe device also comprises an axis about which the center of the planetary gear and a center of the rotor both rotate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A foot-powered energy generation device includes a step plate that moves between an upper position and a lower position in response to the step action of a user. The device also includes an electrical generator, and a gear train that will cause a rotor of the generator to rotate in response to movement of the step plate up and down. A carriage is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train to cause the rotation of the gear train in response to the step plate motion.
62 Citations
48 Claims
-
1. A foot-powered energy generation device, comprising:
-
a base configured to fit within a footwear item; a step plate having an upper position and a lower position; a generator comprising a rotor; a gear train comprising a first gear and a second gear that are configured so that rotation of the first gear will cause the second gear to rotate, and rotation of the second gear will cause the rotor to rotate; and a carriage that is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the first gear so that the carriage will cause the first gear to rotate in response to movement of the step plate between the upper position and the lower position; wherein; the second gear comprises a planetary gear having a center, and the device also comprises an axis about which the center of the planetary gear and a center of the rotor both rotate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A footwear item having energy generating capability, comprising:
-
a housing that is configured to be worn on a foot, comprising; a step plate having an upper position and a lower position, an electrical generator comprising a rotor, a gear train that is engaged with the rotor so that rotation of at least a portion of the gear train will cause the rotor to rotate, and a carriage that is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train so that the carriage will cause components of the gear train to rotate in response to movement of the step plate between the upper position and the lower position; wherein; the gear train comprises a planetary gear having a center; and the footwear item also comprises an axis about which the center of the planetary gear and a center of the rotor both rotate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A foot-powered energy generation device, comprising:
-
a base configured to fit within a footwear item; a step plate having an upper position and a lower position; a generator comprising a rotor; a gear train comprising a first gear and a second gear that are configured so that rotation of the first gear will cause the second gear to rotate, and rotation of the second gear will cause the rotor to rotate; and a carriage that is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the first gear so that the carriage will cause the first gear to rotate in response to movement of the step plate between the upper position and the lower position, wherein the carriage comprises an opening configured to receive and engage the first gear; wherein the opening comprises opposing first and second sides and a lateral dimension between the first and second sides, wherein the lateral dimension is larger than a diameter of the first gear so that; when the carriage moves in a first direction away from a first position, the first side of the opening will engage the first gear and cause the first gear to rotate in a direction of rotation, and when the carriage moves in a second direction to return to the first position, the second side of the opening will engage the first gear and cause the first gear to rotate in the direction of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A footwear item having energy generating capability, comprising:
-
a housing that is configured to be worn on a foot, comprising; a step plate having an upper position and a lower position, an electrical generator comprising a rotor, a gear train that is engaged with the rotor so that rotation of at least a portion of the gear train will cause the rotor to rotate, and a carriage that is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train so that the carriage will cause components of the gear train to rotate in response to movement of the step plate between the upper position and the lower position, wherein the carriage comprises an opening configured to receive and engage a first gear of the gear train; wherein the opening is configured to receive the first gear and comprises opposing first and second sides and a lateral dimension between the first and sides, wherein the lateral dimension is larger than a diameter of the first gear so that; when the carriage moves in a first direction away from a first position, the first side of the opening will engage the first gear and cause the first gear to rotate in a direction of rotation, and when the carriage moves in a second direction to return to the first position, the second side of the opening will engage the first gear and also cause the first gear to rotate in the direction of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
-
41. A footwear item having energy generating capability, comprising:
-
a housing that is configured to be worn on a foot, comprising; a step plate having an upper position and a lower position, an electrical generator comprising a rotor, a gear train that is engaged with the rotor so that rotation of at least a portion of the gear train will cause the rotor to rotate, a carriage that is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train so that the carriage will cause components of the gear train to rotate in response to movement of the step plate between the upper position and the lower position, and a clutch that is configured to engage the carriage with the gear train and disengage the carriage from the gear train; wherein; the gear train also comprises a first gear, a planetary gear and at least one intermediary gear that is positioned and configured to mechanically interconnect the first gear to the planetary gear, and the gear train is configured so that each gear in the gear train is positioned along a plane that is substantially parallel to a base. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
Specification