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  Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting systemUSPTO Application #: 20060021261Title: Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system 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. (end of abstract) Agent: David J. Bolduc Face International Corporation - Norfolk, VA, US Inventor: Bradbury R. Face USPTO Applicaton #: 20060021261 - Class: 036132000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, Occupational Or Athletic Shoe (e.g., Roof Climbing, Gardening, Etc.), Athletic Shoe Or Attachment Therefor, Attachment (e.g., Weight For Shoe, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060021261. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[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 is later released at an advantageous time. [0006] The prior art includes devices which emit light when the footwear impacts or departs from the ground. Lighted footwear seen in the prior art typically comprises one or more sources of electric light, a small portable power source, such as a dry-cell battery, and electrical circuitry to connect the power source to the light sources electrically, which circuitry usually includes sensing means for sensing the desirable dynamic forces and switching the light sources on and off in a desirable fashion. [0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 45,188,447, L. Chiang, et al., describe a lighted footwear system in which the lights are actuated by the impact of the footwear against an object, such as the ground. In this prior system, a piezoelectric crystal operates as a voltage generator to generate a brief voltage pulse, the amplitude of which is related to the amount of inertial force incident upon the crystal. The voltage pulse is used as the input of the battery-driven amplifier, which, in turn, drives the lights, such that the intensity of the single pulse of light emitted by the lights is related to the amount of force with which the footwear impacts the object. 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. [0008] Accordingly, an inertially responsive article of footwear which is actuated by impact of the footwear against the ground and which incorporates a piezoelectric element capable of sustaining high loads is highly desirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages in the prior art, the present invention provides an article of footwear which stores energy generated by a piezoelectric element as a result of the impact of the footwear against the ground. The footwear comprises a piezoelectric element in the sole of the footwear, which generates electrical energy when deformed by the impact of the footwear against an object, such as the ground. The electrical energy is stored in energy harvesting and storage circuitry for use at a later time. [0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described which stores the energy generated by the piezoelectric element upon impact of the footwear against the ground. [0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described in which a piezoelectric element is deformed by the impact of the footwear against the ground. [0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described in which the voltage potential created by the deformation of the piezoelectric element is stored in energy storage circuitry for use at a later time. [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. [0014] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing the details of construction of a flextensional piezoelectric transducer used in the present invention, as an electroactive generator; [0016] FIG. 1a is an elevation view showing the details of construction of the flextensional piezoelectric generator of FIG. 1 having an additional prestress layer; [0017] FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the details of construction of an alternate multi-layer flextensional piezoelectric generator used in a modification of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 2a is an elevation view showing the details of construction of the flextensional piezoelectric generator of FIG. 1a with a flat rather than arcuate profile; [0019] FIG. 3 is a side elevation with a shoe in phantom showing a piezoelectric energy harvesting system constructed in accordance with the present invention; [0020] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the piezoelectric energy harvesting system shown in FIG. 3 with a first force being applied to the piezoelectric element, i.e. by bending the shoe by walking; [0021] FIG. 5 is a side elevation with a shoe in phantom showing another embodiment of a piezoelectric energy harvesting system constructed in accordance with the present invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Sole for bowling shoes Next Patent Application: Full suspension footwear Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Footwear incorporating piezoelectric energy harvesting system patent info. 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