Manually-powered apparatus for powering a portable electronic device
AssigneeThomson Licensing
InventorsPaul Steven Haney, Ronald Leroy Lytel, Paul Michael Pierce, David Evan Schultz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims14
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.