Flooring systems and methods of making and using same
AssigneeMohawk Carpet Corporation
InventorsWesley A. King, David A. Earl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The various embodiments of the present invention are directed to floating floor systems and to methods of making and using the floor systems. The floating floor systems generally include a floating flooring unit (704) and a mechanical-energy-harvesting device (710). The mechanical-energy-harvesting device can be incorporated into the flooring unit component at a variety of locations. The floor systems can further include an energy storage device (712) and/or an electronic component that will be actuated or driven by the electricity generated.
Claims28
A floating flooring unit, comprising:
- a decorative component;
- and
- a mechanical-energy-harvesting-device, wherein the mechanical-energy-harvesting-device is disposed on or within a mechanical joint profile of the floating flooring unit, wherein the mechanical joint profile of the floating flooring unit is configured to couple the floating flooring unit to an adjacent floating flooring unit.
A floating floor system, comprising:
- a floating flooring unit comprising a decorative component and a mechanical-energy-harvesting-device, wherein the mechanical-energy-harvesting-device is disposed on or within a mechanical joint profile of the floating flooring unit, wherein the mechanical joint profile of the floating flooring unit is configured to couple the floating flooring unit to an adjacent floating flooring unit within the floating floor system.
A method of generating electrical energy, the method comprising:
- exerting a force on a floating floor system, wherein the floating floor system comprises a floating flooring unit comprising a decorative component and a mechanical-energy-harvesting-device, wherein the mechanical-energy-harvesting-device is disposed on or within a mechanical joint profile of the floating flooring unit, and wherein the mechanical joint profile of the floating flooring unit is configured to couple the floating flooring unit to an adjacent floating flooring unit within the floating floor system;
- and
- transferring the force to the mechanical-energy-harvesting-device;
- and
- producing electricity from the mechanical-energy-harvesting-device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.