An energy return device for footwear has a flattenable conical disk with a ring spring arranged around the base of the conical disk. A rigid upper heel-receiving plate is connected to the apex of the flattenable conical disk. The heel-receiving plate may be rigidly or semi-rigidly attached to the apex of the conical disk to stabilize an angle of the heel-receiving plate. There may be a conical damping disk between a lower surface of the heel-receiving plate and an upper surface of the conical disk. There may be protrusions on the bottom of the heel-receiving plate which interact with pockets in the upper surface of the conical disk, for example distorting the conical damping disk. There may be viscoelastic inserts in the pockets, for example providing damping in place of or in addition to the damping disk.
A43B 7/32 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with shock-absorbing means
A43B 7/142 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the medial arch, i.e. under the navicular or cuneiform bones
A43B 7/144 - Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot situated under the heel, i.e. the calcaneus bone
F16F 1/36 - Springs made of plastics, e.g. rubberSprings made of material having high internal friction
A positive displacement gear pump or gear hydraulic motor having at least a first rotor with first rotor teeth and a second rotor with second rotor teeth, the first rotor teeth meshing with the second rotor teeth. First rotor chambers are defined between first rotor teeth and second rotor chambers are defined between the second rotor teeth. As the rotors mesh, the first rotor chambers, second rotor chambers or both become enclosed or substantially enclosed to form what are referred to here as secondary chambers. Pressure variations in a secondary chamber are relieved by internal flow channels in the first rotor, second rotor or both, creating a fluid connection between the first rotor chambers and the second rotor chambers. The first rotor may be an internal gear rotor or both rotors may be external gear rotors.
F01C 1/10 - Rotary-piston machines or engines of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of internal-axis type with the outer member having more teeth or tooth-equivalents, e.g. rollers, than the inner member
F01C 1/14 - Rotary-piston machines or engines of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type with toothed rotary pistons
F01C 1/18 - Rotary-piston machines or engines of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type with toothed rotary pistons with similar tooth forms
F04C 2/08 - Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
F04C 2/14 - Rotary-piston machines or pumps of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type with toothed rotary pistons
A spring for a spring shoe, the spring including a conical disk, the conical disk having a flexible flange around the perimeter of the conical disk. A spring comprising a conical disk and a ring spring around the conical disk, the ring spring being movable up and down relative to the conical disk to adjust the spring force of the spring. A threaded engagement between the ring spring and the conical disk so that rotation of the conical disk moves the ring spring up or down relative to the conical disk. A damper ring around the perimeter of the conical disk to resist the expansion of the circumference of the conical disk. An eccentric ring or cam to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk relative to an insole by rotating the eccentric ring or cam. An asymmetric conical disk to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk by rotating the conical disk. A damper for a spring shoe comprising a flexible container containing a material with little or no propensity to return to its original shape. A spring array for a spring shoe, the springs of the spring array having a reducing force resisting compression over at least a portion of the spring range of travel as the spring compresses, and there being a damper associated with the array to oppose compression of the array towards maximum compression.
A43B 13/12 - Soles with several layers of different materials
F16F 3/093 - Units comprising several springs made of plastics or the like material the springs being of different materials, e.g. having different types of rubber
F16F 13/04 - Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs comprising both a plastics spring and a damper, e.g. a friction damper
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
F02G 1/043 - Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
F02G 1/044 - Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines having at least two working members, e.g. pistons, delivering power output
F02G 1/05 - Controlling by varying the rate of flow or quantity of the working gas
H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
F02G 1/04 - Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type
F02G 1/043 - Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
F02G 1/044 - Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines having at least two working members, e.g. pistons, delivering power output
H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
A spring for a spring shoe, the spring including a conical disk, the conical disk having a flexible flange around the perimeter of the conical disk. A spring comprising a conical disk and a ring spring around the conical disk, the ring spring being movable up and down relative to the conical disk to adjust the spring force of the spring. A threaded engagement between the ring spring and the conical disk so that rotation of the conical disk moves the ring spring up or down relative to the conical disk. A damper ring around the perimeter of the conical disk to resist the expansion of the circumference of the conical disk. An eccentric ring or cam to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk relative to an insole by rotating the eccentric ring or cam. An asymmetric conical disk to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk by rotating the conical disk. A damper for a spring shoe comprising a flexible container containing a material with little or no propensity to return to its original shape. A spring array for a spring shoe, the springs of the spring array having a reducing force resisting compression over at least a portion of the spring range of travel as the spring compresses, and there being a damper associated with the array to oppose compression of the array towards maximum compression.
A spring for a spring shoe, the spring including a conical disk, the conical disk having a flexible flange around the perimeter of the conical disk. A spring comprising a conical disk and a ring spring around the conical disk, the ring spring being movable up and down relative to the conical disk to adjust the spring force of the spring. A threaded engagement between the ring spring and the conical disk so that rotation of the conical disk moves the ring spring up or down relative to the conical disk. A damper ring around the perimeter of the conical disk to resist the expansion of the circumference of the conical disk. An eccentric ring or cam to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk relative to an insole by rotating the eccentric ring or cam. An asymmetric conical disk to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk by rotating the conical disk. A damper for a spring shoe comprising a flexible container containing a material with little or no propensity to return to its original shape. A spring array for a spring shoe, the springs of the spring array having a reducing force resisting compression over at least a portion of the spring range of travel as the spring compresses, and there being a damper associated with the array to oppose compression of the array towards maximum compression.
F16F 1/373 - Springs made of plastics, e.g. rubberSprings made of material having high internal friction characterised by having a particular shape
F16F 7/12 - Vibration-dampersShock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
F16F 9/10 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using liquid onlySprings, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using a fluid of which the nature is immaterial
A spring for a spring shoe, the spring including a conical disk, the conical disk having a flexible flange around the perimeter of the conical disk. A spring comprising a conical disk and a ring spring around the conical disk, the ring spring being movable up and down relative to the conical disk to adjust the spring force of the spring. A threaded engagement between the ring spring and the conical disk so that rotation of the conical disk moves the ring spring up or down relative to the conical disk. A damper ring around the perimeter of the conical disk to resist the expansion of the circumference of the conical disk. An eccentric ring or cam to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk relative to an insole by rotating the eccentric ring or cam. An asymmetric conical disk to adjust the position of the apex of the conical disk by rotating the conical disk. A damper for a spring shoe comprising a flexible container containing a material with little or no propensity to return to its original shape. A spring array for a spring shoe, the springs of the spring array having a reducing force resisting compression over at least a portion of the spring range of travel as the spring compresses, and there being a damper associated with the array to oppose compression of the array towards maximum compression.
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
F01B 11/00 - Reciprocating-piston machines or engines without rotary main shaft, e.g. of free-piston type
F02G 1/043 - Hot gas positive-displacement engine plants of closed-cycle type the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
F02G 5/00 - Profiting from waste heat of combustion engines, not otherwise provided for
F03G 7/00 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for
F03G 7/04 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
F01K 13/00 - General layout or general methods of operation, of complete steam engine plants
F01K 25/02 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for the fluid remaining in the liquid phase
A spring shoe, and also in particular a spring, as well as a method of returning energy to a user, are provided. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus stores foot strike energy and releases it after a slight delay, when it will exert a force on the user which includes a forward component. This is accomplished in an embodiment by a spring in the sole which has a decreasing spring force, such that the force required to compress the sole decreases for all or part of the compression displacement as the spring is compressed.
A spring shoe, and also in particular a spring, as well as a method of returning energy to a user, are provided. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus stores foot strike energy and releases it after a slight delay, when it will exert a force on the user which includes a forward component. This is accomplished in an embodiment by a spring in the sole which has a decreasing spring force, such that the force required to compress the sole decreases for all or part of the compression displacement as the spring is compressed.
F16F 1/373 - Springs made of plastics, e.g. rubberSprings made of material having high internal friction characterised by having a particular shape
F16F 3/10 - Spring units consisting of several springs, e.g. for obtaining a desired spring characteristic with springs made of a material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber combined with springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction
A spring shoe, and also in particular a spring, as well as a method of returning energy to a user, are provided. In one embodiment, a method and apparatus stores foot strike energy and releases it after a slight delay, when it will exert a force on the user which includes a forward component. This is accomplished in an embodiment by a spring in the sole which has a decreasing spring force, such that the force required to compress the sole decreases for all or part of the compression displacement as the spring is compressed.
F16F 1/373 - Springs made of plastics, e.g. rubberSprings made of material having high internal friction characterised by having a particular shape
F16F 3/10 - Spring units consisting of several springs, e.g. for obtaining a desired spring characteristic with springs made of a material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber combined with springs made of steel or other material having low internal friction
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
F03G 7/04 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature
F03G 7/06 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying, or the like
A novel engine for producing power from a temperature differential with additional benefits of low cost, high efficiency, quiet operation minimal wear of components, and the ability to produce power or cooling from low grade heat sources.
F03G 7/06 - Mechanical-power-producing mechanisms, not otherwise provided for or using energy sources not otherwise provided for using expansion or contraction of bodies due to heating, cooling, moistening, drying, or the like
patents
