US5188447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminating system
Assignee: GENERAL LED Inc
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Filing: 1992-01-21
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Granted: 1993-02-23
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Expires: 2012-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A member made from a suitable material such as a polyurethane epoxy designed to withstand impact against an object is provided as a support member. For example, the member may constitute an insert disposed on or in the heel of a shoe but a wide variety of other applications are possible. A suitable member such as a piezoelectric member is disposed on the support member to produce a signal when the support member is impacted against the object or when the impact is released. This signal is amplified by an amplifier which is powered by a suitable source such as a battery. The amplified signals are introduced to a light emitting member such as a light emitting diode which provides an illuminated indication of the impact of the support member against the object. A member such as a resistance may be disposed in the circuit with the battery and the amplifier to limit the current flow through the amplifier during the times that the piezoelectric member is energized.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee Chiang
- 👤 William R. Ratcliffe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:58
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B3/00; A43B3/34; A43B3/36; A43B3/38; A43B3/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In combination for providing a visual display, first means having properties of being impacted against an object and of withstanding each impact of the first means against the object, second means disposed in the first means and having properties of generating a signal upon each impact of the first means against the object, third means disposed in the first means and responsive to each signal generated by the second means for amplifying such signal, and fourth means disposed in the first means responsive to each amplified signal generated by the third means for providing an illumination indicating each impact of the first means against the object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In combination for providing a visual display, first means having properties of being impacted against an object and of withstanding each impact of the first means against the object, second means disposed in the first means and having properties of generating a signal upon each impact of the first means against the object, third means disposed in the first means and responsive to each signal generated by the second means for amplifying such signal, and fourth means disposed in the first means responsive to each amplified signal generated by the third means for providing an illumination indicating each impact of the first means against the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 1, the second means including a piezoelectric member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 2, the fourth means including at least one light-emitting diode and the third means being responsive only to each signal generated by the second means for amplifying such signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 3, the first means being shaped to conform to the heel of a shoe and the second means, the third means and the fourth means being disposed in the first means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination for providing a visual display, first means having properties of being impacted against an object and of withstanding each impact of the first means against the object, a piezoelectric member disposed in the first means and having properties of generating a signal upon each impact of the first means against the object, second means disposed in the first means and responsive to each signal generated by the piezoelectric member for amplifying such signal, and third means disposed in the first means and responsive to each amplified signal for providing a visual indication of each impact of the first means against the object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination for providing a visual display, first means having properties of being impacted against an object and of withstanding each impact of the first means against the object, a piezoelectric member disposed in the first means and having properties of generating a signal upon each impact of the first means against the object, second means disposed in the first means and responsive to each signal generated by the piezoelectric member for amplifying such signal, and third means disposed in the first means and responsive to each amplified signal for providing a visual indication of each impact of the first means against the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 5, the third means including a light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 6, a source of energy, means associated with the source of energy and the second means for limiting the current through the second means during each time that the first means impacts the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 7, the source of energy is a battery and the current-limiting means includes a resistance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first means includes an insert on the heel of a shoe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a combinations as set forth in claim 7 wherein the current-limiting means includes a diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination, a shoe heel constructed to be impacted against the ground, support means disposed in the shoe heel and shaped to define an insert on the shoe heel and having properties of withstanding the impact of the heel of the shoe against the ground, a piezoelectric member disposed in the support means and having properties of becoming strained to generate a signal upon each impact of the shoe heel against the ground, means disposed in the support means and having properties of emitting light upon becoming energized, and means disposed in the support means and responsive to the signal generated by the piezoelectric member for energizing the light-emitting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination, a shoe heel constructed to be impacted against the ground, support means disposed in the shoe heel and shaped to define an insert on the shoe heel and having properties of withstanding the impact of the heel of the shoe against the ground, a piezoelectric member disposed in the support means and having properties of becoming strained to generate a signal upon each impact of the shoe heel against the ground, means disposed in the support means and having properties of emitting light upon becoming energized, and means disposed in the support means and responsive to the signal generated by the piezoelectric member for energizing the light-emitting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 11, the support means being made from a glass epoxy and the light-emitting means including a light-emitting diode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 11, the energizing means for the light-emitting diode including an amplifier disposed in the support means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 13, the energizing means including an amplifier for amplifying the signal generated by the piezoelectric member, and means associated with the amplifier and disposed in the support means for insuring that any current through the amplifier is at a low level during the time that the piezoelectric member is not being energized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 14, the support means being made from a glass epoxy and the light-emitting means including a light-emitting diode, the energizing means being operative to energize the light-emitting means only upon each impact of the support means against the ground.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 13, the energizing means being operative to energize the light-emitting means only upon each impact of the support means against the ground.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
106 words
In combination, a member constructed to be impacted against an object and to withstand such impact, support means disposed in the support means and made from a material having properties of withstanding each impact of the member against the object, piezoelectric means disposed in the support means and having properties of producing a signal upon each impact of the member against the object, means disposed in the support means and having properties of emitting light, and means disposed in the support means and responsive to each signal from the piezoelectric means for energizing the light-emitting means to obtain the emission of light by the light-emitting means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
In combination, a member constructed to be impacted against an object and to withstand such impact, support means disposed in the support means and made from a material having properties of withstanding each impact of the member against the object, piezoelectric means disposed in the support means and having properties of producing a signal upon each impact of the member against the object, means disposed in the support means and having properties of emitting light, and means disposed in the support means and responsive to each signal from the piezoelectric means for energizing the light-emitting means to obtain the emission of light by the light-emitting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 15, the light-emitting means including a light-emitting diode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a combination as set forth in claim 17, the energizing means including an amplifier disposed in the support means and responsive to each signal from the piezoelectric means for amplifying such signal and for energizing the light-emitting means in accordance with such amplified signal to obtain the emission of light by the light-emitting means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a combination as recited in claim 19, the energizing means including an amplifier and a source of energy disposed in the member, and means disposed in the support means and associated with the amplifier and the energy source for limiting the current from the energy source through the amplifier during each time that the piezoelectric member is energized.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-23 | 1996-08-24 | 1997-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-23 | 2000-08-24 | 2001-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-23 | 2004-08-24 | 2005-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |