Generator and rechargeable battery system for ski
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a generator and rechargeable battery system and more particularly to a generator and rechargeable battery system for use on a ski with an electrically operable load. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     The environment of the snow skier necessarily involves conditions of low temperature and is removed from the energy-derived comforts of the home. As a consequence, staying warm in such an environment is typically difficult and is at times nearly impossible. In particular, the skier&#39;s feet and toes are often exposed to extreme cold which can result in discomfort and even frostbite. Therefore, it can be seen that a ski equipped with a current generating mechanism could provide the skier with some of the heretofore missed comforts of home. 
     The prior art discloses heated boots and shoes which use a battery to power the heating elements involved. Examples of such devices are Santroch, U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,093, Balbinot, U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,359, Vaccari, U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,877, and Giese, U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,496. Difficulties arise with battery powered boots in that the heating elements use much power and the batteries are soon drained of electrical energy. As the batteries of the heating boots become drained of energy through use, the individual user is left unprotected from the cold. Therefore, a need for a recharging power source is apparent. With a recharging power source a skier would be able to remain comfortable in a frigid environment for an indefinite and extended amount of time. 
     Sartor, European Patent Office Publication No. 0207302A2, has proposed a ski manufactured with numerous solar cells which can generate electric current for use on an electrical load and which can store the current by means of a battery. However, Sartor&#39;s invention has a number of disadvantages. Since the solar cells are implanted into the surface of the ski at the time of manufacture, the invention is not adaptable to the conventional ski already in use. Furthermore, the solar cells cannot operate in the dark or in conditions of low light. Therefore, the use of the invention is optimized on clear, sunny days. Yet it is often on cold and overcast days that a skier is most in need of an energy source. Still another drawback of the solar cell ski is cost. The expensive nature of such a device would preclude it being used by a large number of skiers. 
     Solar celled ski boots have recently been introduced, Sartor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,360; however, little power can be generated through the solar cell and while negating the need for batteries, the expensive devices become worthless in low light conditions. 
     Small portable battery generator systems have a long history in pedal powered vehicles such as bicycles. The power provided by the legs of the bike rider is converted by the generator to electrical energy which typically is used to power a light mounted onto the bike&#39;s frame. Generator and rechargeable battery systems with their concomitant electronic circuitry are disclosed in Baker, U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,307, and Ryan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,656. 
     However, to date, no battery generator system has been devised that would utilize the kinetic an potential energy of a skier for purposes of generating an electrical current. The present invention utilizes the kinetic and potential energies of a skier by converting this energy by means of a rotating member which turns a drive shaft attached to a generator which is easily affixed to the ski. The electrical energy created can be used to power the heating elements in an electrically heated ski boot, to illuminate lighting fixtures attached to the ski, to power electrical appliances such as radios and tape players, and to recharge batteries which alternatively can be used to power the aforementioned electrical devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a novel generator and rechargeable battery system for use on a snow ski for the purpose of providing an electric current to the heating element of a ski boot. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for powering a light mounted onto a snow ski. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a generator and rechargeable battery system which can be used to power the loads of any number of electrical devices such as a radio or tape player. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a generator and rechargeable battery system which is light and compact and easily affixed to a conventional snow ski. 
     Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are achieved by converting the kinetic and potential energy of the skier to an electric current. This is accomplished by means of a power roller which rotates as the ski moves along the ground thereby turning an axle which produces an electrical current by means of a generator which can be directed to charge the battery or power an electrical load. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the generator structure of the present invention affixed to a snow ski showing the electrical interface with a heated boot; 
     FIG. 2 is perspective illustration of a snow ski showing a structure for removably mounting the generator of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the generator housing illustrating particular details of the drive shaft; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a power roller suitable for use on hard packed or icy surfaces; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a power roller suitable for use in soft snow; 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of an electrically heated boot illustrating an interface with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an illustration of the bridging cable of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a further illustration of a modified bridging cable; 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration of the invention in use; 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration of adhesive stick wiring; 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the invention; and 
     FIG. 12 is an illustration of an alternative electrical connector. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a generator housing 10 is shown coupled to a conventional ski 12 by means of a mounting bracket 14. 
     The generator housing 10 contains a small, lightweight, high output generator of the type disclosed in McDermott U.S. Pat. No. 2,299,762, for example, or any suitable conventional equivalent generator. This generator is securely mounted within the housing and is sealed by means of watertight seals to prevent moisture from entering it. A removable power roller 20 is coupled to the drive shaft 16 for engaging the surface beneath the ski 12 and converting the linear motion of the ski to a rotary motion for ultimate conversion to electric power by the generator 17. As can be seen, drive shaft 16 rotates gear train 19 which turns generator mechanism 18 resulting in the generation of electricity by the generator 17. 
     The electrical output of the generator is supplied to an output cord 22 which is preferably permanently connected to the generator housing 10 at its input end. The output cord 22 includes a y-joint 24 where a short branch 26 and a long branch 28 are joined. The short branch 26 culminates in a conventional watertight connector 30, illustrated as a female connector, which is adapted to be connected in a secure manner to a two prong male connector 32 formed integrally with electrically heated ski boot 34. 
     The long branch 28 of the output cord 22 culminates in a similar watertight connector 36 which is adapted to interconnect with bridge cord 38, to be described in more detail subsequently. 
     It is noted that the electrically heated boot is mechanically coupled to the ski 12 by means of conventional toe and heel bindings 40 and 42, respectively. 
     Reference is now directed to FIG. 2 which illustrates the manner in which the generator housing 10 is secured to the ski 12. Specifically, the mounting bracket 14 is first connected to the ski 12 by conventional means such as screws 44. The mounting bracket includes an interior groove 46 which is shaped to receive a flange 48 formed around the base of the generator housing 10. The mounting bracket 14 is preferably formed of a resilient, flexible plastic material which does not lose its resiliency at low temperatures. Similarly, the flange 48 may also be formed of a tough, resilient plastic material. The same material may be used to form the entire generator housing 10. In operation, the generator is inserted into the mounting bracket so that the flange 48 interfits in the interior groove 46. The flange and groove structure are conventionally shaped so as to form a strong friction fit. By this friction fit mechanism, the generator housing may be easily placed on the ski or removed from the ski when not in use to prevent theft or damage. 
     It is noted that the same type of housing and mounting assembly may be used to secure a rechargeable battery to the ski that is not carrying the generator. Alternatively, one or two rechargeable batteries may be mounted to a skier&#39;s boots as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,496. The battery 120 may also be contained within the generator housing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1. If the storage battery is mounted on the opposite ski from the generator, the battery and generator are coupled together via the bridge cord 38 described in more detail subsequently. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the generator housing 10 is shown as including an on-off switch 50 which is used to switch on or off the electrical output of the generator 17. It is convenient to have an appropriate switch so that power delivered to the electrically heated boot 34 may be switched off on warm days or at other times when the user&#39;s feet do not need to be heated. As a alternative to the mechanically actuated on-off switch 50, a temperature responsive switching system can be incorporated into the generator housing. In this case, a temperature sensor 52 (illustrated in FIG. 6) is incorporated into the boot 34 to sense the temperature of boot heating element 54. When the temperature sensor 52 detects a predetermined temperature level, an appropriate output signal is applied over output line 56 and delivered to a conventional electrically responsive switch 57 (FIG. 11) which may replace the mechanical on-off switch 50, or be coupled in series with it. 
     Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is the drive shaft 16. This drive shaft is manufactured of a tough, resilient plastic material (e.g. a matrix/oriented fiber composite such as graphite/epoxy, carbon/epoxy, carbon/polyester, carbon/epoxy or fiberglass vinyl ester) so that it may flex to an extent when subjected to pressures, as would be the case when the skier is turning on the edge of the ski nearest the drive shaft 16. The drive shaft 16 includes a bushing 58 for positioning a power roller on the drive shaft and also includes a friction fastening structure 60 which is of conventional structure and is intended to permit a power roller to be installed or removed with convenience. The friction fit must, however, be strong enough to prevent the power roller from becoming disengaged during severe operating conditions. The portion of the drive shaft 16 carrying the friction fastener element includes splines 62 which interfit with appropriately shaped ribs 64 at the hub of suitable power rollers so that the rollers are firmly engaged in a nonslip fashion to the drive shaft 16. It is noted that while the shaft 16 is illustrated as extending outwardly from only one side of the generator housing 10, the shaft 16 may alternatively pass through the housing 10 and have a power roller attached at both ends. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a power roller 66 is shown which is adapted to be mechanically inserted on the friction fastener 60 for driving the generator 17. The power roller 66 is formed of a resilient plastic or rubber material that is deformable yet resilient so that it retains its round, cylindrical shape. 
     An open cell foamed polymer exemplifies the quality of material desired for the power roller. Examples include: cellular rubber open or closed cell, styrenebutadiene rubber with blowing agent; flexible cellular polymers, polyesterene (closed cell), polyethylene closed cell; flexible polyurethane. On the surface of the power roller 66 are embedded small spikes 68 made of metal or a hard plastic material that are adapted to engage hard packed snow or icy surfaces, and to prevent the power roller from sliding on such surfaces without rotating. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another power roller 70 which is suitable for use in soft or unpacked snow. This power roller includes a series of semi-wedged shaped snow engaging feet 72 separated by spacer grooves 74. The design depicted enhances compressive capability while augmenting traction with the snow surface. 
     It is anticipated that the skier will review the skiing conditions most prevalent on the slopes when he reaches them. He will then select the power roller which will be most appropriate for those conditions. Clearly, other types of power rollers may also be adapted for use with the system for operation under conditions which are not suited to the two specific structures illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, a wiring structure is illustrated which is an alternative to that illustrated in FIG. 1. Specifically, the output cord 22 is shown having only a single female plug 76 coupled to a male plug 78 mounted onto a rear portion of the boot 34. A permanent interior electrical connection 80 is secured within the boot 34 to couple the plug 78 to heating element 54. Another electrical wire or cable 82 is mounted within the boot 34 to interconnect plug 78 with an upper male plug 84. The bridge cord 38 is connected to this upper plug. This alternative wiring structure requires further modification of the boot 34 to include more internal wiring. However, the resultant pattern of electrical wiring is somewhat simplified relative to that shown in FIG. 1. However, the FIG. 1 structure does not require such an extensive modification of the boot 34 and requires only one conventional input plug 32 in the boot 34. 
     Reference is now directed to FIG. 7 which illustrates the bridge cord 38 in more detail. The bridge cord includes at its ends two female plugs 86 and 88. At suitable intervals along the bridge cord are mounted Velcro type or other equivalent fasteners 90 to permit the bridge cord to be coupled to the skier&#39;s clothing, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The bridge cord is necessitated by the fact that for economic reasons it will normally be desirable to have a generator mounted to only one ski. However, electric power must be supplied to both ski boots. This is accomplished by delivering electrical power from the generator mounted on the right ski 92 (FIG. 9) to the boot mounted to the left ski 94. The Velcro fasteners are suitable for quickly coupling the bridge cord to the skier&#39;s clothing. 
     The bridge cord may be mounted inside the skier&#39;s pants, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9 or it may be mounted externally as illustrated in FIG. 6. Internal or external mounting is simply a matter of convenience and choice for the skier. 
     The bridge cord may also include an electrical outlet 96 so that the skier may connect other appliances such as a radio, tape player etc. to his generator 17. Similarly, the bridge cord may include a y-joint 98 as illustrated in FIG. 8 with a conventional electrical power plug or other output device 100 secured thereto. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2, other electrical appliances may be connected to the ski&#39;s, as desired. FIG. 2 illustrates a front running light 102 and a rear running light 104 secured to the ski 12 and connected to the generator 17 by means of adhesive strip wiring 106 and 108 respectively. The adhesive strip wiring, illustrated in FIG. 10 is preferably formed of a flat, two conductor cable 110 having a ready-stick adhesive 112 placed on a lower surface thereof. A removable paper or plastic strip 114 is placed over the adhesive so that the cable may be sold or stored without concern over the adhesive. When the cable 110 is to be applied to a ski 12, the removable paper 114 is stripped away exposing the adhesive surface and permitting the cable to be directly attached to the surface of the ski. 
     When this wiring technique is used, it is preferable to include electrical contacts 116 on the flange portion 48 of the generator housing 10. These electrical contacts mate with other suitably formed electrical contacts positioned within the interior groove 46 of the mounting bracket 14 so that when the generator housing 10 is inserted into the groove, the contacts mate. The contacts 116 are electrically connected internally from the generator housing 10 to the generator 17 so that power is supplied through these contacts to the adhesive flat cable to power running lights 102 and 104. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the running lights 102 and 104 may be replaced with other conventional electrical appliances. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which illustrates the electrical circuit of the present invention. The circuit is depicted as including generator 17 connected to a conventional full wave rectifier. A capacitor 122 is connected across the generator output for the purpose of minimizing any rippling effects in the rectification process. A diode 124 is interposed between the generator and storage battery 120 to insure that electrical current from the storage battery is not introduced to the generator. As can be seen, the storage battery is an additional power source which can supply the respective electrical loads with current and which can be supplied recharging current from the generator. The on-off switch 50 allows current to be supplied to the respective electrical loads during the on mode and prevents current from being circulated in the off mode. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the generator and rechargeable battery may be connected to the boot heating element 54 of each ski boot or to an electrical appliance 126. 
     In operation, a skier 118 first couples the bridge cord 38 to his ski pants, either externally or internally by using the fasteners 90. He then may mount the generator to one of his skis by inserting the flange 48 into the groove 46 within mounting bracket 14. The skier then makes the appropriate electrical connections to couple his heated boots 34 to the generator structure using output cord 22 to connect his right boot to the generator and coupling the output cord 22 to the bridge cord 38 to supply power to his left boot. The bridge cord provides complete freedom so that the skier may operate his skis in total disregard of the electrical connection attached to his pants. 
     In skiing, the power roller 66 or 70 engages the snow surface and rotates generator 17. In some instances, depending upon the way in which the skier is turning, the power roller may disengage itself from the snow. However, in this case, power is delivered to the boots or other electrical appliances by means of a conventional storage battery 120 housed either within the generator housing 10, or elsewhere, for example attached to the ski boots as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,859,496, 4,697,359 or 4,507,877. When the power roller engages the snow, the generator operates either by directly powering the electrically heated boots or by recharging the storage battery. 
     For the safety of the skier, it is noted that the various female and male connecting elements of the output cord and electrically heated ski boot interface in a water tight manner; however, the connection is easily separated by a light force so as to permit quick disconnection of the connecting elements should the skier&#39;s boots be released by the ski bindings, as often happens during falls on the ski slope. 
     An alternative electrical connector which facilitates disconnection is illustrated in FIG. 12 which depicts an electrically heated ski boot having two wedge-shaped metal electrical contacts 132 protruding from the ski boot&#39;s heel. These wedge-shaped metal electrical contacts fit into the wedge-slots 134 of a connector station 136. A weather seal 137 seals out water and ice from contacts 132. The connector station 136 which houses wedge-slots 134 is attached to the top of heel binding 42. This connector station is provided with a male connector element 32 which interfaces with the female connecting element 30 of output cord 22. The connector station thereby receives electrical current which is channeled through the wedge shaped electrical contacts and onto the heating element in the ski boot. In this manner electrical energy is supplied to the ski boot while providing the skier with an effective disconnection means should his ski boots become detached from the ski bindings. This wedge connector structure described here is preferably combined with the internally wired boot structure illustrated in FIG. 6. 
     All patents mentioned in the Description of the Preferred Embodiment are to be considered as incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. Although the invention is specifically described in conjunction with snow skis, it is understood that it is suitable for use with any type of ski including water skis and grass skis. Furthermore the invention can be used with slalom boards and skate boards and other similar types of devices. 
     Obviously, numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.