Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Brown

Christopher A. Brown has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250120473
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by storage and controlled release of kinetic energy in an elastic or resilient field. A footwear article such as a shoe or boot includes a split-sole system that redefines a shoe sole as coplanar surfaces having a force mitigating interface for receiving sudden forces and effectively mitigating these forces by storing kinetic energy and releasing it over time. An elastic field in the force mitigation interface is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force. Frictional engagement between the upper and lower sole may also be augmented by surface characteristics such as dimples, voids and lubricants, in addition to interference engagement with an elastic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, David J. Kohanski, Katherine S. Rosivach, Henry D. Ball
  • Patent number: 11877625
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that the shoe sole is adapted to be disposed against a ground surface such as turf, grass or dirt. A ground interface member having a general appearance of a footwear cleat extends from the planar sole surface. Within the sole, the ground interface member couples to a force mitigation assembly for absorbing forces against the cleat. The force mitigation assembly includes an elastic field of a resilient, compressible material, and an inclined surface is disposed against the elastic field and oriented to compress the elastic field. A linkage or connecting surface transmits a displacement force for disposing the inclined surface across the elastic field, where the inclined surface compresses the elastic field as it moves across. In response, the elastic field exerts a counterforce against the ground interface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown
  • Patent number: 11864631
    Abstract: A force dissipating device in a footwear appliance includes an actuator responsive to a displacement force from a shoe sole surface, and an elastic field of resilient, compressible material. The elastic field is elongated in a direction aligned with the displacement force, and an inclined surface is attached to the actuator and disposed against the elastic field. The actuator is adapted for movement parallel to the elastic field, while the inclined surface is oriented to compress the elastic field in a direction defined by the inclined surface. The inclined surface is oriented at an angle to compress the elastic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to vertical actuator displacement, thus providing a constant region of opposed, compressive force that is generally constant, rather than increasing with displacement distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Julia A. Dunn, Alexander R. Alvarez, Kyle R. Mudge, Rachael Naoum
  • Patent number: 11801436
    Abstract: An impact absorbing ski binding interface device includes an elongated top plate having a toe end and a heel end adapted to engage a boot toe and a boot heel, respectively, and a bottom plate adapted to engage a ski, thereby securing the device between the boot and ski. A plurality of constant force spring linkages between the top plate and the bottom plate include a constant force spring linkage between the toe end and the bottom plate, and a constant force spring linkage between the heel end and the bottom plate, such that each of the constant force spring linkages have an opposed pair of deformable members for exerting a counterforce to vertical displacement forces between the top plate and the bottom plate for load mitigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Madison M. Healey, Matthew Newell, Kendra S. O'Malley, Connor H. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 11622596
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by force mitigation assemblies disposed in the shoe sole. A force mitigation assembly adapted for an athletic shoe includes a linkage to a wearer interface responsive to movement based on activity of the wearer. An attachment to a sole surface receives ground forces transmitted from frictional contact between the sole surface and a surface against which the sole is disposed, such as for running, turning, etc. A force mitigation assembly absorbs these forces received from the sole surface for directing the received force in a controlled manner. An elastic field in the force mitigation assembly is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Winton Parker, James J. Muller, Abigale McAdams, Pedro D. Oporto, Josephine Bowen, Sarah Duquette, Eric Motler, Tristin J. Carlton, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K. Y. Cheu, Lorenzo M. Dube, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
  • Patent number: 11590406
    Abstract: A ski binding reduces a likelihood of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the tibia is accomplished by absorption in the binding to limit loads transmitted through the boot-binding interface. Release based on an injury threshold includes a binding response tower attached to the ski and adapted for selective engagement with the ski, such that the binding response tower permits biased vertical and lateral horizontal displacement, prior to a release threshold. The binding is in communication with the boot heel and is adapted for slideable engagement in response to vertical and lateral forces exerted from the boot heel. The binding response tower adapted to disengage, or release upon reaching at least one a predetermined lateral displacement or a predetermined vertical displacement, such as when the boot heel is forced sufficiently sideways or upwards due to skier movement that would tend to cause an ACL injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Jacob J. Billington, Jonathan D. Comden, Sean J. Regan, Thomas C. Roberti, Christopher A. Brown
  • Patent number: 11445784
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by force mitigation structures disposed in the shoe sole. A footwear article includes a split-sole system that redefines a shoe sole as coplanar surfaces having a force mitigating interface for receiving sudden forces and effectively mitigating these forces by storing kinetic energy and releasing it over time. An elastic field in the force mitigation structure is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force. Frictional engagement between the upper and lower sole may also be augmented by surface characteristics such as dimples, voids and lubricants, in addition to interference engagement with an elastic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Winton Parker, Allysa Grant, Tristin J. Carlton, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K. Y. Cheu, Lorenzo Dube, Pedro D. Oporto, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
  • Publication number: 20220023743
    Abstract: An impact absorbing ski binding interface device includes an elongated top plate having a toe end and a heel end adapted to engage a boot toe and a boot heel, respectively, and a bottom plate adapted to engage a ski, thereby securing the device between the boot and ski. A plurality of constant force spring linkages between the top plate and the bottom plate include a constant force spring linkage between the toe end and the bottom plate, and a constant force spring linkage between the heel end and the bottom plate, such that each of the constant force spring linkages have an opposed pair of deformable members for exerting a counterforce to vertical displacement forces between the top plate and the bottom plate for load mitigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Madison M. Healey, Matthew Newell, Kendra S. O'Malley, Connor H. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 11082763
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication disruption system. In a first audio path, a microphone receives input sound, an amplifier system amplifies the sound, and a sound system transmits a first output sound. In a second audio path, the microphone receives input sound, a delay circuit delays the sound, the amplifier system amplifies the sound, and the sound system transmits a second output sound. A target speaker will hear the first and second output sounds, with the first output sound being a reproduction of their speech heard nearly simultaneously with the original speech, and the second output sound being a reproduction of their speech heard slightly after the original speech. Due to the delayed auditory feedback effect, the target speaker's concentration will be disrupted, making it difficult for them to continue speaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christopher A Brown
  • Publication number: 20210195306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication disruption system. In a first audio path, a microphone receives input sound, an amplifier system amplifies the sound, and a sound system transmits a first output sound. In a second audio path, the microphone receives input sound, a delay circuit delays the sound, the amplifier system amplifies the sound, and the sound system transmits a second output sound. A target speaker will hear the first and second output sounds, with the first output sound being a reproduction of their speech heard nearly simultaneously with the original speech, and the second output sound being a reproduction of their speech heard slightly after the original speech. Due to the delayed auditory feedback effect, the target speaker's concentration will be disrupted, making it difficult for them to continue speaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown
  • Patent number: 11020593
    Abstract: A method of enhancing binaural representation for a subject includes receiving a first signal and a second signal in response to a plurality of sound sources, generating a number of estimated interaural time differences using the first signal and the second signal, converting each of the number of estimated interaural time differences to a corresponding interaural level difference, using one or more of the corresponding interaural level differences to generate an adjusted first signal, and using the adjusted first signal to generate a number of signals delivered to the subject for enhancing the hearing of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Arizona Board of Regents Acting for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20210127783
    Abstract: A protective headgear device, or helmet, protects against head injuries such as concussions and CTE by imposing a network of constant force members (CFMs) between an outer impact shell and an inner fitted capsule engaging the skull/head surface. CFMs exhibit a force absorbing behavior that differs from conventional linear spring behavior that impose a counterforce proportional to the displaced distance. CFMs occupy a compact void between the outer impact shell and the inner fitted capsule by component miniaturization and tethers that redirect forces within the void. An absence of conventional foam and straps increases accommodation for the CFMs and connection tethers/attachments. The CFMs exhibit a substantially constant force that avoids a sharp impactful response associated with head injuries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Tristin J. Carlton, Eric Motler, Douglas Rives, Austin Lindner, Joshua M. Herlands, Jessica K.Y. Chen, Lorenzo M. Dube, James J. Muller, Pedro D. Oporto, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
  • Patent number: 10888138
    Abstract: An impact absorbing footwear device employs opposed planar sole portions engaged by a selective resistance coupling that biases the opposed planar sole portions in a non-linear manner in response to forces exerted by the wearer against the sole portion in frictional contact with a floor surface. The planar sole portions are disposed in a footwear appliance that takes the form of an athletic shoe sole. The selective resistance coupling includes a plurality of resilient deformation members that engage the planar sole portions in an opposed circumferentially aligned manner, selectively deform in response to pressure exerted by the wearer for preventing ACL and other impact related injuries, and recover to an undeformed rest position without breakaway to allow the wearer uninterrupted usage while dampening forces that surpass an injury threshold from the resilient deformation that allows the planar sole portions to temporarily misalign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K. Y. Cheu, Lorenzo M. Dube, James J. Muller, Pedro D. Oporto, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
  • Publication number: 20200100559
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by force mitigation assemblies disposed in the shoe sole. A force mitigation assembly adapted for an athletic shoe includes a linkage to a wearer interface responsive to movement based on activity of the wearer. An attachment to a sole surface receives ground forces transmitted from frictional contact between the sole surface and a surface against which the sole is disposed, such as for running, turning, etc. A force mitigation assembly absorbs these forces received from the sole surface for directing the received force in a controlled manner. An elastic field in the force mitigation assembly is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, Winton Parker, James J. Muller, Abigale McAdams, Pedro D. Oporto, Josephine Bowen, Sarah Duquette, Eric Motler, Tristin J. Carlton, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K.Y. Chen, Lorenzo M. Dube, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
  • Publication number: 20200100562
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe upper and a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that forces between the shoe upper and planar sole surface in ground contact are absorbed by force mitigation structures disposed in the shoe sole. A footwear article includes a split-sole system that redefines a shoe sole as coplanar surfaces having a force mitigating interface for receiving sudden forces and effectively mitigating these forces by storing kinetic energy and releasing it over time. An elastic field in the force mitigation structure is defined by a resilient material adapted to deform in response to the received force. Frictional engagement between the upper and lower sole may also be augmented by surface characteristics such as dimples, voids and lubricants, in addition to interference engagement with an elastic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Winton Parker, Allysa Grant, Tristin J. Carlton, Nicholas Workman, Michael Doyle, Jessica Shelsky, Jessica K.Y. Cheu, Lorenzo Dube, Pedro D. Oporto, Olivia G. Steen, Andrew R. Vickery
  • Publication number: 20200077743
    Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that the shoe sole is adapted to be disposed against a ground surface such as turf, grass or dirt. A ground interface member having a general appearance of a footwear cleat extends from the planar sole surface. Within the sole, the ground interface member couples to a force mitigation assembly for absorbing forces against the cleat. The force mitigation assembly includes an elastic field of a resilient, compressible material, and an inclined surface is disposed against the elastic field and oriented to compress the elastic field. A linkage or connecting surface transmits a displacement force for disposing the inclined surface across the elastic field, where the inclined surface compresses the elastic field as it moves across. In response, the elastic field exerts a counterforce against the ground interface member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20200077736
    Abstract: A force dissipating device in a footwear appliance includes an actuator responsive to a displacement force from a shoe sole surface, and an elastic field of resilient, compressible material. The elastic field is elongated in a direction aligned with the displacement force, and an inclined surface is attached to the actuator and disposed against the elastic field. The actuator is adapted for movement parallel to the elastic field, while the inclined surface is oriented to compress the elastic field in a direction defined by the inclined surface. The inclined surface is oriented at an angle to compress the elastic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to vertical actuator displacement, thus providing a constant region of opposed, compressive force that is generally constant, rather than increasing with displacement distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher A. Brown, James J. Muller, Julia A. Dunn, Alexander R. Alvarez, Kyle R. Mudge, Rachael Naoum
  • Patent number: 10114127
    Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) system comprising a head mounted display (HMD) configured to display one or more AR visualizations within an operator's field of view (FOV), a control system including a processor and a storage system configured to store machine readable instructions, sensors configured to determine at least location and/or orientation of said sensors including a head mounted and device mounted sensor, and a communication system configured to communicate data between elements of the AR system. The software including various subroutines or machine readable instructions including an orientation/location instructions for determining orientation and/or position of the sensors, a visualizations generation instructions section configured to generate a visualization showing an aim point of a device coupled to said device mounted sensor, a path of travel of a projectile launched from said device, or an impact point of said projectile. Embodiments can include one or more photogrammetry processing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher A Brown, Matthew Juhl
  • Publication number: 20180296902
    Abstract: A ski binding reduces a likelihood of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the tibia is accomplished by absorption in the binding to limit loads transmitted through the boot-binding interface. Release based on an injury threshold includes a binding response tower attached to the ski and adapted for selective engagement with the ski, such that the binding response tower permits biased vertical and lateral horizontal displacement, prior to a release threshold. The binding is in communication with the boot heel and is adapted for slideable engagement in response to vertical and lateral forces exerted from the boot heel. The binding response tower adapted to disengage, or release upon reaching at least one a predetermined lateral displacement or a predetermined vertical displacement, such as when the boot heel is forced sufficiently sideways or upwards due to skier movement that would tend to cause an ACL injury.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Jacob J. Billington, Jonathan D. Comden, Sean J. Regan, Thomas C. Roberti, Christopher A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9987996
    Abstract: A vehicle recovery or anchoring system is provided including a winch coupled to a vehicle, a cable retractably disposed in the winch, a selectively removable dual use vehicle component and anchoring structure (DUVCAC), e.g., a spare tire, and a retaining structure that is configured to retract and hold the DUVCAC or extend the same based on operation of the winch. The cable is adapted to selectively couple and decouple with the retaining structure, wherein the cable is passed through a section of the DUVCAC and be drawn against the vehicle and/or winch. Different types of retaining structures are provided including retaining structures that are formed with additional anchoring elements, e.g., folding spades, as well as different structures, e.g., cable sections or loops, to couple with the DUVCAC. Different cable configurations as well as coupling arrangements are also provided. Various methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown