Patents by Inventor Nathan Sharpes

Nathan Sharpes 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).

  • Patent number: 11557984
    Abstract: A footwear system can employ a brake and/or a clutch, such as a one-way clutch, to convert human motion into usable electricity. The brake and one-way clutch can be used together, such as on opposite ends of a spring. During a storage phase, the brake can be engaged and the one-way clutch disengaged so the spring stores an energy. After the storage phase, the brake can be removed to initiate the release phase since the brake is not stopping the spring, but the one-way clutch allows the stored energy to be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 11489463
    Abstract: A portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 11343218
    Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) receiving, from a participant of a discovery service of a social networking system, a request for a friend of the participant to assist the participant in making connections with other participants of the discovery service, (2) identifying at least one set of information that is associated with the discovery service and that is designated as private to the participant, and (3) providing the friend of the participant with access to at least a portion of the set of information via a recommendation interface that enables the friend of the participant to make recommendations to the participant regarding the set of information to assist the participant in making connections with other participants of the discovery service. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Sharp
  • Patent number: 11337485
    Abstract: A wearable system, such as a footwear system, can employ a generator. The generator can be powered by human movement, such as movement of knee as a person walks or runs. When the knee resets, it can be desirable to have a relatively equal gear ratio to achieve near natural movement. Conversely, it can be desirable to have a high gear ratio when the knee pushes off to achieve high generator rotation to produce a high amount of power. This can be achieved with employment of a wearable planetary gear set configuration In practicing this wearable planetary gear set, torque can be provided from the source (e.g. human ankle joint) when power negative and not at other times during a movement cycle, meaning energy can be harvested from the walking motion without inducing additional burden to the device wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 11140940
    Abstract: A wearable system, such as a footwear system, can employ a generator. The generator can be an electro-mechanical generator with a portion that spins to create an electricity. The portion that spins can be spun in such a manner that it does not stop, but instead a next spin beings before a previous spin completes. This can repeat until the generator reaches a terminal velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 11131096
    Abstract: A method of fastening a wall panel to a wall, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises coupling a retaining body to a mounting body mounted on an outer surface of the wall adjacent a side edge of the wall panel. Coupling the retaining body to the mounting body may comprise coupling a first connector on an inner surface of the retaining body to a second connector on the mounting body, and positioning a retainer on the retaining body against a retaining surface on the wall panel to fasten the wall panel to the wall. Kits and wall assemblies according to other illustrative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ANENDA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Nathan Sharpe, Anthony Richard Belisle, Daniel Colin Meier
  • Publication number: 20200268541
    Abstract: Various embodiments that pertain to a joint-based spring configuration. The joint-based spring configuration can be employed during a gait cycle. A gait cycle can comprise a driven phase and a resetting phase. The driven phase can be when a foot is on the ground and the resetting phase can be when the foot is off the ground and moving to the next time the foot is on the ground. While the foot is on the ground a spring can be engaged such that it winds and unwinds. Conversely, when the foot is off the ground, the spring can be disengaged to allow a more natural movement for a wearer. The effects and timing of the winding/unwinding and disengagement of the spring combine to reduce a wear's energy expenditure over a gait cycle, reducing metabolic rate and fatigue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 10641367
    Abstract: A pinion gear, with a varied gear ratio, can be inline with a rack. When the rack moves, the pinion gear can rotate. This rotation can cause an interior of an electrical generator to rotate. Rotation of the interior of the electrical generator can cause an electricity to be produced and outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented but the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20200068984
    Abstract: A portion of ankle movement can be harnessed into stored energy that can be released for various purposes, such as to assist in movement or to charge a battery. This harnessing can be achieved in various manners. In one example manner, an offset pulley component can transfer ankle movement to a generator in a shoe insole. In another example manner, a slider can cause a brace arch to match an ankle arch such that the movement is appropriately harnessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20200068986
    Abstract: A wearable system, such as a footwear system, can employ a generator. The generator can be an electro-mechanical generator with a portion that spins to create an electricity. The portion that spins can be spun in such a manner that it does not stop, but instead a next spin beings before a previous spin completes. This can repeat until the generator reaches a terminal velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20200068985
    Abstract: A footwear system can employ a brake and/or a clutch, such as a one-way clutch, to convert human motion into usable electricity. The brake and one-way clutch can be used together, such as on opposite ends of a spring. During a storage phase, the brake can be engaged and the one-way clutch disengaged so the spring stores an energy. After the storage phase, the brake can be removed to initiate the release phase since the brake is not stopping the spring, but the one-way clutch allows the stored energy to be released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20200072319
    Abstract: A wearable system, such as a footwear system, can employ a generator. The generator can be powered by human movement, such as movement of knee as a person walks or runs. When the knee resets, it can be desirable to have a relatively equal gear ratio to achieve near natural movement. Conversely, it can be desirable to have a high gear ratio when the knee pushes off to achieve high generator rotation to produce a high amount of power. This can be achieved with employment of a wearable planetary gear set configuration In practicing this wearable planetary gear set, torque can be provided from the source (e.g. human ankle joint) when power negative and not at other times during a movement cycle, meaning energy can be harvested from the walking motion without inducing additional burden to the device wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 10499703
    Abstract: Linear movement of a heel strike sequence for a shoe insole can be converted into rotational movement. This rotational movement can cause rotation of an interior of a generator. Rotation of this interior of the generator can cause an electricity to be generated and outputted. The generator can be considered a source of damping, so at the start of the heel strike sequence the generator can be non-engaged. After some time, the generator can be engaged and in turn rotate. This can allow for standing inertia to be more quickly overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20190301171
    Abstract: A method of fastening a wall panel to a wall, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises coupling a retaining body to a mounting body mounted on an outer surface of the wall adjacent a side edge of the wall panel. Coupling the retaining body to the mounting body may comprise coupling a first connector on an inner surface of the retaining body to a second connector on the mounting body, and positioning a retainer on the retaining body against a retaining surface on the wall panel to fasten the wall panel to the wall. Kits and wall assemblies according to other illustrative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Nathan Sharpe, Anthony Richard Belisle, Daniel Colin Meier
  • Publication number: 20190288976
    Abstract: A disclosed computer-implemented method may include (1) receiving, from a participant of a discovery service of a social networking system, a request for a friend of the participant to assist the participant in making connections with other participants of the discovery service, (2) identifying at least one set of information that is associated with the discovery service and that is designated as private to the participant, and (3) providing the friend of the participant with access to at least a portion of the set of information via a recommendation interface that enables the friend of the participant to make recommendations to the participant regarding the set of information to assist the participant in making connections with other participants of the discovery service. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: Nathan Sharp
  • Patent number: 10358828
    Abstract: A method of fastening a wall panel to a wall, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises coupling a retaining body to a mounting body mounted on an outer surface of the wall adjacent a side edge of the wall panel. Coupling the retaining body to the mounting body may comprise coupling a first connector on an inner surface of the retaining body to a second connector on the mounting body, and positioning a retainer on the retaining body against a retaining surface on the wall panel to fasten the wall panel to the wall. Kits and wall assemblies according to other illustrative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ANENDA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Nathan Sharpe, Anthony Richard Belisle, Daniel Colin Meier
  • Publication number: 20190162277
    Abstract: A pinion gear, with a varied gear ratio, can be inline with a rack. When the rack moves, the pinion gear can rotate. This rotation can cause an interior of an electrical generator to rotate. Rotation of the interior of the electrical generator can cause an electricity to be produced and outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20190159543
    Abstract: Linear movement of a heel strike sequence for a shoe insole can be converted into rotational movement. This rotational movement can cause rotation of an interior of a generator. Rotation of this interior of the generator can cause an electricity to be generated and outputted. The generator can be considered a source of damping, so at the start of the heel strike sequence the generator can be non-engaged. After some time, the generator can be engaged and in turn rotate. This can allow for standing inertia to be more quickly overcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Publication number: 20190093369
    Abstract: A method of fastening a wall panel to a wall, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises coupling a retaining body to a mounting body mounted on an outer surface of the wall adjacent a side edge of the wall panel. Coupling the retaining body to the mounting body may comprise coupling a first connector on an inner surface of the retaining body to a second connector on the mounting body, and positioning a retainer on the retaining body against a retaining surface on the wall panel to fasten the wall panel to the wall. Kits and wall assemblies according to other illustrative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth Nathan Sharpe, Anthony Richard Belisle, Daniel Colin Meier
  • Patent number: 10087638
    Abstract: A method of fastening a wall panel to a wall, according to one illustrative embodiment, comprises coupling a retaining body to a mounting body mounted on an outer surface of the wall adjacent a side edge of the wall panel. Coupling the retaining body to the mounting body may comprise coupling a first connector on an inner surface of the retaining body to a second connector on the mounting body, and positioning a retainer on the retaining body against a retaining surface on the wall panel to fasten the wall panel to the wall. Kits and wall assemblies according to other illustrative embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ANENDA SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Nathan Sharpe, Anthony Richard Belisle, Daniel Colin Meier