US 6,982,497 B2
Backpack for harvesting electrical energy during walking and for minimizing shoulder strain
Lawrence C. Rome, Strafford, Pa. (US)
Assigned to Lightning Packs, LLC, Strafford, Pa. (US)
Filed on Mar. 17, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/803,112.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/455477, filed on Mar. 17, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0183306 A1, Sep. 23, 2004
Int. Cl. B60L 1/02 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 290—1A 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A suspended load backpack for use in the generation of electricity, comprising:
a frame;
shoulder straps attached to the frame;
a load storage bag for accepting a load to be carried by said backpack;
at least one elastic element that connects the load storage bag to the frame, the elastic element having a modulus of elasticity that permits the load storage bag and the load to move up and down relative to the frame in accordance with a gait of a wearer of the backpack; and
an energy conversion device that converts up and down movement of the load storage bag and the load into electrical energy.