US4379697A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stimulator array
Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1981-10-16
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Granted: 1983-04-12
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Expires: 2001-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A tactile stimulator is disclosed which comprises a stack of planar sheets of a piezoelectric polymer material, which in the preferred embodiment is PVF 2 . Each sheet has two opposed broad flat faces and at least one tactile surface at one longitudinal end. Separate electrodes cover portions of each flat face of the sheets in predetermined patterns. The electrodes from sheet to sheet are mirror images of the corresponding electrode patterns of the next adjacent sheet. Each of the sheets is polarized in the direction of its tactile end such that upon application of a voltage across the electrodes of that sheet, the sheet will longitudinally extend its tactile surface.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Linvill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/003; H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/30; H10N30/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus comprising: a stack of planar sheets of a piezoelectric polymer material, each sheet having two, opposed, broad, flat faces and at least one tactile surface at one longitudinal end, separate electrodes covering portions of each flat face of the sheets in predetermined patterns which are mirror images of the corresponding electrode patterns of the next adjacent sheet face, and wherein each of said sheets is polarized in the direction of its tactile end such that upon application of a stimulating voltage of a predetermined magnitude and polarity from an external source across the electrodes of that sheet, the portion of the sheet between the electrodes will longitudinally extend its tactile surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus comprising: a stack of planar sheets of a piezoelectric polymer material, each sheet having two, opposed, broad, flat faces and at least one tactile surface at one longitudinal end, separate electrodes covering portions of each flat face of the sheets in predetermined patterns which are mirror images of the corresponding electrode patterns of the next adjacent sheet face, and wherein each of said sheets is polarized in the direction of its tactile end such that upon application of a stimulating voltage of a predetermined magnitude and polarity from an external source across the electrodes of that sheet, the portion of the sheet between the electrodes will longitudinally extend its tactile surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for connecting the corresponding electrodes of a plurality of the sheets in common such that the sheet portions between the electrodes will extend as a group upon application of a stimulating voltage from an external source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein each sheet has a plurality of tactile surfaces at one longitudinal end; wherein the electrode patterns on each sheet define a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers whose ends are coincident with the tactile surfaces, and wherein each sheet is provided with a pattern of cuts which outline the fingers to allow longitudinal extension relative to other fingers on the same sheet when said predetermined voltage is applied to the corresponding electrodes of that finger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein the fingers are parallel to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the sheets are made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF 2 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus, as recited in claim 3, further comprising means for electrically connecting in parallel the mirror image electrodes of a predetermined number of fingers which are aligned in the directions of their thicknesses, to form two combined electrodes, whereby, upon application of said voltage to the combined electrodes, the predetermined number of fingers will extend their tactile surfaces simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Tactile stimulator apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the polarity of the sheets alternates from one sheet to the next.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |