US4542291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical flex sensor
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1982-09-29
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Granted: 1985-09-17
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Expires: 2002-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An optical flex sensor is provided and consists of a flexible tube having two ends, a reflective interior wall within the flexible tube and a light source placed within one end of the flexible tube and a photosensitive detector placed within the other end of the flexible tube to detect a combination of direct light rays and reflected rays when the flexible tube is bent.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas G. Zimmerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/16; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1126; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6802; A61B5/6804; A61B5/6806; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/32; G01D5/34; G01D5/353; G01D5/35338; G01D5/35341; G01D5/35345; A61B5/1121; A61B5/1124; A61B5/1125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
An optical flex sensor which comprises: (a) fabric; (b) a unitary flexible tube component comprising detecting means providing output parameters continuously indicative of the extent of the bending of said tube; (c) means for securing said flexible tube to said fabric; and (d) means for transmitting said output parameters to an external device whereby said external device can determine when said fabric and secured flexible tube are bent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical flex sensor which comprises: (a) fabric; (b) a unitary flexible tube component comprising detecting means providing output parameters continuously indicative of the extent of the bending of said tube; (c) means for securing said flexible tube to said fabric; and (d) means for transmitting said output parameters to an external device whereby said external device can determine when said fabric and secured flexible tube are bent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the fabric is the material out of which a garment is made for a living being.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for securing said flexible tube to said fabric is sewing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for securing said flexible tube to said fabric is cement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for transmitting said output parameters to an external device is electrical wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for transmitting said output parameters to an external device are optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 2 wherein the fabric is the material out of which a garment is made for a being or creature, further comprises a glove with at least one said flexible tube component secured in proximity to at least one joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 2 wherein the fabric is the material out of which a garment is made for a being or creature, further comprises a body suit with at least one said flexible tube component secured in proximity to at least one joint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical flex sensor as recited in claim 2 wherein the fabric is elastic material out of which a garment is made for a being or creature, further comprises an elastic bandage with at least one said flexible tube component secured thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
An optical flex sensor as in claim 1, wherein said flexible tube component comprises an elongated hollow tube having a pair of opposing ends, a light reflective material wall within said tube, at least one light source placed within a first end of said tube, and a photosensitive detector placed within a second end of said tube to detect the intensity of the combination of direct light rays and reflected light rays impinging thereon and producing a continuous output indicative of the extent of bending of the tube component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical flex sensor as in claim 10, wherein the reflective interior wall is coated with a plurality of different colored longitudinal areas, and comprising a corresponding plurality of colored light sources, each light source respectively corresponding to a colored area, whereby said detector can detect the direction of bending of the tube component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4414537A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-16 | 1989-03-18 | 1989-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-16 | 1993-03-18 | 1993-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-16 | 1997-03-18 | 1997-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |