Patent US4267828A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5168221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pivotal magnetic coupling and position sensor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-07-31
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Granted: 1992-12-01
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Expires: 2009-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Two toroidal magnets (221, 22) are coupled to each other by a ferrous spherical spacer (23). The spacer (23) partially engages openings (24, 25) provided in the two magnet surfaces facing each other. The facing magnet surfaces have the same polarity, repelling each other. The configuration creates a stable equilibrium by conduction of the magnetic flux through the spacer and the repulsive forces at the periphery of the magnets. This structure forms a resilient pivot joint which when capped by a spherical handle (30) attached to the upper magnet (21) becomes a multiple-axis pointng device or a tactile sensor (20).
Inventors
- 👤 John S. Houston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/003; G01B7/004; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/0474; G05G2009/04755; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A multi-axes position and movement sensing device which comprises: a first magnet element having a first magnetic field; a magnetically permeable second element; means for holding said elements in a modifiable spatial relationship to each other; said means for holding comprising a magnetically permeable spacer having each of two opposite sides contiguous to one of same first and second elements, said first magnet element being rockingly and swivelingly coupled to one side of said spacer and having a central opening engaging one side of said spacer; wherein said first magnetic field interacts with the second element through the spacer to resiliently keep the first element into an equilibrium position in relation to the second element, whereby any movement imparted upon the first element in relation to the second element creates a measurable variation in said first magnetic field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A multi-axes position and movement sensing device which comprises: a first magnet element having a first magnetic field; a magnetically permeable second element; means for holding said elements in a modifiable spatial relationship to each other; said means for holding comprising a magnetically permeable spacer having each of two opposite sides contiguous to one of same first and second elements, said first magnet element being rockingly and swivelingly coupled to one side of said spacer and having a central opening engaging one side of said spacer; wherein said first magnetic field interacts with the second element through the spacer to resiliently keep the first element into an equilibrium position in relation to the second element, whereby any movement imparted upon the first element in relation to the second element creates a measurable variation in said first magnetic field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein: said first element is a toroidal magnet having a circular central opening; and one side of said spacer defines a semi-spherical head partially engaged into said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said spacer comprises a sphere having a diameter larger than the diameter of said circular opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said second element is a toroidal magnet having a circular central opening generally commensurate with the central opening of said first element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 4, wherein poles of same polarity of said first and second elements are facing each other separated by said spacer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 5, wherein said spacer comprises at least two spheres.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 5 which further comprises a third toroidal magnet element and a second spherical spacer between said second and third elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 which further comprises at least one detector supported, positioned and oriented so as to sense changes in the relative positions of said first and second elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said sensor is responsive to changes in ambient magnetic fields.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 9, wherein said sensor is a Hall-effect magnetic sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second elements has a non-circular cross-section about a plane perpendicular to an axis passing through said first and second sensor and spacer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second elements has a magnetic field which varies circumferentially about an axis passing through said first and second element and spacer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 12, wherein each of said first and second elements has a contoured face, said face having variable distances from a plane perpendicular to said axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 9 which further comprises a manipulating handle attached to said first element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
95 words
The device of claim 14 which further comprises: a third element having a third magnetic field and a central opening; a magnetically-permeable shaft concentrically attached to and extending from a side of said second element opposite a side facing said first element; said shaft being slidingly engaged into the central opening of said third element; wherein poles of the same polarity of said second and third elements are facing each other; and at least one detector supported, positioned and oriented so as to sense changes in the relative positions of said second and third elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
The device of claim 12 which further comprises: a third element having a third magnetic field and a central opening; a magnetically-permeable shaft concentrically attached to and extending from a side of said second element opposite a side facing said first element; said shaft being slidingly engaged into the central opening of said third element; wherein poles of the same polarity of said second and third elements are facing each other; and at least one detector supported, positioned and oriented so as to sense changes in the relative positions of said second and third elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-01 | 1996-06-01 | 1996-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-01 | 2000-06-01 | 2000-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-01 | 2004-06-01 | 2004-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |