US5747748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stylus sheath for use with touch-sensitive screens
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-26
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2016-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A sheath consists of an elongated member with an internal volume designed to securely and removably receive the end of an elongated cylindrical instrument with a suitable radius, such as a pen or pencil. The sheath can be comprised of an elastomeric material which allows the sheath to expand as the cylindrical instrument is inserted into the internal volume, and thus exert a radial force upon the instrument and restrain any motion of the instrument relative to the sheath. The elastomeric material has a lesser hardness than the screen material so that it will not damage the screen, but a greater hardness than a soft pencil eraser so that it overcomes the problems associated therewith. The sheath can be made with a tip of any shape and sharpness so that it will be compatible with any touch-sensitive screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Zigler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03545; B; B43; B43K; B43K23/00; B43K23/08; B43K23/10; B43K29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A sheath capable of being used and enclosing an end of a stylus having a first diameter and a touch-sensitive screen having a first hardness, comprising: an elongated member extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the member having an exterior surface generally tapering between the proximal and distal ends to reach a tip at the distal end, and having an interior volume having a second diameter and capable of securely and removably receiving the end of the stylus when inserted through a proximal opening, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter and wherein the proximal opening expands transversely at the proximal end of the sheath as a result of the difference between the first and second diameters, wherein the elongated member is formed at least partially of an elastomeric material having a second hardness, and wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A sheath capable of being used and enclosing an end of a stylus having a first diameter and a touch-sensitive screen having a first hardness, comprising: an elongated member extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the member having an exterior surface generally tapering between the proximal and distal ends to reach a tip at the distal end, and having an interior volume having a second diameter and capable of securely and removably receiving the end of the stylus when inserted through a proximal opening, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter and wherein the proximal opening expands transversely at the proximal end of the sheath as a result of the difference between the first and second diameters, wherein the elongated member is formed at least partially of an elastomeric material having a second hardness, and wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein a shape of the internal volume is bounded by the proximal opening and an internal surface which substantially conforms to a shape of the exterior surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein the second diameter of the proximal opening and the interior volume are capable of securely and removably accommodating insertion of an elongated cylindrical instrument.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath is diametrically expandable between contracted and expanded forms, exerting a radially compressive retaining force to restrict movement of the sheath relative to the stylus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath has a cylindrical portion with constant diameter between the proximal end and an intermediate position between the proximal and distal ends, and thereafter a tapering portion which tapers to a tip at the distal end, the cylindrical and tapering portions of the sheath being integrally connected and removable from the stylus as a unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein a longitudinal dimension of the sheath extends upwardly beyond an end of the stylus a sufficient distance to be gripped by the thumb and forefingers of a user's hand.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath consists of a material having a durometer rating of between 60 and 90.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath tapers to a sharply pointed and substantially chisel-shaped tip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sheath of claim 1 wherein the sheath tapers to a rounded and substantially hemispherical tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stylus sheath of claim 1 wherein alphanumeric characters are placed on the exterior surface of the sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A cover capable of being used and enclosing an end of an elongated cylindrical instrument and a touch-sensitive screen having a first hardness, comprising: a cover member extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the cover member having an exterior surface between the proximal and distal ends, and having an interior volume capable of securely and removably receiving the end of the elongated cylindrical instrument when inserted through a proximal opening of the cover member; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the cover member having a second hardness, wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A cover capable of being used and enclosing an end of an elongated cylindrical instrument and a touch-sensitive screen having a first hardness, comprising: a cover member extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the cover member having an exterior surface between the proximal and distal ends, and having an interior volume capable of securely and removably receiving the end of the elongated cylindrical instrument when inserted through a proximal opening of the cover member; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the cover member having a second hardness, wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein the shape of the internal volume is bounded by the proximal opening and an internal surface which substantially conforms to the shape of the exterior surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein transverse dimensions of the proximal opening and the interior volume are capable of securely and removably accommodating insertion of the elongated cylindrical instrument.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein the cover member exerts a radial retaining force to restrict movement of the cover member relative to the elongated cylindrical instrument.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein the cover member has a cylindrical portion with a constant transverse dimension between the proximal end and an intermediate position between the proximal and distal ends, and thereafter a tapering portion which tapers to form the tip at the distal end, the cylindrical and tapering portions of the cover member being integrally connected and removable from the elongated cylindrical instrument as a unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein a longitudinal dimension of the cover member extends upwardly beyond an end of the elongated cylindrical element a sufficient distance to be gripped by the thumb and forefingers of a user's hand.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein the cover member consists of a material having a durometer rating of between 60 and 90.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein the tip tapers to a sharply pointed and substantially chisel-shaped tip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein the tip tapers to a rounded and substantially hemispherical tip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cover of claim 11 wherein alphanumeric characters are placed on the exterior surface of the cover.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
117 words
An input system, comprising: a touch-sensitive electronic screen having a first hardness; control electronics coupled to the touch-sensitive screen; an elongated cylindrical instrument; a cover member and enclosing a distal portion of the elongated cylindrical instrument extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the cover member having an exterior surface between the proximal and distal ends, and having an interior volume capable of securely and removably receiving an end of the elongated cylindrical instrument when inserted through a proximal opening of the cover member; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the cover member and having a second hardness, wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
117 words
An input system, comprising: a touch-sensitive electronic screen having a first hardness; control electronics coupled to the touch-sensitive screen; an elongated cylindrical instrument; a cover member and enclosing a distal portion of the elongated cylindrical instrument extending in a longitudinal direction between a distal end and a proximal end, the cover member having an exterior surface between the proximal and distal ends, and having an interior volume capable of securely and removably receiving an end of the elongated cylindrical instrument when inserted through a proximal opening of the cover member; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the cover member and having a second hardness, wherein the second hardness is less than the first hardness.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the shape of the internal volume is bounded by the proximal opening and an internal surface which substantially conforms to the shape of the exterior surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the proximal opening and the interior volume are capable of securely and removably accommodating insertion of the elongated cylindrical instrument.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the cover member exerts a radial retaining force to restrict movement of the cover member relative to the elongated cylindrical instrument.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
68 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the cover member has a cylindrical portion with constant transverse dimensions between the proximal end and an intermediate position between the proximal and distal ends, and thereafter a tapering portion which tapers to form the tip at the distal end, the cylindrical and tapering portions of the cover being integrally connected and removable from the elongated cylindrical instrument as a unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein a longitudinal dimension of the cover member extends upwardly beyond an end of the elongated cylindrical element a sufficient distance to be gripped by the thumb and forefingers of a user's hand.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the cover member consists of a material having a durometer rating of between 60 and 90.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the tip tapers to a sharply pointed and substantially chisel-shaped tip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein the tip tapers to a rounded and substantially hemispherical tip.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The input system of claim 21 wherein alphanumeric characters are placed on the exterior surface of the cover.
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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) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |