US6020055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cushioning media including lubricated spherical objects
Assignee: TEK SOURCE
•
Filing: 1996-08-06
•
Granted: 2000-02-01
•
Expires: 2016-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A composite mixture of spherical objects and lubricant useful for its cushioning properties is disclosed and claimed. The composite mixture may be composed of microspheres typically less than 2000 microns in diameter with inert atmospheres sealed within their interiors and any of a variety of lubricants facilitating sliding and rolling movement between microspheres. Typically the composite mixture includes lubricant in a quantity sufficient to substantially coat the exterior surface of essentially all of the spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of the spherical objects in the lubricant sufficient to physically separate the spherical objects from each other and substantially reduce the sliding and rolling contact of the spherical objects with each other. Low specific gravity, low thermal mass, low coefficient of heat transfer, lack of head pressure, insulative and flotation qualities are provided by the invention. The composite mixture may be contained in fluid-tight confinement within a flexible bladder. The preferred bladder has a stretchable fabric laminated to an impermeable, stretchable film.
Inventors
- 👤 Tony M. Pearce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:25
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C27/00; A47C27/08; A47C27/086; A43; A43B; A43B5/00; A43B5/04; A43B5/0405; A47C27/12; A47C3/00; A47C3/16; B; B68; B68G; B68G1/00; C; C08; C08J; C08J3/00; C08J3/12; C08J3/124; C10; C10M; C10M101/00; C10M101/02; C10M105/00; C10M105/08; C10M105/10; C10M105/14; C10M143/00; C10M143/10; C10M143/12; C10M169/00; C10M169/04; C10M169/041; C10M177/00; F; F16; F16N; F16N15/00; C10M2203/00; C10M2203/10; C10M2203/1006; C10M2203/102; C10M2203/1025; C10M2203/104; C10M2203/1045; C10M2203/106; C10M2203/1065; C10M2203/108; C10M2203/1085; C10M2205/00; C10M2205/04; C10M2205/06; C10M2207/00; C10M2207/02; C10M2207/021; C10M2207/022; C10M2207/0225; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S5/00; Y10S5/909; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/252; Y10T428/254; Y10T428/259; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/268; Y10T428/269
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A composite mixture comprising: a) a plurality of spherical objects and b) a quantity of lubricant on the exterior surface of substantially all of said spherical objects, said lubricant being present in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant sufficient such that said spherical objects would be significantly separated from each other by said lubricant; wherein said spherical objects and said lubricant are mixed together to form the composite mixture; wherein said lubricant is lubricous and serves to reduce the coefficient of friction between contacting spherical objects; wherein said spherical objects within said mixture are movable in sliding and rolling contact with each other in all three dimensions to permit flow and shear of the mixture; wherein the composite mixture flows and shears in response to a deforming pressure exerted on it, said flow and shear being accomplished by said spherical objects moving in rolling and sliding contact with each other; and wherein the composite mixture ceases to flow and shear when the deforming pressure is terminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A composite mixture comprising: a) a plurality of spherical objects and b) a quantity of lubricant on the exterior surface of substantially all of said spherical objects, said lubricant being present in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant sufficient such that said spherical objects would be significantly separated from each other by said lubricant; wherein said spherical objects and said lubricant are mixed together to form the composite mixture; wherein said lubricant is lubricous and serves to reduce the coefficient of friction between contacting spherical objects; wherein said spherical objects within said mixture are movable in sliding and rolling contact with each other in all three dimensions to permit flow and shear of the mixture; wherein the composite mixture flows and shears in response to a deforming pressure exerted on it, said flow and shear being accomplished by said spherical objects moving in rolling and sliding contact with each other; and wherein the composite mixture ceases to flow and shear when the deforming pressure is terminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 1 wherein said spherical objects comprise elastic spherical objects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 1 wherein said composite mixture has a thermal mass less than 0.7 calories per cubic centimeter per degree Celsius.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 1 wherein said composite mixture has a coefficient of heat transfer less than 0.25 btu per hour per foot per degree Fahrenheit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A composite mixture comprising: a) a plurality of microspheres and b) a quantity of visco-elastic fluid on the exterior surface of substantially all of said microspheres, said visco-elastic fluid being present in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said microspheres in said visco-elastic fluid sufficient such that said microspheres objects would be significantly separated from each other by said visco-elastic fluid; wherein said microspheres are movable in sliding and rolling contact with each other in all three dimensions to permit flow and shear of the mixture; and wherein the mixture flows, shears and deforms in response to a deforming pressure, but ceases to flow, shear and deform after the deforming pressure has been terminated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
116 words
A composite mixture comprising: a) a plurality of microspheres and b) a quantity of visco-elastic fluid on the exterior surface of substantially all of said microspheres, said visco-elastic fluid being present in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said microspheres in said visco-elastic fluid sufficient such that said microspheres objects would be significantly separated from each other by said visco-elastic fluid; wherein said microspheres are movable in sliding and rolling contact with each other in all three dimensions to permit flow and shear of the mixture; and wherein the mixture flows, shears and deforms in response to a deforming pressure, but ceases to flow, shear and deform after the deforming pressure has been terminated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 5, wherein said visco-elastic fluid comprises a principle molecule and a cross-linking agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 6 wherein said principle molecule is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol and glycerol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 6 wherein said cross-linking agent comprises cationic acrylamide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 5, wherein said visco-elastic fluid comprises about 98 weight percent propylene glycol and about 2 weight percent cationic acrylamide cross-linking agent, said weight percentages being based on the total weight of principle molecule and cross-linking agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A composite mixture as recited in claim 5 wherein said lubricant comprises about 99.8 weight percent glycerin principle molecule and about 0.2 weight percent cationic acrylamide cross-linking agent, said weight percentages being based on the total weight of principle molecule and cross-linking agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
168 words
A composite mixture comprising: spherical objects and a lubricant comprising coco diethanolamide; wherein said spherical objects and said lubricant are mixed together to form the composite mixture; wherein said lubricant is present on the exterior surface of substantially all of said spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant sufficient to significantly physically separate said spherical objects from each other and thereby reduce the sliding and rolling contact of said spherical objects with each other; wherein said lubricant facilitates sliding and rolling contact of spherical objects with each other to permit flow and shear of the composite mixture; wherein said lubricant is lubricous, serves to reduce the coefficient of friction between contacting spherical objects, and does not prevent sliding and rolling of said spherical objects with respect to each other; and wherein the mixture flows, shears and deforms in response to a deforming pressure, but ceases to flow, shear and deform after the deforming pressure has been terminated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
168 words
A composite mixture comprising: spherical objects and a lubricant comprising coco diethanolamide; wherein said spherical objects and said lubricant are mixed together to form the composite mixture; wherein said lubricant is present on the exterior surface of substantially all of said spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant sufficient to significantly physically separate said spherical objects from each other and thereby reduce the sliding and rolling contact of said spherical objects with each other; wherein said lubricant facilitates sliding and rolling contact of spherical objects with each other to permit flow and shear of the composite mixture; wherein said lubricant is lubricous, serves to reduce the coefficient of friction between contacting spherical objects, and does not prevent sliding and rolling of said spherical objects with respect to each other; and wherein the mixture flows, shears and deforms in response to a deforming pressure, but ceases to flow, shear and deform after the deforming pressure has been terminated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
213 words
A composite mixture comprising: spherical objects comprising an outer shell and an inert atmosphere sealed within the outer shell, said spherical objects being less than 2000 microns in diameter, and lubricant comprising a principle molecule and a cross-linking agent; wherein said lubricant is lubricous, serves to reduce the coefficient of friction between contacting spherical objects, and does not prevent sliding and rolling of said spherical with respect to each other; wherein said lubricant is present on the exterior surface of essentially all of said spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant sufficient to significantly physically separate said spherical objects from each other such that more than a thin film of lubricant is interposed between spherical objects and preventing the sliding and rolling contact of said spherical objects with each other; wherein said lubricant facilitates sliding and rolling contact of spherical objects with each other to permit flow and shear of the composite mixture; wherein said spherical objects are made from material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass, metal, carbon, mineral, and quartz; and wherein the mixture flows, shears and deforms in response to a deforming pressure, but ceases to flow, shear and deform after the deforming pressure has been terminated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
213 words
A composite mixture comprising: spherical objects comprising an outer shell and an inert atmosphere sealed within the outer shell, said spherical objects being less than 2000 microns in diameter, and lubricant comprising a principle molecule and a cross-linking agent; wherein said lubricant is lubricous, serves to reduce the coefficient of friction between contacting spherical objects, and does not prevent sliding and rolling of said spherical with respect to each other; wherein said lubricant is present on the exterior surface of essentially all of said spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant sufficient to significantly physically separate said spherical objects from each other such that more than a thin film of lubricant is interposed between spherical objects and preventing the sliding and rolling contact of said spherical objects with each other; wherein said lubricant facilitates sliding and rolling contact of spherical objects with each other to permit flow and shear of the composite mixture; wherein said spherical objects are made from material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass, metal, carbon, mineral, and quartz; and wherein the mixture flows, shears and deforms in response to a deforming pressure, but ceases to flow, shear and deform after the deforming pressure has been terminated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
201 words
A composite mixture comprising: a) a plurality of spherical objects and b) a quantity of visco-elastic fluid on the exterior surface of substantially all of said spherical objects, said visco-elastic fluid being present in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said visco-elastic fluid sufficient such that said spherical objects would be separated from each other by more than a thin film of said visco-elastic fluid, and said visco-elastic comprising a principle molecule and a gelling agent; wherein said visco-elastic fluid comprises a mixture of molecules which are reversibly cross-linked, such that the linkages are easily sheared by a slow mechanical force, and such that new linkages may be reestablished among the molecules of the mixture following cessation of the mechanical force; wherein said lubricant facilitates sliding and rolling contact of spherical objects with each other to permit flow and shear of the composite mixture; wherein the composite mixture flows and shears in response to a deforming pressure exerted on it, said flow and shear being accomplished by said spherical objects moving in rolling and sliding contact with each other; and wherein the composite mixture ceases to flow and shear when the deforming pressure is terminated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
201 words
A composite mixture comprising: a) a plurality of spherical objects and b) a quantity of visco-elastic fluid on the exterior surface of substantially all of said spherical objects, said visco-elastic fluid being present in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said visco-elastic fluid sufficient such that said spherical objects would be separated from each other by more than a thin film of said visco-elastic fluid, and said visco-elastic comprising a principle molecule and a gelling agent; wherein said visco-elastic fluid comprises a mixture of molecules which are reversibly cross-linked, such that the linkages are easily sheared by a slow mechanical force, and such that new linkages may be reestablished among the molecules of the mixture following cessation of the mechanical force; wherein said lubricant facilitates sliding and rolling contact of spherical objects with each other to permit flow and shear of the composite mixture; wherein the composite mixture flows and shears in response to a deforming pressure exerted on it, said flow and shear being accomplished by said spherical objects moving in rolling and sliding contact with each other; and wherein the composite mixture ceases to flow and shear when the deforming pressure is terminated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2491557A
Cited
US2672183A
Cited
US2655369A
Cited
US2814053A
Cited
GB1106958A
Cited
US3459179A
Cited
US3407406A
Cited
US3462778A
Cited
US3518786A
Cited
US3605145A
Cited
US3552044A
Cited
US3529368A
Cited
GB1261475A
Cited
US3801420A
Cited
US3748669A
Cited
US3748779A
Cited
US3893198A
Cited
US3801265A
Cited
US3968530A
Cited
US4252910A
Cited
US3870265A
Cited
US3986213A
Cited
US4038762A
Cited
US4163297A
Cited
US4144658A
Cited
US4083127A
Cited
US5336708A
Cited
US5334646B1
Cited
US4618213A
Cited
US5508334A
Cited
US5334646A
Cited
US5262468A
Cited
US4369284A
Cited
US4229546A
Cited
US4243754A
Cited
US4335476A
Cited
US4247963A
Cited
US4274169A
Cited
US4255202A
Cited
US4279044A
Cited
US4256304A
Cited
US4292701A
Cited
US4335478A
Cited
US4472847A
Cited
US4485505A
Cited
US4370769A
Cited
US4483029A
Cited
US4422194A
Cited
US4498205A
Cited
US4726624B1
Cited
US4588229A
Cited
US4726624A
Cited
US4713854A
Cited
US4485568A
Cited
US4686724A
Cited
US4541136A
Cited
US4572174A
Cited
GB2150431B
Cited
US4467053A
Cited
US4628557A
Cited
US4761843A
Cited
US4660238A
Cited
US4744564A
Cited
US4698864A
Cited
US4709431A
Cited
US4737998A
Cited
US4728551A
Cited
US5027801A
Cited
US4842330A
Cited
US4913755A
Cited
US5335907A
Cited
US5018790A
Cited
US5013518A
Cited
US5147685A
Cited
US5058291A
Cited
US4952439A
Cited
US4953913A
Cited
US5211446A
Cited
US5149173A
Cited
US5053436A
Cited
US4952190A
Cited
US5103518A
Cited
US5074620A
Cited
US4945588A
Cited
US5100712A
Cited
US5093138A
Cited
US5204154A
Cited
US5079787A
Cited
US5010608A
Cited
US5330249A
Cited
US5020176A
Cited
US5015313A
Cited
US5052068A
Cited
US5617595A
Cited
US5444881A
Cited
US5180619A
Cited
US5039567A
Cited
US5289878A
Cited
US5224863A
Cited
US5163196A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-31 | 2003-08-02 | 2004-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-31 | 2007-08-02 | 2008-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-08-02 | 2012-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |