Lighted fastening structure
First Claim
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1. A fastening apparatus comprising:
- a first layer including a first set of fastening elements; and
a second layer including a second set of fastening elements, wherein the first and second sets of fastening elements are engageable to thereby attach the first layer to the second layer, and wherein a portion of one of the first or second layers forms a light guide.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward an apparatus that includes a first layer and a second layer attached with one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take any form envisioned by a designer. In any case, the apparatus may also form a light guide that can be illuminated with a light source to transmit light by total internal reflection (TIR).
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A fastening apparatus comprising:
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a first layer including a first set of fastening elements; and
a second layer including a second set of fastening elements, wherein the first and second sets of fastening elements are engageable to thereby attach the first layer to the second layer, and wherein a portion of one of the first or second layers forms a light guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fastening apparatus comprising:
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a bottom layer;
a top layer; and
means for engaging the top and bottom layers such that upon engagement, an amount of travel is defined between the top and bottom layers, wherein a portion of one of the layers forms a light guide. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A light guide fastening structure comprising:
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a first layer forming a light guide and including a first plurality of fastening elements; and
a second layer forming a light guide and including a second plurality of fastening elements, wherein the second plurality of fastening elements are engagable with the first plurality of fastening elements such that the first and second layers can be attached to one another. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A light guide fastening structure comprising:
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a first layer forming a light guide and including first plurality of fastening elements;
a second layer forming a light guide and including a second plurality of fastening elements, wherein the second plurality of fastening elements engage the first plurality of fastening elements and define an amount of travel between the first and second layers; and
a first light source positioned to illuminate the first layer of the light guide fastening structure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method comprising:
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engaging a first layer of a light guide fastening structure with a second layer of a light guide fastening structure; and
transmitting light via total internal reflection (TIR) through one of the layers. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A switch array comprising:
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an array of sensor elements that generate signals in response to force;
an array of spring elements corresponding to the array of sensor elements;
a bottom layer including a first set of fastening elements, the bottom layer defining holes for aligning with the spring elements; and
a number of top layer sections each including second sets of fastening elements, wherein the first and second sets of fastening elements are engaged, thereby attaching the bottom layer to the top layer sections, and wherein one of the bottom layer or top layer sections form a light guide. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. An apparatus comprising:
an array of dome spring elements, wherein part of the array of dome spring elements is a light guide that transmits light via total internal reflection. - View Dependent Claims (48)
Specification