Flexible inflatable multi-chamber signal generator
First Claim
1. A signal generator for sending an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force, said generator comprising:
- a first outside layer of flexible, resilient material having a periphery and an inner surface;
a second outside layer of flexible, resilient material having a periphery and an inner surface;
said first and second layers joined to define a primary pressurizable chamber;
said primary chamber is divided into a plurality of pressurized sub-chambers;
a pressurized fluid disposed in at least one of said pressurized sub-chambers; and
an electrical signal completion means arranged in said at least one of said sub-chambers, to effectuate the transmission of an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force at said sub-chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force, the signal generator having a first outside layer of flexible, resilient plastic with a periphery and an inner surface, a second outside layer of flexible, resilient plastic having a periphery and an inner surface, the first and second layers joined at least at their periphery to form walls defining primary chamber. The primary chamber also has at least one inside layer of flexible, resilient plastic having a periphery and a first and second surface, the inside layer also being joined at its periphery, to the walls of the primary chamber to sub-divide the primary chamber into a plurality of adjacent sub-chambers. A pressurized fluid may be disposed in each of the sub-chambers and an electrical circuit may be arranged in at least one of the sub-chambers, to effectuate the transmission of an electrical signal from the primary chamber upon receipt of an input force within the primary chamber.
21 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A signal generator for sending an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force, said generator comprising:
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a first outside layer of flexible, resilient material having a periphery and an inner surface; a second outside layer of flexible, resilient material having a periphery and an inner surface;
said first and second layers joined to define a primary pressurizable chamber;said primary chamber is divided into a plurality of pressurized sub-chambers; a pressurized fluid disposed in at least one of said pressurized sub-chambers; and an electrical signal completion means arranged in said at least one of said sub-chambers, to effectuate the transmission of an electrical signal upon receipt of an input force at said sub-chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A flexible, pressurizable body fitting article functioning as a signal generator, comprising:
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a plurality of layers of flexible material, joined to define individual pressurizable chambers between said layers of material; a fluid under pressure in at least one of said chambers; and an electrical signal generating circuit arranged in at least one of said chambers to send an electrical signal from said chamber upon the sensing of a force by said generating circuit, to a further electrical device for the input of information via the electrical signal, wherein said signal generating circuit is attached to and is part of said body fitting article. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method of generating an electrical signal in a specific area of a flexible signal generator in response to a force applied to said signal generator, comprising the steps of:
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arranging a plurality of layers of flexible material adjacent one another; attaching a flexible circuit to at least one of said layers of flexible material, said flexible circuit being connectable to a further electrical device; securing said layers of flexible material together so as to establish a flexible pressurizable chamber therebetween; pressurizing said flexible chamber made of said layers of flexible material attached to one another; distorting a portion of at least one of said layers of flexible material, so as to create an electrical signal in said flexible circuit attached thereat; and sending said electrical signal created at said distorted portion of said electrical circuit through said flexible layers and to the further electrical device for input and use of such signal thereat. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification