Capacitative sensor

• US 6,033,370 A
• Filed: 12/02/1997
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Preventive Medical Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Preventive Medical Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Goldman, Robert J., Reinbold, Kirk A.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/982,918
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/592, 600/595, 73/172, 73/379.02, 73/379.01, 73/379.04, 361/290, 361/291
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1109 of wounds, e.g. at the operation site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2060/464 Means for indicating or measuring the pressure on the grip
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 : Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/06 : Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/08 : characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/10 : with means for indicating correct holding positions A63B60/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 : for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A capacitive force sensor which has a plurality of layers forming a force sensing detector, the detector providing a signal in response to pressure, feedback output in response to the signal from the force sensing detector and a housing for encompassing the force sensing detector and the feedback providing element. The housing can be a squeeze ball, squeeze cylinder, a hitting target, a baseball or golf glove or can be implemented as part of an actual grip, such as for a golf club.

Claims

1. A multi-layer capacitive sensor comprising:

a plurality of layers forming a force sensing detector, the layers including dielectric and conductive portions;

circuitry for providing feedback in response to a signal from the force sensing detector; and

a housing encompassing the force sensing detector and said circuitry.

2. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a squeeze ball.

3. The sensor of claim 2 further comprising:

a microprocessor for measuring the applied force by the user to the ball.

4. The sensor of claim 2 further comprising:

analog devices for measuring the applied force by the user to the ball.

5. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a squeezable device.

6. The sensor of claim 5 wherein the circuitry is analog.

7. The sensor of claim 5 wherein the circuitry is digital.

8. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a hitting target.

9. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is an impact vest.

10. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a baseball glove.

11. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a golf grip.

12. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a golf glove.

13. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a compression bandage.

14. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a foot insole.

15. The sensor of claim 1 wherein the housing is a mattress pad.

16. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising an enclosure for protection of the circuitry.

17. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising a switch integral with the sensor for selecting different levels of sensitivity for the sensor.

18. The sensor of claim 1 further comprising elastic conductors.

19. A moldable capacitive force sensor comprising:

a plurality of layers forming a force sensing detector, the detector providing an output signal in response to pressure;

circuitry for providing feedback in response to the output signal from the force sensing detector; and

a housing encompassing the force sensing detector and the feedback providing means.

20. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a squeeze ball.

21. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a squeezable device.

22. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a hitting target.

23. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a baseball glove.

24. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a golf grip.

25. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a golf glove.

26. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is an impact vest.

27. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a compression bandage.

28. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a foot insole.

29. The sensor of claim 19 wherein the housing is a mattress pad.

30. The sensor of claim 19 further comprising a protective encasement for protection of the circuitry.

31. The sensor of claim 19 further comprising a switch integral with the sensor for selecting different levels of sensitivity for the sensor.

32. The sensor of claim 19 further comprising elastic conductors.

33. A capacitive sensor in a three-layer configuration comprising:

three conductor layers alternating with foam dielectric layers;

a pair of end plates for enclosing the foam dielectric and conductor layers; and

circuitry electrically connected to the conductor layers for providing feedback from the sensor.

34. The sensor of claim 33 further comprising a protective encasement for protection of the circuitry.

35. The sensor of claim 33 further comprising a switch integral with the sensor for selecting different levels of sensitivity for the sensor.

36. The sensor of claim 33 wherein the sensor is incorporated into a squeeze ball.

37. The sensor of claim 33 wherein the sensor is incorporated into a squeeze cylinder.

38. The sensor of claim 33 wherein the sensor is incorporated into a hitting target.

39. The sensor of claim 33 wherein the sensor is incorporated into a baseball glove.

40. The sensor of claim 33 wherein the sensor is incorporated into a golf grip.

41. The sensor of claim 33 further comprising elastic conductors.