Patent Application
20070004243
The present invention relates to articulated structures, more preferably articulated sheet structures for use in a variety of applications. In particular, the invention relates to articulated structures comprising a plurality of modules connected together, each module being capable of rotating with respect to its neighbour. In another aspect, the invention relates to an articulated structure that may be selectively locked and unlocked.
Articulated structures are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,778 discloses a matrix structure comprising a plurality of two differently shaped components. The first component, shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,853 discloses an adjustable matrix sheet also having two different types of module. The first module provides a plurality of arms capable of gripping a cylinder from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of that cylinder. The second module comprises a plurality of cylinders arranged in a ring around the centre of the module. In use, each arm of the first module grips a cylinder of a neighbouring second module. Like the U.S.'778 structure, this construction does not allow the sheet to be conformed around complex shapes because it is not possible to change the density of the sheet while the sheet is flat. It is once again necessary to add or remove modules if localized density changes are required.
GB 2,235,030 discloses a sheet structure having a plurality of identically shaped modules that may slide towards or away from their immediate neighbours. No articulation is provided to accommodate out-of-plane bending of the sheet and in fact such bending is provided, if at all, by the inherent flexibility of the material used to make the modules. This feature makes the matrix difficult to conform around complicated shapes since the matrix can only bend out of plane by elastic deformation, resulting in a corresponding restoring force which tends to flatten the sheet when the conforming force is removed.
Each of the above three documents also discloses the selective locking and unlocking of the sheet structure. In all three cases this is achieved by tightening a screw on either the module or the connection between neighbouring modules. Thus, it is necessary to tighten a great many individual screws in order to transform a sheet from completely flexible to completely rigid. This has the disadvantage that it takes a skilled technician a very long time, especially when one considers that sheet structures may contain hundreds or even thousands of individual modules. Furthermore, it is necessary to find some means of holding the sheet in position for an extended period of time while the screw tightening procedure is carried out, which can require another technician or complicated clamping arrangement.
The present invention addresses the above and other problems by providing a flexible sheet structure comprising a plurality of modules connected together, said plurality of modules being connected together so that each module is capable of rotating about first and second axes with respect to a neighbouring module to which it is connected, said first axis being parallel to the plane of the sheet when laid flat and said second axis being orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when laid flat.
The fact that each module is capable of rotating about an axis parallel to the plane of the sheet when laid flat and an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when laid flat allows a sheet structure that is usually flat to be conformed about a shape that curves in more than one direction (e.g. a spherical surface or other compound curve). This allows a standard sheet structure to be made and sold in a flat orientation and for the user to simply conform it to the desired shape, without the need to remove or add extra module sections.
Preferably a module can rotate relative to its neighbour about the axis parallel to the plane of the sheet when laid flat through at least the full range of −10° to +10°, more preferably the full range of −20° to +20°, but preferably by between no more than −60° and +60° or more preferably by between no more than −30° and +30°.
Preferably a module can rotate relative to its neighbour about the axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when laid flat through at least the full range of −10° to +10°, more preferably through the full range of −30° to +30° and more preferably still at least through the full range of −80° to +80°.
In a preferred embodiment, each module has a plurality of nodes and the modules on the inside of the sheet have each of their nodes connected to respective nodes of different neighbouring modules. The modules near the outside of the sheet may not have all of their nodes connected to the nodes of other modules. Three and only three nodes per module has been found to work well, as has four and only four nodes. However, a single structure may comprise combinations of modules having different numbers of nodes, and some 2, 5 or 6-noded modules can be utilised in this way.
The nodes are preferably located at the end of arms and the arms of the modules preferably lie parallel to the plane of the sheet when laid flat. The nodal connections between neighbouring joints are preferably single joints, such as ball and socket joints, that allow rotation orthogonal to the plane of the sheet and parallel to the plane of the sheet, preferably simultaneously.
It has been found advantageous that said single joint has a neutral axis (that is to say the joint is centred with respect to its possible rotation) oriented at substantially 90° to the plane of the sheet when laid flat. This is not essential, however, and the neutral axis may be substantially parallel to the plane of the sheet when laid flat or at a different angle to the plane of the sheet.
In one embodiment of the invention, linking components are used to connect neighbouring modules together. A linking component may allow relative rotation between the module and the linking component about an axis parallel to the plane of the sheet and may allow relative rotation between an adjacent other linking component about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet. In this case, the sheet comprises two different types of joints, one parallel to the plane of the sheet and one orthogonal to the plane of the sheet. This is an alternative to the first embodiment wherein all movements are provided for by a single ball/socket joint. The linking component is preferably a linear component having 2 nodes.
In all embodiments, the modules are preferably connected together to form a regular pattern of closed loops in the plane of the sheet. These closed loops can provide the means for changing the density of the sheet in a localized area as modules contributing to the perimeter of any loop can rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when laid flat in order to close the loop up into a “star” or otherwise closed shape.
Preferably the effective density (and thus the area, since mass remains conserved) of the whole or part of the sheet can be varied while the sheet remains flat. This, however, is not limiting and the effective area of the whole or part of the sheet may also be varied while the sheet is contorted into any particular shape. It is to be noted that an increase in localized effective area while flat results in a bowing of the sheet out from the flat whereas a decrease in localized effective area while bowed results in a flattening of the sheet from a bowed position. The ability to change the effective area in localized positions allows the sheet to conform over an object in a similar manner to a rubbery substance, but does not have the disadvantage of rubber, which must be elastically deformed, causing an undesirable restoring force. The sheet according to the preferred embodiment can be deformed to take on a particular shape yet will be in a position of static equilibrium (i.e. there will be no restoring forces tending to bring the sheet back to its original shape).
In another aspect, the present invention may be described as a flexible sheet structure comprising a plurality of modules connected together, at least one of said modules being connected to another said module by a multiple degree of freedom joint that has a neutral axis oriented substantially at 90° to the plane of the sheet when laid flat.
As well as being at substantially at 90° to the plane of the sheet when laid flat, the ball/socket joint is preferably also oriented with its neutral axis at substantially 90° to the plane of each module. Preferably all of the connections in the sheet are of the type having their neutral axes oriented at substantially 90° to the plane of the sheet and/or module when laid flat.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a flexible sheet structure comprising a plurality of first and second connected components, each said first component being connected to a said second component by a joint that allows for relative rotation about an axis parallel to the plane of the sheet when flat and each said second component being connected to a neighbouring said second component by a joint that allows for relative rotation about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when flat.
This construction allows the sheet structure to be conformed into complicated shapes without the need for adding or removing individual modules. It also has the advantage of not requiring ball/socket joints. All joints can be created using simple pivots.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides a flexible sheet structure comprising a plurality of modules connected together, each of said modules having first, second and third arms, each of said arms being regularly spaced from the other two said arms, each said arm being connected to an arm of a neighbouring said module so that each module of the sheet is capable of rotating with respect to its neighbouring module about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when laid flat.
The present invention also provides a flexible street structure comprising a plurality of modules connected together, said plurality of modules being connected together so as to allow the effective area of the sheet to be varied while the sheet remains flat and to allow out of plane movement so that the sheet may be smoothly conformed around complex shapes.
The present invention is also intended to encompass any one of the modules described herein, which modules may be made and sold separately, perhaps in kit form. A particularly preferred such module is a module for use in a flexible sheet structure, said module having arms each comprising one half of a multiple degree of freedom joint, for connection with the other half of the multiple degree of freedom joint located on an arm of a neighbouring module in the sheet, said multiple degree of freedom joint half being oriented such that the resulting multiple degree of freedom joint will have a neutral axis oriented out of the plane of the sheet when flat.
In order to address the problem of burdensome and tricky manual tightening of each module of the prior art structures, another aspect of the present invention provides A lockable articulated structure comprising a plurality of modules connected together so that said modules are selectively moveable with respect to one another, at least one connection between two said modules comprising a locking material capable of assuming at least two states, said at least two states including a first state which allows relative movement of said components and a second state which at least substantially prevents such movement, a transition between said two states being accomplished by the selective introduction of energy to said locking material.
The use of a locking material capable of assuming at least two states, with a transition (either locked to unlocked or unlocked to locked) between the two states being accomplished by the selective introduction of energy to the locking material, allows, if desired, each of the connections between neighbouring modules in the whole structure to be selectively locked or unlocked upon a single application of a particular form of energy. For example, the locking material can be one which melts and/or becomes soft when heated. In this case simple heating of the entire structure will be enough to cause the transition from the locked to the unlocked state. It follows that the structure will become locked in position upon simple cooling of the structure, although it is not necessary to the invention for the transition to be reversible.
Preferably the first state is a softer state than the second state, the second state being a frozen state for example. The application of energy could be in the form of heat, for example by direct conduction, convection or radiation or by the application of microwave or similar energy that is designed to excite or modify the physical properties of the locking material but not other parts of the module. Instead of the material changing, or starting to change, its phase, the selective locking may be accomplished by the fact that the material has a particular coefficient of thermal expansion. In this case heating up the structure will cause the locking material to expand so as to prevent relative movement that would otherwise be able to occur between neighbouring modules. The expansion may be provided by heat or by any other source of energy, for example by electricity in an electro-rheological material or piezoelectric material.
Another possibility is for the energy provided to cause a curing, for example ultra-violet light which may cure a chemical composition from a non-adhered state to an adhered state.
Another mechanism that may be used is the selective introduction of fluid pressure, for example pneumatic or hydraulic pressure, which pressure may either pressurize or depressurize the locking material so as to provide or prevent a locking function.
For ball/socket embodiments, the locking material is ideally located in the region outside of the ball but inside of the socket in the ball/socket joint. In order to improve the locking ability, either the outside of the ball or the inside of the socket may have substantially flat portions such that relative rotation is resisted when the locking material is not able to change its shape. To improve locking ability still further, one or more grooves may be provided, preferably in a direction running from the base of the ball to the tip of the ball so as to prevent axial rotation about the neutral axis. It is not essential to use grooves—any surface topography which serves to inhibit relative rotation when the locking material is frozen will be adequate.
The same considerations apply when the joint is a pivot or other type of joint rather than a ball/socket joint. For a pivot joint, the locking material can be located between a shaft part and an annular part and similar flats or grooved portions may be used further to inhibit relative movement once the transition to a locked state has taken place.
Thermoplastic, eutectic and thermosetting materials are all suitable as embodiments of the locking material, although other material may work at least as well. In particular, polymers are a good candidate because they are easy to make and have the desired qualities.
It will be appreciated that any of the herein described methods of, and structures for, selective locking may be combined with any of the embodiments of articulated structure so that the herein described articulated structures may be selectively locked.
The present invention is particularly useful when applied to a spinal brace. The ability of the articulated structure to conform around complicated shapes allows a spinal brace to be created that conforms to the desired body shape, but which is made from an initially flat piece of material. It is not necessary for the orthotic surgical technician to remove or add modules when fitting the brace and the locking mechanism allows the whole brace to be locked or unlocked very quickly and in one operation. As an example of a brace fitting routine, the sheet structure may be initially subjected to microwaves to make it unlocked. This will not unduly raise the temperature of the modules themselves so that the sheet, while loose, may be conformed around the body of the patient to provide the desired support. The locking material will cool down over time, either naturally or with the help of applied artificial cooling, such that the sheet only needs to be held in position for a short amount of time before it is once again locked. The present invention therefore significantly improves the creating and fitting of the brace from both the point of view of the patient and medical professional.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—
The modules of the sheets are preferably arranged in a regular pattern as is shown in the plan view (i.e. the plane of the sheet is parallel to the plane of the page) of
The configuration shown in
In use, the sheet, or just part of it, may be increased in density while remaining flat by rotating some of the ball/socket joints about an axes orthogonal to the plane of the sheet, that is to say about their neutral axes.
A single “ring” of the structure is shown in
If one considers the nodal connection points a, b, c, d, e, f shown in
The above-discussed relative movement of adjacent modules about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet when laid flat so as to reduce the density of the whole or a part of the sheet is just one movement that this embodiment of flexible sheet is capable of undergoing. The ball/socket joint 106 of this embodiment is also capable of allowing relative movement between modules about any axis parallel to the plane of the sheet.
In
It will be appreciated that the ball 108 is not completely spherical and is partially cut-away to leave a substantial flat portion 112 at its base. Similarly, the socket 110 is partially filled in to leave a substantial flat portion 114 at its base, although this flat 114 is not as close to the centre 116 of the ball 108 as the flat 112 of the ball. These flat portions 112/114 are optional and need not be provided. They may assist, however, when the structure is to be locked, as will be later described. The term “ball/socket joint” is intended to cover sockets as illustrated in
This movement about an axis parallel to the plane of the sheet allows the sheet to be bent around simple shapes such as cylinders, as shown in
The present embodiment finds most utility, however, when it is used to conform around complicated shapes, for example, the body shape of a patient requiring a spinal brace. In the case when it is desired to conform the sheet around a complex shape, more degrees of freedom of the joint are used simultaneously and in particular rotation about an axis orthogonal to the plane of the sheet is carried out simultaneously to rotation about an axis parallel to the plane of the sheet.
The modules of this embodiment are preferably manufactured from injection moulded plastic. Any suitable plastics material may be used and polyamide (Nylon) and polycarbonate have been found to perform adequately.
Each module can be made from a flat tri-armed plastic member, as shown in
Each module 102 can be injection moulded in plastic such that the ball or socket half of the ball/socket joint is integral with the planar part of the module. In this case, two types of module can be manufactured; a first module having three socket joints and a second module having three ball joints. In this case, (as is shown in
Alternatively, many similar modules can be manufactured separately from the two halves of the ball/socket and the appropriate ball/socket joint half can be glued or otherwise adhered to the standard planar module member.
Two alternative module shapes are shown in
A third embodiment is shown in
As with the other embodiments, as well as allowing for in-plane expansion the sixth embodiment allows for out-of-plane movement so that the sheet may be conformed around non-planar shapes. To achieve this, ball/socket joints are used at the nodes which allow for some rotation about axes within the plane of the sheet when laid flat. The ball/socket joints are preferably arranged with their neutral axis being perpendicular to the plane of the sheet when laid flat. As with the other embodiments, joints other than ball/socket joints may be used, with the amount of in-plane rotation and out-of-plane rotation being selected in accordance with the desired qualities of the sheet.
It should be noted that for both
A first module 300 of the sheet has three equi-spaced arms as shown in
Preferably, as is shown in
As with the other embodiments, the modules can take any suitable size dependent on the application for which they will be used. Linking components 302 may have a length between the octagonal axis of 5 to 50 mm, for example 18 mm and they have a thickness of from 1 to 30 mm, for example 10 mm. As shown in
The hexagonal “ring” structure is a result of using modules having three equispaced arms. If modules having other numbers of arms are used, the “ring” will be a different shape. For example,
A further aspect of the present invention, in which an articulated feature may be selectively locked and unlocked, will now be described. In general, this aspect of the invention involves the use of a “locking material”, that is to say, a material that can change in some manner upon the application or removal of external energy. This change can be in the form of, for example, a phase change, a chemical change or a dimension change. The locking material is preferably located directly adjacent to certain parts of the joints of a structure so as to influence whether movement in that joint is readily possible or not.
The following examples relate to a ball/socket joint although it will be appreciated that the idea can be extended to any type of joint, for example pivot joints. In particular, the locking aspect of the invention may replace the locking systems shown in the above-discussed prior art documents (e.g. U.S. Pat. No 4,484,778).
A preferred embodiment of locking material is a thermoplastic polymer. Such a material can be arranged to be “soft”, and therefore practically fluid, at room temperature but “frozen”, and therefore practically solid, at a lower temperature. The joints can then be locked by simply lowering their temperature. Alternatively, the thermoplastic polymer can be arranged to be practically solid at room temperature but practically fluid at a higher temperature, in which case the joints can be unlocked by raising the temperature (i.e. heating the joints or the whole structure up). It is not necessary that the thermoplastic polymer undergo a phase change in the strict sense of the word—what is required is that the viscosity of the locking material is changed to a sufficient degree such that movement is readily possible in the “unlocked” state and readily impossible in the “locked” state. Thus, it is the relative viscosity between the locked and unlocked states that matters more than whether or not a phase change has taken place.
As an alternative to, or in addition to, a “plug” of locking material inbetween the bottom of the socket and the end of the ball, locking material 400 can be applied as a thin coating around the ball and inside the socket. In order to provide the necessary locking function, grooves 402 can be disposed around the ball 108 and grooves 404 can be disposed around the socket 110 as shown in
Referring to
The material defining either the ball or the socket could be the locking material 400. For example, the entire ball 108 could be made from a thermoplastic polymer that becomes fluid at high temperatures. In this state the structure may move and the shape of the ball/socket can be arranged such that movement is not possible once the temperature is lowered.
This locking concept can also be applied to other joints, such as pivot joints. As with the contact surfaces of the ball/socket joint above, the contact surfaces of the pivot or other joint can have cylindrical or polyhedral grooves recessed into them. Alternatively or additionally, flat sections can be included such that the locking material is required to be able to change shape before relative movement can occur.
All, some, or only one of the joints in a structure may be locked or unlocked by selectively introducing the energy to all, some, or only one of the joints respectively. It will usually be a simple matter to introduce energy to all the joints of a structure at the same time, making unlocking/locking very quick and simple.
The above example suggests the use of heat to heat up the locking material and make it fluid. Such heat can be provided by any known means including hot water baths, hot air guns and ovens. Further, the heat can be provided by exposure to microwaves and this option is particularly attractive for cases where it is not desired or required to heat up the actual structure of the flexible matrix. The locking material can be made of a microwave sensitive material (for example by doping a thermoplastic polymer with carbon) such that the locking material is much more susceptible to being heated up than the surrounding structure when microwaves are applied.
Some alternative locking mechanisms are schematically shown in FIGS. 22 to 27. Please note that although these Figures show ball/socket joints the locking mechanism can be applied to any type of connection between modules. Further, the concepts can be applied to single joints or multiple joints (e.g. two as shown).
An alternative to the
A rheopectic fluid performs the opposite function in that the fluid will be more viscous under high sheer stress (locked) and will be less viscous under low sheer stress (unlocked). This provides a particularly promising shock-proof structure because the structure is more resistant to high forces than low forces. Thus, a structure which is flexible under normal use but which stiffens up under a shock can be provided.
For all the embodiments of locking, reversibility can be provided or not according to the circumstances. For some applications, it may only be necessary to unlock or lock the structure once and in that case reversibility of locking is not a prerequisite. However, many of the above embodiments allow reversible structures to be provided, thereby making the structure reusable. Reversibility is provided by providing for the locking material to be able to change back and forth between states (solid/fluid, expanded/compressed, sticky/non sticky etc.) a plurality of times.
A combination of reversible and non-reversible locking mechanisms may be used in the same structure. Thus, a UV-curable adhesive can be applied to the all/socket interface together with one of the reversible locking materials (e.g. a thermoplastic polymer). The resulting structure can be heated up to fluidise the thermoplastic locking material and render the joints moveable so that the structure can be shaped into position. The structure can then be cooled down somewhat so as substantially to tighten the structure but still allow some movement, albeit with frictional resistance. Then, finally to lock the structure in place once any fine changes have been made, a UV light can be switched on so as to cure the adhesive and permanently lock the structure. This has the advantage that further increases in temperature do not render the structure flexible again. The modules can be made transparent so as to allow the UV light to reach the curable adhesive.
In the above described embodiments, activation of the active material in the joint makes the joint flexible for a given time period until the activation energy is dissipated. For example, heating of the active material can allow the joint to move for a limited amount of time until the joint cools down. Rather than allowing or preventing movement, the active material can additionally or alternatively be used to provide a bonding or debonding function. Such joints can be designed having active material which possesses bonding or de-bonding properties when activated. For example, a joint can be designed which bonds two or more materials together and which, upon the introduction of energy, de-bonds the two materials. The converse is also possible whereby the active material does not bond the two materials together until energy is introduced, at which point bonding is created. As with all of the embodiments of the invention, this is applicable to more than just ball/socket joints and the active material can be used, for example, as the filling in a sandwich like structure which bonds together two planar materials. Pressure can be used to activate the material such that a bond between the two layers is created when pressure is applied.
Any of the locking mechanisms may be applied to any of the herein described articulated structures. The locking mechanisms may also be applied to prior art structures, including flexible sheets.
In
The use of the present invention in a spinal brace is advantageous for a number of reasons including the three detailed below.
1. The high conformability of the flexible sheet structure at low temperatures means that an initially flat sheet can be conformed directly around a patient's body without the need to make moulds and models and with no need to remove or add any new modules. This means that a supply of flat rectangular sheets can be kept by the physician and any one can be used on any patient. Once the sheet has been conformed into position, it can be locked simply and quickly without having to undergo a laborious module-by-module locking procedure. For example, a flat sheet can be blasted with a hot air gun in order to make it flexible, can be moulded around the patient's body while still in the flexible mode, and can be allowed to cool down naturally so as to become rigid and perform a spinal support function. This can all be done in a very short space of time, with a standard initial flat sheet and without any laborious and tedious tightening or untightening steps.
2. The resulting brace will last for many years and, if any adjustments are required (as will be the case for braces for children), they can be made quickly and easily. Further the brace material is clean and safe and poses no health risk to the patient. The brace is also sufficiently rigid to bear the loads required and will remain in shape once locked.
3. To increase comfort, the flexible structure may be padded, covered or cushioned so that the flexible structure acts as a conformable endoskeleton.
In general, any of the flexible structures described in this application may be modified so as to have a continuous surface across a whole or part of their surface. This can be achieved by encapsulating the “skeleton” structure with one or two skins laid over and adhered to the skeleton or by embedding the skeleton in some type of fluid which is then allowed to become solid. This fluid may take the form of a foam or gel. Combinations of these two methods may be used whereby the gaps between the modules are filled with a foam or gel and the resulting structure is covered by a skin. Where skins are not used, the surface may be smoothed by sanding or the like to provide a smooth continuous surface. The exact method used will depend on its suitability for the intended application. It is thought that these methods are particularly applicable for uses as shock absorbent padding or aerodynamic wind-proof or hydrodynamic water-proof shapes (e.g. wings and boat hulls).
The structure of the present invention may be used in other applications, for example, for handling delicate objects or for rapid custom moulding processes. The structure can be scaled up or down and used for collapsible and reusable shelters.
Other possible applications (which are not to be regarded as limiting the present invention) include:—
Aerospace and Defence:—
Space suits; Hazard suits; Body armour and protection; Repair kits; Filled structures; Medical casualty support; Aircraft wing containment of fuel; Internal and external aerofoil and fairings; Fuel tanks; Wings: Parachutes, Microlights, Hangliders.
Marine
Diving suits; Boats, canoes, paddles; Nets for trapping fish or submarines; Rigid sails.
Construction and Architecture
Emergency Buildings; Marquees, refugee, disaster relief accommodation; Acoustic structures for auditoriums; Modelling materials; Land stabilisation; Landscaping, trellis, fencing, pond liners; Ornamental and curved structures; Furniture and seats; Re-usable and collapsible structures; Wave power electricity generation; Scaffolding; Tunnel reinforcing; DIY—base for curved structures; Shape, model and fix material; Sculptures; Dome buildings; Pipe construction and repair; Exhibition standards; Shop displays; Structures in tricky places; Irrigation, heating or cooling jackets—small tubes; Artistic and architectural base for sculptures.
Automotive
Vehicle design and modelling; Soft-top and hard-top convertibles; Custom seating; Impact absorbing structures including air bag replacement; Easy to recycle automotive components; Snap/unsnap technology; Lorries—alternative to cargo nets; Crash dummies; Snow tyres.
Apparel & Accessories
Body protection; Hats and helmets; Footwear; Disco-gear; Jewellery—necklaces and bracelets; Fashion accessories; Interfacing material; Heated-cooled jacket via micro piping; Mannequins and shop displays; Ladies underwear—corsets, bras, bustles.
Toys and Novelties
Action figures and dolls; General modelling material; A construction toy in its basic form; Stress relievers; 3D jigsaw.
Sport and Leisure
Light, rigid structures: Windsurfers, skateboards, snow boards, skis, Ski boots, sledges; Sports body protection: Cricket box, fencing, baseball glove, pads and padding, boxers, motorcycling, crash helmets, ice hockey protection; Tents, shelters and survival equipment for climbers and hikers, Construction of suitcases and holdalls, Leather saddles—structure
Medical
Orthotics; Strengthening weakened limbs; Neck braces; Wrist supports; Plaster casts; First aid (chemical or epoxy fixing); Stretcher; Move as found, body, immobilisation/splints; Clamps to hold head for X-ray; Wheel chairs; Bed support for prevention of pressure sores; Modelling of: limbs, shoe insoles; Rice paddy-bed shoes; Micro-level reconstructive surgery; locking body joint, limit joint flexibility, fix range and direction of motion; Medical measurements—heart rate, breathing; Operating tables/patient positioning; Drug release
Electronics and Telecomms
Backing for curved/shaped LCD type thin displays; 3D shape transmission sensor; Platform for wearable electronics including mobile phones, GSM computers; Shaped phones for hands free; Collapsible satellite dish; Telecomms masts, temporary, collapsible, pre-fabricated; Faraday cage & general EMI/RFI screening, Phone boxes and acoustic hoods/shelters.
Oil and Gas
Pipeline repair kits; Oil spillage containment; Tunnelling structural support.
Packaging
Specialist packaging; Delicate artefacts packaging
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0325970.2 | Nov 2003 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB04/04710 | 11/5/2004 | WO | 5/28/2006 |
