This invention relates generally to devices with contact elements. More specifically, the invention relates to devices with resilient contact elements.
Devices with resilient contact elements are typically used to clean surfaces or to apply cleaners and other materials to surfaces. For example, brush devices have bristle contact elements. The bristles are provided in the appropriate configuration and are chosen with the appropriate geometry, flexibility, hardness and resiliency to suit the intended purpose. As one example of these devices, a paintbrush is typically configured with long flexible bristles that conform to surfaces and facilitate the application of paints to surfaces. Other brush devices are configured with short rigid bristles to scour, scrub or clean surfaces.
Sponges and other absorbent materials are also used as resilient contact elements. Sponges and related materials are typically soft and used in cleaning devices and applicator devices.
Squeegees are also used in contact devices. Because squeegees are often made from non-absorbent materials, such as rubber, they are not generally used in applicator devices. Squeegees are flexible and resilient and tend to be too soft to be used in scrubbing or scouring devices. Squeegees are most commonly used to wipe or squeegee water and water solutions from smooth glass surfaces.
There have been attempts to combine the cleaning properties of an absorbent sponge-like element with a squeegee element. In the U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,890 issued to Weitz, Weitz describes a cleaning device with a squeegee element and a sponge element attached to a yoke support for combining washing and wiping.
Devices with brush-like contact elements molded form non-absorbent rubber-like materials have also been described. For example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,771, issued to Stroud, Stroud describes a polymeric sweeping device that is formed from a polymeric head with a soft polymeric bristle portion. In the U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,322, issued to Florsline, Florsline describes a device with a silicone tip configured to be used as a paint applicator or an artist's tool.
Molded rubber-like or resilient contact elements have also been described in dentition cleaning and oral care devices. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,082 issued to Herrera, Herrera describes a device for removing adhesives from a palate. The device is configured with a plurality of rubber nodules having resiliencies that are sensitive to temperature. Tveras, in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,556, discloses an oral hygiene device configured with a plurality of wiping elements at one end of the device and a brush section at the other end; the wiping elements are configured for scraping plaque from a tongue. In the U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,684, issued to Kweon, Kweon describes a toothbrush with silicone rubber bristles. The silicone bristles are plate-shaped bristles extending in a parallel arrangement along the sides of the cleaning head. The cleaning head is attached to a handle through a hole in the handle. In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,416, issued to DeNiro et al., DeNiro et al. describe a resilient chewing device for cleaning teeth and gums. The device is a spool-shaped member formed of a resilient material. The interior regions of the spool-shaped member have protrusions to facilitate the cleaning of gums and teeth when a user chews on the device. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,564, issued to Inns et al., describes bristle sections that are coupled through an elastomeric bridge. The elastomeric bridge provides for the ability to anchor sets of bristles that are attached to a flexible platform. Mori et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,541, describe a toothbrush with composite monofiliment fibers. The composite monofiliment fibers have a polyester sheath with 2-5 polyamide cores. The polyamide cores protrude from the composite cores by a predetermined distance.
The current invention is directed to a device with at least one resilient contact element. The device of the present invention is configured for applying materials to a surface, cleaning a surface, texturing materials or massaging tissues. The contact element has a least two structures. For this description and for simplicity of understanding, the invention is described in terms of primary and secondary structures. Primary structures refer to structures that protrude from a supporting non-contact structure or portion thereof, such as a handle or a cleaning head. Secondary structures refer to structures that are coupled to primary structures such that the secondary structures exhibit cooperative displacement with the primary structure. Preferably, both the primary and the secondary structure contribute to the contact properties of the contact elements.
The primary structure and the secondary structure are made of the same material or of different materials. The primary structure and the secondary structure are formed in multiple steps, as a monolithic element, or in parts that are later attached together. A device in accordance with the instant invention is configured with any number contact elements depending on the intended use. Further, it is understood that contact elements and the corresponding supporting structure or structures of the device are monolithic or formed in parts.
The primary and secondary structures are preferably formed from resilient materials such as plastics, elastomers, rubber or rubber-like materials. However, in an embodiment of the instant invention the secondary structure comprises metal bristles. The primary and the secondary structures are, nodule structures, arrays of nodules, squeegee structures, squeegee matrix structures, bristles and combinations thereof. The contact surfaces provided by the device of the present invention are configured to be collectively planar, curved or three-dimensional. The primary structure preferably protrudes from a support structure by a distance in a range of 0.2 to 6.0 mm. The maximum thickness of any nodule protrusion, squeegee wall, or matrix wall is preferably not greater that 2.0 mm and is more preferably less than 1.0 mm and greater than 0.3 mm. However, it is clear that contact devices with contact elements of larger dimensions than the preferred dimensions, recited herein, can have industrial applications.
The primary structure provides first contact surfaces and the secondary structure provides second contact surfaces. Preferably, the primary structure is molded and is larger than the secondary structure, wherein the secondary structure protrudes from a surface portion of the primary structure. Accordingly, the secondary structure exhibits cooperative displacement, wherein displacing the primary structure from its equilibrium resting position will also displace the secondary structure. Depending on the geometries of the structures and the materials used to make the contact elements, the primary structure may also exhibit cooperative displacement with the secondary structure.
According to an embodiment of the instant invention, the primary and secondary structures of a contact element are configured such that only the contact surfaces of either the primary or secondary structure will engage a working surface when a first force is applied to a working surface through the primary structure. By applying a sufficiently greater force to the working surface through the primary structure, the contact surfaces of the secondary and primary structure engage the working surface. Accordingly, multiple types of contact surfaces are provided within a single multi-structural contact element or device. Further, applying more or less force to the working surface through the contact element controls the types contact surfaces that engage the working surface.
According to another embodiment of the instant invention, the primary structure is more flexible than the secondary structure. The primary structure provides a cushion for the second structure. Thus the force that is required to deform the primary structure limits the force that may be applied to a working surface through the contact element or elements.
According to yet another embodiment of the instant invention a device is configured with a contact element having a primary structure and a secondary structure capable of engaging a working surface concurrently through out an entire range of forces as applied to a working surface through the contact element.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is a dentition cleaning device. According to this preferred embodiment, the contact element has a plurality of nodules or squeegee protrusions with bristle attached thereto. The primary structure preferably has a hardness in a range of 10 to 90 Shores A as determined by a method described in Document ASTM D2240-00, Developed by the American Society for Testing Materials, entitled “Standard Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The secondary structure includes bristles or sections of bristles formed from polyester, polyamide or any other suitable resin for forming fibers.
a shows an exemplary nodule structure.
b show an exemplary squeegee structure.
c illustrates a perspective view of a squeegee matrix.
a shows a contact element with nodule structure and a squeegee structure protruding from top surfaces of the nodule structure.
b illustrates a contact element with tubular squeegee structure and bristles protruding from edge surfaces of the squeegee structure.
c-g show top views of contact elements with nodule structures or squeegee structures protruding from top surfaces of the nodule structures, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
a shows a contact element with a squeegee structure and bristles protruding from wall surfaces of the squeegee structure.
b shows a contact element with a primary squeegee structure and secondary squeegee structure protruding from wall surfaces of the primary squeegee structure.
c-f show schematic representations of contact elements with a primary squeegee structures and secondary squeegee structures protruding from wall surfaces of the primary squeegee structure, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
a shows a contact element with a tapered squeegee structure and bristles protruding from edge surfaces of the squeegee structure.
b is a cross-sectional view of the contact element shown in
a shows a contact element with a contoured squeegee structure and with bristles protruding from between depressed regions of the contoured squeegee structure.
b shows a contact element with nodular protrusions and with bristles protruding from surfaces between the nodular protrusions of the contact element.
a-h illustrate several exemplary symmetrical nodular structures.
a-7g illustrate several exemplary asymmetric nodular structures.
a-f illustrate several exemplary contoured tip and edge surfaces.
a shows a contact element with a nodular structure and a bristle structure protruding from tip surfaces of the nodular structure.
b illustrates the contact element shown in the
a shows a cross-sectional view of a contact element with a structure having an L-shaped cross-section and bristles protruding from inner walls of the L-shaped cross-section.
b shows cooperative displacement of bristle structures protruding from the L-shaped cross-section of the contact element illustrated in the
c shows cooperative displacement of a selective set of bristles protruding from the structure L-shaped cross-section of the contact element illustrated in the
a-c illustrate several views of a dentition cleaning device, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
a-d illustrate several views of a dentition cleaning device, in accordance with the further embodiments of the invention.
a-d illustrate several views of a dentition cleaning device, in accordance with yet further embodiments of the invention.
Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
To facilitate the clarity of the ensuing description, words listed below have been ascribed the following meanings:
a shows a typical nodule structure 50. The nodule structure protrudes from support surfaces 55 in a protruding direction 54 and preferably extends to distances in a range of 0.2 to 6.0 mm from the support surfaces 55. The nodule 53 has wall surfaces and tip surfaces 51. Preferably, the averaged thickness 56 of the nodule 50 is not greater than 2.0 mm and is most preferably less than 1.0 mm measured from distances 57 between the tip 51 of the structure 50 and 0.2 mm down from the tip 51 of the structure 50.
b shows a section of a squeegee structure 100. The squeegee structure 100 protrudes from support surfaces 105 in a protruding direction 104 and preferably extends to distances in a range of 0.2 to 6.0 mm. The squeegee structure 100 has squeegee wall surfaces 102, squeegee edge surfaces 101 and squeegee ends 103 and 103′. According to the current invention, squeegee structures extend in the elongation direction 108 to any distance and takes on any number of shapes and forms. Squeegee structure herein refers to an elongated structure with two ends as shown in
c shows a two-cavity matrix structure 150. The matrix structure 150 protrudes from support surfaces 155 in a protruding direction 159 and preferably extends to distances in a range of 0.2 to 6.0 mm. The matrix structure 150 has edge surfaces 151, wall surfaces 153, and cavities 154 and 156. Matrix structures in accordance with the instant invention have any number of geometries and shapes. The matrix structure has a symmetrical or an asymmetrical network of wall surfaces, edge surfaces and cavities. Preferably, the averaged thickness 157 of the walls 153 are not greater than 2.0 mm and is most preferably less than 1.0 mm measured from distances 160 between the edge surfaces 151 of the structure 150 and 0.2 mm down from the edge surfaces 151 of the structure 150.
According to the current invention a contact device is configured to have at least one a resilient contact element. The contact element has a primary structure that is a nodule, a squeegee, an array or a matrix. The primary structure provides for first contact surfaces that are capable of contacting a working surface. The resilient contact element has at least one secondary structure that is coupled to the primary structure. The secondary structure is capable of exhibiting cooperative displacement with the primary contact structure. Cooperative displacement, herein, refers to the displacement of one structure through the displacement of another structure. Preferably, the secondary structure protrudes from surfaces or a surface region of the primary structure. Most preferably, the secondary structure protrudes from wall surfaces, edge surfaces or tip surfaces of the primary structure. The secondary structure is a nodule, a squeegee, an array, a matrix or a bristle structure. The secondary structure provides second contact surfaces that are capable of contacting the working surface.
Both the primary and the secondary structures are preferably resilient and formed from resilient materials including, but not limited, to plastics, rubbers, silicones, urethanes, latex and other elastomeric materials. The primary structure preferably has durometer hardness in a range of 10 to 90 Shores A. The secondary contact structure preferably comprises a bristle structure. The primary structure is preferably formed by injection molding or any other suitable molding technique known in the art. The secondary structures are preferably formed by fiber drawing techniques for forming bristles from plastic resin materials. Alternatively, the secondary structure is a nodule, a squeegee, any array or matrix also formed by molding techniques. The contact element can be modified by incorporating non-resilient materials such as abrasive particles into the primary and/or secondary structures.
a illustrates a contact element 200 with a nodule 203 protruding from support surfaces 205. The nodule 203 has contact surfaces 201 that are capable of engaging a working surface (not shown). The contact element 200 has a squeegee structure 206 coupled to the nodule 203 and protruding from the contact surfaces 201 of the nodule 203. The squeegee structure 206 provides the contact element 200 with a second set of contact surfaces that are capable of engaging the working surface. In accordance with the instant invention, the contact element 200 will engage the working surface with the squeegee 206 when a first force is applied to the working surface through the nodule 203. When a second and sufficiently greater force is applied to the working surface through the nodule 203, surfaces of the nodule 203 will also engage the working surface.
b illustrates a contact element 250 with a tubular squeegee 253 protruding from support surfaces 255. The squeegee 253 has contact surfaces 251 that are capable of engaging a working surface (not shown). The contact element 250 has a bristle structure 256 coupled to the squeegee 253 and protruding from the surfaces 251 of the squeegee 253. The bristle structure 256 provides the contact element 250 with bristle surfaces that are capable of engaging the working surface. In accordance with the instant invention, the contact element 250 will engage a working surface with the bristles 256 when a first applied force is applied to the working surface through the squeegee 253. When a second, and sufficiently greater, force is applied to the working surface through the squeegee 253, surfaces 251 of the squeegee 253 will also engage the working surface.
c-g show top views of contact elements with primary nodule structures and secondary squeegee structures protruding from top surfaces of the primary nodule structures, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.
a illustrates a contact element 300 with a squeegee structure 302. The squeegee structure 302 has edge surfaces 301 for engaging a working surface (not shown). Protruding from wall surfaces 303 of the squeegee 302, there are several bristles or bristle sections 304, 304′ and 304″. Preferably, the bristle sections 304, 304′ and 304″ and the squeegee surfaces 301 are cable of engaging the working surface simultaneously or individually depending on presentation angle of the contact element 300 relative to the working surface and the force that is applied to the working surface through the contact element. The contact element 300 provides the contact properties of a squeegee and bristles in a single multi-structural contact element. The bristles 304, 304′ and 304″ can at any angle 306 relative to the protruding wall surfaces 303 suitable for the application at hand.
b illustrates a contact element 350 with a squeegee structure 352. The squeegee structure 352 has edge surfaces 351 for engaging a working surface (not shown). Protruding from wall surfaces 353 of the squeegee 352 there are several secondary squeegees 354, 354′ and 354″. Preferably, the secondary squeegee structures 354, 354′ and 354″ and the squeegee surfaces 351 are cable of engaging the working surface. The secondary squeegees 304, 304′ and 304″ and the squeegee surfaces 351 engage the working surface simultaneously or individually depending on presentation angle of the contact element 350 relative to the working surface and the force that is applied to the working surface through the contact element as explained in detail above.
c-f show schematic representation of contact elements with a primary squeegee structures and secondary squeegee structures protruding from wall surfaces of the primary squeegee structures, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
a illustrates a contact element 400 with a tapered squeegee 402 protruding from support surfaces 405. The squeegee 402 has wall surfaces 403 and edge surfaces 401 that are capable of engaging a working surface (not shown). The contact element 400 has a bristle structure 404 couple to the squeegee 402 and protruding from the edge surfaces 401 of the squeegee 402. The bristle structure 404 provides the contact element 400 with bristle surfaces that are also capable of engaging the working surface. The contact element 400 will engage the working surface with the bristles 404 when a first force is applied to the working surface through the squeegee 402. When a second, and sufficiently greater, force is applied to the working surface through the squeegee 401, the edge surfaces 401 and wall surfaces 403 of the squeegee 402 will also engage the working surface.
b shows a cross-sectional view of the contact element 400 illustrated in the
a illustrates a contact element 500 that has a squeegee structure 512 which protrudes from support surfaces 505 with protruding squeegee walls 510. The squeegee element 512 is contoured with teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509. Between the teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509 there are notches or depressions 511, 513, 515 and 517. On the surfaces of the notches 511, 513, 515 and 517 there are bristle sections 502, 504, 506 and 508, respectively. The squeegee teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509 and the bristle sections 502, 504, 506 and 508 are made to be longer or shorter relative to each other depending on the application at hand. When squeegee teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509 are longer than the bristle sections 502, 504, 506 and 508, as shown, then the squeegee teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509 (or a portion thereof) will engage a working surface (not shown) when a first force is applied to the working surface through squeegee structure 512. When a second, and sufficiently greater, force is applied to the working surface through the squeegee structure 512, then the bristle sections 502, 504, 506 and 508 (or a portion thereof) will also contact the working surface. Alternatively, the squeegee teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509 and the bristle sections 502, 504, 506 and 508 are made to have the same length such that the teeth 501, 503, 505, 507, and 509 and bristle sections 502, 504, 506 and 508 engage a working surface simultaneously. The contact device of the instant invention is configured with any number of teeth and bristles sections suitable for the application at hand.
b illustrates a contact element 550 that has an extended nodular structure 562 that protrudes from support surfaces 555 with protruding nodules 551, 553, 555 and 557. Between the protruding nodules 551, 553, 555 and 557, there are depressed surfaces 559, 561, and 563. Protruding from the depressed surfaces 559, 561 and 563 there are bristle sections 552, 554, and 556. The nodules 551, 553, 555 and 557 and the bristle sections 552, 554, and 556 are made to be longer or shorter or the same, as explained above relative to each other depending on the application at hand. Alternatively, the nodules 551, 553, 555 and 557 and the bristle sections 552, 554, and 556 are made to have the same length so that the nodules 551, 553, 555 and 557 and bristle sections 552, 554, and 556 contact a working surface simultaneously. Further, the contact device of the instant invention is configured with any number of teeth and bristles sections suitable for the application at hand.
a-h illustrate several symmetrical nodule structure geometries that are useful in the contact device of the instant invention.
a-g illustrate several asymmetrical nodule structure geometries that are useful in the contact device of the instant invention.
a-f illustrate several edge and tip contours of contact structures used in the instant invention.
a shows a contact element 900 with a primary nodular structure 905 that protrudes from a support structure 906 in a protruding direction 907. The support structure 906 is rigid or flexible depending on the intended application. The support 906 and the nodule 905 are formed of the same or different material and are made in parts or are co-molded as a monolithic unit. According to an embodiment of the invention, a contact device has one or more contact elements or an array of contact elements such as the one shown in the
Still referring to the
Now referring to
a shows a cross-sectional view of a contact element 10 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The primary structure 17 is a bent nodule or squeegee structure. The primary structure 17 protrudes from a support structure 12 that is either rigid or flexible or a combination of rigid and flexible components. The primary structure 17 protrudes from the support 12 with a base portion 18 in a direction 14 and further extends with a wall portion 19 in a second direction 16. Protruding from the interior surfaces of the base portion 18 and the wall portion 12 of the structure 17 are bristle structures 11, 13 and 15. Depending on where the structure 17 is bent from or displaced, different groups of the bristle structures 11, 13 and 15 will exhibit cooperative displacement.
Now referring to
a shows a top view of a contact device in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. The device 20 is preferably configured for cleaning dentition. The device 20 has a handle portion 27 for griping and manipulating the device 20 during a cleaning operation. The device 20 has at least one primary structure 29 that preferably forms two sides 21 and 21′ giving the device 20 a cleaning cavity or channel. Preferably, the primary structure 29 has a plurality of nodular protrusions 21 that contact surfaces of teeth and gums or dentures during a cleaning operation. The device 20 also preferably has a plurality of bristle structures 23 and 24 that protrude from inner surfaces of the primary structure 29. The primary structure 29 is attached to the handle portion 27 through a support structure 28. The support structure 28 is preferably a channel support structure that is formed of rigid or flexible materials. Alternatively, the channel 28 comprises interspersed flexible segments 25 and rigid segments 26, which allow the channel structure 28 to bend and deform as required during use. Protruding from the channel structure 28 are bristle sections 22 and 23 that have any number of bristles with any number bristle arrangements or configurations. The bristle sections 22 and 23 are comprised of needle-like bristles having any resiliency, texture, geometry or hardness required to facilitate the cleaning of teeth and dentures. The bristles are preferably formed by fiber drawing procedures known in the art. The bristles are formed from nylon, polyester, polyamide or any other suitable plastic resin.
b shows a perspective side view of the dentition cleaning device 20 shown in
The preferred embodiment of the instant invention is particularly useful for guiding and controlling contact positions and angles of the bristle on gums and teeth. The device 20 is also particularly useful for cleaning teeth and gums of persons wearing orthodontia. The device 20 allows bristles to be positioned at angles relative orthodontia that are difficult or impossible to obtain with a conventional toothbrush.
c illustrates a cross-sectional view 30 of a contact device in accordance with the instant invention. The L-shaped primary structures 31 and 31′ are attached to a support structure 36. The support structure 36 is formed of rigid or flexible materials. The support structure 36 preferably has interspersed flexible segments and rigid segments, as described above and shown in
a shows a cross-sectional view of a dentition device 40 in the elongated direction of the dentition device 40. The dentition device 40 includes a handle 41 and support structure 41′ that are formed from a first polymeric material. The dentition device 40 preferably includes bristles 43 that protrude the support structure 41′. The dentition device 40 also includes a resilient contact structure 45 (primary structure) that is formed from a second polymeric material. The resilient contact structure 45 preferably includes end nodules and/or squeegees 47 that protrude upward in a direction similar to the bristle 43. The first material that forms the handle 41 and the support structure 41′ is preferably a hard semi-rigid polymeric material with a hardness value that is greater than 90 Shores. The second material that forms the resilient contact structure 45 is preferably a softer resilient material with a hardness value that is less than 90 Shores, such that portions of resilient contact structure 45, including the nodules and/or squeegees 47 can be resiliently displaced from the support structure 41′, as described in detail above.
b shows a cross-sectional view of the dentition device 40 along the width of the dentition cleaning device 40. The dentition device 40 is shown in
c shows a top schematic view of the dentition device that includes the handle 41, the support structure 41′, the resilient contact structure 45, the bristle boats 46 and 46′, the bristles 43, 43′ and 43″, the end nodules and/or squeegees 47 and the side nodules and/or squeegees 48′ and 48″. For completeness,
a shows a cross-sectional view of a dentition device 50 in the elongated direction of the dentition device 50, in accordance with yet further embodiments of the invention. The dentition device 50 includes a handle 51 and support structure 51′ that are formed from a first polymeric material. The dentition device 50 preferably includes bristles 53 and 53′ that protrude the support structure 51′ and a bristle boat 56, respectively. The bristle boat 56 is formed from a material that is suitable for holding and securing the bristles 53′, as described above. The dentition device 50 also includes a resilient contact structure 55 that is formed from a second polymeric material. The resilient contact structure 55 preferably includes end nodules and/or squeegees 57 that protrudes upward in a direction similar to the bristle 43. The first material that forms the handle 51 and the primary structure 51′ is preferably a hard semi-rigid polymeric material with a hardness value that is greater than 90 Shores. The second material that forms the resilient contact structure 55 is preferably a softer resilient material with a hardness value that is less than 90 Shores, such that portions of resilient contact structure 55, including the end nodules and/or squeegees 57 can be resiliently displaced from the support structure 51′.
b shows the a cross-sectional view of the dentition device 50 in the elongated direction of the dentition device 50 and with the resilient contact structure 55 being resiliently displaced from the support structure 51′ through a flexible region 55′ of the secondary structure 55. Note that the bristles 53′ are displaced in the elongated direction with the with the resilient contact structure 55.
c shows a top schematic view of the dentition device 50 that includes the handle 51, the support structure 51′, the resilient contact structure 55, the bristle boat 56, the bristles 53 and 53′, the end nodules and/or squeegees 57 and the side nodules and/or squeegees 58′ and 58″. For completeness,
It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Any number of structural geometries, combinations of geometries, materials and combinations of material may be used to configure a device with a multi-structural contact element in accordance with the instant invention. Devices of the instant invention can be configured any number or multi-structural contact elements and configured with handles having any number of shape, sizes and extension angles relative to the multi-structural contact elements. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
This Patent Application is a continuation in part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/957,302, filed Sep. 19, 2001, and titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,767. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/957,302, filed Sep. 19, 2001, and titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS” claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/233,580, filed Sep. 19, 2000, and titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS”. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/957,302, filed Sep. 19, 2001, and titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS” and the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/233,580, filed Sep. 19, 2000, and titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS” are both hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
34109 | Fenshaw et al. | Jan 1862 | A |
116030 | Devines | Jun 1871 | A |
116346 | O'Brian | Jun 1871 | A |
218431 | Dunham | Aug 1879 | A |
411910 | Van Horne | Oct 1889 | A |
620151 | Emsa-Works et al. | Mar 1899 | A |
742639 | Harlan | Oct 1903 | A |
907842 | Meuzies | Dec 1908 | A |
915251 | Vanderslice | Mar 1909 | A |
1006630 | Clarke | Oct 1911 | A |
1128139 | Hoffman | Feb 1915 | A |
1142698 | Grove et al. | Jun 1915 | A |
1188823 | Plank | Jun 1916 | A |
1191556 | Blake | Jul 1916 | A |
1268544 | Cates | Jun 1918 | A |
1297272 | Strang et al. | Mar 1919 | A |
1405279 | Cassedy | Jan 1922 | A |
1500274 | Scarling | Jul 1924 | A |
1526267 | Dessau | Feb 1925 | A |
1578074 | Chandler | Feb 1926 | A |
1588785 | Van Sant | Jun 1926 | A |
1598224 | Van Sant | Aug 1926 | A |
1705249 | Henry | Mar 1929 | A |
1707118 | Goldberg | Mar 1929 | A |
1720017 | Touchstone | Jul 1929 | A |
1766529 | Peirson | Jun 1930 | A |
1833555 | Bell et al. | Nov 1931 | A |
1852480 | Ruetz | Apr 1932 | A |
1868893 | Gentle | Jul 1932 | A |
1910414 | Varga | May 1933 | A |
1924152 | Coney et al. | Aug 1933 | A |
1965009 | Stevens | Jul 1934 | A |
1993662 | Green | Mar 1935 | A |
2008636 | Brynan | Jul 1935 | A |
2059914 | Rosenberg | Nov 1936 | A |
2088839 | Coney et al. | Aug 1937 | A |
2117174 | Jones | May 1938 | A |
2129082 | Byrer | Sep 1938 | A |
2129245 | Ogden | Dec 1938 | A |
2154846 | Heymann et al. | Apr 1939 | A |
2219753 | Sequin | Oct 1940 | A |
2226145 | Smith | Dec 1940 | A |
2244699 | Hosey | Jun 1941 | A |
2279355 | Wilensky | Apr 1942 | A |
2312828 | Adamsson | Mar 1943 | A |
2321333 | Terry | Jun 1943 | A |
2334796 | Steinmetz et al. | Nov 1943 | A |
2443461 | Kempster | Jun 1948 | A |
2516491 | Swastek | Jul 1950 | A |
2518765 | Ecker | Aug 1950 | A |
2534086 | Vosbikian et al. | Dec 1950 | A |
2545814 | Kempster | Mar 1951 | A |
2637870 | Cohen | May 1953 | A |
2702914 | Kittle et al. | Mar 1955 | A |
2757668 | Meyer-Saladin | Aug 1956 | A |
2815601 | Hough, Jr. | Dec 1957 | A |
2884151 | Biederman | Apr 1959 | A |
3103027 | Birch | Sep 1963 | A |
3110052 | Whitman | Nov 1963 | A |
3133546 | Dent | May 1964 | A |
3181193 | Nobles et al. | May 1965 | A |
3195537 | Blasi | Jul 1965 | A |
3230562 | Birch | Jan 1966 | A |
3231925 | Conder | Feb 1966 | A |
3261354 | Shpuntoff | Jul 1966 | A |
3359588 | Kobler | Dec 1967 | A |
3491396 | Eannarino et al. | Jan 1970 | A |
3553759 | Kramer et al. | Jan 1971 | A |
3563233 | Bodine | Feb 1971 | A |
3570726 | Pomodoro | Mar 1971 | A |
3641610 | Lewis, Jr. | Feb 1972 | A |
3769652 | Rainer | Nov 1973 | A |
3939522 | Shimizu | Feb 1976 | A |
3969783 | Shipman | Jul 1976 | A |
3977084 | Sloan | Aug 1976 | A |
3992747 | Hufton | Nov 1976 | A |
4011616 | Kennedy | Mar 1977 | A |
4090647 | Dunning | May 1978 | A |
4115893 | Nakata et al. | Sep 1978 | A |
4128910 | Nakata et al. | Dec 1978 | A |
4167794 | Pomeroy | Sep 1979 | A |
4277862 | Weideman | Jul 1981 | A |
4428091 | Janssen | Jan 1984 | A |
4573920 | d'Argembeau | Mar 1986 | A |
4585416 | DeNiro et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
4610043 | Vezjak | Sep 1986 | A |
4691405 | Reed | Sep 1987 | A |
4763380 | Sandvick | Aug 1988 | A |
4812070 | Marty | Mar 1989 | A |
4827551 | Maser et al. | May 1989 | A |
4866805 | Oden et al. | Sep 1989 | A |
4866806 | Bedford | Sep 1989 | A |
4887924 | Green | Dec 1989 | A |
4913133 | Tichy | Apr 1990 | A |
4929180 | Moreschini | May 1990 | A |
5005246 | Yen-Hui | Apr 1991 | A |
5032082 | Herrera | Jul 1991 | A |
5040260 | Michaels | Aug 1991 | A |
D326019 | Spangler et al. | May 1992 | S |
5211494 | Baijnath | May 1993 | A |
5226197 | Nack et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5249327 | Hing | Oct 1993 | A |
5283921 | Ng | Feb 1994 | A |
5289605 | Armbruster | Mar 1994 | A |
5335389 | Curtis et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5341537 | Curtis et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5345641 | Webster | Sep 1994 | A |
5360084 | Graf | Nov 1994 | A |
5491863 | Dunn | Feb 1996 | A |
5528793 | Schbot | Jun 1996 | A |
5535474 | Salazar | Jul 1996 | A |
5584690 | Maassarani | Dec 1996 | A |
5604951 | Shipp | Feb 1997 | A |
5628082 | Moskovich | May 1997 | A |
5669097 | Klinkhammer | Sep 1997 | A |
5711759 | Smith et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5729858 | Riffel | Mar 1998 | A |
5735011 | Asher | Apr 1998 | A |
5799353 | Oishi et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5802656 | Dawson et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5806127 | Samoil et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5810856 | Tveras | Sep 1998 | A |
D402116 | Magloff et al. | Dec 1998 | S |
D403510 | Menke et al. | Jan 1999 | S |
5896614 | Flewitt | Apr 1999 | A |
5930860 | Shipp | Aug 1999 | A |
5966771 | Stroud | Oct 1999 | A |
5970564 | Inns et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5980542 | Saldivar | Nov 1999 | A |
5991959 | Raven et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6021541 | Mori et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6032322 | Forsline | Mar 2000 | A |
6041467 | Roberts et al. | Mar 2000 | A |
D422143 | Beals et al. | Apr 2000 | S |
6044514 | Kaneda et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
D424808 | Beals et al. | May 2000 | S |
D425306 | Beals et al. | May 2000 | S |
6065890 | Weitz | May 2000 | A |
6067684 | Kweon | May 2000 | A |
6077360 | Takashima | Jun 2000 | A |
6088869 | Kaneda et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6099309 | Cardarelli | Aug 2000 | A |
6108854 | Dingert | Aug 2000 | A |
6115871 | Royer | Sep 2000 | A |
6126533 | Johnson et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6151745 | Roberts et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6151746 | Lewis, Jr. | Nov 2000 | A |
6168434 | Bohm-Van Diggelen | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6182323 | Bahten | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6182365 | Tseng et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6190367 | Hall | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6219874 | van Gelder et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6240590 | Nesbit | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6245032 | Sauer et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6254390 | Wagner | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6272713 | Lotwin | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6276021 | Hohlbein | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6299508 | Gagliardi et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6311360 | Lanvers | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6319332 | Gavney, Jr. et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6421867 | Weihrauch | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6446295 | Calabrese | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6463619 | Gavney, Jr. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6510575 | Calabrese | Jan 2003 | B2 |
6513182 | Calabrese et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6557203 | Meshbesher | May 2003 | B2 |
6571417 | Gavney, Jr. et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6584636 | Schlem | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6647585 | Robinson | Nov 2003 | B1 |
D483184 | Geiberger et al. | Dec 2003 | S |
6658688 | Gavney, Jr. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6658692 | Lenkiewicz et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6668418 | Bastien | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6725493 | Calabrese et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6813793 | Eliav et al. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6820299 | Gavney, Jr. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6820300 | Gavney, Jr. | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6865767 | Gavney, Jr. | Mar 2005 | B1 |
6983507 | McDougall | Jan 2006 | B2 |
20010039689 | Gavney, Jr. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020124337 | Calabrese et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20030033680 | Davies et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030033682 | Davies et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030196283 | Eliav et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20040010869 | Fattori et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040045105 | Eliav et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040060132 | Gatzemeyer et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040060133 | Eliav et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040060135 | Gatzemeyer et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040060136 | Gatzemeyer et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040060137 | Eliav | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040154112 | Braun et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040200016 | Chan et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20050000048 | Hohlbein | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050060826 | Gavney, Jr. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
31 14 507 | Mar 1983 | DE |
298 16 488 | Jan 1999 | DE |
199 57 639 | Jun 2001 | DE |
2 636 818 | Mar 1990 | FR |
2 793 136 | Nov 2000 | FR |
290515 | May 1928 | GB |
305735 | Feb 1929 | GB |
2 040 161 | Aug 1980 | GB |
9-140456 | Mar 1997 | JP |
WO 9628994 | Sep 1996 | WO |
WO 9620654 | Nov 1996 | WO |
WO 9822000 | May 1998 | WO |
WO 9818364 | Jul 1998 | WO |
WO 0101817 | Jan 2001 | WO |
WO 0121036 | Mar 2001 | WO |
WO 03030680 | Apr 2003 | WO |
WO 03043459 | May 2003 | WO |
WO 2004041023 | May 2004 | WO |
WO 2004064573 | Aug 2004 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20050015904 A1 | Jan 2005 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60233580 | Sep 2000 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 09957302 | Sep 2001 | US |
Child | 10925582 | US |