Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090013813 | OUT-OF-PLANE CONFIGURATION-ADJUSTING MECHANISM, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - Configuration-adjusting mechanisms include linkages interconnecting first and second layers of a sheet material. The linkages have hinges positioned and oriented to cause motion of at least a portion of the linkages out of a plane of the first and second layers when the mechanisms are actuated. An apparatus, system, and method include one or more of the mechanisms for changing a contour of a surface provided by a cover overlying the mechanisms. An array of mechanisms or mechanisms corresponding to an array of positions on the surface may be selectively actuated to change the contour or texture of the surface. The array of mechanisms for changing the contour can provide user interface buttons selectively actuated by the mechanisms, which cause the buttons to emerge from the surface. A reconfigurable contour may be provided by selectable sets of the buttons associated with respective functions of a control panel, for example. | 01-15-2009 |
20120080830 | USER-SELECTABLE FORCE CONVERSION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A user-selectable force conversion apparatus includes a first and a second connecting member that are pivotally connected to each other between a sliding member and a fixed member. The apparatus also includes a leaf spring holder for removably retaining one or more leaf springs and loading the second connecting member with a substantially linear force response of the leaf springs. A user may change the combination of leaf springs and/or vary a length ratio for the first and second connecting members and thereby change the force response of the apparatus. Movement of the sliding member by the mechanical input may convert the substantially linear force response of the leaf springs to a user-selected force response for the mechanical input. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 04-05-2012 |
20120245557 | Laminar Injection Apparatus and Method - A laminar injection apparatus may include a slider layer, a needle flexibly coupled to the slider layer, a medication reservoir in fluid communication with the needle, and a needle guiding layer comprising an aperture for deflecting the needle from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation in response to moving the slider layer relative to the needle guiding layer. One or more spring layers may extend the laminar structure into an extended laminar structure. The needle may be thrust into a subject by compressing the extended laminar structure and causing the needle to protrude from the structure and penetrate a subject. In response to the compressive force on the laminar stack, medication may be forced from the medication reservoir through the needle and into the subject. | 09-27-2012 |
20140027465 | CONTACT LENS DISPENSING APPARATUS - A contact lens dispensing apparatus may include a container with a lid that removably seals the container, a cradle that cradles a contact lens, and a lifting mechanism connected to the cradle and the lid. The container and lid may collectively form a blister pack with the contact lens sealed therein. The lid may protect the contact lens from foreign matter including bacteria while the contact lens is stored in the container. The lifting mechanism may lift the cradle from a storage position within the container to a dispensing position above the container in response to opening the lid of the container. The cradle may cradle a contact lens placed thereon and enable a user to slide the contact lens off of the cradle. The lifting mechanism and the cradle may be a laminar emergent mechanism that is integrally formed from a planar sheet of material. | 01-30-2014 |
20150075583 | FOLDABLE ARRAY OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PANELS INCLUDING FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a foldable array of three-dimensional panels, which may include one or more functional electrical components. For instance, the three-dimensional multi-panel array may be reconfigured from a substantially planar configuration into a three-dimensional configuration. | 03-19-2015 |