Multistable mechanical switching device
US6343788B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2250/124
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
This invention is a multistable mechanical switching device. It is a bundle of rods surrounded by elastic, which when manipulated can be made to change from one stable close-packed state to another, causing a sudden rearrangement of the rods within the bundle, and producing a snapping noise or click which can be heard and felt with the fingers, interesting visual effects due to the rearrangement of the rods, and various switching and signaling effects. Possible applications of this invention are electrical switches, electronic logic, locks, medical devices, amusement devices, puzzles, science education, toys, executive pacifiers, hand exercisers, and physics and materials science demonstrations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.