Flexible seam joint for use in robotic skin
US8927081B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/192
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An artificial skin such as an outer covering or skin for an animatronic character. The skin may be formed by a method that includes providing a mold assembly with an exterior mold and a core. In the mold assembly, a cavity is formed between inner surfaces of the exterior mold and exterior surfaces of the core that defines the skin system. The mold assembly includes a seam-forming wall extending between the inner and exterior surfaces. The method includes inserting an elongate, tubular guide through holes in the seam-forming wall and pouring an elastomeric material into the mold to occupy the cavity between the exterior mold and the interior core. The method includes, after the material has hardened, cutting a seam in the skin system by cutting the material along the seam-forming wall. The tubular guide is separated into guide segments and a staggered joint is formed at the cut seam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.