Patent · US Active

Mobile fibers and elongated structures and units thereof

US9113663B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
14References
42Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 27, 2013
Grant dateAug 25, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 7, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/2478
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a unit or segment having a ball, a socket and a connector with the connector physically linking the ball and socket together such that a main opening of the socket continuous with the socket cavity faces away from the connected ball. Alternatively, a unit/segment may instead include a ball and a socket coupled directly together. Elongated structures comprising a plurality of units joined together in series, such as through ball joints and other connections, are further provided that may vary greatly in length and size. The ball and socket may have corresponding electromagnets and magnetic materials, respectively, that may attract or repel each other to cause controlled rotational movement of the individual ball joint(s) by controlling the operation of the electromagnets. Higher order structures including one or more elongated structures are further provided. Methods for constructing and/or operating units and/or elongated structures are further provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.