Elographics, Inc.

Other

Tibbar Plasma Technologies, Inc.

William A Gibson

John E Talmage, Jr

Richard Nebel

Keith Moser

Juan M Fernandez

John F Finn

Liviu Popa-Simil

Daniel C Barnes

Cihan Akcay

Aaron McEvoy

John E Talmage

Terry L Gibson

John W Dabbs

John T Quirk, Jr

Rocky Gibson

A turn signal reset device for a signal switch assembly of a vehicle includes a return stalk, a tab, and an actuator. A coupler is coupled to a first end of the return stalk and is configured to couple the return stalk to a signal stalk of a signal switch assembly that is coupled to a steering column of a vehicle. A second end of the return stalk, to which the actuator is coupled, is positioned proximate to the steering column. A connector that is coupled to the tab is configured to couple the tab to the steering column so that the tab extends radially from the steering column. Activating the signal stalk positions the actuator to selectively engage the tab as the steering column rotates. The actuator is configured to actuate the signal stalk to reset the signal switch assembly to a neutral configuration.

Turn signal reset device

The child-restraining harness and bib is a safety device. The child-restraining harness and bib is further configured for use with a person selected from the group consisting of an infant and a toddler. The child-restraining harness and bib is configured for use with a chair. The child-restraining harness and bib secures the person to the chair. The child-restraining harness and bib comprises the body harness and the bib. The body harness attaches the person to the chair. The bib stores the body harness when the body harness is not in use. The bib is worn by the person to protect the clothing worn by the person when the body harness is in use.

Child-restraining harness and bib

An electrical transformer system using helical electrodes applied to a plasma. Systems and methods transform DC voltages and currents to different DC voltages and currents. Instead of using wires and iron cores similar to known transformers, the present DC to DC transformer system exploits plasma, helical electrodes, an axial magnetic field and radial magnetic field coils, with a control system to specify a radial magnetic field at the edge of a specified magnitude. A DC input voltage is applied, and an output is taken from electrodes at opposite the ends of the central apparatus. The system and apparatus contains a radial magnetic field embedded in the helical electrodes; the secondary current is taken from either solid or split (slotted) electrodes. Methods are disclosed for changing the output voltage and current relative to the input values. The system can function as either a stepup or a stepdown transformer.

DC to DC electrical transformer

An apparatus and corresponding systems and methods for managing electric power, particularly a transformer system and method, and more specifically a transformer for direct current. An example apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain plasma. The apparatus includes input electrodes disposed at least partially within the chamber, and configured to receive a first direct current input into the chamber. The input electrodes are configured to cause the input direct current to induce motion in the plasma. Motion induced in the plasma transforms current flowing there-through. At output electrodes extend from the chamber. The output electrodes conduct a second direct current, from the induced motion in the plasma, for delivery from the chamber.

DC-DC electrical transformer

An apparatus and corresponding systems and methods for managing electric power, particularly a transformer system and method, and more specifically a transformer for transforming direct current to alternating current. An example apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain plasma. The apparatus includes input electrodes disposed at least partially within the chamber, and configured to receive direct current input into the chamber. The input electrodes are configured to cause the input direct current to induce motion in the plasma. Motion induced in the plasma transforms current flowing there-through. Output electrodes extend from the chamber, which output electrodes may rotated in a controlled manner. The output electrodes conduct a three or one phase alternating current, from the induced motion in the plasma, for delivery from the chamber.

DC-AC electrical transformer

A chassis for a vehicular trailer, comprising a generally flat wheel engaging segment, said wheel engaging rotatably attached to a pair of collinearly disposed wheels; a hitch engaging segment connected to a trailer hitch and a linking segment, said linking segment disposed between and connecting the wheel engaging segment and the hitch engaging segment and comprising a change in height adapted to cause the hitch engaging segment to be offset from the wheel engaging segment relative to a support surface.

Mobile vehicle trailer apparatus

An apparatus and corresponding systems and methods for managing electric power, particularly a transformer system and method. An example apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain plasma. The apparatus includes at least two input electrodes disposed at least partially within the chamber, and configured to receive an alternating current into the chamber. The input electrodes are configured to direct the alternating current to induce motion in the plasma. The apparatus also includes at least two output electrodes extending from the chamber. The output electrodes are configured to conduct a direct current, from the induced motion in the plasma, for delivery from the chamber.

Electrical transformer

A touch screen system includes a touch screen having a surface which is adapted to be touched by a user, a resistive substrate which spans the screen and has two opposite boundaries, and a pair of electrodes which are capacitively coupled to the resistive substrate adjacent the two opposite boundaries thereof. The electrodes are adapted to be electrically stimulated from a source to induce reference electrical parameters within the system. Appropriate components are provided for determining changes in electrical parameters at the electrodes as a result of the touch of a location of the screen by the user, and associated componentry is also provided for generating a signal corresponding to the location of the screen touched by the user. The touch screen of the system may be associated with the screen of a CRT for use or placed upon a tabletop for use as a cursor control pad or a keyboard.

Touch panel system utilizing capacitively-coupled electrodes

An electrographic touch sensor of simplified construction having an increased proportion of area for providing linear output signals. The sensor utilizes a resistive layer of a substantially uniform resistivity throughout. A resistance element of resistance value borders and is in contact with the resistive layer. Positioned along a selected path proximate the resistance element borders are a plurality of insulator regions having a selected effective length along the path to define spaces of a selected effective length therebetween. These spaces, having the resistive layer therein, define resistive electrode elements by which voltages are applied from the resistance element borders into the resistive layer whereby orthogonal electrical fields can be generated in the resistive layer. The effective length of the insulator regions and the spaces are chosen to produce a voltage gradient along the path that substantially compensates for any voltage drop along the resistance element while orthogonal fields are being generated. In this manner, an increased proportion of the resistive layer provides a linear response in the output signals. Provision is made to generate output signals corresponding to the coordinates of a selected point on the resistive layer.

Touch sensitive device with increased linearity

A circular touch sensor having very linear response in a two coordinate system. This circular sensor has four substantially identical and symmetrical quadrants, with points for the introduction of potentials being located at polar and equatorial points on the sensor. The sensor has a uniform electrical sheet resistivity, and each quadrant has a resistance element to distribute the potentials to electrodes connected thereto which are positioned along the perimeter of the circular resistive surface. Individual ends of the resistance element in each quadrant are connected to their respective 'tie points' through a resistor of a size to adjust for a proper resistance value between the quadrants at these points. The size (effective length along the position path) of the electrodes in each quadrant generally increases, and the spacing between electrodes generally decreases, symmetrically from the edges of each quadrant toward the center of that quadrant. In this manner, voltage gradients are produced at each of the electrodes to compensate for any cumulative voltage drop along the resistance element due to current flow into the resistive surface and due to the circular geometric configuration. In the preferred embodiment, a 'floating' conductive element is placed on the path of the electrodes proximate the tie points to further enhance linearity of the sensor near these points. A typical sensor of this type is described in detail.

Circular electrographic touch sensor with orthogonal fields and linear

A resistor electrode type touch sensor having enhanced area of linear response by reducing the bow in perimeters of the sensor. Within a resistive layer of substantially uniform resistivity orthogonal electrical fields are produced to give coordinates of a selected position. Overlying, but spaced from, the resistive layer is an optional flexible conductive pick-off sheet facing the resistive layer which will contact the resistive layer when touched at a selected position. Other elements are described to obtain signals corresponding to the coordinates of a selected point. A resistance element is positioned proximate the perimeter of the resistive layer made up of discontinuous conductive lines applied to the resistive layer. For a given value of the resistive layer, the value of the resistance element is determined by the length and width of any gaps between the conductive lines. Electrodes of a selected effective length and spacing are located along selected paths proximate the edges of the resistive layer and attached thereto. Each electrode is connected to selected positions along the resistance element to provide selected voltages to the resistive layer. The effective length and spacing of the electrodes, and the positions of connection to the resistance element, are selected to produce an effective voltage gradient at the electrodes that progressively decreases from corners of the sensor to the center line of each edge of the sensor to counteract any voltage drop along the resistance element when voltages are applied thereto so as to substantially eliminate the bow of electrical fields produced in the resistive layer.

Electrographic tough sensor having reduced bow of equipotential field

An electrographic touch sensor having Z-axis capability. In one embodiment, a uniform resistive coating is applied to one surface of a substrate and it is within this coating that orthogonal electrical fields are produced using suitable electrodes and voltage applications to give coordinates of a selected position. Overlying the resistive coating is a flexible pickoff sheet having a conductive layer facing the combination. Interposed between the resistive coating and the conductive layer is an array of a material having a substantially greater resistivity than that of the resistive coating. Signals corresponding to the X- and Y-coordinates of a touched point on the sensor are obtained in a substantially conventional manner using an amplifier and an analog to digital converter. If desired, a Z-axis component signal due to pressure/force can be obtained in a separate part of the measuring cycle. This Z-axis signal is inversely related to a change in the effective contact resistance between the resistive coating and the pick-off sheet caused by the pressure/force. The change in this contact resistance is 'enhanced' by the high resistance material such that different values of pressure/force can be determined. Numerous other embodiments are described including two resistive sheet sensors and enhancing materials that are considered to be insulators.

Electrographic touch sensor with Z-axis capability

A resistor electrode type touch sensor having enhanced area of linear response by reducing the bow in perimeters of the sensor and the method of accomplishing the same. A resistive coating is applied to one surface of a substrate. Within this coating orthogonal electrical fields are produced to give coordinates of a selected position. Overlying, but spaced from, the resistive coating is a flexible pick-off sheet having a conductive layer facing the resistive layer which will contact the resistive coating when the pick-off sheet is touched at a selected position. A resistance element is positioned proximate, but insulated from, the perimeter of the resistive coating. Electrodes of a selected effective length and spacing are located along selected paths proximate the edges of the resistive coating. Each electrode is attached to the resistive coating and connected to selected positions along the resistance element to provide selected voltages to the resistive coating. The effective length and spacing of the electrodes, and the positions of connection to the resistance element, are selected to produce an effective voltage gradient at the electrodes that progressively decreases from corners of the sensor to the center line of each edge of the sensor to counteract any voltage drop along the resistance element when potentials are applied thereto so as to substantially eliminate the bow of electrical fields produced in the resistive coating.

Electrographic touch sensor and method of reducing bowed equipotential

A fabric touch sensor for providing positional information related to a touched region/points. The improved electrographic touch sensor (10) is fabricated using at least one resistive fabric layer (12) in the form of conducting threads. This fabric is constructed using either unidirectional threads (16) or crossed threads (16, 18) formed by overlaying one set with another or weaving the two sets together. The fabric (12) is separated from a second resistive layer (14) to prevent unintentional contact, with separators (24) in the form of non-conducting threads (42), insulator dots (24), or with an air gap. In a preferred embodiment, both resistive layers are fabrics (12, 14) formed from conductive threads. Prevention of Moire-type visual patterns is achieved by orienting the threads in one fabric layer at an oblique angle to those of the second fabric layer. This sensor results in ease of fabrication, reduction of cost, reduction of parallax and eliminates substrate problems associated with those sensors employing the same. No preforming is required to adapt this sensor to a contoured object (36) when both resistive layers are fabric.

Fabric touch sensor and method of manufacture

An electrographic sensor for the generation of coordinate signals corresponding to contacted positions on the sensor is described. This sensor is of particular value for placing in intimate contact with the nonplanar face of a cathode ray tube or the like. The sensor has a rigid, optically transparent substrate with a nonplanar configuration matching the nonplanar face of the CRT to reduce parallax. This normally involves a radius of curvature, in one or more directions, in a range of 15-50 inches (38-127 cm). The surface of the substrate which will not contact the CRT is coated to provide a very uniform, substantially transparent, electrically resistive layer, and electrodes are connected to the resistive layer whereby orthogonal electrical potentials may be applied to the layer. Overlying and spaced from the resistive layer is a semirigid transparent cover sheet, the face toward the resistive layer being appreciably conducting. Dispersed small areas of insulation, of minimum height, prevent contact of the resistive layer and the conducting face unless the cover sheet is depressed by an object such as a finger or stylus.

Growing community of inventors

Knox County, TN, United States of America

William A Gibson