The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 30, 2018
Filed:
Oct. 21, 2016
Autosplice, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Leonid Foshansky, San Diego, CA (US);
Kenneth Krone, San Diego, CA (US);
Autosplice, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for selectively providing or preventing access to areas, enclosed spaces or volumes, or for controlling the position of a pivot or hinge assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a selectively actuated or actuate-able hinge which is controlled at least in part by a shaped memory alloy (SMA) filament or filaments. Application of electrical current to the filament causes changes in the physical properties thereof, thereby allowing 'ratcheted' rotation of a portion of the hinge relative to other portions. In one variant, the hinge can be remotely operated, such as via wireless or wireline communication with a remote entity such as a computer or smartphone.