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.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 09, 2021

Filed:

Aug. 23, 2018
Applicant:

International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Briggs, Waterford, NY (US);

Lawrence A. Clevenger, Rhinebeck, NY (US);

Bartlet H. DeProspo, Goshen, NY (US);

Michael Rizzolo, Albany, NY (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A63C 5/07 (2006.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); A63C 5/12 (2006.01); H05K 5/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
A63C 5/07 (2013.01); A63C 5/12 (2013.01); A63C 5/126 (2013.01); H02J 7/0063 (2013.01); H05K 5/0086 (2013.01); A63C 2203/12 (2013.01); H02J 2007/0067 (2013.01);
Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a support apparatus. The support apparatus might comprise a body configured to support an entity. The body might comprise a material that has a physical property. The support apparatus might further comprise a coupler system configured to couple electric current from a power source to the material. The material is arranged such that coupling an electric current to the material changes the physical property of the material. Embodiments are further directed to a method. The method might comprise forming one or more cavities in a support apparatus. The method might further comprise providing one or more couplers in electrical contact with each of the one or more channels. The method further comprises filling each of the one or more cavities with a fluid that has electrically changeable rigidity. Finally, the method might comprise connecting a power source to each of the one or more couplers.


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