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:
Feb. 02, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 04, 1997
Jeffrey R Elings, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Virgil B Elings, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Christopher C Schmitt, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Digital Instruments, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Abstract
The mechanical properties of a surface are measured by using a pointed tip on the end of a bendable cantilever such that with force on the other end of the cantilever the tip can be pushed into the surface using the bending of the cantilever as the measure of the constant force. The indentation, scratch, or wear created by the application of forces between the tip and sample is then measured with the same tip and cantilever by raising the cantilever off the surface and putting it into oscillation. The tip is then scanned over the area where the indentation was made with the tip tapping on the surface in order to image the surface.