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:
Dec. 28, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 22, 1997
Fred I Polito, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Robert V Davies, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Gerald W Skulley, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Michael D Perry, Los Altos, CA (US);
Kevin A Sawyer, Mountain View, CA (US);
Brett A Herscher, Cupertino, CA (US);
Robert J Bernardi, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Plantronics, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Abstract
A hookswitch actuator including an activating mechanism which maintains the hookswitch circuit of a telephone in an 'on hook' state when the activating mechanism is in a first position, or in an 'off hook' state when the activating mechanism is in the second position. The movement of the activating mechanism between the two positions is accomplished through the use of a shape memory alloy mechanism. The shape memory alloy mechanism is coupled to the activating mechanism in such a way that heating or cooling of the shape memory alloy mechanism moves the activating mechanism between its two positions. Control of the heating and cooling of the shape memory alloy mechanism is effectuated by controlling the amount of electric current passing through it.