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:
Jun. 26, 2007
Filed:
Oct. 28, 2004
Applicant:
Brian L. Patton, Ewing, NJ (US);
Inventor:
Brian L. Patton, Ewing, NJ (US);
Assignee:
Thin Air Creation, LLC, Ewing, NJ (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A63H 13/02 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A mechanism effectively mimics human facial expressions for use in animated characters. On the front surface of the mechanism, four gears, meshed in pairs, provide rotational surfaces for a series of cranks and pins. As the gears rotate, the cranks and pins engage a loop of elastomeric material. As pin distance from each other, the loop stretches. As pins approach each other, the loop contracts. Other pins located on the cranks or gears cause an inflection or deflection of the loop as the gears rotate. The resulting stretch or bending of the loop more accurately and efficiently mimics facial expressions.