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:
May. 07, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 08, 2009
Thomas W. Murphey, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Joseph N. Footdale, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Thomas W. Murphey, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Joseph N. Footdale, Albuquerque, NM (US);
The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
Multi-axis compliant hinges used in conjunction with strut elements to form a collapsible structure. The hinges behaves similar to a pin-clevis hinges but have increased compliance during the deployment sequence allowing connected struts to translate and rotate finite amounts relative to each other. Once deployed, the hinges lock out to form strong and stiff joints. The hinge uses two opposing resilient tape spring surfaces for each axis. The opposing tape spring surfaces of each axis are joined together by rigid inserts at their ends opposite the common connection point and to which structural members or struts are connected.