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:
Oct. 08, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 27, 2009
Takeyoshi Dohi, Tokyo, JP;
Ken Masamune, Tokyo, JP;
Siyang Zuo, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoshi Matsumiya, Tokyo, JP;
Noriaki Yamanaka, Tokyo, JP;
Takeyoshi Dohi, Tokyo, JP;
Ken Masamune, Tokyo, JP;
Siyang Zuo, Tokyo, JP;
Kiyoshi Matsumiya, Tokyo, JP;
Noriaki Yamanaka, Tokyo, JP;
The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
There is provided a flexibility/rigidity adjustable apparatus which can change over its state between a flexible state in which such apparatus is freely bendable and a rigid state in which such bending is restricted when in use. A flexible closing coverwhich can expand/shrink is provided on an outer circumferenceof a flexible tube. A latching memberwhich moves together with the closing coveris provided, and a latching-member receiving partwith which the latching membercan engage is provided at the outer circumferenceof the tube. A closed spaceformed between the closing coverand the tubeis connected to an air inlet/outlet part. As the air is evacuated through the inlet/outlet partto change the pressurized condition of the closed spacefrom an atmospheric pressure condition to a negative pressure condition, the closing coverreduces its diameter around an axis, and the latching memberis caused to engage with the latching-member receiving part. As air is supplied in the closed spaceto make the interior thereof in an atmospheric pressure condition, the closing coverexpands, and engagement of latching memberwith the latching-member receiving partis released, so that the tubebecomes a flexible state from a rigid state.