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:
Nov. 05, 2013
Filed:
Oct. 01, 2011
Landen A. Bowen, Provo, UT (US);
Larry L. Howell, Orem, UT (US);
Spencer P. Magleby, Provo, UT (US);
Brian M. Olsen, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Terri C. Bateman, American Fork, UT (US);
Devin D. Lebaron, Highland, UT (US);
Avinesh Ojha, Urbana, IL (US);
Landen A. Bowen, Provo, UT (US);
Larry L. Howell, Orem, UT (US);
Spencer P. Magleby, Provo, UT (US);
Brian M. Olsen, Los Alamos, NM (US);
Terri C. Bateman, American Fork, UT (US);
Devin D. LeBaron, Highland, UT (US);
Avinesh Ojha, Urbana, IL (US);
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT (US);
Abstract
A user-selectable force conversion apparatus includes a first and a second connecting member that are pivotally connected to each other between a sliding member and a fixed member. The apparatus also includes a leaf spring holder for removably retaining one or more leaf springs and loading the second connecting member with a substantially linear force response of the leaf springs. A user may change the combination of leaf springs and/or vary a length ratio for the first and second connecting members and thereby change the force response of the apparatus. Movement of the sliding member by the mechanical input may convert the substantially linear force response of the leaf springs to a user-selected force response for the mechanical input. A corresponding method is also disclosed.