Patent EP0070923A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4748366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Novel uses of piezoelectric materials for creating optical effects
Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1986-09-02
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Granted: 1988-05-31
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Expires: 2006-09-02
Abstract
Abstract An optical effect is produced in cooperation with the normal use of an article of manufacture, e.g., a toy such as a frisbee or a ball, or an article of clothing, such as a shoe, by mounting on the article a piezoelectric element for generating electrical energy in response to movement of the article and an optical effect device, such as a neon bulb, gas plasma, liquid crystal, or electroluminescent device, electrically connected to and energized by the element in response to such movement. In one embodiment, the element and device each comprises a thin, layer-like structure, the element and device structures being laminated or attached together.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:30
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B1/00; A43B1/0027; A43B3/00; A43B3/34; A43B3/36; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/13306; H; H02; H02N; H02N2/00; H02N2/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
In combination, an article of manufacture the use of which involves movement thereof, and a transducer mounted on said article for generating an optical effect in response to such movements, said transducer comprising a laminate structure including an electroded layer of piezoelectric material and an electroded layer of an optical effect device, each of two electrodes of said piezoelectric layer being electrically connected to a different one of two electrodes of said device, said article being a ball, the wall thereof comprising said laminate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination, an article of manufacture the use of which involves movement thereof, and a transducer mounted on said article for generating an optical effect in response to such movements, said transducer comprising a laminate structure including an electroded layer of piezoelectric material and an electroded layer of an optical effect device, each of two electrodes of said piezoelectric layer being electrically connected to a different one of two electrodes of said device, said article being a ball, the wall thereof comprising said laminate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical effect producing frisbee including a piezoelectric element mounted thereon for interaction with the passing air during flight of the frisbee for generating electrical energy, and an optical effect device mounted on said frisbee and electrically connected to and energized by said element for producing a visible optical effect during such flight, said element and said device comprising a laminate structure including an electroded layer of a piezoelectric material and an electroded layer of an optical effect device, each of two electrodes of said piezoelectric layer being electrically connected to a different one of two electrodes of said device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical effect producing frisbee including a piezoelectric element mounted thereon for interaction with the passing air during flight of the frisbee for generating electrical energy, and an optical effect device mounted on said frisbee and electrically connected to and energized by said element for producing a visible optical effect during such flight, said element and said device comprising a laminate structure including an electroded layer of a piezoelectric material and an electroded layer of an optical effect device, each of two electrodes of said piezoelectric layer being electrically connected to a different one of two electrodes of said device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 1, the wall of said ball consisting essentially of said laminate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination according to claim 1, said laminate being disposed on an inside surface of the ball wall, openings being provided through said wall exposing to view said optical effect device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A frisbee according to claim 2 including means for inducing turbulence in the passage of air around said laminate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-11-30 | 1992-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-31 | 1995-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |