| Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making same -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making sameUSPTO Application #: 20060282936Title: Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making same Abstract: A vacuum adhesion-gripping surface is provided by an array of miniature suction cups. The surface is provided on a glove or other object for which an improved grip is desired. The miniature suction cups are of very small sizes and high densities. The vacuum adhesion micro suction cups are formed with a tooling structure having a pair of plates. A first plate includes a plurality of holes and a second plate includes a plurality of pins. When the plates are placed together, small cavities are created between the holes and pins for forming an array of vacuum adhesion micro suction cups using a molding or similar process. Alternatively a glove, such as a medical glove, utilizing the micro suction cup gripping design can be made using a dipping process. (end of abstract) Agent: Law Office Of Brett N. Dorny - Northborough, MA, US Inventors: David Olson, Richard P. Barlik USPTO Applicaton #: 20060282936 - Class: 002161700 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments, Gloves, Work Glove, Medical Glove The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060282936. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCES [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/271,152, filed Nov. 9, 2005. It further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/626,356 and 60,627,861, filed Nov. 9, 2004 and Nov. 15, 2004, respectively. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a surface manufactured as an integrated part of objects for improving gripping. More particularly, it relates to a material having micro miniature suction cups on a glove or other object for improved gripping performance. [0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art [0005] Various types of work, medical, military and athletic gloves are used to increase the gripping strength and control of the user. Some such gloves have friction material at least at locations where the user's hand contacts the object. However, the gripping capacity of the friction material can significantly decrease under certain conditions, such as water or other foreign matter on the glove or the object. Furthermore, friction material provides little increase in gripping capacity for objects. [0006] Several structures on the surface of a glove have been proposed to provide improved gripping strength and control. U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,928 discloses a glove with enhanced grip strength through the use of indentations that form a suction area. Alternatively, it discloses a glove with suction cups formed on the surface. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,248 discloses a grip-enhancing glove with suction cups of 1/16 "and larger. These structures work best on smooth surfaces. They are unable to provide an enhanced grip for uneven or irregular surfaces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a glove has an enhanced gripping surface. The enhanced gripping surface is achieved through the use of extremely small micro sized suction cups. The suction cups have a diameter of less than 1/16 of an inch. According to one aspect of the invention, the suction cup diameter is approximately 0.031 inch. According to another aspect of the invention, the micro suction cups have a density greater than 300 per square inch. According to another aspect of the invention, the micro suction cups have a density of approximately 600 per square inch. According to another aspect of the invention the micro suction cups have a density of 1000 per square inch. According to another aspect of the invention, the micro suction cup density is determined by the amount of grip required. According to another aspect of the invention, the micro suction cups of the vacuum enhanced gripping surface have a conical shape. [0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the enhanced vacuum gripping micro suction cups are manufactured as an integral part of a surface. According to another aspect of the invention, the array of vacuum adhesion micro suction cups is imbedded into a surface. According to another aspect of the invention, the array of vacuum adhesion micro suction cups is formed as part of a surface. [0009] According to another aspect of the invention, specialized tooling and manufacturing process is used to form an array of vacuum grip enhancing micro suction cups. The tooling includes a first plate having a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of suction cups. Each hole includes a cylindrical end and a conical shoulder. The tooling includes a second plate having a plurality of small diameter pins. Each of the pins is positioned to fit within a hole in the first plate. Each pin has a conical top surface. When the two plates are engaged, a space remains between the top surface of each pin and the conical shoulder of the corresponding hole. According to another aspect of the invention, a process for creating the tooling allows the formation of a dense array of suction cups. The process utilizes a casting plate for forming the pins. A plurality of holes is drilled into the casting plate. The shape of the holes corresponds to the shape of the pins. The second plate with the pins is formed through casting into the drilled holes. A first plate is machined with holes matching the cast pins of the second plate and suction cup shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of micro sized suction cups forming a grip-enhanced surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of one of the suction cups of FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first tooling plate according to a first embodiment of the invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the second tooling plate of FIG. 3. [0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a void created by the assembly of the first tooling plate and second tooling plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first tooling plate according to an embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a void created by the assembly of the first tooling plate and second tooling plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a void created by the assembly of the first tooling plate and second tooling plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a void created by the assembly of the first tooling plate and second tooling plate according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a void created by the assembly of the first tooling plate and second tooling plate according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a tooling system for formation of a second tooling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making same or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Necktie with wearing attachment Next Patent Application: Accessory for a video game system Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Grip enhancing structure having vacuum adhesion micro, miniature_suction cups and method and apparatus for making same patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.04236 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
||
