Coupling device and smart fabric system

{
  "publication_number": "US10731690B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Coupling device and smart fabric system",
  "abstract": "An electromagnetic coupling device. The coupling device has a device body and at least one tongue member protruding from the device body. The tongue member has one or more ferro-magnetic engagement means provided thereon. At least one tongue member receiving means is provided on or defined by the device body and at least one electromagnet is provided substantially adjacent the receiving means. The engagement means provided on the tongue member of a second electromagnetic coupling device may be accommodated within the receiving means of the device body. The electromagnet is operable to cause the engagement means of the tongue member of the said second electromagnetic coupling device to substantially resist or prevent movement of the said tongue member within the receiving means.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electromagnetic coupling device, the coupling device comprising: a device body; a first tongue member protruding from the device body, the first tongue member having a first ferro-magnetic engagement means provided thereon; a tongue member receiving means provided on or defined by the device body; and an electromagnet provided substantially adjacent the tongue member receiving means; wherein a second ferro-magnetic engagement means provided on a second tongue member of a second electromagnetic coupling device may be accommodated within the tongue member receiving means of the device body, and wherein the electromagnet is operable to cause the second ferro-magnetic engagement means to substantially resist movement of the second tongue member within the tongue member receiving means.",
    "2. The electromagnetic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the first tongue member is hingedly connected to the device body.",
    "3. The electromagnetic coupling device of claim 1, wherein a textured surface is provided within the tongue member receiving means to provide enhanced frictional contact between the second ferro-magnetic engagement means and the tongue member receiving means.",
    "4. The electromagnetic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the second ferro-magnetic engagement means is housed within locking recesses provided on the second tongue members and is biased to remain within the locking recesses unless the electromagnet is activated.",
    "5. The electromagnetic coupling device of claim 1, wherein the second ferro-magnetic engagement means is housed within locking recesses provided on the second tongue member, biased outwardly from the locking recesses, and retractable within the locking recesses upon activation of the electromagnet.",
    "6. The electromagnetic coupling device of claim 1, wherein a resistance of movement may be varied via a change in a magnetic force applied by the electromagnet.",
    "7. A coupling device, the coupling device comprising: a device body; a first tongue member protruding from the device body; and a receiver provided on or defined by the device body; wherein a second tongue member of a second coupling device may be accommodated within the receiver of the device body, and wherein the second tongue member is at least partially flexible relative to the device body and/or at least partially moveable within the receiver, and wherein the second tongue member is mechanically engaged with the receiver.",
    "8. The coupling device of claim 7, wherein a textured surface is provided within the receiver to provide enhanced frictional contact between the second tongue member and the receiver.",
    "9. The coupling device of claim 7, wherein a retaining component is provided on the second tongue member and/or on the receiver; the retaining component being operable to both afford movement of the second tongue member in the receiver within predefined spatial limits and prevent the second tongue member from decoupling from the receiver; wherein the coupling device and the second coupling device are thereby separable and rotatable relative to each other within the predefined spatial limits afforded by the retaining component.",
    "10. The coupling device of claim 7, wherein a hole or dimple is provided within the receiver to lock an engagement component.",
    "11. The coupling device of claim 10, wherein the engagement component is housed within a locking recess provided on the first tongue member until activation.",
    "12. The coupling device of claim 10, wherein the engagement component is hingedly connected to the first tongue member and biased to remain attached on the first tongue member until activation.",
    "13. The coupling device of claim 10, wherein the engagement component is mechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically manipulated into or out of engagement with tongue member receiver."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The use, operation and application of coupling devices and smart fabrics are relevant, but in no way limited, to the brace devices and spinal support devices disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/147,231, entitled “Dynamically Reactive Spinal Support System”, filed on Aug. 1, 2011 as a National Stage application of PCT/US2010/055043 and claiming priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/257,793 filed on Nov. 3, 2009, and in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/195,826, also entitled “Dynamically Reactive Spinal Support System”, filed on Aug. 1, 2011 as a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 13/147,231; these disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.\n\nThis invention relates to an electromagnetic coupling device and to a smart fabric formed from the interconnection of a plurality of the coupling devices.\n\nAccording to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electromagnetic coupling device, the coupling device comprising:\n\nTypically the at least one tongue member is hingedly connected to the device body. Preferably, a textured surface is provided within the tongue member receiving means to provide enhanced frictional contact between the engagement means and the receiving means. Typically, the engagement means are housed within locking recesses provided on the tongue members and biased to remain within the recesses unless the electromagnets are activated. Alternatively, the engagement means may be biased outwardly from the recesses and retracted within the recesses upon activation of the electromagnets.",
  "cpc": [
    "A41D 31/0005",
    "A61B 2562/046",
    "A61B 5/1126",
    "A61B 5/6802",
    "A61F 5/01",
    "A61F 5/02",
    "B32B 2437/00",
    "B32B 2535/00",
    "B32B 3/08",
    "B32B 5/02",
    "F16B 17/00",
    "Y10T 403/32098",
    "Y10T 428/239",
    "Y10T 428/249921"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A41D 31/00",
    "A61B 5/00",
    "A61B 5/11",
    "A61F 5/01",
    "A61F 5/02",
    "B32B 3/08",
    "B32B 5/02",
    "F16B 17/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Arthur L. Jenkins, III"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-10-25",
  "publication_date": "2020-08-04",
  "grant_date": "2020-08-04",
  "priority_date": "2012-10-25",
  "application_number": "US-201314438560-A",
  "family_id": "50545296",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US5176106A",
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    "US20060080812A1",
    "US20080110050A1",
    "US20060236509A1",
    "US20100055043A1",
    "EP2185260A2",
    "US8551030B2",
    "US8708940B2",
    "WO2012034561A2",
    "US20130276218A1"
  ]
}