Beds – Support means for discrete portion of user – useable with bed... – For head or neck
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-12
2001-11-06
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Support means for discrete portion of user, useable with bed...
For head or neck
C005S636000, C005S904000, C174S257000, C174S128100, C362S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311350
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to interactive fabric articles such as pillows, t-shirts and other fabric articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to interactive fabric articles having conductive composition used as a portion of a switch in an electrical system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conductive compositions have been developed for various purposes including facilitating electrostatic discharge and as a current transfer medium on printed circuit boards. Recently, conductive compositions have been used, instead of conventional wires, as part of an electrical system for conducting current from a power source to various current operated circuit components on a variety of objects such as wearing apparel, children's toys and books.
Examples of desirable electrical systems that use conductive compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,455,749 and 5,626,948. The '749 patent discloses electrical systems that include a power source, one or more circuit components such as an LED or a sound chip, and conductive composition for connecting the power source to the circuit components so that current generated by the power supply can be delivered to such circuit components. In one embodiment, the conductive composition may be colored. In another embodiment, the conductive composition may form at least a portion of a design arranged on an object. In yet another embodiment, the conductive composition is sufficiently durable to withstand multiple washes without cracking, substantial resistance build up or other failure.
The '948 patent also discloses the use of conductive compositions as part of an electrical system on toys, clothing and other articles. It is particularly directed toward a “vertically conductive” composition that forms part of an electrical system where current is permitted to flow in a direction normal to the surface of an object on which the conductive composition is arranged, but is not permitted to flow through and along the conductive composition in a direction parallel to the surface of the article on which the conductive composition is arranged. The vertically conductive composition of the '948 patent is particularly useful where colored conductive compositions are desired.
Although various efforts have been made to develop conductive compositions that can be used as part of an electrical system for consumer and industrial products, the prior art does not disclose, teach or suggest in any way that such conductive compositions can be used as part of a switch for fabric articles where such conductive composition is arranged in registration with a design on the surface of the fabric article. The present invention addresses the aforementioned shortcomings and needs of the prior art.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to an interactive pillow comprising a first fabric portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. A design may be arranged on the outer surface of the first fabric portion. A substrate including a printed circuit pattern is preferably arranged inside the pillow and is normally spaced from the first fabric portion. A battery and a circuit component are connected to the printed circuit pattern of the substrate. Conductive composition is arranged between the inner surface of the first fabric portion and the printed circuit pattern in registration with both the design and the printed circuit pattern so that an external forced applied to the design will cause contact between the conductive composition and the printed circuit pattern. Such contact will permit current to flow from the battery through the printed circuit pattern to activate the circuit component.
In a preferred embodiment, the circuit component may comprise a sound chip. In another preferred embodiment, the circuit component may comprise a light emitting diode (LED). In still other preferred embodiments, the circuit component may comprise various additional active or inactive current operated modules including but not limited to integrated circuits, transmitters, capacitors, inductors, resistors, etc.
The substrate on which the printed circuit pattern is arranged may be made of natural or synthetic fabric, various polymers, fiberglass or other materials suitable to support a printed circuit pattern. In one preferred embodiment, the substrate comprise a second fabric portion normally spaced from the first fabric portion of the interactive pillow.
It is preferable for the conductive composition to comprise a conductive ink. However, other conductive compositions may be used in accordance with the present invention such as conductive paint, various conductive pastes and the like.
In one preferred embodiment, the conductive composition is arranged directly on the inner surface of the first fabric portion underlying the design on the outer surface thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the conductive composition is impregnated through the first fabric portion so that it is present on both the outer and inner surfaces thereof. In yet another preferred embodiment, the conductive composition is not directly arranged on the first fabric portion. Instead, it may be arranged on an insert placed between the inner surface of the first fabric portion and the printed circuit pattern of the substrate.
In the embodiment where an insert carrying the conductive composition is arranged between the inner surface of the first fabric portion and the printed circuit pattern of the substrate, such insert may comprise fabric, fiberglass, plastic or various other synthetic and naturally occurring materials.
The conductive composition may be substantially or entirely colorless. In other embodiments, the conductive composition may comprise a metallic color, may be substantially black, or may comprise various other colors without limitation.
The interactive pillow preferably comprises a spacing substrate arranged between the inner surface of the first fabric portion and the substrate carrying the printed circuit pattern. The spacing substrate may have one or more openings in registration with the conductive composition and a selected portion of the printed circuit pattern. The spacing substrate may comprise fabric. Alternatively, the spacing substrate may comprise cured nonconductive ink or various other substantially nonconductive materials that separate the conductive composition from the printed circuit pattern. In another embodiment, the printed circuit pattern on the substrate may also comprise a conductive composition.
In other preferred embodiments, the present invention may comprise fabric articles, other than interactive pillows, that have the same features as the pillow embodiment discussed above. Such fabric articles may comprise, for example, various types of clothing, furniture, toys, games and other articles.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when considered in view of the following detailed description and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4862438 (1989-08-01), Fry
patent: 5072429 (1991-12-01), Mair
patent: 5371326 (1994-12-01), Clearwaters-Dreager et al.
patent: 5371657 (1994-12-01), Wiscombe
patent: 5455749 (1995-10-01), Ferber
patent: 5626948 (1997-05-01), Ferber et al.
patent: 5973420 (1999-10-01), Kaiserman et al.
patent: 6081949 (2000-07-01), Delicia
Kaiserman Terrance Z.
Margolin Keith J.
Ferber Technologies L.L.C.
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
Trettel Michael F.
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