Patents Assigned to Exponent, Inc.
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Patent number: 8147163Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting the motion of a vehicle comprising a housing having a cavity, the cavity adapted to contain a net so that the net may be made available for release on command; tire engagement spikes supported by the housing, the spikes being movable to a first position to engage the tires of an oncoming vehicle, the spikes also being movable to a second position to avoid tire engagement, the spikes being positioned to grasp the net when in the first position; and an actuator for moving the spikes between the first and the second positions on command, wherein the spikes comprise at least two barbs adapted to penetrate a pneumatic tire, the spikes also having a hook for grasping a loop of the leading edge of the net.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Cleve Ivan Bare, Brian John Smyth, John David Pye
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Patent number: 7936274Abstract: We have found that to effectively shield inductively coupled RFID systems, the shield does not have to be present on all the sides of the device. It is also not required that one side be covered completely. In fact, a shield of any shape that allows a current to flow in a closed loop may be enough to shield the RFID. The only requirement is that the back electromagnetic field (EMF) from the shield induces sufficient flux to cancel all or part of the magnetic flux coming from the reader. It is possible for the shield to work even if the induced flux is small: the shift in the self-inductance of the RFID or contactless card coil due to the presence of the material in the shield can be enough to cause a shift in a resonant frequency of the circuit and thus in the power delivered to the chip. The current invention is a shield that does not completely cover a smartcard or RFID tag and/or has a hole or void within the shield.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Exponent Inc.Inventors: Yakov Pytor Shkolnikov, Yanqing Du, Brad Alexander McGoran
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Patent number: 6899539Abstract: Wearable systems for providing situational awareness in battle or combat type conditions. More specially, modular, wearable, weapon integrated computer systems for gathering and transmitting data, wherein the systems include components tailorable for specific conditions or missions. Further provided are hardware and software for controlling such wearable systems and for communicating with remote system wearers.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2000Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence Stallman, Jack Tyrrell, Theodore Hromadka, III, Andrew Dobson, Neil Emiro, Dana Edwards
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Patent number: 6651482Abstract: An apparatus 10 for measuring and/or analyzing the rollover characteristics of a vehicle 12. Apparatus 10 includes a controller 14, a selectively movable test fixture assembly 16, a truck or towing vehicle 18 which is coupled to trailer assembly 16 and which selectively tows or drives assembly 16, several cameras 22, 24, 26 and 28, and a user interface 30. Vehicle 12 is attached to test fixture 16, and user interface 30 is used to activate motor assembly 36 which selectively rotates vehicle 12 to a desired roll angle 90 relative to the ground surface 43. Once vehicle 12 is correctly positioned, an operator drives truck 18 at a predetermined and desired speed. Controller 14 generates release signals to exploding bolts 86, 88, which simultaneously explode, thereby releasing vehicle 12 from frame 32.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Edward Moffatt, Eddie Cooper
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Patent number: 6643969Abstract: Aiming apparatus rotatably attachable to optical sights e.g. conventional optical or laser sights which selectively permits the aiming of a weapon from a variety of cover positions. More specifically, aiming apparatus which may be field switched from an “aim from cover” mode to a conventional aim mode and which is connectable to a weapon sight in a 360 degree rotatable manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventor: Petras V. Avizonis, Jr.
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Patent number: 6606813Abstract: Apparatus for mounting optical sights or other weapon accessories which locates the weapon accessories (e.g. optical sights, laser range finders, night scopes, etc.) at a reduced distance relative to the position of the barrel of a weapon.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Squire, Petras V. Avizonis, Jr., Attilio Gerald Scotese, Todd David Carey
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Patent number: 6349588Abstract: A system and corresponding method for bulge testing films (e.g. thin films, coatings, layers, etc.) is provided, as well as membrane structures for use in bulge testing and improved methods of manufacturing same so that resulting membrane structures have substantially identical known geometric and responsive characteristics. Arrayed membrane structures, and corresponding methods, are provided in certain embodiments which enable bulge testing of a film(s) over a relatively large surface area via a plurality of different freestanding membrane portions. Improved measurements of film bulging or deflection are obtained by measuring deflection of a center point of a film, relative to non-deflected peripheral points on the film being tested. Furthermore, membrane structures are adhered to mounting structure in an improved manner, and opaque coatings may be applied over top of film(s) to be bulge tested so that a corresponding optical transducer can more easily detect film deflection/bulging.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Exponent Inc.Inventors: Stuart B. Brown, Christopher L. Muhlstein, Kevin R. Lynch, Richard Mlcak, Paulo Jorge Furtado Correia
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Patent number: 6321594Abstract: A system and corresponding method for bulge testing films (e.g. thin films, coatings, layers, etc.) is provided, as well as membrane structures for use in bulge testing and improved methods of manufacturing same so that resulting membrane structures have substantially identical known geometric and responsive characteristics. Arrayed membrane structures, and corresponding methods, are provided in certain embodiments which enable bulge testing of a film(s) over a relatively large surface area via a plurality of different freestanding membrane portions. Improved measurements of film bulging or deflection are obtained by measuring deflection of a center point of a film, relative to non-deflected peripheral points on the film being tested. Furthermore, membrane structures are adhered to mounting structure in an improved manner, and opaque coatings may be applied over top of film(s) to be bulge tested so that a corresponding optical transducer can more easily detect film deflection/bulging.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Stuart B. Brown, Christopher L. Muhlstein, Kevin R. Lynch, Richard Mlcak, Paulo Jorge Furtado Correia
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Patent number: 6267011Abstract: A small punch test apparatus is used to determine true stress and true strain in a ductile polymeric material as it undergoes deformation by the punch head. The information gathered can be used comparatively to assess the acceptability of a body implant subjected to sterilization against similar information obtained on another implant of the same polymer already known to be acceptable.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Steven Michael Kurtz, Charles William Jewett, Jude Reynold Foulds
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Patent number: 6050138Abstract: A system and corresponding method for bulge testing films (e.g. thin films, coatings, layers, etc.) is provided, as well as membrane structures for use in bulge testing and improved methods of manufacturing same so that resulting membrane structures have substantially identical known geometric and responsive characteristics. Arrayed membrane structures, and corresponding methods, are provided in certain embodiments which enable bulge testing of a film(s) over a relatively large surface area via a plurality of different freestanding membrane portions. Improved measurements of film bulging or deflection are obtained by measuring deflection of a center point of a film, relative to non-deflected peripheral points on the film being tested. Furthermore, membrane structures are adhered to mounting structure in an improved manner, and opaque coatings may be applied over top of film(s) to be bulge tested so that a corresponding optical transducer can more easily detect film deflection/bulging.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Exponent, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Lynch, Richard Mlack, Paulo Jorge Furtado Correia, Stuart B. Brown, Christopher L. Muhlstein