Patents by Inventor William L. Maness

William L. Maness has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4856993
    Abstract: A contact sensor for detecting points on a grid where the sensor is being contacted on opposing sides by teeth surfaces or other contacting points. The sensor is especially useful for measuring dental occlusion. The contact sensor includes two sets of parallel electrodes which are each formed on a thin, flexible supporting sheet. The electrodes are separated by a thin, pressure-sensitive resistive coating such as molydenum disulphide. Two such electrode structures are oriented at approximately right angles to create a grid where the intersecting electrodes cross separated by the resistive coatings. Several arrangements of resistive coating over electrodes as disclosed. In the absence of an external force, the material between the electrodes sets provides a high resistance between intersecting electrodes. The resistance between electrode intersections changes as pressure on opposite sides of the intersection changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Tekscan, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Maness, Robert F. Golden, Michael H. Benjamin, Robert M. Podoloff
  • Patent number: 4734034
    Abstract: A contact sensor for detecting points on a grid where the sensor is being contacted on opposing sides by teeth surfaces or other contacting points. The contact sensor includes two sets of parallel electrodes which are each formed of a thin, flexible supporting sheet. The electrodes are coated with a thin, resistive coating. Two such electrode structures are oriented at approximately right angles to create a grid where the intersecting electrodes cross separated by the resistive coatings. The resistive coatings may be made from conventional resisitive inks and are optionally separated by a separation material, such as talcum or mesh. In the absence of an external force, the material between the electrodes sets provides a high resistance between intersecting electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Sentek, Incorporated
    Inventors: William L. Maness, Robert F. Golden, Michael H. Benjamin, Robert M. Podoloff
  • Patent number: D496181
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: William L Maness