Appeal No. 2003-0121
Application No. 09/143,318
the instant invention forms at least one of these components of
an insulating material so as to prevent formation of a current
path without the need for an additional insulator between the
conductor and the ultrasonic motor.
Representative independent claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. In an electrical apparatus having a power supply for
supplying power to an electrical device and a movable member
driven by an ultrasonic motor, the ultrasonic motor being mounted
to a conductive member through which a power supply current is
passed from the power supply to the electrical device, the
ultrasonic motor comprising: a driving circuit for producing an
oscillatory wave; a power source for powering the driving
circuit; a piezoelectric element driven by the driving circuit to
undergo vibration, the piezoelectric element and the driving
circuit cooperating to form a self-oscillation circuit; an
oscillating member in contact with the piezoelectric element for
oscillating in response to vibration of the piezoelectric
element; a moving body contacting the oscillating member to
undergo movement in response to oscillation of the oscillating
member; and a pressing mechanism for urging the moving body
against the oscillating member; wherein the ultrasonic motor is
mounted to the conductor such that a current path would exist
between the conductor and an electrode of the piezoelectric
element if the components of the ultrasonic motor were formed of
conductive materials, and at least one of the oscillating member,
the pressing mechanism and the moving body which could, if formed
of a conductor, provide the current path between the conductor
and the electrode of the piezoelectric element is formed of an
insulating material so as to prevent formation of the current
path without the need for an additional insulator between the
conductor and the ultrasonic motor.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Tokusima et al. (Tokusima) 4,562,373 Dec. 31, 1985
-2–
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