Appeal 2006-2730
Application 10/415,631
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellants invented an actuating member with a body of elastomeric
material with an electrode disposed on opposite sides of the body.
Specifically, the elastomeric material comprises a waved surface. The
waved surface, among other things, improves transverse stiffness,
longitudinal flexibility, and distributes electrical voltage uniformly over the
entire surface of the body. Claim 11 is illustrative:
11. An actuating member comprising:
an elastomeric body having generally opposed boundary
surfaces, each boundary surface including an electrode arrangement
thereon;
at least a portion of at least one of the boundary surfaces having
a waved area defined by extremes of height and depth extending
approximately parallel to a transverse direction defined by the body,
the waved area being at least partially covered by an electrode
forming part of the electrode arrangement;
at least a portion of the extremes being fully covered by the
electrode; and
the electrode being continuous over the waved area,
wherein the waved area is formed on the elastomeric body prior
to the elastomeric body being at least partially covered by the
electrode.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art reference to show
unpatentability:
Pelrine US 6,376,971 B1 Apr. 23, 2002
(filed Jul. 20, 2000)
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