Patent ID: 6321605
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: A61B,G01L

Abstract:
Apparatus for sensing loading applied to a surface, comprising:a platen providing a continuous surface which is stiff relative to the loads being detected;a load receiving sheet extending over the platen surface and having an outer surface exposed to said loads;separator means having regularly spaced apertures or gaps lying between the load receiving sheet and the platen, said separator means being thin enough that loads to be detected applied to the outer surface of the load receiving sheet cause areas of the load receiving sheet or parts of an unapertured deformable underlying layer which underlies the load receiving sheet to be pushed through said apertures or gaps into contact with the platen surface,one of said platen or said load receiving surface being transparent, and said apparatus including means viewing a region of said load receiving sheet or the underlying layer through a surface of said transparent, member, which region has a plurality of said apertures or gaps, said viewing means detecting areas of said load receiving sheet or of said underlying layer which have been pushed into contact with the platen surface.