Patent ID: 6267014
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: G01L

Abstract:
Apparatus for sensing loading applied to a surface, comprising:a platen providing a continuous, unapertured surface which is stiff relative to loads being detected;a load receiving sheet extending over the platen surface and having an outer load receiving surface;a layer of deformable material separating and capable of contacting both the platen surface and the load receiving sheet and which is compressed in thickness when said loads are applied to the sheet;one of said platen or load receiving sheet being a transparent member,said layer of deformable material being provided within regularly spaced voids such that the deformable material bulges into said voids when compressed across its thickness, and such that the deformable material has an area of contact with the transparent member which increases as the deformable material is compressed in thickness;and said apparatus including means viewing a region of said deformable material layer through a surface of said transparent member, which region has a plurality of said voids, said viewing means detecting local increases in said area of contact between the deformable material and the transparent member caused by loading of the load receiving sheet.