Patent ID: 8732987
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: A41D,A43B,A63H,F15B

Abstract:
1. A method for operating an air-powered actuator system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) collapsing repeatedly a first air cavity defined in a bladder coupled to an article of manufacture, each collapse expelling a portion of a first quantity of air contained within said first air cavity; and (b) expanding repeatedly said first air cavity; and (c) initiating, responsive to each said collapsing step (a), a transfer of each portion of air towards a second air cavity included within an air-actuated active generally clamshell-shaped element coupled to said article of manufacture, said clamshell-shaped element having a first portion, a second portion, and a hinging portion moveably coupling said first portion to said second portion wherein said first portion moves relative to said second portion about said hinging portion when inflating and deflating, each said portion of air flowing in a flexible conduit connecting said first air cavity to said second air cavity with said portion of air flowing in said flexible conduit beginning a transition of said air-actuated active element from a biasedly-folded closed mode towards an unfolded open mode, said biasedly-folded closed mode having said second air cavity substantially deflated and said open mode having said second air cavity at least partially inflated and unfolded.