| A tape measure is an example of a coilable support. It coils into a tight package that can fit in a pocket or a tool pouch. However, when it is needed to measure, it uncoils into a member rigid enough to support its own weight. Our coilable supports have been designed to support (carry) a payload at its tip. |  |
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Returning the to the tape measure example. Not only is it a very limited support, but if a tape measure that has been unfurled as a cantilever several feet were turned upside-down, that cantilever would crash onto the floor. However, in many of our coilable supports, the unfurled support becomes a rigid boom in all directions. |
There are many examples of products that use the telescoping concept. These products are collapsed by nesting the telescoping elements together while a rigid boom is configured when are extended and locked together nearly end to end. Common examples of telescoping supports are telescope, collapsible umbrellas, microphone booms and collapsible tri-pods. Coilable supports can serve the same functions as telescoping supports, but they have more advantages:
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Collapsed coilable supports tend to be less elongated than collapsed telescoping supports. These "rounder" dimensional aspects tend to be easy to stow or to design into systems. |
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Often the collapsed coilable supports will have a smaller volume compared with a collapsed telescoping supports of similar extended characteristics. |
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Coilable supports can be unfurled smoothly while telescoping supports must have some discontinuity in unfurling. The smooth furling feature allows coilable supports to be motorized and ultimately computerized. Thus they can be used to create large-envelope robotics. Also they can be manually cranked or racketed out and in, giving a user much tighter control with only one hand. |
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Coilable supports can be designed to turn corners while telescoping supports can not. |
Often a carpenter can measure a dimension that he or she is not tall enough to reach by simply using a tape measure. They will unfurl their tape measure such that it turns a corner at one vertex. This is done by using the measured structure (i.e. a door jamb) to cause the tape to turn a corner. A simple device could be created for any tape measure that allowed the unfurled tape to turn corners self-sufficiently (free-standing or without external influence). There made be a very small need for such a device that could easily accomplish free-standing corner-turning for a tape measure, but it does not appear to be very marketable. However, we design our coilable supports which carry pay-loads to turn corners and this is extremely valuable.
Robots (with large working envelopes where payload (end-effecter) weights are low):
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Audio Capture (In the recording industry they affirm, "An inch is worth $1,000"*) |
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3-D Printing |
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Small Parts Sorting (Warehousing) |
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Video Camera |
Grabber for wheelchair users.
Wearable booms for multi-tasking boom operators (i.e.: reporters)
Aid in tree-top or mountain exploration.
Search and rescue, especially for moving through rubble or caves.
Inspection with various sensors (video, ultrasonic, moisture and temperature) in hard to reach places, especially ductwork or piping.
We are working on some very exciting corner-turning, coilable support designs. To receive press releases when our products are premiered submit this form or just email: coilable@redeemingtime.com.