(12) United States Patent
`Crosby et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,440.416 B2
`*Sep. 13, 2016
`
`USOO9440416B2
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`(73)
`
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`WEIGHT-BEARING ADHESIVES WITH
`ADJUSTABLE ANGLES
`
`Applicant: University of Massachusetts, Boston,
`MA (US)
`Inventors: Alfred J. Crosby, Amherst, MA (US);
`Daniel J. King, Sunderland, MA (US);
`Michael D. Bartlett, Sunderland, MA
`(US); Duncan J. Irschick, Amherst,
`MA (US)
`Assignee: University of Massachusetts, Boston,
`MA (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`Notice:
`
`Appl. No.: 14/172,939
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 5, 2014
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2014/0305569 A1
`Oct. 16, 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 61/761,292, filed on Feb.
`6, 2013.
`
`Int. C.
`FI6B 47/00
`A47G L/7
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`U.S. C.
`CPC. B32B 7/04 (2013.01); B32B 7/02 (2013.01);
`B32B33/00 (2013.01); C09J 7/02 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC ...... A47G 1/17: A47G 1/175; F16B 47/003;
`
`88:
`
`
`
`F16B 11/006; Y10T 24/33; Y10T 156/10;
`C09J 7/02: C09J 7/0207; C09J 7/0246;
`C09J 2201/28: C09J 220 1/606; C09J
`2201/618: C09J 2201/626
`USPC .......................................................... 156/297
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1,739,296 A 12, 1929. Du Pont
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`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`
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`6, 2004
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`(Continued)
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`in connection with Application No. PCT/US2011/057309.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Carson Gross
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks,
`P.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`The invention provides unique releasable adhesive devices
`that are high-load bearing and highly stable while allowing
`adjustment of the weight-bearing angle in a wide range,
`thereby greatly expanding the scope of applications for
`technology. Adhesive systems and devices of the invention
`can be designed to fit applications ranging from household
`weight-bearing shelves and holders, components for trans
`portation, athletic equipment, labels and advertising posts,
`automobile interior trims, permanent or reversible fasteners,
`as well as instruments and devices for industrial, commer
`cial, medical or military applications.
`
`55 Claims, 23 Drawing Sheets
`
`EX. 1021
`APPLE INC. / Page 1 of 35
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`

`US 9,440.416 B2
`Page 2
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`B32B 704
`C09J 7/02
`B32B 702
`B32B33/00
`FI6B II/OO
`52) U.S. C
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................. A47G 1/17 (2013.01); A47G 1/175
`(2013.01); F16B 11/006 (2013.01); F16B
`47/003 (2013.01); Y10T 156/10 (2015.01);
`Y10T 428/24025 (2015.01); Y10T 428/24967
`(2015.01); Y10T 428/2848 (2015.01)
`
`(56)
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`.
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`.
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`.
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`.
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`.
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`Manusch et al.
`Soderberg
`Brown et al.
`Riedel ..............
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`EX. 1021
`APPLE INC. / Page 2 of 35
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 23
`Sheet 1 of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
`
`
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`EX. 1021
`APPLEINC./ Page 3 of 35
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 23
`Sheet 2 of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 3 of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`Fabric
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`EX. 1021
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 4 of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 5 of 23
`Sheet S of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`F.G. 5
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`
`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 6 of 23
`Sheet 6 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
`APPLEINC./ Page 8 of 35
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 7 of 23
`Sheet 7 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
`APPLEINC./ Page 9 of 35
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 8 of 23
`Sheet 8 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
`APPLEINC. / Page 10 of 35
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 9 of 23
`Sheet 9 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 10 of 23
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`US 9,440.416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 11 of 23
`Sheet 11 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
`APPLEINC./ Page 13 of 35
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 12 of 23
`Sheet 12 of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`
`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
`
`Sheet 13 of 23
`Sheet 13 of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`
`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 14 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`FIG. 3 (cont'd)
`
`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 15 of 23
`Sheet 15 Of 23
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 16 of 23
`Sheet 16 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 17 Of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 18 of 23
`Sheet 18 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 19 Of 23
`Sheet 19 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 20 of 23
`Sheet 20 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 21 of 23
`Sheet 21 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`
`
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 22 of 23
`Sheet 22 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`
`
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`EX. 1021
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`U.S. Patent
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`
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`Sep. 13, 2016
`Sep. 13, 2016
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`Sheet 23 of 23
`Sheet 23 of 23
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`US 9,440,416 B2
`US 9,440,416 B2
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`EX. 1021
`APPLEINC./ Page 25 of 35
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`

`1.
`WEIGHT-BEARING ADHESIVES WITH
`ADJUSTABLE ANGLES
`
`US 9,440,416 B2
`
`2
`due to the irreversible (i.e. inelastic) materials processes that
`are used to produce high levels of tack.
`Much research has focused on the development of gecko
`like adhesive systems, in efforts to overcome some of the
`disadvantages of conventional PSAs. Some key attributes of
`both conventional PSAs and ideal gecko-like adhesives are
`provided in the following table:
`
`10
`
`Property
`
`Ideal
`Conventional PSA “Gecko-Like Adhesive
`
`PRIORITY CLAIMS AND RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 61/761,292, filed Feb. 6, 2013, the entire
`content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
`entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention generally relates to designs, devices, mate
`rials and methods useful for weight-bearing. More particu
`larly, the invention relates to adhesive devices that have
`adjustable angles of weight-bearing hinges, are highly
`stable, easily released, high load bearing and Suitable for
`extended/repeated use in a variety of applications.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are adhesives that
`form a bond when pressure is applied to marry the adhesive
`with the adherend. Conventional PSAs have found use in
`pressure sensitive tapes, labels, note pads, automobile inte
`rior trims, and a wide variety of other products. PSAs
`typically rely on ubiquitous Surface force interactions, such
`as van der Waals forces, to transfer stress across an interface.
`PSAs can adhere to a surface because the adhesive is soft
`enough to flow, or wet, the adherend. The adhesive needs to
`be hard enough to resist flow when stress is applied to the
`bond at the interface. PSAs exhibit viscoelastic (viscous and
`elastic) properties, both of which may be used for creating
`proper bonding.
`Conventional PSAs are mainly fabricated from soft, vis
`coelastic polymer materials (e.g., coatings), which are used
`either independently or in conjunction with a backing mate
`rial, such as a stiff film or cloth. To control the level of
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`adhesion, PSAs alter their bulk properties by relying upon a
`complex formulation of both elastic and Viscoelastic com
`ponents to delicately balance the ability of a material to form
`an interface (or “wet a surface') and the resistance to
`separation once the interface is formed. (Benedek, et al. Eds.
`2009 Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives and Prod
`ucts Series, CRC Press: Boca Raton, Pocius, 2002, Adhesion
`and Adhesives Technology. An Introduction, Hanser Publ.:
`Munich; Crosby, et al. 1999 J. Poly. Sci. Part B. Polym.
`Phys. 37, 24, 3455-3472: Creton, 2003 "Materials Science
`of Adhesives. How to Bond Things Together: "MRS Bulletin
`28, 6, 419–421; Creton, 2003 "Pressure-sensitive adhesives.
`An introductory course.' MRS Bulletin 28, 6, 434-439;
`Creton, et al. 2007 "Sticky Feet: From Animals to Materi
`als', MRS Bulletin 32, 6, all pages: Chan, et al. 2007
`55
`"Designing Model Systems for Enhanced Adhesion.' MRS
`Bulletin 32, 6, 496-503; Boesel, et al. 2010 Advanced
`Materials 22, 19, 2125-2137.)
`Among the various aspects of PSA designs, several fac
`tors are typically relevant and emphasized: (1) Conventional
`PSAs are viscoelastic to allow the polymer coating to
`conform easily with a rough surface while dissipating
`mechanical energy (i.e., pressure) that is required for con
`formality; (2) A measure for strong PSA materials is tack
`energy, which is the total energy dissipated during the
`separation of a PSA/substrate interface; (3) High tack PSAs
`are typically not conducive to multiple loading applications
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`Max Shear Stress
`Max Normal Stress
`Peel Resistance
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`High
`High
`High
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`High
`Energy of Separation
`Limited to None
`Reversibility
`Time/Temp Dependence High
`Impact of Fouling
`High
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`High
`High
`Low (after reaching
`critical peel angle)
`Low
`High
`Unknown
`Limited
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`Additionally, the adhesive Surface of geckos, and similar
`examples in Nature, is commonly described as “dry”, i.e.,
`that adhesion does not rely upon liquid interactions, liquid
`to-solid transitions like an epoxy, nor does the adhesive
`surface feel “tacky' to the touch like a conventional vis
`coelastic adhesive. Although such attributes are known and
`displayed in Nature, the primary design factors or mecha
`nisms that permit good control of properties is not known
`and remains the Subject of current research projects world
`wide. To our knowledge, the development of a synthetic
`analog to a gecko-like adhesive has not been demonstrated,
`in particular one that could be used on macroscopic length
`scales.
`A recent technological breakthrough was a class of elas
`tomer-based adhesive devices that have high load capacity,
`reusability, easy release and are suitable for extended and
`repeated use. (See, e.g., WO 2012/078249 (PCT/US2011/
`057309), which is expressly incorporated herein by refer
`ence in its entirety for all purposes.) While the technology
`substantially advances the state of the art in adhesive tech
`nology, there remains a significant and ongoing need for
`adhesive systems that allow adjustable weight-bearing
`angles, high-load bearing and highly stable, yet provide
`simple, non-damaging release and repeated use while being
`cost-effective to produce.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention provides unique releasable adhesive
`devices that are high-load bearing and highly stable while
`allowing adjustment of the weight-bearing angle in a wide
`range, thereby greatly expanding the scope of applications
`for technology. Adhesive systems and devices of the inven
`tion can be designed to fit applications ranging from house
`hold weight-bearing shelves and holders, components for
`transportation, athletic equipment, labels and advertising
`posts, automobile interior trims, permanent or reversible
`fasteners, as well as instruments and devices for industrial,
`commercial, medical or military applications.
`The adhesive devices disclosed herein generally have two
`or more adhesive pads per device for adhering to one or
`more target Surfaces. The unique designs take into consid
`eration of stiffness, location and degree of freedom in terms
`of how the adhesive pads, the tether components and weight
`bearing mechanisms are interconnected.
`In one aspect, the invention generally relates to a releas
`able, surface-adhesive device. The device includes: a first
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`adhesive pad, a second adhesive pad, a tether component,
`and a hinge component attached to the tether component.
`The first adhesive pad includes: a first planar backing layer
`having high in-plane stiffness; and a first planar layer of an
`elastic material having a first adhesive surface on at least one
`side for adhering to a first target Surface, wherein the elastic
`material is impregnated onto the first planar backing layer on
`at least the side opposing the first adhesive Surface. The
`second adhesive pad includes: a second planar backing layer
`having high in-plane stiffness (relative to pad compliance);
`and a second planar layer of an elastic material having a
`second adhesive Surface on at least one side for adhering to
`a second target Surface, wherein the elastic material is
`impregnated onto the second planar backing layer on at least
`the side opposing the second adhesive Surface. The tether
`component has a proximal end and a distal end, respectively
`attached to the first and second planar backing layers. The
`hinge is rotatable along at least one rotational axis resulting
`in the hinge component forming an angle with the tether
`component in the range from about 0° to about 180°.
`In another aspect, the invention generally relates to a
`releasable, surface-adhesive device. The device includes: a
`planar backing layer having high in-plane stiffness; a first
`layer of an elastic material having on one side a first
`adhesive Surface for adhering to a target Surface and on the
`other side impregnating into the planar backing layer, a
`second layer of an elastic material having on one side a
`second adhesive Surface for adhering to a target Surface and
`on the other side impregnating into the planar backing layer;
`and a hinge attached to the planar backing layer directly or
`via a rigid substrate.
`In yet another aspect, the invention generally relates to a
`method for releasably holding a weight. The method
`includes: providing a releasable, Surface-adhesive device
`according to disclosed; and attaching a weight to the device.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows schematic illustrations of exemplary
`embodiments of adhesive pads.
`FIG. 2 shows certain design factors and Schematic illus
`trations.
`FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary
`fabrication process.
`FIG. 4 shows schematic illustrations of various embodi
`ments of the invention for the pad-tether connection.
`FIG. 5 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 6 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 7 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 8 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 9 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 10 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
`FIG. 11 shows schematic illustrations of an exemplary
`embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device according to the
`invention.
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`4
`FIG. 12 schematically depicts adjustable weigh-bearing
`angles of an exemplary dual-pad adhesive device according
`to the invention.
`FIG. 13 schematically depicts exemplary embodiments of
`multiple (e.g., 4 or 5) adhesive-pad assemblies having
`adjustable weigh-bearing angles according to the invention.
`FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a four
`adhesive-pad assembly having adjustable weigh-bearing
`angles according to the invention.
`FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment of a dynamic,
`four adhesive-pad assembly having adjustable weigh-bear
`ing angles according to the invention.
`FIG. 16 schematically shows an exemplary assembly line
`roll-to-roll process for creating complex skin systems.
`FIG. 17 shows exemplary (top) results of a face down
`molding method and (bottom) back of the complex skin
`system, showing a rigid piece of polycarbonate with a metal
`hinge chemically attached.
`FIG. 18 shows an exemplary dual-pad adhesive device
`according to the invention.
`FIG. 19 schematically depicts an exemplary method for
`making a modular tendon.
`FIG. 20 shows an exemplary modular tendon with a large
`hole drilled for hanging.
`FIG. 21 shows a schematic illustration of available axes
`of rotation.
`FIG. 22 shows an exemplary adhesive device of the
`invention Supporting 5 lbs of weight as the Substrate is
`rotated about the X axis.
`FIG. 23 shows an exemplary adhesive device of the
`invention Supporting 5 lbs of weight as the Substrate is
`rotated about the Z axis.
`FIG. 24 shows an exemplary adhesive device of the
`invention Supporting 5 lbs of weight as the Substrate is
`rotated about the X and Z axes.
`FIG. 25 shows an exemplary adhesive device of the
`invention having two adhesive pads attached to an interme
`diate device consisting of a hinge.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The invention provides unique releasable adhesive
`devices, as well as related methods, that simultaneously
`enable adherence to two or multiple target surfaces of
`various nature, which enables reusabability, easy-release,
`and high load capacities for extended and repeated use.
`Adhesive systems and devices of the invention may be
`designed to fit a variety of utilities (e.g., household weight
`bearing shelves and holders, components for transportation,
`athletic equipment, labels and advertising posts, automobile
`interior trims, permanent or reversible fasteners, as well as
`instruments and devices for industrial, commercial, medical
`or military applications).
`The invention differs from prior art in the field of PSAs at
`least in that the present invention does not rely on viscoelas
`tic properties to achieve performance controls, as do PSAS.
`Designs and systems of the invention allow separation time
`and energy to be minimized, while maintaining the ability to
`Support extremely high-weight loads. In contrast to prior art
`in the development of gecko-type adhesives, the designs,
`systems and methods disclosed herein do not require the use
`of surface fibrillar structures to achieve desired attributes.
`Following the principles disclosed herein, one may mimic
`the engineering design of the toe and leg structures of
`common examples in Nature, Such as geckos in vertical
`climbing. Other key differences between the present inven
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`US 9,440,416 B2
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`tion and the prior art relate to, among others, the specific
`designation of rotational freedom at continuous junctions,
`specifications of stiffness in loading direction with low
`flexural rigidity perpendicular to Surface of elastic material,
`and the ability to achieve high capacity load Support under
`both normal and shear loading directions with near-Zero
`required “pre-load’ (referring to the amount of force that is
`required to establish the adhesive/substrate interface for
`Supporting a given load).
`As a component of the present invention, the adhesive pad
`system utilized herein employs a “dry” adhesive pad struc
`ture (sometimes referred to as a “T-pad'). The basic struc
`ture of the adhesive device is referred to as a “pad', which
`is Subsequently connected to a tether (e.g., a synthetic fabric
`tether, sometimes referred to as “tendon'). The tether should
`maintain high stiffness along the primary axis of loading.
`The connection between the tendon and the pad has pre
`defined dimensions, orientation, and spatial location,
`according to particular needs, that can be modified to control
`the release strategy and provide tolerated balance of shear
`and normal loading. Properly designed, the adhesive pad
`device can Support high loads under shear, normal, and
`multi-mode (i.e., peel) loadings while requiring minimal
`forces and energy for release (or separation) under specifi
`cally-designed release strategies.
`Two exemplary embodiments of adhesive pad devices are
`schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein (a) depicts an
`adhesive pad 1 having an adhesive surface 2 of a circular
`outer boundary 5. The adhesive pad is connected to a tether
`component 3 at line 4. Similarly, (b) depicts an adhesive pad
`10 having an adhesive surface 12 of a rectangular outer
`boundary 15. The adhesive pad is connected to a tether
`component 13 at line 14.
`Such adhesive pad design represents a unique combina
`tion of adhesion attributes of polymer materials and inte
`grated mechanical designs through proper conservation of
`rotational freedom, low flexural modulus normal to the
`adhesive interface, and high stiffness in load bearing direc
`tions. A scaling relationship has been developed by the
`inventors to provide a framework for understanding the
`adhesive performance of the materials devices over a range
`of size scales and geometries (FIG. 2). This scaling rela
`tionship Suggests that the adhesive capacity (F) of an
`interface is governed by three simple parameters, which are
`dependent on both the geometry and material properties of
`45
`the interface. To design reversible adhesives which can
`adhere to various substrates, the interfacial interactions (G)
`should rely upon non-specific van der Waals forces, render
`ing G, an ineffective control parameter. Therefore, to scale
`F for adhesive materials the material system must not just
`rely on area on contact (A) or the system compliance (C) but
`must develop attributes that increase the A/C ratio. This
`presents a challenge; materials must be soft to increase true
`contact but stiff to achieve high loads. Soft materials are able
`to create large-scale contact but have a high compliance
`when loaded, while stiff materials are unable to create
`extensive contact; both cases result in a null effect on the
`A/C ratio. The current invention provides a mechanism for
`maximizing A/C, and most importantly, tuning this govern
`ing parameter for different applications. As Schematically
`illustrated in FIG. 3, an efficient and effective fabrication
`method may be used to fabricate the Tpad. The method
`involves integrating a thin layer of an elastic elastomer into
`a surface of a fabric.
`The tether can be connected to the adhesive pad through
`any Suitable methods, such as conventional sewing, Stitch
`ing, or gluing, which allows easy control of dimensional,
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`orientational, and spatial location of the attachment. The
`attachment should provide Sufficient load sharing and load
`bearing capacity, which can be controlled through the Stitch
`ing pattern, width, and length. Appropriate Stitching patterns
`include straight Stitching, ZigZag Stitching, multi ZigZag.
`Stitch, satin Stitching, honeycomb Stitching, ladder Stitch,
`double overlock Stitch, and criss-cross Stitching.
`For example, a particularly advantageous tether-pad con
`nection is a straight-line Stitch that is centered on the one
`axis of the pad and extends to a length of approximately 2/3
`the chord length perpendicular the second pad axis. The
`tether-pad connection should maintain rotational freedom
`while maintaining high stiffness in the direction of loading.
`The tether-pad connection should preferably maintain equal
`load sharing along the entire length of the connection.
`One adhesive pad can act independently or in conjunction
`with an array of adhesive pads or units (sometimes referred
`to as a “T-surface'), which may be mounted with rotation
`ally-free joints to a Supporting Substrate that can be rigid in
`one or more directions, for example. For certain applica
`tions, e.g., a large weight bearing shelf, multiple attachment
`points for the tether to the adhesive pad may also be
`employed.
`FIG. 4 shows schematic illustrations of various adhesive
`pad configurations for the tether-pad connection. A single
`slab connection constitutes a continuous adhesive pad and
`Support backing, which can then be divided into a larger
`number of discrete adhesive pads and Support backings in
`which multiple tendons are used to create different configu
`rations (e.g., a gradient length series configuration). The
`tether attached to the adhesive pad allows for adjustment of
`the angle between the tether and the adhesive pad from about
`0° to about 359 (e.g., 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, 180°,
`210°, 240°, 270°, 300°, 330°).
`Referring to FIG. 5, a schematic illustration of an exem
`plary embodiment of a dual-pad adhesive device having
`adjustable weight-bearing angle is shown in a top view (a)
`and a side view (b). The adhesive device 101 includes a first
`adhesive pad 102, a second adhesive pad 103, a tether
`component 104, and a hinge component 105 attached to the
`tether component 104. A tendon component 109 is attached
`to the hinge component 105. The tendon component may be
`a modular easily releasable/replaceable from the hinge 105.
`As an exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive pad 102
`is in a rectangular shape with dimensions BxCxF. The
`second adhesive pad 103 is in a rectangular shape with
`dimension