Stylus Having a Flexibly-Resilient Tip
A stylus has a first end and a flexibly-resilient tip disposed at that first end. By one approach this tip is seamlessly connected to the stylus and thereby affords a fully-sealed connection that prevents contaminants from entering the stylus via the tip. The stylus can further include a pressure-sensitive sensor disposed therein that is configured to sense compression of the flexibly-resilient tip. If desired, the stylus can also include a wireless transmitter that operably couples to the pressure-sensitive sensor and that is configured to transmit information in response to sensed tip compression.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a stylus having a first end;
a flexibly-resilient tip disposed at the first end of the stylus.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexibly resilient tip is comprised, at least in part, of thermoplastic polyurethane.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tip is seamlessly connected to the stylus.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tip connects to the stylus via a sealed connection.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sealed connection comprises a fully-sealed connection.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a pressure-sensitive sensor disposed within the stylus and configured to sense compression of the tip.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:
a wireless transmitter operably coupled to the pressure-sensitive sensor and configured to transmit information in response to sensing compression of the tip.
8 . The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:
a non-flexible member connected to the tip and disposed within the stylus and configured to contact the pressure-sensitive sensor at least when the tip is compressed.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tip is molded to the stylus.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tip is bonded to the stylus.
11 . A pressure-sensitive stylus comprising:
a stylus body;
a flexibly-resilient tip connected at one end of the stylus body using a fully-sealed connection;
a pressure sensor disposed within the stylus body and configured to sense temporary deformation of the flexibly-resilient tip when the flexibly-resilient tip is pressed against a work surface during use of the pressure-sensitive stylus;
a wireless transmitter disposed within the stylus body and configured to respond to the pressure sensor.
12 . The pressure-sensitive stylus of claim 11 wherein the flexibly-resilient tip is comprised, at least in part, of thermoplastic polyurethane.
13 . The pressure-sensitive stylus of claim 12 wherein the pressure sensor is particularly sensitive to axial deformation of the flexibly-resilient tip.
14 . The pressure-sensitive stylus of claim 13 wherein the pressure sensor is particularly sensitive to axial compression of the flexibly-resilient tip.