Patent US3704683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3704683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual communication apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A visual communication apparatus of primarily synthetic resin material and including a plurality of pivotable mirrored surfaces operated by a single actuator to cause the mirrored surfaces to pivot from a usual misaligned position to an aligned position whereby light may be reflected. A spring biases the mirrored surfaces to the misaligned position. A light source and a sight may be included as convenient accessories.
Inventors
- 👤 E John Summersby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/50; G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S40/00; Y10S40/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A visual communication apparatus comprising: a housing including two side walls, bottom and top walls, each of said side walls having a plurality of aligned openings; a plurality of mirrored surfaced pivotally connected to said housing and adapted to be pivoted between a position whereby said mirrored surfaces are aligned in a plane to transmit a signal by reflecting light and a position whereby said mirrored surfaces are misaligned; means supported by said housing and connected to said mirrored surfaces for pivoting said mirrored surfaces in a preselected manner, the pivoting means including a reciprocating actuator comprising a plunger integral with an elongated element having a shoulder and a plurality of aligned openings, said pivoting means further including a plurality of plates to which the mirrored surfaces are connected, each plate having integral oppositely disposed laterally extending arms and an integral third arm extending essentially perpendicular to said laterally extending arms, said laterally extending arms being received by the openings of said housing side walls and said third arm being received by the openings of said elongated element; and means connected to said housing for biasing said mirrored surfaces to said misaligned position, the biasing means comprising a spring bearing against the bottom wall of said housing and said elongated element whereby depressing said plunger pivots the mirrored surfaces to an aligned position and releasing said plunger allows said spring to bias said mirrored surfaces to a misaligned position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A visual communication apparatus comprising: a housing including two side walls, bottom and top walls, each of said side walls having a plurality of aligned openings; a plurality of mirrored surfaced pivotally connected to said housing and adapted to be pivoted between a position whereby said mirrored surfaces are aligned in a plane to transmit a signal by reflecting light and a position whereby said mirrored surfaces are misaligned; means supported by said housing and connected to said mirrored surfaces for pivoting said mirrored surfaces in a preselected manner, the pivoting means including a reciprocating actuator comprising a plunger integral with an elongated element having a shoulder and a plurality of aligned openings, said pivoting means further including a plurality of plates to which the mirrored surfaces are connected, each plate having integral oppositely disposed laterally extending arms and an integral third arm extending essentially perpendicular to said laterally extending arms, said laterally extending arms being received by the openings of said housing side walls and said third arm being received by the openings of said elongated element; and means connected to said housing for biasing said mirrored surfaces to said misaligned position, the biasing means comprising a spring bearing against the bottom wall of said housing and said elongated element whereby depressing said plunger pivots the mirrored surfaces to an aligned position and releasing said plunger allows said spring to bias said mirrored surfaces to a misaligned position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a sight connected to said top wall for aiding the aiming of said mirrored surfaces and thereby the transmitted signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a source of light and power supply connected to said housing to allow operation in the absence of sunlight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a sight connected to said top wall for aiding the aiming of said mirrored surfaces and thereby the transmitted signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
A visual communication apparatus comprising: a hand holdable housing having a bottom wall and two side walls, each side wall having a plurality of openings; a plurality of plates, each plate including a mirrored surface and two integral oppositely disposed arms, said arms being received within the openings of said housing walls to allow the mirrored surfaces to be pivoted between an aligned position whereby a signal may be transmitted and a misaligned position, each plate also having a third integral arm extending generally perpendicular to the first mentioned two arms; an actuator including an integral plunger and an elongated plate having a plurality of aligned openings, each opening receiving a third arm from a corresponding mirrored surface; and spring means positioned between said bottom wall and a portion of said actuator for biasing said actuator to an upward position thereby causing said mirrored surfaces to be in said misaligned position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
A visual communication apparatus comprising: a hand holdable housing having a bottom wall and two side walls, each side wall having a plurality of openings; a plurality of plates, each plate including a mirrored surface and two integral oppositely disposed arms, said arms being received within the openings of said housing walls to allow the mirrored surfaces to be pivoted between an aligned position whereby a signal may be transmitted and a misaligned position, each plate also having a third integral arm extending generally perpendicular to the first mentioned two arms; an actuator including an integral plunger and an elongated plate having a plurality of aligned openings, each opening receiving a third arm from a corresponding mirrored surface; and spring means positioned between said bottom wall and a portion of said actuator for biasing said actuator to an upward position thereby causing said mirrored surfaces to be in said misaligned position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said spring means is a curved metal wire having one end portion in contact with the bottom wall and the other end portion in contact with said elongated plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said housing includes a top wall having a slot through which said plunger moves responsive to an operator''s finger.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |