US3733468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two track embossing product
Assignee: USBC OPERATING COMPANY Inc A DE CORP
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Filing: 1970-03-18
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1990-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing a matrix or similar structure adapted for being used to manually produce alpha-numerical characters in a form suitable for quick and accurate reading by a relatively simple optical scanner or similar device whereby each character is formed by manually tracing over a combination of traceways in the matrix and whereby each traceway is bounded by two rails or tracks, raised with respect to the traceway so as to guide the writer in manually following each traceway with a marker to form the alpha-numerical characters so that the characters can be manually produced quickly, accurately and easily. The tracks or rails can be themselves elevated or the traceway can be formed as a groove in paper or other medium. The two raised tracks or the groove can be formed on paper or other medium by thermographic processes, reverse intaglio, blind embossing, intaglio printing, dye stamping, impressing hot or cold rolling die against a paper or foil printing as discussed below.
Inventors
- 👤 D Eberly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A combination for use in manually forming alpha-numerical characters with marking means comprising: a relatively flat medium, and a plurality of traceways on said medium each being a roughly straight line having a roughly uniform width and defining a matrix so that different characters can be formed by manually tracing with said marking means over certain combinations of said traceways, each said traceway including and being bounded by two traceway portions having a higher elevation than the portion of said traceway covered by said marking means for guiding said marker in tracing over that traceway, and each traceway portion being a raised mound of ink rising above the level of the surrounding medium to an extent sufficient to yield discernible resistance to deviation of said marker from said traceway and extending roughly parallel to that line at the extremities of said width so as to define a groove between said mounds to be covered by said marking means as it is manually moved along said traceway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A combination for use in manually forming alpha-numerical characters with marking means comprising: a relatively flat medium, and a plurality of traceways on said medium each being a roughly straight line having a roughly uniform width and defining a matrix so that different characters can be formed by manually tracing with said marking means over certain combinations of said traceways, each said traceway including and being bounded by two traceway portions having a higher elevation than the portion of said traceway covered by said marking means for guiding said marker in tracing over that traceway, and each traceway portion being a raised mound of ink rising above the level of the surrounding medium to an extent sufficient to yield discernible resistance to deviation of said marker from said traceway and extending roughly parallel to that line at the extremities of said width so as to define a groove between said mounds to be covered by said marking means as it is manually moved along said traceway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said medium is paper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said matrix is comprised of 16 roughly straight traceways, eight forming a square with two traceways per side, 4 connecting the center of said square to roughly the midpoints of the sides of said square and four connecting the center of said square to the corners of said square.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination as in claim 3 wherein the traceways do not contact each other but leave spaces between them for rounding said characters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said marking means deposits material on said traceways having a reflective character differing substantially from the reflective character of said traceway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as in claim 5 wherein said material deposited by said marking means is reflective ink and said traceways are non-reflective.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as in claim 5 wherein said material deposited by said marking means is non-reflective ink and said traceways are reflective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein the height of the top of said portions above the portion of said traceway covered by said marking means is roughly 0.005 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US495341A
Cited
GB327963A
Cited
US1887161A
Cited
US2963220A
Cited
US3063164A
Cited
US3284929A
Cited
GB1168235A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |