US3906971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aids for the visually handicapped
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-26
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1991-02-26
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an aid for the visually handicapped which provides the user with the ability to sense standing bodies of water or other liquids.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray Burnstine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:24
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45B; A45B3/00; A45B3/02; A45B3/04; A61; A61H; A61H3/00; A61H3/06; A61H3/068; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S135/00; Y10S135/911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An aid for the visually handicapped comprising buoyant means adapted for mounting on the terminal portion of a cane shaft, said buoyant means comprising: (A) two longitudinally mating halves defining together a form stable buoyant structure having a longitudinal bore therethrough, said bore being adapted to engage a cane shaft at the terminal portion thereof and said buoyant structure having sufficient buoyancy to convey a perceptible tactile stimulus through a cane shaft when brought into contact with a standing body of water, and (B) means to urge said mating halves of said buoyant structure together so as to bind said halves to the cane shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An aid for the visually handicapped comprising buoyant means adapted for mounting on the terminal portion of a cane shaft, said buoyant means comprising: (A) two longitudinally mating halves defining together a form stable buoyant structure having a longitudinal bore therethrough, said bore being adapted to engage a cane shaft at the terminal portion thereof and said buoyant structure having sufficient buoyancy to convey a perceptible tactile stimulus through a cane shaft when brought into contact with a standing body of water, and (B) means to urge said mating halves of said buoyant structure together so as to bind said halves to the cane shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The aid of claim 1 wherein said buoyant structure is composed of a form stable polymeric closed cell foam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The aid of claim 1 wherein said means of (B) comprises, in combination, a circumferential groove disposed about the external surface of said mating halves, said groove being oriented in a substantially normal plane relative to the longitudinal axis of the bore; and a resilient ceinture adapted to nest in said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The aid of claim 1 wherein the parting surfaces of said halves are keyed to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The aid of claim 1 wherein said buoyant means is bell-shaped.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The aid of claim 1 having a weight of less than about 1 1/2 ounces and each of whose major dimensions is no greater than about 3 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a cane for the visually handicapped the improvement which comprises a buoyant means affixed to the terminal portion of the cane shaft, said buoyant means comprising: (A) two longitudinally mating halves defining together a form stable buoyant structure having a longitudinal bore therethrough, said bore engaging said cane shaft and said buoyant structure having sufficient buoyancy to convey a perceptible tactile stimulus through said cane shaft when brought into contact with a standing body of water; and (B) means to urge said mating halves of said buoyant structure together so as to bind said halves to said cane shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a cane for the visually handicapped the improvement which comprises a buoyant means affixed to the terminal portion of the cane shaft, said buoyant means comprising: (A) two longitudinally mating halves defining together a form stable buoyant structure having a longitudinal bore therethrough, said bore engaging said cane shaft and said buoyant structure having sufficient buoyancy to convey a perceptible tactile stimulus through said cane shaft when brought into contact with a standing body of water; and (B) means to urge said mating halves of said buoyant structure together so as to bind said halves to said cane shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cane of claim 7 wherein the tipmost portion of said buoyant means is located within about three inches of the terminus of the cane tip.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |