Patent US3916401A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3916401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of reminding and apparatus for its practice
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-12-10
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A method, and the apparatus for its practice, of automatically reminding a person to wipe his or her feet at the entrance to a home or establishment, including employing a visual sign, with or without an audible signal, with switch means to strikingly present a lighted message proximate to the doorway. The method is operable either by an inhabitant or a visitor, the context of the sign effectively inducing the person to perform the act of wiping his feet prior to entrance. Furthermore, this method innocuously and automatically reminds either an inhabitant or visitor of the necessity of wiping his or her feet without any verbal intervention by the party interested in the performance of this social grace.
Inventors
- 👤 Harrod E Freeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:13
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B7/00; G08B7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of inducing one arriving at an entranceway to wipe one''s feet on a mat, proximate and exterior to said entranceway, comprising the steps of: A. locating a mat exterior and proximate to an entranceway into a building structure, and; B. generating, by electrical circuit means, an electrical signal in response to the presence of one standing upon said mat, and; C. transmitting said electrical signal to a visual message presenting means mounted on an exterior wall of said building, proximate said entranceway, and; D. illuminating, at said visual message present means, a visual message, said message comprising the wiping of one''s feet, in response to said generated signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
The method of inducing one arriving at an entranceway to wipe one''s feet on a mat, proximate and exterior to said entranceway, comprising the steps of: A. locating a mat exterior and proximate to an entranceway into a building structure, and; B. generating, by electrical circuit means, an electrical signal in response to the presence of one standing upon said mat, and; C. transmitting said electrical signal to a visual message presenting means mounted on an exterior wall of said building, proximate said entranceway, and; D. illuminating, at said visual message present means, a visual message, said message comprising the wiping of one''s feet, in response to said generated signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said signal means is generated by sensing the arrival of another person, within the said building, at the interior of said entranceway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said signal is generated by the weight of said one upon said mat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said signal is generated by the actuation of a doorbell mounted exterior to said building and proximate to said doorway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said generated electrical signal also actuates audible signal means within said visible message presenting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination is an external illumination of fluorescent letters comprising said message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said illumination is through a plate, said plate having perforations comprising letters of said message.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
An automatic reminder to induce one, proximate and exterior to an entranceway, to wipe one''s feet, comprising: A. a mat located exterior and proximate to an entranceway, and; B. electrical signal generating means activated in response to the presence of one upon said mat, and; C. electrical circuit means interconnecting said signal generating means to a visual message presenting means proximate said entranceway, and; D. said visual message presenting means further comprising illuminating means to illuminate a visual message, comprising thE wiping of one''s feet, in response to a signal generated by said signal generating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
An automatic reminder to induce one, proximate and exterior to an entranceway, to wipe one''s feet, comprising: A. a mat located exterior and proximate to an entranceway, and; B. electrical signal generating means activated in response to the presence of one upon said mat, and; C. electrical circuit means interconnecting said signal generating means to a visual message presenting means proximate said entranceway, and; D. said visual message presenting means further comprising illuminating means to illuminate a visual message, comprising thE wiping of one''s feet, in response to a signal generated by said signal generating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein the electrical signal generating means further comprises a means responsive to the arrival of another person at the interior side of said entranceway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein the electrical signal generating means further comprises a means directly responsive to the weight of said one upon said mat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein the electrical signal generating means further comprises a means responsive to the actuation of a doorbell, exterior to said building and proximate to said entranceway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein the visual message presenting means further comprises an audible signal means responsive to said generated electrical signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein said illuminating means comprises a direct illumination of fluorescent letters comprising said message.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein said illuminating means comprises an illumination through a plate having perforations for defining letters comprising said message.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The automatic reminder of claim 8 wherein the specific message illuminated is comprised by the letters PLEASE WIPE FEET.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3360791A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |