Patent US3923044A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3923044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eye lid blinker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-24
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1995-01-24
Abstract
Abstract The device may be mounted to an eye glass frame and has a small arm, the end of which is suitably attached to the upper eye lid. The arm is actuated by a cable mechanism which is in turn operated by a battery-powered solenoid. A pacing circuit, including an oscillator, controls the operation of the solenoid to simulate a normal blinking rate for the non-blinking eye.
Inventors
- 👤 David Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00718
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for blinking or closing the eye lid comprising: arm means attachable to the eye lid, means for holding said arm means for movement at least downwardly to cause closure of said eye lid, means for supporting and positioning said arm means and holding means for said arm means adjacent the eye, and electromechanical means including an oscillator and means responsive to the frequency of operation of said oscillator for operating said arm to close the eye lid at a predetermined frequency in the range of normal blinking rates.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for blinking or closing the eye lid comprising: arm means attachable to the eye lid, means for holding said arm means for movement at least downwardly to cause closure of said eye lid, means for supporting and positioning said arm means and holding means for said arm means adjacent the eye, and electromechanical means including an oscillator and means responsive to the frequency of operation of said oscillator for operating said arm to close the eye lid at a predetermined frequency in the range of normal blinking rates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electromechanical means includes means responsive to pulses from the oscillator and including a cable means coupling to the holding means for the arm means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cable means is of sufficient length to permit at least part of said electromechanical means to be disposed remote from the eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said arm means has a pad which is adhesively fixed to the upper eye lid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means responsive to the oscillator includes a solenoid having an actuating plunger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for supporting includes an eye glass frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for holding comprises a rotatable arm support structure including a casing, a support pivot secured to the frame, bearing means disposed intermediate the support pivot and Casing, means for fastening the arm means to the casing and means extending from the casing for attaching the cable means thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including means for adjusting the position of said arm means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
44 words
A device for blinking or closing the eye lid comprising means attachable to the eye lid and being supported for movement to cause closure of the eye lid and means for operating the means attachable to the eye lid at a normal blinking rate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
44 words
A device for blinking or closing the eye lid comprising means attachable to the eye lid and being supported for movement to cause closure of the eye lid and means for operating the means attachable to the eye lid at a normal blinking rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the blinking rate is in the range of 3-15 blinks per minute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said arm means is attached to said eye lid by magnetic engagement.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
46 words
A device for blinking or closing the eye lid, comprising means for applying a blinking force to said eye lid, said means for applying being supported in operative relation to said eye lid, and means for operating said means for applying at a predetermined blinking rate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
46 words
A device for blinking or closing the eye lid, comprising means for applying a blinking force to said eye lid, said means for applying being supported in operative relation to said eye lid, and means for operating said means for applying at a predetermined blinking rate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device in accordance with claim 12 wherein said means for applying is supported by a frame and comprises a magnet.
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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |