Patent US4016659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4016659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focal scanning aid
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-12-29
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1995-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Mat of thin material has an aperture therein to limit the visible area of printed material to be read to aid in the development of good reading habits by controlling the focal scanning area. Set of focal scanning aids has progressively larger apertures to train the eye to scan areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Denis F. Merrigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:11
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B17/00; G09B17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A focal scanning aid comprising: a set of first, second and third mats, each of said mats being of sufficient size to cover at least a portion of a printed page, each of said mats being of substantially rectangular shape and having a substantially black matte surface thereon; first, second and third rectangular apertures respectively in said first, second and third mats, said first, second and third apertures each having substantially the same width which is sufficient to expose a full column width of printed material; said first aperture in said first mat being of such height that an unskilled reader can scan three lines of printed material exposed therethrough in a single scan pass, said second aperture in said second mat having a greater height so that a more skilled reader can scan six lines of printed material exposed therethrough in a single pass, and said third aperture in said third mat being of greater height than said second aperture and being of such height that only a reader of near maximum reading skills can scan printed material exposed therethrough in a single scan pass so that said focal scanning aid progressively trains readers to scan larger quantities of material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A focal scanning aid comprising: a set of first, second and third mats, each of said mats being of sufficient size to cover at least a portion of a printed page, each of said mats being of substantially rectangular shape and having a substantially black matte surface thereon; first, second and third rectangular apertures respectively in said first, second and third mats, said first, second and third apertures each having substantially the same width which is sufficient to expose a full column width of printed material; said first aperture in said first mat being of such height that an unskilled reader can scan three lines of printed material exposed therethrough in a single scan pass, said second aperture in said second mat having a greater height so that a more skilled reader can scan six lines of printed material exposed therethrough in a single pass, and said third aperture in said third mat being of greater height than said second aperture and being of such height that only a reader of near maximum reading skills can scan printed material exposed therethrough in a single scan pass so that said focal scanning aid progressively trains readers to scan larger quantities of material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The focal scanning aid of claim 1 wherein said first, second and third rectangular apertures are each substantially the same distance from the top of said first, second and third mats.
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) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |