US4017994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signature protection system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-08-26
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Granted: 1977-04-19
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Expires: 1994-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for increasing the life, readability, and security of credit cards and similar elements having a portion to receive an authorized signature. Supplied with the card or thereon is a strip of transparent material having one adhesive surface, sized to cover the signature portion of the element. When this strip is applied to the element in overlay relation to the signature, it protects the latter from smudging and rubbing off, which occasionally occurs to the point that an alarm underlay begins to appear. Any attempt to peel off the tape and alter the signature results in appearance of the alarm underlay.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew S. Fraser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:20
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D25/00; B42D25/40; B42D25/45; B42D25/465; B42D25/47; B42D25/20; B42D25/30; B42D25/318; B42D2033/04; B42D2033/40; B42D2035/02; B42D2035/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An element such as a credit card having a authorized signature which is protected against effacement, alteration or substitution, comprising, in combination: a surface on the element, at the area intended for the signature, which is recognizable as a warning signal; an overlay on said surface of masking material, capable of receiving and retaining a signature, which adheres to said surface with a first degree of adhesion; and a strip of transparent, abrasion resistant material covering said overlay and said signature, and adhering to said layer with a second degree of adhesion greater than that between said overlay and said surface, so that after said strip is affixed to said overlay said signature is visible and yet protected from abrasion and alteration, and intentional removal of said strip is accompanied by removal of said overlay to display said warning signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An element such as a credit card having a authorized signature which is protected against effacement, alteration or substitution, comprising, in combination: a surface on the element, at the area intended for the signature, which is recognizable as a warning signal; an overlay on said surface of masking material, capable of receiving and retaining a signature, which adheres to said surface with a first degree of adhesion; and a strip of transparent, abrasion resistant material covering said overlay and said signature, and adhering to said layer with a second degree of adhesion greater than that between said overlay and said surface, so that after said strip is affixed to said overlay said signature is visible and yet protected from abrasion and alteration, and intentional removal of said strip is accompanied by removal of said overlay to display said warning signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of protecting an authorized signature on an element such as credit card against effacement, alteration or substitution which comprises: a. initially producing on the element at the area intended for the signature a surface recognizable as a warning signal; b. overlaying said surface with a layer of masking material, capable of receiving and retaining a signature, which adheres to said surface with a first degree of adhesion; c. and providing with the element, prior to the affixation of the signature thereto a strip of transparent, abrasion resistant material sized to cover said area, and capable of adhering to said layer with a second degree of adhesion greater than that between said layer and said surfce, so that when said signature is affixed to said layer and said strip is adhered thereto, the signature is visible and is protected against alteration and abrasion, while the intentional removal of said strip is accompanied by removal of said layer to expose said warning signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
163 words
The method of protecting an authorized signature on an element such as credit card against effacement, alteration or substitution which comprises: a. initially producing on the element at the area intended for the signature a surface recognizable as a warning signal; b. overlaying said surface with a layer of masking material, capable of receiving and retaining a signature, which adheres to said surface with a first degree of adhesion; c. and providing with the element, prior to the affixation of the signature thereto a strip of transparent, abrasion resistant material sized to cover said area, and capable of adhering to said layer with a second degree of adhesion greater than that between said layer and said surfce, so that when said signature is affixed to said layer and said strip is adhered thereto, the signature is visible and is protected against alteration and abrasion, while the intentional removal of said strip is accompanied by removal of said layer to expose said warning signal.
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) | 1980-04-18 | 1980-10-18 | 1981-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-18 | 1984-10-18 | 1985-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-18 | 1988-10-18 | 1989-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |