US4080087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Railless walkway for the visually handicapped
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-05
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Granted: 1978-03-21
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Expires: 1997-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A railless walkway for blind and visually handicapped persons is constructed using foot plates fastened to the ground. By feeling humps made into the foot plates, the blind are guided along walkways without the use of rails or canes. Variations in the shape and/or number of humps provide additional information as to walkway directions, such as turns, steps, stairs, rest areas, and the like. The foot plates are fabricated out of permanent, solid material and are either incorporated in the walkway during its construction or are fastened permanently to the walkway if added later.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis Alfred Phillips
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:57
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01C; E01C9/00; A; A61; A61H; A61H3/00; A61H3/06; A61H3/066; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/17; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A walkway to aid a visually handicapped person providing tactile information by the use of foot plates attached to a walkway surface, said foot plates comprising solid plates having a plurality of humps to provide said inforamtion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A walkway to aid a visually handicapped person providing tactile information by the use of foot plates attached to a walkway surface, said foot plates comprising solid plates having a plurality of humps to provide said inforamtion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The walkway claim 1 wherein said foot plate has a first type of hump used to indicate directional information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The walkway of claim 1 wherein said foot plate has a second type of hump used to indicate curbs, steps and changes in the level of said walkway surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The walkway of claim 1 wherein said foot plate is fastened to the walkway surface by indentation into the said walkway surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The walkway of claim 1 wherein at least one of said humps is integral with said foot plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The walkway of claim 1 wherein said foot plate is shaped like a foot imprint with a long and short axis, and wherein said plurality of humps are configured to at least partially circumscribe said person's shoe, said humps configured to have mirror symmetry about a plane perpendicular to said long axis of said foot plate whereby said walkway is bidirectionally symmetrical.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
46 words
A device for the aid of a visually handicapped person comprising: a foot plate; and a plurality of humps disposed on said foot plate to at least partially circumscribe said person's foot when placed on said foot plate whereby perambulatory guidance is provided to said person.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
46 words
A device for the aid of a visually handicapped person comprising: a foot plate; and a plurality of humps disposed on said foot plate to at least partially circumscribe said person's foot when placed on said foot plate whereby perambulatory guidance is provided to said person.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 7 further comprising at least one hump to indicate specific information to said person whereby said person may be provided with information such as information pertaining to obstacles, distances, direction, facilities, change of level and potential hazards.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for providing perambulatory guidance to visually handicapped persons comprising the step of disposing a plurality of foot plates on a walking surface in a configuration simulating normal human walking, each said foot plate having a plurality of humps disposed on a circumferential region of said person's foot is to be placed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for providing perambulatory guidance to visually handicapped persons comprising the step of disposing a plurality of foot plates on a walking surface in a configuration simulating normal human walking, each said foot plate having a plurality of humps disposed on a circumferential region of said person's foot is to be placed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said foot plate further includes at least one hump disposed within said step region to provide further perambulatory information such as information pertaining to direction, distance, hazard, obstacle, change of level, and presence of facility.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said foot plate further includes at least one hump, having a distinct configuration from said plurality of humps.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said distinct configuration is one of shape of said at least one hump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said distinct configuration is one of position of said at least one hump with respect to said plurality of humps.
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) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |