US4299041A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Animated device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-09-20
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Granted: 1981-11-10
•
Expires: 1999-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A device in the form of a greeting card, display card, or the like, for producing a visual and/or a sound effect which includes a panel member or the like onto which is applied pictorial and/or printed matter in association with an effects generator, an electronic circuit mounted on the panel member but not visible to the reader of the matter but to which the effects generator is connected, and an activator on the panel member which, when actuated, causes triggering of the electronic circuit to energize the effects generator.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen H. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:29
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D15/00; B42D15/02; B42D15/022; A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/06; A63F3/065; G; G09; G09F; G09F27/00; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; A63F9/00; A63F9/001; A63F2009/0044; A63F3/00643; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S40/00; Y10S40/902; Y10S40/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An animated greeting card comprising a panel member having pictorial and/or word matter on one face, a solid state electronic circuit mounted on said member but not visible from said one face, an effects generator associated with said pictorial and/or word matter and connected into said electronic circuit, said effects generator being used for producing light and/or sound, and means for triggering the electronic circuit to drive the effects generator and produce animation for the pictorial and/or word matter, said means operable by the person receiving the card and integrated with the pictorial and/or word matter, said means including a pair of contact members mounted on said one face and interconnected with said circuit such that engagement of both said contact members by a person closes said circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An animated greeting card comprising a panel member having pictorial and/or word matter on one face, a solid state electronic circuit mounted on said member but not visible from said one face, an effects generator associated with said pictorial and/or word matter and connected into said electronic circuit, said effects generator being used for producing light and/or sound, and means for triggering the electronic circuit to drive the effects generator and produce animation for the pictorial and/or word matter, said means operable by the person receiving the card and integrated with the pictorial and/or word matter, said means including a pair of contact members mounted on said one face and interconnected with said circuit such that engagement of both said contact members by a person closes said circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
An animated greeting card comprising a panel member having pictorial and/or word matter on one face, a solid state electronic circuit mounted on said member but not visible from said one face, an effects generator associated with said pictorial and/or word matter and connected into said electronic circuit, said effects generator being used for producing light and/or sound, and means for triggering the electronic circuit to drive the effects generator and produce animation for the pictorial and/or word matter, said means operable by the person receiving the card and integrated with the pictorial and/or word matter, said means including a position switch interconnected with said circuit and which responds to a substantial change in position by a person handling the card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
An animated greeting card comprising a panel member having pictorial and/or word matter on one face, a solid state electronic circuit mounted on said member but not visible from said one face, an effects generator associated with said pictorial and/or word matter and connected into said electronic circuit, said effects generator being used for producing light and/or sound, and means for triggering the electronic circuit to drive the effects generator and produce animation for the pictorial and/or word matter, said means operable by the person receiving the card and integrated with the pictorial and/or word matter, said means including a position switch interconnected with said circuit and which responds to a substantial change in position by a person handling the card.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
An animated greeting card comprising a panel member having pictorial and/or word matter on one face, a solid state electronic circuit mounted on said member but not visible from said one face, an effects generator associated with said pictorial and/or word matter and connected into said electronic circuit, said effects generator being used for producing light and/or sound, and means for triggering the electronic circuit to drive the effects generator and produce animation for the pictorial and/or word matter, said means operable by the person receiving the card and integrated with the pictorial and/or word matter, said means including at least one normally open light sensing switch in said circuit and mounted on said one face, and a light blocking flap hingedly mounted on said one face to normally cover said switch which when raised exposes said switch to light and causes the switch to close.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
146 words
An animated greeting card comprising a panel member having pictorial and/or word matter on one face, a solid state electronic circuit mounted on said member but not visible from said one face, an effects generator associated with said pictorial and/or word matter and connected into said electronic circuit, said effects generator being used for producing light and/or sound, and means for triggering the electronic circuit to drive the effects generator and produce animation for the pictorial and/or word matter, said means operable by the person receiving the card and integrated with the pictorial and/or word matter, said means including at least one normally open light sensing switch in said circuit and mounted on said one face, and a light blocking flap hingedly mounted on said one face to normally cover said switch which when raised exposes said switch to light and causes the switch to close.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The animated device of claim 3, wherein the electronic circuit includes a logic circuit, and said means includes a plurality of light sensing switches covered by light blocking flaps, wherein a sequential raising of said flaps causes the logic circuit to activate the effects generator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The animated device of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the electronic circuit includes means timing the activation of the effects generator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-09 | 1985-05-11 | 1985-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-09 | 1989-05-11 | 1989-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-09 | 1993-05-11 | 1993-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |