US4992914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated stepping stones
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-10-02
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Granted: 1991-02-12
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Expires: 2009-10-02
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated stepping stone which is light in weight, of sufficient strength to support a human being of extremely heavy weight, is attractive in appearance and can be manufactured inexpensively. Illumination of the stepping stone is by means of a low voltage source of electricity. Multiple stepping stones are to be connected together and illuminated from a source of electricity.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Heiss
- 👤 Lawrence S. Gluck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:14
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/006; E; E01; E01C; E01C17/00; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/50; E01F9/553; E01F9/559; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/02; F21S8/022; F21V31/00; F21V31/005; F21W; F21W2131/00; F21W2131/10; F21W2131/109; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; and support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means assuming a spaced relationship from said top when said stepping stone in its normal at rest position, said support means physically contacting said top once said top encounters a pressing force of sufficient magnitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; and support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means assuming a spaced relationship from said top when said stepping stone in its normal at rest position, said support means physically contacting said top once said top encounters a pressing force of sufficient magnitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 1 wherein: said translucent material comprising a plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 2 wherein: said support means being ring-shaped, said support means being fixed to said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 3 wherein: said support means having an upper free edge, said upper free edge being spaced approximately twenty-five thousandths of an inch from said top when said stepping stone is in its said normal at rest position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 4 wherein: said top being in the form of a removable lid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 5 wherein: a seal being included between said lid and said base, said seal functioning to prevent entry of moisture from the ambient into said internal chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 6 wherein: said top being textured so as to provide an exterior non-slip surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 7 wherein: said support means being transparent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 8 wherein: said lid being constructed to assume a domed configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means to physically contact said top to prevent excessive deflection of said top which could result in fracture of said top; and said support means being ring-shaped, said support means being fixed to said base, said support means being concentric with said side wall, said support means enclosing said light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means to physically contact said top to prevent excessive deflection of said top which could result in fracture of said top; and said support means being ring-shaped, said support means being fixed to said base, said support means being concentric with said side wall, said support means enclosing said light source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 10 wherein: said top being in the form of a removable lid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 11 wherein: a seal being included between said lid and said base, said seal functioning to prevent entry of moisture from the ambient into said internal chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The illuminated stepping stone as defined in claim 10 wherein: said support means being transparent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means to physically contact said top to prevent excessive deflection of said top which could result in fracture of said top; said lid being constructed to assume a domed configuration; and said support means having an upper free edge, said upper free edge being spaced approximately twenty-five thousandths of an inch from said top when said stepping stone is in its said normal at rest position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
139 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means to physically contact said top to prevent excessive deflection of said top which could result in fracture of said top; said lid being constructed to assume a domed configuration; and said support means having an upper free edge, said upper free edge being spaced approximately twenty-five thousandths of an inch from said top when said stepping stone is in its said normal at rest position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means to physically contact said top to prevent excessive deflection of said top which could result in fracture of said top; and said support means having an upper free edge, said upper free edge being spaced approximately twenty-five thousandths of an inch from said top when said stepping stone is in its said normal at rest position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
130 words
An illuminated stepping stone comprising: a base having a side wall enclosing an internal chamber, said base having a top and a bottom, said bottom adapted to be embedded within a supportive surface, said top constructed of a translucent material; a light source mounted within said internal chamber; support means mounted on said base, said support means located within said internal chamber, said support means being spaced from said side wall, said support means to physically contact said top to prevent excessive deflection of said top which could result in fracture of said top; and said support means having an upper free edge, said upper free edge being spaced approximately twenty-five thousandths of an inch from said top when said stepping stone is in its said normal at rest position.
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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) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-08-13 | 1995-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-11 | 1998-08-13 | 1999-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-08-13 | 2003-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |