US5119932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical base for desk top articles
Assignee: Unified Printing and Promotions Corp
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Filing: 1990-12-19
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2010-12-19
Abstract
Abstract Musical bases for desk top articles including bases for notepads, writing instrument holders and paper clip dispensers. Each base is provided with a sound producing module for emitting, for instance, music advertising jingles and speech. Operation of the module is provided by actuation of a switch or sensor built into the base. Actuation is accomplished in a number of ways including pressing on the base, sliding a drawer from the base or removing or replacing a writing instrument from the base.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira Semanoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:08
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43M; B43M99/00; B43M99/001; B43M99/002; B43M99/003; B42; B42D; B42D5/00; B42D5/003; B42D5/005; B42D5/006; B43M99/009; G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/18; G10H1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A musical base for a desk top article, comprising: a base having a bottom and an essentially flat upper surface for a placement of the article thereon; a sound producing device in said base; and, switch means coupled to said sound producing device operable to activate said sound producing device, wherein the article is a desk-top note holder for sheets, said note holder having a substantially vertical hole defined by aligned holes in each of said sheets, said vertical hole defining a writing instrument holder, said note pad disposed on said base whereby said writing instrument holder aligns with said switch, said switch actuating upon a change in a content status of said writing instrument holder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A musical base for a desk top article, comprising: a base having a bottom and an essentially flat upper surface for a placement of the article thereon; a sound producing device in said base; and, switch means coupled to said sound producing device operable to activate said sound producing device, wherein the article is a desk-top note holder for sheets, said note holder having a substantially vertical hole defined by aligned holes in each of said sheets, said vertical hole defining a writing instrument holder, said note pad disposed on said base whereby said writing instrument holder aligns with said switch, said switch actuating upon a change in a content status of said writing instrument holder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The musical base of claim 1 wherein said sound producing device is activated when a writing instrument occupies said writing instrument holder and deactivated when said writing instrument holder is vacant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The musical base of claim 1 wherein said sound producing device is activated when said sound producing device is vacant and deactivated when said writing instrument holder is occupied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The musical base of claim 1 further comprising timing means providing operation of said sound producing device for a controlled period after activation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The musical base of claim 1 wherein the sound produced by said sound producing device includes at least one of music and speech.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
114 words
A musical base sheet holder for writing sheets, comprising: a base to be placed on a surface; means defining a holder for the sheets disposed on the base; a sound producing device in the base; switch means coupled to the sound producing device, operable to activate the sound producing device when operated; and, wherein the musical base sheet holder includes a writing instrument holding means defining a receptacle for an elongated writing instrument, the receptacle being at least partly bounded by the base, and the switch means protruding from the base into the receptacle such that the switch means is operated upon one of insertion and removal of the writing instrument in the receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
114 words
A musical base sheet holder for writing sheets, comprising: a base to be placed on a surface; means defining a holder for the sheets disposed on the base; a sound producing device in the base; switch means coupled to the sound producing device, operable to activate the sound producing device when operated; and, wherein the musical base sheet holder includes a writing instrument holding means defining a receptacle for an elongated writing instrument, the receptacle being at least partly bounded by the base, and the switch means protruding from the base into the receptacle such that the switch means is operated upon one of insertion and removal of the writing instrument in the receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein the writing instrument holding means comprise a trough in said base for receipt of said writing instrument.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein said writing instrument holding means comprises a vertically disposed cylinder for receiving said writing instrument, and the switch is disposed at a bottom of the cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein said switch is a pressure sensitive switch, said switch having an actuating member located within said holding means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein said switch is a photoelectric switch having a light sensor, said light sensor is mounted on a surface of said writing instrument holding means whereby insertion and removal of a writing instrument from said holding means changes a level of light striking said sensor for at least one of activating and de-activating said sound producing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein said switch is a photoelectric switch having a light sensor, said light sensor being mounted on a surface of said writing instrument holding means, whereby placement of a writing instrument in said holding means blocks lights from striking said sensor for at least one of activating and de-activating said sound producing device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The musical base according to claim 6, wherein the receptacle is partly defined by the sheets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The musical base according to claim 6, wherein the switch means comprises a contact element protruding into the receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The musical base according to claim 6, wherein the switch means comprises a light sensor having a beam path intersecting the receptacle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein said sound producing device is activated when a writing instrument occupies said writing instrument holder and deactivated when said writing instrument holder is vacant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein said sound producing device is activated when said sound producing device is vacant and deactivated when said writing instrument holder is occupied.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The musical base of claim 6 further comprising timing means providing operation of said sound producing device for a controlled period after activation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The musical base of claim 6 wherein the sound produced by said sound producing device includes at least one of music and speech.
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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) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |