US3736551A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swimmers tactile command navigation apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-11-16
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1990-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A command navigation apparatus including a back pad; a plurality of tactile indicators mounted in the back pad for providing tactile sensory indicators on the back, the tactile indicators being arranged in a pair of rows which are substantially perpendicular with respect to one another; and means for mounting the pad on a person''s back so that one row of tactile indicators extends longitudinal and the other row of tactile indicators extends transverse the back. Upon sequentially energizing the tactile indicators in selected rows the person receives command indications to progress in various directions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:24
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/02; B63C11/26; H; H04; H04B; H04B11/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A command navigational device comprising: a back pad; a plurality of tactile indicators mounted in said back pad for providing tactile sensory indications on the back; said tactile indicators being arranged in a pair of rows which are substantially perpendicular with respect to one another; means for mounting the pad on a person''s back so that one row of tactile indicators extends longitudinal and the other row of tactile indicators extends transverse the back; and means located at a remote station from the person for transmitting signals which sequentially energize the longitudinal and transverse rows of tactile indicators; whereby upon sequentially energizing the tactile indicators in selected rows the person receives command indications to progress in various directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A command navigational device comprising: a back pad; a plurality of tactile indicators mounted in said back pad for providing tactile sensory indications on the back; said tactile indicators being arranged in a pair of rows which are substantially perpendicular with respect to one another; means for mounting the pad on a person''s back so that one row of tactile indicators extends longitudinal and the other row of tactile indicators extends transverse the back; and means located at a remote station from the person for transmitting signals which sequentially energize the longitudinal and transverse rows of tactile indicators; whereby upon sequentially energizing the tactile indicators in selected rows the person receives command indications to progress in various directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A command navigational device as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the remote transmitting means transmits signals which sequentially energize the longitudinal row of tactile indicators selectively in a forward or aft direction and/or sequentially energize the transverse row of tactile indicators selectively in a right or left direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A command navigational device as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the signals transmitted from the remote station are acoustic signals so that the navigational device is effective for navigating a swimmer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A command navigational device as claimed in claim 3 wherein: the tactile indicators are energized directly by the acoustic signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A command navigational device as claimed in claim 3 including: the tactile indicators being transducers, each transducer having a small electro-mechanical vibrator; and means mountable on the person for receiving the acoustic signals and sequentially electrically energizing the transducers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A command navigational device as claimed in claim 5 including: means mountable on the swimmer for transmitting acoustic signals which indicate sectors of heading of the swimmer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of navigating a swimmer comprising the steps of: providing sequential tactile indications along the swimmer''s back in a forward direction for indicating move ahead and in a rearward direction for indicating move back; and providing sequential tactile indications across the swimmer''s back in a right direction for indicating move right and in a left direction for indicating move left.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of navigating a swimmer comprising the steps of: providing sequential tactile indications along the swimmer''s back in a forward direction for indicating move ahead and in a rearward direction for indicating move back; and providing sequential tactile indications across the swimmer''s back in a right direction for indicating move right and in a left direction for indicating move left.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of navigating a swimmer as claimed in claim 7: providing simultaneous sequential tactile indications along and across the swimmer''s back in selected directions for indicating up and down commands.
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) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |