Sunday, July 29, 2007

Design Notes for Low Cost Eyeglasses

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing Low Cost Eyeglasses.

As a start, how about these old Eyeglasses patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
MAGNETIC BI-FOCAL LENS HOLDERUS Pat. 2737847 - Filed Oct 20, 1952
FLEXIBLE FRESNEL REFRACTING MEMBRANE ADHERED TO OPHTHALMIC LENSUS Pat. 3628854 - Filed Dec 8, 1969
OPHTHALMIC DEVICEUS Pat. 2273434 - Filed Jun 19, 1940 - f twenty
SOFT FRAME ADJUSTABLE EYEGLASSESUS Pat. 3378851 - Filed Jul 6, 1966
LENSLESS OPTHALMIC DEVICEUS Pat. 3876294 - Filed Aug 17, 1973
EYEGLASSES OR SPECTACLESUS Pat. 1230136
PORTABLE VISUAL FUNCTION TESTERUS Pat. H293 - Filed May 29, 1986
PORTABLE VISION TESTING DEVICEUS Pat. 2622474 - Filed Jan 9, 1952
Vision screening kitUS Pat. 4279479 - Filed May 29, 1980
TESTING VISIONUS Pat. 1500248 - Filed Aug 17, 1922
METHOD OF TESTING VISIONUS Pat. 1686962 - Filed May 28, 1921
EYE TESTING DEVICEUS Pat. 1384252 - Filed May 29, 1920

To search for more Eyeglasses patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - G02C OR A61B
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - eyeglass* OR spectacle*
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - CCL/351/$ AND ABST/(eyeglass$ OR spectacle$)
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
JP7. Make your own glasses. ( spectacles.)
Eyeglasses - especially history

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Eyeglasses could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Eyeglasses.
DISPLAY CARDUS Pat. 2212596 - Filed Jun 14, 1939
MEANS FOR ATTACHING SUNSHADE GLASSES TO SPECTACLESUS Pat. 2065458 - Filed Mar 27, 1936
LAMINATED MULTI-FOCAL LENSESUS Pat. 3877798 - Filed Sep 3, 1970

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/,

Thanks!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Design Notes for Low Cost Hearing Aids

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing a Low Cost Hearing Aid.

As a start, how about these old Hearing Aid patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
IMPROVEMENT IN EAR-TRUMPETSUS Pat. 78493
IMPLANTABLE PIEZOELECTRIC HEARING AIDUS Pat. 3712962 - Filed Apr 5, 1971
IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF EAR-TRUMPETSUS Pat. 12951
TRUMPETUS Pat. 2469254 - Filed Jan 15, 1946
ACOUSTIC DEVICEUS Pat. 3618698
AUDIPHONEUS Pat. 1897833 - Filed Jan 26, 1931
AUDIPHONE FOB DEAF MUTESUS Pat. 2018262 - Filed May 12, 1934
DEVICE FOR AIDING THE DEAF TO HEARUS Pat. 226902 - Filed Jan 20, 1880
EAR-TRUMPETUS Pat. 438369 - Filed Jun 9, 1890
APPLIANCE FOR ENABLING THE DEAF TO HEARUS Pat. 608255 - Filed Nov 18, 1897
AURAL INSTRUMENTUS Pat. 30688

To search for more Hearing Aid patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - H04 OR A61F11/04 OR G02C11/06
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (hear* OR deaf*) AND (aid* OR trumpet*)
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - ccl/381/$ AND abst/((hear$ OR deaf$) AND (aid OR aids OR trumpet$ OR horn$))
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
Slashdot Build Your Own Bluetooth Hearing Aid
Hearing Aid or Ear Trumpet

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Hearing Aid could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Hearing Aid.
STETHOSCOPEUS Pat. 8591
Sanguma - uses for a plastic vending cup
Convert old telephones into hearing aids?
Combine
amplifier and ear trumpet? Inline amplifier?

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/,

Thanks!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Design Notes for Low Cost Treadle Pump

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing a Low Cost Treadle Pump.

Here's some Treadle Pump patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.

TREADLE-PUMPUS Pat. 818522 - Filed Jan 2, 1902
IMPROVEMENT IN TREADLE-OPERATED CONFLUENT PUMPSUS Pat. 194377 - Filed Jul 23, 1877
PUMPUS Pat. 344133 - Filed Nov 16, 1885
PUMP-ACTUATING MECHANISMUS Pat. 705425 - Filed Sep 20, 1901
TREADLE-PUMPUS Pat. 439992 - Filed Jan 6, 1890
ATTACHMENT FOR PUMPSUS Pat. 413669 - Filed Jun 12, 1889
DEVICE FOR OPERATING PUMPS BY MEANS OF TREADLESUS Pat. 482777 - Filed Aug 5, 1891 - JACOB GOETZ
PORTABLE PUMPING APPARATUSUS Pat. 517881
IMPROVEMENT IN LIFT-PUMPSUS Pat. 195253 - Filed Aug 18, 1877

To search for more Treadle Pump patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - F04B
In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (tread* OR pedal*) AND water
Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - ABST/(pump$ AND water$ AND (pedal$ OR tread$))
Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting:

Treadle Pump
How to Make and Use the Treadle Irrigation Pump by Carl Bielenberg and Hugh Allen (Paperback - Dec 1, 1995)
Treadle pumps - WCA Info Net

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.

  • You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
  • You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
  • You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
  • Existing manufacturers of Treadle Pump could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
  • You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some possible brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Treadle Pump.

COMBINED SEE-SAW AND WATER SPRAYERUS Pat. 3231269 - Filed May 5, 1964
BATHER'S PUMPUS Pat. 1628866 - Filed Apr 17, 1924
PUMP ATTACHMENT FOR BICYCLESUS Pat. 559418 - Filed Sep 23, 1896
WATER-ELEVATORUS Pat. 268086 - Filed Aug 17, 1882
ENDLESS-CHAIN WATER-ELEVATORUS Pat. 427997 - Filed Mar 3, 1890
PLASTIC PISTON PUMPUS Pat. 3684410 - Filed Sep 29, 1970
Can we learn anything from
Exercise Machines?
Maybe disabled people could combine their efforts to pump water for the village - group effort.
Merry-Go-Round Pumps Water

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if there is topic you would like to see covered.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website -
http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Idea for Wireless Wall Switch

There seems to be many “wireless switches” these days but not any that look like a regular wall switch to control lights in a room. These wireless wall switches could be flat – maybe about a quarter of an inch thick – and have an adhesive backing. Stick anywhere – no wiring! The receiver could be in the light holder, in the light wiring, or in the cord from the light. Maybe these switches/receivers could be “solar” powered from the room lighting or at least lengthen the battery life.

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Emergency Headlight-Out Device

How about an emergency headlight-out device? This device might be stored in the car for when a headlight goes out – temporary safety item. The manufacturers could even provide this device with vehicles.

Anyhow, the device could simply stick over burned out headlight. The device could have a reflector to reflect back light to oncoming drivers as well as a fiberoptic link over to the good headlight to “borrow light”. Half a light would be better than driving with one headlight. At least the dim light would give the oncoming driver an idea of what is coming – motorcycle, one-eyed vehicle, or what.

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!