Now, this is truly a silly patent given that it is not novel. Surely in someone had some time had used this as a gesture prior to 1994, which was the year that the patent was issued. Obvious or not? I think pretty obvious. Most people have used high fives as a gesture of accomplishment or satisfaction for centuries, and the mechanics of the arm movements are nothing new and unnoticed. The only thing new about this invention is that it is mimicking a high five as opposed to being one from a physical human being. So we have yet to answer--is this a truly useful device?
Observe the silliness that it truly is. The only usefulness might be for someone who has their arm paralyzed... but you might wonder what else an arm whose mechanics functions for a high five can do. Whether or not we should consider this to be a valid patent or not... well, I can't imagine that anyone or anything could infringe upon this. So we'll see.
Ha, I wrote about the same thing and I ended up getting a few comments about the actual motion of the high-five. It seems many of our classmates feel that the pivoting from the elbow joint makes this invention inaccurate when it comes to a "high-five". Either way, nice find!
ReplyDeletei really do not see how this apparatus could be of any use. However, since the patent is about simulating a high five, would anyone still infringe this patent if the intention was not a high five, but just a similar the motion? it seems like this motion can be used like a catapult, to throw items forward.
ReplyDeleteI guess if you are lonely and need a pick-me-up then this device is right for you. It definitely serves an entertaining purpose or if one needs to improve forearm strength, this device could be right for them.
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