Finger Mounted Stealth Fly Swatter Patent

Finger mounted insect dissuasion device and method of use
US Patent No. 7,484,328
Issued: February 3, 2009

Just this week, on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent on what can best be described as a stealth fly swatter. I am not about to make fun of this patent, because if it works then I want one!  We have all undoubtedly had that occasional battle with the lone persistent fly that will just not leave you alone.  If you are like me, the pursuit to destroy that lone fly can sometimes take on Caddy Shack like proportions a la Bill Murray’s attempts to get that vermin gopher who continues to wreak havoc on the golf course. 

The primary illustration in this patent speaks for itself, so there is not much more to say, but there are a few things worth reading in the issued patent. 

From the Background of the Invention:

During outdoor activities one is often annoyed or distracted by an insect. For example during static outdoor activities such as sun-tanning or reading, a single fly will often persist in annoyance despite repeated attempts to “discourage” the insect. Such an insect persistently fly’s and lands on one’s arm or leg for example. Conventional fly-swatters are cumbersome and due to hygiene concerns, are not well suited for “swatting” one’s self. Often one uses their hand, book or other object to brush away and discourage the insect. Such attempts are most often ineffective since the insect simply fly’s away and returns to a different location.

From the Summary of the Invention:

The present invention is an insect dissuasion device that resembles a miniature fly swatter adapted to be fixed onto an end of a human finger. When a device of the present invention is attached for example onto an index finger, normal activities such as holding a book or a drink container are unimpeded. An insect can be spontaneously discouraged by simply flexing, slowly encroaching upon and then “flicking” the finger and the attached device of the present invention. Due to the small size of the “finger fly swatter” most insects do not react to its presence and are caught off-guard by the rapid flicking motion. Most insects are easily struck and swept away from one’s body by the device of the present invention, resulting in permanent removal of the particular insect. The small inconspicuous size of the finger fly swatter allows for easy cleaning if needed. The device of the present invention is so effective in the dissuasion of insects that one often welcomes the presence of an insect so that it may be discouraged. The dissuasion of a particularly energetic insect often becomes a challenging sport.


About the Author

Eugene R. Quinn, Jr.
President & Founder of IPWatchdog, Inc.
US Patent Attorney (Reg. No. 44,294)

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Rutgers University
J.D., Franklin Pierce Law Center
L.L.M. in Intellectual Property, Franklin Pierce Law Center
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Gene is a US Patent Attorney, Law Professor and the founder of IPWatchdog.com. He teaches patent bar review courses and is a member of the Board of Directors of the United Inventors Association. Gene has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the LA Times, CNN Money and various other newspapers and magazines worldwide

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3 comments so far.

  • [Avatar for Ron Kominkiewicz]
    Ron Kominkiewicz
    March 1, 2010 02:52 pm

    I forgot to check this box for the last email. Thanks again.

  • [Avatar for Ron Kominkiewicz]
    Ron Kominkiewicz
    March 1, 2010 02:51 pm

    I have a fly swatter patent that is the most practical, convenient, and sanitary way to eliminate flies or bugs. My patent number is 6,957,510. I am interested in marketing or licensing this invention. Please respond to ronaldkominkiewicz@yahoo.com if your company can help me. Thank you.

  • [Avatar for 6]
    6
    March 11, 2009 10:14 pm

    See now that is what I thought I was signing up to examine. Inventions. Useful ones. Good ones. Things that don’t sux.