Patent ID: 8740618

Claim:
A Braille reader apparatus comprising: an upper and a lower spaced apart deck having a plurality of axially aligned aperture pairs and a reference surface of the upper of the spaced apart decks; a plurality of Braille pins, each one of the Braille pins axially aligned with one of the aperture pairs and in mutual engagement therewith; each one of the Braille pins having a compressible element joined in mutual axial alignment with and positioned between an upper pin portion, and a lower pin portion, wherein the pin portions are spaced apart and non-contacting, the pin portions separately movable in independent linear motion controlled by the compressible elements and the aperture pairs; wherein, the upper pin portions extend above the reference surface when the lower pin portions are moved in a first direction, and the upper pin portions are retracted below the reference surface when the lower pin portions are moved in a second direction; and wherein, the upper pin portions are retracted below the reference surface when the lower pin portions are moved in the first direction by compression of the compressible elements.