Flat illuminator with flexible integral switching arm

• US 20030107884A1
• Filed: 09/10/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Howard Krietzman, Yu-Hsin Chen
• Original Assignee: Mark Howard Krietzman, Yu-Hsin Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Yu-Hsin, Krietzman, Mark Howard
• Application Number:
  US10/238,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20030107884A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/189
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/103 on keys E05B17/106 takes precedence; attached to key rings A44B15/005; on key bags or wallets A45C11/32
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/26 Use of special materials for keys fluorescent E05B17/106; magnets E05B47/0038
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A flat illuminator with a flexible switching arm that connects a battery power supply to an LED illumination source. Multi-layered construction combined with conductive inks, wires or foils are used to link the battery and LED illumination source while maintaining a thin credit card-like profile.

Claims

1. A flat illuminator with a flexible switching arm comprising:

a flat substantially plastic body;

a light emitting diode illumination source affixed to the plastic body;

a flexible switching arm, with a free end, extended from the plastic body;

a battery power supply mounted within the plastic body; and

,

a conductive switch contact on the switching arm, whereby displacement of the switching arm in plane with the plastic body connects the battery power supply to the illumination source.

2. The flat illuminator of claim 1 in which the battery is a single lithium button battery.

3. The flat illuminator of claim 1 further comprising a resistor affixed between said lithium battery and the light emitting diode illumination source.

4. The flat illuminator of claim 1 in which the battery power supply is two or more lithium button batteries connected in series with a total voltage between 6 and 48 volts.

5. The flat illuminator of claim 1 in wherein the wavelength of the light emitted by the illumination source is substantially within one color of the visible spectral region.

6. The flat illuminator of claim 1 in wherein the wavelength of light emitted by the illumination source is substantially in the blue spectral region.

7. The flat illuminator of claim 1 further comprising a lens formed integrally as part of at least one of the light emitting diodes of the illumination source.

8. A multi-layered flat illuminator with flexible switching arm comprising:

a flat central core;

a light emitting diode illumination source affixed to the central core;

a flexible switching arm, with a free end, extended from the central core;

a battery power supply mounted within the central core;

a conductive switch contact on the switching arm whereby displacement of the switching arm in plane with the central core connects the battery power supply to the illumination source;

a top laminate affixed to the top of the central core; and

,

a bottom laminate affixed to the bottom of the central core.

9. A multi-layered flat illuminator with flexible switching arm comprising:

a flat substantially planar central core;

a battery power supply mounted within the central core;

a movable on/off switching arm with a free end extended from the central core;

a switching channel formed between the switching arm and the central core;

a light emitting diode illumination source affixed to the substantially planar central core with a first and a second lead wire;

the first lead wire conductively linked to the battery power supply;

a battery to LED contact from the battery power supply to the switching channel;

a conductive switch contact on the switching arm, whereby displacement of the switching arm contacts the battery to LED contact and conductively links the battery power supply to the second lead wire;

a top laminate affixed to the top of the central core; and

,

a bottom laminate affixed to the bottom of the central core.

10. The multi-layered flat illuminator card light of claim 9 wherein the laminates are constructed of materials selected from the group consisting of labels, tape, coated paper, plastic, rubberized plastic, silicone, rubber, impregnated paper, polypropylene, vinyl, polyethylene, ABS, styrene, polycarbonate, laminated paper, and Mylar.

11. The multi-layered flat illuminator card light of claim 9 wherein the battery to LED contact is constructed from a materials selected from the group consisting of metal, foil, and a conductive-type ink.

12. The multi-layered flat illuminator card light of claim 9 further comprising promotional material on the top and or bottom laminate.