Devices and methods for providing adjustable light intensity
First Claim
1. A device for selectively adjusting the luminous intensity of a light source, which comprises:
- (a) a conductive elastomeric material, which is located between a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface;
(b) a power source operably connected to the first conductive surface; and
(c) a light source operably connected to the second conductive surface, wherein the conductive elastomeric material comprises an electrical resistance that decreases when said material (i) is compressed or (ii) contacts a greater surface area of the first or second conductive surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to light sources that have variable and adjustable luminous intensities. According to certain preferred embodiments of the invention, devices are provided that generally comprise (1) a conductive elastomeric material that is located between a first and second conductive surface; (2) a power source operably connected to the first conductive surface; and (3) a light source operably connected to the second conductive surface. In such embodiments, the conductive elastomeric material comprises an electrical resistance that decreases when the material is compressed or contacts a greater surface area of the first or second conductive surface. By modulating the compression state of the elastomeric material (and, therefore, the ohmic resistance thereof), the amount of electrical power transmitted from the power source to the light source is controlled, which in turn affects the luminous intensity of the light emitted therefrom.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A device for selectively adjusting the luminous intensity of a light source, which comprises:
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(a) a conductive elastomeric material, which is located between a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface; (b) a power source operably connected to the first conductive surface; and (c) a light source operably connected to the second conductive surface, wherein the conductive elastomeric material comprises an electrical resistance that decreases when said material (i) is compressed or (ii) contacts a greater surface area of the first or second conductive surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for selectively adjusting the luminous intensity of a light source, which comprises:
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(a) a conductive elastomeric material; (b) a power source; (c) a light source; and (d) a DC/DC converter circuit, which is operably connected to the conductive elastomeric material, wherein the conductive elastomeric material comprises an electrical resistance that decreases when said material is compressed in response to an axial force applied thereto. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for selectively adjusting the luminous intensity of a light source, which comprises:
- (a) operably connecting a conductive elastomeric material between a power source and light source and (b) selectively compressing or decompressing the conductive elastomeric material, wherein;
(i) compressing the material decreases the electrical resistance thereof and decompressing the material increases the electrical resistance thereof, and (ii) compressing and decompressing the material alters the amount of electrical power transmitted from the power source to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
- (a) operably connecting a conductive elastomeric material between a power source and light source and (b) selectively compressing or decompressing the conductive elastomeric material, wherein;
Specification