Proximity detector

• US 4,186,388 A
• Filed: 11/18/1977
• Issued: 01/29/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald W. Robinson
• Original Assignee: Donald W. Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nowicki, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US05/852,830
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.1, 340/323, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/539, 356/3, 356/18, 272/4, 272/5, 272/100, 272/103, 272/DIG. 5, 250/221
• US Class Current: 340/556
• CPC Class Codes: A63K 3/02 Starting-appliances
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/18 with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/34 Members limiting spreading of legs , e.g. "umbrella legs"
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/42 with arrangement for propelling the support stands on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/027 by friction
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A proximity detector preferably utilizes a photoelectric cell, responsive to light beams emanating from a lamp carried by a tripod supported light projecting apparatus. Such apparatus includes a height adjustment utilizing a telescoping pair of tubes, one of which is supported by three tripod legs, each of which is adjustable in height. The lowermost regions of the tripod legs carry lockable wheels. The tubes are calibrated together with one another and indicate the total height of the light source utilizing a calibrated scale. The housing carrying the light source may be tiltable and locked into such position by a set screw arrangement. A filter may be utilized so as to provide polarized light beams or colored light beams, as desired. Another housing, equivalent to the housing utilized to carry the light source, encloses a photoelectric cell and a timer. When the light beam is interrupted feeding the photoelectric cell, the timer stops to operate and simultaneously an audible and visual alarm is sounded. A power supply is utilized having rechargeable batteries converted for recharging utilizing household utility voltage therefor.

Claims

1. A proximity detector comprising a light transmitting apparatus and a light receiving apparatus, said light transmitting apparatus including a housing assembly, said housing assembly including a housing and a tripod and indicia, said tripod providing support for said housing, the lowermost regions of said tripod having lockable wheels rotatably secured thereto disposed upon a supporting surface, said housing being elevated relative to the uppermost regions of said tripod, said tripod being adjustable in height, means to rotatably secure said housing with respect to said tripod about a first axis including means to releasably lock said housing against rotation about said first axis, means to rotatably secure said housing with respect to a second axis including means to releasably lock said housing against rotation about said second axis, said second axis disposed orthogonal to said first axis, said indicia indicating the elevation of said housing relative to said uppermost regions, said light transmission apparatus including a light source and a radio receiver and a first power supply and an alarm group of devices, said alarm group including a visual alarm and an audible alarm, said first power supply coupled to said light source and said radio receiver and said alarm group, said radio receiver energizing said alarm group from said first power supply only when said radio receiver is activated by radio signals, said light receiving apparatus having another said housing assembly and a photosensitive device and a timer and another said alarm group and a radio transmitter and a second power supply, means for said radio signals being transmitted by said radio transmitter to be received by said radio receiver, said second power supply coupled to and providing energizing power said photosensitive device and said timer and said another alarm group and said radio transmitter, said timer controlling the time of energization of said another said alarm group and the time that said radio transmitter transmits said radio signals to said radio receiver, said another said alarm group and said radio transmitter and said timer being energized by said second power supply only when said photosensitive device ceases to receive light emanated by said light source.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one optical filter element, and means to removable secure said at least one filter element to said housing assembly at a location intermediate said light source and said photosensitive device.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 therein at least one of said first power supply and said second power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a rectifier, said rectifier being coupled to said rechargeable battery.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one bubble-like level, said at least one level fixedly secured to at least one of said housing assembly and said another said housing assembly.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first power supply and said second power supply is disposed located outside said housing assembly.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lens, said lens being disposed located adjacent said light source, another lens, said another lens being disposed located adjacent said photosensitive device.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a rod, said rod fixedly secured at one end thereof to said housing assembly, the other end of said rod having a rubber-like grip fixedly secured thereto.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tripod comprises three legs, each of said three legs having a pair of tubes, one tube of said pair of tubes lockingly telescopingly engaged within the other tube of said pair of tubes.