Touch initiated light module

• US 5,018,057 A
• Filed: 01/17/1990
• Issued: 05/21/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LAM Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: LAM Technologies Limited
• Inventors: Biggs, John D., Twain, Kenneth M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/466,467
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 362/155, 362/156, 362/200, 362/221, 362/276, 362/295, 362/394, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/295
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/00 Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/508
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0012 Furniture hospital beds F21V33/0072

Abstract

A light module adapted to provide light temporarily in a confined space comprises a generally oblong and relatively thin housing that retains a bulb for providing a source of light, a power source sufficient to activate the bulb, and an electrical control circuit. The circuit includes a touch sensitive sensor for closing a circuit between the bulb and the power source to turn on the bulb, and a timer for opening the circuit to automatically turn off the bulb after it has been on for a predetermined period of time. The circuit also contains elements for requiring the sensor to be touched twice within a limited time period in order to activate the bulb.

Claims

1. A light module adapted to provide light temporarily in a confined space comprising:

means for providing a source of light;

power means sufficient to activate said light source means;

electrical circuit means connected to said light source means and said power means;

touch sensitive switch means in said circuit means including proximity sensor means and means for requiring at least one touch of said sensor means by a user for closing a circuit between said light source means and said power means to turn on said light source means; and

timer means connected to said switch means for opening said circuit to automatically turn off said light source means a predetermined period of time after the circuit is first closed.

4. The light module as described in claim 1 including a relatively thin, oblong shaped housing for retaining said light source means, said power means and said electrical circuit means.

5. The light module as described in claim 1 including a relatively rigid but thin base member forming a base member and a reflective chamber for said light source means, a circuit board on said base for retaining said circuit means and said power means, and a frontal member attached to said base member and having a transparent window spaced from said reflective chamber.

6. The light module as described in claim 5 including a mounting means fixed to an outer side of said base member.

7. The light module as described in claim 5 wherein said frontal member is made of a relatively thin plastic material.

2. The light module as described in claim wherein said touch sensitive switch means includes means for requiring two touches of said sensor means by a user within a predetermined time period before said circuit is closed to activate said light source means.

3. The light module as described in claim 2 wherein said means for requiring two touches of said sensor means comprises a valid touch timer means for verifying two touches within a time period, a two-second timer and an And gate for receiving inputs from said valid touch timer and said two-second timer.