Barrier transmission apparatus

• US 5,422,494 A
• Filed: 01/14/1994
• Issued: 06/06/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: West, Thomas L., Staron, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Application Number:
  US08/182,805
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 250/551, 250/227.11, 250/227.24, 250/227.28, 250/239, 385/53, 385/92, 385/94
• US Class Current: 250/551
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

In one embodiment, a touch input device has a flame and explosion resistant enclosure supporting a display device which is observable from outside the enclosure. The touch screen input device comprises a frame attachable to an axial end of the housing. A transparent window is receivable in the frame for securement to the housing to form an end of the enclosure and defining a view port for viewing the display device. An interface between the window and the frame defines a flame suppressing path extending continuously about the periphery of the interface. A light emitting device is located within the enclosure for directing a beam of light through the window. A first reflector is located on a side of the window opposite the light emitting device for reflecting the beam of light across the view port. A second reflector is located on the same side of the window as the first reflector and spaced from the first reflector to reflect the beam of light from the first reflector through the window and into the enclosure. A light receiving device is located within the enclosure on the same side of the window as the light emitting device. The light receiving device for detecting the presence of the beam of light or the absence of the beam of light. In another embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting a signal through a barrier of a sealed enclosure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body having a length greater than the thickness of the barrier and an opening extending therethrough. Attachment structure fixes the body in an opening extending through the barrier. A light transmissive member is fit in the opening of the body to inhibit flame propagation between the body and the light transmissive member. Retention structure retains the light transmissive member in the opening in the body and connects a pair of fiber optic members to ends of the body in light transmitting communication with the light transmissive member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transmitting a signal through a barrier which at least partially defines an enclosed and explosion resistent room, said apparatus comprises:

a body with an opening extending therethrough;

attachment structure for fixing said body in an opening in said barrier and maintaining the explosion proof characteristics of the barrier;

a light transmissive member closely fit in the opening of said body to inhibit flame propagation on one side of the barrier from reaching the other side of said barrier through a flame path clearance between said body and said light transmissive member; and

retention structure for retaining said light transmissive member in the opening in said body and for connecting one of a pair of fiber optic members to a respective end of said body in light transmitting communication with an end of said light transmissive member.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said flame path clearance between said light transmissive member and said body extends for a length of at least 1.5 inches taken in a direction along the extent of said body.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said attachment structure includes an external thread formed on an end portion of said body and an internally threaded member for threaded engagement with said external thread on said body.

4. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said retention structure includes an internal thread formed in an end portion of said body and an externally threaded lens stop member for threaded engagement with the internal thread in said body, said lens stop member further including an internally threaded portion for threaded connection with a threaded end member of said fiber optic member.

5. The apparatus in claim 1 wherein said light transmissive member is a glass rod.

6. The apparatus in claim 1 further including a light transmitting coupler sphere located between said light transmissive member and said fiber optic member to enable light communication between different sizes of said light transmissive member and said fiber optic member and wherein said coupling sphere is located in said retention structure.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 further including a first annular elastomeric member located between said coupling sphere and a shoulder of said retention structure and a second annular elastomeric member located between said retention structure and said light transmissive member.

8. An apparatus for transmitting a signal through a barrier of a sealed enclosure, said apparatus comprising:

a body having a length greater than the thickness of the barrier and an opening extending therethrough;

attachment structure for fixing said body in an opening extending through said barrier;

a light transmissive member fit in the opening of said body to inhibit flame propagation between said body and said light transmissive member; and

retention structure for retaining said light transmissive member in the opening in said body and for connecting one of a pair of fiber optic members to a respective end of said body in light transmitting communication with an end of said light transmissive member.

9. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein said attachment structure includes an external thread formed on an end portion of said body and an internally threaded member for threaded engagement with said external thread on said body.

10. The apparatus in claim 8 wherein said retention structure includes an internal thread formed in an end portion of said body and an externally threaded lens stop member for threaded engagement with the internal thread in said body, said lens stop member further including an internally threaded portion for threaded connection with a threaded end member of said fiber optic member.

11. The apparatus in claim 8 further including a light transmitting coupler sphere located between said light transmissive member and said fiber optic member to enable light communication between different sizes of said light transmissive member and said fiber optic member and wherein said coupling sphere is located in said retention structure.