Shielded, photo-actuated, direct current outside lamp

• US 5,517,020 A
• Filed: 12/23/1992
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald E. Lamo
• Original Assignee: Gerald E. Lamo
• Inventors: Lamo, Gerald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, QUE TAN
• Application Number:
  US07/997,282
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 250/214 AL, 250/214 B, 250/214 RE, 315/158, 315/159, 307/117, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 250/214.0AL
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An improved lamp for use with travel trailers, motorhomes, recreational vehicles, temporary shelters, and the like, has an automatic photosensor-actuated on/off control circuit and shielding to protect the photosensor from the effects of stray light sources.

Claims

1. A photo-actuated, direct current lamp suitable for use on the exterior of travel trailers, motorhomes, and recreational vehicles, comprising:

a light-shielding, waterproof lamp housing having a narrow, light-admitting first opening therein and a light-transmissive cover,

mounted within said lamp housing, a photoreactive control circuit comprising a photosensor connected on a first side to a direct current power source and to the collector of a transistor and on a second side to the base of said transistor, a capacitor connected to the emitter of said transistor, a relay connected to the emitter of said transistor, a diode connected to an output of said relay, said diode being connected to a light bulb, said relay being connected at its common pole to said direct current power source, and said light bulb, said power source, and said relay being connected to a common ground,

said photoreactive control circuit being mounted within said lamp housing, and said photosensor in said photoreactive control circuit being aligned with and immediately adjacent said first opening in said lamp housing, and

said first opening being sealed with a transparent, electrically non-conducting, waterproof sealing material.

2. A lamp assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said photoreactive control circuit includes a manual switch intermediate the direct current power source and, on a first side of said manual switch, the junction between said diode and said light bulb, and on a second side of said manual switch, the junction of the relay and second side of the photosensor.

3. A lamp assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said photoreactive control circuit includes an indicator circuit comprising a resistor connected at a first side to a light emitting diode connected to ground, said indicator circuit being connected at a second side of the resistor to a point intermediate the collector side of said transistor and the second side of the photosensor.

4. An automatic, light-actuated outside appliance control for travel trailers, motorhomes, and recreational vehicles comprising:

a means for connecting an appliance to a direct current power source,

a photoreactive control circuit comprising a photosensor connected on a first side to a direct current power source and to the collector of a transistor and on a second side to the base of said transistor, a capacitor connected to the emitter of said transistor, a relay connected to the emitter of said transistor, a diode connected to an output of said relay, said diode being connected to a light bulb, said relay being connected at its common pole to said direct current power source, and said light bulb, said power source, and said relay being connected to a common ground,

said photosensor being in placed in a location sensitive to ambient light and shielded from stray light sources,

a waterproof housing, the elements of said photoreactive control circuit other than said photosensor being mounted within said housing, and

said photoreactive control circuit being connected intermediate said appliance and said direct current power source.