Current generating system for remote control devices

• US 5,734,445 A
• Filed: 03/19/1996
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neill, James
• Original Assignee: Neill, James
• Inventors: Neill, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan J.
• Application Number:
  US08/617,574
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 348/211, 341/176, 367/197, 455/151.1, 455/151.2, 455/151.3, 455/151.4, 455/352, 310/75 B, 359/142-148
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 driven by intermittent forces
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/00 Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification mechanical remote-control arrangements H03J1/00 ; using a microprocessor H03J1/0025; constructional details of remote control switching devices H01H9/0235

Abstract

A hand held remote controller for operating an electronic device from a distance having its own self-contained source of electric current. The remote controller has a mechanical energy source for operating an a.c. voltage generator, a d.c. voltage converter to rectify a.c. voltage to d.c. voltage and doubling it. A regulator controls the d.c. voltage sent to the remote controller.

The mechanical energy source is a spring motor in one embodiment, or a spring biased depressible handle attached to a rack and pinion motor in another embodiment.

Claims

1. A hand held remote controller having a mechanical energy source, an a.c. voltage generator and an a.c. to d.c. voltage converter for producing a d.c. voltage for generating a signal, said remote controller comprising:

a housing having a plurality of push buttons for controlling said signal to an electronic device;

a compartment within said housing for containing said mechanical energy source, said a.c. voltage generator and said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter;

said a.c. voltage generator having an output and said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter having an input and an output;

said mechanical energy source being mechanically connected to said a.c. voltage generator and, when energized, drives aid a.c. voltage generator to produce an a.c. voltage at the output of said a.c. voltage generator,

the input of said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter being connected to the output of said a.c. voltage generator for converting said a.c. voltage to a d.c. voltage and doubling said d.c. voltage, and,

a regulator means within said housing and connected to the output of said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter for controlling the output d.c. voltage of said converter to a constant value for generating said signal from said remote controller.

2. The remote controller recited in claim 1 wherein said mechanical energy source is a spring motor.

3. The remote controller recited in claim 1 wherein said mechanical energy source is a rack and pinion motor operable by a hand depressible, spring biased means.

4. The remote controller recited in claim 1 wherein said a.c. voltage generator produces five volts a.c. and said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter, having a plurality of capacitors and diodes in circuit, rectifies and doubles said five volts a.c. to ten volts d.c.

5. The remote controller recited in claim 4 wherein said mechanical energy source is a spring motor.

6. The remote controller recited in claim 4 wherein said mechanical energy source is a rack and pinion motor operable by a hand depressible, spring biased means.

7. A hand held remote controller having a mechanical energy source, an a.c. voltage generator and an a.c. to d.c. voltage converter for producing a d.c. voltage for generating a signal, said remote controller comprising:

a housing having a plurality of push buttons for controlling said signal to an electronic device;

a compartment within said housing for containing said mechanical energy source, said a.c. voltage generator and said d.c. voltage converter;

said mechanical energy source being mechanically connected to said a.c. voltage generator and, when energized, drives said a.c. voltage generator to produce an a.c. voltage at the output of said a.c. voltage generator,

the input of said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter being connected to the output of said a.c. voltage generator for converting said a.c. voltage to a d.c. voltage and doubling said d.c. voltage;

a regulator means within said housing and connected to the output of said a.c. to d.c. voltage converter for controlling the output d.c. voltage of said converter to a constant value for generating said signal from said remote controller; and

,

said mechanical energy source including a spring biased, depressible handle which is pivotally attached at one end to said housing and mechanically connected at an opposite end to a reciprocating gear rack and pinion gear, said pinion gear having teeth which mesh with said reciprocating gear rack to operate said a.c. generator.