Non-mechanical contact actuator for an article

• US 6,540,375 B1
• Filed: 09/12/2001
• Issued: 04/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard C. Levy, Robert W. Jeffway Jr
• Original Assignee: Richard C. Levy, Robert W. Jeffway Jr
• Inventors: Levy, Richard C., Jeffway, Robert W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSIDULKO, MARK
• Application Number:
  US09/949,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20030048636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 362/205, 362/112, 362/113, 362/114, 362/802, 362/394, 235/462.43, 200/60, 200/61.02
• US Class Current: 362/205
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A flashlight has a housing with a recess through which is passed a light beam from a light source to a light receiver. The receiver is coupled through a microprocessor to energize the bulb of the flashlight upon interruption of the light beam by an individual'"'"'s finger or by a mechanical element movable between positions interrupting and not interrupting the light beam.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a flashlight housing for containing at least one battery, a bulb and a flashlight actuation zone located along said housing;

a light source and a light receiver carried by said housing, said light source projecting a beam of light through the actuation zone for reception by said light receiver; and

an electronic circuit coupled to said light receiver and responsive to interruption of the light beam to energize the bulb thereby actuating the flashlight;

said electronic circuit including a microprocessor for processing a signal from said light receiver upon interruption of the light beam for actuating the flashlight.

2. A flashlight comprising:

a flashlight housing for containing at least one battery, a bulb and a flashlight actuation zone located along said housing;

a light source and a light receiver carried by said housing, said light source projecting a beam of light through the actuation zone for reception by said light receiver; and

an electronic circuit coupled to said light receiver and responsive to interruption of the light beam to energize the bulb thereby actuating the flashlight;

said electronic circuit including a microprocessor for processing a signal from said light receiver upon removal of the interruption of the light beam for deactuating the flashlight.

3. A flashlight comprising:

a flashlight housing for containing at least one battery, a bulb and a flashlight actuation zone located along said housing;

a light source and a light receiver carried by said housing, said light source projecting a beam of light through the actuation zone for reception by said light receiver; and

an electronic circuit coupled to said light receiver and responsive to interruption of the light beam to energize the bulb thereby actuating the flashlight;

said housing including a recess opening outwardly thereof, said light source and said light receiver being carried by said housing such that the beam of light passes through said recess from said light source to said light receiver.

4. A flashlight according to claim 3 including an access opening to said recess to enable an individual to insert a finger into the recess to interrupt the light beam.

5. A flashlight according to claim 3 including a bracket mounted on said housing movable between a first position remote from said light beam and a second position in said recess, interrupting the light beam.

6. A flashlight according to claim 5 wherein said bracket includes a pivoted lever.