US3584222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric switch for turning on lights in response to activating beam of light
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-01-23
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-01-23
Abstract
Abstract Illumination system for store buildings, parking lots, and the like areas, activated for selected time intervals by a beam of radiant energy such as a light beam from a patrolman''s flashlight, patrol car spotlight, etc. or condition sensors. A detector is mounted in or near the area to be illuminated, with the muzzle thereof aimed in such a way as to exclude inadvertent actuation by ambient light or reflected light, when actuated by a light beam or light beam pulses produces a gate signal for a solid state switch, such as a triac, which is in circuit with a source of alternating current power and a load circuit such as floodlights, and/or a low voltage lighting control system. A time delay device bypasses the solid state switch for a selected time interval, and after passage of the selected time interval, opens to deenergize the load circuit and conditions the circuit for subsequent actuation by a beam of radiant energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Philip Nesbitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H47/00; H01H47/22; H01H47/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
Radiant beam controlled illumination apparatus comprising in combination, a pair of alternating current power input terminals, a pair of alternating current power output terminals, conductor means directly connecting one of said input power terminals to one of said output power terminals, radiant beam controlled switch means for directly electrically connecting the other of said input power terminals to the other of said output power terminals for a selected time interval, said radiant beam controlled switch means including an electronic switch having a pair of main terminals and a gate terminal, means connecting one of said main terminals to the said other of said input power terminals and the other of its main terminals to the said other output power terminal, radiant beam sensor connected between said gate terminal and said the other of said input power terminals, said radiant beam sensor applying a signal to said gate terminal upon impingement thereon of a beam of radiant energy to render said electronic switch conductive between said main terminals, timer means, means connecting said timer means across said pair of output power terminals, normally open switch means closed upon energization of said timer means for a selected time interval, means conneCting said normally open switch means in parallel to the said main terminals of said electronic switch to thereby bypass said electronic switch for said selected time interval, and an illumination circuit connected to said pair of output power terminals and energized on energization of said pair of output power terminals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
Radiant beam controlled illumination apparatus comprising in combination, a pair of alternating current power input terminals, a pair of alternating current power output terminals, conductor means directly connecting one of said input power terminals to one of said output power terminals, radiant beam controlled switch means for directly electrically connecting the other of said input power terminals to the other of said output power terminals for a selected time interval, said radiant beam controlled switch means including an electronic switch having a pair of main terminals and a gate terminal, means connecting one of said main terminals to the said other of said input power terminals and the other of its main terminals to the said other output power terminal, radiant beam sensor connected between said gate terminal and said the other of said input power terminals, said radiant beam sensor applying a signal to said gate terminal upon impingement thereon of a beam of radiant energy to render said electronic switch conductive between said main terminals, timer means, means connecting said timer means across said pair of output power terminals, normally open switch means closed upon energization of said timer means for a selected time interval, means conneCting said normally open switch means in parallel to the said main terminals of said electronic switch to thereby bypass said electronic switch for said selected time interval, and an illumination circuit connected to said pair of output power terminals and energized on energization of said pair of output power terminals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said pair of output power terminals is constituted by an electrical convenience receptacle, and including an electrical plug having connector prongs adapted to be inserted in said convenience receptacle, a voltage stepdown transformer, said transformer being contained in a housing common to said electrical plug and having the primary winding thereof directly connected to the connector prongs of said plug, and a pair of low voltage terminals on the exterior of said housing, said low voltage terminals being directly connected to the secondary winding of said transformer whereby said low voltage terminals are energized on energization of said pair of output power terminals for said selected time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention defined in claim 2, including a low voltage control solenoid, low voltage wiring means connecting said solenoid to said low voltage terminals, means mounting said control solenoid in the proximity of a light control means, and means controlled by said control solenoid for actuating said light control means for said selected interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention defined in claim 3, wherein said means controlled by said control solenoid includes: light control means actuating lever moved in one direction on energization of said solenoid and returned to its initial position on deenergization of said solenoid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 1, including condition sensor means connected to said gate terminal of said electronic switch to supply a gate signal thereto upon the sensing by same of an abnormal condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention defined in claim 1, including a tubular member for admitting said radiant beam to said radiant beam sensor, cap means at the end of said tube remote from said sensor having an aperture therein of a size related to the length of said tube whereby the included angle is between 6* and 13*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
Lighting control apparatus comprising in combination, an enclosure, a tube projecting from said enclosure and extending inwardly of the exterior of said enclosure, the axis of said tube being angled downwardly, photocell means for detecting a light beam entering said tube at the end thereof exterior of said enclosure, semiconductor switch means electrically connected to said photocell means and operated closed upon detection of said light beam by said detector, time delay switch means energized on actuation of said semiconductor switch means to electrically bypass said semiconductor switch means, a pair of alternating current power output terminals, said alternating current power output terminals including a female outlet receptacle mounted in a wall of said enclosure, means connecting the terminals of said electrical outlet receptacle to one side of a source of alternating current supply and to one side of said time delay switch means, respectively, whereby said electrical outlet receptacle is energized upon actuation of said time delay switch means, and lighting means energized on energization of said electrical outlet receptacle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
Lighting control apparatus comprising in combination, an enclosure, a tube projecting from said enclosure and extending inwardly of the exterior of said enclosure, the axis of said tube being angled downwardly, photocell means for detecting a light beam entering said tube at the end thereof exterior of said enclosure, semiconductor switch means electrically connected to said photocell means and operated closed upon detection of said light beam by said detector, time delay switch means energized on actuation of said semiconductor switch means to electrically bypass said semiconductor switch means, a pair of alternating current power output terminals, said alternating current power output terminals including a female outlet receptacle mounted in a wall of said enclosure, means connecting the terminals of said electrical outlet receptacle to one side of a source of alternating current supply and to one side of said time delay switch means, respectively, whereby said electrical outlet receptacle is energized upon actuation of said time delay switch means, and lighting means energized on energization of said electrical outlet receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The invention defined in claim 7, including a stepdown transformer and a housing for said transformer, a pair of male prongs adapted to be plugged into said electrical outlet receptacle, said male prongs being connected in parallel with the primary winding of said stepdown transformer and extending from the housing of said transformer, controlled means remote from said receptacle connected to the low voltage winding of said transformer and actuated on energization of said electrical outlet receptacle for controlling said lightiNg means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said controlled means includes a solenoid, means connecting the winding of said solenoid to receive the energizing current from said low voltage winding of said transformer, a lever arm actuated by said solenoid, means mounting said lever arm on the actuating lever of a wall light switch, and spring means biasing said lever in a direction to return said light switch to an off position on deenergization of said low voltage transformer secondary.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
180 words
Light actuated lighting system for buildings and the like having a window, comprising in combination, an electric lamp lighting system for said building for lighting the interior thereof, a photocell positioned in said building to be viewable from the exterior thereof through said window, an elongated tube means for limiting light reaching said photocell to light directed thereto from a mobile artificial light beam source through said window and from the exterior of said building, a triac connected in circuit with and a source of alternating current power, means connecting said triac to said photocell to cause said triac to close the circuit to said lighting system from said alternating current electric power supply upon a beam of light being directed to said photocell, and time delay means connected in circuit with said triac and energized thereby, switch means operated by said time delay means to bypass said triac and to carry load current to said lighting system for a predetermined time interval, and deenergize said lighting system after said predetermined time interval and open the bypass of said triac.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
180 words
Light actuated lighting system for buildings and the like having a window, comprising in combination, an electric lamp lighting system for said building for lighting the interior thereof, a photocell positioned in said building to be viewable from the exterior thereof through said window, an elongated tube means for limiting light reaching said photocell to light directed thereto from a mobile artificial light beam source through said window and from the exterior of said building, a triac connected in circuit with and a source of alternating current power, means connecting said triac to said photocell to cause said triac to close the circuit to said lighting system from said alternating current electric power supply upon a beam of light being directed to said photocell, and time delay means connected in circuit with said triac and energized thereby, switch means operated by said time delay means to bypass said triac and to carry load current to said lighting system for a predetermined time interval, and deenergize said lighting system after said predetermined time interval and open the bypass of said triac.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
A light beam controlled illumination apparatus comprising a pair of electrical power input terminals, a pair of normally nonenergized electrical power output terminals light beam detector means, first switch means actuated by said light beam detector means for connecting said pair of input power terminals to said pair of output electrical power terminals to energize same, time delay means electrically connected in parallel with said power output terminals, second switch means actuated by said time delay means a time interval after energization of said output terminals to deenergize said output terminals, and an illumination circuit connected to said pair of output power terminals and energized from said output power terminals for said time interval
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
A light beam controlled illumination apparatus comprising a pair of electrical power input terminals, a pair of normally nonenergized electrical power output terminals light beam detector means, first switch means actuated by said light beam detector means for connecting said pair of input power terminals to said pair of output electrical power terminals to energize same, time delay means electrically connected in parallel with said power output terminals, second switch means actuated by said time delay means a time interval after energization of said output terminals to deenergize said output terminals, and an illumination circuit connected to said pair of output power terminals and energized from said output power terminals for said time interval
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention defined in claim 11, wherein said second switch means includes normally closed contacts connected in circuit between one of said pair of input power terminals and one of said output power terminals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
The invention defined in claim 11, wherein said light beam detector includes a cadmium sulfide cell the impedance of which varies as a function of light, and wherein said first switch means includes a relay having an operating coil, means connecting the operating coil of said relay in series circuit with said cadmium sulfide cell and said pair of input power terminals said cell having an impedance when no light beam impinges thereon such that current flow through said relay coil is insufficient to operate same and an impedance when a light beam impinges thereupon which permits sufficient current to flow through said coil to energize same, a pair of normally open contacts, said pair of normally open contacts being closed by said relay coil on energization thereof, first a conductor means connecting a first of
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention defined in claim 13, wherein said second switch means includes normally closed contacts connected in circuit between the other of said input power terminals and said relay coil. second conductor means connecting a second of said pair of normally open contacts to one of said input power terminals and to one of said output power terminals to thereby energize said output power terminals on closing of said second of said pair of normally open contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3176189A
Cited
US3210611A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |