US3676691A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic shut-off circuit for copying machine
Assignee: COPYSTATICS Inc C/O LOWENTHAL A DE CORP
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Filing: 1970-10-05
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-10-05
Abstract
Abstract An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine. A Triac is included in one of the two power leads extended to the machine. A control circuit, connected across the power line, includes a 60second timing circuit and an SCR. The SCR is triggered at the end of the 60-second timing period and causes the Triac to turn off, thus cutting off power to the machine. Whenever an original document inserted into the machine is detected, the timing circuit is reset. Only if no new document has been fed into the machine for a period of 60 seconds is the machine automatically shut off.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Nordine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine, said copying machine including a main power line having on-off switch means therein and means for detecting the feeding into the machine of an original document to be copied, said shut-off circuit comprising semiconductor switch means having a control terminal connected in said power line, voltage breakdown means coupled to the control terminal of said semiconductor switching means, means for normally maintaining said voltage breakdown means in a non-conducting condition to enable conduction of said semiconductor switching means, means for controlling conduction through said voltage breakdown means after a predetermined time interval, said voltage breakdown means thereafter remaining on to prevent conduction through said semiconductor switching means independent of said controlling means, means for resetting said controlling means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document being fed into said machine, and means responsive to the opening of said on-off switch means for turning off said voltage breakdown means for thereafter enabling the conduction of said semiconductor switching means responsive to the closing of said on-off switch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine, said copying machine including a main power line having on-off switch means therein and means for detecting the feeding into the machine of an original document to be copied, said shut-off circuit comprising semiconductor switch means having a control terminal connected in said power line, voltage breakdown means coupled to the control terminal of said semiconductor switching means, means for normally maintaining said voltage breakdown means in a non-conducting condition to enable conduction of said semiconductor switching means, means for controlling conduction through said voltage breakdown means after a predetermined time interval, said voltage breakdown means thereafter remaining on to prevent conduction through said semiconductor switching means independent of said controlling means, means for resetting said controlling means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document being fed into said machine, and means responsive to the opening of said on-off switch means for turning off said voltage breakdown means for thereafter enabling the conduction of said semiconductor switching means responsive to the closing of said on-off switch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said voltage breakdown means is connected across said power line following said on-off switch means such that the opening of said on-off switch means cuts off current flow from said power line through said voltage breakdown means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein said controlling means includes a capacitor, means for charging said capacitor, means responsive to the voltage across said capacitor reaching a predetermined value for causing said voltage breakdown means to turn on, and means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document fed into said machine for preventing the charging of said capacitor above a value which is substantially below that value which causes said voltage breakdown means to turn on.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 3 wherein said detecting means includes photo-detecting means and lamp means for illuminating said photo-detecting means across the path followed by an original document fed into the machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
An automatic shut-off ciRcuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said controlling means includes a capacitor, means for charging said capacitor, means responsive to the voltage across said capacitor reaching a predetermined value for causing said voltage breakdown means to turn on, and means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document fed into said machine for preventing the charging of said capacitor above a value which is substantially below that value which causes said voltage breakdown means to turn on.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said detecting means includes photo-detecting means and lamp means for illuminating said photo-detecting means across the path followed by an original document fed into the machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine, said copying machine including a main power line having on-off switch means therein and means for detecting the feeding into the machine of an original document to be copied, said shut-off circuit comprising semiconductor switch means connected in said power line to be energized thereby and to supply power to said machine, a normally non-conducting element connected to said power line, voltage breakdown means for energizing said normally non-conducting element and for de-energizing said semiconductor switch means to thereby turn off the supply of power to said machine, means for controlling conduction through said voltage breakdown means after a predetermined time interval, means for resetting said controlling means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document being fed into said machine and means responsive to the opening of said on-off switch means for turning off said voltage breakdown means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
151 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine, said copying machine including a main power line having on-off switch means therein and means for detecting the feeding into the machine of an original document to be copied, said shut-off circuit comprising semiconductor switch means connected in said power line to be energized thereby and to supply power to said machine, a normally non-conducting element connected to said power line, voltage breakdown means for energizing said normally non-conducting element and for de-energizing said semiconductor switch means to thereby turn off the supply of power to said machine, means for controlling conduction through said voltage breakdown means after a predetermined time interval, means for resetting said controlling means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document being fed into said machine and means responsive to the opening of said on-off switch means for turning off said voltage breakdown means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said controlling means includes a capacitor, means for charging said capacitor, means responsive to the voltage across said capacitor reaching a predetermined value for causing said voltage breakdown means to turn on, and means responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document fed into said machine for preventing the charging of said capacitor above a value which is substantially below that value which causes said voltage breakdown means to turn on.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
An automatic shut-off circuit for a copying machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said resetting means includes a normally open switch, a relay for closing said switch responsive to the detection by said detecting means of an original document being fed into said machine, closure of said switch being operable to discharge said controlling means and thereby prevent conduction through said voltage breakdown means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |