US3944878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable brightness light display apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-11-01
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Granted: 1976-03-16
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Expires: 1994-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A sequential light flashing circuit usable as a decorative display for Christmas decorations or the like includes a switching circuit for energizing lights in a predetermined sequence to provide a variety of distinct light patterns. A thyristor brightness control circuit is employed in conjunction with the sequential switching circuit to vary the brightness of each light during its operating interval. The operation of the sequential switching circuit may be stopped at any desired point to permit any light pattern in the sequence to be continuously displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Basil G. Gerontakis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/001; H; H01; H01H; H01H43/00; H01H43/10; H01H43/12; H01H43/124; H02; H02M; H02M5/00; H02M5/02; H02M5/04; H02M5/22; H02M5/25; H02M5/257; H02M5/2573; H02M5/2576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A sequencing device for applying power from a power source to a plurality of electrical lighting circuits comprising: a thyristor having main terminals connectable in circuit with said power source and said electrical lighting circuits, and a control terminal; a plurality of sequencing switches each connected in circuit with said thyristor and one of said lighting circuits for selectively connecting one of said lighting circuits in circuit with said thyristor; a variable impedance element electrically coupled to said control terminal for varying the flow of current through said main terminals; and sequencing means operatively coupled to said variable impedance element and to said sequencing switches for simultaneously varying the impedance of said variable impedance element and selectively connecting said thyristor in series with predetermined ones of said electrical lighting circuits in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A sequencing device for applying power from a power source to a plurality of electrical lighting circuits comprising: a thyristor having main terminals connectable in circuit with said power source and said electrical lighting circuits, and a control terminal; a plurality of sequencing switches each connected in circuit with said thyristor and one of said lighting circuits for selectively connecting one of said lighting circuits in circuit with said thyristor; a variable impedance element electrically coupled to said control terminal for varying the flow of current through said main terminals; and sequencing means operatively coupled to said variable impedance element and to said sequencing switches for simultaneously varying the impedance of said variable impedance element and selectively connecting said thyristor in series with predetermined ones of said electrical lighting circuits in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 1 wherein said variable impedance means includes a variable resistor and said sequencing means includes an electric motor mechanically coupled to said switches and said variable resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 2 wherein said sequencing means includes a disc shaped cam member having a plurality of arcuate cam surfaces engageable by said switches disposed on a major surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 3 further including means for independently applying power from said power source to said thyristor and said electric motor, said power applying means being operative to a first state for applying power to both said thyristor means and said electric motor, and to a second state for applying power only to said thyristor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A sequencing device for driving a plurality of lighting circuits in a decorative lighting display comprising: a thyristor having main terminals and a control terminal; means connected in circuit with one of said main terminals of said thyristor for sequentially coupling predetermined ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor; means connected to said control terminal for controlling the conduction angle of said thyristor; and a mechanical drive mechanism operatively coupled to said sequential coupling means and said control means for varying the conduction angle of said thyristor between predetermined limits and coupling different ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A sequencing device for driving a plurality of lighting circuits in a decorative lighting display comprising: a thyristor having main terminals and a control terminal; means connected in circuit with one of said main terminals of said thyristor for sequentially coupling predetermined ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor; means connected to said control terminal for controlling the conduction angle of said thyristor; and a mechanical drive mechanism operatively coupled to said sequential coupling means and said control means for varying the conduction angle of said thyristor between predetermined limits and coupling different ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 5 wherein said conduction angle controlling means includes a potentiometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 6 wherein said mechanical drive mechanism includes first and second gears having a four-to-one drive ratio for causing said first gear to rotate more slowly than said second gear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 7 wherein said sequential coupling means is mechanically coupled to said first gear and said potentiometer is mechanically coupled to said second gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 8 wherein said first gear has a plurality of arcuate cam faces disposed thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 9 wherein said potentiometer includes a control shaft, and said second gear is affixed to said control shaft for rotation therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 10 further including switch means having first and second states connected to said potentiometer, said switch means being operative to cause said potentiometer to gradually increase the conduction angle of said thyristor upon rotation of said control shaft in a predetermined direction when said switch means is operated to said first state, and to gradually decrease the conduction angle of said thyristor upon rotation of said control shaft in said predetermined direction when said switch means is operated to said second state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 11 wherein said switch means has a third state for rendering said lighting circuits nonresponsive to the rotation of said control shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 9 wherein said potentiometer includes a control shaft and said device includes crank means affixed to said control shaft and a connecting rod interconnecting said crank means and said first gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 9 further including a second thyristor, said potentiometer being electrically coupled to said thyristor and said second thyristor for simultaneously increasing the conduction angle of one of said thyristors and decreasing the condution angle of the other one of said thyristors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 14 wherein said sequential coupling means includes multiple position switch means electrically coupled to both of said thyristors for alternately coupling one of said lighting circuits to said first and second thyristors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 15 wherein said sequential coupling means further includes a switch connected in series with said multiple position switch means and one of said lighting circuits.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sequencing device as recited in claim 14 wherein said sequential coupling means includes multiple position switch means electrically coupled to one of said thyristors for sequentially coupling different ones of said lighting circuits to said thyristor.
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) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |