US4016453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proximity pad with controlled illumination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-15
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1996-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A small thin console or pad has a metal proximity switch actuated by a control ring mounted on one surface, with a small light bulb within the ring. The pad is used for remote control of a load which may be a lamp, or some other electric appliance such as a radio or stereo. The pad is connected to a wall outlet unit containing a triac as a switching device for the load. The light bulb on the pad is normally at a low glow for a night light. When the metal ring is first touched the triac is turned on for the load; and when it is touched again the triac is turned off, thereby shutting off the load, while the light on the pad is brought up to full brilliance for a predetermined interval of time as a courtesy light, and then returns to the normal night light intensity.
Inventors
- 👤 Herald Richard Moennig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:55
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/96; H03K17/962; H03K17/51; H03K17/56; H03K17/72; H03K17/725; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/35; H03K3/351
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus comprising a control unit and a load switching unit; said load switching unit including a switching device coupled between an electric source and a load, and a control lead to the switching device from the control unit; said control unit comprising a metal touch element, an electric light, and control circuits; said control circuits having an input connection from the metal element, a first output connection to the electric light, and a second output connection to said control lead; means for normally supplying current to the electric light to energize it for a low level of illumination; means actuated each time said metal touch element is touched for changing a signal at the second output connection to switch said switching device between on and off to thereby alternately energize and de-energize the load; and means effective when the switching device is switched to off for supplying current via said first output connection to energize said electric light to a high level of illumination and to return it to the low level after a predetermined interval of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus comprising a control unit and a load switching unit; said load switching unit including a switching device coupled between an electric source and a load, and a control lead to the switching device from the control unit; said control unit comprising a metal touch element, an electric light, and control circuits; said control circuits having an input connection from the metal element, a first output connection to the electric light, and a second output connection to said control lead; means for normally supplying current to the electric light to energize it for a low level of illumination; means actuated each time said metal touch element is touched for changing a signal at the second output connection to switch said switching device between on and off to thereby alternately energize and de-energize the load; and means effective when the switching device is switched to off for supplying current via said first output connection to energize said electric light to a high level of illumination and to return it to the low level after a predetermined interval of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metal element is shaped as a ring, and said electric light is mounted within said ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control unit is a small thin pad having a plastic case, with a Plexiglas sheet forming one surface, and said ring and electric light are mounted in the center of the Plexiglas sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control circuits include bistable means having first and second states, input circuit means coupling the metal element to the bistable means to change the state of the bistable means in response to touching the metal element, first output means coupled between the bistable means and the electric light, and second output means coupled between the bistable means and the control lead to the load switching means, the load switching means being on to energize the load via the second output means in response to the bistable means being in its first state, and being off in response to the bistable means being in its second state, wherein said first output means includes timing means which is actuated when the bistable means changes from its first state to its second state to energize the electric light to said high level, said timing means providing the measurement of said predetermined interval of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said switching device is a solid-state device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said switching device is a triac having a gate electrode connected to said control lead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said input circuit means comprises a field effect transistor circuit with an input connected to said metal element, amplifying means having direct coupling from the field effect transistor circuit, and a monostable circuit means coupled between said amplifying means and said bistable means to supply a pulse to change the state of the bistable means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said timing means comprises a field effect transistor circuit which includes resistance-capacitance means for timing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said metal element is shaped as a ring, and said electric light is mounted within said ring.
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) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |