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US4044250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Devices for detecting the presence of an object in a monitored region
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-20
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1995-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A device for detecting the presence of an object in a region to be monitored of the kind comprising light emitting means, electronic light receiving means, and an optical system having means for focussing the light emitted by the light emitting means and means for focussing any light reflected by an object in the monitored region and passing to the light receiving means. The respective focussing means, which are preferably incorporated in a common block moulded from a light permeable material such as glass or plastics material, are so arranged relative to one another that the path of the light rays from the light emitting means and the path of any light rays passed to the light receiving means meet at an angle to one another in the region to be monitored.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Fetzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H7/00; B65H7/02; B65H7/14; G; G01; G01V; G01V8/00; G01V8/10; G01V8/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A device for detecting the presence of an object in a region to be monitored, comprising: light emitting means, electronic light receiving means, and an optical system comprising means for focussing the light emitted by the light emitting means into a bundle of light rays and means for focussing any bundle of light rays reflected by an object in the monitored region and passing same to the light receiving means, said respective focussing means being so arranged relative to one another that the bundle of the light rays from the light emitting means and the bundle of any light rays passed to the light receiving means meet at an angle to one another to define said object region exclusively at the intersection of the most constricted cross-section areas of both said light ray bundles, said respective focussing means being fixedly incorporated in a common block which is a nonreadily disassemble and disadjustable unitary structure consisting essentially of transparent optically refractive material which is permmeable to light, wherein said block has a plane surface as one side thereof and its opposite side includes as at least part of said focussing means two respective lens portions whose optical axes are both at an oblique angle relative to said plane surface and convergingly extend through said block for intersection at a predetermined distance outward from said plane surface at least near the center of said object region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A device for detecting the presence of an object in a region to be monitored, comprising: light emitting means, electronic light receiving means, and an optical system comprising means for focussing the light emitted by the light emitting means into a bundle of light rays and means for focussing any bundle of light rays reflected by an object in the monitored region and passing same to the light receiving means, said respective focussing means being so arranged relative to one another that the bundle of the light rays from the light emitting means and the bundle of any light rays passed to the light receiving means meet at an angle to one another to define said object region exclusively at the intersection of the most constricted cross-section areas of both said light ray bundles, said respective focussing means being fixedly incorporated in a common block which is a nonreadily disassemble and disadjustable unitary structure consisting essentially of transparent optically refractive material which is permmeable to light, wherein said block has a plane surface as one side thereof and its opposite side includes as at least part of said focussing means two respective lens portions whose optical axes are both at an oblique angle relative to said plane surface and convergingly extend through said block for intersection at a predetermined distance outward from said plane surface at least near the center of said object region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said block is a moulding of glass or plastics material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the block has a plane surface on one side thereof and lens portions, whose optical axes intersect, on the opposite side thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said block comprises lens portions having part-spherical surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said block comprises lens portions having aspherical surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said block comprises lens portions having part-cylindrical surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said block comprises lens portions having toric surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said block comprises focussing means for at least one further light emitting means and at least one further light receiving means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1, comprising a casing which contains the light emitting means and the light receiving means and which is airtightly and watertightly closed by said block so that only a plane surface of the block is exposed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 1, comprising a casing an open side of which is closed by said block, the block having lens portions and a plate-like portion which overhangs the lens portions and provides a supporting shoulder whereby the block is supported in the casing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device according to claim 1, commprising a casing an open side of which is closed by said block, the casing having an outwardly extending flange portion and the block having lens portions and a plate-like portion which overhangs the lens portions and provides a supporting shoulder which cooperates with the flange portion, sealing means being interposed between the said shoulder and the said flange portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said common block is an integral unitary structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 including means for strictly delimiting said object region to ensure that only an object situated in said region is detected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined distance between said object region center and said plane surface is effected by said lens portions being disposed with their said optical axes (a) extending at equal predetermined angles relative to said plane surface and (b) separated a given distance as measured on said opposite side parallel to said plane surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as in claim 14 having means determining the size of said object region including the outer surfaces of said lens portions being respectively disposed a given distance from said light emitting and receiving means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 1 including a casing airtightly and watertightly enclosing all of said light emitting and receiving means and all of said block with the exception of substantially only said plane surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said plane surface is optically machined and is the only part of said block that is optically machined.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |