Patent US4071726A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4071726A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical switch having actuator light transmissive region, intermediate lens and light source
Assignee: Lucas Electrical Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-01-29
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Granted: 1978-01-31
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Expires: 1996-01-29
Abstract
Abstract An electrical switch has an operating member movable between two positions and includes a light transmissive region in the operating member. The region is illuminated by a light source acting through a lens. Movement of the operating member between the two positions changes the relative position of the lens and the light source such that the area and intensity of the light on the light transmissive portion is varied in said two positions. This variation provides a visible indication of the operative position of the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Konrad Werda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An electrical switch assembly having indicator means comprising: a body; an operating member, mounted in said body, for movement relative thereto between first and second spaced positions; a light transmissive region, located in said operating member, visible in both of said first and second operative positions; light source means for emitting light and illuminating said light transmissive region; lens means, disposed between said light source means and said light transmissive region and responsive to the distance from said light source means, for modifying the light illuminating said light transmissive region into varying levels of exposure area on said light transmissive region; and spacing means, responsive to said operating member, for varying said distance between said light source means and said lens means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electrical switch assembly having indicator means comprising: a body; an operating member, mounted in said body, for movement relative thereto between first and second spaced positions; a light transmissive region, located in said operating member, visible in both of said first and second operative positions; light source means for emitting light and illuminating said light transmissive region; lens means, disposed between said light source means and said light transmissive region and responsive to the distance from said light source means, for modifying the light illuminating said light transmissive region into varying levels of exposure area on said light transmissive region; and spacing means, responsive to said operating member, for varying said distance between said light source means and said lens means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical switch of claim 1 wherein said lens means has a focal length and said spacing means varies said distance from less than said focal length to greater than said focal length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electrical switch assembly having indicator means comprising: a body; an operating member, mounted in said body, for movement relative thereto between first and second spaced positions; a light transmissive region, located in said operating member, visible in both of said first and second operative positions; light source means for emitting light and illuminating said light transmissive region; lens means, disposed between said light source means and said light transmissive region and responsive to the distance from said light source means, for modifying the light illuminating said light transmissive region into varying levels of exposure area on said light transmissive region, said operating member further varying said distance between said light source means and said lens means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electrical switch assembly having indicator means comprising: a body; an operating member, mounted in said body, for movement relative thereto between first and second spaced positions; a light transmissive region, located in said operating member, visible in both of said first and second operative positions; light source means for emitting light and illuminating said light transmissive region; lens means, disposed between said light source means and said light transmissive region and responsive to the distance from said light source means, for modifying the light illuminating said light transmissive region into varying levels of exposure area on said light transmissive region, said operating member further varying said distance between said light source means and said lens means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electrical switch of claim 3 wherein said lens means has a focal length and said operating member varies said distance for less than said focal length to greater than said focal length.
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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) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |