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US4672215A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Hand held laser bar code reader with safety shutoff responsive to housing motion detector

Assignee: Newport Corp USA
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Filing: 1986-02-27
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Granted: 1987-06-09
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Expires: 2006-02-27
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Abstract

Abstract A hand held laser bar code reader includes a motion sensor and associated circuitry to disable energization of the laser unless the bar code reader has just undergone some degree of motion. This safety feature avoids the possibility of the bar code reader's being held motionless for a long enough time to cause retinal damage to a human eye.

Inventors

  • 👤 P. Guy Howard

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 13:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10881; G06K2207/00; G06K2207/1018

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 99 words
A safety shutoff device for a hand held laser beam projecting device which includes a laser drive, a housing, a power supply and a trigger switch, for preventing operation of the laser device in a stationary position for a long enough time to cause damage to the human eye, comprising, motion detector means attached to the housing for sensing motion of said housing and producing a signal indicating motion, motion sense circuit means connected to the motion detector means for disabling the laser drive except when the laser device has just undergone motion within a preselected period of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 99 words
A safety shutoff device for a hand held laser beam projecting device which includes a laser drive, a housing, a power supply and a trigger switch, for preventing operation of the laser device in a stationary position for a long enough time to cause damage to the human eye, comprising, motion detector means attached to the housing for sensing motion of said housing and producing a signal indicating motion, motion sense circuit means connected to the motion detector means for disabling the laser drive except when the laser device has just undergone motion within a preselected period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
The safety shutoff apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the motion detector means comprises an intermittent switch device for producing a first signal when the laser device has been stationary for said preselected period, and a second signal when the laser device is in motion or has just undergone motion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The safety shutoff apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the motion detector means comprises means for detecting motion in different directions and along different axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
The safety shutoff apparatus defined in claim 3, wherein the motion detector means includes a plurality of motion switches connected to said motion sense circuit means, each motion switch being in a different orientation in the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The safety shutoff apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the motion sense circuit means provides a different preselected time period for each motion switch.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4387297A Cited
US4496831A Cited
US4387297B1 Cited
US4575625A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-06-08 1990-12-08 1991-06-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-06-08 1994-12-08 1995-06-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-06-08 1998-12-08 1999-06-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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