Patent US4960988A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4960988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety shut-off protection system
Assignee: EMELE THOMAS
•
Filing: 1989-03-06
•
Granted: 1990-10-02
•
Expires: 2009-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A safety shut-off protection system is provided for a light responsive system such as video cameras, image intensifiers, thermal imagers, or the like. The light responsive system further includes several series-connected, normally-closed, light responsive photoelectric Darlington safety switches. These safety switches are located to receive light along with the light responsive systems. Light exceeding a threshold intensity impinging on any one of the Darlington safety switches causes such a switch to operate to deactivate the light sensitive system.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Simms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A safety shut-off protection system for a light sensitive system having a sensing element therein, said protection system including in combination: electrical control circuit means coupled with said sensing element of said light sensitive system for activating and deactivating said sensing element; and light responsive safety switch means having a light receiving portion concentrically mounted with respect to said light sensitive system and connected in electrical circuit with said electrical control circuit means and including means physically located to receive light directed toward said light sensitive system for deactivating said sensing element in response to light of a predetermined intensity impinging thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A safety shut-off protection system for a light sensitive system having a sensing element therein, said protection system including in combination: electrical control circuit means coupled with said sensing element of said light sensitive system for activating and deactivating said sensing element; and light responsive safety switch means having a light receiving portion concentrically mounted with respect to said light sensitive system and connected in electrical circuit with said electrical control circuit means and including means physically located to receive light directed toward said light sensitive system for deactivating said sensing element in response to light of a predetermined intensity impinging thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein light responsive safety switch means comprises photoelectric Darlington switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said light responsive safety switch means further is responsive to light having a predetermined wavelength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined wavelength comprises visible light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined wavelength comprises infrared light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said light sensitive system is an optical system, and further including a housing for said optical system, said electrical control circuit means and said light responsive safety switch means, with said optical system and said light responsive safety switch means mounted to simultaneously receive light from the same direction impinging thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said housing is a substantially cylindrical housing with said optical system being mounted in a circular opening therein substantially in the center of one end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said light responsive safety switch means comprises a plurality of safety switch means substantially concentrically disposed about said optical system with said plurality of safety switch means being interconnected in series circuit with one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein different ones of said plurality of safety switch means are responsive to light of different wavelengths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 9 further including a power supply in said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 10 wherein said power supply is a battery power supply.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said light sensitive system is an optical system, and further including a housing for said optical system, said electrical control circuit means and said light responsive safety switch means, with said optical system and said light responsive safety switch means mounted to simultaneously receive light from the same direction impinging thereon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein the light receiving portion of said light responsive safety switch means is concentrically mounted with respect to said optical system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein said light responsive safety switch means comprises a plurality of safety switch means substantially concentrically disposed about said optical system with said plurality of safety switch means being interconnected in series circuit with one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein different ones of said plurality of safety switch means are responsive to light of different wavelengths.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said light responsive safety switch means further is responsive to light having a predetermined wavelength.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A safety shut-off protection system including in combination: a housing having a light receiving opening therein; an electronic device mounted in said housing; a power supply mounted in said housing and connected to said electronic device; and a plurality of light responsive safety switch means located in different positions about said light receiving opening in said housing to receive light impinging thereon and being interconnected in series circuit with one another and connected in electrical circuit with said electronic device and said power supply for disabling said electronic device in response to light of a predetermined intensity impinging thereon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
A safety shut-off protection system including in combination: a housing having a light receiving opening therein; an electronic device mounted in said housing; a power supply mounted in said housing and connected to said electronic device; and a plurality of light responsive safety switch means located in different positions about said light receiving opening in said housing to receive light impinging thereon and being interconnected in series circuit with one another and connected in electrical circuit with said electronic device and said power supply for disabling said electronic device in response to light of a predetermined intensity impinging thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination according to claim 17 wherein said light responsive safety switch means further is responsive to light having a predetermined wavelength.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination according to claim 18 wherein said predetermined wavelength comprises visible light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination according to claim 18 wherein said predetermined wavelength comprises infrared light.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 17 wherein different ones of said plurality of safety switch means are responsive to light of different wavelengths.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 17 wherein light responsive safety switch means comprises photoelectric Darlington switch means.
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) | 1993-10-01 | 1994-04-02 | 1994-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-01 | 1998-04-02 | 1998-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-01 | 2002-04-02 | 2002-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |