US5205637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch operated lighting attachment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-02-14
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Granted: 1993-04-27
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Expires: 2012-02-14
Abstract
Abstract An illumination device for a remote control console having at least one light source and a control box having switching circuitry for selectively providing an electric current to illuminate the light source. The control box has an upper cover panel, a lower cover panel, and an internal circuit board panel. The switching circuitry is operationally connected to the control box and the light source. The switching circuitry provides an electrical power supply to the light source when activated to light the keyboard console. The light source is operationally connected to the post assembly and the control box. The post assembly is provided and is adjustable for positioning the light source at various selected positions directly over the keyboard console. The control box is adapted for releasable attachment to the body of the remote control console.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred Caspari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:42
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V23/00; F21V23/04; F21V33/00; F21V33/0004; F21V33/0052; H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/04; H05B39/041; H05B39/044; H05B47/00; H05B47/10; H05B47/105; H05B47/175; H05B47/196; H05B47/1975; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A lightweight and portable touch activated flashlight apparatus for illuminating the keyboard of a remote control device, comprising: a mounting box consisting of an upper cover panel, and internal circuit board, and a lower cover panel; said upper cover panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and fastening means for fastening at least one magnet to said inner surface of said upper cover panel; said at least one magnet being configured and arranged when fastened to said inner surface of said upper cover panel to releasably affix the flashlight apparatus to the remote control device; means extending downwards through said upper cover panel for releasably securing said upper cover panel to said internal circuit board; a support stem mounted to said mounting box for placement of a distal end over different selected portions of said keyboard; a light source supported by said support stem for direction of the light over said different portions of said keyboard; touch activated switching means integrally formed on said internal circuit board for switching on said light source when the apparatus is held by the user; and an energy means connected to said light source through said switching means for providing the requisite amount of voltage for powering said light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A lightweight and portable touch activated flashlight apparatus for illuminating the keyboard of a remote control device, comprising: a mounting box consisting of an upper cover panel, and internal circuit board, and a lower cover panel; said upper cover panel having an outer surface, an inner surface and fastening means for fastening at least one magnet to said inner surface of said upper cover panel; said at least one magnet being configured and arranged when fastened to said inner surface of said upper cover panel to releasably affix the flashlight apparatus to the remote control device; means extending downwards through said upper cover panel for releasably securing said upper cover panel to said internal circuit board; a support stem mounted to said mounting box for placement of a distal end over different selected portions of said keyboard; a light source supported by said support stem for direction of the light over said different portions of said keyboard; touch activated switching means integrally formed on said internal circuit board for switching on said light source when the apparatus is held by the user; and an energy means connected to said light source through said switching means for providing the requisite amount of voltage for powering said light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The touch activated switching means as described in claim 1 wherein said lower cover panel includes means for fastening said lower cover panel to said internal circuit board, said lower cover panel having at least one touch sensitive surface panel attached thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The touch activated switching means as described in claim 2 wherein said touch sensitive surface panel is operationally connected to said switching means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The touch activated switching means as described in claim 3 wherein said switching means and said surface panels are arranged to form a circuit, said circuit providing conductivity from said energy means for said light source when said circuit is complete.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
Said touch activated flashlight as described in claim 1 wherein said touch activated switching means is an electronic switch configured to complete a circuit to illuminate said light source when activated, said electronic switch being actuated when said touch sensitive surface panels are simultaneously touched by the user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The touch activated flashlight as described in claim 2, wherein said electronic switch is a field effect transistor, said field effect transistor being connected to a first and a second touch sensitive surface panel such that, when said first and said second touch sensitive surface panels are simultaneously touched, a conductive circuit is completed and said light source is energized and illuminated by said energy means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The touch activated flashlight as described in claim 1, wherein said touch activated switching means completes an electronic circuit, said electronic circuit having capacitor means for preventing excess voltage through said circuit and resistor means for discharging any excess voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The touch activated flashlight as described in claim 1, wherein said energy means is a battery having a voltage sufficient to provide an electrical supply to illuminate said light source when said switching means is activated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The touch activated flashlight as described in claim 1, wherein said light source and said adjustable stem are configured and arranged with respect to said upper cover panel, said lower cover panel and said internal circuit board so that said light source can be selectively positioned above the remote control keyboard to prevent undesirable reflection of the light and to further increase illumination of the keyboard.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The touch activated flashlight as described in claim 1, wherein said light source is enclosed in a spherical housing, said housing being attached to said adjustable stem and having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being treated with a reflective opaque substance, said lower portion forming a protective lens, said sphere configured to increase the intensity and the focusing of the light for optimum illumination of the remote control keyboard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The touch activated flashlight as described in claim 1, wherein at least one magnetically attracted panel is adhesively secured to the underside of the remote control device, said at least one magnetically attracted panel being positioned to magnetically attach to said upper cover panel having said at least one magnet fastened thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
165 words
An illumination device for a keyboard console, comprising: at least one light source; a control box having a switching means for selectively providing an electric current to illuminate said light source; said control box having an upper cover panel, a lower cover panel, and an internal circuit board panel; a post assembly adjustable for positioning at various selected positions directly over the keyboard console; said light source being supported on a distal end of said post assembly and being connected to said control box; touch activated switching means for activating said light source to illuminate the keyboard console; said touch activated switching means for activating said light source when the user simultaneously makes contact with a touch sensitive plate located on said lower cover panel; said plate being optionally connected to said switching means so as to complete an electric circuit for illuminating said light source; and said control box having means for releasably attaching said control box to the body of the keyboard console.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
165 words
An illumination device for a keyboard console, comprising: at least one light source; a control box having a switching means for selectively providing an electric current to illuminate said light source; said control box having an upper cover panel, a lower cover panel, and an internal circuit board panel; a post assembly adjustable for positioning at various selected positions directly over the keyboard console; said light source being supported on a distal end of said post assembly and being connected to said control box; touch activated switching means for activating said light source to illuminate the keyboard console; said touch activated switching means for activating said light source when the user simultaneously makes contact with a touch sensitive plate located on said lower cover panel; said plate being optionally connected to said switching means so as to complete an electric circuit for illuminating said light source; and said control box having means for releasably attaching said control box to the body of the keyboard console.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The illumination device as described in claim 12, wherein said lower cover panel has an electrically conductive strip adhesively attached thereto, said strip being operationally connected to said switching means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
The illumination device as described in claim 12, wherein said light source and said post assembly are configured and arranged with respect to said upper cover panel, said lower cover panel and said internal circuit board so that said light source can be selectively positioned above the remote control keyboard to prevent undesirable reflection of the light and to further increase illumination of the keyboard.
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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) | 1996-04-26 | 1996-10-26 | 1997-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-26 | 2000-10-26 | 2001-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-10-26 | 2005-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |