US5252893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light flasher apparatus
Assignee: Interplex Solar Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-03
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Granted: 1993-10-12
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Expires: 2011-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A rechargeable electronic flasher powered by a solar panel and solar-rechargeable battery. The circuit has particular application as an auxiliary safety measure for use in roadway cats' eyes, or in memorial symbols for mounting on, or near, grave stones and the like so as to provide substantially perpetual illumination. Minimum charging time is necessary, while operation on battery power is extended to many days, rather than hours. The circuit can also be set to flash at a rate above the frequency the eye can distinguish, creating a substantially constant light.
Inventors
- 👤 Chaim Chacham
- 👤 Roni Friedman
- 👤 Uri Amir
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:24
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S9/00; F21S9/02; F21S9/03; F21S9/037; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/50; E01F9/553; E01F9/559; G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36; G08B5/38; H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/09; H05B45/00; H05B45/30; H05B47/00; H05B47/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An electrical flasher circuit, comprising: a rechargeable battery having a nominal voltage no greater than 1.2 V, a solar panel having a nominal current rating of about 70 mA and a nominal voltage of about 3.6 V coupled to the rechargeable battery, an oscillator circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the solar panel having a nominal current drain under 0.5 mA and operative from a supply voltage in the range of about 0.8 V to at least said nominal voltage of said solar panel for producing an output voltage which oscillates at a predetermined frequency, and at least one LED having a nominal drive current of about 0.5 mA coupled to the oscillator circuit for flashing in response to the oscillating output voltage; whereby the solar panel provides sufficient power to energize the oscillator circuit and to recharge the rechargeable battery when at least a predetermined threshold of light acts on the solar panel, and the rechargeable battery alone energizes the oscillator circuit for at least a first predetermined time period in the absence of said light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An electrical flasher circuit, comprising: a rechargeable battery having a nominal voltage no greater than 1.2 V, a solar panel having a nominal current rating of about 70 mA and a nominal voltage of about 3.6 V coupled to the rechargeable battery, an oscillator circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the solar panel having a nominal current drain under 0.5 mA and operative from a supply voltage in the range of about 0.8 V to at least said nominal voltage of said solar panel for producing an output voltage which oscillates at a predetermined frequency, and at least one LED having a nominal drive current of about 0.5 mA coupled to the oscillator circuit for flashing in response to the oscillating output voltage; whereby the solar panel provides sufficient power to energize the oscillator circuit and to recharge the rechargeable battery when at least a predetermined threshold of light acts on the solar panel, and the rechargeable battery alone energizes the oscillator circuit for at least a first predetermined time period in the absence of said light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The flasher circuit according to claim 1, including up to four LEDs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flasher circuit according to claim 1, wherein the solar panel substantially completely recharges the rechargeable battery when light acts on the solar panel for at least a second predetermined time period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flasher circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first predetermined time period is 18 days when the rechargeable battery is substantially fully charged.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flasher circuit according to claim 3, wherein the second predetermined time period is 2 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flasher circuit according to claim 1, wherein the oscillator circuit includes a LM 3909 integrated circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flasher circuit according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined frequency is greater than the critical frequency of fusion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
204 words
A cat's eye for reflecting a vehicle's headlamps, the cat's eye comprising: a housing having a depth no greater than 18 mm, an electrical flasher circuit within the housing, comprising: a rechargeable battery having a nominal voltage no greater than 1.2 V, a solar panel having a nominal current rating of about 70 mA and a nominal voltage of about 3.6 V coupled to the rechargeable battery, an oscillator circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the solar panel having a nominal current drain under 0.5 mA and operative from a supply voltage in the range of about 0.8 V to at least said nominal voltage of said solar panel for producing an output voltage which oscillates at a predetermined frequency, and at least one LED having a nominal drive current of about 0.5 mA coupled to the oscillator circuit for flashing in response to the oscillating output voltage; whereby the solar panel provides sufficient power to energize the oscillator circuit and to recharge the rechargeable battery when at least a predetermined threshold of light acts on the solar panel, and the rechargeable battery alone energizes the oscillator circuit for at least a first predetermined time period in the absence of said light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
204 words
A cat's eye for reflecting a vehicle's headlamps, the cat's eye comprising: a housing having a depth no greater than 18 mm, an electrical flasher circuit within the housing, comprising: a rechargeable battery having a nominal voltage no greater than 1.2 V, a solar panel having a nominal current rating of about 70 mA and a nominal voltage of about 3.6 V coupled to the rechargeable battery, an oscillator circuit coupled to the rechargeable battery and to the solar panel having a nominal current drain under 0.5 mA and operative from a supply voltage in the range of about 0.8 V to at least said nominal voltage of said solar panel for producing an output voltage which oscillates at a predetermined frequency, and at least one LED having a nominal drive current of about 0.5 mA coupled to the oscillator circuit for flashing in response to the oscillating output voltage; whereby the solar panel provides sufficient power to energize the oscillator circuit and to recharge the rechargeable battery when at least a predetermined threshold of light acts on the solar panel, and the rechargeable battery alone energizes the oscillator circuit for at least a first predetermined time period in the absence of said light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein the solar panel is fixed to an upper surface of the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein at least one LED is provided on respective opposing sides of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein the flasher circuit includes up to four LEDs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein the solar panel substantially completely recharges the rechargeable battery when light acts on the solar panel for at least a second predetermined time period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein said first predetermined time period is about 18 days when the rechargeable battery is substantially fully charged.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cat's eye according to claim 12, wherein the second predetermined time period is about 2 hours.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein the oscillator circuit includes a LM 3909 integrated circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cat's eye according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined frequency is greater than the critical frequency of fusion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A memorial symbol, comprising: a housing containing therein the flasher circuit in accordance with claim 1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The memorial symbol according to claim 17, wherein the housing includes a candle-shaped window for displaying said flashing LED.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The memorial symbol according to claim 17, wherein the housing has a substantially crucifix shape.
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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) | 1996-10-11 | 1997-04-12 | 1997-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-11 | 2001-04-12 | 2001-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-11 | 2005-04-12 | 2005-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |