BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of a motion-responsive, illuminatable carrying bag in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 1B is a front isometric view of a motion-responsive, illuminatable holder for an eraser in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 1C is a front isometric view of a motion-responsive, illuminatable photograph frame in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 1D is a front isometric view of a motion-responsive, illuminatable stapler in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 1E is a front isometric view of a motion-responsive, illuminatable notepad in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an encapsulated lighting module for use with this invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lighting module prior to assembly and encapsulation; and
FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic of a circuit used in the lighting module of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1A generally identifies a carrying bag having a pair of juxtaposed panels 12 bounding an interior, and a handle 14 for carrying the bag and its contents from place to place. Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1B generally identifies a generally rectangular holder for a generally rectangular eraser 18. The eraser can be used to erase markings while held in the holder, or the eraser can be removed therefrom. Reference numeral 20 in FIG. 1C generally identifies a photograph frame that is movable from place to place on a horizontal support surface, such as a desk. Reference numeral 22 in FIG. 1E generally identifies a stapler having a movable arm to staple documents. Reference numeral 24 in FIG. 1F generally identifies a notepad having a cover movable to expose sheets of blank or preprinted paper therein.
A lighting module 26 is mounted on the panel 12 of the bag (see FIG. 2), on the eraser holder 16, on the frame 20, on an upper arm of the stapler 22, or within the cover of the notepad 24. As best seen in the exploded view of FIG. 4, the module 26 includes a battery 28, typically a flat circular disk battery commonly used in cameras, a battery holder 30 having a resilient finger 32 for engaging one side of the battery, a planar support such as a printed circuit board 34, a processor 36 mounted on the board 34, at least one light source and preferably a plurality of light sources 38A, B, C, D also mounted on the board 34, and a motion-responsive switch 40 electrically connected to the processor 36, the battery 28, and the light sources 38A, B, C, D in the manner illustrated in the circuit of FIG. 5.
The switch 40 includes an electrically conductive outer sleeve 42 in which an electrically conductive coil spring 44 is mounted for movement between an open position in which the spring is located out of physical conductive contact with the sleeve 42, and a closed position in which the spring contacts the sleeve 42. Motion of the spring is caused by movement of the respective article and, to aid such spring motion, the free end of the cantilevered spring 44 can be weighted.
In the closed position of the switch 40, the processor is energized by the battery and causes the light sources to emit light, preferably flashes of light in a pattern determined by the processor. The pattern may be predetermined or random. The flashing can occur immediately when the closed position is reached, or after a time delay. The flashing is terminated after a predetermined time, or after a randomly chosen time interval. Continuous illumination is contemplated, but not preferred to minimize power consumption.
The light sources are light emitting diodes operative for emitting light of the same or different colors. Each diode includes a pair of planar electrodes, as best seen in FIG. 3, which are flush-mounted on an exterior planar surface of the board 34.
The module is overlaid by a top wall 46 of soft (FIG. 1A, C) or hard plastic material (FIG. 1B, D). The top wall may be imperforate, in which case, it is transmissive to the light flashed by the light sources (see FIG. 1A, B, D). The top wall may be apertured, in which case, the light sources are situated in the apertures (see FIG. 1E). Preferably, a graphic, such as the illustrated three-dimensional clown or cat face, is printed on, attached to, or molded in, the top wall. As best seen in FIG. 3, the module 26 may be encapsulated in a synthetic plastic material that is preferably light-transmissive. The encapsulated module has smooth, flattened major surfaces and has a circular or ovoidal disk shape. All of the components of the module are preferably potted inside the encapsulated plastic, and there are no exposed rough edges. The encapsulating plastic was not shown in FIG. 4 so as not to encumber this drawing. The module may be adhered, molded, heat-fused about a peripheral seal, or otherwise connected, to the article for joint movement therewith.
In use, the module is mounted on or in the article. As the user moves the article, the light emitted by the module passes through the light-transmissive encapsulating plastic and the light-transmissive top wall, or the apertures in the top wall, and illuminates the graphic thereon. The flashing lights enhances use and repeated use of the articles by children, since the children enjoy making the lights flash over and over again. Also, a child can easily identify himself or herself as the owner of a particular stationery product since it is the only one that flashes when moved.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, also may find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a motion-responsive, illuminated article, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080013302
