Patent Application
20080029349
The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:
With reference to the drawings, a new and improved non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described.
Turning to
In the preferred embodiment, non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus 10 includes an actuator-reception well 12 which includes a minimum internal dimension 14 which is substantially greater than a maximum outer dimension 16 of an actuator. The actuator-reception well 12 includes a pair of opposed light transmissive regions. A light emitter 18 is located adjacent to a first of the light transmissive regions outside the actuator-reception well 12. The light emitter 18 projects a light beam 24. A light receiver/light sensitive switch 22 is located adjacent to a second of the light transmissive regions outside the actuator-reception well 12. The light receiver/light sensitive switch 22 is responsive to the light beam 24 emitted by the light emitter 18 that is broken by the actuator. The light receiver/light sensitive switch 22 can control another electrical device, such as a relay 26 for controlling a motor, such as an elevator motor.
Since the minimum internal dimension 14 of the actuator-reception well 12 is substantially greater than a maximum outer dimension 16 of an actuator, when the actuator is inserted into the actuator-reception well 12, the actuator does not physically contact the inside of the actuator-reception well 12.
Preferably, the actuator-reception well 12 is cylindrical is shape and has a minimum internal dimension 14 which is a cylindrical diameter. Preferably, the actuator is a finger 15 which has a maximum outer dimension 16 which is the diameter of the finger, so that the cylindrical diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of the finger. The actuator can also be an opaque object such as a pointer rod (not shown) that is carried by a person and is inserted in an actuator-reception well 12 for a switch apparatus according to the invention.
Preferably, the light transmissive regions are open light passage channels 20 in the actuator-reception well 12. The light emitter 18 can be a light emitting diode (LED).
As shown in
In operation of the array of non-personal-contact electric switch apparatuses 10 shown in
As shown in
The components of the non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus of the invention can be made from inexpensive and durable metal and plastic materials and electrical components.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objects set forth by providing a new and improved non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus that is low in cost, relatively simple in design and operation, and which may advantageously be used in a publicly used environment. With the invention, a non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus provides a non-personal-contact electric switch for use in a publicly used environment which does not depend upon capacitance sensing technology. With the invention, a non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus provides a non-personal-contact electric switch for a publicly used environment which uses a technology based upon a break in a light beam to actuate a switch. With the invention, a non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus provides a non-personal-contact electric switch in a publicly used environment, such as an elevator, which is not employed in a two-dimensional matrix array of light emitters and light receivers to actuate plural switches. With the invention, a non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus is provided which employs light emitters and light receivers to actuate plural switches but does not also employ an area which is contacted by manual touching when a light beam is broken between a light emitter and a light receiver for actuating a switch.
Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use.
Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.
Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexed Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstract is neither intended to define the invention or the application, which only is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
