Patent US3749932A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3749932A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light pen
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-06-29
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-06-29
Abstract
Abstract An in-put tool for transmitting light pulses to an electronic unit from a light source includes a flexible, fiber-optic, light pipe connected to the unit and having a hollow, tubular light pen affixed around the free terminal end of the pipe. The light pen has a hollow, tubular nose-piece with a hollow, tubular, springpressed plunger therein, the plunger tip contacting the light source and passing light therethrough to the end face of the pipe and thence to the unit. Compression of the plunger causes a magnet to energize a reed switch and close a circuit to the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 N Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4292; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3897
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In combination with an electronic unit, sensitive to light pulses; a flexible, fiber optic, light pipe having one end connected to said electronic unit for transmitting light pulses thereto and having a free terminal end with a transverse face adapted to receive light; a light pen mounted on the said free terminal end of said light pipe, said pen including a spring biased, tubular plunger, having an axial bore open at each opposite end and adapted to transmit light from an exterior light source, through said bore, to said end face and switch means, associated with saiD light pen, and operably connected to said plunger for activating said system when said plunger is pressed against a light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In combination with an electronic unit, sensitive to light pulses; a flexible, fiber optic, light pipe having one end connected to said electronic unit for transmitting light pulses thereto and having a free terminal end with a transverse face adapted to receive light; a light pen mounted on the said free terminal end of said light pipe, said pen including a spring biased, tubular plunger, having an axial bore open at each opposite end and adapted to transmit light from an exterior light source, through said bore, to said end face and switch means, associated with saiD light pen, and operably connected to said plunger for activating said system when said plunger is pressed against a light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A combination as specified in claim 1 wherein: said plunger includes an integral annular shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom, said pen includes a removable sleeve encircling said plunger and said pen includes a coil spring encircling said plunger between said shoulder and sleeve for spring biasing said tubular plunger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as specified in claim 1 wherein: said pen includes a removable, tubular sleeve slidably receiving said tubular plunger, said sleeve having an elongated groove containing an axially extending reed switch and said plunger having an elongated groove containing an axially extending permanent magnet, said reed switch and magnet constituting said switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A combination as specified in claim 1 wherein: said light pen includes a hollow, tubular, two part, telescopable body comprising a tubular nose-piece and a tubular tail-piece, said nose-piece having a forward bore for receiving said plunger, an intermediate larger bore and a rearward, still larger bore and includes a removable tubular sleeve in said rearward bore slidably receiving said plunger, said sleeve containing a reed switch and said plunger carrying a magnet for actuating said reed switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A plunger operated magnetic reed switch comprising: a hollow tubular body formed of a hollow tubular nose-piece telescopably mounted on a hollow tubular tail-piece, a hollow, tubular plunger having a hollow, tubular tip projecting outwardly from said nose-piece but axially movable inwardly thereof against spring pressure, a flexible, fiber optic, light pipe projecting outwardly from said tail-piece but extending inwardly and axially of said tail-piece to a polished end confronting the adjacent inner end of said hollow tip to receive light therefrom, and switch means in said body, for closing a circuit when said plunger tip is moved inwardly toward the polished end of said light pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A plunger operated magnetic reed switch comprising: a hollow tubular body formed of a hollow tubular nose-piece telescopably mounted on a hollow tubular tail-piece, a hollow, tubular plunger having a hollow, tubular tip projecting outwardly from said nose-piece but axially movable inwardly thereof against spring pressure, a flexible, fiber optic, light pipe projecting outwardly from said tail-piece but extending inwardly and axially of said tail-piece to a polished end confronting the adjacent inner end of said hollow tip to receive light therefrom, and switch means in said body, for closing a circuit when said plunger tip is moved inwardly toward the polished end of said light pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A combination as specified in claim 5 wherein: said switch means includes a permanent magnet affixed to the exterior of said hollow tubular plunger within said nose-piece and a reed switch mounted in said body, alongside and outside, the path of travel of said magnet, for actuating said reed switch when said plunger is compressed.
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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) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |