US3758782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light pen apparatus
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-21
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-07-21
Abstract
Abstract Light pen apparatus having a small number of parts. The light pen includes an inner barrel in which a printed circuit board is mounted. An outer barrel surrounds the inner barrel and is arranged for limited travel relative to the inner barrel in an axial direction. As the outer barrel and inner barrel are moved relative to one another a switch carried on the printed circuit board is actuated so as to allow the circuit mounted on the board to respond to light detected by a light responsive device also carried on the board.
Inventors
- 👤 R Radford
- 👤 G Stapleford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
A light pen comprising: a circuit including a light responsive device and a switch for turning the circuit on and off; an elongated printed circuit board with said light responsive device mounted adjacent one end, and said switch mounted adjacent the other end; an elongated inner tube having means for holding said board internally thereof with the light responsive device adjacent one light admitting end thereof and the switch adjacent the other end thereof; a first spring stop located on its external surface; and a slot in its surface at said other end; an outer tube arranged concentrically with said inner tube and having a second spring stop on its internal surface and a switch actuating element on its internal surface adjacent one end thereof and extending through said inner tube slot; a spring element arranged concentrically with and between said inner and outer tubes and arranged between and engaging said first and second stops; and an end cap which includes a fastening element adapted to be engaged with said inner tube and which further includes an abutting edge engaging said one end of the outer tube so as to normally maintain said spring element in a first state of compression in which said switch actuating element is out of the actuation range of the switch, said inner and outer tubes being slidable relative to one another to place said spring element in a second state of compression in which said switch actuating element comes within the actuation range of said switch to thereby turn said switch and circuit on.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
A light pen comprising: a circuit including a light responsive device and a switch for turning the circuit on and off; an elongated printed circuit board with said light responsive device mounted adjacent one end, and said switch mounted adjacent the other end; an elongated inner tube having means for holding said board internally thereof with the light responsive device adjacent one light admitting end thereof and the switch adjacent the other end thereof; a first spring stop located on its external surface; and a slot in its surface at said other end; an outer tube arranged concentrically with said inner tube and having a second spring stop on its internal surface and a switch actuating element on its internal surface adjacent one end thereof and extending through said inner tube slot; a spring element arranged concentrically with and between said inner and outer tubes and arranged between and engaging said first and second stops; and an end cap which includes a fastening element adapted to be engaged with said inner tube and which further includes an abutting edge engaging said one end of the outer tube so as to normally maintain said spring element in a first state of compression in which said switch actuating element is out of the actuation range of the switch, said inner and outer tubes being slidable relative to one another to place said spring element in a second state of compression in which said switch actuating element comes within the actuation range of said switch to thereby turn said switch and circuit on.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A light pen as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch includes a source of light and another light responsive device mounted in spaced apart relation adjacent the other end of said circuit board; and wherein said switch actuating element is a shutter which is arranged to interrupt the light beam from said source when the spring is in its second compression state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A light pen as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first spring stop is located near said one end of the inner tube; and wherein said second spring stop is located near the other end of said outer tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A light pen as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fastening element is a snap lock which engages an aperture in said inner tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light pen as set forth in claim 4 wherein said inner and outer tubes and end caps are made of plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A light pen as set forth in claim 1 wherein the internal surface of said inner tube is coated with a metallic material; and wherein the edges of said printed circuit board are coated with metallic material and are in electrical contact with the metallic coating of said inner tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A light pen as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for holding includes a pair of grooves in the internal surface of the inner tube each holding a different one of the two elongated edges of the printed circuit board.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |