Illumination – Supports – Special switch operator
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-26
2001-02-20
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supports
Special switch operator
C362S395000, C362S200000, C362S205000, C362S295000, C200S043110, C200S043160, C200S043190, C200S043210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190025
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an illumination device with a multi-position switch for controlling the operational mode (e.g., power level and on/off state) of the device and a security block for preventing undesired modes of operation by certain individuals or at certain times.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Illumination devices including illuminators and aiming lights, both visible and invisible, using laser, LED or other light sources are generally known. Dual beam illumination devices such as the AN/PEQ-2 manufactured by Insight Technology, Inc. are also known. These devices have two beams of light that may be separately controlled to be on or off. At least one of the beams may be on with a relatively low level of intensity or with a relatively high level of intensity. A multi-position rotary switch to control the on/off state and/or intensity level(s) of the beam(s) is also known.
Various hazards can exist when high intensity beams are used, particularly when a laser light source is used. Laser light is particularly harmful to the human eye. Even brief exposure can cause permanent damage. These and other drawbacks of the prior art are sought to be overcome by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks of known devices.
Another object of the invention is to provide a security block for use in an illumination device to prevent unauthorized or inadvertent use of a particular mode of operation, for example, projection of a high-powered beam.
Another object of the invention is to provide a security block that accomplishes the above object when in one position or orientation and permits operation of the device in other modes when in another position or orientation.
Another object of the invention is to achieve the foregoing objects and add a visual indicator to easily determine the position or orientation of the security block.
Another object of the invention is to achieve the foregoing objects and to allow the inversion of the security block from one position to another with different color coding (or visual indicators) on each respective side.
These and other objects of the invention are carried out in accordance with the embodiments described below. For simplicity, the invention will be described in connection with an AN/PEQ-2. However, the invention is not so limited. The various inventive aspects of the invention may be used with other illumination devices, including single or multi-beam illuminators, aiming lights or combinations thereof, where such devices include visible, infrared, UV, lasers LED, and other sources of light.
By way of example, one embodiment of the invention comprises an AN/PEQ-2 modified to include a security block in the vicinity of a rotatable multi-position switch. According to one aspect of the invention, all modes of operation may be permitted with the security block in a first position or orientation, while only limited modes of operation are permitted with the security block in a second position or orientation. For example, in a first position or orientation, the security block may prevent a multi-position switch from being positioned to cause the device to operate in a mode that would cause the device to emit high intensity light. For example, with the security block in its first orientation, it may permit the switch to be in a position to cause the device to operate in a mode whereby the device emits a first beam and/or second beam with a low-intensity, but precludes the switch from being positioned to cause the device to operate in a mode where the device emits one or more beams with high intensity. Preferably, the security block is secured in the first and second positions or orientations with a special tool, e.g., an Allen wrench. An authorized user, with the use of the special tool, can remove, reposition or reorient the security block to permit or restrict certain modes of operation.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the security block may be inverted from one orientation to another so that it is stored in the same vicinity in the restricted and unrestricted modes. This avoids or reduces the chances of loss of the security block if it were simply removed in an unrestricted mode. However, removal of the security block to permit the unrestricted mode may be permitted. Furthermore, the blocking plate may be color coded. In the embodiment where the security block is inverted, certain advantages can be achieved by having one side of the blocking plate one color and the other side of the blocking plate another color. For example, this permits easy visual inspection of the security block to determine its mode of operation.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent when the detailed description of the preferred embodiments are read in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4268894 (1981-05-01), Bartunek et al.
patent: 5410112 (1995-04-01), Freeman
patent: 5998743 (1999-12-01), Unkel
Naval Sea Systems Command, Commercial Laser safety Standard ANSI Z136.1 (1/5-1/5), 1993.
Alavi Ali
Hunton & Williams
Insight Technology Inc.
O'Shea Sandra
LandOfFree
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