Fiber optic safety system

A safety system for operating equipment, said operating equipment comprising at least one controller which controls at least one aspect of the operating equipment, comprising:

• a fiber optic bundle;
• a visible light source which provides visible light, said visible light source optically connected to said fiber optic bundle;
• a first signal light source which emits a first signal light having first light characteristics, said first signal light source optically connected to said first optical bundle;
• a second signal light source which provides a second signal light having second light characteristics which are different from said first light characteristics, said second signal light source optically connected to said first optical bundle;
• said fiber optic bundle comprising at least one illuminated section which emits said visible light;
• a fiber optic safety switch;
• said fiber optic bundle movable connected to said fiber optic safety switch, said fiber optic safety switch activatable in response to movement of said fiber optic bundle relative to said fiber optic safety switch;
• a first signal light detector which is optically connected to said fiber optic bundle and receives signal light corresponding to light emanating from said first signal light source, said first signal light detector sends a signal to said controller only if said first signal light detector receives a signal light with first predetermined light characteristics;
• a second signal light detector which is optically connected to said fiber optic bundle and receives signal light corresponding to light emanating from said second signal light source, said second signal light detector sends a signal to said controller only if said second signal light detector receives a signal light with second predetermined light characteristics;
• said safety switch prevents light with said first predetermined light characteristics from reaching said first signal light detector and light with said second predetermined light characteristics from reaching said second signal light detector when said safety switch is activated.

A safety system for operating equipment, said operating equipment comprising at least one controller which controls at least one aspect of the operating equipment, comprising:

• a fiber optic bundle;
• a visible light source which provides visible light, said visible light source optically connected to said fiber optic bundle;
• a first signal light source which emits a first signal light having first light characteristics, said first signal light source optically connected to said first optical bundle;
• said fiber optic bundle comprising at least one illuminated section which emits said visible light;
• a fiber optic safety switch;
• said fiber optic bundle movable connected to said fiber optic safety switch, said fiber optic safety switch activatable in response to movement of said fiber optic bundle relative to said fiber optic safety switch;
• a first signal light detector which is optically connected to said fiber optic bundle and receives signal light corresponding to light emanating from said first signal light source, said first signal light detector sends a signal to said controller only if said first signal light detector receives a signal light with first predetermined light characteristics;
• said safety switch prevents light with said first predetermined light characteristics from reaching said first signal light detector and light with said second predetermined light characteristics from reaching said second signal light detector when said safety switch is activated.

A fiber optic safety switch comprising:

• a switch housing;
• a movable, spring-biased optical core which is movable relative to said switch housing, said optical core comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said optical core adapted to normally conduct light between a first section of a fiber optic bundle and a second section of optical bundle;
• a spring loaded shutter disposed proximate said distal end of said optical core;
• and
• wherein movement of said optical core relative to said switch housing allows said spring-loaded shutter to block at least a significant amount of light from passing between said first section and said second section of fiber optic bundle.