Proximity pad with controlled illumination
OwnerHerald Richard Moenniginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A small thin console or pad has a metal proximity switch actuated by a control ring mounted on one surface, with a small light bulb within the ring. The pad is used for remote control of a load which may be a lamp, or some other electric appliance such as a radio or stereo. The pad is connected to a wall outlet unit containing a triac as a switching device for the load. The light bulb on the pad is normally at a low glow for a night light. When the metal ring is first touched the triac is turned on for the load; and when it is touched again the triac is turned off, thereby shutting off the load, while the light on the pad is brought up to full brilliance for a predetermined interval of time as a courtesy light, and then returns to the normal night light intensity.
Claims9
Apparatus comprising a control unit and a load switching unit;
- said load switching unit including a switching device coupled between an electric source and a load, and a control lead to the switching device from the control unit;
- said control unit comprising a metal touch element, an electric light, and control circuits;
- said control circuits having an input connection from the metal element, a first output connection to the electric light, and a second output connection to said control lead;
- means for normally supplying current to the electric light to energize it for a low level of illumination;
- means actuated each time said metal touch element is touched for changing a signal at the second output connection to switch said switching device between on and off to thereby alternately energize and de-energize the load;
- and means effective when the switching device is switched to off for supplying current via said first output connection to energize said electric light to a high level of illumination and to return it to the low level after a predetermined interval of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.