Light curtain device

A device for creating a curtain of light between a first location and a second location comprising:

• a light source adapted to provide a light column;
• at least one beam splitter disposed to intersect the light column, the beam splitter being arranged to deflect at least a portion of the light column toward the first location;
• a reflector disposed adjacent the first location in a position to receive the deflected portion of the light column from the beam splitter, the reflector being arranged to reflect the deflected portion toward the second location;
• a light detector disposed adjacent the second location in a position to receive the deflected portion of the light column reflected by the reflector;
• and
• an indicator arranged to indicate the interruption of the portion of the light column.

A device for creating a plurality of light beams between a first location and a second location comprising:

• a single active light source adapted to provide a main light column;
• a plurality of beam splitters disposed to intersect the main light column, each of the beam splitters being spaced at intervals along the main light column, each of the beam splitters being adapted to split a portion of light from the main light column and to direct its split portion of light toward the first location;
• one or more reflectors disposed generally adjacent the first location, each of the one or more reflectors being positioned so that each split portion of light from the light column is reflected toward the second location;
• and
• one or more light detectors disposed generally adjacent the second location, each of the one or more light detectors being positioned so that each split portion of the light column is received by a corresponding one of the light detectors;
• and
• at least one indicator operatively associated with the light detectors, the indicator being arranged to indicate the interruption of at least any one of the split portions.

A device for creating a curtain of light between a first location and a second location comprising:

• a light source adapted to provide a light column along a first path;
• first and second beam splitters, each of the beam splitters being disposed at intervals along the first path to intersect the light column, the first beam splitter being adapted to direct a portion of the light column toward the first location along a second path, the second beam splitter being adapted to direct a portion of the light column toward the first location along a third path;
• a reflector disposed adjacent the first location and being positioned to intersect the second and third paths, the reflector being adapted to direct a portion of the light column toward the second location along a fourth path, the reflector further being adapted to direct a portion of the light column toward the second location along a fifth path;
• and
• a light detector positioned to intersect the fourth and fifth paths.