Patent · US Expired

Illumination device having underground storage position

US4974134A · kind A · utility

49Cited by
1References
10Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 1989
Grant dateNov 27, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S362/802
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An illumination device that is stored below ground level when not in use and that extends above the ground when in use. A clear lens that protects a light bulb from the elements surmounts an inner housing member that is telescopically received within an outer housing member that is buried in the ground. When a motor is activated, the inner housing that carries the light bulb extends axially upwardly from the outer housing. When the inner housing reaches its fully extended position, a limit switch shuts off the motor. Subsequent reactivation of the motor retracts the inner housing and bulb back into the outer housing, and another limit switch shuts off the motor when full retraction has been achieved. A second embodiment has an improved structure that facilitates replacement of the motor, and a third embodiment has a further improved structure that eliminates several parts required in the first and second embodiments.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.