LIGHT DEVICES AND SYSTEMS
The present invention provides switches and sensors that automatically turn on and/or off an associated device. In particular, the present invention provides lighting devices containing switches and sensors associated with the device that power/depower the device and systems and objects containing the device.
1 . A stowable light fixture comprising:
a) a housing component;
b) a light component, wherein said light component is configured to adopt:
i) a stowed configuration in which said light component is contained within said housing, and
ii) an active configuration in which said light component is extended from said housing; and
c) a switch component, wherein said switch component is configured to:
i) depower said light component when said light component adopts a stowed configuration, and
ii) activate said light component when said light component adopts an active configuration.
2 . The stowable light fixture of claim 1 , wherein said switch component is selected from a group comprising a Hall-Effect device, proximity sensor, optical sensor, audio sensor, IR sensor, inclinometer, and accelerometer.
3 . The stowable light fixture of claim 1 , wherein said switch component does not comprise a mechanical switch.
4 . The stowable light fixture of claim 1 , wherein depowering said light component upon stowage turns off said light component.
5 . The stowable light fixture of claim 4 , wherein activating said light component upon extension from said housing component turns on said light component.
6 . The stowable light fixture of claim 4 , wherein powering said light component upon extension from said housing component enables said light component to be turned on and off by another device.
7 . The stowable light fixture of claim 1 , wherein said housing component is configured for integration into an object.
8 . The stowable light fixture of claim 7 , wherein said object is furniture or a vehicle.
9 . The stowable light fixture of claim 8 , wherein said object is a vehicle.
10 . An apparatus comprising:
(a) a light, wherein said light is configured to adopt a stowed configuration within said apparatus and an active configuration extended from said apparatus; and
(b) a configuration-dependent switch, wherein said configuration-dependent switch depowers said light upon adopting said stowed configuration.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein depowering said light comprises turning off said light.
12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said configuration-dependent switch activates said light upon adopting said active configuration.
13 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein activating said light comprises turning on said light.
14 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said apparatus is a piece of furniture.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein said piece of furniture selected from a group comprising a chair, couch, theater seating, table, shelf, or book case.
16 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said apparatus is a vehicle.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said vehicle is selected from a group comprising a car, truck, plane, boat, or train.
18 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said configuration-dependent switch is selected from a group comprising a mechanical switch, Hall-Effect device, proximity sensor, optical sensor, audio sensor, IR sensor, inclinometer, or accelerometer.
19 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said configuration-dependent switch does not comprise a mechanical switch.