Abstract
A self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system for door access includes a door for entering and exiting a premise, a door access device associated with the door, in which a user is able to come into physical contact with the door access device, a source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light associated with the door access device positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ free; and, and a switch to electrically energize the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet light.
Claims
1. A self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system for door access, comprising: a door for entering and exiting a premise; a door access device associated with the door wherein a user is able to come into physical contact with the door access device; a source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light associated with the door access device positioned so that the door access device is sanitized and germ free; and, means for electrically energizing the source of the sanitizing ultraviolet light includes a switch that electrically powers the door access device, the switch comprising a lock barrel that comes into contact with, and actuates, the switch permitting electric current to energize the source of sanitizing ultraviolet C light, the lock barrel being in an engaged position with the switch for facilitating electric current to flow to the door, while in a non-engaged position the lock barrel is displaced from the switch thereby preventing electric current from flowing to the door.
2. The self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system according to claim 1, wherein the source of sanitizing ultraviolet C emitting light is selected from the group consisting of light emitting diodes, fiber optics, glass fiber and mercury bulbs.
3. The self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system according to claim 1, wherein the door access device is selected from the group consisting of doorknobs, contoured door levers, rectangular door levers, door bar handles and door push plates.
4. The self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system according to claim 1, wherein the door access device is made of an ultraviolet C light permeable material so that the ultraviolet C light emitted from the source of the ultraviolet C light comes into contact and sanitizes the door access device.
5. The self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system according to claim 1, wherein the door access device has incorporated into the door accessory device the source of the ultraviolet C sanitizing light.
6. (canceled)
7. The self-contained ultraviolet C light emitting system according to claim 1, further comprising means to visually determine the electrical condition of the ultraviolet C light emitting system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] In the drawing figures, wherein similar features are denoted with similar reference numerals throughout the several views:
[0019] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a preferred embodiments of a doorknob containing the self-contained ultraviolet C light germicidal light emitting system of the present invention with an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting source embedded into a doorknob;
[0020] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a doorknob containing the self-contained ultraviolet C light germicidal light emitting system of the present invention with an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting source embedded into a contoured door lever handle;
[0021] FIGS. 5 and 6 are prospective views of a preferred embodiment of a doorknob containing the self-contained ultraviolet C light germicidal light emitting system of the present invention with an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting source embedded into a rectangular door lever handle;
[0022] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a doorknob containing the self-contained ultraviolet C light germicidal light emitting system of the present invention with an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting source embedded into a door bar handle;
[0023] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a doorknob containing the self-contained ultraviolet C light germicidal light emitting system of the present invention with an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting source embedded into a door push plate;
[0024] FIG. 11 provides perspective views of various uses of the present invention with ultraviolet C germicidal light being emitted;
[0025] FIGS. 12A-12D provide perspective views of the present invention as incorporated into a doorknob with means for indicating whether or not the doorknob is germ-free and ready to be safely used;
[0026] FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of the internal features of the present invention when not electrically energized; and
[0027] FIGS. 15 and 16 are perspective views of the internal features of the present invention when not electrically energized.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0028] 10 invention of an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting doorknob [0029] 10a invention of an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting door lever handle [0030] 10b invention of an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting door lever handle [0031] 10c invention of an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting door bar handle [0032] 10d invention of an ultraviolet C germicidal light emitting door push pad plate [0033] 11 access devise such as a doorknob [0034] 12 ultraviolet C germicidal light [0035] 13 door access devise such as a contoured door lever [0036] 14 cutaway view with source of ultraviolet C germicidal light [0037] 15 door access devise such as a rectangular door lever [0038] 16 source of ultraviolet C germicide light [0039] 17 door access devise such as a door bar handle [0040] 18 source of ultraviolet C germicide light [0041] 19 door access devise such as a door push pad plate [0042] 20 touching surface [0043] 22 ultraviolet C light permeable material [0044] 30 stationary door frame [0045] 32 door associated with a premise [0046] 34 striker plate [0047] 36 unengaged lock barrel [0048] 36a engaged lock barrel which provides and transmits electric power to ultraviolet C light source with wires flush and parallel to lock cylinder [0049] 38 electrical switch [0050] 40 AC-to-DC converter [0051] 42 electrical input current generally 120 volts AC. [0052] 44a to 44h system status
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0053] Turning now, in detail, to the accompanying drawing figures, FIG. 1 provides an overview of a preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 illustrating the principal components of a doorknob assembly 11 emitting ultraviolet C germicidal light 12. The source 16 of the ultraviolet germicidal light may be from (LED) light emitting diodes, fiber optics, glass fiber, mercury bulbs, or other ultraviolet C wavelength light sources all of which may be steady or intermittent. Cutaway 14 indicates a location of light source 16 within doorknob 11. Touching surface 20 of doorknob 11 is rendered germ-free by means of ultraviolet C germicidal light 12 being transferred to touching surface 20 through ultraviolet C light permeable material 22. Doorknob 11 may be constructed from any type of material in conjunction with ultraviolet C light permeable material 22.
[0054] FIG. 2 is a further preferred embodiment doorknob 11 without showing cutaway 14 in ultraviolet C light permeable material 22. FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention adapted to and incorporated into a contoured door lever 13, while FIG. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted to, and integrated, into a contoured door lever 13. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention adapted to, and incorporated into, a rectangular door lever 15. FIG. 6 shows another perspective view of the present invention adapted to, and integrated, into a rectangular door lever 15, while FIG. 7 illustrates the present invention as adapted to, and incorporated into, a door bar handle 17. FIG. 8 shows another perspective view of the present invention adapted to, and integrated into, a door bar handle 17. FIG. 9 illustrates the present invention as adapted to, and incorporated into, a door push pad plate 19. FIG. 10 shows another view of the present invention adapted to, and integrated into, a door push pad plate 19. Finally, FIG. 11 summarizes various configurations wherein the instant invention is utilized.
[0055] FIG. 12A indicates the condition of a doorknob, namely, when doorknob red light 44a is off and green light 44b is illuminated doorknob is germ free and ready to be accessed. FIG. 12B indicates an un-sanitized doorknob transferring pathogens to the user's hand and neither light 44c nor 44d is illuminated. FIG. 12C indicates the cleanliness condition of the doorknob. Light 44e is shown as being illuminated indicating source 12 being energized for, by way of example, 10 to 20 seconds which is sufficient time to destroy pathogens during said 10 to 20 seconds and at same time light 44f is not illuminated. FIG. 12D is still another view as to cleanliness condition of the doorknob with light 44g being “off” and light 44h is illuminated indicating that surface is germ-free and may safely be touched.
[0056] FIG. 13 illustrates a method of transmitting of power 42 (generally, 120 volts AC but not limited thereto) by means of AC to DC converter 40 from door frame 30 to door 32. Striker plate 34 surrounds electrical switch 38 and when activated permits electricity to flow into lock barrel 36 and then to door 32 and energizing ultraviolet C germicidal light source 18. In the position as shown switch 38 is not activated and power is not in communication with door 32. FIG. 14 indicates non-engaged lock barrel 36 displaced from electrical switch 38 and accordingly electric current is not flowing to door 32. FIG. 15 indicates engaged lock barrel 36a in contact with switch 38 facilitating electric current to flow to door 32 and then to the source of the ultraviolet C germicidal light 12. Finally, FIG. 16 illustrates the positions of un-engaged lock barrel 36 and engaged lock barrel 36a, which provides and transmits electric power to ultraviolet C disinfecting light source 16 to ultraviolet C germicidal light 12.
[0057] While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
