Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technical field relates to hand held mobile devices for ultraviolet light disinfection. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Ultraviolet (UV) light is an effective sterilization agent. The UV light breaks down living organisms to render them harmless. 
     SUMMARY 
     Convenient mobile sterilization devices are described herein that, in certain embodiments, provide secure storage in a niche in a protective housing and one-button action to automatically deploy and activate the device for quick and powerful destruction of germs on a surface using one hand. Users can hold the UV-light device and move it across a target surface to sterilize or disinfect the surface. The device may be compact, easily deployed, provided with a durable cover for secure storage, and equipped with safety shut-off features to prevent unwanted uses. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hand-held sterilization device with a light housing in a niche in a storage position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the light housing in a deployed position; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is an elevated view taken along arrow IVB of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4D  is an elevated view taken along arrow IVD of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of subassembly  110  of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is an exploded view of light housing  106  and rotating joint assembly  108  in relation to assembled subassembly  110  of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is an enlarged bottom view of the rotating-biasing post depicted in  FIG. 6A  that forms part of the rotating joint assembly of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6C  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6B ; 
         FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6B ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of subassembly  112  in relation to subassemblies of  FIGS. 5-6 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a hand-held sterilization device with a rotating joint; 
         FIG. 8B  is a bottom view of the light housing of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 8A-8B  with the light housing in a storage position; 
         FIG. 8D  is a perspective view showing rotation of the light housing for the embodiment of  FIGS. 8A-8C ; 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a hand-held light-emitting device using linear motion for movement of a light source from a storage position to a deployed position; 
         FIG. 9B  is a bottom view of the light housing of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is a view along the arrow IXC of  FIG. 9A ; and 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand-held light-emitting device in a retracted position using linear motion for movement of a light source from a storage position to a deployed position; 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  with the light emitting device being in the extended position; 
         FIG. 10C  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  taken along line C-C; 
         FIG. 10D  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A  taken along line D-D; 
         FIG. 10E  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10B  taken along line E-E; 
         FIG. 11A  is a conceptual perspective view of a light source housing and a covering housing, with parallel movement being indicated; 
         FIG. 11B  shows the housing and cover of  FIG. 11A  as rotatedly moved parallel to each other; 
         FIG. 11C  shows the housing and cover of  FIG. 11A  as linearly moved parallel to each other; and 
         FIG. 11D  shows the housing and cover of  FIG. 11A  in a movement that is not parallel relative to each other. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-4  depict a hand-held sterilization device in a storage position with the light source covered. The sterilizer  100  has a covering housing  102  that receives a light housing  106  that are joined by rotating joint assembly  108 , with light housing  106  being storable in niche  104 . Covering housing  102  has subassemblies  110 ,  112 . Subassembly  110  is a subhousing with recess  114  to accommodate switch button  116 , opening  118  for accessing a battery with a recharger (not shown), opening  119  for a flashlight assembly having a light bulb or light-emitting diode (LED)  119  and cover  120 . Face  117  serves as a covering for the light source  142 . Subassembly  112  has recessed area  121  to accommodate button  122  that actuates rotating joint assembly  108 . Light housing  106  has recess  140  on light-emitting face  141  that accepts ultraviolet light source  142  that is mounted in sockets  144  that electrically communicate with a power source. Optional cover  146  protects light source  142 . Recess  140  also has an opening  139  to allow light to pass to light-monitoring face  148  that has an opening with filter-covering  150  that allows light from the light source to pass through the filter to remove harmful wavelengths while allowing a user to visualize the on/off status of the light source. 
     In use, a user grasps device  100  in a hand, pushes button  122  to actuate rotating joint assembly  108  to automatically move light housing  106  from a covered (storage) position  160  to a deployed position  162  and also thereby turn on the light source to shine ultraviolet light from light source  142  through opening  143  in the light-emitting face  141 . The housing  102  serves as a handle proximal to the user, with the light housing  106  being distal to the user. Device  100  has the light housing  106 , light source  142 , light-emitting face  141  all in a single plane along with the proximal portion and the covering face  117 . The user moves the device to shine sterilizing light as desired on an object, and may monitor the on/off status of light source  142  by observing the presence or absence of light through filter  150  and opening  139 . The device may turn itself off after a predetermined time via a processor (not shown). The user manually rotates light housing  106  back into niche  104  where it is retained and is automatically turned off. The light-emitting face  141  is parallel to face  117  in covered (storage) position  160  and deployed position  162 . As depicted, this state of being parallel is maintained at all times, with face  117  being directly opposed to light emitting face  141  and light source  142  in covered position  160  and being parallel but not opposing the light emitting face  141  or light source  142  in deployed position  162 . Parallel refers to a state of being within about 10 degrees of being absolutely parallel. 
       FIGS. 5-7  depict the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  in further detail.  FIG. 5  depicts subassembly  110 , which has base housing  170  and fitted top  172 . Housing  170  contains battery  174 , lamp or LED assembly  176  connected to battery  174  via switch  178  that is switchable by switch button  116 . The housing  170  also contains attitude sensor  180 , a post  182 , and electronic components as needed for operation of the device (not shown). A microprocessor (not shown) may also be included in housing  170 . Fitted top  172  has flexible upwardly biased battery connector contacts  184 , post opening  186 , and arcuate guide slot  188 . A rechargeable battery rechargeable through power source connectable at opening  118  is depicted but any suitable power source may be used, e.g., disposable batteries. Battery contacts  184  are connected to battery  174  via attitude sensor  180 . The attitude sensor allows current to pass when the sensor is disposed within a predetermined range, or, alternatively, blocks current when disposed outside of a predetermined range. Top  172  fits onto housing  170 , e.g., with interlocking tabs and/or screws, with post  182  passing through post opening  186 . 
       FIG. 6A  depicts subassembly  110  as assembled and light housing assembly  106  disassembled into first shell  190  and second shell  192 . First shell has battery connector contacts  194 , mounting posts  196 , guide post  198 , and ultraviolet light source  142  electrically connected to contacts  194 . Second shell  192  has opening  139  with cover  150 , opening  202 , and tabs  204 . Rotating joint assembly  108  includes spring  205 , rotating-biasing post  206  with ears  208  about axial bore  210 , and tabs  212 , see also  FIGS. 6B-6D . Spring  205  has a first end disposed between tabs  212  to prevent slippage of the spring end, and the other end of spring  205  is placed in tabs (not shown) in shell  190  that prevents slippage of the spring end. The post  206  is fit into opening  202  with ears  208  projecting therethrough. Tabs  204  cooperate with corresponding mounts (not shown) on shell  190  as shells  190  and  192  are joined to make light housing assembly  106 . Assembly  106  is mounted on subassembly  110  with post  182  passing through bore  210  of rotating-biasing post  206  with tabs  196  fitting into post opening  186 , while guide post  198  fits into arcuate guide slot  188 . Battery contacts  184 ,  194  are not opposing or contacting each other with the light housing  106  in niche  104 , but move to contact each other as housing  106  is rotated into deployment position  162 . Light housing assembly  106  has slot  220  for restraining the housing from rotation by cooperation with a post engaging the slot. 
       FIG. 7  depicts light housing assembly  106  as assembled and engaged on subassembly  110 . Subassembly  112  has recessed area  121  and sliding bar assembly  222 . Recessed area  121  has slots  224  for engaging ears  208  and bore  226 . Slots  230  accept tabs  232  of button  122  when assembled. Sliding bar assembly  222  has bar  234  attached to biasing spring  236 , tapered post  238  facing hole  240 , and restraining post  242 . Subassembly  112  is joined to subassembly  110  with fasteners, e.g., adhesives, interlocking tabs or screws, with ears  208  passing into a set of slots  224 . Button  122  tabs are snapped into slots  230  to secure the button while allowing up and down movement. Button post  244  is placed in or over hole  240  and at or near tapered post  238 . The light housing may be pushed into niche  104 , which winds spring  205 ; restraining post  242  engages slot  220 , with spring  236  biasing bar  234  to prevent movement of post  242 . User depression of button  122  forces button post  244  against tapered post  238  and forces bar  234  out of slot  220  to release the restraint on spring  205 . Spring  205  then unwinds, rotating light housing assembly  106  into the deployed position. For additional force, spring  205  may be further wound during assembly. 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment  400 , with light housing  406  and base housing  408  secured by threaded fastener  410 . Other fasteners may be used that provide for relative movement of housings  406  and  408 . Base  408  has an internal battery source that provides power to battery connectors  412 . Light housing  406  has battery connectors  414  and light sources  416  electrically connected to the connectors. The light sources are located in a recess  420 . Light sources  420  can emit light through opening  430  located in light-emitting facing  432  and also through optional viewport  434  having a suitable filter in the case of ultraviolet light or an otherwise translucent covering. In use, a user rotates light source housing  406  in a plane parallel to a plane defined by light-emitting facing  432 , moving from a storage position  440  wherein the light source is covered and a deployment position wherein the battery connectors  412 ,  414  are aligned to pass electricity to the light source to turn on the light source and emit light. In the case of an ultraviolet light source, a user may illuminate an object that is to be sterilized. While electronic components and batteries are generally depicted as being separate from the light emitting source, some or all of such components may be put into the same housing as the light source. Accordingly, a simple cover free of electronic components may be used to cover the light source as desired, with the cover being rotated in the plane as described or pulled out as described elsewhere herein. Quick-deployment embodiments may include a biasing member that forces the light housing away from the base, e.g., a spring restrained until a button is actuated by the user. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an alternative embodiment  500  of a hand-held sterilization device. A light housing  506  has a light source  508 , optional light source viewing port  510 , contacts  512 , and guide bars  514 . The housing  506  has an internal battery (not shown) and components to establish an electrical connection to light source  508  through contacts  512 , which must contact contacts  516  for the circuit to be complete, with completion of the circuit causing the light source to be turned on. Bars  514  have posts  517  to prevent the housing  506  from being pulled out of the outer housing  520 . The light source housing  506  is received by outer housing  520  made of subassemblies  520   a  and  520   b , which are equipped with suitable fasteners to join them together, e.g., mortise and tenons  522 ,  524 .  FIG. 9C  depicts subassembly  520   a  having guide slot  526  that cooperates with bar  514  to guide housing  506  in and out of the outer housing  520 . Guide slot  526  has a stop  528  to catch posts  517 . The light source  508  is disposed in a recess  530  in light-emitting face  532 . The outer housing has covering face  534  formed by assemblies  520   a ,  520   b  to make a cover that is parallel to covering face  534 , with the covering face being both parallel to and opposite of (and covering) the light source when it is in a storage position. The outer housing forms a niche  533  to contain the light housing in the storage position. The covering face  534  is parallel to the light-emitting face  532  in the deployment position wherein the light source housing is pulled forward. In use, a user, pulls the light source housing from the outer housing to engage contacts  512  with contacts  516  to thereby turn on the power source. Alternatively, a biasing mechanism, (e.g., a spring, not shown) may be placed behind housing  506  to force the light housing out of the outer housing and turn on the light source by completion of the circuit through contacts  512 ,  516 ; in this embodiment, a button for example, may be used to release the light housing. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an alternative embodiment of a system using a biasing mechanism to force a light source from an outer housing. Device  600  has outer housing  602  that has light housing  604  and outer housing  606 . Outer housing  606  has subassemblies  608  and  610  joined together. Subassembly  608  has opening  611  for receiving button  612 . Recesses  614 ,  616  cooperate to form an opening for access to charger receptacle  618 . Subassembly  610  has cavity  620  to receive light housing  604 , spring  621 , recesses  622  for contacts  626 , with cavity  620  also receiving battery pack  628 . Button assembly  640  has button  612 , biasing member  642 , pivot  644 , and tab  646 ; in use, a user presses button  612  to force it downwards to move tab  646  outwards to thereby release the light housing  604  from outer housing  606  by action of spring  621 . Light housing  604  has recess  650  with light source  652  electrically connected to contacts  654 , with light from light source  652  being emitted from the recess  650  when the light is turned on by completing a circuit by contact of contacts  654  and  622 , with contacts  622  being in electrical connection to rechargeable battery  628 . Shoulders  656  of light housing  604  are stopped by shoulders  658  to prevent the light housing from being overextended relative to outer housing  602 . Spring  621  is anchored to outer housing  602  and seats inside the light housing  604  in recess  660 . A user may deploy the light housing  604  by pressing button  612  as described to allow the light housing  604  to be forced out of the outer housing  602 . Deployment of the light housing  604  allows completion of the light-to-battery circuits to turn on the light source  652 . The user may force the light housing  604  back into the outer housing  602  to reset the button assembly  640  to retain the light housing. Other features described herein may also be included in this embodiment. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 10 , the outer housing provides a covering for the light source when it is in the retracted storage position. The movement of the light housing is in a single direction and along a single axis, e.g., the central longitudinal axis of the light source or light source housing. 
     Accordingly, certain embodiments relate to moving a light source and/or light source housing from a storage position wherein the light source is covered to a deployed position wherein light from the light source can be emitted to an intended surface. The movement may be made with the light source housing being held parallel to the covering. The movement may be, e.g., a rotating movement in a single plane or a linear movement without rotation in a single plane.  FIG. 11  depicts linear or rotating movement of a light housing and a covering parallel to each other and also depicts non-parallel movement by way of contrast.  FIG. 11A  depicts light source housing  700  with light source  702  and covering  704  arrows A and B indicating parallel movement of the covering and light source housing relative to each other.  FIG. 11B  shows covering  704  after a rotating movement parallel to housing  702  as indicated by dashed arrow A′, with the covering being in a covering position.  FIG. 11C  shows covering  704  after a linear movement parallel to housing  702  as indicated by dashed arrow B′, with the covering in a covering position.  FIG. 11D  shows the covering  704  in a rotating movement that is not parallel to the light housing  702   
     Movement in a single plane allows for attitude sensors to be effectively incorporated into the device since the device can be made with a proximal portion easily grasped by a user and a distal light-housing portion that is in substantially the same plane, so the attitude of the device in use is readily controlled. In contrast, devices made with a bend between the light source and a handle area have an uncertain geometry during use, with the user having to adjust a hand position to compensate for the light source and handle being in different planes. 
     Also, certain embodiments provide a niche for secure and durable storage of the light housing with the niche providing protection of all of, or a substantial portion of, the light housing. Further, certain embodiments require electrical contacts to be completed for the light source to be activated or to remain on. This arrangement is more secure than relying on a separate switch that controls the light in response to a covering being open or closed. Moreover, the contacts may be used to transmit power from a power source to the light housing instead of interconnected wiring that has to be threaded from the power source to the light source. Certain embodiments provide for secure single-handed operation, with a single button actuating the light housing to move from a storage position to a deployed position and to also activate the light source. 
     Various attitude sensors may be used to provide safety on/off controls. An accelerometer or accelerometers may be used, for instance. An xyz accelerometer may be used to provide an object&#39;s attitude, i.e., its coordinates in an xyz coordinate system. In the case of a known device geometry, all the points on the object can be mapped into the xyz coordinate position with a single xyz accelerometer. Alternatively, separate devices can provide inputs that in combination describe an object&#39;s attitude, for instance an xy accelerometer and a tilt indicator for the z-position. Accelerometers may be used in combination with a microprocessor, for instance an xy or an xyz accelerometer. Some embodiments use a tilt detector to determine an attitude of the device. Accordingly, some embodiments include an xy accelerometer and a tilt detector, and other embodiments may also include a tilt detector. An embodiment of a tilt detector is an electronic inclinometer, e.g., of a type in the group accelerometer, liquid capacitive, electrolytic, gas bubble in liquid, pendulum, and MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems). 
     In some embodiments, the light source or device is unpowered when an attitude sensor is more than a predetermined value from vertical, with the value being in a range from, e.g., about 5 to about 180 degrees; in other words, the light is on if it points vertically down at the surface but is turned off when it deviates too much, e.g., is rotated 90 degrees away; artisans will immediately appreciate that all the ranges and values within the explicitly stated ranges are contemplated, e.g., about 15, about 45, about 90, or between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees. A ball in a swivel socket, for instance, may be used, with the position of the ball relative to its socket controlling a flow of current to a light source. 
     Some embodiments use an attitude sensor to prevent the light source from being on when the light source deviates by more than a predetermined angle. For instance, when the light-emitting face of the device is parallel to a horizontal surface, the angle may be between e.g., 15 and 90 degrees; artisans will immediately appreciate that all the ranges and values within the explicitly stated ranges are contemplated. One such angle may be the reverse angle and another is the angle from vertical. The reverse angle is the angle traced by the edges of the device when it is in the deployed position horizontal to the ground to emit light towards the ground and rotated about a central axis passing through the length of the device, as in a user twisting a wrist to make the light source move from horizontal to pointing sideways. The vertical angle is made by the device when it is in the deployed position horizontal to the ground to emit light toward the ground and the device is moved so that its a central axis passing through the length of the device is perpendicular to the ground, as in a user bending an arm from a straight horizontal position until the elbow forms a 90 degree angle with the hand uppermost. 
     Hand-held is a term referring to a device for a user to hold and support the entire device in a hand and move across a target surface. Embodiments of hand-held devices include those with a weight of less than about 5 lbs, less than about 1 lb and less than about 8 ounces; artisans will immediately appreciate that all the ranges and values within the explicitly stated ranges are contemplated. A switch or a button that is actuated by a user is a broad term and may include, for example, a toggle, a sliding switch that allows adjustable control of the component being switched, hand-actuation, knobs, rheostats, and wheels (e.g., thumbwheel). Batteries may be disposable or rechargeable, e.g., by electric current or solar cells. A power cord and plug may be used to augment or substitute for battery-operation. 
     Microprocessors may be used as needed to achieve the indicated functions. In general, a microprocessor refers to one or more computing devices that compute using hardware, software or firmware. A single microprocessor may be used in many embodiments, or a plurality of microprocessors may share computing tasks. The microprocessor may contain, or cooperate with, a computer-readable medium that provides computer-readable instructions, data, and electronic records. The term computing device is broad and includes microprocessors and integrated circuits that perform logical computing operations. 
     The light source may be an ultraviolet light (UV) source, e.g., ultraviolet A (UVA; about 400 nm to about 315 nm), ultraviolet B (UVB; about 315 nm to about 290 nm), and/or ultraviolet C (UVC; about 290 nm to about 100 nm). UVC can be found in artificial sources such as mercury arc lamps and germicidal lamps. Light sources commonly referred to as UVC lamps can be used. Some light sources are referred to as high pressure UVC lamps, and typically have a peak at about 254 nm and a secondary peak at about 185 nm. Medium pressure UVC lamps vary somewhat and typically have multiple peaks from abort 225 nm to about 600 nm. Alternatively, visible light sources (bulbs or light emitting diodes) may be substituted for sterilizing light and the device may be used as a flashlight or pocket reader instead of a sterilizing device. 
     Table 1 details some dosages for sterilization. The cleaning mechanism of UV is a photochemical process. The indicated organisms or other compounds undergo breakdown when exposed to high intensity UV at about 240 to 290 nm. Short-wave ultraviolet light can destroy DNA in living microorganisms and breakdown organic material found in indoor air. UVC&#39;s effectiveness is directly related to intensity and exposure time. UV rays strike contaminants directly to penetrate it and break down its molecular bonds. This bond breakage translates into cellular or genetic damage. 
     Some embodiments accordingly relate to exposing a target area to a light source to sterilize the area for a particular condition or organism causing the condition until the target area is exposed to at least a dose of light that sterilizes the surface, meaning a 99.9% kill rate as measured under controlled conditions. Other embodiments relate to sanitizing a surface target area, meaning that the area is exposed to a dosage of light calculated to remove unwanted compounds without fully sterilizing the surface, e.g., about 25% to about 98%; artisans will immediately appreciate that all the ranges and values within the explicitly stated ranges are contemplated, e.g., from about 50% to about 80%. Certain embodiments of sanitization/sterilization are directed to one or more combinations of organisms or conditions and/or specific items and/or areas and/or area sizes and/or light source devices as in Table 1. The data of Table 1 has been made based on tests of prototypes. Disinfecting is a term applied to either sanitization or sterilization. Certain methods of use include shining a UV light at an object for a predetermined amount of time as indicated in Table 1, and/or selecting an object from Table 1 for exposure as indicated. The prototype was made with a UVC output of about 1.5 Watts to provide an intensity of about 5000 microwatts per square centimeter and about 30,000 microwatts total UV light output. Alternatives include a device with more or less output, e.g., from about 1 Watt to about 40 Watts, from about 2000 to about 50,000 microwatts per square centimeters, and from about 5,000 to about 300,000 microwatts total UV output; artisans will immediately appreciate that all the ranges and values within the explicitly stated ranges are contemplated, e.g., 36 Watts, 5-20 Watts. In the case of the relatively higher-powered units (or any of the units), weight may be conserved by using external power (e.g., to a 110 volt power outlet) as opposed to a battery. 
     In general, the device may be provided with instructions that outline usage guidelines, for instance the how long to expose an area to achieve various levels of sanitization for a variety of organisms. In one method, the user is instructed to provide a series of passes over the intended target area. Embodiments include a kit that has a hand held sterilizing device and instructions for using the device as described herein. 
     As is evident from the foregoing, one embodiment is a hand-held device for sanitizing and/or sterilizing a surface comprising a hand-held light source housing comprising an ultraviolet light source in a receptacle in the housing, with a light-emitting face of the housing having an opening for emitting light from the light source; a covering housing rotatably mounted to the light source housing, with the covering housing having a niche for receiving the light source housing and comprising a covering face parallel to the light-emitting face of the housing; wherein the light source in the light source housing is rotatable from a covered position inside the niche with the opening being covered by the covering housing to a deployment position outside the niche with the opening not being covered by the covering housing, with the covering face and the light-emitting face being parallel as the covering housing is rotated out of the niche to the deployment position. 
     Such devices may have contacts for completing a circuit between a power source (for instance a battery or power cord) and the light source, with the contacts being safety features that only provide power to the light source when it is properly moved into the deployed position. The device may be made wherein the covering housing comprises a battery and a first set of contacts and the light source housing comprises second set of contacts that contact each other upon the rotation to the deployment position to complete an electrical connection through the contacts between the battery and the light source to power the light source in the deployment position but not in the covering position. 
     Such devices may be configured with attitude sensors. For instance, a device may comprise an attitude sensor in a circuit for turning off the light source when the light source exceeds a predetermined angle. The sensor may be, or comprise, a swivel ball, tilt sensor, or an accelerometer. The predetermined angle may be 90 degrees from a horizontal position or a vertical position. 
     Such devices may include a biasing mechanism to force the device from a storage to a deployed position. For instance, the device may be spring-loaded. Some embodiments are comprising a spring that biases the light source housing to move from the covered position to the deployment position. The biasing force may be restrained as needed, e.g., with a tab that restrains the light source housing in the covered position until a user depresses a button that causes the tab to move and thereby allows the spring to move the light source housing from the covered position to the deployment position. 
     The device may further comprise a second light source, e.g., a bulb or an LED actuated by a switch to provide visible light on demand. 
     An embodiment of the device is a light housing with a cover that moves off the light source while staying parallel to the light housing, with the plane defined by movement of the cover being parallel to the plane defined by the opening in the light housing. The movement can be viewed as the cover moving and the light housing staying still, or vice versa, or with both moving. One embodiment is a device for sanitizing a surface comprising a light source housing comprising a receptacle for a light source comprising a socket for the light source, with a light-emitting face of the housing having an opening for emitting light from the light source; a covering rotatably mounted to the light source housing, with the covering having a covering face parallel to the light-emitting face of the housing; wherein the light source housing is rotatable from a covered position with the opening being covered by the cover to a deployment position with the opening not being covered by the cover, with the covering face and the light-emitting face being parallel as the light source housing is rotated. 
     A method by a user of sanitizing an object may be comprising moving a light source in a light source housing from a niche inside a covering housing to a deployed position to thereby uncover the light source and to activate the light source to emit ultraviolet light from the light source housing onto the object that a user intends to sanitize, and moving the device by hand to emit the light onto the object and thereby kill organisms on the object to sanitize the object, with the light source being recessed in a light-emitting face of the light source housing and the covering housing comprising a covering face that is parallel to and opposed to the light-emitting face in the covering position and that is parallel to the light emitting face in the deployed position. The light-emitting face and the covering face may be parallel to each other as the light source housing is rotated from the niche to the deployment position. The light-emitting face and the covering face may be parallel to each other as the light source housing is slid out from the niche to the deployment position. The sliding motion may be linear. 
     In certain embodiments, a hand-held device for sanitizing a surface is provided comprising a hand-held light source housing comprising an ultraviolet light source in a receptacle in the housing, with a light-emitting face of the housing having an opening for emitting light from the light source; a covering housing receiving and covering all or a portion of the light source housing and/or the light source; wherein the light source housing being movable from a covered position inside the niche (with an opening for the light source being covered by the covering housing) to a deployment position outside the niche (with the opening not being covered by the covering housing), with the covering and the light housing being parallel as the covering housing is moved linearly out of covering housing to the deployment position. The movement may be initiated by pressing, e.g., a button, which is a broad term encompassing a trigger or tab or user-actuated deployment structure. In some embodiments, the button is part of a button assembly, with the button (optionally pivotally) moving a tab that restrains the lighting housing, which housing is biased to move out of the outer housing by a biasing structure, e.g., a spring or coil. The lighting housing may have a recess to receive the tab to thereby be restrained. The lighting housing may further comprise a bore that receives some or all of the biasing member, e.g., for storage of substantially all of the biasing member when the lighting housing is in the covered storage position. 
     The user may operate the device for a predetermined time, including the times and for the conditions as indicated in Table 1. Certain embodiments are directed to kits that comprise a device and instructions for the device. The instructions may comprise one or more of the times and conditions as indicated in Table 1. Other embodiments are directed to the indicated conditions and may use other times as may be appropriate for the light source intensity and usage. The instructions may further comprise more general sterilization or sanitization process or instructions for operating the device, including deployment or movement the device members. 
     The light source may be UV, visible light, or a UVC light source. For instance, having an output from about 1 to about 40 Watts; artisans will immediately appreciate that all the ranges and values within the explicitly stated ranges are contemplated, e.g., 1 to about 36 Watts. In some embodiments, the UVC light source emits a peak at about 254 nm but not at about 185 nm; accordingly, some embodiments are free of light emitted at about 185 nm. 
     Another light source embodiment is a mixture of UVA and/or UVB and/or UVC light in the range of about 185 nm to about 365 nm. The light may come from a filtered broad spectrum light source to provide a spectrum of light within the 185-365 range, or a plurality of light sources may be used that each provide at least one peak within the 185-365 range. For instance, two or three LED light sources may be used. Moreover, the light source may exclude wavelengths outside of the 185-365 range. 
     Other embodiments include a timer switch in combination with deployment of the light housing, activation of the light, or user-activation of the deployment mechanism, e.g., pressing a button that lets the light housing move into the deployed position. The timer switch prevents power delivery to the light until such time as the arm travel is complete regardless of the disposition of the contacts or other circuits to activate the light. The timer switch advantageously eliminates the transmission of power while such contacts or circuits are not fully engaged. 
     Patents, patent applications, and publications set forth herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein to the extent they do not contradict what is explicitly disclosed herein. The embodiments describe a variety of features. In general, the features may be mixed-and-matched to make other embodiments as guided by the need to make a functional device. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Time in minutes to sterilize surface according to surface type and organism* 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Typhoid. 
                 Influenza. 
                 Hepatitis. 
                 Anthrax. 
                 Mold A 
                 Mold B. 
               
               
                 AREA, 
                   
                   
                 6000 
                 6,600 
                 8,000 
                 8,700 
                 10,000 
                 44,000 
               
               
                 cm2 
                 DIMENSION 
                 ITEM 
                 μW/cm2 
                 μW/cm2 
                 μW/cm2 
                 μW/cm2 
                 μW/cm2 
                 μW/cm2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 (1 cm × 1 cm) 
                 1 Square cm 
                 0.02 
                 0.02 
                 0.02 
                 0.03 
                 0.03 
                 0.15 
               
               
                 72 
                 (18 cm × 4 cm)  
                 Remote Control 
                 0.24 
                 0.27 
                 0.32 
                 0.35 
                 0.40 
                 1.78 
               
               
                 144 
                 (18 cm × 4c × 2) 
                 Telephone 
                 0.48 
                 0.53 
                 0.65 
                 0.70 
                 0.81 
                 3.56 
               
               
                 480 
                 (40 cm × 32 cm) 
                 Toilet Seat 
                 1.62 
                 1.78 
                 2.15 
                 2.34 
                 2.69 
                 11.85 
               
               
                 2394 
                 (63 cm × 38 cm) 
                 Queen Pillow 
                 8.06 
                 8.87 
                 10.75 
                 11.69 
                 13.43 
                 59.11 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Based on a UVC output of 1.5 Watts at an intensity of 4950 microwatts per square centimeter and 29700 microwatts total UV light output.

Technology Category: a