Multiple function electro-luminescent night light devices

• US 20010033481A1
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Original Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Inventors: Chien, Tseng-Lu
• Application Number:
  US09/840,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20010033481A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/34
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/10 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/16 Skating boots
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/085 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 19/00 Lighting devices or systems employing combinations of electric and non-electric light sources; Replacing or exchanging electric light sources with non-electric light sources or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/002 Table lamps, e.g. for ambient lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/003 for task lighting, e.g. for reading or desk work, e.g. angle poise lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources

Abstract

An electro-luminescent lighting arrangement includes at least one additional lighting element situated in a housing to provide a lighting device in which the lighting elements have different brightnesses and other lighting characteristics in order to perform different functions, such as providing a night light function as well as a flashlight, lantern, warning or indicator light or lamp function.

Claims

1. A multiple function electro-luminescent lighting arrangement comprising:

an electro-luminescent lighting including at least one electro-luminescent lighting element and at least one pair of electrodes for electrically connecting the electro-luminescent element to a power source;

said power source produces a current selected from the group consisting of alternative current and direct current;

at least one additional lighting element which is not an electro-luminescent element;

both said electro-luminescent element and said additional lighting element being powered by said current; and

a housing containing both said electro-luminescent element and said additional lighting element.

2. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said additional lighting element is electrically connected to a second power source which is different from the power source to which the at least one electro-luminescent element is connected.

3. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the additional lighting element is a lighting element selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, an incandescent lighting element, a fluorescent lighting element, a gas-filled lighting element, cold cathode lighting element, a mercury vapor lighting element, and a halogen lighting element.

4. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, further comprising means for turning on the additional lighting element in response to a sensed condition.

5. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 4

, wherein the condition is a condition selected from the group consisting of light, weather conditions, vibrations, tilt angle, direction, heat, and smoke, and wherein the condition is detected by a device electrically connected to the power source.

6. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the electro-luminescent lighting element and the additional lighting element have a common power source.

7. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the electro-luminescent lighting element is an electro-luminescent lighting element selected from the group consisting of an electro-luminescent strip, an electro-luminescent panel, an electro-luminescent tube, and an electro-luminescent fiber, said lighting element having a color selected from the group consisting of single or multiple colors.

8. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the housing includes a portion through which the electro-luminescent element is visible.

9. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the electro-luminescent element is installed in a groove or opening in the housing.

10. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said prongs include a pair of prongs retractable into the housing when the prongs are disconnected form the power source.

11. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a wall outlet, battery, power generator, and combinations of different power sources.

12. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said housing is a flashlight housing.

13. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said housing is an incandescent flashlight housing.

14. A lighting arrangement as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein said housing is arranged to house devices other said electro-luminescent and additional lighting elements.

15. A multiple function light device, comprising:

an electro-luminescent lighting element; and

an additional lighting element, said additional lighting element having a different brightness so as to provide different lighting functions than the electro-luminescent light element;

both said electro-luminescent element and said additional lighting element being powered by the same current from a power source, said current is selected from the group consisting of alternative current and direct current.

16. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein said additional lighting element is electrically connected to a power source which is different from a power source to which the at least one electro-luminescent element is connected.

17. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the additional lighting element is a lighting element selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, an incandescent lighting element, a fluorescent lighting element, a gas-filled lighting element, a cold cathode lighting element, a mercury vapor lighting element, and a halogen lighting element.

18. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising means for turning on the additional lighting element in response to a sensed condition.

19. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 18

, wherein the condition is a condition selected from the group consisting of light, weather conditions, vibrations, tilt angle, direction, heat, and smoke, and wherein the condition is detected by a device electrically connected to the power source.

20. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the electro-luminescent lighting element and the additional lighting element have a common power source.

21. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the electro-luminescent lighting element is an electro-luminescent lighting element selected from the group consisting of an electro-luminescent strip, an electro-luminescent panel, an electro-luminescent tube, and an electro-luminescent fiber, said lighting element having a color selected form the group consisting of single or multiple colors.

22. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising a housing that includes a portion through which the electro-luminescent element is visible.

23. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the electro-luminescent element is installed in a grove or opening in a housing.

24. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising a pair or prongs retractable into the housing when the prongs are disconnected from a power source with the electro-luminescent element, the prongs electrically connecting the power source with the electroluminescent element.

25. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising at least one power source for supplying power to the additional lighting element or the electro-luminescent, the power source being selected from the group of a wall outlet, battery, power generator, and combinations of different power sources.

26. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising a housing, wherein said housing is a flashlight housing.

27. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising a housing, wherein said housing is an incandescent flashlight housing.

28. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising a housing that houses devices other than said electro-luminescent and additional lighting elements.

29. A lighting device as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein said additional lighting element is a lighting element of a lamp.