Method and apparatus for illuminating a wall plate
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wall plate assembly comprising:
- a light source; and
a wall plate configured to be arranged with a wall mounted switch or electrical outlet, and having a front surface, observable by a person, and a rear surface, the wall plate further configured to;
(i) receive light from the light source, (ii) reflect at least a portion of the received light off an internal side of the front surface of the wall plate, and (iii) direct at least a portion of the internally reflected light in a direction observable to the person.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wall plate assembly configured to be arranged with a wall mounted switch or electrical outlet is illuminated in a manner at least some light is totally internally reflected. Various lighting effects may be produced by the wall plate assembly. An integral light source, such as LED(s), may be employed. An image may be applied to the wall plate assembly in a static or dynamic manner and be illuminated by the light source directly or by the internally reflected light. The wall plate assembly may include electronics that control the light source or image and may receive data for controlling the light source or image data via a communications interface.
61 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wall plate assembly comprising:
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a light source; and
a wall plate configured to be arranged with a wall mounted switch or electrical outlet, and having a front surface, observable by a person, and a rear surface, the wall plate further configured to;
(i) receive light from the light source, (ii) reflect at least a portion of the received light off an internal side of the front surface of the wall plate, and (iii) direct at least a portion of the internally reflected light in a direction observable to the person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for illuminating a wall plate for a wall mounted switch or an electrical outlet, the method comprising:
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generating light;
reflecting at least a portion of the generated light off an internal side of a front surface of a wall plate; and
directing at least a portion of the internally reflected light in a direction observable to a person. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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means for generating light;
means for reflecting at least a portion of the generated light off an internal side of a front surface of a wall plate configured to be arranged with a wall mounted switch or an electrical outlet; and
means for directing at least a portion of the internally reflected light in a direction observable to a person.
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Specification