Low-voltage lighting apparatus

• US 20060274525A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safeexits, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Safeexits, Inc.
• Inventors: Nielson, Lyman O., Hess, Norman B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/249.10
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/065 for lighting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 35/00 Electric light sources using a combination of different types of light generation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

An energy-efficient lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus includes a ballast cover. The ballast cover includes a plurality of ballast cover holes. The lighting apparatus also includes a circuit board comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The circuit board is positioned adjacent the ballast cover so that the plurality of light-emitting diodes protrude through the plurality of ballast cover holes in the ballast cover. The lighting apparatus may also include a battery for supplying power to the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

Claims

1. An energy-efficient lighting apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting diodes;

a ballast cover;

a plurality of ballast cover holes in the ballast cover;

a circuit board to which the light-emitting diodes are attached, wherein the circuit board is positioned adjacent the ballast cover so that the plurality of light-emitting diodes protrude through the plurality of ballast cover holes in the ballast cover, wherein the lighting apparatus is coupled to a wall switch and wherein the illumination of the light-emitting diodes is controllable based upon the position of the wall switch.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a battery for supplying power to the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a switching circuit for controlling illumination of the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, wherein the switching circuit comprises:

a first portion for placing the switching circuit in communication with a wall switch;

a second portion for coupling the switching circuit to the battery; and

a third portion for coupling the switching circuit to the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switching circuit couples the battery to the plurality of light-emitting diodes if the switching circuit is not receiving AC voltage from an AC voltage source that is coupled to the wall switch, and wherein the switching circuit does not couple the battery to the plurality of light-emitting diodes if the switching circuit is receiving the AC voltage from the AC voltage source.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switching circuit further comprises a fourth portion for receiving an alarm signal from an alarm device.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the switching circuit couples the battery to the plurality of light-emitting diodes if the switching circuit is receiving the alarm signal.

8. A method for providing illumination to an area in an energy-efficient manner, comprising:

providing a ballast cover, the ballast cover having a plurality of ballast cover holes, the ballast cover being attachable to a light fixture;

providing a circuit board to which a plurality of light-emitting diodes are attached; and

positioning the circuit board adjacent the ballast cover so that the plurality of light-emitting diodes protrude through the plurality of ballast cover holes in the ballast cover, wherein the light fixture is coupled to a wall switch and wherein the illumination of the light-emitting diodes is controllable based upon the position of the wall switch.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising illuminating the plurality of light-emitting diodes when a light bulb within the light fixture is not illuminated.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising not illuminating the plurality of light-emitting diodes when a light bulb within the light fixture is illuminated.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving an alarm signal from an alarm device; and

in response to receiving the alarm signal, illuminating the plurality of light-emitting diodes.

12. A method for retrofitting a light fixture with an energy-efficient lighting apparatus, the light fixture having a ballast cover, the method comprising:

providing a housing having an attachment surface and an illumination surface, wherein the illumination surface comprises a plurality of illumination surface holes;

providing a circuit board that houses a plurality of light-emitting diodes;

positioning the circuit board adjacent the housing so that the plurality of light-emitting diodes protrude through the plurality of illumination surface holes in the illumination surface; and

securing the attachment surface of the housing to the ballast cover, wherein the lighting apparatus is coupled to a wall switch and wherein the illumination of the light-emitting diodes is controllable based upon the position of the wall switch.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising illuminating the plurality of light-emitting diodes when a light bulb within the light fixture is not illuminated.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising not illuminating the plurality of light-emitting diodes when a light bulb within the light fixture is illuminated.