SAFETY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVENTIONAL LIGHTING FIXTURES

• US 20090072970A1
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Barton
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Barton
• Inventors: Barton, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,990,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A safety device is incorporated within conventional lighting fixtures, such as table lamps, floor lamps, wall lighting fixtures, ceiling lighting fixtures, chandeliers, recessed lighting fixtures, and decorative lighting fixture structural members such as ceiling medallions. The safety device incorporates several safety function response mechanisms within conventional lighting fixtures to conceal or obfuscate their presence. The safety device provides power failure lighting, alert signals in response to gas, smoke, fire, intrusion, and any other externally generated alarm signal. It may also provide night lighting. The safety device may include a safety module having a light and/or audio source, a power sensing circuit, a control circuit, and a light sensing circuit.

Claims

1. ) A safety system for use in connection with a conventional lighting fixture, the safety system comprising:

a. a safety module comprising a housing, said housing having at least one compartment, said housing having a mating means to join said housing to said conventional lighting fixture so as to be perceived to be a component of said conventional lighting fixture;

b. at least one safety light source to provide power failure lighting affixed to said housing, said safety light source mounted such that light emitted from said safety light source illuminates the area adjacent to said conventional lighting fixture;

c. a power sensing circuit in electrical communication with a primary power source;

d. a control circuit in electrical communication with said power sensing circuit said control circuit providing a signal to control said safety light source based upon an output of the power sensing circuit; and

e. an alternate power source in electrical communication with said control circuit.

2. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the control circuit further includes a signal input means to cause said control circuit to provide a predetermined signal in response to a change in state on said signal input means.

3. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a light transmission means for said safety light source, said light transmission means arranged to convey light emitted from said safety light source external to said housing.

4. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the housing has a suitable shape and structure to affix said housing to an electrical workbox.

5. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the control circuit further comprises a communications means for an exchange of control information.

6. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises at least one planar supporting surface suitable for maintaining a conventional lighting fixture in place through gravity.

7. ) The safety system as in claim 1 further comprising a light sensor to determine a light level external to the conventional light fixture;

and

wherein the control circuit is in electrical communication with the light sensor and provides a signal to control the energy state of said safety light source based upon the output of the light sensor.

8. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the control circuit further comprises a user control mechanism to manipulate predetermined features of said safety lighting device.

9. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the housing has a shape of sufficient proportions to permit said safety module to be interposed between said conventional lighting fixture and a supporting surface whereby said safety module acts in concert with mounting said conventional lighting fixture to said supporting surface.

10. ) The safety system as in claim 9 wherein said supporting surface is one of a ceiling and a wall and wherein said safety module is a decorative medallion.

11. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said housing has a mating means to permit said safety module to be affixed in alignment with a lamp socket assembly of said conventional lighting fixture.

12. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said conventional lighting fixture is a recessed lighting fixture and wherein said housing is an annular ring.

13. ) The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said control circuit further comprises an alternate power source sensing circuit and a warning indicator when a power level in the alternate power source is low.

14. ) A method to improve safety in an area while obscuring the presence of a safety system in said area, the method comprising the steps of:

a. combining a safety module with the structure of a lighting fixture, said safety module having a housing that substantially resembles a design element of said lighting fixture;

b. determining the existence of a safety condition with the safety module;

c. controlling at least one safety alerting source including one of safety light source and safety audio source based upon the existence of a safety condition; and

d. conveying the emitted output of said safety alerting source into said area normally illuminated by said conventional lighting fixture.

15. ) The method of claim 14, wherein the safety condition includes a loss of primary power and wherein the safety alerting source includes a safety lighting source.

16. ) The method of claim 14, wherein the combining step includes the steps of:

a. providing a mating structure for physically associating said safety module with said lighting fixture in a manner consistent with the structure, shape, style and installation of said lighting fixture;

b. mounting said safety alerting source in a predetermined relationship to said lighting fixture to cause the safety response emitted from said safety alerting source to radiate into an area adjacent to said lighting fixture.

17. ) A safety system for a conventional lighting fixture, the conventional lighting fixture having a primary power source, a primary light source, and at least one structural member, the safety system comprising:

a. a housing functioning as part of said conventional lighting fixture;

b. at least one safety alerting source including one of a safety light source and a safety audio source;

c. an alternate power source;

d. a power sensing circuit for monitoring said primary power source for power disruptions;

e. a safety condition circuit for determining the existence of a safety condition; and

f. a control circuit controlling said safety alerting source based upon an output of the power sensing circuit and the safety condition circuit.

18. ) The safety system of claim 17 wherein the at least one safety alerting source includes a safety light source, wherein said primary light source includes a plurality of light sources and said safety light source includes at least one of said plurality of light sources.

19. ) The safety system of claim 17 wherein said conventional lighting fixture is a light strip mounted to a cabinet shelving surface.

20. ) The safety system of claim 17 wherein the housing appears as an integral part of said lighting fixture, and wherein said safety system further comprises a mating structure connected to the housing to affix said housing to at least one structural member of said conventional lighting fixture.