Sunrise alarm clock radio

• US 5,402,396 A
• Filed: 02/18/1993
• Issued: 03/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Jones, Charley G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US08/019,637
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 368/250, 368/249, 368/256, 368/10, 368/75, 368/73
• US Class Current: 368/250
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/021 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/028 combined with a radio

Abstract

In order to avoid erroneous manipulation of alarm ON/OFF and sleep buttons, on a clock radio type alarm, a night light is provided to illuminate at least these two buttons when the alarm ON/OFF button is set to it'"'"'s ON position. An illumination level control is provided which allows the brightness of the night light to be selective controlled or turned off irrespective of the alarm button being set to its ON position. The night light preferably includes two readily replaceable bulbs which are circuited in such a manner that when one becomes defective, the other can be still be energized.

Claims

1. An alarm device comprising:

first and second manually manipulatable buttons operatively mounted on a housing, said first button being an alarm ON/OFF button which controls an alarm function and enables the alarm function to be enabled when manually manipulated;

a single energizable light source mounted on said housing at a position discrete from said first and second buttons so that said first and second buttons are simultaneously illuminated when said light source is illuminated;

alarm time setting means for setting a time at which an alarm signal is to be produced; and

circuit means associated with said light source for supplying electrical power thereto in immediate response to a predetermined manipulation of said first button which enables the alarm device to be energized and produce an alarm signal at the time set by said alarm time setting means,

wherein said light source includes means for manually varying the level of illumination produced thereby continuously between first and second limits when supplied with electrical energy by said circuit means, said level controlling means comprising a switch having a manually manipulatable member, said manually manipulatable member being arranged to be illuminated by said light source when said light source is energized.

2. An alarm device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes means connectable with a source of AC electricity.

3. An alarm device comprising:

first and second manually manipulatable buttons operatively mounted on a housing, said first button being an alarm ON/OFF button which controls an alarm function and enables the alarm function to be enabled when manually manipulated;

a single energizable light source mounted on said housing at a position discrete from said first and second buttons so that said first and second buttons are simultaneously illuminated when said light source is illuminated;

alarm time setting means for setting a time at which an alarm signal is to be produced; and

circuit means associated with said light source for supplying electrical power thereto in immediate response to a predetermined manipulation of said first button which enables the alarm device to be energized and produce an alarm signal at the time set by said alarm time setting means,

wherein said light source comprises a cover, said cover being so configured as to project above the surface of said housing and to direct light mere readily toward and onto said first and second buttons.