Wireless emergency safety light with sensing means for conventional light switch or plug receptacle

• US 6,010,228 A
• Filed: 11/13/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen E. Blackman
• Original Assignee: Stephen E. Blackman
• Inventors: Blackman, Stephen E., Wolfgang, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELGIZZI, RONALD ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US08/969,788
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 362/20, 362/95, 362/276, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/95
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/02 in which an auxiliary distribution system and its associated lamps are brought into service
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A housing for a wireless emergency safety light which is mechanically connectable to a conventional light switch for a light fixture or a plug receptacle for providing power to a load. The housing replaces a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving the switch actuator of the light switch or for receiving the electrical plug receptacle. The emergency safety light includes at least one compartment in the housing for receiving batteries; a second compartment in the housing for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to the batteries; and an antenna for sensing the loss of electrical power to the light switch and, in response thereto, for actuating the emergency light source.

Claims

1. A housing for an emergency light source which is mechanically connectable to an electrical switch having a switch actuator or a plug receptacle for providing power to a light fixture or other electrical load, comprising:

a) a replacement housing for replacement of a conventional switch plate or conventional plate for a plug receptacle, said replacement housing having at least one opening for receiving said switch actuator of said electrical switch or for receiving said electrical plug receptacle;

means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle;

said replacement housing having no electrical connection to said conventional switch plate or to said plug receptacle;

b) at least one compartment in said replacement housing for receiving batteries;

c) a second compartment in said replacement housing for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to said batteries; and

d) wireless means for sensing the loss of electrical power to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle and, in response thereto, for actuating said emergency light source.

2. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wireless means for sensing includes an antenna for sensing the loss of electrical power.

3. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said replacement housing includes a pair of compartments for receiving batteries.

4. A housing in accordance with claim 3, wherein said pair of compartments are adapted to receive two "AA" batteries each.

5. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second compartment is adapted to receive one or more LED lamps, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or electroluminescent devices as said emergency light source.

6. A housing in accordance with claim 1, further including a PC board containing said wireless means for sensing.

7. A housing in accordance with claim 1, further including a manual test switch for testing the functioning of said emergency light source.

8. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said replacement housing includes a switch plate cover having at least one light switch opening or a receptacle cover having at least one pair of receptacle openings.

9. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said replacement housing includes a diffuser cover for diffusing light from said light source.

10. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said replacement housing includes a compartment for receiving at least one printed circuit board.

11. A housing in accordance with claim 1, further including a photocell for controlling said emergency light source.

26. A housing in accordance with claim 2, wherein said wireless means for sensing further includes a noise filter for emitting an electrical signal;

at least one logic gate for receiving and amplifying said electrical signal from said noise filter;

a switching transistor for receiving and transmitting said electrical signal to a LED PC device; and

said LED PC device for turning on and supplying power to said light source.

27. A housing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle include a plurality of mounting screws.

12. A housing for an emergency light source which is mechanically connectable to an electrical switch having a switch actuator or a plug receptacle for providing power to a light fixture or other electrical load, comprising:

a) a replacement housing for replacement of a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving said switch actuator of said electrical switch or for receiving said electrical plug receptacle;

means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle;

said replacement housing having no electrical connection to said conventional switch plate or to said plug receptacle;

b) at least one compartment in said replacement housing for receiving batteries;

c) a second compartment in said replacement housing for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to said batteries;

d) wireless means for sensing the loss of electrical power to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle and, in response thereto, for actuating said emergency light source; and

e) a night light mounted in said replacement housing.

13. A housing in accordance with claim 12, wherein said wireless means for sensing includes an antenna for sensing the loss of electrical power.

14. A housing in accordance with claim 12, wherein said second compartment is adapted to receive one or more LED lamps, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or electroluminescent devices as said emergency light source.

28. A housing in accordance with claim 12, wherein said means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle include a plurality of mounting screws.

15. A housing for an emergency light source which is mechanically connectable to an electrical switch having a switch actuator for a plug receptacle for providing power to a light fixture or other electrical load, comprising:

a) a replacement housing for replacement of conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving said switch actuator of said electrical switch or for receiving said electrical plug receptacle;

means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle;

said replacement housing having no electrical connection to said conventional switch plate or to said plug receptacle;

b) at least one compartment in said replacement housing for receiving batteries;

c) a second compartment in said replacement housing for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to said batteries;

d) wireless means for sensing the loss of electrical power to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle and, in response thereto, for actuating said emergency light source;

e) a night light mounted in said replacement housing;

f) a photocell mounted in said replacement housing for actuating said electrical switch or said plug receptacle in response to a power failure and when there is no ambient light; and

g) a timer mounted in said replacement housing for controlling the time that the batteries are operating.

16. A housing in accordance with claim 15, further including a manual test switch for testing the functioning of said emergency light source.

17. A housing in accordance with claim 15, further including a photocell for controlling said night light.

18. A housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein said wireless means for sensing includes an antenna for sensing the loss of electrical power.

19. A housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein said second compartment is adapted to receive one or more LED lamps, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or electroluminescent devices as said emergency light source.

29. A housing in accordance with claim 15, wherein said means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle include a plurality of mounting screws.

20. A housing for an emergency light source which is mechanically connectable to an electrical switch having a switch actuator or a plug receptacle for providing power to a light fixture or other electrical load, comprising:

a) a replacement housing for replacement of a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving said switch actuator of said electrical switch or for receiving said electrical plug receptacle;

b) means for connecting batteries to said replacement housing;

c) a compartment in said replacement housing for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to said batteries;

d) wireless means for sensing the loss of electrical power to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle and, in response thereto, for actuating said emergency light source;

e) means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle;

said replacement housing having no electrical connection to said conventional switch plate or to said plug receptacle;

f) a motion sensor mounted in said replacement housing for actuating said emergency light source in response to an actuating movement;

g) a timer mounted in said replacement housing for controlling the amount of time said batteries operate;

h) a photocell mounted in said replacement housing for actuating said electrical switch or said plug receptacle in response to a power failure and when there is no ambient light; and

i) a switch for selecting said motion sensor, said timer or said photocell for controlling said electrical switch or said plug receptacle.

21. A housing in accordance with claim 20, further including a manual test switch for testing the functioning of said emergency light source.

22. A housing in accordance with claim 20, further including a night light and a photocell for controlling said night light.

23. A housing in accordance with claim 20, wherein said timer is a digital timer.

24. A housing in accordance with claim 20, wherein said wireless means for sensing includes an antenna for sensing the loss of electrical power.

25. A housing in accordance with claim 20, wherein said second compartment is adapted to receive one or more LED lamps, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, or electroluminescent devices as said emergency light source.

30. A housing in accordance with claim 20, wherein said means for mechanically connecting said replacement housing to said electrical switch or said plug receptacle include a plurality of mounting screws.