LED nightlight

• US 6,709,126 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monte A. Leen
• Original Assignee: Monte A. Leen
• Inventors: Leen, Monte A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, David
• Application Number:
  US10/302,460
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/802, 362/29, 362/226, 362/95, 315/159, 315/158
• US Class Current: 362/95
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/08 by movement of the screens or filters
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/00 Refractors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/504
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A nightlight having a base unit with a central cavity designed to house a light sensor and a printed circuit board. Mounted on the front surface of the base unit is a transversely aligned LED tube. The LED tube is disposed between two struts that extend forward from the front surface of the base unit. Attached to the front surface of the base unit and over the LED tube is a fixed half-spherical lens. Disposed over the lens is a rotating, half-spherical outer cap having an approximately quarter-spherical sized opening that allows a portion of the lens to be exposed so that light from the LED tube may be emitted therethrough. Thus, when the outer cap is selectively rotated around the base unit, the quarter-spherical sized opening is rotated therewith, and a dissipated broad beam of light may be selectively aimed in any direction.

Claims

1. A nightlight, comprising:

a. a base unit having a front surface, a rear surface, and at least two spaced-apart electric prongs mounted on said rear surface adapted to connect to an electric receptacle;

b. a printed circuit board located inside said base unit and connected to said electric prongs;

c. an LED tube mounted on said front surface of said base unit, said LED tube including at least two longitudinally aligned LED bulbs surrounded by a diffuser, said LED bulbs being connected to said printed circuit board;

d. an outer cover mounted on said front surface of said base unit and over said LED tube; and

,

e. a photo cell connected to said printed circuit board.

2. The nightlight, as recited in claim 1, further including two perpendicularly aligned struts mounted on said front surface of said base unit between which said LED tube is mounted.

3. The nightlight, as recited in claim 2, wherein said LED bulbs are mounted on said struts.

4. The nightlight, as recited in claim 3, wherein said diffuser is cylindrical and mounted between said struts.

5. The nightlight, as recited in claim 4, further including a half-spherical lens mounted on said front surface of said base unit and under said outer cover.

6. The nightlight, as recited in claim 2, further including a pair of contact plates that connect said LED bulbs to said printed circuit board.

7. The nightlight, as recited in claim 3, wherein said struts and prongs are longitudinally aligned.

8. A nightlight, comprising:

a. a base unit having a front surface, a rear surface, and at least two spaced-apart electric prongs mounted on said rear surface adapted to connect with an electric receptacle;

b. a printed circuit board located inside said base unit and connected to said electric prongs;

c. an LED tube mounted on said front surface of said base unit, said LED tube including at least two longitudinally aligned LED bulbs surrounded by a diffuser, said LED bulbs being connected to said printed circuit board capable of controlling said LED bulbs;

d. means for transversely mounting said LED tube on said front surface of said base unit;

e. an outer cover mounted on said base unit and over said LED tube;

f. a half-spherical lens mounted on said front surface of said base unit and under said outer cover; and

,

g. a photo cell connected to said printed circuit board.

9. The nightlight, as recited in claim 8, wherein said diffuser is cylindrical and longitudinally aligned between said LED bulbs.

10. The nightlight, as recited in claim 8, further including a pair of contact plates that connect said LED bulbs to said printed circuit board.

11. The nightlight, as recited in claim 8, wherein said struts and prongs are longitudinally aligned.