Concealed safety lighting device

• US 6,805,469 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2003
• Issued: 10/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: R A. Barton
• Original Assignee: R A. Barton
• Inventors: Barton, R A
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US10/249,723
• Time in Patent Office: 535 Days
• Field of Search: 362/20, 362/23, 362/28, 362/29, 362/34, 362/84, 362/85, 362/95, 362/145, 362/147, 362/157, 362/183, 362/190, 362/191, 362/362, 362/364, 362/365, 362/368, 362/370, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/365
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/20 Ceiling roses or other lighting sets
• 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 concealed safety light is described where the light source is integrated and mounted into a switch or power outlet wiring device. The light source is controlled by a circuit that detects ambient light and turns on the light source in the event of a power failure when it is dark. The resulting safety light is concealed in a standard wiring junction box and trimmed with conventional wall cover plate.

Claims

1. A concealed safety lighting device comprising:

a) an electrical wiring device selected from the group consisting of a switch and electric power outlet, having a housing adapted to fit within an electrical utility work box, said electrical wiring device further comprising a mounting means to be supported;

b) a light source adapted to emit light through a surface area of said electrical wiring device, said surface area visibly exposed through a void in a conventional wall cover plate;

c) a power sensing and control means connected to said light source to provide a signal to control the on-off state of said light source;

whereby said concealed safety lighting device has an exterior appearance that visibly resembles a conventional electrical switch or power outlet when installed and covered by said conventional wall cover plate.

2. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1 wherein said power sensing and control means comprises a power failure backup lighting mechanism further comprising an alternate power source, a power failure detection means and an actuator means arranged to provide a power signal to said light source in response to a power failure.

3. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1, wherein said light source is controlled by a light detection means arranged to detect levels of ambient light in the area adjacent to said safety lighting device, said light detection means connected to said power sensing and control mechanism for causing it to alter the amount of power applied to said light source.

4. The concealed safety lighting device as in claim 1, wherein said common electrical wiring device further comprises a transmission means for said light source, said transmission means arranged to convey light through said surface area of said electrical wiring device that is visibly exposed through said void in said cover plate;

whereby said light source illuminates the area adjacent to said safety lighting device by emitting light through said transmission means.

5. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 4, wherein said transmission means is selected from the group consisting of a void, lens, transparent material, translucent material, light pipe, and fiber optic material.

6. A concealed safety lighting device comprising:

a) a housing for replacement of an electric wiring device selected from the group consisting of a switch and power outlet, said housing further comprising a mounting means adapted to affix said housing to an electrical utility work box, said mounting means further comprising a means to affix a conventional cover plate for said electric wiring device;

b) a light source adapted such that the light emitted from said light source is transmitted through a visible surface area of said housing as a means to illuminate the area adjacent to said safety lighting device, said visible surface area protruding into, and exposed through, a void in said conventional cover plate;

c) a power-sensing signal means controlling the on-off state of said light source, said power-sensing signal means providing an electrical power signal to energize said light source;

whereby said safety lighting device replaces conventional switch or power outlet devices effectively concealing said safety lighting device when covered by a conventional wall cover plate.

7. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 6, wherein said power-sensing signal means further comprises:

a) a power failure detection means, connected to a primary power supply, arranged to provide detection and signaling of a power failure of said primary power supply;

b) a connection means adapted to provide an electrical connection to an alternate power source, said alternate power source comprised of a battery;

c) an actuator means arranged to electrically switch the power source for said light source to said connection means when activated by said power failure detection means;

whereby said power-sensing signal means provides an electrical power signal to said light source to emit light during a power failure, thereby causing said concealed safety lighting device to perform as an emergency backup lighting device.

8. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 6, wherein said power-sensing signal means further comprises a light detection means adapted to monitor ambient lighting conditions, wherein said light detection means is arranged to reduce or increase power to said light source in response to changes in ambient light levels.

9. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 6, wherein said housing further comprises mechanical and electrical components of said electrical wiring device, whereby said safety lighting device illuminates a darkened room area while simultaneously providing the function of said electrical wiring device.

10. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises a compartment to contain an alternate power source, said alternate power source capable of providing low voltage direct current.

11. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 6 wherein said visible surface area further comprises:

a) a switch actuator mechanism from the group consisting of a lever, slide, toggle, bat, rocker and pushbutton;

or

b) a power outlet for receiving an electrical plug;

or

c) a bezel used to frame or support said switch actuator mechanism or power outlet;

d) a non-functional form factor having no other purpose than to convey light from said light source through said standard cover plate.

12. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 6 wherein said housing further comprises a fight transmission means for said light source, said light transmission means arranged to convey light from said light source through said visible surface area of said safety lighting device exposed through a void in said cover plate.

13. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 12 wherein said light transmission means is selected from the group consisting of a void, lens, transparent material, translucent material light pipe, and fiber optic material.

14. A method of providing safety lighting without indicating that an area is so equipped by concealing a safety lighting device in said area, wherein the step of concealing said safety lighting device is comprised of:

a) combining a light source with a conventional electrical wiring device selected from the group consisting of a switch and power outlet;

b) controlling the on-off state of said light source using an electronic signal;

c) conveying light from said light source through a visible surface area of said conventional electrical wiring device utilizing a light transmission means to expose light emitted from said light source, said light transmission means selected from the group consisting of a void, lens, transparent material, translucent material light pipe, and fiber optic material;

whereby said safety lighting device is installed in an electrical utility work box and concealed behind a standard wall cover plate.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of controlling the on-off state of said light source includes the step of providing a concealed night light function further comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring ambient light conditions in the area adjacent to said safety lighting device;

b) using primary power to supply power to said light source;

c) increasing power to said light source when predetermined low light levels exist in said area adjacent to said safety lighting;

d) reducing power to said light source when predetermined light levels exist in said area adjacent to said safety lighting;

thereby providing illumination during hours of darkness while primary power is available.

16. A method of claim 14, wherein the step of controlling the on-off state of said light source further comprises the steps of:

a) sensing primary power using said power-sensing signal circuit connected to a primary power source, thereby detecting the occurrence of a power failure;

b) electrically connecting said light source to an alternate power source when power failure is detected;

thereby controlling said light source in said conventional electric wiring device upon detection of power failure.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of controlling the on-off state of said light source further includes the step of automatically conserving power of said alternate power source further comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring ambient light conditions in the area adjacent to said safety lighting device;

b) increasing power to said light source to provide backup lighting at a predetermined low light level;

c) reducing power to said light source when predetermined light levels exist in said surrounding area;

thereby reducing said alternate power source energy consumption and extending the duration of operation during the failure of said primary power source.