Illuminated power strip and electrical outlet

• US 7,011,422 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Plastic Inventions and Patents, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plastic Inventions and Patents, Inc.
• Inventors: Robertson, Jonas J., Currie, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Han, Jason
• Application Number:
  US10/685,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20040150984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 362/95, 362/253, 362/307, 362/311, 362/351, 362/355, 362/555, 362/612, 200/310, 340/656
• US Class Current: 362/95
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables

Abstract

A decorative, illuminated electrical wall outlet cover plate having an LED light source and a translucent face plate. A method and arrangement is described for illuminating a electrical wall outlet to provide an easily changeable, decorative face plate for matching the walls, wallpaper, furniture or other decorative items in a room. The cover plate is made from an acrylic or polycarbonate plastic that can be clear, translucent, transparent, or partially opaque. Preferably, a reflective backing is provided to reflect light in the desired direction and to enhance the effective brightness of the light. In a second embodiment, a power strip is illuminated to more easily locate the plug in area of the power strip.

Claims

1. A method of illuminating an electrical component cover plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, said cover plate comprising:

providing a translucent cover plate having an LED, said LED being removably connected to said cover plate;

providing a reflective surface to said inner surface of said cover plate;

providing a step down transformer circuit for converting power from said electrical component to said LED and, providing a quick connect and disconnect LED which allows said LED to be removed from said cover plate and replaced without removing or replacing said cover plate wherein said LED is a multi-color LED and said cover plate having a manually operable switch mounted thereon whereby said switch includes a plurality of positions with each of said positions corresponding to a different color of light emitted from said LED such that by moving said switch from a first position to a second position, the color of light emitted by said multi-color LED can be changed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover plate is polycarbonate.

3. The method of claim 2, including the additional step of mixing said polycarbonate with an optically conductive material.

4. The method of claim 2, including the additional step of mixing said polycarbonate with an optically conductive material to form a unidirectional opaque cover plate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover plate is acrylic.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover plate includes a switch for changing the color of the LED responsive to a sensed condition.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover plate includes a control for changing powering the LED responsive to a sensed condition.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover plate is translucent.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said cover plate is transparent.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said LED is a white 1.2 watt LED.

11. An optical conductor electrical outlet comprising:

a cover plate having walls forming an interior space within said walls, each of said walls having an interior facing surface and said interior facing surfaces being coated with light reflective material;

an LED mounted to one of said walls so that the light emitting portion of said LED shines light into said interior and said light is reflected by said light reflective material;

a face mounted substantially perpendicular to said walls, said face being constructed of light transmitting material which permits passage of said reflected light therethrough said face including an electrical outlet; and

a step down transformer circuit mounted to said cover plate for converting power from an power source to said LED.

12. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

a quick connect and disconnect LED which allows said LED to be removed from said cover plate and replaced without removing or replacing said cover plate.

13. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said LED is a multi-color LED and said cover plate having a manually operable switch mounted thereon whereby said switch includes a plurality of positions with each of said positions corresponding to a different color of light emitted from said LED such that by moving said switch from a first position to a second position, the color of light emitted by said multi-color LED can be changed.

14. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said cover plate is acrylic.

15. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said cover plate is polycarbonate.

16. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said face is translucent.

17. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said face is transparent.

18. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said cover plate includes a switch for changing the color of the LED responsive to a sensed condition.

19. The optical conductor electrical outlet as set forth in claim 11, wherein;

said cover plate includes a control for changing powering the LED responsive to a sensed condition.