Concealed safety lighting device

• US 7,118,235 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Barton
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Barton
• Inventors: Barton, Robert A
• Primary Examiner(s): Quach-Lee, Y. My
• Assistant Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US10/710,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20040218379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 362/95, 362/20, 362/365, 362/802
• US Class Current: 362/20
• 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 form factor (20,21,22) to replace conventional electric wiring devices. The light source (10) is controlled by a power and control circuit (90, 790) that derives power from the primary power supply or an alternate power supply. The circuit can detect light levels and turn on the light source when it is dark and also detect power failures to turn on the safety light in the event of a power failure using the alternate power supply The safety light is also capable of responding to an alarm condition from other systems. The resulting safety light is conceyaled in a standard wiring junction box and trimmed with a wall cover plate in the same way as conventional electric wiring devices, allowing it to be concealed while in plain view and provide safety lighting in a variety of ways including power failure, night light and alarm conditions.

Claims

1. A concealed safety lighting device comprising:

a) a housing having a size and shape of an electric wiring device selected from the group consisting of a switch, dimmer and power outlet, said housing further including 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, said conventional cover plate;

c) a power-signal means adjusting the power level of said light source, said power-signal means providing an electrical power signal to energize said light source.

2. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1, wherein said power-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-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.

3. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1, wherein said power-signal means further comprises a light detection means adapted to monitor light levels, wherein said light detection means is arranged to reduce or increase power to said light source in response to changes in light levels.

4. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1 wherein said power-signal means is further comprised of a user interface switching mechanism, whereby said user interface switching mechanism adjusts the level of power to said light source.

5. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1 wherein said power-signal means derives low voltage direct current from a primary power supply to illuminate said light source when said primary power supply is available.

6. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1 wherein said power-signal means comprises one or more separable distributed components in communication with each other to control the power level of said light source.

7. The concealed safety lighting device as in claim 1 wherein said power-signal means comprises signal input communication means for communicating with an external system that generates a signal when a predetermined condition exists, said power-signal means providing a power signal to said light source in response to the externally generated signal.

8. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1, 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.

9. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a compartment to contain an alternate power source, said alternate power source capable of providing low voltage direct current.

10. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 9 wherein said alternate power source is further comprised of a removable non electrically conductive battery carrier, whereby said battery carrier electrically isolates a user from a high voltage primary power source when said battery carrier is handled by said user.

11. The concealed safety lighting device of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a light transmission means selected from the group consisting of a void, lens, transparent material, translucent material, light pipe, and fiber optic material, said light transmission means arranged to convey light from said light source through said visible surface area of said safety lighting device.

12. 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 comprises:

a) combining a light source with a housing, having a suitable shape and mounting means to install in an electrical workbox and attach a conventional cover plate;

b) adjusting the power level of said light source using an electric signal;

c) conveying light from said light source through a visible surface area of said housing utilizing a light transmission means to convey light emitted from said light source into said area, 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 concealed by installing in an electrical utility work box and covered by a conventional cover plate.

13. A method of claim 12, wherein the step of adjusting the power level of said light source further comprises the steps of:

a) sensing primary power using a 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 adjusting the power level of said light source in said housing upon detection of power failure.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of adjusting the power level of said light source further comprises the steps of:

a) monitoring light conditions in a selected area;

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

c) reducing power to said light source when predetermined light levels exist.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of adjusting the power level of said light source includes the step of providing a night light function further comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring light conditions in a selected area;

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 while primary power is available.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of adjusting the power level of said light source further comprises the step of varying the level of power to said light source in response to a user interface switching mechanism to provide user-level control of adjusting the power to said light source.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of adjusting the power level of said light source further includes the step of monitoring a signal generated by an external alarm system and varying the power to said light source in response to said signal, said external alarm system further monitoring predetermined safety conditions.

18. A concealed safety lighting device comprising:

a) a housing formed such that it fits within an electrical workbox;

b) said housing further comprising a mounting means adapted to affix said housing to an electrical utility work box;

c) said mounting means further comprising a means to affix a conventional cover plate for a conventional electric wiring device;

d) said housing having a visible surface area, said visible surface area exposed through said conventional cover plate;

e) a light source adapted such that the light emitted from said light source is transmitted and conveyed through said visible surface area of said housing as a means to illuminate objects in the area adjacent to said safety lighting device;

f) an electrical power supply adapted to connect to said light source, said electrical power supply derived from a primary or secondary power source;

g) a signal means to cause said electrical power supply to connect to said light source, said signal means activated by a predetermined condition;

whereby said safety lighting device provides illumination of the room area and objects located in the nearby room area when a predetermined condition exists.