Illuminated electrical cords and outlets

• US 7,121,707 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Plastic Inventions and Patents, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plastic Inventions and Patents Incorporated
• Inventors: Currie, Robert M., Robertson, Jonas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US10/948,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20050124209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 362/511, 362/640, 362/235, 362/278, 362/311, 362/362, 362/555, 362/551, 362/800, 174/74.R, 385/101, 439/489, 439/490, 439/910, 439/106
• US Class Current: 362/555
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/36 with distinguishing or length marks
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7172 Conduits for light transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A number of different embodiments of illuminated electrical cords and outlets are provided. Some embodiments include a light source within at least one connector end of an electrical cord, with the cord having a translucent outer cover for emitting the light radially from the connector end light source. The cord may be a household electrical or extension cord, a computer power supply cord, auxiliary power cord, etc., as desired. A kit may be provided to adapt a conventional, non-illuminated cord to provide illumination therefrom. Other embodiments include electrical outlets, adapters, and power strips having a light source(s) therein, for illuminating an electrical cord installed in the electrical power source. The outlets, adapters, and power strips may include differently colored lighting, and/or multiple colored lenses for manual or automated selection of color output. Battery power may be provided, with automated switching in the event of a primary power failure.

Claims

1. An illuminated electrical supply line, comprising:

an electrical cord having an electrically insulating housing, a first end and a second end opposite said first end;

at least one electrical conductor disposed within said electrical cord housing;

a first end connector and a second end connector extending respectively from said first end and said second end of said electrical cord;

a selectively removable, translucent cover overlying and separate from said electrical cord housing and emitting light received therein, radially therefrom in a continuous array; and

a light disposed at one of said end connectors, selectively emitting light outwardly therefrom and into said translucent cover of said electrical cord, when activated.

13. The illuminated electrical supply line of claim 1, further comprising:

a) an electrical plug located at a first end of said cord, said plug being electrically connected to said electric current carrying component.

14. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 1, wherein said electrical plug includes a housing and said light emitting diode is located within said housing.

15. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 14, wherein said light emitting diode is positioned within said housing such that light is directed toward said translucent cover.

16. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 1, wherein said translucent cover is transparent.

17. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a switch for selectively powering said light with current from said electric conductor when current is available therein and powering said light emitting diode with current from a dc power source separate from said electric conductor.

18. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selectively removable, translucent cover is applied longitudinally along and over the electrical cord housing.

19. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selectively removable, translucent cover is a striped sheet applied in a spiral pattern around and over the electrical cord housing.

20. The illuminated electrical supply line as set forth in claim 1, wherein said selectively removable, translucent cover is woven and is applied longitudinally along and over the electrical cord housing.

2. An illuminated electrical cord comprising:

a) an electric current carrying component extending the length of the cord;

b) an electrically insulating material surrounding the electric current carrying component the entire length of the cord;

c) a light transmissive portion associated with said electrically insulating material for providing illumination along the entire length of the cord;

d) a light emitting diode associated with said light transmissive portion and providing a light source to facilitate illumination from said light transmissive portion; and

e) a switch for selectively powering said light emitting diode with current from said electric current carrying component when current is available therein and powering said light emitting diode with current from a DC power source separate from said electric current carrying component when current is not available in said electric current carrying component.

3. The illuminated electrical cord as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

a) said light transmissive portion includes a translucent sleeve surrounding said insulating material.

4. The illuminated electrical cord as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a) an electrical plug located at a first end of said cord, said plug being electrically connected to said electric current carrying component.

5. The illuminated electrical cord as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

a) said electrical plug includes a housing and said light emitting diode is located within said housing.

6. The illuminated electrical cord as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

a) said light emitting diode is positioned within said housing such that light is directed toward said light transmissive portion.

7. The illuminated electrical cord as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

a) said housing further includes a focusing lens located between said light emitting diode and said light transmissive portion for focusing the light produced by said light emitting diode and directing the focused light toward said light transmissive portion.

8. The illuminated electrical cord as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

a) said light transmissive portion is translucent.

9. A combination illuminated electrical outlet and electrical cord, comprising:

a) an electrical outlet forming an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug of an electrical cord;

b) said electrical outlet further including a light emitting diode;

c) said light emitting diode being positioned on said outlet for alignment with said electrical cord;

d) said electrical cord having a light transmissive portion for providing illumination along the entire length of the cord when said light transmissive portion is aligned with said light emitting diode positioned on said electrical outlet.

10. The combination illuminated electrical outlet and electrical cord, as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

a) said light transmissive portion includes a translucent sleeve surrounding said insulating material.

11. The combination illuminated electrical outlet and electrical cord as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

a) said electrical outlet further includes a transformer for reducing the voltage supplied to said light emitting diode.

12. The combination illuminated electrical outlet and electrical cord as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

a) said electrical outlet further includes a focusing lens for focusing the light produced by said light emitting diode and directing the focused light toward said light transmissive portion of said electrical cord.