Multiple function wall cover plate

• US 7,318,653 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Original Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Inventors: Chien, Tseng-Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember; Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shallenberger; Julie A.
• Application Number:
  US11/094,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20060073731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 362/95, 362641-644, 392392-394
• US Class Current: 362/95
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/003 for task lighting, e.g. for reading or desk work, e.g. angle poise lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0004 Personal or domestic articles
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0024 Household or table equipment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0048 Office articles, e.g. bookmarks, desk lamps with drawers, stands for books or music scores
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• 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: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0045 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/30 Illumination of dials or hands dials in general G04B19/06; moving indicating means with numbers or hands, in general G04B19/20; arrangements for indicating different local apparent times by means of a globe illuminated from inside G04B19/22; continuous indication of the time by non-electric light sources G04B25/00, e.g. by electric lamps G04C17/02; illumination by electric lamps which function at fixed times or periodically G04C19/02; illuminated panels G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/186 : using an electroluminiscent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 : with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/713 : the switch being a safety switch
• 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: H01R 25/006 : the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 : Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 : Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 : Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A multiple function wall cover plate includes a night light, air freshener, and receptacles that replace the existing wall cover plate by single screw disassembly and that can be fastened again in seconds without any risk of contacting hot wires. The user can simply plug the multiple function wall cover plate'"'"'s prong into the original wall outlet'"'"'s receptacle to enable electricity delivery and enjoy the multiple functions of the current invention.

Claims

1. A multiple function wall cover plate arranged to replace an existing wall plate, comprising:

at least one front cover and a back base assembled to the front cover to form said multiple function wall cover plate, said multiple function wall cover plate having a shape corresponding to that of the existing wall plate, wherein the multiple function wall cover plate is fastened by means of a screw extending through the front cover to a wall plate holder in place of the existing wall plate;

at least one copper means arranged to supply electricity from an existing receptacle mounted in said wall plate holder and covered by the multiple function wall cover plate to said at least one receptacle, said copper means installed in channels in the front cover and extending rearwardly from the front cover for insertion into said existing receptacle, said front cover including outlet openings for inserting prongs of said external device;

at least one light source installed within between said front cover and back base to emit light through said front cover and thereby provide a night light whenever the copper means is connected to the existing receptacle; and

at least one fragrance refill replaceably installed on the back base.

2. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one heater means connected with the copper means for heating air adjacent the refill and thereby enhancing spreading of said fragrance.

3. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of an electro-luminescent (E.L.) element, LED, neon light, black light, fluorescent light gas filled bulb, and incandescent light.

4. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said at least one receptacle is at least two.

5. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said at least one refill is at least two.

6. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copper means is arranged to supply electricity to circuitry for controlling said light means, as well as to said at least one receptacle.

7. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 6, wherein a number of said at least one receptacle is at least two.

8. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copper means is connected to said existing receptacle by prongs and conductive means selected from the group consisting of wires, metal material, solder, resilient conductive means, and combination of wires, metal material, solder, or resilient conductive means.

9. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multiple function wall cover plate has dimensions of 12-18 cm by 7-12 cm.

10. A multiple function wall cover plate, comprising:

at least one front cover and a back base assembled to the front cover to form said multiple function wall cover plate, said multiple function wall cover plate having a shape corresponding to that of the existing wall plate, wherein the multiple function wall cover plate is fastened by means of a screw extending through the front cover to a wall plate holder in place of the existing wall plate;

at least one copper means arranged to supply electricity from an existing receptacle mounted in said wall plate holder and covered by the multiple function wall cover plate to said at least one receptacle, said copper means being installed in channels in the front cover and extending rearwardly from the front cover for insertion into said existing receptacle, said front cover including outlet openings for inserting prongs of an external device;

at least one light source installed within between said front cover and back base to emit light through said front cover and thereby provide a night light whenever the copper means is connected to the existing receptacle; and

at least one additional electrical device.

11. A multiple function wall cover plate as claimed in claim 10, wherein said additional electrical device is selected from the group consisting of:

a. a fragrance dispenser;

b. a night light;

c. an insect repeller;

d. a time piece;

e. a motion sensor;

f. an infrared sensor; and

g. a blue tooth electrical device controller.