Power outage light socket device

• US 7,703,934 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
• Original Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
• Inventors: Hill, Ambreese Sharif, Pape, Robert J., Bowman, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): APENTENG, JESSICA MCMILLAN
• Application Number:
  US11/497,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 362/20, 362/228, 362/229, 362/227, 362/183, 362/205, 362/208, 362/650, 361/170, 315/86
• US Class Current: 362/20
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/02 in which an auxiliary distribution system and its associated lamps are brought into service
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A power outage socket device that may be installed on a variety of lamps or light fixtures. The bottom of the device has a male connector adapted to be inserted into the light socket on the lamp or light fixture, in place of the light bulb. A female socket adapted to receive the light bulb is located on the top of the device. The male connector may be recessed. When power is interrupted, emergency power is provided to one or more emergency light sources on the device to provide light. Emergency power is provided by one or more batteries, which may be rechargeable. The device also may include means for connecting a lamp harp, or for allowing a lamp harp to pass through the device. A photoelectric light sensor may be used to detect ambient light and control whether emergency light is provided when normal power is interrupted.

Claims

1. A power outage light socket device adapted to be used in conjunction with a conventional light socket and light bulb, comprising:

a housing assembly;

a male connector extending from said housing assembly configured to be received and electrically coupled with a light socket;

a female socket extending into said housing configured to receive and be electrically coupled with a light bulb;

at least one battery housed in said housing assembly, and

an electrical circuit coupling said battery with said female socket to provide power to the light bulb through said female socket when outside power to the light socket is interrupted,

wherein two or more slots extending inward from an outer edge of the housing assembly configured to receive a harp of a lamp.

2. The power outage light socket device of claim 1 further comprising a photoelectric light sensor coupled to said electrical circuit.

3. The power outage light socket device of claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit includes a power switch.

4. The power outage light socket device of claim 1 wherein said battery is rechargeable and wherein said electrical circuit includes means for recharging said battery.

5. A power outage light socket device adapted to be used in conjunction with a conventional light socket and light bulb, comprising:

a housing assembly;

a conventionally threaded male connector extending from said housing assembly configured to be received and electrically coupled with a light socket;

a conventionally threaded female socket extending into said housing configured to receive and be electrically coupled with a light bulb;

at least one battery housed in said housing assembly, and

an electrical circuit coupling said battery with said female socket to provide power to the light bulb through said female socket when outside power to the light socket is interrupted

wherein the conventionally threaded male connector is recessed within the bottom of the housing assembly.