Stair lighting system, and method for its implementation

• US 7,954,973 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph F. Witt, Kathryn M. Hetzer, Ronald Cohen, Scott D. Holland, Stairlighting System LLC
• Original Assignee: Joseph F. Witt, Kathryn M. Hetzer, Ronald Cohen, Scott D. Holland, Stairlighting System LLC
• Inventors: Witt, Joseph F., Holland, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong; Bao Q
• Application Number:
  US12/074,702
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 362/145, 362/146, 362/20, 362/800, 362/276, 362/394, 362/411, 362/295, 362/240, 362/576, 362/249.02
• US Class Current: 362/146
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1048 with lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 2011/1872 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/00 Systems of lighting devices, not provided for in main groups F21S4/00 - F21S10/00 or F21S19/00, e.g. of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/002 making direct electrical contact, e.g. by piercing F21V21/35 takes precedence
• 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 2111/027 for indicating kerbs, steps or stairs
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/08 for handles or handrails
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A stair lighting system that features: means for sending electrical power from one end to the other end of a stair case down a main line, means for distributing electrical power from the main line to each individual step or tread, and an electrical load in the form of a light source, preferably featuring a light emitting diode (LED), and means for controlling a supply of electrical power to the light source.

Claims

1. A stair lighting system, comprising at least one light source comprising a light emitting diode arranged to be mounted in the approximate center of the width of a stair of a staircase, and arranged to illuminate at least one step or tread in a substantially downward direction, wherein said at least one light source comprises a plurality of lights arranged to illuminate different portions or regions of a single step or tread, and further wherein two of said plurality of lights are aimed about 94 degrees from one another.

2. The stair lighting system of claim 1, further comprising

(a) a control box arranged to supply electricity, the control box comprising at least one of (i) a battery back-up, and (ii) on-off regulation of the light source by means of a photocell;

and

(b) means for conducting said electricity from said control box to said light source.

9. The stair lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of lights is arranged to shine at an angle of about 47 degrees to the left or right of center.

10. The stair lighting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of lights is arranged to shine forward at an angle of about 15 degrees from the vertical.

11. The stair lighting system of claim 1, wherein said illumination is without a transparent or translucent light diffuser means positioned between said light emitting diode and said portions to be illuminated.

13. The stair lighting system of claim 2, wherein said electricity is conducted from said control box along said staircase by means of at least two larger gauge wires, and distributed from said larger gauge wires to said electrical load by means of at least two smaller gauge wires.

14. The stair lighting system of claim 13, wherein said means for distributing said electricity from said larger gauge wires to said smaller gauge wires comprises a connector.

15. The stair lighting system of claim 14, wherein said connector comprises at least one of (i) a plug-and-socket, and (ii) a pair of electrically conducting knife edges arranged to pierce said insulation, thereby making electrical contact with said electrical conductors.

16. The stair lighting system of claim 2, wherein said control box further comprises a back-up power supply comprising at least one battery.

17. The stair lighting system of claim 16, further comprising a means for automatically switching to said back-up power supply when a primary supply of electrical power is interrupted.

3. A stair lighting system, comprising at least one light source comprising a light emitting diode arranged to be mounted in the approximate center of the width of a stair of a staircase, and arranged to illuminate at least one step or tread in a substantially downward direction, said stair lighting system provided in the form of a kit of components comprising:

(a) a control box having a low voltage DC output;

(b) an at least 13-foot length of electrical cord comprising at least two electrical conductors embedded in electrical insulation, said conductors being capable of carrying at least 1000 milliamperes of electrical current;

(c) plastic channel material having an overall length of at least about 13 feet;

(d) plastic cover material having an overall length of at least about 13 feet, each of said plastic channel material and said plastic cover material being provided in a plurality of segments;

(e) a plurality of housings comprising LEDs, said housings being sufficient in number such that the LEDs can illuminate substantially every tread or step of said staircase;

(f) means for making electrical contact between said LEDs and said electrical cord, and further wherein each of said means is capable of carrying at least about 100 milliamperes of electrical current;

(g) means for making electrical contact between said output of said control box and said electrical cord; and

(h) a supply of fasteners.

4. The stair lighting system of claim 3, further comprising a power supply.

5. The stair lighting system of claim 3, wherein said power supply converts 110-120 volts alternating current to 9-12 volts direct current.

6. The stair lighting system of claim 3, wherein said supply of fasteners comprises at least one of double-sided adhesive tape, screws, nails, tacks, staples, brads and rivets.

7. The stair lighting system of claim 3, wherein said means for making electrical contact between said cord and said LEDs comprises at least two wires, and further comprising a small-wire track for housing said at least two electrical wires.

8. The stair lighting system of claim 3, wherein said second track is provided in a plurality of segments each at least about 13 inches long, and wherein said plurality is sufficient in number for every step or tread illuminated.

12. A stair lighting system, comprising at least one light source comprising a light emitting diode arranged to illuminate at least a portion of a staircase, the illumination being without a transparent or translucent light diffuser means being positioned between said light emitting diode and the portion to be illuminated, wherein said at least one light source comprises a plurality of lights, and wherein two of said plurality of lights are arranged to shine at an angle of about 94 degrees from one another.