Safety system and method for conventional lighting fixtures

• US 7,990,252 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Barton
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Barton
• Inventors: Barton, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Previl; Daniel
• Application Number:
  US12/233,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20090072970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 340/333, 340/693, 340/584, 340628-630, 340330-332, 340/815.45, 340/815.66, 340/815.661
• US Class Current: 340/333
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/005 combined burglary and fire alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/12 using optical feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/105 in response to determined parameters
• 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 safety device is incorporated within conventional lighting fixtures, such as table lamps, floor lamps, wall lighting fixtures, ceiling lighting fixtures, chandeliers, recessed lighting fixtures, and decorative lighting fixture structural members such as ceiling medallions. The safety device incorporates several safety function response mechanisms within conventional lighting fixtures to conceal or obfuscate their presence. The safety device provides power failure lighting, alert signals in response to gas, smoke, fire, intrusion, and any other externally generated alarm signal. It may also provide night lighting. The safety device may include a safety module having a light and/or audio source, a power sensing circuit, a control circuit, and a light sensing circuit.

Claims

1. A safety system for use in combination with a conventional lighting fixture, said conventional lighting fixture comprising a primary light source, a current carrying means to provide power to said primary light source, and at least one body member, said safety system comprising:

a. a safety module comprised of a housing, said housing having at least one compartment, said safety module further having a shape suitable for use as a body member of said conventional lighting fixture, said safety module further having a mating means to join said safety module to said conventional lighting fixture;

b. at least one safety light source to provide power failure lighting, said safety light source disposed to enable light emitted from said safety light source to illuminate an area adjacent to said conventional lighting fixture;

c. a power sensing circuit in electrical communication with a primary power source;

d. a control circuit in electrical communication with said power sensing circuit said control circuit providing a signal to control said safety light source, said signal derived from an output of the power sensing circuit; and

e. an alternate power source in electrical communication with said control circuit;

whereby said safety system is visually and mechanically integrated with said conventional lighting fixture thereby providing safety lighting to an area without substantially impacting said area'"'"'s intended design and decor.

2. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the control circuit further includes a signal input means to cause said control circuit to provide a predetermined signal in response to a change in state on said signal input means.

3. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said safety module further comprises a light transmission means for said safety light source, said light transmission means arranged to convey light emitted from said safety light source external to said safety module.

4. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said safety module has a suitable shape and structure to affix said housing to said conventional lighting fixture'"'"'s related electrical workbox.

5. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein the control circuit further comprises a communications means for an exchange of control information with a remote safety system.

6. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said safety module further comprises at least one planar supporting surface suitable for maintaining a conventional lighting fixture in place through gravity.

7. The safety system as in claim 1 further comprising a light sensor to determine a light level external to said conventional light fixture.

8. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said control circuit further comprises a user control mechanism to manipulate the state of said safety system.

9. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said safety module has a shape of sufficient proportions to permit said safety module to be interposed between said conventional lighting fixture and a supporting surface whereby said safety module acts in concert with mounting said conventional lighting fixture to said supporting surface.

10. The safety system as in claim 9 wherein said supporting surface is one of a ceiling and a wall and wherein said safety module is a decorative medallion.

11. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said safety module has a mating means to permit said safety module to be affixed in alignment with a lamp socket assembly of said conventional lighting fixture.

12. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said conventional lighting fixture is a recessed lighting fixture and wherein said housing is an annular ring.

13. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said control circuit further comprises an alternate power source sensing circuit and a warning indicator when a power level in the alternate power source is low.

14. The safety system as in claim 1 wherein said primary light source includes an array of light sources, said at least one safety light source includes at least one of said array of light sources.

15. A method to improve safety in an area while substantially obscuring a safety system'"'"'s presence in said area, the method comprising the steps of:

a. combining a safety module with a conventional lighting fixture, said safety module having a housing that substantially resembles a design element of said conventional lighting fixture;

b. determining if a safety condition exists using said safety module;

c. controlling at least one safety alerting source including one of safety light source and safety audio source based upon the existence of a safety condition; and

d. conveying the energy output of said safety alerting source into said area normally illuminated by said conventional lighting fixture.

e. providing at least one mating structure as a means for physically associating said safety module with said conventional lighting fixture in a manner consistent with the structure, shape, style and installation of said conventional lighting fixture.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the safety condition includes a loss of primary power and wherein the safety alerting source includes a safety lighting source.

17. A safety system for a conventional lighting fixture, said conventional lighting fixture comprising a primary power source, a mounting means to attach a primary light source, and at least one body member, said safety system comprising:

a. a safety module, said safety module comprising a housing, said housing connectedly functioning as a body member of said conventional lighting fixture;

b. at least one safety alerting source including one of a safety light source and a safety audio source;

c. an alternate power source;

d. a power sensing circuit in electrical communication with said primary power source;

e. a safety condition circuit for determining a safety condition; and

f. a control circuit controlling said safety alerting source based upon an output of the power sensing circuit and the safety condition circuit.

g. a mating means to affix said housing to at least one body member of said conventional lighting fixture.

18. The safety system of claim 17 wherein the at least one safety alerting source includes a safety light source, and wherein said primary light source includes a plurality of light sources, said safety light source includes at least one of said plurality of light sources.

19. The safety system of claim 17 wherein said conventional lighting fixture is a light strip mounted to a cabinet shelving surface.

20. The safety system of claim 17 wherein the housing is an ornamental part of said conventional lighting fixture.