Linear tube night light with changeable light patterns

• US 7,997,785 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Original Assignee: Tseng-Lu Chien
• Inventors: Chien, Tseng-Lu
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Diane I
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, WILLIAM JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US11/092,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20060227574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,330 Days
• Field of Search: 362640-644, 362551-582, 36221701-21717, 362218-225, 362362-378
• US Class Current: 362/641
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/00 Elements for modifying spectral properties, polarisation or intensity of the light emitted, e.g. filters coloured shades F21V1/00; elements characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/502
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/12 with liquid-filled chambers
• 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 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/37 U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2111/00 Light sources of a form not covered by groups F21Y2101/00-F21Y2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A linear tube night light with changeable light patterns includes a light source selected from the group consisting of at leas one LED, strobe light, neon light, gradation light, black light, LED inside tube, high voltage discharge light, arc light, fluorescent light, EL wire, EL twisted light, EL panel light, and/or EL strips, with changeable light patterns being effected by automatic or manual control means to obtain light patterns such as chasing, random, fade in and fade out, pair flashing, scan, flashing, steady on, gradation neon effects, lighted length changing, color changing, sequential flashing, and any other combinations of conventional market available functions. The linear tube night light with changeable patterns further may incorporate a light sensor, sound sensor, or timer to get the predetermined light effects and duration.

Claims

1. A linear tube night light with multiple functions, comprising:

at least one prong means for supplying electricity to a circuit means when the prong means are connected with a power source;

at least one linear light tube containing a light source, said light source being distributed along a length of the linear light tube and arranged to emit light upon being supplied with electricity, said linear light tube selected from a group consisting of a neon tube;

a black light tube;

a gas filled tube;

a gradation light inside a tube;

a high voltage or arc light tube; and

multiple LEDs inside a tube, said circuit means being for supplying electricity from said prong means to said light source withing the linear light tube;

at least one transparent housing enclosing the linear light tube and not the circuit means, said transparent housing enclosing said linear light tube to prevent a user from touching the linear light tube and the light source within the linear light tube, and to protect the linear light tube from damage, wherein the linear light tube and light source are not replaceable within the transparent housing by the user; and

at least one non-transparent or translucent housing enclosing the circuit means and not the linear light tube and light source, said non-transparent or translucent housing further enclosing a control means, the prong means, terminals of the linear light tube and light source, and connecting means for connecting the control means, prong means, terminals, and connecting means, wherein the control means is arranged to cause the linear light tube and light source, to exhibit a light performance selected from a group consisting of changing functions, colors, light patterns, image size, lighted area dimension, other light image physical properties, and combinations of different lighting effects,

wherein said linear light tube has a visible length of between 0.2 and 60 inches measured from end to end,

wherein said linear light tube has a diameter of between 2 mm and 30 mm, and

wherein said linear light tube is incorporated with an integrated circuit that provides said linear light tube with lighting effects selected from changeable light patterns, changeable brightness, and changeable colors.

2. The linear tube night light of claim 1, wherein the control means includes a switch device, sensor device, and integrated circuit for enabling said performance to vary based on input from said switch device or said sensor device.

3. The linear tube night light of claim 1, wherein said housing further includes a medium selected from the group consisting of water, chemicals, oil with different densities and color, reflective pieces, and a solid medium material to cause the housing to have further optical properties.

4. The linear tube night light of claim 1, wherein said linear tube is bent to form a geometric shape.