Illuminated electrical fixture face plate and safety cover

• US 8,304,652 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: McBain Enterprises, LLC
• Original Assignee: McBain Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: McBain, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Application Number:
  US12/017,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20090020308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 174/53, 174/135, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8, 33D/IG.10, 335/28, 439/137, 439/135, 439/136, 439/145, 439/195, 439/148, 439/346, 439/732, 362/95, 362/84, 362/85
• US Class Current: 174/67
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/443 Dummy plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/453 Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

An electrical fixture faceplate that has illumination functionality is disclosed. The faceplate may be associated with various electrical fixtures such as a receptacle or switch. The faceplate may be illuminated by a lighting device associated or incorporated with the faceplate. The lighting device may further comprise an LED, neon, chemiluminescent material or combinations thereof to provide illumination of the faceplate.

Claims

1. An illuminated electrical fixture faceplate comprising:

a faceplate made of an electrically insulating material, the faceplate substantially shaped to fit around an electrical fixture;

a lighting device coupled with the faceplate, wherein the lighting device illuminates the faceplate; and

wherein the lighting device is powered by a wireless connection from an electrical current flowing through said electrical fixture.

2. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lighting device is a light emitting device.

3. The faceplate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the light emitting device is an LED.

4. The faceplate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the light emitting device is a neon lighting device.

5. The faceplate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the light emitting device is battery powered.

6. The faceplate in accordance with claim 2, wherein the light emitting device is powered by AC voltage supplied to the electrical fixture.

7. The faceplate in accordance with claim 2, wherein said wireless connection powering the light emitting device is by an electromagnetic field surrounding the electrical fixture.

8. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lighting device employs a chemiluminescent light emitting material associated with the faceplate.

9. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical fixture is a receptacle.

10. The faceplate in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical fixture is a switch.

11. A self-illuminating electrical fixture faceplate comprising:

a faceplate made of electrically insulating material, the faceplate substantially shaped to fit around at least one electrical fixture, the faceplate incorporating a chemiluminescent light emitting material; and

wherein said self-illuminating electrical fixture faceplate is capable of receiving electric power by a wireless connection from an electrical current flowing through said electrical fixture.

12. The self-illuminating electrical fixture faceplate in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electrical fixture is a receptacle.

13. The self-illuminating electrical fixture faceplate in accordance with claim 11, wherein the electrical fixture is a switch.

14. The self-illuminating electrical fixture faceplate of claim 11, wherein said wireless connection is achieved by an electromagnetic field surrounding the electrical fixture.