Lighting device used in an exit sign

• US 5,526,236 A
• Filed: 07/27/1994
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: G.B. Building Systems Corporation, Hubbell, Inc.
• Original Assignee: General Signal Corporation (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Burnes, James J., Rukouski, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raab, Sara Sachie
• Application Number:
  US08/281,414
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 362/20, 362/812, 362/800, 362/249, 362/429, 40/570, 40/541
• US Class Current: 362/20
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0454 Slidable panels or parts
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/05 indicating exit way or orientation
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1831 using more than one light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/13 the devices being of a type provided for in group H01L33/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

In a lighting fixture such as an exit sign, a light emitting diode lighting device is provided for mating engagement with an electrical socket of the lighting fixture. The light emitting diode device has a plurality of light emitting diodes recessed in a U-shaped channel for directing light through a diffuser into a desired illumination pattern.

Claims

1. A lighting device for illuminating indicia of an exit sign having an enclosure, comprising:

(a) a lighting device housing having a light directing channel in one side thereof;

(b) an illumination source in said housing, said illumination source including a plurality of light emitting diodes recessed in said light directing channel;

(c) a diffuser mounted to said housing adjacent said channel whereby light from said light emitting diodes is directed by said light directing channel through said diffuser into the enclosure to illuminate the indicia of the exit sign; and

(c) a mounting base assembly on said housing for electrically connecting said illumination source to the exit sign, said mounting base assembly permitting orientation of said housing relative to said mounting base assembly.

2. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said light directing channel is U-shaped.

3. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said light directing channel has sloping side walls.

4. The lighting device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said light directing channel is U-shaped.

5. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing has a groove therein in which said diffuser is slidably positioned.

6. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said diffuser has a light distributing surface thereon which distributes light from said illumination source.

7. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted on a printed circuit board.

8. The lighting device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said printed circuit board has electrical components thereon electrically connected to said illumination source, said electrical components also being electrically connected to a source of electrical power for providing power to said illumination source.

9. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounting base assembly is matingly received in the exit sign through relative rotational and axial movement therebetween.

10. The lighting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounting base assembly is adapted to connect to a primary electric power circuit of the exit sign, and wherein an emergency electric power circuit in said housing is operationally connected to the primary electric power circuit through said mounting base assembly to detect failure of the primary electric power circuit and thereafter provide auxiliary power to said illumination source.

11. The exit sign in accordance with claim 10, wherein said emergency electric power circuit includes at least one rechargeable battery.

12. The exit sign in accordance with claim 11, wherein said emergency electric power circuit includes a charging device for keeping said at least one rechargeable battery fully charged during periods of nonuse.

13. An exit sign, comprising:

(a) a sign housing defining an enclosure therein and having indicia to be illuminated; and

(b) at least one lighting device within said enclosure for illuminating said indicia, each lighting device comprising;

(i) a lighting device housing having a light directing channel in one side thereof;

(ii) an illumination source in said lighting device housing, said illumination source including a plurality of light emitting diodes recessed in said light directing channel;

(iii) a diffuser mounted to said lighting device housing adjacent said channel whereby light from said light emitting diodes is directed by said light directing channel through said diffuser into said enclosure to illuminate said indicia; and

(iv) a mounting base assembly on said lighting device housing for electrically connecting said illumination source to a primary electric power circuit, said mounting base assembly permitting orientation of said housing relative to said mounting base assembly.

14. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein said light directing channel is U-shaped.

15. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein said light directing channel has sloping side walls.

16. The exit sign in accordance with claim 15, wherein said light directing channel is U-shaped.

17. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein said lighting device housing has a groove therein in which said diffuser is slidably positioned.

18. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein said diffuser has a light distributing surface thereon which distributes light from said illumination source.

19. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes are mounted on a printed circuit board.

20. The exit sign in accordance with claim 19, wherein said printed circuit board has electrical components thereon electrically connected to said illumination source, said electrical components also being electrically connected to a primary electric power circuit for providing power to said illumination source.

21. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein said mounting base assembly is matingly received in said sign housing through relative rotational and axial movement therebetween.

22. The exit sign in accordance with claim 13, wherein an emergency electric power circuit in said lighting device housing is operationally connected to the primary electric power circuit through said mounting base assembly to detect failure of the primary electric power circuit and thereafter provide auxiliary power to said illumination source.

23. The exit sign in accordance with claim 22, wherein said emergency electric power circuit includes at least one rechargeable battery.

24. The exit sign in accordance with claim 23, wherein said emergency electric power circuit includes a charging device for keeping said at least one rechargeable battery fully charged during periods of nonuse.