Switchplate area light
First Claim
1. An area light for providing pathway lighting in darkened areas comprising:
- a body member consisting of a switchplate for use over one or more alternating current electrical switches or an outlet plate for use over one or more alternating current electrical outlets, wherein said switchplate has a back; and
a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on said switchplate, said LED having a longitudinal axis along which light is primarily emitted, so that the longitudinal axis of light emitted from said light emitting diode illuminates the pathway directly beneath said switchplate or outlet plate; and
a light emitting diode driver circuit to power said light emitting diode, said LED driver circuit mounted on the back of the switchplate or outlet plate, said LED driver circuit drawing electrical energy from said alternating current power source covered by said switch plate or outlet plate, wherein a return path for current through said light emitting diode is through an electrical load controlled by said electrical switch or outlet covered by said plate, and wherein the plate, LED, and LED driver circuit are configured to be mounted and installed without the removal of a switch or outlet upon which the switchplate is installed; and
wherein said light emitting diode is molded in a protruding housing, having a downward facing opening on said switch or outlet plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light emitting diode (LED) and associated driver circuit wherein the LED is mounted on the front of a switchplate and the driver circuit on the back of the switchplate. The LED is mounted at a downward angle on the outside of the switchplate so as to light a pathway beneath the switchplate. The drive electronics are designed to work with a return path through an electrical load. Additionally, the LED driver circuit is designed to allow operation of the LED with both resistive and reactive loads controlled by the switch to which the switchplate is connected. The device is also designed to be connected to any electrically valid combination of 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way switches either singly or in combination.
100 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An area light for providing pathway lighting in darkened areas comprising:
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a body member consisting of a switchplate for use over one or more alternating current electrical switches or an outlet plate for use over one or more alternating current electrical outlets, wherein said switchplate has a back; and a light emitting diode (LED) mounted on said switchplate, said LED having a longitudinal axis along which light is primarily emitted, so that the longitudinal axis of light emitted from said light emitting diode illuminates the pathway directly beneath said switchplate or outlet plate; and a light emitting diode driver circuit to power said light emitting diode, said LED driver circuit mounted on the back of the switchplate or outlet plate, said LED driver circuit drawing electrical energy from said alternating current power source covered by said switch plate or outlet plate, wherein a return path for current through said light emitting diode is through an electrical load controlled by said electrical switch or outlet covered by said plate, and wherein the plate, LED, and LED driver circuit are configured to be mounted and installed without the removal of a switch or outlet upon which the switchplate is installed; and
wherein said light emitting diode is molded in a protruding housing, having a downward facing opening on said switch or outlet plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification