AU2011100492A4 - Night light - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Arlec Australia Pty Ltd Actual Inventor: John Montagnat Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, I Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "Night light" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C:NRPortb\DCC\PLW\3608973_1 DOC-28/4/2011 NIGHT LIGHT The present invention relates to a night light built into a range of different electrical components such as power outlets, wall switches, or powerboards. 5 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixed mains wiring fitting including a night light built into the fitting, the night light being switchable independently of the primary function of the fitting, the night light being powered by mains supply to the fitting. 10 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixed mains supply wiring fitting including a switchable night light built into the fitting, the night light being powered by mains supply to the fitting. 15 According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable powerboard having at least one power outlet socket and a night light, the night light being switchable independently of the or each socket, and the night light being permanently wired into the powerboard. 20 An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a power outlet incorporating a night light in accordance with the preferred embodiment; and Figure 2 is a rear view. 25 The power outlet shown in the accompanying drawings is of substantially conventional form and, as shown, is a double socket outlet in which each set of sockets 2 is controlled by a separate switch 4. It is however to be understood that although the illustrated embodiment is a double socket outlet, the invention is applicable equally to single socket 30 outlets and multiple socket outlets. The embodiment of the invention differs from conventional socket outlets of this type in that a night light 6 is built into the front face of C :\NPortbl\DCC\PLW\3603973_l.DOC-28/04/2O11 -2 the outlet. In the preferred embodiment the light source of the night light is provided by an LED. Although it is envisaged that a single LED will be sufficient for most practical applications, two or more LEDs could be provided and the light source could be other than an LED. The LED is connected to the incoming mains supply of the power outlet by a 5 control circuit of conventional type to convert mains voltage to the lower operating voltage of the LED. It will be understood that the control circuit is "wired" into the power outlet such that connection of the outlet to the mains supply will power the socket(s) and the night light. 10 The LED is mounted behind a lens configured to diffuse the light and which lies flush or substantially flush with the front face of the outlet. The LED is controlled by a switch incorporated into the low voltage side of the control circuit. In the embodiment shown the switch is a simple push button 8 which extends through the lens to as to be accessible from the front. This is particularly convenient as it enables the night light including the LED, 15 control circuitry, and switch to be assembled to the power outlet as a module, with the lens and associated components of the night light being located within an aperture within the front face. As shown in Figure 2, the module comprises a box-like housing 10 mounted on the rear of the outlet and containing the control circuit and carrying the lens and LED so that the lens will extend into the aperture when the housing is applied. This aperture does 20 not need to be exclusively designed for receiving the lens and related components and can serve alternatively to receive an ancillary switch such as a rocker switch, example for switching an external component at mains voltage such as a light or fan. Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention the switch for the night light is 25 incorporated as part of the module and projects through the lens, in alternative embodiments, switching could be effected by displacement of the lens, or the switch could be separate. Instead of using mechanical switching such as by a rocker switch or push switch, switching could be effected by other types of switch such as a proximity switch. 30 It is to be noted that whereas it is known to incorporate an indicator in a power outlet and which illuminates to indicate that an associated socket is in an active state when its switch C:\NRPonb\DCCPLW3608973_ .DOC-28N44/201 1 -3 is in its ON position, the level of illumination of such an indicator is insufficient to provide the function of a night light which is to illuminate a relatively large surrounding area albeit to a low level. In contrast the level of illumination of the night light of the preferred embodiment necessarily provides a higher level of illumination. Importantly however the 5 night light is switched independently of the switching for the sockets themselves. When switching is effected by use of a proximity switch, this could also be used to regulate the light level by switching sequentially to provide increased or reduced flux. The embodiment has been described by way of example only and modifications are 10 possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the switched night light could be built into other components intended to be permanently wired into the mains supply and having a face plate of appropriate size, such as a single/multiple light switch or a fan switch with speed control. Although it is envisaged that in most practical applications the switched night light will be built into wiring component such as a power outlet or switch 15 having a primary function separate from that of a night light, nevertheless it is within the broad scope of the invention for the switched night light to be a wired component having just that function; for example a switch having a face plate which normally mounts a rocker switch within an aperture in the plate could instead be adapted to constitute a switched night light by the incorporation of a night light module (as discussed earlier) 20 instead of the rocker switch. In yet a further alternative the switched night light could be built into a portable powerboard; in that case the configuration and operation of the night light could be substantially the same as described earlier in relation to its incorporation into a power outlet.

Claims (10)

1. A fixed mains wiring fitting including a night light built into the fitting, the night light being switchable independently of the primary function of the fitting, the night light 5 being powered by mains supply to the fitting.

2. A fixed mains supply wiring fitting including a switchable night light built into the fitting, the night light being powered by mains supply to the fitting. 10

3. A fitting according to claim I or claim 2, wherein components of the night light are within an aperture in a front plate of the fitting.

4. A fitting according to claim 3, wherein a light-diffusing lens of the night light is substantially flush with, or adjacent to, a front face of the front plate. 15

5. A fitting according to claim 4, wherein a switch for the night light extends through the lens.

6. A fitting according to claim 4, wherein switching of the night light is effected by 20 displacement of the lens.

7. A portable powerboard having at least one power outlet socket and a night light, the night light being switchable independently of the or each socket, and the night light being permanently wired into the powerboard. 25

8. A powerboard according to claim 7, wherein a light-diffusing lens of the night light is substantially flush with, or adjacent to, a face of the powerboard.

9. A powerboard according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein a switch for the night light 30 extends through the lens. C:\NRPoubnDCCPLWu608973_I.DOC-2&V4/2i1I -5

10. A powerboard according to claim 8, wherein switching of the night light is effected by displacement of the lens.