GB2481288A

GB2481288A - Night light suitable for hanging on a door handle

Info

Publication number: GB2481288A
Application number: GB1109526.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Morris Gold; Daniel Jason Tyler
Original assignee: Brother Max Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Max Ltd
Priority date: 2010-07-14
Filing date: 2011-06-07
Publication date: 2011-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-07
Also published as: GB201011799D0; GB2481288B; GB201109526D0

Abstract

A night light 1 for use in night time illumination of a childs room comprises a housing 10 in which is mounted an electrically-powered source of illumination such LED lamps. The housing defines an aperture 20 that acts as hanger for the night light so that it may be hung on a door handle or other hook. The aperture ring 24 may be surrounded by a friction material such as rubber or a rubbery polymer material to provide a gripping surface. Preferably, the housing is arranged so that at least part of it (14, fig.3) may be hung flat against a surface such as a door, when hung on a door handle. The housing has a flat base so that the lamp may rest on an electrical charger stand 60.

Description

Night light

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a night light for use in night time illumination of a baby or infant's bedroom.

Background to the Invention

Night lights for use in night time illumination of a baby or infant's bedroom or nursery are well-known in the prior art. Historically, a lamp with a gentle bulb may have been left burning in the child's bedroom. In modern times, more specialist electrical nursery night light products have been developed including a source of gentle illumination provided to some sort of free-standing housing arrangement. One problem with such specialist night light products is that they become just one more product in an often already over-cluttered nursery environment. One part of the night time routine for parent or guardians can therefore become that of find the night light' amidst the typically chaotic array of soft toys, books, changing and feeding equipment and other paraphernalia that can accumulate over time. Another potential problem is that of placing the night light out of reach of the child since it can potentially become just another toy to be played with, which is undesirable at bedtime when settling down to sleep' type behaviour is being encouraged.

In solution to these problems, Applicant has developed a night light that includes a hanger suitable for hanging on a door handle, hook or other suitable protruding hanging member. The night light may therefore in use, conveniently be hung out of reach of child and also separate from the general melee in the child's bedroom. For efficiency and utility, the hanger is defined by the housing as opposed to being provided as a separate hanger element thereto. In preferred embodiments the hanger is provided as a hanger aperture defined by the housing. Product utility and safety are thereby, made amenable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved night light, which is of enhanced utility for the carer.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a night light for use in night time illumination of a child's room comprising a housing; and within said housing, an electrically-powered source of illumination, wherein said housing defines a hanger such that the night light is amenable in use, for hanging by means of said hanger onto a door handle, hook or other hanger-receiving member.

There is described herein a night light that is suitable for use in night time illumination of a child's room.

The night light comprises a housing, which is generally sized and shaped to fit its purpose. The housing is for example, comprised of a plastic polymer.

Within the housing there is provided an electrically-powered source of illumination, which in aspects may comprise an electrical bulb, a light emitting diode or any other element that provides illumination in response to electrical powering. Electrical circuitry is provided as required. Any colours or qualities of illumination are envisaged including arrangements where levels and/or qualities of illumination are variable in response to sensing of the ambient environment.

Within the housing there may also be provided a power source such as a battery, electrically chargeable element (e.g. solar or motion chargeable) or alternatively a means for connecting to an electrical mains power source such as by wiring and a plug, which extends from the housing. In embodiments, the electrically chargeable element is chargeable by solar means and thus, may be connected to one or more solar panels for receipt of solar energy. Said one or more solar panels are in embodiments, provided to the housing.

In embodiments, the night light is arranged such that the power source is rechargeable by means of mating arrangement with a charger, which typically itself connects into a mains power source. In embodiments, the housing is arranged for docking receipt by a charger element. In embodiments, the housing defines a base and that base is arranged for docking receipt by a charger stand.

In embodiments, the housing defines a housing cavity arranged for receipt of the electrically-powered source of illumination and also of any power source and any other optional functional components including those described hereinafter.

The housing defines a hanger, which is arranged such that the night light is amenable in use, for hanging by means of said hanger onto a door handle, hook or other suitable hanger-receiving member (e.g. one defining a protruding member).

In another use aspect, the hanger may provide a carrying handle (e.g. a hand hold type configuration) for receipt of one or more fingers of a user's hand such that the night light may readily be carried from one location to another.

In embodiments, the hanger comprises (i.e. is defined as) a hanger aperture provided to the housing. That is to say, an aperture is defined by the housing, which allows for hanging thereon. In embodiments, the aperture is a through aperture, which extends fully through at least part of the housing.

In embodiments, a frictional or gripping surface is provided about the hanger aperture. In use, the frictional or gripping surface acts such as to assist in retaining the hanger aperture of the night light in hanging configuration on the hanger-receiving member. Thus for example where the aperture is circular, the frictional or gripping surface is provided circumferentially about the circular aperture. In that case, the frictional or gripping surface may be provided as an aperture ring. In embodiments, the frictional or gripping surface is comprised of a material such as a rubber or rubbery polymer material.

In embodiments, the housing and cavity thereof are defined in combination by a front housing casing part arranged for mating fit with a rear housing casing part. In embodiments, the hanger comprises (i.e. is defined as) a hanger aperture (e.g. a through aperture) defined in combination by said front and rear housing casing parts when in mating arrangement. Thus, typically an aperture is provided to both front and rear housing casing parts, which respective apertures are brought into registration on mating up the front and rear housing casing parts such as to define a through hanger aperture extending from front to rear of the housing.

In embodiments the housing and hanger are arranged such that in use, at least part of the housing may hang flat (e.g. flush) up against a flat receiving surface. In one example, the night light may be hung on a door handle and at least part of the housing is arranged to hang flat against the door. In another example, the night light may be hung on a hook provided to a door or wall and at least part of the housing is arranged to hang flat against that door or wall.

Thus, in embodiments at least part of the housing defines an essentially flat surface arranged to hang flat (e.g. flush) up against an essentially flat receiving surface associated with (or at least adjacent to) the hanger-receiving member.

In embodiments, where the housing and cavity thereof are defined by a front housing casing part arranged for mating fit with a rear housing casing part and part of the rear housing casing part defines said essentially flat surface.

In embodiments, the centre of gravity of the night light is arranged such as to favour a hanging configuration, in which at least part of the housing hangs flat up against the flat receiving surface. Thus, in embodiments the heavier functional components (e.g. any battery) of the night light are arranged to be received by a lower part of the housing cavity such as to gravitationally pull the hanging night light downwards and flat up against the flat receiving surface.

In embodiments, the part of the housing that is not arranged for hanging flat up against an essentially flat receiving surface (e.g. the front housing casing part) has a more bulged configuration that is arranged to define a correspondingly bulged cavity for receipt of functional components of the night light.

In embodiments, the night light is arranged to have the form of a human or animal character. In embodiments, a rear housing casing part defines the essentially flat back of the human or animal character and a front housing casing part has a bulging configuration, wherein bulges correspond to e.g. the face and or stomach of the human or animal character. In these embodiments, the hanger aperture may for example define the yawning mouth of the human or animal character.

In embodiments, the housing defines or is provided with a flat base or stand such that the night light may in alternative use arrangements be placed in free standing configuration. In embodiments, the lower part of the housing tapers outwards towards the flat base or stand. In other less preferred embodiments, legs or other more complex stand arrangements are provided.

In embodiments, optional functional components are provided to the night light such as those introducing sensing and/or control of the source of illumination; temperature monitoring; and/or sources of sound.

In embodiments, the night light includes a controller for the source of illumination. In embodiments, the controller is responsive to a light sensor that senses ambient light and may be arranged to corresponding adjusts the level of illumination of the light source. Pulsed control of illumination is also envisaged, in embodiments.

In embodiments, the night light includes a temperature monitoring function such that for example, the temperature of the room may be sensed and displayed. In embodiments, the controller for the light source may be made responsive to the sensing of temperature such that different levels and or colours of illumination may be provided as an indication of temperature.

In embodiments, the night light includes a sound monitoring function such that for example, ambient sounds of the room may be sensed and displayed. In embodiments, the controller for the light source may be made responsive to the sensing of sound such that different levels and or colours of illumination may be provided as an indication of ambient sound levels.

In embodiments, the night light includes a clock function. In embodiments, the controller for the light source may be made responsive to the clock such that different levels and or colours of illumination may be provided as a time dependent function.

It will be appreciated that the elements of the night light herein may be manufactured and supplied separately and br supplied as a pre-assembly or a kit of parts. The present invention encompasses all of these separate component parts and any assemblies thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -Figure 1 shows a perspective offset view of a night light in accord with one aspect of the present invention together with a charger stand therefor; Figure 2 shows a front view of the night light and charger stand of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side view of the night light and charger stand of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a top view of the night light and charger stand of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the night light and charger stand of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows the night light of Figure 1 being held by a user's hand just prior to lifting the night light off its charger stand; and Figure 7 shows the night light of Figure 1 hanging on a door handle of a door.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate different views of a night light 1 herein for use in night time illumination of a baby or infant's bedroom positioned on an electrical charger stand 60 therefor. Details of the interior and functional components of the night light 1 are shown at Figure 5. Figures 6 and 7 show the night light in two different use configurations.

In more detail, the night light comprises a housing 10 that is defined in combination by a front housing casing part 11 arranged for mating fit (see Figure 5) with a rear housing casing part 12. The housing defines a hanger aperture 20 that is arranged such that the night light 1 is amenable in use, for hanging by means of said hanger aperture 20 onto for example, a handle 70 of a door 72 (as shown at Figure 7) or in a carrying configuration on the fingers 75 of the hand 76 of a user (as shown at Figure 6). It will be noted that the hanger aperture 20 is a through aperture, which extends fully through an upper part of the housing 10.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that the hanger aperture is defined in combination by front 22 and rear 23 apertures respectively provided to the front 11 and rear 12 housing casing parts. During assembly of the night light 1, the respective front 22 and rear 23 apertures are brought into registration on mating up the front 11 and rear 12 housing casing parts such as to define the through hanger aperture 20 extending from front to rear of the housing 10. Aperture ring 24 is also provided intermediate the front 22 and rear 23 apertures defined in the front 11 and rear 12 housing casing parts. The aperture ring 24 is formed of a friction material such as a rubber or rubbery polymer material and defines a gripping surface around the circumference of the hanger aperture 20. In use, this gripping surface 24 acts such as to assist in retaining the night light 1 in hanging configuration on the hanger-receiving member (e.g. door handle 70).

The housing 10 and hanger aperture 20 are arranged such that in use, at least part of the rear 12 of the housing 10 hangs flat up against a flat receiving surface. Thus as may be seen most clearly in Figure 3, an essentially flat exterior surface 14 is provided to the upper part of the rear housing casing part 12. In use, that flat surface 14 is arranged to hang flat up against an essentially flat receiving surface (e.g. door 72 of Figure 7) associated with a hanger-receiving member (e.g. door handle of Figure 7). It may also be appreciated that the centre of gravity of the night light 1 is arranged such as in use, to favour a hanging configuration (see e.g. Figures 6 and 7) in which at least the flat surface 14 of the rear housing casing part hangs flat up against a flat receiving surface (e.g. door 72 of Figure 7).

It may also be seen that the front housing casing part 11 defines at least in part a bulging lower front part 15 that defines a major part of the housing cavity for receipt of the electrical components of the night light 1. It may further be seen that the housing 10 defines a generally flat base 16 such that the night light may in alternative use arrangements be placed in free standing configuration.

Within the housing 10, the night light 1 includes an array of light emitting diodes (LED5) 30 that provide the source of illumination. The LEDs 30 are powered by a bank of rechargeable batteries 32. It will be noted that the batteries, which are heavier functional components, are located in a lower part 15 of the housing cavity.

Locating such heavier components lower down in the housing 20 tends to act such as to gravitationally pull the night light 1 when in hanging configuration both downwards and flat up against a flat receiving surface, as previously described.

As may be seen at Figures 1 to 5, the base 16 of the housing 10 is arranged for docking receipt by a charger stand 60 for recharging of the rechargeable batteries 32 which comprise the power source for the LEDs 30. The charger stand 60 defines electrical connectors 62 for connecting to corresponding connectors (not visible) provided at the base 16 of the housing 10. The charger stand 60 also includes wiring 64 for connecting to a mains power source.

Figure 6 shows one typical use scenario, in which the fingers 75 of one hand 76 of a user reach through the hanger aperture 20, which in effect therefore acts as a carrying handle. As shown, the night light 1 is just about to be lifted off the charger stand 60. The friction material of the aperture ring 24 aids finger grip.

Figure 7 shows another typical use scenario, in which handle 70 of a door 72 passes through the hanger aperture 20 such as to allow for hanging of the night light 1 on that door handle 70. When so-hanging, the essentially flat exterior surface 14 of the upper part of the rear housing casing part 12 hangs flat up against the door 72.

Again, the friction material of the aperture ring 24 aids gripping of the door handle 70, thereby stabilizing' the hanging position of the night light 1.

Overall, it will be noted that the housing 10 is styled to take the form of a novelty animal wherein the hanger aperture 20 forms the mouth of the animal and the bulging lower front part 15 is the belly of the animal.

The application of which this description and claims form part may be used as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application. The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any feature or combination of features described therein. They may take the form of product, method or use claims and may include, by way of example and without limitation, one or more of the following claims:

Claims

Claims 1. A night light for use in night time illumination of a child's room comprising a housing; and within said housing, an electrically-powered source of illumination, wherein said housing defines a hanger such that the night light is amenable in use, for hanging by means of said hanger onto a door handle, hook or other hanger-receiving member.
2. A night light according to claim 1, wherein the housing is defined in combination by a front housing casing part arranged for mating fit with a rear housing casing part.
3. A night light according to claim 2, wherein the hanger is defined in combination by said front and rear housing casing parts when in mating arrangement.
4. A night light according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hanger comprises a hanger aperture provided to the housing.
5. A night light according to claim 4, wherein said hanger aperture is a through aperture, which extends fully through part of the housing.
6. A night light according to either of claims 4 or 5, wherein a frictional or gripping surface is provided about the hanger aperture.
7. A night light according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein an aperture is provided to both front and rear housing casing parts, which respective front and rear apertures are brought into registration on mating up the front and rear housing casing parts such as to define a through hanger aperture extending from front to rear of the housing.
8. A night light according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing and hanger are arranged such that in use, at least part of the housing hangs flat up against a flat receiving surface.
9. A night light according to claim 8, wherein at least part of the housing defines an essentially flat surface arranged in use, to hang flat up against an essentially flat receiving surface associated with the hanger-receiving member.
10. A night light according to claim 9, wherein the housing is defined in combination by a front housing casing part arranged for mating fit with a rear housing casing part and part of the rear housing casing part defines said essentially flat surface.
11. A night light according to claim 10, wherein the part of the housing that is not arranged for hanging flat up against the essentially flat receiving surface defines at least in part a bulging configuration arranged to define a cavity for receipt of functional components of the night light.
12. A night light according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the centre of gravity of the night light is arranged such as in use, to favour a hanging configuration in which at least part of the housing hangs flat up against a flat receiving surface.
13. A night light according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing defines or is provided with a flat base or stand such that the night light may in alternative use arrangements be placed in free standing configuration.
14. A night light according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein said electrically-powered source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of an electrical bulb, a light emitting diode and any other element that provides illumination in response to electrical powering.
15. A night light according to any of claims 1 to 14, additionally comprising a power source.
16. A night light according to claim 15, wherein said power source is rechargeable.
17. A night light according to claim 16, wherein the housing is arranged for docking receipt by a charger element for recharging of the power source.
18. A night light according to any of claims 1 to 17, additionally comprising other functional components selected from the group consisting of one or more sensors, controllers, temperature monitors, clocks, pulse controllers, sound sources and any combinations thereof.