MXPA97005579A - Emergen security light - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a receptacle for an emergency light source that is electrically and mechanically connectable to a conventional light switch, comprising: a) a receptacle for the replacement of a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving the actuator switch of said light switch, b) a first compartment in said receptacle for receiving batteries, c) a second compartment in said receptacle for receiving an emergency light source adapted to be connected to said batteries, d) means for detecting the loss of electrical power to said light switch and, in response to that, to operate said emergency light source; and e) means for electrically connecting said receptacle to said light switch;

Description

EMERGENCY SAFETY LIGHT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a receptacle for an emergency light source, more particularly, an emergency light source for automatically illuminating an area in response to a power failure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Frequently, houses, offices and industrial plant installations experience many types of emergency situations involving power failures where an interior or exterior area lacks light. Power failures can be caused by electrical short-circuits, burns, fire, accidents, natural disasters (eg, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), or a planned cutoff of electricity to a facility or residence. As a result of these emergencies, many facilities, and especially residential ones, do not have emergency generators to provide lighting, or only have emergency lighting in the form of portable sources, such as electric lamps (flashlights).

There is a need for a simple and easily installable emergency light source that includes a tightly attached receptacle for the replacement of normal interrupter plates and that activates itself in response to a power failure of any kind.

DESCRIPTION OF PREVIOUS ART Switch plate devices having a lighting source and / or having a rechargeable electric lamp contained therein, are commercially available and have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, US Patent No. 4,514,789 discloses a receptacle on a switch plate having an LED (light emitting diode) for locating a light switch in the dark. US Patent 4,61,1264 discloses a receptacle adhesively bonded to a switch plate having a light to locate the light switch in the dark. The receptacle can be removed and used as an electric lamp.

The devices in the prior art do not disclose a receptacle that is easily installable and connectable to a conventional light switch to provide automatic illumination to an area when a power failure occurs.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and easily installable emergency light source which includes a receptacle for the replacement of normal switch plates and which activates itself in response to a power failure. of any type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for an emergency light source when it is electrically connectable to a conventional light switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an emergency light source that is battery operated and can operate with different types of light sources, such as a fluorescent lamp or an incandescent lamp.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an emergency light source having a sensing device to detect a power failure and automatically actuate the emergency light source.

Yet another additional object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for an emergency light source that can be mass produced in an automatic and inexpensive manner and that is relatively inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a receptacle for an emergency light source that is electrically connectable to a conventional light switch. The receptacle replaces a conventional switch plate and has at least one opening for receiving the light switch actuator switch. The receptacle may have several switch openings for a plurality of actuator switches. The receptacle includes wires for the electrical connection of the light switch.

The receptacle is divided into upper and lower sections, where the upper portion includes a battery compartment, a printed circuit board compartment, and an opening for receiving the actuator switch. The lower section of the receptacle includes a fluorescent lamp having reflectors and a diffusing cover.

The fluorescent lamp is connected to the batteries via the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a recharger for the batteries; a power sensing device for detecting power interruption; an on / off relay that turns on in response to a power failure; an LED light (light emitting diode) charge indicator; a manual test switch; and a transformer, a fluorescent ballast, and starter components for the fluorescent lamp. The printed circuit board is electrically connected to the light switch.

Alternatively, the power source may be located outside the receptacle at a remote location, and the light source may be one or more incandescent lamps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the emergency safety light having two actuating switches, a cover for the switches, and a light diffusing cover; Figure 2 is a front plan view of the present invention with the cover removed, showing the upper and lower housing sections, having the batteries, the printed circuit board, and the compact fluorescent lamp; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for the emergency light, showing the wiring of the circuit for the batteries, the printed circuit board, and the compact fluorescent lamp; and Figure 4 is a perspective sectional view of the present invention showing the upper and lower housing sections, showing the battery compartment, the batteries, the light switch opening, the printed circuit board compartment, the compartment for fluorescent lamp, fluorescent lamp, mylar reflector, and plastic reflector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an emergency safety light 10 having front and rear housing sections 12 and 20, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The housing section 12 comprises a plastic upper cover plate of the switch 14 having at least one opening for light switch 16 and a clear acrylic diffuser cover 18. The cover plate of the switch 14, in other arrangements, can have a plurality of openings for switch 16 to accommodate light-actuating switches 60. Actuator switches 60 may be of any type, such as the one shown, or of the "rocker" type. The cover plate of the switch 14 may also have a plurality of mounting openings 48 for mounting screws 36, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The cover plate of the switch 14 may be plastic, metal, wood, Ceramic or other appropriate materials of different colors and designs. The receptacle 10, in alternative arrangements, may have shapes that are spherical, oval, cylindrical, or other suitable geometric designs.

The rear housing section 20, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, comprises an upper section 22 and a lower section 24. The upper housing section 22 includes an opening 26 for receiving the light switch assembly 28, a battery compartment 30, a printed circuit board compartment 32, and a plurality of supports for mounting the receptacle 34 to receive mounting screws 36 for the cover plate 14.

The lower housing section 24 includes a metallic mylar reflective film 38 permanently fixed to the rear wall 40 of the housing section 20; a metallized plastic reflector 42 having a concave shape and an aperture 43 aligned with the reflective film 38; and a compartment 44 for receiving a light source 46. The light source 46 may be an arrangement for fluorescent lamp of 5, 7 or 9 watts of power, or may be one or more incandescent lamps having 15 or 25 watts of power. Of course, other wattages may be employed, and other types of light sources may be used, where appropriate. The light source 46 is wired at 84 to the circuit board 62. * The electrical arrangement of the present invention, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, includes wired circuit 64 and 66 connected to the circuit board 62 for connection to the light switch assembly 28 after the conventional switch plate has been removed. The circuit board 62 also includes components for a battery recharger 68 for charging the batteries 50; a charging indicator light 70, such as an LED (light emitting diode); which remains in the ON position to indicate that the batteries are recharged; a manual test switch 72 for testing the operation of the light source 46; a power interruption detector 74 for detecting a power failure; an ON / OFF relay switch (on / off) 76 that changes to ON (on) in response to a power failure; and a transformer 78, a fluorescent ballast 80, and a starter 82 for the fluorescent light source 46. The printed circuit board 62 has openings 88 for supporting the struts 86 located on the wall 40, which hold the circuit board 62 firmly in place when the receptacle of the emergency light 10 is on the wall of a residence or other building.

The power source 50 may be a battery or plurality of batteries for energizing the light source 46 when a power failure occurs. In this preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the power source 50 is a series of four AA batteries. The batteries 50 are placed in the battery compartment 30 between the receiver plates 56, 58 and are electrically connected via the wiring 52, 54 to the printed circuit board 62. In an alternate embodiment, the power source 46 can be located outside. of receptacle 10 in a remote location in the form of solar energy cells, a hydrological power source, 12 volt batteries, or other appropriate power sources, which can energize the light source 46 when a power failure occurs.

OPERATION AND INSTALLATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION When a power failure occurs, the power interruption detector 74 detects this power loss and causes the ON / OFF relay switch 76 to move to the ON position. This allows power to be supplied from the power source 50 to the light source 46, which instantly illuminates the darkened area. The reflecting film of mylar 38 and the metallized plastic reflector 42 improve the amount and area of illumination.

Before a power failure, the operation of the charge indicator LED light 70 shows that the battery power source 50 is charging, and a manual test of the switch 72 tests the functionality of the light source 46 to see if the illumination it happens To install the receptacle 10 of the present invention, it is only necessary to remove the conventional switch plate and then connect the wires of the switch circuit 64 and ßß the printed circuit board 62 in the upper housing section 22 to the light switch 28. The emergency light source 46 is not energized by this connection until there is a power failure, or until there is a manual test of the test switch 72, which illuminates the light source 46.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION According to the above, a primary advantage of the present invention is that it provides a simple and easily installed emergency light source that includes a fixedly attached receptacle for replacement of normal interuptor plates and that activates itself in response to a power failure of any kind. * Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a receptacle for an emergency light source that is electrically connectable to a conventional light switch.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an emergency light source that is battery operated and can operate with different types of light sources, such as a fluorescent lamp or an incandescent lamp.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an emergency light source having a sensing device for detecting a power failure by automatically activating the emergency light source.

Yet another additional advantage of the present invention is that it provides a receptacle for an emergency light source that can be mass produced in an automatic and economical manner and is relatively inexpensive.

Some extension of modification, change and substitution has been considered in the prior disclosure, and in some instances, some aspects of the invention will be employed without the corresponding use of other aspects. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be constructed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention included.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A receptacle for an emergency light source that is electrically and mechanically connectable to a conventional light switch, comprising: a) a receptacle for replacing a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving the actuator switch of said light switch; b) a first compartment in said receptacle for receiving batteries; c) a second compartment in said receptacle for receiving a source of emergency light adapted to be connected to said batteries; d) means for detecting the loss of electrical power to said light switch and, in response to that, for driving said emergency light source; Y e) means for electrically connecting said receptacle to said light switch.

2. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said first compartment is adapted to receive four "AA" batteries.

3. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said second compartment is adapted to receive a fluorescent lamp of 5 watts, 7 watts or 9 watts, as said emergency light source.

4. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said second compartment is adapted to receive at least one incandescent lamp as said emergency light source.

5. A receptacle according to Claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board containing said sensor means.

6. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said means for electrically connecting said receptacle to said light switch includes a pair of electrical wires.

7. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes power interruption sensing means connected to an on / off relay switch (on / off), wherein said power interruption detecting means detects the loss of electrical power. to said light switch and operate to light said relay switch.

8. A receptacle according to Claim 1, further including charging means for recharging said batteries.

9. A receptacle according to Claim 1, further including a charge light indicator to indicate that said batteries are recharging.

10. A receptacle according to Claim 1, further including a manual test switch for testing the functionality of said emergency light source.

11. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes a switch cover plate having at least one aperture for a light switch.

12. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes a diffusing cover for diffusing light from said light source.

13. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes a compartment for receiving a printed circuit board.

14. A receptacle according to Claim 1, wherein said receptacle includes at least one metallized reflector to reflect light from said light source.

15. A receptacle for an emergency light source that is electrically and mechanically connected to a conventional light switch, comprising: a) a receptacle for replacing a conventional switch plate having at least one opening for receiving the actuator switch of said light switch; b) means for connecting said receptacle to a remote power source; c) a compartment in said receptacle for receiving at least one emergency light source adapted to be connected to said power source; d) means for detecting the loss of electrical power to said light switch and, in response to that, for driving said emergency light source; Y e) means for electrically connecting said receptacle to said light switch.