Patent Application
20080030140
Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like parts have like identifiers,
As shown in
The top 12 of the device 10 has an internally threaded female socket 24 adapted to receive standard light bulbs, and one or more pairs of lamp harp receptors 26 to receive the ends of a standard lamp harp 5. The female socket 24 includes the metal contacts necessary to provide an electrical connection with the light bulb 4. The lamp harp receptors 26 allow the ends of the lamp harp 5 to pass through the device 10 and be inserted into the lamp harp holders 9 on the original lamp fitting. It should be understood that the receptors 26 may be of any shape or may be a hole rather than a slot. The receptor 26 may also be adapted to take the place of the conventional harp holder 9.
The female socket 24 may also be partially or wholly recessed within the device 10, as may be the lamp harp receptors 26. These various embodiments allow for a user to maximize accessibility to the lamp light switch 7 during normal operation while keeping the device 10 and the light bulb 4 when placed in the female socket 24 appropriately placed in relation to the lamp 2 and shade 6. For example, as a general matter of safety, the light bulb 4 should not be elevated so as to be too close to the lamp shade 6. As a matter of aesthetics, the bottom 14 of the device 10 should not extend below the bottom edge of the lamp shade 6, and in one or more exemplary embodiments, should be above the bottom edge of the lamp shade 6.
In one exemplary embodiment, a light power switch 28 may be located on the exterior of the device 10 to allow the lamp to be turned off and on during normal operation. In this embodiment, the original light switch 7 may be left in an “on” position, with the light power switch 28 being more easily accessed and used for normal operations. This embodiment is of particular use when the male connector 20 is recessed into the bottom 14 of the device 20, so as to render the original light switch 7 more difficult to reach.
The device 10 houses one or more batteries 30, preferably the batteries being rechargeable. Preferably, recharging is accomplished during normal operation of the lamp with the standard A.C. current (i.e., when normal power is available). In this embodiment, the batteries 30 may be built into the device 10. Alternatively, the recharging of the batteries may be done by removal of the batteries and placing them in a standard recharging device.
The device also includes one or more emergency light sources 34 located about the housing. In one exemplary embodiment, as seen in
The light sources 34 receive power from the batteries 30 and provide light when the normal power supply is interrupted. In one embodiment, a photoelectric light sensor 40 may be used to detect ambient light, and can determine whether or not the light sources 34 should be activated. For example, if it is daylight when the power is interrupted, and the lamp is not located in a dark location, the lights 34 are not turned out, thus conserving the energy in the batteries 30.
The device also may comprise an activation switch 44 as an alternative to the previously described light power switch 28. The activation switch 44 controls the activation and operation of the light sources 34, similarly to the light power switch with the exception of the additional automated feature described in more detail hereinafter. The activation switch 44 may have multiple switches or settings, and may, in one embodiment, be used to turn the light sources 34 on and off manually. An automatic setting also may be provided, where the light sources 34 may be turned on automatically upon power failure and in the absence of ambient light. The activation switch 44 may be coupled with or provide the function of the light power switch 28. For example, the activation switch 44 may have three positions: ON, OFF, AUTO. When normal power is available, the ON and OFF positions would control the operation of the light bulb inserted into the female socket 24. When normal power is interrupted, the ON and OFF positions would control the operation of the emergency light sources 34. The AUTO position would cause the emergency light sources 34 to come on when the normal power is interrupted and the photoelectric light sensor 40 detects that the room or area is dark.
The device 10 may further comprise a dimmer switch 50, which may be used to control the level of light provided by the emergency light sources 34, or alternatively, the number of light sources 34 that are activated. For example, if there are six light sources 34, as shown in
The device may also include an optional power signal light 60, which may be an LED or similar light source, which automatically turns on to illuminate the device 10 when the normal power is interrupted. The power signal light 60 helps identify the location of the device 10 to an individual in the darkened area, which is especially helpful when the automatic feature is not activated.
The device 10 is not limited to use with table and desk lamps, but may be used with other light fixtures, including, but not limited to, ceiling light fixtures. The male connector 20, the female socket 24, or both, would be of a suitable size and shape to match the light fixture with which the device 10 is used.
It should be understood that the batteries may provide current to the conventional light bulb 4 or the light sources 34 in case of emergency. As such, the device provides a manner in which to convert a conventional light to an emergency use light should a power failure occur.
Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.
