Illumination – Light source or light source support and luminescent material
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-11-27
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source or light source support and luminescent material
C362S259000, C362S276000, C362S395000, C362S412000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322228
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light fixture which includes one or more electroluminescent light sources in the conductive path to the light emitting bulb. The electroluminescent light source may be selectively energized independent of, or in conjunction with, the light emitting bulb to provide a practical and aesthetically desirable night light.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of light fixtures are known which include a manually operable switch in conjunction with a light emitting bulb, such that the user may selectively activate the light emitting bulb in accordance with his or her particular desires. It is also oftentimes desirable to have a night light which, without providing a high level of illumination, will significantly aid the user in safely locating objects (including the light switch for the light emitting bulb) within a darkened room. It is also known that electroluminescent light sources can provide a desired degree of light, in several different colors, with little power drain. Thus, while the prior art has generally appreciated both the desire to have a functional, low power drain, and aesthetically pleasing night light, it has not heretofore been known to utilize the advantageous features of an electroluminescent light source in conjunction with the circuitry to the light emitting bulb in order to provide a light fixture which combinedly includes the light emitting bulb and electroluminescent light source.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a light fixture which includes a light emitting bulb, at least one pair of conductors for connection to an electrical energy source (e.g., typically the household alternating current source), at least one electroluminescent light source, and a switch means for interconnecting these components. The electroluminescent light source, which may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,069,579 and 5,485,355 is preferably an elongated flexible member which can be readily shaped into a desired configuration. The color of the light emitted by the electroluminescent light source when it is appropriately energized depends essentially on the type of electroluminophor powder used.
The electroluminescent light source includes a pair of conductive electrodes. In accordance with the present invention, one of the electrodes is in a circuit including the switch means which is connected between the light emitting bulb and the electrical energy source. The switch means is manually operative to selectively energize desired ones of the light emitting bulb and/or electroluminescent light source. The light fixture may advantageously be in the form of a table lamp. Various arrangements of the switch means and associated circuitry may be utilized such that (a) the electroluminescent light source will always be on when the unit is connected to an electrical energy source, with the switch means manually turning the light emitting bulb either on or off, or (b) the switch means can alternatively (i) turn the electroluminescent light source on, (ii) the light emitting bulb on, (iii) both the electroluminescent light source and light emitting bulb on, or (iv) both electroluminescent light source and light emitting bulb off.
The electroluminescent light source which is preferably an elongated flexible member, may include a plurality of such individual electroluminescent light sources, each emitting a different color when suitably energized.
As a further feature of the present invention, a photoelectric cell may be included in the circuitry which includes the electroluminescent light source. The photoelectric cell will function to only permit the electroluminescent light source to be turned on in a darkened room. Thus, if the electroluminescent light source portion of a light fixture is intended to serve as a night light, it will not be energized during daylight conditions. This results in reduced power drain and longer life.
Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a light fixture which advantageously combines the functions of a light emitting bulb and electroluminescent light source.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a light fixture in which the electroluminescent light source will provide a minimal power draw night light.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a light fixture which includes a manually operable switch means for the user to selectively energize desired ones of the light emitting bulb and/or electroluminescent light source.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such a light fixture which includes a photoelectric cell such that the electroluminescent light source night light will only be energized in a darkened environment.
These as well as other objects of the present invention, will become apparent upon a description of the following drawings in which:
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patent: 5733035 (1998-03-01), Spencer et al.
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patent: 5893629 (1999-10-01), Gubernick
patent: 5967649 (1999-10-01), Schlesinger
Abelman ,Frayne & Schwab
DelGizzi Ronald E.
O'Shea Sandra
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