Illumination – Light source or light source support and luminescent material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-09-18
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source or light source support and luminescent material
C362S229000, C362S391000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290365
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lights and more particularly to a night light that is adapted to tap into the current of an electrical cord at any desired point along the cord.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often advantageous to provide light in a dark room, while at the same time not disturbing a person while sleeping. Typically, this is accomplished using night lights, which are small lamps generally in the range of 4 to 7 watts. Incandescent lamps, light emitting diodes (LED's), neon lamps, and electroluminescent materials are commonly used in night lights. However, heretofore night lights have been plugged directly into an electrical outlet, and thus their location has always been fixed and located on walls. Electrical outlets are generally located on walls just above the floor and are frequently blocked by sofas, desks, beds and other household furniture. This makes placement of a typical night light very limited.
Other night lights are built into electrical switches, outlets or cover plates for installation on an electrical switch or outlet. The installation and placement of such night lights are also restricted to the location of an electrical outlet or switch.
Switches are usually located at the entrance of a room and thus not where a person may wish the night light to be. In rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, electrical outlets are usually located on walls at counter height where night lights can be placed close to a counter top or work area. But, in living rooms, dens, bedrooms, offices and other work rooms, electrical outlets are frequently located behind household furniture items. If a night light is installed or plugged into an electrical outlet in such a location, it is useless as a source of light for illuminating an area in a room. Furthermore, in a typical kitchen or bathroom the few outlets that are located at counter level are often being used by the wide variety of kitchen and bathroom appliances. It is desirable to provide a night light that can still be used when all outlets in a particular room are already in use without disconnecting an appliance.
A night light that could be placed in locations other than near an electrical outlet would be advantageous.
A need exists for a low power night light that can be positioned anywhere along an electrical cord which has one end plugged into an electrical outlet and the other end operating an appliance, e.g. a floor lamp or television.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light assembly adapted to be removably positioned on an electrical cord having a length, at any point along the length. The light assembly generally comprises a pair of electrical conductors adapted to tap into the electrical cord at a point, and a light emitting device which electrically engages the pair of electrical conductors. The light assembly is adapted to be positioned to provide light at the point along the electrical cord.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical appliance including an electrical cord having a length and first and second opposite ends, which at the first end is electrically connected to the electrical appliance and at the second end is plugged into an electrified electrical outlet. The electrical appliance includes a light assembly having an electrical tap and a light emitting device, wherein the electrical tap electrically connects the light emitting device to the electrical cord at a selected point along the length of the electrical cord.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light assembly adapted to be removably affixed to an electrical cord having a length, at any point along the length of the cord. The electrical cord has opposite ends and an insulation cover surrounding two electrical supply wires. The light assembly generally comprises a housing having a cord channel adapted to receive the electrical cord, and a lighting element. The housing also includes first and second electrical conductors each having a first and second end, respectively, wherein the first ends of said first and second electrical conductors protrude into said cord channel. The lighting element is in electrical communication with the first and second electrical conductors.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes opposing front and back portions that are secured to one another and cooperate to form the cord channel. The front and back portions of the housing each have a portion of the cord channel defined therein.
In additional preferred embodiments, the light assembly includes a light sensor switching circuit, and the lighting element is an electroluminescent sheet or a light emitting diode or an incandescent light or a fluorescent light.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5504397 (1996-04-01), Chien
patent: 5954425 (1999-09-01), Lin
patent: 5967649 (1999-10-01), Schlesinger
Husar Stephen
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP
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