Illumination – Light source and modifier – Condition responsive
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-08
2003-05-13
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Condition responsive
C362S277000, C362S282000, C362S286000, C362S319000, C362S322000, C362S325000, C362S290000, C362S291000, CD26S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06561677
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of night lights, and in particular, to night lights that plug into standard electrical receptacles and that have caps that rotate to vary the direction of light.
2. Description of the Related Art
Night lights with rotating heads are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,813 discloses a night light with a rotating head
18
on a main housing unit
12
that plugs into a standard receptacle. Attached to the outer surface of the rotating head
18
is a diagonally aligned lens
20
. Because the lens
20
has a relatively small diameter and is disposed in front of the main housing unit
12
and the lens
20
is fixed to the head
18
, a relatively narrow beam of light is emitted that only illuminates a relatively small surface directly in front of the lens. Because of this feature, these night lights are sold as “path” lights.
One drawback of these types of night lights is that they extend relatively far from the receptacle and can be distracting. As a result, the use of such night lights are often limited to hallways and unprotected areas where they are likely to be kicked or invite their removal by small children or dogs.
What is needed is a low profile, adjustable night light that provides a broad beam of light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a low profile night light that does not protrude excessively from the wall.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a night light that emits a relatively broad beam of light that illuminates a broad area of the adjacent wall or floor.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a night light that is selectively adjustable so that the area of illumination can be adjusted.
These and other objects of the present invention are met by a night light having a main base unit with two standard, electrical prongs designed to connect to a standard 2 or 3 prong receiving electrical receptacle. Disposed inside the base unit is a light bulb that connects to a built-in printed circuit board. Attached to the printed circuit board is a light sensor that activates the light bulb when there is insufficient light in the room. Located over the front surface of the base unit is a fixed, half-spherical, transparent or semi-transparent lens. Connected to the base unit and disposed closely over the lens is a half-spherical outer cap with a quarter-spherical opening formed thereon. The outer cap extends only a short distance from the base unit and includes a quarter-spherical sized opening that exposes approximately one-half of the lens so that light from the light bulb may shine therethrough. When the outer cap is selectively rotated around the base unit, the user changes the location of the quarter-spherical sized opening relative to the lens so that light is emitted through different areas of the spherical lens. Because the lens is spherical rather than flat, a broad beam of light is emitted that may be aimed in any 360 degree direction in relation to the light bulb.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5465197 (1995-11-01), Chien
patent: 5702177 (1997-12-01), Lin
patent: 6276813 (2001-08-01), Victor
patent: D460204 (2001-10-01), Giese
Craine Dean A.
O'Shea Sandra
Tsidulko Mark
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