Illumination – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-22
2001-11-13
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Combined
C362S096000, C362S802000, C362S205000, C362S458000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315431
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pull chain actuating switches and more particularly, to a lit pull chain assembly used to provide sufficient light to enable a person to locate a pull chain switch in a dark room.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fumbling through a dark room trying to locate a light switch to turn on a light in the room can be disconcerting and even dangerous, if a person should trip or stumble over something in the room. Having a source of light already on in a dark room that helps guide a person safely to a light switch in the room is clearly advantageous. Pull chain switches are commonly used switches, however, the pull chains are not easy to locate in the dark. Typically, a person is forced to feel around in the dark hoping to locate the pull chain switch.
Ceiling fans employ pull chain electric switches to start or stop the fan and many ceiling fans come with centrally disposed lights that also utilize pull chain switches to turn the lights on or off. Because the pull chain switches are located on the ceiling fan unit itself, a person must enter an unlit room and awkwardly feel around in the dark hoping to locate the ceiling fan's pull chain switch. This is a potentially hazardous situation because a person could easily trip or stumble across unseen objects in the dark room, causing serious bodily injury.
Both pull chain electric switches and ceiling fans with ancillary lights are well known in the prior art, for example, an electric switch actuating mechanism that employs a pull chain is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,014,217, issued on Sep. 10, 1935 to W. Williamson, whereby a flexible pull chain is connected to a disk that imparts an even pull to the pull chain when the pull chain is used to turn a lamp on or off. U.S. Des. Pat. No. 375,244, issued on Nov. 5, 1996 to D. Merino, describes an ornamental design for a pull chain device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,341, issued on Dec. 10, 1991 to M. Huang, describes a lamp assembly suspended from a ceiling fan. The lamp assembly is equipped with several reflection lamp shields which do not affect the illuminating effect of the lamp assembly when they are turned upward.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a decorative pull chain light assembly that generates sufficient light to be easily identifiable under low light or dark conditions.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pull chain light assembly that is long lasting, that has low power consumption, and that is fully automatic.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a pull chain light assembly that is decorative.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a pull chain light assembly that is inexpensive to manufacture.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a pull chain light assembly for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
The foregoing objectives are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a decorative pull chain light assembly comprising a long life lithium battery, a light emitting diode, and a light activated switch installed in a cartridge approximately ½″ in diameter and 1½″ in length. The pull chain light assembly of the present invention conveniently attaches to a pull chain electric switch making the pull chain switch readily identifiable in low light or dark conditions.
The pull chain light assembly of the present invention has an innovative design that employs a light emitting diode (LED) instead of a bulb and a light sensitive switch. An LED consumes less power and lasts longer than a bulb and provides sufficient light to be readily seen under low light or dark conditions. The light sensitive switch automatically turns on the pull chain light assembly when the amount of light in a room falls below a predetermined level.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 375244 (1996-11-01), Merino
patent: 1966737 (1934-07-01), Schmitt
patent: 2014217 (1935-09-01), Williamson
patent: 2924905 (1960-02-01), Seigle
patent: 2947105 (1960-08-01), Lagios
patent: 5072341 (1991-12-01), Huang
patent: 5497307 (1996-03-01), Bae et al.
Litman Richard C.
Tso Laura K.
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