GB2497400A - Plug-in emergency lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminating apparatus for connection with a power source comprises an electrical adaptor 10 having an integral light beam device 11 to provide respective low and high level modes of illumination. Electronic circuitry is provided to activate the light beam device. The light beam device 11 may be LEDs that are permanently illuminated and the high level mode is actuated when power from the power source is terminated. Means 13 for selectively turning off the low level mode while the device is enabled, and an internal rechargeable battery are provided.

Description

An Illuminating Apparatus The invention relates to an illuminating apparatus, particularly to such apparatus incorporating a light beam device.

It is often necessary to provide emergency lighting, particularly when there is a power failure or electrical outage, or when an electrical circuit trips out for whatever reason. When such a power outage occurs at night, often candles are used to provide emergency lighting, but these present a fire hazard and in any event when it is dark it is often virtually impossible to locate matches to light them. Alternatively a torch can be used, but in the dark it is often difficult to locate a torch as torches are often randomly distributed in forgotten places in say a domestic dwelling.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an illuminating apparatus for connection with a power source, comprising an electrical adaptor, an integral light beam device of the adaptor adapted to provide respective low and high level modes of illumination, electrical andlor electronic circuitry for activating the light beam device, said light beam device being permanently enabled for illumination whereby the high level mode is actuated when power from the power source is terminated, and means for selectively turning off the low level mode while the device is enabled.

Using the invention it is possible to provide a light beam device which is readily locatable and which ensures that light is instantaneously available during a power outage. Alternatively or in addition the light beam device may be operable on removal from a socket.

The integral light beam device may suitably comprise an array of LED5, one Or more of which may also function as a low levell night light. Moreover, the apparatus may preferably comprise a wall plug, for example a 3-pin wall plug which is removably mountable in an electrical socket such as a wall socket. There may also be means such as a photo cell adapted to effect the operation of the light beam device as a low level/night light. There may suitably be dedicated electrical! electronic circuitry housed in the plug for operating the apparatus, such circuitry preferably comprising a battery, which may be rechargeable.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a building including an illuminating apparatus as hereinbefore defined, and an electrical socket in which the apparatus is mountable, whereby to provide illumination in the event of a power outage.

An illuminating apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figs.1, 2 and 3 are respectively a schematic top plan view, a front elevational view and a side elevational view of a first embodiment of apparatus embodying the invention; and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively a schematic front elevational view, a rear elevational view and a perspective view of a second embodiment of illuminating apparatus embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in Figs I to 3 a first embodiment of illuminating apparatus 1, comprising an electrical adaptor 2 and an integral light beam device 3 adapted to provide a light source in the event of a power outage.

The adapter 2 in the embodiment is a three pin plug having a standard array of pins 4 for insertion in a standard 3-pin electrical socket, not shown, it being understood that the pin and socket arrangement described is based on the UK standard and those countries or territories which have adopted that standard.

The plug 2 has a body 2a from which the pins 4 project, and a 3-pin socket 5 for receiving a plug from another appliance or another device such as an electrical extension lead.

At the front (to the right as viewed in Figs. I and 3) there is mounted an array 7, or plurality, of LEDs which comprise the light beam device 3. In the embodiment shown there are nine LEDs arranged in a circular array as shown, though it will be understood that any desired number of LEDs may be used. One, more or all of the LEDs 6 functions as a low illumination operating mode or night light.

The array 7 has a reflector 8, the items 6, 7 and 8 forming a combined LED reflector, night light and full, or light beam, light. There is also means to test the efficacy of the apparatus I or to effect the operation of the light beam device as a night light in the form of a photo cell 9.

The body 2a of the plug 2 includes interiorly thereof electronic andl or electrical circuitry to enable the plug 2 to function as the illuminating device 1. Thus in use, the plug 2 is plugged into a wall socket or a socket in an electrical lead. The circuitry (not shown) illuminates one or more 6 of the LEDs (which can be randomly selected by the circuitry) so that the plug acts as a night light, which is useful when the apparatus is used in a child's bedroom.

In order to test the efficacy of the light beam device, the circuitry can be activated by any suitable method, for example by touching the device, by vibration by say tapping the body 2a, or acoustically as by clapping hands.

In normal circumstances in the dark or under low ambient light conditions, the night light glows. V/hen there is a power outage, the circuit immediately activates the light beam device 3 to a full bright light operating mode, so the user can immediately locate the apparatus 1, withdraw it from the socket, and use the now-illuminated light beam device 3 to light the way to say a fuse box so the user can check whether a fuse has blown or has tripped out. There is a PIR addition to ensure activation of the light beam device to the on' position so the apparatus is always on in use.

Referring now to the second embodiment shown in Figs 4, 5 and 6, in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, there is shown illuminating apparatus 10 having an integral unitary housing from which pins 4 project and which has a 3-pin socket 5 for providing the apparatus as an adaptor, all as in the first embodiment. The apparatus 10 has an illuminating or light beam device 11 comprising a triangular array of six superbright light emitting diodes. There is an indicator in the form of a coloured LED 12 which indicates that the apparatus is on'.

Below the device 11 are two indicia, the one on the left as viewed being a graphical representation of a low level mode of illumination including a representation of the moon to indicate night-time or low ambient light conditions, and the one on the right as viewed likewise being a graphical representation including a warning' sign of the appearance of the six LEDs in the fill operating mode. The indicia may be printed on the apparatus. They may also be omitted.

A photoelectric cell 9 is operative to respond to low or falling ambient light levels, for example at night, to activate the low level illumination mode of the LEDs 11.

The apparatus 10 also includes a manually operable switch 13 which can be turned to an on' or off' position. This switch 13 is operable to turn the low level illumination mode off when the apparatus is actuated so that power is saved during normal use.

The switch is in a face of the apparatus from which the pins 4 project, so that when the apparatus is plugged into a socket, the on' or off' status selected for the switch 13 cannot be altered. The low level mode of light illumination is thus selectively operable.

The second embodiment, as is the first, is always in the on' mode of operation and cannot be switched off once actuated.

There is also means in the form of depressions 14 in opposite parallel surfaces of the apparatus by which the apparatus 10 can be gripped for ease of mounting in or removal from a socket.

in the preferred embodiments for the UK, the circuit is a 240 volt circuit for the LEDs, or a low voltage could be utilised with a transformer in built in the circuit, which is suitably solid state. Moreover, it will be understood that there may be a telephone application to provide for a plurality of apparatus, say 6 or 7,in a domestic dwelling so that the light beam device 6,7, 8 or I lwiIl be illuminated when a house is unoccupied in order to provide a burglar deterrent.

An advantage of apparatus 1, 10 of the kind illustrated in the drawings is that when plugged into a fixed socket such as a wall socket, it is always in a known, immediately locatable position so the light beam device cannot become niislaid or lost. The light beam device 3 then provides instant illumination when there is a power outage. In short the light beam device is always available and accessible.

It will be fluther understood that the inventions described herein with reference to the drawings are equally applicable to a two-pin arrangement and to pins and sockets of any other configuration such as round or flat.

Although activation of the light beam devices have been described with reference to a power outage it will also be understood that they can be activated by withdrawing the apparatus 1, 10 from the socket, when the circuit, being broken will turn on the light beam device for use as a movable or portable light source.

Other modifications are possible. Thus there may be any number of LEDs and one or more or even all may be used in the low level light mode with most or all of the LEDs being used in the high level mode. The low level illumination mode may be the only one activated even in the event of a power outage until the apparatus is removed from the socket, when the light beam mode is activated. This is to ensure that the full light beam mode is donnant until removal from a socket, so that say a sleeping child is not awakened and alarmed by the full light beam coming into operation. The apparatus may itself be fitted into another, standard, adaptor for plugging into another appliance or appliances. Also, although in the embodiment the LEDs are positioned on the front in use of the plug body 2a, they could equally well be positioned on the top, bottom or a side surface as desired. There may also be an audio means incorporated in the plug, for example one to emit a "beep", which can alert and awake a sleeping user to a power outage.

In order to preserve the battery (or batteries where more than one are installed, herein referred to in the singular for simplicity) there may be means to isolate the battery during storage arid br transport. Such means may comprise an insulator such as a plastic strip between the battery and electrical contacts of the circuitry with which the battery connects for the device to become operative. The isolation means may be carried by the usual protector for the pins 3, the means extending into the body 2a of the plug through a slit, slot, channel or orifice to lie between the battery and the contacts. When the pin protector is removed by a user, the isolation means, integral with the pin protector, is automatically withdrawn too, and the battery connects with the electrical contacts. The isolation means may be a separate item which is removed from the slit to actuate the apparatus.To ensure positive electrical connection, the battery may be mounted under pressure of a biasing device such as a spring which urges the battery and electrical contacts into engagement when the isolation means is withdrawn.

The battery may be a long life' battery, for example giving a battery life of eight to ten hours instead of two or four. Preferably the battery is re chargeable so that when the apparatus is connected to a power source such as a mains supply, it is always on charge.

It will be understood from the foregoing that there is no on/off switch as such.

Stated in another way, both embodiments are always on' when the device is actuated, so no embodiment can be switched off. A user knows that the apparatus is on' and functioning correctly by the light glow of the indicator 12.

In all embodiments, an advantage of the invention described with reference to the drawings is in its incorporation in an electrical adaptor plug, as described above.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMSI.An illuminating apparatus for connection with a power source, comprising an electrical adaptor, an integral light beam device of the adaptor adapted to provide respective low and high level modes of illumination, electrical andlor electronic circuitry for activating the light beam device, said light beam device being permanently enabled for illumination whereby the high level mode is actuated when power from the power source is terminated, and means for selectively turning off the low level mode while the device is enabled.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Apparatus according to claim 1, the light beani device comprising an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs).</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim2, comprising means to indicate when the apparatus is enabled.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Apparatus according to claim 3, the said means comprising an emitter of coloured light.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the low level mode being activated by a photoelectric cell responsive to falling levels of ambient light.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, the LEDs being superbright LEDs which provide both the low and high level modes of illumination.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising an integral housing in which the circuitry is housed.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. Apparatus according to claim 7, the circuitry comprising at least one rechargeable battery.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. Apparatus according to claim? or 8, comprising an isolator element which is removably mounted between contact(s) of the at least one battery and the light beam device,the arrangement being such that when the isolator element is removed from the apparatus, ei ectrical contact is established between the at least one battery and the light beam device.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. Apparatus according to claim 9, comprising a mounting for the isolator element in the housing from which part of the isolator element protrudes for being manually graspable for removal from the housing to establish the said electrical contact.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. Apparatus according to claim 10, the mounting comprising a slot in the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. Apparatus according to claim 10, comprising a removable guard for electrical pins of the adaptor, the isolator element being connected to the guard so that on removal of the guard from the pins, the isolator element is removed from the housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means to test the efficacy of the light beam device.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. Apparatus according to claim 13, the said means being responsive to vibratory or acoustic stimuli.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the circuitry comprising a 240-volt circuit, or a low voltage circuit with a transformer.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the adaptor comprising a multi-pin plug adaptor.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising finger grip means adapted for assisting gripping the apparatus during mounting of the apparatus with, or withdrawing it from, the power source or other equipment.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. Apparatus according to claim 17, the finger grip means comprising depressions in the body of the apparatus.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. Apparatus according to claim 18, the housing comprising an integrally formed plastic housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. An illuminating apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>