Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02541796 2006-04-05
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This international apQlication claims priority to annd benefit from, currently
pending, U.S.
Patent Application Serial Number 11,099,407, filed on April 5, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE I111VENTION
FIELD OF THE IlVVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an ilfimiRated doorbell pushbutton,
and, more
.~._==%
specifically, to an illuminated doorbell pushbutton having a source of light
to illuminate the
pushbutton and having a source of light to direct illumination towards an-
aree*s-preferned by aftcct,1:1umenia
the user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Traditional illuminated doorbells have numerous shortcomings. First, many
illuminated
doorbell pushbuttons only have a single light source fixed in place within the
doorbell
housing used only to illuminate the button. Second, many illuminated doorbell
pushbuttons
do not have an associated source of illumination that allows the user to
select an area to be
illuminated by the doorbell, and the projection of the illumination remains
static. Therefore,
there is a need for a doorbell with an illuminated doorbell pushbutton and an
adjustable
reflector to direct the illumination from a light source to an area preferred
by the user.
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SU1VIldARY OF THE TNVENTION
In view of known deficiencies associated with earlier illuminated doorbells,
there is provided
in an embodiment of the instant invention an illuminated doorbell pushbutton
assembly
d.esigned to provide-in concert with an ifluminated pushbutton-a user-
adjustable reflector
that can be directed bo reflect light from a separate light source, such as an
LED. This
structure permits the device to be used to illuminate, for example, a door
lock or keyhole, or
to provide light for identifying keys, as preferred by the user. The separate
light source is
mounted in the housing for the devioa adjaceat a movable (i.e., rotatable)
reflector
mechanism, which then setectively directs the light through a fixed
transparent or translucent
scieen or window extending aanss a substantial pottion of tGe surface of the
housing. The
user, by means of a lever accessible from the outside of the housing, can
rotate the reflector to
a selected position adjaoent to the screen to illuminate the desired m+ea. The
invention thns
a'great deal of flexibility as to the areas to be illuminate4
*iillitbh/ffU4UikittgXany 1,~ im,,
modifications to its mechanism or to the building structum to which it is
rAounkdtdit
invention can clearly illuminate not only a keyhole while providing a ctear
light for the
selection of the required key, but can also simultanoously maintain an
illuminated doorbell
pashbutton. The light can be transmiYted and projected fmm the light source in
diverging
rays, so as to illuminate a range of specific areas near the device.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and
further objects
thereof, reference is made to the following descripdon, taken In conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appending
claims.
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BRIEF DESCRIFI'ION OF THE DRAWINGS
The aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood
when the
detailed description of the preferred embodiment is taken in conjunction with
the
accompanying drawings, in which:
F[gure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing an
illuminated
doorbeil pushbutton assembly having an adjustable lever in a first position.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the illuminated doorbell pushbutton assembly
showing the
adjustable lever in a second position.
Flgnre 3 is a front exploded perspective view of the interior of the
illuminated doorbell
pushbutton assembly.
Figure 4 is a rear exploded perspective view of the interior of the
illuminated doorbell
pusht~ttcu~ssembly. ~aw~oa aamcmoi,y.~~
Figure 5 is a side exploded view of the interior of the illuminated
doorbeHpashbutCOn' :-"" '"-,fI
assembly.
Figure 6 is a planar rear view of the illuminated doorbell pushbutton
assembly.
Figure 7 is a planar front view of the illuminated doorbell pushbutton
assembly showing the
direction of the iilumination in doited lines.
Figure 8 is a planar side view of the illuminated doorbell pushbutton assembly
showing the
direction of the illumination in dotted lines.
Figure 9 is a circuit diagram in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIP'1'ION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIlVIENTS
Whilo this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms,
there are shown
in the Figures and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments
of the invention
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be oonsidered as an
exemplification of
the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the broad
aspects of the invention
to the embodiments illustrated.
The present invention, shown in Figs. I and 2, discloses an iilluminated
doorbell pushbutton
assembly (or direMional light doorbell) 10 which includes a honsing (or
casing) 16 having a
central aiperlure 13. The aperture 13 can be positioned in the center of the
housing 16.
Disposed within the central aperttue 13 is a pushbution assembly 12, which the
user presses
to actuate door chimes (not shown). A doorbell housing window opening 15 is
located on an
edge of the housing 16, and is preferabiy arcuate along the side or edge of
the housing 16.
The housing 16 may be dome-shaped, although the precise shape of the housing
16 can vary,
as long as the shape can include the dooY'bell housing window opening 15, such
as, for 15 example, an opening that is arcuate.
In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the housing 16 may
incorporate an
integral clear or translucent portion or portions therein in place of the
window opening 15
such that light may be readily transmitted thezethrough. This feature of the
doorbell
pushbutton assembly 10 permits light to project out of the tnmslucent portion
without the
necessity of a separate manufacturing step to incorporate window opening 15.
Furthermore,
the housing may incorporate an integral light transmitting portion of material
proximate the
aperture 13 to permit itlumination to pro,yect outwardly to the pushbutton
assembly 12.
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The housing 16 shown includes a pair of countersunk openings 42, each forming
a funnel
shape for receiving the complementary shaped head of a screw (not shown),
which allows the
head of the screw to lay flush when the housing 16 is mounted to a mounting
surface (not
shown). The pair of eountersunlc openings 42 is diametrically opposed at each
end of the
arcuate doorbell housing window opening 15. The countersunk openings 42 and
comesponding receiving channels 43 provide smooth and uneomplicated connection
and
disconnection of the housing 16 to a mounting surface, while ensuring that the
housing 16 is
secau+ely locked onto a mounting surfaae. Any type of fastener sufficient to
affix the housing
16 to a mounting surface and support the weight of the iliurainated doorbell
pushbutton
assembly 10 could be utilized, however, such as for example bolts, glue,
nails, and rivets.
The housing 16 is removably attached to facilita,te the replacement of a power
source (not
shown), which may inciude a battay, such as button cell batteries known in the
art, that can
supply sufficient power to the light sources to generate the desired degree
and duration of ~~~r~rxxaR r~sat~~aa~~
light as discussed fiuther herein below. Altematively, the assembly 10 of the
present
invention may be powered from the secondary of an existing transformer, as is
common in
many door chime systems.
Now, referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a front exploded perspective view of
the interior of
the illuminated doorbeil pushbutton assembly 10. A circuit board 34 is
disposed within the
doorbell housing 16. The circuit board 34 has a top side 34a, which faces
toward the
pushbutton assembly 12, and a bottom side 34b (shown more clearly in Figs. 4
and 5), which
faces away from the pushbutton assembly 12. Mounted on the circuit board top
side 34a is a
funt light source 26 operatively aligned with the central aperture 13 and the
pushbutton
assembly 12. The first light source 26 preferWy projects illumination up
toward the cantral
aperture 13. The first light source 26 illuminates the pushbutton assembly 12,
which may be
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ciear, txansparent, or translucent, such that i{lumination from the first
light sotuce 26 projacts
titrough the pushbutton 12 to enhance visibility of the doorbell pushbutton 12
in a dark
environment.
Now, referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a rear exploded perspective view of
the interior of the
illuminated doorbefl assembly 10. Mounted on the circuit board bottom side 34b
is a second
light source support 44 which cradles a second light source 28, which
generally projects
illumination toward the arcuate doorbell hau.cing window opening 15. More
specifically, ... .....
illumination is projected toward an area on the exterior of ft illuminated
doorbell pushbutton
assembly 10 as chosen by the user by moving means for ieflecting illumin.ation
24, such as
for example an adjustable (rotatable or movable) reflector, mirror, or lens,
described in more
detail below.
The illuminated doorbell pushbutton assembly 10 also includes a base (or back
cover) 36
which is mounted to a mounting surface. The base 36 has a rear wall
38,disposcetiadjacent to w<~ ~sr :,~ tai. ;
a mounring surfaee. 'fhe base 36 also includes a window 14 (shown
znemw6wAtydneFig. 5) 15 which aligns with the doorbell housing window opening
15 of the housing 16 when the
illuminated doorbell pushbutton assembly 10 is assembled. The window 14 is
preferably
arcuate and in operative aiignment with the arcaate doorbell housing wimdow
opening 15.
The window 14 may be constructed of a clear, transparent, or translueent
material such as
plastic or glass. 'ibe adjustable (or rotatable) reflector 24 preferably has a
chrome- or mirror-
like finish, which reflects the illumination projecting from the second light
source 28.
The adjustable reflector 24 rotates or pivots about an axis 24a formed by a
swivel hinge 22a
which rotates about a swivel hinge shaft 22b (more clearly shown in Figs. 3
and 5), which
projects up from the base 36 into the interior of the housing 16. The swivel
hinge 22a and
swivel hinge shaft 22b facilitate the movement of Nte adjustable reflector 24
about the axis
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24a and through the range of the arc a(shown more clearly in Fig. 6) of the
arcuate doorbell
housing window opening 15 and the arcuate window 14. The range of the arc a
may be, for
example, approximately 75 . A lever 18 (shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 5)
projects
outwardly from the adjustable reflector 24 and protrudes through the arcuate
doorbell housing
window opening 15 in such a way to avoid interference with the arcuate window
14. The
lever 18 is shown in the Figures to protrude through the arcuate doorbell
housing window
opening 15 above the arcuate window 14, although it is feasible that the lever
18 could be
positioned on the opposite side of the adjustable reflector 24 and protrude
through~the arcuate
doorbelt housing window opening 15 below the ar+cuate window 14, or in other
positions.
Figs. 1, 2, and 6 illustrate the movement of the lever 18. In Fig. 1, the
lever 18 is shown in a
first position. In Fig. 2, the lever 18 is shown in a second position. Fig. 6
shows the range of
movement of the lever 18 through the arc a to provide selective illumination
of-a-rangc-of
sp~cific areas near the illuminated doorbell assembly 10. The user c
.~~
18 to move the adjustable reflector 24 at its swivel hinge 22a about the
swivIltt%saeha6tÃYny :
22b. The adjustable reflector 24 gathers, focuses, reflects, and projects
illumination fivm the
second light source 28. The lever 18 and adjustable reflector 24 direct light
to areas remote
from the housing 16, such as toward a door lock or kcyhole, or to provide a
light for
identifying keys, as necessary.
The first light source 26 and second light source 28, preferably light
emitting diodes (LEDs),
can be any commonly available bulb, for exam.ple an incandescent bulb, as long
as each light
source provides enough light to suff'iciently illuminate, respectively, the
push button assembly
12 and a target area as selected by the user. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the
projected illumination
of the light sources 26,28. Specifically, Fig. 7 illustrates in dotted lines
the projected
illumination of the second light source 28 with the lever 18 in a central
position in the arc a.
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Also, Fig. 8 iilustrates in dotted iines the projected illumination of both
the first light source
26 and the second light source 28.
Referring now to Fig. 9, and in aocordance with a consttuctod embodiment of
the present
invention, a circuit 50 for activating a door chime 1 includes pushbutton 12
having a first
terminal Jl connected between an electrical power source 2 and a second
terminal J2, which
is in turn connected to the input terminal of a door chime 3. While one of
ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that a wide variety of power sonrces may be employed in
conjunctiotv.withrWa,f
the present invention, for clarity of discussion the power source 2 shalt be
the secondary
winding of a transformer supplied by 120VAC, producing, for example, 20VAC.
When pushbutton 12 is depressed current is conducted to chime I thereby
initiating the
ringing of the chime through a conventional electro-mechanical actuation
system (not shown)
as is known in the art. Circuit 50 further comprises a pair of light sources
26 and 28
respectively, shown in Fig. 9 as light emitting diodes D3 and D4. A diode DI
is cam-edte&~:
between the transformer 2 and a pair of voltage dividers, resistors RI, R2 and
R3, R4wmvft2isndw-t-k~
respectively to provide power to LEDs D3 and D4 through one-half of the
alternating current
cycle. This feature of the present invention enables LEDs D3 and D4 to be
powered to
provide illumination for the pushbutton assembly.
Voltage divider resistors RI, R2 and R3, R4 may be suitably sized to provide a
satisfactory
level of illumination depending on the operating characteristics of the L.EDs
selected. One of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a wide variety of conventional
incandescent lamps
may also be employed as light sources 26,28 in accordance with an alternative
embodiment
of the present invention.
The circuit 50 of Fig. 9 further includes a jumper block J3 wherein a jumper
may be placed
across terminals 1 and 2 thereof in order to electrically couple diode D2 in
the circuit 50, in
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parallel with pushbutton 12. The purpose of this feature of the present
invention is to provide
power to chime 1 during the time period where pushbiitton 12 is not depressed.
'17iis feaRture
of tSve invention perniits the doorbetl pushbutton assembly 10 to be
compatible with many
eiectronic chime systems presently in use. Where an eiectromechanical cirime
is employed,
the jumper can be placed on terminals 2 and 3 of jumper block J3, thereby
eleetrically
decoupling diode DZ from the circuit $0. Additionaiiy, a switch or dip switch
may readiiy be
empioyed in pisoe of jumper bfocic J3 in order to quickly and easiiy couple or
decouple diode
D2 from the circuit 50. Accordingly, it may be readily seen that the present
invention may be
used with a variety of known-in-the art chime systems, simply by seiecking the
appropriate
jumper (or switch) position.
In a yet further embodiment of the present invention, the circuit 50 of Fig. 9
may be installed
in concert with a non-illuminated pushbuiton, without the necessity of using
diode DI to
supply power to the voltage dividers to iiiunninate latmps as disciosed
hereeinabove. Sn this
embodiment of the inventim only diode D2 is requirced, in parailel vrith
pushbuttoa 12, to
pravide power to chime 12 during the timex period where pushbutton 12 is not
depressed. ry~ m r~~~~
Diode D2 is electrically coupled to circuit 50 by jumper J3, or alternatively
a switch, such
that it may be electricatiy removed from circuit 50 in the event an
electromechanical chime is
employed.
While there have been described what are believed to be the prefermd
embodiments of the
present invention, thoso sidlled in the art witt recognize that other and
further changes and
modifica#ions may bc made thereto without dopsrting from the spirit of the
invention, and it is
intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fa11 wi%in the true
scope of the
invention.
