Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIGHTED ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND RECEPTACLE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No.
61/704,98 filed September 21, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a lighted electrical
device and
receptacle for projecting light to a target area. The invention is
particularly directed
to a lighted duplex receptacle having at least one light source that can be
adjusted by
the user to direct the light to a selected area and in a selected direction
with respect
to the receptacle to illuminate an area.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various nightlights have been proposed and commonly used for
providing low-level illumination of areas sufficient to enable a user to walk
or
move safely about an area. Nightlights are commonly used in bathrooms, and
particularly hotel bathrooms, to illuminate the area, such as a floor, for
people
unfamiliar with the surroundings.
[0004] Lights have also been incorporated into electrical receptacles as
indicators and to identify the location of the receptacle at low ambient light
levels. These devices generally provide sufficient light to locate the
electrical
receptacle but do not provide sufficient light to illuminate the area around
the
electrical device.
[0005] One example of an electrical device having a light incorporated in the
electrical device is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,862,350 to Richter et at.
This
patent discloses a receptacle having a light along at least one side edge as
shown in Figs. 1 and 8. A duplex electrical device is disclosed having a light
in
the housing and a translucent cover coupled to the front face that is flush
with
the front face and adjacent the duplex user-accessible interface. The cover is
disclosed as extending along the front face between each of the electrical
components and between the apertures. Other embodiments include an
electrical device having a translucent cover over a light where the cover
extends
along at least IA the length of the front face. Another embodiment discloses
an
electrical device having two translucent covers extending adjacent the buttons
of each GFCI where each cover extends over the light source and the light
sensor. This patent further discloses an electrical device having a housing in
the form of a single gang electrical enclosure, at least one additional
housing
and at least one additional electrical component in the additional housing.
[0006] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0039086 to Jansen et al. discloses
a GFCI receptacle having a nightlight. An electrical device has a light source
to
direct a peak radiation pattern along an axis and a light pipe having an
angled
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surface. The light pipe is a lens that extends along the side edge of the
receptacle as shown in Fig. 1C and has an angled surface that reflects the
light
through the front face as shown in Fig. 15.
[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,805,469 to Barton discloses an electrical device
such as a switch or receptacle having a light source. The device has a power
sensing and control means. This patent also discloses a method of providing
safety lighting by concealing the lighting device. The method includes the
steps
of combining a light source with a conventional wiring device, controlling the
on-off state and conveying light from the light source through a visible
surface
area of the wiring device by a lens or transparent material and where the
device
is concealed behind a standard cover plate.
[0008] U.S. Patent No. 7,118,235 to Barton is a continuation-in-part of the
'469 patent and discloses a lighting device having a housing with an
electrical
device, a light source to emit light through a visible surface of the housing
and
protruding through the cover plate, and a power-signal means to adjust the
power level to energize the light source. The housing can have a surface area
visible through a conventional cover plate window, a light source visible
through the surface area, a power supply and a signal means to activate the
signal means by a predetermined condition. A nightlight function is controlled
by a light sensor.
[0009] U.S. Patent No. 8,194,368 to Weeks et al. is related to U.S. 6,989,489
to Savicki. This patent relates to a GFCI device with a center light having a
protective assembly to prevent AC power from being accessed and a light
assembly covering a substantial portion of the width.
[0010] While the prior devices have generally been suitable for their intended
purpose, there is a continuing need in the industry for improved lighting
devices and electrical receptacles. The disclosures of U.S. Patents 6,805,469;
7,118,235; and 7,862,350 and Publication No. 2012/0039086 may be referred to
for further details.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The invention is directed to an electrical wiring device having a light
source and a light conducting member that can be adjusted and positioned to
direct light in a selected direction to illuminate a selected area. The wiring
device can be a night light, duplex receptacle, GFCI receptacle, arc fault
circuit
interrupter, switch or other electrical device where there is a need to
illuminate
an area in the vicinity of the device. The light source is preferably provided
from one or more LEDs mounted within a housing of the device that produces
light of a sufficient intensity and brightness to illuminate a target area.
[0012] Accordingly one aspect of the invention is to provide an electrical
wiring device having a directional light assembly for directing light in a
selected
direction to illuminate a selected area. Preferably the light can be manually
adjusted by the user without the need for special tools after installation to
direct and focus the light beam to the selected area.
[0013] Another feature of the invention is to provide an electrical wiring
device having a light source where the light beam can be selectively aimed and
directed to illuminate a selected target area. In one preferred embodiment the
electrical wiring device has a plurality of light sources where the light beam
from each of the light sources can be aimed independently from each other.
[0014] A further feature of the invention is to provide an electrical wiring
device having at least one light source and a photo sensor to actuate the at
least one light source when the ambient light is below a threshold level. The
actuator can be a photo sensor, manually operated switch, motion sensor or
occupancy sensor.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical wiring device is a
duplex receptacle, ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle or arc fault
circuit
interrupter having at least one light source and a photo sensor to actuate the
light source when the ambient light is below a threshold level. Each light
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source is configured to be adjustable to selectively direct the light to
illuminate
a selected area after installation of the device.
[0016] The electrical wiring device in one embodiment of the invention has at
least one and preferably at least two light sources having an adjustable light
conducting member for projecting light from the device that is able to direct
and focus the light to a selected target area. Each of the light conducting
members are independently adjustable to direct light from each of the light
sources to a selected target area or to the same target area relative to the
electrical wiring device.
[0017] The electrical wiring device in one embodiment has a light source and
a rotatable light conducting member for directing light to a target area. The
outer end of the light conducting member has a light projecting face that is
inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the light conducting member
and
inclined to the front face of the housing to direct the light from the front
face of
the housing at an inclined angle to a target area. The light conducting
members are attached to be rotatable with respect to the housing and rotatable
about the longitudinal axis to direct the light in a selected direction.
[0018] The electrical wiring device of the invention has a cover that is
coupled to a base of the housing where the cover has an opening for a photo
sensor and an opening for the light assembly that is spaced from the photo
sensor a distance sufficient to avoid interference between the light source
and
the photo sensor. The photo sensor has a light pipe extending to the front
face
of the cover for conducting ambient light to the photo sensor. The light
source
can have a light conducting member forming a light pipe or lens that is
coupled
directly to the cover to project light in a selected direction. The light
conducting member functions as a light pipe extending between the light
source and the front face of the cover. In a preferred embodiment the light
conducting member is coupled directly to the cover and movable with respect
to the cover to orient and aim the light beam in a selected direction.
Preferably
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the light conducting member is rotatable about an axis substantially
perpendicular to the plane of the front face of the cover.
[0019] The various aspects of the invention are basically attained by
providing an electrical receptacle having a housing with a front face and an
internal cavity where the housing has a mounting member for mounting to an
electrical box. A light source is mounted in the cavity. A rotatable light
conducting member with an outer face extends through the front face of the
cover where the light conducting member is associated with the light source to
project a light beam from the front face of the cover and housing in a
selected
direction by rotational adjustment of the light conducting member relative to
the cover and the housing.
[0020] The various aspects of the invention are further attained by providing
a housing having a front face and an inner cavity where the housing has a
mounting member for mounting the housing to an electrical box. A light
source is mounted within the cavity of the housing. At least one light
conducting member extends between the light source and the front face of the
housing to direct light from the light source in a selected direction where
the
position and orientation of the light conducting member is adjustable to
direct
the light beam in a selected direction.
[0021] The aspects and advantages of the invention are further attained by
providing a housing enclosing a printed circuit board, a photo sensor for
sensing ambient light and a light source activated by a signal from the photo
sensor when ambient light is below a threshold level. A cover having a
plurality of plug blade openings is coupled to the housing. At least one light
conducting member is coupled to the cover for projecting light from the at
least
one light source in a predetermined direction with respect to the housing. The
light conducting member is movable with respect to the cover to direct light
in
a selected direction with respect to the cover and the housing.
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[0022] A light conducting member, such as a light pipe is coupled to the cover
of the housing
and extends through an aperture in the cover. A top end face of the light pipe
extends above the
top surface of the cover and has a top face forming a lens for projecting a
beam of light in a
selected direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light
conducting member and the
front face of the cover. The top end face of the light conducting member can
have an inclined
surface for directing a light beam at an angle with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the light
conducting member. The light conducting member can be manually rotated by the
user to direct
the beam of light in a selected direction. In one embodiment, at least two
LEDs with a
corresponding light conducting member are provided where each light conducting
member can
be independently rotated to direct each beam of light in a selected direction.
[0022A] In a broad aspect, the present invention pertains to an electrical
wiring device
comprising a housing having a base supporting a photo sensor for sensing
ambient light, and at
least one light source activated by a signal from the photo sensor when the
ambient light is below
a predetermined level. A cover is coupled to the housing and has a first
opening associated with
the photo sensor and a second opening associated with the at least one light
source. At least one
light conducting member is coupled to the cover and extends through the second
opening in the
cover for emitting and projecting light from the at least one light source, in
a predetermined
direction with respect to the light conducting member and the cover, the light
conducting
member being movable with respect to the cover to direct light in a selected
direction at an
inclined angle outwardly and away from the housing to illuminate a target area
with respect to
the housing.
10022B] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an electrical
wiring device
comprising a housing having a front face and an internal cavity. The housing
has a mounting
member for mounting the electrical wiring device in an electrical box. A first
light source and a
second light source are mounted in the housing and are connected to a power
source. A first
movable light conducting member has an outer face extending through a first
opening in the
front face of the housing, and a second movable light conducting member has an
outer face
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extending through a second opening in the front face of the housing. Each of
the light
conducting members are associated with a respective light source to project a
light beam
outwardly and away from the front face in a selected direction to illuminate a
selected target area
by adjusting the position of the light conducting members with respect to the
front face of the
housing.
[0022C] Still further, the present invention provides an electrical receptacle
comprising a
housing having a front face and an inner cavity, the housing having a mounting
member for
mounting the housing to an electrical box. There is at least one light source
mounted within the
cavity of the housing, and at least one light conducting member extends
between the light source
and the front face of the housing to direct light from the light source in a
selected direction
outwardly and away from the housing to illuminate a target area, the at least
one light conducting
member being rotatably mounted for adjusting the position of the light
conducting member, and
directing light from the light source in a selected direction.
[0023] These and other aspects and salient features of the invention will
become apparent from
the following detailed description of the invention, which in conjunction with
the annexed
drawings discloses various embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100241 The following is a brief description of the drawings, in which:
[0025] Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the electrical receptacle of the
invention;
[0026] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the electrical receptacle with the
cover removed;
[0027] Fig. 3 is a front view of the electrical receptacle with the cover
partially cut away;
[0028] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the light transmitting member for an
LED;
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[0029] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the light transmitting member of
the
LED rotatably coupled to the cover of the electrical receptacle;
[0030] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the photo sensor and light conducting
member of the electrical receptacle;
[0031] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the photo sensor and light
conducting members captured in the cover of the receptacle;
[0032] Fig. 8 is partial perspective view showing the light conducting and
transmitting member rotatably coupled to the cover;
[0033] Fig. 9 is a side view of the light transmitting member and LED
showing the light conducting transmitting member rotatably coupled to the
cover; and
[0034] Fig. 10 is a side view showing the light from the receptacle projected
toward a surface to be illuminated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device having
a light source for projecting light to a selected target area. The invention
is
particularly directed to an electrical wiring device having an adjustable
light
conducting and light emitting member that can be positioned by the user to
direct light to a selected target area after installation of the wiring
device.
[0036] The electrical wiring device of the invention in one embodiment is an
electrical receptacle such as a duplex receptacle having a ground fault
circuit
interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI receptacles are commonly used in bathrooms,
kitchens and other wet locations. The duplex receptacle of the invention has a
directional light that can be adjusted and oriented by the user to direct the
light to a selected area or location to illuminate the area. The light source
in
preferred embodiments is an LED with a movable lens, light pipe or other light
conducting member that is able to project the light to a wall, floor or other
surface to be illuminated. Preferably the LED is activated by a photo sensor
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detecting ambient light. Alternatively, the LED can be activated by a manual
switch, motion sensor or occupancy sensor.
[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the wiring device is a duplex
receptacle which can include a suitable GFCI circuit and/or arc fault circuit
interrupter. Referring to the drawings, the wiring device 10 is shown as a
GFCI
duplex receptacle having a housing 12 defined by a base 14 and a cover 16
coupled to the base 14 to enclose the electrical components within the
internal
cavity 20 of the housing 12. The cover 16 as shown is a decorator style having
a flat front face and a substantially rectangular shape for fitting within the
rectangular opening in a face plate 18 shown in Fig. 10. The cover 16 is
snapped onto the base 14 by standard coupling members as known in the art.
The electrical wiring device 10 in one embodiment is shown and described as a
GFCI duplex receptacle although it will be understood that the invention is
not
limited to GFCI receptacles and that the lighting features of the invention
are
suitable for other electrical devices including for example a nightlight. The
wiring device 10 preferably has standard dimensions for mounting in an
electrical box and includes conventional electrical contacts and electrical
connectors for connecting to a power source.
[00381 Referring to Fig. 1, the cover 16 has a front face 22 with a plurality
of
blade apertures 24 or slots for receiving the plug and accessing the
electrical
contacts below or within the shutter mechanism 26 within the housing. The
shutter mechanism 26 can be a conventional tamper-resistant shutter
mechanism to block the openings in the device until a plug blade is inserted
through the openings in the cover. The front face 22 in the embodiment shown
has a substantially flat planar configuration. A mounting member 28 shown
as a mounting strap is connected to opposite longitudinal ends of the housing
12 for mounting the electrical device 10 in the open end of an electrical box
(not shown) in a conventional manner.
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[0039] Each set of blade apertures 24 for receiving a plug is provided at the
longitudinal end portion 25 of the cover 16 and the housing to define a
central
portion 32 on the front face 22 of the housing 12 and the cover 16 between the
two sets of blade apertures 24. In the embodiment shown, the central portion
32 is recessed with respect to the end portions 25. The central portion 32
between the blade apertures 24 has a substantially planar surface with
openings for a test button 34 and a reset button 36 of the GFCI circuit 38.
Preferably the central portion 32 is located so that the plugs when connected
to
the sets of blade apertures 24 do not overlie the central portion 32 to block
light from the light source. The cover 16 is also provided with openings 40
for
indicator light pipes 42 which are operatively connected to indicator lights
on
the printed circuit board 44 to indicate the proper operation of the GFCI as
shown in Fig. 1.
[0040] An indicator light is provided on one side of the cover 22 and circuit
board 44 to indicate power is supplied to the receptacle and an indicator
light
is provided on the opposite side to indicate the GFCI circuit is tripped. The
indicator lights are connected to the electrical circuitry of the GFCI to
provide a
visual indication to the user of the operating status of the GFCI circuit. The
light pipes 42 extend from the respective indicator lights to the front face
22 of
the cover 16. In the embodiment shown, the light pipes 42 have a rounded top
face that is oriented substantially flush with the front face of the cover so
that
the light projected by the light pipes can be observed by the user.
[0041] The electrical components of the GFCI circuit 38 as shown in Fig. 2
and Fig. 3 include the printed circuit board 44 that is mounted within the
internal cavity 20 of the housing 12. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the
printed circuit board 44 is attached to the base 14 in a central portion of
the
base below the central portion 32 of the cover 16 and between the electrical
contacts and the shutter mechanisms 26. The circuit board 44 includes
suitable circuitry to operate the GFCI as known in the art. In the embodiment
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shown, the test button 34, reset button 36 and indicator lights 42 are mounted
on or above the circuit board 44 and extend outwardly through the respective
openings in the front face 22 of the cover 16.
[0042] A photo sensor 46, light sensor or photo cell is coupled to the circuit
board 44 on a first side 48 and at least one and preferably two light sources
shown as LEDs 50 are mounted on a second side 52 opposite the first side 48.
The photo sensor 46 can be a known photo cell or sensor capable of measuring
ambient light and actuating the light source when the ambient light is below a
predetermined threshold level. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the photo sensor
46 is positioned along the side edge 48 of the circuit board 44 and along a
longitudinal side edge 53 of the front face 22 of the central portion 32 and
between the two sets of the blade apertures 24. Preferably the photo sensor 46
is spaced outwardly from the test button 34 and reset button 36 toward the
side edge 53 of the cover 16 and outwardly from the blade apertures 24.
[0043] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the light sources are two
LEDs mounted directly to the circuit board 44 although other light sources can
be used. Preferably two LEDs 50 are mounted on the same side of the circuit
board 44 and opposite the photo sensor 46 so that the light from the LEDs 50
does not interfere with the photo sensor 46 to reduce the risk of a possible
false
indicator of the ambient light level. The photo sensor 46 measures the ambient
light level in the area of use and is operatively connected to the circuit
board 44
and the LEDs 50 to actuate and illuminate the LEDs 50 when the ambient light
level is below a threshold level.
[0044] A light conducting member 54 functioning as a light pipe is provided
to direct the ambient light to the photo sensor 46. In one embodiment, the
light conducting member 54 is coupled to the cover 16 so that the light
conducting member 54 extends through an opening 56 in the cover 16. In the
embodiment shown, the light conducting member 54 has a substantially
cylindrical shape extending between the photo sensor 46 and the front face 22
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of the cover 16. The light conducting member 54 has a longitudinal length so
that the flat top face 58 is substantially flush with the front face 22 of the
cover
16. Alternatively the top face 58 can be positioned a slight distance outward
from the front face 22 or can be recessed with respect to the front face 22.
The
opening 56 for the light conducting member 54 has a frustoconical shaped
surface at the front face 22 to form a beveled edge and a conical shaped
recess
60 around the top edge of the light conducting member 54 to enable ambient
light to enter the light conducting member 54 through the top face 58 and the
upper side surface 62 of the light conducting member 54.
[0045] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the light conducting
member 54 has a bottom end with a concave bottom surface 64 forming a
recess opposite the top face 58. The concave bottom surface 64 is positioned
directly above the photo sensor 46 as shown in Fig. 7. The concave bottom
surface 64 of the light conducting member 54 is positioned sufficiently close
to
the photo sensor 46 to transmit ambient light from the area around the wiring
device 10 to the photo sensor 46. The photo sensor 46 includes wires 66
connected to the circuit board 44 or other electrical controls to actuate the
LEDs 50.
[0046] The cylindrical side surface of the light conducting member 54 has an
annular recess 68. The inner surface of the opening 56 and the cover 16 has a
detent 70 shown as an annular rib extending radially inwardly with respect to
the opening 56 for cooperating with the annular recess 68 of the light
conducting member 54 to capture and couple the light conducting member 54
to the cover 16. The detent 70 is received in the recess as shown in Fig. 7 by
inserting the light conducting member 54 into the opening 56 from the bottom
side of the cover 16. As shown in Fig. 7, the bottom edge of the opening 56
has
an angled surface forming a beveled to guide the light conducting member 54
and slide over the detent 70 to snap into the opening 56.
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[0047] Each of the LEDs 50 is provided with a light conducting member 72
to project the light from the LED in a selected direction as shown in Figs. 4
and
5. The light conducting members 72 define a light transmitting member for
emitting a light beam from the end of the light conducting members 72 to a
target area. The cover 16 includes openings 74 extending between the front
face 22 and the rear inner face 23 for receiving the light conducting members
72 to enable the light conducting members 72 to extend through the front face
22 of the cover 16 and rotate within the opening 74. In the embodiment shown
in Fig. 1, the two light conducting members 72 are provided in the central
portion 32 on one side of the test button 34 and reset button 36 and along a
side edge 76 of the cover 16. In one embodiment, the light conducting
members 72 are spaced outwardly from the blade apertures 24 toward the side
edge 76. In other embodiments, the light conducting members 72 can be
positioned on opposite sides of the buttons and central portion 32. It is
generally preferred to have the light conducting members 72 on the same side
76 of the housing and cover 16 and the photo sensor on an opposite side 78 to
avoid interference and reduce the possibility of false indications of the
ambient
light level. In other embodiments the light conducting members can be
positioned in other suitable locations on the front face of the electrical
wiring
device.
[0048] Referring to Fig. 4, each light conducting member 72 has a
substantially cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis extending between a
bottom inner face 80 and a top outer face 82. In the embodiment shown in
Figs. 8 and 9, the bottom inner face 80 is substantially flat and is
positioned
directly above the respective LED 50 to receive light from the LED and
transmit
the light along the longitudinal axis to the top outer face 82 where the light
is
projected outwardly. The light conducting members 72 define a light pipe and
light transmitting member for carrying the light from the LED and projecting a
light beam outwardly from the wiring device 10 in a predetermined direction.
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[0049] The side surface 84 of the light conducting member 72 includes an
annular recess 86 forming a bottom edge 88 and a top edge 90. As shown in
Figs. 5, 8 and 9 the opening 74 in the cover 16 has an inwardly extending
detent 92 that is received within the annular recess 86 between the bottom
edge 88 and the top edge 90 to attach the light conducting member 72 to the
cover 16. In the embodiment shown the detent 92 is a continuous annular rib
extending radially inwardly from the side wall of the opening 74 to engage the
annular recess 86 of the light conducting member 72. The light conducting
member 72 is mounted to the cover 16 for rotational adjustment with respect
to the cover 16 as indicated by arrows 100 in Fig. 1. The light conducting
member 72 can be manually rotated about the longitudinal axis to direct the
light emitted from the light conducting member in a selected direction.
Preferably each of the light conducting members rotates independently of the
other.
[0050] The outer top end of the light conducting member 72 has an inclined
face 94 forming a light projecting surface that is oriented at an incline with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the light conducting member and at an
incline with respect to the plane of the cover 16 as shown in Fig. 9 to
project a
light in a direction outwardly from the plane of the inclined top face 94 as
indicated by arrows 102 in Figs. 8 and 9. In the embodiment shown, the light
is projected from the light conducting member 72 substantially perpendicular
to the plane of the inclined face 94.The top outer face 82 is a minor surface
area relative to the surface area of the inclined face 94 and is oriented
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light conducting
member and parallel to the plane of the front face 22.
[0051] The inclined face 94 in the embodiment shown is oriented at an acute
angle of about 30 with respect to the front face 22 of the cover and at an
angle
of about 600 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light conducting
member 74. The angle of the inclined face 94 can be selected depending on the
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desired projecting angle of the light beam and the shape of the face 94. The
light conducting member 72 functions is a light pipe to direct the light from
the
LED 50 outwardly from the front face 22 of the cover 16 at an inclined angle
with respect to the front face 22. The inclined face 94 is shown as being
substantially flat. In alternative embodiments, the inclined face can be
curved
to form a convex surface to define lens for focusing the light or a concave
surface. In further embodiments, the outer face of the light conducting
members 72 can have other suitable shapes with one or more surfaces capable
of projecting a beam of light in a selected direction so that adjusting the
position of the light conducting members enable focusing the light beam to a
selected target area.
[0052] The opening 74 for the light conducting member 72 has a top end
with an inclined surface 96 forming a conical shaped recess adjacent the front
face 22 surrounding the light conducting member 72. The top face 82 of the
light conducting member 72 in one embodiment shown in Fig. 5 extends a
slight distance above the front face 22 a distance to enable the light to be
projected away from the front face 22 and to allow the user to manually grip
the top end and manually rotate the light conducting member 72 to orient the
inclined surface 96 in a selected direction thereby projecting the light beam
to
a desired target area.
[0053] During use, the device 10 is mounted in a standard electrical box and
coupled to the power source to provide electrical power to the electrical
contacts and components of the device. The photo sensor detects the ambient
light levels and produces a signal to actuate the LEDs 50 when the light level
is
below a predetermined level. The user is able to rotate each of the light
conducting members 72 of the light emitting assembly independently of each
other to position the outer face in a desired orientation, thereby projecting
light
from each light conducting member 72 in a selected direction to illuminate a
selected target area. Each of the light conducting members is independently
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adjustable to direct the light in selected patterns or areas as depicted in
Fig.
10. For example, the device can be mounted on a wall as shown in Fig. 10 so
that the light conducting members can be oriented to direct a light beam 104
downwardly toward the floor or to one side toward a doorway. The LEDs 50
and the light conducting members 72 are able to project a light beam with
sufficient brightness and intensity to illuminate a target area.
[0054] While various embodiments have been selected to illustrate the
invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes
and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention.
