Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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This application relates to a lighting device for
illuminating a key slot or key hole.
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The difficulty of inserting a key into a key slot or
key hole in conditions of darkness is an ongoing problem for
which solutions are proposed from time to time. As is common
knowledge, none of the solutions have been widely adopted.
One series of solutions involves the use of an electric
light connected to the electrical circuit of the building of
which the door is a part. ~uch lights are normally intended to
illuminate the entire door area and only incidentally illuminate
the key slot. Furthermore, such lights normally cannot be
activated from outside the door, so it will generally be
necessary that they be left activated for extended periods of
time whenever it is expected that any one will require to unlock
the door from the outside.
Another group of devices for the illumination of door
slots comprises miniature flashlights of various configurations.
These are often bulky and relatively heavy or else inconvenient
to use, frequently requiring that the door unlocking operation
involve both hands. In cases where flashlights are designed to
be carried, for example, on key chains, the manipulation required
to unlock the door is substantial and, again, normally requires
both hands.
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The present invention is directed toward a solution to
a number of these difficulties. A key slot illuminating device
is provided which is permanently installed adjacent a key slot
and which may require either that only one hand be required to
activate the device and unlock the door or that the device may be
activated by a hand, elbow or the like in the case where the arm
may be supporting a load.
PRIOR ART
While applicant is unaware of any similar devices,
currently available, several patents serve to illustrate aspects
of the prior art.
Thus, U.S. Patent 3,916,250, issued October 28, 1975,
to Brock, et al. teaches a door lock lighting system for use in
automobiles. The light is activated by manipulation of the door
handle.
Canadian Patent 229,683, issued May 17, 1919, to
Boltshauser, describes a pocket electric lamp activated by a
switch member mounted on the casing.
Canadian Patent 1,041,974, issued August 18, 1975, to
Brindley, illustrates a conventional waterproof flashlight
including a push button switch to activate the light.
None of these patents provide similar structural
components nor the functional advantages of the present
invention.
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SVMMARY OF THE PRES13NT INVEN~ION
An illuminating device has been developed for permanent
installation adjacent the key slot in a door which is readily
manipulable to activate a bulb providing illumination for the key
slot. Various structural features of the device provide
particular advantages.
Accordingly, the invention provides a key slot
illuminating device comprising a base plate having at least one
electrically conductive contact mounted thereon; a non
electrically conductive outer casing mounted on the base plate
and having a socket for receiving an illumination device in one
side thereof and an opening in the side thereof opposite to the
base plate, a battery compartment within the casing, extending
partly through the opening, and including a non-electrically
conductive housing, mounting contacts within the housing for at
least one battery and at least one electrically conducting
projection extending from the housing toward the base plate, the
compartment mounted in the casing for movement between a first
position in which at least one projection is spaced fxom at least
one conductive contact to a second position in which at least one
projection abuts against at least one conductive contact; means
biasing the compartment toward the first position; and electrical
circuitry connecting one side of the mounting contacts to at
least one projection, at least one conductive contact to the
illumination device, and the illumination device to the other
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side of the mounting contacts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE D~AWIN S
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the
invention:
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a device according to
the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section through the device
of FIGURE l;
FIGURE 3 is a transverse section through the device of
FIGURE l;
FIGURE 4 illustrates circuitry for the invention
including an electronically delayed shut-off circuit.
FIGURE 5 is a perspective v~ew of a device according to
the invention;
FIGURE 6 illustrates a typical mounting location for a
device according to the invention;
FIGURE 7 illustrates an alternative mounting location
for a device according to the invention;
FIGURE 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the
invention;
FIGURE 9 illustrates a further embodiment of the
invention; and
FIGURE 10 illustrates a wiring diagram for the
em~odiment of FIGURE 9.
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While the invention will be described in conjunction
with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is
not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH~ INVENTIO~
In the following description, similar features in the
drawings have been given similar reference numerals.
The key slot illuminating device 10 comprises a base
plate 12 to which a casing 14 is secured by means of screws 16.
The casing includes a first opening 18 which is conventionally
adapted to receive an illuminating device which is preferably a
bulb or lamp 20.
The opening 18 may be fitted with an insert comprising
a socket 22 into which lamp 20 is fitted in conventional manner.
The casing 14 includes a second opening 24 in one of
the sides thereof. As illustrated in the drawings, the opening
24 is located in the front face 26 of casing 14. Front face 26
is opposite to base plate 12. This is the preferred
configuration.
The battery compartment 28 includes the housing 30 and
the cover plate 32. The housing 30 includes a circumferential
flange 34, which is preferably integral with the housing.
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The exterior dimensions of the top section 36 of the
battery compartment 28 are just less than the dimensions of the
opening 24, and a part of the housing 30 including the cover
plate 32 extends through the opening 24 and is slidable in that
opening. The outer limit of movement of the housing 30 through
the opening 24 is established by the flange 34 which at the outer
limit of movement abuts against the underside 35 of the front
face 26 of casing 14.
The housing 30 is biased toward the outer limit of its
movement through opening 24 by springs 37 and 39. While various
numbers and configurations of springs might be utilized for this
purpose, it is preferable that a pair of leaf-type springs be
utilized. The springs 37 and 39 are secured to the bottom 46 of
the housing 30. Alternatively, the springs could be secured to
the base plate 12.
In the configuration illustrated in the drawings, the
relationship between the flange 34 and top section 36 of the
housing 30, and the edges 38 of opening 24 maintains the lateral
positioning of the housing 30.
As illustrated in the drawings, a series of three
electrically conducting projections 40, 42 and 44 extend from a
position inside the compartment 28 through the bottom 46 of the
housing 30. In the rest position of the device, as illustrated
in the drawings, the ends 48 of projections 40, 42 and 44 are
spaced from the base plate 12. When pressure is applied to the
cover plate 32 against the bias of springs 37 and 39, the limit
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of travel of the housing 30 in the direction of the base plate 12
is established by contact between the ends 48 of projections 40,
42 and 44 and base plate 12. The sides 50 and 52 of housing 30
carry mounting contacts 54, 55 and 56 respectively. These
mounting contacts are adapted to receive a battery or batteries
to supply power to the device. The particular battery
configuration chosen is a matter of choice which will depend on
factors known to a person skilled in the art.
The components discussed above are electrically
connected in such manner that depression of the compartment 28 by
application of finger or similar pressure to the cover plate 32
will result in completion of a circuit to activate lamp 20.
Thus, the base plate 12 is comprised of an electrically
conductive material and is electrically connected by a conductor
58 to the negative terminal 60 of socket 22. The positive
terminal 62 of socket 22 is connected to battery mounting contact
54 by means of conductor 63. Battery mounting terminal 55 is a
common terminal adapted for contact with the negative end of
battery 64 and the positive terminal of second battery 66 (i.e.,
the batteries are series connected). The negative end of battery
66 is in contact with the third mounting contact 56. As
illustrated, the device of FIGURES 1 to 3 is arranged to be
powered by a pair of cells or batteries, preferably of the AA or
AAA type. While shown in the drawings for convenience of
explanation, the batteries clearly are not part of the invention.
The mounting contact 56 is connected by a conductor 68
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to the upper ends 70, 72 and 74 of projections 40, 42 and 44,
respectively, within battery compartment 28. The battery
mounting contacts may be of a conventional spring biased type.
The conductors may be wires, metalic strips, or the
like as desired.
Thus, when bulb 20 and battery 64 and 66 are in
position in the circuit, the circuit is complete but for the
spacing between the ends 48 of the projections 40, 42 and 44 and
the base plate 12. When pressure is applied to the cover plate
32 to move the battery compartment 28 against the bias of springs
37 and 39, the ends 48 of projections 40, 42 and 44 will contact
the conductive base plate 12, the circuit will be complete and
the lamp will light.
Clearly, the conductive base plate may be replaced by a
non-conductive base plate having contact areas to receive the
ends of projections 40, 42 and 44 and conductors joining the
contact areas to the terminal of the lamp.
In a further embodiment of the invention, additional
circuit components are interposed into the circuit to affect a
delayed shut-off of the device once it has been activated. An
appropriate circuit is illustrated in FIGURE 4. In this case the
batteries 64 and 66 would preferably be replaced by a single 9
volt battery. Space is provided for the additional components
between socket 22 and battery compartment 28 or preferably in the
space indicated by 29 in FIGURE 1. With reference to FIGURE 4,
the closing of the circuit by contact between projections 40, 42
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and 44 and base plate 12 applies a voltage to the base of
transistor 76. Transistor 76 turns on and allows current to pass
energizing the relay contact 78 to light lamp ~0. At the same
time the capacitor 80 becomes fully charged. When pressure is
removed from cover plate 32 to allow contact between projections
40, 42 and 44 and base plate 12 to be broken, the capacitor
slowly discharges through resistors 82 and 84. At this point the
lamp 20 remains energized. As the capacitor discharges and the
voltage drops, the transistor 76 will turn off, relay contact 78
opens and the lamp 20 goes out.
The components can be chosen to provide the desired
delay which would normally ideally be in the area of ten to
fifteen seconds.
FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate mounting techniques for
attaching the device to a door or door frame. With reference to
FIGURE 6, the presence of the projecting door stop 86
necessitates the use of block 88, such as a wooden block, to
support the device 10. For the lock type illustrated in FIGURE
6, with the key slot 90 in the end of door knob 92, a placement
of the bulb 20 is of importance, since it must be located
outwardly beyond the end of door knob 92. For that reason it is
preferable in that situation to locate the bulb in the position
shown offset in the casing 14.
The positioning of the bulb 20 shown in FIGURE 6 is of
particular relevance to the situation where a screen or storm
door is located to the outside of the main door 96. In that
situation there is generally very little space between the two
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doors. The device 10 must therefore be mounted close to the main
door 96, and the placement of the bulb 20 toward the outer edge
of device 10 is necessary.
FIGURE 7 illustrates the use of the device where the
lock is of the mortise or deadbolt type. In this case the key
slot 90 is more nearly flush with the surface 94 of door 96, and
the placing of the bulb 20 is less important.
FIGURE 8 illustrates an embodiment in which a light
diffuser or lens cover 98 has been added over lamp 20.
FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment in which the
casing 14 has been extended by an area 100, to form a second
battery compartment 102. The compartment 102 has been wired to
receive the two AA or AAA batteries 164 and 166. In this
embodiment the batteries 164 and 166 are wired as illustrated at
104 in FIGURE 10 to power the lamp 20.
The FIGURE 9 and 10 embodiment utilizes the original
battery compartment 28 to house a 9 volt battery 106 to drive a
delay circuit illustrated at 108 in FIGURE 10.
The combination of circuits 104 and 108 allows the
batteries 164 and 166 to power only the lamp 20 and the battery
106 to power only the delay circuit. This arrangement prolongs
battery life and, as well, permits the use of a readily available
2.3 volt lamp 20.
Except as specifically noted, reference numerals in
FIGURES 9 and 10 are the same as those of the earlier drawings.
In all of these situations, various types of
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weatherproof coverings can be added if desired.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in
accordance with the invention a key slot illuminating device that
fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth
above. While the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad
scope of the invention.
