Multiple functions LED night light

Abstract

A multiple function LED night light has at least one LED device and added function(s) such as an air-freshener adaptor device, sonic device, frequency device, sensor device, bug repeller device, second light device, timepiece, electric message device, timer device, temperature device, surge protection device, electric short circuit protection device, base device for installation on an existing lamp socket, emergency light device, or any other electric device(s) suitable for home use to keep people comfortable or safe. The LED device has a first optic means to change the narrow-viewing angle of an LED's spot-light beams into a wider-viewing angle and second optic means to help make the LED night light exhibit a smooth lighting effect. The device may be arranged to fit into an existing night light bulb socket to turn any existing bulb night light into a power saving LED night light.

Claims

1. A multiple function LED night light, comprising: at least one LED; at least one first optical element; a built-in fixed and non-pivotal outer front lens or second optical element, wherein the at least one first optical element includes at least one of: (i) an elongate member or tube; (ii) a cone; (iii) an annular piece having multiple levels, diameters, rings, reflective pieces or refractive pieces; or (iv) an at least partially cylindrical shape, wherein the first optical element causes a spotlight beam from the at least one LED to spread out into a plurality of light beams incident on (a) an inner surface of the front lens or second optical element, or (b) an inner wall of the night light to provide uniform brightness illumination through the front lens or second optical element; wherein the night light further includes at least one electrical circuit connected to at least one prong to deliver electricity from a home wall power source to the at least one LED and to at least one added function device, and wherein the at least one added function device includes a color LED or a second light device to provide light functions that are in addition to the uniform brightness illumination provided by the light beams incident on the front lens or second optical element.

2. The multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one LED is one of a single color LED, a plurality of colored LEDs, and a multiple color LED.

3. The multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the night light is arranged to accommodate at least one of an added adaptor, outlet unit, electric device receiving structure for supplying power to the electric device, or a surge protection device.

4. The multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one added function is selected from at least one of the following functions: (i) a power fail light, emergency light, or backup battery powered flashlight function; (ii) a multiple LED light function in which a plurality of LEDs face outwardly and emit light through a translucent, whitened, textured, sand-blasted, or colored injection molded contoured optical element; (iii) an indicator light function for indicating a charging status, power on/off status, surge system status, ground status, protected status, or switch location status; (iv) color changing, color selection, auto color changing, or color freezing, controlled by an integrated circuit.

5. The multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one added-function device includes at least one of female conductive receptacle-assembly to receive at least one of male electric plug of another product to deliver power to the product.

6. A multiple function LED night light, comprising: at least one LED arranged to emit light through a first optical element to a fixed front lens or fixed second optical element wherein the at least one first optical element includes at least one of: (v) an elongate member or tube; (vi) a cone; (vii) an annular piece having multiple levels, diameters, rings, reflective pieces or refractive pieces; (viii) an at least partially cylindrical shape; or (ix) a linear or elongated piece having at least one reflective or refractive surface, and wherein the first optical element causes a spotlight beam from the at least one LED to spread out into a plurality of light beams incident on (a) an inner surface of the front lens or second optical element, or (b) an inner wall of the night light to provide uniform brightness illumination through the front lens or second optical element; wherein the night light further includes at least one electrical circuit connected to at least one prong to deliver electricity from a home wall power source to the at least one LED and to at least one added function device, wherein the added function device is a non-wireless electrical device that is in addition to the at least one LED to provide a function other than said uniform brightness illumination, wherein the at least one electric circuit includes electrical components selected from the group consisting of a resistor, capacitor, switch, sensor, diode, inductor, transformer, and integrated circuit, and wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to drive the at least one LED according to a predetermined timing, effects, and brightness and thereby provide said function other than said uniform brightness illumination.

7. An LED night light, comprising: at least one LED arranged to emit light through a first optical element or a second optical element included in a separate unit without a rear housing and that is assembled with a prong base by at least one clip or screw, wherein the first optical element is positioned in front of the at least one LED to prevent people from touching said at least one LED and other inner parts of the LED night light, wherein light beams exiting the first optical element are emitted to at least one of: (i) an inner surface of the second optical element; (ii) an inner wall of the night light; (iii) a home wall having an outlet for receiving a prong, the home wall being exposed by the lack of a rear housing, wherein the light beams exiting the first optical element reflect, refract, or reflect and refract multiple times between or within at least one of the first optical element, the second optical element, the inner wall of the night light, and the home wall, to provide a uniform brightness illumination function, wherein the night light further includes at least one electrical circuit connected to at least one prong to deliver electricity from a home wall power source to the at least one LED and to at least one added function device, wherein the added function device is a non-wireless electrical device that is in addition to the at least one LED to provide a function other than said uniform brightness illumination, wherein the at least one electric circuit includes electrical components selected from the group consisting of a resistor, capacitor, switch, sensor, diode, inductor, transformer, and integrated circuit, and wherein the at least one electric circuit is configured to drive the at least one LED according to a predetermined timing, effects, and brightness and thereby provide said function other than said uniform brightness illumination.

8. The multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one added function device includes at least one multiple position switch to select, change, set, or adjust at least one of (i) brightness, (ii) color, (iii), motion sensor or photo sensor control functions, (iv) color auto changing, (v) color holding or freezing, (vi) power fail light on/off/auto functions, (vii) power on or off, or (viii) reset upon detection of a power surge or short circuit.

9. A multiple function LED night light, comprising: at least one LED arranged to serve as a light source for: (a) providing even brightness illumination of an outer front lens, the outer front lens being translucent, whitened, textured or painted, wherein light emitted by the at least one LED is reflected, refracted, or reflected and refracted multiple time between or within at least one of: (a1) a first optical lens that is either a tube, cone, piece with reflective or refractive surfaces, ring construction, or lens having multiple surfaces or levels to reflect and refract light and split it into a plurality of light beams without diffusion, and (a2) a second optical lens having reflective and refractive properties with at least one white treatment, tooled translucence, painting, or tooled texture; or (a3) light reflecting inner housing wall, or (b) a location or status indicator light positioned behind or prismatic, treated, or translucent lens; and at least one electrical circuit connected to at least one prong to deliver electricity from a home wall power source to the at least one LED and to at least one added function device, wherein the added function device is installed on a housing of the night light.

10. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is at least one of an (1) an air-freshener, (2) a sound or audio device, (3) a bug repeller, (4) a time, date, or weather device, and (5) a timer to set a sleep or wakeup light with an alarm setting device.

11. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is an electrically conductive receiving-end, adaptor, electrical power output device, or outlet device to supply power to another product.

12. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is a second LED light with an integrated circuit to provide a multiple-color light performance.

13. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is a second LED light device to provide a power fail light, emergency light or flashlight function with a backup battery and that emits light from a second location different from the outer front lens.

14. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the additional function device is a second LED light for indicator-light to show one of status or location of night light or protected system status.

15. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device includes a plurality of LEDs with an integrated circuit for multiple color light effects including at least one of auto changing light effects and color selection.

16. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device includes a plurality of LEDs to emit light through at least one front translucent lens.

17. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is a surge, short circuit, overcharge, or overheat protection device, or another safety device, with at least one AC outlet.

18. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is a switch having more than one position to set, adjust, or select at least one of colors, brightness, sound, time, auto changing color, color freezing, or an on/auto/off power function.

19. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device is an AC outlet with female receiving-ends or ports.

20. A multiple function LED night light as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one added function device includes a sensor system selected from a motion PIR sensor, a photosensor, or radar sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIGS. 1-4 are perspective views taken from different viewing angles showing a first preferred embodiment of a multiple function of LED night light.

(2) FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away front view showing construction details of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

(3) FIGS. 6-10 are perspective views at different viewing angles of a second preferred embodiment of a multiple function LED night light.

(4) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of third preferred embodiment of a multiple function of LED light.

(5) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a multiple function LED light.

(6) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a multiple function of LED light with a base device for installation on an existing lamp socket,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a multiple functions LED night light in which the added function is adaptor device. The added function(s) may alternatively be selected from the devices described in FIG. 13 shown bug-repeller or-and 2.sup.nd electric device or-and copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/527,631; 11/527,629; 11/498,881; 11/498,874; and 11/527,628 etc., such as an (i) air freshener, (ii) adaptor device, (iii) sonic device, (iv) frequency device, (v) bug repeller device, (vi) second light device, (vii) timepiece, (viii) electric message device, (ix) timer device, (x) temperature device, (xi) surge protection device, (xii) electric short circuit protection device, (xiii) base device for installation on an existing lamp socket, (xiv) emergency light device, or (xv) any other electric device(s) suitable for home use to keep people comfortable or safe. The added function(s) may be one to N (any number) to make a very practical multiple functions LED night light.

(8) As shown in FIG. 1, the multiple function LED night light (1) has a back housing (10) assembled with a front housing (20) and arranged to capture prong (30) (30) (31) within and enable delivery of electricity from the outlet AC power source through the adaptors (20) to the other electric appliance device (not shown). An optics-lens (40) exhibits light effects from the inner LED or LEDs to provide a light performance having predetermined functions, time, duration and so forth as required.

(9) FIGS. 2, 3, 4 show the multiple function LED night light of FIG. 1 from different viewing angles. FIG. 5 shows details of the inner construction of one of preferred embodiment of variety of the multiple function LED night light (5) which has a back housing (100) and which holds an optic-lens or optics medium (400) having a ring design which is adjacent a circuit board (50) that connected to prong (300) (300) to deliver input home electricity to circuit-board (50) and the LEDs (60) (70) and cause the LEDs (60) (70) to emit a light beam into the optic-lens or optics medium (400) from the two input ends (60) and (70). The preferred ring optics-lens or preferred optic-medium has input ends are U shaped so as to allow as many of the light beams emitted from the LEDs (60) (70) to enter the optic-lens or optics medium as possible. Some applications may have other designs for the optic-lens or optics medium and input ends, which is not a limitation for the current invention's preferred embodiment description. The input ends design can be any type which is still within the current invention scope. The prong (310) is a grounded type to provide more safety for the adaptor device. This prong arrangement can be varied depending on the different requirements of safety authorities or governments.

(10) The optic-lens or optics medium and of FIG. 5 may have different arrangements that use sand-blasting to make the surface very rough and allow all the light to travel within without excess leakage, or use a plurality of the air-bubbles (or equivalent reflectors) inside the optic-lens or optics medium and to cause light beams from the LEDs to exit the optic-lens or optics medium big-surface not the ends and make whole piece or big-surface of optics-lens or-and optics medium with splendid bright spots showing along the length of the medium.

(11) As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit (50) may incorporate desired electric components selected from the group including, alone or in combination, at least one resistor, capacitor, switch, sensor, diode, inductor, transformer, integrated circuit (hereafter as IC), or any available components suitable for electrically driving LED(s) to have predetermined functions, duration, time, effects, and/or brightness. The appropriate conductive-piece(s) used for the electric connection to the prong (300) (300) (310) and LEDs (60) (70). The said conductive-piece(s) can be obtained from the marketplace and may include electric wires, and/or a wire-harness, cable, spring, metal piece, or other conductive-piece(s) without departing from the scope of the invention, as long as an electric signal can be delivered from the circuit (50) to the prong and LEDs.

(12) FIGS. 6-10 show the same features as FIGS. 1-5, the only difference being the different housing and optic-lens design with different space to arrange the LEDs, prong, circuit, and added device(s) on the LED night light. From FIG. 6, The said LED light has base (6a) has circuitry inside to change AC current from outlet into desired current for inner LED or LED(s) light source(s) to turn-on and turn-off with desired functions. The LED or LED(s) light-beam emit to the 2.sup.nd preferred optic-lens or optics-medium (6d) (6c) which has same or different treatment(s) to make the narrow emit-angle LED or LED(s) light beam to spread out to whole or big-size surface of the said optics-lens (6d) or optics-medium (6c) and the different with optics-lens (400) at the shape and inner construction. The said FIG. 5 is solid and circle or donut or arc shape and is solid-piece without any hollow-inside or space-inside to add parts inside and optic-lens (400) emit light from whole body or length to let people see the illumination for big-area(s) not the ends. The optics-lens (6c) and (6d) same as the FIG. 5 the lens surface has desired treatment including same as FIG. 5 sand-blaster or other textures or marking to make the narrow emit-out LED light beams to passing through and make a whole optics-lens or big-area for illumination. This is not same as Prior arts to have ends glow or had tube on top with extra-piece to make the light-beam to be seem on whole surface of the optics-lens (400) or (6c) (6d). From the FIG. 6 optics-lens (6c) or (6d) is not a solid piece and it is a slim-piece to save plastic-expensive cost but can spread-out LED light-beam to whole or big-size surface.

(13) From FIG. 6 can see LED narrow emit-out light beam through the optics-lens (6c) (6d) spread out to wider areas as FIG. 7 (7b).

(14) FIG. 8 shows the optics-lens (8g) with preferred textures or marking or optics-designs (not shown, but same as optics-lens (400) of FIG. 5, which has a sand-blaster treatment) on the one or two surface of the optics-lens sections (8f)(8e) of optics lens (8g).

(15) FIG. 9 the front the optics-lens (9a) or-and (9b) or-and (9c), which spread-out the light-beam to make wider-area illumination. The said added function or-and 2.sup.nd electric-functions can be like the ports (9d) (9e) or adaptor-hole (9f) which also can be a 3 prongs outlets to allow other electric-device 3 male-prongs to insert as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. The said ports (9d) (9e) or adaptor-hole (9f) also can be any other 2.sup.nd functions as above discussed (i) to (xv) 15 preferred type of the 2.sup.nd electric-functions.

(16) From FIG. 10 show the preferred embodiment has optic-lens (10a) (10b) (10c) which has desired texture or optics-design to make desired-areas has illumination from inner LED or LED(s) in any type and combination with desired circuitry to make desired light-show.

(17) FIG. 11 shows a multiple function LED night light, in which the added function (801) can be selected from the group including any as above and below discussed (i) to (xv) 15 examples for 2.sup.nd-functions list but not limited for these 15 examples of 2.sup.nd or more functions, or-and as disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/527,631; 11/527,629; 11/498,881; 11/498,874; and 11/527,628 etc., of an air freshener, adaptor device, sonic device, frequency device, bug repeller device, second light device, timepiece, electric message device, timer device, temperature device, surge protection device, electric short circuit protection device, base device for installation on an existing lamp socket, emergency light device, or any other electric device(s) suitable for home use to keep people comfortable or safe.

(18) From FIG. 12 also shows a multiple function LED night light whose added functions can be selected from the above listed functions.

(19) From FIG. 13 shows a multiple function LED night light in which a special LED bulb (13) is included in the existing multiple function bulb night light housing with added function (13). The multiple function LED night light of FIG. 13 has at least one LED device is built-in or add-on to installed on a geometric base that also has the added electric, mechanical, or chemical function. The LED light unit has base and has a bulb socket to accept the conventional bulb base, which may selected from a screw type, pin type, rivet type, or knob type. The LED device has built-in circuit to change the original LED-light prong input-end AC electric signal to an LED's DC electric signal so as to turn on the LED(s) to exhibit predetermined function, duration, time, and/or brightness and light effects.

(20) As shown in FIG. 13, the LED-light base (13) has a female bulb socket (80) and added adaptor function provided by the adaptor receptacles (3000) (3000) (3100), which offer electricity to other electric appliances while the prong (3200) (3200) are connected to the wall outlet. At the same time, while prong (3200) (3200) are connected with the wall outlet power source, the bulb socket (80) also will receive the wall outlet AC power source electric signal, which in the USA is around 110 Volt, 60 Hz, to turn on the said built-in or added-on LED bulb. On the other hand, specially designed LED bulb device (13) has a built-in circuit to change the wall outlet power source of 110V AC, 60 Hz to the working voltage and frequency of the LED(s) with desired control-kits such as a photo sensor, PIR sensor, manual switch, or other control available in the marketplace to turn on LED(s) according to pre-determined functions, brightness, duration, and time.

(21) The LED bulb (13) that fits into or built-into the bulb socket (80) has a base type (81) which may be but is not limited to a screw type base as shown in FIG. 13. The bulb base (81) has two electric terminals (83) and (82) to connect with electric signal electrodes (not shown) through an inner lamp holder (80) which is connected with a prong (3200) (3200). The AC electric signal from the two electric terminals (83) and (82) is supplied to the circuit board (81), which changes the AC electric signal from home appliance electric current to LED working DC current and turns on the LED (85) for single color or multiple colors to provide a desired light performance. The LED (85) is located on the side of the circuit board (81) and connected with circuitry (81) and circuitry connect with the bulb base electric terminals (82) (83) by conventional conductive-piece in circuit board (81). The electric components (88) (85) may be installed on the circuit board (81) or connected by conductive-piece (87) (84) away from the circuit board (81) because some components may be too big and unable to fit within the bulb base (81). The circuit board (81) is a narrow elongated board inserted into the bulb base (81), which is different with the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,679 (Zhang et al.) issued on May 8, 2001. The Zhang patent discloses a circuit board located on the top of the base, in a vertical relation to the circuit board and base. Also, in the arrangement of Zhang, the LEDs are not located on one side of the circuit board but rather are applied on the circuit board with a certain angle to the circuit board surface. This is because Zhang does not realize that the distance between the LED tip and the top cover is way too close and it is impossible to eliminate the spot-light problem of an LED light beam therefore cannot get a good light performance on the bulb surface. The current invention uses the invention described in one of the copending applications listed above, of an LED night light with more than one optics-lens, to make the spot-light beam into an area-light by first optics-lens. By adding a second optics-lens, the light beams brightness will be very close at every point on the desired area or surface.

(22) As shown in FIG. 13, LED (85) on is situated on the edge of the circuit board (81) and positioned such that light beams from the LED are input to the first optics-lens (89) to cause the light beams to travel within the first optics-lens (89). The top may use a dome shape design or a V shape design to collect light beams that hit the top area of the first optics-lens. It will be appreciated that all equivalent treatments such as metallization of the top area or adding reflective arrangements within the first optics medium will be still fall within the scope of the invention. The LED device (13b) with screw type base can fit into a bulb night light's base socket (80) to replace the bulb and let the existing bulb night light become an LED night light without having to purchase a brand new unit to save money and change the big power consumption device into a lower power consumption device in seconds.

(23) This arrangement solves the problem with the arrangement disclosed in the Zhang patent cited above that there is not enough space in a night light having the most popular dimensions to achieve a good area lighting effect. The most popular night light length is around 88 mm+/50 mm (with base). The lens height is around 60 mm+/30 mm (without base). The distance from the wall outlet cover to the highest point of the night light edge is around 35 mm+/15 mm (from outlet cover surface). If placed in the same location as the existing bulb night light, the distance from the bulb socket to the wall outlet surface will be less than 35 mm. This distance from the wall to outside of the lens will only be less than 35 mm+/15 mm. It is too short to change the spot-light effect of the LEDs into a surface or area lighting effect. The solution, as disclosed in the copending application is to use two optics to get a good surface or area lighted effect. This will be the best because LED night light power consumption falls within the 0.3 W+/100% per LED range, whereas a bulb night light falls within a 4 Watt+/50% per bulb range. As a result, the LED night light will have a big power saving and help reduce monthly electric bills for the consumer.

(24) From above discussed and mentioned of preferred embodiments to show the scope of the current invention, it is appreciated that any alternative or equivalent functions of design still within the scope of the invention but not limited to all above discussion and mentioned details. The alternative or equivalent arrangement, process, installation or the like design, changes from the current invention still fall within the scope of the current invention.