US4546419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wall receptacle recessed box contained light intensity on/off controlled night light system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-11-05
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Granted: 1985-10-08
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Expires: 2004-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A wall recessed receptacle box contained night light with a photocell light intensity dusk-dawn (or room illumination) on/off switch control equipped with manual dimming control for a darker/brighter night light atmosphere. The night light box is insertable in a recessed box in the wall otherwise used for a normal receptacle outlet and includes at least one plug in receptacle with the light translucent or transparent cover close to flush with the wall in the recessed night light box. The night light has an internal light bulb that may be easily replaced by removing a retaining screw at the top of the cover so that the bottom hinge mounted cover may be pivoted out and down to not only expose the bulb to be replaced but also automatically simultaneously disconnect the electric supply from the bulb socket and eliminate power from the bottom of the bulb in the socket for safety.
Inventors
- 👤 Kelli J. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:32
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V19/00; F21V19/04; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/02; F21S8/024; F21V23/00; F21V23/04; F21V25/00; F21V25/02; F21V25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
314 words
A wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light comprising: a night light with night light bulb and control circuitry contained in a night light box receivable in a wall receptacle recessed box in its operational state; a face plate covering the opening in the wall of the wall receptacle receiving said night light box; a light transmitting cover mounted on said face plate and enclosing an opening in said face plate; a photocell for dusk/dawn on/off switching control of said night light-box mounted in said face plate for sensing the intensity of light impinging on said face plate; signal intensity trigger circuit means responsive to the electrical signal generated by said photocell for on/off switching control of power to said night light bulb; and power supply means connected to said signal intensity trigger circuit means; wherein said face plate is fastened to a wall by screw fastening means; said light transmitting cover is part of a cover structure pivotally mounted on the bottom to said face plate and fastened to the face plate at the top by screw fastening means in the closed state; an inwardly extended flange, including a bulb socket thereon extending inwardly from and a part of said cover structure to mount a light bulb thereon such that the bulb is lifted up and out through the opening in said face plate when said light transmitting cover with said cover structure is pivoted to the open state when said screw fastening means is removed from the face plate; and wherein said socket for said light bulb is connected to common-ground; and a metal contact mounted in said night light box positioned to be engaged by the bottom contact of said light bulb when the light bulb is pivoted down to the operational position when said light transmitting cover with said cover structure is pivoted to the closed state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
314 words
A wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light comprising: a night light with night light bulb and control circuitry contained in a night light box receivable in a wall receptacle recessed box in its operational state; a face plate covering the opening in the wall of the wall receptacle receiving said night light box; a light transmitting cover mounted on said face plate and enclosing an opening in said face plate; a photocell for dusk/dawn on/off switching control of said night light-box mounted in said face plate for sensing the intensity of light impinging on said face plate; signal intensity trigger circuit means responsive to the electrical signal generated by said photocell for on/off switching control of power to said night light bulb; and power supply means connected to said signal intensity trigger circuit means; wherein said face plate is fastened to a wall by screw fastening means; said light transmitting cover is part of a cover structure pivotally mounted on the bottom to said face plate and fastened to the face plate at the top by screw fastening means in the closed state; an inwardly extended flange, including a bulb socket thereon extending inwardly from and a part of said cover structure to mount a light bulb thereon such that the bulb is lifted up and out through the opening in said face plate when said light transmitting cover with said cover structure is pivoted to the open state when said screw fastening means is removed from the face plate; and wherein said socket for said light bulb is connected to common-ground; and a metal contact mounted in said night light box positioned to be engaged by the bottom contact of said light bulb when the light bulb is pivoted down to the operational position when said light transmitting cover with said cover structure is pivoted to the closed state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 1, wherein hot circuit line means is connected from said power supply through said control circuitry to said metal contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wall receptable recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 2, wherein said metal contact is a resiliently flexible spring metal contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 3, wherein said night light box includes a receptacle power outlet socket having a body mounted on, extending through to the front of said face plate, and extending through to rear from said face plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 4, wherein said receptacle power outlet socket is mounted in said face plate below said light transmitting cover structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 5, wherein the top of the body extending to rear from said face plate is a mount for said metal contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 6, wherein said control circuitry includes a potentiometer dimming control for darker/brighter night light atmosphere during night time hours when normal room illumination is turned off.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 7, wherein said potentiometer is mounted on said face plate with the potentiometer tap adjustment means accessable for setting from the front of said face plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 8, wherein said bulb socket is a threaded metal socket mounted in said inwardly extended flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 9, wherein connection of said bulb socket to common ground includes a loop of flexible insulated electric wire of sufficient length to accommodate movement of said bulb socket through the range of pivoted movement thereof with movement of said inwardly extended flange with pivoted opening and closing of said cover structure for bulb changes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 10, wherein most of said night light structure is contained behind the front face of said face plate with said light transmitting cover extended forward from the front face of said face plate to a very small extent as related to the width and heighth thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 11, wherein said light transmitting cover is rectangular in shape with bevel sloped edges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 12, wherein said face plate is extended laterally to the extent of forming a double face plate mountable on a wall and supporting additional control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wall receptacle recessed box light intensity on/off controlled night light of claim 5, wherein said receptacle power outlet socket is a three prong plug socket.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-07 | 1989-04-08 | 1989-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-07 | 1993-04-08 | 1993-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-07 | 1997-04-08 | 1997-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |