Patent ID: 6642452
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: H02G

Abstract:
A cover plate for an electric switch, outlet or plug to be mounted on an electrical box comprising:(a) a generally planar plate member adapted to cover said switch, said outlet or said plug, and said plate member having an opening means in said plate member adapted to receive a switch actuator, said plug, or portion of said outlet therethrough, said plate member having at least one window therein; (b) electroluminescent sheeting being disposed behind a rear surface of said plate member and a protective cover for protecting said electroluminescent sheeting from undesirable dust or undesirable electrical contact during its operation; said electroluminescent sheeting being provided with means for making electrical connections to the connections that power said switch or said outlet or said plug for providing an electric voltage potential to said electroluminescent sheeting, said electroluminescent sheeting comprising outer insulated, inner conductive sheeting layers, and an electroluminescent phosphor material being sandwiched between said inner conductive sheeting layers to provide a light source when said means for making electrical connections are electrically connected to the electrical connections that power said switch or said outlet or said plug to provide said voltage potential between said inner conductive sheeting layers; (c) a substantially transparent layer positioned at said at least one window (d) indicia associated with said substantially transparent layer, said electroluminescent sheeting being disposed behind said at least one window and behind said substantially transparent layer and said indicia whereby when said electric voltage potential is applied to said inner conductive sheeting layers, said indicia is electroluminescently lit through said at least one window.