Abstract:
An emergency lamp for use in an area during ambient low light conditions is provided. The emergency lamp comprises a hand-held housing having a first end and a second end with at least one light emitting source within the housing. A power mechanism mounted within the housing illuminates the light emitting source. An activation mechanism activates the power mechanism only during low light conditions.

Description:
The present application is a continuation of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/463,192, filed on Apr. 16, 2003, now abandoned, entitled “Combination L.E.D. Emergency Lamp, Glass Hammer with Smoke Triggered Power On”. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to a Light Emitting Diode (L.E.D.) emergency lamp and, more particularly, the invention relates to a portable L.E.D. lamp having a smoke triggered power on and combines an emergency lamp and glass cutter hammer pick. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   During emergency conditions, ambient light levels typically become obscured by smoke or darkness. While many buildings have emergency lighting in fixed locations for use during these emergency conditions, many times the lighting does not illuminate enough of the area or through thick smoke levels for people to exit the buildings safely. For instance, in the building, the lighting may be blocked by thick smoke. This could lead to serious injury by obscuring a person&#39;s vision and/or objects in the egress path. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable L.E.D. lamp which provides ample lighting for a person attempting to escape close to the floor in emergency conditions in a building. Additionally, a need exists for a portable L.E.D. lamp which is automatically powered upon a drop in ambient light such as caused by smoke or darkness. Furthermore, there exists a need for a portable L.E.D. lamp and communication and location device which can also be used to score and/or break glass to assist a person from leaving a building during emergency conditions. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is an emergency lamp for use in an area during ambient low light conditions. The emergency lamp comprises a hand-held housing having a first end and a second end with at least one light emitting source within the housing. Power means mounted within the housing illuminates the light emitting source. Activation means activates the power mechanism only during low light conditions. 
   The present invention further includes a non-tethered portable lighting apparatus for providing light during a predetermined event. The portable lighting apparatus comprises a case having a housing portion and an insert portion receivable within the housing portion with the housing portion and the insert portion each having a first end and a second end. An electronics and battery module pack is mounted in the approximate center of the insert portion between the first end and the second end of the insert portion with the electronics and battery module pack receivable within the housing portion. A first lens holder is mounted adjacent the first end of the insert portion and a second lens holder is mounted adjacent the second end of the insert portion. A first L.E.D. light is mounted to the first lens holder and illuminatable from the first end of the housing portion and a second L.E.D. light is mounted to the second lens holder and illuminatable from the second end of the housing portion. Upon the housing portion receiving the insert portion, the case is hermetically sealed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an assembled L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the L.E.D emergency lamp contained in a sealed case acting as a heat exchanger; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a disassembled L.E.D. emergency lamp of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the sealed case removed indicating component placements; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating the electronics of the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the components identified; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)/(Personal Data Assistant (PDA)/cell phone/walkie-talkie component; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp of  FIG. 5 , constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with an L.E.D. light adjustable and angled; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with custom electronic modules sized and shaped for being received the battery compartment; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS); 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, the housing edge is attachable in a folded down storage position latchable in a ninety (90°) degrees position; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, the housing edge is attachable in a folded down storage position latchable in a ninety (90°) degrees position; and 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating the L.E.D. emergency lamp, constructed in accordance with the present invention, the housing edge is attachable in a folded down storage position latchable in a ninety (90°) degrees position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1–6 , the present invention is an L.E.D. emergency lamp, indicated generally at  10 , with embedded electronics for power turn on with the loss of ambient light due to smoke or no power. The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention pertains to a portable or non-tethered apparatus used in emergency lighting consisting of multiple elements configured as a single system. The inherent design of the emergency lamp  10  of present invention allows for the insertion of custom electronic modules in an electronics and battery module pack  12  increasing the capability of the unit and the ease of use of the emergency lamp  10 . 
   The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention is a non-tethered portable apparatus enabling fixed or flashlight configurations via quick disconnects (not shown). A combination of sensors and hammer capability with hardened L.E.D. emitters allow the unique embodiment of a pickaxe and light source. Further detail describing the components and features of the emergency lamp  10  are provided below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the emergency lamp  10  of the present invention is preferably mounted approximately eighteen (18″) inches above the floor (not shown) on an adjacent wall (not shown) although mounting the emergency lamp  10  at any level or position is within the scope of the present invention. AC power is supplied to the L.E.D. safety lamp  10  to charge and trickle charge the internal electronics and battery module pack  12 . When smoke or darkness fills the area where the emergency lamp  10  is mounted, the emergency lamp  10  will turn on emitting light from both sides of the emergency lamp  10 . It is within the scope of the present invention, however, for the emergency lamp  10  to emit light from only one side of the emergency lamp  10  or any combination of sides of the emergency lamp  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , as mentioned above, the emergency lamp  10  preferably includes a sealed case  14  allowing light emission and ambient light sensing. The case  14  includes a housing portion  16  and an insert portion  18  receivable within the housing portion  16 . Lens holders  20  are mounted within the case for mounting L.E.D.&#39;s  22  thereon. The lens holders  20  also serve as heat sinks for the L.E.D.s  22 . 
   The case  14  of the emergency lamp  10  preferably has an optical power on switch that turns on progressively more power as the pathway dims due to smoke or darkness from no power and preserves battery charge. Light emission is adjustable to cover an entire hallway from an angled beam. Tapered ends  24  on the case  14  diminish the effects of impact collisions from carts or pedestrians by offering a wedge to deflect the offending impact object. 
   The case  14  of the emergency lamp  10  of the present invention further includes an optional pick-axe  28  with diamond glass scribe  26  which can be attached in a folded down storage position and latched in a ninety (90°) degrees position for use in an emergency situation. 
   The emergency lamp  10  further includes an electronics and battery module pack  12  mounted within the case  14  for processing the exterior ambient light and powering on the L.E.D.s  22  within the emergency lamp  10 . The battery and electronic module pack  12  combination is preferably located at the approximate center of the case  14  of the emergency lamp  10  where the human hand would grasp the emergency lamp  10  if it were to be used as a hammer to break glass. Basically, the electronics and battery module pack  12  is positioned in the approximate center of the emergency lamp  10  so when used as a hammer or pick, the effect of the mass of the batteries is minimized as best as possible. 
   As mentioned above, the emergency lamp  10  of the present invention further includes a glass cutter/hammer  26 ,  28  for cutting and fatiguing tempered glass. The glass cutter  26  scores the glass and the hammer  28  facilitates glass breakage of scored tempered glass or breakage of non-tempered glass. 
   An ambient light pipe  30  allows for a finger to operate light as a test or a mobile flashlight when the emergency lamp  10  is removed from the wall where the normal operation is intended. The light pipe  30  also lets light through to the CDS (cadmium sulfide photocell) sensors  32 , as described further below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the electronics and battery module pack  12  is designed to operate on AA batteries although other modes of powering the electronics and battery module pack  12  are within the scope of the present invention. Both 1.2 volt and 1.5 volt rechargeable battery cells can be used or any size is within the scope of the present invention. Extra AA battery storage is included in the battery pack so that custom electronics can be added to the electronics and battery module pack  12  in the physical shape of batteries so as to be customizable. One such module, for example, is a theft or locator beacon. 
   Construction of the electronics and battery module pack  12  allows custom electronic modules of specific use to be inserted into the electronics and battery module pack  12  similar to an AA battery being inserted into the electronics and battery module pack  12 . An external battery charger can be located inside a wall with DC connections accommodating the emergency lamp  10 . 
   The electronics and battery module pack  12  of the emergency lamp  10  of the present invention includes a CDS sensor  32  changing from 8K ohms to 3K ohms when darkness falls on its face. This drop in resistance applied to the Gate of Mosfet transistor  34  then switches on to apply power to the L.E.D.s  22 . A resistor 10k ohm  36  is selected to establish when to turn on the Mosfet  34 . In this implementation, a value of 10k ohms ignores ambient daylight. 
   The CDS sensor  32  is selected to begin changing value so as to save battery power when total darkness is not present such as in a smoke filled envelope. The electronics and battery module pack  12  is sized to operate for ninety (90) minutes with five (5) watt L.E.D.s  22 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the emergency lamp  10  of the present invention additionally includes a combination GPS/cell phone/walkie-talkie/PDA unit  38  mounted on the face of the emergency lamp  10 . The emergency lamp  10  is preferably able to accommodate future upgrades in technology. In operation, upon command, a GPS map can illuminate and provide a person using the emergency lamp  10  an escape route. Of course, the emergency lamp  10  can be removed from the wall or other storage location and used as a portable device. 
   The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention can plug into a central fire command system. A central command or the like can provide blocked areas to the emergency light and further provide two way communications. 
   The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention preferably includes sensors (not shown) for sensing for levels for toxins, i.e., anthrax, and heavier than air gases which would drop to the floor. Furthermore, the emergency lamp  10  can have sensors for sensing smoke, water, and combustibles. Basically, any type of sensor used in a fire safety control unit can be placed inside the emergency lamp  10 . 
   The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention can also be installed in a flush mount box (not shown) in the wall, floor, or ceiling and can be activated to pop or rotate open positioning the emergency lamp  10  to work properly. This function can be activated by signal from any or all of the following:
         1. Central fire control system;   2. Power outage;   3. Smoke sensor in unit or any type of sensor needed for protection;   4. Radio controlled activated; and/or   5. Emergency button on flush mount.
 
The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention can be disconnected from the wall or other storage location for use as a portable flashlight, GPS, or cell phone/walkie-talkie. The disconnect of the emergency lamp  10  can be accomplished by any number of quick disconnect devices on the market.
       

   In sum, the emergency lamp  10  of the present invention is an integrated L.E.D. light mounted within a hermetically sealed metal case  14  that can be used as a hammer pick and glass cutter in emergency situations. Furthermore, the emergency lamp  10  can be used to shovel debris or the like, when desired, with the lip portion  27 . 
   The emergency lamp  10  has the ability to accept custom electronic modules that can be plugged into the AA battery compartment in the shape of any battery size. Modules can be selected from an emergency locator beacon, a theft transmitter, and an LCD screen such as a Palm Pilot for communicating egress information or a cell phone, GPS walkie-talkie combined. 
   The emergency lamp  10  of the present invention provides an apparatus that can illuminate hall or pathways on the occasion to be darkened with loss of light due to smoke or no power in emergency situation. The emergency lamp  10  can be used in egress situations and is preferably mounted on the wall eighteen (18″) inches above the floor. The emergency lamp  10  can be removed from wall and locator beacon could track person and help guide them out. AC mains charge internal batteries and keep the lamp at ready for emergency use for a duration of 1.5 hours. Battery life is extended by decreasing power to the light emitter as the level of light increases and increasing power to the light emitter as the level of darkness increases. 
   The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.