Electrical wall outlet with LED indicator

An electrical wall outlet comprises an insulating cover portion, LEDs, a pair of magnetic electrodes, and insulating pads. The insulating cover portion encloses outlet electrodes of the wall outlet. The one or more outlet electrodes are ferrous. The LEDs are disposed on the front surface of the insulating cover portion. The pair of magnetic electrodes are disposed on the rear surface of the insulating cover portion, extending from a pair of common terminals of the LEDs that are disposed on the insulating cover portion, toward to one of the one or more outlet electrodes of the electrical wall outlet. The pair of magnetic electrodes are flexible to bend. Also, the pair of magnetic electrodes are resilient to recover when the insulating cover portion is plucked out. The insulating pads keeps the magnetic electrodes from touching parts other than the electrodes of wall outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical wall outlet with LED indicator. More particularly, this invention relates to an electrical wall outlet with LED indicator, which makes the device visible in the dark.

Due to the fact that human can see light of a particular frequency range, darkness and therefore night has overshadowed human activities and limited the temporal and spatial ranges thereof.

The electrical wall outlet or switch with LED indicator is able to help the people in the dark in many situations.

There are many aspects in the conventional night-glow device in installing and operating.

Accordingly, a need for electrical wall outlet with LED indicator has been present for a long time considering the wide range of potential application. This invention is directed to satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide an electrical wall outlet with LED indicator.

Another object of the invention is to provide electrical wall outlet with LED indicator, which can be easily installed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an electrical wall outlet with LED indicator, which can be easily applicable to the prior arts.

An aspect of the invention provides an electrical wall outlet with LED indicator provides a night-glow power outlet.

The electrical wall outlet comprises an insulating cover portion, a plurality of LEDs, a pair of magnetic electrodes, and a plurality of insulating pads.

The insulating cover portion is configured for enclosing one or more outlet electrodes of the electrical wall outlet. The insulating cover portion comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and the one or more outlet electrodes are ferrous.

The plurality of LEDs are disposed on the front surface of the insulating cover portion, and the plurality of LEDs are connected with one another in parallel.

The pair of magnetic electrodes are disposed on the rear surface of the insulating cover portion, extending from a pair of common terminals of the LEDs that are disposed on the insulating cover portion, toward to one of the one or more outlet electrodes of the electrical wall outlet. The pair of magnetic electrodes are flexible to bend. Also, the pair of magnetic electrodes are resilient to recover when the insulating cover portion is plucked out.

The pair of magnetic electrodes are attracted and connected electrically to the one of the one or more outlet electrodes of the electrical wall outlet on approaching the insulating cover portion over the one or more outlet electrodes of the electrical wall outlet, such that that the plurality of LEDs are powered by the wall outlet.

The plurality of insulating pads are for insulating the pair of magnetic electrodes other than one of the electrodes of the electrical wall outlet.

At least one of the one or more outlet electrodes may comprise a connecting receptacle configured for accepting one of the pair of magnetic electrodes, and the connecting receptacle may be ferrous.

Each of the pair of magnetic electrodes may comprise a contacting arm extending vertically from the rear surface of the insulating cover portion.

The contacting arm of the magnetic electrode may comprise a magnetic end.

The electrical wall outlet may further comprise a rectifying circuit for providing DC to the LEDs. The rectifying circuit may comprise a diode and a resistor.

The electrical wall outlet may further comprise a photo resistor sensor for sensing ambient light and turning on and off the LEDs.

Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical wall outlet comprising, instead of LEDs, a plurality of neon lamps disposed on the front surface of the insulating cover portion, wherein the plurality of neon lamps are connected with one another in parallel.

The electrical wall outlet may further comprise a control circuit for controlling operation of the neon lamps. The control circuit may be configured to control operation time of the neon lamps.

The electrical wall outlet may further comprise, but not limited to, a photo resistor sensor for sensing ambient light and turning on and off the neon lamps.

Still another aspect of the invention provides an electrical switch comprising an insulating cover portion configured for enclosing terminals of the electrical switch, wherein the insulating cover portion comprises a front surface and a rear surface, and wherein the terminals are ferrous. The other features are almost same as the embodiments of electrical wall outlet.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the LEDs are powered only when the electrical switch is off.

In still another aspect of the invention, a integrated circuit disposed on the front surface of the insulating cover portion may be used instead of the LEDs.

The integrated circuit may further comprise a motion sensor for detecting motion around the electrical wall outlet and activating the LEDs, LED digital clock, or neon lamp or another light emitting integrated circuits.

Each of the pair of magnetic electrodes may comprise a contacting arm extending vertically from the rear surface of the insulating cover portion, and the contacting arm of the magnetic electrode may comprise one or more magnetic ends. The contacting arm may comprise a metal rod, plate, or spring, which is very flexible to respond to magnetic force.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the electrical wall outlet with LED indicator helps people using a plurality of devices in the dark; (2) the electrical wall outlet with LED indicator is easy to install; (3) the electrical wall outlet with LED indicator is applicable to the prior arts with minimal change.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-8show electrical wall outlets according to embodiments of the invention, andFIGS. 9-11show an electrical switch.

An aspect of the invention provides an electrical wall outlet100with LED indicator provides a night-glow power outlet.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, the electrical wall outlet100comprises an insulating cover portion10, a plurality of LEDs20a-20f, a pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30b, and a plurality of insulating pads70.

The insulating cover portion10is configured for enclosing one or more outlet electrodes32a,32bof the electrical wall outlet100as shown inFIG. 2. The insulating cover portion10comprises a front surface12and a rear surface14, and the one or more outlet electrodes32a,32bare ferrous. The plurality of insulating pads are for insulating the pair of magnetic electrodes other than one of the electrodes of the electrical wall outlet.

The plurality of LEDs20a-20fare disposed on the front surface12of the insulating cover portion10, and the plurality of LEDs20a-20fare connected with one another in parallel.

The pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bare disposed on the rear surface14of the insulating cover portion10, extending from a pair of common terminals22a,22bof the LEDs20a-20fthat are disposed on the insulating cover portion10, toward to one of the one or more outlet electrodes32a,32bof the electrical wall outlet. The pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bare flexible to bend. Also, the pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bare resilient to recover when the insulating cover portion10is plucked out.

The pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bare attracted and connected electrically to the one of the one or more outlet electrodes32a,32bof the electrical wall outlet on approaching the insulating cover portion10over the one or more outlet electrodes32a,32bof the electrical wall outlet, such that that the plurality of LEDs20a-20fare powered by the wall outlet.

At least one of the one or more outlet electrodes32a,32bmay comprise a connecting receptacle34configured for accepting one of the pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30b, as shown inFIG. 2, and the connecting receptacle34may be ferrous. In certain embodiments, the connecting receptacle34may be formed as a groove adapted to accept the pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bas shown inFIG. 2, which may add a mechanically accepting function in addition to magnetic attraction.

Each of the pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bmay comprise a contacting arm36extending vertically from the rear surface of the insulating cover portion10as shown inFIG. 4.

The contacting arm36of the magnetic electrode30a,30bmay comprise a magnetic end38of various types as shown inFIGS. 12-15. That is, the whole contacting arm36may not be magnetic, but only a portion, for example, a head portion of it may comprise a magnet or magnetized portion.

The electrical wall outlet100may further comprise a rectifying circuit40for providing DC to and related protection against surge for the LEDs20a-20fas shown inFIGS. 5-8. The rectifying circuit40may comprise a diode42and a resistor44. However, in certain embodiments, the rectifying circuit40may comprise other electrical component or technology. The rectifying circuit40may be disposed on the rear surface14of the insulating cover portion10. Alternatively, the rectifying circuit40may be embedded in the insulating cover portion10. The LEDs20a-20falso may be embedded in the insulating cover portion10.

The electrical wall outlet100may further comprise a photo resistor sensor50for sensing ambient light and turning on and off the LEDs20a-20fas shown inFIG. 7. That is, when the ambient illumination is above a predetermined magnitude, the night glow system may be inactivated. In certain embodiments, the photo resistor sensor50may comprise a lens covering the photo resistor sensor50for facilitating the sensing as inFIG. 1.

Another aspect of the invention provides an electrical wall outlet100comprising, instead of LEDs20a-20f, a plurality of neon lamps20a′-20f′ disposed on the front surface12of the insulating cover portion10, wherein the plurality of neon lamps20a′-20f′ are connected with one another in parallel.

The electrical wall outlet100may further comprise a photo resistor sensor50for sensing ambient light and turning on and off the neon lamps20a′-20f′ as shown inFIG. 7.

Still another aspect of the invention provides an electrical switch100′ comprising an insulating cover portion10configured for enclosing terminals of the electrical switch100′, wherein the insulating cover portion10comprises a front surface12and a rear surface14as shown inFIGS. 9-10. The other features including the LEDs20a-20d, magnetic electrodes30a,30b, outlet electrodes32a,32b, connecting receptacle34, and contacting arm36are almost same as the embodiments of electrical wall outlet100.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the LEDs20a-20fare powered only when the electrical switch100′ is off.

In still another aspect of the invention, a integrated circuit60disposed on the front surface12of the insulating cover portion10may be used instead of the LEDs20a-20fas shown inFIG. 8. The integrated circuit60comprises an LED digital clock or other devices such as ICs, which can provides illumination around the wall outlet or switch in the dark. Also, in certain embodiments, the integrated circuit60may comprise additional control circuit (not shown) for controlling operation of the digital clock and other conventional functions.

The electrical wall outlet or switch100,100′ according to the invention is very easy to apply to the conventional wall outlet or switch100,100′. It can be done just by replacing the conventional cover portion with one according to the invention. This wall outlet and switch can be applicable irrespective of 110V system.

The resistor44of the rectifying circuit42may be configured in order to provide 16V DC to the LEDs. For the neon lamps, the resistor44may be configured to provide 30V AC including ripples. However, the voltage can be adjusted to specification of the circuit elements.

The diode42may comprise a regular AC rectifier diode, and protects the circuits from surge.

The neon lamps20a′-20f′ may comprise NE-2 type or any other types of neon lamps.

The photo resistor50may provide a resistance of at least 1001M for the maximum, and at least 500Ω for LEDs for turning off the indicators.

However, all these values for resistors, LEDs, diodes, neon lamps, photo resistors may be changed and optimized for different design spec of the problem to solve.

The number or location of the LEDs, neon lamps, an ICs may be adapted to necessity or situations. In certain embodiments, the LEDs or neon lamps may be provided as a form of print circuit. Alternatively, they may be provided as a block combined with the diode42and the resistor44.

The electrical connections can be accommodated to details of design without leaving the inventive points of the invention.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the LED indicators20a-20gmay be connected in series as shown inFIGS. 7 and 11.

The LEDs and the light sensors can be determined to optimize the entire circuit. The resistor44may have resistance such as 18.5KO, 27.5KO, 36.5KO, 500.5KO, etc. However, according to certain embodiments, the light sensors can be omitted, and can be replaced with a photo resistor, diode, transistor, and other proper devices. Also, the LEDs can be covered with a sort of lens to facilitate dispersion of the light from the LEDs. The lens may cover the entire area as shown inFIG. 16. The lens39may be a light disperser comprising a plurality of mesh of grooves.

The light sensor50may be omitted from the circuit.

The insulating pads70may comprise a piece of paper, plastic, or any other insulating plates.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the magnetic electrodes30a,30bmay be coated by insulating film except for a small area for contacting the wall outlet electrodes.

As shown inFIGS. 2-4and9-10, the insulating pads70are not limited to the illustrated ones. The shape, dimension, material, and locations can be determined according to the inner structure of the wall outlet. In any cases, the insulating pads70are for preventing unintended touching of hot parts.

The number or location of LEDs may be determined by necessity.

The light sensor50may be plucked out from the circuit conveniently.

Even some of the LEDs may be plucked out of the circuit without giving any operational difficulty, especially when the LEDs are connected in parallel.

In still further embodiments of the invention, the electrical wall outlet100may further comprise reflecting lines or surfaces around the LEDs for facilitating the effect.

The embodiment shown inFIG. 8may further comprise a photo resistor50and a capacitor82as shown inFIG. 11. The value of the capacitor can be chosen appropriately for optimal operation.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 8, the electrical wall outlet100according to the invention may further comprise an integrated circuit80as shown inFIG. 11.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 11, the integrated circuit60,80may further comprise a motion sensor for detecting motion around the electrical wall outlet and activating the LED digital clock or LEDs, or still another type of light emitting devices.

In certain embodiment shown inFIGS. 12-15, each of the pair of magnetic electrodes30a,30bmay comprise a contacting arm36extending vertically from the rear surface of the insulating cover portion, and the contacting arm36of the magnetic electrode30a,30bmay comprise one or more magnetic ends38. The contacting arm36may comprise one or more metal rods with or without springs (FIGS. 12 and 13), one or more metal plates (FIG. 14), and one or more springs (FIG. 15). In certain embodiments, the contacting arm36may comprise an insulating tube around it (not shown). And further, the contacting arm36may comprise a metal rod, plate, spring, etc. as shown inFIGS. 12-15.

The magnetic ends38of the magnet electrodes30a,30bmay have a shape of circle, rectangle, and triangle. In the illustrated embodiments, the magnet electrodes30a,30bare of a shape of circle of about 0.6 mm in diameter.

The number and shape of the magnet electrodes30a,30bare determined by the outlet and the switch. The location of the magnet electrodes30a,30bmay be determined by structure of the outlet and the switch. They can be installed in one side or in both side of the switch.

In certain embodiment of the invention, the magnet electrodes30a,30bmay have a contacting arm36, which comprises copper wire (with or without spring), elastic copper plate, spring, etc.

And, the light sensor may further comprise another one or more light sensors for detecting the environment light and controlling the operation of the LED indicator.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the insulating pads70may be disposed slightly leaning toward or away from the wall outlet electrodes.

InFIG. 9, another insulating pads70can be disposed in the right ride for facilitating the general insulation concern. Or, with one of the magnet electrodes30a,30bcan be moved to the right side, the another insulating pads70can be used to insulate the moved electrode.

The light sensor50may be connected to the remaining circuit in parallel or serial connections.