Nightlight Display

A nightlight display is provided that can be used to illuminate an area and project an illuminated display therefrom. The nightlight has a nightlight base that connects to a power source and an upwardly projecting light source. Coupled to the nightlight base is a translucent plate with indicia thereon. The light source and plate are aligned so the plate is edge-lit and the light source projects through the plate. When energized, the light source illuminates the indicia thereon, wherein the indicia reflect the light in a preferably diffuse manner to project a desired display from the plate. The light source is preferably an LED and the plate is preferably an etched acrylic plate. The plate and nightlight base may also be removable from one another to replace the plate with a different display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to nightlights and illuminated displays. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new nightlight assembly having a translucent plate and a nightlight base, whereby a light source illuminates an edge of the translucent plate and indicia along the plate reflects the light to illuminate a specific pattern, symbol, or message thereon.

Nightlights are often utilized to provide a small amount of light in a dark area to facilitate navigation in the dark or to provide a degree of ambient light in an otherwise dark room. The present invention provides a nightlight that is personalized and projects a desired message when illuminated. The nightlight of the present invention utilizes a preferably acrylic plate having indicia thereon, whereby the plate is edge-lit by a light source along the base of the nightlight. The light reflects from of the indicia portions of the plate to illuminate the indicia pattern, projecting a desired display and sending light into the surrounding area.

More specifically, the nightlight of the present invention includes a nightlight base and a translucent plate connected thereto. The nightlight base is connectable to an electrical outlet. The nightlight base is connected to a translucent plate having indicia thereon in a defined pattern. The plate is preferably an acrylic material and the indicia pattern is preferably etched thereon; however the material of the plate and the process by which the indicia is created on the plate may vary. The plate is edge-lit by preferably an LED light source along the nightlight base, whereby the indicia pattern is clearly illuminated and visible when the light source is energized. The plate preferably has a lower surface with a socket and a recession within the socket, whereby the socket receives a shoulder portion along the top of the nightlight base to couple the plate to the nightlight base. When the nightlight is illuminated, the indicia pattern reflects light from the light source in a diffuse pattern to provide an illuminated area around the nightlight and to display a desired pattern along the plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new nightlight display wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when illuminating an area and providing a desired illuminated display.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved nightlight display that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a nightlight display that comprises a nightlight base and a translucent plate coupled thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the nightlight base forms an enclosure having an upper surface, a rear surface, and a front surface. Electrical outlet prongs extend from the rear surface of the nightlight base and are adapted to couple to an electrical outlet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the nightlight base further comprises a light source directed upwards from the upper surface thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the translucent plate is connected to the nightlight base and extends upwards from the upper surface thereof. The translucent plate comprises a substantially planar surface with a lower edge aligned with the light source of the nightlight base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the translucent plate further comprises indicia thereon, the indicia being adapted to reflect light from the light source when the light source is energized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the translucent plate in one embodiment further comprises a thermoplastic material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the translucent plate in another embodiment further comprises an acrylic material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the translucent plate further comprises a transparent material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the translucent plate is removably attached to the nightlight base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the upper surface of the nightlight base further comprises a raised portion forming an elevated surface and a shoulder between the elevated surface and the upper surface of the nightlight base. The translucent plate further comprises a socket along its lower edge that is adapted to receive the raised portion of the nightlight base therein when the plate is coupled to the nightlight base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the light source projects light through a transparent window along the upper surface or raised portion of the nightlight base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the transparent window may comprise a colored surface that changes the color of the light projected from the nightlight base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the light source may comprise a light emitting diode.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the nightlight base further comprises an electrical circuit within the enclosure. The electrical circuit preferably comprises a light emitting diode, one or more transistors, and one or more resistor. The electrical circuit receives electrical power from the electrical outlet prongs when connected to an electrical outlet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the circuit may further comprise a switch to control the flow for current to the electrical outlet from the electrical outlet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the circuit may further comprise a light-dependent resistor to control the flow for current to the electrical outlet from the electrical outlet based on ambient light around the nightlight base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the indicia may further comprise etched indicia.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the etched indicia is formed along the translucent plate using a laser etching process.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the indicia may further comprise engraved indicia.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the indicia may further comprise printed indicia.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the indicia may further comprise silkscreened indicia.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a nightlight display wherein the indicia is further adapted to reflect light from the light source in a diffuse pattern when the light source is energized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the nightlight base of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for illuminating an area and projecting an illuminated display. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

The present invention is a nightlight that provides illumination and a desired display when energized. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown views of the nightlight display assembly as a whole and a detailed view of the nightlight base30, respectively. The nightlight display is an assembly comprising a nightlight base30and a translucent plate60connected thereto. The nightlight base30forms an enclosure having an upper surface39and sidewalls. The sidewalls preferably include a lower surface36, a rear surface32, and a front surface35. The translucent plate60is coupled to the nightlight base30and extends upwardly therefrom. The translucent plate60preferably comprises a substantially planar surface65with a lower edge69aligned with a light source50disposed on the nightlight base30.

The light source50of the nightlight base30is an upwardly-projecting light that preferably comprises a light emitting diode (LED)55. The light source50projects upwardly and is disposed along the upper surface39of the nightlight base30. More specifically, the light source50may project through a transparent window56along the nightlight base30, the window56being disposed along the upper surface39thereof or along the upper surface of a raised portion51therealong. In the latter case, the upper surface39of the nightlight base30comprises a raised portion51forming an elevated surface52and a shoulder34between the elevated surface52and the upper surface39of the nightlight base30. The raised portion51includes upwardly extending sidewalls53and a defined cross section that is adapted to be received within a socket80along the lower edge69of the translucent plate60. Therefore the raised portion51is received within the socket80to couple the plate60to the nightlight base30. The socket80includes a recess or aperture therein that accepts the raised portion51therethrough. The plate60and socket80may be coupled together by way of a friction fit joint, or alternatively transparent adhesive may also be applied at the joint to ensure a secure connection therebetween.

Along the rear surface32of the nightlight base30are electrical outlet prongs31extending therefrom, which are adapted to couple to an electrical outlet and provide electrical power to the light source50. Controlling the light source50may furthermore be a physical switch provided along a sidewall of the base30, or alternatively a light sensor40may be provided. The light sensor40measures ambient light and switches the light source50on and off without user interaction. In a preferred embodiment, the light sensor40comprises a light-dependent resistor and the sensor40is disposed along the front surface35of the base30, opposite of the electrical prongs31. The flow of electrical current from the electrical prongs31and to the light source50is controlled by an electric circuit within the nightlight base30.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 3, there are shown exemplary embodiments of the translucent plate60. The translucent plate60comprises a substantially planar surface65with a lower edge69aligned with the light source50of the nightlight base30. The plate60preferably comprises outer edges61and a substantially two-dimensional shape; however, three dimensional embodiments are contemplated in which the plate has a varying thickness. The preferred planar shape allows the light source50to project light through the edge69of the plate, whereby indicia62along the plate60reflects the light to highlight the indicia pattern67thereon. The indicia62reflects the light in a preferably diffuse pattern, however specular reflection of the light from the indicia62is also contemplated.

The material of the translucent plate60is preferably a thermoplastic material, such as acrylic glass or the like. Acrylic glass is a transparent thermoplastic material that can act as a background for the indicia pattern67, which reflects the incoming light from the light source50while the plate60serves as a clear or colored background therearound. Therefore, the plate60may comprise a translucent or transparent plate, while the indicia62thereon is substantially opaque thereon and disposed in a manner to reflect incoming light as the light travels through the plate thickness from its lower edge69.

The indicia62on the plate60may be created in several different manners. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia pattern67is etched along the surface of the plate60. The indicia pattern67is formed through a laser etching or alternative etching process, thereby creating a pattern67on the plate60that reflects the edge light. Alternatively, the indicia pattern67further comprises engraved indicia, printed indicia, or silkscreened indicia on the plate surface. Engraved indicia are created through a cutting process in which material from the surface of the plate is removed or roughened to create the desired pattern. When light reaches the engraved portions, the light scatters or is otherwise reflected through the rough surface thereof. Likewise, printed or silkscreened indicia patterns67are paint or material deposited onto the surface of the plate60, wherein the material reflects the edge light when the light is energized. Since the plate is translucent or transparent, the display pattern will be illuminated in dark light using any of these processes. Therefore, the nightlight projects light upward while illuminating a specific pattern defined by the indicia62.

In some embodiments, the plate60is removable from the nightlight base to allow the user to change the display. As shown inFIG. 3, the plate60may comprise a socket80along its lower edge69. The socket80includes a recess82defined within socket walls81and a socket upper surface83. The raised portion51of the nightlight base is received within the recess82of the socket80, connecting the two together. The connection may simply be a friction fit or press fit between the socket80and raised portion51, or alternatively optical adhesive may be applied at this joint to maintain the connection.

In addition, the plate60may be removably connected to the raised portion51via a sliding joint, as provided inFIG. 5. As shown, in this embodiment the sidewall of the raised portion51forms a channel54that is adapted to receive the lower edge88of the display socket80. More specifically, the raised portion51of the housing30has a groove or channel54that extends inward from its sidewalls. The display socket80also has a lower edge88that extends inward from the sidewalls89of the socket80. This lower edge88forms a perimeter that is adapted to be received and abutted against the inner surface58of the channel54, whereby socket80slidably engages the channel54of the raised portion51to secure the same. One end of the socket80is open, and the upper end of the raised portion51is received within the recess82of the socket80when the two are slidably engaged. This prevents the display from be separated from the housing via upward tension. Rather, the lower edge88engages the channel54in friction/press fit, and are removable when pressed apart in a lateral direction (i.e. towards the closed end of the display socket80).

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a view of an embodiment of the light source50, whereby the light55is disposed below a transparent window56. In this embodiment, the transparent window56is positioned over the light55and may comprise a colored surface that changes the color of the light projected from the nightlight base30and into the plate. This embodiment may be used to project a display of certain color. Alternatively, the transparent window56may be clear and the light55itself may be a colored LED. In either embodiment, the plate and the indicia thereon will project the color of the window or LED color.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown an embodiment of the electrical circuit100within the nightlight base. The electrical circuit100comprises a light emitting diode55and supporting electrical components to emit light from the nightlight base and control the flow of current from the electrical prongs31and flowing through the circuit100. In the embodiment shown, the LED circuit includes an LED55, one or more transistors41, a resister R342, and a light-dependent resistor40. The light-dependent resistor40and transistor41control the flow of current to the LED55, whereby low ambient light triggers the circuit to activate the LED55. Alternatively, a physical switch may be provided for the user to manually activate the LED. In addition, the electrical circuit100comprises an R1-R2-C2 circuit45and a ZD1-ZD1-C1 circuit48. The R1-R2-C2 circuit functions by providing an AC impedance that limits the AC current in the circuit. The ZD1-ZD1-C1 circuit functions as a half wave rectifier to produce a constant DC voltage to power the LED55. This specific electrical circuit100is one embodiment contemplated by the present invention.

Overall, the present invention provides a new nightlight device with a nightlight base and a nightlight display. The display is formed by the upwardly projecting light source and the edge-lit plate, which includes indicia thereon that reflects light in the pattern of the indicia. This provides ambient light and displays a specific symbol, display, message, or other pattern from the plate. The size of the plate and the shape of the plate perimeter may vary in order to provide user customization. In addition, the indicia thereon may form a specific display, as desired by the user.