Abstract:
An emergency lighting system initiated by wireless or wired alarm signal of a smoke detector or other alarm device. Once alarm signal is received, the emergency lighting system will cause any light connected to the system to be turned on providing light for any persons present, or will pulse the light as a visual warning indicator to those present. The lighting system causes connected light(s) to pulse during a daytime light condition or when there is sufficient ambient light in the room. At night, or when the room is dark, the lighting system will turn on the light(s) to provide light for any persons present allowing a safer egress out of the building. The emergency lighting system is a device that can be installed in a light bulb socket or built in to a wall plate light switch. Also, the emergency lighting system could be built in to lighting fixtures by a manufacturer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present continuation patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/686,514 filed 27-Nov.-2012 entitled EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEM under 35 U.S.C. 120. The contents of this related patent application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally pertains to emergency lighting systems, more particularly the invention pertains to emergency lighting systems that are activated via wireless or wired alarm signal, and even more particularly to emergency lighting systems that incorporate on/off switches or motion detectors for everyday use and yet function as emergency lighting systems upon entering a state of alarm. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Emergency lighting systems come in many sizes and shapes. Typically, they are a system of lights that work to provide light during an emergency. These systems can be designed and installed to lead people to exit locations so they can leave a building during a time of emergency. Emergency lighting systems also tend to be costly to purchase and can be difficult to install in pre-existing buildings. Mostly emergency lights and lighting systems are used solely for emergency purposes and simply sit there waiting to be used the balance of the time. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need in the art, for an emergency lighting system that can be used as an everyday light, one that is easily installed in a light fixture or can be put in place of existing wall switch plate, is readily usable in a variety of locations and conditions, and which benefits occupants by illuminating and or warning them of an emergency in the building. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides an emergency lighting system that is activated via wire or wireless alarm signal from a smoke detector or other alarm device. It provides light or visual warning to persons present to either light their surroundings for safer egress or warn that an emergency may exist. It is easy to install and easy to use. It is suited for use in existing buildings or can be built into new construction. 
         [0008]    The emergency lighting system consists of individual devices that control at least one connected light. The individual devices will also work together by transmitting their own alarm signals that then activate other emergency lighting system devices in the area. Thus each device works independently, as well as in concert in the case of multiple devices connected in the proximate area, to activate connected lights and provide illumination for warning or egress. 
         [0009]    Each time an emergency lighting system device receives an alarm signal it will provide emergency light control as well as send out its own alarm signal to activate other emergency lighting system devices that may not have been reached by the original alarm signal transmission. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the present emergency lighting system is that it is also used to turn on and off connected lights as any normal light switch. Thus the emergency lighting system serves as normal light switch while at the same time providing the benefit of an emergency lighting system should an emergency arise and the system enter into a state of alarm. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system in a light present, non-alarm condition. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system in a light present condition, actively receiving an alarm signal. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system in a light present condition, while not receiving an alarm signal, holding timer initiated. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system in the absence of light, actively receiving an alarm signal. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system in the absence of light, while not receiving an alarm signal, holding time initiated. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system working in conjunction with an external motion detector. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system working in conjunction with an ultrasonic occupancy sensor. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partial front elevation view of a floor plan employing the emergency lighting system and illustrating the device interconnectivity via wireless transmitter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9A  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the emergency lighting system installed in a table lamp. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9B  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the emergency lighting system to be installed in an existing light fixture. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10A  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the emergency lighting system incorporating a wall light switch. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10B  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the emergency lighting system incorporating a wall light switch without the wall plate cover. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10C  is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of the emergency lighting system incorporating a wall light switch with an option point used to hardwire security systems or other external devices to the emergency lighting system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration showing the emergency lighting system with a hardwire option in a light present, non-alarm condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures provided. The figure numbering in this section corresponds to the figure numbering in the Brief Description of the Drawings. 
         [0026]    Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this innovation is not limited to specific devises, systems, or methodology which can vary; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limiting. 
         [0027]    Embodiments according to the present invention provide an emergency lighting system. In one embodiment the system is comprised of relays, timers, photo cells, transformers, manual switches, wireless transmitters and receivers, all of which are known in the art, and works in conjunction with a host fixture such as an incandescent or fluorescent fixtures which are known in the art. 
         [0028]    The embodiment of  FIG. 9B  is designed to be incorporated into a host fixture for an incandescent, fluorescent, or other bulb type lighting generally operating on alternating current (AC) electricity as the primary power source.  FIG. 9B  shows a medium screw base, as is commonly used in household applications, but can be resized to most any format including but not limited to intermediate screw, mogul screw, mono-pole and bi-pole prefocus bases, and other light bulb types. 
         [0029]    One embodiment of the present emergency lighting system is the housing assembly of  FIG. 9B  which encloses the  FIG. 1  component design. In  FIG. 1  a wireless receiver and transmitter with normally open contacts, as are well known in the art, is available to receive a wireless transmission from an external emergency or alarm transmitter, such as a smoke detector or other source. Receipt of an alarm signal closes the wireless receiver and transmitter&#39;s normally open contacts energizing the R-4 relay coil and closing the R-4 relay contacts. The now closed R-4 contacts establish power to the holding timer. The activation of the holding timer provides power to the R-3 relay coil, closing the two normally open R-3 relay contacts. Thereafter, the holding timer will provide power to the R-3 relay coil for a specific amount of time even after the R-4 relay contacts revert to their normally open condition. The closure of the R-3 relay contacts allows continuity to the load side of the manual switch establishing continuity to the line side of the normally closed R-2 relay contacts and providing current to the attached light. Through the application of a photocell, a component known in the art, the R-1 relay coil will energize and close the R-1 relay contacts if the photocell detects sufficient ambient light. In the presence of sufficient ambient light, the closed R-1 relay contacts provide continuity to an incorporated pulse timer, a device known in the art. Upon initiation the pulse timer energizes and de-energizes the R-2 relay coil; this in turn opens and closes the R-2 relay contacts pulsing an attached light. 
         [0030]    A second embodiment of the present invention is the component design of  FIG. 6  which can be housed in the lamp conversion kit of  FIG. 9B  as well as the wall light switch of  FIG. 10C . In  FIG. 6  a wireless receiver and transmitter with normally open contacts, as are well known in the art, is available to receive a wireless transmission from an external emergency or alarm transmitter, such as a smoke detector or other source. Receipt of an alarm signal closes the wireless receiver and transmitter&#39;s normally open contacts energizing the R-4 relay coil and closing the R-4 relay contacts. The now closed R-4 contacts establish power to the holding timer. The activation of the holding timer provides power to the R-3 relay coil, closing the three normally open R-3 relay contacts. The closure of the R-3 contacts, terminals  5  and  6 , bypass an incorporated motion detector, a device well known in the art; this provides continuity through the normally closed R-2 contacts which allows voltage to pass to the attached light. Thereafter, the holding timer will provide power to the R-3 relay coil for a specific amount of time even after the R-4 relay contacts revert to their normally open condition. Through the application of a photocell, a component known in the art, the R-1 relay coil will energize and close the R-1 relay contacts if the photocell detects sufficient ambient light. In the presence of sufficient ambient light the closed R-1 relay contacts provide continuity to an incorporated pulse timer, a device known in the art. Upon initiation, the pulse timer energizes and de-energizes the R-2 relay coil; this in turn opens and closes the R-2 relay contacts pulsing an attached light. 
         [0031]    Another embodiment of the present invention is the emergency lighting system which incorporates an occupancy sensor similar to Ultrasonic Occupancy Sensor W-500A, W-1000, W-2000A, and W-2000H as shown in the component design of  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, with a closed manual switch, the occupancy sensor has potential and will close its internal contacts and provide continuity to the load and provide light when the sensor detects occupancy. Nonetheless, the emergency lighting system maintains ostensible control over the system; whereupon an alarm state is engaged the emergency lighting system will close its relay contacts in the sequence previously described for  FIG. 9B  and  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    A further embodiment of the present invention is the emergency lighting system, as illustrated in component design  FIG. 1 .,  FIG. 6 , or  FIG. 7 , which has been incorporated into a host fixture for an incandescent, fluorescent, LED, or other form of lighting. See  FIG. 9A . 
         [0033]    Another embodiment of the present invention is the emergency lighting system is the wall switch housing in  FIG. 10C  which incorporates the component design of  FIG. 11 . The wall switch housing of  FIG. 10C  is designed to replace a standard wall switch as is commonly found in houses, businesses, and commercial buildings. Once installed it will function as an ordinary wall switch does but with the added benefit and ability of the emergency lighting system as described previously for the  FIG. 1  component design and  FIG. 9B  lamp conversion kit. This component design is virtually identical to that of  FIG. 1 . The wall switch option as shown in  FIG. 10C  does not rely solely on wireless technology. The wall switch embodiment can be hardwired into a house alarm system sequence of operation; a smoke detector group; or other similar hardwired alarm systems. The hardwired contact points as well as the wireless transmitter/receiver begin the sequence of operation previously described above for  FIG. 1 .