Patent Publication Number: US-6709126-B1

Title: LED nightlight

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains to the field of nightlights and, in particular, to nightlights that use a LED light source. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are generally two types of nightlights—nightlights that emit a scattered, diffused pattern of light and nightlights that emit a narrow beam of light. Nightlights that emit a scattered, diffused pattern of light are designed to illuminate large areas such as restrooms or hallways. Nightlights that emit a relatively narrow beam of light are used to illuminate a relatively small surface directly in front of the lens such as a wall or step. 
     One drawback of many nightlights is that they extend relatively far from the electrical receptacle thereby making them distracting and easy to impact or kick from the receptacle. 
     Another drawback is that many nightlights use incandescent or fluorescent bulbs with relatively short life spans. Some manufacturers take advantage of the relatively short life span of the bulb by marketing the nightlights with non-replaceable bulbs so that the entire nightlight must be discarded when the bulb burns out. 
     What is needed is a low profile, long lasting nightlight that emits a soft, broad beam of light. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein is a LED nightlight comprising a main base unit with two standard, electrical prongs designed to connect to a standard two- or three-prong AC electrical receptacle. Disposed inside the base unit is a transversely aligned LED tube that contains two longitudinally aligned bulbs that extend inward from the opposite ends of the tube. Disposed over the LED tube and the front surface of the base unit is a half-spherical, transparent or semi-transparent lens. Disposed over the lens is a half-spherical outer cap with a quarter-spherical opening formed thereon. The outer cap includes a quarter-spherical opening that exposes approximately one-half of the lens so that light from the LED tube may be emitted therethrough. When the outer cap is selectively rotated around the base unit, the user changes the location of the quarter-spherical sized opening relative to the lens so that light is emitted in different directions. 
     The nightlight includes a photo sensor that activates the LED tube bulb when there is insufficient ambient light in the room. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a respective view of a LED nightlight. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded, side elevational view of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention with the top half of the base unit removed. 
     FIG. 7 a top plan view showing the invention shown in FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring to the accompanying FIGS. 1-7, there is shown an embodiment of a LED nightlight  10  comprised of a cylindrical base unit  20 , a rotating outer cap  40  coupled to the base unit  20 , and a fixed, half-spherical lens  30  disposed over the front surface  21  of the base unit  20  and inside the outer cap  40 . The base unit  20  includes an inner cavity  24  in which a printed circuit board (PCB)  65  and a photo sensor  50  are located. Extending from the back surface  22  of the base unit  20  are two electrical prongs  60 ,  62 . The photo sensor  50  and the two prongs  60 ,  62  are electrically connected to the PCB  65 . 
     As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the lens  30  is a half spherical-structure that is fixed in position over the front surface  21  of the base unit  20 . Formed on the lens  30  is a plurality of optional vents  32  that enable heat from the LED tube  80  to escape from the lens  30  during use. The lens  30  includes a rear circular edge  31  with a keyed surface  33  formed thereon that engages a complementary-shaped recessed surface formed on the front surface  21  to lock the lens  30  in place over the front surface  21 . 
     The rotating outer cap  40  includes a forward projecting half-spherical section  42  integrally attached to a cylindrical neck  44 . Formed on the inside edge of the cylindrical neck  44  is an inward extending flange  52  which engages a complementary-shaped annular groove  26  formed on the outer surface of the base unit  20  adjacent to the front surface  21 . During assembly, the flange  52  snap fits and engages the groove  26  to rotatably connect the outer cap  40  to the base unit  20 . Formed on the body  42  is a quarter-spherical sized opening  48 . During assembly, the outer cap  40  partially covers the lens  30  which holds the lens  30  on the base unit  20 . 
     Mounted on the front surface  21  of the base unit  20  are two forward extending struts  72 ,  74 . The struts  72 ,  74  are spaced apart and perpendicularly aligned on the front surface  21  of the base unit  20 . In the preferred embodiments, the struts  72 ,  74  are longitudinally aligned with the electrical prongs  60 ,  62  so that the LED tube  80  is horizontally aligned over the front surface  21  when the prongs  60 ,  62  are plugged into a standard household electrical receptacle  90 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Mounted and extending inward on the inside surface of each strut  72 ,  74  is an LED bulb  81 ,  83 , respectively. Extending between the two struts  72 ,  74  and covering each LED bulb  81 ,  83  is a cylindrical diffuser  85 . 
     Extending from the PCB  65  are contact plates  70 ,  71  that connect to the bulbs  81 ,  83 , respectively. The two prongs  60 ,  62  extend through the back surface  22  of the base unit  20  and electrically connect to the PCB  65 . A photo sensor  50  is connected to the PCB  65  and extends towards a small lens  36  that is disposed inside a small hole  25  formed on the lateral surface of the base unit  20 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     During use, the nightlight  10  is plugged into a standard electrical receptacle  90 . The outer cap  40  may be selectively rotated 360 degrees, as shown in FIG. 1, over the base unit  20  so that light from the LED tube  80  is emitted in any desired direction. The quarter-spherical sized opening  48  allows light to be emitted through the closely fitting lens  30  approximately 180 degrees. As a result, a broad illuminated area adjacent to the nightlight  10 , rather than a pinpoint of illumination, is produced. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown since the means and construction shown is comprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.