Patent Publication Number: US-8113674-B2

Title: Storm light

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a light device and, more particularly, to an emergency storm light for traditional use as a flashlight and for emergency lighting when an electrical power outage is experienced. 
     There are many uses for a small, portable light. Flashlights are useful in that they may be carried by a user while walking or for illuminating a location not accessible to traditional lighting. So called “night lights” are useful to provide small amounts of lighting either to illuminate a darkened walkway or just to provide emotional security to a child. Although these devices are assumably effective for their intended purposes, there are shortcomings as well, such as electrical power outages in the case of night lights and the short duration of batteries in the case of flashlights. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to have a storm light having multiple modes for use as a flashlight, a night light, and an emergency storm light when electrical power is interrupted. Further, it would be desirable to have a storm light that is rechargeable when plugged into a traditional electrical outlet and includes a timer so that the light may be deactivated after a predetermined time. In addition, it would be desirable to have a storm light having a belt clip for hands free usage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A storm light according to the present invention includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining an interior space, a light positioned on the housing for transmitting light when energized, and a battery positioned in the interior space and electrically connected to the light. A control unit is situated in the interior space and electrically connected to the light and the battery, the control unit having programming corresponding to ON, OFF, and AUTOMATIC modes of operation. A mode selection switch is positioned on the housing and electrically connected to the control unit, the mode selection switch being movable between positions corresponding to respective modes. An electrical plug is mounted to the housing that is electrically connected to the control unit and configured to connect to AC power. The control unit includes programming initiated when the mode selection switch is at the ON position that causes the light to be energized by AC power if the plug is connected to the AC power and the AC power is available and that causes the light to be energized by the battery if the AC power is unavailable. 
     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a storm light having multiple modes to enable selective usage as a flashlight, night light, or battery powered emergency storm light. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a storm light, as aforesaid, that includes a battery that is rechargeable when the device is plugged into an electrical receptacle or car charger. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide a storm light, as aforesaid, that is capable of hands free use. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a storm light, as aforesaid, that promotes electricity conservation in that it includes a timer for self-deactivation. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a storm light, as aforesaid, in which a nightlight mode may include a dimmer for selective illumination. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storm light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a rear perspective view of the storm light as in  FIG. 1  with an electrical plug in an extended configuration; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a rear perspective view of the storm light as in  FIG. 1  with an electrical plug in a retracted configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the electrical components of the storm light; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating the logic performed by the control unit of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a car charger unit for use with the storm light; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a belt clip component of the storm light. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A storm light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, the storm light  10  includes a housing  12  having a front wall  14 , a rear wall, opposed side walls  16 , along with a top  18  and bottom that define an interior space for containing electronic components to be described below. 
     A light  20  is positioned within the interior space of the housing  12  for transmitting light when energized ( FIG. 3 ). Preferably, the light  20  is an LED although an incandescent light or other suitable light would also work. The housing  12  may include a transparent window in a front wall  14  through which the light emissions may pass ( FIG. 1 ). It is also understood that the top  18  may have a transparent construction through which light may pass. A removable cover  19  may be attachable to the housing  12  for covering the top  18 , such as when the device is not being used as a flashlight. 
     The light  20  may be energized by either a battery  22  or by traditional AC current. The battery  22  is positioned within the interior space of the housing  12  and is preferably rechargeable. The storm light  10  includes an electrical plug  24  that is positioned on a rear wall  15  thereof and is electrically connected to the light  20  for operation as discussed in more detail later. The electrical plug is movable between an extended/use configuration ( FIG. 2   a ) and a retracted/storage configuration ( FIG. 2   b ). 
     A control unit  26  is also situated in the interior space of the housing  12  that is electrically connected to the battery  22 , light  20 , and other electrical components to be discussed below. A mode selector switch  28  is positioned on the front wall  14  of the housing and is movable between at least positions corresponding to “ON,” “OFF,” and “AUTO” modes of operation, each of these modes corresponding to respective programming in the control unit, the control unit  26  being a processor or equivalent circuitry. The programming relative to the aforementioned modes is illustrated in the flow chart of  FIG. 4 . 
     The control unit  26  includes programming that is immediately initiated when the mode selector switch  28  is positioned at the “ON” configuration  50 , the programming causing the light  20  to be energized by AC current, as indicated by numeral  58 , if the plug  24  is engaged with an AC receptacle and AC current is currently available  52 . The programming, however, causes the light  20  to be energized by allowing current to flow from the battery  22  to the light if either the plug  24  is not engaged with an AC receptacle or if AC power is simply not available  54  to the receptacle. In other words, if the control unit  26  does not detect that any AC power is available, as indicated by reference numeral  54 , the control unit  26  connects the battery  22 , as shown at  56  to energize the light  20 , as indicated at  58 . 
     The control unit  26  includes programming relative to an automatic mode. If the mode selector switch  28  is positioned in the AUTO mode  60 , the control unit  26  then checks to see if AC power is available  62 , such as by electrically signaling or polling the plug  24 . If AC power is available, the control unit  26  simply continues to monitor this status. If, however, AC power is not available—which may be indicative of a power outage—the control unit  26  enables the battery  22  to deliver current to the light  20  as indicated at  64  and  66 , respectively. 
     The control unit  26  also includes programming that causes the light  20  to be deactivated or de-energized when the mode selector switch  28  is positioned at the OFF configuration. As shown in  FIG. 4 , if the selector switch  28  is at the OFF position  70 , the light  20  is de-energized  72 , such as by blocking current from the plug  24  and the battery  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  26  further includes a timer circuit  30 , or other electrical component referred to herein simply as a timer, that is positioned within the interior space of the housing  12  and that is electrically connected to the control unit  26 . A timer selection switch  31  is positioned on an outer wall—preferably the front wall  14 —of the housing that is movable between predetermined positioned and is electrically connected to the control unit  26  such that a user may input a desired time for the timer to operate ( FIG. 1 ). The control unit  26  includes programming for de-energizing the light  20  upon expiration of the selected amount of time. In other words, if the light has been energized in the “ON” mode, the timer may be set to de-energize the light  20  after an input amount of time, such as to not permit the light  20  from being energized all night, for example. In the ON mode, a user may select a timer setting so as to actuate operation of the timer, as indicated at block  57  in  FIG. 4 . 
     The storm light  10  may also include a dimmer selection switch  32  positioned on an outer wall and electrically connected to the control unit  26  ( FIG. 1 ). Preferably, the dimmer selection switch  32  is a radial knob although other selector switches may also work. The dimmer selection switch  32  enables a selected amount of current to be delivered to the light  20 , thus affecting the brightness of the light  20 . In this way, the storm light  10  may be used as a night light. The dimmer selection switch  32  may be adjusted  59  in the ON mode of operation. 
     The storm light  10  may further include a belt clip  34  ( FIG. 6 ). The belt clip  34  includes fasteners  36  that are complementary to respective side and rear wall apertures  38  of the housing  12  so that belt clip  34  may be removably coupled to a side of the housing  12  when not in use and removably coupled to the rear wall of the housing  12  for use. When coupled to the rear wall, the clip  34  may be coupled to a user&#39;s belt or pants to thus give the storm light  10  hands free operability. 
     Still further, the storm light  10  may include a car charger  40  that enables the battery  22  to be recharged. The car charger  40  includes one end configured to engage the plug  24  of the storm light  10  and an opposed end configured to engage a vehicle&#39;s electrical adapter, such as a cigarette lighter. 
     In use, the storm light  10  may be used as a flashlight, night light, or as an emergency light in case of an electrical power outage. More particularly, the storm light  10  may be plugged into a traditional AC electrical receptacle. In the “ON” mode setting and with AC power being available to the receptacle, the light  20  is energized by the AC power. If no AC power is available (such as if the storm light  10  is not plugged in or in case of a power outage), the light  20  is energized by current from the battery  22 . In the “on” mode, the timer  30  may be set such that the light  20  is deactivated after a user-set amount of time and the dimmer  32  may also be used to control light intensity (e.g. use as a night light). In the “AUTO” mode, the control unit  26  repeatedly monitors if AC power is available and takes no action so long as AC power is maintained. This is the case where the storm light  10  is plugged in and available in case of a power outage. If, in fact, the AC power is interrupted, the control unit  26  causes the battery  22  to deliver current to the light  20  and the light  20  is energized. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.