Patent Publication Number: US-2023134750-A1

Title: Flashlight removably connected to cover plate

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to flashlights, and in particular to flashlights removably connected to existing structures. 
     Flashlights are known in the prior art. A flashlight includes a battery, a bulb electrically connected to the battery and a switch for turning the flashlight on and off. 
     It is very common for home owners to own a flashlight. However, a flashlight is typically not an everyday use item. Therefore, it is common for a flashlight owner to have difficulty finding the flashlight when truly needed, such as in the event of a power outage. Or, even if the flashlight owner is able to find the flashlight, it may be unusable because the batteries are missing or expired. 
     Light switches are also known in the prior art. Prior art light switch  80  is shown in  FIGS.  11  and  13   . Prior art light switch  80  includes cover  87  and toggle switch  81 . When a user manipulates toggle switch  81  to an on position, electricity is permitted to flow from power source  10  to bulb  11 A ( FIG.  13   ). 
     Light switch  80  includes cover  87 . Cover  87  is also commonly referred to as a wall plate, a light switch cover, a light switch cover plate, a decorative light switch cover, or a switch plate. Cover  87  functions to cover the switch mechanism and electrical wiring that operate the installed electrical fixtures and helps to prevent electrocution. Cover  87  often has a plain design that blends with home decor. 
     What is needed is a device that allows for an easy-to-find flashlight that also blends in nicely with home decor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a storage device for storing a removable flashlight. The storage device includes an electrical switch surrounded by a cover plate. A power source is electrically connected to the electrical switch. A removable flashlight is removably connected to the cover plate. The removable flashlight is stored in the storage device and removable from the storage device when needed for use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 - 3    show a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  4 - 8    show a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  9 ,  10  and  12    show a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    shows a prior art electrical switch with cover plate. 
         FIG.  13    shows a prior art electrical system. 
         FIG.  14    shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  15 - 17    show preferred light switch cover plates. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Preferred Embodiment 
       FIGS.  1 - 3    show a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Power source  10  provides electricity to bulb  11 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . By manipulating toggle switch  3 , a user can turn bulb  11  on or off. Removable flashlight  6  includes rechargeable battery  4 , on/off switch  13  and is electrically connected to power source  10 , as shown. 
     In  FIG.  1   , light switch cover  1  includes cut-out section  2  and toggle switch  3 . Light switch cover  1  is mounted to a wall by using mounting screws  8 . Removable flashlight  6  is press-fit into cut-out section  2  for secure attachment, as shown in  FIG.  2   . When a user needs a flashlight, he can easily grab flashlight  6  with his fingers and remove it from cover  1 . For example, in the event of a power outage, the user will easily be able to find removable flashlight  6  in the darkness because the user will know that removable flashlight  6  is attached to cover  1 . The flashlight will be charged and ready to use when needed. When the user is done using flashlight  6 , he can easily mount it back into cut-out section  2  so that flashlight  6  will once again be electrically connected to power source  10 . It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment shown, flashlight  6  is close in height to cover  2 , thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     Second Preferred Embodiment 
       FIGS.  4 - 7    show a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Power source  10  provides electricity to bulb  11 , as shown in  FIG.  6   . By manipulating removable flashlight switch  20 , a user can turn bulb  11  on or off. Flashlight switch  20  includes rechargeable battery  4  and is electrically connected to power source  10 , as shown. 
     In  FIG.  4   , light switch cover  20  includes cut-out section  29 . Cut-out section  29  allows for the pivotal connection of flashlight switch  20 , as shown in  FIG.  5   . For example, when flashlight switch  20  is pivoted downward ( FIG.  5   ,  FIG.  7   ), switch  20  is closed permitting power to flow to bulb  11  turning it on. 
     Light switch cover  30  is mounted to a wall by using mounting screws  8 . Flashlight switch  20  includes snap nodule  41  and cover  30  includes snap indention  42 . Utilizing nodule  41  and indention  42 , flashlight switch  20  is pivotally snap-fit into cut-out section  2  for secure attachment, as shown in  FIG.  5   . When a user needs a flashlight, he can easily grab flashlight switch  20  with his fingers and remove it from cover  30  ( FIG.  4   ,  FIG.  8   ). For example, in the event of a power outage, the user will easily be able to find flashlight switch  20  in the darkness because the user will know that flashlight switch  20  is attached to cover  30 . The flashlight will be charged and ready to use when needed. When the user is done using flashlight switch  20 , he can easily mount it back into cut-out section  29  so that flashlight switch  20  will once again be electrically connected to power source  10 . It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment shown, flashlight switch  20  has the appearance of a common rocker switch, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     Third Preferred Embodiment 
     In the third preferred embodiment a user can connect additional removable flashlights to the electrical system without adding additional switches or modifying existing switches. 
       FIGS.  9 ,  10  and  12    show a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Power source  10  provides electricity to bulb  11 A and bulb  11 B, as shown in  FIG.  12   . By manipulating prior art light switch  80  a user can turn bulb  11 A on or off and by manipulating light switch  3  a user can turn bulb  11 B on and off. Additionally, removable flashlight  63  mounted onto cover  61  is also electrically connected to power source  10  for charging. 
     In  FIG.  9   , cover  61  includes cut-out section  62 . Cut-out section  62  allows for the press-fit connection of removable flashlight  63 , as shown in  FIG.  9   . Cover  61  is mounted to a wall by using mounting screws  8 . When a user needs a flashlight, he can easily grab flashlight  63  with his fingers and remove it from cover  61 . For example, when the user needs a flashlight, the flashlight will be charged and ready to use. When the user is done using flashlight  63 , he can easily mount it back into cut-out section  62  so that flashlight  63  will once again be electrically connected to power source  10 . It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment shown, flashlight  63  mounted onto cover  61  has the pleasing aesthetic appearance as shown in  FIG.  10   . 
     Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
     A fourth preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG.  14   . The fourth preferred embodiment is very similar to the first preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   . However, in  FIG.  14   , removable flashlight  6  is not electrically connected to power source  10 . The fourth preferred embodiment recognizes that it is not necessary for flashlight  6  to be rechargeable or connected to power supply  10 . 
     For example, many flashlight owners would prefer to simplify installation of the present invention. In the fourth preferred embodiment a flashlight owner would purchase cover  1  along with removable flashlight  6 . Then the owner would only need to replace his existing cover with cover  1  having flashlight  6 . The owner would be responsible for making sure that flashlight  6  contains charged batteries. Or the owner would need to be responsible for making sure charged batteries were easily accessible when flashlight  6  was needed. 
     Switch Covers 
       FIGS.  15 - 17    show a clear presentation of preferred light switch cover plates.  FIG.  15    shows cover  73  installed on a wall.  FIG.  16    shows cover  73  prior to installation. In  FIG.  15    cover  73  is installed over pre-existing installed toggle light switch  74 . Cover  73  includes cut-out sections  75  and  76 . Switch  74  extends through cut-out section  76 . A flashlight, such as flashlight  6  ( FIG.  1   ) may be press fit into cut-out section  75  for storage, as described in detail above. Cover plate  83  ( FIG.  17   ) is very similar to cover plate  73 . However, cover plate  83  includes larger size cut-out section  86  to accommodate a larger sized pre-existing rocker switch. 
     Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention