Patent Abstract:
A vanity lighting system for concealing a lighting apparatus when a pivotally mounted cover is closed and positioning the lighting apparatus through movement of the cover as it is opened. The vanity lighting apparatus comprises a housing providing an opening, a mirror; an illumination lamp located within the housing, a cover pivotably movable between a closed position overlaying the opening and an open position at least partially spaced from the opening. The cover encloses the lamp such that when the cover is in the closed position the lamp is hidden from view. Additionally, the vanity lighting apparatus comprises a first support assembly including at least two pivotal points operably coupled with the cover and the lamp and a second support assembly including at least one pivotable point operably coupled with the housing and the lamp, wherein the first and second support assemblies provide movement of the lamp in response to the movement of the cover. An activation means is provided for activating and deactivating the illumination lamp in response to the movement of the cover.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to lighting structures and, more particularly, to a concealable lighting apparatus for use with a vanity or wall mounted mirror which can be positioned at a plurality of angles with respect to the mirror. This lighting apparatus may be used in a bathroom, dressing room or other area where supplemental light is required. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various lighting arrangements are known for bathrooms and the like. Conventionally, a lighting arrangement is either fixed above, below or at the sides of a wall mounted mirror. These lights are generally exposed at all times or selectively hidden from view by a cover. Various types of vanity cabinet and mirror structures include panels or covers which can be slidably, pivotable, or removably opened to reveal a lighting arrangement for illumination when a person is positioned in front of the cabinet or mirror. 
   For instance, vanity light apparatus&#39; are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,863 to Parrott and U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,264 to Culver in which pivotable panels are moved to expose concealed lighting arrangements. In Parrott, a pivotable cover is positionable between a closed and open position. When the cover is in the open position a light source housed within the structure is activated. 
   In Culver, a vanity cabinet includes a hinged cover and a folding vanity panel hinged to the underside of the cover. A mirror, mirror support and light source, hinged to the vanity panel are hidden from view when the cover is in a close position and are automatically unfolded and swung to an upright viewing position when the cover is raised. 
   Parrott and Culver suffer from numerous deficiencies making them undesirable from various standpoints. For example, in both Parrott and Culver, adjustment of the position of the light source and its angular alignment with respect to the mirror is severely limited. In Culver the cover is supported in only a fully raised position and while angular adjustment of the mirror is provided with respect to the vertical, no means for adjusting the lighting arrangement is provided. Furthermore, adjustment of the mirror is cumbersome, requiring the loosening of screws which hold the mirror in a fixed position, realigning the mirror and then retightening the screws. Flexibility in Culver is limited as well because none of Culver&#39;s structures are designed for wall mounting as units in modem, vanity cabinets. 
   In Parrott, several embodiments for positioning a rod-shaped light bulb within a housing are disclosed. However, in all Parrott&#39;s lighting arrangements, the light bulb is either fixedly attached to a pivotally connected cover or to a stationary back-wall of the housing. Accordingly, it is virtually impossible to control the angle at which the bulb projects light toward the mirror. Parrott, as with Culver, is directed to supporting the cover in only a fully opened or closed position. If Parrott&#39;s cover were partially pivoted to a position where the cover was between a fully open and closed position, illumination is limited to the portion of the light source that extends through the housing. It is desirable to be able to adjust the direction or angle of the entire output of the light source rather than limit the visible output of the light source to only a portion of its entire illumination. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a light apparatus which can be either built into a wall or attached thereto, can be used with wall mounted and vanity mirrors, medicine cabinets and the like and provides sufficient light for common tasks such as shaving or applying make-up. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a light apparatus which can be selectively hidden from view by a cover in order to protect the light apparatus and to improve the appearance of the area around a mirror or vanity cabinet. The lighting system is configured to provide adjustable positioning of the lamp upon opening and closing of the cover. 
   The present invention is designed to overcome certain problems with prior art vanity lighting systems such as those noted above. This invention includes a vanity lighting system for concealing a lighting apparatus when a pivotally mounted cover is closed and positioning the lighting apparatus through movement of the cover as it is opened. The lighting apparatus includes at least one light bulb and is configured for retention in a viewing position which can be adjusted with movement of the cover. Therefore, adjustment of the lighting apparatus to enhance viewing by different users in different positions from the mirror can be easily achieved. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vanity lighting system includes: a housing providing an opening extending in a plane to be oriented adjacent and parallel to a mirror; an illumination lamp located within the housing; a cover pivotably movable between a closed position overlaying the opening and an open position at least partially spaced from the opening, the cover enclosing the lamp such that when the cover is in the closed position the lamp is hidden from view; a first support assembly including at least two pivotal points operably coupled with the cover and the lamp; a second support assembly including at least one pivotable point operably coupled with the housing&#39;s frame and the lamp, wherein the first and second support assemblies provide movement of the lamp in response to the movement of the cover; and activation means for activating and deactivating the illumination lamp in response to the movement of the cover. 
   The activation means is located on an inner wall of the housing and includes a switch which is engageable with a portion of the lamp when the cover is in the closed position, engagement of the switch with the portion of the lamp causing deactivation of the lamp. 
   The illumination lamp is completely located within the housing when the cover is in the closed position and at least a portion of the lamp extends outward through the opening of the housing when the cover is in the open position. The lamp is automatically pivoted to extend through the opening and tilt toward the mirror as the cover is moved to the open position, where an angle defining the amount of tilt between a surface of the lamp and the mirror becomes smaller with the opening of the cover. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, the lighting system may be controlled by an automatic or manual switch structure connected to an electrical source by wiring which is hidden from view from the front of the vanity cabinet or mirror. Additionally, storage areas may be provided adjacent the lighting system within a cabinet behind the mirror. Also, a front panel (not shown) which overlays the cover panel may be provided with a decorative front to match adjoining cabinetry decor and an additional lamp can be attached to the front or cover panel for providing ambient lighting when the cover is in the closed position. Upon opening of the cover panel, the additional lamp can be controlled to turn-off and the inner, pivotally mounted lamp can be controlled to turn-on. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view showing the vanity lighting system of the present invention located at two sides of a cabinet, a first lighting arrangement having a cover in the opened position and a second lighting arrangement having a cover in the closed position; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 1  along the line  2 — 2  with the cover closed; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 2  along the line  3 — 3 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 2  along the line  4 — 4 ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 3  along the line  5 — 5 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the cover in a closed position; 
       FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 3  along the line  5 — 5 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the cover in an open position; 
       FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 3  along the line  5 — 5 , according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the cover in a closed position; and 
       FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the vanity lighting system of  FIG. 3  along the line  5 — 5  according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with the cover in an open position.; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
   The present invention provides an improved vanity lighting system. As shown in  FIG. 1 , one arrangement of a vanity lighting system includes lamp  20  located at the side of a mirror  2 . Alternatively, this lamp may be located at the top or bottom of mirror  2  and mirror  2  may be planar or curved for magnification. Numeral  3  indicates the front face of mirror  2  and will be used hereinafter to reference this front face. An additional lamp  21 , fixedly attached to an outer surface of a cover panel  36 , provides ambient lighting when cover  36  is in a closed position and can be controlled to turn on and off upon closing and opening of cover  36  as described below. 
   According to a preferred embodiment  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the vanity lighting system broken out of the vanity cabinet. As shown, lamp  20  is pivotally connected to a frame  70  and the cover panel or door  36 . Cover  36  is pivotally mounted to frame  70  by a first pivoting structure (pivot  14 ) for movement between open and closed positions in overlying relationship to frame  70 . Pivot  14  includes first and second hinge parts,  93  and  96 , connected to the housing and cover respectively, with a hinge pin interconnecting the hinge parts. The second hinge part connected with the cover is operable to translate during the movement of the cover. Instead of using pivot  14  as is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , any other conventional connection means may be used to connect the cover  36  and frame  70  such that it provides for pivotal movement of the cover. 
   Pivot  14  is included for pivoting cover  36  with respect to frame  70  from a closed, substantially flush, position to an open position in which lamp  20  can be exposed to provide illumination. A support assembly  71  is provided for attaching lamp  20  to cover  36  and frame  70 . Support Assembly  71  includes second, third and forth pivoting structures, pivots  73 ,  74  and  75 , respectively and arms  76  and  77  for selectively positioning lighting emitting means  20  at an angle  89  ( FIG. 5B ) with respect to frame  70  (and subsequently mirror  2 ). Screws  88  are provided for supporting lamp  20  on arm  77 . Referring to  FIG. 5B , as cover  36  pivots outward (counter-clockwise), lamp  20  is automatically pivoted outward toward mirror  2  (not shown) by the simultaneous action of pivots  73 - 75  and arms  76  and  77 . The more cover  36  is moved outward from the closed position, the greater angle  109  (between the cover and the mirror) will become, the more pivots  73 - 75  pivot lamp  20  toward mirror  2  and the smaller angle  89  (between the lamp and the mirror) will become. Accordingly, angles  89  and  109  are inversely proportional to each other during the movement of cover  36  and support assembly  71 , while movably securing lamp  20  to cover  36  and frame  70 , provides a structure for selectively positioning lamp  20  at a desired angle  89  with respect to mirror  2 . 
   In response to movement of cover  36 , pivots  74  and  75  pivot in opposite directions, e.g., if pivot  74  pivots clockwise then pivot  75  pivots counter-clockwise and vise versa. Pivots  14  and  73  also pivot in opposite directions in response to movement of cover  36 , and as such, as cover  36  rotates counter-clockwise about pivot  14 , lamp  20  rotates clockwise about pivot  73 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5A , when the cover  36  is in the closed position, lamp  20 , bottom and top panels  80 ,  83 , upstanding rear and side panels,  81  and  82  respectively (FIG.  3 ), and support assembly  71  are hidden from view from a person standing in front of mirror  2  and lamp  20  is completely located within housing  85 . Thus, a person looking at the front reflective face  3  of mirror  2  would be unable to see lamp  20 . Accordingly, a more attractive appearance is obtained through the use of cover  36 . The person standing in front of mirror  2  may then open cover  36  by grasping handle  16 , or by a groove in cover  36  or by any other conventional grasping arrangement or even by mere frictional force along an edge of the cover  36 . 
   According to a preferred embodiment, panels  80 - 83 , frame  70  and cover  36  are shown incorporating wood. However, panels  80 - 83 , frame  70  and cover  36  may be alternatively formed from particle board, molded plastic or the like and finished or covered as desired with plastic laminate sheeting, synthetic countertop materials, wood veneers, or other finishes and coverings as desired. 
   As the cover  36  is moved from the closed position against frame  70  to the open position as shown in  FIG. 5B , lamp  20  pivots about pivot  73 , cover  36  pivots about pivot  14  and arms  76  and  77  of support assembly  71  pivot about pivot  74 . This partially raises lamp  20  outward from housing  85  to the exposed position as shown in FIG.  5 B. As shown, lamp  20  is partially exposed from the housing and tilted toward mirror  3  at angle  89  when the cover is moved to the open position. Thus, light from the lamp is able to project outward from the housing. 
   In order to provide automatic activation of lamp  20 , an activation device  24  incorporating a normally closed contact switch  26  is secured to an inner surface of side panel  82  which is configured to engage a sidewall of lamp  20 . Pivoting cover  36  in the counter-clockwise direction away from frame  70  releases contact switch  26  to close the switch and turn on lamp  20 . Thus, when cover  36  is in the open position and lamp  20  is exposed, the light bulb  22  will be activated. Conversely, when cover  36  is closed, switch  26  is opened to deactivate lamp  20 . External light apparatus  21  can be connected to activation device  24  and controlled thereby as discussed above with respect to lamp  20 . Alternately, external light apparatus  21  may be controlled by a second activation device, separate from device  24 , or can be manual control can be provided by an external switch accessible to the user. Alternately, a manual switch (not shown) can be substituted on the front of the vanity, e.g., frame  70 , covers  36  or  103  etc., for activating and deactivating lamp  20 . 
   As cover  36  pivots to the open position, contact between switch  26  and lamp  20  is broken. Due to the arrangement of pivots  73 - 75  and their connection with cover  36  and frame  70 , angle  89  between the front face of lamp  20  and the front reflective face  3  of mirror  2  can be easily and safely adjusted by moving cover  36 . Accordingly, a person standing in front of mirror  2  can adjust the direction of illumination according to their particular viewing position, e.g., to compensate for the person&#39;s distance from, or to the side of, mirror  2 . Furthermore, as the person changes his or her position from mirror  2 , additional adjustments can be me made quickly by further movement of cover  36  in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction through angle  109 . This can increase the available light to the user according to his or her position with respect to mirror  2  and provides a user the ability to make adjustment for better visibility from any location in the vicinity of mirror  2 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , cover  36 , light emitting aperture  20  and frame  70  are shown in relation to a mirror  2 . As discussed above, when cover  36  is in the closed position, lamp  20  is hidden from view. However, as shown, when this cover is moved to the open position, lamp  20  is visible and is able to emit light toward of mirror  2  at a preferred angle  89 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , lamp  20  includes two fluorescent-type bulb receptacles  98  for securing and electrically connecting fluorescent bulb  22  within the light apparatus. Bulb receptacles  98  are affixed to top and bottom inner walls  101 ,  102  of lamp  20 . While a fluorescent-type bulb is indicated for use with lamp  20 , any conventional lighting means, including an incandescent bulb, may be used. Lamp  20  is preferably configured for use with one bulb  22 , however, according to a salient arrangement of present invention lamp  20  can be configured for use with a variety of illumination needs by including additional bulb receptacles  98  for supporting additional bulbs  22 . 
   Although  FIG. 1  indicates that the vanity lighting system is integral with mirror  2 , this vanity lighting system may be provided without any cabinet or mirror structure and may be used in various additional scenarios requiring concealable lighting, i.e., showcasing artwork, jewelry, etc. Also, this lighting system may be built into the wall or mounted on the wall in the vicinity of a wall mounted mirror. Built-in arrangements have the benefit of being more attractive as they are flush with the mirror, it is therefore more difficult to detect that a light apparatus is provided and the appearance of the area around the mirror is improved. This light apparatus may merely be mounted on the wall rather than built-in, however, the built-in arrangements nonetheless provide for an attractive appearance of the area surrounding mirror  2 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , the wall (not shown) on which vanity assembly  1  is mounted may have a recess therein for receiving housings  85 - 87 . The height of rear and side panels,  81  and  82 , respectively, and/or the depth of top and bottom panels  80 - 83  may be increased to provide housing  85 - 87  with additional space to receive alternate lamp&#39;  20  of varying sizes. It should be understood that housing  86  can function as a storage area for the vanity system. Accordingly, housing  86  can be used to house toilet articles, spare light bulbs or the like and is accessible when front panel  103  is opened by knob  16 . 
   As discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a vanity lighting system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an activation device  24  which can be either mounted on pivoting cover  36 , frame  70  or affixed to stationary side wall  82  of the housing  85 . According to a preferred embodiment, activation device  24  is fixedly attached to side panel  82  and includes a switch  26  which engages a side wall of lamp  20 . 
   When a user opens cover  36 , pivoting the cover counter-clockwise about pivot  14  (FIG.  5 B), lamp  20  turns on. To turn-off lamp  20  and to hide it from view, cover  36  is pivoted clockwise ( FIG. 5A ) about pivot  14  to the closed position. Stops, links, the sheer frictional force of the pivot, or other means can be provided to limit the angle  109  through which cover  36  opens, angle  89  through which a front face lamp  20  approaches mirror  2  and to protect frame  70  on repeated opening of the cover. Referring to  FIG. 5B , a stop  72  of predetermined thickness is shown fixedly attached to frame  70 . As cover  36  is opened angle  109  increases, angle  89  decreases, and a surface of lamp  20  or arms  76  and  77  will contact stop  72  preventing further counter clockwise movement of the cover. One of ordinary skill in the art will release that stop  72  is not essential and can be provided as necessary to prevent the movement of cover  36  and lamp  20  past predetermined angular values or to protect an edge of frame  70  from wear and tear resulting from contact with portions of light apparatus  20  or support assembly  71 . Additionally, a wooden or rubber support block  97  is shown secured on the undersurface of cover  36  in line with a front face of frame  70  which has a thickness substantially the same or twice that of second hinge part  96  used for attaching cover  36  to pivot  14 . Support block  97  engages frame  70  when cover  36  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 5A  such that cover  36  is generally parallel with frame  70  when in its closed position and can provide a means for cushioning and/or silencing cover  36  as it is contacted with frame  70 . 
   A reflective surface (not shown) may be provided to the inner surface of cover  36  such that when cover  36  is moved to the open position, light from lamp  20  is reflected toward mirror  2  by the reflective surface. It is noted that the light in the area of mirror  2  would be increased by lamp  20  whether or not a reflective surface is used. Thus, this reflective surface is optional and merely provides an additional means for directing light from lamp  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A and  5 B, a wiring conduit  42  extends through the thickness of side panel  82  allowing wire  90  to travel from lamp  20  to an appropriate ballast and power source. A retaining clip  91  is fastened to the inner side wall of panel  82  to support wire  90  and prevent the wiring from contacting support assembly  71  and/or otherwise tangling. Electrical wiring  90  extends horizontally from support clip  91  through conduit  42  and out of housing  85  for connection to a conventional ballast  33  ( FIG. 2 ) and building or other electrical system providing conventional  110  Volt alternating electric current. Electrical wire  90  is sufficiently long between clip  91  and lamp  20  to allow lamp  20  to pivot through angle  89  without adding undue tensions on wire  90 , clip  91  or lamp  20 . It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in art that additional apertures, clips or brackets can be provided throughout vanity assembly  1  to lead wiring from the lamp  20  and/or activation device  24  to the appropriate power source. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , according to a preferred embodiment, each lamp  20  uses a fluorescent-type bulb  22  and therefore is connected to a conventional electronic ballast  33 . It is known that conventional fluorescent fixtures require a ballast to start. Specifically, they increase the voltage high enough to start the fluorescent process and provide several advantages such as starting a fluorescent bulb without flickering, preventing electro-magnetic interference (EMI), starting in very cold weather (down to 50 degrees below 0 for some types) and producing more light while using less power. One of ordinary skill in the art will realize that while ballast  33  is preferably an electronic ballast, any conventional ballast (e.g., a magnetic ballast) can be used. 
   A ballast  33  is provided for each lamp  20  and as shown can be secured within storage housing  86  of the main vanity cabinet. An additional wiring conduit  43  is provided through a bottom wall of housing  86  for allowing wires  99 , exiting each ballast, to travel from the ballasts to an appropriate external power source. In the event that lamps  20  are provided as stand-alone lighting units for use with a preexisting mirror or cabinet, each ballast  33  may be securely mounted to an outside wall of housing  85 ,  87 , or according to an alternative arrangement, housings  85  and  87  can be enlarged to safely and securely house ballasts  33  therein. 
   In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. According to this embodiment, as opposed to being perfectly linear, arm  176  is configured with a bend to allow for increased angular adjustment of lamp  20 . The bend in arm  176  also allows for greater opening of cover  36  than is possible with linear arm  76  (FIGS.  5 A and  5 B). For example, referring to  FIG. 5B , angles  89  and  109  are limited by the eventual contact between arm  76  and fame  70 , after which further counter-clockwise movement of cover  36  is blocked. Angle  89  at which lamp  20  can be tilted toward mirror  2  is also limited. For illumination needs requiring smaller angles  89  (more tilt of lamp  20 ), arm  176  is bent, curved or shaped to allow increased pivotal movement of pivots  73 - 75 . 
   According to a salient aspect of the invention, a locking means may be provided for use with the vanity lighting system in order to ensure that the cover  36  remains flush with frame  70  when it is moved to the closed position. Also, stop means may be provided in order to prevent rotation of cover  36  about hinge  14  beyond a desired angle. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , typically, when the vanity lighting system is provided as a complete vanity cabinet incorporated with mirror  3  and storage housing  86 , frame  70  is configured longer along its top, bottom and sides, extending past housings  85 - 87 . The extending portions of frame  70  are used during installation of the vanity assembly to secure the assembly to the surfaces of a wall which has been pre-carved or cut to accommodate housings  85 - 87 . Securing of the vanity system to the wall may be made by screws, nails, adhesives and the like as is conventionally know in the cabinet or wood-working industry. 
   The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be induced within the scope of the following claims. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to several embodiments thereof, the invention is more broadly defined and limited only by the recitations in the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5