Patent Document

This application is a divisional and claims priority of application Ser. No. 10/800,304, filed Mar. 12, 2004, and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,595. 

   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
   Not Applicable 
   SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to hand held, electrical transformers and power supplies equipped with remote electrical power and light sources for the purpose of illuminating electrical receptacles in low or obstructed lighting environments. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Presently existing electrical transformers are very common and vital components providing converted power to a myriad of electrical devices. 
   There are occassions when the act of plugging the electrical transformer or power supply into a wall receptacle or extension cord is made more difficult because of darkness or obstructed light. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,533 (2001) to Major discloses a flashlight plug which is an illuminated male electrical plug and cord. It is designed to illuminate an electrical outlet while a user is in the process of attaching the plug to the receptacle. Drawbacks to this device include: disclosed in the form of a plug/cord, it cannot be used on existing devices without replacing the original electrical cord. Considering the vast difference of electrical cord designs, including mounting, strain relief, amperage ratings, and differences of electrical attachment found on electrical appliance power cords, providing this plug/cord with a safe and suitable universal design could become a very daunting and expensive proposal. Incorrect installation of the flashlight plug may cause potential for electrical shock and damage to the appliance. If not provided by the manufacturer as original equipment, to mount this plug/cord on an existing appliance may void a warranty (for equipment with warranty). Even if this plug were designed to replace the plug component of an existing power cord (cutting off the plug and attaching the Flashlight plug to the end of the power cable), the same hazards and shortcomings as mentioned above may still apply. For devices using a electrical transformer, this plug/cord, or plug only, is of no practical use. While this plug may be a useful device for a manufacturer to install as original equipment on electrical appliances, it has very limited use as a replacement cord or plug on the vast majority of existing appliances. Additionally, once the Flashlight Plug is installed onto a device, it becomes a semi-permanent component of that device and cannot easily be unattached for use on other electrical devices. 
   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/800,304 (Allowed 2006) to Stoddard discloses an “Illuminated Electrical Plug Adapter” which is designed to function as an illuminated electrical adapter between a factory installed electrical plug and an electrical receptacle. While this is a very useful concept, it too has a drawback in that it adds an amount of cumbersome weight and bulk to any transformer unit it is attached to. Many electrical transformers are used in travel for cell phones, computers, Ipods and the like and most commonly, compact, lightweight, space efficient device accessories are preferred. 
   It becomes apparent that an illuminated electrical transformer for receptacle illumination can be useful and provide substantial improvement over what is available today. No illuminated transformer units for receptacle illumination could be found in the prior art. 
   OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
         (a) to provide the Illuminated Electrical Transformer or Power Supply using a light emitting diode as a possible light source;   (b) to provide the Illuminated Electrical Transformer or Power Supply using a small battery or remote power source and switch to provide and control power to the light source;   (c) to provide the Illuminated Electrical Transformer or Power Supply using an electrical circuit for recharging the battery or remote power sources;   (d) to design the Illuminated Electrical Transformer to fit on all types of existing transformers and/or power supplies;   (e) Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.       

   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with the present invention, my Illuminated Electrical Transformer/Power Supply comprises, an electrical light source, a power source, a switch, and an electrical circuit all fitted within or upon an Electrical Transformer or Power Supply for the purpose of illuminating the receptacle in which it is to be plugged. 

   
       FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the present invention and how it may be attached to a specially designed wall mount transformer or power supply in a manner that illuminates a suitable receptacle. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing of the present invention and how it may be attached to a conventional transformer or power supply in a manner that permits the illumination of a suitable receptacle. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the present inventions lighting components 
       FIG. 4  is a magnified view of the flexible switch cover. 
       FIG. 5  is a magnified view of the optional diffusing lens 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the switch and battery holding assemble. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the switch and battery assemble modified to permit the recharging of the battery. 
       FIG. 8  is a magnified view of the electrical conductor that connects the battery to a recharging circuit. 
       FIG. 9  is the inverse side of the circuit board showing the electrical conductors connecting the recharging circuit. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the addition of recharging components. 
       FIG. 10A  is a magnified perspective view of the recharging circuitry 
       FIG. 11  is an electronic diagram of the preferred, non-recharging embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is an electronic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention equipped for recharging of the battery. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view, illustrating the intended function of the present invention illuminating an electrical receptacle. 
   

   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Drawings—Reference Numerals 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               100 
               Light module case 
             
             
               101 
               Switch Cover 
             
             
               102 
               Diffusing Lens 
             
             
               103 
               Battery (Remote electrical power source) 
             
             
               104 
               Switch Contact 
             
             
               105 
               Battery (remote electrical power source) and Switch 
             
             
                 
               Holding Component 
             
             
               105A 
               Battery (remote electrical power source) and Switch 
             
             
                 
               Holding Component for Recharging Embodiment 
             
             
               106 
               Electrical Light Source 
             
             
               107 
               Circuit Board 
             
             
               107A 
               Circuit Board Equipped for Recharging Embodiment 
             
             
               108 
               Spring Metal Contactor 
             
             
               108A 
               Circuit Board for Spring Metal Contactor 
             
             
               109, 109A: 
               Recharging Conductor 
             
             
               110, 111 
               Wire Conductor 
             
             
               112 
               Resistor 
             
             
               113 
               Recharging contact board 
             
             
               113A, 113B 
               Wire-Recharging Circuit 
             
             
               113C 
               Location of Recharging Contact Board 
             
             
               115 
               Wire, Fuse Link-To Recharging assembly 
             
             
               115A, 115B: 
               Wire-to Recharging Assembly 
             
             
               116 
               Transformer-Recharging assembly 
             
             
               117 
               Circuit Board-Recharging Assembly 
             
             
               119, 119A, 
               Rectifier 
             
             
               119B, 119C 
             
             
               120 
               Recharging Circuit 
             
             
               138 
               Opening-Battery Installation and Replacement 
             
             
               139, 139A 
               Conductor 
             
             
               140 
               Spacer 
             
             
               141 
               Illuminating Module Bracket 
             
             
               142 
               Adhesive Panel 
             
             
               143 
               Transformer/Power Supply Case 
             
             
               201 
               Illuminating Module of the Preferred Embodiment 
             
             
               201A 
               Illuminating Module-Recharging Embodiment 
             
             
               201B 
               Illuminating Module-Transformer/Power Supply 
             
             
                 
               Embodiment 
             
             
               205 
               Switch and Battery Holder Assembly 
             
             
               205A 
               Switch and Battery (remote electrical power source) Holder 
             
             
                 
               Assembly-recharging Embodiment 
             
             
               206 
               Battery Contactor Assembly 
             
             
               207 
               Recharging Assembly 
             
             
               209 
               Conventional Electrical Transformer/Power Supply 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   FIGS.  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 10 A, 11 , 12 , 13 , —Preferred Embodiment 
   For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference employing specific language shall be made to the illustrated embodiments. Please note that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended This includes any and all alterations or further modifications to any principle, application or conceivable use that might occur to any individual skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
   Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience purposes only and not intended to limit any aspect of the invention. The words “right”, “Left”, “Upper”, “Lower”, “Inside”, “Outside”, and “In front of” all designate the placement and location of components from the user&#39;s point of view. The word “User” is to mean a person using the Illuminated Electrical Transformer. The words “Led” and “Leds” are used throughout this work as a shortened term for “Light Emitting Diode” and “Light Emitting Diodes” they are mentioned as only a viable option for the remote electrical light source. So too does the term “Battery” refer to the “remote electrical power source”. The terminology includes the words above, specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the illuminating module  201 B fashioned to be attachable to the transformer  143 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the illuminating module  201 B fashioned to be attachable to Illuminating module bracket  141  which is attached to transformer  209  with adhesive panel  142 . 
     FIG. 3  illuminating module assembly  201  comprises Illuminating module case  100  and Switch cover  101  ( FIG. 4 ) which encloses Switch and battery holder assembly  205  and battery  103 . Switch cover  101  is molded or attached by any suitable means, or is a part of Illuminating module case  100  in order to provide a flexible seal which allows user to actuate Switch and battery holder assembly  205 . Opening  138  allows installation and replacement of Battery  103 . Optional Diffusing lens  102  ( FIG. 5 ) is made of a suitable transparent material and is molded or attached by any suitable means to Illuminating module case  100 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  are exploded diagrams of the Switch and battery holder assembly  205 . This assembly comprises Switch contact  104 , Battery and Switch holding component  105 , Circuit board  107 , and Light emitting diode  106 . The Battery and Switch holding component  105  is made of non-conductive material and is sandwiched between Circuit board  107  and switch contact  104 ; these components are adhesively combined or held together by any suitable means. This assembly forms Opening  138  ( FIG. 3 ), which holds Battery  103  ( FIG. 3 ) in place within the assembly and maintains electrical contact with Conductor  139 . Spacer section  140  creates a space between Switch contact  104  and Battery  103 . Switch contact  104  is electrically conductive and has a flexible characteristic enabling contact with the battery—a predetermined amount of force applied to the contact in a direction towards the battery causes physical and electrical contact with Battery  103 . Light emitting diode  106  is electrically connected to Conductor  139  and Switch contact  104 . When Switch contact  104  is electrically connected to Battery  103 , electron flow through Led  106  is initiated and Led  106  will produce useful illumination. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates the electrical flowchart diagram of the preferred invention. Adapter body  135  houses Power conductors  131 ,  132  and  133 , which allow electron flow from a receptacle, through the assembly and to the electrical transformer. Illuminating module assembly  201  is the switching mechanism for Electrical light source  106 —the actual switching component is Switch contact  104 . Switch contact  104  closes the circuit by electrically connecting Battery  103  to LED  106 . Resistor  112 , if needed is an amperage controlling component for LED  106 . 
     FIG. 2  discloses another embodiment comprising Bracket  141  and Adhesive panel  142 , designed to attach to an existing wall mount transformer  209 . Adhesive panel  142  possesses adhesive on both sides to attach bracket  141  to Transformer  209 , but any suitable means of attachment may be employed. Illuminating module  201  B is held in position by means of friction or any suitable means as is known in the art into bracket  141  in order to provide lighting onto an intended receptacle. 
     FIG. 1  demonstrates another mounting design for attaching illuminating module  201 B to an electrical transformer. Electrical transformer case  143  is designed to hold Illuminating module  201 B. 
   Other embodiments may include a recharging circuit for Battery  103  ( FIG. 12 ).  FIG. 10A  illustrates that Recharging assembly  207  located within Adapter body  137 . Recharging assembly  207  ( FIG. 10 ) contains the components to allow recharging functions as explained following. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 10A  the recharging constituent begins with Power conductors  115 ,  115 A and  115 B. They function to convey line voltage to Recharging assembly  207 .  FIG. 10  shows a magnified perspective view of the assembly. The line voltage is stepped down to a suitable voltage by transformer  116  and sent to rectifier  119 - 119 C. The DC voltage from the rectifier provides power to Recharging circuit  120 , which may be any suitable recharging circuit as is known in the art to maintain the charge level of Battery  103  ( FIG. 7 ). Referring to  FIG. 10A , Conductors  113 A and  113 B through Recharging contact board  113 , connect the output voltage from Recharging circuit  120  to illuminating module assembly  201  A.  FIG. 9  shows the bottom of Circuit board  107  A. Conductors  109  and  109 A electrically connect Recharging contact board  113  ( FIG. 10A ) to wires  110  and  111  ( FIG. 7 ) The presence of Recharging contact board  113  eliminates the need to hardwire Illuminating module assembly  201 A to the recharging circuit, allowing for simple removal and replacement of the assembly as shown in  FIG. 10A . When Illuminating module assembly  201 A is installed in Electrical Transformer case  143 , Recharging contact board  113  physically aligns and electrically connects to Conductors  109  and  109 A ( FIG. 9 ) Wire  111  is a jumper from Conductor  109  to conductor  139 A, connecting the circuit to one pole of battery  103 . (Refer to  FIG. 7 ) Wire  110  electrically connects the recharging voltage to Battery contactor assembly  206 , which closes the recharging circuit. Battery contactor assembly  206  is shown in  FIG. 8  and consists of two parts: Circuit board  108 A and Spring metal contactor  108 . This component maintains electrical contact with and allows voltage to flow to Battery  103  ( FIG. 7 ) any time the illuminated electrical transformer is connected to an active receptacle. 
     FIG. 12  is an electrical diagram showing Recharging circuit  120  within Transformer body  136 . 
   Operation of Preferred Embodiment and Additional Embodiments 
   See Drawings 
   As shown in  FIG. 13  the function of the Illuminated Electrical Transformer is to illuminate a receptacle so a user can see to align and insert the Electrical transformer into an electrical receptacle safely and accurately in a low or no light environment. 
   To operate, In an area with low, obstructed or no light, grasp the electrical transformer or power supply in a manner that permits the engagement of the electrical switch. By depressing electrical switch cover  101  ( FIG. 13 ) power is allowed to flow to the Remote electrical light source and light is created. 
   Move toward a suitable electrical receptacle and, using the illumination provided by the remote electrical light source, carefully align the electrical power conductors  131  and  132  into the appropriate openings of the electrical receptacle. 
   Once aligned, gently and completely press the electrical transformer or power supply into the receptacle. 
   As soon as the transformer or power supply is inserted completely, release the switch (or depress it again depending on the optional switch mechanism employed) to deactivate the illumination and let go of the transformer. 
   To replace the battery, Illuminating module assembly  201  ( FIG. 3 ) is removed from transformer case  143  ( FIG. 1 ) or illuminating module bracket  141  ( FIG. 2 ) to gain access to Battery  103  ( FIG. 3 ) The battery is removed from Opening  138  and a new battery is installed. Illuminating module assembly  201  is then inserted back into transformer case  143  or illuminating module bracket  141  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) 
   In Regard to Operation and Battery Replacement, all Illumination Modules and assembles operate in the same manner. 
   The addition of the Recharging assembly  207  ( FIG. 10 ) may be present in any Illuminated electrical Transformer assemblies. 
   ADVANTAGES 
   From the description above, a number of advantages of my illuminated electrical transformer/power supply become evident: 
   (a) Use of the illuminated transformer provides a directed light source, clearly illuminating the intended electrical receptacle. 
   (b) The intended device combines the features of separate devices (electrical transformers and portable lighting) into one device. Combined, these features offer a higher level of safety and convenience than what is currently available. An example of this would be the ability to locate and illuminate a receptacle in a darkened area using just the illuminated electrical transformer. 
   (c) By illuminating the receptacle, a user can see to accurately align and safely insert the transformer. 
   (d) The illuminating module can use a low power light emitting diode so the battery will have a very long run time. When the battery eventually does fail, the user can easily replace the dead battery and restore the entire unit to new condition. 
   (e) The illuminated Electrical Transformer can utilize a recharging circuit that will keep the battery recharged, enabling an even greater battery life expectancy. Situations where battery life may be shortened by constant use can benefit from this charging configuration. 
   CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE 
   Accordingly, the reader will see that, compared to using a standard transformer or power supply, my illuminated electrical Transformer can provide a user with an unobtrusive and inexpensive means to more safely and easily perform this very common, everyday task of plugging an electrical transformer into a receptacle. Furthermore, my Illuminated Electrical Transformer/Power Supply provides additional advantages in that: 
   (a) The present invention enables a user to easily locate a receptacle in a completely dark environment. 
   (b) The present invention is designed to be, optionally used with conventional electrical transformers thereby allowing use of the illumination module on any transformer or power supply. 
   (c) The illuminating module is detachable for battery or module replacement. 
   (d) The present invention and additional embodiments enable user to provide to a variety of electrical transformers, an affordable, temporary and quick conversion from non-illuminated to illuminated. 
   Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. 
   Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Technology Category: 5