US20060072302A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060072302A1
Application number: US10/954,189
Authority: US
Inventors: Tseng Chien
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2004-10-01
Publication date: 2006-04-06
Also published as: US20070076440A1; US20100033990A1; US7318653B2; US20140218927A1; US8915608B2; US20140104839A1; US20060073731A1; US20110019504A1; US11271408B2; US20200195015A1; US10574069B2; US10476286B2; US11239667B2; US7568829B2; US8545090B2; US8342732B2; US20200091748A1; US20150176826A1; US8811122B2; US9182111B2

Abstract

A wall plate has switch or receptacles or other electric device underneath which are illuminated by electro-luminescent element(s) (hereafter as EL) arranged within panels with a build-in push-tighten frame means to allow people to replace the non-illuminated wall plate to illuminated wall plate by simple installation with safety features to make big improvement. The said wall plate may be selected from group combination from the switch, receptacles, phone jacket, socket, antenna, dimmer switch, ring bell, internet socket, automatically electric appliance switch, or conventional market place available type which may use for home, house, hospital, commercial building, restaurant, restroom, office, hotel, Church with the desire EL elements with indicia, logo, drawing, printing, stencil on top to show some meaning for commercial, religion, enterprise identification, evacuation sign and help people with extra function more than an illuminated wall plate.

Description

BACKGROUND

The current invention make a big improvement from the Prior US patents included U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,613 Rice, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,641 Rice, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,025 Bohlool, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,411 Dornbusch, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,776 Rothbaum, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,682 Marischen for the illuminated wall plate for electricity box. Further make big improvement for U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,459 Appelberg and U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,356 Nguyen, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,973 Gorman, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,452 Masson, US to use the Electro-luminescent element instead of the out of date light means including the Bulb, LED or other type of light means with bulky space needed and heat problem, installation problem etc.

From the U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,613 Rice disclosure the illuminated wall plate by a bulb light means (22) with bulky lamp cover (15) with tentacle electrical conductor strips (17) to make the electric contact. The bulky bulb and all the complicated installation for the lamp and wires cause a big problem and the tentacle electrical conductor without any arrangement to make sure it will be well build the electric signal delivery because lack of tighten device so this will cause a big defected units. Rice also failure to disclosure the push-tighten force and do not discuss this for making a 100% electric connection by Rice's tentacle conductor strips (17).

From the U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,776 Rothbaum disclosure the illuminated wall plate by Electro-Luminescent lamp which applied the EL (14) on single piece of the support back plate (38) or the front face plate (28). This arrangement will not meet the safety standard. Especially, theFIG. 3B the EL (14) under the front face plate (28), there is no method to install the said spring tensioned metallic clip means (95). The material for the said metallic clip means also have potential electric shortage hazard while the loosen intallation for potential hazard so this device is very dangerously while the loosen installation and will cause the house fired. Rothbaum also repeatedly to said the elongate members97A,97B may be manufactured from an electrically conductive metal (colume 6, Line 66-67). This is very fatal mistake for arrangement. Bothbaum did not disclosure how to apply the EL on the back plate (38) and face plate (28) basingFIG. 3A,3B,4,5 because it can not be workable basing on single piece of the support means. Hence, this is not workable construction. The Rothbaum metal clip is not incorporated with push-tighten features and lack of introduce the push-tight force so it will be difficult to make sure the clip means (95) whether contact with the terminals or not?? This will be another trouble for the Rothbaum design.

From the U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,682 Marischen, The Marischen disclosure a wall plate with flat night light (30) installed on the existing electric faceplate (10) which with conductive wires (100) to make the electric signal delivery from power source to EL. The two wires (100) have to hook with the electric box's inner screws which is very dangerously work for non professional electrical people. The current invention make the different construction with the safety quickly installation without having the risk for electric shock. Some of prior arts have the clip means or spring means but it did not have the push-tighten features.

The all prior art even have the clip means or spring means which will be fixed angle while installation. However, the inner devices' terminal is far inner side than the device edge so if the fixed angle for clip means or spring means with predetermined angle will cause very difficult installation. If not make such angle, it will not make the proper electric connection.

Hence, The current invention find a push-tighten force which made from the plastic material properties, spring arrangement, or mechanical construction to allow the push-tighten frame device easily to install as the angle and the said frame means will be have a push-tighten force push the frame means forward while the said wall plate assembly tighten the screw on the wall after assembly procedure. This is the current invention's scope.

From the co-inventor prior art for good design for the EL elements on the wall plate cover as U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,101 disclosure the low cost EL elements design and electric connection for the EL and electric wires, but lack of the quickly installation method for wall plate replacement. The current invention emphasize on the push-tighten frame means construction and the way to make it.

Hence, the current invention to make the improvement for the simple and quickly electric connection method for wall plate. The current invention use dielectric material such as PP, PC, PE, ABS, Nylon, PVC or equivalent dielectric material to make push-tighten frame means and fix on a base. The base with install means to install on the one of the said panel security by add-on method so can allow people to insert into the tiny space with pre-fixed angle without touching any wires and take any worries from electric shock to finish the replace the traditional wall plate to illuminated wall plate further more the illuminated wall plates with some meanings on top of it as current invention's features.

The push-tighten frame means has following features:

- 1. A push-tighten frame means offer the feature of the flexible tongue to make two arms to allow push forward to make very good electric connection of electrodes to conductive means to contact members to inner device's terminals while the wall plate cover tighten by screw on the wall.
- 2. The said push-tighten frame means will be pressed by the wall plate and inner device to make the said stand-means change orientation forward to make sure the electric contact is 100% perfectly. The said stand
- 3. The said push-tighten frame means is made by dielectric material with fix-means to arrange the conductive means to carry the electric signal from EL electrodes to the conductive means to contact members to inner device's terminal with very security installation.
- 4. The said push-tighten frame means may optional selected incorporated with the metal-means to allow the contact members' area is sufficient size to make perfectly electric contact.

The current invention also incorporated the Government law for the wall plate material and safety standard so the dielectric plastic material is apply for build the electric delivery from device to the EL.

DRAWING

FIG. 1: Disclosure the variety preferred embodiments which includingFIG. 1-1 Wall plate for receptacle device,FIG. 1-2 toggle switch device,FIG. 1-3 Panel switch device with current invention quickly frame to make electric connection without touch the device's hot wires etc.

FIG. 1-A: Disclosure the preferred embodiments with details construction of current invention having plurality of panels with quickly frame means to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals to make the “Rectangular” shape of EL element to be illuminated.

FIG. 1-B: Disclosure the preferred embodiments with details construction of current invention having plurality of panels with quickly frame means to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals to make the “L” shape of EL elements to be illuminated.

FIG. 1-C: Disclosure the preferred embodiment with details construction of current invention having EL element in front of a existing wall plate unit with quickly frame means to install on the existing wall plate to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals to make the “Geometric” shape of EL elements to be illuminated. The EL element(s) are protected by a transparent panel which in a form of film or sheet which have very think thickness, preferred from 0.125 to 1 mm with larger dimension with adhesive means to well fix EL elements on position without any risk for movement.

FIG. 1-D: Disclosure the preferred embodiment with details construction of current invention having EL element back of a translucent front panel and overlap top of an existing of wall plate with quickly frame means to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals to make the “Desire” shape of EL elements to be illuminated.

FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B,FIG. 2-C: Disclosure the preferred quickly frame means to make the electric connection with inner device's terminal. The frame means not only with the tilt arms on top of the frame but also with a push-tighten force from the spring or use the plastic material's elastic properties to make such push-tighten force to make sure the frame means will be 100% tighten contact with inner device's terminals.

FIG. 3: Disclosure the preferred embodiment with an EL element not on a straight line with the inner device. The EL element located proximate location of the device It may located on aside, right, left, upper, lower orientation of the said inner device.

FIG. 3-A to3-D: Disclosure the preferred embodiment for wall plate with some selected device on the surface. Such wall plate may use for home, house, hospital, commercial building, restaurant, restroom, office, hotel, Church with the desire EL elements with indicia, logo, drawing, printing, stencil on top to show some meaning for commercial, religion, enterprise identification, evacuation sign and help people with extra function more than an illuminated wall plate which maybe for any combination may selected from the group from switch, receptacles, phone jacket socket set, antenna set, dimmer switch, ring bell, automatically electric appliance switch, or conventional market place available type of wall plate which can be replace to illuminated as current invention concept with quickly frame means to connect with inner devices' terminals to make not only illumination but also some meaning on this illuminated wall plate.

FIG. 4: Disclosure alternative embodiment which have the push-force due to the elastic plastic material and thickness of the quickly frame means to make the electric connection from EL elements to the device terminal with 100% perfectly construction. This is different with theFIG. 2A toFIG. 2C which create the push-force by the spring means.

FIG. 5: Disclosure one embodiment for the side light asFIG. 3 for the side light arrangement with the Top and Lower panel means to make the EL elements be sealed with wire arrangement post to prevent from external force applied to break the wires and connection points.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is design for a wall plate which for indoor or outdoor application to cover the electricity box to prevent from people touch, water, moisture, animal for any potential hazard for electric shortage or electric shock. The wall plate same as wall cover which to cover the electric device may selected from the group combination selection from the switch, receptacle, dimmer switch, plurality of switch and receptacles, sensors, electric device, internet equipment, charger, antenna wire, cable wires, remote controller, blue tooth device, electric emitter/receiver device, key pad device, push bottom device, or the device within a electric box which offer some electric function(s).

The current invention is not limited for the wall plate, wall cover for above listed applications. It can briefly said for cover a electric box which have electric device inside the said box.

From

FIG. 1: Disclosure the variety preferred embodiments which includingFIG. 1-1 a wall plate (01) with two receptacle opening (03) with a quickly push tighten frame means (02) to make the electric connection with the inner receptacle device's terminal and make the EL (04) be illuminated.FIG. 1-2 a wall plate (01) for toggle switch device (not shown) with a quickly push tighten frame mans (02) to make the electric connection with the inner receptacle device's terminal and make the EL (04) be illuminated. FromFIG. 1-3 a wall plate (01) for a panel switch device (not shown) with current invention quickly push tighten frame (02) to make electric connection with the inner device terminal and make the EL element (04) be illuminated without touching the device's hot wires etc.

FIG. 1-A: Disclosure the preferred embodiments with details construction of current invention. The wall plate having plurality of panels (01) (01A) with quickly push tighten frame means (02) to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals (not shown) to make the “Rectangular” shape of EL element (04) to be illuminated. The quickly push tighten frame means (02) consist of at least one base board (020) which may have desired construction and attached means to attached the base (020) solid on the back surface of the back panel by glue, post melting, metal fastener, rivet, screw, solvent, chemical adhesive, super glue, instant glue, AB glue, ultrasonic sealing, hot sealing, or any equivalent from conventional market place skill to apply this base (020) to attached on the panel surface. The base with sufficient width and length with pre-designed specification of material and attached means. FromFIG. 1-A is one of the preferred embodiment which use two hole (025A) (025A′) with tiny diameter than the screws (028)(028′) so can tighten this very solid and tight while install the resilient conductive rubber tube (027) (027′) which allow the conductive means (017) (027′) tip can be located within the center hole and use the base (020) to be pressed within the opening (022) (022′) to make electric connection with EL element (04) electrodes (041) (041′).

The EL element (04) are sandwich within the front panel (01) and back panel (01′) so the resilient rubber will be very secure within the base (020) and EL element (04) and make good electric connection to deliver the electric delivery. The base (020) has a sufficient big area to allow attach on the back surface of back panel (01′) by conventional method. The two elongate arms (021) (021′) have a common base which in a form of the tongue (029) with thin thickness to allow this portion been sandwich within the inner device edge and cover edge to make the two elongate arms been pushed to forward to the angle side so will be very tightly to contact with the inner device's terminal. The two elongate arms common tongue (029) can be also design as two separated piece as long as the tongue (029) been sandwiched by cover and inner device, it will make the two arms forwarder will be same as a single piece of the tongue. The orientation and location for the two arms (023) (023′) install on the base (020) as market required to make it simple and easily alignment will be fine. The alternative method to cause the push-tighten frame means (020) with the push forward features can be reach as theFIG. 2,FIG. 2A,FIG. 2B describe by a spring to make the base tilt forward to make the 2 elongate arms be pushed forward to make a tighten contact is same function or equivalent method. The current invention do not limited for these preferred embodiments for single tongue or two tongue or more or by spring to make the mechanically to push the arms forward to make tighten contact result. The EL panel (04) has the electrodes (041) and (041′) are well positioned in front of the back panel (01′). This back panel (01′) maybe a conventional UL listed wall plate and we only need to make some opening and attached the push-tighten frame means (020) as preferred construction so we can make the illuminated wall plate without the any conflict the safety standard. It also appreciated that make a back panel (01′) and met the requirement for wall plate standard by supplier and incorporated the much simple assembly work. The front panel (01) can be a partial transparent or translucent material to allow the EL element light beams to be seen from outside. The EL element (04) may have any desired logo, indicia, color, brightness, trademark, design, drawing by printing, phosphor arrangement, stencil arrangement to allow the illuminated wall plate not only supply the illumination but also supply the desired meaning from the wall plate as ourFIG. 3A, 3B,3C,3D to disclosure the logo, evacuation information, religion sign, trade mark, logo on the variety combination functions wall plate may included from desired combination from switch, receptacle, internet cable, sensor, phone jacket, power source, dimmer switch, number plate, digital display, key pad, security entry code panel, screen selector, or the like for home, building, office, restaurant, hospital, public building, department stores, residence house or shelter place for people stay.

FIG. 1-B: Disclosure the preferred embodiments with details construction of current invention having plurality of panels (01) (01′) with quickly push-tighten frame means (020) to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals to make the two of “L” shape of EL elements (04A) (04B) to be illuminated. The co-inventor of U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,101 disclosure the arrangement for the same design with conductive rubber tube (027) (027′) position on the opening (022) (022′) to connect the EL element (04A) and (04B)'s electrodes to bridge the signal delivery from the two arms (021) (021′) to two EL panels (04A) (04B). The conductive rubber, conductive wires, base, two arms, two tongues, attachment means for base, fix means for glue or screw or the like are discussed on theFIG. 1-A with details. The difference for arrange the two L type EL elements (04A) and (04B) the each EL element may have more electrodes so need more conductive rubber and wires and more panel means (028A) for arrange the electric connection for EL to arms. The electric signal delivery, this can be solved by conventional skill to do this. It is very important to make the two L type EL elements (04A) (04B) into a frame lighted areas (04C) for cost concern and design concept. Hence, The alternative to make the EL light area such as (04C) with desired shape having light emitted out and majority is no light output be seen will be very important for current invention because this will make the products with variety selections, variety cost, variety value with nice appearance to create a good market demand. This is one of very important value for current invention and prior art. The difference here than co-inventor's prior art for the quickly push-tighten frame means which is not discussed on the earlier date.

FIG. 1-C: Disclosure the preferred embodiment with details construction of current invention having EL element (04) in front of a existing wall plate unit or new made unit (01′) with quickly frame means (020) to install on the existing wall plate (01′) to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals (not shown) to make the “Geometric” shape of EL elements (04) to be illuminated.

The EL element(s) are protected by a transparent panel (01) which in a form of film or sheet (01) which have very think thickness, preferred from 0.125 to 1 mm with larger dimension with adhesive means (not shown) to well fix EL elements on position without any risk for movement.

The very thin film or sheet to make isolated function to prevent people to touch the EL (04) surface directly to get electric shock or damage the EL element (04) while scratch the EL surface directly even the EL elements is sealed during the production of EL element. The front panel (01) still is necessary basing on the safety standard or meet durable quality for product design view.

FIG. 1-D: Disclosure the preferred embodiment with details construction of current invention having EL element back of a translucent front panel (01) and overlap top of an existing of wall plate or new made back panel (01′) with quickly frame means (020) to make the electric connection with inner device's terminals to make the “Desire” shape of EL elements (04) to be illuminated. The front panel (01) is in a form of wall plate which meet all safety standard and specification so can allow the EL (04) and back panel (01′) be well protected and make simple replace the traditional wall plate into illuminated wall plate simple and easily.

FIG. 2,FIG. 2B,FIG. 2-C: Disclosure the preferred quickly frame means (020) to make the electric connection with inner device's terminal. The frame means not only with the tilt arms (021) (021′) on top of the frame means (02B) but also with a push-tighten force from the spring (02F) or use the plastic material's elastic properties (as theFIG. 1A description) to make such push-tighten force to make sure the frame means will be 100% tighten contact with inner device's terminals. From theFIG. 2, the push tighten force created by inner spring (02F) and (02F′) which are located under the two arms' (021) (021′) base with spring-compartment (02K′) and (02L′). The two arms with a bottom rod (02J) to allow the two arms (021) (021′) can be rotated while the spring extend to make the two arms' base be pushed-up and tilt so the two arms will be pushed forward to make the tighten contact with inner device terminals while the clipper means (02Q) to rotated and make the overloaded weight disappear.

FromFIG. 2, the two spring (02F) (02F′) are well install on the location (02K′) (02L′) and be pressed by the two arms (021) (021′) base (02K) (02L). The two arms are connected by a plastic rod (02J) which well located on the groove (02J′) to act as a rotating means. The rod (02J) are hold by two holder (02A) and (02A′) by plastic post and melt after the installation. FromFIG. 2B, after installation of theFIG. 2, A rotating wheel (02R) with a center hole to hold on position by plastic post of the back panel. The wheel (02R) has designed teeth (02P) and (02P′) with spacing between the two teeth. The teeth (02P) and (02P′) are over the two arms' extended areas (02M) and (02M′) to prevent from the underneath spring be released while assembly. The two arms' base the extended areas (01M) (02M′) are pressed by the teeth (02P) and (02P′) and will be release while the teeth space (02N) (02N′) rotated to the upper of the extended areas (02M) (02M′) and push the two arms forward to make very tightly contact with the inner devices' terminals.

This is the alternative embodiment which disclosure the equivalent method to create the push-tighten frame means by spring. It appreciated that all such mechanical or physically construction to make such function is within the current invention's scope. The preferred two constructions for push-tighten frame means is not the limitation for current invention's spirit.

FIG. 3: Disclosure the preferred embodiment with an EL assembly (07) not on a straight line with the inner device (06). The EL assembly (07) located proximate location of the inner device (06).

It may located on aside, right, left, upper, lower orientation of the said inner device. FromFIG. 3, The EL assembly (07) is on the right side of the inner device (06). The EL assembly (07) is fit into the opening (03A) with two screws (not shown) to make alignment of the screw hole (028D) (028D′) with panel's screw holes (028E) (028E′). The inner device also alignment the screw holes (028F) (028F′) with the panel's holes (028G) (028G′) to make the tighten attachment. This is the one embodiment for the EL element is not arranged front and back position, but it is a proximate adjacent of inner device including aside, right, left or other location which is not only limited to the front and back.

From theFIG. 3A, the EL elements are arranged around 50% of the wall plate for illumination. It can be any color and brightness for full surface area lighted area. FromFIG. 3B, the EL element is designed as the “Star” meaning on the EL lighted area.

The star (04E) can be lighted area or non-illuminated area. The star (04E) also can add some printing, color, stencil, phosphor arrangement, or overlay some sticker to make this Star meaning show up to public. This star indicia maybe a national emblem, states logo or enterprise identification, or the other meanings which depend on market requirement.

From theFIG. 3C, the EL elements is arranged to have the “Christian Cross” meaning which may special design for the religion customer for church application or for residence house for switch board it may also incorporated cable device (03I), internet cable device (03J), audio/video device (03K), phone jacket (03L), polarity of the toggle switch (03H) with a quickly push-tighten frame means on the wall plate back surface.

This is one of the embodiment for multiple functions wall plate can have any kind of the EL elements with designs may created by the process of printing, phosphor arrangement, stencil, overlay, cut-out, or the convention market available skill.

FromFIG. 3D, show the multiple functions wall plate with the receptacle (03M) (03N) and panel switch (03Q) with a evacuation route (04H) and distance (04I) and destination (04G) three meaning on the EL (N4) area. This will be broad apply to all building, public area, commercial playground, theater, pub, dancing area, party area, celebration area, hotel, airport, station, transportation area, bus station, train station, vessel, boat, hospital, restaurant, health club or the place where the people visiting or stay.

Hence, the EL illuminated areas should not limited on the front and back in a straight line but also should cover all the orientation and dimension for the current invention arrangement with built-in the quickly push-tighten frame means as current invention's features and scope for the invention.

From theFIG. 4, Disclosure alternative embodiment which have the push-force due to the plastic material and thickness properties of the quickly frame means to make the electric connection from EL elements to the device terminal with 100% perfectly construction. This is different with theFIG. 2A toFIG. 2C which create the push-force by the spring means.

The Wall electric box with a hole (06) to allow put an inner device (05) inside the hole. The inner device has two terminals (051) (051′) to connect with the hot wire to allow the current delivery. The wall plate panel means (01′) have a preferred installation means to install the base (020) on the one of the panel (01′). The base has the two posts (02Z) (02Z′) to allow make the fix arrangement for two elongate arms (0222) (0222′) to hold tightly on the two post (02Z) (02Z′). The base have a channel (0214) to allow the EL's conductive means (0223) (0223′) to well arranged and come out from base's two opening (02AA) (02AA′) and the conductive means at the location (026) (026′) are soldered with the metal contact member (02S) (02S′) and tighten by the screws (028) (028′) though the elongate plastic hole (02T) (02T′) to build the electric signal delivery from EL elements' electrodes end to the contact members.

The two elongate arms (0222) and (0222′) have a common tongue (02X) to hold the two arms on a certain distance. The tongue (02X) have certain thickness and dimension to allow to push the tongue from position (02X) to (02Y) will cause the two arms change position from (X) to (Y) to make the push-tighten frame means forward to make a very tightly connection with inner device terminals (051) (051′). This change position from (X) to (Y) is caused by the tongue (02X) are be sandwiched by the panel (01′) and inner device (05) while the wall plate assembled on the wall with tighten screwed. The tongue (02X) have the special design angle and thickness and selected material so will make the two frames to be change position while the tongue been pushed or sandwiched while wall plate assembly to the wall.

The Alternative method to make the push-tighten frame device may get equivalent functions may be selected from any combination from spring arrangement as FIG. (2) (2-A) (20B) or plastic material properties, thickness, angle as FIG. (4), or as mechanical construction (not shown here), or other equivalent functions physically or mechanically design. The mentioned embodiments is not limited the current invention's scope.

From theFIG. 5, Disclosure one embodiment for the side light asFIG. 3 for the side light arrangement with the top (071) panel and lower (072) panel means to make the EL (04) elements be sealed with wire arrangement posts to make the electrode's conductive wires will come out from the opening (073) (074) and make the path with all safety posts loops so can prevent from external force applied to break the wires coming from the exit location (075) (076) and connection points. The EL panel (04) still sealed within the two panels means and fit into the wall plate extra space's opening, cut-out, window area as theFIG. 3 details drawing with the inner device (05) and EL assembly (07)

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in details, It would be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the described embodiments, but rather that the invention is to be interpreted in accordance with the appended claims.