IP Library Granted Patent US 7,553,062
Granted Patent B2
US 7,553,062 · App. 11/523,150 · Granted Jun 30, 2009

Light device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,553,062
App. No.
11/523,150
Granted
Jun 30, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light device includes a body having a light source and electrical contacts that plug into a first electrical outlet of a duplex receptacle and receive power therefrom. An outlet cover mounted for pivotal motion with respect to the body about at a pivot axis, which is substantially proximate to a region between the first outlet and a second outlet of the receptacle. The outlet cover pivots away from the body and towards the duplex receptacle to inhibit access to the second electrical outlet.

Claims (43)

1. A light device, comprising:

a body, including

a light source, and

electrical contacts that plug into a first electrical outlet of a duplex receptacle and supply power to the light source; and

a outlet cover mounted for pivotal motion with respect to the body about a pivot axis that is substantially proximate to a region between the first outlet and a second outlet of the receptacle, wherein the outlet cover pivots away from the body and towards the duplex receptacle to inhibit access to the second electrical outlet.

2. The light device of claim 1 , wherein outlet cover pivots towards the body and away from the duplex receptacle to provide access to the second electrical outlet.

3. The light device of claim 1 , wherein the outlet cover includes a slot through which a screw attaches to a screw hole in the electrical receptacle to secure the outlet cover in position.

4. The light device of claim 1 , further including a pivot that extends through the pivot axis, wherein the outlet cover pivots about the pivot.

5. The light device of claim 1 , further including two or more pivots, wherein each pivot extends through a different portion of the pivot axis and the outlet cover pivots about the more than one pivot.

6. The light device of claim 1 , wherein the body further includes one or more integral pivots that engage the outlet cover at the pivot axis and the outlet cover pivots about the one or more pivots.

7. The light device of claim 1 , wherein the outlet cover includes one or more integral pivots that engage the body at the pivot axis and the outlet cover pivots about the one or more pivots.

8. The light device of claim 1 , further including a hinge pin at which the outlet cover pivots.

9. The light device of claim 1 , further including a detent that holds the outlet cover in a retracted position that allows access to the second outlet.

10. The light device of claim 1 , further including a faceplate attached to the body that facilitates spreading light emitted by the light source.

11. The light device of claim 10 , wherein the faceplate has a recessed surface and a translucent sticker is affixed to the surface.

12. The light device of claim 10 . wherein the outlet cover is substantially parallel to the region between the first outlet and a second outlet of the receptacle.

13. A night light that receives power through an electrical connection with an electrical outlet of a duplex receptacle, comprising:

a light source that is energized by the power from a first outlet of the duplex receptacle;

a pivot disposed near to a region between two outlets of the receptacle; and

an extension that pivots about the pivot to block access to a second electrical outlet of the duplex receptacle.

14. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the extension is breakably removable from the night light.

15. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the pivot is a flexible member that flexes to pivot about the pivot.

16. The night light of claim 13 , further including an optical sensor that senses ambient light and activates the light source,

17. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the light source is one of an incandescent light, a light emitting diode, a neon light, an electroluminescent light, a gas discharge light, an optical fiber, and a fluorescent light.

18. The night light of claim 13 , further including a body, wherein the body and the extension include material free regions in which the pivot extends.

19. The night light of claim 18 , wherein the pivot is held in the material free regions via an interference fit.

20. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the pivot is a hinge pin.

21. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the pivot is an integral part of the extension.

22. The night light of claim 13 , further including a body, wherein the pivot is an integral part of the body.

23. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the outlet cover includes a plurality of members that are at least partially inserted into the outlet recesses to inhibit use of the outlet.

24. The night light of claim 13 , wherein the extension pivots away from the body and towards the duplex receptacle to inhibit access to the second electrical outlet.

25. A method for attaching a nightlight to an electrical outlet, comprising:

electrically coupling electrical contacts of the night light to a first outlet of an duplex electrical receptacle; and

pivoting an outlet cover of the night light about a pivot axis located between and parallel to the outlets of the receptacle to prevent access to a second outlet or provide access to the second outlet.

26. The method of claim 25 , further including securing the outlet cover in a position that prevents access to the second outlet with a screw.

27. A method for constructing a night light that blocks access to an electrical outlet, comprising:

assembling a night light that plugs into an outlet of a duplex electrical receptacle; and

pivotably coupling an extension member to a pivot axis of the night light located between the outlets of the receptacle, wherein the extension member pivots about the axis towards the receptacle to block access to a second outlet of the receptacle.

28. The method of claim 27 , further including:

selecting a faceplate from at least two faceplates having different designs; and

attaching the selected faceplate to the night light.

29. The method of claim 28 , further including selecting the extension member from at least two extension members having different designs based on the design of the selected faceplate.

30. The method of claim 27 , further including affixing a sticker to the faceplate.

Assignments (4)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jan 8, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 048888/0300 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBER 29/499,135 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 036019 FRAME: 814. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 16, 2016
From: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY
To: ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 040054/0660 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 15, 2015
From: ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 036106/0392 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2015
From: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
To: ENERGIZER BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 036019/0814 →