U.S. patent application number 11/052445 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-11 for staircase lighting apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Crandall, Joyce.
Application Number | 20050172568 11/052445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34829900 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050172568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crandall, Joyce |
August 11, 2005 |
Staircase lighting apparatus and method
Abstract
An apparatus and method for lighting a staircase are provided,
having one or more lighting devices adapted for mounting on the
staircase adjacent the treads of the staircase, controlled by
pressure sensitive pads placed above and below the staircase on the
floors of upper and lower joined by the staircase. The pressure
sensitive pads may be installed under the floor covering of the
upper and/or lower levels, or alternatively, may be incorporated
into throw rugs or mats that can be placed adjacent the upper and
lower ends of the staircase. The lighting devices and pressure
sensitive pads may be connected by wires, or wirelessly, or a by a
combination of wired and wireless connections, in various
embodiments of the invention.
Inventors: |
Crandall, Joyce; (Cherry
Valley, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD.
(ROCKFORD OFFICE)
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, SUITE 4900
180 NORTH STESTON AVENUE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6780
US
|
Family ID: |
34829900 |
Appl. No.: |
11/052445 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60543846 |
Feb 11, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 23/0442 20130101;
H05B 47/16 20200101; F21V 33/006 20130101; F21W 2111/027 20130101;
H05B 47/105 20200101; Y02B 20/40 20130101; F21V 23/0435 20130101;
E04F 2011/1048 20130101; Y02B 20/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/187 |
International
Class: |
E04F 011/00; E04F
019/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for lighting a staircase having one or more
vertically spaced treads connecting lower and upper levels whereby
one or more persons may ascend or descend, the apparatus
comprising: a lighting device adapted for mounting on the staircase
adjacent at least one of the one or more treads for illuminating
the at least one of the one or more treads; a first pressure
sensitive pad adapted for placement on one of the upper or lower
levels adjacent the staircase for controlling the lighting device;
and a second pressure sensitive pad adapted for placement on the
other of the upper or lower levels adjacent the staircase for
controlling the lighting device.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller
operatively connected between the lighting device and the first and
second pressure sensitive pads for switching the lighting device to
an ON condition when a predetermined force is applied to one of the
upper or lower pressure sensitive pads.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller maintains the
lighting device in the ON position for a predetermined period of
time after the predetermined force is applied to the one of the
first and second pressure sensitive pads.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, after the lighting device is
turned on by applying the predetermined force one of the first and
second pressure sensitive pads, the controller maintains the
lighting device in the ON condition until a predetermined force is
applied to the other of the first and second pressure sensitive
pads.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller maintains the
lighting device in the ON position for a predetermined period of
time after the predetermined force is applied to the other of the
first and second pressure sensitive pads.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least one of the
predetermined force applied to the first pressure sensitive pad,
the predetermined force applied to the second pressure sensitive
pad, or the predetermined period of time is adjustable.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply
operatively connected to the lighting device and first and second
pressure sensitive pads.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and
second pressure sensitive pads are operatively connected wirelessly
for controlling the lighting device.
9. A method for lighting a staircase having one or more vertically
spaced treads connecting lower and upper levels whereby one or more
persons may ascend or descend, the method comprising: mounting a
lighting device on the staircase adjacent at least one of the one
or more treads for illuminating the at least one of the one or more
treads; placing a first pressure sensitive pad on one of the upper
or lower levels adjacent the staircase for controlling the lighting
device; and placing a second pressure sensitive pad on the other of
the upper or lower levels for controlling the lighting device.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising operatively
connecting a controller between the lighting device and the first
and second pressure sensitive pads for switching the lighting
device to an ON condition when a predetermined force is applied to
one of the upper or lower pressure sensitive pads.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising configuring the
controller for maintaining the lighting device in the ON position
for a predetermined period of time after the predetermined force is
applied to the one of the first and second pressure sensitive
pads.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising configuring the
controller in such a manner that, after the lighting device is
turned on by applying the predetermined force one of the first and
second pressure sensitive pads, the controller maintains the
lighting device in the ON condition until a predetermined force is
applied to the other of the first and second pressure sensitive
pads.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising configuring the
controller for maintaining the lighting device in the ON position
for a predetermined period of time after the predetermined force is
applied to the other of the first and second pressure sensitive
pads.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising configuring the
controller such that at least one of the predetermined force
applied to the first pressure sensitive pad, the predetermined
force applied to the second pressure sensitive pad, or the
predetermined period of time is adjustable.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling the
lighting device wirelessly with at least one of the first and
second pressure sensitive pads.
16. A lighted staircase having one or more vertically spaced treads
connecting lower and upper levels whereby one or more persons may
ascend or descend and a lighting apparatus, the lighting apparatus
for automatically illuminating the staircase when the person is
approaching or using the staircase, the lighting apparatus
comprising: a lighting device mounted on the staircase adjacent at
least one of the one or more treads for illuminating the at least
one of the one or more treads; a first pressure sensitive pad
placed on one of the upper or lower levels adjacent the staircase
for controlling the lighting device; and a second pressure
sensitive pad placed on the other of the upper or lower levels
adjacent the staircase for controlling the lighting device.
17. The lighted staircase of claim 16, further comprising at least
two lighting devices operatively connected for parallel electrical
operation.
18. The lighted staircase of claim 17, further comprising at least
two treads, with a lighting device mounted for individually
illuminating each of the at least two or more treads.
19. The lighted staircase of claim 16, wherein at least one of the
first and second pressure sensitive pads are operatively connected
wirelessly for controlling the lighting device.
20. The lighted staircase of claim 19, wherein the lighting
apparatus is at least partly battery powered.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/543,846, filed Feb. 11,
2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to individually lighting the steps of
a staircase, and more particularly to automatically illuminating
the steps when a person is approaching and using the staircase.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Attempting to traverse a poorly illuminated staircase can be
dangerous. It is, therefore, both desirable and necessary to
provide some form of lighting to facilitate use of any staircase
which is otherwise poorly illuminated during times of the day when
it might be used by a person wishing to ascend or descend the
staircase, while moving between a lower and an upper level
connected by the staricase. It is wasteful of energy, however, to
keep a staircase fully illuminated at all times. It is desirable,
therefore, to provide means for illuminating the staircase only
when a person is desirous of using the staircase.
[0004] In one prior approach to providing on demand lighting for a
staircase, an overhead light is provided and controlled by manually
operable switches placed near the bottom and the top of the
staircase. While such a solution is simple, particularly if
installed at the same time the building containing the staircase is
being constructed, there are drawbacks. In the dark, it may be
difficult to locate the switch, and, while groping around in the
dark for the switch, a person may fall on the staircase. Even if
the switch is safely located in the dark, a person coming out of a
dark area, or who has been sleeping, for example, may be somewhat
blinded by the brightness of the overhead light. Also, a person
carrying a child or some sort of load in their arms may have
difficulty in reaching for the switch. Furthermore, it may be
difficult to install such a lighting system after construction of
the building in which the staircase is located, given that building
codes generally require that wiring be run inside of the walls of
the building. It is desirable, therefore, that a staircase lighting
arrangement be capable of turning on and off automatically, when
illumination is needed, and provide illumination that will
facilitate passage without blinding a person approaching the
staircase from a darkened area.
[0005] In another prior approach, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,425,601, to Donahue, a light means is mounted on each of the
risers of the stairs of a staircase, and pressure sensitive switch
means are provided on each tread of the staircase so that foot
pressure on any of the treads will cause the light means to
illuminate the stairs. This approach has a serious drawback,
however, in that a person must locate the staircase in the dark and
step up or down onto one of the treads, while still in the dark,
before the staircase is illuminated. It is desirable that the
staircase illumination apparatus be capable of sensing the presence
of a person approaching the staircase and turning on the
illumination before the person reaches the staircase.
[0006] It is desirable, therefore, to provide an improved
apparatus, and method for lighting a staircase in a manner which
addresses one or more of the problems described above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides an improved apparatus and method for
lighting a staircase through the use of one or more lighting
devices adapted for mounting on the staircase adjacent the treads
of the staircase, controlled by pressure sensitive pads which are
placed above and below the staircase on the floors of upper and
lower levels joined by the staircase. The pressure sensitive pads
may be installed under the floor covering of the upper and/or lower
levels, or alternatively, may be incorporated into throw rugs or
mats that can be placed adjacent the upper and lower ends of the
staircase. The lighting devices and pressure sensitive pads may be
connected by wires, or wirelessly, or a by a combination of wired
and wireless connections, in various embodiments of the
invention.
[0008] In one form of the invention, an apparatus is provided for
lighting a staircase having one or more vertically spaced treads
connecting lower and upper levels whereby one or more persons may
ascend or descend. The apparatus includes at least one lighting
device, and first and second pressure sensitive pads. The lighting
device is adapted for mounting on the staircase adjacent at least
one of the one or more treads for illuminating the at least one of
the one or more treads. The first pressure sensitive pad is adapted
for placement on one of the upper or lower levels adjacent the
staircase for controlling the lighting device, and the second
pressure sensitive pad is adapted for placement on the other of the
upper or lower levels adjacent the staircase for controlling the
lighting device.
[0009] A lighting apparatus, according to the invention, may
further include a controller operatively connected between the
lighting device and the first and second pressure sensitive pads
for switching the lighting device to an ON condition when a
predetermined force is applied to one of the upper or lower
pressure sensitive pads. The controller may alternatively be
configured for maintaining the lighting device in the ON position
for a predetermined period of time after the predetermined force is
applied to the one of the upper and lower pressure sensitive pads.
The controller may also be configured such that after the lighting
device is turned on by applying the predetermined force one of the
upper and lower pressure sensitive pads, the controller maintains
the lighting device in the ON condition until a predetermined force
is applied to the other of the upper and lower pressure sensitive
pads. The controller may be further configured to maintain the
lighting device in the ON position for a predetermined period of
time after the predetermined force is applied to the other of the
upper and lower pressure sensitive pads. At least one of the
predetermined force applied to the upper pad, the predetermined
force applied to the lower pad, or the predetermined period of time
may also be adjustable.
[0010] The invention may also take the form of a method for
lighting a staircase, using a staircase lighting apparatus
according to the invention. The invention may further take the form
of a staircase using an apparatus or a method according to the
invention.
[0011] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a staircase including a first
embodiment of a staircase lighting apparatus, according to the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic corresponding to the
embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an alternate
embodiment of a staircase lighting apparatus, according to the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a second alternate
embodiment of a staircase lighting apparatus, according to the
invention.
[0016] While the invention will be described in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to
those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a staircase 100 including a
first embodiment of a staircase lighting apparatus 102, according
to the invention, for automatically illuminating the staircase 100
when the person is approaching or using the staircase 100. The
staircase 100 includes a plurality of steps, formed by a plurality
of vertically spaced treads 104 joined by risers 106 along a
stringer 108, connecting lower and upper levels 110, 112, whereby
one or more persons may ascend or descend the staircase 100.
[0018] The staircase lighting apparatus 100 includes a plurality of
lighting devices 114 mounted on the risers 106 of the staircase,
with one lighting device 114 mounted adjacent each tread 104 for
illuminating that particular tread 104. The lighting apparatus 100
further includes a first pressure sensitive pad 116 placed on the
lower level 110, adjacent the staircase 100, and a second pressure
sensitive pad 118 placed on the upper level 112, for controlling
the lighting devices 114. It will be noted that, while in FIG. 1
the pressure sensitive pads 116, 118 have been illustrated as lying
atop the floor covering on the first and second levels 110, 112, it
is contemplated that in some embodiments of the invention one or
both of the pressure sensitive pads 116, 118 may be located under
the floor covering on the upper and/or lower levels 110, 112.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the first embodiment of a lighting
apparatus 102, according to the invention, includes a controller
120 operatively connected between the lighting devices 114 and the
first and second pressure sensitive pads 116, 118 for switching the
lighting devices 114 to an ON condition when a predetermined force
is applied to one of the upper or lower pressure sensitive pads
116, 118. Specifically, the lighting devices 114 are connected by
wires in a parallel circuit relationship to one another and a power
source 122. The controller 120 is disposed in the lighting circuit
to deliver electrical power to the lighting devices 114 when
triggered to do so by signals received over wires 124, 126
connected between the controller 120 and the first and second
pressure sensitive pads 116, 118.
[0020] It is contemplated that the power source 122 may be
connected to a commercial utility grid through a standard
electrical outlet, or otherwise permanently wired into the
electrical wiring of a building in which the staircase 100 is
installed. It is further contemplated that in various embodiments
of the invention, the power source 122 may be partially or fully
battery powered, or may include transformers or other electrical
components required for transforming utility line voltage to a
lower voltage for use in a lighting apparatus according to the
invention.
[0021] The controller 120 of the first exemplary embodiment of a
lighting apparatus 102, according to the invention, is configured
such that, after the lighting devices 114 are turned on by applying
the predetermined force one of the upper and lower pressure
sensitive pads 116, 118, the controller 120 maintains the lighting
devices 114 in the ON condition until a predetermined force is
applied to the other of the upper and lower pressure sensitive pads
116, 118, so that the lighting devices 114 will not turn off while
a person is on the staircase 100. The controller 120 is further
configured to maintain the lighting devices 114 in the ON position
for a predetermined period of time after the predetermined force is
applied to the other of the upper and lower pressure sensitive pads
116, 118, so that the lighting devices 114 do not switch off and
plunge the person using the staircase 100 into darkness the moment
that he or she steps off of the second pressure sensitive pad 116,
118.
[0022] It is also preferred, that at least one of the predetermined
force applied to the upper pad 118, the predetermined force applied
to the lower pad 116, or the predetermined period of time that the
lighting devices 114 remain on be adjustable, to suit the needs and
desires of persons using the staircase 100. For example, in a home
with a pet, such as a housecat or a dog, it may be desirable to set
the actuation force to a level high enough that the pet will not
trigger the lighting apparatus, in order to save on utility bills,
given that pets can easily negotiate the staircase 100 in the dark.
It may be desirable, in some cases, to prolong the period of time
that the lighting devices 114 stay illuminated, after a person uses
the staircase 100, to provide time for safely crossing a hallway or
room adjoining the staircase 100 to reach switches for other
lighting devices.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a lighting apparatus
200, according to the invention, having upper and lower pressure
sensitive pads 202, 204 wirelessly linked to a plurality of
independently powered lighting devices 206. In such an arrangement,
the pressure sensitive pads 202, 204 and lighting devices 206 are
battery powered, with the controller and wireless transmitters and
receivers being incorporated into the pressure sensitive pads 202,
204 and lighting devices 206. By virtue of this arrangement, the
lighting apparatus 200 can be attached to an existing staircase,
without the need for wiring, thereby greatly simplifying
installation and allowing use on staircases where utility power is
not available.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows another alternate embodiment of a lighting
apparatus 300, according to the invention, having upper and lower
pressure sensitive pads 302, 304 wirelessly linked to a plurality
of lighting devices 306 connected in parallel to a common power
source 308. The common power source 308 may be connected to a
utility grid, or partially or fully battery powered in various
embodiments of the invention. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4,
the pressure sensitive pads 302, 304 are battery powered, with the
controller and wireless transmitters and receivers being
incorporated into the pressure sensitive pads 302, 304 and common
power source 308.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments of the invention, it
may be desirable to mount lighting devices 400 the stringer 108, or
the wall adjacent each tread 104, rather than on the risers 106. It
will be further understood that lighting devices, in a lighting
apparatus according to the invention, may also be used on
staircases which do not have risers. The lighting devices in any
embodiment of the invention may be attached to the bottom sides of
the treads, or form part of the surface or the nosing of the
treads.
[0026] It will be understood, by those having skill in the art,
that, the controllers in the embodiments of the invention shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 may incorporate some or all of the control
functionality described above in relation to the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0027] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0028] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *