Abstract: A release mechanism for an automobile trunk that enables the trunk to be opened from within the trunk. The release mechanism contains an activation device that must be manually manipulated by a person within the trunk in order to activate the release mechanism and open the trunk. The activation device is illuminated. Accordingly, the activation device can be readily found and activated by a person locked within the trunk.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for illuminating keyholes comprised of an annular top housing made of rigid material, having recessed and through holes, and a recessed oval pocket having within two through holes. Top housing (12) is slidably over an annular bottom housing (30) made of the same material as top housing (12), also having recessed and through holes. A printed circuit board (40) having transistor (52), resistor (54), and male power connector (64), mounted and soldered directly on its surface, is housed and affixed within top housing (12), by screw (46), plastic spacer (44), and nut (48). A photoresistor (56) is housed within a pocket (20) and located on top housing (12), its two leads are inserted through two holes (22), located within pocket (20), and soldered directly to printed circuit board (40). A light emitting diode (58), positioned a predetermined distance below a keyhole, and having its two leads soldered to printed circuit board (40), is also housed within top housing (12).

Abstract: An adaptive, battery-operated sound actuate illumination device includes a housing of a durable material having an interior chamber and electronic components located within the chamber. The housing utilizes existing door lock hardware to secure the device to the door for unobtrusive, mechanical installation.

Abstract: An article is described for providing illumination for a door handle in reduced lighting conditions. The article includes a mounting device and a method for illuminating the door handle. The method for illuminating may comprise a timekeeping device such as a light emitting display digital clock.

Abstract: A safety release handle assembly for a trunk of a vehicle is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety release assembly comprises a housing and a handle positioned within a recess of the housing. The handle is connectable to a release mechanism of the trunk lid and is movable to actuate the release mechanism to open the trunk lid from within the trunk space. The handle provides a mechanical advantage such that the release mechanism may be actuated upon exertion of less than or equal to approximately 20 Newtons at the handle. The safety release assembly may further include an illumination source, whereby the handle may be illuminated to assist viewing of the handle when the trunk lid is closed.

Abstract: The invention is an illuminating device for doorknobs. The apparatus comprising an acrylic prism of a horseshoe shaped and of a size that allows it to fit over a standard sized door knob and then reside upon the back plate of the door knob. The prism is lit by two LED devices located at either end of the prism and powered by small batteries. The device illuminates door knobs or handles with a minimum of electrical power and easy to use for people of all ages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic light positioned to illuminate the exterior door wall in the area of the door handle. The fiber optic line is preferably carried in the door handle and positioned to produce a flood of light reflecting off of the door wall and in particularly off of the bezel behind the door handle. The fiber optic line may also be positioned in the door wall or bezel to produce light reflecting off the door wall or bezel. The door wall or bezel may include a lip or eyebrow structure over hanging the end of the fiber optic line so that the end of the fiber optic line (and the direct light source) is not visible to a person standing next to the door in an upright position.

Abstract: An electronic module which is located between the plug cover and the front flange of the cylinder body has light and motion sensors that look out through holes in the cover. Whenever it is dark and a person approaches the lockset a light will be turned on to illuminate a translucent ring that surrounds the keyway.

Abstract: A key chain with magnifying glass is provided including a housing having a key ring mounted thereon. Also included is a magnifying glass situated on the housing.

Abstract: A keyhole illuminating device incorporating a constantly-lit rocker switch to provide continuous illumination and high visibility, without a significant expenditure of energy. The device is easily installed in a door jamb, proximate to a keyhole. Upon accessing the illuminated rocker switch, a homeowner can actuate it to provide the additional illumination provided by an incandescent lamp, with which to better see the keyhole. A housing and circuit terminals contain the operational components of the device. An incandescent lamp provides means for illuminating the rocker switch on a continual basis. The incandescent lamp operably engages a control element, ultimately engaging an existing door bell transformer. As such transformers output low voltage, the current conveyed therefrom enables the incandescent lamp to illuminate the rocker switch on an ongoing basis, at a minimal power consumption. A second incandescent lamp provides further illumination for a homeowner accessing a keyhole.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle includes a key having a transponder. A lock has a keyhole for receiving the key. An antenna is in the vicinity of the lock. A control unit for controlling the antenna sends starting signals to the transponder and receives answer signals from the transponder. An assembly is turned on or off if the answer signals correspond to set-point signals. The antenna has a lighting device being controlled by the control unit for illuminating a region around the keyhole, at least before the key is inserted.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing illumination on a vehicle utilizing light conducting, fluorescent substance containing sheets of material. In each embodiment, an exposed edge of the sheet of material is used to provide the intense, illuminated strip of light desired. Either natural light or a dedicated source of electric light is used to illuminate a light gathering portion of a sheet of this material which conducts the light to the edge to produce a brilliant strip of light. The strips can be disposed adjacent an automobile light, along seams in the body or along a spoiler disposed on the automobile. These sheets of material can also be positioned such that the edges thereof illuminate the location of lock cylinder, or the location of a door handle, or a vehicle logo. Retrofittable strips are also described.

Abstract: An improved key hole light which can be easily added to an existing door lock or ignition switch whose illuminating element is an electroluminescent panel which is die cut into a flat doughnut shaped pattern. The inside of the pattern is the size of a standard key hole area of about one half of one inch and the outside diameter of the panel is about one inch. A two inch long tail portion is integral with the doughnut shape which allows the flexible light display to be bent and adhered to the contours of a lock assembly or door knob assembly. An extendible pair of coated wires attach the light display to an electronic module which contains a power supply, a timer circuit and a high voltage transformer. A conductive switch panel is connected by two wires to the electronic module. When a person touches his or her finger to any portion of the conductive switch panel it causes the light display to illuminate for approximately ten seconds and then automatically turn off.

Abstract: A lock assembly including a locking cylinder having a keyhole into which a key can be inserted, a lighting system for dispersing light energy in the area of the keyhole, including an L.E.D. light source, and a battery operated circuit for repeatedly operating the L.E.D. light source with a selected "on" time followed by a selected "off" time.

Abstract: A key operated door lock assembly comprising an operator assembly rotatable from a door open to a door closed position, including an operator, a plug in the operator having a key receiving opening, a support assembly for the operator assembly secured to the door including a light source operable for a predetermined period of time, and a first light pipe having a first end for receiving light from the light source and a second light transmitting end. Means for remotely operating said light source for a period of time selected so that a person can insert a key into the key receiving opening and rotate the operator assembly from the door closed position to the door open position. The operator assembly further includes a second light pipe having an exposed light transmitting portion and a light receiving portion, and means for supporting the second light pipe so that the light transmitting portion of the second light pipe is adjacent the key receiving opening.

Abstract: A door lock assembly to be secured within a horizontally extending through hole in a door which can have from a minimum to a maximum thickness, comprising an exterior lock assembly including a plug having a key receiving opening, an exterior rose liner, light pipe means for illuminating the key receiving opening, including a rod shaped portion secured to the exterior rose liner and extending axially inwardly for receiving light, and tubular housing means for receiving the axially extending rod shaped portion. The tubular housing means has a length corresponding to the length of the axially extending rod shaped portion, an interior lock assembly including an interior rose liner and means for transmitting light including a light source for transmitting light axially.

Abstract: An illuminated door handle assembly includes a door handle seamed to a door at a defined location and moveable between latching and unlatching positions, a signal generator for transforming energy into a signal and an energy receiver in communication with the signal generator for receiving the signal therefrom and conducting the signal to the door handle such that the signal is emitted from the door handle to indicate the location thereof.

Abstract: A door lock assembly comprising a lock plug having a key receiving opening, selectively operable light source for illuminating the key receiving opening, RF receiver for reproducing a received pulsed RF signal and means for determining whether the reproduced RF signal is within an acceptable range of asymmetric patterns of "on" pulse times followed by "off" times selected to include a plurality of different asymmetric patterns and means for operating the light source means for a selected period of time when the determining means determines that the reproduced RF signal is within acceptable range.

Abstract: A thin, disposable key light device that is adhesively attachable to the head of a key includes a light emitting diode, a disk battery, an insulative annular spacer, and an adhesive disk. A lead of the light emitting diode extends over a hole in the annular spacer. Leads of the light emitting diode straddle the battery and annular spacer. Switch actuation pressure applied to a flexible housing elastically deforms one of the leads through the hole in the annular spacer, causing that lead to electrically contact one electrode surface of the battery and thereby connect the light emitting disk in series with the battery.

Abstract: A door lock illumination apparatus is provided for illuminating a door lock assembly carried by a dwelling door which is adjacent to a dwelling door frame and which is in close proximity to a storm door and to an AC power source. The door lock illumination apparatus includes a storm-door-responsive switch assembly mounted on a portion of the dwelling door frame. An AC-powered illumination source is mounted on a portion of the dwelling door frame in proximity to the door lock assembly. A first conductor assembly is connected between the AC-powered illumination source and the storm-door-responsive switch assembly. A second conductor assembly is connected between the storm-door-responsive switch assembly and the AC power source, and a third conductor assembly is connected between the AC-powered illumination source and the AC power source. The storm-door-responsive switch assembly includes a normally closed switch. A storm-door-contacting switch actuator contacts the storm door when the storm door is closed.

Abstract: An illuminated locking doorknob apparatus for a door has a door locking set. The door locking set has a knob and lock retaining mechanism that passes through the door. A lock core is removingly and rotatingly secured within the knob and lock retaining mechanism. At least one knob is releasingly secured to the knob and lock retaining mechanism. A keyhole, in the lock core, is accessible through a first port in a wall of the knob. An illumination circuit is within the door locking set. The illumination circuit has a removable DC power source and a removable DC light source in the circuit. The light source is adjacent the keyhole and the light source protrudes through a second port in the wall of the knob to illuminate the keyhole so that a key may be more easily inserted therein. There is a switch in the illumination circuit. The switch has a stationary contact and a sliding contact rod, connected to and actuated by the knob, springingly biased away from the stationary contact.

Abstract: An illuminating circuit for the key slot in a locking device is made up of a high intensity light source which is mounted on the face plate of the lock in close proximity to the key slot, a piezoelectric crystal is mounted within or adjacent to the lock to respond to vibrations created, for example, by tapping on the face plate to generate an electrical signal, and a control circuit including a timer and battery respond to the electrical signal generated by the crystal to energize a light source for a predetermined time interval after receiving the electrical signal from the crystal.

Abstract: A handle structure that fits on the tail gate or utility opening on a vehicle and is illuminated in concert with the tail light system of the vehicle to also act as a third tail light. The combination tail light handle is also mountable opposite the tail gate latch to facilitate the operation of the tail gate latch and opening of the tail gate or utility door. The combination tail light handle utilizes a lens for light dispersion mounted at sufficient angle to transmit light rearwardly of the vehicle regardless of whether the tail gate or utility door is in the open or closed position.

Abstract: A retrofittable apparatus for illuminating the face of a lock comprised of an annular outer housing with an aperture which receives the lock cylinder such that when the cylinder's face is within the outer housing a gap is formed between a housing front wall and the cylinder front face. An annular body having an aperture accepts the lock cylinder such that a shoulder of the body engages a lock cylinder flange. A lamp illuminates the face of the lock cylinder through the gap when a switch is closed. In the preferred embodiment the outer housing forms part of the electrical path from the battery supply to the lamp.

Abstract: An illuminated tool or key, in which a light source is detachably secured to a surface of the tool or key. Additionally, the emitted light can be modulated to perform an additional keying function when received by the lock. A three-color light emitter is preferable.

Abstract: A phosphorescent keyhole locator particularly adapted for use in combination with a tumbler-type lock comprising a cylindrical tumbler having a circular tumbler end surface with a keyhole therein, and a peripheral end surface around the tumbler end surface. A solid phosphorescent plastic body having an aperture therethrough is adhesively attached to the peripheral end surface with the aperture positioned over the tumbler end surface. The aperture is at least about as large as the tumbler end surface and has straight sides which may be normal to or bevelled towards the tumbler end surface.

Abstract: An entrance door night-light contained within an enclosure that is mounted to the head of an entrance doorway between the storm door and the entrance door. The enclosure is positioned to project light onto the doorhandle and lockset area. The enclosure contains a lamp, powered by a DC voltage source, a momentary switch that makes contact with the storm door and is used to switch the lamp on when the storm door is opened, a timer to turn the light off if the storm door does not close, and a photocell to keep the lamp off during daylight, even when the storm door is open.

Abstract: An illuminated tool or key, in which a light source is detachably secured to a surface of the tool or key. Additionally, the emitted light can be modulated to perform an additional keying function when received by the lock. A three-color light emitter is preferable.

Abstract: A keyhole and room illuminating apparatus which is characterized by a split housing having side and bottom openings and bulbs positioned inside the housing at the openings, with electrical connectors and batteries disposed inside the housing for operating the bulbs by manipulating a switch located in the housing. The keyhole and room illuminating apparatus is designed to illuminate the keyhole provided in the door lockset, as well as the room into which the door is opened.

Abstract: For an entry door, a doorknob lock set includes an elongated stem which extends through a transverse opening in the door and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis to actuate the door latch. Doorknobs are provided at both ends of the stem to rotate the stem; and the stem includes a key lock mechanism including a key slot at the outer end of the stem. To illuminate the key lock slot, the outer doorknob is replaced by a knob fabricated from a translucent material. The translucent knob is provided with a central bore to receive the outer end of the stem; and the knob is mounted on the stem to frame the key slot. The knob is provided with at least one cavity opening from the inner face of the knob and extending toward the outer face. An illuminating device such as an incandescent bulb is placed in that cavity. Electric conductors connected to the illuminating device extend out of the cavity for connection to a source of electric energy.

Abstract: An entrance door night-light contained within an enclosure that is mounted to the head of an entrance doorway between the storm door and the entrance door. The enclosure is positioned to project light onto the doorhandle and lockset area. The enclosure contains a lamp, powered by a DC voltage source, a momentary switch that makes contact with the storm door and is used to switch the lamp on when the storm door is opened, and a photocell used to keep the lamp off during daylight, even when the storm door is open.

Abstract: An illuminated door lock scratch guard formed of a base plate having an aperture. The base plate is mounted onto the door with the aperture in registration with the door lock. An illumination circuit is provided within the base plate, and upon pressure onto the base plate, the illumination circuit casts a light onto the door lock.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a keyhole comprising a housing having a top panel, an energy source and a light disposed in the housing, a conductor for providing a circuit between the energy source and the light, a switch interconnected with the conductor, and an illumination platform pivotally connected to the top panel of the housing and being adapted to swing outwardly of the housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a light within whose handle-forming plastic housing (2) a button-cell battery (3) provided with a circumferential and a center surface pole can be brought into the switch-contact position against the force of a compression spring (6), a portion of the center surface pole (MP) of the button-cell battery coming into contact with a portion of a ring-shaped contact blade (9), the compression spring being arranged concentrically to the ring-shaped section (9') which rests on the housing bottom and the circumferential pole (UP) of the button-cell battery being in continuous contact (permanent contact) with a contact spring (16) which extends substantially tangentially to the button-cell battery, and it proposes, in order to obtain a shape which is simple to manufacture, compact and reliable in use, that the compression spring (6) lie free of contact in the opening (10) of the circular ring-shaped section (9') lying on the housing bottom (7) and, in the switch-contact position of the center su

Abstract: A device for illuminating the area surrounding a door lock or other relatively small area includes in a preferred embodiment a housing that is mounted on the door or other surface adjacent the area to be illuminated, the housing having a translucent portion through which an electrically energized lamp emits light. The lamp is energized by a battery connected thereto by an electronic circuit having a time-delay sub-circuit for de-energizing the lamp at the expiration of a prescribed time period. The time-delay sub-circuit further includes a means for varying the period of time that the lamp is energized.

Abstract: A door lock illuminating system disposed in a handle of a door, and, in particular, a door of a motor vehicle. The illuminating system being switchable by circuit elements connected to the handle, the handle is constructed as a unilaterally pivotable pull handle and a light emitting arrangement is disposed in such a fashion so as to be exposed only when the pull handle is pulled to an operative position. Electrical contacts are disposed in such a manner that with the pull handle being pulled to the operative position the electrical circuit of the illuminating system is completed.

Abstract: A structure for mounting adjacent a key hole, having means therein for illuminating said key hole. The outside cover provides a large area contact surface for activating the light. The circuitry is updated electronic components to provide a touch contact switch and a short period timer. The battery is a voltage cell and the light is a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for motor vehicles including a circuit responsive to operation of an actuating device of a door and/or flap lock of the motor vehicle for being energized. A timer is also responsive to the operation of the actuating device for providing a predetermined switching period with the circuit being responsive to the elapse of the predetermined switching period of the timer for being automatically de-energized. The circuit includes a door and/or flap lock heater and at least one additional load device with the at least one additional load device being energized when the motor vehicle is opened.

Abstract: A battery operated illuminating device having a frustoconical housing configured for mounting to a surface adjacent the object to be illuminated, the housing having an integrally formed depressable portion for operating a switch within the housing. A lens in the side of the housing is configured for illumination of the desired objects. An electronic subassembly within the housing is operable by the switch upon a single depression with an electronic time delay provided for de-energizing a light bulb.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular housing having a threaded-base lamp bulb at one end and a "penlite" battery within the housing with its positive terminal stud separated from the bulb's positive terminal by a helical compression spring. The spring coils receive the lamp base and the spring is bottomed and centered in an annular retainer disc encircling the positive terminal stud of the battery. A conductive strap engages the endmost coil of the spring and extends the length of the battery to its base providing electrical continuity from the battery negative terminal to the bulbs threaded base. A push button, accessible at the end of the housing, moves the battery so that its positive terminal engages the positive terminal of the bulb.

Abstract: An illuminated door lock is described which comprises in combination a door, a lock fitting in a hole through said door, a plate of translucent material resting on the exterior of the door, said plate having a hole in the middle which is coaxial with the hole in the door through which the lock fits, means for securing said plate around the lock, at least one recess in the plate for accommodating at least one light bulb, said plate having a thickness of at least 1/4 inch and being at least 1/2 inch wide, said bulb having a length between 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch; means for establishing contact between said bulb and a source of electric energy.

Abstract: Keyhole illumination for a tumbler and cylinder lock comprising a miniature light source and a light transmitting pin in the pin holes.