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.

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.