LED LIGHT UNIT

• US 20080074885A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Coast Cutlery Co.
• Original Assignee: Coast Cutlery Co.
• Inventors: Yee, Richar, Opolka, Rainer, Brands, David C.
• Application Number:
  US11/469,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20080074885A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/296
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/02 by movement of light sources in vehicle head lamps F21S41/657
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighting unit is provided including at least one LED, a plug for connecting the unit to an appliance and a light emitting element. The lighting unit may include electronic components to condition power from the appliance. The light emitting element may comprise a reflector where the LED emits light into the reflector and the light is collimated by the reflector and emitted from the unit. The position of the LED may be adjustable so the LED moves closer or farther from the reflector. Light is emitted from the unit in a narrower or wider beam in response to moving the LED. Alternately, the light emitting element may be an optical waveguide with a receiving end proximate to the LED emitting face and an emitting face away from and opposite the receiving face. The optical waveguide may collimate the wide angle of light emitted by the LED to form a narrow, directed beam.

Claims

1. A light emitting diode (LED) unit, with a near end and a distal end spaced apart and a central axis passing through the near end and distal end, configured to separably connect to an appliance with a socket, the LED unit comprising:

a lamp housing including;

a plug at the near end with a plurality of exposed terminals configured to mate with the appliance socket; and

a reflector substantially transverse to the central axis configured to emit light at the distal end;

an LED assembly, oriented with the central axis, including;

an LED having a luminescent front portion and operably connected to the plurality of exposed terminals; and

an LED mount supporting the LED and orienting the LED to emit light into the reflector; and

at least one support with a near end and a distal end, the support connected to the lamp housing at the near end and the LED assembly at the distal end.

2. The light emitting diode unit of claim 1 where the LED mount is slidably mounted in the LED assembly.

3. The light emitting diode unit of claim 2 where the LED assembly includes a threaded shaft in a threaded aperture and the LED mount slides in the LED assembly in response to rotation of the threaded shaft.

4. The light emitting diode unit of claim 1 where the plurality of exposed terminals are pins with a center to center distance between the pins of 4 mm, 6.35 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm or 16 mm.

5. The light emitting diode unit of claim 1 where the plurality of exposed terminals form a screw base with a first threaded terminal and a second pressure contact terminal.

6. The light emitting diode unit of claim 1 further comprising a power supply configured to increase or decrease the level of a voltage supplied to the terminals at the appliance socket.

7. The light emitting diode unit of claim 1 further comprising a power supply configured to rectify an alternating current supplied to the terminals at the appliance socket.

8. A light emitting diode unit configured to separably connect to an appliance at a socket, the LED unit comprising:

a housing supporting;

at least one LED having a luminescent front portion;

a plug with a plurality of terminals configured to mate to the appliance socket; and

an optical waveguide with a near end and a distal end, the near end positioned immediately adjacent the front portion of the at least one LED, to at least partially collimate and reemit the light at the distal end.

9. The light emitting diode unit of claim 8 where the plurality of terminals are pins and a center to center distance between the pins is 4 mm, 6.35 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm or 16 mm.

10. The light emitting diode unit of claim 8 where the plurality of terminals are configured as a screw base with a first threaded terminal and a second pressure contact terminal.

11. The light emitting diode unit of claim 8 further comprising a power supply supported by the housing, operably connected to the plurality of terminals and configured to decrease a voltage supplied to the unit at the terminals.

12. The light emitting diode unit of claim 8 where the waveguide is Plexiglass.

13. The light emitting diode unit of claim 8 where the waveguide includes at least one bore at the near end to admit the at least one LED.

14. A light emitting diode lighting system comprising:

an appliance including a socket; and

a lighting unit including;

a housing;

an LED;

a transparent light guide for collimating light emitted by the LED;

a plug for mating to the appliance socket including terminals; and

a power supply for modifying power from the appliance.

15. The lighting system of claim 14 where the power supply modifies a voltage level supplied by the appliance.

16. The lighting system of claim 14 where the power supply rectifies an alternating current supplied by the appliance.

17. The lighting system of claim 14 where the terminals are two pins with a center to center distance between the pins of 4 mm, 6.35 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm or 16 mm.

18. The lighting system of claim 14 where the terminals are a pressure contact and a threaded conductor configured as a screw in plug.

19. A light emitting diode lighting system comprising:

an appliance including a socket; and

a lighting unit including;

a housing;

a slidable LED;

a curved reflector disposed opposite the LED for collimating light from the LED;

a plug for mating to the appliance socket including terminals; and

a power supply for modifying power from the appliance.

20. The lighting system of claim 19 where the LED is operably connected to a threaded shaft and slides in response to rotation of the threaded shaft in a threaded aperture.

21. The lighting system of claim 20 where light is emitted from the lighting unit in a wider or narrower beam in response to sliding the LED.

22. The lighting system of claim 19 where the power supply modifies a voltage level supplied by the appliance.

23. The lighting system of claim 19 where the power supply rectifies an alternating current supplied by the appliance.

24. The lighting system of claim 19 where the terminals are two pins with a center to center distance between the pins of 4 mm, 6.35 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm or 16 mm.

25. The lighting system of claim 19 where the terminals are a pressure contact and a threaded conductor configured as a screw in plug.