Portable Light Apparatus and Method of Attachment

• US 20100182797A1
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William K. Wells
• Original Assignee: William K. Wells
• Inventors: Wells, William K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,277,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/474
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/006 comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/032 the solar unit being separate from the lighting unit
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/108 using hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0832 Hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/60 Circuit arrangements for operating LEDs comprising organic material, e.g. for operating organic light-emitting diodes [OLED] or polymer light-emitting diodes [PLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An organic light emitting diode system is sufficiently thin and poser efficient to permit its attachment to different configurations such as pocketbooks, brief bags, suitcases and the like. At least one side of the OLED material can have an attachment mechanism to facilitate attachment to a surface in the area to be lighted. The system may include a portable power source that provides electrical power to actuate the OLED material, causing it to generate light. A switch connected to the battery can control power to the OLED material to switch the light on and off. The switch can be manually operated or automatic. The low power consumption of embodiments of the OLED apparatus also provides for unique applications and uses.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an organic light emitting diode;

a battery connected to the organic light emitting diode;

a switch electrically connected between the battery and the organic light emitting diode, the switch to toggle the organic light emitting diode between an on and off position; and

a fastener to removably secure the organic light emitting diode to a surface in an area to be subjected to light, wherein the battery is removable from the apparatus for at least one of replacement and recharging.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a holder for the battery.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the battery provides a voltage between 2 and 10 volts to the organic light emitting diode.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the organic light emitting diode is flexible.

5. A method comprising:

affixing a securing mechanism to a surface of an organic light emitting diode;

securing the organic light emitting diode to a surface of an area to be lit;

removably connecting a battery to a switch that is connected to the organic light emitting diode, wherein the switch toggles the organic light emitting diode between and on and off position.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said securing mechanism is an adhesive.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, before the affixing, the adhesive is covered with a peel away strip and the method further includes removing the peel away strip to expose the adhesive for engagement with the surface of the area to be lit.

8. The method according claim 5, wherein the securing mechanism is a hook and loop fastener.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein one portion of the hook and loop fastener is attached to the surface of the area to be lit and a complementary portion is attached to a surface of the assembly.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the battery, the switch and the organic light emitting diode are secured to the complementary portion of said hook and loop fastener.

11. A kit for installing a light fixture comprising:

a. an organic light emitting diode;

b. a battery;

c. a switch; and

d. a securing mechanism.

12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery.

13. The kit according to claim 12, further comprising a portable solar battery recharger.

14. The kit according to claim 11, wherein the securing mechanism includes a hook and loop fastener.

15. The kit according to claim 11 wherein the securing mechanism is at least in part attached to the battery, the switch and the organic light emitting diode.

16. The kit according to claim 15, wherein the securing mechanism includes an adhesive.

17. A bicycle part comprising:

an external surface of the bicycle part; and

a lighting device coupled to the external surface of the bicycle part to increase a visibility of the bicycle part, the lighting device including an organic light emitting diode, a battery connected to the organic light emitting diode, a switch electrically connected between the battery and the organic light emitting diode, and a fastener to removably secure the lighting device to the external surface of the bicycle part, wherein the switch is to toggle the organic light emitting diode between an on and off position and the battery is removable from the lighting device for at least one of replacement and recharging.

18. The bicycle part of claim 17, wherein the bicycle part includes at least one of a seat, a rim and a handlebar.

19. The bicycle part of claim 17, wherein the switch is to be manually operated by a rider of the bicycle.

20. The bicycle part of claim 17, wherein the organic light emitting diode is flexible.

21. A garment comprising:

an external surface of the garment; and

a lighting device coupled to the external surface of the garment to increase a visibility of the garment, the lighting device including an organic light emitting diode, a battery connected to the organic light emitting diode, a switch electrically connected between the battery and the organic light emitting diode, and a fastener to removably secure the lighting device to the external surface of the garment, wherein the switch is to toggle the organic light emitting diode between an on and off position and the battery is removable from the lighting device for at least one of replacement and recharging.

22. The garment of claim 21, wherein the garment includes a shirt.

23. The garment of claim 21, wherein the switch is to be manually operated by a wearer of the garment.

24. The garment of claim 21, wherein the organic light emitting diode is flexible.

25. A closet structure comprising:

an external surface of the closet structure; and

a lighting device coupled to the external surface of the closet structure to illuminate an interior of the closet, the lighting device including an organic light emitting diode, a battery connected to the organic light emitting diode, a switch electrically connected between the battery and the organic light emitting diode, and a fastener to removably secure the lighting device to the external surface of the closet structure, wherein the switch is to toggle the organic light emitting diode between an on and off position and the battery is removable from the lighting device for at least one of replacement and charging.

26. The closet structure of claim 25, wherein the closet structure includes at least one of a shelf and a wall.

27. The closet structure of claim 25, wherein the switch is to be manually operated by a door of the closet.

28. A container comprising:

an internal surface of the container; and

a lighting device coupled to the internal surface of the container to illuminate an interior of the container, the lighting device including an organic light emitting diode, a battery connected to the organic light emitting diode, a switch electrically connected between the battery and the organic light emitting diode, and a fastener to removably secure the lighting device to the internal surface of the container, wherein the switch is to toggle the organic light emitting diode between an on and off position and the battery is removable from the lighting device for at least one of replacement and charging.

29. The container of claim 28, wherein the container includes at least one of a suitcase, a briefcase and a pocketbook.

30. The container of claim 28, wherein the switch is to be manually operated by a hinged portion of the container.

31. The container of claim 28, wherein the organic light emitting diode is flexible.

32. A method comprising:

detecting an activation event; and

supplying power from a battery to an organic light emitting diode in response to the activation event, wherein the organic light emitting diode is removably secured to a surface and the battery is removably connected to the organic light emitting diode.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the activation event corresponds to at least one of a user depressing a switch, a door opening, and a container opening.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the container includes at least one of a suitcase, a briefcase and a pocketbook.

35. The method of claim 32, further including:

detecting a deactivation event; and

removing power from the organic light emitting diode in response to the deactivation event.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the deactivation event corresponds to at least one of a user depressing a switch, a door closing, and a container closing.