LED lamp construction

• US 5,561,346 A
• Filed: 08/10/1994
• Issued: 10/01/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David J. Byrne
• Original Assignee: David J. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ESSERMAN, MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US08/288,084
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 313/512, 313/498, 313/113, 313/315, 313/316, 315/71, 315/52, 315/185 R, 315/189, 315/312, 315/250, 315/200 R, 315/324, 362/800, 362/240, 362/252
• US Class Current: 313/512
• 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: F21W 2111/02 for roads, paths or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/20 on convex supports or substrates, e.g. on the outer surface of spheres
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

An improved LED lamp construction is disclosed having a plurality of LEDs electrically interconnected and mounted upon opposed rounded surfaces formed at one end of the lamp body. The opposed rounded surfaces comprise a substantially semi-spherical lamp head concavely open at the upper end of the lamp and a cover similar in curvature to the head and fixed across the open end thereof in a convex position relative thereto. The LEDs are arranged in multiple series groups connected in parallel and disposed circumferentially along the rounded surfaces so as to project radially therefrom in substantially all directions. The LEDs are electrically and mechanically connected to a conventional screw-type base at the opposite end of the lamp body through an intermediate stem. Depending upon the nature and level of the power source being provided to the screw-type base, the stem may-house a conventional regulator circuit intended to convert an applied level of A.C. voltage to a relatively low D.C. voltage designed to operate the LEDs. The present LED lamp is particularly suited for engagement and use within conventional traffic signal encasements of the type having a paraboloid mirror and light-diffusing lens cover wherein the LED emissions from the lamp optically combine to produce a uniform light beam.

Claims

1. A light-emitting diode lamp comprising:

a lamp body extending along a central axis and constructed having opposed rounded surfaces sealed together at one end thereof;

a plurality of light-emitting diodes electrically interconnected and mounted upon the opposed rounded surfaces of said lamp body to project light emissions in respective radial directions relative to the rounded surfaces; and

electrical means connected to said lamp body at the other end thereof and coupled to said light-emitting diodes for conducting electrical power thereto.

2. A light-emitting diode lamp according to claim 1, wherein the opposed rounded surfaces comprise:

a concave head formed symmetrically about the central axis of said lamp body open at the upper end thereof; and

a convex cover adapted to engage the open end of said concave head symmetrically across the interior thereof.

3. A light-emitting diode lamp according to claim 2, wherein said concave head is semi-spherical in configuration.

4. A light-emitting diode lamp according to claim 2, wherein said concave head is paraboloidal in configuration.

5. A light-emitting diode lamp according to claim 2, wherein:

said plurality of light-emitting diodes are disposed circumferentially along the respective rounded surfaces of said concave head and said convex cover, and electrically arranged in multiple series groups interconnected in parallel.

6. A light-emitting diode lamp according to claim 5, wherein:

said plurality of light-emitting diodes are spaced apart in a symmetrical pattern substantially about the respective rounded surfaces of said concave head and said convex cover.

7. A light-emitting diode lamp according to claim 6, wherein said lamp body further comprises:

a stem substantially cylindrical in shape extending along the central axis of said lamp body between the respective ends thereof.

8. A lighting device comprising:

a main body constructed having a substantially cylindrical stem formed about a central axis and a rounded end having opposed spherical surfaces sealed together;

a plurality of light-emitting diodes electrically interconnected in series groups further connected in parallel and mounted circumferentially about the opposed spherical surfaces to project light emissions in substantially all radial directions relative thereto; and

electrical means attached to said main body and electrically coupled to said light emitting diodes for conducting electrical power thereto.

9. A lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the opposed spherical surfaces of the rounded end of the main body further comprise:

a concave head formed symmetrically about the central axis; and

a convex cover sealed to said concave head substantially thereupon.

10. In a signal light encasement of the type including a paraboloid mirror covered by a light-diffusing lens and supplied with electrical power, an improved lamp therefor comprising:

a lamp body constructed along a central axis and formed having opposed rounded surfaces sealed together at one end thereof;

a plurality of light-emitting diodes electrically interconnected and mounted circumferentially about the opposed rounded surfaces to project light emissions in respective radial directions relative thereto; and

electrical means connected to said lamp body at the other end thereof and coupled to said light-emitting diodes for conducting the electrical power thereto.

11. The improved lamp for a signal light encasement according to claim 10, wherein:

said plurality of light-emitting diodes are uniformly spaced apart in a symmetrical pattern substantially about the respective opposed rounded surfaces.

12. The improved lamp for a signal light encasement according to claim 11, wherein the opposed rounded surfaces comprise:

a concave member formed symmetrically about the central axis of said lamp body open at the upper end thereof; and

a convex cover fixed across the open end of said concave member.

13. The improved lamp for a signal light encasement according to claim 12, wherein said concave member is semi-spherical in configuration.

14. The improved lamp for a signal light encasement according to claim 12, wherein said concave member is paraboloidal in configuration.