Illumination cell for a votive light

• US 5,980,064 A
• Filed: 11/02/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metroyanis, George T.
• Original Assignee: Metroyanis, George T.
• Inventors: Metroyanis, George T.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/184,410
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 362/124, 362/154, 362/157, 362/194-196, 362/186, 362/800, 362/808, 362/810
• US Class Current: 362/194
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/00 Religious or ritual equipment in dwelling or for general use
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/81 Imitation candle

Abstract

An electronic votive light suitable for outdoor applications. The electronic votive light may be formed from a standard votive light assembly and an illumination cell with the same form factor as a candle used in a standard votive light in order to enable the illumination cell to be disposed within a standard votive light. The illumination cell in accordance with the present invention includes an LED, powered by a battery pack. The battery pack may consist of 6 standard D-cell battery, which, based on the relatively low power consumption of the LED, are able to keep the LED illuminated for a substantial amount of time, for example one year or more. The illumination cell in accordance with the present invention is formed from corrosion proof and corrosion resistant materials which make the device particularly suitable for outdoor applications.

Claims

1. An illumination cell for use with a votive light, the illumination cell comprising:

a battery pack open on both ends for receiving one or more batteries having positive and negative terminals, the battery pack configured to have generally the same form factor as the votive light in order to be received therewithin, said battery pack formed with an aperture;

a conductive rod adapted to being received in said aperture;

a top plate for closing one end of said battery pack and, for making touch contact with one or the other of said positive or negative battery terminals when said top plate is secured to one of said battery pack, said top plate adapted to be attached to said conductive rod but electrically insulated therefrom;

a bottom plate for closing an opposing end of said battery pack and making touch contact with the other of said positive and negative battery terminals; and

an LED connected to said conductive rod and said top plate.

2. The illumination cell as recited in claim 1, wherein said battery pack is formed from a first corrosion proof material.

3. The illumination cell as recited in claim 2, wherein said first corrosion proof material is plastic.

4. The illumination cell as recited in claim 1, wherein said battery pack includes an inner housing and an outer housing.

5. The illumination cell as recited in claim 4, wherein said inner housing is formed from three tubes sized to receive standard D type batteries.

6. The illumination cell as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said tubes is formed with an axial slot.

7. The illumination cell as recited in claim 6, wherein said outer housing closes said axial slots.

8. The illumination cell as recited in claim 2, wherein said top and bottom plates as well as said conductive rod are formed from second corrosion resistant materials.

9. The illumination cell as recited in claim 8, wherein said second corrosion resistant materials includes stainless steel.

10. The illumination cell as recited in claim 1, wherein one or the other of said top plate or bottom plate is removable secured relative to said battery pack.