Battery powered light having solar and inductive charging means

• US 6,027,225 A
• Filed: 12/24/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: La Luz Corporation
• Original Assignee: Robert Hallman Sr, William E. Martin
• Inventors: Martin, William E., Hallman, Robert Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura K.
• Application Number:
  US08/997,902
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/101, 136/244, 136/291, 320/108
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/02 the elements being transformers, impedances or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/401 for swimming pools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A Battery Powered Light Having Solar and Inductive Charging Means for providing a rechargeable, water-proof light unit for use in fish ponds, swimming pools and the like. The light unit may additionally be hung to decoratively add to the surrounding ambiance. The device includes a rechargeable electrical power source disposed within a hollow, light transmissive housing having an open top portion, a cover releasably and sealably attachable to the open top portion, a light source disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source, and a solar cell array disposed upon the cover and operatively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source. A voltage divider circuit including a resistor and a cadmium sulfide cell disposed on the cover is operatively coupled to the light source to provide for selective energizing and de-energizing of the light source.

Claims

1. A self-contained solar powered light powered by a rechargeable electrical power source comprising:

a hollow, light transmissive housing having an open top portion, a cover releasably attachable to the open top portion, a bottom portion, the bottom portion having an inner surface, and wherein the rechargeable electrical power source is releasably attachable to the inner surface;

a light source disposed within the housing, the light source being operatively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source;

a solar cell array operatively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source, the solar cell array being disposed on the cover;

a circuit means responsive to ambient light for selectively energizing and de-energizing the light source, the circuit means responsive to ambient light for selectively energizing and de-energizing the light source being disposed on the cover, the circuit means responsive to ambient light for selectively energizing and de-energizing the light source further comprising a voltage divider comprising a resistor and a cadmium sulfide cell operatively coupled to a transistor switch, the transistor switch being operatively coupled to the light source; and

wherein the rechargeable electrical power source is disposed within the housing.

2. The self-contained solar powered light of claim 1, wherein the housing is cylindrical and the bottom portion further comprises a convex portion.

3. The self-contained solar powered light of claim 2 further comprising a charging means for inductively charging the rechargeable electrical power source, the charging means comprising a secondary coil operatively coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source through a rectifier and a primary coil operatively coupled to a transformer, the secondary coil and rectifier being disposed within the housing and the primary coil and transformer being disposed within a charging cradle, the housing being receivable within a charging cradle receiving portion in such manner that the primary and secondary coils are alignable in parallel for maximum flux linkage.