LED puck light with detachable base

• US 6,641,283 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gelcore (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Gelcore (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Bohler, Christopher L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US10/063,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20030193799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 362/240, 362/231, 362/238, 362/800, 362/183, 362/277, 362/133, 362/140, 362/230, 362/249, 362/20
• US Class Current: 362/238
• 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: 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 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/06 by movement of refractors in vehicle head lamps F21S41/635
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/061 the material being glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/062 the material being plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A lighting assembly for improving the performance of undercabinet and stream-lined lighting includes a LED module onto which is mounted a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs serve as the light source for generating a light pattern. An optical assembly focuses and disperses the LED output to a desired light contour. The lighting assembly further includes a mounting base for attaching the LED module to an associated surface, such as the underside of a cabinet. A battery source is optionally enclosed in the module for providing primary or secondary power to the lighting assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the battery source is a rechargeable battery that can be recharged by means of an AC adapter that connects to the lighting assembly.

Claims

1. A lighting assembly comprising:

a mounting base;

an LED module detachably mounted on the mounting base;

a first plurality of LEDs mounted on the module forming at least one array of LEDs, the LEDs serving as a light source;

an optical assembly operatively associated with the LED module for focusing and dispersing light from the LEDs passing through said optical assembly; and

,

a DC power source housed in the LED module.

2. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said LED module is made of a thermoplastic.

3. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said DC power source is a rechargeable battery.

4. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an AC power adapter/recharger for providing AC power to said plurality of LEDs and for recharging said DC power source.

5. The lighting assembly according to claim 4, wherein the DC power source automatically provides power to the lighting assembly upon AC power failure.

6. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for controlling a level of light output by the LEDs.

7. The lighting assembly according to claim 6, wherein the switch provides a step level variable control having at least two distinct levels of illumination.

8. The lighting assembly according to claim 6, wherein said switch is connected to a variable resistor allowing continuous variable control of the level of optical output.

9. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said LEDs are arranged in at least one array, each array being on a separate circuit allowing separate control of a level of light output of each array.

10. The lighting assembly according to claim 9, further including a switch for selectively turning on and off any select number of arrays of LEDs.

11. The lighting assembly according to claim 9, wherein each array has a plurality of LEDs having different colors of spectral output for achieving desired light output, light level, and beam characteristics.

12. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs are high intensity white light LEDs.

13. The lighting assembly according to claim 12, wherein the LEDs are phosphor-coated UV/Blue LEDs.

14. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical assembly comprises a thermoplastic lens.

15. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical assembly is selectively adjustable for focusing and dispersing the LED beam as desired.

16. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein said LED module comprises a fixing apparatus for attaching said LED module to a mounting surface.

17. The lighting assembly according to claim 16, wherein said mounting base comprises a attachment apparatus for cooperatively connecting to said fixing apparatus.

18. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a connector for attaching said mounting base to an associated structure.

19. The lighting assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of LED modules are attached to a single mounting base.

20. A method for forming a lighting assembly comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of LEDs;

providing an LED module having an upper face and an opposed lower face;

mountings said LEDs on said upper face of said LED module;

attaching said lower face of said LED module to a mounting base;

providing an optical assembly;

mounting said optical assembly on said LED module such that said optical assembly focuses and disperses light from the LEDs passing through said optical assembly;

providing an electrical power source housed in the LED module; and

connecting said electrical power source to said LED module such that power is provided to said LEDs.

21. A lighting assembly comprising:

a mounting base;

an LED module having an upper face and an opposed lower face;

a first plurality of high intensity white LEDs mounted on the upper face of the module forming at least one array of LEDs, the LEDs generating a light beam and serving as a light source;

an optical assembly operatively associated with the LED module for focusing and dispersing the light beam passing through said optical assembly;

a connector for attaching said mounting base to an associated structure;

a fixing apparatus disposed on the lower face of the module for attaching the module to the mounting base; and

a battery system housed in the LED module for providing power to the LEDs.