LED picture light apparatus and method

• US 7,066,619 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael A. Waters
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Waters
• Inventors: Waters, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Negron, Ismael
• Application Number:
  US10/652,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20050047130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 362/184, 362/191, 362/98, 362/11, 362/86, 362/89, 362/125, 362/145, 362/147, 362/157, 362/190, 362/202, 362/204, 362/205, 362/227, 362/249, 362/251, 362/252, 362/362, 362/368, 362/370, 362/800, 333/661.1, 333/662.4, 333/00, 333/51, 333/53, 333/65, 407/13, 407/00, 407/14, 407/15, 248/180.1
• US Class Current: 362/147
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/22 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/29 employing universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/304 for pictures
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/02 Switches operated by change of position, inclination or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field tilting mercury container H01H29/20; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H35/18

Abstract

A LED picture light. The housing is positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture. In some embodiments, the LED'"'"'s can illuminate the picture without emitting substantial amounts of heat and without emitting substantial amounts of ultraviolet radiation. The picture light can include white and yellow LED'"'"'s. The picture light can include a level sensor.

Claims

1. A picture light powered by at least a battery, said picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture, the housing storing the at least one battery;

a tube positioned between the housing and the at least one battery, the tube constructed of a material cushioning the at least one battery with respect to the housing; and

at least one light-emitting diode coupled to the housing, the at least one light emitting diode illuminating the picture without emitting substantial amounts of heat and without emitting substantial amounts of ultraviolet radiation.

2. A picture light powered by at least a battery, said picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture, the housing storing the at least one battery;

a tube positioned between the housing and the at least one battery, the tube constructed of a material substantially preventing battery acid from leaking onto the picture; and

at least one light-emitting diode coupled to the housing, the at least one light-emitting diode illuminating the picture without emitting substantial amounts of heat and without emitting substantial amounts of ultraviolet radiation.

3. A picture light powered by at least a battery, said picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture, the housing storing the at least one battery;

a tube positioned between the housing and the at least one battery, the tube constructed of a material cushioning the at least one battery with respect to the housing;

at least one light-emitting diode coupled to the housing, the at least one light-emitting diode illuminating the picture for at least approximately 35 hours before substantially depleting the at least one battery.

4. A picture light powered by at least a battery, said picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture, the housing storing the at least one battery;

a tube positioned between the housing and the at least one battery, the tube constructed of a material substantially preventing battery acid from leaking onto the picture;

at least one light-emitting diode coupled to the housing, the at least one light-emitting diode illuminating the picture for at least approximately 35 hours before substantially depleting the at least one battery.

5. A picture light powered by at least a battery, said picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture, the housing storing the at least one battery;

a tube positioned between the housing and the at least one battery, the tube constructed of a material cushioning the at least one battery with respect to the housing; and

a plurality of light-emitting diodes coupled to the housing, the plurality of light-emitting diodes including at least one white light-emitting diode and at least one yellow light-emitting diode.

6. A picture light powered by at least a battery, said picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture, the housing storing the at least one battery;

a tube positioned between the housing and the at least one battery, the tube constructed of a material substantially preventing battery acid from leaking onto the picture; and

a plurality of light-emitting diodes coupled to the housing, the plurality of light-emitting diodes including at least one white light-emitting diode and at least one yellow light-emitting diode.

7. A picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture;

a bracket coupled to the housing, the bracket being attachable to at least one of a wall adjacent to the picture and a picture frame positioned around a perimeter of the picture; and

a level sensor coupled to at least one of the housing and the bracket, the level sensor including

a metallic ball contact positioned on an anode rail,

a first cathode contact positioned at a first end of the anode rail, and

a second cathode contact positioned at a second end of the anode rail,

the metallic ball contact capable of moving between a first level position located between the first cathode contact and the second cathode contact and a second non-level position adjacent to one of the first cathode contact and the second cathode contact,

the metallic ball contact connecting the anode rail to one of the first cathode contact and the second cathode contact in order to generate a signal when the picture is not level,

the signal controlling an indicator light-emitting diode coupled to one of the housing and the bracket,

the indicator light-emitting diode blinking until the metallic ball contact returns to the first level position.

8. A picture light comprising:

a housing positionable adjacent to a picture in order to illuminate the picture;

a bracket coupled to the housing, the bracket being attachable to at least one of a wall adjacent to the picture and a picture frame positioned around a perimeter of the picture; and

a level sensor coupled to at least one of the housing and the bracket, the level sensor including

a metallic ball contact positioned on an anode rail,

a first cathode contact positioned at a first end of the anode rail, and

a second cathode contact positioned at a second end of the anode rail,

the metallic ball contact capable of moving between a first level positions located between the first cathode contact and the second cathode contact and a second non-level position adjacent to one of the first cathode contact and the second cathode contact,

the metallic ball contact connecting the anode rail to one of the first cathode contact and the second cathode contact in order to generate a signal when the picture is not level,

the signal controlling an indicator light-emitting diode coupled to one of the housing and the bracket,

the indicator light-emitting diode is positioned to shine against a wall upon which the picture is mounted.