Autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system

• US 7,391,182 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
• Original Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
• Inventors: Smith, Duane B., Drum, Donald, Barbeau, Stefane E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US10/989,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20050194930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/104, 320/105, 362/157, 362/161, 362/171, 362/183, 362/184, 362/188
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 2/00 Systems of electric lighting devices systems employing both electric and non-electric light sources or exchangeable light sources F21L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• 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: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/0625 the material diffusing light, e.g. translucent plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/02 in which an auxiliary distribution system and its associated lamps are brought into service
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/00 Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources structurally associated with the incandescent lamps H01K1/62

Abstract

An autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system includes a set of one or more self-standing rechargeable lighting fixtures (luminaries) removably supported on a recharging and support member. The luminaries each include a light diffusor that may resemble a-that turn on when removed from the recharging and support member. The luminaries may also turn on when power to the recharging and support member is turned off, turning the luminaries on automatically as during a power failure. The luminaries may each be inductively coupled to the recharging and support member, which enables to provide an aesthetically pleasing interface free of electrical contacts.

Claims

1. An autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system providing soft, candle-like ambient lighting about indoor and outdoor locations, comprising:

a portable charging stand removably supporting a set of luminaries removably supported on the portable charging stand, wherein the portable charging stand and set of luminaries supported on the portable charging stand are freely movable to any indoor and outdoor location, allowing each luminary of the set of luminaries removably supported on the charging stand to be individually removed and placed in the environment of that location;

said portable charging stand removably supporting said set of luminaries including a charge circuit providing a charge signal to each luminary of said set of luminaries supported by said stand;

each said luminary of said set of luminaries providing the illumination and ambience of candles without suffering their undesirable disadvantages of self-consumption, smoke, unintended extinguishment and wax buildup, each said luminary of said set of luminaries including an electric lamp of illumination corresponding to that of a candle, a rechargeable battery pack connected to said lamp and a housing in which the lamp and rechargeable battery pack are mounted, wherein said housing in which the lamp is mounted includes a diffuser having a size and shape resembling a hand holdable candle, and wherein said diffuser having a size and shape resembling a hand holdable candle has a translucence of such transmission and diffusion as to simulate the soft ambience of a glowing candle when the lamp within the housing is lit; and

autoilluminating means coupled to each luminary of said set of luminaries and responsive to said charge signal for lighting said lamp of each luminary in response to non-detection of said charge signal, and for de-lighting said lamp of each luminary in response to detection of said charge signal, whereby, each said luminary of said set of luminaries lights if removed from said portable charging stand and de-lights if supported thereby.

2. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 1, wherein said set includes one or more luminaries.

3. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 1, wherein said each luminary includes a lamp receiving member adapated to provide easy replacement of said electric lamp, said lamp receiving member is adapted to allow manual insertion and removal of a replacement lamp without using an instrument.

4. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 1, wherein said each luminary includes a rechargeable battery receiving member adapted to provide easy replacement of said rechargeable battery pack, said rechargeable battery pack receiving member is adapted to allow manual insertion and removal of a replacement rechargeable battery pack without using an instrument.

5. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 1 whereby each said luminary of said set of luminaries supported by said portable charging stand lights in the absence of a charge signal.

6. Autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system providing soft, candle-like ambient lighting about indoor and outdoor locations, comprising:

a portable charging stand removably supporting a set of luminaries removably supported on the portable charging stand, wherein the portable charging stand and set of luminaries supported on the portable charging stand are freely movable to any indoor and outdoor location, allowing each luminary of the set of luminaries removably supported on the charging stand to be individually removed and placed in the environment of that location;

said portable charging stand adapted to removably support said set of luminaries including a first circuit coupled to each luminary of said set of luminaries when supported thereon operative in response to supplied AC power to provide a charge signal to each luminary of said set of luminaries when supported thereon;

each said luminary of said set of luminaries providing the illumination and ambience of candles without suffering their undesirable disadvantages of self-consumption, smoke, unintended extinguishment and wax buildup, each said luminary of said set of luminaries including a light emitting element of illumination corresponding to that of a and a housing in which the light emitting element is mounted, wherein said housing in which the light emitting element is mounted includes a diffuser having a size and shape resembling a hand holdable candle, and wherein said diffuser having a size and shape resembling a hand holdable candle has a translucence of such transmission and diffusion as to simulate the soft ambience of a glowing candle when the light emitting element within the housing is lit;

a sensor to provide a seat signal representative that each luminary of said set of luminaries is supported on said portable charging stand;

wherein each said light emitting element of each luminary of said set of luminaries is connected to a rechargeable battery pack via a second circuit operative in one mode to charge said rechargeable battery pack in response to said charge signal when each luminary of said set of luminaries is supported on said portable charging stand and operative in another mode to activate said light emitting element in response to the absence of said seat signal, whereby, each said luminary lights if removed from said portable charging stand, does not light if no AC power is supplied to said portable charging stand when supported thereon, and does not light if there is no charge signal when supported thereon.

7. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 6, wherein said set includes one or more luminaries.

8. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 6, further including a cover removably mounted to said charging base.

9. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 6, further including a handle mounted to said portable charging stand adapted to allow the stand and luminary set to be hand carried.

10. The autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of claim 6, further including a switch mounted to at least one said luminary of said set of luminaries to independently turn it on/off.