Programmable remote control electrical light operating system

• US 7,677,753 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael H. Wills
• Original Assignee: Michael H. Wills
• Inventors: Wills, Michael H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y
• Application Number:
  US11/975,166
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 362 86- 88, 362/583, 362/276, 362/802, 362/147, 362/161, 362/569, 362/410, 362/411, 362/457, 455/344, 455/347, 455/346, 340/326, 340/539, 340/693.2, 340/825.36, 439/188
• US Class Current: 362/161
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/00 Lighting devices intended to be free-standing F21S9/00, F21S10/00, F21S13/12 take precedence lighting devices specially adapted to be transported from place to place, e.g. lighting devices carried on wheeled supports F21L; details of supports for lighting devices F21V21/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0435 activated by remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00

Abstract

A control system for turning conventional AC electric window lights on and off particularly during the holiday season by means of a central, wireless remote control is herein disclosed. Specifically, the apparatus provides for the remote control of traditional, electric, window candlelight fixtures. Each lighting fixture has its own integral receiver which responds to on/off commands issued by a programmable remote control transmitter. Each lighting fixture comprises a manual switching means. The remote transmitter is also equipped with frequency learning firmware, a countdown timer, and a conventional timer to allow for the unattended operation of the window lighting fixtures.

Claims

1. An electrical decorative lighting fixture capable of being controlled remotely, comprising:

a base assembly, comprising an RF receiver;

a power supply located therein said base assembly;

a candle body extending upward therefrom and supported thereby said base assembly at a lower end;

a decorative lamp removably attachable thereto an upper end of said candle body for providing illumination functions and in electrical communication therewith said power supply;

a mounting means for mounting said base assembly thereto a support structure; and

,

a remote control transmitter unit for controlling said lighting fixture via commands transmitted by an RF control signal;

wherein said remote control transmitter is in wireless communication therewith said RF receiver; and

,

wherein said remote control transmitter transmits commands to control said lighting fixture;

wherein said mounting means further comprises;

a base fixture mount removably mounted thereto said bottom surface of said base assembly via a base mounting means and comprising a “

T”

-shaped locking slot and an electrical cord aperture;

a first bracket comprising a first “

T”

-shaped locking feature; and

,

a second bracket comprising an “

L”

-shaped adapter and a male “

T”

-shaped locking feature for correspondingly engaging said base fixture mount and a female “

T”

-shaped locking feature for correspondingly engaging said first bracket located at a ninety (90) degree orientation thereto;

wherein said electrical cord aperture permits the passage of said electrical cord therethrough

wherein said support structure is a vertical surface;

wherein said first and second brackets are disposed along an outer perimeter of said base fixture mount such that said first and second brackets remain spaced subjacent to said base assembly; and

,

wherein said base assembly is freely disengaged from said base fixture mount while said first and second brackets remain statically attached to said base fixture mount respectively.

2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said power supply receives power therefrom a conventional electrical socket via said electrical cord and is affixed thereto floor and wall surfaces using an affixing means;

wherein said power supply conducts electricity therethrough internal wiring, thereby energizing and illuminating said lamp.

3. The lighting fixture of claim 2, wherein said base assembly comprises a globular design with a bottom surface, an outer portion, and an upper portion defining an interior space, further comprising:

a manual ON/OFF switch;

said RF receiver within said interior space and in electrical communication with said power supply;

a relay module within said interior space and in electrical communication with said RF receiver, said power supply, and said ON/OFF switch;

an electrical cord connected at a proximal end thereto said power supply; and

,

an electrical cord grommet for permitting the passage of said electrical cord therethrough;

wherein said RF receiver adaptably receives an RF control signal transmitted therefrom said remote control transmitter and translates said control signal thereto said relay module.

4. The lighting fixture of claim 3, wherein said relay module provides a latching relay function upon receipt of power by said power supply, thereby enabling sustained electrical current and said illumination functions of said lamp upon said RF receiver receipt of an RF control signal therefrom said remote control transmitter.

5. The lighting fixture of claim 3, wherein said manual ON/OFF switch provides an over-riding signal of any RF control signal thereto said latching relay of said relay module;

wherein said relay module provides continued and sustained power thereto said lap until said ON/OFF switch is switched to an OFF state.

6. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said candle body further comprises:

a tubular-shaped decorative element permanently mounted therein said base assembly;

said upper end having an electrical socket for electrically receiving and cooperating with said decorative lamp; and

,

internal wiring connecting said electrical socket thereto said base assembly, such that said decorative lamp is in electrical communication with said base assembly.

7. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said decorative lamp is an incandescent bulb with an attached shade.

8. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said decorative lamp is an incandescent bulb with a tinted or painted lens.

9. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said mounting means further comprises:

a base fixture mount removable mounted thereto said bottom surface of said base assembly and comprising a “

T”

-shaped locking slot;

a first bracket comprising a “

T”

-shaped locking feature for correspondingly engaging said base fixture mount; and

,

a first attachable means for attaching said first bracket thereto said support structure;

wherein said support structure is a horizontal surface.

10. The lighting fixture apparatus of claim 1, wherein said remote control transmitter unit emits an omni-directional RF control signal and further comprises:

a resilient and durable plastic housing;

a battery compartment for retaining batteries providing a power supply;

a transmitter for generating and transmitting said RF control signal;

a range increasing antenna for transmitting said RF control signal;

a plurality of programmable pushbuttons for initiating a desired lighting fixture function, further comprising;

a clock function pushbutton for programming a time of day thereof said remote control transmitter;

a timer function pushbutton for programming a lighting fixture to commence said illumination functions;

a time duration selection pushbutton for selecting between time units;

a countdown timer pushbutton for programming said lighting fixture to commence said illumination functions; and

,

an ON/OFF switching function pushbutton;

a microprocessor for directing said desired lighting fixture functions; and

,

a display screen for displaying said desired lighting fixture functions;

wherein said desired lighting fixture function is generated and transmitted as said RF control signal;

wherein said RF control signal is received by said RF receiver.

11. The lighting fixture of claim 10, wherein said remote control transmitter further comprises a frequency learning pushbutton integrated therein allowing individual lighting fixtures to be programmed when controlling a plurality of lighting fixtures.

12. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said illuminating functions comprise one or more of the following list:

proportional dimming, flickering effects, and flashing effects.

13. A method of installing and utilizing a lighting fixture controlled by a remote control transmitter comprises the following steps:

mounting a desired amount of lighting fixtures thereto a plurality of flat surfaces via a desired mounting means for mounting a base fixture mount of an individual lighting fixture, wherein said desired mounting means comprises mounting said base fixture mount thereto a horizontal surface and a vertical surface;

mounting at least one lighting fixture thereto said horizontal surface by fastening a first bracket thereto said horizontal surface utilizing fasteners and protecting said fasteners with a cover and, affixing said base fixture mount thereto said first bracket, wherein said base fixture mount has a “

T”

-shaped slot that correspondingly engages therewith a “

T”

-shaped locking feature of said first bracket;

mounting at least one lighting fixture thereto said vertical surface by fastening said first bracket thereto said vertical surface utilizing fasteners and protecting said fasteners with said cover, affixing a second bracket thereto said first bracket, wherein said second bracket comprises an “

L”

-shaped adapter having a “

T”

-shaped slot at a distal end that correspondingly engages therewith a “

T”

-shaped locking feature of said first bracket, and affixing said base fixture mount thereto said second bracket, wherein said base fixture mount has a “

T”

-shaped slot that correspondingly engages therewith a “

T”

-shaped locking feature at a proximal end of said second bracket;

inserting a base assembly of said lighting fixture of the candlelight assembly therein said base fixture mount using a plurality of appendages;

securing said base assembly therein said base fixture mount by rotating said base assembly one-quarter turn to lock into place;

routing and securing a power cord and affixing means and inserting into a power outlet;

routing and securing said power cord and affixing means therethrough a cord aperture of said base fixture mount mounted on said vertical surface and inserting into a power outlet;

installing a desired lamp unit therein an electrical socket of a candle body upwardly extending therefrom said base assembly;

inserting batteries therein said remote control transmitter;

choosing a desired lighting fixture function to program an illumination function, wherein remote control transmitter generates and transmits an RF control signal for receipt by an RF receiver located therein said base assembly, said desired lighting fixture functions further comprise;

depressing a clock function pushbutton for programming a time of day thereof said remote control transmitter;

depressing a timer function pushbutton for programming a lighting fixture to commence said illumination functions;

depressing a time duration selection pushbutton for selecting between time units;

depressing a countdown timer pushbutton for programming said lighting fixture to commence said illumination functions;

depressing an ON/OFF switching function pushbutton to activate said lighting fixture via said remote control transmitter; and

depressing a frequency learning pushbutton integrated therein said remote control transmitter thereby allowing individual lighting fixtures to be programmed when controlling said plurality of lighting fixtures;

observing a display of said desired lighting fixture function thereon a display screen; and

,

observing said illumination functions as a result of said desired lighting fixture function activation.