Outdoor light with positionable solar collector

• US 7,891,832 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allsop Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Allsop Incorporated
• Inventors: Allsop, Jamey J., Allsop, James D., Clausen, Eivind
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US12/118,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20080247155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 362/153, 362/153.1, 362/183, 362/191
• US Class Current: 362/153.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/10 with light sources attached to loose electric cables, e.g. Christmas tree lights
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/081 of low-built type, e.g. landscape light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/088 with lighting device mounted on top of the standard, e.g. for pedestrian zones
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/035 the solar unit being integrated within the support for the lighting unit, e.g. within or on a pole
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/02 with provision for adjustment F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/116 Fixing lighting devices to arms or standards F21V21/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting

Abstract

A solar powered lighting system provides a lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser that secures near the upper end of a support. A collector unit contains a solar cell and a coupler such as a clip-on clamp which allows the collector unit to be selectively attached to a desired support. The lighting system includes a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly using a wire such that the portion of the wire that extends from the collector unit to the lighting element assembly is of sufficient length to allow the collector unit to be selectively positioned on or remotely from the support.

Claims

1. A lighting system comprising:

a lighting element assembly;

a collector unit which comprises a solar cell and a coupler, wherein the coupler allows the collector unit to be selectively attached to a desired support;

a first support having an upper end and a lower end, the lighting element assembly secured proximate the upper end, the lower end being supported by a substrate;

a second support having an upper end and a lower end, the collector unit being removably, selectively and rotatably secured to the second support using the coupler; and

a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly using a wire, wherein that portion of the wire that extends from the collector unit to the lighting element assembly is of sufficient length to allow the collector unit to be selectively positioned on or remotely from the first support.

2. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the collector unit houses the battery.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the lower end of the second support is supported by a substrate.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the first support and the second support are substantially straight.

5. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the collector unit further comprises fasteners for securing the collector unit to a support in a plurality of positions.

6. The lighting system of claim 1 wherein the coupler is a clip-on clamp.

7. The lighting system of claim 6 wherein the wire is wrapped around at least a portion of the collector unit.

8. A method for using an outdoor lighting system comprising:

providing a lighting element assembly;

providing a collector unit which comprises a solar cell, a battery and a clip-on clamp, wherein the battery is electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly;

providing a first support having an upper end and a lower end, the lighting element assembly securing proximate the upper end;

providing a second support having an upper end and a lower end, the collector unit being removably secured to the second support using the clip-on clamp; and

positioning the second support remotely from the first support.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein positioning of the first and second supports comprises insertion of a portion of the lower ends of the first and second supports into a substrate.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the lighting element assembly is disposed a substantial distance above the upper portions of at least a portion of foliage elements.

11. A lighting system comprising:

a lighting element assembly;

a collector unit which comprises a solar cell, a battery and a clip-on clamp, wherein the battery is electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly;

a first support having an upper end and a lower end, the lighting element assembly securing proximate the upper end and the lower end being supported by a substrate; and

a second support having an upper end and a lower end, the collector unit being removably secured to the second support using the clip-on clamp and the lower end of the second support being supported by the substrate.

12. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the first support and the second support are substantially straight.

13. The lighting system of claim 11 wherein the collector unit further comprises fasteners for securing the collector unit to a support in a plurality of positions.

14. The lighting system of claim 11, wherein the collector unit selectively and rotatably secures to the second support.

15. The lighting system of claim 11 further comprising a wire to electrically couple the battery to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly.

16. The lighting system of claim 15 wherein the wire is wrapped around the exterior of the collector unit.

17. The lighting system of claim 15 further comprising a refraction device for holding the wire.