Light device

• US 7,967,465 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Simon N. Richmond
• Original Assignee: Simon N. Richmond
• Inventors: Richmond, Simon Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember; Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US11/555,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20070242451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,701 Days
• Field of Search: 362/96, 362/183, 362/189, 362/253, 362/276, 362/352, 362/802, 362/394, 136/258, 136/291, 136/293, 307/112, 320/101, 340/815.4, 340/815.46
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/08 with a standard F21S6/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/03 rechargeable by exposure to light
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/18 Latch-type fastening, e.g. with rotary action
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0407 for flashing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/023 Chinese lanterns; Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/109 of gardens
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting

Abstract

A light device is disclosed which is arranged to receive at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device. The light device comprises a flexible body portion movable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration and defining an enclosure when the body portion is in the expanded configuration, the body portion being at least partially transparent or translucent. The light device also comprises at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from the or each electrical power storage device disposed during use in the light device, the light emitting element being arranged so as to generate light which passes outwardly of the light device through the body portion, and a solar power converting device arranged to convert solar power to electrical power for recharging the or each electrical power storage device disposed during use in the light devices. The light device is disposable in an expanded configuration or a contracted configuration by respectively expanding or contracting the body portion.

Claims

1. A light device arranged to receive at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device, said light device comprising:

a flexible body portion movable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration and defining an enclosure when said body portion is in said expanded configuration, said body portion being at least partially transparent or translucent;

at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from said at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device disposed during use in said light device, said light emitting element being arranged so as to generate light which passes outwardly of said light device through said body portion;

a solar power converting device arranged to convert solar power to electrical power for recharging said at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device, wherein said light device is disposable in an expanded configuration or a contracted configuration by respectively expanding or contracting said body portion;

control circuitry arranged to control supply of electrical power to said at least one light emitting element during use;

a test device disposed between said control circuitry and said at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device, said test device being disposable in a first configuration wherein electrical power is able to pass through said test device between said at least one rechargeable electrical storage device and said control circuitry, and a second configuration wherein electrical power is not able to pass through said test device between said at least one rechargeable electrical storage device and said control circuitry; and

wherein said test device comprises an insulator, a first conductor disposed on a first side of said insulator and electrically connected to said at least one rechargeable electrical power storage device, a second conductor disposed on a second opposite side of said insulator and electrically connected to said control circuitry, and a test switch connected across said first and second conductors.

2. A light device comprising:

an at least partially transparent or translucent body portion;

at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from at least one electrical power storage device disposed during use in said light device, said at least one light emitting element being arranged so as to generate light which passes outwardly of said light device through said body portion;

a solar power converting device arranged to convert solar power to electrical power for recharging said at least one electrical power storage device;

control circuitry arranged to control supply of electrical power to said at least one light emitting element during use;

a light activation sub-circuit to activate said control circuitry at low ambient light levels;

a test device disposed between said control circuitry and said at least one electrical power storage device, said test device being disposable in a first configuration wherein electrical power is able to pass through said test device between said at least one electrical storage device disposed and said control circuitry, and a second configuration wherein electrical power is not able to pass through said test device between said at least one electrical storage device and said control circuitry; and

wherein said test device includes an insulator, a first conductor electrically connected to said at least one electrical power storage device, a second conductor separated from said first conductor and electrically connected to said control circuitry, and a test switch connected across said first and second conductors, wherein at least one of said first and second conductors is disposed on a first side of said insulator.

3. A light device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second conductor is disposed on a second side of said insulator and separated from said first conductor by said insulator.

4. A light device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said insulator and at least one of said first and second conductors comprise an insert.

5. A light device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electrical power storage device is at least one rechargeable battery and said insulator is located between and is in direct contact with one end of said at least one rechargeable battery and at least part of said control circuitry and so as to electrically isolate said at least one rechargeable battery from said control circuitry when said test device is disposable in said second configuration.

6. A light device comprising:

an at least partially transparent or translucent body portion;

at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from at least one electrical power storage device disposed during use in said light device, said at least one light emitting element being arranged so as to generate light which passes outwardly of said light device through said body portion;

a solar power converting device arranged to convert solar power to electrical power for recharging said at least one electrical power storage device;

control circuitry arranged to control supply of electrical power to said at least one light emitting element during use;

a light activation sub-circuit to activate said control circuitry at low ambient light levels;

a test device disposed between said control circuitry and said at least one electrical power storage device, said test device being disposable in a first configuration wherein electrical power is able to pass through said test device between said at least one electrical storage device and said control circuitry, and a second configuration wherein electrical power is not able to pass through said test device between said at least one electrical storage device and said control circuitry; and

a device package comprising a window and at least one wall and wherein said device package houses;

said body portion,

said at least one electrical storage device,

said control circuitry;

said test device; and

wherein said test device comprises;

an insert having at least two conductors electrically connecting said electrical power storage device and said control circuitry;

a test switch connected across said conductors; and

wherein said switch is accessible by a user external from said device package and wherein at least part of said body portion is illuminated by said at least one light emitting element and viewable by a user through said window when said switch is activated by said user.

7. A light device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one electrical storage device is at least one rechargeable battery.

8. A light device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said insert further includes an insulator wherein said at least two conductors are located in spaced-apart relation to different sides of said insulator.