Light device

• US 8,256,916 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2011
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Simon N. Richmond
• Original Assignee: Simon N. Richmond
• Inventors: Richmond, Simon N.
• Primary Examiner(s): SEMBER, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/098,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20110205730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 492 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/145, 362/431, 362/800, 362/249.02, 362/647, 362/649, 362/652
• 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. An outdoor lighting device, comprising:

battery connections for at least one rechargeable battery;

a solar module comprising;

at least one solar cell mounted so as to be exposed to light and operatively associated with said connections to charge said at least one rechargeable battery;

first electrical contacts electrically connected to said battery connections via a power circuit;

a lighting module comprising;

a lens;

at least one light emitting element mounted to direct light through at least part of said lens;

second electrical contacts electrically connected to said at least one light emitting element;

wherein said solar module is mechanically and electrically connectable to and disconnectable from said lighting module, and when said solar module and said lighting module are mechanically connected together, the mechanical connection of the modules results in joining said first electrical contacts in an electrical and mechanical connection with said second electrical contacts and electrical current is able to pass, during normal use, between said at least one rechargeable battery and said at least one light emitting element; and

a spike extending downwards for positioning said connections, said lighting module and said solar module above a ground surface.

2. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein a vertical arrangement of said lighting module and said solar module is removably aligned along a generally central axis of said light device.

3. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said solar module further comprises a manually operable switch to control the output of said at least one light emitting element.

4. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1 wherein said battery connections are disposed within said solar module.

5. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said light emitting element is at least one solid state diode that emits light of a fixed color.

6. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said solar module is at least partly rotatable relative to said lighting module.

7. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said solar module, said lighting module, said battery connections, and said spike are positioned in a generally fixed vertical spatial relationship to each other during use.

8. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said light emitting element emits light of perceived varying intensity.

9. The outdoor lighting device of claim 8, wherein said lighting module comprises a simulated candle effect resulting from light emitted by said at least one light emitting element.

10. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said light emitting element is disposed inside a portion of an at least partially translucent diffusing lens arranged so as to diffuse light passing therethrough from said at least one light emitting element.

11. The outdoor lighting device of claim 1, wherein said light emitting element is disposed inside a portion of an at least partially transparent lens arranged so as to allow light to passing therethrough from said at least one light emitting element.

12. A outdoor lighting device, comprising:

a solar module comprising;

battery connections for at least one rechargeable battery;

at least one solar cell mounted so as to be exposed to light and operatively associated with said connections to charge said at least one rechargeable battery;

first electrical contacts electrically connected to said battery connections via a power circuit;

a lighting module comprising;

a lens;

at least one light emitting element mounted to direct light through at least part of said lens;

second electrical contacts electrically connected to said at least one light emitting element;

wherein said solar module is mechanically and electrically connectable to and disconnectable from said lighting module, and when said solar module and said lighting module are mechanically connected together, the mechanical connection of the modules results in positioning said first electrical contacts into contact to said second electrical contacts and electrical current is able to pass via said first and second contacts, during normal use, between said at least one rechargeable battery and said at least one light emitting element; and

a vertically-oriented positioning member extending downwards for elevating and positioning said connections, said lighting module and said solar module above a ground surface.

13. The outdoor lighting device of claim 12, wherein said light emitting element is at least one solid state diode that emits light.

14. The outdoor lighting device of claim 13, wherein said solar module, said lighting module, said battery connections, and a spike are positioned in a generally fixed vertical spatial relationship to each other during illumination of said at least one light emitting element.

15. The outdoor lighting device of claim 14, wherein said solar module further comprises a manually operable switch to control the output of said at least one light emitting element.

16. The outdoor lighting device of claim 14, wherein said light emitting element is disposed inside a portion of an at least partially translucent diffusing lens arranged so as to diffuse light passing therethrough from said at least one light emitting element.

17. The outdoor lighting device of claim 14, wherein said solar module is at least partly rotatable relative to said lighting module.

18. The outdoor lighting device of claim 14, wherein said solar module, said lighting module, said battery connections, and said spike are positioned in a generally fixed horizontal spatial relationship to each other during illumination of said at least one light emitting element.

19. The outdoor lighting device of claim 12, wherein said vertically-oriented positioning member is a ground spike.

20. The outdoor lighting device of claim 12, wherein, when said solar module is connected to said lighting module, the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts include at least one contact formed of resilient electrically conductive material to ensure good electrical contact is achieved between connecting said first electrical contacts and said second electrical contacts.