Light bulb utilizing a replaceable LED light source

• US 8,882,334 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2012
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Epistar Corporation (Ennostar, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CAO Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Cao, Densen
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US13/473,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20120224395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 362/649, 362/650, 362/651
• US Class Current: 362/650
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2107/40 on the sides of polyhedrons, e.g. cubes or pyramids
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

The present invention is a light bulb featuring a removable LED light source. The preferred source being a lighting source with a three dimensional lead frame as disclosed in the parent applications to this application. Control circuitry is included to convert electrical power into power usable by the LEDs.

Claims

1. A light source, comprising:

a replaceable LED unit having an interlocking structure element;

a socket having a corresponding interlocking structure element that mates with the interlocking structure element of the replaceable LED unit; and

a base supporting the socket, the base capable of interfacing with a lighting fixture.

2. The light source recited in claim 1, wherein the interlocking structure element and the corresponding interlocking structure element are screw threads.

3. The light source recited in claim 1, wherein the replaceable LED unit comprises a plurality of LEDs.

4. The light source recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged on the replaceable LED unit to direct light in different directions with respect to the light source.

5. The light source recited in claim 4, wherein the replaceable LED unit comprises a polygonal profile with n faces, n being an integer larger than 2, and wherein at least one of the plurality of LEDs are arranged on at least one face of the replaceable LED unit.

6. The light source recited in claim 1, further comprising a removable cover that attaches to the base and at least partially covers the removable LED unit.

7. The light source recited in claim 6, wherein the removable cover permits transmission of light through the cover.

8. The light source recited in claim 6, wherein when the removable cover is removed a user has access to the replaceable LED unit to remove the replaceable LED unit and install a new replaceable LED unit.

9. The light source recited in claim 6, wherein the removable cover comprises interlocking threads that interface with corresponding interlocking threads on the base.