Cover for a light bulb

• US 8,915,623 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2012
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ST. Albert Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: ST. Albert Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Claudet, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Guharay, Karabi
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, NATHANIEL J.
• Application Number:
  US13/364,180
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 362/278, 362/288, 36231101-31115, 362351-353, 362/355, 362361-363, 362374-378
• US Class Current: 362/353
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/168 the parts being resilient rings acting substantially isotropically, e.g. split rings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps

Abstract

A more versatile cover for a light bulb, such as a compact fluorescent lamp or light emitting diode, that is aesthetically pleasing, flexible, and requires no modifications to the bulb while also capable of fitting a multitude of bulb configurations and sizes. The cover may include a hollow and at least partially elastic body in a pre-formed shape having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the body is removable and frictionally secured to said bulb to form an envelope around the bulb. The body may also include a collar and a bulbous section, which extends from the collar. The collar is configured to engage the base of the light bulb and create a substantially airtight seal between the base and the body. The body is fabricated from a light pervious material, and any light transmitted by the cover is preferably substantially diffuse.

Claims

1. A cover for a light bulb comprising a base configured to operatively engage a socket and a light-emitting enclosure extending from said base, wherein said cover comprises:

a. a hollow and at least partially elastic body in a pre-formed shape having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said body is configured to removably and frictionally engage said bulb to form an envelope around said light-emitting enclosure and to create a substantially airtight seal between said bulb and said body.

2. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said body and said light-emitting enclosure define a void between said body and said light-emitting closure when said cover is in place over said bulb.

3. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 2 wherein said cover is configured to have a light emitting surface area greater than said light-emitting enclosure.

4. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 3 wherein said body further comprises a collar configured to engage said base.

5. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 4 wherein said body further comprises a bulbous section extending from said collar.

6. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 5 wherein said bulbous section and said collar each have a diameter and wherein said diameter of said bulbous section is larger than said diameter of said collar.

7. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 6 wherein said collar and said bulbous section are seamlessly connected.

8. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 7 wherein said body is comprised of a material having a melting point of at least about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 8 wherein said body is comprised of a material having a percent elongation of at least about 120.

10. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 9 wherein said body is comprised of a material having a tensile strength of at least about 50 psi.

11. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 10 wherein said light transmitted by cover is substantially diffuse.

12. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 11 wherein said light emitting surface area of said cover is about 12 to 150 percent greater than the surface area of said light-emitting enclosure.

13. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 12 wherein said cover is translucent.

14. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 13 wherein said body is configured to transmit between about 30 percent to about 85 percent of the visible light emitted by said bulb.

15. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 14 wherein said cover is configured to alter the CCT value of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 3500K.

16. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 15 wherein said cover is configured to reduce the CCT value of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 3500K.

17. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 15 wherein said cover is configured to reduce the light intensity of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 40 percent.

18. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 12 wherein said cover is substantially transparent.

19. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 12 wherein said bulb is a fluorescent lamp.

20. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 12 wherein said bulb is a light emitting diode.

21. A cover for a light bulb comprising a base configured to operatively engage a socket and light-emitting enclosure extending from said base, wherein said cover comprises:

a. a hollow and at least partially elastic body in a pre-formed shape having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said body comprises a collar configured to removably and frictionally engage said base to form an envelope around said light-emitting enclosure, wherein said collar is configured to create a substantially airtight seal between said base and said body.

22. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 21 wherein said inner surface of said body and said light-emitting enclosure define a void between said body and said light-emitting enclosure when said cover is in place over said bulb.

23. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 22 wherein said light transmitted by cover is substantially diffuse.

24. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 23 wherein said light emitting surface area of said cover is about 12 to 150 percent greater than the surface area of said light-emitting enclosure.

25. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 23 wherein said cover is translucent.

26. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 25 wherein said body is configured to transmit between about 30 percent to about 85 percent of the visible light emitted by said bulb.

27. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 26 wherein said cover is configured to alter the CCT value of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 3500K.

28. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 27 wherein said cover is configured to reduce the CCT value of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 3500K.

29. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 28 wherein said cover is configured to reduce the light intensity of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 40 percent.

30. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 29 wherein said body is comprised of a material having a melting point of at least about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a percent elongation of at least about 120, and a tensile strength of at least about 50 psi.

31. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 23 wherein said cover is substantially transparent.

32. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 31 wherein said body is comprised of a material having a melting point of at least about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a percent elongation of at least about 120, and a tensile strength of at least about 50 psi.

33. A light bulb assembly comprising:

a. a light bulb comprising a base configured to operatively engage a socket and a light-emitting enclosure extending from said base; and

,

b. a cover comprising a hollow and at least partially elastic body in a pre-formed shape having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said body is configured to removably and frictionally engage to said bulb to form an envelope around said light-emitting enclosure and to create a substantially airtight seal between said bulb and said body, said body is configured to have a light emitting surface area greater than said light-emitting enclosure of said light bulb, and said body is at least partially fabricated from a material having a melting point of at least about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a percent elongation of at least about 120 and a tensile strength of at least about 50 psi, wherein said cover is configured to alter the CCT value of the light emitted by said light bulb by up to about 3500K and said cover is configured to reduce the light intensity of the light emitted by said bulb by up to about 40 percent.

34. A cover for a light bulb according to claim 33 wherein said cover is configured to reduce the CCT value of the light emitted by said light bulb by up to about 3500K.