Package and light device

• US 9,500,347 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2011
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• 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:
  US13/331,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20120134135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,799 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2201/00 Means or constructions for testing or controlling the contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/54 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/42 for ampoules; for lamp bulbs; for electronic valves or tubes
• 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: 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 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/00 Globes; Bowls; Cover glasses with refracting properties F21V5/00; with reflecting properties F21V7/00; characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/506
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/109 of gardens
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A light device and package is disclosed including a light device with a diffuser and a light emitting element arranged so as to generate light through the diffuser which receives electrical power from an electrical power storage device recharged by a photovoltaic device with control circuitry arranged to control power supplied from the electrical power storage device. A test device is included having two conductors connected across a test switch. A device package is included having an opaque and light transmissive package portions and contains the light device and the two conductors. In a first configuration, the test switch is connected between the electrical storage device and the light emitting element via the two conductors, and in a second configuration, the test switch and the two conductors are disconnected from the light device. The test device can be used with multiple light devices and may be secured by a pull-tab.

Claims

1. A light device and package comprising:

at least one light device comprising;

at least one diffuser;

at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from an 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 through said at least one diffuser;

a photovoltaic device for recharging said electrical power storage device;

control circuitry arranged to control power supplied from said electrical power storage device to said at least one light emitting element during use;

a test device comprising;

at least two conductors comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor;

a test switch connected across said at least two conductors;

a device package comprising;

an opaque package portion and

at least one light transmissive package portion;

wherein said device package contains said at least one light device and said at least two conductors;

wherein said test device is removably connected to said control circuitry, said test device being disposable in a first configuration wherein said test switch is connected between said electrical storage device and said at least one light emitting element via said at least two conductors, and a second configuration wherein said test switch and said at least two conductors are disconnected from said electrical storage device and said at least one light emitting element;

wherein in said first configuration said test switch is supported by said device package to provide access to operate said test switch by a user located external from said device package; and

wherein some of said emitted light is viewable by a user through said at least one light transmissive package portion when said test switch is disposed by said user in said first configuration.

2. The light device and package of claim 1, wherein said at least one light device further comprises a light activation sub-circuit to activate said at least one light emitting element at low ambient light levels;

and wherein said opaque package portion shields a part of said light device from ambient light so as to activate said light activation sub-circuit when said test switch is disposed by said user in said first configuration.

3. The light device and package of claim 1, wherein said at least one light device further comprises at least one device switch operable to control at least part of said control circuitry, thereby enabling a user to manipulate said at least one device switch after said test device is detached from said control circuitry.

4. The light device and package of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting element is a plurality of light emitting elements.

5. The light device and package of claim 4, wherein said at least one diffuser is a plurality of diffusers including diffusers selected from the group consisting of transparent, partially transparent, translucent, and partially transparent and translucent diffusers disposed in a generally linear configuration during normal use;

and

wherein said plurality of light emitting elements are arranged so as to generate said emitted light which passes at least partially through each of said diffusers.

6. The light device and package of claim 1, further comprising a pole portion for elevating said photovoltaic device above a surrounding substrate when said photovoltaic device is supplying power to charge said electrical power storage device.

7. The light device and package of claim 1,

wherein said at least one light device includes a first light device and a second light device;

wherein said at least two conductors includes a first pair of conductors and a second pair of conductors;

wherein said test switch is connected across said first pair of conductors to said first light device and said second pair of conductors to said second light device;

wherein each of said first and second pairs connect to said test device in said first configuration and said second configuration.

8. The light device and package of claim 7, wherein said first and second light devices each comprises at least one device switch operable to control at least part of said control circuitry;

and

wherein an aperture in an outer surface of said device package includes a first window and a second window in said outer surface;

wherein said device switch of said first light device is positioned in a first device switch position causing said control circuitry to implement a first lighting mode;

wherein said device switch of said second light device is positioned in a second device switch position causing said circuitry to implement a second lighting mode so that a portion of said first light device displaying said first lighting mode is visible by said user via said first window and a portion of said second light device displaying a second lighting mode visible by said user via said second window when said test switch is disposed in said first configuration.

9. The light device and package of claim 8, wherein said first and second lighting mode is selected from the lighting mode group consisting of a color changing mode, a flashing mode, a dual-brightness mode, a fixed brightness mode, a fixed emitted color mode, a mode wherein the perceived emitted color varies in brightness, a mode wherein the perceived emitted color varies in color over time and any combination thereof.

10. The light device and package of claim 1, wherein said test switch is urged into a disengaged position when not activated by said user.

11. The light device and package of claim 1, wherein said test switch is recessed relative to an outer surface of said device package and wherein said device package further comprises an aperture in said outer surface to provide said access via said aperture.

12. A light device and packaging comprising:

at least one light device comprising;

at least one diffuser;

at least one light emitting element which receives electrical power from an electrical power storage device disposed during use in said light device, said at least one light emitting element being arranged so as to emit light through said at least one diffuser;

a photovoltaic device for recharging said electrical power storage device;

control circuitry arranged to control power supplied from said electrical power storage device to said at least one light emitting element during use;

a packaging comprising at least one wall;

a test device comprising;

at least two conductors comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor;

a test switch connected across said at least two conductors;

wherein said test switch is fixed to said wall and positioned to enable a user to operate said test switch;

wherein said test device is removably connected to said control circuitry, said test device being disposable in a first configuration wherein said test switch is connected between said electrical power storage device and said at least one light emitting element via said at least two conductors, and a second configuration wherein said test switch and said at least two conductors are disconnected from said electrical storage device and said at least one light emitting element; and

wherein in said first configuration, said test switch is at least partially supported by said packaging portion to provide access for a user to operate said test switch; and

wherein some of said emitted light is viewable by said user through said at least one diffuser when said test switch is disposed by said user in said first configuration.

13. The light device and packaging of claim 12, wherein said at least one light device further comprises a light activation sub-circuit to activate said at least one light emitting element at low ambient light levels;

wherein said light device and packaging further comprises a second packaging portion; and

wherein said second packaging portion shields a part of said at least one light device from ambient light so as to activate said light activation sub-circuit when said test switch is disposed by said user in said first configuration.

14. The light device and packaging of claim 12, wherein said wall further comprises an aperture and wherein said test switch is positioned to enable said user to operate said test switch via said aperture.