Portable path light system and method

• US 9,970,635 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2015
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Daniel Rood
• Original Assignee: John Daniel Rood
• Inventors: Rood, John Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Harris, William N
• Application Number:
  US14/880,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20160201885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 947 Days
• Field of Search: 362183, 362431, 362414, 403351, 403243, 403365, 403369, 403390, 248523, 248524
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/06 Bases for movable standing lamps; Fixing standards to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A portable path light system including a stabilizing base collar to provide downward pressure and torsional stabilization. The collar is affixed to the poll by one or more, preferably tapered wedging shims. Shims may include flanges to provide for mating with the collar and/or support of the system. Nesting shims can help size, fit, and further support the system. Shims may be rotated to provide a more complete mating with collar.

Claims

1. A portable solar light system comprising of:

a. at least one solar cell supplying power to at least one battery;

b. at least one light source powered by either said at least one solar cell or said at least one battery;

c. said at least one light source and said at least one solar cell supported atop a support pole, said support pole comprising an outer surface;

d. a collar, having a weight to withstand torsional pressures posed by said support pole, fitted around at least a portion of said support pole, said collar comprising a hollow cavity for encapsulating a portion of said pole there through, said hollow cavity comprising a cavity surface; and

e. at least a first shim, said at least first shim comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;

said at least first shim further comprising a flange extending perpendicularly from a bottom of said exterior surface adapted to mate with a surface of said collar, and said at least first shim attached to said outer surface of said pole so as to provide coupling between said collar and said pole;

wherein said at least first shim interior surface is coupled to said support pole outer surface, said system further comprising at least a second shim, said at least second shim comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said at least second shim interior surface affixed to said at least first shim exterior surface, and wherein said at least second shim exterior surface is coupled with said cavity surface.

2. The portable solar light system of claim 1, wherein said at least second shim comprises a flange, wherein said at least first shim flange sits atop said at least second shim flange.

3. The portable solar light system of claim 2, wherein said at least second shim is oriented in parallel to the orientation of said at least first shim around said pole so as to overlap with said at least first shim.

4. The portable solar light system of claim 2, wherein said at least second shim is oriented approximately forty-five degrees from the orientation of said at least first shim around said support pole.

5. The portable solar light system of claim 2, wherein said at least second shim is oriented ninety degrees from the orientation of said at least first shim around said support pole.

6. A portable solar light system comprising of:

a. at least one solar cell supplying power to at least one battery;

b. at least one light source powered by either said at least one solar cell or said at least one battery;

c. said at least one light source and said at least one solar cell supported atop a support pole, said support pole comprising an outer surface;

d. a collar, having a weight to withstand torsional pressures posed by said support pole, fitted around at least a portion of said support pole, said collar comprising a hollow cavity for encapsulating a portion of said pole there through, said hollow cavity comprising a cavity surface; and

e. at least a first shim, said at least first shim comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;

said at least first shim further comprising a flange extending perpendicularly from a bottom of said exterior surface adapted to mate with a surface of said collar, and said at least first shim attached to said outer surface of said pole so as to provide coupling between said collar and said pole;

wherein said at least first shim interior surface is coupled to said support pole outer surface, said system further comprising at least a second shim, said at least second shim comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said at least second shim interior surface affixed to said at least first shim exterior surface, further comprising at least a third shim, said at least third shim comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said at least third shim interior surface affixed to said at least second shim exterior surface.

7. The portable solar light system of claim 6, further comprising at least a fourth shim, said at least fourth shim comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, said at least fourth shim interior surface affixed to said at least third shim exterior surface.

8. A method for stabilizing a solar powered lighting system comprising the steps of:

a. providing a support pole for holding up solar and lighting portions of the system;

b. adhering at least a first shim to the pole surface to provide a mating surface between the pole and the collar;

c. piggy-backing a second shim atop the first shim to expand the diameter of the pole and shim system;

d. placing said support pole, with the at least first shim and a second shim attached, within a bore of a collar;

e. affixing said pole within the collar bore;

f. placing the solar powered lighting system upon a supporting surface.

9. The method for stabilizing a solar powered lighting system of claim 8, wherein said step of piggy-backing the second shim comprises affixing second shim in a 90 degrees rotated orientation from said first shim.