Abstract:
An illumination apparatus having a housing containing a source of electrical energy fully contained therewithin; an illumination assembly operably connected to the source of electrical energy and deployed so as to afford illumination when energized from the source of electrical energy; and a bulb surrounding the illumination assembly and being sufficiently transparent to permit illumination to pass therethrough and beyond.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to an illumination apparatus and, more particularly, to such an apparatus which has the capability of providing illumination, or the like, in environments in which it is difficult, impossible, or otherwise undesirable, for a multiplicity of reasons, to employ conventional devices. 
         [0005]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Since the invention of incandescent lighting, a host of applications of the invention have been developed. One of the primary uses, of course, is general interior and exterior lighting providing illumination sufficient for the objective to be achieved. In most conventional uses, interior or exterior illumination is required or desirable to brighten the surrounding area so as to permit clear, unobstructed vision. 
         [0007]    In other instances, lighting may be desired for both these reasons as well as for aesthetic purposes. For example, interior lighting for the home includes various types and styles of lamps and other lighting fixtures. It is, of course, common to wire for electric power homes, businesses, other types of buildings and installations at the time of construction. This is done in accordance with a predefined plan to provide sources of electrical energy for use throughout the structures in various locations through electrical outlets. Electrical appliances, lighting fixtures and the like are typically connected to the electrical outlets through the use of electrical cables, or cords, having electrical plugs at the terminal ends thereof for individual connection to the electrical outlets as convenient. Normally, the electrical cables are connected to the electrical outlet nearest its respective electrical fixture. This may be satisfactory in some circumstances. 
         [0008]    However, there are many instances in which use of an available electrical outlet is not satisfactory for the situation involved. For example, with the passage of time circumstances may develop in which it may be desirable to have an electrical outlet at a location other than was originally provided. There may be obstructions such as walls, furniture, or the like, which make connection to the nearest electrical outlet inconvenient or impossible. While rewiring the structure to provide such an electrical outlet, or outlets, may be possible, this is inconvenient, time consuming and may be expensive. 
         [0009]    Furthermore, surfaces such as carpeting, flooring and other installations may require that the electrical cable be extended thereacross creating a hazard to people passing thereover. In other cases the electrical cable may be extended beneath carpeting, or the like, to conceal the electrical cable from view and reduce the foregoing hazard and others. However, this also creates a hazardous condition due, for example, to wearing of the electrical cable from passage of people and other objects thereacross. A fire hazard, as well as other hazards, may thereby be created. 
         [0010]    In other circumstances, there may be electrical fixtures, or the like, which are desired to be stationed, or positioned, where it is aesthetically undesirable to have an electrical outlet and/or electrical cable which is visible. Such electrical sources are considered to be unsightly and a detraction from an otherwise appealing ambiance. Illustrative examples of such fixtures are table lamps, lights in exposed areas such as on a mantle over a fireplace, overhead lighting, lighting on counters, desk tops, kitchen and bathroom surfaces and many more. Such conventional installations may create still other hazards such as electrical shock, particularly where water is in proximity thereto. 
         [0011]    Still further, there are many environments in which electrical outlets are not available, not conveniently useable, or otherwise not practical for usage. Such is the case, for example, in automotive vehicles, boats, aircraft, and activities such as camping and the like. In such environments, conventional fixtures are inadequate, unsafe, or impossible to use. Such conventional products include flashlights, lanterns, gas lighting, flares, glow sticks, campfires and many other conventional products and practices. 
         [0012]    Therefore, it has long been recognized that it would be desirable to have an illumination apparatus which can dependably be used as a light source; which can be operated for a lengthy period of time; which can be operated in a wide variety of environments including, but not limited to, metropolitan as well as remote locations; which is fully operable entirely independent of any supporting system, material, fixture, or the like; which can be employed for interior as well as exterior lighting; which produces illumination sufficient for virtually all uses; which eliminates the hazards associated with conventional products and systems; and which is otherwise entirely effective in accomplishing its intended objectives. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved illumination apparatus. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can dependably be employed as a light source. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is entirely self-contained so as to be fully operable entirely independent of any supporting system, equipment, or other product. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can be employed to provide both interior and exterior lighting. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which is operable in virtually any environment including, but not limited to, metropolitan as well as remote locations. 
         [0018]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which can be employed to take into account aesthetic considerations in virtually all circumstances. 
         [0019]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which avoids the necessity of using electrical cables, electrical outlets and the like in order to operate thereby achieving aesthetic benefits without sacrificing the quality of illumination or multiplicity of applications. 
         [0020]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which entirely avoids the hazards associated with conventional products. 
         [0021]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which possesses a long operational life before requiring attention thereto. 
         [0022]    Another object is to provide such an apparatus which simulates the appearance of a conventional light source while avoiding the deficiencies thereof. 
         [0023]    Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purpose described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0024]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in an illumination apparatus having a housing containing a source of electrical energy fully contained therewithin; an illumination assembly operably connected to the source of electrical energy and deployed so as to afford illumination when energized from the source of electrical energy; and a bulb surrounding the illumination assembly and being sufficiently transparent to permit the illumination to pass therethrough and beyond. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one side of the illumination apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second side of the illumination apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the illumination apparatus. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal section of the illumination apparatus taken on line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, the illumination apparatus of the present invention in generally indicated by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    The illumination apparatus  10  is shown in its fully assembled configuration in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4  and a disassembled configuration in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows the illumination apparatus in longitudinal section taken on line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  in its assembled configuration. 
         [0031]    The illumination apparatus  10  has a base member  20  which can be made of any suitable material, but in the preferred embodiment is made of a durable plastic material. The base member has an exterior surface  21  and a bottom surface  22 . The exterior surface of the base member has exterior male screw threads  23  extending thereabout. The male screw threads are of a size and pitch adapted to be screw-threadably received in the conventional light socket of a light fixture such as a lamp light fixture or the like, not shown. The base member  20  is of a length such that when the base member is screw-threadably received in a conventional light socket, the bottom surface does not reach the portion of the light socket which normally contacts the surface of the light bulb in electrically transferring relation to the electrically transferring surface of the conventional light socket, as will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail. Thus, electrically transferring relation does not exist between the illumination apparatus  10  and the light socket of the light fixture. 
         [0032]    The base member  20  has an upper socket  24  extending to an upper annulus  25 . The upper socket  24  is hounded by an interior surface  26  having female screw threads  27  extending therefrom circumferentially about the upper socket, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The upper socket  24  has a bottom wall  28 . 
         [0033]    The illumination apparatus  10  has a central housing  40  having a cylindrical exterior surface  41  and a cylindrical interior surface  42 . The central housing has an upper end portion  43  and an opposite lower end portion  44 . The central housing thus has a housing wall  45 . A switch opening  46  extends through the housing wall  45 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0034]    The upper end portion  43  of the central housing  40  is circumscribed by upper female screw threads  50  which are preferably of a length and pitch suitable for the attachment of a twist off element hereinafter to be described. Alternatively, the upper male screw threads can be of the normal length and pitch such as the female screw threads  27 . The upper male screw threads extend to an upper annulus  51 . The lower end portion  44  is circumscribed by lower male screw threads  52  of the same length and pitch as the female screw threads  27  of the base member  20 . The lower male screw threads  52  of the lower end portion  44  extends to a lower annulus  53 . 
         [0035]    The central housing  40  is mounted on the base member  20  by screw threaded engagement of the lower male screw threads  52  of the central housing with the female screw threads  27  of the base member, as best shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0036]    The housing wall  45  bounds a central compartment  60  having an upper end portion  61  and an opposite lower end portion  62 . An end wall  63  is mounted in fixed relation within the interior surface  42  of the upper end portion  43  of the central housing  40 . The end wall has a central passage  64  extending axially therethrough. 
         [0037]    A battery  70  is mounted within the central compartment  60  by any suitable means. The battery has a positive electrical terminal  71  and a negative electrical terminal  72 . The battery can be of any suitable type. As shown in the drawings, the battery is of the nine (9) volt type. 
         [0038]    A control switch assembly  80  is mounted within the central compartment  60  by any suitable mount. An “on/off” switch member  81  is operably mounted on and extended from the switch assembly. The switch member extends through the switch opening  46  of the housing wall  45  a sufficient distance to be operable from the exterior of the central housing  40 . Pushing downwardly on the switch member  81 , as viewed in  FIG. 4 , causes the switch member to be placed in the “on” condition. Conversely, pushing upwardly on the switch member, as viewed in  FIG. 4 , causes the switch to be placed in the “off” condition. 
         [0039]    A light source or assembly  90  is mounted on and extends from the end wall  63  of the central housing  40 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . The light assembly  90  has a mounting mast  91  having a lower end portion  92  and an opposite upper end portion  93 . The lower end portion  92  is mounted in the central passage  64  of the end wall  63 . The mounting mast has an outer surface  94  extending the entire length thereof. 
         [0040]    A plurality of light sources or light-emitting diodes (LED)  100  are operably mounted on and extend from the mounting mast  91 . An electrical circuit  101  interconnects the light-emitting diodes with the battery  70  through the control switch assembly  80 . The battery is releasably connected to the electrical circuit by a battery attachment assembly  102  which clips onto the positive and negative electrical terminals  71  and  72  respectively. An electrical cable  103  extends from the battery attachment pad assembly  102  upwardly through the mounting mast  91  and is individually operably connected by diode connectors to the respective light-emitting diodes  100 . 
         [0041]    It will be understood that the light-emitting diodes  100  are activated by operation of the control switch assembly  80 . When the switch member  81  is in the “on” condition, the light-emitting diodes are energized and thus emit light. When the switch member is in the “off” condition, the light-emitting diodes are not energized and thus do not emit light. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic device made from semiconductor materials. A light-emitting diode (LED) emits light when current flows through it. 
         [0042]    The illumination apparatus  10  has a bulb assembly generally indicated by the numeral  110 . The bulb assembly has a lower end portion  111  and a bulb portion  112 . The bulb assembly has an outer surface  113  and an inner surface  114 . The inner surface of the lower end portion has male screw threads  115  therewithin. It will be understood that the male screw threads  115  screw-threadably engage the upper female screw threads  50  of the central housing  40  thereby mounting the bulb assembly  110  on the central housing  40 . The bulb assembly preferably, but not necessarily, consists of a heat resistant, hard, clear plastic. The bulb assembly can be clear as described and shown herein or can be frosted, of a given color, or any other type. Similarly, the bulb assembly can be of any size or shape desired. 
       Operation 
       [0043]    The operation of the described embodiment of the subject invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. 
         [0044]    The illumination apparatus  10  can be manufactured in a wide variety of different forms. While the illumination apparatus is herein shown and described in its preferred embodiment, it can be manufactured in larger or smaller sizes; and with larger or smaller or differently shaped base members and/or bulb assemblies  110 . The bulb assemblies can be fully transparent, or frosted, or of any color, or as otherwise desired. The bulb assembly as shown and described herein is, for illustrative convenience, fully transparent, or clear. In this form it releases a greater amount of light than in other forms. 
         [0045]    The illumination apparatus  10  is, in normal use, releasably mounted in the light socket of a lamp or other light fixture, not shown. This is accomplished by screw threadably mounting the base member  20  in the light socket using the exterior male screw threads  23  thereof. The bottom surface  22  of the base member is foreshortened, as compared with a conventional light bulb, so as not to be engageable with the electrically transmitting surface of the light socket. 
         [0046]    When it is desired to activate the illumination apparatus  10 , the on/off switch member  81  of the control switch assembly  80  is moved to the “on” position. This action causes electrical energy to pass along the electrical circuit  101  thereof from the battery  70 , through the electrical cable  103  into the mounting mast  91  of the light assembly  90  and individually to the light-emitting diodes  100  through the diode connectors  104 . The light-emitting diodes are thus energized to emit light. Collectively, the light-emitting diodes thereby generate sufficient light to provide the desired illumination. This illumination passes through and from the transparent bulb portion  112  of the bulb assembly  110  to the surrounding area desired to be lighted. 
         [0047]    It will be understood that a greater or lesser number of light-emitting diodes  100  can be employed in accordance with the amount of light desired. Similarly, light-emitting diodes of any desired intensity, or amount of light generated, can be employed. If desired, light-emitting diodes of different intensity can be employed in any desired combination. A battery  70  of the necessary power capability can be employed in accordance with the requirements of the number of light-emitting diodes employed and the electrical power required to energize them to emit light. The battery attachment pad assembly  102  is releasably connected to the positive and negative electrical terminals  71  and  72  to permit replacement of the battery when necessary. 
         [0048]    The illumination apparatus  10  thus can be employed in virtually any light fixture without electrical energy from an external source being supplied to the apparatus. All of the electrical energy required is supplied by the battery  70  within the illumination apparatus. 
         [0049]    When it is necessary to replace the battery  70 , the base member  20  is removed from the central housing  40  by screw threadably removing the base member from the female screw threads  27  thereby accessing the control compartment  60 . The battery to be removed is removed from the battery attachment pad assembly and replaced with a fresh battery. 
         [0050]    Therefore, the illumination apparatus provides a device which can dependably be used as a light source; which makes possible the use of a light fixture, lamp, or the like at any location independent of any other source of electrical energy; which can be operated for a lengthy period of time; which can be operated in a wide variety of environments including, but not limited to, household, metropolitan and remote locations; which is fully operable entirely independent of any supporting electrical system, material, fixture, or the like; which can be employed for interior as well as exterior lighting; which produces illumination sufficient for virtually all uses; which eliminates the hazards associated with conventional products and systems; and which is otherwise entirely effective in accomplishing its intended objectives. 
         [0051]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.