Abstract:
An adjustable lighting apparatus includes a plurality of flexible light segments having first and second ends. Each first end includes an input connector and each second end includes an output connector such that multiple light segments may be electrically connected end to end to conformably surround objects of various diameters, such as tables. Each light segment may include light sources connected to respective input and output connectors with wiring. The wiring includes multiple conductors and is connected to a controller for selectively providing predetermined light functions, such as flashing, chasing, or deactivation after a predetermined time. Activation may be triggered by environmental sensors, such as light, motion, vibration, noise, or other like sensors.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a lighting apparatus and, more particularly, to an adjustable lighting apparatus having multiple light segments with clips for efficient attachment about patio tables and having selective lighting functions.  
         [0002]     Lengthy light strings are frequently used for decorating houses, trees, patio furniture, and other residential and commercial structures. However, these light strings are often too long to be used effectively to surround an outer peripheral edge of a table. In such a case, the remainder of a lengthy light string must be concealed or looped around the structure again.  
         [0003]     Various devices have been proposed in the art for providing light strings and other lighting apparatuses. Many types of clips have also been proposed for attaching light strings to structures. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, these devices do not provide adjustable length lighting segments that can be efficiently attached about the peripheries of tables.  
         [0004]     Therefore, it would be desirable to have an adjustable lighting apparatus having a plurality of lighting segments that may be easily connected and disconnected to form a segment of a desired length. Further, it would be desirable to having an adjustable lighting apparatus having lighting segments that are flexible to conform to the curvature of a table. In addition, it would be desirable to have an adjustable lighting apparatus having a plurality of clips for attaching the light segments to a table. Finally, it would be desirable to have an adjustable lighting apparatus that includes multiple lighting functions that respond to activation of various sensors or input devices.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Accordingly, an adjustable lighting apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of flexible light segments each having opposed first and second ends, with each first end having an input connector and each second end having a complementary output connector. Each light segment includes at least one light source electrically connected to the input and output connectors. One end of each segment includes a rotatable locking mechanism configured to selectively and removably mate with an opposed end of another segment such that respective input and output connectors are in electrical communication with the segments are locked together.  
         [0006]     The lighting apparatus further includes a plurality of clips configured for attaching the light segments to a remote object such as a tabletop. Particularly, each clip includes attachment and receiving portions for being attached between a table ledge and a tabletop and for receiving light segments, respectively.  
         [0007]     The lighting apparatus includes a controller in communication with the input and output connectors and the light sources for controlling the functions of the light sources. More particularly, the controller may activate the various connectors to flash selected light sources, to cause a “chasing” function, to light the light sources for a predetermined amount of time, or to respond to a triggering action such as from a motion or vibration sensor or the like. The apparatus includes an input device for user control over these functions.  
         [0008]     Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide an adjustable lighting apparatus having multiple short light segments for attachment to objects like tables with clips.  
         [0009]     Another object of this invention is to provide a lighting apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the light segments are flexible to conform to the curvature of a table.  
         [0010]     Still another object of this invention is to provide a lighting apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the light segments may be electrically connected end to end to establish a desired length.  
         [0011]     Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lighting apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the light segments include a plurality of light sources that may be controlled to flash, chase, or deactivate after a predetermined time.  
         [0012]     A further object of this invention is to provide a lighting apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the light sources may be activated by environmental conditions such as light, noise, vibration, motion, etc.  
         [0013]     A still further object of this invention is to provide a lighting apparatus, as aforesaid, having a plurality of attachment clips are configured for attachment to many types of objects.  
         [0014]     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rope light according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a circular table;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of two rope light segments removed from the table and positioned for releasable attachment to one another;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the two rope light segments as in  FIG. 2   a;    
         [0018]      FIG. 3   a  is another perspective view of a rope light attached about a circular table as in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3   b  is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the rope light segments and table as in  FIG. 3   a;    
         [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of the rope light as in  FIG. 3   a  with the table surface and outer material of the light segments removed;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4   b  is an isolated view of a portion of adjacent light segments as in  FIG. 4   a;    
         [0022]      FIG. 4   c  is an isolated view of another portion of the light segments as in  FIG. 4   a  showing a mounting clip;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating the function of a controller according to the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the electronic components of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     An adjustable lighting apparatus  100  according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 6  of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, an adjustable lighting apparatus  100  according to the current invention includes a plurality of flexible light segments  110  having first and second ends  110   a ,  110   b  ( FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ). Each segment includes a tubular material having a flexible outer material which holds and protects light sources and wiring, as will be described more fully below.  
         [0026]     Each first end  110   a  has as input connector  112 , and each second end  110   b  has an output connector (not shown). The input  112  and output connectors are complementary so that first ends  110   a  of various segments  110  may be connected to second ends  110   b  of various segments  110  and the respective input and output connectors will mate. The input and output connectors may be male and female connectors or another type of lead conductors. Wiring connects the input and output connectors for each segment  110 , and at least some of the segments  110  have one or more light sources  118  (i.e., a LED or a light bulb) in communication with the wiring. It is understood that some segments  110  may not contain a light source  118  (i.e., these segments  110  may be used to separate segments  110  that have light sources  118 , they may be used to connect segments  110  to a power source  2 , etc.).  
         [0027]     The wiring may include three or more separate conductors  116 , as shown in  FIG. 2   b  to provide additional features described below. A first conductor  116   a  may be a neutral conductor in communication with each light source  118  in a segment  110 ; a second conductor  116   b  may be in communication with preselected light sources  118  in the segment  110 ; and a third conductor  116   c  may be in communication with other preselected light sources  118  in the segment  110 . The preselected light sources  118  and the other preselected light sources  118  may be selected by a color of the light sources  118  or a position of the light sources  118  along the segment  110 . Each light source  118  in a respective segment  110  is preferably in communication with a respective neutral conductor  11   6   a  and another respective conductor  116 , and each conductor  116  is preferably connected to a respective input connector  112  and a respective output connector.  
         [0028]     One of the first and second ends  110   a ,  110   b  of each segment  110  may include a protrusion  119 , and another of the segment&#39;s first and second ends  110   a ,  110   b  may include a rotatable locking mechanism  120  defining a channel  122  complementary to the protrusions  119 . Each channel  122  has a recess  124  for housing a respective protrusion  119  when the protrusion  119  is placed in the channel  122  and the locking mechanism  120  is rotated to a closed configuration. Each locking mechanism  120  is preferably biased toward the closed configuration, such as by a spring or other known biasing element. It should be understood that the locking mechanisms  120  may alternately include the protrusions  119  and that the segments&#39;first or second ends  110   a ,  110   b  may alternately define the complementary channel  122 . When a respective protrusion  119  is in a respective recess  124  and a corresponding locking mechanism  120  is at the closed configuration, the input connectors  112  of one of the attached segments  110  are in communication with the output connectors of the other attached segment  110 . This effectively places the conductors  116  of the attached segments  110  in communication with each other.  
         [0029]     The conductors  116  are preferably in communication with the power source  2  (i.e., AC or DC power) and a controller  130  for selectively energizing the light sources  118 . The controller  130  may be in communication with one or more input devices  132 , and the controller  130  may include programming for energizing the light sources  118  in accordance with data received from the one or more input devices  132 . Unexhaustive examples of input devices  132  include), a timer  132   a , a motion sensor  132   b , a vibration sensor  132   c , a light sensor  132   d  (i.e., photocells), a switch (not shown) and an audio sensor (not shown) ( FIG. 6 ). The programming may include programming for, among other things, selectively energizing the light sources  118  in a blinking manner, a successive (“chasing”) manner, or by the color of the light sources  118 . Further, the programming may synchronize the energizing of the light sources  118  to audible sounds detected by the audio sensor.  
         [0030]     A plurality of clips  140  may selectively attach the segments  110  to a remote object. A representative clip  140  is shown in  FIG. 4   c . Each clip  140  may include a receiving portion  142  defining a receiving area  143  for selective attachment to the segments  110 . Each receiving area  143  has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the segments  110  so that a respective segment  110  may be received in the receiving area  143 . Each receiving portion  142  has a configuration such that more than one hundred and eighty degrees about a respective segment  110  may be selectively received in the receiving area  143 , as shown in  FIG. 4   c . Each receiving portion  142  is preferably at least partially constructed of a resilient material that is biased so that the receiving portion  142  is at a closed configuration. An end  144  of each receiving portion  142  may be flared to allow a user to easily move the receiving portion  142  from the closed configuration to an open configuration.  
         [0031]     Each clip  140  may further include an attachment portion  146  for placement between a table ledge  4  and a tabletop  6  that is receivable in the ledge. A top portion  146   a  of each attachment portion  146  may include a material that will not damage the tabletop  6  (i.e., rubber, felt, etc.). The attachment portion  146  and the receiving portion  142  of each clip  140  may also be selectively separable to allow an item to be selectively located between the attachment and receiving portions  146 ,  142 .  
         [0032]     In use, two segments  110  may be selected, and a first end  110   a  of one of the selected segments  110  may be placed adjacent a second end  110   b  of the other selected segment  110  as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . The locking mechanism  120  may then be rotated to an open configuration, the input  112  and output connectors may be placed together, and the protrusion  119  may enter the channel  122 . The locking mechanism  120  may then return to the closed configuration, securing the two segments  110  together. This may be done repeatedly to construct an assembled strand  102  having a desired length. The segments  110  preferably each have a length that is not greater than one foot long so that an overall length of an assembled strand  102  may be precisely selected.  
         [0033]     The power source  2  and the controller  130  may then be placed in communication with a free input connector  112  of the assembled strand  102 , and the assembled strand  102  may be attached to an object. For example, the attachment portion  146  of clips  140  may be placed between a table ledge  4  and a tabletop  6 . The top portions of the clips  140  do not scratch or damage the tabletop  6  due to the material used for the top portions. The user may move the receiving portions to the open configurations by using the flared ends, the segments  110  may be placed in the clips&#39; receiving portions, and the user may allow the receiving portions to return to the closed configurations, whereby attaching the assembled strand  102  to the clips  140 .  
         [0034]     For another example, the user may separate the receiving portions  142  and the attachment portions  146  of the clips  140 , place an item therebetween, and then allow the receiving and attachment portions  142 ,  146  to move closer together. The segments  110  may be attached to the clips  140  as described above, resulting in the assembled strand  102  being attached to the item located between the receiving and attachment portions  142 ,  146 .  
         [0035]     An exemplary process used by the controller  130  is shown in  FIG. 5 . At step S 1 , the assembled strand  102  is placed in communication with the power source  2  and the controller  130  as described above. The process then proceeds to step S 2 . At step S 2 , the controller  130  determines whether the user has selected a manual mode of operation through an input device  132 . If so, the process continues to step S 3 ; if not, the process proceeds to step S 11 .  
         [0036]     At step S 3 , the controller  130  determines whether the user has chosen to turn the light sources  118  “on” by using an input device  132  such as a switch. If so, the controller  130  continues to step S 4 , where the controller  130  actuates the light sources  118 . If not, the controller  130  proceeds to step S 5 .  
         [0037]     At step S 5 , the controller  130  determines whether the user has chosen to turn the light sources  118  to “flash” by using the input device  132 . If so, the controller  130  continues to step S 6 , where the controller  130  causes the light sources  118  to blink. If not, the controller  130  proceeds to step S 7 .  
         [0038]     At step S 7 , the controller  130  determines whether the user has chosen to turn the light sources  118  to “chase” by using the input device  132 . If so, the controller  130  continues to step S 8 , where the controller  130  causes the light sources  118  to actuate in a successive (“chasing”) manner. If not, the controller  130  proceeds to step S 9 .  
         [0039]     At step S 9 , the controller  130  determines whether the user has selected a predetermined amount of time for the light sources  118  to remain actuated. If so, the process returns to step S 2 . If not, the process proceeds to step S 10 , where the light sources  118  are turned “off” and the process is ended.  
         [0040]     At step S 11 , the controller  130  determines whether the user has selected an automatic mode of operation through an input device  132 . If so, the process continues to step S 12 ; if not, the process returns to step S 2 .  
         [0041]     At step S 12 , the controller  130  receives input from the input device  132 ; the process then continues to step S 13 .  
         [0042]     At step S 13 , the controller  130  determines whether the input device  132  has detected a triggering event (i.e., for the motion sensor  132   c , the triggering event would be sensing motion, etc.). If so, the process proceeds to step S 3 ; if not, the process returns to step S 2 .  
         [0043]     Accordingly, it can be seen that the present invention enables a user to provide custom lighting systems to furniture such as patio tables or the like in a superior manner over traditional lighting options. Specifically, rope light strings may be configured to exactly fit a particular table diameter, to be held securely thereabout, and to be configured to provide many light features based on environmental conditions.  
         [0044]     It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.