Abstract:
A light emitting diode (LED) lamp includes a base; an LED fixed to the base; an integrated circuit providing constant current or voltage control to the LED; and connectors for coupling one or more wires conducting electricity to the integrated circuit. The base may include holes to facilitate mounting thereof to an external surface. The respective sides of the base may be rounded in shape. The sides of the base may be of an electrically non-conductive material. The LED may be a long LED; a short LED; a frosted LED; a RBG LED; or a single color LED. The LED may be a through hole LED or a surface mounted LED. The LED may be a surface mounted LED or a lens. The lens may include the shape of at least one of: a circle; a star; a triangle; a square; or a bullet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to light emitting diode (LED) lamps for use in decorative lighting or illumination, and more particularly relates to LED lamps which may be combined as a light string. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    An LED light string has a number of discrete LED lamps strung together in series or parallel, and may cover the full color spectrum (RGB). 
         [0005]    The LED light strings can be attached to a cloth, or other media such as thin walls, plastic sheets via hook and loop (such as Velcro®) fasteners, or combined with a drop curtain to present textile backdrops. The LED light strings can have high brightness that is suitable in both dark environments and well-lit spaces. 
         [0006]    However, spacing among conventional LED light strings cannot be adjusted, and the lamps may not be designed to allow the mounting of LED light strings onto fabric or hard surfaces. Conventional LED light strings do not allow for various combination of LEDs 
         [0007]    such as frosted LEDs, Long LEDs, short LEDs, and RGB LEDs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0009]    The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, using a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated front perspective view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is another exemplary embodiment of an elevated front prospective view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is another exemplary embodiment of a side view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated bottom view of a single color LED lamp; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary embodiment of several single color LED lamps connected together; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated front perspective view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is another exemplary embodiment of an elevated front prospective view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is another exemplary embodiment of a side view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated bottom view of a multiple color LED lamp; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is an exemplary embodiment of several multiple color LED lamps connected together; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a exemplary embodiment of a star shaped lens; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  is a exemplary embodiment of a circle shaped lens; 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is a exemplary embodiment of a triangle shaped lens; 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is a exemplary embodiment of a square shaped lens; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  is a exemplary embodiment of a bullet shaped lens. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    In an exemplary embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) lamp is provided, including: a base; an LED fixed to the base; an integrated circuit providing constant current or voltage control to the LED; and connectors for coupling one or more wires conducting electricity to the integrated circuit. The base may further include one or more holes to facilitate mounting thereof to an external surface. The respective sides of the base may be rounded in shape. One or more sides of the base may include an electrically non-conductive material. 
         [0032]    In an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting diode (LED) lamp further includes a spacer adjusting the distance of the LED from the base. The LED may also include at least one of: a long LED; a short LED; a frosted LED; a RBG LED; or a single color LED. 
         [0033]    In an exemplary embodiment, the LED includes at least one of a through hole LED or a surface mounted LED. Also, the LED may include a surface mounted LED and a lens. The lens of the light emitting diode (LED) lamp may also have the shape of at least one of: a circle; a star; a triangle; a square; or a bullet. 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more holes may facilitate mounting of the device to an external surface including at least one of a glue hole or a screw hole. The base may further include one or more strain relief tie downs. The LED lamp may also include at least an anode RGB LED or a cathode RGB LED. 
         [0035]    In an exemplary embodiment, the base of the light emitting diode (LED) lamp of may further include one or more sides with a black solder mask. The base may also further include one or more sides with a user specified color. In an exemplary embodiment, the connectors for coupling the one or more wires may further include a groove designed to displace the insulation of a wire and provide an electrical connection. 
         [0036]    In an exemplary embodiment, the connectors for coupling the one or more wires may further include one or more pins which will accept an interface with one or more sockets and provide an electrical connection. The a mounting position of the LED lamp on the one or more wires may be determined based on an adjustable spacing between a plurality of the LED lamps. Also, the base may further include one or more sides of the base being coated with an adhesive to facilitate mounting of the LED lamp to an external surface or material. 
         [0037]    In an exemplary embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) lamp string with one or more integrally mounted LED lamps is provided, the string including a plurality of LED lamps with adjustable spacing, each of the LED lamps including: a base; an LED fixed to the base; an integrated circuit providing constant current or voltage control to the LED; and connectors for coupling one or more wires conducting electricity to the integrated circuit. The base may further include one or more holes to facilitate mounting to an external surface. Also, the adjustable spacing between the LED lamps may be based on a user specification. 
         [0038]    In an exemplary embodiment, the base of the light emitting diode (LED) lamp string may further include one or more strain relief tie downs. The base may further include one or more of its sides being coated with an adhesive to facilitate mounting of the LED lamp to an external surface or material. 
         [0039]    In an exemplary embodiment, a method for assembling a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lamps to form an LED lamp string is provided, including: assembling a plurality of LED lamps with one or more wires affixed between them; positioning each of the LED lamps on the one or more wires based on an adjustable spacing between them, where each of the LED lamps may include a base with an affixed LED and an integrated circuit designed to regulate current or voltage to the LED. The adjustable spacing between the light emitting diode (LED) lamps may also be determined based on a user specification. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of an elevated front perspective view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of LED  110  may be mounted on base  140 . In one exemplary embodiment, an LED  110  may comprise, for example, a traditional LED, a frosted LED (e.g., provides a large viewing angle), a long LED (e.g., but not limited to 8.6 mm), a short LED (e.g., but not limited to 5.5 mm). In an exemplary embodiment, LED lamp  100  may display a single color, for example, but not limited to, red, green, blue, white, yellow, pink, orange, fuchsia, etc. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, LED  110  may be extended by a spacer (not shown) which increases the distance of LED  110  from base  140 , and may allow, for example, mounting or displaying of the LED Lamp  100  in material too thick for an LED without a spacer. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  also depicts in an exemplary embodiment, base  140  may be a rounded printed circuit board with glue holes  130  and screw holes  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the rounded base  140  may be mounted on soft material (e.g., but not limited to, curtains or other fabric) (not shown) which may reduce the profile of the board  140  and may help prevent damage to soft mounting material (square boards with sharp edges may pierce through fabric after repeated folding and unfolding). In an exemplary embodiment, glue holes  130  may provide a method to mount base  140  using glue, tape, or other exemplary adhesive; glue holes  130  may provide better adhesion of base  140  to a mounting material. In an exemplary embodiment, screw holes  120  may provide a method to mount base  140  using screws or other exemplary fasteners to a mounting material. In an exemplary embodiment, screw holes  120  may provide grounding for the LED lamp  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, base  140 , may have no electrical conductivity on the side facing the mounting material to allow mounting to metal or other conductive surfaces without shorting. In an exemplary embodiment, in situations where the typical green circuit board color is not desirable, base  140  may have a black solder mask or other solder mask color to match the mounted material or for other color requirements. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 2 , in an exemplary embodiment, an LED  110 , two strain relief tie downs  220 , and one mini plug-in connector  210  are shown mounted to base  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, at least one mini plug-in connectors  210  may be mounted to base  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mini plug-in connector  210  may be a commercial wire to board connector such as the Duraclik™, Mini Mi II™, or C-Grid III™ from Molex®. In an exemplary embodiment, the strain relief tie down  220  may provide additional wire support through the use of cable ties (not shown). 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is another exemplary embodiment of an elevated front prospective view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment, LED  310  may be mounted on base  140 . In one exemplary embodiment, LED  310  may use surface-mount technology to mount base  140 . In  FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment of LED  310 , is depicted that may use different lenses such as those depicted in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 17-21 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is another exemplary embodiment of a side view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 4 , in an exemplary embodiment, two mini plug-in connectors  210  and an insulation displacement connector (IDC)  410  are shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the IDC  410  and/or mini plug-in connectors  210 , may allow an easy method for quickly connecting multiple LED lamps  100  to a power source. In an exemplary embodiment, IDC  410  may have grooves  420  for coupling conductor wires (e.g., but not limited to, 18 AWG stranded wires on 2.54 mm [0.100″] center lines) (not shown) with base  140 . In an exemplary embodiment, the grooves  420  in IDC  410  may contain at least one edge  710  that may pierce the insulation of the conductor wires and may provide an electrical connection between the LED lamp  100  and the conductor wires. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 5 , exemplary embodiments of LED  110 , base  140 , screw holes  120 , and glue holes  130  are shown. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 6 , exemplary embodiments of IDC  410 , mini plug-in connectors  210 , strain relief tie downs  220 , an integrated circuit  630 , diodes  620 , and resistors  610 , may be mounted to base  140 , which includes screw holes  120  and glue holes  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, integrated circuit  630 , diodes  620 , and resistors  610 , may protect the LED lamp  100  by providing constant current control in the event of a current or voltage spike and may prevent LED burnout if the polarity of the voltage is reversed. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated bottom view of a single color LED lamp  100 . In  FIG. 7 , exemplary embodiments of IDC  410 , mini plug-in connectors  210 , strain relief tie downs  220 , an integrated circuit  630 , diodes  620 , and resistors  610 , may be mounted to base  140 , which includes screw holes  120  and glue holes  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, edge  710  may pierce the insulation of the conductor wire and may provide an electrical connection between the LED lamp  100  and the conductor wires. In another exemplary embodiment, an electrical connection may be formed by coupling the male pins  720  of mini plug-in connector  210  to a female connector (not shown) (e.g., but not limited to, a two-piece pin and socket interconnection). In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connectors  720  may have simple positive and negative connections or they may have more complicated connections such as for ground, red, green, blue, and red. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an LED lamp string  800 , which incorporates two or more of the aforementioned LED lamps  100  with an adjustable spacing therebetween. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustable spacing between the LED lamps  100  may be set based on a user specification or input. In an exemplary embodiment, one end of the conductor wires  810  (e.g., but not limited to, 18 AWG stranded wires on 2.54 mm [0.100″] center lines) in the LED lamp string  800  may be capped for insulation, while the other end of the conductor wires  810  in the LED lamp string  800  may be mounted with a connector for electrical connection thereof to a power source  820 . In an exemplary embodiment, LED lamp  100  may be coupled via conductor wires  810  with power source  820 . In an exemplary embodiment, LED lamp  100  may connect to the conductor wires using the IDC  410  by placing the wires in grooves  420 , whereby edge  710  may pierce the insulation of the conductor wires  810  and may provide an electrical connection to power source  820 . In another exemplary embodiment, LED lamp  100  may connect to the conductor wires  810  using mini plug-in connector  210 . In an exemplary embodiment, a mini plug-in connector  210  may be used as the input from a power source  820  and another mini plug-in connector  210 , in the same LED lamp  100 , may connect to a mini plug-in connector on another LED lamp  100  and thereby provide power. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED lamp string  800  may be manufactured by a method of assembling a plurality of LED lamps  100  with one or more wires  810  affixed therebetween through an IDC  410 , a mini plug-in  210 , another connector, or a combination of various connectors. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated front perspective view of a multiple color LED lamp  900 . In  FIG. 9 , an exemplary embodiment of LED  910 , may be mounted on base  920 . In one exemplary embodiment, an LED  910  may comprise, for example, an RBG LED, a frosted RGB LED (e.g., provides a larger viewing angle), a long RGB LED (e.g., but not limited to, 8.6 mm), a short RGB LED (e.g., but not limited to, 5.5 mm). In an exemplary embodiment, an LED  910  may vary in color which may allow for a single LED  910  to display at least any color in the visible spectrum. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, LED  910 , may be extended by a spacer (not shown) which may increase the distance of LED  910  from base  920 , and allow, for example, mounting or displaying of the LED Lamp  900  in material too thick for a lamp without a spacer. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  also depicts in an exemplary embodiment, base  920 , as a rounded printed circuit board with glue holes  130  and screw holes  120 . In an exemplary embodiment, the rounded base  920  may be mounted on soft material (e.g., but not limited to, curtains or fabric) (not shown) which may reduce the profile of the board  920  and may help prevent damaging the soft mounting material. Square boards with sharp edges may pierce through fabric after repeated folding and unfolding, though these features may be provided in alternative embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, glue holes  130  may provide a method to mount base  920  using glue, tape, or other exemplary adhesive; glue holes  130  may provide better adhesion of base  140  to a mounting material. In an exemplary embodiment, screw holes  120  may provide a method to mount base  920  using screws or other exemplary fasteners to a mounting material. In an exemplary embodiment, screw holes  120  may provide grounding for the LED lamp  900 . In an exemplary embodiment, base  920 , may have no electrical conductivity on the surface facing the mounting material which may allow mounting to metal or other conductive surfaces without shorting. In an exemplary embodiment, in situations where the typical green circuit board color is not desirable, base  920  may have a black solder mask or other solder mask color as needed to match the mounted material or for other color requirements. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a multiple color LED lamp  900 . In  FIG. 2 , in an exemplary embodiment, an LED  910  and one mini plug-in connector  1010  are shown mounted to base  920 . In an exemplary embodiment, two mini plug-in connectors  1010  may be mounted to base  920 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mini plug-in connector  1010  may be a commercial wire to board connector such as the Duraclik™, Mini Mi II™, or C-Grid III™ from Molex®. In an exemplary embodiment, a strain relief tie down may provide additional wire support through the use of cable ties (not shown). 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated front prospective view of a multiple color LED lamp  900  where the LED may be a surface mounted device  1110 . In one exemplary embodiment, an LED  1110  may use surface-mount technology to mount base  920 . In  FIG. 11 , an exemplary embodiment of LED  1110  is depicted that may use different lenses such as those depicted in the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS. 17-21 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a multiple color LED lamp  900  where the LED is a surface mounted device  1110 . In  FIG. 12 , in an exemplary embodiment, two mini plug-in connectors  1010  are shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the mini plug-in connectors  1010 , may allow an easy method for quickly coupling multiple LED lamps  900  to a power source and color controller. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a multiple color LED lamp  900 . In  FIG. 13 , exemplary embodiments of LED  910 , base  920 , screw holes  120 , and glue holes  130  are shown. 
         [0055]      FIG. 14  is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a multiple color LED lamp  900 . In  FIG. 14 , exemplary embodiments of mini plug-in connectors  1010 , integrated circuits  1410 , diodes  1420 , and resistors  1430 , may be mounted to base  920 , which includes screw holes  120  and glue holes  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, integrated circuits  630 , diodes  620 , and resistors  610 , may protect the LED lamp  100  by providing constant current control in the event of a current or voltage spike, may prevent LED burnout if the polarity of the voltage is reversed, and may provide control for adjusting the color of LED  910 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 15  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevated bottom view of a multiple color LED lamp  900 . In  FIG. 15 , exemplary embodiments of mini plug-in connectors  1010 , integrated circuits  1410 , diodes  1420 , and resistors  1430 , may be mounted to base  920 , which includes screw holes  120  and glue holes  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, an electrical connection may be formed by connecting the male pins  1510  of mini plug-in connector  1010  to a female connector (not shown) (e.g., but not limited to, two-piece pin and socket interconnection) providing an electrical connection and may include color control to LED lamp  900 . In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connectors  1510  may have simple positive and negative connections or they may have more complicated connections such as for ground, red, green, blue, and red. In an exemplary embodiment, mini plug-in connector  1010  may have four male pins  1510 , three of the pins may be neutral and one may carry current or alternatively, three may carry current and one may be neutral. In an exemplary embodiment, LED lamp  900  may have either anode or cathode versions or both. 
         [0057]      FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an LED lamp string  1500  which incorporates two or more of the aforementioned LED lamps  900  with a random spacing therebetween coupled via conductor wires  1610  with power source and color control  1620 . In  FIG. 16 , in an exemplary embodiment, the adjustable spacing between the LED lamps  900  can be set based on a user specification or input. In an exemplary embodiment, LED lamp  900  may connect to the conductor wires  1610  using mini plug-in connector  1010  or other connector (e.g., but not limited to, an IDC connector). In an exemplary embodiment, each LED lamp  900  may be directly coupled to the power supply and color controller through wires  1610  (e.g., but not limited to, 18 AWG stranded wires on 2.54 mm [0.100″] center lines) in for example, a hub and spoke distribution. In another exemplary embodiment, LED lamps  900  may be connected together in series. In an exemplary embodiment, the LED lamp  900  may contain two mini plug-in connectors  1010 , one mini plug-in connector  1010 , may be used as the input from a power source and color control  1620  and the other mini plug-in connector  1010 , and/or may connect to a mini plug-in connector on another LED lamp  900  and thereby provide power and color control. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED lamp string  1600  may be manufactured by a method of assembling a plurality of LED lamps  900  with one or more wires  1610  affixed therebetween through an IDC, a mini plug-in connector  1010 , other connectors, or a combination of various connectors. 
         [0058]      FIG. 17  is a exemplary embodiment of a star shaped lens  1700  which may be affixed to surface mounted LED such as depicted in  FIG. 3 , as item  310 , and/or in  FIG. 1 , as item  1110 . In an exemplary embodiment, affixing lens  1700  to a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may cause the light to appear in a star pattern. 
         [0059]      FIG. 18  is a exemplary embodiment of a circle shaped lens  1800  which may be affixed to surface mounted LED such as depicted in  FIG. 3 , as item  310 , and/or in  FIG. 11 , as item  1110 . In an exemplary embodiment, affixing lens  1800  to a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may cause the light to appear in a circle pattern. 
         [0060]      FIG. 19  is a exemplary embodiment of a triangle shaped lens  1900  which may be affixed to surface mounted LED such as depicted in  FIG. 3  as item  310 , and/or in  FIG. 11 , as item  1110 . In an exemplary embodiment, affixing lens  1900  to a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may cause the light to appear in a triangle pattern. 
         [0061]      FIG. 20  is a exemplary embodiment of a square shaped lens  2000  which may be affixed to surface mounted LED such as depicted in  FIG. 3 , as item  310 , and/or in  FIG. 11 , as item  1110 . In an exemplary embodiment, affixing lens  2000  to a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may cause the emitted light to appear in a square pattern. 
         [0062]      FIG. 21  is a exemplary embodiment of a bullet shaped lens  2100  which may be affixed to surface mounted LED such as depicted in  FIG. 3 , as item  310 , and/or on  FIG. 11 , as item  1110 . In an exemplary embodiment, affixing lens  2100  to a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may cause the LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) to appear in a bullet shape. In an exemplary embodiment  2100  attached to a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may replicate the traditional LED shape so that a surface mounted LED ( 310 ,  1110 ) may be used where the traditional LED shape is required. 
         [0063]    The embodiments of  FIGS. 17-21  are provided merely as exemplary embodiments of simple shapes. In other exemplary embodiments, one or more surface mounted LED lenses may be formed in any shape, character, or depiction. 
         [0064]    The present invention has been explained above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments. As will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, various modifications and amendments can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.