Abstract:
Portable solar powered light sources, devices, apparatus, systems and methods of attaching and using the light source. The light sources can have a single small housing having an upper roof portion with an exposed solar cell, a photocell activator, and small housing. The housing can have two parts that pivot with one another so that a front end of the housing can be biased together by a spring, and the rear side having edges that are spaced apart. An operator can press the rear spaced apart edges together, to open the front end to slide about a support structure, such as an open umbrella fabric edge. The housing allows for the light source powered by batteries to be activated by the photocell during dark(night) conditions), with the light direction being adjustable underneath. During daylight, the solar cell receives sunlight to charge the batteries within the housing.

Description:
This invention relates to lights, in particular to apparatus, devices and methods of attaching portable solar powered lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, and manmade structures such as but not limited to porches, balconies, gazebos, and the like. 
   BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
   Outdoor umbrellas, such as table umbrellas, beach umbrellas and the like, are popular for daytime activities, but can create shadows underneath that take away from their productive use. Furthermore, large table umbrellas, and beach umbrellas are often left in up positions after dark, which makes the space underneath difficult to illuminate. Providing artificial illumination sources such as candles, are easy to use, but must be handled with care since the flames can burn the umbrella. Popular electrically powered lights such as those formed from stringing electrical lines to power small lights and the like, can also be difficult to use, and are not practical in outdoor environments that have no power supplies in close proximity to the umbrellas. 
   Over the years various light sources have been proposed for lighting umbrellas. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,837,255 to Bunch et al. and 7,000,624 to Chang, and U.S. patent applications Ser. No.: 2002/0074027 to Maidment. 
   The Bunch &#39;255 patent and Chang &#39;624 Published patent application and Maidment &#39;027 published patent application each describes umbrellas with light sources, that requires electrical lines and the light sources be inserted into rib support arms and poles of an umbrella, where the light sources must be carefully inserted into the umbrella parts, and are not easily removable. 
   U.S. Published patent application Ser. No. 2006/0227540 to Sohn describes a removable clip type light. However, the Sohn publication requires the use of batteries which would not last for long time periods and would need replacement over time. Additionally, the lights point forward, and would not be useful for lighting an area beneath an umbrella. Additionally, the clip part of the light is not expandable and would only be able to slide about a narrow material, such as a hat visor, which is described as an intended use of this light. 
   Still furthermore, the light sources referenced above are fixed, and cannot be moved to adjust the light beam once the lights are installed in place. 
   The inventor is not aware of apparatus, devices and methods that overcome all the problems listed above. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary objective of the present invention is to provide illumination apparatus, devices and methods of attaching lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, porches, balconies, gazebos, clothes, and the like, that is solar powered. 
   A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide illumination apparatus, devices and methods of attaching lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, porches, balconies, gazebos, clothes, and the like, having rechargeable batteries. 
   A third objective of the present invention is to provide illumination apparatus, devices and methods of attaching lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, porches, balconies, gazebos, and the like, that requires no external electrical power supply and wiring to use. 
   A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide illumination apparatus, devices and methods of attaching lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, porches, balconies, gazebos, and the like, that are portable and easily attachable and detachable. 
   A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide illumination apparatus, devices and methods of attaching lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, porches, balconies, gazebos, and the like, that is easily attachable and detachable. 
   A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide illumination apparatus, devices and methods of attaching lights to outdoor umbrellas, tree branches, porches, balconies, gazebos, and the like, where the lights can be adjustably aimed. 
   A preferred embodiment of the portable light source can consist of a housing having an upper half section with an upper exposed surface, and a lower half section with a bottom exposed surface, an expandable clip for attaching the housing to a narrow support structure, a solar cell mounted in the upper exposed surface of the housing, and a light source located in the bottom exposed surface and being powered by the solar cell, the light source being aimed downward from the housing. 
   A compartment in the housing with a removable cover can support a removable rechargeable battery, such as double AA batteries, wherein the solar cell allows for the battery to be recharged during daylight hours. 
   The light source can include light emitting diodes(LEDs), such as white and/or colored LEDS. A focusing lens cover that can include a a dome shaped magnifying lens can be positioned over an exposed portion of the light source. A pivotable/rotatable that can be operated by a turning switch can allow for the base to pivot, which can aim the light beam along an arc direction below the housing. 
   The expandable clip can include a spring for biasing the clip in a closed position wherein the upper half section is adjacent to the lower half section, the clip having an open position wherein a forward portion of the upper half section and a forward portion of the lower half section are spaced apart from one another. The expandable clip can include an upper handle portion rearwardly extending from the upper half section, a lower handle portion rearwardly extending from the lower handle portion, and a pivot portion for pivotably attaching the upper half section to the lower half section, wherein the spring biases the pivot portion so that the upper half section and the lower half section are in the closed position with the upper half section. 
   At least one of the upper handle portion and the lower handle portion can have a gripping edge surface such as raised parallel gripping edges. 
   An on and off switch can be located on the bottom exposed surface of the the lower half section of the housing. 
   The upper half section of the housing can include a photocell adjacent to a solar cell, wherein the photocell is for activating the light source darkened conditions. 
   The light source can be clipped about exposed fabric edges of an umbrella. 
   The light source can be clipped about other structures such as a tree branch. 
   Novel methods of clipping and unclipping the light source, and activating the light source and recharging battery power supplies are also described. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective upper rear perspective view of the clip light invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front end view of the clip light of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear end view of the clip light of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a right side view of the clip light of  FIG. 2  along arrow X 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a left side view of the clip light of  FIG. 2  along arrow X 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the clip light of  FIG. 2  along arrow Y 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the clip light of  FIG. 2  along arrow Y 2 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective front view of the clip light of the above figures in an open position. 
       FIG. 9  is a top inside view of the open clip light of  FIG. 8  along arrow Y 4 . 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom inside view of the open clip light of  FIG. 8  along arrow Y 3 . 
       FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the clip light of the above figures. 
       FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  12 C, and  12 D are bottom views of the clip light with the battery cover being opened, batteries to be inserted inside, battery cover about to be closed and the battery cover in a closed position. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the clip light being opened to attach to an underlying structure. 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the clip light attached to an umbrella. 
       FIG. 15  is a top view of the umbrella with attached clip light of  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of the clip light attached to a branch of a tree. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   A listing of components will now be described.
     Housing  1     Upper Half Section  100     Rear end of cover lid  110     Curved side ends  112 ,  114     Raised or Grooved parallel gripping strips  116  on outer rear end   Pivot attach members for spring  118     Base of cover lid  120     Front end  121     Curved sides  122 ,  124     Solar panel  130     Photosensor  140     Inside front gripping plate  150     Gripping teeth/strips/grooves  156  on inner front plate   Lower Half Section  200     Rear end of bottom cover  210     Curved side ends  212 ,  214     Optional raised or grooved parallel gripping strips  216     Pivot attach members for spring  218     Base of cover lid  220     Front end  221     Curved sides  222 ,  224     Diffuser/lens  230     Light source(s)(LEDs)  235     Tiltable PCB(printed circuit board) base  240     PCB pivot rod  242     Tilting switch/wheel  245     PCB fixer(clip)  246     Interior mount flanges  248     Inside front gripping plate  250     Gripping teeth/strips/grooves  256  on inner front plate   Battery cover  260     Protruding raised edge tips  262     Mateable openings  263     Battery compartment  264     Batteries  265     On/off Switch  270     Spring  300     Pivot rod  350     Umbrella  400     Fabric  410     Edge of fabric  412     Struts  420     Pole  430     Table  440     Legs  450     Branch  500     

     FIG. 1  is a perspective upper rear perspective view of the clip light invention  1 .  FIG. 2  is a front end view of the clip light  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a rear end view of the clip light  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a right side view of the clip light  1  of  FIG. 2  along arrow X 1 .  FIG. 5  is a left side view of the clip light  1  of  FIG. 2  along arrow X 2 .  FIG. 6  is a top view of the clip light  1  of  FIG. 2  along arrow Y 1 .  FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the clip light  1  of  FIG. 2  along arrow Y 2 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , the clip light invention  1 , can have a generally rectangular configuration having a front side being approximately 6.75 inches long, a rear side being approximately 6 inches long, and a width of approximately 3 inches wide, and a thickness of approximately 1 inch thick, with an overall weight of approximately 7.8 ounces, which makes the device both compact and lightweight. The clip light device  1  includes an upper half section  100  pivotally attached to a lower half section  200 , by upper half pivot flange members  118  and lower half pivot flange members  218  with a spring  300  therebetween on a pivot rod  350 (that passes through flange members  118 ,  218 ). The spring  300  biases the rear end  110  of the upper half section apart  100  from the rear end  210  of the lower half section  200  so that the clip light is in a closed position, which will be more fully described below. 
   The upper half section  100  forms a cover lid with a front end  121 , curved front sides  122 ,  124  that each connect to respective rear curved side ends  112 ,  114  and a rear end  110 . Across a rear outer surface of the upper half section  100  can be a gripping surface  116 , that can include raised parallel narrow strips, or parallel grooved indentations. Across another outer surface portion  120  of the upper half section  100  can be a solar panel  130 , which can run substantially across the length of the clip light  1  and have a length of approximately 6.67 inches by approximately 2 inches wide. A photosensor  140  can also be located in the outer surface portion  120 . 
   The lower half section  200  forms a bottom lid with a front end  221 , curved front sides  222 ,  224  that each connect to respective rear curved side ends  212 ,  214  and a rear end  210 . An optional gripping surface  216  can be provided across rear outer surface of the lower half section  200 , which is similar to the upper gripping surface  116 . Extending downward from the lower half section can be a diffuser/lens  230  that covers a light source  235 , such as light emitting diodes  235 . The diffuser/lens can have a somewhat dome shape that generally focuses a light beam that emits from the light source  235 . Also on the outer surface of the bottom lid can be a rotatable switch  245  which adjusts a tilt angle of the light source  235  so that rotating the switch tilts the light source to emit beams along different arc directions of an approximately 145 degrees. 
   Also on the outer surface of the bottom lid can be a battery cover  260  that can be a snapable and/or pivotal cover that closes a battery compartment  264  thereunder. A power switch  270  such as but not limited to a toggle switch can turn on and turn off power to the light source  235 . 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective front view of the clip light  1  of the above figures in an open position.  FIG. 9  is a top inside view of the open clip light  1  of  FIG. 8  along arrow Y 4 .  FIG. 10  is a bottom inside view of the open clip light  1  of  FIG. 8  along arrow Y 3 .  FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional bottom view of the clip light  1  of the above figures. 
     FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  12 C, and  12 D are bottom views of the clip light  1  with the battery cover  260  being opened, batteries  265  to be inserted inside, battery cover  260  about to be closed and the battery cover  260  in a closed position. Referring to  FIGS. 11-12D , the battery cover  260  can slide into place with protruding raised edge tips  262  that snap into mateable openings  263  in the bottom half section  200 . The battery cover can also be pivotally attached to snap into place to cover battery compartment  264 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8-12D , upper half section  100  can include an inside front gripping plate  150 . Lower half section  200  can include an inside front gripping plate  250 . The gripping plates  150 ,  250  can include parallel raised offset rib members that interlock within one another so that the housing  1  in a closed position can wrap about a support surface, such as an umbrella material which will be described in detail later. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 11 , inside the lower half section  200  a light source  235 , such as but not limited to a LED(light emitting diode(s)) can be mounted on a printed circuit board(pcb)  240 . The opposite ends of the pcb  240  can be attached to a pcb pivot rod  242  by a pair of pcb fixers(clips)  246 . Interior mount flanges  248  inside the lower half section  200  can support outer ends of the rotatable pivot rod  242 . A tilting mechanism  245 , such as but not limited to a tilting switch/wheel having raised outer raised grooves. A diffuser/lens  230  such as a dome shaped lens can be fixably mounted about an exterior opening in the lower half section  200  above the light source  235 . The diffuser/lens  230  can focus the light emissions from the light source  235 . 
   The operation of the clip device  1  will now be described in reference to  FIGS. 1-12D . An operator can turn on power from batteries  265  to the light source  235  in the device  1  by power switch  270  with the light source being activated by the photosensor  140 . When the power switch  270  is in an on position, lack of daylight(night-time conditions) can be detected by a top located photosensor  140 , which will then turn the light source  235  on. The batteries  265  can be charged from sunlight that strikes the solar panel  130  during daylight hours, and the photosensor  140  does not activate the light source  235 . 
   When the light source  235  is in an on position, the user can rotate the tilting mechanism  245  exposed from the bottom of the housing  1 , in arc direction along arrow R, which rotates pivot rod  242  and pcb  240  supported light source  235  to direct a focused light beam from diffuser/lens  230 . 
     FIG. 13  is a side view of the clip light  1  being opened to attach to an underlying structure. An operator can press on portions  116 ,  216  of the clip light to expand front ends  121  of upper half section  100  from front end  221  of lower half section  200 . 
     FIG. 14  is a side view of the clip light attached to an umbrella  400 .  FIG. 15  is a top view of the umbrella  400  on pole  430  with table  440  that is supported above ground surface by table legs  450 , with the attached clip light  1  of  FIG. 14 . Here, the opened clip light  1  can wrap about fabric edge  412  of the umbrella fabric  410  between struts  420 . The upper gripping teeth  156  of upper half section  100  and the lower gripping teeth  256  of lower half section  200  can sandwich a portion of the umbrella fabric  410  therebetween. Adjusting the arc direction of the light  235  by the switch  245 , previously described, can beam the light emission to a selected location beneath the umbrella  400 . The operator can remove the clip light by compressing portions  116 ,  216  of the clip light  1  and pulling the clip light  1  away from the umbrella  400 . 
     FIG. 16  is a side view of the clip light  1  attached to a branch of a tree  500  so that a light source can be used during night-time conditions and allow for outdoor activities to be visible, such as during a barbeque, and the like. 
   The clip light  1 , can also be attached to other structures such as but not limited to attaching to a visor in a vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, and the like, as needed. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.