Abstract:
A modular light system, the system including a distribution panel, a light emitter connected to an output end of the distribution panel, a controller connected to an input end of the distribution panel, a power source connected to said controller, and a harden cap configured to fit around an illumination part of the light emitter at a first end and emits light from a second end that is decreased in diameter when compared to the first end.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/804,974 filed Jun. 16, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The field of invention relates to light emitting diode (LED) technology, and more particularly to a modular LED lighting assembly generally used as decorative illumination in and/or around residences and businesses.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     LED lighting systems are becoming more used for illuminating signs and providing decorative illumination in and/or around residences and businesses. In most circumstances where such lighting systems are used, the light, or light emission device, and wire are permanently affixed to each other. If either the wire or light fails individually, both must be replaced. If a light, or light emission device, is detached, such as by cutting it, from a wire connecting it to a power source and/or light source, to simply replace the light emission device, not enough wire is typically available to connect the new light emission device to the existing wire because of the precise cut length of the wire. Furthermore, because of the limited access space that may be provided in its application, replacing a defective wire can be expensive and time consuming.  
         [0004]     Additionally, many light systems are limited to a single controller that has a single LED that may then provide light to a plurality of fiber optic strands. Under such an approach if a controller fails, the complete system, all strands and/or LEDs illuminated by the controller are not able to function. Furthermore, because fiber optic strands are flexible, depending on conditions that may be experienced by the strands when used in a lighting application, the strands may break or become dislodged.  
         [0005]     In view of the cost and time that results in having to fix a light system, or a LED within a system not emitting, owners of LED light systems would benefit from a system which would minimize the repair time and cost involved. Furthermore, when LED light systems are used in situations where movement of the systems may damage fiber optics that may be used, the owners would benefit from a lighting system that is able to withstand environmental changes. Furthermore, because of the cost to use many controllers, owners would also benefit from a system that minimizes the number of controllers used.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A modular LED lighting assembly generally used as decorative illumination in and/or around residences and businesses is disclosed. A modular light system is disclosed having a distribution panel and a light emitter connected to an output end of the distribution panel. A controller connected to an input end of the distribution panel and a power source connected to the controller are also provided. A harden cap configured to fit around an illumination part of the light emitter at a first end and emits light from a second end that is decreased in diameter when compared to the first end is further disclosed.  
         [0007]     A light emitter lens for use within a light emitting system, configured to experience high impact environments is further disclosed. The lens has a harden lens with a diameter proximate a size of a light emitter at a first end and a diameter significantly smaller at a second end.  
         [0008]     In another exemplary embodiment, a distribution panel system for having a plurality of light emitters operated by a single controller is disclosed. The system has a distribution panel configured to receive a signal from a controller and distribute the signal to a plurality of light emitters. A releaseable connector attached to each cable the attaches to the distribution panel so that each device may be removed should a failure is determined to be caused by a respective device is also provided. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numbers represent like parts throughout the drawings and in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary illustration of a front side of a controller with elements that may be connected to the controller;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary illustration of a back side of the controller with elements that may be attached to the controller;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary illustration of a distribution panel with LED&#39;s attached;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4A-4C  depict a plurality of hardened light emitters that may provide light through a smaller diameter than the diameter of the LED; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts an illustration of caps fixed within a panel. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     With reference to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The scope of the embodiments disclosed is applicable to a plurality of uses. Thus, even though embodiments are described specifically to decorative lighting for residences and businesses, the embodiments are also applicable for other uses or applications where wiring for a light system is run around a hard-to-reach-location, and an opening for the resulting light emitted is smaller than the light emitter, specifically the LED.  
         [0016]     By residential and business uses, this may include but is not limited to architectural lighting such as interior and exterior lighting of residential homes, office complexes and/or other buildings. Similarly, the same or other embodiments may be used in landscaping, such as illuminating sidewalks, pools of water, waterfalls or any other area that needs to be illuminated, including underwater applications.  
         [0017]     Furthermore, though the present invention is disclosed specific to LED lights, other forms of lights, such as fiber optic lighting, nano-tubes, surface mounted lasers, solid state lasers, semiconductor lasers and electro-luminescent diodes and/or tapes, are also applicable. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a plurality of ways is available to implement embodiments depending on the lighting source used and/or the purpose of the light.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary illustration of a front side of a controller with elements that may be connected to the controller. As illustrated the controller  10  may have an on/off switch  12 . A power supply  14  is also provided which fits within a receiver element  16  on the controller  10 . A remote dimming outlet  18  is also provided. A wall dimmer  20  and/or a dimming relay  21  may be attached to this outlet  18 . The dimming relay  21  may allow the controller to be dimmed based on another dimming control (not shown).  
         [0019]     A remote control select cable  25  is also provided. This cable  25  may connect the controller  10  to a plurality of control devices. For example, a manual program control device  26  may be provided. A custom program control device  28  may be used. As illustrated an exemplary program control device  28  may be facilitated through a computer. A remote program control panel or device  30  is also possible. Additionally, a remote control unit  32  and/or a wall switch control device  34  may also be provided.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  depicts an exemplary illustration of a back side of the controller with elements that may be attached to the controller. As illustrated a manual dimming control  36  may be available. Also a speed control  38  is available. The speed control  38  may control the rate at which the lights blink, or turn from off to on. Though illustrated as being manually controlled, both may be remotely controlled as well.  
         [0021]     As further illustrated, a communication cable  40  provides a signal to a LED  45 . The communication cable  40  may have a plurality of cables. A distribution panel  47  is provided so that a single controller  10  may provide lighting signals to a plurality of LEDs  45 ,  46 ,  47 . A special effects distribution panel  50  may also be provided where it again may provide lighting signals to a plurality of LEDs  47 . As illustrated the LEDs attached to the special effects distribution panel  50  are various colored LEDs, such as but not limited to blue, green, orange, yellow, white, and red. To insure a strong enough signal, a multiplier  52  may be provided between the controller  10  and the panel(s)  40 ,  50  to boost the lighting signals. The multiplier  52  has a power cord  24 . Therefore, in operation, a signal controller  10  may be used to light a plurality of LEDs up to a certain amount, such as  100  where each LED is connected to the controller  10  through the distribution panel  40 ,  50 . When additional LEDs are to be lit, the multiplier  52  is included in the system.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  depicts an exemplary illustration of a distribution panel with LEDs attached. The connection lead  60  between the LED that interfaces with the distribution panel  40  has a release mechanism  62  to allow for easy removal of the LED  45 ,  47  from the distribution panel  40 . Such a mechanism may include, but is not limited to phone connection junction devices and/or Ethernet connectors. If a failure occurs with a LED  45 ,  47 , a user would simply have to disconnect the LED lead  60  from the distribution panel  40  as oppose to severing the connection to the controller  10 .  
         [0023]     As further illustrated, some LEDs  45  may have caps  66 , such as but not limited to color caps and water tight caps which may be color, that fits over the LED  45 . Other LEDs  47  may have a device  68  holding fiber optic strands  70  proximate a respective the LED  47  so that fiber optic strands  70  may illuminate light from the respective LED  47  to an end of the fiber optic strands  72 .  
         [0024]     The ends  72  of the fiber optic strands are usually passed through a panel, such as a ceiling panel. When used with other features though, such as lamps, picture frames, etc., the strands  70  and/or caps  66  may be fixed to parts of these devices. Regarding placement in a panel, the caps  66  are usually fixed into place within the panel.  
         [0025]     The caps  66  are usually configured with a diameter greater than the LED. The diameter of the cap  66  usually does not decrease along the length of the cap  66 . The fiber optic strands  70  however, when placed in proximity to the respective LED  47  result in light emitters that are of a smaller diameter than the LED  47 . Therefore when a light emitter smaller than a diameter of an LED is required, such as when providing star lighting, fiber optic strands  70  are the preferred lighting option.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  depicts a plurality of hardened light emitters that may provide light through a smaller diameter than the diameter of the LED. As illustrated though the base end  80  of the lens  66  is of a diameter to encompass the LED  45 , the light emitting end  82  is of a smaller diameter. The light emitting end  82  may be as small as a diameter of a fiber optic strand  70 , or smaller.  
         [0027]     This cap  66  is made of a hardened material such as but not limited to plastic. The area of the cap  66  from the LED  45  to the end of the lens may have a coating, such as paint  85  so that light may not emit but at the far end of the lens, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . By doing so, all light is emitted from the far end, or end of the cap. In another embodiment, several areas on the cap may not be coated so that light is emitted from selected parts  87  of the cap  66 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4C . In another embodiment, none of the lens is coated, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . As further illustrated in  FIG. 4A , embodiments of this cap  66  may have a plurality of shapes. Thus the light can be bent to contour to a area through which the cap  66  must be fitted.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  depicts an illustration of caps fixed within a panel. Because the cap  66  is hardened, though it may be secured in place with an epoxy, which is typical for fiber strands  70 , it may also be pressed into position through a panel  90 . Therefore if required, the cap  66  may be removed from its place of operation by pulling it in an opposition direction that it was pressed into position into the panel  90 . Therefore, when used in an application where the application may experience wear and tear, such as but not limited to in a lamp, a display panel that is shown at various trade shows, or an ornamental display within a residence, etc., the longevity of the cap  66  is more likely to exceed those of a flimsy fiber optic strand  70 .  
         [0029]     While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.