Abstract:
An architectural light includes a base, a plurality of upstanding, rigid, flexible support elements extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of illuminating elements. The support elements are generally parallel to one another. The illuminating elements are affixed to about a top portion of at least selective ones of the upstanding support members. The upstanding support members have varying heights upward from the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention pertains to an architectural light. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an architectural light that can be used indoor or outdoor and can be configured to vary its visual appearance by reaction to wind.  
           [0002]    Many types of architectural lamps are known. For indoor use, these lamps range from table lamps to floor lamps to wall mounted lamps such as sconces and the like. Many of these lamps are artistic in nature and are for visual or aesthetic effect, as well as for illumination purposes.  
           [0003]    Outdoor lighting, on the other hand, is much more limited. Typically, outdoor lights are wall or surface mounted, such as to the outside wall of the house, or mounted in the ground. Typical ground-mounted lights include a tapered or pointed support stake portion that is “planted” into the ground and includes a light at an upper portion, above the support stake. Although different types of ground mounted lights have come into popular, widespread use, they commonly share this “planted” design.  
           [0004]    One drawback to commonly known ground mounted lighting systems is that the illumination provided by the individual lights is limited to the wattage of the bulb and the light fixture. If additional illumination is desired, typically a plurality of such ground mounted fixtures must be used. While this arrangement may provide the desired illumination, a grouping of these lights may not provide an aesthetically appealing visual effect. That is, an area in which a group of lights may be closely “planted” to one another may detract from an overall, desired visual effect.  
           [0005]    In addition, the types of fixtures are somewhat limited. That is, typically, these fixtures include standard up-lights, tiered lights and carriage lights. All of these types of lights are similar in that a large fixture portion is mounted to a “planted” support stake.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a need for an architectural light that can provide increased illumination in a relatively small area. Desirably, such a light includes a plurality of illuminating devices or bulb within a relatively small “footprint”. Most desirably, such a light is configured to include a base such that a plurality of bases can be affixed to the ground adjacent one another to provide both a visually appealing effect, as well as a desired illumination.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An architectural light includes a base, a plurality of upstanding, rigid, flexible support elements extending upwardly from the base, and a plurality of illuminating elements. The support elements extend upwardly, generally parallel to one another.  
           [0008]    The illuminating elements are affixed to about a top portion of at least selective ones of the upstanding support members. Each of the upstanding support members can include an illuminating device affixed to the top thereof. Alternately, less than all of the upstanding members can have an illuminating device affixed to the top.  
           [0009]    The upstanding support members can have varying heights upward from the base. Preferably, at least some of upstanding members have heights equal to one another.  
           [0010]    The base can be configured in differing shapes. In a current embodiment, the base has a rectangular shape. Alternately, the base can have an irregular shape, such as a kidney-shape.  
           [0011]    The light base can be an environmentally sealed unit. Such a light can be used outdoors to provide a desired aesthetic effect in, for example a garden.  
           [0012]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is perspective view of an architectural light embodying the principles of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a representative elevational view of the light; and  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.  
         [0018]    It should be further understood that the title of this section of the specification, namely, “Detailed Description Of The Invention”, relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein.  
         [0019]    Referring to the figures and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of an architectural light  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The light  10  includes a base portion  12  and a plurality of upstanding rigid, yet flexible elements  14  mounted to the base  12  that extend upwardly therefrom. Illuminating devices  16  are affixed to the top  18  of at least some of the upstanding elements  14 .  
         [0020]    The present architectural light  10  provides illumination as well as an aesthetically or visually appealing effect. That is, the light  10  itself is an artistic object, and thus is visually appealing in nature. Unlike known lighting devices, which tend to “look” like lighting devices, the present architectural light  10  appears more to be a work of art rather than a lighting or illuminating device.  
         [0021]    In a present embodiment, the base  12  can be formed having a number of different shapes depending upon a desired effect. For example, the base  12  can be rectangular in shape which lends itself to placing multiple light units  10  adjacent to one another to effect a relatively large area of the architectural lights  10 . In such an arrangement, the various base  12  sections can be connected to one another electrically so that they are commonly controlled. Alternately, certain ones of the base units  12  can be connected to one another so that they are commonly controlled, separate and apart from others of the adjacent units  10 .  
         [0022]    In another configuration, the base  12  can be designed having an irregular shape (not shown). One example would be a “kidney-shaped” base. Such a base design lends itself further to appearance as a artistic object, rather than a light. Various other base  12  shapes could well be imagined by one skilled in the art, all of which shapes are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0023]    In an embodiment of the architectural light  10 , in which the light  10  is intended for outdoor use, the base  12  can be formed from any known environmentally impervious material. For example, the base  12  can be formed from a polymeric material, such polystyrene or the like. The base  12  can also include, for example, other materials thereon (e.g., mounted or affixed to an upper surface, as illustrated at  20 ) such as artificial turf and the like. Such an effect permits use of the architectural light  10  within a sodded or planted area in which the base  12  can “blend” in with its surroundings.  
         [0024]    In a current embodiment, the upstanding members  14  are sufficiently rigid to remain erect, while at the same time they are sufficiently flexible such that they will readily wave or move in a breeze or wind. In this manner, the light  10  can provide an effect of being a part of its outdoor natural environment much in the way that tall grasses will readily wave in a breeze or wind. The upstanding members  14  can also be formed of a material such that they remain upstanding and do not move or “wave” in response to wind.  
         [0025]    In a current embodiment, the upstanding elements  14  are formed of metal. However, other materials are contemplated, such as plastic or polymeric materials and the like. Again, such other materials are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0026]    As best seen in FIG. 1, the heights as exemplified by H 1 , H 2 , H 3  of the upstanding members  14  vary. That is, there is a range of heights H of the members  14 , rather than a single height. This too provides a “natural” effect lending the architectural light  10  once again to appear as part of the overall outdoor environment. The relative heights H of the upstanding members  14  can vary such that they are all within a desired range or span. Alternately, the heights H of the members  14  can vary significantly to provide a more random feel and effect for the illuminating elements  16 .  
         [0027]    The illuminating elements  16  can take many forms. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, small outdoor incandescent bulbs can be used to provide illumination for the light  10 . Alternately, light emitting diodes and the like can also be used, as can other (non-incandescent) types of light bulbs. It is envisioned that the bulbs  16  can be of the type that are merely inserted into or pulled from a socket (not shown) that is designed for outdoor use. In such an arrangement, a variety of different types as well as colors of bulbs or lighting elements  16  can be used as can a range of element  16  wattages.  
         [0028]    In a present embodiment, each of the upstanding elements  14  has a lighting element  16  mounted to the top  18  thereof. Alternately, the lights  16  can be interspersed among the upstanding elements  14  such that fewer than all of the elements  14  include lights  16 . This, again, can provide a different aesthetic effect.  
         [0029]    As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the electrical connection for such a light  10  is relatively straight forward. The connections can be direct connections in which all of the illuminating elements  16  are constantly illuminated when power is supplied thereto. Alternately, the elements  16  can be configured to blink or “twinkle” when powered. All of these arrangements can provide different visual effects, as desired. All such electrical connections and arrangements will be recognized and appreciated by those skilled in the art and are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0030]    As will also be recognized by those skilled in the art, various power sources (not shown) for the architectural light  10  can be used. In one embodiment, a low voltage power source  22  is provided for the light. Other power sources can be used that provide “house-hold” voltage (e.g., 120 or 240 volts) for the light.  
         [0031]    In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.  
         [0032]    From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.