Abstract:
A solar powered apparatus for illuminating a sign attached to a sign post comprising: a photovoltaic cell, a light emitter, and a battery pack, the photovoltaic cell is affixed to the sign post such that the photovoltaic cell is exposed to sunlight, the battery pack is in communication with the photovoltaic cell, and the battery pack is in communication with the light emitter.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the marketing industry and pertains more specifically to an apparatus for advertising. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    One of the predominant means of advertising is through physical signs placed upon real estate as opposed to internet marketing, print advertising, radio, television, etc. Many advantages inhere with “brick and mortar” advertising placed upon real estate. One advantage is location. If the location of the advertisement attracts a desirable demographic, the physical sign may prove to be very cost effective. Another advantage may be price. Typically, physical signs for use in advertising is less expensive than the other traditional forms and methods of advertising. And another advantage may be content. Oftentimes, traditional forms of media advertising is limiting in the amount and types of content which are to be displayed. With physical signs a person may have more flexibility in terms of content. 
         [0003]    However, as opposed to other traditional mediums of advertising, physical signs face a natural problem: lack of natural sunlight in the evening. Obviously, a physical sign without a means for illumination will go unnoticed by passersby. This can become problematic during winter months when the days are shorter. And this problem may be compounded by the fact that your target demographic are those who put in long hours at work and do not come home until after dusk. For this reason, the physical sign may only be effective during daylight hours. Therefore, without a means for illumination, the effectiveness of a sign may lose about a third to a half of its marketing potential due solely to the availability of sunlight. 
         [0004]    However, one way to overcome this problem is through use of electric powered illumination systems. Unfortunately, this solution does not come without its difficulties. One problem which inheres with using electric powered illumination means is that it is often accompanied with a long, bulky, and cumbersome cord. Several problems are accompanied through use of such a cord. For instance, oftentimes there is no readily available power source nearby. Another potential danger is if the cord traverses through areas prone to flooding or large amounts of water a potential hazard may be created. Additionally, the electricity to power these signs can cost a substantial amount of money. 
         [0005]    Therefore, what is clearly needed in the art is a solar powered illumination apparatus and system which is simple in design. The system should begin illumination upon dusk by a light meter. By using a light meter the system will not require re-setting due to the time of the year or the spring/fall time changes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and an apparatus for use in illuminating various signs using solar powered means. Such an apparatus and system would work without cords or awkward external devices. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and an apparatus which is environmentally and eco-friendly by harnessing energy from the sun rather than on standard electricity which is derived principally from fossil fuels. Such a system which harnesses energy from the sun rather than from batteries, fossil fuels, etc. is more desirable due to the limited supplies thereof and with the deleterious effects such energy supplies bring to the environment. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and an apparatus for use in decreasing energy costs in illuminating signs. Such benefits would redound to the user because no external energy source would be required in illuminating the signs. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and an apparatus for use with a panoply of different signs. The present invention is comprised in some embodiments of an adapter. This adapter enables the present invention to be used with several different types of signs. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to increase the visibility, marketability, exposure, demographics, and overall effectiveness of various signs by illuminating the signs during night-time hours. By illuminating during night-time hours, the product, real estate or services which the sign is marketing may be read by twice as many potential clients or customers as signs which are only visible during daylight hours. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to be affixed to glass windows through use of suction cups. This embodiment would be advantageous because there will be no unsightly wires or chords attached to the sign thereby contributing to its aesthetics. Furthermore, this embodiment would be advantageous inasmuch as it would enable a person to place the illuminated sign in places where no electrical outlet is nearby. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0012]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   c  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3   d  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   d  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4   e  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5   c  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a unique system and accompanying apparatus is used to hold a sign displaying indicia and for the illumination thereof. The means of supplying energy for the illumination is through a solar panel. The present invention is described in enabling detail below. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Solar illuminator  100  (hereafter SI  100 ) is comprised of a post  101 , a photovoltaic cell  102 , a circuit board  103 , a plurality of light wells  104 , a battery pack  105 , a solar compartment  106 , a plurality of light emitters  107 , a power compartment  108 , a sign  109 , and a photodetector  110 . 
         [0030]    The post  101  in a preferred embodiment is the frame upon which the SI  100  is placed upon. Post  101  in some embodiments may embody a rectangular shaped member. It should be pointed out here that the present invention may be adapted for use with a panoply of different signs and their attendant frames upon which they hang. In this particular embodiment an end user will have to drill orifices to form the light wells  104 . The light wells  104  will house the light emitters  107 . It will also be noted here that the mentioning of post  101  along with its corresponding reference numeral is not intended to suggest that the post is part of the invention. The mentioning of post along with its corresponding reference numeral is solely for illustrative purposes. 
         [0031]    In this particular embodiment an end-user will bore or drill holes into the post  101  as illustrated in  FIG. 1   b  in order to house the light emitters  107  thereby creating the light wells  104 .  FIG. 1   b  illustrates that in this preferred embodiment, the light wells  104  are oriented from top to bottom. In other embodiments, the orientation of the light well may vary. Furthermore, the number of light wells  104  will be determined by the number of light emitters  107  which will be used. The number of light emitters  107  (it is possible that there may only be one light emitter in a preferred embodiment) will vary. The number of light emitters  107  will be dependent upon factors such as aesthetics, power requirements and limitations, the size of the sign  109 , economic factors, etc. Moreover, the type of light emitters is inconsequential because there abound a vast array of such light emitters which are equally expedient for the functions required. One skilled in the art will be able to discern which particular light emitter will be most expedient for the particular size and type of sign. For this reason, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited by the type of light emitters used. 
         [0032]    Power compartment  108  houses the battery pack  105 , the circuit board  103  and other attendant components. Battery pack  105  comprises a plurality of re-chargeable batteries. Battery pack is in electrical communication with the photovoltaic cell  102 . As battery pack progressively depletes its energy during normal operation, the battery pack  105  is re-charged by the photovoltaic cell  102 . Moreover, some preferred embodiments may also incorporate a converter for the purpose of increasing or decreasing voltage as well as converting electricity from DC to AC. 
         [0033]    The specific type of battery pack  105  along with its constituent re-chargeable batteries is of no consequence inasmuch as it is expedient for the energy demands of the present invention. Moreover, the number of re-chargeable batteries will depend upon the energy needs of the present invention. And in some preferred embodiments, the present invention may further comprise a reserve battery pack. Reserve battery pack may be provided in the event when the battery pack along with its constituent re-chargeable batteries, eventually wear out. 
         [0034]    The solar compartment  106  holds the photovoltaic cell  102  and is placed on top of the housing member  101 . The solar compartment  106  in some preferred embodiments is shaped to have flanges on the sides. The distance between the flanges should roughly correspond to the width of the post  101  to which it will be placed. On the upper side of the solar compartment  106  is a recess used to retain the photovoltaic cell  102 . The shape, and dimensions of the recess should correspond to the outline, shape, and thickness of the photovoltaic cell  102  in order to properly retain the photovoltaic cell  102 . 
         [0035]    In some preferred embodiments the solar compartment  106  is composed of a plastic material. It is desirable to use a high impact plastic THK to compose the solar compartment  106 . However, there abound a panoply of suitable materials. Fungible materials may include metal, rubber, cardboard, polycarbonate materials, glass, etc. The type of material will be dictated primarily by factors such as cost, durability, size, shape, aesthetics, etc. Neither the shape, materials of composition, or size of the cell retainer are meant to be limiting to the scope of the present invention. 
         [0036]    Photodetector  110  is also incorporated into the present invention. Photodetector  110  may be incorporated into the photovoltaic cell as illustrated in  FIG. 1   a . The purpose of the photodetector  116  is to actuate the apparatus to either turn on the light emitters  107  or to turn them off Obviously, there is no need to illuminate the sign during daylight hours. In fact, by illuminating the sign during daylight hours the light emitters may wear out a lot sooner. In addition, the power required to power the light emitters  107  will make re-charging the battery pack  105  more difficult. 
         [0037]    For purposes of the present invention there is no particular type of photodetector  110  which is required. There abound a panoply of various photodetectors  110  which may all prove equally expedient to the present invention. 
         [0038]    Also incorporated in the present embodiment is a photovoltaic cell  102 . Photovoltaic cell  102  harnesses the energy from the sun to power all of the embodiments of the present invention. Since there abound a panoply of different photovoltaic cells which may be used with the present invention, no particular photovoltaic cell is needed provided it can be incorporated into the present invention and meets the specifications for the objectives and functions of the present invention. For this reason, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited by any type of photovoltaic cell. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1   e  illustrates a schematic for a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The switch  200  closes the circuit and connects the battery pack  105  with the circuit board  103 . The photodetector  110  controls the switch  200 . Since there abound a panoply of ways one may devise the circuit board  103  to achieve the objectives of the present invention no more detail will be made herein. A person skilled in the art will readily understand how to devise the electrical system. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment will be referred to as the attached S 1200 . In this embodiment the system does not require the post  202  to be drilled or bored into for light wells. Instead the light emitter is affixed externally to the underside of the post  202 . 
         [0041]    The attached S 1200  comprises a photovoltaic cell  201 , a post  202 , a light apparatus  203 , a photodetector  205 , a solar compartment  214 , a wire  212 , a circuitboard  208 , a battery pack  213 , a hole  210 , a clip  207 , a clip port  209 , a power compartment  211 , a plug  215 . The attached S 1200  is similar in function to the SSI  100 . The photovoltaic cell  201  is housed within the solar compartment. Affixed to the photovoltaic cell is the photodetector. And on one distal end of the solar compartment is a clip which is sized to mate with a clip port found on the distal end of the power compartment. 
         [0042]    Housed within the power compartment  211  is a battery pack, circuitboard , and a hole. The hole is used for receiving light wire which is in communication with the light apparatus. In this preferred embodiment the light apparatus is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (hereafter CCFL). However, other equally expedient lighting means may also be used. The type of light apparatus is not meant to be construed to be limiting to only CCFL&#39;s. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  illustrate components which are meant to be used for “sandwich boards” and other signs.  FIGS. 3   b - 3   c  show primarily an adapter for use with some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. Adapter  300  comprises an interface member  301 , fastening members  307 , a top side  308 , lateral sides  302 , a bottom side  303 , sign orifices  306 , interface orifices  305 , and a sign  304 . 
         [0044]    The adapter  300  is attached to the underside of the power compartment  310  as well as the CCFL  311 . Solar compartment  309  is affixed to the top of the power compartment. They are both sized to mate with each other. The interface orifices  305  enable fastening with the underside of the power compartment. The fastening members  307  are used to hold in place the sign  304 . The fastening members  307  are placed through the sign orifices  306 . However, it should be pointed out here that in some other preferred embodiments there may be only one sign orifice and only one attendant fastening member  307 . And in some preferred embodiment the fastening member  307  is a screw. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   e  illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention. This particular embodiment is adapted for use with “A” signs or “sandwich boards”. This particular embodiment shall hereafter be referred to as A S 1400 . A S 1400  comprises a photovoltaic cell  401 , a photodetector  402  and at least two light emitters  404  and a stabilizer  403  and a rounded edge  405 . The frame upon which it is placed upon is the A frame  407 . A S 1400  is simply placed into the space as shown in  FIG. 4   a . Stabilizer  402  helps prevent A S 1400  from falling off or from instability. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  illustrate a preferred embodiment for use in affixing to windows through use of suction cups. Window SI comprises a photovoltaic cell  506 , at least one suction cup  501 , at least one light apparatus  502 , a power compartment  511 , a solar compartment  514 , a photodetector  505 , a wire  512 , a solar clip  507 , a power clip,  509 , a plug  515 , a circuitboard  508 , a power orifice  510 , an adapter plug  519 , a light emitter  518 , and a battery pack  513 . 
         [0047]    The components listed above are assembled and function in the same manner as the aforementioned embodiments and will not be explained again. One skilled in the art will be able to readily understand how to make and use this embodiment. 
         [0048]    The window S 1500  is affixed to the glass by pressing the suction cup  501  against the window. The photovoltaic cell  506  should be facing the sun in order to generate energy. 
         [0049]    It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are numerous changes that may be made in embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the invention taught herein by specific examples is limited only by the scope of the claims that follow.