Abstract:
An ornamental lamp assembly incorporating a dual housing structure having an internal protective element and an external decorative element to protect functional circuitry from damage sustained as a result of normal outdoor use, and to facilitate achieving a selectively varied decor by interchanging the external decorative housing element with other external decorative housing elements having unique features.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Related Applications  
         [0002]     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/478,001 entitled, “Ornamental Solar-Powered Lamp and Method for Producing the Same,” filed on Jun. 12, 2003 by Brent Norton, et al., incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.  
         [0003]     2. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention relates to ornamental lights, and more particularly to solar-powered ornamental lights for indoor and outdoor use.  
         [0005]     3. Background and Related Art  
         [0006]     Photovoltaic cells, commonly termed “solar cells,” are well known in the art. Solar lamps utilize solar cells to collect solar energy and convert such energy to electricity to illuminate the lamp. Solar lamps typically comprise at least one solar cell, a battery, and a luminous body contained within a housing. The solar cell, battery and luminous body comprise a circuit wherein the solar cell collects sunlight and converts solar energy to electricity, the battery stores the electricity, and the luminous body uses the stored electricity to illuminate the solar lamp and surrounding area. A light sensor may be attached to the lamp to enable or disable the electrical connection between the battery and the luminous body, depending on the availability and magnitude of external light.  
         [0007]     As a solar lamp&#39;s luminescence depends on the lamp&#39;s ability to harvest sunlight, the location and position of the solar cell is paramount to the lamp&#39;s effectiveness. Traditionally, solar lamps fix a solar cell on top of a housing in a horizontal position relative ground level. The solar cell is thus exposed and unobstructed to maximize the level of sunlight received throughout the day. Despite its utilitarian benefits, this structure substantially increases the likelihood that the solar panel or other sensitive components may sustain substantial and/or irreparable damage as a result of normal use, especially if used outdoors. Although the housing implemented in connection with such a structure may alleviate the risk of damage to internal components, damage to the solar cell will likely render the entire solar lamp inoperable. Replacement of a solar lamp thus damaged is likely to be both costly and inconvenient.  
         [0008]     In addition, the manufacture and assembly processes required to implement a solar lamp having such a large number of independent, complex elements is likely to be complicated, time consuming and expensive. As each independent element of the solar lamp assembly is likely to be packaged together but unassembled, there is also a substantial likelihood that one or more elements may incur damage from mishandling or improper storage before purchase.  
         [0009]     Traditional lamp assemblies, both solar and electrically or otherwise powered, are also limited in their aesthetic appeal after purchase. Although traditional lamp assemblies include ornamental features that may be desirable for use in a certain location or in connection with a certain event, it is often desirable to be able to modify the appearance of such ornamental features so that the lamp may be used in more than one location or in connection with more than one event. Such adaptability is particularly desirable as it relates to changing seasons and specific holidays. Indeed, a unitary lamp having ornamentation that may be selectively modified or interchanged to correspond to a new season or holiday requires much less space and expense than the variety of bulky holiday decorations typically found in residential garages and basements. Moreover, the functional benefits of a lamp are often desired regardless of any particular occasion. Selectively interchangeable ornamentation may enable a lamp to adapt to any occasion without impairing its general use.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, what is needed is an ornamental lamp assembly that effectively protects a solar circuit, thereby reducing both the need to replace and/or repair the lamp and the costs associated therewith. Further what is needed is an ornamental lamp assembly that facilitates replacement of the battery without disturbing more sensitive components of the circuit. What is also needed is an ornamental lamp assembly that facilitates manufacture and assembly of the lamp while reducing the likelihood of damage before purchase. Finally, what is needed is an ornamental lamp assembly that enables the decorative effect of the lamp to be easily and inexpensively varied as desired to enhance and/or alter the look and feel of the area in which the lamp is located.  
         [0011]     The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel and improved ornamental lamp assembly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention is an ornamental lamp assembly that utilizes a dual housing to protect the internal components and circuitry of the lamp while facilitating a selectively varied decor. Specifically, the ornamental lamp assembly of the present invention comprises a mount portion and a dual housing removably attached to the mount portion. The dual housing may incorporate an external decorative element and an internal protective element. An internal protective element functions to retain at least a portion of a functional circuit used to illuminate the lamp. In one embodiment, an internal protective element retains at least a portion of a solar circuit comprising at least one solar cell, a battery, and a luminous body. Preferably, the internal protective element houses the solar cell and luminous body and is operatively connected to the battery such that the battery may be removed and replaced without disturbing the more sensitive components of the solar circuit contained within the internal protective element.  
         [0013]     According to one aspect of the present invention, the external decorative element is independent of both the internal protective element and the mount portion such that the external decorative element may be easily interchanged with another external decorative element having unique features. In this manner, the decorative effect of the lamp may be selectively and inexpensively changed to enhance or alter the look and feel of the area in which it is located.  
         [0014]     According to another aspect of the present invention, the mount portion incorporates ornamental features and effects to complement the dual housing. In certain embodiments, the mount portion may include a stake for mounting the ornamental lamp outdoors in the ground. The mount portion may incorporate an annular recess to receive the battery component of the solar circuit such that when the internal protective element is connected to the mount portion, the battery is operatively connected to the functional circuitry contained within the internal protective element, thus completing the circuit.  
         [0015]     An object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental lamp assembly that minimizes the likelihood of damage to components of the circuitry to reduce costs associated with repairing and/or replacing the ornamental lamp.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental lamp assembly that facilitates replacement of the battery without disturbing more sensitive components of the circuitry.  
         [0017]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental lamp assembly that facilitates manufacture and assembly of the lamp while reducing a likelihood of damage before purchase.  
         [0018]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental lamp assembly that enables the decorative effect of the lamp to be easily and inexpensively varied as desired to enhance and/or alter the look and feel of the area in which the lamp is located.  
         [0019]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ornamental lamp assembly in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the ornamental lamp assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an isolated cross-sectional view of the dual housing component of the ornamental lamp assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is an isolated cross-sectional view of the mount portion of the ornamental lamp assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is an isolated cross-sectional view of the mount portion connected to a ground stake in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the internal protective element and mount portion in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional perspective view of the dual housing and mount portion in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention in combination with the internal protective element of  FIG. 6 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.  
         [0029]     As used in this specification, the term “ornamental lamp” refers to a lamp appropriate for indoor and outdoor use that may utilize a solar circuit, low voltage electricity, or other power source as a primary source of energy. The term “solar circuit” refers to a circuit comprising at least one solar cell, a battery and a luminous body or other output mechanism. The term “luminous body” refers to an electric bulb, illuminating diode, or any other device known to those in the art by which to convert electrical energy into optical energy.  
         [0030]     The present invention comprises an ornamental lamp assembly that provides a dual housing to protect the sensitive components of the lamp&#39;s functional circuitry and to facilitate a selectively varied decor. Referring to  FIG. 1 , certain embodiments of an ornamental lamp assembly in accordance with the present invention comprise a dual housing  16  having an external decorative housing element or ornamental housing  2  and an internal protective housing element  4 . An external decorative housing element  2  may surround a portion or the entire internal decorative housing element  4  such that the external decorative housing element  2  provides an additional layer of protection for the functional components contained within the internal protective element  4 . The external decorative housing element  2  may be comprised of a substantially rigid translucent material such that, in certain embodiments, solar energy may traverse the external decorative housing element  2  to penetrate the solar cell  6  of the internal protective element  4 . In addition, such a translucent material enables the external decorative housing element  2  to be illuminated by a luminous body  22  contained therein. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the external decorative element  2  comprises frosted translucent plastic such that the decorative features of the external decorative element  2  may be distinguished and recognized even under minimal or no ambient light. In addition, the external decorative housing element  2  may comprise one or several apertures for decorative and/or utilitarian purposes. For example, several pinhole openings may be provided over the surface area of the external decorative element  2  to disperse light emitted by the luminous body in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Additionally, several openings may be provided on a lower surface of the external decorative housing element  2  to drain condensation or other water from therein.  
         [0031]     The external decorative housing element  2  may be removably attached to the internal protective element  4  by way of, for example, a press fit, a selectively releasable lock, complementary threads, or any other releasably attachable device or mechanism known to those in the art. Alternatively, both the external decorative element  2  and internal protective element  4  may be releasably coupled to a mount portion  8  of the ornamental lamp assembly such that the mount portion  8  indirectly fixes the relationship between the external decorative housing element  2  and an internal protective housing element  4 .  
         [0032]     An external decorative element  2  may comprise any shape or configuration capable of surrounding a portion or whole of the internal protective element  4 . Specifically, the external protective element  2  may comprise the shape of a flower bloom or bud corresponding to a tulip, a rose, a daisy, or any other variety of flower known to those in the art. Alternatively, the external decorative element  2  may comprise a holiday, seasonal, or other special occasion theme, for example, a pumpkin, a jack-o-lantern, a Santa Claus, snowman, birthday cake, heart, sun, flag, bird house or any other shape corresponding to a particular holiday, season or other special occasion known to those in the art. An external decorative element  2  may also comprise commercial advertising, a residential name or address, or any other message or information. An external decorative element  2  may be selectively modified or interchanged to correspond to an alternative theme, occasion or message, or to provide an alternative aesthetically pleasing housing for general use.  
         [0033]     An external decorative element  2  may be removably attached to a mount portion  8  by way of, for example, a magnetic, hydraulic or mechanical device or by a press fit, or any other means known to those in the art. A mount portion  8  may have any shape capable of receiving and retaining a dual housing  16  as discussed above. Specifically, a mount portion  8  may comprise an elongate supporting rod, a broad supporting base, or any other supporting means known in the art. A mount portion  8  may further comprise a reinforced proximal end  10 . The reinforced proximal end  10  may comprise a diameter larger than the diameter corresponding to the portion of the mount portion  8  immediately adjacent the proximal end  10  such that the reinforced proximal end  10  may better support the weight and bulk of the dual housing  16 .  
         [0034]     A reinforced proximal end  10  may also comprise an annular recess  36  to receive and retain the external decorative element  2  and/or the internal protective element  4 . The annular recess  36  may have a depth and circumference sufficient to accommodate a battery  24 . According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the battery  24  and internal protective element  4  may be operatively connected by way of the annular recess  36  to complete a solar circuit. The features of this relationship are discussed in detail with reference to  FIG. 2  below.  
         [0035]     The mount portion  8  may further comprise ornamentation to complement the ornamental characteristics of the external decorative element  2 . For example, where the external decorative element  2  is configured to resemble a flower, the mount portion  8  may comprise a green latex outer shell or other like material to resemble a flower stem. The mount portion  8  may also incorporate synthetic “leaves” attached thereto. Similarly, where the ornamental lamp assembly comprises a winter holiday theme, the external decorative element  2  may be configured to resemble a snowman, and the mount portion  8  may evidence red and white striping resembling a candy cane. The mount portion  8  may also be selectively modified or interchanged as desired.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an internal protective element  4  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention may house at least one, and preferably two, components of a solar circuit. In this manner, an internal protective element  4  simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the ornamental lamp and reduces a likelihood of damage to solar circuit components prior to purchase. Indeed, as at least one component of a solar circuit is manufactured to reside within the internal protective element  4 , fewer steps are required for assembly. The internal protective element  4  also provides protection for the solar circuit component housed therein prior to assembly and use.  
         [0037]     Specifically, a solar cell  6  may be fixedly mounted beneath the topmost surface of an internal protective element  4 . According to this embodiment, the internal protective element  4  may comprise a substantially rigid, translucent material such that it may protect the solar cell  6  from damage while enabling solar energy to traverse its surface and be absorbed and converted into electricity by the solar cell  6 . The density and depth of the internal protective element  4  may vary such that the dimensions and attributes of the topmost surface of the internal protective element  4  are more amenable to the passage of solar energy therethrough than adjacent surfaces of the internal protective element  4 . An internal protective element  4  may comprise any shape or configuration capable of being retained by a mount portion  8  and substantially enveloped by an external decorative element  2 . In certain embodiments an internal protective element  4  resembles a floodlight housing having a solar cell  6  coupled to the face of the glass envelope and a luminous body  22  mounted near the screw cap.  
         [0038]     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the solar cell  6  is configured to occupy the least amount of internal protective element  4  surface area while enabling the solar cell  6  to attract and receive a maximum of solar energy. In this manner, the light produced by an affiliated luminous body  22  may be perceived to illuminate portions of the external decorative element  2  that may extend upwards beyond the surface of the internal protective element  4 . Such calculated engineering facilitates one&#39;s ability to distinguish the identifying outline and features of the external decorative element  2  even under sub-optimal ambient lighting conditions.  
         [0039]     The solar cell  6  may be wired directly to a battery  24  through a diode, which prevents the battery&#39;s current from flowing back through the solar cell  6  when there is no incoming solar energy. Alternatively, in certain embodiments of the present invention implementing a photoresistor  38 , the solar cell may be wired first to a controller board  20 , such as a printed circuit board (“PCB”), that implements a transistor and/or relay to control the output produced by the luminous body  22 . The controller board  20  accepts power from the solar cell  6  and battery  24 , as well as input from the photoresistor  38 . The controller board  20  enables the luminous body  22  to illuminate the solar lamp when the photoresistor  38  indicates darkness. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the controller board  20  enables the luminous body  22  to illuminate the solar lamp upon activation of an on/off switch located on the surface of the solar lamp. A controller board  20  may also enable the luminous body  22  to create a pulsating, flashing or intermittent light upon activation. In any case, the controller board  20  may be mounted within the internal protective element  4 , on an external surface of the internal protective element  4 , or on a surface of any other portion of the ornamental lamp assembly capable of communicating with the controller board  20 .  
         [0040]     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a wire  26  connects the solar cell  6  to the battery  24 , either directly or indirectly through a controller board  20 . The wire  26  may terminate short of the battery  24  at the distal end  40  of the internal protective element  4 . The distal end  40  of the internal protective element  4  may then be placed substantially adjacent to the battery  24 , such that the connective wire  26  and the battery  24  are operatively connected and in electrical communication with one another.  
         [0041]     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the battery  24  component may be housed within an annular recess  36  disposed at a proximal end  10  of the mount portion  8  such that the battery  24  may be easily removed and replaced as necessary without disturbing more sensitive components of the circuitry contained within the internal protective housing element  4 . The battery  24  may be supported within the mount portion  8  by a supporting spring  28  similar to those found in battery-operated devices generally.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a luminous body  22  may be implemented at a distal end of an internal protective element  4  to direct a maximum level of illumination upwards relative to a dual housing  16  supported on a mount portion  8 . Alternatively, a luminous body  22  may be suspended intermediate the top surface of the internal protective element  4  and the distal end of the internal protective element  4  to generally illuminate the dual housing  16 , or near or at the top surface of the dual housing  16  to direct illumination largely downwards, depending on the orientation and ornamental features of the particular ornamental lamp assembly.  
         [0043]     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a distal end  40  of an internal protective element  4  comprises a screw cap  42  having external threads  32  disposed thereon. Such external threads  32  may complement internal threads  34  disposed within an annular recess  36  of the mount portion  8  such that the internal protective element  4  may be retained in a substantially fixed relationship with the mount portion  8  upon integrating the external and internal threads  32  and  34 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . Also, certain embodiments of the present invention provide that, when the external and internal threads  32  and  34  are integrated as discussed above, a battery  24  disposed within the annular recess  36  may communicate with the circuitry components retained within the internal protective element  4 .  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an ornamental lamp assembly in accordance with the present invention may comprise a mount portion  8  having an annular recess  36  therein for receiving and retaining one or more batteries  24 . An annular recess  36  may comprise internal threads  34  proximate its proximal end  10  such that a complementary housing may be received and retained thereby. As discussed above with reference to  FIG. 2 , coupling an internal protective element  4  to a mount portion  8  by way of an annular recess  36  may enable an internal protective element  4  to operatively connect to a battery  24  residing within the annular recess  36 . Where the internal protective element  4  houses a solar cell  6  and a luminous body  22  or other output mechanism, the battery  24  completes the solar circuit, thus rendering the ornamental lamp assembly functional.  
         [0045]     According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the mount portion  8  may incorporate a resilient base support  30  therein. A resilient base support  30  may comprise metal wire, jointed plastic or metal, or any other means known to those in the art by which to render the mount portion  8  capable of flexing to assume and retain a desired position. In this manner, a resilient based support  30  may, for example, be releasably secured around a railing, pole, or other structure. Alternatively, the mount portion  8  may incorporate a substantially rigid supporting element having a surface area sufficient to enable the solar-powered lamp to reside on a flat surface such as a table or stair. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the mount portion  8  may include optional fastening means  14  to further secure the lamp with respect to an adjacent surface. Fastening means  14  may include, for example, a stake, screw, bolt, bracket, nail, adhesive, suction cup, or any other means known to those in the art by which to secure a lamp to an adjacent surface.  
         [0046]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , fastening means  14  may include a ground stake portion removably or integrally coupled to a mount portion  8  to facilitate mounting the ornamental lamp assembly outdoors in the ground. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the ground stake portion or other fastening means  14  may be removably attached to the mount portion  8  by an internal screw, complementary threads, a press fit or by any other means known to those in the art.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , certain alternate embodiments of the internal protective element  4  of the present invention may retain an entire solar or other power circuit. For example, an internal protective element  4  may comprise a translucent or transparent cylinder capable of connecting, at one end, to a mount portion  8 . Such a mount portion  8  may incorporate a reflective element  50  to facilitate illumination of the ornamental lamp assembly. A reflective element  50  may be dome-shaped, box-shaped, or may assume any shape or configuration known to those in the art to increase illumination. A second end of the internal protective element  4  may be configured to receive a sealing cap  54 . A sealing cap  54  may comprise a circumference slightly larger than the circumference of the internal protective element  4  such that the sealing cap may be retained thereon by a press fit. Alternatively, the sealing cap may be retained by a selectively releasable locking device actuated by any mechanical, hydraulic or magnetic means, or by any other means known in the art. A sealing cap  54  may incorporate a solar circuit thereon, comprising a solar cell  6 , battery  24 , and luminous body  22 . The luminous body  22  may be suspended from the sealing cap  54  by lead wires of any length, thereby enabling retention of the luminous body  22  at any position along the length of the internal protective element  4 . The sealing cap may also incorporate a controller board  20  and photoresistor  38  similar to those discussed above. In this manner, the internal protective element  4  may quickly and effectively receive and retain the solar circuit when the sealing cap  54  is attached. The solar circuit may also be easily removed for repair or replacement as necessary.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the internal protective element  4  configuration of  FIG. 6  may receive an external decorative element  2  having a bore  52  therethrough. The external decorative element  2  may be selectively retained by active locking means as discussed above, or may balance on the distal end  10  of the mount portion  8 . Indeed, where the distal end  10  of the mount portion  8  provides a base substantially broader than the mount portion  8  generally, balancing the external decorative element  2  on such base minimizes the time and expense associated with assembling the ornamental lamp assembly. The circumference of the bore  52  preferably corresponds to the circumference of the internal protective element  4  while the length of the external decorative element preferably substantially corresponds to the length of the internal protective element  4  such that the sealing cap  54  only slightly protrudes through the bore  52 , thus concealing the bore  52  and minimizing any gap between the internal protective element  4  and the external decorative element  2 .