Decorative light

A decorative light can include: a lamp case defining a hollow interior region and having an open front end; a beam splitter located inside the lamp case, the beam splitter defining an interior region; a lighting module located within the interior region of the beam splitter, the lighting module including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) located thereon; a motor located inside the lamp case, the motor coupled to the beam splitter and adapted to rotate the beam splitter with respect to the lighting module; and a front lens mounted to the open front end of the lamp case. A convertible support stand for an outdoor lighting product is also discussed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a decorative light, such as a decorative outdoor spotlight, and related methods. More specifically, the present application relates to a decorative outdoor spotlight that has a dynamic lighting effect, and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Lighting is often used during the holidays, such as Christmas or Halloween, to decorate a person's house or yard. For example, a person may install one or more decorative outdoor spotlights on their yard to project decorative patterns onto their house, trees, or decorations. Examples of decorative outdoor spotlights are described in Applicant's co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,068,726 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0159842, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a decorative light can comprise: a lamp case defining a hollow interior region and having an open front end; a beam splitter located inside the lamp case, the beam splitter defining an interior region; a lighting module located within the interior region of the beam splitter, the lighting module including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) located thereon; a motor located inside the lamp case, the motor coupled to the beam splitter and adapted to rotate the beam splitter with respect to the lighting module; and a front lens mounted to the open front end of the lamp case.

According to another embodiment, a convertible support stand for an outdoor lighting product can comprise: a head adapted to connect to the outdoor lighting product; a primary post extending from the head; and first and second auxiliary posts connected to the primary post by a hinge mechanism. The first and second auxiliary posts can move between a collapsed position wherein the first and second auxiliary posts are substantially adjacent to, and extend substantially parallel to, the primary post, and an expanded position wherein each of the first and second auxiliary posts extends away from the primary post at an angle to define a tripod shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other equivalent parts can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference as if each had been individually incorporated.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of a decorative light10according to the present invention is shown.FIGS. 1, 3, and 4depict perspective, side, and rear views of the decorative light10, respectively. InFIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the decorative light10includes a support base12in a collapsed configuration.FIG. 2depicts a perspective view of the decorative light10, with the support base12in an expanded configuration. The decorative light10can be used inside or outside to provide decorative effects. For example, the structures described below provide decorative light10with the ability to project a dynamic (e.g., moving) pattern of multi-colored light beams. One or more of the decorative lights10can be used to provide dynamic lighting of a persons's house, landscaping, outdoor decorations, or the like.

Still referring toFIGS. 1-4, the decorative light10can include a lamp case14, a beam splitter16located inside the lamp case14, and a front lens18mounted to the lamp case14, for example, to an open front end20. The lamp case14can be made of plastic or other suitable material, such as metal. The beam splitter16and/or front lens18can also be formed from plastic or other suitable material and, according to embodiments, are transparent or translucent. The major components of the base12can also be made of plastic or other suitable material, and are described in more detail below.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the interior components of the decorative light10are shown. The lamp case14can define a hollow interior region22that houses the various internal components of the light. The lamp case14can terminate in an open front end20, which, according to embodiments, defines a perimeter that lays within a reference plane. The beam splitter16and a lighting module24, both described in more detail below, can be housed within the lamp case14. A motor26, power supply28, and control unit30can also be housed within the lamp case14. The front lens18is coupled to the open front end20of the lamp case14, for example, using screws or other fasteners, adhesives, snap connections, or other fastening techniques known to one of skill in the art. The front lens18can form a watertight seal with the lamp case14, for example, through the use of a rubber gasket32disposed between the front lens18and open front end20, however, other known structures can be used to provide a waterproof seal.

The beam splitter16can define a hollow interior region32(see cutaway view ofFIG. 6) that can house the lighting module24. The motor26can be configured to rotate the beam splitter16while the lighting module24remains stationary within the interior region32, creating a dynamic lighting effect. For example, the motor26can be located to the side of the beam splitter16, and can include an output spindle34(seeFIG. 6) that engages the beam splitter16. An axle36(seeFIG. 7) can be mounted to the lamp casing14on the opposite side of the motor16, and can have a portion that extends through a bore in the beam splitter16. The axle36and output spindle34can together support the beam splitter16for rotation within the lamp case14. Thus, when the motor16is energized, the output spindle34can cause the beam splitter16to rotate within the lamp case14, for example, about an axis that is substantially parallel to the reference plane of the open front end20of the lamp case14. According to alternative embodiments, the beam splitter16can rotate about a different axis, such as, for example, about an axis substantially perpendicular to the reference plane, or about an axis that is located at an acute angle with respect to the reference plane. As shown inFIG. 5, the motor26can be secured within the lamp case14using a motor mounting bracket27fastened to the lamp case14with screws or other fasteners, however, other techniques for securing the motor26within the lamp case14are also possible.

Still referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, a lighting module support38can be connected to an end of the axle36located within the beam splitter16. The lighting module support38can thus remain stationary within the beam splitter16during rotation of the beam splitter16. The lighting module24is mounted to the lighting module support38, for example, using adhesive, screws or other fasteners, or other fastening techniques known in the art. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)40, or other light sources, can be mounted to the lighting module24. All or a portion of the axle36can define a hollow interior channel42to permit passage of electrical wires from the power source28, which may be located exterior to the beam splitter16, to the LEDs located within the beam splitter16. In operation, each of the LEDs can project the same color light, or alternatively, each LED, or subsets of the LEDs, can display different colors.

Referring toFIG. 5, the lighting module24can include first and second faces24a,24b(e.g., separate circuit boards) that are angled with respect to one another, for example, in a prism or pyramid shape. At least one LED40can be mounted on each of the faces24a,24b, such that the LEDs40are angled with respect to one another. This configuration can increase the width of the light beam projected by the lighting module24, and in turn, the decorative light10. Although the figures show four LEDs40, alternative embodiments may have more or fewer LEDs40arranged in various patterns and groupings.

Still referring toFIG. 5, the beam splitter16can be substantially globe-shaped. As discussed previously, the beam splitter16can define a substantially hollow interior region. A plurality of facets can be distributed about the inner and/or outer surface of the beam splitter16, for example, in order to create a dimpled surface on the beam splitter16. The facets can focus the light from the light module24into multiple individual beams that travel as the beam splitter16rotates with respect to the light module24. As also shown inFIG. 5, an optional cover44, which can be substantially transparent or translucent, can surround the beam splitter16. As shown, the cover44can closely conform to the outer shape of the beam splitter16. As also shown inFIG. 5, the front lens18can be substantially dome shaped, however, other configurations are possible.

Referring again toFIGS. 5 and 6, the power supply28can receive power from an external power source, such as a standard 110V AC power outlet. In this regard, a power cord50can extend through lamp case14, for example, through a waterproof bushing52. Although not shown, the power cord50can include a conventional plug to couple with the power outlet. Alternatively, the power cord50can include a plug to connect to a DC power source, such as a car battery. The power supply28can also provide power, e.g., DC power, to the light module24, motor26, and control unit30, for example, using electrical wires (not shown). In the case where the power supply28connects to the AC power source, the control unit can be adapted to convert the AC power from the source into DC power to operate the components of the decorative light10. The control unit30can be used to turn the decorative light on or off, to change the color and/or intensity of light emitted by the various LEDs40in the lighting module24, and to adjust the speed of rotation of the motor26and in turn, the beam splitter16. Accordingly, the control unit30can adjust the color(s), patterns, and speed of the light beams emitted by the decorative light10.

Referring toFIG. 7, a remote control unit50can be provided to remotely operate the decorative light10. For example, the remote control unit50can communicate with the control unit30using any number of wireless communication technologies, such as infrared, radio frequency, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. As shown inFIG. 7, the remote control unit50can include an on/off button52to turn the decorative light10on or off (e.g., to cause the LEDs to turn on/off, and to simultaneously turn the motor26on/off). Additionally, the remote control unit50can include a mode button54to change the color pattern, intensity, speed, and other characteristics of the light beams emitted by the decorative light10. Although not shown, user-operable controls can be located on the exterior of the decorative light10to perform the same or similar functions described above in connection with the remote control unit50. These controls can be in addition to, or an alternative to, the remote control unit50.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the support base12is shown separated from the decorative light10. Although the support base12can be used to support the decorative light10, it can alternatively be used to support another type of outdoor lighting product, or even another type of product altogether, such as a speaker, microphone stand, camera, or video recorder. The support base12can convert between a collapsed configuration (seeFIGS. 1, 8) and an expanded configuration (seeFIGS. 2,9). In the collapsed configuration, the support base12can have the shape of a tapered post (or “spike”) that can be implanted into the ground or other soft surface to maintain the support base12and the outdoor product attached thereto in a stable, upright position. In the expanded configuration, the constituent parts of the tapered post can be expanded into a substantially tripod shape in order to support the support base12and the outdoor product attached thereto in a stable position above the ground or a hard surface. Various components of the support base12can be constructed from plastic, composite, metal, or other material known in the art.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the support base12can include a head60that connects the support base12to the decorative light10, for example, by connecting to a portion62of the decorative light10(e.g., a portion of the lamp case14). For example, the head can include a ball joint utilizing a ball64and encapsulating nut66to provide adjustment of the decorative light with respect to the support base about multiple axes. One of skill in the art will understand, however, that other types of connections can be used to couple the support base to the decorative light.

The support base12can also include a primary post68, as well as first and second auxiliary posts70,72. The primary post68can be coupled to the head60, and the auxiliary posts70,72can in turn be coupled to the primary post68, as shown, however other configurations are possible. The primary post68and first and second auxiliary posts70,72fit together in a “collapsed position” to form the shape of a tapered post, or spike, as shown inFIG. 8. In this position, portions of the auxiliary posts70,72are substantially adjacent to the primary post68, and extend substantially parallel to the primary post68. As shown inFIG. 9, the primary post68can comprise first and second portions68a,68bthat fit together, for example in a clamshell configuration, and define a pocket74that can receive a portion of each of the auxiliary posts70,72. A pivot joint76can be located between the head60and the primary post68in order to provide additional adjustability. The pivot joint76can comprise a boss78secured through a bore80in the primary post68, however, other configurations are possible.

Referring toFIG. 9, the auxiliary posts70,72can move between the collapsed position and an “expanded position” (e.g., where they form a substantial tripod shape in conjunction with the primary post68) using a multi-axis hinge mechanism. For example, the hinge mechanism can comprise a first hinge82connected to the primary post68, e.g., via a boss84. The first hinge82can pivot with respect to the primary post68about a first axis. A second hinge86can be located on the first hinge82, and can connect the first and second auxiliary posts70,72to the first hinge82. The second hinge86provides for pivoting of the auxiliary posts70,72about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first hinge82. Accordingly, the first and second auxiliary posts70,72can pivot with respect to one another between a position where they abut one another (e.g., when in the collapsed position), and a position where they are angled with respect to one another about the second hinge86(e.g., when in the expanded position). An elastic member, such as spring88, can be associated with the second hinge86to normally bias the auxiliary posts70,72away from one another.

To position the support base12in the collapsed configuration, the first and second auxiliary posts70,72and folded towards one another, e.g., about the second hinge86and against the force of the spring88, until they abut one another. The auxiliary posts70,72are then rotated as a unit about the first hinge82until the combined auxiliary posts70,72abut the primary post68. At this point, the support base12is in the collapsed configuration. In this configuration, a portion of each auxiliary post70,72is received within the pocket74in the primary post68, preventing the auxiliary posts70,72from splaying outward under the force of the spring88. A detent (not shown) can be provided on the primary post68, and/or on at least one of the auxiliary posts70,72, to resist rotation of the auxiliary posts70,72away from the primary post68about the first hinge82. To move the support base12to the expanded configuration (e.g., in the substantial shape of a tripod), the auxiliary posts70,72are pivoted away from the primary post68as a unit, about the first hinge82. Once the auxiliary posts70,72have cleared the pocket74, the auxiliary posts70,72can then splay away from one another about the second hinge86, whereby the primary post68and auxiliary posts70,72define a substantial tripod shape.

According to an aspect of the invention, embodiments of the light described herein can be incorporated into an inflatable display of the type described in Applicant's U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0184844, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. According to another aspect of the invention, embodiments of the light described herein can be arranged into a light string as described in Applicant's U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015-0163876, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.