Semiconductive decorative lighting having a natural light effect

A decorative lighting device is presented and described. The device includes a translucent post configured to propagate light from an LED at a basal end along a linear axis to an apical end of the translucent post when in use, the translucent post comprising a center emission surface at the apical end on the linear axis configured to emit a center portion of light, a circumferential emission surface obliquely oriented relative to the linear axis between the LED and the center emission surface configured to emit a circumferential portion of the light, and a radially-oriented emission surface extending along the translucent post between the basal end and the circumferential emission surface configured to emit a radial portion of the light, wherein as light from the light is propagated through the translucent post, the radial, circumferential, and center portions of the light are emitted to create an incandescent visual effect.

BACKGROUND

Decorative lighting is often used to enhance the aesthetic feel of many indoor and outdoor locations. Such lighting can be year-round, seasonal, holiday-related, event-related, and the like. In one example, decorative lighting can be used as a holiday embellishment to decorate interiors, exteriors, trees and shrubs, landscaping structures, floats, displays, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details can be made and are considered to be included herein.

Accordingly, the following embodiments are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, any claims set forth. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, “enhanced,” “improved,” “performance-enhanced,” “upgraded,” and the like, when used in connection with the description of a device or process, refers to a characteristic of the device or process that provides measurably better form or function as compared to previously known devices or processes. This applies both to the form and function of individual components in a device or process, as well as to such devices or processes as a whole.

As used herein, “coupled” refers to a relationship of physical connection or attachment between one item and another item, and includes relationships of either direct or indirect connection or attachment. Any number of items can be coupled, such as materials, components, structures, layers, devices, objects, etc.

As used herein, “directly coupled” refers to a relationship of physical connection or attachment between one item and another item where the items have at least one point of direct physical contact or otherwise touch one another. For example, when one layer of material is deposited on or against another layer of material, the layers can be said to be directly coupled.

Objects or structures described herein as being “adjacent to” each other may be in physical contact with each other, in close proximity to each other, or in the same general region or area as each other, as appropriate for the context in which the phrase is used.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. However, it is to be understood that even when the term “about” is used in the present specification in connection with a specific numerical value, that support for the exact numerical value recited apart from the “about” terminology is also provided.

Example Embodiments

An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and specific technology embodiments are then described in further detail. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the technology more quickly, but is not intended to identify key or essential technological features, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Semiconductive light sources are gaining in popularity because of their high efficiency, ability to gain full brightness instantaneously, environmentally friendly nature, and the ability to control color and brightness levels. Despite this, semi-conductive light sources provide unidirectional light emission that limits their desirability in decorative lighting. Presented herein is a decorative lighting device that allows for multi-directional light emission from a semiconductive light source that, in some cases, has a natural or incandescent light effect.

The present disclosure, in one example, provides a decorative lighting device including a translucent post configured to propagate light from a semiconductive light source at a basal end along a linear axis to an apical end of the translucent post when in use. The translucent post can include a center emission surface at the apical end on the linear axis configured to emit a center portion of the light, a circumferential emission surface obliquely oriented between the semiconductive light source and the center emission surface configured to emit a circumferential portion of the light, and a radially-oriented emission surface extending along the translucent post between the basal end and the circumferential emission surface configured to emit a radial portion of the light. When in use, as light from the semiconductive light source is propagated through the translucent post, the radial, circumferential, and center portions of the light are emitted to create an incandescent visual effect.

FIG. 1ashows an example of a transparent post102coupled to a semiconductive light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED)104, for example. While the term “LED” is used herein to described semiconductive light sources, such is merely for convenience. It should be understood that any type semiconductive light source is contemplated, such as laser diodes, for example. The translucent post102is configured to propagate light106from the LED104at a basal end108along a linear axis to an apical end110of the translucent post102when in use. A center portion112of the light106is emitted from a center emission surface114at the apical end110on the linear axis of the transparent post102. A circumferential portion116of the light106is emitted from a circumferential emission surface118that is obliquely oriented relative to the linear axis of the translucent post102, and is located between the LED104and the center emission surface114. A radial portion120of the light106is emitted from a radially-oriented emission surface122extending around and along the translucent post102between the basal end108and the circumferential emission surface118, and in some examples, from a portion of the translucent post102between the circumferential emission surface118and the center emission surface114.FIG. 1bshows a view of the translucent post102rotated 90 degrees, and showing an approximation of the emissions of the center portion112of the light106, the circumferential portion116of the light106, and radial portion120of the light106. These different emissions of light combine to create an incandescent visual effect approximated by the shaded areas ofFIG. 1, with the darkness of the shading depicting differences in light intensity.

Various similar visual effects can be created using translucent posts having different emission surfaces and surface configurations. For example, the translucent post can be cut and/or shaped to create different lighting patterns that enhance, diminish, or otherwise alter various portions of the emitted light compared to others, which can be used to generate different visual effects. Additionally, various emission surfaces can be configured to additionally alter the light being emitted therefrom. For example, the center emission surface emits a center portion of light that can vary depending on the surface configuration. For example, emission from a flat surface will produce a different emission pattern compared to a contoured surface, or a contoured surface with a surface texture. The same effects would be noted for the circumferential emission surface, and in some cases the radially-oriented emission surface.

Any surface contouring, when present, is not particularly limited, and can be designed to propagate aesthetically pleasing light emissions, or in other words, visual lighting effects that can be more natural compared to LED light, or any other type of visual effect that differs from what is generally observed from LED light. In some examples, the contoured surface can include an indentation pointing toward the basal end of the translucent post. Such an indentation can, in some examples, increase the percentage of emission from the emission surface. Exemplary configurations are shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 3C. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the translucent post202can include a center emission surface204with an indentation, a circumferential surface206facing upward and surrounding the center emission surface, and a radially-oriented emission surface208. The center emission surface inFIGS. 2A and 2Bforms a shape that resembles an inverted triangular prism. When referring to the indentation as having an “inverted shape” the form of the center emission surface would allow that shape to fit inside the indentation, e.g. the configuration forms a negative of the shape. As shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the translucent post302can include a center emission surface304with an indentation, a circumferential surface306, and a radially-oriented emission surface308. The center emission surface shown in these figures is similar to an inverted oblique cone shape, although such is not limiting. In yet other examples, an indentation surface can be in the shape of an inverted cone, an inverted pyramid, an inverted semi-sphere, or any other inverted geometric or nongeometric shape.

It is noted that numerous waveguide designs can be utilized to in forming various emission surfaces to generate desirable lighting effects, and as such, any waveguide or surface contour configuration capable of generating such effects are considered to be within the present scope. In one non-limiting example, however, the angle from the top point of the center emission surface to the bottom point of the center emission surface can be from about 45° to about 135°, or from about 75° to about 105°, or from about 85° to about 95°.

In yet other examples, the contoured surface of the center emission surface can be a raised portion extending away from the basal end of the translucent post. For example, the contoured surface can include any geometric shape, including cones, 3 and 4-sided pyramids, semi-spheres, multifaceted shapes, or any other geometric or nongeometric shape. One nonlimiting example is shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, where the translucent post402includes a center emission surface404resembling a triangular prism. The translucent post402additionally includes a circumferential emission surface406and a radially-oriented emission surface408.

As described above, the surface of the any of the emission surfaces can include a surface texture. Nonlimiting examples can include facetted surfaces, diffusive textures, parabolic textures, ringed grooving, and the like. A textured surface can be used to alter various properties of the emitted light, including the directionality, the intensity, the spatial distribution, and the like.

The circumferential emission surface of the translucent post can be obliquely oriented relative to the linear axis of the transparent post, and located between the basal end and the center emission surface. The circumferential emission surface can be configured to emit a circumferential portion of the light, and can have a surface structure that can symmetrical or asymmetrical across the linear axis, depending on the viewing angle. For example, inFIG. 5A and 5C, the surface structure of the circumferential emission surface506is at an asymmetrical oblique angle to the linear axis of the translucent post502when viewed from either of these directions, while inFIG. 5Bthe surface structure is symmetrically oblique when viewed from this angle. The translucent post502additionally includes a center emission surface504, a radially-oriented emission surface508, and an apical emission surface510(described below).FIGS. 6A-6Dillustrate yet another example showing details of a translucent post602, including a center emission surface604, a circumferential emission surface606, a radially-oriented emission surface608, and an apical emission surface610. In yet another example,FIG. 7A-7Eshow views of a translucent post702including a center emission surface704, a circumferential emission surface706, a radially-oriented emission surface708, and an apical emission surface710. The circumferential emission surface706in this example is oriented along multiple oblique angles from the linear axis, which can create a variable visual effect depending on the viewing angle.

The shape of the circumferential emission surface can determine the amount of light and the direction of light propagated out of that surface. In addition, a distance between the center emission surface and the circumferential emission surface can create an emission angle which can allow for light emission along different portions of the translucent post creating more natural visual lighting effects compared to LED light alone. The emitted light can be further altered based on the surface of the circumferential emission surface which can be smooth or can be textured.

The radially-oriented emission surface of the translucent post can extend along the translucent post between the basal end and the circumferential emission surface, and can be configured to emit a radial portion of light. In yet other examples the radially-oriented emission surface can extend along the translucent post between the circumferential emission surface and the apical end (described below). The radially-oriented emission surface can emit light extending around the circumference and along the length of the translucent post.

The radially-oriented emission surface can include a basal radius located at or near the basal end of the translucent post and an apical radius located at or near the apical end of the translucent post. In some examples, the basal radius and the apical radius can be the same radius. In yet other examples, the basal radius and the apical radius can be different, with the basal radius being longer than the apical radius. The difference between these two radii is due to the removal of material from the translucent post in the formation of the circumferential emission surface. It is additionally contemplated that multiple circumferential emission surfaces can be utilized, thus creating additional radially-oriented surfaces.

In some examples, the intensity of light emitted from the radially-oriented emission surface can be lower than the intensity of light emitted from the center emission surface and/or the circumferential emission surface, which may be attributed to the angle of incidence of the light along the radially-oriented emission surface. This can result in the radially-oriented emission surface having a soft glow when the light is propagated through the translucent post.

In yet other examples, the translucent post can further include additional circumferential emission surfaces. For example, the translucent post can include an exterior circumferential emission surface, radially oriented exterior to the circumferential emission surface and positioned between the semiconductive light source and the circumferential emission surface. The exterior circumferential emission surface can be configured to propagate an exterior circumferential portion of the light. An exemplary exterior circumferential emission surface can be seen inFIGS. 8A-8F. As illustrated, an exemplary lower circumferential emission surface812can be located between the circumferential emission surface806and the basal end of the translucent post802. Also illustrated are the translucent post802, center emission surface804, radially-oriented emission surface808, and an apical emission surface810. The lower circumferential emission surface can be as previously described with respect to the circumferential emission surface. The inclusion of multiple circumferential emission surfaces can be desirable in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing light emission which can be a result of the increased emission surfaces and/or the interaction between light propagated at different angles from the translucent post.

In some examples, the translucent post can be completely transparent; while in other examples, the translucent post can have a degree of transmission that is less than 100%. For example, the translucent post can be semitransparent and can have a degree of transparency ranging from 0.1% to 99.9%. In yet other examples, the degree of transparency can be from 0.1% to 100%, from 25% to 75%, from 50% to 99%, or from 65% to 85%. In yet other examples, a portion of the translucent post can be opaque and another portion of the translucent post can be translucent. For example, a portion near the basal end of the translucent post that accepts a semiconductive light source can be opaque while the remainder of the post can be translucent. In no instance will the entire translucent post block 100% of the light, i.e. be opaque. In general, the higher the degree of transparency the more apparent the emitted light will be.

The translucent post can be designed according to a variety of configurations, all of which are considered to be within the present scope. The translucent post can be created from a single material piece or from multiple material pieces. For example, the translucent post can be an extruded or molded article. In another example, a single piece of material can be cut or carved away in order to create the shape of the translucent post. In other examples, the translucent post can include an inner post and an outer post wherein the inner post can be positioned interior of the outer post. The inner post can include the apical end of the translucent post and the center emission surface and the outer post can include the basal end of the translucent post, the circumferential emission surface, and the radially-oriented emission surface. The inner post can be nested within the outer post and can be coupled to the outer post in a manner that reduces stray light emission.

The translucent post can be created from any variety of translucent materials. For example, the translucent post can be created from a polymer, polycrystalline, ceramic, glass, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the translucent post can be a composite, where the inner portion and the outer portion are distinct materials. In one example, the material of the outer portion can be different from the material of the inner portion, the outer portion can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

In further examples, the decorative lighting device can include further enhancements, such as a shield, a light source, and/or electrical components. When present, the shield can surround and can be spaced apart from the translucent post. The shield can be coupled to the translucent post at the basal end. An exemplary lighting device900including a translucent post902and shield970are shown inFIG. 9. The configuration of the shield is not particularly limited, and can include mini-light, spherical globe, teardrop-C7/C9, candle-lamp, a specialty shape, or any combination thereof. An exemplary specialty shape can include the shape of an icicle or starburst. Depending on the desired effect, the shield can have a smooth surface or a textured surface, such as a faceted surface and/or the shield can be translucent, colored, or opaque. In one example, the shield can be coupled to the translucent post, and later attached to a light source. As such, the basal end of the translucent post can be configured to couple to a standard LED light configuration.

In yet another example, the decorative lighting device can further include the semiconductive light source. The semiconductive light source can be coupled to the translucent post either beneath or inside of the basal end of the translucent post. In a further example, the decorative lighting device can further include electrical components, including an electrical connection for connecting to an electrical light socket, a socket, wiring, cord, a plug, and the like. In some examples, a decorative lighting device1000can incorporate electrical components including a shield1070, a translucent post1002, and a socket1072, as shown inFIG. 10. In yet another example, a decorating lighting system1100can include a plurality of lights as described, including shields1170, translucent posts1102, socket bases1192, wiring1194, and the like, as shown inFIG. 11.