Abstract:
A monument assembly having a main body that is interlocked with a base. The main body has inscriptions and etchings that are laser cut therein of a memorable photo or design. A plurality of solar powered lights are then used in association with the monument assembly to focus light onto the etching at night to illuminate the etching.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to lighting assemblies. More specifically, this invention relates to a monument lighting assembly that uses a plurality of lights to accentuate etchings thereon. 
         [0002]    When a loved one passes away often time monuments or head stones are provided with special inscriptions thereon to commemorate the individual. Previously, individuals have used lighting systems including systems that use solar power in order to provide a light source for the monument such that the monument may be seen at night. 
         [0003]    While improvements in the field have been made, additional problems still remain. Specifically, with the advancement of technology and the creation of etchings on monuments a need for more accurately placed lighting is desired. Additionally, a need to provide replaceable and/or interchangeable etchings, batteries and the like is also desired. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a lighting assembly that provides night time lighting to provide a more esthetically pleasing monument. 
         [0005]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting assembly that provides for the illumination of etchings disposed thereon. 
         [0006]    These and other advantages and features will become apparent from the specification and claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A lighting assembly comprising a monument main body having an inscription and an etching therein. The monument main body is interlocked to a base wherein a rechargeable battery is associated with the monument assembly. A plurality of lights are electrically connected to the battery and are positioned to light the etching on the monument. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded side plan view of a monument lighting assembly; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side plan view of a monument lighting assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of a lighting assembly; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a monument lighting assembly  10  comprising a main body  12  that interlocks with a base  14 . In a preferred embodiment the main body and base  12 ,  14  are interconnected using a retainer opening  16  of the main body  12  that aligns with an opening in the base  14  such that a pin  18  can be disposed therethrough to detachably secure the main body  12  to the base  14 . This configuration allows for easy access to the main body  12  detachable from the base  14 . The main body  12  is made of glass, hard acrylic, hard Plexiglas, or the like and can come in any size and shape. Similarly, the base  14  can be made of ceramics, harden plastics, stone, or the like. 
         [0012]    The main body  12  of the monument assembly  10  can have 2D or 3D etchings  20 , such as etched photos inlayed in the main body  12 . The etching  20  can be of a loved one from a photo chosen by the person buying the monument. Any photo can be used such as a family photo, favorite hobby, a memory photo wanted by the family to be represented in the monument or the like. Additionally, the etching  20  may be placed anywhere on the main body  12  such as centered, in the corners, or anywhere that a laser etching may be placed. Additionally, an inscription  22  is also placed in the main body  12 . Specifically, the name, birth and death dates can be carved, drilled or the like into the main body  12  of the monument lighting assembly  10 . 
         [0013]    The base  14  contains ledges  24  that house a plurality of lights  26 . The ledges  24  are contained on both sides of the monument main body  12 . Optionally, color strips can be applied on the plurality of lights  26  to provide ambience lighting such as blue, green, yellow, pink, red or the like in order to illuminate the monument. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used as the plurality of lights  26 . The inscription  22  may then be frosted by a bead blaster to make the inscription  22  to appear opaque so that the inscription stands out both during the day time and in the evening when the plurality of lights  26  illuminates the main body  12  of the monument. 
         [0014]    Electrically connected to the plurality of lights  26  and disposed within the base  14  is a light sensor  28  that contains a timer therein. The light sensor  28  detects light and if light is detected for a predetermined amount of time, the timer causes the plurality of lights  26  to become inoperable. Thus, during the day time when light is provided for viewing of the monument assembly  10  the plurality of lights  26  do not operate needlessly. 
         [0015]    Electrically connected to the light sensor  28  is a battery pack  30  disposed within the base  14 . The battery pack  30  comprises a rechargeable battery that provides electricity for the plurality of lights  26 . A solar collector panel  32  is additionally disposed within the base  14  and is electrically connected to the battery pack  30  in order to convert light into electrical energy to charge the battery pack  30 . Thus, the plurality of lights  26  can be constantly powered by the battery pack  30  via the use of the solar collector panel  32 . 
         [0016]    Wiring connectors  42  are used for separation and replacement ease. Wiring  44  disposed through channeling  45  electrically connects the battery pack  30  and the solar collector panel  32  for night activation wherein the solar connector charges the battery pack  30  during the day light when the battery pack  30  is not in use. 
         [0017]    A weather seal  46  is used to prevent water intrusion and is placed in a grooved lip in the base  14  that secures the seal  46  therein. The weather seal surrounds an opening  48  within the base that receives the main body  12  of the monument assembly  10 . Additionally, while the base  14  in  FIG. 1  is shown with a single solar collector panel  32  a plurality of solar collector panels may be used to recharge the battery. Additionally, a second weather seal  50  may be used around the solar collector panel  32  to prevent the solar collector panel  32  from being exposed to water. The second weather seal  50  is removable for access to the battery pack  30  for battery replacement when necessary. Specifically, in this embodiment the battery pack  30  is contained within a battery compartment  52  that is sealed by the second weather seal  50 . 
         [0018]    Additionally disposed within the base  14  can be a lighting fixture  58  within a groove  60 . In an alternative embodiment the lighting fixture  58  is a replaceable LED that is similar to a slide show projector bulb setup and the groove  60  is made of a specialty bulb casing and design such that a glass urn may be placed into the monument base allowing for ambient lighting. Color covers are optional. This lighting fixture  58  has wiring  44  that connects the fixture  58  to the wiring connector  42  that is used to provide power to the lighting fixture  58 . Thus, in this embodiment an urn may be placed into the base  14 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows another embodiment wherein the plurality of lights  26  appear on a side wall  62  of the main body  12 . Specifically, plugs  64  are mounted adjacent the monument opening  48 . The plugs  64  receive lighting housings  68  that contain the plurality of lights  26  and has electrical prongs  70  connected thereto for electrical connection to the plugs  64 . In a preferred embodiment the plugs  64  are slightly recessed to help secure the lighting housing within the base  14  to prevent easy disconnection of the lighting housing  68  from brushes with a lawnmower, passersby, people tampering with the lighting units and the like. Thus, yet another way of providing lighting to etchings  20  within the main body  12  is provided. 
         [0020]    When the main body  12  of the monument assembly  10  is not a traditional rectangular shape but instead a cross or statue, similarly bead blasting can occur to create a similar effect. Specifically, the base  14  for the non traditional monument is similar only with the plurality of lights  26  much closer together gathering lighting making the lighting more condensed consistent with the size of the monument. Similarly, if a monument is larger the plurality of lights  26  is spread out over a larger area. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an alternative embodiment wherein a lighting assembly  72  is provided. The lighting assembly can be any size or shape. Like the base  14  of monument lighting assembly  10 , lighting assembly  72  has a plurality of lights  26 , a light sensor  28 , battery pack  30  and solar collector panel  32  electrically connected and disposed therein. In a preferred embodiment LED lighting strips  73  are used with one strip on each side of the lighting assembly  10  to allow ease for disconnection and replacement when needed. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the lighting assembly  72  has a compartment  74  disposed therein having a top  76  and a bottom  78 . The compartment  74  additionally has a gate  80  secured thereto and removable to allow access to the compartment  74 . The bottom  78  of the compartment  74  has a track that receives etched blocks  82  wherein the etched blocks  82  can contain indicia such as letters, numbers, words, pictures or the like. The etched blocks  82  are any size or shape and are designed to a size and shape to fit within compartment  74 . Adjacent the bottom  78 , or track, are the plurality of lights  26  that in a preferred embodiment are LEDs. Thus, the plurality of lights  26  illuminate the etched blocks  82  contained within the compartment  74 . 
         [0023]    The lighting assembly  72  also contains a battery pack compartment  84  that houses the battery pack  30 . The battery pack compartment  84  is accessible for replacing the battery pack  30  via a detachable cover plate (not shown). The lighting assembly also has hanging members  86  attached thereto or hanging openings  88  therein to allow the lighting fixture to be hung from apparatuses such as mail box poles, houses and the like. 
         [0024]    Thus, in this embodiment the lighting assembly  72  can use laser etching to display housing numbers, business numbers, business names or the like using lighting on the replaceable lighting strip  73 . Just like the monument lighting assembly  10  the lighting assembly  72  in the evening hours is illuminated by the plurality of lights  26  to facilitate viewing. 
         [0025]    Therefore, provided are several embodiments wherein a plurality of lights are used to illuminate an etching on a main body of a lighting assembly. All of the main parts are easily accessible such as by an access cover or the like to create easy replacement of the different parts of the monument assembly  10 . Additionally, the pin an opening arrangement between the main body  12  and the base  14  of the monument lighting assembly  10  provide for a detachable main body  12  for when replacement of parts or access to parts in the base  14  is desired. Thus, at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met. 
         [0026]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other various modifications could be made to the device without the parting from the spirit in scope of this invention. All such modifications and changes fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby.