Abstract:
A light device comprising a hollow, cylindrical and threaded bolt element, for housing at least a battery, and a head element, housing light elements and an actuating member of a switch, wherein the head element comprises a domed upper surface and an annular flat bottom surface, wherein, the domed upper surface comprises at least a transparent portion such that to allow light from the light elements to pass through when turned on, wherein the actuating member of a switch can be actuated by a user from the domed upper surface, wherein the exterior diameter of the head element is greater than the diameter of the hollow cylindrical bolt element, and wherein the head element comprises a threaded recess beginning at the inner edge of the annular flat bottom surface and extending towards the domed upper surface, for receiving the open end of the hollow cylindrical bolt element.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to light devices and more particularly to a light device installable into a table or desk. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When needing assistance in a restaurant, a customer needs to try and get the attention of a server by waving his or her arm. This action by the customer is inconvenient and can be annoying to a customer if the server is not paying attention. Sometimes, a server will continue to go to a table and ask the customer if anything else is needed, interrupting a customer&#39;s conversation. This can be annoying as well. 
     Further, many times in a classroom, several students will have questions, raising their hands in the air, and waiting for the teacher to call on them. This can be disruptive and annoying to other students and annoying to the students raising their hands especially if they need to keep their hands raised for a long time. 
     Thus, there is a need for a device that can solve the problems described above and that can be used easily, conveniently and effectively. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a light device is provided that can be attached to each table in a restaurant, with the lens facing up, such that a customer could push the top of the lens down to turn on the light. As a server looks around the room, he or she would see the light is on and would thus know that the customer wants a server&#39;s attention. This is a more efficient solution to assist customers without the server being annoying, or the customer getting annoyed. 
     Further, by attaching this light device to each desk in a classroom with the light facing up, a student can turn the light on by pushing the lens down. Thus, when the light is on, the teacher will know that the student has a question. 
     The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    illustrates a side view of a table light, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1 b    illustrates a perspective view of the nut  103  from  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIGS. 1 c - d    illustrate samples of arrangement of batteries inside the table light from  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 2 a    illustrates the top view of the table light from  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 2 b    illustrates the bottom view of the head element  101  of the table light from  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a table having installed in it the table light from  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of an alternative embodiment of the table light from  FIG. 1   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     What follows is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawings is part of this detailed description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. 
     For the following description, it can be assumed that most correspondingly labeled structures across the figures (e.g.,  101  and  201 , etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the same structure and function. If there is a difference between correspondingly labeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results in a non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particular embodiment, then the conflicting description given for that particular embodiment shall govern. 
       FIG. 1 a    illustrates a side view of a table light, according to an embodiment. As shown, the table light  100  has three main sections or elements. They are the head element  101 , the bolt element  102  and the nut element  103 . 
     The head element  101 , as shown, has preferably a domed upper surface  101   a , and a flat bottom surface  121 , joining together at an acute angle at the outer edge  101   b  of the head element  101 . The completely domed upper surface  101   a  is preferred as it provides less interference with a person (e.g., student or patron) sitting a table having the table light  100  installed in it. The domed shape combined with a smooth finish may prevent inconvenience, scratches and/or cuts on a person&#39;s hands. Less interference is also provided by the acute shape (but not sharp as to cause cuts or scratches) of the outer edge  101   b . The flat shape of the bottom surface  121  is preferred as it matches the flat top surfaces of most tables, desks, counters and the like, in which the table light  100  would typically be installed, as it will be described in more details hereinafter. 
     The head element  101  may be made for example from plastic or a combination of metal and plastic and is preferably substantially hollow, to accommodate the housing of the circuitry that is necessary for the function of the table light  100  as described herein. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 a   , and more clearly in  FIG. 2 a   , the head element&#39;s  101  ( 201  in  FIG. 2 a   ) top domed surface  101   a  may be divided in three distinct areas. They are the outer collar area  104  ( 204  in  FIG. 2 a   ), the light collar area  105  ( 205  in  FIG. 2 a   ) and the inner disk area  106  ( 206  in  FIG. 2 a   ). In this configuration, the outer collar area  104 , is not typically a light source, other than, optionally, having a shiny finish (e.g., stainless steel) to reflect the light coming from the light collar area  105 . Underneath the light collar area  105 , a circular array of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights  107  ( 207  in  FIG. 2 a   ) may be housed. It should be apparent that the light collar area  105  needs to be made from a transparent material (e.g., transparent/clear plastic or glass) to allow the light from the LEDs  107 , when turned on, to pass through. In an alternative embodiment, the outer collar area  104  and the light collar area  105  can be merged, to create a larger light area. 
     The inner disk area  106  is preferably also the top surface of switch (not shown), which may be housed inside the head element  101  and/or the hollow bolt element, and which may be used to power the LEDs, by, for example, a user using a finger to press on the inner disk area  106 . The switch may be spring loaded, to return the inner disk area  106  to the position shown in  FIG. 1 a   , such as that the upper surface  101   a  of the head element  101  is maintained shaped as a dome. The inner disk area  106  may be marked (e.g., with the terms ON/OFF) to indicate the presence of a switch. 
       FIG. 2 b    illustrates the bottom view of the head element  101  of the table light  100  from  FIG. 1 a   . As shown, the flat bottom surface  221  has an annular shape. This is because, as shown, in the center of the bottom of the head element  101 , there is a threaded recess  223 . Its threads  225 , correspond with threads  108   a  of the bolt element  102  ( FIG. 1 a   ), such as to permit removable attachment of the bolt element  102  to the head element  101 , by screwing the upper end of the bolt element  102  into the recess  223  of the head element  101 . 
     It should be understood that the flat bottom surface  221  may be that of a thin sheet of plastic for example, that may be removably attached to the upper domed portion of the head element  101 , such as to permit access inside the head element, for, for example repair purposes. 
     Returning now to  FIGS. 1 a - d   , as shown and as stated earlier the second and third element of the table light  100  are the bolt  102  and nut  103 . The bolt element is hollow tube, closed at the lower end, threaded preferably on its entire length (see threads  108   a ) and open at the upper end such as to house and permit replacement of the batteries  109  (e.g., AA batteries). Thus, to insert the batteries  109  into the bolt  102 , a user would simply have to unscrew the bolt  102  from the head element  101 , place the batteries inside the hollow bolt, and screw the bolt back into the head element. The bolt element  102  may also house components and circuitry (e.g., switch components, connectors, etc) needed, as one of ordinary skills in the art would understand (i.e., similar to small LED flash light), to controllably (e.g., ON/OFF) supply power from the batteries  109  to the LEDs  107 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 c - d   , inside the hollow bolt  102 , the batteries  109  may be arranged in a linear configuration ( FIG. 1 c   ), or, a side-by-side configuration ( FIG. 1 d   ), such as when, although the diameter of the bolt  102  will be larger, a shorter length of the bolt is desired. 
     A nut  103 , having nut threads  108   b  corresponding to bolt threads  108   a , may be provided to secure the table light to a table as shown in  FIG. 3 , or any other similar object. Thus, to secure the table light into a table or desk  350 , or any other object having a similar panel  360  (e.g., kitchen countertop, etc), a user would preferably drill a hole into the panel  360  having a diameter that permits the sliding of the bolt element  102  through the hole from the top, but not permitting the head element  101  to pass through the hole, and then, fastening the table light to the table by screwing the nut  103  onto the bolt  102  starting from its bottom end. As such, the bottom surface  121  of the head element  101  would rest onto the top surface of panel  360 . Alternatively, the hole could be made slightly smaller than the diameter of bolt  102 , such as to permit fastening by simply screwing the bolt into the hole, without using the nut  103 . 
     Thus, for example, a patron or student sitting at table or desk  350  could simply press disk area  106  to cause the LED lights  107  to turn on and as such get the attention of the waitress or teacher, such as when they have a question to ask, instead of raising their hand. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the top view of an alternative embodiment of the table light from  FIG. 1 a   . In this embodiment, light area  105  and central disk area  106  ( FIG. 1 ) are preferably merged into a greater light area  446  having a plurality of LEDs  407  associated with it. The switch function may be transferred to the outer collar  404   a , which may be actuated by a similar ‘press’ action or a rotating action, in which case, grooves or ribs  448  may be provided for a better adherence to user&#39;s fingers. 
     Many alternative designs may be used, but what it is important here is that (1) the hollow bolt (cylinder) housing the batteries has to, preferably, have the outer threads for easy and secure fastening to a desk or table, as described earlier; (2) the switch can be actuated from the top (domed upper surface); and (3) that the exterior diameter of the outer collar is greater than the diameter of the hollow bolt so that the head element does not fall through the hole drilled into the desk or table. 
     Several other applications for the light device described herein may be envisioned. For example, the light device may be installed anywhere in a home (e.g., into kitchen or bathroom countertops), or any other buildings (e.g., office) and then used during power outage instead of candles or portable flash lights. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     As used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A “set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. 
     Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the invention.