Abstract:
This invention relates generally to lighting devices, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing lighting articles. In one embodiment, the invention includes a lighting device, the lighting device including an article of manufacture; and a light source, the light source being a light emitting diode (LED); wherein the light source is embedded within the article of manufacture and configured to project light through the article of manufacture. In one particular embodiment, the article of manufacture is a flower branch defining a length, the flower branch presenting a plurality of flowers disposed along the length, the plurality of flowers being constructed from any of silk, fabric, and plastic. In yet another particular embodiment, the LED is embedded within at least one of the plurality of flowers. In a further embodiment, the LED is coupled to a wire for carrying current, the wire being embedded within the flower branch.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/745,747 filed Apr. 27, 2006. The foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to lighting devices, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing lighting articles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Lighting devices have existed since 70,000 BC, where hollow rocks, shells or other natural concave objects were filled with a moss or other wicking material which was then soaked with animal fat and subsequently ignited. These crude natural lighting devices later became more ornamental and were often hand crafted from stone or clay such as the terra cotta lamps created by the Greeks in the 7th century BC. These devices, however, were not much more than ornamental torches. 
         [0004]    Lighting design was greatly revolutionized in the 18th century, where both light intensity and rate of fuel burning became more controlled. Fuel was typically enclosed in a container and an adjustable tube or wick was used to control the intensity of the light and the rate of fuel consumption. This method became more refined in the late 1700&#39;s when wicks were introduced, which were enclosed in a hollow glass chimney. 
         [0005]    Commercial gas lighting was in mainstream application by the 1800&#39;s and by the 1900&#39;s most cities in the United States and Europe had streets that were lit by gas lights. During this same period, however, electric lighting was at the beginning of its development, the most famous embodiment being the electric incandescent light, which was made commercially viable by Thomas Edison in 1879. Electric lighting quickly became the dominant type of lighting device and the variety of embodiments of electric lighting devices blossomed. For example, incandescent bulbs began to appear as fixtures on walls, in table lamps, floor lamps, and lamps that were hung or integrated into ceilings. Additionally, outdoor lighting was used to illuminate areas such as pathways, pools, exteriors of buildings and streets. Not only were these lighting devices and fixtures functional, they were commonly ornamental and ascetically pleasing. 
         [0006]    Although incandescent lighting provides a consistent and reliable form of lighting for both indoor and outdoor illumination needs and can be embodied in a variety of ways, such as chandeliers, desk lights, dome lights, wall lights, and pole lights, this form of lighting is nonetheless limited. First, the heat generated by the incandescent light bulb limits both the form and material that these lighting devices can be made from. For example, lighting fixtures commonly must be made from glass or metal because the heat generated from the incandescent light bulb would melt or potentially ignite materials such as plastic, silk, fabric, paper, or wood. Indeed, even when glass or metal is used, it must be located some distance from the incandescent bulb to avoid unsafe conditions. Thus, the heat produced by the incandescent light bulb precludes proximate use of plastic, silk, fabric, paper, wood, or other materials. 
         [0007]    Additionally, because incandescent lights burn out and need to be replaced, potential embodiments of incandescent lighting devices are further limited. To facilitate removal and replacement of spent incandescent bulbs, the lighting device needs to be open or there needs to be some means for opening the lighting device to remove and replace spent bulbs. Therefore it is impossible for incandescent light bulbs to be integrated directly into materials or articles of manufacture. Moreover, even if incandescent light bulbs could be integrated into articles of manufacture, these articles of manufacture would additionally suffer because incandescent bulbs are bulky in size. 
         [0008]    Next, because of the limitations on the materials, limited safe sizes of fixtures and inability to integrate with articles of manufacture, incandescent light devices are commonly large and obtrusive house wares or fixtures that serve the sole purpose of illumination. Not only do these lighting devices take up a large amount of space, they also lack versatility and are difficult to conceal. As a result, both indoor and outdoor areas that require lighting can appear cluttered with lighting devices and such devices are obtrusive even when not being used for illumination. This is important because people are beginning to live in more space constrained areas and smaller homes, such as condominiums, where there is not much space. Many such homes include only a few hundred square feet of living space, despite costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The small amount of living space means that every piece of furniture or lighting device directly reduces comfort and movability within the home. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, what is needed are lighting devices that function as both a source of illumination and one or more other function, without suffering from material, lifespan, and size limitations. What is needed, therefore, are systems and methods for providing lighting articles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This invention relates generally to lighting devices, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing lighting articles. In one embodiment, the invention includes a lighting device, the lighting device including an article of manufacture and a light source, which is a light emitting diode (LED) and where the light source is embedded within the article of manufacture and configured to project light through the article of manufacture. In one particular embodiment, the article of manufacture is a flower branch defining a length, the flower branch presenting a plurality of flowers disposed along the length, the plurality of flowers being constructed from any of silk, fabric, and plastic. In yet another particular embodiment, the LED is embedded within at least one of the plurality of flowers. In a further embodiment, the LED is coupled to a wire for carrying current, the wire being embedded within the flower branch. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into bamboo, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into bamboo, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a pussy willow, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a pussy willow, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into bamboo, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    This invention relates generally to lighting devices, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing lighting articles. Specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-16  to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. The present invention may have additional embodiments, or may be practiced without one or more of the details described for any particular described embodiment. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into bamboo, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  100  comprises a light cover  110  in the shape of bamboo. The light cover  110  further comprises one or more bamboo segment  120 , and where there are two or more bamboo segments  120 , the bamboo segments  120  are joined at a segment junction  130 . 
         [0029]    Within the light cover  110  is a light source (not shown), which emits light  140 . In one embodiment, the lighting cover  110  comprises any transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material including, but not limited to, plastic, silk, fabric, rubber, glass, bamboo, ceramic, or any other natural or non-natural material that allows light  140  to emanate or pass through the light cover  110  from the light source (not shown). In a further embodiment, the lighting cover may include one or more transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material and may further include an opaque material. Furthermore, lighting cover  110  may comprise one or more color or texture, and may vary in opacity and transparency to create variance in the intensity and/or quality of the transmittance of light  140 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into bamboo, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the lighting stick  100  includes a lighting cover  110 , which further comprises one or more bamboo segment  120 . In certain embodiments where there are two or more bamboo segments  120 , these segments  120  are joined at a segment junction  130 . Additionally, within the lighting cover there is one or more light source  210  and the one or more light source  210  is connected by a wire  220 . Moreover, one segment of the wire  220  is a terminal end of the wire  230 . In one embodiment, the terminal end of the wire is connected to another wire (not shown) or a power source (not shown), such as a common wall receptacle, battery, solar cell, or other method of providing energy, either known or unknown. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the power source provides a source of one or more electrons that travel through the wire  220 , where the one or more electrons provide energy to the one or more light source  210  whereby light  140  ( FIG. 1 ) is generated by the light source  210 . 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, the light source  210  may be any of incandescent, fluorescent, gas, liquid crystal, but preferably light emitting diodes or LED&#39;s. In one embodiment light source  210  may emit one or more wavelength of light, including light in the visible range which be can viewed as colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violent, or light in the non-visible range such as x-rays or microwaves. In another embodiment, the one or more light source  210  may emit light of a wavelength that is different from the light emitted from one or more other light source  210 . In yet a further embodiment, the one or more light source  210  may emit light of a combination of wavelengths, such as white light. 
         [0032]    In a further embodiment the wire  220  may comprise one or more means of conveying energy to and from the power source (not shown), such means including but not limited to, alternating current and direct current. In one embodiment the wire  220  may be absent; however, in further embodiments, the wire may be comprised of one or more materials such as plastic, silk, fabric, metal, glass, or ceramics. 
         [0033]    In a yet further embodiment of the invention, the wire  220  connecting the one or more light source to a power source may further comprise other elements, such as transistors, resistors and switches, which may be present in any position on the wire  220  and therefore in any position in, on, or within the lighting cover  110 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  depicts a lighting stick  100  comprising three bamboo segments  120 , where there is a light source  210  located approximated half-way between a first and second end of each of the bamboo segments  120 . In other embodiments, the invention may include one or more bamboo segment  120  and one or more light source  210 , where the one or more light source  210  may be located at any position between the first and second end of the bamboo segment  120 . In a still further embodiment, there may be no light source  210  in the one or more bamboo segment  120 . In a yet further embodiment, one or more light source  210  may be located at the segment junction  130 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, any of the wire  220  or the one or more light source  210  may be directly integrated or incased in the light cover  110 , where the light cover  110  is in direct contact with any of the wire  220  or the one or more light source  210 . In a yet further embodiment, the light cover  110  is hollow and is not in direct contact with any of the wire  220  or the one or more light source  210 . In a still further embodiment, the wire  220  or the one or more light source  210  may be connected to the light cover  110  by a fastening means such as a clip, a strap, a harness, tape, glue, or wax. 
         [0036]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into bamboo, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  100  comprises a light cover  110  in the shape of bamboo. The light cover  110  further comprises one or more bamboo segment  120 , and where there are two or more bamboo segments  120 , the bamboo segments  120  are joined at a segment junction  130 . Additionally, the light cover  110  further comprises one or more bamboo bud  150 . In one embodiment one or more bamboo bud  150  is located at a segment junction  130 . In a further embodiment, one more bamboo bud  150  can be located at any position along or on one or more bamboo segment  120 . In an alternative embodiment, the one or more light source  210  is positioned within or proximate to the one or more bamboo bud  150 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a lighting device integrated into a pussy willow, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  300  includes a light cover  310 , which further includes a stem  320  and one or more bud  330 . Within the light cover is a light source (not shown). In one embodiment, the lighting cover  310  comprises any transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material including, but not limited to, plastic, silk, fabric, rubber, glass, ceramic, or any other natural or non-natural material that allows light  340  to emanate or pass through the light cover  310  from the light source (not shown). In a further embodiment, the lighting cover may include one or more transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material and may further comprise an opaque material. Furthermore, lighting cover  310  may comprise one or more color, texture, and may vary in opacity and transparency to create variance in the transmittance of light  340 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a pussy willow, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  300  includes a lighting cover  310 , which further includes a stem  320  and one or more bud  330 . Additionally, within the lighting cover there is one or more light source  410  and the one or more light source  410  is connected by a wire  420 . In one particular embodiment, the one or more light source  410  is an LED. Moreover, one segment of the wire  420  is a terminal end of the wire  430 . In one embodiment, the terminal end of the wire is connected to another wire (not shown) or a power source (not shown) such as a common wall receptacle, battery, solar cell, or other means of providing energy, either known or unknown. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the power source (not shown) provides a source of one or more electrons that travel through the wire  420 , where the one or more electrons provide energy to the one or more light source  410  whereby light is generated by the light source  410 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more light source  410  is located within the one or more bud  330 ; however, in a further embodiment one or more light source may be located in the stem  320  or one or more light source may be located in both the stem  320  and within the one or more bud  330 . In further embodiments the light cover  310  may vary by material, texture, color, number of bud, transparency, and design. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  500  includes a light cover  510 , which further includes a stem  520  and one or more flower  530 . The lighting stick  500  includes a light source (not shown) within the light cover  510 . In one embodiment, the lighting cover  510  comprises any transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material including, but not limited to, plastic, silk, fabric, rubber, glass, ceramic, or any other natural or non-natural material that allows light  540  to emanate or pass through the light cover  510 . In a further embodiment, the lighting cover may include one or more transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material and may further comprise an opaque material. Furthermore, lighting cover  510  may comprise one or more color, texture, and may vary in opacity and transparency to create variance in the transmittance of light  540 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  500  includes a lighting cover  510 , which further comprises a stem  520  and one or more flower  530 . Additionally, within the lighting cover there is one or more light source  610  and the one or more light source is connected by a wire  620 . Moreover, a segment of the wire  620  is a terminal end of the wire  630 . In one embodiment, the terminal end of the wire is connected to another wire (not shown) or a power source (not shown) such as a common wall receptacle, battery, solar cell, or other means of providing energy, either known or unknown. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the power source (not shown) provides a source of one or more electrons that travel through the wire  620 , where the one or more electrons provide energy to the one or more light source  610  whereby light is generated by the light source  610 . 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more light source  610  is located within the flower  530 ; however, in a further embodiment one or more light source  610  may be located in the stem  520  or the one or more light source may be located in both the stem  520  and within the one or more flower  530 . As described herein, further embodiments the light cover  510  may vary by material, texture, color, number of flower, transparency, and design. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  700  includes a light cover  710 , which further includes a stem  720  and one or more flower  730 . The lighting stick  700  includes a light source (not shown) within the light cover  710 . In one embodiment, the lighting cover  710  comprises any transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material including, but not limited to, plastic, silk, fabric, rubber, glass, ceramic, or any other natural or non-natural material that allows light  740  to emanate or pass through the light cover  710 . In a further embodiment, the lighting cover may include one or more transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material and may further comprise an opaque material. Furthermore, lighting cover  710  may comprise one or more color, texture, and may vary in opacity and transparency to create variance in the transmittance of light  740 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  illustrates various embodiments discussed in reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  700  includes a lighting cover  710 , which further comprises a stem  720  and one or more flower  730 . Additionally, within the lighting cover there is one or more light source  910  and the one or more light source is connected by a wire  920 . Moreover, a segment of the wire  920  is a terminal end of the wire  930 . In one embodiment, the terminal end of the wire is connected to another wire (not shown) or a power source (not shown) such as a common wall receptacle, battery, solar cell, or other means of providing energy, either known or unknown. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the power source (not shown) provides a source of one or more electrons that travel through the wire  920 , where the one or more electrons provide energy to the one or more light source  910  whereby light is generated by the light source  910 . 
         [0046]    In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more light source  910  is located within the flower  730 ; however, in a further embodiment one or more light source  910  may be located in the stem  720  or the one or more light source may be located in both the stem  720  and within the one or more flower  730 . As described herein, further embodiments the light cover  710  may vary by material, texture, color, number of flower, transparency, and design. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  1000  includes a light cover  1010 , which further includes a stem  1020  and one or more flower  1030 . The lighting stick  1000  includes a light source (not shown) within the light cover  1010 . In one embodiment, the lighting cover  1010  comprises any transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material including, but not limited to, plastic, silk, fabric, rubber, glass, ceramic, or any other natural or non-natural material that allows light  1040  to emanate or pass through the light cover  1010 . In a further embodiment, the lighting cover may include one or more transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material and may further comprise an opaque material. Furthermore, lighting cover  1010  may comprise one or more color, texture, and may vary in opacity and transparency to create variance in the transmittance of light  1040 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  illustrates various embodiments discussed in reference to  FIG. 10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  1000  includes a lighting cover  1010 , which further comprises a stem  1020  and one or more flower  1030 . Additionally, within the lighting cover there is one or more light source  1210  and the one or more light source is connected by a wire  1220 . Moreover, a segment of the wire  1220  is a terminal end of the wire  1230 . In one embodiment, the terminal end of the wire is connected to another wire (not shown) or a power source (not shown) such as a common wall receptacle, battery, solar cell, or other means of providing energy, either known or unknown. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the power source (not shown) provides a source of one or more electrons that travel through the wire  1220 , where the one or more electrons provide energy to the one or more light source  1210  whereby light is generated by the light source  1210 . 
         [0050]    In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more light source  1210  is located within the flower  1030 ; however, in a further embodiment one or more light source  1210  may be located in the stem  1020  or the one or more light source may be located in both the stem  1020  and within the one or more flower  1030 . As described herein, further embodiments the light cover  1010  may vary by material, texture, color, number of flower, transparency, and design. 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  1300  includes a light cover  1310 , which further includes a stem  1320  and one or more flower  1330 . The lighting stick  1300  includes a light source (not shown) within the light cover  1310 . In one embodiment, the lighting cover  1310  comprises any transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material including, but not limited to, plastic, silk, fabric, rubber, glass, ceramic, or any other natural or non-natural material that allows light  1340  to emanate or pass through the light cover  1310 . In a further embodiment, the lighting cover may include one or more transparent, semi-transparent or non-opaque material and may further comprise an opaque material. Furthermore, lighting cover  1310  may comprise one or more color, texture, and may vary in opacity and transparency to create variance in the transmittance of light  1340 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  illustrates various embodiments discussed in reference to  FIG. 13 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 15  is a cross section view of a lighting device integrated into a flower, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, lighting stick  1300  includes a lighting cover  1310 , which further comprises a stem  1320  and one or more flower  1330 . Additionally, within the lighting cover there is one or more light source  1510  and the one or more light source is connected by a wire  1520 . Moreover, a segment of the wire  1520  is a terminal end of the wire  1530 . In one embodiment, the terminal end of the wire is connected to another wire (not shown) or a power source (not shown) such as a common wall receptacle, battery, solar cell, or other means of providing energy, either known or unknown. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the power source (not shown) provides a source of one or more electrons that travel through the wire  1520 , where the one or more electrons provide energy to the one or more light source  1510  whereby light is generated by the light source  1510 . 
         [0054]    In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more light source  1510  is located within the flower  1330 ; however, in a further embodiment one or more light source  1510  may be located in the stem  1320  or the one or more light source may be located in both the stem  1320  and within the one or more flower  1330 . As described herein, further embodiments the light cover  1310  may vary by material, texture, color, number of flower, transparency, and design. 
         [0055]    In a further embodiment, a light cover may be in the form of any article of manufacture or otherwise, including house-wares of both indoor and outdoor use, as well as elements of buildings or architecture. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention the light cover may comprise or resemble a picture frame, basket, vase, newspaper/magazine rack, toy box, chair, coffee table, bed, desk, bookcase, cabinet, pillar, door trim, wall, rock, step, awning, lamp shade, recipe holder, or any other article of manufacture that may be used in a home, office, factory or other area, including outdoor areas such as yards, parks, parking lots and driveways. 
         [0056]    In one particular embodiment, the invention includes a vase, wherein the bottom of the vase includes a light source. The light source is configurable to project light through water or plants contained within the vase. 
         [0057]    While preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.