Abstract:
A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/405,893 filed Mar. 17, 2009, which a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/671,359 filed Feb. 5, 2007, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/765,762, filed Feb. 6, 2006, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to lighting apparatus, and more specifically, to a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Lighting can provide an important accent to any home, yard or garden. Among the many different types of lighting currently available are hanging lanterns such as those commonly known as Asian hanging lanterns. These lanterns are typically powered using traditional light and power sources, such as incandescent lamps powered by a home&#39;s electrical system, which limits the locations where the lanterns can be located. These lanterns can also be quite large and therefore expensive and burdensome to ship, transport and store. Thus, there exists a need to provide alternative power sources for these lanterns in order to allow for more flexibility in lantern placement. There also exists a need for lanterns which may be more easily and inexpensively shipped, transported and stored. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus and methods of assembling such a lighting apparatus are disclosed. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus comprises a lighting element assembly having a lighting element, a solar cell, a battery unit electrically coupled to the solar cell and to the lighting element assembly and a collapsible shade, wherein the solar cell is positioned proximate to the top of the collapsible shade and the lighting element assembly and the battery unit are positioned anywhere within the collapsible shade. The lighting element assembly can utilize different light sources, for example, light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) or low voltage incandescent light bulbs. The solar cell can use one or more solar panels, with the number used being selected based on the power requirements of the system. The battery unit can use one or more rechargeable batteries, with the number used also being selected based on the power requirements of the system. The collapsible shade of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus is positioned over the lighting element assembly to achieve a desired lighting effect. In another embodiment, the collapsible shade of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus contains an opening located at the top of the shade and an opening located at the bottom of the shade. In this embodiment, a support unit which comprises a top portion positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the top of the shade, a bottom portion positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the bottom of the shade and a connecting device which connects the top portion of the support unit and the bottom portion of the support unit is located within the shade. In an alternate embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, the lighting element of the lighting element assembly is located between the bottom portion of the support unit and the top portion of the support unit and is separate from the solar cell. In an additional embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, the top portion of the support unit serves as a housing for the lighting element assembly, the solar cell and the battery unit. In another embodiment, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus contains a hanging device for hanging the lighting assembly. 
     Also provided are methods for assembling a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus. In one embodiment, a method for assembling a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus comprises: providing a collapsible shade that contains an opening located at the top of the collapsible shade and an opening located at the bottom of the collapsible shade in its collapsed state; providing a support unit having a bottom portion, a connecting device and a top portion which houses a solar cell, a battery unit and a lighting element assembly; providing a hanging device; allowing the collapsible shade to expand to its deployed shape; assembling the support unit by connecting the top portion to the bottom portion using the connecting device; positioning the support unit within the deployed collapsible shade such that the top portion is positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the top of the collapsible shade and the bottom portion is positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the bottom of the collapsible shade; and attaching the hanging device to the top portion of the support unit. 
     As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus with a number of notable advantages, including ease of shipment, transport and storage and flexibility in placement in a home, yard or garden setting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus in the collapsed state, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the upper sector of a support unit of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  is shown that has a collapsible shade  20  and a support unit  30  having a bottom portion  32 , a top portion  34  and a connecting device  36  which connects the bottom portion  32  and the top portion  34 . The connecting device  36  in the illustrated embodiment is comprised of two connecting rods  37  fabricated from tension wire and having hooked bottom ends  38  which are inserted into apertures in the bottom portion  32  of the support unit  30 . However the connecting rods  37  can also be fabricated from other materials such as aluminum and rigid, weather-resistant plastics such as polycarbonate, polypropylene, or polyvinylchloride. The top ends of the connecting rods  37  are inserted into cavities in the top portion  34  of the support unit  30 . The top portion of the support unit  30  includes an upper section  31  secured to a lower section  33 . The top portion  34  of the support unit also includes a space for an optional light sensor and appendages  35  for connecting a hanging device  70 . The bottom portion  32  of the support unit  30  is positioned within or proximate to an opening  22  located at the bottom of the collapsible shade  20  while the top portion  34  of the support unit  30  is positioned within an opening in the top portion of the collapsible shade  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  34  of the support unit  30  is used to house a lighting element assembly, a solar cell  50  and a battery unit; a lighting element cover  62  for the lighting element assembly is shown. The lighting element cover  62  can serve various functions. For example, the lighting element cover  62  can be used as a lens to focus light in a particular direction, such as downward to illuminate a sidewalk, or as a filter to selectively allow light through in order to produce a light pattern. The lighting element cover  62  can also be used as a light diffuser, in which case it typically serves to scatter light from the lighting element. One or both of the interior and exterior surfaces of the lighting element cover  62  may be colored, textured, or treated to enhance its focusing, filtering or diffusing properties. In one embodiment, the lighting element  62  is formed of cracked glass so as to act as a diffuser. Cracked glass provides the advantage of concentrating light from the lighting element at many fine cracks formed in the glass, creating a stunning visual effect while maximizing visibility. The solar cell  50  can use one or more solar panels, with the number used being selected based on the power requirements of the system. In the illustrated embodiment, a hanging device  70  having hooked ends  72  for connecting to the top portion  34  of the support unit  30  is shown. The hanging device  70  can be a rounded metal handle or a wire or any other device suitable for hanging the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus. However, it should be understood that for certain applications, such as placement on a table, a hanging device  70  is not required. 
     The collapsible shade  20  is typically comprised of a collapsible material which allows the partial or complete transmission of light through it and a collapsible frame which imparts a predetermined shape to the collapsible material. However, it should be understood that in some applications, the collapsible material itself can form the desired predetermined shape when deployed so that a collapsible frame is not required. The collapsible shade  20  can be made in various sizes. Typical collapsible materials include various types of paper, nylon, fabric or plastic and the like. For outdoor applications, it is desirable that the collapsible material be waterproof or water-resistant. The collapsible frame can be fabricated from materials such as plastic or metal. Although the collapsible shade  20  shown in the illustrated embodiment is a globe, such as in an Asian lantern, the collapsible shade  20  can be different three-dimensional shapes, for example, a box, a star or a shape similar to that of a hot air balloon. If desired, the collapsible material can be colored, textured, printed or embossed with a graphic design or otherwise treated to achieve a particular lighting effect. 
     The solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus can optionally include a light sensor and a switch  61  electrically interposed between the battery unit  80  and the lighting element assembly  60 . The switch  61  is electrically coupled to the light sensor and is selectively opened and closed by the light sensor depending on the ambient lighting conditions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus is shown in cross-sectional view. As set forth above, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  includes: the collapsible shade  20  having the bottom opening  22  and the top opening; the support unit  30  having the bottom portion (not shown except for the apertures  39 ), the top portion  34  which has the upper section  31 , the lower section  33 , a space  29  for an optional light sensor and the appendages  35 , and the connecting device  36  which has two connecting rods  37  with hooked bottom ends  38 ; and the hanging device  70  having hooked bottom ends  72 . The top ends of the connecting rods  37  are inserted into cavities  40  in the top portion  34  of the support unit  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  34  of the support unit  30  is used to house a lighting element assembly  60 , a solar cell  50  and a battery unit  80 . The battery unit  80  is electrically coupled to the solar cell  50  and the lighting element assembly  60 . The solar cell  50  as shown contains eight solar panels  52 . The lighting element assembly as shown contains a lighting element cover  62 , a lighting element  64  and a circuit board  66  for mounting the lighting element (e.g., an LED circuit board) and regulating the voltage passing to and from the battery unit  80  and to the lighting element assembly  60 . Optionally, the circuit board  66  can also receive the output of a light sensor and turn on the lighting element assembly  60  when the output indicates low light levels and turn it off when the output indicates high light levels. The lighting element assembly  60  can utilize different lighting elements  64 , for example, light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) or low voltage incandescent light bulbs. The lighting element  64  can be various colors and, in the case of LED&#39;s, can be the color of any available LED&#39;s. In some embodiments, a phosphorescent coating over the LED results in light having wavelengths other than those output by the LED. The battery unit  80  can use one or more rechargeable batteries, with the number used being selected based on the power requirements of the system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus is shown in an exploded, cross-sectional view. As set forth above, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  includes: the collapsible shade  20  having the bottom opening  22  and the top opening  24 ; the support unit  30  having the bottom portion  32  which has the apertures  39 , the top portion (only upper section  31  shown) which has the space  29 , the appendages  35  and the solar cell  50  having the solar panels  52  and the connecting device  36  which has the two connecting rods  37  with hooked bottom ends  38 ; and the hanging device  70  having hooked bottom ends  72 . In general and as illustrated, the bottom opening  22  should be larger than the top opening  24  of the collapsible shade  20  in order to provide for proper positioning and alignment of the bottom portion  32  and the top portion  34  of the support unit  30 . The sizes of the bottom opening  22  and top opening  24  of the collapsible shade  20  are selected based on the size of the solar cell  50 , the lighting element assembly and the battery unit to be incorporated into the top portion  34  of the support unit  30 . 
     It should be understood that, for ease of shipment, transport and storage, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  can be packaged unassembled and assembled when needed. In one embodiment of an assembly method, the collapsible shade  20 , the support unit  30  and the hanging device  70  are provided unassembled. The collapsible shade  20  is allowed to expand to its deployed state. The support unit  30  is assembled by connecting the bottom portion  32  with the top portion  34  (which houses the solar cell, the battery unit and the lighting element assembly) using the connecting  36 . The assembled support unit  30  is then positioned within the deployed collapsible shade  20  such that the top portion  34  is positioned within or proximate to the top opening of the collapsible shade  20  and the bottom portion  32  is positioned within or proximate to the bottom opening  24  of the collapsible shade. The hanging device  70  is then attached to the top portion  34  of the support unit  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  in the collapsed state is shown in cross-sectional view. In this  FIG. 4 , only the collapsible shade  20  and the top portion  34  of the support unit of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  are shown. As set forth above, the collapsible shade  20  includes the bottom opening  22  and the top opening and the top portion  34  of the support unit includes the cavities  40  and the appendages  35  and is used to house the lighting element assembly  60 , the solar cell  50  and the battery unit  80 . The top portion  34  of the support unit includes the upper section  31  secured to the lower section  33  using a screw  42 . The lighting element assembly  60  includes the lighting element cover  62 , the lighting element  64  and the circuit board  66 . In the collapsed state, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  is easily shipped, transported and stored. For maximum benefit, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  should be as thin as possible when in the collapsed state. In general, it is desirable that the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  have a thickness no greater than about one inch when in the collapsed state. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the upper sector of an embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  is shown in cross-sectional view. In this  FIG. 5 , only the collapsible shade  20 , the upper portion of the connecting device  36  which has two connecting rods  37 , the lower portion of the hanging device  70  and the top portion  34  of the support unit of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  are shown. As set forth above, the collapsible shade  20  includes the top opening, the hanging device  70  includes the hooked bottom ends  72  and the top portion  34  of the support unit includes the upper section  31 , the lower section  33 , the space  29 , the cavities  40 , the screw  42  and the appendages  35  and is used to house the lighting element assembly  60 , the solar cell  50  having the solar panels  52  and the battery unit  80 . The lighting element assembly  60  includes the lighting element cover  62 , the lighting element  64  and the circuit board  66 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternate embodiment of the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus is shown in which the lighting element  64  is in a separate location from the solar cell  50 . As set forth above, the solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus  10  includes: the collapsible shade  20  having the bottom opening  22  and the top opening; the support unit  30  having the bottom portion  32 , the top portion  34  which has the upper section  31 , the lower section  33  and the appendages  35 , and the connecting device  36  which has two connecting rods  37  with hooked bottom ends  38 ; and the hanging device  70  having hooked bottom ends  72 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting element  64  is not in the top section along with the solar cell  50 . Rather, the lighting element  64  is suspended from a wire  68  which electrically couples the lighting element  64  to the solar cell  50 . 
     It will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein as such embodiments may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting in scope and that limitations are only provided by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.