Abstract:
The invention is a renewable energy powered light assembly for a roof window of a building. A housing extends within the roof aperture from an interior of the house towards the exterior. A plurality of lighting elements is disposed in the housing. A renewable energy source is connected to each of the lighting elements. A solar panel array collects light from an electrical grid powered lighting element. A rechargeable power source is connected to the renewable energy source and the plurality of lighting elements. The invention also is a light assembly for illuminating an area from a floor of a building. A renewable energy source is externally mounted and coupled to a plurality of lighting elements disposed adjacent the floor. A rechargeable power source is coupled to the energy source and the plurality of lighting elements for storing the power generated and powering the plurality of lighting elements.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a light assembly and more particularly to a renewable energy powered light assembly for a window or wall of a building. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Over recent years, there has been volatility in the price of electricity. In addition to price volatility, the use of certain fuels has been found to be harmful to the environment. For example, when electricity is generated from coal, large amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted into the environment, which contributes to poor air quality and global warming. As a result, many are interested in using alternative energy sources which are less expensive and more environmentally friendly. One type of alternative energy source that is becoming increasingly popular is solar power. Solar power is a renewable power source that produces power at a fuel cost of zero and can be used in a variety of settings, including but not limited to residential, municipal and commercial property settings. Another alternative energy source is wind power, wherein wind turbines are used to generate electricity. 
     A problem with solar and wind power is that there is a significant upfront cost associated with obtaining the equipment and components necessary to utilize a solar or wind powered system. Thus, although many individuals are interested in utilizing renewable energy sources, the upfront expense of switching from the electric power grid to these renewable energy sources is prohibitively expensive. With respect to generating wind power, large wind turbines that are massive and expensive are needed to generate enough electricity to provide enough power for a building. 
     What is needed then is an off-grid renewable energy powered light assembly that provides low level lighting that can be used to at least partially illuminate a hallway or other area in a building requiring minimal illumination. 
     A renewable energy powered light assembly that is easy to install and doesn&#39;t require a large investment to implement is also needed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention are direct to an off-grid renewable energy powered light assembly for a window in a roof or a wall of a building which and provides one or more benefits and advantages not previously offered in the art, including but not limited providing a low level lighting source. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a cheap, low level lighting option for those that do not want to make the initial investment of installing a renewable energy system for a building that replaces power received from the electric grid for all or substantially all appliances, lights and equipment. 
     In one configuration, the present invention comprises a plurality of housings insertable through the roof and arranged about a perimeter of the window. Each housing has an upper portion disposed outside the building and a lower portion disposed inside the building and a renewable energy powered lighting element disposed in the lower portion of each housing. A renewable energy source is connected to each of the renewable energy powered lighting elements and is disposed on the upper portion of each of the housings for generating power for the renewable energy powered lighting elements. A plurality of rechargeable power sources are each connected to the renewable energy source and the renewable energy powered lighting element of each housing for storing the power generated by the renewable energy source and powering the renewable energy powered lighting element. 
     The present invention also includes an off-grid solar powered light assembly for a window comprising a plurality of solar powered lighting elements circumscribing a perimeter of the window and spaced at a predetermined distance from each other. At least one solar panel is coupled to the plurality of solar powered lighting elements for collecting light and generating power for the plurality of solar powered lighting elements. A rechargeable power source is coupled to the at least one solar panel and the plurality of solar powered lighting elements for storing the power generated by the solar panel and powering the plurality of solar powered lighting elements. 
     Another configuration of the invention comprises a solar powered light assembly for a house having a roof aperture with a window therein having a housing extending within the roof aperture from an interior of the house towards the exterior of the house. A solar panel and a solar powered lighting element are each connected to the housing. A rechargeable power source is connected to the solar panel and the solar powered lighting element for storing the power generated by the solar panel and powering the solar powered lighting element. 
     In another configuration, an off-grid renewable energy powered light assembly for illuminating an area from a floor of a building comprises a plurality of renewable energy powered lighting elements each disposed adjacent the floor, a renewable energy source coupled to the plurality of renewable energy powered lighting elements and externally mounted adjacent the building for generating power for the plurality of renewable energy powered lighting elements. A rechargeable power source is coupled to the renewable energy source and the plurality of renewable energy powered lighting elements for storing the power generated by the renewable energy source and powering the plurality of renewable energy lighting elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The foregoing features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understood form the following description of the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a roof of a building having a skylight and a solar powered light assembly having lighting elements disposed on an L-shaped plate and that circumscribe an outer perimeter of a light shaft of the building. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a roof having a skylight and a solar powered light assembly having lighting elements disposed on a collar inserted within a light shaft of the building. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial top view of a skylight having the solar powered light assembly taken from lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial top view of a solar panel mounted on a roof of a building. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a roof having a skylight and a light assembly similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , but having a wind turbine for generating wind power. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a roof having a skylight and a light assembly having a plurality of housings each housing containing a light element and circumscribing an outer perimeter of the skylight. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top view of the skylight taken from lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a building having a wall mounted light assembly coupled to a solar panel. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a building having a wall mounted light assembly coupled to a wind turbine. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross sectional view of a solar panel and rechargeable battery mounted to a roof of a building. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a wall mounted light assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a wall mounted low level light assembly showing a first position of the lighting elements. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a wall mounted low level light assembly showing a second position of the lighting elements. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. 
     Furthermore, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, and modifications described and as such may vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular elements only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
     Referring to the Figures,  FIGS. 1-6  show a renewably energy powered light assembly  10  for a skylight  12 , having a frame or housing  14  including lighting elements  16 , a solar panel  18  or a wind turbine  48 , and a rechargeable battery  20 . The lighting elements  16  are each connected to the renewable energy source, such as the solar panel  18  or the wind turbine  38 , and the rechargeable battery  20  to provide a renewable energy powered light assembly. 
     In one configuration, the frame  14  is an L-shaped plate  22  having an upper portion  24  contiguous a portion of a wall  25  of a light shaft  26  and a lower portion  28  contiguous the ceiling  30  and adjacent the light shaft  26 . In this configuration, the lighting elements  16  are mounted on, or within, the lower portion  28  of the L-shaped plate  22 . Any suitable material can be used for the L-shaped plate  22 , including but not limited to plastic and metal materials. The L-shaped plate  22  can be adhesively secured to the ceiling  30  and the wall  25  of the light shaft  26  by any suitable adhesive. In the alternative or in addition, the L-shaped plate  22  can be secured by other fastening materials, including but not limited to, screws, screws with anchor bolts, nails, clips, and other fasteners known in the art. Preferably, the L-shaped plate  22  includes at least two lighting elements  16  that are spaced a predetermined distance from each other. For example, the lighting elements  16  can be spaced approximately between six inches and thirty-six inches from each other. Preferably, the light assembly  10  includes two to twelve lighting elements  16  spaced at least six inches from each other. Thus, the light assembly  10  can include a plurality of lighting elements  16  that circumscribe the skylight  12  and provides a renewable energy powered light source that can be used instead of, or in addition to, lights in a building powered by the electrical grid. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an additional solar panel  32  is mounted along the inner perimeter of the lower portion  28  of the L-shaped plate  22 . This solar panel  32  is arranged to collect light from the other lighting elements within the building that are powered by the electrical grid and allow for the additional storage of energy when the other lighting elements in the building are used. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill that an additional solar panel  32  can be mounted along the outer perimeter of the lower portion  28  of the L-shaped plate  22  and this modification is intended to be within the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     In an alternative configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the frame  14  is a collar  34  disposed within the light shaft  26 . In this configuration, the lighting elements  16  are mounted on, or within, the collar  34 . Any suitable material can be used for collar  34 , including but not limited to plastic and metal materials. The collar  34  can be adhesively secured to the wall  25  of the light shaft  26  by any suitable adhesive and/or secured by other fastening materials, including but not limited to, screws, screws with anchor bolts, nails, clips, and other fasteners known in the art. Preferably, the collar  34  includes at least two lighting elements  16  that are spaced a predetermined distance from each other. More preferably, the collar  34  includes four to twelve lighting elements  16  spaced at least six inches from each other. In this configuration, the light assembly  10  includes a plurality of lighting elements  16  disposed along the perimeter of the light shaft  26  and provides a renewable energy powered light source that can be used instead of, or in addition to, lights in a building powered by the electrical grid. 
     In yet another configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the light assembly  10  for a skylight  12  includes a plurality of housings  36 , each housing  36  having a lighting element  16  within a lower portion  38  of the housing  36  which extends toward the ceiling  30  of a building and a solar panel  18  and rechargeable battery  20  in the upper portion  40  of the housing  36  extending through the roof  42  and outside of the building. Any suitable material can be used for housings  36 , including but not limited to plastic and metal materials. The solar panel  18  is positioned outside of the building to collect light and generate power for the lighting elements  16 . Each housing  36  is installed such that the lighting elements  16  circumscribe the skylight  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 . That is, the plurality of housings  36  is arranged about a perimeter of the skylight  12  wherein each housing  36  is spaced at a predetermined distance from another. Each lighting element  16  is connected to a solar panel  18  and a rechargeable battery  20  within the housing  36  to provide a solar powered light assembly. 
     The lighting elements  16  are preferably incandescent, fluorescent, halogen or light emitting diode (LED) lights. Since LED lights are energy efficient and long lasting, lighting elements  16  are more preferably LED lights. Further, the lighting elements  16  preferably provide a low level lighting that is dim enough to be left on at night, but that illuminates the surrounding area with enough light to allow an individual to view objects in the area. That is, light output of each lighting element  16  should be 100 lumens or less and more preferably, 25 lumens or less. It should be appreciated that although a skylight is shown in the Figures, the light assembly  10  can be similarly arranged around a window, or any type of roof aperture with a window, or similar opening in a building. 
     The lighting elements  16  are preferably powered by a renewable energy source. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ,  8  and  10  the lighting elements  16  are connected, for example, to a solar power source  44  including the solar panel  18 , the rechargeable battery  20 , and the wires  46  connecting the solar panel  18  and rechargeable battery  20  to the lighting elements  16 . The solar panel  18  comprises a plurality of electrically connected photovoltaic cells. Although one solar panel  18  is shown, it should be appreciated that a plurality of solar panels can be used. The solar panel  18  can be mounted anywhere on the building that receives sunlight, including the roof as shown in the Figures. In another configuration, the renewable energy source is wind power. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , the lighting elements  16  can be connected to a wind turbine  48  having a rechargeable battery (not shown) and by wires  46 . Preferably, the wind turbine  48  is large enough to generate enough power to illuminate at least two lighting elements, which power may be stored in the rechargeable battery. 
     Each configuration can include a sensor  49  for detecting ambient light levels and activating the renewable energy powered lighting elements  16  when the ambient light level is below a desired ambient light level and deactivating the renewable energy powered lighting elements when the ambient light level is above a desired ambient light level. Each configuration can alternatively include a timer (not shown) that turns the lighting elements  16  on and off at designated times. Each configuration can also include a translucent cover (not shown) having a perimeter circumscribing the perimeter edge of the window and overlying the lighting elements  16 . A plurality of translucent panels, each enclosing at least one lighting element  16  can be used instead. 
     Referring to the  FIGS. 8-13 , a renewably energy powered light assembly  50  for a wall  52  is shown, which includes a plurality of lighting elements  54 , a renewable energy source, such as a solar panel  56  or a wind turbine  64 , and a rechargeable battery  58 . The solar panel  56  is externally mounted adjacent the building  60  for generating power for the plurality of renewable energy powered lighting elements  54 . Wires  62  connect the lighting elements  54  to the solar panel  56  and the rechargeable battery  20  to provide a renewable energy source powered light assembly. Although four light elements  54  are shown in  FIG. 11 , it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the number of lighting elements  54  included in the light assembly  50  can be increased or decreased as necessary. That is, lighting elements  54  should be spaced at least 36 inches apart to provide enough light to dimly illuminate a hallway or other area. The light assembly  50 , therefore, can be used as a nightlight. Preferably, the lighting elements  54  are each approximately 3 inches wide by 2.5 inches high and are disposed within the wall  52  between ankle height and knee height. The lighting elements  54  can be incandescent, fluorescent, halogen or light emitting diode (LED) lights. However, since LED lights are energy efficient and long lasting, lighting elements  54  are preferably LED lights. The light assembly  50  can be disposed on any story of a building and connected to the renewable energy source mounted adjacent the building. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the renewable energy source can be generated from solar power as described above or wind power via a wind turbine  64  sized to generate enough power for at least two lighting elements  54 . 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.