Abstract:
An autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system includes a set of one or more self-standing rechargeable lighting fixtures (luminaries) removably supported on a recharging and support member. The luminaries each include a light diffusor that may resemble a candle that turn on when removed from the recharging and support member. The luminaries may also turn on when power to the recharging and support member is turned off, turning the luminaries on automatically as during a power failure. The luminaries may each be inductively coupled to the recharging and support member, which enables to provide an aesthetically pleasing interface free of electrical contacts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of allowed U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 09/885,848 filed Jun. 20, 2001 of the same inventive entity as herein, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,965, incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is drawn to the field of illumination, and more particularly, to a novel rechargeable lamp system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Candles may be moved and placed to provide illumination and/or ambience. While their utilitarian and aesthetic advantages are well-known, candles suffer from an undesirable self-consumption, needing to be replaced when used-up; produce smoke especially when snuffed, which may foul the air; require vigilant attendance to mitigate an ever-present fire hazard; are susceptible to being extinguished by gusts of air when used outdoors or moved around; and may give rise to undesirable wax build-up, which in many instances needs removed from candle support members or underlying structures. 
     There is thus a need to provide a rechargeable lamp system that enjoys the many utilitarian and aesthetic advantages of candles but is not subject to their disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to disclose a rechargeable lamp system that provides candle-like lighting for indoor or outdoor use that avoids the problems associated with candles. 
     In accordance therewith, the autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of the present invention includes a recharging platter adapted to receive a set of luminaries including a first circuit coupled to each luminary of said set of luminaries received thereon operative in response to supplied AC power to provide a charge signal to each luminary of said set of luminaries received thereon; and a set of luminaries each having a light emitting element connected to a rechargeable battery pack via a second circuit operative in one mode to charge said rechargeable battery pack in response to said charge signal when each luminary of said set of luminaries is received on said recharging platter and operative in another mode to activate said light emitting element in response to the absence of said signal, whereby, each said luminary lights if removed from said recharging platter and lights if no AC power is supplied to said recharging platter when received therein. 
     In the presently preferred embodiments, the set of luminaries includes one or more luminaries each of which is inductively coupled to the first circuit of the recharging platter. The inductive coupling provides automatic, hands-free recharging of the rechargeable battery pack of a luminary upon its receipt by the recharging platter, and provides automatic, hands-free actuation of a luminary when it is removed therefrom. 
     In the presently preferred embodiments, each luminary of the set of luminaries is self-standing and includes a diffusor that may be shaped to resemble a candle releasably mounted to a base member supporting said light emitting element therewithin. 
     In further accordance therewith, the autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of the present invention includes a wall mountable charging base adapted to support a set of luminaries including a first circuit coupled to each luminary of said set of luminaries supported thereon operative in response to supplied AC power to provide a charge signal to each luminary of said set of luminaries supported thereon; and a set of luminaries each having a light emitting element connected to a rechargeable battery pack via a second circuit operative in one mode to charge said rechargeable battery pack in response to said charge signal when each luminary of said set of luminaries is supported thereon and operative in another mode to activate said light emitting element in response to the absence of said signal, whereby, each said luminary lights if removed from said wall mountable charging base and lights if no AC power is supplied to said wall mountable charging base when supported thereon. 
     In the presently preferred embodiments, the wall mountable charging base may be plugged directly into an AC wall outlet and/or mounted adjacent an AC wall outlet by any suitable mounting hardware. 
     In further accordance therewith, the autoilluminating rechargeable lamp system of the present invention includes a charging base adapted to support a set of luminaries including a first circuit coupled to each luminary of said set of luminaries supported thereon operative in response to supplied AC power to provide a charge signal to each luminary of said set of luminaries supported thereon; a sensor to provide a seat signal representative that each luminary of said set of luminaries is supported on said charging base; and a set of luminaries each having a light emitting element connected to a rechargeable battery pack via a second circuit operative in one mode to charge said rechargeable battery pack in response to said charge signal when each luminary of said set of luminaries is supported thereon and operative in another mode to activate said light emitting element in response to the absence of said seat signal, whereby, each said luminary lights if removed from said charging base and does not light if no AC power is supplied to said charging base when supported thereon. 
     In the presently preferred embodiments, the charging base maybe provided with a removable cover that protects the luminaries during charging, storage, and a handle that aids in transit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, advantageous features and inventive aspects of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a charging stand and one lamp module; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the charging stand; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the charging stand; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the charging stand; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the charging stand, taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the charging stand, taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the charging stand circuit; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lamp module according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the lamp module; 
     FIG. 10 is a right side view of the lamp module; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of the lamp module; 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the lamp module; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the lamp module taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the lamp module taken along line  14 — 14  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the lamp module taken along line  15 — 15  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 16 is an exemplary embodiment of a circuit diagram of the lamp module circuit board according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a pictorial view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a wall mountable charging base and four lamp modules; 
     FIG. 18 is a pictorial view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a wall plug mountable charging base and single lamp modules; 
     FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing a carrier/charging base and eight lamp modules; 
     FIG. 20 is a pictorial view showing one module-to-carrier/charging base interface; 
     FIGS. 21 and 22 are block diagrams respectively of exemplary carrier/charging base and lamp module circuitry. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral  10  generally refers to the rechargeable lamp system of the present invention. Lamp system  10  comprises a charging stand  12  and a plurality of lamp modules  110 ,  111 ,  112  and  114 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stand  12  comprises slots  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  which are each adapted to removably receive one of said lamp modules  110 ,  111 ,  112  and  114 . Slots  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  each include a respective cylindrical wall  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  and a substantially planar floor  46 ,  48 ,  50  and  52 . 
     A power cord  24  having an inline power switch  26  and a “wall-block” style transformer provides power to charging stand  12  via ordinary 120-volt household current. In alternate embodiments, the transformer may be dispensed with. 
     As will be described in greater detail herein, each of modules  110 ,  111 ,  112  and  114  is battery-powered and designed to be charged by magnetic induction when placed in a respective one of slots  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22 . Modules  110 ,  111 ,  112  and  114  are each designed to illuminate when removed from slots  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22 , or when AC power is cut off to charging stand  12 . 
     The number of lamp modules (and a corresponding slot for each module) shown in the preferred embodiment is intended to be merely exemplary. It should be understood that the lamp system  10  of the present invention maybe constructed with any number of modules. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, stand  12  also includes an upper portion  30  and a lower portion  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, upper portion  30  is ceramic. However, upper portion  30  may be made from other suitable materials, such as wood or plastic. In the interest of economy, lower portion  32  in the exemplary embodiment is formed of injection-molded plastic, but may as well be made of other suitable materials, such as steel or other metal or other material. In the exemplary embodiment, upper portion  30  and lower portion  32  snap together. However, any suitable means, such as bonding, screws, etc. could be used to secure upper portion  30  and lower portion  32 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2,  5  and  6 , stand  12  further includes a circuit board  58  which is hard-wired to cord  24  and four primary induction coils (wired in parallel), one coil encircling each of walls  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44 , respectively. FIG. 5 shows a pair of primary induction coils  54  and  56  that encircle walls  44  and  42 , respectively. Identical primary coils (not shown) encircle walls  38  and  40 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the circuit formed by transformer  28 , inline power switch  26 , and primary induction coil  54 . As shown in FIG. 7, transformer  28  converts  120  volts AC to  12  volts AC. The three other primary induction coils, not shown, are preferably wired in parallel with primary induction coil  54 . In other embodiments, the transformer component can be replaced by the inductor coils (on the platter and luminaries), whose turn-ratios are selected to provide a stepped-down voltage to the lamps. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, an oscillator providing frequencies higher than line frequency may be employed to improve efficiency (inductor size and attendant cost). 
     Modules  110 ,  111  and  112  are identical to module  114 . Thus, it will only be necessary to describe module  114  in detail. 
     As shown in FIGS. 8-16, module  114  comprises a diffuser  116 , a light bulb  118 , a battery pack  120 , a circuit board  122 , a secondary induction coil  124  and a base  126 . 
     Diffuser  116  in the exemplary embodiment is formed of blow-molded plastic (or glass) having a frosted outer surface  142 . It could also be injection-molded plastic with a frosted, translucent finish. In the exemplary embodiment, diffuser  116  is slender and elongated in shape and includes a mid-section  146  that tapers upwardly to a tip  144  and tapers slightly to a tail  148 . This shape is chosen to provide optimal light color and transmission, as well as even diffusion of light from bulb  118 . Obviously, numerous alternative shapes for diffuser  116  are possible. However, the internal volume created by diffuser  116  must be sufficient to envelop bulb  118 , battery pack  120  and circuit board  122 . In addition, because of the heat generated by bulb  118 , it is desirable to provide air space between bulb  118  and diffuser  116  to prevent diffuser  118  from melting or deforming. 
     Base  126  comprises a lower portion  128  that provides stable support for module  114  when placed on a level surface or within slot  16 . Neck  130  is adapted to removably receive diffuser  116  (to enable access to bulb  118  and battery pack  120 ). Neck  130  includes tabs  134 ,  136 ,  138  and  140  and a lip  135  that cooperate to secure tail  148  of module  114  to neck  130  (see FIGS. 8,  13  and  14 ). 
     Battery pack  120  in the exemplary embodiment comprises three “AA” Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) cells wrapped in PVC shrink-wrap and having a total output of 3.6 Vdc and 500-800 mA. Of course, other types and sizes of rechargeable cells, such as Nickel-Metal-Hydride or Lithium cells, could be substituted for the Ni-Cad cells. Such cells would provide more power, and charge more quickly than Ni-Cads, but are substantially more expensive. 
     The power requirements for bulb  118  are, of course, chosen to match the power output of battery pack  120 . In the exemplary embodiment, bulb  118  is a conventional miniature incandescent bulb, such as Chicago Miniature Lamp, Inc. part #CM1738, having an output of 1 candela and having design power requirements of 2.80V and 60 mA and an expected life of 6,000 hours. Of course, other lamps and types of light sources, such as a light-emitting diode (L.E.D.) may be substituted for bulb  118 . The incandescent bulb shown is preferred because of its balance of cost, heat generation, power consumption, expected service life and brightness characteristics. 
     As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, bulb  118  and battery pack  120  are preferably hard-wired to circuit board  122 . As shown in FIG. 16, circuit board  122  comprises four primary circuits that control the charging of battery pack  120  and the lighting of bulb  118 . 
     A charging circuit  150  regulates the voltage and current flowing to battery pack  120  from secondary induction coil  124  to prevent damage to battery pack  120 . A latch circuit  154  cuts off current to bulb  118  when the voltage output of battery pack  120  drops below 3.1 volts, thus preventing damage to battery pack  120  which could be caused by fully draining battery pack  120 . A charge-sensing switch  156  works in cooperation with latch circuit  154  to turn off current to bulb  118  when current is detected in charging circuit  150 . A constant current source circuit  152  provides a constant flow of current (65 mA in the exemplary embodiment) to bulb  118 . This enables bulb  118  to shine at a constant brightness despite fluctuations in the output current from battery pack  120 . In alternate embodiments, a constant voltage source could be employed. 
     As described above, battery pack  120  is charged by magnetic induction. The magnetic field created by primary induction coil  54  (when current is applied) induces a current in secondary induction coil  124  when secondary induction coil  124  is concentrically located relative to primary induction coil  54 . In the present invention, this occurs when module  114  is placed within slot  16  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     It is preferable to ship battery pack  120  fully charged, as this will increase the shelf life of the Ni-Cad cells. However, shipping battery pack  120  fully charged requires the inclusion of means for electrically isolating battery pack  120  from lamp  118  between the time battery pack  120  is charged and when module  114  is first used by an end consumer. Such means could comprise a Mylar tab (not shown) inserted between two electrical contacts after the initial charging which would be removed by the consumer before first use. Alternatively, such means could comprise a fusible link (not shown). The fusible link would be adapted to close current regulating circuit  152  when current is sensed in charging circuit  150  (i.e., the first time the consumer plugs in charging stand  12 ). 
     Operation of lamp system  10  is elegantly straightforward. As described above, bulb  118  is designed to illuminate when no current is sensed in charging circuit  150 . Thus, bulb  118  will automatically turn on when module  114  is removed from slot  16 . Charging stand  12  and module  114  can also function as a table lamp by leaving module  114  in slot  16  and switching off inline power switch  26 . Module  114  also functions as an emergency light—automatically turning on during a power failure. 
     Referring now to FIG. 17, reference numeral  200  generally refers to another exemplary embodiment of the rechargeable lamp system of the present invention. Lamp system  200  comprises a wall mountable charging base generally designated  202  and four lamp modules generally designated  204 . The number of lamp modules shown in the preferred embodiment is intended to be merely exemplary. It should be understood that the lamp system  200  of the present invention may be constructed with any number of modules. 
     As shown, the wall mountable charging base  202  comprises projections  206  spaced laterally apart a distance larger than the width of each lamp module  204 , and each lamp module  204  comprises an opening thereinthrough generally designated  208  adjacent to its top surface. The projections  206  cooperate with the openings  208  to removably support the lamp modules  204  on the wall mountable charging base  202 . Projections  206  and openings  208  are each of generally cylindrical geometry, although projections and openings of another geometry or other removable supporting means may be employed without departing from the inventive concepts. 
     Each projection has a free end, and a diffuser  210  is removably or fixedly mounted to the free end over an LED and ambient light sensor mounted thereon not shown, that switches the LED “on” in response to a condition of ambient darkness, Each lamp module  204  has a flat base  212  and a front face diffuser  214  that extends from top to bottom and surrounds the opening  208 . The flat base  212  enables to place each lamp module  204  on a shelf or table and the opening  208  allows it to be carried about or hung on a hook to provide illumination in a wide variety of situations. 
     A power cord  216  having an inline power switch, not shown, provides power to wall mountable charging base  202  via ordinary 120-volt household current. The base  202  may be wall mounted over or spaced in relation to the AC wall outlet by any suitable mounting means, and a recess and/or power cord wrap or other means may be employed to stow any excess cord within the wall mountable charging base  202 . In alternate embodiments, the power switch may be dispensed with. 
     As in the embodiment described above in connection with the description of the FIGS. 1-16, each lamp module  204  is designed to be charged by magnetic induction. Inductive magnetic coupling is provided by primary and secondary coils, not shown, carried on the projections  206  of the charging base and about the openings  208  of the lamp modules  204  when supported by a respective one of the projections  206 . Other coupling means such as mating electrical contacts or other means could be employed without departing from the inventive concepts, 
     As in the embodiment described above in connection with the description of the FIGS. 1-16, modules  204  are each designed to illuminate when removed from projections  206 , or when AC power is cut off to wall mountable charging base  202 , The wall mountable recharging base includes a first charge circuit responsive to supplied AC power to provide a charge signal and each lamp module includes a light emitting element connected to a rechargeable battery pack via a second circuit operative in one mode to charge the rechargeable battery pack in response to the charge signal when each lamp module is supported by the wall mountable charging base and operative in another mode to activate the light emitting element in response to the absence of the charge signal, whereby, each lamp module lights if removed from the wall mountable recharging base and lights if no AC power is supplied to the wall mountable recharging base when supported thereon. 
     A switch, not shown, may be provided to independently turn each lamp module  204  on/off to conserve charge or to use the light as needed. 
     Referring now to FIG. 18, reference numeral  230  generally refers to another exemplary embodiment of the rechargeable lamp system of the present invention. Lamp system  230  comprises a wall plug mountable charging base generally designated  232  and a single lamp module generally designated  234 . The embodiment  230  is generally the same as the embodiment  200  described above in connection with the description of FIG. 17, except the wall plug mountable charging base  232  includes extending plug members  236  adapted to plug the base directly into a standard AC wall outlet. 
     Referring now to FIG. 19, reference numeral  250  generally refers to another exemplary embodiment of the rechargeable lamp system of the present invention. Lamp system  250  comprises a carrier/charging base generally designated  252  and ten lamp modules generally designated  254 . A cover  256 , preferably translucent, is removably mounted by any suitable means to the carrier/charging base  252  and a handle member  258 , preferably of aluminum but which could be of other metal or material, is attached by any suitable means to be carrier/charging base  252 . The cover member  256  protects the lamp modules during charging, storage and transit, and the handle member  258  provides for ease of transport. The number of lamp modules shown in the preferred embodiment is intended to be merely exemplary. It should be understood that the lamp system  250  of the present invention may be constructed with any number of modules. 
     Referring now to FIG. 20, reference numeral  270  generally shows a pictorial view of one module-to-carrier/charging base interface. Unlike inductive coupling employed for the hereinabove described embodiments, contacts  272  on carrier/charging base  252  cooperate with contacts  274  to provide the charge signal to each lamp module  254  when supported on the carrier/charging base  252 . Spring-loaded arms  276  are provided to hold each lamp module  254  when seated in receptacles generally designated  278  provided therefore on the carrier/charging base  252 . And on/off membrane switch  280  (or other suitable means) is provided on each lamp module  254  by which they may be independently turned on/off. A charging status LED  282  for each module is provided on the carrier/charging base  252  that lights when the associated lamp module  254  is fully charged. Seat sensor contacts  284 ,  286  provides a seat signal used by each lamp module in a manner to be described to inhibit lighting of each lamp module when supported on the carrier/charging base if no AC power is supplied. The seat signal is preferably at ground potential, although any suitable sensor contact or other means providing any signal representative of a lamp module being in supported condition could be employed without departing from the inventive concepts 
     Referring now to FIG. 21, reference numeral  270  generally shows a block diagram of the carrier/charging base circuitry. As shown, an AC/DC converter  272  responds to standard AC power to provide a charge signal output signal and the seat sensor  274  provides a seat signal at ground potential. The AC/DC converter  272  preferably includes a timer to turn off the charge signal after a predetermined time determined to provide a full charge for each rechargeable battery pack. 
     Referring now to FIG. 22, reference numeral  300  generally shows a block diagram of the lamp module circuitry. A charging circuit  302  regulates the voltage and current flowing to battery pack  304  (of each module) to prevent damage to battery pack  304 . A latch circuit  306  cuts off current to each lamp when the voltage output of battery pack  304  drops below a predetermined value, thus preventing damage to battery pack  304  which could be caused by fully draining battery pack  304 . Latch circuit  306  works in cooperation with a charge-sensing switch  308  to turn off current to each lamp when current is detected in charging circuit  302  or when the seat signal is detected. A constant current source circuit  310  provides a constant flow of current to each lamp. This enables the lamps to shine at a constant brightness despite fluctuations in the output current from battery pack  304 . In alternate embodiments, a constant voltage source could be employed. 
     The present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the described embodiments, and departures may be made therefrom without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its primary advantages. Obviously, numerous modifications may be made to the present invention. Thus, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. One feature of one embodiment may be employed in another disclosed embodiment. The power cord may be made removable to base placement without cord limitations. Other modifications will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.