Abstract:
The present invention is a light apparatus comprised of a housing, which forms a contoured surface plate having a lower surface and an upper surface adapted to receive a carved cucurbit; at least one socket adapted to receive a light bulb so that the light bulb is positioned perpendicular to said upper surface of said contoured face plate; at least one power source component operatively coupled to the socket, and at least one spiked member adapted to pierce and secure the carved cucurbit.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of lamps, and in particular, to a lantern which uses a carved cucurbit housing to encase the light source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate perspective views of a cucurbit lantern device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of one component a cucurbit lantern device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of a cucurbit lantern device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a cucurbit lantern device. 
         FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate sectional views of a cucurbit lantern device. 
     
    
    
     GLOSSARY 
     As used herein, the term “cucurbit” refers to various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes the squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, watermelon and cantaloupe. As used herein, a cucurbit includes a synthetic cucurbit. 
     As used herein, the term “socket” refers to a component adapted to conduct electricity and/or make an electrical connection between a light bulb or any other component and a power source. 
     As used herein, the term “power source” refers to an electrical source, a battery and/or a solar energy storage device. 
     As used herein, the term “integrally constructed” means molded as a single unit or fixedly attached. 
     As used herein, the term “base component” refers to a component which raises the lower surface of a contoured surface plate off of the supporting surface. A base component may include, but is not limited to a single base component, a plurality of columns, feet, pegs, felt, fabric or any other structure known in the art for lifting a contoured surface plate. A base component may or may not be integrally constructed with the contoured surface plate, and may further be adapted for stacking or transport. 
     As used herein, the term “structural support ridge” refers to a ridge on the outer edge of a component that adds structural support to the component. 
     As used herein, the term “selectively attachable” means removable for use. A selectively attachable component may be tethered, contoured for attachment, or fastened or mounted in an unsecured manner. 
     As used here, the term “lamp” refers to a portable device that generates light and has a casing for enclosing a light source. 
     As used herein, the term “casing” means a component that encases a light source and/or other electrical components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Approximately $1.5 billion of revenue is earned from pumpkin sales each year, most of which spent on pumpkins for ornamental use. 
     Pumpkins have a hard, rounded shell, which enables them to be easily carved. Traditionally, pumpkins are carved and illuminated, but other gourds and shelled fruits, such as watermelons, gourds, squash, etc. (known as “cucurbits”) are also susceptible for carving, illumination and ornamental use. 
     Pumpkins are traditionally illuminated with candles or other lighting. Candles, particularly tea lights, are one of the most common ways to light a jack-o&#39;-lantern. Candles present a fire hazard, and need to be replaced frequently. Candles are often also a weaker light source and may be extinguished by wind or rain. 
     There have been numerous attempts in the prior art to design an alternative light system for illuminating a jack-o&#39;-lantern. One example is taught by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/772,475 (Conrey &#39;475). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a light apparatus comprised of a housing, which forms a contoured surface plate having a lower surface and an upper surface adapted to receive a carved cucurbit; at least one socket adapted to receive a light bulb so that the light bulb is positioned perpendicular to said upper surface of said contoured face plate; at least one power source component operatively coupled to the socket, and at least one spiked member adapted to pierce and secure the carved cucurbit. 
     In various embodiments, additional components, such as a base, feet, structural supports, multiple lighting components, audio components, insect repellent and other components may be included. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a cucurbit lantern device, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent components, materials and configurations may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
     Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of cucurbit lantern device  100  for illuminating a jack-o&#39;-lantern.  FIG. 1   b  illustrates carved cucurbit  11  mounted on cucurbit lantern device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , cucurbit lantern device  100  is comprised of contoured support plate  10  having an upper and lower surface, cutting tool  25 , socket  20 , feet  50  and power source  60 . 
     Also visible in  FIG. 1   a  is light source  70 , is a 7-watt bulb. Other embodiments may have fewer or more light sources, and lights sources of varying wattage and types. For example, in alternative embodiments light source  70  may be an LED, incandescent or compact fluorescent light. In varying embodiments, the color and/or features of the light bulb may vary. For example, the bulb may flicker to mimic a candle and/or be placed on a timer. In the embodiment shown, cucurbit lantern device  100  may be used indoors or outdoors. 
     Still other embodiments may include further mechanical features, such as audio, motion detector and insect repelling components. 
     In the embodiment shown, contoured support plate  10  is slightly concave and further includes spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  and drainage holes  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , and  40   d . In the embodiment shown, contoured support plate  10  further includes structural support ridge  80  which strengthens contoured support plate  10 . 
     Cutting tool  25  has a serrated circumferential edge  26  or other cutting edge for cutting into cucurbit  11  (e.g., a pumpkin). Cutting tool  25  may be selectively removed from contoured support plate  10  and pressed into the bottom of cucurbit  11  to create a hole having the desired dimensions for inserting cucurbit  11  over light  70 . 
     In the embodiment shown, spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  are located approximately 2¼ inches from the edge of contoured support plate  10 , are approximately ⅜ inches wide at the base, and taper to an approximately ⅛ inch point on top. Spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  are used to secure a carved cucurbit on contoured support plate  10 . 
     In the embodiment shown, socket  20  has a diameter of approximately ¾ inches and cutting tool  25  has a diameter of approximately 1⅜ inches and a height of approximately 2 inches, but may be of any height or width. In the embodiment shown, contoured support plate  10  is approximately ¼ inch thick in the center and tapers to a thickness of approximately 3/16 inches at the outer edge. The ground clearance as the center of contoured support plate  10  is approximately ½ inches with an increasing ground clearance as contoured support plate  10  concaves inward. 
     In various other embodiments, contoured support plate  10  may have more or fewer spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  and/or drainage holes  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , and  40   d  or have spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  and/or drainage holes  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c , and  40   d  of varying sizes, shapes and locations. 
     In the embodiment shown, contoured support plate  10 , feet  50 , and spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  are singly molded from a semi-flexible plastic, and cutting tool  25  is formed from a hard plastic. In an exemplary embodiment, cucurbit lantern device  100  is reusable and dishwasher safe. 
     Still other embodiments may include ornamental components for piercing the surface of said cucurbit to create apertures through which light is emitted and refracted. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a cucurbit lantern device  100 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, upper surface includes points x and y, which represent the highest points from the center of contoured surface plate  10 . In various embodiments, the distance from points x and y to each other and from the center (i.e., the depth of contoured surface plate  10  may be increased or decreased so that cucurbit lantern device  100  may be adapted for various size cucurbits. The ground clearance and height of center protuberance may also vary. In the exemplary embodiment shown, cucurbit lantern device is adapted to hold a 30-pound pumpkin or other cucurbit. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of a cucurbit lantern device  100 . In the embodiment shown, feet  50   a ,  50   b , and  50   c  are located centered directly below spiked members  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  (not visible). In the embodiment shown, feet  50   a ,  50   b , and  50   c  are crescent shaped, but in other embodiments may be round, square, oval or any other shape. 
     In the embodiment shown, cucurbit lantern device  100  has a 6-foot electrical cord, which is coupled to socket  20 ; however, in other embodiments, the length of cord may vary or light  70  may be powered by an alternate power source, such as a battery. In various embodiments, cucurbit lantern device may have a switch or remote control component. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a cucurbit lantern device  100  showing contoured support plate  10 , structural support ridge  80 , cutting tool  25 , base component  55 , and feet  50   a ,  50   b , and  50   c.    
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate sectional views of a cucurbit lantern device  100 .  FIG. 5   a  further illustrates the functionality of cucurbit  11  as a housing for light source  70 .