Abstract:
A Shabbat bulb and a related method is provided allowing control of illumination without electrical intervention by a person observing strictures of Shabbat orthodox Jewish law. The bulb includes a housing covering an electrically operated light source. A blackout mechanism is attached to but easily separable from the housing and has no operating connection with electrical circuitry. The mechanism includes a disc having at least one disc aperture through which light from the light source is transmitted; and an arm projecting radially outward from the disc. Manual movement of the arm from an open position to a closed position respectively allows full or totally no illumination to exit the bulb via the disc.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a light emitting device which allows control of the illumination without electrical intervention by a person observing Shabbat (Sabbath) orthodox Jewish law. More specifically, full illumination can be adjusted outwardly by a purely mechanical manipulation without touching the power or light source of the device. 
         [0003]    2. The Related Art 
         [0004]    Shabbat observant Jews may not turn on or off electrical switches or electrical devices and appliances from sundown Friday until after sunset on the following Saturday. This prohibition often forces a Shabbat observant family to leave some lights on during this period. These lights can be disturbing to some family members, most particularly those wishing to retire and go to sleep. 
         [0005]    Automatic electric timers are widely used by these families to control the period of illumination. Among the disadvantages of the electric timers is that they need to be set up prior to Shabbat and that they cannot be adjusted during that day without violating religious prohibitions. 
         [0006]    Currently there is a commercial light fixture for sale known as the KOSHER LAMP distributed by the Kosher Innovations Company and described in US Patent Publication Application No. 2005/0036322A1 titled “Lamp”, invented by Samuel C. Veffer, and filed Jul. 28, 2004. Therein is described a standalone lighting fixture that accepts a standard incandescent or CFL bulb or fluorescent device that remains on at all times. Light is released or blocked from entering a space or room by manually rotating a cylinder cover having a single small opening. The cylinder cover with opening revolves around the bulb or device for control of illumination. 
         [0007]    There are several disadvantages to the KOSHER LAMP product. Firstly, the product is not bright enough for certain applications because only a small portion of light exits from the small opening in a limited projection. This constraint engenders eye strain on users of the lamp when reading because of the lack of brightness. Secondly, the KOSHER LAMP architecture consigns placement on a flat table top and cannot easily be adapted to a wall or ceiling. The product is simply not suitable for multiple mounting positions. Finally, the product has limited light beam coverage with difficulty in placing light simultaneously in many directions. The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and provides many other advantages. 
         [0008]    Other documents which may have relevance to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 2,841,695 (Bentsen). Therein described is a night light fitted with a shading shield mechanically adjustable via a manual control knob outside a housing for the night light. 
         [0009]    Another document is US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0128493 A1 (Osaki et al). Therein is described an illumination device employing a semiconductor light emitting element or diode (LED), a variable color fluorescent-substance unit and, cooperating therewith, a dimming unit. Neither structural features nor purpose of the dimming unit are directed at achieving a total blackout. 
         [0010]    A still further document is U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,025 (Hofmann et al). Described therein is a device including an illumination source and a mechanical dimming device, the latter being an array of partially overlapping blades covering an optical passageway. 
         [0011]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,562 (McGrann et al) reports a slit lamp for an ophthalmological instrument. Among features of the lamp is a single knob for varying slit width to adjust light intensity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention relates to a combination light source and light interrupter herein referred to as a blackout mechanism which passes (open position), interrupts (intermediate positions) or fully blocks (closed position) the flow of light from the light source into a space or room that would otherwise be illuminated by the light source. The blackout mechanism does not directly touch any part of the light source or any of its associated electrical activation parts. The light source remains on at all times. Within these times the blackout mechanism may be manually operated by a user to pass or block out the light from the light source into a space or room. 
         [0013]    The subject invention reduces the inconvenience caused by a light fixture that remains electrically turned on by providing a combination light source and blackout mechanism that is suitable for reading or other purposes. It is easily and conveniently adapted to selectively provide light in any lighting fixture or light socket that will accept the combination of light source and blackout mechanism. 
         [0014]    In accordance with the present invention, a light adjustable Shabbat bulb is provided which allows control of illumination without electrical intervention by a person observing strictures of Shabbat orthodox Jewish law, the bulb including:
       a housing covering an electrically operated light source, the housing having a power connecting end and an oppositely arranged illumination transmitting end, both ends being aligned along a common axis;   a blackout mechanism separable from the illumination transmitting end and having no operating connection with electrical circuitry, the mechanism including:
           a disc mounted including at least one disc aperture through which light from the light source is transmitted; and   an arm projecting radially outward from the disc, manual movement of the arm from an open position to a closed position respectively allowing full or totally no illumination to exit the bulb via the at least one disc aperture.   
               
 
         [0019]    Advantageously in some embodiments the blackout mechanism includes an outer ring. The disc can be mounted in coplanar arrangement to and supported within the outer ring and the arm can project radially outward from the outer ring. 
         [0020]    Further provided is a method for non-electrically controlling illumination from a light bulb, the method including: 
         [0000]    obtaining a Shabbat bulb which includes:
       a housing covering an electrically operated light source, the housing having a power connecting end and an oppositely arranged illumination transmitting end, both ends being aligned along a common axis;   a blackout mechanism separable from the illumination transmitting end and having no operating connection with electrical circuitry, the mechanism including:
           a disc including at least one disc aperture through which light from the light source is transmitted; and   an arm projecting radially outward from the disc, manual movement of the arm from an open position to a closed position respectively allowing full or totally no illumination to exit the bulb via the at least one disc aperture;
 
inserting the bulb into a power delivery fixture and generating an illumination; and
 
moving the arm from the open to the closed position on Shabbat by a person observing orthodox Jewish law.
   
               
 
         [0025]    In operation, the light source is powered up by insertion into a light socket of either a standalone or inside a lighting fixture or lamp. Thereafter or prior to powering up, the blackout mechanism may be secured to the light source via a coupling mechanism. Most embodiments will have complementary interacting coupling mechanisms on both the light source and on the blackout mechanism. These complementary mechanisms may be male interacting with female devices. Suitable coupling mechanisms may be threaded, press-in, snap-in, twist-in, or lock-in couplings. Electricity supply to the light source is generally through a light socket of a lamp which then receives energy through connection to a power cord inserted into an AC wall outlet. Battery power may also be used to energize as a replacement for AC wall outlet power. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the portable blackout mechanism may include an outer ring supporting in parallel relationship a disc and a circular support. A centered disc aperture and a central opening are formed respectively in the disc and circular support to allow passage of light beams from the light source. Sandwiched between the disc and circular support is a blackout plate (preferably round) having a surface area sufficient to totally cover the disc aperture and central opening. Attached to the blackout plate is a blackout arm extending outward and oriented perpendicular to the disc and circular support. One end of the blackout arm is formed with a handle allowing a user to manipulate the blackout plate. A pivot mechanism such as a pivot screw connects the blackout arm to at least one of the disc or circular support. 
         [0027]    A version of the aforementioned embodiment utilizes a blackout mechanism formed of an elongate one-piece rectangular blackout arm featuring an aperture opening with a diameter slightly larger than the disc aperture and central opening. The blackout arm is supported by, is moveable through, and extends outward from the edge slots. Opposing ends of the blackout arm may have bends or tabs to arrest ejection of the arm from the edge slots. A user adjusts the amount of light exiting the bulb by moving the arm inward or outward. When the aperture opening is moved to coincide with the disc aperture and central opening, light can exit. Further movement of the arm will eventually align the disc aperture with a non-apertured solid portion of the arm thereby cutting off light from escaping the bulb. 
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment, the blackout mechanism may have multiple overlapping flaps in a shutter arrangement. A suitable shutter is available from Wilkes Iris, Ltd of West Sussex, England. 
         [0029]    Still a further embodiment, utilizes a disc with more than one disc aperture. The number of disc apertures may range from 1 to 50, more advantageously from 2 to 20, particularly from 3 to 10, and especially between 3 and 6 disc apertures. In a light transmitting open position, there may be multiple light sources arranged within the housing. Particularly, the numbers of light sources (e.g. LEDs) are of equal number to the disc apertures. For instance, where there are 3 disc apertures, there will be three separate light sources each centered below one of the 3 disc apertures. Most suitable for this embodiment are multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). These diodes may be positioned on a support plate in the housing. Preferably the diodes are equidistantly spaced (e.g. 120 degrees apart for a 3 diode set, and 60 degrees apart for a 6 diode set) on a surface of the support plate. 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the disc apertures may have conically tapered bores along the disc aperture passageway. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0031]    Further aspects, features and advantages of the Shabbat Bulb will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following appended figures in which: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is an isometric exploded view of a Shabbat bulb with optional diffusion lens cover according to a first embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is an assembled side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is an isometric exploded view of the blackout mechanism section of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a side profile view of a second embodiment featuring a beam spread lens; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5 a - d    is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate blackout mechanism showing different positions of a blackout arm with disc aperture according to a third embodiment: 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is an isometric exploded view of the housing with light source of  FIG. 1  illustrating more details of the structure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a fourth embodiment illustrating multiple light sources in the housing; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the blackout mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the combined sections shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view according to  FIG. 9  showing the fully open position of the blackout mechanism; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is an isometric bottom surface view of the blackout mechanism shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is an isometric exploded view of a fifth embodiment illustrating six light sources in the housing; 
           [0044]      FIG. 13  is a view of the blackout mechanism according to the fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the blackout mechanism shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 15  is an isometric exploded view of the housing with light sources according to the fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 16  is an isometric exploded view of the housing without light sources being shown, in accordance with the fifth embodiment per  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded assembly view of a Shabbat bulb according to the present invention. The bulb features a housing  2  surrounding an electrically operated light source  4 , a blackout mechanism  5 , and a diffusion lens  6 . The housing includes a power connecting end  8  and an oppositely arranged illumination transmitting end  10 . Both ends  8  and  10  are aligned along a common axis L. Adjacent the power connecting end is a threaded screw  12  suitable for screwable connection into an electrical socket such as, but not limited to, such as a candelabra, GU24, bi-pin, E26 medium screw or other socket base. Housing  2  may advantageously be an A19 base which has wide compatibility with sockets. 
         [0049]    Particularly useful light sources are LED lamps including discrete axial lead LEDs, surface mount LED, and LED dies with integral lenses, or COB chip on board LEDs. A driver (not shown) within the housing powers the LED. Alternatively, the light source may be a compact fluorescent source, an OLED, an electroluminescent source (EL), or incandescent filament. 
         [0050]    Diffusion lens  6  may be clear or frosted glass or plastic material. The lens surface may be smooth, faceted or textured dependent on the desired light beam dispersion and coverage. 
         [0051]    A circular insert  11  orthogonal to axis L covers the illumination transmitting end  10  of the housing. A round window  13  occupies a central position within the circular insert and serves as a conduit for light exiting the housing. 
         [0052]    Blackout mechanism  5  features an outer ring  14 , a disc  16  mounted coplanar to and supported within the outer ring, and an arm  18 . Disc  16  includes a disc aperture  20  through which light is transmitted from the light source via window  13 . Aperture  20  has an outwardly tapering bore  23 . 
         [0053]    Slot  22  is cut along a partial periphery of the outer ring. A knob  24  attached to an end of arm  18  protrudes from the slot allowing a user to manually manipulate the arm from a fully open position  28  to a fully closed position  30 , the latter permitting no light to escape from the housing.  FIGS. 1 and 2  best show the relationship of the knob to the bulb. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  illustrates more detail within the blackout mechanism. A circular non-apertured blackout plate  32  is formed at an end  34  of arm  18  opposite the end fashioned with knob  24 . Approximately midway along an elongate direction of the arm is a pivot ring  36  holding a pivot screw  38 , the latter attached to a surface of a circular support  40 . The circular support  40  has a central opening  42  through which light passes outwardly. Arm  18  is sandwiched between disc  16  and circular support  40 . The circular blackout plate  32  has a solid surface area (diameter) greater than disc  16  and thereby being sufficiently large to prevent light from traversing outward of the blackout mechanism. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  depicts a second embodiment which includes an LED light source  104 , a blackout mechanism  105  and a beam spreading diffusion lens  106 . Housing  102  surrounding the light source features a plurality of fins  107  and a threaded screw for connection into a socket. The fins project radially outward from an exterior surface of the housing, circumferentially surround the housing and are spacedly parallel to one another. The fins act as a heat sink to dissipate heat generated by the light source. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5 a - d    illustrates an alternative blackout mechanism.  FIG. 5 a    is a cross sectional view showing an outer ring  114  circumferentially surrounded by heat dissipating fins  217 . Held within the outer ring are a disc  216  with a disc aperture  220  and a circular support  240  with a central opening  242 . Disc aperture  220  and central opening  242  are longitudinally aligned to allow passage of light generated by the light source. Blackout arm  234  (seen in  FIG. 5 a    for reasons of visibility as a separate structure) is of rectangular shape and features an opening  235  in a central location between first end  237  and second end  239  of the arm. The blackout arm is sandwiched between disc  216  and circular support  240  and slideably fits through slots (not shown) found on opposing sides of the outer ring. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 5 b    the first end  237  of blackout arm  234  lies inserted within the outer ring covering both disc aperture  220  and central opening  242 . This is the first of two possible blackout positions. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5 c    shows the blackout arm inserted between the disc and circular support with opening  235  of the arm aligned with disc aperture  220  and central opening  242 . In this position, light can exit the blackout mechanism. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5 d    is a mirror of  FIG. 5 b   . Here the second end  239  lies inserted within the outer ring covering both disc aperture  220  and central opening  242 . This is the second of two possible blackout positions. Movement through the sequence of  FIGS. 5 b  to 5 c  to 5 d    occurs by a user manually pushing first end  237  or second end  239  (whichever is protruding from the outer ring) further into the slot of the outer ring. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  reveals more detail of the light source arrangement within the housing. Circular insert  11  supports a chip  44  carrying an LED as a light source. Window  13  is fastened via fasteners  46  to insert  11  and aligned to have chip  44  centered within an opening of the window  13 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 7-11  illustrate a still further embodiment. In  FIG. 7  is shown a housing  302  having a power connecting end  308  and an oppositely arranged illumination transmitting end  310 . Adjacent the power connecting end is a threaded screw  312  suitable for screwable connection into an electrical socket. A circular insert  311  covers the illumination transmitting end  310  of the housing. Three electronic chips  344  each with LEDs are supported on the circular insert  311  as a light source  304 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 8  provides a view of a blackout mechanism  305  attachable to the  FIG. 7  embodiment. The mechanism includes an outer ring  314 , a disc  316  mounted coplanar to and supported within the outer ring, and an arm  318 . Disc  316  includes three disc apertures  320   a ,  320   b ,  320   c  through which light is transmitted from the light sources. Slot  322  is cut along a partial periphery of the outer ring. A knob  324  attached to an end of arm  318  protrudes from the slot allowing a user to manually manipulate the arm from a fully open position  328  to a fully closed position  330 , the latter permitting no light to escape from the housing. Arm  318  is attached to the disc  316 . Rotation of the disc (via manual movement on knob  324 ) by 60 degrees moves apertures  320   a - c  to either a fully open position or fully closed position. 
         [0063]      FIG. 9  illustrates how the blackout mechanism  305  of  FIG. 8  is coupled to housing  302  of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 10  best illustrates the fully open position  328  of the blackout mechanism. Each of the three electronic chips  244  with LEDs shine their light through one of the respective disc apertures  320   a - c  unblocked by the blackout arm opaque areas between the disc apertures. 
         [0065]      FIG. 11  provides an upstream reverse surface view of the blackout mechanism shown  305  in  FIG. 9 . Disc apertures  320   a - c  each have a tapered bore passageway  323   a - c . Also shown is a threaded coupling  325  for attachment to a periphery of the illumination transmitting end  310  of the housing. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 12-16  illustrate a fifth embodiment in exploded assembly form of a Shabbat bulb according to the present invention. The bulb features a housing  402  surrounding an electrically operated light source  404 , a blackout mechanism  405 , and a diffusion lens  406 . The housing includes a power connecting end  408  and an oppositely arranged illumination transmitting end  410 . Both ends  408  and  410  are aligned along a common axis L. Adjacent the power connecting end is a threaded screw  412  suitable for screwable connection into an electrical socket such as, but not limited to, such as a candelabra, GU24, bi-pin, or other socket base. Housing  402  may advantageously be an E26 or A19 medium screw base which has wide compatibility with sockets. 
         [0067]    Further,  FIG. 12  illustrates a circular insert  411  covers the illumination transmitting end  410  of the housing. Six electronic chips  444  each with LEDs are supported on the circular insert  411  as a light source. 
         [0068]      FIG. 13  best shows the blackout mechanism  405  which includes an outer ring  414 , a disc  416  mounted coplanar to and supported within the outer ring, and an arm  418 . Disc  416  includes six disc apertures  420   a ,  420   b ,  420   c ,  420   d ,  420   e ,  420   f  through which light is transmitted from the light sources. Slot  422  is cut along a partial periphery of the outer ring. A knob  424  attached to an end of arm  418  protrudes from the slot allowing a user to manually manipulate the arm from a fully open position  428  to a fully closed position  430 , the latter permitting no light to escape from the housing. Arm  418  is attached to disc  416 . Rotation of disc  416  (via manual movement on knob  424 ) by 30 degrees moves apertures  420   a - f  to either a fully open position or a fully closed position. 
         [0069]      FIG. 14  supplements  FIGS. 12-13  showing how a set of screws  445   a  and  445   b  fasten together a holding gasket with other components of the blackout mechanism. 
         [0070]      FIG. 15-16  reveal more details of the light source arrangement within the housing. A hollow conical sleeve  407  is press fitted into housing segment  413  of the housing  402 . A plate  409  with a central opening  417  is held between the circular insert  411  and a lip of the conical sleeve  407 . Fasteners  447   a  and  447   b  secure together circular insert  411 , plate  409 , and the hollow conical sleeve  407 . 
         [0071]    For purposes of description herein, singular terminology is meant to incorporate plural equivalents, except where otherwise noted. For instance, ‘light source’ is meant to include multiple ‘light sources’ such as several LEDs. 
         [0072]    Although the invention has been described in accordance with certain embodiments, it will be seen by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made within the scope and purview of the invention, and there is no intention to limit the invention solely to these embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims.