Patent Publication Number: US-9410666-B2

Title: Modular lamp

Description:
FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
     The present application relates to artificial lighting, and more particularly, to a modular lamp. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION 
     Over half a billion people in Africa lack adequate access to artificial light and energy. This Is a major barrier from breaking free from poverty. To obtain artificial light once darkness has fallen, kerosene lamps are typically used. Such lamps are dangerous and sometimes deadly to their users; they are also hazardous to the environment. Their toxic fumes are a leading cause of death for women and children. Furthermore, the use of kerosene emits over 100 million tons of greenhouse gases every year. 
     Over the past few decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of renewable energy solutions to those lacking adequate access to light and energy. Although partly successful, these efforts have been unable to scale to the point of making a sizeable impact. Current solar solutions are often too expensive and unreliable. 
     Portable solar lamps are a cheap and easy way to provide light. Solar lamps generally include a solar panel configured to generate power for a light source within the solar lamp. The solar panel captures and converts solar energy into electrical energy. A battery connected, to the solar panel stores the electrical power which is used to power the light source. Conventional solar lamps often have the solar panel affixed to the body of the solar lamp. To recharge the battery, the user must place the entire solar lamp into the sunlight for an extended period of time. Frequent moving of the solar lamp from Inside the house to outside is impractical and time consuming. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular lamp. The modular lamp comprises a first module having a thread formation, the first module comprising a light source for emitting light a rechargeable power source for storing electrical, power, the rechargeable power source being in electrical communication with the light source for transmitting electrical, power from the rechargeable power source to the light source and a first electrical connecting means being In electrical communication with the rechargeable power source; a second module having a thread formation configured for mating with the thread formation of the first module, the second module comprising a solar panel assembly for converting solar power into electrical, power and second electrical connecting means being in electrical communication with the solar panel assembly, whereby when the first module is releasably secured to the second module by rotatably engaging the thread, formation of the first module with the thread formation of the second module, the first electrical connecting means is engaged with the second electrical connecting means thereby allowing electrical communication between the solar panel assembly and the rechargeable power source. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, them is provided a modular lamp having a first module housing a rechargeable power source and a light source, and a second module having a solar panel. The modular lamp may also have a diffuser or a third module being configured for dispersing light emitted by the light source. When placed in an environment with sufficient solar intensity, the solar panel may recharge the rechargeable power source powering the light source. Once the rechargeable power source is recharged, the second, module may be detached from the first module and be used to recharge the rechargeable power source of another modular lamp. Because of the modular nature of the modular lamp, the third module may be easily detached from the first module, thus providing a compact assembly to be recharged allowing a user to carry with ease a first module to be recharged or once recharged from one location to another location. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular lamp which may have a plurality of configurations adaptable for different uses and functions. The modular lamp may be easily carried, recharged, used as a table lamp, a flash light or releasably secured to a wall or ceiling to light up a room. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with a module comprising a thread formation and a power source assembly lit electrical communication with a first electrical connecting means. The apparatus comprises a hotly having a thread formation being configured to mate with the thread formation of the module for releasably securing the body to the module, the body comprising a light source for emitting light, a rechargeable power source for storing electrical power, the rechargeable power source being in electrical communication with the light source for transmitting electrical power from the rechargeable power source to the light source; and second electrical connecting means being in electrical communication with the rechargeable power source, whereby when the body is releasably secured to the module by rotatably engaging the thread formation of the body with the thread formation of the module, the first, electrical connecting means is engaged with the second electrical connecting means thereby allowing electrical communication between the power source assembly and the rechargeable power source. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with a module comprising a thread formation, a light source for emitting light, a rechargeable power source for storing electrical power, the rechargeable power source being in electrical communication with the light source for transmitting electrical power from the rechargeable power source to the light source and a first electrical connecting means being in electrical communication with the rechargeable power source. The apparatus comprises a body having a thread formation being configured for mating with the thread formation of the module for releasably securing the body to the light module, the body comprising a power source assembly for providing electrical power; and second, electrical connecting means being in electrical connection, with the power source assembly, whereby when the body is releasably secured to the module by rotatably engaging the thread formation of the body with the thread formation of the module, the first electrical connecting means is engaged with the second electrical connecting means thereby allowing electrical communication between the power source assembly and the rechargeable power source. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wall mount for releasably securing the apparatus of the invention. The wall mount, comprises a body having a thread formation configured for mating with the thread formation of the apparatus when the apparatus is releasably secured to the body; and fastening means for fastening the body to a supportive surface. 
     Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing which shows, by way of example, embodiments of the invention and how they may be carried into effect and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective exploded view of a modular lamp according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a back perspective exploded view of the modular lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a back perspective view of the modular lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front, perspective view of the modular lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a front perspective view of a modular lamp according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a front perspective view of a modular lamp according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of a modular lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7C  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7D  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7E  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8C  illustrates a block diagram of a modular lamp according to a further embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front perspective view of a modular lamp according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side perspective view of the modular lamp of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front perspective exploded view of a modular lamp secured to a wall mount according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front perspective view of the modular lamp secured to a wall mount of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front perspective view of a modular lamp in a flashlight configuration according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the modular lamp in a flashlight configuration of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements in the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     There is described a modular lamp, such, as modular solar lamp  1  as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5B and 7 to 8B . The modular solar lamp  1  may comprise a first module  10 , such as battery/light module, a second module  20 , such as solar module and a third module  30 , such as diffuser module. 
     The battery/light module  10  may comprise a body  11  housing electrical components, including a rechargeable power source  16 , used to power a light source  12  which may be located on a surface, such as surface  120  of the body  11 . The surface  120  may be of reflective nature far reflecting and concentrating the light emitted by the light source  12 . According to an embodiment, the external surface  13  of the body  11  has hastening means, such as threads  14 . First electrical connecting means  15  may be exposed on an external surface of the body  11  and are in electrical connection with the electrical components housed in the body  11 . According to an embodiment, the first electrical connecting means  15  are exposed on the external surface  13  of the body  11 . According to another embodiment, the first electrical connecting means  15  may be located on the external surface  13  near the inner end  142  of the threads  14  of the light/battery module  10 . 
     The solar module  20  may comprise a body  21  with a solar panel exposed on a surface, such as solar panel  22 , for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The solar module  20  may have an opening  201  to allow a user to access the surface  182  of the battery/light module  10 . The body  21  may include complementary fastening means, such as reverse threads  24  on its inner surface  23 . Second electrical connecting means  25  may be exposed on an inner surface of the body  21  and are in electrical communication with the solar panel  22 . According to an embodiment the second, electrical connecting means  25  may be exposed on the inner surface  23  of the body  21 . According to a further embodiment, the second electrical connecting means  25  may be located on the inner surface  23  near the outer end  242  of the reverse threads  24  of the solar module  20 . 
     According to a further embodiment the battery/light module  10  may have the fastening means, such as threads  14 , and first electrical connecting means  15  on an inner surface of the body  11  and the solar module  20  may have complimentary fastening means, such as reverse threads  24 , and second electrical connecting means  25  on an external surface of die body  21 . 
     According to an embodiment, the threads  14  of the battery/light module  10  may releasably mate with the reverse threads  24  of the solar module  20 . Through applying torsion between, the solar module  20  and the battery/light module  10 , the solar module  20  may be moved closer to the battery/light module  10 . When the solar module  20  and the battery/light module  10  are fully secured, i.e., when torsion no longer moves the solar module  20  closer to the battery/light module  10 , an electrical connection may be established between the solar panel  22  and the rechargeable power source  16  through the contacts of the first electrical, connecting means  15  with the second electrical connecting means  25 . When the solar module  20  is releasably secured to the battery/light module  10  and the assembly is placed in an environment with sufficient solar intensity, the solar panel  22  may provide electrical current to charge the rechargeable power source  16  within the battery/light module  10  with electrical power to power the light source  12 . Once the rechargeable power source  16  is recharged, the solar module  20  may be detached from the battery/light module  10  and may be used to recharge the rechargeable power source  16  of another battery/light module  10  with or without the diffuser module  30  being attached to the battery/light module  10 . 
     The first electrical connecting means  15  may be any type of suitable electrical connectors known to those skilled in the art. According to an embodiment, the first electrical connecting means  15  may be a pair of conductive connectors in a spaced arrangement on the external surface  13  of the battery/light module  10 . Alternatively, the first electrical connecting means  15  may be a pair of conductive connectors in a spaced arrangement near the inner end  142  of the threads  14 . Internal wires (not shown) may connect the rechargeable power source  16  to the first electrical connecting means  15 . According to another embodiment, the electrical connecting means  15  may be the ends of the wires connected to the rechargeable power source  16 . The ends of the wires may be in a spaced arrangement on the external surface  13  near the inner end  142  of the threads  14 . 
     The second electrical connecting means  25  may be any type of suitable electrical connectors known to those skilled in the art and compatible with the first electrical connecting means  15 . According to an embodiment, the second electrical connecting means  25  may be a pair of conductive connectors in a spaced arrangement complimentary to the spaced arrangement of the pair of conductive connectors of the first electrical connecting means  15  on the inner surface  23  of the solar module  20 . Alternatively, the second electrical connecting means  25  may be a pair of conductive connectors in a spaced, arrangement complimentary to the spaced arrangement of the pair of conductive connectors of the first electrical connecting means  15  near the outer end  242  of the reverse threads  24 . Internal wires (not shown) may make their way through, the body  21  to electrically connect the solar panel  22  to the second electrical connecting means  25 . According to another embodiment, the second electrical means may be the ends of the internal wires in electrical communication with the solar panel  22 . The ends of the wires may be in a spaced arrangement complimentary to the spaced arrangement of the pair of conductive connectors of the first electrical connecting means  15  on the inner surface  23  near the outer end  242  of the reverse threads  24 . 
     The diffuser module  30  may be releasably secured to battery/light module  10 . The diffuser module  30  may have a body  31  which may have a portion  32  configured as a diffuser to disperse the concentrated light emitted by the light source  12 . The body  31  may also have an end surface  35  to enclose the diffuser module  30  when releasably secured to the battery/light module  10 . The diffuser module  30  may be releasably secured to the battery/light module  10  in any manner, including but not limited to screwing on, snapping on, press fit or friction fit. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , threads  14  may be divisible into a first portion of threads  14   a  and a second portion of threads  14   b . The first portion of threads  14   a  and the second portion of threads  14   b  may be separated by a non-threaded space. The first portion of threads  14   a  and the second portion of threads  14   b  may also be separated by a stopper  141  protruding from the external surface  13 . Furthermore, the first portion of threads  14   a  may be oriented in one direction and the second portion of threads  14   b  may be oriented in the opposite direction. 
     According to an embodiment, the diffuser module  30  may have reverse threads  34  located on its inner surface  33  of the body  31 . According to a further embodiment, when the battery/light module  10  has threads  14  on an inner surface of the body  11 , the diffuser module  30  may have the reverse threads  34  located on an external surface of the body  31 . The reverse threads  34  of the diffuses module  30  may be configured to mate with at least the second portion of threads  14   b  of the battery/light module  10  for releasably securing the diffuser module  30  to the battery/light module  10  while the reverse threads  24  of the solar module may be configured to mate with at least the first portion of threads  14   a . The diffuser module  30  is fully secured to the battery/light module  10  when torsion, can no longer be applied between the two modules. The body  31  of the diffuser module  30  may be made of metal, alloy, composite, plastic, glass, ceramic, cardboard, polymer, wood, fiberglass, or any other suitable materials that are durable and able to be shaped into the base form. The diffuser portion  32  may be made using any transparent material such, as clear plastic, translucent or clear polymers (such as acrylic), glass or other suitable materials. Alternatively, the body  31  may be made entirely of one transparent material. According to embodiments of the invention, as shown, in  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6 , the diffuser module  30  may be of different lengths. 
     According to an embodiment the solar panel  22  of the solar module  20  may be of any type, size, shape or power generation capability in consideration of several factors including, but not limited to, the desired power requirements of the battery/light module  10 , the cost of the solar panel, and the weight and durability of the solar panel. According to an embodiment, the solar panel  22  may be of a power generation capability sufficient to recharge the rechargeable power source  16  as well as provide power generation capability for an external load. According to another embodiment, the solar panel may have a power generation capability of 0.35W or 0.3W with 5.5V. 
     According to an embodiment, the rechargeable power source  16  may be one or more rechargeable batteries where such battery or batteries may be any of the following battery types: nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride, rechargeable alkaline, lead acid, lithium ion, or any other suitable rechargeable battery known in the art. According to an embodiment, the rechargeable battery or batteries are Ni—MH or LiFePO 4 . 
     According to an embodiment, the light source  12  may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a lamp based on the light emission of gas (i.e., a neon light or the like) or the like. According to an embodiment, the light source  12  may be one or more 0.5W or 0.6W LEDs. According to further embodiment, the light source  12  may be one or more 1W LEDs. 
     According to the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 22   78 ,  7 C and  7 E to  8 C, the battery/light module  10  may have a circuit board  17  which may directly or indirectly connect the rechargeable power source  16  to the light source  12 . The circuit board  17  may be any suitable circuit, board known in the art. According to an embodiment, the circuit board  17  may be a bread board, a perf board, a strip board or a single-sided or double-sided printed circuit board. As shown in  FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B , the battery/light module  10  may have a controller  18  being in communication with the circuit board.  17  to control the solar battery/light module  10 . According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the controller  18  may be configured to turn the light source  12  on and off in response to an actuator, such as switch  181 . Alternatively as shown in  FIG. 8A and 8B , the controller  18  may be implemented to switch the battery/light module  10  to a light function or a charge function in response to the actuation of switch  181  or in response to a sensor, such as light sensor  19 . Switch  181  may be a push button actuation type switch, as shown in  FIGS. 2, 5A, 5B and 6 , or other appropriate varieties of switch known in the art, e.g., a toggle actuation, type switch, a rocket actuation type switch, a slide dimmer type switch or a wheel dimmer type switch. Light sensor  19  may be used in communication with the controller  18  in order to detect the absence of ambient light. Following such detection, the controller  18  may activate the light source  12  as discussed above. Furthermore, a battery charge indicator  150 , as shown in  FIGS. 5A to 7B and 7E to 8C , may be in electrical communication with the rechargeable power source  16  to provide information on the charge level of the power source  16 . 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C , the battery/light module  10  may have a power output interface  160  in electrical communication with the circuit board  17  for supplying power to an electrically powered device  140  when the power output interface  160  is electrically connected to the electrically powered device  140 . The power output, interface  160  may comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input, AC input, or DC input to connect the electrically powered device  140  to the rechargeable power source  16 . The electrically powered device  140  may be a mobile phone, an audio/video player, a digital camera, or any other electronic device powered by batteries or other powered source. According to an embodiment, a user may use the battery/light module  10  to power or recharge the electrically powered device  140 . The electrically powered device  140  may be powered while the rechargeable power source  16  is fully charged or while the solar panel  22  is recharging the rechargeable power source  16 . 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the solar lamp  1  may have an external power source interface  100  for receiving electrical power from an external power source  110  to recharge the rechargeable power source  16  when the external power source interface  100  is in electrical communication with the external power source  110 . The external power source interface  100  may be housed in the battery/light module  10  and be in electrical communication with the rechargeable power source  16 . Alternatively, the external power source interface  100  may be housed in the solar module  20  and be in electrical communication with the second electrical connecting means  25 . The external power source interface  100  may comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input, AC input, DC input or an inductive charging input to connect the rechargeable power source  16  to the external power source  110 . According to an embodiment, the external power source interface  100  may comprise a device where mechanical work which may be provided by a user generates electrical energy to recharge the rechargeable power source  16 . The operable device may be a linear reciprocating shake type device or a hand crank dynamo. According to another embodiment, the external power source.  110  may be an electrical outlet connected to an electrical grid, one or more high-capacity batteries, an electrical generator or any other suitable external power source known in the art. The electrical generator may be an engine generator, a vehicle-mounted generator, a user-powered generator, an electromagnetic generator, e.g., a dynamo or induction generator, a fluid energy converting power generator, e.g., a wind power generator or a hydroelectric power generator. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8C , the second module is configured to house the external power source interface  100  and be in electrical communication with the second electrical connecting means  25 . The external power source interface  100  may comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input, AC input DC input or an inductive charging input to connect the rechargeable power source  16  to the external power source  110 . According to an embodiment, the external power source interface  100  may comprise a device where mechanical work which may be provided by a user generates electrical energy to recharge the rechargeable power source  16 . The operable device may be a linear reciprocating shake type device or a hand crank dynamo. According to another embodiment, the external power source  110  may be an electrical outlet connected to an electrical grid, one or more high-capacity batteries, an electrical generator or any other suitable external, power source known in the art. The electrical generator may be a solar power generator, an engine generator, a vehicle-mounted generator, a user-powered generator, an electromagnetic generator, e.g., a dynamo or induction generator, a fluid, energy converting power generator, e.g., a wind power generator or a hydroelectric power generator. 
     According to embodiments as shown, in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the solar module  20  may he releasably secured to at least the second portion, of threads  14   b  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) of the battery/light module  10 . The solar module  20  may have a reflective surface  202  for reflecting the light emitted by the light source  12  and directing the light through, the opening  201 . The reflective surface  202  may be a regular plastic surface or a high gloss plastic surface or a piece of any suitable reflective material, e.g., aluminum or tin. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the battery/light module  10  may be releasably secured to a wall mount  40 . Such configuration may allow a user to releasably secure the solar lamp  1  to a supportive structure such as a wall, ceiling or any other structure capable of supporting the solar lamp  1 . This may, for example, be for storing the solar lamp  1  when not in use or to allow the solar lamp  1  to provide light to a room. The wall mount  40  may have a body  41  which may have reverse threads  44  located on its inner surface  43 . The reverse threads  44  of the wall mount  40  may be configured to mate with the threads  14  of the battery/light module  10  for releasably securing the battery/light module  10  to the wall mount  40 . The battery/light module  10  may be fully secured to the wall mount  40  when torsion can no longer be applied, between the two modules to move them closer together. The body  41  of the wall mourn  40  may be made of any suitable materials known to those skilled in the art. According to an embodiment, the wall mount  40  may have fasteners  42  which may be used to secure the wall mount  40  to the supportive structure. According to a further embodiment, the wall mount  40  may be inserted in an opening present on the surface of the supportive structure. Alternatively, the opening present on the surface of the supportive structure may have threads which are compatible with the threads of the battery/light module  10  for releasably securing the battery/light module  10  into the opening present on the surface of the supportive structure. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the solar lamp  1  may be used in a flashlight configuration. The diffuser module  30  may have a body  31  which, may be made of an opaque material and a transparent or translucent end surface  35 . The end surface  35 , which may enclose the diffuser module  30 , may act as a lens for transmitting the emitted light. The end surface  35  may be made of any transparent material such as clear plastic, translucent or clear polymers (such as acrylic), glass or other suitable materials. The light emitted by the light source  12  may be concentrated, by the surface  120  of the battery/light module  10  into a light beans which is directed towards the end surface  35 . 
     According to an embodiment, the battery/light module  10 , the solar module  20 , and the diffuse module  30  may comprise water sealing structures to prevent the solar lamp  1  from being damaged by humidity or water. 
     According to an embodiment the fastening means of the battery/light module  10  and the complimentary fastening means of the solar module  20  may be configured tor releasably securing the solar module  20  to the battery/light module  10  in other manners but not limited to snapping on, press fit or friction fit. The fastening means of the battery/light module  10  may releasably engage with the complimentary fastening means of the solar module  20 . Through applying a force between the solar module  20  and the battery/light module  10 , the solar module  20  may be moved closer to the battery/light module  10 . When the solar module  20  and the battery/light module  10  are fully secured, i.e., when the solar module  20  cannot move closer to the battery/light module  10 , an electrical connection may be established between the solar panel  22  and the rechargeable power source  16  through the contacts of the first electrical connecting means  15  with the second electrical connecting means  25 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.