Patent Publication Number: US-11639778-B2

Title: Solar powered lighting element with simulated flame and electrical insect eliminator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/220,144, filed Apr. 1, 2021 which is a continuation of and claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/858,309, filed Apr. 24, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,002,417, issued May 11, 2021 which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/839,363, filed Apr. 26, 2019, entitled SOLAR POWERED LIGHTING ELEMENT WITH SIMULATED FLAME AND ELECTRICAL INSECT ELIMINATOR, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present invention relates to a solar powered lighting element with a simulated flame and an electric insect eliminator. 
     Related Art 
     Conventional electric insect eliminators are typically focused on pest control and include features that optimize pest removal, however, ignore aesthetics and other useful functionality. While conventional electric insect eliminators often emit UV light to attract insects, they do not provide sufficient light to aid those around them to see. Further, their design is typically not aesthetically pleasing. 
     Conventional electric insect eliminators are also commonly plugged into an outlet, which limits their portability. Some electric insect eliminators may include batteries, however, this adds to maintenance time and expense, since batteries must be routinely replaced or connected to an outlet for charging. 
     Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a lighting element with an electric insect eliminator that avoids these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a solar powered lighting element with a simulated flame and an electric insect eliminator. 
     A lighting element in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a light portion configured to emit light, the light portion including: a top portion; at least one cage portion positioned below the top portion; a base portion positioned below the at least one cage portion and connected to the top portion via the at least one cage portion; a UV light portion mounted in the top portion and including one or more UV light sources directing UV light downward; a conducting grid element mounted inside the at least one cage portion; a shade element mounted inside the conducting grid element; and a flickering light source mounted in the shade element and configured to emit light in a predetermined pattern through the shade element; and a support element configured to receive and support the light portion. 
     In embodiments, the support element includes an elongated pole configured to support the light portion. 
     In embodiments, the elongated pole includes a plurality of pole segments. 
     In embodiments, the support element includes a base element configured to receive a portion of the base portion of the light portion. 
     In embodiments, the at least one cage portion includes: a first cage element positioned on a first side of the lighting element; and a second cage element positioned on a second side of the lighting element, wherein the first cage element and second cage element are connected to each other to form the at least one cage portion. 
     In embodiments, the UV light source includes a plurality of UV light emitting diodes spaced around an outer periphery of the top portion. 
     In embodiments, the shade element includes a partially transparent material. 
     In embodiments, the flickering light source includes a first set of light sources positioned to emit light through the shade element and a second set of light sources positioned to emit light through the shade element, wherein the first set of light sources is activated to emit light in a first pattern, and the second set of light sources is activated to emit light in a second pattern. 
     In embodiments, the first set of light sources turn on and off alternately in accordance with the first pattern. 
     In embodiments, the second set of light sources alternate between high brightness and low brightness in accordance with the second pattern. 
     In embodiments, the first set of light sources and the second set of light sources include a plurality of light emitting diodes. 
     In embodiments, at least a first light emitting diode of the first set of light sources and the second set of light sources is a first color and a second light emitting diode of the first set of light sources and the second set of light sources is a second color, different from the first color. 
     In embodiments, the first light emitting diode is part of the first set of light sources and the second light emitting diode is part of the second set of light sources. 
     In embodiments, the first light emitting diode and second light emitting diode are part of the first set of light sources. 
     In embodiments, the first light emitting diode and second light emitting diode are part of the second set of light sources. 
     In embodiments, the lighting element includes at least one control circuit connected to the UV light source, the conducting grid element and the flickering light source and operable to control the UV light source, the conducting grid element and the flickering light source. 
     In embodiments, the lighting element includes at least one input element, connected to the control circuit, wherein the control circuit controls the UV light source, the conducting grid element and the flickering light source based on information provided via the input element. 
     In embodiments, the lighting element includes a power source, wherein the power source is connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit controls power supplied to the UV light source, the conducting grid element and the flickering light source. 
     In embodiments, the lighting element includes a power source and at least one solar panel mounted on a top surface of the top portion and connected to the power source such that the power source is recharged by electricity provided by the at least one solar panel. 
     In embodiments, the lighting element includes a power source and a charging circuit connected to the power source and configured to recharge the power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following, detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of a solar powered lighting element with a simulated flame element and an electric insect eliminator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a partially exploded view of the solar powered lighting element of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an exploded view of the solar powered lighting element of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3 A  illustrates a more detailed view of a connector used in the support element used in the lighting element of  FIGS.  1 - 2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a detailed view of a light portion of the lighting element of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a detailed view of a stand suitable for use with the lighting element of  FIG.  4    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of the stand of  FIG.  5    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a detailed view of a conducting grid of the lighting element of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a detailed view a conducting grid of the lighting element of  FIG.  1    in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a detailed view of a flickering light source of the lighting element of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  8    is an exemplary block diagram of the light portion of  FIG.  4    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A solar powered lighting element with a simulated flame and an electric insect eliminator  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIG.  1   . In embodiments, a light portion  10  may be positioned on a support element S. In embodiments, the support element S may include a pole  3 . A base  12  may be provided on a bottom of the light portion  10  and may be connected to a support element S. In embodiments, the support element S may include the pole  3  via a connector  12 A. In embodiments, an angled peg  3 B may be provided at a bottom of the pole  3  to allow mounting of the pole in the ground. In embodiments, the pole  3  may include a plurality of pole segments  3 A that are joined together by connectors  3 C (see  FIG.  2   , for example). In embodiments, the connectors  3 C are configured to connect the pole segments  3 A to one another. In embodiments, the connectors  3 C are configured to provide a connection and to provide structural integrity to the pole  3 . In embodiments, each connector  3 C may include a center disk portion  40   a  with a first end  40   b  extending in a first direction therefrom and a second end  40   c  extending in a second direction, opposite the first section, from the center disk portion (see  FIG.  3 A , for example). In embodiments, the first and second ends  40   b,    40   c  are received in respective ends of adjacent pole segments  3 A. In embodiments, the width and length of the first and second ends  40   b,    40   c  are configured to provide a secure connection of sufficient strength to support the base  12  and light portion  10  on the pole  3 . In embodiments, a total length of the connector  3 C may be about 110 mm. In embodiments, a width of the first and second ends  40   b,    40   c  may be about 21.04 mm and a width of the center disk portion may be wider, about 25.4 mm. In embodiments, these specific dimensions may be varied provided that the connector  3 C secures the pole segments  3 A together and ensured structural integrity of the pole  3 . While  FIGS.  1 - 3    illustrate the use of three pole segments  3 A, fewer or more pole segments may be used. In embodiments, the angled peg  3 B may include multiple angled and/or sharpened ends to aid in penetrating the ground. 
     In embodiments, the support element S may include a stand  20  in which the light portion  10  may be mounted, as can be seen in  FIG.  4   , for example. In embodiments, the stand  20  may include a recess  20 A (see  FIG.  6   , for example) that is sized and shaped to receive the top connector  12 A such that the light portion  10  may be mounted on the stand  20  rather than the pole  3 . In embodiments, the stand  20  may be substantially hollow and may include a bottom plate  20 B (see  FIG.  3   , for example). In embodiments, when the stand  20  is used, the solar powered lighting element with a simulated flame and an electric insect eliminator  1  may be placed on a table or shelf and the pole may not be used. 
     In embodiments, the light portion  10  may include a top portion  16  with a solar panel  18  mounted on a top surface thereof. In embodiments, an outer cage structure  14  may surround the outer periphery of the light portion  10 . In embodiments, the outer cage structure  14  may be made of a durable and electrically non-conductive material. In embodiments, the openings in the cage structure  14  are sufficiently large to allow insects to pass through and enter the interior of the light portion  10 . In embodiments the openings in the cage structure are sized to prevent a user from inserting a finger. In embodiments, the outer cage  14  may be embodied by a first portion  14 A and a second portion  14 B connected together. In embodiments, the cage structure  14  may be an integral structure. In embodiments, the cage structure  14  may include additional segments or portions  3 A. 
     In embodiments, an electrical conducting grid  30  may be provided inside the outer cage structure  14 . In embodiments, the electrical conducting grid  30  may include two groups of conductors  30   a,    30   b  that are positioned adjacent to each other in an alternating pattern (see  FIG.  7   , for example). In embodiments, the electrical conducting grid  30  is electrified such that when an insect contacts it, they are electrocuted.  FIG.  7 A  illustrates another example of a conducting grid  30  with contacts  30   a,    30   b  positioned in an alternating pattern. In embodiments, the two groups of conductors  30   a,    30   b  may have a voltage established between them such that when an insect contacts a conductor from one group and an adjacent conductor from the other group, the insect is eliminated. In embodiments, one or more UV light sources  52  may be provided on a bottom surface of the top portion  16 . In embodiments, the UV light sources  52  are UV light emitting diodes (LEDs). In embodiments, the UV light sources  52  may be activated when the electric grid  30  is energized to attract insects into the light portion  10  and toward the grid  30 . In embodiments, the UV light sources  52  may be mounted on a support element  50 . 
     In embodiments, a removable tray  24  may be provided at a bottom of the light portion  10 . In embodiments, as insects are eliminated by the grid  30 , they will drop down into the tray  24 . In embodiments, a screen element  24 A may be provided over the tray  24  (see  FIG.  3   , for example). In embodiments, the tray  24  may be removed periodically to remove the insect remains. In embodiments, a power button or switch  26  may be provided on the light portion  10 . In  FIG.  4   , the power button or switch  26  may be a push button, however, any button, switch or other selector element may be used. The power button  26  may be positioned elsewhere on the light portion  10 . 
     In embodiments, a shade  40  may be provided inside the electrical grid  30 . In embodiments, the shade  40  may be cylindrical in shape and surrounds a flickering light portion  42  (see  FIG.  3   ) that in combination with the shade simulates the appearance of a flickering flame when activated. In embodiments, the shade  40  may be of any suitable shape provided that is fits within the grid  30 . In embodiments, the shade  40  may be tinted or colored to simulate a flickering flame. In embodiments, the flickering light portion  42  may be embodied by a flexible printed circuit board  42  with a plurality of LEDs  42 A (see  FIG.  3   ) mounted thereon. In embodiments, the LEDs  42 A may be white light LEDs that emit light through the shade  30  which may be tinted or colored to provide the impression of a flame. In embodiments, one or more of the LEDs  42 A may be a different color in order to provide the impression of a flame. In embodiment, the LEDs  42 A are divided into at least two groups  42 A 1 ,  42 A 2 . In embodiments, the first group of the LEDs  42 A 1  may be driven to blink on and off together. In embodiments, the second group of LEDs  42 A 2  may be driven to brighten and dim in intensity together as can be seen in  FIG.  7 B . In embodiments, the second group of LEDs  42 A 2  may be positioned below the first group of LEDs  42 A 1  or vice versa. In embodiments, one or more of the light emitting diodes in the first group of LEDs  42 A 1  or the second group of  42 A 2  may be of different colors. The combination of the two groups of LEDs, when viewed through the shade  40 , which may be tinted or colored as noted above, if desired, provides the impression of a flickering flame behind the grid  30 . In embodiments, the flame simulation may attract insects and provides for a positive aesthetic and a warmer feeling than traditional insect eliminators. In embodiments, the LEDs  42 A may provide sufficient light to allow users to see the area around the lamp and eliminated the need for additional lighting. When mounted on the pole  3 , the light element  10  provides the appearance of an outdoor torch. One advantage of the solar powered lighting element with a simulated flame and an electric insect eliminator  1  is that it provides the aesthetics of a conventional outdoor torch while avoiding the waste products of combustion and the additional labor required to change the oil as well as the hazards of an open flame present in conventional outdoor torches. 
     In embodiments, a PCB support element  44  (see  FIG.  3   ) may be provided to hold the printed circuit board of the flickering light portion  42  in place. In embodiments, a battery  46 B (see  FIG.  3   ) may be mounted in the PCB support element  44  as well. In embodiments, the battery  46 B may be a rechargeable battery and may be recharged by the solar panel  18 . In embodiments, the battery  46 B may be recharged via a line voltage, if desired via a USB, wireless or other connection. In embodiments, the battery  46 B may be recharged via any other suitable power source. In embodiments, a charging input or port may be provided for connection to a line voltage or other power source. In embodiments, the battery  46 B may be provided elsewhere in the light portion  10 . While a battery  46 B is illustrated, any other power source may be used. In embodiments, the power source may be any suitable portable power source. In embodiments, the solar panel  18  may provide power directly, without use of the battery  46 B. 
     In embodiments, an LED boost circuit (or control circuit)  46  (see  FIG.  3   ) may be mounted on the bottom surface of the top  16 , or elsewhere, which may be used to drive the UV LEDs  52 . In embodiments, the boost circuit (control circuit)  46  may be used to drive the LEDs  42 A as well. In embodiments, other driving circuitry may be provided to drive the UV LEDs  52  and/or the LEDs  42 A. As noted above, the two groups of LEDs  42 A 1 ,  42 A 2  are preferably driven in a particular sequence to simulate a flame. 
     In embodiments, the power button or switch  26  may be operable to activate the conducting grid  30  without activating the flickering light portion  42 . In embodiments, the power button  26  may activate the conducting grid  30  and not the UV LEDs  52 , however, typically, the grid and UV LEDs will be activated together. In embodiments, the conducting grid  30 , UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42  will all be activated together by the power button  26 . In embodiments, other input elements, other than the power button  26 , may be used to provide input to control the conducting grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52 , and the flickering light portion  42 . In embodiments, a light sensor  27  may provide information regrading ambient light levels around the lighting element  1 . In embodiments, the lighting element  1  may be activated when the ambient light level drops below a threshold level and may turn off when the light level rises above the threshold. In embodiments, the light sensor  27  may be a photocell, however, any suitable light sensor device may be used. In embodiments, the light sensor  27  may be provided on the solar panel  18 . In embodiments, the light sensor  27  may be integrated into the solar panel  18 . In embodiments, a separate light sensor  27  may be provided elsewhere on the lighting element  1 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the light portion  10 . In embodiments, the battery  46 B provides power to the conducting grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42 . Lighting circuitry (or control circuit)  46 , which may be or include the boost circuit  46 , and/or other circuitry, may drive the UV LEDs  52  and/or the LEDs  42 A 1  and  42 A 2  of the flickering light portion  42 . The lighting circuitry  46  may include other control circuitry to control activation of the electric grid  30 . As noted above, the LEDs  42 A 1  and  42 A 2  may be driven in respective patterns to simulate the appearance of a flickering flame. The solar panel  18  may provide power to recharge the battery  46 B. In embodiments, the light portion  10  may include other charging circuitry or inputs to allow for USB or wireless charging, if desired. In embodiments, the lighting circuitry  46  may be connected to the power button  26  and may drive the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42  (including the two groups of LEDs  42 A 1 ,  42 A 2 ), respectively, based on input provided by the button  26 . In embodiments, separate control circuitry may be provided and connected to the power button  26  and the control circuit  46  to control the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and/or the flickering light portion  42 . In embodiments, the light level information provided by the light sensor  27  may be provided to the control circuit  46 . In embodiments, the control circuit  46  may include a processor, microprocessor or other control element or component to provide for control of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light source  42 . In embodiments, control of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light source  42  may be based on both input from the power button  26  and the light sensor  27 . As noted above, the light sensor  27  may be provided on or integrated with the solar panel  18  and connected to the control circuit  46 . In an example, the power button may be used to activate consideration of light level information provided by the sensor  27 . In embodiments, the power button  26  may be pressed once, or placed in a first position, to enter a light monitoring mode in which power is provided to one or more of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42  when the light information indicates a light level below a threshold. In embodiments, the one or more of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42  may be deactivated when the light level rises above the threshold. In embodiments, pushing the button  26  again, or putting it in a second position, may directly activate one or more of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42 , without consideration of the light level information. In embodiments, as noted above, each of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42  may be activated independently, if desired, based on operation of, or the position of, the power button and/or light level information provided by the light sensor  27 . In embodiments, the grid  30  and UV LEDs  52  may be activated independent of the light level information. In embodiments, as noted above, other input elements may provide information to control the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light portion  42 . In embodiments, the lighting element  1  may be placed in an off mode in which all of the grid  30 , the UV LEDs  52  and the flickering light source  42  are deactivated and stay that way regardless of light sensor information until activation of the power button  26  or another input. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein.