Patent Publication Number: US-6703788-B1

Title: Wireless lighting system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to battery powered lights and more particularly pertains to a new wireless lighting system for providing convenient illumination where needed with centralized control. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of remotely controlled lights is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,114,812 and 6,169,377 both describe remote control systems for incandescent lighting systems, which are coupled to conventional household power systems 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a system that is superior in that it allows multiple lamps to each be positioned independently, without the need for wiring. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a plurality of illumination sources each with a receiver for receiving a centralized control signal from a common transmitter. Additionally each of these illumination sources is powered, at least in part from electricity stored in an energy storage means. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a main transmitter assembly providing a centralized control capability; including a housing defining an interior space and a transmitter member positioned substantially within the housing for generating and transmitting control signals, and a plurality of lamp assemblies each having a base portion and a lamp member. Each lamp member selectively provides illumination. Each one of the base portions has a base housing defining an interior space and an energy storage member positioned within said housing for selectively providing electrical current to an associated lamp member. Additionally, each one of said base portions includes a receiver portion positioned within the housing for receiving control signals generated and transmitted by the transmitter member. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a new wireless lighting system in use according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic functional interconnection diagram of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new wireless lighting system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the wireless lighting system  10  generally comprises a main transmitter assembly  20  and a plurality of lamp assemblies  40 . 
     The main transmitter assembly  20  provides a centralized control capability. The main transmitter assembly  20  includes a housing  22  defining an interior space, and a transmitter member  24  positioned substantially within the housing  22 . The transmitter member  24  is for generating and transmitting control signals. 
     Each one of the plurality of lamp assemblies  40  includes a base portion  42  and a lamp member  60 . Each lamp member  60  selectively provides illumination. Each one of the base portion  42   s  includes a base housing  44  defining an interior space and an energy storage member  46  positioned within the housing  22  for selectively providing electrical current to an associated lamp member  60 . Each one of the base portions  42  also includes a receiver portion  48  positioned within the housing  22  for receiving control signals generated and transmitted by the transmitter member  24 . 
     Each one of the plurality of lamp assemblies  40  may also include a solar cell assembly  50  operationally coupled to the housing  22  and operationally coupled to the energy storage member  46  for providing a supplemental charge to the energy storage member  46 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, each one of the base portions  42  further comprises a secondary transmitter  52  for performing a repromulgation relay function such that a control signal received by the receiver portion  48  is communicated to the secondary transmitter  52  for retransmission to other lamp assemblies  40 . The secondary transmitter  52  may be positioned substantially within the housing  22 . 
     Each one of the lamp assemblies  40  may also include a coupling means  54  for selectively attaching the lamp assembly to a structure. 
     In an embodiment the main transmitter assembly  20  includes a on/off switch  28  for selectively generating a control signal to be transmitted. The main transmitter assembly  20  may be coupled to a wall of a structure. The plurality of lamp assemblies  40  may comprise two lamp assemblies  40 , each coupled to a wall of a structure. 
     In another embodiment, the main transmitter assembly  20  includes an energy storage member  26  positioned within the housing  22 , which is operationally coupled to the transmitter member  24 . The transmitter assembly includes an on/off switch  28  accessible through the housing  22 . The transmitter assembly may be portable. The plurality of lamp assemblies  40  may be coupled to a christmas tree. Each one of the plurality of lamp assemblies  40  is independently positionable on the christmas tree. 
     Dependent upon the environment in which the system is to be used, the coupling means  54  may be selected from the group of coupling members consisting of hook and loop fastener, screws, clip, adhesive, magnet, suction cup, and nail. Other coupling members may also be employed. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the energy storage member  46  further comprises a battery positioned substantially within the base portion  42 . 
     In still a further embodiment, each one of the lamp members  60  includes a colored lens portion  62  such that each one of the lamp members  60  provides a colored illumination. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.