Patent Publication Number: US-7717581-B2

Title: Color changing lighting device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/909,151, filed on Mar. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a lighting device, and more particularly to a novelty or decorative lighting device. 
     Illuminated colored display devices are used to present a visual effect of changing patterns or shapes when viewed by an observer. In some devices, an incandescent bulb is used to heat wax within the device cause the wax to rise and fall, as well as illuminate the display. However, such bulbs often do not change colors to provide for a changing color display. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the invention provides a lighting device. The lighting device includes a base portion, a diffuser portion having a wall defining an inner cavity, wherein a liquid including liquid globules is contained within the inner cavity of the diffuser portion, a heating system configured to heat the liquid globules, and a lighting system for illuminating the diffuser portion. 
     In another embodiment, the invention provides a decorative lamp. The decorative lamp includes a diffuser portion having a wall defining an inner cavity, wherein a liquid including liquid globules is contained within the inner cavity of the diffuser portion, a base portion, a heating system contained within the base portion and configured to heat the liquid globules, and a lighting system contained within the base portion and configured to illuminate the diffuser portion. The heating system is positioned between the diffuser portion and the lighting system. 
     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a color changing lighting device according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a sectional view of the lighting device shown in  FIG. 1  taken along line  1 A- 1 A. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a base assembly for the color changing lighting device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the base assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , which includes a color changing lighting system. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a color changing lighting device according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lighting device in the shape of a pyramid according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a lighting device in the shape of a cylinder according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a lighting device in the shape of a Christmas tree according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lighting device in the shape of a sphere according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a lighting device having a canoe shape according to another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a color changing lighting device  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. The lighting device  10  provides an illuminated display that presents a visual effect of changing colors in changing patterns of shapes when viewed by an observer. The lighting device  10  is a motion lamp including a diffuser portion  14  visually displaying one or more colors therein. Liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  are housed within the diffuser portion  14 . As the oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  rise and fall within the diffuser portion  14 , it appears as if the liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  are changing in colors. 
     The lighting device  10  includes a base portion  22 , the diffuser portion  14 , and a tip  26  or cap. In one embodiment, the lighting device  10  includes a remote control device  30  ( FIG. 4A ) for selectively controlling operation of the lighting device  10 , such as power, color of the lighting device  10 , phasing between colors, phasing or flashing speed, timer functions. In further embodiments, the lighting device  10  may include any other suitable controller, such as an ON/OFF switch connected to a power cord, an ON/OFF switch located on one of the sides or the bottom of the base portion, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  2  and  3 , the base portion  22  houses a base assembly  34  including a lighting device control system  38 , a heating system  42  and a lighting system  46 . The base portion  22  includes a bottom plate  19 , a first support member  50 , and a second support member  54 . The bottom plate  19  of the base portion  22  has a shape suitable for mating with the first support member  50 . The bottom plate  19  and the first support member  50  may be coupled together in any number of ways, such as by swaging, by welding, by fasteners, or the like. Further, the first support member  50  may include an integral bottom plate rather than a separate bottom plate. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first support member  50  has a frusto-conical shape and includes an upper portion  58  and a lower portion  62 . The first support member  50  tapers from the lower portion  62  to the upper portion  58 . Further, the second support member  54  has a frusto-conical shape and includes an upper portion  66  and a lower portion  70 . The second support member  54  tapers from the upper portion  66  to the lower portion  70 . To assemble the base portion  22 , the lower (i.e., smaller) portion  70  of the second support member  54  is coupled to the upper (i.e., smaller) portion  58  of the first support member  50  by swaging. It should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that the first and second support members  50 ,  54  may be coupled together in other known manners, such as by fasteners, welding, or the like. In a further embodiment, the first support member  50  and the second support member  54  are integrally formed as a single piece. In the illustrated embodiment, the base portion  22  includes an indicator light  74  ( FIG. 1 ) showing whether the lighting system  46  is on or off. 
     When assembled, the base portion  22  has a generally-round hourglass shape. In other embodiments, the base portion  22  has a squared-off hourglass shape or a combination of round and square portions. 
     The base assembly  34  housed by the base portion  22  includes the control system  38 , the heating system  42 , and the lighting system  46 . When assembled, the base assembly  34  has an hourglass shape configured to fit within the base portion  22  of the lighting device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The heating system  42  is positioned proximate the diffuser portion  14 . The heating system  42  includes a heating element  78  supported by a mounting plate  82  and a heat shield  86  coupled to a lower surface of the mounting plate  82 . The heating element  78  provides a heat source for heating the liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18 , which causes the liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  to rise and fall within the diffuser portion  14 . The heating element  78  is electrically connected to the control system  38  such that an operator may turn the heating element  78  on and off. 
     The heat shield  86  isolates the heat generated by the heating element  78  from the lighting system  46 . Isolation of the heat source prevents overheating of the color changing technology provided by the lighting system  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, the heat shield  86  is formed from multiple layers of glass  87  with insulating layers  89  therebetween, although in further embodiments, the heat shield  86  may be formed from other insulating materials that allow light to pass therethrough, from a single layer of glass or other insulating materials, or from any plurality of layers of glass or other insulating materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat shield  86  is transparent to allow light emitted from the lighting system  46  to illuminate the diffuser portion  14 . 
     The lighting system  46  includes light sources  90  mounted to a circuit board  94 , a mounting plate  98 , and an adaptor ring  102 . The light sources  90  may include any suitable light source that does not emit heat, or emits low-levels of heat. In the illustrated embodiment, the light sources  90  include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), although other known non-heat transmitting light sources may be used, such as cold cathode, neon, or the like. In an embodiment including LEDs, the heat shield  86  protects the LEDs and the circuit board  94  from the heating element  78  to prevent overheating. 
     A color changing effect for the liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  housed in the diffuser portion  14  is achieved by the light sources  90 . The lights sources  90  illuminate the diffuser portion  14  with two or more alternating colors. The light sources  90  of the lighting system  46  include two or more colors, where each LED emits a variety of colors or a single color. The light sources  90  are controllable (e.g., by the remote control  30 ) through the circuit board  94  to alternate between colors or emit a single color. For example, in one embodiment, the light sources  90  are programmed to phase between colors by themselves, or the light sources  90  may be connected to any suitable controller in order to change between colors. In the illustrated embodiment, the light sources  90  are mounted to the circuit board  94 , which helps control the light sources  90 . 
     In one embodiment, the circuit board  94  is programmed to have all the red light sources  90 , such that color inside the lighting device is red. However, the circuit board  94 , or user, may direct some blue light sources  90  light up in conjunction with the red light sources  90 , such that color inside the lighting device is purple. 
     The light sources  90  and the circuit board  94  are supported by the mounting plate  98  such that light emitted by the light sources  90  is directed through the heat shield  86  to the diffuser portion  14 . The mounting plate  98  is generally cylindrical and includes a main body  106  having a central channel  110  therethrough. A ledge  114  extends radially outward from an upper edge of the main body  106  and includes projections  118  for supporting the heat shield  86 . An inner ledge  122  is formed on an inner diameter of the central channel  110  of the main body  106  and supports the circuit board  94  with mounted light sources  90 . A lower portion  126  of the main body  106  slidingly receives the adaptor ring  102  for coupling the lighting system  46  to the lighting device control system  38 . It should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that in further embodiments other mounting arrangements may be used for supporting the light sources  90  and directing the light sources  90  to illuminate the diffuser portion  14 . 
     The lighting device control system  38  includes a circuit board  130  for the lighting device  10 , a base  134 , and a base plate  138 . The circuit board  130  is coupled to the base plate  138 , and the two are coupled to a lower edge of the base  134 . The lighting system  46  is supported by an upper portion of the base  134 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A, and  4 A- 4 B, the diffuser portion  14  defines a globe or container that holds the liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  (e.g., those diffuser portions used in LAVA® brand motion lamps). In an embodiment in which the diffuser portion  14  holds liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo, or liquid globules  18 , the diffuser portion  14  is constructed of a fully-transparent or translucent and waterproof material or wall  13 , such as glass. The wall  13  has an interior surface  15  and an exterior surface  17 . The wall  13  defines a cavity  21  that holds the liquid  16  and oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18 . In some embodiments, the diffuser portion  14  holds  52  ounces of liquid and/or material; however, it should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that the diffuser portion  14  may have the capacity to hold more or less liquid and/or material. In further embodiments, the diffuser portion  14  is constructed of a non-waterproof, transparent or frosted plastic, such as acrylic or propylene. 
     The diffuser portion  14  has a shape of a typical LAVA® brand motion lamp. A lower portion  142  of the diffuser portion  14  is received by the upper portion  66  of the second support member  54  and is supported by the upper portion  66 . An upper portion  146  of the diffuser portion  14  has a generally-circular opening  23  over which the tip  26  or cap, is positioned. The cap  26  has a generally frusto-conical shape ( FIG. 1A ). The cap  26  is supported by an upper edge of the diffuser portion  14 . The diffuser portion  14  includes a liquid-tight seal  25  positioned over or inside a circular opening  23  and beneath the cap  26 . 
     In operation, a user places the lighting device  10  on a mounting surface, such as a table or desk top (not shown). The user turns the device  10  on, and heat generated by the heating element  78  causes the oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  to rise and fall within the liquid  16 . The light sources  90  alternate between colors to create a visual effect on the oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  of changing colors in changing patterns of shapes create a visual effect of changing colors in changing patterns of shapes as the oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  rise and fall within the diffuser portion  14 . This creates a visual effect of the liquid  16  and the oozing blobs, goo or liquid globules  18  are changing colors. In one embodiment, an operator may control the color change of the light sources  90  with the remote control  30  or any other suitable controller. 
     When assembled, the lighting device  10  (i.e., the base portion  22 , the diffuser portion  14 , and the tip or cap  26 ) have the shape of a typical LAVA® brand motion lamp. In further embodiments, the lighting device  10  can be shaped in any other suitable manner. In some embodiments, the cap  26  is omitted or is integral with the diffuser portion  14 . In addition, the base portion  22  and the diffuser portion  14  have the same shape as one another or different shapes. For example, the base portion  22  and the diffuser portion  14  may include various holiday, novelty, or decorative shapes. The base portion  22  may be cylindrical or rectangular (or any other suitable shape) and the diffuser portion  14  (or a combination of the base portion and the diffuser portion) may include, for example, a Christmas tree, a star, a Santa figure, an Easter egg, an Easter basket, a pumpkin, a ghost, a witch, a heart, a moon, a sun, a poker die, a globe, an American flag, various animal shapes, or any other novelty or decorative shape or shapes. In addition, the lighting device  10  may be constructed so that the base portion  22  is integral with the diffuser portion  14 , i.e., there is no visible boundary between the base portion  22  and the diffuser portion  14 . In each of these alternative configurations, the lighting system  46  and the heating system  42  may be used. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a lighting device having a rectangular base portion  22  with a pyramid-shaped diffuser portion  14 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a lighting device having a cylindrical base portion  22  with a cylindrical diffuser portion  14 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a lighting device having a cylindrical base portion  22  with a Christmas tree-shaped diffuser portion  14 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a lighting device having a cylindrical base portion  22  with a sphere-shaped diffuser portion  14 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a lighting device having a canoe-shaped base portion  22  with a canoe-shaped diffuser portion  14 . It should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art that in further embodiments, the lighting device  10  can be shaped in any other suitable manner beyond those described above. Further, that the base assembly  34  including the lighting system  46  and the heating system  42  are sized and shaped to fit within the base portion  22 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another embodiment of a lighting device  210 . The lighting device  210  is similar to the lighting device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 ; therefore like structure will be identified by the same reference numerals. The base portion  22  and the lighting device  210  includes a clock  214  (e.g., an alarm clock) with control buttons  218  for the clock  214 , and circulation holes  222  for diffusing heat and air from the base assembly  34 . 
     It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.