Patent Publication Number: US-4096379-A

Title: Modular illumination device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to illumination devices, and more particularly to an illuminating device which is modular. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The decoration of homes during the Christmas holiday season has become common practice. Strings of lamps are strung around windows, doors, and along eaves. The lights are usually secured in place with staples, hooks, or the like. These light strings are frequently difficult to install, are unsightly during day light hours, and are easily damaged when stored between holiday seasons. 
     In an effort to overcome these problems several bulb enclosures have been proposed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,090 issued to C. Kvarda, Jr. on Aug. 31, 1965 discloses a longitudinal Christmas light holder adapted to be suspended from a rain gutter. Although this device presents a neater appearance it offers little protection for the bulbs used in conjunction therewith. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,993 issued to S. H. Robinson on Sept. 12, 1972 teaches a light fixture having bulb sockets which are rectractable. Some protection is afforded the bulbs when stored, but they are very vulnerable to the elements when in use. 
     The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing a modular illumination device which completely encloses the bulbs used in conjunction therewith. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a modular illumination device which encloses and thereby protects the bulbs used in conjunction therewith. 
     A further object is to provide an illumination device which is modular and is therefore readily adaptable to variously configured installations. 
     Another object is to provide a modular illumination device which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable. 
     These objects, as well as further objects and advantages, of the present invention will become readily apparent after reading the description of a non-limiting illustrative embodiment and the accompanying drawing. 
     A modular illumination device according to the principles of the present invention includes a plurality of rigid hollow illumination housings forming a chamber therein and having at least one surface thereof permitting the transmission of light therethrough; affixment means disposed on a first free end of each of the illumination housings, the affixment means for separably joining to a second free end of an adjacent illumination housing; a plurality of lamps, at least one of the plurality of lamps disposed in each of the chambers of each of the plurality of illumination housings; electrical coupling means for electrically coupling the plurality of lamps when the plurality of illumination housings are joined; and power coupling means for coupling a power source to the plurality of lamps. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the present invention may be more fully understood it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment affixed to a house; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top view of the preferred embodiment; and 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a right angle illumination housing of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a modular illumination device 10 fixedly secured to the eaves 12 of a house 14 and around the windows 16 thereof. The modular illumination device 10 includes a plurality of rigid hollow illumination housings 18 joined together on the free ends thereof. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of illumination housings 18 and a power housing 20. The illumination housings 18 and the power housing 20 each have a first free end 22 and a second free ends 24 thereof. A cup like portion 26 is provided on each of the first free ends 22 of the housings 18 and 20. The cuplike portions 26 are dimensioned to capture and to frictionally removedly retain therein the exterior surface 28 of an adjacent second free end 24. Each of the housings 18 and 20 have an electrical plug 30 fixedly secured to the first free ends 22 thereof and a complementary electrical socket 32 fixedly mounted on the second free end 24 thereof. When the housings 18 and 20 are joined the electrical sockets 32 capture and removeably retain therein an adjacent electrical plug 30. A power cord 34 is coupled to the electrical plug 30 of the power housing 20, to couple power thereto. The plurality of illumination housings 18 are constructed of a transparent plastic material and have substantially rectangular cross-sections. The housings may be constructed with only one surface, such as the upper surface 36 or the side surfaces 38 being of a transparent material. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates two of the illumination housings 18 joined together. The cup like portion 26 is shown engaging the exterior surface 28 of an adjacent housing 18. The socket 32 is shown electrically connected to the plug 30 of an adjacent housing 18. A plurality of lamps 40 are disposed within each of the chambers 42 respectively formed by the housings 18 and are electrically coupled to the plugs 30 and sockets 32 thereof. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a substantially &#34;L&#34; shaped illumination housing 44. The illumination housing 44 has a plurality of substantially keyhole shaped mounting holes 46 located therein. The illumination housing 44 is ideally suited for use around the corners of doors and windows as shown in FIG. 1. Illumination housings may be constructed in various shapes for different installations. 
     It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, arrangements of parts and operation conditions which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention.