Patent Publication Number: US-8974093-B2

Title: Light casing with movable part

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a light casing, particularly to a light casing that can be disposed on walls, beneath drain pipes, or under eaves. Users can open and close the light casing of the present invention in accordance with different contexts and preferences. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Traditionally, decorative lights are used only on specific holidays, such as Christmas or Independence Day. The repetitive cycle of loading, installing, unloading, packaging, and storing festival lights before and after holidays is an exhausting process to users. Furthermore, it may be dangerous when users install or unload the lights. For example, users may fall down when they are installing or unloading the lights on the roof. 
     The issues mentioned above have been problematic for consumers for a long time. Therefore, an adjustable light casing that can be adjusted based on the users&#39; needs, does not need be unloaded after using, and is able to cover and protect lights inside would be the best solution to the problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a light casing that has two lateral fastening members connecting to a fixed case and a movable case. At least one light can be disposed on the fixed case, and the movable case can be moved to cover the light or expose the light based on users&#39; needs. 
     The light casing of the present invention has two lateral fastening members, a fixed case, and a movable case. Each of the lateral fastening members has a first surface and a second surface. An orifice is disposed near the center of each of the lateral fastening members. A positioning slot is disposed on the periphery of the orifice on the second surface of each of the lateral fastening members. A sliding slot is disposed on the periphery of the positioning slot on the second surface of each of the lateral fastening members. The fixed case has an arc-shaped cross-section, a concave opening surface, a convex surface, and two opening ends. Each of the two opening ends of the fixed case is fixedly inserted in the positioning slot of one of the lateral fastening members. The movable case has an arc-shaped cross-section, a concave opening surface, a convex surface, and two opening ends. Each of the two opening ends of the movable case is movably inserted in the sliding slot of one of the lateral fastening members. When the movable case covers the convex surface of the fixed case, the concave opening surface of the fixed case is uncovered. When the movable case and the fixed case form a covered space, the concave opening surface of the fixed case is covered. 
     Preferably, the orifices of the lateral fastening members penetrate the first surface and the second surface of the lateral fastening members, whereas the positioning slots and the sliding slots do not penetrate the first surface of the lateral fastening members. Therefore, the movable case and the fixed case cannot penetrate the first surface of the lateral fastening members. 
     Preferably, the shape of positioning slots of the lateral fastening members is the same as the shape of the cross-section of the fixed case, and the size of the positioning slots is larger than or equal to the size of the two ends of the fixed case. Therefore, the opening ends of the fixed case can be fixedly disposed in the positioning slots of the lateral fastening members. 
     Preferably, a slightly semi-circular cylindrical portion extends between the positioning slot on the second surface of each of the two lateral fastening members and the orifice of each of the two lateral fastening members. The slightly semi-circular cylindrical portion has an aperture, and each of the two opening ends of the fixed case has an aperture, so the fixed case can be secured on the slightly semi-circular cylindrical portion through the apertures with a screw. 
     Preferably, the shape of the sliding slots of the two lateral fastening members is nearly circular, and each of the sliding slots has a first block portion and a second block portion. The shape of the cross-section of the movable case is close to semi-circular, and the size of the sliding slots is larger than the size of the two opening ends of the movable case. Therefore, the two opening ends of the movable case can be movably disposed in the sliding slots of the two lateral fastening members, and the movable case can be moved in between the first block portion and the second block portion of the sliding slot. 
     Preferably, each of the two lateral fastening members has an outer surface. A first arc-shaped positioning portion and a second arc-shaped positioning portion are disposed on the outer surface. Both the first arc-shaped positioning portion and the second arc-shaped positioning portion have at least one screw hole. The first arc-shaped positioning portion is nearly parallel with the positioning slot of the lateral fastening member, whereas the second arc-shaped positioning portion is nearly perpendicular to the positioning slot of the lateral fastening member. 
     Preferably, the light casing of the present invention further comprises at least one positioning base. The positioning base has a baseboard, an arm, and an arc-shaped plate. The baseboard has at least one aperture that allows the baseboard to be secured by a screw or bolt on a wall or ceiling, or under eaves. The arm has two ends. One end of the arm is disposed on the baseboard, and the other end of the arm is attached to the arc-shaped plate. The arc-shaped plate has at least one aperture that allows the arc-shaped plate to be secured by a screw or bolt on the first or the second arc-shaped positioning portions of the lateral fastening members, so the lateral fastening members can be secured on a wall or ceiling, or under eaves with the positioning base. 
     Preferably, the light casing of the present invention further comprises at least one middle-supporting member. The middle-supporting member has a first surface, a second surface, an orifice, a positioning slot, and a nearly circular sliding slot. The orifice is disposed near the center of the middle-supporting member. The positioning slot has the same shape as the fixed case and is disposed on the periphery of the orifice. The nearly circular sliding slot has a first block portion and a second block portion and is disposed on the periphery of the positioning slot. The orifice, the positioning slot, and the nearly circular sliding slot all penetrate the first and the second surface of the middle-supporting member. Therefore, the fixed case can be fixedly disposed through the positioning slot, and the movable case can be movably disposed thought the sliding slot and moved in between the first block portion and the second block portion of the sliding slot. 
     In another example, the light casing of the present invention has two lateral fastening members, at least one positioning base, a fixed case, and a movable case. Each of the lateral fastening members has a first surface, a second surface, an orifice, a nearly semi-circular positioning slot, and a nearly circular sliding slot. The orifice is disposed near the center of the lateral fastening member. The nearly semi-circular positioning slot is disposed on the periphery of the orifice on the second surface. The nearly circular sliding slot has a first block portion and a second block portion and is disposed on the periphery of the positioning slot on the second surface. The positioning base has two ends. One end attaches to one of the two lateral fastening members, and the other end can be secured on a well. The fixed case has a semi-circular cross-section, a concave opening surface, a convex surface, and two opening ends. The shape of the two ends of the fixed case is almost the same as the shape of the nearly semi-circular positioning slot. Each of the two opening ends of the fixed case is fixedly disposed in the nearly semi-circular positioning slot of one of the lateral fastening members. The movable case has a semi-circular cross-section, a concave opening surface, a convex surface, and two opening ends. Each of the two opening ends of the movable case is movably disposed in the nearly circular sliding slot of one of the lateral fastening members. When the first block portion blocks the movable case, the movable case covers the convex surface of the fixed case, and the concave opening surface of the fixed case is uncovered. When the second block portion blocks the movable case, the concave opening surface of the fixed case is covered by the movable case. 
     Preferably, each of the two lateral fastening members has an outer surface. A first arc-shaped positioning portion and a second arc-shaped positioning portion are disposed on the outer surface. Both the first and the second arc-shaped positioning portions have at least one screw hole. The positioning base has a baseboard, an arm, and an arc-shaped plate. The baseboard has at least one aperture that allows the baseboard to be secured by a screw or bolt on a wall or ceiling, or under eaves. The arm has two ends. One end of the arm is disposed on the baseboard, and the other end of the arm is attached to the arc-shaped plate. The arc-shaped plate has at least one aperture that allows the arc-shaped plate to be secured by a screw or bolt on the first or the second arc-shaped positioning portion of the lateral fastening members, so the lateral fastening members can be secured on a wall or ceiling, or under eaves with the positioning base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a light casing of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the light casing when the light casing is opened; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the light casing when the light casing is closed; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a lateral fastening member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the light casing combining with lights and secured on a wall; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views of the light casing when in use; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the light casing for use in one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention will be illustrated by way of the following examples, but the invention will not be limited thereto. 
     Referring to the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , specifically  FIG. 1 , a light casing of the present invention has two lateral fastening members  1 , at least one middle-supporting member  6 , at least one positioning base  2 , a fixed case  3 , and a movable case  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the two lateral fastening members  1  has a first surface  11 , a second surface  12 , and an orifice  13  disposed near the center of the lateral fastening member  1 . The orifice  13  penetrates the first surface  11  and the second surface  12 . A nearly semi-circular positioning slot  14  is disposed on the periphery of the orifice  13  on the second surface  12 . A slightly semi-circular cylindrical portion  15  extends between the positioning slot  14  on the second surface  12  and the orifice  13 . The cylindrical portion  15  has an aperture  151 . A nearly circular sliding slot  16  is disposed on the periphery of the positioning slot  14  on the second surface  12 . The sliding slot  16  has a first block portion  161  and a second block portion  162 . The lateral fastening member  1  has an outer surface, and a first arc-shaped positioning portion  17  and a second arc-shaped positioning portion  18  are disposed on the outer surface. Both the first arc-shaped positioning portion  17  and the second arc-shaped positioning portion  18  have at least one screw hole  171 ,  181 . The first arc-shaped positioning portion  17  is nearly parallel with the positioning slot  14 , and the second arc-shaped positioning portion  18  is nearly perpendicular to the positioning slot  14 . The positioning slot  14  and the sliding slot  16  do not penetrate the first surface  11  of the lateral fastening member  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the middle-supporting member  6  has a first surface  61  and a second surface  62 . An orifice  63  is disposed near the center of the middle-supporting member  6 . A nearly semi-circular positioning slot  64  is disposed on the periphery of the orifice  63 . A slightly semi-circular cylindrical portion  65  extends between the positioning slot  64  and the orifice  63 . The cylindrical portion  65  has an aperture  651 . A nearly circular sliding slot  66  is disposed on the periphery of the positioning slot  64 . The sliding slot  66  has a first block portion  661  and a second block portion  662 . The middle-supporting member  6  has an outer surface, and a first arc-shaped positioning portion  67  and a second arc-shaped positioning portion  68  are disposed on the outer surface. Both the first arc-shaped positioning portion  67  and the second arc-shaped positioning portion  68  have at least one screw hole  671 ,  681 . The first arc-shaped positioning portion  67  is nearly parallel with the positioning slot  64 , and the second arc-shaped positioning portion  68  is nearly perpendicular to the positioning slot  64 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the positioning base  2  has a baseboard  21 , an arm  22 , and an arc-shaped plate  23 . The baseboard  21  has at least one aperture  211  that allows the baseboard  21  to be secured by a screw or a bolt  5  on a wall or ceiling, or under eaves. The arm  22  has two ends, one end of the arm  22  is disposed on the baseboard  21 , and the other end of the arm  22  is attached to the arc-shaped plate  23 . The arc-shaped plate  23  has at least one aperture  231 , which corresponds to the screw hole  171 ,  181 ,  671 ,  681  on the arc-shape positioning portion  17 ,  18 ,  67 ,  68 . The arc-shaped plate  23  can be attached to the first arc-shaped positioning portion  17 ,  67  or the second arc-shaped positioning portion  18 ,  68 . Therefore, the lateral fastening member  1  and the middle-supporting member  6  can be secured by a screw or a bolt  5  with the positioning base  2  on a wall or ceiling, or under eaves with the positioning base. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fixed case  3  has a nearly semi-circular cross-section, a concave opening surface  31 , a convex surface, and two opening ends  33 . At least one aperture  32  is disposed near the two opening ends  33  of the fixed case  3 . The shape of the two opening ends  33  is the same as the shape of the positioning slot  14  of the lateral fastening member  1 , and the size of the two opening ends  33  of the fixed case  3  is smaller than or equal to the size of the positioning slots  14 ,  64  of the lateral fastening member  1  and the middle-supporting member  6 . Therefore, the two opening ends  33  of the fixed case  3  can be inserted into the nearly semi-circular positioning slots  14 ,  64 , and cannot be moved in the positioning slots  14 ,  64 . The two opening ends  33  of the fixed case  3  can be attached to the slightly semi-circular cylindrical portions  15 ,  65  of the lateral fastening members  1  and the middle-supporting member  6 , and the apertures  32  of the fixed case  3  correspond to the aperture  151  of the slightly semi-circular cylindrical portion  15 . Hence, the opening ends  33  of the fixed case  3  can be secured in the positioning slots  14  of the lateral fastening members  1  by screws or bolts  5  through the apertures  151 ,  32 . The opening ends  33  of the fixed case  3  is blocked by the first surfaces  11  of the lateral fastening members  1  and cannot penetrate the first surfaces  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the movable case  4  has a nearly semi-circular cross-section, a concave opening surface  41 , a convex surface, and two opening ends  42 . The sizes of the sliding slots  16 ,  66  of the lateral fastening member  1  and the middle-supporting member  6  are larger than the size of the two opening ends  42  of the movable case  4 . Therefore, the two opening ends  42  of the movable case  4  can be inserted in the sliding slots  16  of the lateral fastening members  1 , and the movable case  4  can be moved stably in the sliding slots  16 ,  66 . The two opening ends  42  of the movable case  4  are blocked by the first surfaces  11  of the lateral fastening members  1  and cannot penetrate the first surfaces  11 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the movable case  4  is blocked by the first block portions  161 ,  661  of the lateral fastening members  1  and the middle-supporting member  6 , the movable case  4  covers the convex surface of the fixed case  3 , so the concave opening surface  31  of the fixed case  3  is uncovered. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when the movable case  4  is blocked by the second block portions  162 ,  662  of the lateral fastening members  1  and the middle-supporting member  6 , the movable case  4  covers the concave opening surface  31  of the fixed case  3 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a ring  43  is disposed near the middle of the movable case  4 , and users can open and close the movable case  4  through the ring  43  with a hook. 
     When the fixed case  3  and the movable case  4  are long, a plurality of middle-supporting members  6  can be used to support the fixed case  3  and the movable case  4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A, and  6 B, at least one light  7  is secured on the concave opening surface  31  of the fixed case  3  of the light casing and emits light from the concave opening surface  31 . The lights  7  can be, but not limited to, decoration lights, Christmas light bulbs, neon lights, LED lights, or fluorescent lamps. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A,  6 B, and  7 , when the baseboards  21  of the positioning bases  2  are secured on a wall  9 , and the arc-shaped plates  23  of the positioning bases  2  are fasten to the first arc-shaped positioning portions  17 ,  67  of the lateral fastening members  1  or the middle-supporting member  6 , the two lateral fastening members  1 , the middle-supporting member  6 , the movable case  4 , and the fixed case  3  are held on the wall  9 . When the baseboards  21  of the positioning bases  2  are secured under eaves  10  or on the ceiling, then the arc-shaped plates  23  of the positioning bases  2  are fasten to the second arc-shaped positioning portions  18 ,  68  of the lateral fastening members  1  or the middle-supporting member  6 , so the two lateral fastening members  1 , the middle-supporting member  6 , the movable case  4 , and the fixed case  3  are held under eaves  10  or on the ceiling. Therefore, fixed case  3  of the light casing of the present invention can be horizontally or vertically disposed on walls, beneath drain pipes, or under eaves based on users&#39; needs. 
     When the lights  7  are on, the movable case  4  is placed at the position that covers the convex surface of the fixed case  3  and is blocked by the first block portions  161 ,  661  of the sliding slots  16 ,  66  of the lateral fastening members  1  and the middle-supporting member  6 , so the concave opening surface  31  of the fixed case  3  and the light emitted from the lights  7  are uncovered. When the lights  7  are off, the movable case  4  is moved to cover the fixed case  3  and is blocked by the second block portions  162 ,  662  of the sliding slots  16 ,  66  of the lateral fastening members  1  and the middle-supporting member  6 , so the lights  7  are protected in the covered space formed by the fixed case  3  and the movable case  4 . 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in order to connect the lights  7  to a controller  202  and a transformer  203 , a power cable  201  is disposed at one end of the lateral fastening members  1 . The power cable  201  connects to the lights  7  through the orifices  13  of the lateral fastening members  1 . Additionally, a connector  30  can be disposed at one end of the lateral fastening members  1  to connect other lights  7  and a plurality of light casings of the present invention. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a remote controller  204  optionally controls the lights  7 . The controller  202  receives the signals send from the remote controller  204 , so the lights  7  can be controlled remotely. Therefore, the light casing of the present invention can be used with different lights and controlling modes based on the users&#39; needs. 
     Additionally, when the movable case  4  covers the concave opening surface  31  of the fixed case  3 , part of the movable case  4  overlaps the fixed case  3 , so water and dust cannot get into the light casing of the present invention. 
     Additionally, when the lights  7  are not used, users do not need to unload and store the lights  7  because the lights  7  are covered and protected by the fixed case  3  and the movable case  4  of the light casing of the present invention. Therefore, it is very convenient to use decoration lights with the light casing of the present invention. 
     Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the light casing of the present invention is disposed at a high position, a rod  8  with a hook  81  can be hooked to the ring  43  of the movable case  4  to open and close the movable case  4 . 
     Accordingly, comparing to known technologies, the present invention provides the following technical features and advantages with novelty, improvement, and industrial use.
         1. Disposed in the light casing of the present invention, decoration lights do not need to be repeatedly installed or unloaded. When users want to use the decoration lights, users only need to open the light casing of the present invention.   2. The light casing of the present invention can be connected and disposed in different ways based on different types, sizes, and structures of houses.   3. The light bulbs disposed in the light casing of the present invention can be replaced individually without replacing all the decoration lights.   4. The light casing of the present invention covers the lights inside to keep them clean when the lights are not used, so the users do not need to clean the lights often.   5. The light casing of the present invention protects the lights inside from wind, sunlight, and water, and therefore extends the lifespan of the lights.       

     Many changes and modifications in the above described embodiment of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.