Patent Abstract:
A charging system for use in charging a battery includes an elongate handle with a working length sufficient to reach a battery that is out of reach of a user. The charging system includes a charging apparatus coupled to the elongate handle. A head member is configured to mechanically engage with and electrically connect to a battery unit and also mechanically disengage and electrically disconnect from the battery unit by manually grasping and applying mechanical force to the elongate handle. The charging system also includes a power supply configured to provide electrical power to the charging apparatus. The charging system can be used to recharge the battery of a wall or ceiling mounted device (e.g., a battery powered lighting device) that is out of reach of the user without having to remove the device or use a ladder to reach the device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/567,468, filed Sep. 25, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/345,817, entitled “Versatile Lighting Device”, filed Feb. 2, 2006, which claims the benefit of prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/650,536, entitled “Versatile Lighting Device”, filed Feb. 8, 2005. The disclosures of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to lighting devices, particularly to a versatile lighting device, and more particularly to a versatile lighting device for art gallery, display and decorative lighting applications. 
     Picture lights and display lights have been widely used in public establishments (e.g., galleries and museums) to illuminate paintings, artifacts and architectural details for enhanced visual effects. Recently, these lighting devices are slowly making their way into private homes. Many people attempt to make their homes appear warmer and more attractive by installing what used to be considered professional lighting fixtures. Private individuals may also have the need to showcase a wide range of possessions, such as paintings, prints, photographs, awards, artifacts, plants, flowers, and aquariums. A variety of decorative lighting devices have been designed and marketed for these purposes. The known types of decorative lighting devices have at least the following drawbacks. 
     A major portion of known lighting devices are powered by so-called household or conventional electric grid power sources. They are either required to be hard-wired to household electric lines or include power cords to be plugged into electric sockets. It is usually costly or at least troublesome to route and conceal the unsightly electric wires or power cords. Although a few battery-powered lighting devices have been proposed, they have not been commercially successful due to poor light quality (often linked to power constraints), short battery life, and the inconvenience of battery replacement or recharge. 
     Existing decorative lighting devices typically tend to be obtrusive and lack flexibility or versatility. Once installed in a ceiling or on a wall, they cannot easily be moved to a different location without extensive reinstallation or rewiring. The light intensities are usually fixed or not easily adjustable. Typically, the light beams, with respect to focus and direction, can only be adjusted manually, which may be cumbersome and even unsafe, since many decorative lighting devices are installed in hard-to-reach places. 
     Still further, many decorative lighting devices are designed and/or installed in an obtrusive fashion. When a picture light or display light is implemented, it is desirable to draw attention to the painting or artifact that is on display, not the light source. Preferably, the light itself should be hidden or invisible, or at least unobtrusive and unnoticed. Currently, very few ceiling-mountable or wall-mountable decorative lights meet this requirement. Recessed lighting may partially solve this problem, but the installation involves creating openings in a wall or ceiling, which is not always feasible. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a more efficient solution for decorative lighting. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a versatile lighting device that overcomes deficiencies of known lighting devices and systems. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, a versatile lighting device is provided which is operable to produce appealing and pleasing illumination. The lighting device may not require any connection to an electric grid power source or outlet. One or more batteries that power the lighting device may be charged without removal from the installed lighting device. The batteries may have relatively long run-time and short charge time. Alternatively, the lighting device may be powered by a low-profile power unit which is wired to an AC power source. The lighting device may comprise a low-power consuming light source, such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), to provide bright and warm illumination that is comparable to natural light. The lighting device may be provided in various configurations, including wall sconces, picture lights and various forms of decorative lighting, and may be remotely controlled to achieve desired lighting effects, including position, intensity and focus. 
     The present invention still further provides a versatile lighting device which may be mounted in a wide variety of locations, and powered by an onboard battery power source. The battery source may be conveniently recharged without removal from the lighting device by a charging apparatus which includes an elongated wand, rod or pole for connecting a source of recharging power to the battery. The battery charging apparatus may be easily connected to the lighting device and easily removed therefrom using a variety of connection means known in the art. The charging apparatus may be stored in a closet or other storage space when not needed and may include a telescoping type rod or pole to facilitate access between a source of charging power and the lighting device itself. 
     The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention is described with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those of ordinarily skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, which are within the scope of the present invention, and with respect to which the present invention may be of significant utility. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified side elevation view in somewhat schematic form of a lighting device according to one preferred embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating components of a lighting device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a remote control unit for a lighting device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the remote control unit shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a table showing certain performance parameters of a selected type of battery which may be suitable for use with the lighting device of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a lighting device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of still another preferred embodiment of a lighting device of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of a lighting device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of still another preferred embodiment of a lighting device in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the lighting device shown in  FIG. 9  and taken from a different perspective; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the lighting device shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and illustrating the connection between a charging apparatus for charging the battery of the lighting device; 
         FIG. 12  is a detail perspective view of an embodiment of a battery charging apparatus; 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are detail side elevation views of parts of another embodiment of a charging apparatus; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a power supply unit for supplying power to and through the charging apparatus for charging the battery or batteries of the lighting device of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of a portion of the control circuitry onboard the lighting device shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of a further portion of control circuitry for the lighting device of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of control circuitry for a remote control unit for the lighting device of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a charging apparatus for the lighting device of the invention; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a wall sconce embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain components may be shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary lighting device  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The lighting device  100  may comprise two main components: a base  102  and a pan-tilt assembly  104 . The base  102  may house electronics and one or more batteries. The pan-tilt assembly  104  may house a lens, one or more LEDs, and a heat sink. 
     The base  102  may be mounted to a surface  10  or a recess opening therein. The base  102  may be mounted via a number of mechanisms. For example, the base  102  may be screw-mounted via a ceiling mount or a wall mount, or the base  102  may include a hook and loop patch-type fastening means, an adhesive pad or other detachable mounting devices. Since the lighting device  100  is battery-powered, it may be installed in various rooms and in various configurations based on specific decorative needs. For example, the lighting device  100  may be mounted on a wall above a painting, poster or mirror. The lighting device  100  may be attached to a ceiling with its light beam directed to and/or focused on a painting on a nearby wall. Alternatively, the lighting device  100  may be positioned above a shelf to highlight artifacts displayed thereon. The lighting device  100  may be hidden under a mantle to illuminate fireplace displays, for example. According to other embodiments of the invention, the base  102  or the entire lighting device  100  may be recessed in a wall or ceiling opening, for example, to make the fixture appear even less intrusive. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 1 , the base  102  may comprise battery charge pins or contact elements  106 , one shown, to which a charging apparatus (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be temporarily coupled to charge the batteries. Though the charge pins  106  are shown as protruding out of the base  102 , they are preferably recessed (e.g., in a socket). One or more batteries, preferably rechargeable, may be provided in a modular battery pack so that the batteries may be easily replaced at the end of their lives. The batteries may occupy the greatest amount of space and contribute the most to the overall weight of the lighting device  100 . In one embodiment, a battery component may measure no more than 2.5 inches by 2.3 inches by 1.50 inches and weigh as little as 0.5 lbs. Electronic control circuitry may occupy a 2.25 inch by 4.0 inch printed circuit board (PCB) in the same package as the battery. In another embodiment, the battery component may be optionally replaced with a transformer in the same modular enclosure, which transformer may be connected to an AC grid electric line or plugged into a suitable outlet. 
     The pan-tilt assembly  104  may rotate around a pan axis  110  and/or tilt a light beam to a desired angle around a tilt axis  112 . Tilting and panning adjustments of the pan-tilt assembly  104  may be remotely controlled. Although conceptually illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a separate component, the pan-tilt assembly  104  may be housed in substantially the same enclosure as the base  102 . The overall enclosure may present an aesthetic yet functional appearance. In order for the lighting device  100  to be unobtrusive, its enclosure may, preferably, have the same color as the surface  10  and/or the surrounding environment. Therefore, enclosures with a wide range of colors may be provided. Alternatively, the enclosure may be made of a paintable material, such as a white plastic with a paintable surface, so that the lighting device  100  may be easily adapted to a desired color. 
       FIG. 2  comprises a block diagram illustrating functional components of an exemplary lighting device  200  according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. The lighting device  200  may comprise a base  22 , a light emitter and lens support assembly  24  and a suitable beam focus adjusting mechanism  25 . A pan-tilt mechanism  104  interconnects assembly  24  with base  22 . The assembly  24  may comprise a set of LEDs  218  and a lens  220 . Developments in LED technology have enabled the creation of a warm spot light with minimal power consumption so that the lighting device  200  can be battery powered. According to one embodiment, the LEDs  218  may include Luxeon™ brand Warm White Emitters from Lumileds Lighting, U.S., LLC of San Jose, Calif. The Luxeon™ brand Warm White LEDs provide a light that closely resembles that emitted by the desired warm yellow-white halogen/incandescent light. The Luxeon™ brand Warm White LEDs have a nominal correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3200K, describing the warmth or coolness appearance of a light, and a typical color rendering index (CRI) of 90, describing the effectiveness of a light source on color appearance (CRI of 100 represents the maximum most “natural” looking reference condition). Compared with incandescent bulbs, which generally have a low CCT around 2700-3000K and a high CRI, the Luxeon™ brand Warm White LED is a good low-power alternative. Other colors may be provided using paintable LEDs and/or lenses. 
     The LEDs  218  may be connected either in series or in parallel. The number of LEDs  218  may be determined based on a total required number of lumens desired. Depending on the desired light intensity, the LEDs  218  may be customized together with the associated electronics and battery component. The LED light emitting intensity may also be controlled to conserve battery power. 
     The lens  220  may be an FT3 Tri Lens Module from Fraen Corporation of Reading, Mass. The FT3 Tri Lens Module, is an off-the-shelf product specially designed for the Luxeon™ brand LEDs. The high collection efficiency reaches 85% of the total flux and provides a clear, focused beam with minimal hotspots. This means that the lens preserves 85% of the light quality characteristics after filtering the light beam. Though this is a tri-lens module, it functions very well when using only one or two LEDs. The lens focuses all LED configurations similarly without creating hotspots. According to preferred embodiments of the invention, it may be beneficial to attach one or more color filters to the lens  220  in order to obtain a desired color of illumination that is different from the original color of the LEDs  218 . Other filters, such as ultraviolet (UV) filters and dispersion filters, may also be attached to the lens  220 . As mentioned above, the LEDs may be modified to provide different color light. 
     The LEDs  218  may be powered by a LED drive circuit  202  suitably disposed on the base  22 . The Luxeon™ brand LEDs are characterized at 350 mA. The cut-in voltage required to run each LED is approximately 3.6 volts. If three LEDs are placed in series, the LED drive circuit  202  must supply 10.8 volts. Given this voltage, the power dissipation is expected to be approximately 3.78 watts for the LEDs  218 . The LED drive circuit  202  may employ a DC to DC voltage converter to boost the voltage output of a battery  204 . For example, a six-volt output from a battery may be boosted to twelve volts in order to run the three LEDs  218  in series. This DC to DC voltage converter may allow the use of a smaller battery to produce the same voltage as a larger battery. The LED drive circuit  202  may also be compatible with one or more LEDs in series. The more LEDs, the shorter time they may be run on a single charge of the battery  204 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a table of battery life for certain battery capacity and operating conditions of a versatile lighting device in accordance with the invention. The data for  FIG. 5  is determined using a preferred embodiment of a battery which is a lithium ion type battery which is of a type that is lightweight and offers a particularly long runtime or life. Still further, by dimming the output light emitted by a lighting device using batteries of the type mentioned, battery life may be extended substantially, as indicated. For example, using pulse width modulation (PWM) where in the LEDs of the lighting device are energized twenty percent of the time, a high capacity six cell battery package might provide as many as forty-three hours of operation while a three cell battery operating on a duty cycle of eighty percent illumination by pulse width modulation (PWM) the runtime for the lighting device may be as low as about nine hours. It should be noted that other chargeable and rechargeable batteries may also be implemented with varying costs and recharging times including, but not limited to, lead-acid, nickel hydride and nickel cadmium batteries, for example. 
     In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery  204  may be charged without being removed from the base  22 . A charge apparatus or so-called probe  210 , including an elongated rod or wand  208 , may charge the battery  204  through a charge control module  206 . The wand  208  may be either foldable or telescopic with an adjustable length to accommodate different ceiling heights or other difficult to access locations of the device  200 . The wand  208  include a coaxial pin type connector  208   a  which may be inserted in a cooperating socket  208   b  and partially secured to a pair of recessed conductor pins  205  in the base  22 . As a result, the wand  208  is prevented from disconnecting during a battery charging operation. However, a quick release mechanism or breakaway connection may be implemented in case the wand  208  is accidentally pulled, so that the lighting device  200  will not be unintentionally damaged or detached from its mounted position. The distal end of the wand  208  may also include two metal hooks, not shown, to provide a mate to recessed charge connector pins on the battery pack, not shown. A nonconductive cap, not shown, may be used to prevent the circuit from being shorted if the wand  208  is misplaced or inadvertently touched. 
     According to one embodiment, charging a three cell lithium ion battery from a discharged state may require 1.20 amps DC current for approximately two hours. At floor level, a transformer in the charge apparatus or probe  210  may convert 115 volts AC power from a wall outlet to a suitable battery charging voltage which goes through the wand  208 . The wand  208  may have a receptacle to accept a plug from the transformer. The charge control module  206  may automatically shut off when the battery  204  is fully charged. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 2 , power for charging the battery  204  for the lighting device  200  may also be obtained from a photovoltaic power source, such as that indicated by numeral  240  in  FIG. 2 . The photovoltaic power source  240  includes a suitable adapter  242  to be connected to the charge control circuit  206  in place of the wand  208 . Accordingly, electromagnetic radiation may be focused on or applied to the power source  240  which may then transfer the power to the battery  204  by way of the charging control circuit  206 . Such an arrangement would be particularly useful for applications of the lighting device  200  which are substantially inaccessible by electrical wiring or by other means of connecting the charging control circuit to a power source, such as the wand  208  and the charge probe circuit  210 . Yet further methods for charging the battery  204  can include removing the battery and/or battery unit from the lighting device and using the charging methods described herein or by providing the battery unit with its own adapter for charging by placement in communication with the electric grid at a convenient interior wall outlet, for example. The battery unit or the entire lighting device might be adapted for connection to the electric grid through a wall outlet or into a recharging base, depending on the economics of providing this additional structure and the convenience of using it or not. 
     The lighting device  200  may be remotely controlled via remote control unit  212 ,  FIGS. 3 and 4  also. A control receiver  214 ,  FIG. 2 , in the base  22  may receive and decode infrared (IR) signals transmitted from the remote control unit  212 . A dimmer control module  216  may cause the illumination intensity of the LEDs  218  to be incrementally or continuously adjusted. A pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit may be used to dim the LEDs  218 . This circuit may modulate a DC signal to create a flickering power source that provides power to the LEDs  218 . The flicker may be undetectable to the human eye. The ratio of time the light is turned on versus turned off per cycle, or so-called duty factor, of 60% means the LEDs  218  will illuminate for 60% of the time in each cycle. Manipulating the duty factor controls the light intensity and can cause the light to be dim or bright. This circuitry may also provide a simple and inexpensive way to increase the battery life because the LEDs  218  are flickering instead of constantly draining the battery  204 . For example, a lighting device according to the invention would be operable for a longer period of time using the same battery if the PWM was set to 85% duty factor instead of 100%. 
     Although only the dimmer control module  216  is shown coupling the control receiver  214  and the LED drive circuit  202 , a number of functions associated with the lighting device  200  may be controlled in a similar manner. For example, the beam focus may also be remotely controlled by way of suitable control circuitry connected to the mechanism or apparatus  25 . In addition, the panning and tilting movements of the pan-tilt assembly  104  may be remotely controlled so that the light beam may be positioned as desired. If a timer is, implemented for the lighting device  200 , the timer may also be remotely set or adjusted. 
     According to other embodiments of the present invention, it may sometimes be desirable to power the lighting device through an AC grid. In this case, a low-profile AC power unit may be wired to the AC grid and convert a standard AC supply voltage (e.g., 120V or 220V) to a desired DC voltage (e.g., 10V or 12V). According to one particular embodiment, a Model PSA-15LN power supply unit manufactured by Phihong USA, Inc. of Fremont, Calif. may be a suitable choice. The PSA-15LN power supply unit is a compact AC-to-DC converter that can take a S-wire or 2-wire 90-264VAC input and generate a DC output which can be a preset value between 3.3V and 24V. Further, the lighting device of the invention may be designed to operate on battery only, on AC power only, or interchangeably on either battery or AC power. In a lighting device with interchangeable power supply capability, the AC power unit may have physical dimensions substantially similar to those of the battery component so that either power supply may fit into the same lighting device. 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the remote control unit  212  includes a two-part housing comprising opposed shell-like housing members  252  and  254  which are suitably secured together in a conventional manner. The remote control unit  212  includes a radiation beam emitter, preferably emitting infrared radiation, and designated by numeral  256 . Emitter  256  is suitably connected to a control circuit  258  including a three position slide switch  548  the purpose of which will be described later herein. Control circuit  258  is supplied with power by suitable batteries  260  disposed within the housing  252 ,  254 ,  FIG. 4 . The control circuit  258  will be explained in further detail herein. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  212  includes a pushbutton momentary type switch including a switch actuator  262  for controlling the energization of the lighting device  200 . Still further, the control unit  212  includes suitable pushbutton type switch actuators  264  and  266  for controlling the intensity of the light emitted by the device  200 . Thus, remote control of a lighting device in accordance with the invention may be easily carried out by the use of an aesthetically pleasing hand-held remote control unit which includes its own source of electric power and which may be used to control energization of the lighting device  200 , as well as other embodiments of the lighting device described herein. An additional control switch, not shown, may be included in the remote control unit  212  for controlling a panning and tilting drive mechanism and a focusing mechanism, such as previously described. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , for example, there is illustrated a versatile lighting device generally designated by the numeral  300  including a housing  302  for supporting a movable head or housing member  304  including a lens  306  and one or more LED light sources, not shown in detail in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 . Housing  302  is adapted to removably support a rechargeable battery unit  308  suitably connected to the housing  302  for removal therefrom or for connection to a charging apparatus of a type generally as described herein. As shown in  FIG. 8 , additional battery units  310  may be connected to the housing  302  or to the battery unit  308  to extend the life and, perhaps, the power output of the lighting device  300 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the battery unit  308  may be replaced by a self-contained AC power conversion unit  312  whereby the lighting device  300  may be “hard wired” to an AC power source and the power converter unit  312  is operable to convert the power required by the lighting device  300  to the appropriate, DC voltage desired. 
     The battery units  308  and  310  may, for example, be of modular construction and be adapted to receive shrink-wrapped packs of one or more individual battery “cells” which could be added to the units  308  and  310  to increase operating life of the lighting device  300  between battery charging operations. Alternatively, the battery units  308  and  310  could be of different capacities. One problem associated with multiple battery cells and one or more battery units is to properly charge and discharge the batteries. Providing contacts for connection of the battery units to a charging apparatus can be difficult to accomplish in a way which will provide the ability to connect all the batteries to the charging or discharging conductors in parallel. Moreover, if battery units or individual batteries of differing ages are used, charging without systemized control may not be proper. One solution to this problem would be to devise a raceway of pass-through conductor housings or casings enabling independent conductors to be connected to the lighting device control circuit and to a charging unit or apparatus. The pass-through arrangement could be controlled by DIP switches, to provide a modular unit so that any battery would be operable in any position. Such an arrangement would also be required for charging the battery units with a charging module located on a master circuit board. Such an arrangement might require extensive software written into a microprocessor controller for discharging one battery at a time and then charging the batteries, also one battery at a time. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , still another preferred embodiment of a versatile lighting device in accordance with the invention is illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  400 . The lighting device  400  is characterized by a generally planar oval-shaped base  402  which may be adapted for mounting on a ceiling surface or any surface operable to accommodate the base. The base  402  is provided with a pedestal type support member  404  for supporting a light emitter and lens support housing  406  which is operable to support plural LED light emitters  408  and a suitable collimating lens  410 ,  FIG. 9 . Housing  406  is mounted on suitable trunnions connected to the pedestal  404  whereby the housing  406  and the light emitters may be positioned in a predetermined direction with respect to the base  402 . Base  402  also supports a control circuit board  412 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the lighting device  400  further includes a support bracket  414 ,  FIG. 10 , for supporting a removable battery unit  416 . A removable cover comprising a somewhat arcuate shell-like member  418  is adapted to be removably connected to the base  402 . The base  402 , housing  406 , cover  418  and a housing  420  for the battery unit  416  may all be made of a suitable thermoplastic or polymer, such as ABS or a polycarbonate. Battery unit  416  may be suitably connected to control circuitry mounted on board  412  by way of suitable contacts  415  and  417  mounted on bracket  414 ,  FIG. 10 , and cooperating contacts  415   a  and  417   a  on battery unit  416 . Battery unit  416  includes plural battery “cells”  417   b ,  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the cover  418  is provided with suitable openings  418   a ,  FIG. 9 and 418   b  to accommodate the movable housing  406 , and the battery unit  416 . Cover  418  also supports a radiation sensor  424 , an LED indicator  426  and a pushbutton momentary type switch actuator  428  for energizing or extinguishing the LED light sources  408 . Sensor  424  is operable to receive radiation signals from emitter  256  of the remote control unit  212  and indicator  426  is operable to indicate the charge status of the battery unit  416 . Lighting device  400  may also be adapted to be a hanging or clip-on type device for illuminating works of art and the like. 
     One significant advantage of the lighting device  400 , as well as the other lighting devices disclosed herein, is the provision of means on or associated with the battery unit  416  for supporting an apparatus for supplying battery charging power to the battery unit. Housing  420  includes spaced apart laterally and upwardly extending fingers  430  and  432 ,  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and defining a slot  434  therebetween. Fingers  430  and  432  are depicted as being somewhat arcuate but can have any desired shape as long as they can facilitate selective engagement with and disengagement from a charging apparatus. It will be appreciated that housing  420  can include any structure capable of selectively mating with corresponding structure of a charging apparatus, including but not limited to, one or more magnets or piece of metal that can engage a magnet or piece of metal on the charging apparatus, one or more protrusions that engage one or more corresponding recesses or other mechanical features of the charging apparatus, and one or more recesses that engage one or more corresponding protrusions or other mechanical features of the charging apparatus. One wall  421  of housing  420 ,  FIG. 10 , supports spaced apart battery charging contacts  421   a  and  421   b , which contacts face toward the fingers  432  and  430 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the lighting device  400  is particularly adapted for charging of the battery unit  416  utilizing a charging apparatus or so-called probe similar to the wand  208 . The battery charging apparatus or probe shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is generally designated by the numeral  440  and includes a transverse head part  442  having suitable electrical contact members  443  and  444  mounted thereon for engagement with the contact members  421   a  and  421   b . The battery charging probe  440  is characterized by a suitable telescoping or detachable pole assembly  446  having telescoping pole sections  448 ,  450  and  452  with the latter pole member being directly connected to the head  442 . Fewer or greater numbers of pole sections may be utilized in the apparatus or probe  440 . Moreover, the pole sections may be releasably connected to each other to extend the working length of the probe  440  as compared with being a telescoping type probe assembly as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     For example, viewing  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the head  442  is shown connected to a fixed length pole or tube  456  having a receptacle  458  at its lower end for connection to an extension pole member  460  having a grip  461  formed thereon,  FIG. 14 . A suitable breakaway coupling  462  is formed on the distal end of pole member  460  for engagement in the receptacle  458  for normally maintaining the pole sections  456  and  460  connected to each other, but allowing breakaway in the event that, while a charging operation is in process, a person inadvertently substantially deflects the pole assembly. In such an event, pole member  460  may detach from pole member  456 . As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 , the head  442  is provided with a boss defining receptacle  442   a  for receiving a coaxial pin type electrical connector of a power source  470 , see  FIG. 15 . Power source or power supply unit  470  is of a type which may be directly connected to an electrical grid and includes a transformer and rectifier unit  472  for reducing AC voltage to a suitable DC voltage for charging the batteries of battery unit  416 . Power supply unit  470  includes elongated, flexible conductor means  474  connected to a coaxial pin-type connector  472   a  for connection to the head  442  via the receptacle  442   a  whereby the contacts  443  and  444  are then in electrically conductive communication with the power supply unit  470 . Alternatively, suitable conductors, not shown, may be extended through the pole assembly of the apparatus  440  internally to eliminate the separate flexible conductor means  474  and the pin-type connector  472   a.    
     Accordingly, when it is desired to charge the battery unit  416  of lighting device  400 , such as would be indicated by the color of the visual indicator  426  turning from green to red, for example, the battery charging apparatus or probe assembly  440  would be connected to a source of power by way of the power supply unit  470  and placed in electrically conductive contact with the battery unit  416  by hanging the head  442  in the position shown in  FIG. 11  in engagement with the fingers  430  and  432  or other connection means disclosed herein or known in the art for connecting two parts together. Thanks to the sloping bottom wall  442   b ,  FIG. 13 , of the head  442  and the arcuate shape of the fingers  430  and  432 , the head of the charging apparatus or probe assembly  440  is biased into engagement with the wall  421  of battery unit housing  420  and the electrical contacts on the head  442  and those supported on the wall  421 , respectively, are forced into engagement. Once charging is completed, the probe assembly  440 , including the modification illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , may be removed from the lighting device  400  until battery charging is again required. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 19 , another embodiment of a charging apparatus for the lighting device of the invention is illustrated and designated by the numeral  440   a . The charging apparatus  440   a  includes an elongated pole or rod  446   a  which may be telescoping or made up of interconnected sections and includes a boss  447  formed on a distal end thereof, which boss may be provided with opposed hemispherical projections  447   a , one shown, and a tubular or so-called barrel magnet  447   b  supported thereon. The pole  446   a  of the charging apparatus  440   a  is provided with a detachable head member  442   c  similar in some respects to the head member  442  but modified to be detachably connected to the pole  446   a . Head member  442   c  includes a receptacle  442   a  for receiving the axial pin-type connector  472   a  and a recess  445  formed therein for receiving the boss  447  of the pole  446   a . Opposed slots  445   a  may receive the projections  447   a  of the boss  447  whereby the pole  446   a  may be detachably connected to the head  442   c  for “hooking” the head  442   c  onto the battery unit  416 , for example. The pole  446   a  may be further secured to the head  442   c  by cooperation between the magnet  447   b  and a suitable magnet or plug of magnetic material  449  disposed in the recess  445  as illustrated. Accordingly, the charging apparatus  440   a  is advantageous in that, during a charging operation, the pole  446   a  is not required to remain connected to the lighting device during a battery charging operation. 
     Referring briefly to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , there is illustrated control circuitry for a preferred embodiment of a controller for the lighting device  400 . Certain elements, including connectors and voltage regulators are eliminated from the control circuitry shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. As shown in  FIG. 16 , a portion of the control circuitry for the controller for the lighting device  400  is illustrated which is characterized by radiation sensor  424  which is operably connected to a decoder circuit  500 , the output signal from which may be modified by a set of DIP switches  502  mounted on controller circuit board  412 , for example. In this way the control unit  212 , which may also have a set of switches or a multiposition switch mounted thereon, may be adapted to control only a particular lighting device in an array of such devices or a selected number of lighting devices in an array. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the controller for the lighting device  400  further includes the momentary off/on switch  428  and the battery charge level visual indicator  426 , as illustrated. The aforementioned components are operably connected to a microcontroller  506  which is connected to the light emitting diodes  408  by way of a circuit including a transistor  508  controlled by the microcontroller  506  through a control circuit  510  and a smoothing inductor  512 . Thus, the microcontroller  506  may, upon receipt of instructions from a remote control unit for the lighting device  400 , such as unit  212 , control the energization of the LEDs  408  by imposing a signal on the LEDs whose width in time is modified via pulse width modulation (PWM) to vary the light intensity emitted by the lighting device  400 . The microcontroller  506  may be suitably programmed to operate in accordance with desired operating characteristics of the lighting device  400  by temporary connection to a programming computer, not shown, via a connector  501 ,  FIG. 17 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 18 , there is illustrated a schematic diagram for the control circuitry for the remote control unit  212 . Remote control unit  212  is operable to transmit a coded signal to the controller for the lighting device of the invention by way of, for example, an infrared emitter, such as the emitter  256 . Emitter  256  is driven by a transistor  540  which is connected to an AND gate  542 , the inputs for which comprise the output from an encoder circuit  544  and a modulation circuit  546 , both operably connected to the battery source  260 , not shown in  FIG. 18 . The encoder circuit  544  is also connected to a three position slide switch  548  which establishes, in combination with the DIP switches  502   FIG. 17 , a predetermined code specific to controlling a particular one of a lighting device of the invention, such as the device  400 , without inadvertently controlling similar lighting devices in the vicinity of the lighting device  400 . Remote control unit  212  is operable to be in an off, non-power consuming condition, until any one of the pushbutton switches  262 ,  264  or  266  is actuated to control an output signal to be provided by the encoder circuit  544 . The control circuitry for the remote control unit  212  may be constructed using commercially available circuit components as indicated in the diagram of  FIG. 18 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the lighting device of the present invention is indeed versatile and may be utilized in many applications. For example, viewing  FIG. 20 , there is illustrated a further embodiment of a lighting device in accordance with the invention and generally designated by the numeral  600 . The lighting device  600  may include a single LED  602  disposed in a movable housing  604  and operable to emit light through a suitable lens  606 . Housing  604  is mounted for limited movement on a second housing  608  which includes control circuitry  613  and a battery power source  615 , essentially like that of the embodiments of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 6  or  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Single LED lighting device  600  is further characterized by a control switch  610  for energizing or deenergizing the single LED  602  as well as a second switch  612  for controlling the light intensity. Lighting device  600  is particularly adapted for disposition and operation as a sconce, which sconce includes a suitable wall bracket  614  and a pedestal  616  connected thereto and supporting an upward facing light shielding or light disseminating shade  618 . Light disseminating shade  618  is shown as a translucent member, by way of example. Lighting device  600  may be integral with the wall bracket and shade  618  or may be adapted to be placed in and supported by the shade, as illustrated. A battery recharging connector is not shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 20  but may be provided on the housing  608  in the same manner as is provided for the embodiments of  FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 9 and 10 , for example. In all events, those skilled in the art will recognize that the lighting device  600  is versatile in the sense that it may be an integral part of a wall sconce or may be easily removed from the supporting shade member  618  for replacement or battery recharging, as needed. 
     The construction and use of the versatile lighting device embodiments of the invention, as described hereinabove, is believed to be readily understandable to those of ordinary skill in the art. Conventional engineering materials and components may be used to construct the embodiments of the lighting devices described herein. Although preferred embodiments of a lighting device in accordance with the invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will also recognize that various substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5