Abstract:
A lighting device comprising a housing having at least one side defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity occupied by a photovoltaic cell and a stored energy source in electrical communication with the photovoltaic cell, the internal cavity further occupied by a visible light source and an electrical switch, wherein the at least one side of the housing further includes at least one illumination panel, wherein each illumination panel includes a translucent pane in series with an opaque pane to define a visual image, wherein the visible light source is in communication with the electrical switch and in selective electrical communication with the stored energy source to illuminate the visual image at a predetermined time, wherein the translucent pane includes a mottled layer, and wherein the photovoltaic cell is covered by at least one illumination panel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/791,539, filed Apr. 12, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to photovoltaic powered lighting and, more specifically, to portable photovoltaic powered lighting having a power generation source, a power storage device, and an illumination source all contained within an enclosed housing. 
       INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The instant invention encompasses decorative lighting that provides soft, widely dispersed illumination in a self-contained housing. In exemplary form, a self-contained housing includes internal photovoltaic cells operative to convert radiation into electric current, where the electric current is stored as chemical energy in batteries, where the energy is eventually converted back to electric current and utilized to power an illumination source. Each of the foregoing aspects of the exemplary embodiment described are contained within the housing. As a result, the decorative lighting is completely independent of household electricity or other external power source, thereby enabling the lighting to be portable and repositioned in any desired location with ease and simplicity. 
         [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, a housing, optionally formed from metal, comprises a frame structure that may be fabricated into any desired size and shape. The frame structure incorporates one or more visible panels that comprise a translucent layer and an opaque layer cooperative to define a visual image. In exemplary form, the visible panels may be a unitary panel or comprise laminated or stacked panels constructed to possess a light defusing quality, commonly referred to in the instant disclosure as translucent. For purposes of the present disclosure, translucent means allowing light to pass through a material, but the material does not allow objects to be seen clearly through it. Exemplary visual images include, but are not limited to, ornamental patterns, tribal symbols, and random designs. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the visible panels are removable from the housing and fabricated from polymer materials. In fabricating the visible panels, various materials may be utilized such as, without limitation, polyvinyl chloride, stabilizers and/or plasticizers. 
         [0005]    A self-contained illumination source such as a light bulb or light emitting diode (LED) is mounted in the frame structure along with a photovoltaic power source. In this way, ambient radiation passing through the visible panels is absorbed and stored as chemical energy. After the ambient light reaches a predetermined, lower intensity level, the illumination source is automatically powered from the stored energy source to illuminate the visual image. 
         [0006]    It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a lighting device comprising a housing having at least one side defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity occupied by a photovoltaic cell and a stored energy source in electrical communication with the photovoltaic cell, the internal cavity further occupied by a visible light source and an electrical switch, where the at least one side of the housing further includes at least one illumination panel, where each illumination panel includes a translucent pane in series with an opaque pane to define a visual image, where the visible light source is in communication with the electrical switch and selective electrical communication with the stored energy source to illuminate the visual image at a predetermined time, where the translucent pane includes a mottled layer, and where the photovoltaic cell is covered by at least one illumination panel. 
         [0007]    In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the housing includes four sides angled ninety degrees with respect to one another to provide a rectangular cross-section, the housing includes a top side and a bottom side opposing the top, the four sides cooperate with the top side and bottom side to define the internal cavity, and at least three of the four sides include a separate illumination panel. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the electrical switch is in electrical communication with an ambient light detector, and the predetermined time during which the visual image is illuminated depends upon an intensity of ambient light detected by the ambient light detector. 
         [0008]    In yet another more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the electrical switch is in electrical communication with an ambient light detector, the electrical switch is in electrical communication with a rheostat being operative to vary an intensity of the illumination source, the predetermined time during which the visual image is illuminated depends upon an intensity of ambient light detected by the ambient light detector, and the intensity of the illumination source depends upon the intensity of ambient light detected by the ambient light detector, where less ambient light detected by the ambient light detector results in greater intensity of the illumination source. In still another more detailed embodiment, the housing is readily portable. In a further detailed embodiment, the housing includes a cylindrical receiver, the lighting device includes a self-contained light assembly within a cylindrical housing, the light assembly including the photovoltaic cell, the stored energy source, the visible light source, and the electrical switch, and the light assembly is received within the cylindrical receiver to mount the light assembly to the housing. 
         [0009]    It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a lighting device comprising a housing having an internal cavity that is occupied by a photovoltaic cell and a stored energy source in electrical communication with the photovoltaic cell, the internal cavity further occupied by a visible light source and an electrical switch, where the housing further includes at least one arcuate illumination panel, where each arcuate illumination panel includes a translucent pane in series with an opaque pane to define a visual image, where the visible light source is in communication with the electrical switch and selective electrical communication with the stored energy source to illuminate the visual image at a predetermined time, where the translucent pane includes a mottled layer, and where the photovoltaic cell is covered by at least one panel. 
         [0010]    In a more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the housing includes four sides angled ninety degrees with respect to one another to provide a rectangular cross-section, the housing includes a top side and a bottom side opposing the top, the four sides cooperate with the top side and bottom side to define the internal cavity, and at least three of the four sides include a separate illumination panel. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the electrical switch is in electrical communication with an ambient light detector, and the predetermined time during which the visual image is illuminated depends upon an intensity of ambient light detected by the ambient light detector. 
         [0011]    In yet another more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the electrical switch is in electrical communication with an ambient light detector, the electrical switch is in electrical communication with a rheostat being operative to vary an intensity of the illumination source, the predetermined time during which the visual image is illuminated depends upon an intensity of ambient light detected by the ambient light detector, and the intensity of the illumination source depends upon the intensity of ambient light detected by the ambient light detector, where less ambient light detected by the ambient light detector results in greater intensity of the illumination source. In still another more detailed embodiment, the housing is readily portable. In a further detailed embodiment, In still a further detailed embodiment, the visual image comprises a plurality of ornamental designs. 
         [0012]    It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a method of illuminating an ornamental object, the method comprising: (a) producing electrical energy using a photovoltaic cell by exposing the photovoltaic cell to a radiant energy source emitting radiant energy, where the radiant energy passes through a translucent pane before reaching the photovoltaic cell, where the translucent pane includes a mottled layer; (b) converting the electrical energy into chemical energy; (c) subsequently converting the chemical energy into electrical current operative to power an illumination source; and (d) illuminating an ornamental image using the electrical current to power the illumination source rendering viewable the illuminated ornamental image from greater than 180 degrees, where the illumination source is housed within a portable housing, where the ornamental image comprises the translucent pane in series with an opaque layer to define a visual image, and where the foregoing acts are carried out within the housing. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a first exemplary embodiment of the instant invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a left-side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevated perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , with the door open; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a profile view of a second exemplary embodiment of the instant invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an overhead view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of an exemplary self-contained lighting structure in accordance with the instant invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an elevated perspective view of the exemplary self-contained lighting structure of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass methods of illuminating ornamental objects and the resulting illuminated ornamental objects themselves. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Referencing  FIGS. 1-5 , an exemplary lantern  100  includes a housing  102  and a self-contained illumination source  104 . The housing  102  includes a four vertical walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 , a floor  114 , and a lid  116  mounted to one another to enclose an internal volume. All four walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  are mounted to one another at right angles to define a generally rectangular cross-section along the horizontal plane. One of the walls  108  includes a repositionable door  118  having a latch  120  allowing the door to be latched shut or optionally unlatched to allow access to the internal volume of the lantern  100 . The lid  116  is mounted to the top of the walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 , while the floor  114  is mounted to the bottom of the walls. 
         [0026]    In exemplary form, the walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  are comprised of sheet metal strips that are welded to one another to form a rectangular frame  122 . Each rectangular frame includes a header  124 , an angle bar footer  126 , and two angle bar vertical end members  128 . Three of the four walls  106 ,  110 ,  112  include a series of metal strips  130  vertically oriented and mounted to the header and footer between the end members, thereby providing gaps between adjacent strips. Adjacent frames  122  of each wall are mounted to one another by welding an angle bar member  128  over adjacent headers  124  and footers  126 . An illumination panel  134  is mounted to the interior of each wall  106 ,  110 ,  112  and over the metal sheet strips to cover the gaps between adjacent metal strips  130 . The fourth wall  108  includes a rectangular frame  122 , but the metal strips  130  are mounted to a second, smaller rectangular frame  136  that comprises the repositionable door. An illumination panel  134  is mounted to the inside of the door and covers each of the gaps between adjacent metal strips  130 . Thus, when the door is in the closed position, light entering the interior cavity of the lantern  100  through the walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  almost exclusively enters through the illumination panels  134 . 
         [0027]    The lid  116  comprises a four sided frustapyrimidal roof structure  140  with a mounting bracket  142  to mount the lantern  100  as a hanging structure. The roof structure  140  includes four trapezoidal panels  144 , with one side of each panel being overlapped by an adjacent panel, while the opposite side of the same panel is overlapped by another adjacent panel. A square opening (not shown) defined collectively at the tops of the panels  144  is covered by the mounting bracket  142 , which includes a square platform mounted to the tops of the panels  144 . Adjacent panels  144  are welded to one another, with the ends  146  being formed to be substantially perpendicular to the floor  114  to provide an overhang. Each of the panels  144  includes a trapezoidal opening  148  that is closed off by mounting an illumination panel  134  to the inside surface of the panel  144 . Thus, light entering the interior cavity of the lantern  100  through the lid almost exclusively enters through the illumination panels. 
         [0028]    The floor  114  comprises a rectangle of sheet metal mounted to the bottoms of the footers  126  of the walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 . A metal ring  150  is welded to a circular platform  152  to define a cylindrical cavity, generally centered, to accept and house the self-contained light assembly  104 , where the ring and platform are mounted to the floor  114 . In this manner, light entering the interior cavity of the lantern  100  almost exclusively enters through the illumination panels of the walls  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112  and lid  116 . 
         [0029]    In exemplary form, each illumination panel  134  comprises a relatively thin plastic material which is translucent. Exemplary materials for constructing the illumination panel include, without limitation, polyvinyl chloride treated with a stabilizer and/or a plasticizer to provide a frosted appearance and mottled topography. Exemplary stabilizers and/or plasticizers include, without limitation, tetrahydrofuran and a chlorinated solvent. However, any alternate production method or materials can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, so long as the panel  134  includes the desired foggy translucent visual appearance. When incorporating the panels  134  into the instant invention, the self-contained illumination source  104  is operative to produce light, a portion of which is absorbed by the panels  134  to produce a soft, warm glow with any color employed for the lamp or LED appearing with generally the same intensity throughout the entire surface of panel  134 . 
         [0030]    It is also within the scope of the invention to fabricate illumination panels  134  from materials other than plastic, such as, without limitation, glass. When transparent glass is used as the illumination panel, an etchant may be applied to an exposed surface of the glass to provide a frosted appearance. Likewise, translucent glass may include materials such as titanium dioxide to provide a frosted appearance. 
         [0031]    Referencing  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the self-contained light assembly  104  includes a photovoltaic cell  162 , a stored energy source  164 , an electrical switch  166 , a light source  168 , an ambient light detector  170 , associated circuitry  172  interconnecting the elements, and a cylindrical housing  174  enclosing the majority of the elements. In exemplary form, the stored energy source is a commercially available rechargeable battery or battery pack comprising, such as, without limitation, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium ion (Li-ion), or nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad). Exemplary battery sizes for use within the instant invention encompasses all those known to one skilled in the art of batteries. In exemplary form, this includes a single AAA battery. 
         [0032]    Illumination of the lantern  100  is provided indirectly by solar radiation. The photovoltaic cell  162 , exposed through the top of the housing  174 , is operative to generate an electron stream, in response to its exposure to the solar radiation, that is directed to the stored energy source  164  to charge the source. The stored energy source  164  utilizes the electron stream to carry out a chemical reaction and thus transforms the electronic potential of the electron stream into chemical potential using a reversible chemical reaction. When the ambient light detector  170 , also exposed through the top of the housing  174 , produces a signal indicative of a light intensity falling below a predetermined ambient light intensity and the switch is already moved to the “ON” position, the stored energy source  164  is in electrical communication with the light source  168 . This connection converts the chemical potential of the stored energy source into electrical potential to power the light source and generate visible light. It is presumed that the solar radiation received on a daily basis is operative to power the light source during the corresponding evening hours. What is particularly worth noting is that the solar radiation is received by the photovoltaic cell  162  after passing though the illumination panels  134 . The visible light generated by the visible light source  168  is operative to illuminate the illumination panels  134  and produce a uniform, soft lighting to generate a visible image defined by the opaque housing  12  and the illumination panels  134 . The foregoing process is repeated as the ambient light detector  170  produces a signal indicative of a light intensity at or above a predetermined ambient light intensity so that energy from the photovoltaic cell  162  is directed to the stored energy source  164 , and the stored energy source is no longer in electrical communication with the light source  168 . 
         [0033]    In exemplary form, the light source  168  comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the instant invention is not limited to LEDs and may alternatively or in addition utilized one or more other lighting devices, such as, without limitation, conventional light bulbs with energized filaments or energized gaseous species. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the light emitting source chosen may have an impact on choosing photovoltaic cells  162  and a stored energy source  164  commensurate with the load of the light source  168 . 
         [0034]    Referencing  FIG. 6-9 , a second exemplary lantern  200  includes a housing  202  and a self-contained illumination source  204 . The self-contained illumination source  204  is the same as that discussed for the first exemplary embodiment  104  and will not be repeated for purposes of brevity. In this exemplary lantern  200 , the housing  202  includes a circular or arcuate wall  206 , a floor  208 , and a lid  210  mounted to one another to enclose an internal volume. The floor  208  includes a circular opening  210  selectively allowing access to the internal volume. 
         [0035]    In exemplary form, the circular wall  206  is comprised of a single metallic sheet stamped out to define ornamental features. The sheet is then circumferentially wound around and welded to five vertical posts  212  spaced apart from one another to form the wall  206 . Each vertical post  212  is welded to the floor  208  and to a top ring  214 , thereby defining a generally tubular body. Inset within the tubular body is a tubular illumination panel  216 . This means that light traveling beyond the wall  206  and posts  212  and into the interior of the lantern  200  is almost exclusively passing through the illumination panel  216 . 
         [0036]    In exemplary form, the lid  208  comprises a generally square frame  220  having an ornamental cap  222  for mounting the lantern  200  in a hanging position. The opening defined by the frame  220  is enclosed by another illumination panel  216 . Thus, light traveling beyond the lid  208  and into the interior of the lantern  200  is almost exclusively passing through the illumination panel  216 . 
         [0037]    In exemplary form, the floor  208  includes a generally circular piece of sheet metal having a circular opening  210  with two cut-outs  224 . An illumination housing  226  is adapted to be selectively received through the opening  210  and into the internal volume of the lantern  200 . The illumination housing  226  includes a generally circular piece of sheet metal  232  having a diameter greater than the diameter of the circular opening  210 . A metallic ring  234  is mounted to the circular sheet  232  to provide a cylindrical receiver for the self-contained illumination source  204 . The metallic ring  234  also includes two projections  236  operative to align with the two cut-outs  224  through the floor  208  to allow insertion of the housing  226  through the opening  210  and thereafter provide retention of the housing by turning the housing so that the projections  236  are caught on a circumferential ledge of the floor  208  defining the opening  210 . As discussed briefly beforehand, the self-contained illumination source  204  is the same as that discussed for the first exemplary embodiment  104  and is simply inserted into the housing  226  and retained thereby as a result of a friction fit. It is also within the scope of the invention for the ring  234  to include bendable clips  238  that would also operate to retain the illumination source  204  within the illumination housing  226 . 
         [0038]    In each of the foregoing exemplary lanterns  100 ,  200 , the structures may comprise any desired decorative elements, such as, without limitation, leaves and flowers. The principals of illumination panels and a self-contained illumination source can likewise be applied to freestanding structures fabricated to resemble lamps, as well as freestanding structures resembling animal sculptures. 
         [0039]    As used herein, the term “panel” encompasses flat sheets, arcuately shaped sheets, and three-dimensional objects such as bulbs and pyramids that enable the absorbed light in one portion of the material to be transmitted throughout the material causing all or substantially all of the material comprising the panel to illuminate. 
         [0040]    Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.