Abstract:
A light source is provided having a selectively positionable housing enclosing one or more LEDs. When the housing is in one position, it is preferably perpendicular to the ground, providing a light that is generally parallel to the ground with a slight amount of dispersion. When the housing is in another position, it is preferably parallel to the ground, providing a light that is primarily focused on the ground.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates, in general, to a light source and, in particular, a light source for illuminating an area, such as a portion of a room or hallway.  
         [0002]     Various light sources are available to illuminate an area such as a room or hallway, according to the purpose being served. For example, light fixtures can be used to provide the desired illumination. Alternatively, a small AC/DC powered electrical light source can be used to provide a limited illumination, commonly referred to as a “night light”, which is often left on throughout the night.  
         [0003]     Most night lights currently available in the market are stationary and do not permit manipulation of the light source to meet the individual need of the user, for example, to change the direction of the light, for example, to focus the light toward a certain direction or to alter the amount of illumination, or to change its brightness. Rather, the light source merely illuminates its vicinity according to its fixed brightness, and typically cannot be directed or the brightness altered. Therefore, most night lights currently available in the market do not provide users with many options on its use.  
         [0004]     Additionally, most night lights currently available either use incandescent light bulbs, which are lit by heating filaments, or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) replacing an incandescent light bulb in a night light designed for an incandescent light bulb. More specifically, many night lights utilizing LEDs are designed for 5 or 7 watt bulbs, which have been modified to accept LEDs instead of the light bulbs. The lens optics, the design, etc. all follow the incandescent design. Therefore, the light emanating from the LED is not maximized.  
         [0005]     In light of shortcomings described above, it is desirable to provide a light source such as a night light that can be manipulated, and preferably, a night light that is engineered and designed for utilizing LEDs.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     Generally speaking, the present invention is directed toward a light source such as a night light that can be selectively manipulated. It is to be understood that the term “night light” includes any source of light that is not corded and can be plugged directly into an AC/DC outlet.  
         [0007]     More specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a light source comprises a base that can be directly connected to the power source, for example, via a power plug and a selectively pivotable housing having at least one LED mounted within, preferably covered by a clear protective lens. By providing a pivotable housing having at least one LED, the direction and the strength of the illumination can be controlled.  
         [0008]     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a light source having a pivotable housing is provided.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a night light that optimizes the illumination from an LED.  
         [0010]     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figure. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0011]     For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light source constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention plugged into an outlet in a wall;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the light source of  FIG. 1  in an alternate position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a light source constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the light source of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the light source of  FIG. 3  in an alternate position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Reference is made to  FIGS. 1 through 2 , wherein a light source  10  constructed according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. As shown, light source  10  preferably comprises a housing  200  pivotally connected to a base  100  via a pivot  250  and a pivot base  150 . Pivot  250  is preferably connected to housing  200  and provides selective pivoting of housing  200  about pivot base  150 .  
         [0018]     Base  100  preferably comprises a plug  130  for electrically connecting light source  10  to the power source via an outlet. As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , plug  130  preferably is preferably connected to base support  120  which is connected to contact  110 . Contact  110  is connected to pivot base  150 , preferably toward an end of contact  110 .  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , housing  200  comprises one or more LEDs  210 ,  211  preferably connected to a mount  230 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , LED  210  can be positioned toward the center of mount  230 . Alternatively, LED  211  can be connected to mount  230  proximate pivot  250 . Most preferably, in accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , housing  200  comprises more than one LED, preferably one toward the center and one toward an end of mount  230 . By providing more than one LED at varying angles, light source  10  can provide a wider range of illumination.  
         [0020]     Housing  200  preferably encloses LEDs  210 ,  211 , which preferably provide substantially focused beams of light compared to light bulbs, and mount  230  between a shell  220  and backing  221 . Housing  200  can comprise a plurality of LEDs, for example, two LEDs as shown in  FIG. 1  or a single LED as shown in  FIG. 3 . By providing a single LED  210  proximate the center of mount  230 , in accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a very focused light is provided, substantially parallel to the ground when housing  200  is in the upward position as shown in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, when housing  200  is in the downward position as shown in  FIG. 5 , LED  210  preferably shines a light substantially toward the ground.  
         [0021]     Additionally, referring to  FIG. 1 , housing  200  can comprise a plurality of LEDs. For example, LED  211  can be located proximate pivot  250  in addition to LED  210  proximate the center of mount  230 . Accordingly, light source  10  can provide increased illumination and provide light in two different directions, one at an angle from the ground, and one substantially parallel to the ground, when housing  200  is in the upward position.  
         [0022]     As shown in FIGS.  1 ,  4 - 5 , an embodiment of shell  220  comprises a greater curvature toward one end of shell  220  and a smaller curvature toward another end of shell  220 . Preferably, the smaller curvature is proximate pivot  250 , and the greater curvature is the end opposite pivot  250 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, shell  220  comprises a shape similar to a headlight of an automobile, more specifically, wherein the curvature of the top of shell  220  is greater than the curvature toward the bottom of shell  220 . By providing a greater curvature toward the top and a smaller curvature toward the bottom, housing  200 , when flushed against base  100 , provides a dispersed light upward and a more concentrated light parallel to the ground and downward, thereby better lighting the floor than a light that disperses light equally.  
         [0023]     More preferably, backing  221  comprises a material that prevents light from emanating through. Therefore, when housing  200  is pivoted outward from base  100 , for example, toward the floor as shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein housing  200  is substantially parallel to the ground, backing  221  prevents light from emanating upward. Hence, because outlets are typically relatively close to the ground, backing  221  prevents light from illuminating the area. Rather, light source  10  preferably illuminates a limited area downward from the outlet, more preferably concentrated on the floor. Therefore, when housing  200  is in the downward position, the area, such as a hallway or a room, can remain dark, with only parts of the floor and its vicinity illuminated, thus providing safety while not being overwhelmingly bright to the eye. Alternatively, if light source  10  is rotated 180 degrees from the example shown in  FIG. 1  prior to being plugged into an outlet on a wall, pivoting housing  200  away from base  100  can provide a more dispersed illumination into the area.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , when housing  200  is flushed against base  100 , contact  110  can engage backing  221  of housing  200 . More preferably, as shown in  FIG. 2 , contact  110  comprises a recess  111  which engages a protrusion  241  of housing  200 . This relationship between recess  111  and protrusion  241  can preferably permit LEDs  210 ,  211  to be positioned flushed with backing  221  while helping to reduce the depth of light source  10 , to provide a relatively small and compact size. Furthermore, protrusion  241  can be constructed and arranged to house the circuitry or other elements necessary related to LEDs  210 ,  211 , in housing  200 . Additionally, protrusion  241  can preferably facilitate improvements, additional features and enhancements of light source  10  by providing a space in which corresponding electronic components and/or other necessary material can be housed.  
         [0025]     In accordance with the embodiments of the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , light source  10  can comprise a sensor  20 , which provides automation of light source  10 . Preferably, sensor  20  detects light or the absence of light, once a predetermined threshold darkness is detected by sensor  20 , light source  10  is activated, thereby lighting LEDs  210 ,  211 . Accordingly, light source  20  can be left plugged into the outlet without requiring a person to manually turn it on or off, or plug it in or remove it from the outlet. Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , light source  10  can include a dimmer  30  for controlling the brightness of LED  210 ,  211 . Preferably, dimmer  30  is located on a side of base  100 .  
         [0026]     The examples provided are merely exemplary, as a matter of application specific to design choice, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any way.  
         [0027]     Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out novel features of the present invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, housing  200  can comprise a different shape, for example, it can be rectangular, round, etc., without deviating from the scope of the invention as a matter of application specific to design choice. Additionally, other alterations can be made, as a way of non-limiting example, increasing the number of LEDs, altering the transparency of shell  220 , depending on the desired illumination, as a matter of application specific to design choice, without deviating from the scope of the invention. Alternatively, backing  221  can be translucent, to provide a glowing appearance or slight illumination of housing  200 , without deviating from the scope of the invention as a matter of application specific to design choice. Furthermore, whereas sensor  20  is illustrated to provide automatic activation and termination of light source  10 , a manual switch may be provided as a matter of application specific to design choice without deviating from the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.  
         [0028]     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.