Abstract:
A controlling device for use with an exterior landscape lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes a transformer having an input line connected to an electrical power source. The transformer converts a primary electrical load to a secondary electrical load which is in turn outputted though an output line connecting to a plurality of individual lighting units. The controlling device is capable of being mounted at an appropriate location indoors or outdoors. An enclosure unit includes a power supply circuit, a switch, a relay and control circuitry. The power supply circuit converts the secondary transformer output to a filtered direct current suitable for powering the control circuitry. The control circuitry interfaces with remote momentary switches and alternately activates and deactivates the lighting units. The control circuitry further includes an optional receiver for wireless operation. The controlling device can be incorporated into the transformer assembly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/439,994 filed 2003 Jan. 14. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to exterior landscape lighting assemblies having a specified form of switching control and, more particularly, to allow a plurality of remote positionable switches capable of being located a spaced distance from the transformer and provide practical and convenient control to a plurality of exterior lights. 
   2. Description on Prior Art 
   The prior art is well documented with outdoor landscaping assemblies and, particularly the means for activating and deactivating the outdoor lighting assemblies. Generally all landscape lighting systems are powered by 12 Volts (V) alternating current (AC) by means of a transformer which converts an AC household power input ( typically 120 V AC) to the 12 V AC suitable for this type of lighting. The transformer is a necessary component owing to the power input specifications of the various lighting elements which make up the landscaping lighting assembly. 
   Establishing on/off control of landscape lighting systems has traditionally been accomplished in a number of different ways, these including installing a mechanical timer on the primary winding of the transformer. The shortcoming however with simple timer assemblies is that they require frequent readjustment, particularly following power outages and with changing daylight hours. 
   Another type of prior art assembly includes installing a photocell device as either a part of the transformer of a separate device located remotely from the transformer. A drawback to this type of control is the photocell must be installed where it is exposed to natural light and without direct exposure to street lights, porch lights, car headlights and other lights which are directly controlled by the transformer. This can make installation more difficult. A further drawback to this type of control is the photocell will keep the lights on the entire time its dark out and more specifically will keep the lights on when it might not be practical or desirable to do so. 
   Neither of these assemblies provides an easily accessible switch to control the lights. In the case of the timer, if the timer has shut off the lights and you need to light a path or hear some thing outside you can&#39;t easily or quickly turn the lights on. In the case of the photocell you aren&#39;t able to easily turn the lights off. 
   An additional means for controlling the lighting load is by having the transformer plugged into a household power outlet (120 V AC)that is controlled by a household power switch. While this permits control of the lights with a switch, this disconnects power from the timer and makes the timer feature inoperable and unable to be used in conjunction with the household power switch. Another disadvantage is if a photocell device is used in addition with this type of control you would not be able to turn the lights on instantly by use of the household power switch because most photocell devices have a built in delay. An even further disadvantage is when more than one switch is desired it requires three conductors be connected between switches and 3-way switches be used. Further, if more than two switches are desired a 4-way switch must be installed at each additional location. And since this type of control involves 120 Volt AC household power it is required to be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code, is considerably more costly, requires greater skill and electrical knowledge and its recommended such an installation be installed by a qualified professional. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:
         (a) to provide a device which provides a more convenient, practical and flexible on/off control of landscape lighting assemblies.   (b) To provide a device which can easily be installed into new and existing installations of landscape lighting assemblies.   (c) To provide a device which can provide on/off control of landscape lights on its own or in conjunction with existing assemblies such as timers and/or a photocell device.   (d) To provide a type of on/off control of low voltage based landscape lighting assemblies which only requires 2-conductor low voltage cable and low voltage momentary switches (typical doorbell button works well) be installed at each switching location regardless of how many locations are desired.   (e) To provide and optional wireless operation using a momentary switch activating a transmitter and incorporating a receiver into the control circuitry.   (f) To permit the option of having this device be incorporated inside the transformer enclosure.       

   Further objects and advantages are to provide on/off control from one or more conveniently located switches which can alternately activate and deactivate the landscape lights at any time less expensively than switching household power (120 Volts AC) supplying the transformer and requiring the same simple skills as for installing landscape lighting assemblies. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention is a low voltage based on/off control device for use with an exterior landscape lighting assembly, which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art By permitting a switch or switches be installed in any convenient and practical location, indoors or outdoors, to alternately activate and deactivate a plurality of lighting units. 
   This invention will permit low voltage exterior lighting assemblies be used in more practical installations. For instance, just as you have switches located at opposite ends of a hallway or a staircase indoors now you can have the same convenience outdoors. It is possible to have switches located at opposite ends of a path to a garage, dock or shed for example. Another use is to have lights along a driveway or dock and if you hear some thing outside you can turn the lights on with the tap of a switch and not have to keep the lights on the entire time its dark outside. 
   The preferred embodiment of the controlling device includes an enclosure capable of being mounted to a wall, indoors or outdoors, and connected to the lighting system after the transformer and before the first light in the circuit. The enclosure includes a power supply, a switch, a relay and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes such components as a bounceless switch and a flip-flop circuit. Also, this Controlling Device could be easily incorporated into the existing transformer enclosure of landscape lighting assemblies. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental view in perspective of the controlling device and remotely located switches; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the controlling device enclosure; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective rear view of the controlling device; 
       FIG. 4  is a block schematic diagram of the operation of the controlling device; 
       FIG. 5  is a block schematic diagram of an optional remote control for the controlling device; 
       FIG. 6  is a wiring diagram of the present invention in a typical installation of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a wiring diagram illustrating a further variation to a typical installation; 
       FIG. 8  is a wiring diagram illustrating an even further installation variation of the present device; 
       FIG. 9  is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of a remote photocell device in conjunction with the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a wiring diagram illustrating that the present invention permits control from central burglar and/or fire alarm panels. 
   

   DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     12  transformer 
     14  controlling device 
     16  momentary switch 
     18  typical lighting unit 
     20  typical lighting unit 
     22  typical lighting unit 
     24  typical lighting unit 
     26  output line 
     28  lighting load line 
     30  switch circuit line 
     32  exterior wall 
     34  structure 
     36  post 
     38  path 
     40  controlling device enclosure 
     42  mounting tab 
     44   a  input connection 
     44   b  load connection 
     44   c  switch circuit connector 
     46  on/off switch 
     48  output connection 
     52  power supply circuit 
     54  relay 
     56  bounceless switch circuit 
     58  flip/flop circuit 
     70  central alarm panal 
     80  receiver 
     82  transmitter 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view is shown of the controlling device  14  and remotely located switches  16   a  and  16   b  for use with an outdoor lighting assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The remote switches, illustrated as  16   a  and  16   b , are identical switches and are referenced with different letter suffixes to indicate their different locations. The controlling device  14  is illustrated in use with an electrical transformer  12 , two remote switches  16   a  and  16   b , and a first outdoor lighting unit  18 . The transformer  12 , the controlling device  14  and the switch  16   a  are all illustrated mounted on an exterior wall  32  of a structure  34 . The switch  16   b  is illustrated mounted to a post  36  at the opposite end of a typical pathway  38 . The lighting units  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  are located along the same path  38 . As is known the transformer  12  functions to convert an input power source from a primary electrical load (typically 120 Volts House Power) to a stepped down 12 Volts AC suitable for most types of conventional outdoor lighting assemblies. The transformer  12  also includes an input line (not shown) connected to the electrical power source and an output line illustrated at  26 . The controlling device  14  communicates with the output line  26  of the transformer  12  at any desired point between the transformer  12  and a first of the lighting units  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24 . Remote switches  16   a  and  16   b  are connected to the switch circuit line  30 , which communicates with the controlling device  14 . Also the transformer  12 , controlling device  14  and remote switches  16   a  and  16   b  are all illustrated as installed on the exterior of structure  34  however as stated in the preceding summary of the invention any or all of these components are able to be installed inside or outside of the structure  34 . A user can activate the lights from either momentary switch,  16   a  or  16   b , walk the path and deactivate the lights from the other end of the path. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , as illustrated the preferred embodiment of the controlling device  14  comprises of an enclosure  40  which is generally rectangular in shape and includes an interior cavity for receiving control circuitry. Located proximate the top rear of the enclosure  40  is a mounting tab  42  suitable for hanging the enclosure  40  on a nail or screw. Alternatively, other types of fasteners or securing devices including straps or bands may also be used for attaching the enclosure  40  to the surface of the structure  34 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 3  the preferred embodiment indicates an on/off switch  46  is illustrated accessible to the exterior of the enclosure  40 . Connections are made to the controlling device at connection points illustrated at the input connection  44   a , the load connection  44   b  and the switch circuit connector  44   c  which in the preferred embodiment would be screw type terminals. The controlling device  14  receives 12 V AC power through the output line  26  which is connected to the transformer  12  at output connection  48  and connected to the controlling device  14  input connection  44   a . The controlling device  14  activates and deactivates the lighting load through the lighting load line  28  which is illustrated connected to a first lighting unit  18  and also to the controlling device  14  at the lighting load connection  44   b . A typical momentary switch  16  communicates with the switch circuit connector  44   c  on the controlling device  14  through the switch circuit line  30 . 
   Referring again to  FIG. 3  and also to  FIG. 4 , a block schematic of the control circuit is illustrated. 12 V AC enters the controlling device  14  at the input connection  44   a  and supplies the power supply  52 . The power supply circuit  52  converts the 12 V AC into filtered and unregulated 12 V Direct Current (DC) and also into filtered and regulated 5V DC suitable for powering the integrated circuits (IC&#39;s) contained in the control circuitry. Direct Current is supplied to a first terminal of the switch circuit connector  44   c  where it will be carried through a first conductor of the switch circuit line  30  to a momentary switch  16 . When the momentary switch is depressed it sends a momentary signal back through a second conductor of the switch circuit line  30  to a second terminal of the switch circuit connector  44   c . From the second terminal of the switch circuit connector  44   c  the momentary signal enters the bounceless switch  56  part of the control circuitry. The momentary signal contains chatter from the momentary switch  16  which is unsuitable for the IC&#39;s (integrated circuits) contained in the flip-flop circuit  58 . The bounceless switch  56  filters the chattered momentary signal into a single pulse that is suitable for the electronic components. When the flip-flop circuit receives a single pulse it alternately activates and deactivates the relay  54 . A single pole double throw switch  46  is also connected to the flip-flop circuit  58 . The position of the switch  46  determines whether the relay  54  is initially activated or deactivated when 12 V AC is initially supplied to the input connection  44   a  of the controlling device  14 . 
   12 V AC is supplied from a first terminal of the input connector  44   a  to a normally open contact of the relay  54 . The common contact of the relay  54  is connected to a first terminal of the lighting load connector  44   b . A second terminal of the lighting load connector  44   b  is connected to a second terminal of the input connector  44   a . When the relay  54  is activated it closes the normally open and common contacts inside the relay  54  completing a 12 V AC circuit from the transformer  12  to the lighting unit  18  and thus turning the lighting units on. 
   Referring back again to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the on/off switch illustrated as  46  permits even more flexibility to the operation of the controlling device  14 . If the controlling device  14  is to be used as the only means of controlling an outdoor lighting system you can manually turn the lights on and off at any time from any of the momentary switches  16 . In this case the transformer  12  will always be supplying 12 V AC power to the input connection  44   a  of the controlling device  14  so the position of the on/off switch  46  will only determine the state of the lights after a power failure is restored. If the controlling device  14  is to control the outdoor lighting system in conjunction with a timer and or photocell, and the on/off switch  46  is in the on position it will permit automatic control of the lights from either the timer and/or photocell while still permitting manual control at any time the timer and or photocell are supplying power to the controlling device  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a block schematic diagram illustrates a variation of the controlling device which incorporates a remote control option. A receiver component  80  is connected in parallel to the switch circuit. The transmitter, illustrated as  82 , has a momentary switch  16  which when depressed sends a momentary pulse to the receiver  80  which in turn sends a momentary pulse into the bounceless switch  56  permitting wireless operation. This option will permit the transmitter  82  activate or deactivate the lights from a remote location such as turning on driveway lights from an automobile. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a wiring diagram illustrated a typical installation including a transformer  12 , controlling device  14 , a momentary switch  16  (a typical doorbell button is suitable) and lighting units  18 ,  20  and  22 . 
     FIG. 7 , a wiring diagram, illustrates that additional switches  16   a, b, c, d  and  e  are simply connected in parallel at any point to the switching control line  30 . This will permit switches be located in as many different and convenient locations as desired. Depressing any switch will alternately activate and deactivate the lights. 
     FIG. 8 , a wiring diagram, illustrates a second controlling device  14   b  connected in parallel with controlling device  14   a  to the output line  26  of a single transformer  12  demonstrating that two (or more) controlling devices can be used to separately control separate lighting loads indicated as  18   a ,  20   a  and  22   a  for one lighting load and  18   b,   20   b  and  22   b  for the second lighting load. 
     FIG. 9 , a wiring diagram, illustrates a typical installation of the controlling device  14  wired in conjunction with a remote photocell device  68 . The remote photocell device  68  only permits 12 V AC to the controlling device  14  when its dark outside. If the switch  46 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is in the on position the photocell will activate the lights at dusk and deactivate the lights at dawn while permitting manual control of the lights at anytime by use of the controlling device  14 . If the switch  46 , again illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is in the off position the photocell device will prevent the lights from being activated during daylight hours and still permit manual control of the lights using the controlling device  14  at anytime it is dark outside. 
     FIG. 10 , a wiring diagram, illustrates a further use of the present invention in that it can be easily wired to an auxiliary contact of a central burglar and/or fire alarm system  70  to unsure that the lights are activated when trouble is detected. Even further the auxiliary contact connection can be easily modified to pulse when trouble is detected in turn causing the lights to flash on and off. This would assist emergency personnel in locating the home during nighttime hours. 
   In addition to the capabilities previously described, the controlling device of the present invention can be used on indoor low voltage lighting assemblies using 12 V AC power and provide the same convenience and practicalities provided to outdoor lighting assemblies. 
   It is therefore evident that the controlling device of the present invention provides improvements over prior art assemblies in providing greater flexibility and more practical installations of landscape lighting assemblies. 
   Having described my invention, additional embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.