Abstract:
A lighting apparatus usable for providing light or illumination is provided. The lighting apparatus is formed of components or modules that are easily interchanged to allow uniform parts, simple assembly, and selection of desired features for a particular lighting device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/837,062, filed Aug. 11, 2007, is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. Nos. 29/264,500, filed Aug. 11, 2006, and 29/264,509, filed Aug. 11, 2006, and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/460,512, filed Jul. 27, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/161,689, filed Aug. 12, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/989,199, filed Nov. 15, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/292,007, filed Nov. 9, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,819,080, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/885,848, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,965, the specifications of each being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to the field of illumination and, in particular, to a rechargeable lighting apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Currently, many lighting devices including flashlights and lamps are assembled so that only certain aspects may be readily changed by a consumer. For instance, other than changing light bulbs or other light emitters and/or batteries, if present, the lighting devices permit little if any modification to suit a consumer&#39;s tastes. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there has been a need for an improved lighting device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a lighting apparatus usable for providing light or illumination is provided. The lighting apparatus is formed of components or modules that are easily interchanged to allow uniform parts, simple assembly, and selection of desired features for a particular lighting device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lighting device of the present invention including a first form of an external diffuser; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1  with the external diffuser thereof shown in half-tone; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1  with a second form of an external diffuser; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 3  with the external diffuser thereof shown in half-tone; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a first exploded perspective view of the lighting device and external diffuser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a second exploded perspective view of the lighting device and external diffuser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a first side of the lighting device and external diffuser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view corresponding to  FIG. 7  showing a second side; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is an exploded side elevational view of the lighting device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a first exploded perspective view of the lighting device; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a first enlarged exploded detail view of portions of the lighting device; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a second enlarged exploded detail view of portions of the lighting device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of portions of the lighting device and a lower end of the external diffuser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 10  with a base cover and a power module removed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the lighting device showing the base cover; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the base cover; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a support base received by the base cover; 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is a bottom plan view of the support base of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 19  is a top perspective view of the power module; 
           [0025]      FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view of the power module of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 21  is a side elevation view of a first side of an internal diffuser of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 22  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 21  showing a second side of the internal diffuser; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 23-25  are bottom perspective views of the internal diffuser of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 26  is a bottom plan view of the internal diffuser of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a circuit board and light emitters carried thereon of the lighting device; 
           [0031]      FIG. 28  is a half-tone image of top portions of a pair of the external diffusers of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 29  is a half-tone image of a pair of lighting devices assembled with the bottom portions of a pair of the external diffusers of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 30  is a half-tone image of a plurality of lighting devices assembled with the external diffusers of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 31  is a half-tone image of the internal diffuser positioned above other portions of the lighting device; 
           [0035]      FIG. 32  is a half-tone image of the assembled lighting device; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 33  is a half-tone image of the assembled lighting device when illuminated. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-2 , a lighting device  10  supporting an external diffuser  12  is shown. The external diffuser  12  is sheath-like and is a generally a translucent, semi-transparent, or semi-opaque material that permits light produced by the lighting device  10  in an internal cavity of the external diffuser  12  to pass through and outward from the external diffuser  12 . In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the external diffuser  12  is an elongated member, preferably of injection or blow-molded plastic or polymeric material, that is removably connected to the lighting device  10 . The external diffuser  12  has a lower end  14  that has a circular shape and secures with the lighting device  10  about a circular portion thereof, as will be discussed in greater detail below. The external diffuser  12  tapers inwardly from the lower end  14  towards an upper end  16 . At an uppermost portion  16   a , the external diffuser  12  has an oval-shape such that the tapering of the external diffuser  12  is greater along two opposed sides than the tapering of the sides intermediate thereof. The external diffuser  12  has a top surface  18  that is presently concave, though it may be flat or convex as well. 
         [0038]    In comparing  FIGS. 1-2  with  FIGS. 3-4 , a second form of an external diffuser  12 ′ is shown. The external diffuser  12 ′ is shorter in height than, though has a similar shape to, the external diffuser  12 . More specifically, the external diffuser  12 ′ of  FIGS. 3-4  is a truncated from of the external diffuser  12  of  FIGS. 1-2  so that the sides taper inward from a bottom portion that connects with the lighting device  10  towards a top portion, the top portion also being preferably concave. 
         [0039]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the lighting device  10  is substantially, though not entirely, located within the external diffusers  12  and  12 ′. The lighting device  10  itself may be considered a module, and indeed is handled and assembled with the diffuser  12  as a single module. However, the lighting device  10  itself is assembled as modules or components that are easily separated to allow a user to modify the lighting device  10 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , the lighting device  10  includes a support base  30 , a battery or power module  32  supported by the support base  30 , a circuit module  34 , and an internal diffuser module  36  that secures the battery  32  and circuit module  34  with the support base  30 . The external diffuser  12  is then secured with the lighting device  10  so that the battery  32 , the circuit module  34 , and the internal diffuser  36  are positioned within the external diffuser  12 . Towards this end, the support base  30  and external diffuser lower end  14  include cooperating engagement structure  40   a  and  40   b , preferably a quick-connect or quick-release connection that allows the external diffuser  12  to easily be secured with the support base  30 , such as with a quart or eighth of a turn of the external diffuser  12  relative to the support base  30 , best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 13 . 
         [0041]    The battery  32  is preferably a rechargeable power source. In one form, the battery  32  may be directly electrically connected with an external power source, such as a charging base (not shown). In another form, the battery  32  may be inductively charged via a coil (not shown) that is preferably located below a bottom side  50  of the support base  30  (see  FIG. 16 ) and a support cover  52  (see  FIGS. 9 and 15 ). That is,  FIG. 15  shows the support base  30  with the support cover  52  secured thereon, while  FIG. 16  shows the bottom side  50  of the support base  30  without the support cover  52 . A space  53  ( FIG. 15 ) is defined between the support base bottom side  50  and the support cover  52  in which an induction coil, for instance, may be located. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the support cover  52  includes a connection port  54  that allows electrical contacts (not shown) to extend into and through the support base  30  so that the electrical contacts can be connected to battery terminals  60  (see  FIGS. 7 and 20 ). 
         [0042]    The base support  30  includes upstanding restraining portions  62  within which the battery  32  is received. Preferably, these restraining portions  62  are in the form of walls having a right angle therein so as to form a restraining corner  64  that closely receives a corner  66  of the battery  32 . 
         [0043]    In assembly, the external diffuser  12  is secured with the lighting device  10 , which is itself first assembled. The lighting device  10  may be provided as an assembled device to a user or consumer, or may be provided as a kit that allows a consumer to custom select from a variety of interchangeable components. 
         [0044]    For the lighting device  10 , the support base  30  and support cover  52  are preferably provided as a single component. The battery  32  is then inserted into the restraining walls  62  with its terminals  60  properly aligned with the restraining portions  62  in the support base  30  that allow access for recharging through the connection ports  54 , if so equipped. 
         [0045]    Next, the circuit module  34  is placed or secured on top of the battery  32 . The circuit module preferably includes a circuit board  100 , one or more light emitters  102 , and one or more electrical connectors  104 . When the circuit module  34  is thus located, the electrical connector extends from the circuit board  100  and downwardly alongside the battery  32 . A lower portion  10  thereon is electrically connected to the battery  32 , while an upper portion  112  connects to the circuit board  100  to allow power from the battery  32  to power the circuit board  10  and light emitters  102 . It should be noted that, in another form, the circuit board  100  itself may rest on battery contacts (not shown) on a top surface thereof and, thus, be directly connected electrically with the battery/power source  32 . 
         [0046]    The internal diffuser module  36  is then secured on top of and over the circuit module  34  and the battery  32 . The internal diffuser  36  performs a number of functions. First the internal diffuser  36  conditions light from the light emitters  102 . Additionally, the internal diffuser  36  secures with the support base  30  to secure the components of the lighting device  10  in their proper positions. As an extension of this, the internal diffuser  36  is easily removed to allow, for instance, a user to selectively change or replace the components. 
         [0047]    The internal diffuser  36  includes at least a top portion  120  formed of material similar or identical to that of the external diffuser  12 , discussed above. The top portion  120 , as shown, has a dome or half-sphere portion on its outer surface  120   a . This dome portion  120  has a similar interior shape so as to define a recess  122  within which the light emitters  102  are positioned when the lighting device  10  is assembled. 
         [0048]    Below the top dome portion  120  is an intermediate portion  140  forming a shoulder  121  at the recess  122  with an interior cavity  124  of the internal diffuser  36 . When the lighting device  10  is assembled, the circuit module  34  and the battery  32  are substantially located within this interior cavity  124 . 
         [0049]    The shoulder  121  is surrounded by an intermediate portion wall  126  extending downwardly therefrom. The shoulder  121  also includes a downward facing surface  128  with a plurality of registration pins  130 . When assembled, the circuit board  100  is located proximate the shoulder surface  128  and within the intermediate portion wall  126 . The registration pins  130  cooperate with and are received by registration openings  132  formed in the circuit board  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 27 . If desired, the registration pins  130  may be heat staked or deformed after passing through the circuit board  100  so that, together, the circuit board  100  and internal diffuser  36  may be handled, assembled, or replaced as a single unit. 
         [0050]    The internal diffuser intermediate portion  140  is joined with a lower portion  150  of the internal diffuser  36 . The lower portion  150  includes an outwardly extending portion  150   a  that includes registration or securing structure  153  that cooperates and engages with the lower portion  110  of the electrical connectors  104 . When the circuit module  34  within the internal diffuser  36  is secured with the support base  30 , the securing structure  153  provides proper positioning and location of the electrical connecter lower portion  110  for electrical communication with the battery  32 . 
         [0051]    The lower portion  150  of the internal diffuser  36  that is shaped similarly to the intermediate portion  140 . More specifically, the internal diffuser  36  is, other than the top dome portion  120  and outwardly extending portion  150   a , generally square or rectangular. As such, the lower portion  150  includes a pair of generally flat securing tabs  152  for releasably securing the internal diffuser  36  with the support base  30 . 
         [0052]    In greater detail, the lower portion  150  has, in the present form, generally four sides  154 , one or more of which include a securing tab  152 . The tab  152 , shown best in  FIG. 21 , is formed by a pair of parallel slots  156  extending upwardly from a point proximate a bottom  158  of the lower portion  150 . The slots  156  serve to define the sides of the tab  152 , which has a terminal portion  152   a  extending downwardly to an extent sufficient to allow a portion thereof to be engage with the support base  30 . The support base  30  includes engagement tabs  160  having recesses  161  (or, alternatively, simply recesses) for this purpose, best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0053]    The terminal portion  152   a  include a prong or barb  170  with a chamfer or wedge surface  172  thereon. As the internal diffuser  36  with the tabs  152  is advanced towards the support base  30  with the engagement tabs  160 , the chamfer  172  contacts an edge  160   a  of the engagement tab  160  or openings. With continued advancement, the chamfer  172  causes the tab  152  to deflect inwardly relative to the sides  154  of the lower portion  150 . Once sufficiently downwardly, the barb  170  becomes aligned with the recesses formed in the engagement tabs  160  of the support base  30 . After this point, the tabs  152  resiliently shift outward so that the barb  170  is in an interference position with the interior of the engagement tab recess, and the internal diffuser  36  is secured therewith. In this manner, the circuit module  34  and battery  32  are also secured. To release the internal diffuser  36  from the support base  30 , a user merely presses inwardly on the tabs  152  so that the barbs  170  are resiliently shifted out of the recesses in the engagement tabs  160 , internal diffuser is then lifted away from the support base  30 . 
         [0054]    As noted above, the circuit module  34  includes light emitters  102 . Preferably, these are in the form of light emitting diodes, or LEDs. Also noted above is that the internal diffuser  36  conditions the light from the light emitters  102 . Some LEDs have particular inherent color characteristics which are undesirable. For instance, LEDs may have a color tint that is undesirable (such as a light green or pink hue). In some instances, LEDs may be “too white,” meaning that the light is harsh in comparison with traditional incandescent bulbs or the color of a flame of a burning candle. Selection of color and material of the internal diffuser  36  (as well as external diffuser  12 ) can be made in order to select a desired color to be emitted from the lighting device  10  (and external diffuser  12 ), include non-white colors such as colors associated with a particular holiday. 
         [0055]    Because of the construction of the lighting device  10 , the circuit module  34  may easily be changed. While it may be desirable or necessary to simply change the LEDs  102  from the circuit board  100 , it may also be desirable to selectively change the entire circuit module  34 . For instance, the circuit module  34  carries a microchip (such as integrated circuit) that controls the lighting of the light emitters  102 . The microchip is typically statically pre-programmed to allow for constant lighting. However, one may use the microchip to control the lighting for a variety of effects, such as alternating between two differently colored LEDs or by having the LEDs flash in a pre-programmed sequence. By allowing a user to select a circuit module  34 , the desired effect can be selected, such as if the lighting device  10  were provided as a kit or marketed as having available interchangeable components. Furthermore, this would allow a manufacture to keep interchangeable components on hand for a variety of forms of the lighting device  10 , most of the components being uniform while simply making a selection from a plurality of various circuit modules  34  for the assembly of a particular lighting device  10 . It should be recognized that these features are equally applicable to the other components of the lighting device  10 , including the battery  32  and the internal diffuser  36 . It should also be recognized that various external diffusers  12  may be provided for use with the lighting device  10 . 
         [0056]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as embodied in the following claims.