Abstract:
A solar-powered relocatable lighting system includes a light module including a support frame having a light-emitting diode module, rechargeable batteries, and photovoltaic panels, a removable shade assembly configured to cover the light module, and a plurality of support arms configured to removably connect to the support frame of the light module. The plurality of support arms provides multiple configurations for use and charging the solar-powered relocatable lighting system.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to light systems, and in particular, to a solar-powered relocatable lighting system having multiple in-use configurations. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the recent hike in energy costs, many people are reexamining their home energy usage in an effort to save on the family budget. Electric lighting is one of the largest users contributing to the home electric bill. Many consumers have turned to the use of light-emitting diode (LED) lamps to save on power usage due to their high efficiencies. However, even the most efficient LED lamp still requires some electrical power which is reflected in the monthly power bill. Additionally, such lamps will not work at all during a power outage. 
     Prior lighting devices fail to provide a complete and integrated lighting system that is robust to accommodate indoor use, outdoor use, solar recharging, and LED illumination. Prior art also fails to enable a user to use such lighting during times when access to electrical power is limited. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a lighting system that provides indoor and outdoor lighting, which does not require conventional electrical power. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed solar powered relocatable lighting system relates to a solar-powered relocatable indoor lighting system that affords the ability to configure and re-configure the system for outdoor use and multiple indoor uses. The system can include an interchangeable solar-powered light module, a decorative shade assembly, a locking pole assembly, a base module, a control switch, a rechargeable battery, a plurality of individual photovoltaic panels, a gooseneck arm, a ground stake, and a light-emitting diode module. The interchangeable solar-powered light module is located inside of the decorative shade assembly, and is supported by a locking pole arm assembly connecting it to a base module by use of a snap twist fitting at both the interchangeable solar powered light module and the base module locations. The snap twist fitting connection is a hand-twist to lock arrangement. The base module serves to provide adequate stability and support for the system. The interchangeable solar-powered light module includes a supporting frame structure having a top snap fitting and a lower snap fitting. A control switch is located at the top of the interchangeable solar-powered light module and is in electrical connection with the internal circuitry. The upper portion of the supporting frame structure is provided with rechargeable single cell batteries. The lower portion of the supporting frame structure is provided with a plurality of individual photovoltaic panels. The light-emitting diode module includes multiple light-emitting diodes and is located at a lower surface of the interchangeable solar-powered light module. Electrical power from the photovoltaic panels is directed to a solar charge controller, which generates the proper charging current regardless of the output of the individual photovoltaic panels. The output from the solar charge controller is directed to the rechargeable single cell batteries. 
     In one (1) embodiment of the disclosed solar powered relocatable lighting system, the interchangeable solar-powered light module is supported by a ground stake that connects into the lower snap fitting. The ground stake has a tapered point at one (1) distal end to pierce the ground. The ground stake is inserted into the ground, and the light module system is connected to the ground stake. The configured unit is then placed in an outdoor area during a time when sufficient sunlight is shining in order to charge the rechargeable batteries. 
     In another embodiment of the disclosed solar powered relocatable lighting system, the interchangeable solar-powered light module is removed from the ground stake and the system is re-configured for indoor use in a table lamp configuration. The locking pole assembly is attached into the lower snap fitting on the interchangeable solar-powered light module. The base module is attached to the lower portion of the locking pole arm assembly. The decorative shade assembly is placed over the top of the interchangeable solar-powered light module. The re-configured unit can be placed on top of a table for display and use by operation of the control switch. 
     In another embodiment of the disclosed solar-powered relocatable lighting system, the system is used in a desk lamp configuration. The decorative shade assembly is attached as in the table top configuration. A top portion of the gooseneck arm assembly is attached to the top snap fitting and a bottom portion of the gooseneck arm is attached to the base module. The re-configured unit can be placed on top of a desk for display and use by operation of the control switch. 
     The disclosed solar-powered relocatable lighting system includes three (3) different usable configurations, which exploit the solar powering aspects of photovoltaic panels and the lighting aspects of a lamp. In addition to using the system to generate and project light, the system can be taken outside during the day and placed in the sun to charge the batteries. The system can be set on a flat surface or can be provided with a spiked support pole to allow for use on grassy surfaces. Electrical contacts connect the battery pack to a lighting circuit having an LED lamp array as well as control switch. Power provided by the battery pack is sufficient to last all night. Such features are envisioned as beneficial during a power outage, homes that are not connected to the power grid, while camping, or those simply looking to save on their electrical bill. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosed solar powered relocatable lighting system can be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize after reading the present disclosure. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in any particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the disclosed solar-powered relocatable lighting system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of another embodiment the disclosed solar-powered relocatable indoor lighting system; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the interchangeable solar-powered light module of the disclosed solar powered relocatable lighting system shown in an outdoor location during a charging cycle; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the interchangeable solar-powered light module as seen along a line I-I of  FIG. 3 ; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical schematic diagram depicting the major electrical components of the disclosed solar-powered relocatable indoor lighting system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  solar-powered relocatable indoor lighting system 
               15  interchangeable solar-powered light module 
               20  decorative shade assembly 
               25  pole arm assembly 
               30  base module 
               35  snap twist fitting 
               40  ON/OFF switch 
               45  light rays 
               50  gooseneck arm assembly 
               55  supporting frame structure 
               60  top snap fitting 
               65  lower snap fitting 
               70  rechargeable single cell battery 
               75  individual photovoltaic panel 
               80  ground stake 
               85  tapered point 
               90  ground surface 
               95  light-emitting diode module 
               100  light-emitting diode 
               105  solar charge controller 
               110  light-emitting diode driving circuit 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of the described embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     It can be appreciated that, although such terms as first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that, as used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is open-ended, and includes one (1) or more stated elements, steps or functions without precluding one (1) or more unstated elements, steps or functions. Relative terms such as “front” or “rear” or “left” or “right” or “top” or “bottom” or “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature or region to another element, feature or region as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. It should also be understood that the sizes and relative orientations of the illustrated elements are not shown to scale, and in some instances they have been exaggerated for purposes of explanation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5 , disclosing a solar powered relocatable lighting system (herein described as a system”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The system  10  includes three different usable configurations and one charging configuration, which exploit the solar powering aspects of photovoltaic panels and the lighting aspects of a lamp. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system  10  includes an interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  located inside of a decorative shade assembly  20 . It should be noted that most of the interchangeable solar powered light module  15  is hidden from view in  FIG. 1  due to illustrative limitations and will be described in greater detail herein below. The interchangeable solar powered light module  15  and subsequently the decorative shade assembly  20  is supported by support arm assembly. The shade assembly  20  includes a substantially bell-shaped shell defining a hollow interior configured to receive the solar-powered light module. The support arm assembly is a locking pole arm assembly  25  that connects to a base module  30  at a lower end and the solar powered light module  15  at an upper end by use of a snap twist fitting  35 . The pole arm assembly  25  includes a straight cylindrical body extending between an upper end and a lower end. The connection afforded by the snap twist fitting  35  is a simple twist to lock arrangement and can be made by hand without the use of tools. The material of construction used on the decorative shade assembly  20 , the locking pole arm assembly  25 , and the base module  30  are envisioned to be plastic, although other materials such as metal, glass, and even wood could be utilized as well, and as such, should not interpreted as a limiting factor of the present disclosure. 
     The base module  30  is of a substantial weight such as to provide stability for the system  10 . The overall height of the system  10  is envisioned as approximately eighteen inches (18 in.), although other sizes could be adapted easily by those familiar in the art. The system  10  is provided with an ON/OFF switch  40  located at the top of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15 . The system  10  produces light rays  45  that emanate in a downward pattern as shown. As such, the system  10  is suitable for general area illumination such as would be produced by a conventional table lamp. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , the system  10  includes the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  located inside of the decorative shade assembly  20 . As in  FIG. 1 , most of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  is hidden from view due to illustrative limitations and will be described in greater detail herein below. The interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  and subsequently the decorative shade assembly  20  is supported by the support arm assembly. The support arm assembly is a gooseneck arm assembly  50  that connects to the base module  30  at an upper end and the solar-powered light module  15  at a lower end by use of a snap twist fitting  35 . The gooseneck arm assembly includes a lower portion, a bent portion, and an upper portion. The bent portion extends between the lower portion and the upper portion such that the lower portion and the upper portion are substantially parallel. The connection afforded by the snap twist fitting  35  is a simple twist to lock arrangement, and can be made by hand without the use of tools. The material of construction used on the gooseneck arm assembly  50  is envisioned to be plastic, although other materials such as metal, glass, and even wood could be utilized as well, and as such, should not interpreted as a limiting factor of the present disclosure. The overall height of the system  10  of the illustrated embodiment is envisioned as approximately eighteen inches (18 in.), although other sizes could be adapted easily by those familiar in the art. The ON/OFF switch  40  is located in an easily reached operating position at the top of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15 . The system  10  produces light rays  45  that emanate in a downward pattern as shown. As such, the system  10  is suitable for specific task area illumination such as would be produced by a conventional desk lamp. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  includes a supporting frame structure  55  which is generally skeleton like in nature. The support frame  15  includes a substantially bell-shaped shell defining an upper end, a lower end, and a hollow interior. The supporting frame structure  55  provides for a top snap fitting  60  disposed centrally about the supporting frame upper end and a lower snap fitting  65  disposed centrally about the supporting frame lower end (not visible in  FIG. 3  due to illustrative limitations). In addition to housing the ON/OFF switch  40 , the upper portion of the supporting frame structure  55  also houses a multitude of rechargeable single cell batteries  70 . The rechargeable single cell batteries  70  can be of multiple variations such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, sealed lead acid, and the like. 
     The lower portion of the supporting frame structure  55  is provided with a plurality of individual photovoltaic panels  75  (of which only two (2) are shown in  FIG. 3  due to illustrative limitations). The individual photovoltaic panels  75  are located on the angled surface of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  so as to be more directly facing the incoming rays of the sun leading to higher solar output. The interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  is supported by a ground stake  80  that connects into the lower snap fitting  65  (not visible in  FIG. 3  due to illustrative limitations). 
     The ground stake  80  is provided with a tapered point  85  to facilitate its installation or piercing of a ground surface  90 . 
     A light-emitting diode module  95  is located at the bottom of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15 , whose details and purpose will be further illustrated herein below. The interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  would be connected to the ground stake  80  and installed outdoors during daytime hours for the purposes of charging the rechargeable single cell batteries  70 . As such it would be located in direct sunlight so as to afford the maximum sun exposure at all times. 
       FIG. 4  more clearly depicts the outer frame work of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  about a perimeter. The lower snap fitting  65  is visible in the center of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15 . The light-emitting diode module  95  is located such that it covers the vast majority of the lower surface of the interchangeable solar powered light module  15 . As such, it can easily generate the light rays  45  ( FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 ) when used in an inside location. The light-emitting diode module  95  includes multiple light-emitting diodes  100  arranged in a radial configuration. The exact quantity of light-emitting diodes  100  will vary depending on the type of light-emitting diodes  100  used as well as the overall circuit design, as well as being governed by the desired light output. As such, the exact configuration of the light-emitting diodes  100  as provided in the light-emitting diode module  95  is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , electrical power from each of the individual photovoltaic panels  75  is directed to a solar charge controller  105  by way of a parallel path connection. The solar charge controller  105  will generate the proper charging current regardless of the output of the individual photovoltaic panels  75  which will vary over time due to changes in the sun&#39;s rays over time. The output from the solar charge controller  105  is directed to the bank of rechargeable single cell batteries  70 , also in a parallel path connection. The exact quantity of rechargeable single cell batteries  70  will vary as per the design requirements of the solar charge controller  105 , the power usage of the system  10 , as well as the storage capacity of each rechargeable single cell batteries  70 . Such design parameters are well known in the art and will follow basic design characteristics. 
     The output of the rechargeable single cell batteries  70  is connected into the ON/OFF switch  40  which regulates power flow into a light-emitting diode driving circuit  110 . The light-emitting diode driving circuit  110  will generate the proper voltage and current as required by the light-emitting diodes  100 . The solar charge controller  105  and the light-emitting diode driving circuit  110  are located inside of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  ( FIG. 3 ). The configuration as depicted by  FIG. 5  is one (1) of many currently known within the art and such specific application is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present disclosure. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the disclosed system  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only certain particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The disclosed system  10  can be configured and utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system  10 , it can be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     Initial usage of the system  10  would commence by taking the interchangeable solar powered light module  15  and connecting it to the ground stake  80  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The attached assembly would then be placed in an outdoor location where it would be struck by the rays of the sun though out the daytime hours. At dusk the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  would be removed from the ground stake  80  and the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  brought indoors. 
     Once indoors, the user would make the choice to utilize the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  in a table lamp configuration as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  or in a desk lamp configuration as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . To use it in the table lamp configuration, the user would attach the locking pole arm assembly  25  into the lower snap fitting  65  on the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15 . Next the base module  30  would be attached to the lower portion of the locking pole arm assembly  25 . Finally, the decorative shade assembly  20  is placed over the top of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  where it is held in place by friction fit. The completed assembly would then be placed on a table, dresser or other location and activated by the ON/OFF switch  40  to produce light rays  45 . It is envisioned that the power output of the rechargeable single cell batteries  70  would be adequate to power the light-emitting diodes  100  for the hours of darkness during a typical nighttime. At dawn, the base module  30 , the decorative shade assembly  20 , and the locking pole arm assembly  25  are removed and the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  placed once again outdoors upon the ground stake  80  in a repeating cycle. 
     Should the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  be used in a desk lamp configuration as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the user would first attach the decorative shade assembly  20  over the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15 . Next, the gooseneck arm assembly  50  would be attached to the top snap fitting  60  of the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  with the lower end of the gooseneck arm assembly  50  attached to the base module  30 . The completed assembly would then be placed on a desk, countertop, workbench or other location where specific tasks are performed. It would be activated by the ON/OFF switch  40  to produce light rays  45 . It is envisioned that the power output of the rechargeable single cell batteries  70  would be adequate to power the light-emitting diodes  100  for the hours of darkness during a typical nighttime. At dawn, the base module  30 , the decorative shade assembly  20 , and the gooseneck arm assembly  50  are removed and the interchangeable solar-powered light module  15  placed once again outdoors upon the ground stake  80  in a repeating cycle. 
     The foregoing embodiments of the disclosed solar powered relocatable lighting system have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles, configurations, and modifications of the invention can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure upon reading the specification and that the embodiments shown and described are for the purposes of clarity and disclosure and to limit the scope. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claim.