Patent Description:
Conventional electric insect eliminators are typically focused on pest control and include features that optimize pest removal, however, ignore aesthetics and other useful functionality. While conventional electric insect eliminators often emit UV light to attract insects, they do not provide sufficient visible light to aid those around them to see. Further, their design is typically not aesthetically pleasing.

In addition, conventional electric insect eliminators must include certain safety features that result in a generally closed design which generally negatively affects aesthetics of conventional devices as well as limiting the light emitted therefrom.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an electric insect eliminator that avoids these and other problems.

Examples of electric insect eliminators are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> or <CIT>.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an insect eliminator with a light portion that provides both a simulated flame and a constant light as well as a conductive grid to eliminate insects and a transparent safety cage that enhances light emission.

An insect eliminator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing, the housing including: a top; an outer cage extending down from the top; and a base connected to the outer cage; a transparent cage mounted in the base and positioned inside the outer cage and extending substantially from the top to the base; the transparent cage including a plurality of openings formed therein and configured to allow insects to pass therethrough; a conducting grid positioned inside of the transparent cage; a light portion provided inside the conducting grid; the light portion including: a plurality of flickering light sources configured to simulate a flame; at least one constant light source configured to provide constant light; and at least one UV light source provided in the housing and configured to emit UV light; a control circuit operably connected to the conducting grid and the light portion to control activation of the plurality of flickering light sources, the at least one constant light source, the at least one UV light source and the conducting grid.

In embodiments, the insect eliminating device includes at least one power source operably connected to one or more of the control circuit, the light portion and the conducting grid.

In embodiments, the plurality of openings formed in the transparent cage are sized to prevent a user's finger from passing through to contact the conducting grid.

In embodiments, the transparent cage is positioned between the outer cage and the conducting grid and is spaced from the outer cage to prevent a user's finger from extending through the plurality of openings to contact the conducting grid.

In embodiments, the transparent cage is positioned between the outer cage and the conducting grid and is immediately adjacent to the outer cage.

In embodiments, the transparent cage enhances transmission of light from the plurality of flickering light sources and the constant light source.

In embodiments, the plurality of flickering light sources may include: a first group of flickering light sources that are controlled by the control circuit to turn on and off together; a second group of flickering light sources that are controlled by the control circuit to dim and brighten together, wherein the second group of flickering light sources are positioned below the first group of flickering light sources.

In embodiments, the control circuit is operably connected to the plurality of flickering light sources and the at least one constant light source to activate the flickering light sources to simulate the flame while the constant light source is off.

In embodiments, the control circuit is operably connected to the flickering light sources and the at least one constant light source to activate the constant light source to provide constant light while the plurality of flickering light sources are off.

In embodiments, the control circuit controls the UV light source and the conducting grid such that the UV light source and conducting grid are activated together.

In embodiments, the at least one UV light source is mounted in the top of the housing.

In embodiments, the at least one UV light source is mounted in the base of the housing.

In embodiments, the at least one UV light source includes a first UV light source and a second UV light source and the first UV light source is mounted in the top of the housing and the second UV light source is mounted in the base of the housing.

In embodiments, the conducting grid includes a first group of conductors and a second group of conductors, wherein respective conductors of the first group of conductors are positioned adjacent respective conductors of the second group of conductors and a voltage is established between adjacent conductors.

In embodiments, the insect eliminating device includes a light sensor operable to provide ambient light information associated with ambient light around the insect eliminating device.

In embodiments, the control circuit activates at least one of the plurality of flickering light sources, the constant light source, the at least one UV light source and the conducting grid based on the ambient light information.

In embodiments, the insect eliminating device includes an input device operably connected to the control circuit and operable to provide input to the control circuit.

In embodiments, the control circuit activates at least one of the plurality of flickering light sources, the constant light source, the at least one UV light source and the conducting grid based on the input provided via the input device.

In embodiments, the insect eliminating device includes at least one removable tray mounted in the base and positioned to collect insect remains.

In embodiments, the outer cage includes four posts extending from the top to the base and supporting the top.

The above and related objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following, detailed description of the preferred, albeit illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:.

An electric insect eliminator <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in <FIG>. In embodiments, a light portion <NUM> may be mounted in a housing <NUM>. In embodiments, the housing <NUM> may include an outer cage <NUM> surrounding the light portion <NUM>, a base <NUM> from which the outer cage extends and a top <NUM> mounted on a top of the outer cage <NUM> above the lighting element.

In embodiments, the top <NUM> may include a solar panel portion 18a mounted on a top surface thereof. In embodiments, the outer cage <NUM> may surround the outer periphery of the light portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the outer cage <NUM> may be made of a durable and electrically non-conductive material. In embodiments, the outer cage <NUM> may include a plurality of bars 14a spaced from each other by a distance of at least <NUM> (<NUM> inch) to enhance visibility of the lighting element. In embodiments, the bars 14a may be vertical or horizontal. In embodiments, larger spacing between the bars 14a may be used. In embodiments, the outer cage <NUM>, may include corner posts 14a1, 14a2, 14a3, 14a4 (see <FIG>, for example) that extend between the top <NUM> and the base <NUM>. In embodiments, the outer cage <NUM> may just include the corner posts 14a1, 14a2, 14a3 and 14a4 and may not include the bars 14a such that the outer cage is substantially open between the posts.

In embodiments, a transparent inner cage <NUM> may be mounted in the housing <NUM> inside the outer cage <NUM>. In embodiments, the transparent inner cage <NUM> may be mounted just inside the outer cage <NUM>. In embodiments, the transparent inner cage <NUM> may be positioned inside the outer cage <NUM> but spaced therefrom. In embodiments, the transparent cage <NUM> may include openings 20a that are sized to allow insects to pass through, but small enough to prevent a user's finger from entering the interior of the housing. In embodiments, the openings 20a may be vertical, as shown in <FIG>, for example, but may be horizontal, diagonal or any other desired shape or orientation. In embodiments, the openings 20a are sized to prevent a user's finger from contacting the conducting grid <NUM>, which is discussed in further detail below. In embodiments, specifically, the size of the openings 20a is set such that even a relatively small finger, such as that of a child, cannot extend sufficiently far into the housing <NUM> to contact the conducting grid <NUM>. In embodiments, the openings 20a are aligned with the spaces between the bars 14a in the outer cage <NUM> to allow insects easily pass through the openings 20a. In embodiments, the position of the transparent cage <NUM> relative to the outer cage <NUM> may be selected to ensure that a user's finger will not contact the conducting grid <NUM> based on both the size and positioning of the openings 20a and the spacing between the transparent cage <NUM> and the outer cage <NUM>.

In embodiments, the electrical conducting grid <NUM> may be provided inside the outer cage structure <NUM> and the transparent inner cage <NUM>. In embodiments, the electrical conducting grid <NUM> may include multiple conductors that are positioned adjacent to each other in an alternating pattern. In embodiments, the electrical conducting grid <NUM> may be electrified such that when an insect contacts it, they are electrocuted. In embodiments, the electrical conducting grid <NUM> may include two groups of conductors 26a, 26b that are positioned adjacent to each other in an alternating pattern. In embodiments, the alternating conductors 26a, 26b may have a voltage established between them such that when an insect contacts a conductor and an adjacent conductor, the insect is eliminated. In embodiments, the conductors 26a, 26b may be oriented vertically as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> for example. In embodiments, the conductors 26a, 26b may be oriented horizontally or in a vertical and horizontal checker board type pattern. In embodiments, the conductors 26a, 26b may be provided in spiral design as illustrated in <FIG>, for example. In embodiments, the conducting grid <NUM> may be provided in any suitable configuration.

In embodiments, one or more UV light sources <NUM> may be provided on a bottom surface of the top <NUM>. In embodiments, one or more UV light sources <NUM> may be provided in the base <NUM> to direct UV light upward. In embodiments, one or more UV sources <NUM> may be provided in the top <NUM> and in the base <NUM>. In embodiments, the UV light sources <NUM> may be UV light emitting diodes (LEDs), however, any suitable UV light source may be used. In embodiments, the UV light sources <NUM> may be activated when the conducting grid <NUM> is energized to attract insects into the light portion <NUM> and toward the grid <NUM>.

In embodiments, a removable tray <NUM> may be provided at a bottom of the light portion <NUM>. In embodiments, as insects are eliminated by the grid <NUM>, they will drop down into the tray <NUM>. In embodiments, the tray <NUM> may be removed periodically to remove the insect remains. In embodiments, a power button or switch <NUM> may be provided on the light portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the power button or switch <NUM> may be a push button, however, any button, switch or other selector element may be used. In embodiments, the power button <NUM> may be positioned elsewhere on the light portion <NUM>, the base <NUM> or the outer cage <NUM>.

In embodiments, the light portion <NUM> may include a cylindrical shade <NUM> (see <FIG>, for example) surrounding a plurality of light sources 40A1, 40A2 which may be mounted on a flexible printed circuit board <NUM> (see <FIG>, for example). In embodiments, the board <NUM> may be mounted on a support <NUM>. In embodiments, the light sources are LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and may be white light LEDs that emit light through the shade <NUM> which may be tinted or colored to provide the impression of a flame. In embodiments, one or more of the LEDs 40A1, 40A2 may be a different color in order to provide the impression of a flame. In embodiments, the LEDs 40A1 belong to a first group and the LEDs 40A2 belong to a second group. In embodiments, the first group of the LEDs 40A1 may be driven to blink on and off together. In embodiments, the second group of LEDs 40A2 may be driven to brighten and dim in intensity together. In embodiments, the second group of LEDs 40A2 may be positioned below the first group of LEDs 40A1 or vice versa. In embodiments, one or more of the light emitting diodes in the first group of LEDs 40A1 or the second group of 40A2 may be of different colors. The combination of the two groups of LEDs, when viewed through the shade <NUM>, which may be tinted or colored as noted above, if desired, provides the impression of a flickering flame behind the grid <NUM> and the transparent cage <NUM>. In embodiments, the shade <NUM> may be of any desired shape provided that it fits within the cage <NUM>. In embodiments, while LEDs are preferred, other light sources may be used.

The transparent nature of the inner transparent cage <NUM> enhances the visual effect of the LEDs and visibility thereof from the exterior of the housing <NUM>. In embodiments, the positioning of the transparent cage <NUM> may be provided to amplify the lighting provided by the light portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the spacing between the transparent cage <NUM> and the light portion <NUM> may be set to amplify the light provided by the light portion <NUM> and to ensure that a user does not contact the conducting grid as discussed above. In embodiments, the thickness of the walls of the cage <NUM> may be set to amplify the light provided by the light portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the transparent cage may be made of a material that enhances light transmission, such as polycarbonate, acrylic and glass, to name a few. In embodiments, the use of the transparent cage <NUM> to prevent contact with the conducting grid <NUM> allows for the spacing of the bars 14a to be increased and thus to allow more light to be emitted from the light portion <NUM>.

In embodiments, the flame simulation may attract insects and provides for a positive aesthetic and a warmer feeling than traditional insect eliminators.

In embodiments, the light portion <NUM> may also be used as a constant, that is, non-flickering light. In embodiments, the substrate <NUM> may include additional constant light sources 40B that may be used to provide a constant light rather than the flickering effect discussed above. In embodiments, the light sources 40B may be of the same color and evenly spaced around the substrate <NUM>. In embodiments, the light sources 40B may be activated together and remain on at the same time to provide for a constant light that does not flicker. In embodiments, the light sources 40B may be white light LEDs. In embodiments, when the light sources 40B are activated, the light sources 40A1, 40A2 are not activated such that the light portion <NUM> may operate in a constant light mode or a flickering mode. In embodiments, the LEDs 40A1, 40A2 may be used to provide constant light by simply being operated in an alternate state in which they do not blink on and off or dim. In embodiments, where the LEDs 40A1, 40A2 are used to provide constant light, it may not be necessary to provide the light sources 40B.

One advantage of the electric insect eliminator <NUM> is that it provides the aesthetics of a conventional outdoor torch while avoiding the waste products of combustion and the additional labor required to change the oil as well as the hazards of an open flame present in conventional outdoor torches. In addition, the use of the transparent cage enhances the light emitted whether from the light sources 40A1, 40A2 and the light sources 40B.

In embodiments, a circuit board <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) may be provided to hold or provide control circuitry, or control circuit, 44a for the lighting element <NUM>, the UV lights <NUM> as well as the grid <NUM>. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be operatively connected to the PCB <NUM>. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be provided on the circuit board <NUM>. In embodiments, the control circuitry 44a may be provided elsewhere and need not be mounted on the circuit board <NUM>. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be mounted on a base plate <NUM>. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be a rechargeable battery and may be recharged by the solar panel 18a. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be recharged via a line voltage, if desired via a USB, wireless or other connection. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be recharged via any other suitable power source. In embodiments, a charging input or port <NUM> may be provided for connection to a line voltage or other power source. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> may be provided elsewhere in the light portion <NUM>. While a battery <NUM> is illustrated, any other power source may be used. In embodiments, the power source <NUM> may be any suitable portable power source. In embodiments, the solar panel <NUM> may provide power directly, without use of the battery <NUM>.

In embodiments, the control circuitry 44a may include an LED boost circuit (or control circuit) used to drive the UV LEDs <NUM>. In embodiments, the boost circuit (control circuit) may be used to drive the LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and/or LEDs 40B as well. In embodiments, other driving circuitry may be provided to drive the UV LEDs <NUM> and/or the LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and 40B. As noted above, the two groups of LEDs 40A1, 40A2 are preferably driven in a particular sequence to simulate a flame while the LEDs 40B may be driven to provide constant light.

In embodiments, an input device such as a power button or switch <NUM> may be operable to activate the conducting grid <NUM> without activating the flickering effect of the LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and/or the LEDs 40B. In embodiments, the power button <NUM> may activate the conducting grid <NUM> and not the UV LEDs <NUM>, however, typically, the grid and UV LEDs will be activated together. In embodiments, the conducting grid <NUM>, UV LEDs <NUM> and the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 will all be activated together by the power button <NUM>. In embodiments, the conducting grid <NUM>, UV LEDs <NUM> and the LEDs 40B may be activated together by the power button <NUM>. In embodiments, as noted above, the additional LEDs 40B or other light sources may be used to provide for a constant light rather than flickering and may also be controlled by input from the power button <NUM>. In embodiments, these constant light sources 40B may be activated with or without activation of the grid <NUM> and/or the UV LEDs <NUM>. In embodiments, other input devices, other than the power button <NUM>, may be used to provide input to control the conducting grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and the constant light sources 40B. In embodiments, a light sensor <NUM> (See <FIG>, for example) may provide information regarding ambient light levels around the electric insect eliminator <NUM>. In embodiments, the electric insect eliminator <NUM> may be activated when the ambient light level drops below a threshold level and may turn off when the light level rises above the threshold. In embodiments, the electric insect eliminator <NUM> may be activated such that the conducting grid <NUM> is energized and the UV light source <NUM> is activated when the ambient light level drops below the threshold level. In embodiments, the conducting grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 or the constant light sources 40B may be activated based on the ambient light level. In embodiments, the light sensor <NUM> may be a photocell, however, any suitable light sensor device may be used. In embodiments, the light sensor <NUM> may be provided on the solar panel <NUM>. In embodiments, the light sensor <NUM> may be integrated into the solar panel <NUM>. In embodiments, as can be seen in <FIG> the light sensor <NUM> may be provided elsewhere on the electric insect eliminator <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the light portion <NUM>. In embodiments, the battery <NUM> provides power to the conducting grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM> and the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and LEDs 40B. The control circuitry, or control circuit, 44a which may be provided on the PCB <NUM> which may be or include the boost circuit, and/or other circuitry, may drive the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and LEDs 40B. The control circuitry 44a may include other control circuitry to control activation of the electric grid <NUM>. As noted above, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 may be driven in respective patterns to simulate the appearance of a flickering flame and the LEDs 40B may be activated to provide constant light when desired. The solar panel 18a may provide power to recharge the battery <NUM>. In embodiments, the light portion <NUM> may include other charging circuitry or inputs to allow for USB or wireless charging, if desired. In embodiments, the control circuitry 44a may be connected to the power button <NUM> and may drive the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and constant light LEDs 40B based on input provided by the button <NUM>. In embodiments, separate control circuitry may be provided and connected to the power button <NUM> to control the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and LEDs 40B. In embodiments, the light level information provided by the light sensor <NUM> may be provided to the control circuitry 44a. In embodiments, the control circuitry 44a may include a processor, microprocessor or other control element or component to provide for control of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM> and the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2. In embodiments, control of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and LEDs 40B may be based on both input from the power button <NUM> and the light sensor <NUM>. In embodiments, the power button <NUM> may be pressed once, or placed in a first position, to enter a light monitoring mode in which power is provided to one or more of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 or constant light LEDs 40B when the light information indicates a light level below a threshold based on input form the sensor <NUM>. In embodiments, one or more of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and the constant light LEDs 40B may be deactivated when the light level rises above the threshold. In embodiments, pushing the button <NUM> again, or putting it in a second position, may directly activate one or more of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and the constant light LEDs 40B without consideration of the light level information. In embodiments, as noted above, each of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and constant light LEDs 40B may be activated independently, if desired, based on operation of, or the position of, the power button <NUM> and/or light level information provided by the light sensor. In embodiments, the grid <NUM> and UV LEDs <NUM> may be activated independent of the light level information. In embodiments, as noted above, other input elements may provide information to control the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and the constant light LEDs 40B. In embodiments, the electric insect eliminator <NUM> may be placed in an off mode in which all of the grid <NUM>, the UV LEDs <NUM>, the flickering LEDs 40A1, 40A2 and/or LEDs 40B are deactivated and stay that way regardless of light sensor information until activation of the power button <NUM> or another input.

<FIG> illustrates an electric insect eliminator <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric insect eliminator <NUM> is similar to the electric insect eliminator <NUM> discussed above and includes a ring 218b provided on a top <NUM> thereof from which the electric insect eliminator <NUM> may be suspended. In embodiments, the top <NUM> of the electric insect eliminator <NUM> is similar to the top <NUM> discussed above, and may include one or more circuit board <NUM>, which may be similar to the printed circuit board <NUM> discussed above.

The outer cage <NUM> extends down from the top <NUM> to the base <NUM>, which may be, or may be similar to the base <NUM> discussed above. In embodiments, the outer cage <NUM> may include posts 214a1, 214a2, 214a3 and 214a4 similar to the posts 14a1, 14a2, 14a3 and 14a4 discussed above as well as bars 214a which may be configured similar to the bars 14a discussed above. In embodiments, the posts 214a1, 214a2, 214a3 and 214a4 may be provided without the bars 214a.

Claim 1:
An insect eliminating device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>), the housing including:
a top (<NUM>);
an outer cage (<NUM>) extending down from the top; and
a base (<NUM>) connected to the outer cage;
a transparent cage (<NUM>) mounted in the base and positioned inside the outer cage and
extending substantially from the top to the base;
the transparent cage including a plurality of openings (20a) formed therein and
configured to allow insects to pass therethrough;
a conducting grid (<NUM>) positioned inside of the transparent cage:
a light portion (<NUM>) provided inside the conducting grid;
the light portion including:
a plurality of flickering light sources (40A1, 40A2) configured to simulate a flame;
at least one constant light source (40B) configured to provide constant light; and
at least one UV light source (<NUM>) provided in the housing and configured to emit UV light;
a control circuit (44a) operably connected to the conducting grid and the light portion to control activation of the plurality of flickering light sources, the at least one constant light source, the at least one UV light source and the conducting grid.