Patent ID: 12215845

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like structure. Reference is first made toFIGS.1and2in which a battery-operated LED light10includes a housing generally indicated as15having an arbitrary bulb shape terminating at one end in a non-conductive threaded cap16serving as a base. While an otherwise standard arbitrary bulb shape is preferred, other standard incandescent bulb shapes such as a candelabra, globe or other similar equivalent shapes may be used.

Base16includes threads17disposed about the base16. Base16and threads17are preferable sized and to be received and secured by a conventional Edison socket. Base16is nonconductive, and preferably made from material that is an electrical insulator, but adapted to threadingly engage, via threads17, with an Edison socket in a manner mimicking conventional incandescent lights, but without drawing current when installed. In this way the LED light10of this application can be substituted into existing lighting structure without a need to modify the existing light infrastructure in homes or offices.

As seen more particularly inFIG.2, a charging slot26is formed in a bottom portion24of base16. Charging slot26is a DC charging slot, and preferably a USB Slot for receiving a USB charging connector. In a preferred non limiting embodiment a non-electrically conductive spacer28may extend beyond threads17, to isolate charging slot26from contacting Edison Socket in which it resides during use.

A lower lamp housing12extends from base16to form a portion of housing15. An upper lamp housing14extends from lower lamp12to form an enclosed housing15. Upper lamp housing14and lower lamp housing12may be joined together by a threaded screw structure, friction fit, or even formed as a unitary structure.

In a preferred non limiting embodiment, as seen inFIGS.2and3, a diffuser connector18receives and rests on an upper portion12aof lower lamp housing12. Diffuser connector18may rest on a ledge12aformed as part of152ower housing12. Diffuser connector18receives a lower portion14aof upper lamp housing14. Upper portion12aof lower lamp housing12is received by lower portion14aof upper lamp housing14at a position adjacent diffuser connector18. In the preferred non limiting embodiment, when assembled, lower portion14aof upper lamp housing14is sandwiched between upper portion12aof lower lamp housing12and diffuser connector18. However, the inverse relationship is well within the scope of the invention.

In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, at least upper lamp housing14is formed of a light diffusing material, preferably polycarbonate. It is translucent. Furthermore, to facilitate manufacture, lower portion14aof upper lamp housing14may include threads19and diffuser connector18is formed with socket threads21for receiving threads19to secure upper housing14to diffuser connector18, while providing access to the interior of the light10.

As seen inFIG.3, within housing15, a USB port26for receiving a USB connector therein, terminates in charging slot24and extends within base16. A power circuitry on a board27is electrically connected with USB port26.

A battery casing30, forming an on-board DC power source, is disposed within lower housing12. Batteries32a,32bare disposed within battery casing30. Power circuitry on a board27is electrically connected to battery casing30and the batteries32a,32bcontained therein by wiring29. In this way batteries32a,32bmay be charged utilizing a USB plug coupled to a power source. It should be known that while the preferred non limiting embodiment is a USB charger, however any type of DC plug capable of being received in base16may be used.

A circuit board40is disposed within housing15. Power circuitry42is disposed on circuit board40. Power circuitry42, disposed on circuit board40, is electrically connected to batteries32a,32bby wiring36,38. Power circuitry42conditions the power signal to be used by the LEDs.

A second circuit board50is disposed within housing15. One or more LEDs54a-54nare disposed on second circuit board50. The LEDs54may be disposed randomly across second circuit board50, or may be formed in patterns. One such pattern would be to dispose LEDs54about the perimeter of second circuit board50at spaced intervals, either random or equal spacing. A second pattern may be a circular array of LEDs54more interior to second circuit board50; either as a stand alone or in addition to an outer perimeter array of LEDs54. A Plurality of control circuits52a-52nare disposed on second circuit board50and are electrically coupled to respective one or more LEDs54a-54n.

At least one spacer44disposed between circuit board40and second circuit board50, supports second circuit board50in housing15in a substantially parallel stacked formation relative to first circuit board40. An electrical connector40electrically connects power circuitry42to control circuitry52a-52nproviding a circuit from batteries32a,32bto LEDS54a-54n. As a result, an electrical circuit is formed by batteries32a,32bconnected to power circuitry42which in turn is connected to control circuits52a-52nwhich in turn are connected LEDs54a-54n. Additionally the circuit extends to recharger port26. A switch20is disposed on diffuser connector18and is electrically coupled along the electric circuit to manually turn LEDs54a-54nbetween an ON state and an OFF state.

In a preferred non limiting embodiment, first circuit board40and second circuit board50are disposed in parallel. The entirety of circuit boards40,50and battery casing30may be disposed within lower housing12to facilitate manufacture and assembly. Additionally, either or both of electrical connection46and spacer44may be support structure and/or electrical connectivity structure. Furthermore, it is well within the scope of the invention for the control circuitry52a-52nto include an antenna for remote control, primarily ON/OFF control of LEDs54a-54n.

As can be seen by providing an LED system for use in an AC socket, in accordance with the invention above, a DC powered self-contained bulb can be used in existing lighting structure, avoiding the shortcomings of the prior art. By forming the light housing as two distinct housings and the battery housing supporting the power circuitry PC board which in turn supports the LED PC board, the LED light is easily manufactured as the LED structure can be formed as a substantially uniform structure and inserted into the housing.

Furthermore, by providing a battery operated LED light as described above, the structure enables the use of the LED bulb in a conventional fixture where no electricity is available. In this way a conventional light fixture, even a chandelier, can be mounted in a house or office in a room not currently wired for electricity and provide light.

It should be further recognized that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Accordingly, numerous modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claims appended hereto.