Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional patent application and claims priority U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/164,697 filed Mar. 30, 2009 and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments relate generally to a decorative home gazing ball with an internal, battery-powered LED device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    Devices for illuminating the exterior of a home are known and they range from functional devices such as flood lights, walkway lights, and lamp posts to decorative items such as lanterns and gazing balls. Traditional methods for powering these devices consisted of hard-wiring the devices from power sources found inside the home and necessitated running power wires along the ground surface or buried beneath the grade level. More modern methods permit the use of small, localized solar panels which power re-chargeable batteries within the light fixtures. While solar methods remove the need for running wires, existing solar technologies still suffer many drawbacks, including expense, durability, and limitations based on climate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0004]    Embodiments herein provide battery-powered LED devices within gazing balls. Some embodiments may utilize circuitry which varies the power levels which are sent to the LEDs in a random manner. This random variation in power correlates to a random variation in the illumination in the LEDs and simulates a ‘flicker’ which is familiar to most consumers as the illumination from a common candle wick. The LEDS, battery, and associated circuitry may fit within a cap which can attach to the base of the gazing ball in order to seal out elemental factors (humidity, insects, etc.). While a manual switch can be included so that users can manually turn on and off the LED device, exemplary embodiments contain a means for automatically turning on-off the LED devices. Some embodiments may use a timer which can be set to have the device illuminate the LEDs during a specific time period during each day. Other embodiments may use a photosensor in electrical communication with the LED device so that when the surrounding level of ambient light passes below a pre-determined threshold, the LED device will illuminate. In other words, the device would energize at dusk, remain energized throughout the night, and turn off at dawn. 
         [0005]    Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    A better understanding of the exemplary embodiments will be had when reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein identical parts are identified with identical reference numerals, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view showing a basic embodiment of the gazing ball, LED device, and base cap. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment for the base cap. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing the embodiment for the base cap from  FIG. 2A . 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are exploded views showing further embodiments for the gazing ball, LED device, and base cap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the gazing ball  10  may be a generally spherical device with a relatively thin sidewall. The gazing ball  10  may be constructed of any semi-transparent material, including but not limited to a variety of plastics and glass. Near the base of the generally spherical gazing ball  10  may be a ring having a thin sidewall  11 , which is adapted to fit within channels  12  of the base cap  20 . An interference fit between the gazing ball sidewall  11  and channels  12  may be used in some exemplary embodiments to facilitate a secure connection between the base cap  20  and the gazing ball  10 . For this embodiment, the base cap  20  may preferably be comprised of a plastic material, and even more preferably an elastomeric plastic material, to provide a secure and water-tight connection between the base cap  20  and gazing ball  10 . 
         [0012]    Alternatively, the sidewall  11  and channels  12  may have corresponding threads where the base cap  20  would effectively ‘screw’ onto the base of the gazing ball  10 . These connections can further ensure that the base cap  20  does not become disconnected from the gazing ball  10  and can also ensure that elemental factors cannot enter the gazing ball  10 . Elemental factors such as humidity and insects may be particularly harmful to the LED device  15 . 
         [0013]    For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the LED device  15  fits within the base cap  20 , prior to connecting the base cap  20  with the gazing ball  10 . However, in other embodiments, the LED device  15  may be incorporated into the base cap  20 . Particularly, this combination may be beneficial if a manual switch for turning on the LED device will be used. By combining the LED device  15  with the base cap  20 , a manual switch can be placed on the exterior of the base cap  20  so that a user can easily access the switch to energize the LED device. For embodiments similar to  FIG. 1  (where the LED device  15  and base cap  20  are separate pieces), the user may have to remove the base cap  20  from the gazing ball  10  so that a manual switch for the LED device  15  could be accessed. Of course, those skilled in the art could also place an access aperture (ex. notch or hole) in the base cap so that a manual switch could still be accessed, without having to combine the LED device and the base cap and without having to remove the base cap from the gazing ball. Those skilled in the art could also locate a switch in any number of accessible locations while electrically connecting the switch to the LED device. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  shows a cross-section of the base cap  20  and provides another view of the channels  12  which accept the sidewall  11  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the gazing ball.  FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the same base cap  20  from  FIG. 2A . 
         [0015]    The LED device  15  may contain a single LED or an array of several LEDs. White LEDs, red LEDs, or any mixture of colored LEDs may be used. Some exemplary embodiments may use a plurality of different colored LEDs and corresponding circuitry so that the color of the light from the LED device can change periodically. The LEDs may be covered with a plastic or glass covering  16  which may also tint the color of the resulting light from the LEDs and the shape of the covering  16  may further simulate the look of a natural candle. 
         [0016]    As discussed above, the LED device  15  may contain circuitry which varies the power levels sent to the LEDs in a random manner. This random variation in power correlates to a random variation in the illumination in the LEDs and simulates a ‘flicker’ which is familiar to most consumers as the illumination from a common candle wick. One example of this type of circuitry can be found in U.S. Publication No. 2003/0189825, filed on Apr. 3, 2002 which discloses a microcontroller and pulse width modulation circuit for simulating a multitude of light effects within a Halloween pumpkin. This publication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0017]    The LED device may be powered by one or more batteries (not shown). The use of batteries allows for a quick and easy installation and does not rely on high levels of sunlight in order to charge solar cells. LEDs are known to produce intense light levels while drawing a relatively low amount of electrical current. This characteristic of LEDs allows the use of batteries with relatively infrequent changing of depleted batteries. In exemplary embodiments, the base cap should be designed for easy removal so that batteries can be easily changed. As discussed above, an interference fit or corresponding threads can provide for easy attachment and removal of the base cap to the gazing ball. 
         [0018]    In order to conserve the operating life of the battery, the LEDs may be energized through a manual (discussed above) or automatic switch. In some embodiments, a timer may be incorporated into the LED device and the user may set the timer so that the LEDs are energized for a certain time period during each day. Perhaps a user may energize the LEDs during dusk (ex. 7:30-10:30 p.m.) while the light may be enjoyed, but the LEDs will remain off throughout the night. Other users may wish to energize the LEDs at dusk and they might remain on until early morning (ex. 5:00 a.m.). Other embodiments may use a photosensor (not shown) in order to sense the amount of ambient light, where the LEDs may be energized once the level of ambient light falls below a threshold value. This embodiment only energizes the LEDs when they would be visible and would also automatically adjust for the varying times of sunrise/sunset (dawn/dusk) throughout the various seasons. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show exploded views of decorative embodiments for the gazing ball, LED device, and base cap. 
         [0020]    Having shown and described preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described embodiments and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

Technology Category: 2