Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
LIGHT APPARATUS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.
60/723,166,
filed October 3, 2005. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Patent
Application No. 11/265,738, filed November 2, 2005, and U.S. Patent
Application entitled
"Candle and Luminary Light Show," filed July 12, 2006, with attorney docket
number J-
4911B, each of which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.
60/723,166, filed
October 3, 2005. Each of the above-indicated applications is incorporated by
reference
herein in its entirety.
REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENTIAL LISTING
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND
l. Field
[0004] The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus for producing one
or more
visually discernable lighting effects and light control devices that may be
used with the
lighting apparatus.
2. Background of the Invention
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[0005] Lighting devices that use light control devices, such as for example
light pipes,
light diffusers, and/or lenses, for transferring and manipulating light from
one point light
source to another location are known. In one exanlple, a point light source,
such as an
incandescent light bulb, is disposed inside an opaque housing. Long, thin
strands of hollow
fiber optic tubing have one end located near the light bulb and an opposite
end disposed in or
through the housing. Light from the light bulb is transferred through the
fiber optic tubing to
the opposite end to provide a plurality of points of light around the exterior
of the housing.
[0006] Another light apparatus has an LED disposed in an end cavity of a
bullet-shaped
light pipe, which is in turn disposed inside an end cavity of an outer
diffuser shaped to
resemble a flame. The outer surface of the bullet-shaped light pipe abuts
against an inner
surface of the outer diffuser, and power circuitry for the LED is carried
below the outer
diffuser and inner light pipe by a base.
[0007] Yet another luminary device has a base, which carries a light bulb and
attendant
power and control circuitry therefor. A solid light pipe having a decorative
shape, such as a
flower or a bottle, is disposed on top of the base above the light bulb. Light
from the light
bulb enters a base portion of the light pipe and is transferred therethrough
to illuminate the
entire light pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a light apparatus includes a
light pipe
having a substantially smooth longitudinal exterior surface extending between
a first end and
a second end, a light source disposed at the first end, and a facet disposed
at the second end,
wherein the facet is angularly disposed from a longitudinal axis of the light
pipe. Light from
the light source is transmitted through the light pipe from the light source
and dispersed
radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis by the facet.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, a light pipe includes a
solid
transparent pipe having a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and
a second end
and a cavity defined in the first end. The pipe has a substantially smooth
longitudinal
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exterior surface, and the cavity is adapted to receive at least one light
source therein. A facet
is disposed at the second end. The facet is angularly disposed from the
longitudinal axis of
the light pipe so as to reflect light transmitted from the cavity laterally
outwardly from the
pipe and so as to transmit light longitudinally through the second end.
[0010] According to a further aspect of the invention, a lighting apparatus
includes a light
source further comprising power circuitry and a light pipe further comprising
a sidewall
defining an interior space and a bottom end. The bottom end is disposed
adjacent the light
source and the power circuitry is disposed in the interior space.
[0011] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon
consideration of
the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a light apparatus
according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a light apparatus
according to
another embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to a further
embodiment
of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to a still
further
embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an isometric partially exploded view of a light apparatus
according to
another embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the light apparatus of FIG. 5;
[00181 FIG. 7 is an isometric cross-sectional view of a light apparatus
according to an
additional embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a light apparatus according to
another
embodiment of the invention;
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[0020] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded, isometric view of the light apparatus
of FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a light diffuser in the
light
apparatus of FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a partially exploded, isometric view of a light apparatus
according to a
further embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view the light apparatus of FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a light diffuser in the
light
apparatus of FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a light apparatus according to yet
another
embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a partially exploded, isometric view of the light apparatus
of FIG. 14;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a light apparatus according to yet
a further
embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a partially exploded, isometric view of the light apparatus
of FIG. 16;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to still
another
embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 19-21 are cross-sectional view of variations of a light pipe
according to yet
another embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to a
further embodiment
of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to another
embodiment
of the invention; and
[0033] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to still
another
embodiment of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] It is contemplated that the various features and components of any one
of the
embodiments described herein may be combined with any or all of the other
embodiments
described herein. Further, like reference numbers used to describe the various
embodiments
in different drawings refer to similar structures.
[0035] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a light apparatus 10
including a light
control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The
light apparatus 10
includes a base 12, which carries one or more lights 14, such as light
emitting diodes (LEDs),
and a power and/or control circuit 16 for actuating the lights 14 extending
upwardly from a
central position on the base. A hollow light pipe 18 having a sidewall 20 that
defines an
interior space 22 and a top wall 24 extending across a top end of the sidewall
is disposed over
the lights 14 such that a bottom end surface 26 of the sidewall is located
directly adjacently
above the lights and at least a portion of the control circuit 16 is disposed
within the interior
space 22. The hollow light pipe 18 includes a curved light guiding transition
28, such as a
rounded corner, which changes the direction of light transmitted therealong
through angles up
to at least 90 degrees disposed at the junction between the sidewall 20 and
the top wall 24.
The curved light guiding transition 28 has an inner radius at least as large
as or larger than
twice a thickness of an adjacent portion of the sidewall and an outer radius
at least as large as
the sum of the inner radius plus the respective thickness of the sidewall in
order to retain a
large portion of the light within the light pipe 18 along the curved
transition. Further, the
curved light transition 28 has a thickness at or near the sidewall 20 that is
greater than the
thickness at or near the top wall 24, which may provide a larger interior
space 22 for
receiving control and power components therein. In other embodiments, the
junction may
have other shapes, such as a square corner, a flat diagonal facet, and/or
include a plurality of
flat and/or curved facets. The sidewall 20 and top wall 24 are formed of a
sufficiently light
transmissive material, such as glass and/or a polymer resin, such that the
hollow light pipe 18
in one embodiment is transparent and in another embodiment is translucent. The
base 12
carries the hollow light pipe 18 in any suitable manner, such as with a ledge
or bracket, such
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that the bottom end surface 26 of the sidewall 20 is disposed directly
adjacent to the lights 14.
A light transmissive outer shell 30 surrounds the hollow light pipe 18 and is
carried by the
base 12. The outer shell 30 is disposed on the base 12 such that an interior
surface 32 of the
outer shell is spaced from the hollow light pipe 18. Illustratively, the
interior surface 32 of
the outer shell 30 and the sidewall 20 of the light pipe are similarly shaped
so as to provide a
generally constant distance therebetween as compared with a distance between
the lights 14
and the interior surface of the outer shell. For example, both the sidewa1120
of the hollow
light pipe 18 and the interior surface 32 of the outer shell 30 may be
generally rectangular in
one embodiment and in other embodiments both may be generally cylindrical,
spherical,
triangular, or otherwise similarly shaped. In yet another embodiment, the
distance between
the hollow light pipe 18 and the interior surface 32 of the outer shell 30 may
have some
variations, such as, for example, having a cylindrical light pipe disposed
inside a spherical or
square interior surface of the outer shell, in which case the distance between
the two,
although not exactly constant, is still relatively constant because the
distance is substantially
more constant than the distance between the lights 14 and the interior surface
of the outer
shell. In a further embodiment (not shown), the light pipe 18 may omit the top
wall 24 to
have an open top end, and the outer shell 30 may be omitted.
[0036] In use, the control circuit 16 is used to activate and deactivate one
or more of the
lights 14. When the lights 14 are activated, light enters the bottom end
surface 26 of the
sidewa1120 and a portion of the light is transferred through the sidewall
toward and into the
top wall 24. The light transferred through the sidewall 20 and top wall 24 of
the light pipe 18
exits the light pipe at various locations therealong and passes through the
outer shell 30. In
this embodiment, a large area of relatively uniform intensity light is passed
through the outer
shell 30 with a minimum of variation between high intensity areas and low
intensity areas
along the entire surface of the outer shell. In one embodiment, the lights 14
include a
plurality of different colors and the control circuit 16 may control the
lights to create a light
show of changing colors in a manner similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent
No. 6,016,038,
for example. By combining the outer shell 30, the hollow light pipe 18, and
the lights 14, a
relatively small number of lights may be used to create a larger and
relatively uniformly
distributed light show or effect as viewed through the outer shell. In
addition, an outer
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surface 34 of the hollow light pipe 18 may be polished smooth, glazed, and/or
frosted, such
as by sand blasting, to form a generally lambertian surface to fiirther
enhance the distribution
of light dispersed through the outer shell 30. The frosted surface also may
hide the control
circuitry 16 from view from an exterior location to further enhance the
aesthetic quality of the
light apparatus 10. In one embodiment, the outer surface 34 at the bottom end
is polished for
a length sufficient to promote color mixing from different colored lights, and
the remaining
portions of the outer surface are frosted to create a more uniform light
dispersion. The
hollow light pipe 18 may be formed of any substantially transparent or
translucent material,
such as glass, polymer resin, etc., suitable for transferring light from the
lights 14
therethrough. Similarly, the outer shell 30 may be formed of a transparent or
translucent light
transmissive material suitable for transferring the light therethrough and may
be polished
smooth and/or frosted on the inner surface and/or the outer surface thereof.
In one
embodiment, light sources are additionally or alternatively disposed under a
lower end of the
outer shell 30, which is made of a light transmissive material and has a
surface treatment,
such as being frosted, completely covering an interior and/or exterior surface
thereof.
Further, portions of the hollow light pipe 18 and/or the outer shell 30 may
include opaque
sections, such as from paint, etchings, and/or decals, to form visible indicia
designs, and/or
other visible outlines in the light shown through the outer shell. For
example, a thin walled,
partially translucent plastic or paper cover 36 with a printed, embossed,
and/or surface treated
design thereon may cover the light pipe 18, thereby helping to conceal the
control circuit 16
and transmit a visual design onto the outer shell 30. The cover 36 may be
removable and
replaceable so that different designs may be used with the light apparatus 10.
In addition, a
treatment 38, such as for example, a plastic or paper label or paint, covers
the control circuit
16, which treatment reduces strong shadows or light spots thereon. The
treatment 38 may
include, for example, reflective light blocking materials, partially
translucent materials,
surface scuffing, and/or sandblasting.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 2, another light apparatus 50 according to the
present
disclosure includes a hollow light pipe 52 disposed over a plurality of lights
54 and
surrounding a power and/or control circuit 56 for the light sources. The
control circuit 56,
lights 54, and hollow light pipe 52 are carried in a central portion of a base
58. A light
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transmissive outer shell 60 is spaced from and surrounds the hollow light pipe
52 and is
carried by the base 58. The hollow light pipe 52 is formed of a light
transmissive material
and has a sidewal162 surrounding an interior space 64 within which the control
circuitry 56 is
disposed. A light-receiving end surface 66 of the sidewal162 is disposed
directly adjacent to
and above the lights 54 to receive light therefrom into the sidewall in a
manner similar to that
described previously herein. A plurality of circumferentially spaced columns
68 extends
upwardly from an upper end of the sidewa1162. The columns 68 have a plurality
of different
heights, and each column includes a beveled upper end forming a light
reflective facet 70
angled in such a manner as to reflect a portion of light from the lights 54
radially outwardly
toward the outer shell 60 and may transmit a portion of the light through the
upper end. The
hollow light pipe 52 in one embodiment has a smooth and polished exterior
surface and in
another embodiment may have a frosted outer surface. When viewed from a side
through the
outer shell 60, the hollow light pipe 52 creates an effect of a plurality of
high intensity light
areas, or "hot spots," disposed at a plurality of different heights, which in
one embodiment
may be suggestive of a city skyline at night. A peripheral flange 72 extends
around the light-
receiving end surface 66 of the sidewall 62, and a skirt section 74 extends
downwardly from
the flange to surround the lights 54 and rest on the base 58. The hollow light
pipe 52 may
help hide the control circuitry 56 and LED's 54 from direct view by a user
from one or more
exterior positions. Further, the outer shell 60 may have a frosted surface to
further diffuse
light transmitted by the hollow light pipe 52 and hide the hollow light pipe,
control circuit 56,
and lights 54 from direct view by user. The control circuit 56 may be adapted
to cause the
lights to emit different colored light and/or in various lighting patterns in
a manner similar to
that described in, for example, Mueller et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,016,038, the
disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
[0038] Each of FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a longitudinal solid core light pipe that
transmits
light therethrough from a light receiving end to an opposite light dispersion
end where a facet
both reflects the transmitted light laterally, or radially outwardly, and
transmits a portion of
the light longitudinally therethrough. The solid core light pipes are suitable
for use in various
light apparatus alone and/or in combination with other light pipes, such as
those shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 and elsewhere herein. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a
straight solid core
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light pipe 80 extends along a straight longitudinal axis 82 between a light
receiving end 84
having a cavity 86 disposed therein and a light dispersion end 88 having a
reflective facet 90
disposed therein. The solid core light pipe 80 is made of a transparent or
translucent material
suitable for transmitting light from the light-receiving end to the light
dispersion end, such as
glass and/or a polymeric resin. A base portion 92, such as an annular flange,
is disposed
around the light-receiving end 84. The cavity 86 is sized to receive one or
more light
sources, such as LED's 94, therein with the base portion 92 resting on a
support surface 85,
such as a printed circuit board (PCB) for powering and controlling the LED's.
The solid core
light pipe 80 has a substantially smooth or polished tapered or frustoconical
exterior surface
96 extending between the base portion 92 and the light dispersion end 88 and
has a solid core
98 extending between the reflective facet 90 and the cavity 86. In one
embodiment, the
cavity 86 has a height~ as tall as or shorter than the LEDs 94 such that the
LEDs engage the
solid core and in another embodiment, the cavity is taller than the LED's. In
yet another
embodiment, the light pipe 80 may be cylindrical, or have non-circular cross-
sectional
shapes. The reflective facet 90 has the shape of a conical depression
extending across and
into the light dispersion end. The conical depression forms a reflective
surface 100 angularly
displaced from the longitudinal axis 82 so as to disperse a portion of
transmitted light from
the LEDs laterally, or radially outwardly. Illustratively, transmitted light
102 from the LED's
94 is both reflected radially outwardly off the reflective facet 90 and
transmitted
longitudinally through the reflective facet, thereby dispersing the
transmitted light across a
large range of angles. In one embodiment, the reflective surface 100 is
angularly displaced
45 from the longitudinal axis 82, and in other embodiments, the reflective
surface may be
angularly displaced at larger or smaller angles from the longitudinal axis in
order to adjust the
angular dispersion of the transmitted light. For example, an angle of 20 or 30
may transmit
and reflect a larger portion of light upwardly. In one embodiment, the
transmitted light is
transmitted through the core 98 by internal reflection at the exterior surface
96 and is
dispersed at the reflective facet 90 by internal reflection off of and
transmission through the
reflective surface 100. The core 98 may take a variety of sizes such as the
relatively tall, thin
proportions shown in FIG. 3 and relatively short and thick portions, such as
the solid light
pipe shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition, the solid core light pipes do not
necessarily have to
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be straight lengths as shown in the drawings, but may include curves or bends
along the
longitudinal lengths thereof and may be used to transmit light from a light
source in any
direction, such as up, down, and/or horizontally.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 4, another straight solid core light pipe 120 is
shown, which
is similar to the light pipe of FIG. 4 in that it includes a base portion 92
and a solid core 98
extended along a straight longitudinal axis 82 between a light-receiving end
84 and a light-
dispersion end 88. A cavity 86 is disposed at the light-receiving end 84
shaped to receive one
or more lights, such as LED's (not shown), therein. A reflective facet 122 is
disposed at the
light-dispersion end 88 to disperse light from the LED's both radially
outwardly and
longitudinally therethrough as previously described with regard to FIG. 3. The
reflective
facet 122 includes a central conical depression 124 surrounded by a first
concentric
frustoconical depression 126 and a second concentric frustoconical depression
128 that
extend to an exterior surface 96 of the solid core light pipe 120. In other
embodiments, the
solid core light pipe 120 (and the solid core light pipe 80) may have non-
circular shapes and
non-conical end facets and surface finishes such as frosting or light blocking
or partially light
transmissive decals. In one embodiment, for example, the light pipe 120 may
have an oval
cross-section. The exterior surface 96 is smooth or polished and the core 98
is formed of
solid light transmissive material in the same or similar manner as the light
pipe 80 shown in
FIG. 3. In other embodiments, more or fewer concentric conical and
frustoconical
depressions 124, 126, 128 may be disposed at the light-dispersion end 88. The
central
conical depression 124 is longitudinally displaced beyond the end of the
adjacent
frustoconical depression 126, which is in turn longitudinally displaced beyond
the end of the
next adjacent frustoconical depression 128, thereby creating a series of steps
or longitudinally
displaced tiers of reflecting surfaces 130 angularly displaced from the
longitudinal axis 82.
In one embodiment, each such tier is longitudinally displaced from the
adjacent tier or tiers
such that the reflecting surface 130 of each depression 124, 126, 128 is
disposed
longitudinally beyond the end of the outwardly radially adjacent depression,
and the
reflecting surface 130 formed by each of the conical depression 124 and
frustoconcial
depressions 126, 128 is angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis 82 at
approximately
45 . The reflecting surfaces 130 in other embodiments may be angularly
displaced at more
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than and/or less than 45 from the longitudinal axis 82 as desired to focus
and/or disperse
light laterally outwardly from the reflective facet 122 at any desired angle
as discussed
previously herein. Light entering the light-receiving end 84, such as from one
or more LEDs
disposed in the cavity 86, is transmitted longitudinally along the core 98 by
internal reflection
off the exterior surface 96 and is reflected radially, or laterally, outwardly
off the reflective
surfaces 130 and transmitted longitudinally through the reflective surfaces in
a manner
similar to that described with respect to the reflective surface 100 of FIG.
4.
[0040] In FIGS. 5 and 6, a light apparatus 150 according to another embodiment
of the
present disclosure includes a light transmissive, egg-shaped or ovate outer
shell 152, a hollow
light pipe 154 disposed inside the outer shell, a solid core light pipe 156
disposed partly
inside the hollow light pipe, a battery compartment 158 and control circuitry
160 disposed at
least partly inside the hollow light pipe, and a base 162. The hollow light
pipe 154 includes a
tapered frustoconical sidewall 164 defining an interior space, a flat top wall
166 extending
across a top end of the sidewall, and a beveled outer peripheral edge 168
surrounding the top
wall. A flat, bottom end surface 170 of the sidewall 164 is disposed
immediately adjacent
and above a plurality of light show LED's 172 such that light from the LED's
is transmitted
directly into the sidewall through the bottom end surface. The hollow light
pipe 154 in one
embodiment has a frosted surface (exterior and/or interior) both to diffuse
light outwardly
therefrom and hide the battery compartment and control circuitry from view,
and in another
embodiment has a polished or smooth surface. The top wall 166 of the hollow
light pipe 154
has an opening 174 through which the solid core light pipe 156 extends. The
solid core light
pipe 156 is generally similar to the solid core light pipe 80 shown in FIG. 3,
except for being
shorter. The solid core light pipe 156 has a frustoconical core of solid light
transmissive
material, such as glass, having a straight longitudinal axis extending between
a reflective
facet, including a depressed conical reflective surface 176, disposed at an
upper end thereof.
A lower end of the solid core light pipe 156 is disposed on, directly over, or
adjacent to one
or more flame flicker simulating LED's 178 and is disposed in the interior
space of the
hollow light pipe 154. In one embodiment, a cavity 180 is disposed in the
lower end of the
solid core light pipe 156 to accept the one or more flame flicker LED's 178
therein. In
another embodiment, the bottom end of the solid core light pipe 156 is flat
and the one or
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more flame flicker LED's 178 are adjacent to or abut the bottom end. The
reflective facet is
disposed between a radially outer side 182 of the hollow light pipe 154 and a
radially inner
surface 184 of the outer shell 152. Light from the flame flicker LED's 178 is
transmitted
upwardly through the solid core light pipe 156 to the reflective facet, where
a portion of the
transmitted light is reflected laterally outwardly from the reflective surface
176, and another
portion of the transmitted light is transmitted longitudinally through the
reflective surface.
The inner surface 184 of the outer shell 152 is shaped generally
coinplementary to and
relatively evenly spaced from the outer surface 182 of the hollow light pipe
154 and the solid
core light pipe 156 as described previously herein. The light show LED's 172
are controlled
to create a multi-colored light show having substantially continuous visual
light produced
thereby, and one or more of the flame flicker LED's 178 are controlled to
flicker on and off
in a manner intended to simulate a flame flicker, as previously described
herein. One or more
switches 186 in the base 162 are adapted to turn all of the LED's 172, 178
off, or turn the
light show LED's 172 on, or turn the flame flicker LED 178 on, and/or switch
between
different light shows. The switches 186 may further be adapted to turn the
flame flicker LED
178 and the light show LEDs 172 on simultaneously and to change between
different pre-
programmed light shows. The disclosure is not limited to the specific light
effects detailed
herein, so that, for example, in a fiuther embodiment, different light effects
may be created,
and/or different light sources, such as incandescent or fluorescent light
bulbs, may be used in
place of or with the LEDs 172, 178.
[0041] In FIG. 7, a lighting apparatus 200, which is generally similar to the
lighting
apparatus 150 of FIGS. 5 and 6, includes a base 162, which carries a pyramid
shaped outer
shell 152 surrounding and substantially evenly spaced from a hollow light pipe
154 disposed
over a plurality of multi-color light show LEDs 172 and surrounding a battery
compartment
158 and control circuitry 160 for the LEDs. One or more flame flicker
simulating LEDs 178
are disposed on a top end of the battery compartment 158 and a solid core
light pipe 156
similar to the light pipe 80 shown and described in FIG. 3, extends upwardty
from the flame
flicker LEDs 178 through a hole 174 in a top wall 166 of the hollow light pipe
154. The solid
core light pipe 156 has a reflective facet, including a depression forming a
conical reflective
surface 176 angularly displaced from a longitudinal axis, disposed at a light
dispersion end
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thereof. The reflective surface 176 is disposed above or on an exterior side
of a rounded top
wall 166 of the hollow light pipe 154 and is angled such that a portion of
light transferred
from the flame flicker LED 178 through the solid core is reflected downwardly
against the
exterior surface of the top wall of the hollow light pipe, another portion of
the light is
reflected laterally or radially outwardly through the outer shell 152, and
still another portion
of the light is transferred longitudinally through the reflective surface and
through the outer
shell. Such an arrangement of the reflective facet above the top wall 166 of
the hollow light
pipe 154 may cause the resulting observed light concentration to appear larger
to an observer
due to the added reflection off the exterior surface of the hollow light pipe
and thereby create
a more pleasing visual effect, such as by simulating a real flame. The LEDs
172, 178 may be
controlled by one or more switches 186 connected to the control circuitry 160
that are
adapted to turn the various LED's on and off and switch between a plurality of
different light
effects, such as one or more different color light shows through the hollow
light pipe 154
and/or a flame flicker effect through the solid core light pipe 156 as
previously described
herein.
[0042] In another embodiment, the solid core light pipe 156 may have different
reflective
facets or may be the solid core light pipes 80, 120 shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.
In a further
embodiment, an annular surface of the hole 174 through the top wall 166 of the
hollow light
pipe 154 is optically separated from the solid core light pipe 156 with an
opaque covering,
such as paint, tape, an opaque film, and/or a rubber grommet, for example. In
addition, the
exterior and/or interior surfaces of the outer shell 152, the hollow light
pipe 154, and the solid
core light pipe 156 may be frosted and/or polished smooth. In yet another
embodiment, the
power circuitry 160 for powering the various LEDs 172, 178 includes a
recharging plug (not
shown) and appropriate circuitry for recharging rechargeable batteries. The
recharging plug
is disposed underneath the base 162 so as to be hidden from view when the
light apparatus
200 is in an upright position. In an even further embodiment, a second solid
core light pipe
(not shown) extends from another LED disposed in the interior of the hollow
light pipe
horizontally through the sidewall thereof, and a third solid core light pipe
(not shown) has a
light receiving end disposed adjacent the light show LEDs 172 to transmit
light therefrom to
another point, either inside or outside of the hollow light pipe 154.
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[0043] In FIGS. 8-10, another light apparatus 220 is shown, which is generally
similar to
the light apparatus 200, except that the solid core light pipe 156 is replaced
with a light
diffuser 222. The light apparatus includes a base 162, which carries a pyramid
shaped outer
shell 152 surrounding and spaced from a hollow light pipe 154 disposed.over a
plurality of
multi-color light show LEDs 172 and surrounding a battery compartment 158 and
control
circuitry 160 for the LEDs. The hollow light pipe 154 includes a plurality of
recesses 224
disposed in a bottom end surface 170 thereof to receive the LEDs 172 therein.
The diffuser
222, best shown in FIG. 10, is formed of a translucent light transmissive
material, such as a
milky white polymer, and has disposed along a common longitudinal axis 226 a
circular base
flange 228, a cylindrical portion 230 extending upwardly from the base flange,
a
frustoconical portion 232 extending above the cylindrical portion, a
cylindrical tube portion
234 extending above the frustoconical portion, a hemispherical dome portion
236 at an upper
end of the tube portion, a second cylindrical flange 238 disposed on top of
the dome portion,
and a top cylindrical portion 240 disposed on top of the second cylindrical
flange. The
frustoconical portion 232 tapers inwardly from the cylindrical portion 230
toward the tube
portion 234 to simulate the tapering shape of a flame. A first axially aligned
hollow bore 242
extends from an opening 244 in the base flange 228 almost entirely through the
frustoconical
portion 232. A second axially aligned hollow bore 246 smaller than the first
hollow bore 242
extends from the first hollow bore into the dome portion 236 and has a rounded
end
complementary to the dome portion. The second flange 238 and the top
cylindrical portion
240 are substantially solid. A plurality of channels 248 are disposed on an
under side of the
base flange 228, and a plurality of grooves 250 are disposed on an outer
circumference of the
base flange 228. The top cylindrical portion 240 extends through a
complementary shaped
opening 174 through a top wall of the hollow light pipe 154 with the top end
thereof
coincident with the outer surface of the hollow light pipe and the second
flange 228 abutting
an inner surface thereof to help retain the diffuser in an upright position.
Several LED's 252
(preferably, one or more having a constant light and one or more.having a
flickering light)
extend upwardly into the first bore 242, and when turned on, glow through the
diffuser 222 to
simulate a flame flicker therethrough. The light apparatus includes light show
controls and
flame flicker controls for the LED's 172 and the LED's 252, respectively, as
described
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previously herein. An inner surface of the opening 174 is preferably covered
with an opaque
substance, such as black paint, to provide a light barrier 254 between the
light diffuser 222
and the hollow light pipe 154 to eliminate or reduce bright spots at the top
cylindrical portion
240 when light is directed through the hollow light pipe 154.
[0044] In FIGS. 11-13, another light apparatus 260 is shown, which is
generally similar
to the light apparatus 150, except that the light pipe 156 is replaced with a
light diffuser 262,
the base 162 is replaced with a different base 264, and the hollow light pipe
has a rounded
transition between the sidewall 164 and the top wall 166. The light apparatus
includes an egg
shaped or ovate light transmissive outer shell 152 carried by the base 264 and
surrounding
and spaced substantially evenly from a hollow light pipe 154. The hollow light
pipe 154 is
disposed over a plurality of multi-color light show LED's 172 and surrounds a
battery
compartment 158 and control circuitry 160 for the LED's. The hollow light pipe
154
includes a plurality of recesses 224 disposed in a bottom end surface 170
thereof, which
receive the LED's 172 therein. The diffuser 262, best shown in FIG. 13, is
formed of a
translucent light transmissive material and has disposed along a common
longitudinal axis
266 a cylindrical base flange 268, a second, smaller cylindrical flange 270
disposed on top of
the base flange, a cylindrical tube 272 extending up from the second flange,
and a
hemispherical dome portion 274 disposed on top of the tube portion. An axially
aligned
cylindrical bore 276 extends through the base flange 268, and a second axially
aligned
cylindrical bore 278 extends through the second flange 270 to a rounded end
disposed inside
the dome portion 274 and complementary thereto. The dome portion 274 extends
through
and above a complementary shaped opening 174 through the top 166 wall of the
hollow light
pipe 154. A plurality of flame-flicker effect LED's 252 extend into the second
bore 278 from
a circuit board 282, which in one embodiment is disposed in the bore 276. The
light
apparatus 260 includes light show controls and flame flicker controls for the
LED's 172 and
the LED's 252, respectively, as described previously herein. A light barrier
254 may be
disposed between the diff-user 262 and an inner surface of the opening 174,
such as with paint
or an opaque film, to prevent light from traveling between the diffuser 262
and the hollow
light pipe 154 at the opening 174. The light barrier may eliminate or reduce
bright spots at
the dome portion 274 when light is directed through the hollow light pipe 154.
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[0045] In FIGS. 14 and 15, another light apparatus 300 is shown, which is
sirnilar to the
light apparatus 220 except that the outer shell 152 has an outer surface
shaped like an onion,
the base 162 includes a flange portion 302, and the hollow light pipe 154 has
a bullet shape
including a tapered transition wall 304 extending between a rounded top wall
306 and a
substantially frustoconical or cylindrical bottom wall 308. The transition
wall 304, a portion
of the top wall 306, and, possibly, the bottom wall 308 preferably have inside
radial
dimensions larger than twice a thickness of the respective walls 304, 306, and
308 and
outside radial dimensions that are at least as large as the sum of the
respective inside radial
dimensions and wall thicknesses. The transition and top walls 304 and 306
preferably also
transition between a smaller thickness toward an apex of the top wall'306 and
a larger
thickness toward the bottom wall 308. A plurality of recesses 224 is disposed
in an end
surface of the bottom wall 308 to receive a respective plurality of LEDs 172
disposed in the
base 162. The outer surface of the hollow light pipe 154 is substantially
complementary to
and spaced from the interior surface of the outer shell 152, which in one
embodiment has a
frosted surface treatment. A light diffuser 222, which is substantially the
same as the light
diffuser 222 shown in FIG. 10, is disposed over a battery compartment 158 and
has a top
portion 240 that extends into an opening 174 through the apex of the hollow
light pipe 154.
In one embodiment, a light barrier 254 surrounds the top portion 240 of the
diffuser 222
between the top wall 306 of the hollow light pipe 154. A plurality of flame
flicker LEDs 252
is disposed inside a lower bore 242 of the light diffuser 222. The LEDs 172
and 252 are
controlled by appropriate power controls 160 to provide a light show through
the hollow light
pipe 154 and a flame flicker effect through the light diffuser 222 in a manner
similar that
described previously herein.
[0046] In FIGS. 16 and 17, another light apparatus 350 is shown, which has a
bowl-
shaped, light transmissive outer shell 352 covering a light transmissive
hollow light pipe 354
and carried by a base 356. The light pipe 354 is preferably made of
transparent material and
has a smooth peripheral sidewall 358 extending downwardly from a smooth top
wa11360 and
a curved transition therebetween. Preferably, the peripheral sidewall 358
tapers between a
larger thickness near the base 356 and a smaller thickness at the top wall
360, and the curved
transition has an inside transverse dimension (measured from a centerline of
the light pipe
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354 as seen in FIG. 16) at least two times the thickness of the sidewall. A
plurality of
engagement hooks or tabs 362 for retaining the light pipe in a pre-selected
position over a
circuit board 364 extend from the peripheral sidewall 358. The outer shell 352
includes a
recess in an underside thereof defining an inner surface 366 that is spaced
from and generally
evenly spaced from the light pipe 354. A plurality of light sources 172, such
as multi-colored
LED's, is carried by the circuit board 364 directly underneath a bottom edge
368 of the
peripheral sidewall 358. The light sources 172 shine light into the peripheral
sidewall 358
through the bottom edge 368 to create a light show that glows evenly through
the light pipe
354 and the outer shell 352. A battery holder 370 for carrying one or more
batteries 372 is
carried by the circuit board 364 and disposed within an interior space of the
hollow light pipe
354. Switches 186 are accessible from an underside of the base 356 to activate
and control
the light sources 172 to provide a light show as described herein before. In
one embodiment,
the inner surface 366 includes a surface treatment, such as a frosted surface,
to provide
relatively even dispersion of light through the outer shell.
[0047] FIGS. 18-24 depict various other embodiments of light pipes that
transinit light
therethrough from a light receiving end to an opposite light dispersion end
where a facet
generally reflects a portion of the transmitted light laterally, or radially
outwardly, as seen in
FIG. 18 and may transmit a portion therethrough. These embodiments are
suitable for use in
various light apparatuses alone and/or in combination with other light pipes
and/or light
diffusers. The light pipes of FIGS. 18-24 are preferably made of a transparent
or translucent
material suitable for transmitting light from the light receiving end to the
light dispersion end,
such as glass and/or a polymeric resin. Although the cross-sections of such
light pipes are
depicted as being circular, other non-circular cross-sections are possible.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 18, a light pipe 400 extends along a straight
longitudinal axis
402 between a light receiving end 404 having a cavity 406, such as a
cylindrical bore,
disposed therein and a light dispersing end 408 having a reflective facet 410
disposed therein.
The cavity 406 is sized to receive a light source, such as an LED 412. The
light pipe 400 has
substantially smooth or polished first and second exterior surfaces 414, 416,
defining first and
second cylindrical portions 418, 420, wherein the first portion 418 has a
diameter greater than
a diameter of the second portion 420. The first cylindrical portion 418 also
has a height that
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is greater than a height of the second cylindrical portion 410. A tapered
exterior surface 422
defines a frustoconical portion 424 that connects the first and second
exterior surfaces 414,
416 and the first and second cylindrical portions 418, 420. The reflective
facet 410 includes a
conical depression extending across and into the light dispersion end 408
through the second
cylindrical portion 418 and into the frustoconical portion 424. The conical
depression of the
facet 410 fornns a reflective surface 426 angularly displaced from the
longitudinal axis 402 so
as to disperse a portion of the transmitted light from the LED laterally, or
radially outwardly,
as seen in FIG. 18 and possibly transmit another portion of light
therethrough.
[0049] FIGS. 19-21 are three variations of another embodiment of a light pipe
430 that
extends along a straight longitudinal axis 432 between a light receiving end
434 having a
cavity 436, such as a cylindrical bore, disposed therein and a light
dispersing end 438 having
a reflective facet 440 disposed therein. The cavity 436 is sized to receive a
light source, such
as an LED 442. The light pipe 400 has substantially smooth or polished first
and second
exterior surfaces 446, 448 defining first and second cylindrical portions 450,
452, wherein the
first portion 450 has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second portion
452. FIGS. 19-
21 depict three variations of the same enibodiment wherein the diameters of
the first and
second portions 450, 452 are varied to received different light dispersion
results.
Specifically, the first and second portions 450, 452 of FIG. 19 have the
smallest diameters
and the first and second portions 450, 452 of FIG. 21 have the largest
diameters. Differences
in diameter of the first and second portions 450, 452 alter a height along the
longitudinal axis
432 and a diameter of the reflective facet 440 at the light dispersing end
438.
[0050] Still referring to FIGS. 19-21, a rounded exterior surface 454 defining
a shoulder
portion 456 connects the first and second exterior surfaces 446, 448 and the
first and second
cylindrical portions 450, 452. The reflective facet 440 includes a conical
depression that
forms a reflective surface 458 angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis
432 so as to
disperse a portion of the light transmitted from the LED laterally, or
radially outwardly, as
depicted in FIG. 18 and possibly transmit another portion of light
therethrough.
[0051] The light pipe 470 of FIG. 22 includes a reflective facet 480 having
the same
shape as the light pipe 400 of FIG. 18, except that the reflective facet 480
only extends
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through the second cylindrical portion 490 and does not extend into the third
portion 494.
Further, heights of the first and second cylindrical portions 488, 490 are
similar, instead of
one being greater than the other.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 23, a light pipe 520 extends along a straight
longitudinal axis
522 between a light receiving end 524 having a cavity 526, such as a
cylindrical bore,
disposed therein and a light dispersing end 528 having a reflective facet 530
similar to that
discussed with respect to FIG. 18. The cavity 526 is sized to receive at least
one light source,
such as an LED 532, therein. The cavity 526 is defined by a cylindrical side
wall 531 and a
curved top wall 533 that extends into the cavity 526. The light pipe 520 has
substantially
smooth or polished first and second exterior surfaces 534, 536 defining first
and second
cylindrical portions 538, 540, wherein the first portion 538 has a diameter
greater than a
diameter of the second portion 540. A rounded exterior surface 544 defining a
shoulder
portion 546 connects the first and second exterior surfaces 534, 536 and the
first and second
cylindrical portions 538, 540.
[0053] As seen in FIG. 23, the reflective facet 530 only extends through the
second
portion 540 and does not extend into the shoulder portion 546. The reflective
facet 530
further forms a reflective surface 550 angularly displaced from the
longitudinal axis 522 to
disperse a portion of the light transmitted from the LED laterally, or
radially outwardly, as
seen in FIG. 18 and possibly transmit another portion of light therethrough.
[0054] The embodiment of FIG. 24 is similar to that of FIG. 23. The light pipe
520 of
FIG. 24 differs in that the light pipe 520 includes a single cylindrical
exterior surface 560
having a single diameter throughout. The surface 560 defines all portions of
the light pipe
520.
[0055] In the embodiments of FIGS. 18-24, the LED is connected to a PCB of a
light
apparatus in which it is disposed in order to power and control the LED.
Although such
embodiments are depicted as having a relatively small dimension along a
longitudinal axis,
this dimension may be increased or decreased as necessary to create the
necessary light
patterns. Also, although the embodiments of FIGS. 18-24 are depicted as having
a single
light source, multiple light sources may be utilized, but the dispersion of
the light transmitted
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from the LED will be different, for example, more light may be transmitted
upwardly through
the light pipe.
[0056] Although the light control devices as disclosed herein may be described
as having
smooth surfaces defining the respective light control devices, any surface
treatments may be
utilized, including coatings, roughened surfaces, textured surfaces, and the
like.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0057] The present disclosure may be used to bring light to darkness. Certain
aspects of
the present disclosure may also have pleasing and/or calming visual effects on
a viewer. In
addition, light pipes of the present disclosure may be used to disperse light
from one or more
small point light sources across a larger area of uniform light intensity
and/or to a location
displaced from the light source. Other uses and benefits of the present
disclosure will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0058] All patents and publications to which specific reference is made in
this application
are incorporated by reference herein in the entirety thereof. Numerous
modifications to the
present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the
foregoing
description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative
only and is
presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use
the invention
and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all
modifications
within the scope of the impending claims are reserved.
