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GB2428466A - Solar powered decorative light apparatus - Google Patents

Solar powered decorative light apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2428466A
GB2428466A GB0612692A GB0612692A GB2428466A GB 2428466 A GB2428466 A GB 2428466A GB 0612692 A GB0612692 A GB 0612692A GB 0612692 A GB0612692 A GB 0612692A GB 2428466 A GB2428466 A GB 2428466A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
light unit
unit
solar panels
incorporating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0612692A
Other versions
GB0612692D0 (en
Inventor
Rupert Charles Thomas Shreeve
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BU Innovations Ltd
Original Assignee
BU Innovations Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by BU Innovations Ltd filed Critical BU Innovations Ltd
Publication of GB0612692D0 publication Critical patent/GB0612692D0/en
Publication of GB2428466A publication Critical patent/GB2428466A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S9/00Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply
    • F21S9/02Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
    • F21S9/03Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator rechargeable by exposure to light
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/08Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
    • F21V21/0824Ground spikes
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S9/00Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply
    • F21S9/02Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator
    • F21S9/03Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator rechargeable by exposure to light
    • F21S9/037Lighting devices with a built-in power supply; Systems employing lighting devices with a built-in power supply the power supply being a battery or accumulator rechargeable by exposure to light the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V19/00Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21WINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2121/00Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21WINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/10Outdoor lighting
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21WINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/10Outdoor lighting
    • F21W2131/109Outdoor lighting of gardens
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21YINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10Light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B20/00Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
    • Y02B20/72Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps in street lighting

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)

Abstract

A solar powered light apparatus for use in the garden comprises a plurality of solar panels 60, at least one readily detachable and re-attachable light unit 30 and a base unit 50; the solar panels and the light unit are attached to the base unit 50 which allows current from the solar cells 60 to flow to the light unit 30. In one embodiment the light unit resembles a flower and the solar panels resemble leaves so that when the light unit is detached from the base unit, it simulates a flower being picked or plucked from the ground.

Description

SOLAR POWERED LIGHT PPRATU8 The present invention relates to solar powered
light apparatus for use in the garden. Solar powered light apparatus for use in the garden include rechargeable battery units which are charged during the day by the daylight or sunlight enabling the unit to store energy which is then used to power the lights at night. Typically these are arranged to be emplaced in the ground and left in situ until they die.
Various solar powered garden light constructions are disclosed in US Patent Application 2005/0248285, one embodiment comprising a gnome-like figure carrying a globe.
Solar powered garden lights are also disclosed in US Patent Specifications 5065291 and 6994448. In the specification of W003042596 a solar powered illuminated garden stepping stone is disclosed.
According to the present invention a solar powered light apparatus for use in the garden comprises a plurality of solar panels incorporated into decorative features and at least one light unit, readily detachable from and reattachable to the solar panels and also incorporated into a decorative feature.
Typically the decorative features in which the solar panels are incorporated resemble plant leaves and the light unit resembles a flower. However at least some of the solar panels may be incorporated into decorative features resembling flowers, butterflies or other insects, people, fairies (including gnomes, pixies, piskies, leprechauns and the like) or fungi, animals (including birds, reptiles and amphibians) or rocks etc, and the light unit may be incorporated into a decorative feature resembling a figure, male or female, god or goddess, fairy, plant or animal, either illuminating itself or bearing a lamp.
By virtue of the present invention a user may establish the assembled apparatus in a garden so that during the day energy is stored for illuminating the at least one light unit during night, then, in the evening or at a stage during the night, the user can detach the light unit and, for example take it indoors to act as indoor illuminated decoration or nightlight. It is seen as a valuable aspect of the invention that the owner is invited to pluck the light unit nightly, on a routine basis, and replace it the following day. Such a routine is also a theft deterrent. It will also be appreciated that the apparatus may comprise a plurality of light units incorporated into different decorative features so that the owner has a choice as to which to use.
Preferably the light unit is arranged itself to be detachably attached to the solar panels, advantageously at a base to which the features incorporating the solar panels are mounted, the base itself being held or anchored to the ground or other garden surface. Clearly the force to be employed to detach the light unit is generally not so great as also to lift the base unit. The detachable attachment may be realized in a plug and socket arrangement, perhaps employing a screw or bayonet fitting. A magnet arrangement is also possible.
In order to cater for ingress of water and other particles at the attachment point the latter may be arranged for ready drainage. Additionally or alternatively a cover device may be provided. This may indeed comprise a decorative feature itself.
As to the electrical elements of the apparatus, the solar panel may be an amorphous silicon device, typically rated at 4.5volts and 45 milliainps, arranged to charge a plurality of AAA batteries. These are typically arranged to illuminate one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) via light dependent resistor (LDR) means. Alternatively or additionally manual switch means may be provided.
Advantageously the electrical contacts between the light unit and the base unit are arranged to be resistant to degradation due to weather. Stainless steel or an electrically conductive polymer may be employed for
example.
An embodiment of the present invention resembling a garden plant will now be particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: - Figure 1 depicts an assembled plant unit; Figure 2 illustrates the plant with flower plucked; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a light unit; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a charge unit; Figure 5 is an exploded view of a charge base unit; and Figure 6 is an exploded view of a solar pod.
As can be seen, the device illustrated in the Figures resembles a flowering plant comprising a flower unit 10, a charge base unit 50 and three leaves 60. The flower unit 10 incorporates a light unit 30 carried on a central stem 11. The stein 11 carries at its base a plug 12 by which the flower unit is detachably and reattachably mounted to the charge base unit 50. The three leaves 60 surround the flower unit 10. The leaves 60 each incorporate a solar panel 61 and are attached to the charge base unit 50 via leaf stems 13. The charge base unit 50 includes a ground spike 51 and a base plate 52.
Figure 1 shows the plant assembled and Figure 2 shows the plant with the flower unit "plucked".
The light unit 30 is shewn in greater detail in Figure 3. To a battery mould 31 is mounted at one end a light cover 32 comprising a mould 32a carrying a clear top lens 32b and a mirrored light diffuser 32c and at the other, lower end a light dependant resistor (LDR) unit 33. Within the battery mould 31 is an outer battery housing 34 enclosing a battery holder 34a. The battery holder 34a is arranged to hold three rechargeable AAA batteries. Mounted to the outer battery housing 34 is a light emitting diode assembly (LED) 35 comprising two LEDs arranged to project through the diffuser 32c into the light cover 32. The LDR unit 33 comprises a LDR mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and associated with the batteries in the battery mould 31 via a PCB clip plate 36. A LDR lens 37 is mounted in a frosted light cover 38.
Figure 4 shows a charge connector unit at the base of the central stem 11. A mid mould 40 carries two stainless steel charge rings 41a and 41b connected, in a manner not shewn, to the rechargeable batteries. The mid mould 40 fits into a base mould 42 below it and an upper mould 43 above. The base mould carries a magnet 44 and is arranged to plug unto the charge base unit 50. The upper mould 43 receives and holds the central stem 11.
The charge base unit 50 is shewn in Figure 5. The base plate 52 carries a mandrel 52a which receives an outer case 53. The outer case 53 houses a stem holster 54 and carries a base lid 55. The stem holster 54 carries two spring loaded charge caps 56a,b arranged for contacting the charge rings 41a and 41b respectively and connected via charge plates 57a,b to the solar panels 61. The base lid receives the leaf stems 13 via watertight sleeves 58.
To the base plate 52 is also attached a magnet 59 for attracting the magnet 44.
Each leaf 60 comprises the solar panel 61 held in a pod base 62 via a panel platform 63. A lens 64 covers the solar panel 61. The pod base 62 has a socket 62a for receiving the leaf stem 13 and also receives a ballast weight 65. In the particular embodiment described the solar panels 61 are 4.5v 45ma amorphous silicon units.
In use in daylight with the garden plant device assembled and the charge base unit 50 stuck in the ground via spike 5]. the solar panels 61 generate a current which passes via the charge plates 57a,b and the charge caps 56a,b to the rechargeable batteries. The LDR prevents the LEDs 35 from glowing. Come night and the LDR allows current from the batteries to the LEDs and these glow. The owner, in lifting the light unit 10 from the base unit 50, overcomes the attractive force between the magnets 44 and 59, thus sensing a flower plucking operation. The light unit 10, taken indoors may be placed in a vase or like holder or a custom base may be provided. The light unit 10 continues to glow while the LDR permits, thus acting as a decorative night light. The star shape of the charge base unit mandrel 52a is arranged to permit liquid falling into the outer case 53 to drain therefrom.
As indicated above the pickable item need not be a flower but various decorative devices are possible. The mould 32a may be formed of translucent material. The solar panels need not resemble leaves but similarly other decorative devices are possible.

Claims (17)

  1. CLAIMS: 1. A solar powered light apparatus for use in the garden and
    comprising a plurality of solar panels incorporated into decorative features and at least one light unit, readily detachable from and reattachable to the solar panels and also incorporated into a decorative feature.
  2. 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the decorative features in which the solar panels are incorporated resemble plant leaves and the light unit resembles a flower.
  3. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein any one or more of the decorative features resemble butterflies or other insects, people including god and goddesses, fairies (including gnomes, pixies, piskies, leprechauns and the like) or fungi, animals (including birds, reptiles and amphibians) or rocks etc.
  4. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 and wherein the decorative feature incorporating the light unit is a figure bearing a lamp.
  5. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to be detachably attached to a base to which the features incorporating the solar panels are mounted, the base itself being held or anchored to the ground or other garden surface.
  6. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the detachable attachment is realized in a plug and socket arrangement.
  7. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein at least one magnet is employed in the detachable attachment arrangement.
  8. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the detachable attachment arrangement is arranged for ready drainage.
  9. 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having a cover device for isolating the detachable attachment arrangement when the light unit is detached therefrom.
  10. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and having a cover to the detachable attachment arrangement and which is also a decorative feature.
  11. 11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the at least one solar panel is an amorphous silicon device.
  12. 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and incorporating at least one rechargeable battery.
  13. 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 and wherein the at least one rechargeable battery is an AAA battery.
  14. 14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein the at least one light unit comprises at least one light emitting diode.
  15. 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and incorporating light dependent resistor means to control illumination of the at least one unit.
  16. 16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and incorporating a manual switch for controlling illumination of the at least one light unit.
  17. 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0612692A 2005-06-27 2006-06-27 Solar powered decorative light apparatus Withdrawn GB2428466A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0512984.6A GB0512984D0 (en) 2005-06-27 2005-06-27 Pickable solar powered light

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0612692D0 GB0612692D0 (en) 2006-08-09
GB2428466A true GB2428466A (en) 2007-01-31

Family

ID=34856148

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB0512984.6A Ceased GB0512984D0 (en) 2005-06-27 2005-06-27 Pickable solar powered light
GB0612692A Withdrawn GB2428466A (en) 2005-06-27 2006-06-27 Solar powered decorative light apparatus

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB0512984.6A Ceased GB0512984D0 (en) 2005-06-27 2005-06-27 Pickable solar powered light

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0512984D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2007000613A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2443553A (en) * 2006-11-04 2008-05-07 Mark Andrew Stone Solar powered decorative lighting item with mount
CN104990030A (en) * 2015-08-05 2015-10-21 柴学勤 Solar flowerpot lamp

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015224592B4 (en) 2015-12-08 2017-11-02 Krinner Innovation Gmbh GARDEN LIGHT
CN118009287A (en) * 2024-03-26 2024-05-10 福力加特(南通)新能源科技有限公司 Ground-plug lamp with flower stem disorderly clustering device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5062028A (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-10-29 Atlantic Richfield Company Self-contained solar powered lamp
US5065291A (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-11-12 Atlantic Richfield Company Marking light
DE20311585U1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2003-10-09 J. Wagner GmbH, 88677 Markdorf Solar powered lamp
US20040006848A1 (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-01-15 Ming-Sheng Hsu Angle adjustment device for a solar powered lamp
US20050103378A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2005-05-19 Mingqiang Pu Hinged solar collector for a light

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29720757U1 (en) * 1997-11-22 1998-02-26 Quaschner, Karl, 23560 Lübeck Glowing garden gnome
DE10129478C2 (en) * 2001-06-21 2003-07-03 Anja Schnitzler Solar module / consumer unit
US7311414B2 (en) * 2003-06-12 2007-12-25 M. Brent Norton Ornamental lamp assembly
US6966680B2 (en) * 2003-11-28 2005-11-22 Edward Kratz Decorative lighting display with changeable shades and bulbs

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5062028A (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-10-29 Atlantic Richfield Company Self-contained solar powered lamp
US5065291A (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-11-12 Atlantic Richfield Company Marking light
US20040006848A1 (en) * 2002-07-10 2004-01-15 Ming-Sheng Hsu Angle adjustment device for a solar powered lamp
US20050103378A1 (en) * 2003-03-24 2005-05-19 Mingqiang Pu Hinged solar collector for a light
DE20311585U1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2003-10-09 J. Wagner GmbH, 88677 Markdorf Solar powered lamp

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2443553A (en) * 2006-11-04 2008-05-07 Mark Andrew Stone Solar powered decorative lighting item with mount
CN104990030A (en) * 2015-08-05 2015-10-21 柴学勤 Solar flowerpot lamp

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0612692D0 (en) 2006-08-09
GB0512984D0 (en) 2005-08-03
WO2007000613A1 (en) 2007-01-04

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)