Directionally-adjustable LED spotlight

Abstract

The inventive directionally-adjustable LED spotlight is comprised of a fixed heat sink and an LED-array-bearing structure. The LED-array-bearing structure is adjustably attached in a heat transfer relationship to the fixed heat sink.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of the present invention oriented if the embodiment were mounted in a ceiling.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the fixed heat sink of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a is a top view of the fixed heat sink of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 b is a side view of the ball portion of the LED-array bearing structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 a is a top view of the ball portion of the LED-array-bearing structure of FIG. 3b.

FIG. 4 b is a top view of the LED array of the LED-array-bearing structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a directionally-adjustable LED spotlight 10 of the current invention. The LED spotlight 10 includes a fixed heat sink 20 and an LED-array-bearing structure 30. As seen in FIG. 2, the heat sink 20 is in a socket shape shown in the socket portion 22 and further includes a plurality of fins 24 that extend outwardly from an outer surface 26 of the heat sink 20.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the LED-array-bearing structure 30 includes a ball portion 32 and an LED array 34. As can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the ball portion 32 is sized to fit inside the socket portion 22 of the heat sink 20. Furthermore, the ball portion 32 is made of metal and is hollow. The ball and socket design of the heat sink 20 and the LED-array-bearing structure 30 allow for the entirety of the socket portion 22 of the heat sink 20 to be in contact with the ball portion 32 of the LED-array-bearing structure 30. This contact ensures a heat transfer relationship between the two parts.

As shown in FIG. 4a the ball portion 32 is not completely spherical, rather the ball portion 32 includes platform portion 36 that defines the top of the ball portion 32. FIG. 4b shows the LED array 34 that includes a first side 38 having a plurality of LEDs 40 and second side (not shown). As seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b the platform portion 36 is sized to receive the LED array 34 wherein the second side of the LED 34 array will come in contact with the platform portion 36. This sizing arrangement allows for efficient heat transfer from the LED array 34 to the ball portion 32 whereby heat can be transferred to the heat sink 20 and the fins 24.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the LED spotlight 10 further includes a collar 12 for securing the LED-array-bearing structure 30 in place. Once the LED-array-bearing structure 30 has been positioned in the heat sink 20 the collar 12 fits over the LED-array-bearing structure 30 and comes in contact with an upper edge 28 of the heat sink 20. The collar 12 is then secured using screws or other means and the LED-array-bearing structure 30 is then secured in place. In other embodiments, not shown the collar could be divided into sections rather than one piece. To readjust the LED-array-bearing structure 30 the collar 12 must simply be loosed and the LED-array-bearing structure 30 can be rotated to a different angle.

While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.

Claims

1. A directionally-adjustable LED spotlight comprising a fixed heat sink, and an LED-array-bearing structure adjustably attached in heat transfer relationship to the fixed heat sink wherein the LED-array-bearing structure and heat sink are of a ball and socket design wherein the LED-array-bearing structure is the ball and the heat sink is the socket.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 1 wherein the ball-shaped LED-array-bearing structure is hollow.

5. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 4 further comprising a retention assembly for releasably securing the ball-shaped LED-array-bearing structure in relation to the socket shaped heat sink.

6. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 5 wherein the retention assembly comprises a collar releasably secured along an upper edge of the fixed heat sink.

7. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 6 wherein the collar comprises multiple sections.

8. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 1, wherein the LED-array-bearing structure comprises a ball portion and an LED array attached to the ball portion and including a plurality of LEDs.

9. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 8, wherein the LED array includes a first side with the LEDs and a second side, opposite the first side, and wherein the ball-shaped housing includes a platform portion corresponding in size to the second side of the lighting element, the platform portion for receiving the LED array whereby the second side of the LED array is in contact with the platform portion.

10. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 9 where the ball portion of the LED-array-bearing structure and the heat sink are made from a heat-conducting material.

11. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 10, wherein the heat-conducting material is metal.

12. The directionally-adjustable LED spotlight of claim 11, wherein the heat sink includes a plurality of fins extending outwardly from a side of the heat sink opposite the ball-shaped LED-array-bearing structure.