Patent Application
20230042143
The unique invention described in this patent application is described as an outdoor lighting fixture adapter with a body that extends beyond the length of the light bulb to both maintain light transmission and reduce vertical light pollution. The entire invention consists of a singular injection-molded body, already included with adaptable interface features such as the light bulb base tightening mechanism and twelve dissipating heat vents. The invention is an injection molded thermoplastic being both UV-resistant and temperature-change resistant. An outer coat may or may not be applied during or after the molded process to ensure material properties and adapter longevity over long periods of time. Handling and using the described invention is greatly simplified when compared to existing models out on the market. The user correctly orients the adapter module so that the bulb base cut is facing upwards, while the openings of the vents are pointed downward. The user places a standard light bulb (recommended CFL or LED) of their choice inside of the adapter so that the bulb base fits into the cut on the top. At this point the only visible part of the light bulb should be the bulb base extruded at the top of the adapter. Once the entire light bulb is securely fastened into the adapter with the entire light bulb enclosed inside, then the user moves the light bulb adapter combination into the desired lighting fixture. The user then fastens the light bulb adapter combination into the proper lighting fixture bulb socket until it is secured in place. The interface between the light bulb base and the light fixture bulb socket securely holds the light bulb adapter in place while also ensuring a strong electrical connection to be able to turn on and off the lighting fixture.
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Asteroid detection telescopes are extremely important in being able to detect and predict the paths/orbits of asteroids to avoid catastrophic disaster on Earth. Unlike the majority of telescopes that have a narrow field of view and high magnification, survey telescopes have a wide field of view to scan the entire sky in a reasonable amount of time with enough sensitivity to pick up the faint near-earth-objects they are searching for. This process can be hindered depending on the amount of stray light casted upwards by the cities/homes below. Light pollution causes a considerable amount of glare effect on these telescopes, preventing them from being able to detect smaller asteroids. If any asteroids were able to pass by the detection system undetected due to unwanted glare, the safety of the people below would become a main concern. In terms of a Utility patent, the existing known forms of prior art that resemble the functionality and purpose of what is presented in the current application are listed in the following section. Currently, there is not any known art that discloses a fully vented and mount-less extendable adapter that is acceptable under International Dark Sky Association (IDA) standards. The lumen standards set by the IDA are current as of May 20, 2021. The novel invention described in this application qualifies under IDA standards, preventing any considerable vertical upward transmission, as described below. Many varieties of wall-mounted house lights and light shields are currently available in the marketplace. Some of the known current patent-pending light shields/shades on the market are limited to fitting in specific lamps due to their complex geometries/mounting systems and they do not allow for approved heat dissipation due to the lack of a proper venting system. Some light shields still allow light transmission in a 360-degree ring and therefore cannot be accepted under the IDA standards. If a consumer has purchased an external wall-mounted house lamp with the desire to allow light transmission over a 360 degree ring but would like to limit their fixture's transmission (lux) later on, then the only other solution would be to purchase a completely new lamp or settle for a light shield that becomes semi-permanent and difficult to remove once installed. The current known patent-pending light shield designs on the market have potential to result in safety hazards that occur from trapping light bulb heat output in a very confined space. The current unique invention described in this application is the solution to this in the form of an adaptable, light weight, and easily removeable light shield, capable of being integrated with most, if not all, home light lamps that use the standard light bulb (recommended CFL or LED). The light bulb shield described in this application consists of: (1) Universal bulb-fitting cylinder; with (2) illumination heat vents to permit the highest allowable transmission while appropriately dissipating heat energy. The parts and accessories include an adaptable hollow cylinder-shaped vented body fitted to the standard light bulb (recommended CFL or LED). A list of the main features of the current invention is thus the provision of (1) a sealed top piece that restricts no more than fifty (50) lumens of light transmission from travelling upwards; (2) a circular opening on the top of the hollow body perfectly fitted to support a variety of standard light bulbs; (3) illumination vents on the cylinder body directing light transmission downwards while still allowing a desired lux output; and (4) a durable, temperature-resistant, UV-resistant, light-weight thermoplastic-based material manufactured to withstand hot summers and cold winters over long periods of time.
The invention described in this application may appear to be similar to a variety of lighting adapters on the market, however, there are many advantages to this invention when compared to the competition. The existing problems, as stated and explained in the “Background of the Invention” section, are problematic for both the convenience of the user and their safety. The simplified design of the adapter described in this application makes it much simpler for the user to install in a very short amount of time. No external tools or screws are needed to properly secure the adapter in place, reducing the hassle that the user has to go through. The entire installation process of this invention can take less than a minute and is just as securely held in place as is the competitions' light shields which require a mounting bracket or some other complement in addition to their adapter. One of the problems that this invention solves is the convenience issue. External tools are not necessary and the user only needs about a minute to receive the full benefit and utility of this adapter.
Another problem described further in the “Background of the Invention” section, is the issue associated with heat dissipation. Depending on the type of light bulb used, light bulbs can reach an external surface temperature of around 250 Degrees Fahrenheit. Enclosing this much heat energy in a tight-fitting lighting fixture becomes a safety hazard often presented with other light shield. adapters. The invention described in this application alleviates this issue by including twelve IDA-compliant heat vents that help to disperse the heat energy while also creating a more desirable and natural light output pattern.
Another issue across other light bulb adapters is the problem with light pattern and lux output. Many light shield adapters limit the amount of light to within the IDA standards, but end up being on the low end of the IDA standards. If a homeowner doesn't receive enough light onto their property, then it could lead to potential neighborhood safety hazards. The more light your neighborhood has at night, the more obstacles for a potential burglar. This invention stays within the IDA standards while also being on the upper boundary of lumen output allowed. Therefore, the user is getting the maximum amount of light output that would be allowed under the IDA.
This adapter addresses the problem that whole communities may face in becoming IDA compliant upon local/national/international regulatory mandated guidelines, requiring limited vertical light emission. It enables all homeowners regardless of economic status to become compliant with such mandates. By retrofitting this adapter, asteroid detection telescopes will be better enabled to help detect potentially catastrophic asteroids.
These and other details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings, described herein, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure:
The unique invention described in this patent relates to a cylindrical body having capabilities to interface with a standard light bulb and light bulb socket. As the light bulb 4 is properly fitted into the light bulb socket via the invention, it securely holds the invention in place. The current invention is in the form of a single-unit uniform heat-resistant plastic.
Not Applicable.
