Light cooler

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6527418
  • Patent Number
    6,527,418
  • Date Filed
    Monday, March 13, 2000
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 4, 2003
    22 years ago
Abstract
An improved light fixture for an inflatable structure which includes a cooling arrangement which cools the light source in a light container. The cooling arrangement including a passageway which directs a cooling fluid into and out of the interior of the canister. The cooling arrangement includes blower to direct the cooling fluid toward the light source and a diffuser to distribute the cooling fluid about the light source. The cooling arrangement also includes a temperature monitor to monitor the temperature in the light container and to activate the blower upon detecting a predetermined temperature in the light container and/or to deactivate the light source upon detecting a predetermined temperature in the light container.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is particularly applicable to heat dissipation arrangements for illuminating devises used to illuminate inflatable objects and will be discussed with particular reference thereto; however, the invention has broader applications and may be used to dissipate heat in a wide variety of illuminating devices.




In the inflatable industry, it is a particular advantage to use inflatable devices for advertising purposes due to the eye-catching nature of the inflatables. The illumination of such inflatables during the night is also advantageous since the advertising can be visually seen at night and the illumination of such inflatables enhances the visual attraction of such inflatable thereby enhancing the value of the advertising promoted by such inflatables. However, the illumination of inflatables poses several challenging problems. Lights that are normally bright enough to effectively illuminate inflatables tend to radiate large amounts of heat. The heat from such lights can cause damage to the inflatable and/or cause damage to the inflatable if the inflatable were to deflate and come in contact with the hot surface of the light. The heat generated from the light can also adversely affect the operation of the light. A significant increase in temperatures of the light can result in the light filament prematurely burning out and/or the light casing becoming damaged, thereby resulting in a failure of the light. The high temperature resulting from the light can also adversely affect the electronics operating the light, thereby resulting in control problems and ultimately the failure of the light. The high temperature produced by the light also can hamper the rapid disassembly and packaging of the illuminated inflatable.




As a result, there is a need and demand in the inflatable industry for an effective illuminating device for inflatables which is safe and convenient to use and overcomes the problems associated with prior illumination devices.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a light cooling system adapted to dissipate heat generated by an illumination source. The invention is particularly applicable to a light cooling system used to cool light sources for inflatables.




In accordance with the principles featured in the present invention, there is provided a light fixture designed to illuminate an inflatable structure. Such inflatable structures include balloons, advertising displays, recreational structures, and the like. The light fixture is designed so that it can be conveniently mounted on or within an inflatable to effectively illuminate the inflatable. The light fixture also includes several enhanced features which address the heat generation problems associated with large lumen light systems.




In accordance with: another feature of the present invention, the light fixture includes a light container or canister which is constructed of a semi-transparent or transparent material. One type of material is a high-impact, high heat-resistant plastic such as a polycarbonate material such as Lexan. However, other durable semi-transparent or transparent materials can be used. The durable material of the canister helps to protect the light fixture components from damage thereby increasing the life of the light fixture. The transparency of the material can be selected to control the amount of lumens generated by the lighting device. As can be appreciated, the material may be colored, have a colored coating painted or applied to the surface of the material so as to illuminate the inflatable by a particular colored light. The canister is designed to house the light source. The canister is preferably a cylindrically-shaped canister having a substantially uniform interior and exterior diameter. However, other canister shapes can be used for various types of applications.




In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the canister is sized to house other components of the light source. Preferably, the majority of the light fixture components, other than the canister and power source, are housed inside the canister. The incorporation of many of the components into the canister simplifies the installation and deinstallation of the light fixture.




In accordance with still another feature of the present invention, the canister is designed to allow a cooling fluid to pass through the canister so as to cool one or more components within the canister. Preferably, the cooling fluid is air and more preferably ambient air. Preferably, the canister provides a passageway to allow the cooling fluid to enter the bottom of the canister and exit out the top of the canister. As can be appreciated, the flow of the cooling fluid may be reversed and/or the cooling fluid may enter and/or exit at other areas on the canister.




In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the canister includes a top plate mounted on the top of the canister. Preferably the top plate is mounted so as to be spaced at some distance from the top edge of the canister. In one arrangement, the top plate is spaced from the top of the canister by use of brackets which are securely mounted to the top plate and the top section of the canister. However, other arrangements can be used to space the top plate from the top of the canister. As can be appreciated, the canister may include one or more openings in the top sides of the container as an alternative to or in combination with the space top plate. The space provided by the top plate can be substituted for or used in combination with slots in the top side of the canister. The top plate may also be designed to include openings. Such a top plate design allows the top plate to be spaced from or mounted on the top of the canister. The spacing of the top plate and/or openings in the top plate from the canister provides a passageway for a cooling fluid to enter or exit the canister. Preferably, the top plate is of the same material as the canister; however, other materials can be used. The top plate also has the function of reducing and/or preventing liquids or debris from inadvertently falling into the canister which may damage the light or other components of the light fixture in the canister. The openings of the canister may be covered by a mesh which allows a cooling fluid to pass through the mesh, but reduces or prevents debris, insects, liquid, etc. from inadvertently entering into the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the top plate may be or include a mesh such as a wire, plastic and/or fabric mesh. The top plate may preferably include a bracket or hook adapted to mount the top plate to an inflatable. In one embodiment, the inflatable includes a cord or chain attached to the interior of the inflatable. This cord or chain is then secured to the bracket or hook on the top plate thereby securing the light fixture in the interior of the inflatable.




In accordance with still yet another feature of the present invention, the illumination source of the light fixture is preferably an incandescent light source or a halide light source. Incandescent light sources typically require a larger wattage per lumen than halide light sources. If a large inflatable is to be illuminated, a halide light source is preferably used due to the lower wattage requirements and reduce amount of heat generated. Preferably, the light fixture includes a light socket adapted to be used with up to 1500 watt light sources. As can be appreciated, light sockets handling a larger wattage can be used if needed for a particular application. In one preferred embodiment, the light socket is positioned near the bottom end of the canister. In a particular embodiment, the light socket is spaced above the bottom end of the canister.




In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the base of the canister includes an opening adapted to allow fluid to flow into and/or out of the base of the container. The base of the canister may be mounted to the bottom end of the canister or mounted in a spaced relationship from the bottom end of the canister. Preferably, the opening in the base is positioned below the location of the light socket. In addition to or alternatively, an opening can be placed on the side of the light canister closely adjacent to the base of the light container. The opening in the base and/or sides of the canister allows fluid to enter or exit the light canister to cool the light when in operation. The base may be made of the same or a different material from the canister. As can be appreciated, the base may contain more than one opening. A mesh may be used to cover the openings in and/or form the base to prevent debris, insects, liquids and the like from entering the interior of the canister and adversely affecting the components in the canister.




In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the canister naturally cools the light source during operation. In one particular embodiment, the canister includes an opening at the top and bottom of the canister. These openings are preferably formed by the top plate and base of the canister. When utilizing this canister arrangement, a natural cooling action of the air about the light occurs due to the light heating the surrounding air and causing the air within the canister to rise and pass through the opening in the top of the light container. The passing of air out of the canister causes a pressure drop within the canister thereby resulting in cool air being drawn in through the base opening of the light container. As can be appreciated, such a canister design provides for natural cooling of the light in operation thereby reducing the temperature of the light and the light container during operation.




In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the cooling effects of the light canister can be enhanced by a fan blower positioned under the light socket to help draw air through the base of the canister and to blow the air onto the light. The blower is preferably mounted in a blower container which is designed to direct the air drawn through the base of the light container toward the light so as to maximize the cooling efficiency of the light. The blower may include a one speed or variable speed motor. In one embodiment, the blower includes a fan blade which blade is designed to draw air into the blower when the fan blade rotates.




In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the blower includes a diffusion surface which may be positioned on the top of the fan blade. The diffuser is designed to distribute air blown by the fan blade evenly about the light source so as to efficiently cool the light source. The diffuser preferably is a plate which includes multiple openings designed to direct air through the diffuser. In one preferable embodiment, the light socket is mounted to the center of the diffuser so as to increase the efficiency and uniformity of cooling of the light source.




In accordance with still yet another object of the present invention, a low heat producing high lumens light source is used. A 1000 watt metal halide bulb can produce approximately 117,000 lumens and a 400 watt metal halide bulb can produce approximately 36,000 lumen. These lights require a reduced wattage as compared to an incandescent light using 1500 watts and producing only 33,000 lumens. The reduction in wattage results in less energy consumption and significantly less heat generation. As can be appreciated, lower wattage lights which produce high lumens, such as halide lights and the like can be naturally cooled without use of a blower fan. Higher wattage bulbs such as 400-1500 watt bulbs can be cooled by a relatively small blower fan. In one particular embodiment, a blower including a fan blade of approximately 4 inches in diameter is able to maintain the light fixture temperature within about 20 to 80° above ambient temperature. This temperature range allows the light fixture to be easily handled if necessary even after a long use. Furthermore, the light fixture is cooled to a sufficiently low temperature so as to reduce the chances of damage to the inflatable if the surface of the inflatable during operation and/or if the inflatable surface inadvertently comes in contact with the light container.




In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the light fixture may include a temperature sensor which monitors the temperature within the canister. The temperature sensor may be connected to the blower and be designed to activate the blower when a particular temperature threshold within the interior of the light container has been reached. A temperature monitor may also be connected to the blower in such a manner so as to increase or reduce the velocity of the blower in response to the monitored temperature within the container. In addition to or in alternative thereof, the temperature monitor may be connected to the light to act as a safety switch which shuts off the light when a particular temperature threshold within the light container has been reached.




In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, a power source is associated with the light fixture which is adapted to generate a sufficient power source to light in a particular type of light bulb within the light fixture. For 400 and 1000 watt metal halide lights, a specially designed power source typically is used to generate enough power to energize such lights. The power source may be adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical outlet and may include a transformer or the like to convert the power from a typical electrical socket into the needed power to illuminate the light. For convenience, the transformer may be sealed in a durable container which is substantially water and/or air tight so as to reduce damage to the internal components of the transformer and may further include a handle to conveniently move the transformer to a particular location. Special quick connectors may be designed for quick attachment and detachment of the power cord from the light fixture to the transformer for ease of installation. The base of the canister preferably includes an opening to allow the power cord to enter the canister and supply the light source with power. In one embodiment the base includes a cable locking arrangement to secure the cable in place in the cable opening in the base. The cable locking arrangement prevents the wiring inside the canister from being damaged during installation and deinstallation of the light fixture. It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an illuminating source for an inflatable object.




In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a light impairing material is mounted and/or positioned about the canister. The material is designed to control the amount of light radiating from the light fixture. In one particular arrangement, the material includes sections which block and/or impair the passage of light through the material. In another particular arrangement, the material causes words and/or images to be formed on the interior of the inflatable. In one preferred embodiment, the material is a plastic material mounted to be stationary and/or rotatable relative to the canister. The plastic material includes sections such as painted, dyed, laminated, colored sections which cause images to form on the interior of the inflatable when the light bulb is illuminated. As can be appreciated, the canister itself can be painted, dyed, colored or otherwise covered to form images on the interior of the inflatable. In another particular embodiment, a motor can be used to move the light impairing material about the canister.




It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an illumination source for an inflatable structure.




It is another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which includes a light cooling system to dissipate the heat generated by the illuminating system.




It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which can be conveniently mounted on or within an inflatable structure.




It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which can generate one or more colors thereby illuminating an inflatable in a particular color.




It is another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which is durable and lightweight.




It is still another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which is designed to naturally cool the light source.




It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which directs a cooling fluid about a light source to thereby efficiently and effectively cool the lighting source.




It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which includes a diffuser to direct a cooling fluid substantially uniformly about the lighting source to thereby efficiently and effectively cool the lighting source.




It is still another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which includes a light source that produces a high quantity of lumens, low heat generation and low wattage usage.




It is another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system which prevents unwanted materials from entering into the interior of the light system.




It is still another object of the present invention to provide an illuminating system including a blower to direct cool air onto the light source.




It still yet another object of the present invention to provide a light system which monitors the temperature of the light source and adjusts the rate of cooling of the light source and/or deactivates the light source upon detecting a certain temperature.




It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a power source for the lighting system which is durable and can be easily assembled and dissembled from the light source.




These and other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Reference may now be had to the drawings, which illustrate various embodiments that the invention may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangements of parts wherein;





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the light system of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an enlarged perspective view of the top edge of the light system shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is an exploded perspective view of the top section of the light system shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is an exploded perspective view of the bottom section of the light system shown in

FIG. 1

; and





FIG. 5

is an exploded perspective view of the fan housing shown in FIG.


1


.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,

FIGS. 1-5

illustrate a light system


10


which is designed to illuminate an inflatable structure. Light system


10


includes a canister


20


which is cylindrical in shape and includes side wall


22


, a top edge


24


and a bottom edge


26


. Canister


20


is made of a transparent material made of a durable high impact, high heat resistant material such as a polycarbonate material. Referring now to

FIGS. 1-3

, a circular top plate


40


is connected to the top portion of canister


20


. Top plate


40


is spaced from top edge


24


of canister


20


and is connected to canister


20


by the use of top brackets


50


. Top brackets


50


include a plurality of bracket holes


52


to adjust the distance top plate


40


is secured from the top edge


24


of canister


20


. The space between top edge


24


and top plate


40


defines a top opening


46


. Top brackets


50


are connected to the interior surface of side wall


22


by bracket screws


54


being inserted through bracket holes


52


of top bracket


50


and into openings


28


of side wall


22


of canister


20


. Bracket screws


54


are secured in place by clip nuts


57


which are clipped to the ends of brackets


50


. Similarly, top brackets


50


are connected to top plate


40


by inserting bracket rivets


55


through bracket hole


52


and into bracket openings


42


of top plate


40


. Bracket rivots


55


are secured by washer


59


. Top plate


40


is preferably a transparent material which is similar in composition to the material used in canister


20


.




Top plate


40


includes a hook opening


44


adapted to receive the end of hook


150


. Hook


150


is secured into hook opening


44


of top plate


40


by the use of a washers


151


,


152


,


153


and a hook bolt


154


which is threaded onto the end of hook


150


. Connected to the eye of hook


150


is lock clip


158


to hook


150


. Lock clip


158


is designed to be clipped to a hook, chain or other fastening area on an inflatable thereby attaching light system


10


to an inflatable.




Referring now to

FIGS. 1 and 4

, canister


20


also includes a circular base plate


60


which is secured to the bottom edge


26


canister


20


. Base plate


60


is a transparent material similar in composition to the composition used in canister


20


. As shown in

FIG. 1

, base plate


60


is secured to canister


20


so that the base plate substantially abuts against bottom edge


26


of canister


20


. Base plate


60


is secured to canister


20


by the use of bottom brackets


70


. Bottom brackets


70


include bracket holes


72


which are designed to be aligned with bottom bracket openings


30


on canister


20


and bracket opening


62


on base plate


60


. Bracket rivots


74


are inserted through bracket holes


72


and into openings


30


on canister


20


and opening


62


on base plate


60


and secured in place by washers


75


thereby securing base plate


60


to canister


20


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 4 and 5

, base plate


60


includes a base opening


66


positioned substantially in the center of base plate


60


. Base plate


60


also includes a power cord opening


64


positioned adjacent to base opening


66


. As shown in

FIG. 5

, power cord opening


64


provides an opening whereby power cord


130


can be inserted through base plate


60


. A cord lock


132


, lock bolt


133


, nut


137


and compressor


135


are designed to be threaded into cord opening


64


and to lock power cord


130


in position relative to base plate


60


so as to prevent power cord


130


from moving within cord opening


64


.




As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 4

, a light bulb


80


is positioned in the interior of canister


20


. Light bulb


80


is designed to provide illumination when supplied with power. Preferably light bulb


80


is a metal halide light. The type of metal halide light and the operation of metal halide light are well known in the art and will not be described further. As shown in

FIG. 1

, light bulb


80


is secured into place in light socket


90


. In one arrangement, light bulb


80


is screwed into light socket


90


. Light socket


90


is in turn secured to the top of diffuser


100


. As shown in

FIG. 1

, light socket


90


is positioned substantially in the center of diffuser


100


.




Diffuser


100


includes a plurality of diffuser openings


102


. As shown in

FIG. 1

, diffuser openings


102


are arcuate in shape and are positioned about, light socket


90


at various intervals from the peripheral edge of the diffuser


100


. Diffuser


100


includes mount openings


104


which openings are aligned with top openings


118


on blower housing


110


.




Blower housing


110


includes a central cavity wherein a motor


114


and a fan


116


are positioned therein. Blower housing


110


also includes mount openings


112


used to secure blower housing


110


to the inner surface of base plate


60


. A lower diffuser


170


having a plurality of arcuate openings


172


is positioned over opening


66


. Lower diffuser


170


is secured to base plate by mount openings


174


. Mount screws


106


are inserted through mount openings


174


and washers


107


to secure lower diffuser


170


to the bottom of base plate


60


. Mount screws are designed to pass through mount openings


112


of housing


110


to securing housing


110


to the bottom interior of base plate


60


. Washers


109


and nuts


111


securing the housing in place relative to base plate


60


. Mount screw


106


also secures diffuser


100


to the top of housing


110


by passing through three washers


113


and through mount openings


104


of diffuser


100


. Washers


115


and bolts


117


securing diffuser


100


in place.




Attached to the side of canister


20


is a temperature monitor


120


. Temperature monitor


120


is mounted to canister


20


by rivots


119


passing through openings


23


in side


22


and being secured in place by washer


121


. Temperature monitor


120


is connected to wire


122


from power cord


130


. Wires


124


and


126


from power cord


130


provide energy to motor


114


and wires


122


and


123


from power cord


130


provide energy for light bulb


180


. Wire


125


is connected between light socket


90


and temperature monitor


120


. Wire


129


from light socket


90


is connected to wire


123


by clip


127


.




Transformer


140


provides the required power to light bulb


80


and motor


114


. The end of power cord


130


includes a connector


160


to allow an operator to easily connect and disconnect the end of power cord


130


from transformer


140


. Connector


160


includes two plugs


162


,


164


which form a positive connection to the four wires in power cord


130


. A latch


166


is designed to secure the two plugs together. The end of plug


164


includes a quick connect


142


which is designed to be easily secured to transformer


140


. Transformer


140


also includes a source power cord


144


. Source power cord


144


includes a quick connect


142


to enable an operator to quickly connect and disconnect one end of the power cord


144


from transformer


140


. The other end of power cord


144


is designed to be plugged into a standard electrical outlet. Transformer


140


also includes a handle


146


to allow an operator to easily carry and position transformer


140


to a desired location. Transformer


140


also includes a casing


148


designed to protect the components of the transformer from adverse ambient conditions. The general components of transformer


140


which produce the desired voltage and current to energize light bulb


80


and motor


114


are well known in the art and will not be further described.




In one particular embodiment, canister


20


is constructed out of a low weight, high impact, high heat resistant Lexin. Top plate


40


is mounted approximately one inch above the top edge


24


of canister


20


. Top plate


40


is also made of Lexin. The top plate is designed to act as a rain shield to prevent moisture from entering the interior of canister


20


thereby preventing moisture to come in contact with light bulb


80


which could in turn cause damage to light bulb


80


. Base plate


60


is also made of Lexin and has a blower housing


110


mounted to the interior surface of the base plate. The fan


116


within blower housing


110


is a four inch diameter blade impeller. The fan is designed to draw air through lower diffuser


170


and base opening


66


and force air through diffuser openings


102


of diffuser


100


to cool light bulb


80


during operation. The air upon passing light bulb


80


is then expelled from canister


20


by passing through top opening


46


. This arrangement has been found to maintain the temperature of the canister so that it is cool enough to be handled with human hands even after a long duration of operation. Typically the temperature of the canister is merely 40° above ambient temperatures which the light bulb is energized. The temperature monitor


120


is used to monitor the temperature within the canister and to deactivate light bulb


80


upon detection of the temperature above a predetermined level by breaking the circuit between wires


122


and


125


. The deactivation of the light bulb prevents canister


20


from becoming too hot if the fan should fail to operate or if the inflatable deinflates and comes in contact with canister


20


thereby plugging up base opening


66


and/or top opening


46


. In one design, temperature monitor


120


shuts down light bulb


80


when the temperature of canister


20


is detected to be 50-80° above ambient temperature. The light bulb is a 400 watt metal halide bulb or a 100 watt metal halide bulb. The 400 watt bulb is designed to produce 36,000 lumens (FLC-400) and the 100 watt bulb is designed to produce 117,000 lumens (FLC-1000).




In another embodiment, the light system


10


includes the design as mentioned above. The light system further includes the temperature monitor


120


to be wired to motor


114


to thereby activate motor


114


when a threshold temperature within canister


20


is reached and/or to deactivate motor


114


when the temperature within canister


120


falls below a threshold temperature. In a further embodiment, motor


114


is a variable speed motor whereby the speed of the rotating fan is a function of the detected temperature within canister


20


.




In a further embodiment, light system


10


includes a mesh which is positioned about top opening


46


and/or base opening


66


. The mesh is designed to prevent debris, insects or other unwanted materials from inadvertently entering into the interior of canister


20


and adversely affecting one or more of the internal components in canister


20


. The mesh may be made up of a fabric, plastic and/or wire material and connected to canister


20


by bolts, screws, adhesive, tacks, brackets, bands or the like. Mesh is air permeable so as not to adversely affect the flow of air into and/or out of canister


20


.




The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment and alternates thereof, it is believed that many modifications and alterations of the embodiment disclosed will readily suggest itself to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the description of the invention in combination with the drawings. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the present invention.



Claims
  • 1. A light fixture comprising:a. a light container having a base portion, a top portion and a top plate, said top plate being spaced from a top edge of a body portion of the light container to form at least one upper passageway; b. a light socket positioned in said light container between said base portion and said top portion to accommodate a light source, said light source at least partially directing light toward said top portion of said container; and c. a cooling arrangement to cool said light source in said light container, said cooling arrangement including at least one lower passageway, said at least one upper passageway and a diffuser, said at least one lower passageway allowing a cooling fluid to enter the interior of said light container at a location below said diffuser and said light source, said at least one upper passageway positioned above said light source and allowing cooling fluid which passes through said diffuser and subsequently passes by said light source to exit said light container, said diffuser positioned between said at least one lower passageway and said light source, said diffuser including a plurality of diffusion slots spaced from an outer edge of and concentrically oriented about the center of said diffuser, said diffusion slots adapted to direct cooling fluid that passes through said diffusion slots onto said light source.
  • 2. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said cooling arrangement includes a blower, said blower positioned between said at least one lower passageway and said diffuser, said blower drawing said cool fluid through said at least one lower passageway and into said container and at least partially blowing said cooling fluid through said at least one diffuser slot in said diffuser, and toward said light source.
  • 3. The light fixture as defined in claim 2, wherein said blower directing at least a majority of said cooling fluid through said at least one diffusion slot in said diffuser.
  • 4. The light fixture as defined in claim 3, wherein said blower includes an electric fan.
  • 5. The light fixture as defined in claim 4, wherein said light socket is connected to a top surface of said diffuser.
  • 6. The light fixture as defined in claim 5, wherein said cooling arrangement includes a temperature monitor to monitor the temperature in said light container, said temperature monitor including a blower control to activate a blower upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 7. The light fixture as defined in claim 6, wherein said cooling arrangement includes a temperature monitor to monitor the temperature in said light container, said temperature monitor including a blower control to activate a blower upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 8. The light fixture as defined in claim 7, including a container temperature monitor to monitor the temperature inside said light container, said container temperature monitor deactivating said light source upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 9. The light fixture as defined in claim 8, wherein said light container is at least semi-transparent.
  • 10. The light fixture as defined in claim 9, wherein said light container includes a top plate, said top plate being spaced from a top edge of said light container, said space between said top plate and said top edge of said light container at least partially forming said at least one upper passageway.
  • 11. The light fixture as defined in claim 10, wherein said light container includes a fluid permeable protector material, said protector material positioned over an opening selected from the group consisting of said lower passageway, said upper passageway and combinations thereof, said fluid permeable protector material inhibiting foreign objects from entering the interior of said container, said foreign objects including objects selected from the group consisting of debris, insects, and combinations thereof.
  • 12. The light fixture as defined in claim 11, wherein said light container includes a connector to secure said light fixture to the interior of an inflatable object.
  • 13. The light fixture as defined in claim 12, including a light impairing material removably connected to the exterior surface of said light container said light impairing material reducing the amount of light passing through said material.
  • 14. The light fixture as defined in claim 13, including a power source, said power source including a transformer housed in a protective casing, a power cord for suppling power from said transformer to said light socket, one end of said power cord passing through a cord opening in said base plate and being secured into position in said base by a cord securing means, another end of said power cord including a fastener to easily connect and disconnect said another end from said transformer.
  • 15. The light fixture as defined in claim 2, wherein said blower includes an electric fan.
  • 16. The light fixture as defined in claim 2, wherein said blower is connected to a bottom surface of said diffuser.
  • 17. The light fixture as defined in claim 2, including a container temperature monitor to monitor the temperature inside said light container, said container temperature monitor deactivating said light source upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 18. The light fixture as defined in claim 2, wherein said light container includes a fluid permeable protector material, said protector material positioned over an opening selected from the group consisting of said lower passageway, said upper passageway and combinations thereof, said fluid permeable protector material inhibiting foreign objects from entering the interior of said container, said foreign objects including objects selected from the group consisting of debris, insects, and combinations thereof.
  • 19. The light fixture as defined in claim 2, including a light impairing material removably connected to the exterior surface of said light container, said light impairing material reducing the amount of light passing through said material.
  • 20. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said light socket is connected to a top surface of said diffuser.
  • 21. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said cooling arrangement includes a temperature monitor to monitor the temperature in said light container, said temperature monitor including a blower control to activate a blower upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 22. The light fixture as defined in claim 21, wherein said blower control includes a controller to vary the speed of said blower as a function of the temperature in said light container.
  • 23. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, including a container temperature monitor to monitor the temperature inside said light container, said container temperature monitor deactivating said light source upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 24. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said light container is at least semi-transparent.
  • 25. The light fixture as defined in claim 24, including a light impairing material removably connected to the exterior surface of said light container, said light impairing material reducing the amount of light passing through said material.
  • 26. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said light container includes a top plate, said top plate being spaced from a top edge of said light container, said space between said top plate and said top edge of said light container at least partially forming said at least one upper passageway.
  • 27. The light fixture as defined in claim 26, wherein said light container includes a fluid permeable protector material, said protector material positioned over an opening selected from the group consisting of said lower passageway, said upper passageway and combinations thereof, said fluid permeable protector material inhibiting foreign objects from entering the interior of said container, said foreign objects including objects selected from the group consisting of debris, insects, and combinations thereof.
  • 28. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said light container includes a fluid permeable protector material, said protector material positioned over an opening selected from the group consisting of said lower passageway, said upper passageway and combinations thereof, said fluid permeable protector material inhibiting foreign objects from entering the interior of said container, said foreign objects including objects selected from the group consisting of debris, insects, and combinations thereof.
  • 29. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said light container includes a connector to secure said light fixture to the interior of an inflatable object.
  • 30. The light fixture as defined in claim 1, including a light impairing material removably connected to the exterior surface of said light container, said light impairing material reducing the amount of light passing through said material.
  • 31. A light fixture used to at least partially illuminate an object comprising:a. a light container having a body portion, a top plate and a base plate, said body portion being at least semi-transparent, said top plate being spaced from a top edge of said body portion to form an upper passageway, said base plate including at least one air passageway; b. a blower positioned inside said body portion of said light container, said blower including a blower housing, a motor and a fan blade, said blower housing including a central cavity positioned over said at least one air passageway of said base plate, said fan blade positioned in said central cavity of said blower housing, said fan blade rotatable in said blower housing to at least partially draw air though said air passageway in said base plate and to at least partially blow said air through said upper passageway; c. a diffuser connected to said blower, said diffuser including a plurality of diffusion slots spaced from an outer edge of said diffuser, said diffusion slots causing air blown toward said diffuser by said blower to be at least partially directed onto a light source in said light container; d. a light socket positioned between said diffuser and said upper passageway, said light socket adapted to accommodate said light source; and, e. a connector to connect said light container to said object.
  • 32. The light fixture as defined in claim 31, wherein said plurality of diffusion slots are concentrically oriented about the center of said diffuser.
  • 33. The light fixture as defined in claim 32, wherein said light socket is connected to a top surface of said diffuser.
  • 34. The light fixture as defined in claim 33, wherein said blower directing at least a majority of said air through said at least one diffusion slot in said diffuser.
  • 35. The light fixture as defined in claim 34, including a container temperature monitor to monitor the temperature inside said light container, said container temperature monitor deactivating said light source upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 36. The light fixture as defined in claim 35, wherein said container temperature monitor including a blower control to activate a blower upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 37. The light fixture as defined in claim 36, wherein said blower control includes a controller to vary the speed of said blower as a function of the temperature in said light container.
  • 38. The light fixture as defined in claim 37, including a light impairing material removably connected to the exterior surface of said light container, said light impairing material reducing the amount of light passing through said material.
  • 39. The light fixture as defined in claim 38, including a power source, said power source including a transformer housed in a protective casing, a power cord for suppling power from said transformer to said light socket, one end of said power cord passing through a cord opening in said base plate and being secured into position in said base by a cord securing means, another end of said power cord including a fastener to easily connect and disconnect said another end from said transformer.
  • 40. The light fixture as defined in claim 31, wherein said light socket is connected to a top surface of said diffuser.
  • 41. The light fixture as defined in claim 31, wherein said blower directing at least a majority of said air through said at least one diffusion slot in said diffuser.
  • 42. The light fixture as defined in claim 31, including a container temper ature monitor to monitor the temperature inside said light container, said container temperature monitor deactivating said light source upon detecting a predetermined temperature in said light container.
  • 43. The light fixture as defined in claim 31, including a light impairing material removably connected to the exterior surface of said light container, said light impairing material reducing the amount of light passing through said material.
Parent Case Info

This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/085,638 filed May, 27, 1998 abandoned, and incorporated herein by reference. This invention claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/047,728 filed May 27, 1997 entitled Light Cooler.

US Referenced Citations (3)
Number Name Date Kind
4321659 Wheeler Mar 1982 A
4546420 Wheeler Oct 1985 A
5051875 Johnson Sep 1991 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/047728 May 1997 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/085638 May 1998 US
Child 09/524220 US