This application provides a means to conduct sunlight through one or more exposed polymer bars down to a variety of different lighting fixtures with the optional addition of attached LEDs, CFLs or conventional incandescent light bulbs.
There exists a growing need for the saving of electrical power in homes and business structures. Solar panels have created a great awareness of the capability of using the sun's radiant energy as a power source that can be converted into electrical energy. The creation of the Solar Tubes using the sun's rays as a means of lighting has been very successful but it has some limitations. They deal with primarily ten to twelve-inch diameter fixtures that in many cases deliver too much light for accent lighting, which usually use several small lights in a row. The large hole has to be cut in the roof and the large ducting down can sometimes be a problem. Additionally, hallways generally do not need a great deal of light in one area but might require several small lights down the middle. Multiple small accent lighting has become very desirable in many of the new modern homes. Fiber optic cables deliver light effectively but are very expensive and the individual lines are very small. All of this makes a solid diameter polymer bar of 1½ inches in diameter used for the Solar Polymer Light Bar very easy to work with and less expensive.
Numerous innovations for lighting fixtures have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present design as hereinafter contrasted. The following is a summary of those prior art patents most relevant to this application at hand, as well as a description outlining the difference between the features of the Solar Polymer Light Bar and the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,157,591 of Nathalie Rozot et al. describes a compact, autonomous, solar-powered, modular and aesthetic light fixture that produces useful light levels for general illumination, and includes a housing, photovoltaic cells configured to receive sunlight proximate an upper portion of the housing, concentrating optics at least partially covering the photovoltaic cells, a light source configured to emit light from the housing, an energy storage device to receive energy from the photovoltaic cells and to provide energy to the light source, an electronic energy management system for controlling charge associated with the photovoltaic cells, the energy storage device and the light source. The light fixture can be rotated 360 degrees to accommodate any solar irradiation while sustaining a consistent appearance, it can accommodate a variety of mounting conditions, and it can be combined to form lighting systems in a variety of configurations.
This patent describes a compact, autonomous, solar-powered, modular and aesthetic light fixture with photovoltaic cells to provide energy to the light source, an electronic energy management system for controlling charge associated with the photovoltaic cells, the energy storage device and the light source. This complicated system does not provide the compact, inexpensive, easy to install capabilities of the Solar Polymer Light Bar system.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,931,914 of Ji Yong Kim describes a flexible solar light includes a lamp portion, a main body portion, and a goose neck portion. The goose neck portion connects the lamp portion and the main body portion, which is flexible and configured to be bent in a shape and maintains the bent shape. The lamp portion and the main body portion are configured to form a portable flashlight, a light stand, a wall lamp, or a ceiling lamp by engaging or separating each other.
This patent describes a lamp portion and the main body portion that are configured to form a portable flashlight, a light stand, a wall lamp, or a ceiling lamp but does not have the unique features of the Solar Polymer Light Bar system.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,545,078 of Byung Chul Kim describes a solar lighting apparatus that uses optical fibers to transmit solar light for illumination. The apparatus includes a support frame, optical fibers, a hybrid solar light diffuser and a reflective sheet. The optical fibers are fastened to the support frame and are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The hybrid solar light diffuser is coupled to a lower portion of the support frame and includes a diffusion plate and diffusion lenses which are provided on the diffusion plate at positions corresponding to the respective optical fibers. Each diffusion lens has a width increasing from a top thereof to a bottom. An incident depression is formed in the upper end of each diffusion lens. A reflective surface is formed on the circumferential outer surface of each diffusion lens to diffuse and reflect solar light. The reflective sheet is applied to the lower surface of the support frame.
This patent describes a solar lighting apparatus that uses optical fibers to transmit solar light for illumination. This system uses fiber optic fibers that are very fine and expensive to create a complicated lighting application and does not provide the compact, inexpensive, easy to install capabilities of the Solar Polymer Light Bar system.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0141570 of David Windsor Rillie et al. states that some embodiments provide a daylighting apparatus comprising an internally reflective tube configured to direct daylight from a first end of the tube to second end of the tube opposite the first end. A diffuser can be positioned at the second end of the tube. The diffuser can comprise a first optical structure configured such that, when the daylighting apparatus is installed with the first end positioned outside a room and the second end positioned to provide light to the room, a reflected portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one upper region (e.g., a ceiling or upper wall surface) of the room and a transmitted portion of the daylight is directed towards at least one lower region (e.g., a floor surface) of the room.
This patent describes a type of Solar tube but does not use a small diameter bar to convey light down as described by the Solar Polymer Light Bar application.
The foregoing prior art does not provide the benefits attendant with the Solar Polymer Light Bar. The present design achieves its intended purposes, objects and advantages over the prior art devices through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing readily available materials.
The principle advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is to supply interior access or accent lighting in a structure or home.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is that no electricity is required.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is the ease of installation.
Another advantage is with the configuration of the Solar Polymer Light Bar the installation openings do not have to he in a direct vertical alignment.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is additional light can be added by incorporating solar powered or house powered LEDs, CFLs or conventional incandescent light bulbs.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is the LEDs can be wired through a transformer to house current and set up with a wall switch.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is that a variety of upper light accumulators and lower light dispersers can change the lighting intensity and effects.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is it can have a variety of light mounting ceiling canisters and light fixtures.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is it can consist of a solid acrylic bar, multiple smaller acrylic bars, glass, or a sealed tubular member filled with a variety of semi-transparent liquids.
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is it can be bent at a right angle and still effectively transmit light
Another advantage of the Solar Polymer Light Bar is that it is smaller than the conventional solar tubes and can be used in multiple locations for accent lighting or down a dark hallway.
The Solar Polymer Light Bar assembly consists of a polymer bar or other suitable material that is heated and bent, or may be casted, in an offset configuration to allow for articulation around construction member obstacles such as rafters, ceiling joists, attic and roof mounted equipment. This allows for the desired positioning of the lighting fixture. The polymer bar of 1½-inch diameter is the preferred size with a variety of different sizes available and should be considered as being within the scope of this application. A sealed polymer tube filled with a variety of semi-transparent liquids to convey light equally as well as the polymer bar can be used in the Solar Polymer Light Bar system. The top of the polymer bar can be flat but it has been found that by increasing the surface area by using a conical shape, a domed spherical shape or a tiered accumulator shape, a brighter light is achieved. The length of the polymer bar does not significantly diminish the light.
The polymer bar mounts to a conventional flush mount ceiling light canister with a bar clamping nut and can extend to different positions. An optional iris type of closure mechanism, or a concave flappable cover, has been designed to close off the light when it is desired. The lower end of the polymer bar can be smooth on the bottom and smooth on the sides or it can have a decorative ornamental design to spread light against the reflective silvered insert of the light canister. A lower light disperser has been designed to further spread the light at the lower end of the polymer bar. The tiered accumulator at the top of the polymer bar and the lower light disperser at the bottom have angled tiers in the opposite direction to effectively collect or disperse the light. Glass light fixtures can mount to the ceiling light canister. Alternatively, the Solar Polymer Light Bar can enter through a light fixture from the backside, or stick bare through the ceiling directly in a raw type configuration.
An LED light system powered by a solar panel and batteries or house power is available to extend the lighting capabilities into the night. One or more small holes or slots are drilled at an angle (lights faced toward fixture end) downward in the area of the ceiling light canister where the LEDs are inserted.
Additionally a cluster of small diameter rods can be used to be fanned out for a decorative lighting arrangement. A variety of solar reflectors and magnifiers can increase the light entering the top of the polymer bar. The polymer bar can be installed in a wall and bent at right angles for lighting a wall sconce.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of this application, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification intend to be encompassed by the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the Solar Polymer Light Bar. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the design to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of this application.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the Solar Polymer Light Bar and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the Solar Polymer Light Bar, reference should he had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the design and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the Solar Polymer Light Bar 10 are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in
The electrical lighting components will be interconnected by the means of a wiring harness assembly 105 to a battery 106A and an optional roof mounted solar panel 46. A wide variety of wiring harnesses assembly 105 may be used to accommodate multiple Solar Polymer Light Bar 10 lighting units. Multi-wire connectors 107 and remote switches 109 will be incorporated into the wiring harness assembly 105. One or more batteries 106B may be incorporated within and or integrated into a through-the-roof ceiling mounting fixture 80 or housed within the next lighting unit and connected in parallel with different wiring harnesses 105. A conventional transformer may be used to replace the batteries 106A and 106B.
The assembled through the roof, ceiling mounting fixture 80 will then be inserted through the fire proofing ring 108 and into the base housing unit 110. The base housing unit 110 will have three upper openings 112 where the opening center side walls 114 will be bent in for support and three larger lower openings 116. When the unit is inserted through a hole in the drywall the opening center side walls 118 can be bent out to secure the unit in place at the final assembly within the ceiling drywall. A finish trim ring 120 will be attached from inside the room to be held in place by the means of magnetic washers 122.
The Solar Polymer Light Bar 10 shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present application. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a Solar Polymer Light Bar 10 in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this design as broadly defined in the appended claims.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62246523 | Oct 2015 | US |