SOLAR-POWERED COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING APPARATUS

Abstract

A solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus and methods of assembling such a lighting apparatus are disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus in the collapsed state, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the upper sector of a support unit of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus, in accordance with the present invention;

Claims

1. A solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus comprising: a lighting element assembly which comprises a lighting element;a solar cell;a battery unit electrically coupled to the solar cell and to the lighting element assembly; anda collapsible shade, wherein the solar cell is positioned proximate to the top of the collapsible shade and the lighting element assembly and the battery unit are positioned within the collapsible shade.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a support unit.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 2 wherein the collapsible shade contains an opening located at the top of the collapsible shade and an opening located at the bottom of the collapsible shade and the support unit comprises a top portion positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the top of the collapsible shade, a bottom portion positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the bottom of the collapsible shade and a connecting device which connects the top portion of the support unit and the bottom portion of the support unit.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lighting element of the lighting element assembly is located between the bottom portion of the support unit and the top portion of the support unit and is separate from and electrically coupled to the solar cell.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the top portion of the support unit houses the lighting element assembly, the solar cell and the battery unit.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a hanging device for hanging the lighting apparatus.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 wherein the hanging device is a wire.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 wherein the hanging is connected to the top portion of the support unit.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 6 wherein the hanging device is a rounded metal handle.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the collapsible shade comprises a collapsible material which allows the partial or complete transmission of light through it and a collapsible frame which imparts a predetermined shape to the collapsible material.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collapsible material is located over the collapsible frame.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collapsible frame is located within the collapsible material.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collapsible material is paper, nylon, fabric or plastic.

14. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collapsible material is waterproof or water-resistant.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the collapsible frame is wire or plastic.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 10 wherein the predetermined shape is a globe.

17. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the solar cell comprises one or more solar panels.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the battery comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.

19. The lighting apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a light sensor; anda switch electrically interposed between the battery and lighting element assembly, the switch being electrically coupled to the light sensor to be selectively opened and closed thereby.

20. The lighting apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lighting element assembly further comprises a lighting element cover.

21. The lighting apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lighting element cover focuses light from the lighting element.

22. The lighting apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lighting element cover filters light from the lighting element.

23. The lighting apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lighting element cover diffuses light from the lighting element assembly.

24. The lighting apparatus of claim 23 wherein the lighting element cover is cracked glass.

25. The lighting apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lighting element assembly further comprises a circuit board.

26. The lighting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the lighting element comprises one or more LED's electrically coupled to the battery.

27. A method for assembling a solar-powered collapsible lighting apparatus comprising: providing a collapsible shade that contains an opening located at the top of the collapsible shade and an opening located at the bottom of the collapsible shade in its collapsed state;providing a support unit having a bottom portion, a connecting device and a top portion which houses a solar cell, a battery unit and a lighting element assembly;providing a hanging device;allowing the collapsible shade to expand to its deployed shape;assembling the support unit by connecting the top portion to the bottom portion using the connecting device;positioning the support unit within the deployed collapsible shade such that the top portion is positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the top of the collapsible shade and the bottom portion is positioned within or proximate to the opening located at the bottom of the collapsible shade; andattaching the hanging device to the top portion of the support unit.