The following invention is in the field of undercabinet lighting. Currently there are a number of solutions for undercabinet lighting. One of these solutions attempts to install lights under the cabinet, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because this is a costly and permanent solution. Another solution attempts to use adhesive undercabinet lighting, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because some of these lights require batteries and the need to change them regularly or the adhesive ages and loses it adhesion properties. Still another solution seeks to use hardwired undercabinet lighting, but this solution also fails to meet market needs because these lights are affixed to the cabinet permanently and are difficult to install and permanently damage the cabinet.
It would be advantageous to have an apparatus that provides light under a cabinet or anywhere that is convenient for the user. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that not only provides light but offers one or more additional outlets when plugged into a wall outlet. Still further, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that holds or cradles a cellphone (or electronic device in need of charging, such as small tablet PC or MP3 player) up and off the counter while charging. In a related embodiment, the cradling portion of the apparatus includes a wireless or an inductive charging pad for charging the electronic device. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus that is a portable undercabinet lighting device or system.
The invention described herein advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an adjustable undercabinet lighting system, which provides lighting on counters when cooking or conducting other activities in the kitchen or other areas around the house or garage. The invention is universal for other lighting needs and in one example embodiment provides an additional one or two wall outlets on opposite sides of a base housing to avoid cluttering or interference. In another example embodiment, the lighting device or apparatus has a vertically extendable arm or stem that extends out of the main arm body of the lighting device.
Among other things, it is an advantage of the invention to provide an undercabinet lighting system that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions. It is still further an advantage of the invention, in one embodiment but not necessarily limited, to use only AC power but batteries are an option if the lighting device is so configured. In one example embodiment, the lighting device has an LED halo of lights but in a related embodiment can include a light bar of LED lights, which can be directed down to where the lighting is needed.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
The various embodiments of invention describe primarily, but are not limited to, an undercabinet lighting device and system that provides a user with additional lighting with a high level of convenience and a portable and easily stored form factor. In one example embodiment, an undercabinet lighting system is provided with a light head assembly that is a flip-up LED halo ring on a telescoping stem or arm. A base housing of the lighting system includes prongs (which can be retractable) to facilitate plugging the device into a wall outlet. On the opposite and lateral sides of the base housing are two additional power outlets. Since the light and arm or stem are not directly against the wall when the lighting device is plugged in, a user can perch or insert a cell phone in the available space between the wall and the arm of the lighting device and the cellphone remains off the counter while charging.
The lighting system or device or assemblies described herein is/are usable underneath upper cabinets, while the user is in the bathroom, while the user is doing crafts, painting fingernails, or doing other chores that may require additional and convenient lighting. The lighting device is configurable to provide additional features/options such as turning the light on/off when using it as a night light sensor or a motion sensor, and can be configured to be responsive to an on/off master control or a remote control when configured to have wireless communication capabilities (RF, IR or Bluetooth).
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In a preferred embodiment, lighting device 10 has an arm assembly 30A which has a body 31 which includes therein an extension or extendible member 34 that extends and retracts from body 31 depending on the user's needs. In this example embodiment, base housing 20 of lighting device 10 includes at least one a set of prongs 22 for AC power and in a related embodiment prongs 22 can also be configured to be electrically connected to a charging circuit so as to include a rechargeable battery in housing 20 as a backup power source to provide current to the lighting element. In another embodiment, housing 20 is configured to include batteries that may be disposable for ease of portability and storage of lighting system 10.
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In one example embodiment, there is provided a undercabinet lighting device including a base housing including therein an electrical circuit for providing current to a light element and an actuating member for turning the current on and off. The device further includes an arm extending from the base housing and including a cantilevering portion at a distal end of the arm spaced away from the base housing. Further, a lamp head assembly is included that is coupled to a distal end of the cantilevering portion of the arm, the lamp head assembly including the light element. In one example the arm is of a telescoping configuration to provide extension capabilities.
In another example embodiment, there is provided a lighting assembly including a base housing including therein an electrical circuit for providing current to a light element and an arm extending from the base housing and including a cantilevering portion at a distal end of the arm spaced away from the base housing. The device also includes a lamp head assembly coupled to a distal end of the cantilevering portion of the arm, the lamp head assembly including the light element, with the cantilevering portion being configured to actuate the current on to the light element upon upward movement of the cantilevering portion.
In yet another example embodiment, there is provided a lighting and charging assembly including a base housing including therein an electrical circuit for providing current to a light element and an actuating member for turning the current on and off and an arm extending from the base housing and including a cantilevering portion at a distal end of the arm spaced away from the base housing. The assembly also includes a lamp head and inductive charging assembly coupled to a distal end of the cantilevering portion of the arm, the lamp head assembly including the light element on a bottom portion and an inductive charging pad on a top portion. In one example embodiment, the actuating member includes a four-way switch for four states: a light on only state; an inductive charging pad on only state; both light and inductive charging pad on state and an off state. In related embodiment, the electrical circuit is configured to actuate the light element in a momentary blink mode to indicate an electronic accessory placed on the inductive charging pad is completely charged.
The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,808,289; 8,403,515; 8,820,965; 8,872,435; 10,305,303; and 10,361,580.
While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of US Provisional application entitled UNDERCABINET LIGHTING SYSTEM having Ser. No. 62/724,701 with a filing date of Aug. 30, 2018.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62724701 | Aug 2018 | US |