1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to illumination devices generally, and more particularly, to a device that is capable of illuminating a yard sign and that is adapted to automatically turn on and off at selected time intervals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Real estate brokers, property owners selling their own property, campaigning public officials, and others commonly make use of yard signs. Typically these signs include information associated with the sale of the property (e.g., realtor name, phone number, asking price, etc.) or information associated with a public announcement or election (e.g., candidate name, bond initiative slogan, etc.). Often these signs are placed in residential yards or other high traffic areas such as those disposed along roads or sidewalks. Yard signs of the type described above are low-cost, generally effective devices for conveying information to the public. However, yard signs do possess a few drawbacks. For example, yard signs are relatively small in size and are generally not visible at night.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a device and system for illuminating a yard sign. The device should be efficient, compact such that its does not significantly obscure the information on the sign, weather resistant, and low cost. The device should also be capable of turning on and off automatically at selected time intervals.
The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages by providing a device for illuminating a yard sign that is structured to be removably inserted into the ground. The illuminating device of the present invention uses an efficient beam of light and, in various embodiments, is adapted to cycle on and off. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an illuminating device that comprises a main body portion configured to attach to the yard sign, a control circuit, a power source, at least one arm attached to the main body portion, and a light head disposed proximate an end of the at least one arm, the light head comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) assembly.
Conventional yard signs typically comprise a sign portion and a frame portion that is adapted to support the sign portion. In one embodiment, the main body portion of the illuminating device may be structured to attach to the frame of the yard sign. In another embodiment, the main body portion may be structured to attach to the sign portion of the yard sign. In yet another embodiment, the at least one arm and the light head may be structured such that they do not significantly obscure sign information disposed on the yard sign. In yet another embodiment, the main body portion may attach to the yard sign using snap members, magnets, hook and loop straps, cable ties, fasteners, screws, or other attaching elements.
In other embodiments, the LED assembly may comprise at least one of a high brightness white LED, a blue LED, a red LED, an orange LED, an amber LED, a yellow LED, a green LED, a bi-color LED, a tri-color LED, or any combination thereof. In still other embodiments, the power source may comprise a direct current power source and/or an alternating current power source. Direct current power sources may include, but are not limited to, a battery power source and a solar cell power source. In other embodiments, the illuminating device may further comprise a switch that is adapted to signal the control circuit for activation and deactivation of the LED assembly.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides an illuminating device that comprises a main body portion configured to attach to the sign portion, a control circuit, a power source, at least one arm attached to the main body portion, a photosensor adapted to sense an ambient light level, and a light head disposed proximate an end of the at least one arm. The light head may be adapted to comprise at least one light emitting diode (LED) assembly. Additionally, the control circuit may be structured to automatically cycle the LED assembly on and off in response to a sensed level of ambient light from the photosensor.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides an illuminating device that comprises a main body portion configured to attach to the yard sign, a switch, a control circuit, a power source, at least one arm attached to the main body portion, and a light head disposed proximate an end of the at least one arm, the light head comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) assembly. The control circuit may be configured to automatically cycle the LED assembly on and off when activated by the switch. In another embodiment, the illuminating device may further include a removable cap attached to a first end of the main body portion, and a rotatable user interface portion located at a second end of the main body portion. In one embodiment, the rotatable user interface portion may be generally integral to the main body portion and the rotatable user interface portion may engage the switch thereby activating the control circuit to automatically cycle the LED assembly on and off.
In another embodiment, the at least one arm may include a first end that is generally fixed adjacent the main body portion and a second end that is adapted to support a light head and is generally movable away from the main body portion. In yet another embodiment, two positionable arms may be affixed to the main body portion and configured to illuminate opposing sides of the sign portion of the yard sign. In yet another embodiment, the at least one arm may be disposed in at least an operating position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the at least one arm may be aligned along the length of the main body portion. In another embodiment, the at least one arm may also be configured to lock into position when in the operating position. In yet another embodiment, the main body portion may possess a generally cylindrical shape and the at least one battery and the control circuit may be at least partially enclosed within the main body portion.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
As noted above, simple yard signs of the type depicted may be structured to include horizontally extending foot-pushes that are disposed along the legs of a yard sign to assist a user in driving the legs into the ground.
Various light-weight illumination device embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for attachment to the simple “staked” yard signs 110 depicted in
Illuminating devices structured according to various embodiments of the present invention may also be adapted for attachment to relatively stronger, more-durable, yard signs of the type depicted in
As noted above, yard signs of the types depicted in
Although depicted generally as a cylinder, the main body portion 22 may be structured in any shape and may be constructed out of any material that is sufficient to support the at least one arm 24 and that is capable of protecting the internal components (e.g., batteries, circuit boards and associated electrical connections) of the illuminating device 20 from rain, dust, dirt, and other environmental elements. Illumination devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may also be constructed from materials selected based upon their ability to withstand outdoor temperatures ranging generally between approximately −18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) and approximately 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit). Finally, materials used to produce illumination devices structured according to various embodiments of the present invention may be selected to ensure that the device has a light-weight and durable construction.
Illumination devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention also include an attachment portion 36 extending from the main body portion 22 for coupling the illumination device to a yard sign 10. In the depicted embodiment, the attachment portion 36 comprises opposed first and second snap members that are adapted to snap onto opposite sides of the frame 12 or other portion of the yard sign 10 as shown in
As noted above, the main body portion 22 may be attached to any portion of the yard sign including, but not limited to, the sign portion 14 or the frame 12. Also, although the illumination device embodiments depicted in
Referring again to
The depicted illuminating device 20 includes a rotatable user interface portion 31 located at a second end of the main body portion 22 that is structured to engage a switch 30. In the depicted embodiment, the user interface portion 31 is a cap apparatus that may be rotated by a user to close electrical contacts thereby engaging the switch 30. Although in the depicted embodiment, the switch 30 is mechanically engaged by the user interface portion 31, which is generally integral to the main body portion 22, in various other embodiments, the switch 30 may be engaged remotely or wirelessly by a command signal.
In the depicted embodiment, the shape and material of the rotatable cap 32 and the user interface portion 31 are similar to the shape and material of the main body portion 22, namely, they are generally cylindrical and constructed of a polymer such as ABS. However, in alternate embodiments, the rotatable cap 32 and the user interface portion 31 may be of any shape and constructed of any material or materials that, together with the main body portion, are capable of protecting the internal components of the illuminating device 20 from elements encountered in an outdoor environment.
The depicted illumination device 20 includes two positionable arms 24 extending from the main body portion 22. The positionable arms 24 define a first end 23 that is generally fixed adjacent the main body portion 22 and a second end 25 that is generally movable away from the main body portion 22 as shown in
The depicted arms 24 are structured in a compact arrangement such that the LED assemblies 28 are positionable to illuminate a yard sign and yet do not significantly obscure a viewer's ability to read the sign. This is advantageously accomplished through the use of a small and efficient LED light source. In the depicted embodiment, each LED assembly 28 comprises a pair of high brightness white LEDs. However, LED assemblies 28 structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may comprise any other type of LEDs including, but not limited to, blue LEDs, red LEDs, orange LEDs, amber LEDs, yellow LEDs, green LEDs, and/or bi- or tri-color LEDs. LED assemblies 28 structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention need not be limited to having two LEDs. Rather, such LED assemblies 28 may have a single LED or an array of LEDs comprising greater than two LEDs.
In one embodiment, the light heads 26 are sized large enough to support the LED assembly while remaining small enough to prevent undue obstruction of the sign. For example, in one embodiment, a light head supporting two LEDs may define a light head diameter between 0.75 and 1.25 inches, preferably approximately 1 inch. In another embodiment, a light head supporting one LED may define a light head diameter between 0.25 and 0.75 inches, preferably approximately 0.5 inches. In still another embodiment, a light head supporting three LEDs may define a light head diameter between 1.25 and 1.75 inches, preferably 1.5 inches. Larger light diameters may be used to correspond with light heads having a greater number of LEDs. Additionally, as LED technology is improved and LEDs get smaller and more efficient, the diameter of the light heads set forth above may be reduced accordingly as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The relatively compact design principles noted above are not necessary limited to the design of the light heads. Illumination devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may define a length L as shown in
In the depicted embodiment, the power source 33 is a direct current power source provided in the form of one or more batteries 34. The batteries 34 of the depicted embodiment include four standard D cell alkaline batteries that are provided to power the depicted illumination device for approximately thirty days of operation (four hours per day). More or fewer batteries and batteries of differing sizes may be used depending upon size and power specifications of a given application as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, multiple other power sources may be used including direct current, alternating current, or combinations of the two, and such differing power sources may provide any duration of operation that is suitable for a particular application. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, direct current power sources may include, but are not limited to, battery power sources and solar cell power sources such as photovoltaic power sources. Alternating current power sources may include a power cord that is electrically coupled to a home power outlet.
The depicted illumination device is structured such that the batteries 34 may be inserted into the main body portion 22 of the illuminating device 20 by removing the removable cap 32 and inserting the batteries serially as shown. Illumination devices structured in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are preferably designed such that insertion of the batteries 34, even in an incorrect orientation, will not damage the circuit board 38. In the depicted embodiment, the switch 30, the circuit board 38, and the power source 33 electrically communicate through wired connections, however in various other embodiments the electrical communication may be accomplished in other ways, such as, for example, through direct or wireless communications.
In one embodiment, the control circuit 39 includes logic for engaging the LED assemblies 28 on a timed interval or illumination cycle. In various embodiments, the control circuit 39 may include a processor, CPU, chip, or other similar logic employing element (not shown). In one embodiment, the illumination cycle comprises four hours of illumination and twenty hours of non-illumination. Other illumination and non-illumination intervals may be used. The illumination cycle may repeat continuously as long as sufficient power is supplied by the power source 33 and unless deactivated by a user.
The control circuit 37 may be activated in a variety of ways other than the depicted user engaged switch 30. For example, in various embodiments, the control circuit may be engaged or disengaged (i.e., deactivated) using rocker switches, push button switches, remote wireless switches, and the like. In still other embodiments, engagement of the LED assemblies may be tied to the presence or absence of ambient light. For example, in one embodiment, an illumination device may include a photo sensor (not shown) that is adapted to provide a lit/unlit status signal in response to a sensed level of ambient light. If ambient light below a selected level is sensed, an unlit status signal may be sent to the control circuit thereby engaging the LED assemblies to operate. If the sensed ambient light is above the selected level, then a lit status signal may be sent to the control circuit, which thereby controls the LED assemblies to remain off.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/757,654, filed Jan. 10, 2006, which is entitled “Automatic Yard Sign Illuminating Device” and is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60757654 | Jan 2006 | US |