Illumination – With liquid container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-21
2001-06-19
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With liquid container
C362S294000, C043S017500, C441S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247827
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a floatable lighting assembly and, in particular, to a lighting assembly powered by a remote power source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various lighting assemblies have been constructed for use in water. Floatable lighting assemblies are often used for providing a warning to boats and for attracting fish for fishing. In both cases the lighting assembly is typically made from a body comprised substantially of a buoyant material. Electrical wiring from a power source such as a battery enters the top or side of the lighting assembly. These designs avoid exposing the electrical connection between the lighting assembly and the wiring to water and generally avoid submerging the electrical wiring in the water.
One example of a floatable lighting assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,955. This lighting assembly employs a body formed of foamed polyurethane for providing it with buoyancy. The contact portion of the lamp is enclosed in the body and isolated from wetness. Electrical wiring enters the top of the lighting assembly.
One problem encountered with prior art floatable lighting fixtures is the heat generated by the lighting elements during use. Floatable light fixtures typically include the use of plastic components in its assembly. The plastic components exposed to excessive heat from the lighting elements can melt or burst into flames causing structural integrity of the fixture to fail. As a result, it is possible that water may come in contact with the electrical connections within the fixture creating a very hazardous and dangerous situation.
Another problem with floatable lighting fixtures is encountered during the removal or positioning of the fixture in water. Typically, these fixtures are removed from the water or repositioned in the water by pulling on the electrical cord. This creates considerable stresses to the point of attachment with the lighting fixture. As such, it has been determined that the electrical cord can become detached during repeated use.
The present invention is directed to an improved floatable lighting fixture that is simple, economical, and safe to use. The present invention reduces the hazards of using an electrical device in water. The inventive floatable light fixture employs a heat shield that dissipates the heat generated from the lighting elements during use. The electrical cord contains a looped strain relief member that prevents the electrical contacts from being detached during use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, the present invention is directed to an improved floatable lighting assembly comprising a base that includes a central concave wall that can face a liquid surface and a peripheral portion extending around the concave wall. A shell is constructed so as to extend from the peripheral portion to form a chamber around the concave wall that provides the lighting assembly with buoyancy. A lamp has a lower light-emitting portion and an electrical contact portion that is disposed in an interior region formed by the concave wall. Electrical wire is electrically connected to the contact portion of the lamp. Structure of the base directs the electrical wire from a lower portion of the base into the liquid.
More specifically, the peripheral portion is generally U-shaped in section. The shell is connected to the base as a separate member. A retaining ring is disposed around the light-emitting portion of the lamp and fastened to the base and an O-ring is disposed between the retaining ring and the lamp. A strain relief member is carried by the retaining ring. The peripheral portion of the base has a generally circular shape and the shell is generally dome shaped. The base and the shell are preferably formed of nonmetallic material. The shell and base may cooperate to form interlocking surfaces between which a water-resistant material is disposed. As a result of the interlocking joint and water-resistant material, the chamber is preferably water-tight and occupied by substantially only air for providing the lighting assembly with buoyancy. An electrically insulating, water submersible casing is disposed around a portion of the electrical wire that extends in the water. A low voltage transformer is electrically connected to the electrical wire.
A preferred embodiment of the floatable lighting assembly of the invention comprises the base including a central concave wall that can face the liquid surface and the peripheral portion extending around the concave wall. The peripheral portion is generally U-shaped in section. The shell is constructed so as to extend from the peripheral portion to form a water-tight chamber around the concave wall, the chamber being occupied by substantially only air to provide the lighting assembly with buoyancy. The lamp is fastened to the base, the lamp including the lower light-emitting portion and having the electrical contact portion disposed in the interior region formed by the concave wall. A heat shield is disposed between the shell and the lamp. Preferably, the heat shield is disposed between the concave wall of the base and electrical contact portion of the lamp. The heat shield is comprised of a heat resistant material, such as aluminum. The electrical wire is electrically connected to the contact portion of the lamp. A passageway is constructed and arranged in the base for directing the electrical wire from a lower portion of the base into the liquid.
The floatable lighting assembly offers numerous advantages in design, safety and reliability. The present invention need not include a buoyant material in the chamber, but rather can utilize air to provide the lighting assembly with buoyancy, which reduces the cost of fabrication. The lighting assembly may employ a separate shell and base, which are bonded together to make the chamber water-tight. The foregoing features enable the lighting assembly to be fabricated easily and cost effectively by injection molding.
Using the low voltage transformer and the insulative casing around the wire provides the lighting assembly with safety and reliability. Because of the low voltage to which the lamp is exposed, the interior region that is formed by the concave wall need not be completely sealed from water. The passageway into the interior region need not be sealed and enables the lighting assembly to operate effectively and reliably even when there is wetness in the interior region. Finally, the electrical wire, being directed from the lower portion of the lighting assembly into the water, is less conspicuous to the observer. In addition, the wire is protected from entanglement and from damage by being disposed under the water.
Many additional features, advantages and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had from the accompanying drawings and the detailed description that follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3464139 (1969-09-01), Eggers
patent: 3617733 (1971-11-01), Adams
patent: 3833955 (1974-09-01), Hulbert, Jr.
patent: 3893201 (1975-07-01), Mallory
patent: 4280173 (1981-07-01), Bradley et al.
patent: 4553194 (1985-11-01), Bailey
patent: 5133145 (1992-07-01), McDonald
patent: 5184414 (1993-02-01), Downs
patent: 5651209 (1997-07-01), Rainey
patent: 6030264 (2000-02-01), Carter
Husar Stephen
The L.D. Kichler Co.
Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke Co. L.P.A.
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