PRIORITY CLAIMED

|0001 | Applicant claims a priority date to some of the claimed subject matter in US provisional patent application number 61 /337,005 Hied on January 28, 2010. US provisional patent application number 61 /337,005 filed on January 28, 2010 is speci fically incorporated by reference for all disclosed therein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, location of a light source has been limited to locations with an available electrical connection. Examples of these traditional locations are offices, homes, schools, public sidewalks, etc. All of these examples are located where an electrical connection is readily available and attached to a larger electrical grid. Often, people are located at locations where electrical connections are intermittently operating or absent. Examples of non-electrified locations are modest dwellings, camping tents, outdoor gardens, and countless other locations throughout the world. In the past, portable lamps have been developed to illuminate these non- electrified locations. Examples of portable lamps include battery-powered flashlights, battery- powered footpath lights, combustible torches such as candles and gas-powered lanterns, etc.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one embodiment, A solar-powered light bulb including: a housing defining a base- end and an oppositely disposed open-end that is larger than base-end forming an open shell, wherein the open-end forms a circular profile; a lens attached to the housing at the open-end; wherein the housing and the lens form an interior and an exterior; a light emitting device supported by either the housing or the lens and located in the interior; an electrical storage device supported by either the housing or the lens and located in the interior, the electrical storage device electrically interfaced with the light emitting device; at least one solar collector attached to the housing base, in the exterior and electrically interfaced with the electrical storage device; a charging circuit electrically interfaced with the light emitting device, the electrical storage device and the at least one solar collector for controlling power transferred from the at least one solar collector to the light emitting device via the electrical storage device; and, wherein, electrons can travel from the at least one solar collector to the electrical storage system and ultimately to the light emitting device to illuminate a dark location without a grid-based electrical connection.

[0004] In another embodiment, a method of rejuvenating a solar-powered light bulb including: providing the solar-powered light bulb including: a housing defining a base-end and an oppositely disposed open-end that is larger than base-end forming an open shell, wherein the open-end forms a circular profile; a thread formed in the housing open-end; a lens attached to the housing at the open-end; a thread formed in the lens, the lens thread and the housing thread rotatingly engagable; wherein the housing and the lens form an interior and an exterior; a light emitting device supported by either the housing or the lens and located in the interior; an electrical storage device removably located in the interior, the electrical storage device electrically interfaced with the light emitting device; an access door formed in the housing interior, the access door adjacent to the electrical storage device rendering the electrical storage device readily removable relative to the solar-powered light bulb; at least one solar collector attached to the housing base, in the exterior and electrically interfaced with the electrical storage device; a charging circuit electrically interfaced with the light emitting device, the electrical storage device and the at least one solar collector for controlling power transferred from the at least one solar collector to the light emitting device via the electrical storage device; and, wherein, electrons can travel from the at least one solar collector to the electrical storage system and ultimately to the light emitting device to illuminate a dark location without a grid-based electrical connection; and rotating the lens relative to the housing thereby releasing the lens threads from the housing threads; releasing the access door thereby releasing the electrical storage device from the housing interior; removing the electrical storage device from the solar- powered light bulb; providing a replacement electrical storage device; inserting the replacement electrical storage device into the housing interior; closing the access door to secure the replacement electrical storage device; positioning the lens thread adjacent to the housing thread; rotating the lens relative to the housing to engage the lens to the housing; and, wherein, the inserting the replacement electrical storage device thereby rejuvenating the solar-powered light bulb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one example embodiment of a solar-charged light bulb removably supported by a hanger.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the light bulb of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the light bulb of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the light bulb of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the light bulb of FIG. 1 showing an example of an electronics package contained in an interior of the light bulb.

[0010] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the electronics package of FIG. 5 including a light emitting device, an electrical storage device, and a charging circuit.

[0011] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a solar-charged light bulb.

[0012] FIG. 8 is an exploded vide of another alternative embodiment of a solar-charged light bulb.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The problem of repeatedly illuminating a dark location is solved by providing a light bulb having a housing base and housing lens forming s shape that resembles a traditional light bulb. The housing base and lens define an exterior and an interior, the interior containing an electronics package having a light emitting device (e.g. incandescent, florescent or LED), an electrical storage device (e.g. battery), at least one solar collector positioned on said housing base, and a charging circuit electrically interfaced to the light emitting device and the electrical storage device and the solar collector, wherein the solar collector can absorb photons and output electrons to the charging circuit for charging the electrical storage device.

[0014] With reference to FIG. 1 showing an isometric view of one embodiment of a solar charged light bulb 100 removably supported by a hanger 200, the light bulb 100 includes a housing 102 and a lens 104 but generally define the shape of a traditional light bulb. Positioned on the housing 102 is a solar collector 106 for receiving photons and supplying electricity to internal components of the light bulb 100. When the light bulb 100 is supported by the hanger 200 the solar collector 106 is positioned in direct view of a light source such as the sun 107. In this configuration the lens 104 is located between earth 108 and the housing 102.

[0015] With reference to FIG. 2 showing a front elevation view of the light bulb of FIG. 1, the light bulb housing 102 defines a base-end 110 and an oppositely disposed open-end 112 that is larger than base-end 110 forming an open shell 114. The lens 104 is attached to the housing at the open-end 112 such that the housing 102 and the lens 104 form an interior 116 and an exterior 118. The light bulb 100 may further include an electronics assembly 120 supported by either the housing 102 or the lens 104 and is located in the interior 116. The electronics assembly 120 includes a light emitting device 122 and an electrical storage device 124 electrically interfaced with the light emitting device 122 for powering the light emitting device 122. The solar collector 106 attached to the housing 102 in the exterior 118 is electrically interfaced with the electrical storage device 124. The light bulb 100 is further provided with a charging circuit 126 electrically interfaced with the light emitting device 122, the electrical storage device 124 and the solar collector 126 for conditioning and controlling power transferred from the solar collector 106 to the light emitting device 122. This connection enables photons received by the solar collector 106 to be converted to electrons that are stored in the electrical storage system 124 and ultimately delivered to the light emitting device 122 to illuminate a dark location without a grid- based electrical connection.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 3 showing a side elevation view of the light bulb of FIG. 1, the electronics assembly 120 may further include a switch 128 and a photodetector 130. The switch 128 and the photodetector 130 may be interfaced with the electronics assembly 120 (FIG. 2) for controlling illumination depending on environmental conditions (as detected by the

photodetector 130) or manual operation (controlled by the switch 128). The switch 128 and the photodetector 130 may be positioned on the housing 102 with features that protrude into the exterior 118 but generally have components positioned in the interior 116 (FIG. 2). As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the lens 104 may be provided with a hemispherical surface 132. This lens hemispherical surface 132 generally takes the shape of a traditional light bulb for easy identification and indication that this light bulb 100 is provided for illuminating dark areas. The housing 102 may also include a thread 134 formed in the base-end 110. This thread 134 is another indication to the user that this light bulb 100 is provided for illuminating dark spaces. This thread 134 may also be utilized for attaching the present light bulb 100 into a traditional light bulb base (not shown) when the electrical grid is inoperable and not providing electricity to the traditional light bulb base. In other applications, a light bulb base may not be utilized;

instead, a hook 136 may be provided for hanging the light 100 on an object such as the hanger 200 illustrated in FIG. 1. Objects similar to hanger 200 include but are not limited to threaded hooks installed in the ceiling or room, rope suspended across a span, a branch of the tree, or other suitable objects. In one embodiment, the hook 136 may be formed on the end of the base- end 110 and include a frangible feature 138 that enables a user to permanently detach the hook 136 from the base-end 110. This permanent detachment of the hook 136 from the base-end 110 is required if the user would like to use the traditional light bulb fixture.

[0017] With reference to FIG. 4 showing a bottom plan view of the light bulb 100 of FIG. 1, the solar collector 106 may include more than one solar collector. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the solar collector 106 may include six individual solar collectors 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150 that are equally spaced around the housing 102. It should be understood to those skilled in the art that the number of individual solar collectors may be altered as desired, for example two, three, or twelve individual solar collectors may be used.

[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the light bulb 100 of FIG. 1 provided with an example of the electronics assembly 120 contained in the interior 116 of the light bulb 100. This view illustrates an assembly process wherein the housing 102 receives the electrical assembly 120. The electrical assembly 120 is secured by the lens 104 to create a semi- impervious barrier that protects the electrical assembly 120 from dust, humidity, and other environmental contaminates. One configuration that improves this semi-impervious barrier is a circular profile 152 formed in the open end 112. The circular profile 152 is consistent with one embodiment wherein the light bulb 100 represents a traditional light bulb shape. [0019] With reference to FIG. 6 showing an exploded isometric view of the electronics package 120, the light emitting device 122 may include a plurality of traditional light emitting devices such as individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) 154, 156, 158, etc. that are supported by a bracket 160. This bracket 160 may include a battery holder 162 for receiving the electrical storage device 124 such as a size aa rechargeable battery. The bracket 160 may also receive the charging circuit 126. Not shown or a plurality of wires that link various electronics components such as the electrical storage device 124, charging circuit 126, light emitting device 122, switch 128, photodetector 130 and any other electronics required by a specific configuration.

[0020] Having described one example of the light bulb 100, an overview of using the light bulb 100 will now be provided. With reference to FIG. 1, the light bulb 100 is placed in a location where a light source such as the sun 107 can project light onto the solar collector 106. Light received by the solar collector 106 is converted into electricity and stored in the electrical storage device 124. After a sufficient amount of charging, the light bulb 100 may be moved to a dark location such as a windowless room in a dwelling and activated to illuminate the room. During this illumination of the room energy stored in the electrical storage device 124 is transferred to the light emitting device 122. This process can continue repeatedly as desired by the user.

[0021] In one alternative embodiment, the light emitting device 122 comprises five light emitting diodes. In this, or other alternative embodiment, the solar collector 106 includes four solar panels.

[0022] In another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the hook 136 (FIG. 3) may be configured with a pivot ring 170 defining a first end 172 and a second end 174. The pivot ring ends 172, 174 define two individual axis that are collinear. In this alternative embodiment, the housing 102 is provided with a pair of holes 176, 178 for receiving the pivot ring ends 172, 174. This configuration allows for the pivot ring 170 to rotate relative to the housing 102 about the pair of holes 176, 178. This configuration also allows for a reduced volume during shipping and storage of the light bulb 100. In this alternative embodiment, a clip 180 may be provided for joining the light bulb 100 to a structure (e.g. hanger 200) via the clip 180.

[0023] In another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the light bulb 100 may be provided with an access door 190. The access door 190 is adjacent to the electrical storage device 124. The access door 190 may pivot relative to the bracket 160. If provided with the