CONVENTIONAL SOURCE OF ILLUMINATION ENERGY CAPTURING AND RE-USING

DEVICE

(2) BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

An increase in mains power supply cuts is causing the public to invest in backup lighting devices that give some extent of backup Illumination during times of power cuts. The backup lighting is inevitably required at the location of a loss of illumination from a mains connected primary source of illumination. Presently used rechargeable backup devices have the disadvantage that they can normally only give fairly weak illumination during a period of power cut. A further drawback is found in a failure to periodically ensure that the power supply of such backup devices is properly charged. It is an object of this invention to. amongst others, address the above situation.

(3) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to illuminating equipment in the form of a conventional source of illumination energy capturing and re-using device. While the invention is of particular application; in serving a backup function In the case of a power cut it is naturally not so limited while even being removable from its location of operative positioning and used as independent source of rechargabie illumination.

(4) PRIOR ART DESCRIPTION

Solar charged illuminating devices presently known to the inventor are in the form of lamps or hand held torches that are equipped with separate solar paneling or with paneling attached to the device. Charging requires such devices to be extensively exposed to sunlight for a proper recharge, it this is regularly done such devices can properly perform their functions. But if not done, which is often the case, such devices are often of little use.

(5) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The Invention is now described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of illuminating equipment in the form of a conventional source of illumination energy capturing and re-using device in three dimensional view,

Figure 2 diagrammatical!y shows the device of figure 1 in internal circuitry exposing end view,

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the device in three dimensional view,

Figure 4 shows the device of figure 3 in end view along arrow A in figure 3,

Figure 5 shows a variation of the device of figures 3 and 4,

Figure 6 shows a variation to the device of figure 5, as mounted for operative use,

Figure 7 diagrammatically shows typical circuitry forming part of the device,

Figure 8 shows the device of figures 1 and 2 as mounted for operative use though excluding any mounting formations,

Figure 9 shows the device of figures 3 and 4 as mounted for operative use, and

Figure 10 in partly cut away side elevation shows the device of figure 5 as mounted for operative use.

(6) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring to the drawings illuminating equipment in the form of a conventional source of illumination energy capturing and re-using device is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The device 10 comprises low energy consuming illuminating means in the form of an array of light emitting diodes (LED's) 12, an Illuminating means carrier in the form of a circumferentially extending sleeve type formation 14 that defines a primary source of illumination enclosing zone 16 extending linearly about the central axis 18 of the formation 14 between opposite opened up ends 20 in causing the device to be arranged to be operatyvely beatable via the formation 14, and carrier fitted energy supply circuitry 22 along which the array of LED's 12 is interspaced anid which includes a light sensitive energy source In the form of a solar cell layout 24 bordering at least part of the zone 16 and an energy storage In the form of a re-chargable battery 26 from which the array of LED's 12 is powerabie. To serve an illuminating function the array of LED's 12 is situated along a non primary source of illumination enclosing zone facing surface as discussed below in relation to various

embodiments of the device 10. The device 10 is operatively locatable against undesired release by amongst others being gravitationally so held along a linearly mounted primary source of 5 illumination, by its snug fitting there onto or by being securable to location of mounting of a

primary source of illumination as discussed below in relation to the various embodiments of the invention if not by a combination of such techniques,In whichever way located once in use the device 10 only encloses part of a primary source of illumination in conjunction with which it is used and only to the extent of enabling the effective charging of the battery 26 without in

10 essence limiting the ability of such primary source of illumination to perform its illuminating

function.

To limit direct contact between the solar cell layout 22 and a primary source of illumination once the device 10 is operatively fitted the formation 14 is formed with a spacing formation layout in the form of inwardly extetnding end flanges 28 situated at its opposite ends.

15 In referring to figures 1 to 4 and in one embodiment the device 10 is constituted to be

operatively locatable against undesired release from a horizontally mounted primary source of illumination by at least fitting it against gravitation invoked displacement there from.

In referring to figures 1 and 2 and in the case of the device 10 being employable in conjunction with a primary source of illumination in the form of a horizontally mounted linear fluorescent tub e

20 the diameters of the opposite opened up ends 20 of the formation 14 are selected to snugly though slidably accommodate such tube of which a section passes along the formation 14 ones the device 10 is fitted for use. Mounting onto a horizontally extending primary source of illumination maintains the device 10 against gravitation invoked displacement. While a snug fit j may be desirable it is not essential as the device 10 can simply hang onto such tube. Non-exact

25 horizontality is accommodated for by the frictional effect between the formation 14 and such tube. In being overhead mounted the array of LED's 12 is situated along the outside surface 14.1 of the formation 14 In thus being situated along a non-primary source of Illumination location facing surface of the equipment. Typically the LED's are embedded info a LED carrying panel 30. in referring to figures 3 and 4 and in the case of being employable in conjunction with a bulb type source of primary illumination that extends from a single location of mounting, in addition to fitting against graviiationaiiy invoked displacement, release of the device 10 from such bulb is also attained by its locked fitting behind the bulbous leading end of such bulb and consequently along its inner end in relation to the position of mounting of such bulb preventing the s!idable release of the device 10 there from. A primary source of illumination that extends horizontally ¹ from a location of mounting Is generally wall mounted. While the array of LED's 12 can still extend along the outer surface 14.1 of the formation 14 a more useful position is along Its leading end edge 32 as thus remote from the location of mounting of the primary source of illumination. Depending on the available power the array of LED's 12 can even be found along both the leading end edge and the outer surface of the formation 14. The bulb type source of primary Illumination is often in the form of a bulb enclosing compact fluorescent tube device.

In the case of a single end electrical mounted primary source of Illumination of lesser overall diameter than that of the cross sectional area of the zone 16, typically such as a compact single end mountable fluorescent tube (CFL), that is horizontally and thus often wail mounted, the device 10 can in use simply be hung along the Inner end of such tube in Its vicinity of mounting; This however involves the danger that the device 10 can easily slide from the leading end of such tube. To limit such possibility while referring to figure 5 the aperture 34 though the Inner end flange 28.1 of the formation 14 is selected to be of a diameter that promotes snug

engagement of device 10 via its flange 28.1 onto the conventionally diametered spigot of such a tube. Device location against its release from a primary source of illumination of the above kind will naturally be effective in whichever way such source of illumination is mounted while a CFL or similar device will extend along the axis 18 of the formation 14 once fitted for use. The aperture 34 can even be selected and the formation 14 arranged to enable engagement of the Inner end of the formation 14 to a conventional lampshade securing location as found on the mounting of a single end mounted primary source of illumination.

As a final embodiment and referring to figure 6 the array of LED's 12 can be mounted within a recessed zone 36 along the formation 10. It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are simply variations of the primary inventive concept of the energy capturing and: re-using backup device 10. In referring to figures 2 and 7 the circuitry 22 of the device 10 includes a controller board 38 along which the solar cell layout 24, the battery 26 and the array of LED's 12 are interspaced to cause the activation of the array of LED's once so switched and once the battery 26 is

adequately charged. The circuitry 22 incorporates a switching layout 40 by means of which either direct or remote activation or even bypass can be selected, in practice the most useful form of switching of the LED's is be by way of commonly used hand held remote switching device (not shown).

in use and referring to figure 8 to 10 the device 10 is thus simply positioned against undesired release in relation to a compatible primary source of Illumination and against gravitation Invoked displacement being so held or by way of a snug fit or by being snugly held onto the spigot of and single end connecting source of illumination or even to Its location of mounting.

In referring to figure 8 the device 10 is held against gravitational release in response to a snug sliding engagement along a linearly extending fluorescent tube 42. This Is achieved by simply disengaging the tube 42 from its socket at one end and sliding the device 10 there onto. The device 10 only occupies a short length along the tube 42 leaving the balance to perform Its primary illuminating function once required. Once the tube 42 is thus activated the batteries 28 are charged via the solar cells 24 leaving the former available to energize the array of LED's 12 once the latter is activated.

In referring to figure 9 the device is mounted to a single location of mounting of a primary source of Illumination in the form of a bulb type illuminating facility 44 and held against gravitationaliy Invoked release as supplemented by the iockab!e holding of device 10 behind the bulbous part 46 of the facility 44 In relation to its location of mounting. Even if the facility 44 is vertically mounted the locking effect of the bulb will still counteract any tendency towards undesired release of the device 10 once fitted for use. As the bulbous part 46 of the facility project forward!y beyond the device 10 the illuminating ability of the facility 44 is not in essence detrimentally affected.

in finally referring to figure 10 the device 10 as mounted to a single location of mounting primary: source of illumination in the form of a convoluted compact fluorescent tube 48 (CFL) that Is thus; of lesser diameter than the cross section of the zone16 the device 10 can simply be hung onto the inner part of the tube 48 when fitted to extend horizontally. A more useful positioning Is to form the diameter of the aperture 34 of the Inner end the flange 28.1 to march that of the contact engaging spigot 50 of the tube 48 causing a secure fitting of the device 10 onto the tube 48. Such way of engagement will be equally effective whether the tube 48 is mounted to extend horizontally or vertically. While not shown a further variation of snug fitting by way of matching apertures is to form the device 10 so that its inner aperture 34 can fit onto and engage with a lampshade securing location as found on the mounting of a single end mounted primary source of iliumination (not shown). Again the illuminating ability of the facility CFL is not in detrimentally affected.

A possible configuration of components Is often In the form of 20 to 25 mini LED's making up the array 12 in conjunction with a single AA 600 mAh ΝI-MH battery as chargabie by a 0.4 watt solar panel although not whatsoever so limited. The device 10 is further mainly for use in conjunction with CFL and LED type primary sources of Illumination.

it is an advantage of the invention at least as specifically described that a source of backup Iliumination Is available at all times at the location of a specific primary source of illumination without effectively limiting its primary illumination ability while becoming automatically charges during conventional use of such primary source of illumination.