Landscape Light
A landscape light including a light source producing a light, a pattern assembly including at least one pattern generator secured in a path of the light such that the light passing through the at least one pattern generator is projected onto a surface in a pattern defined by the at least one pattern generator, and an articulation assembly configured to articulate the light on the surface onto which the light is being projected.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/280,315, filed on Sep. 29, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/142,789, filed on Apr. 29, 2016, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/801,458, filed on Jul. 16, 2015, which claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/025,344, filed on Jul. 16, 2014. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELDThe present invention relates generally to lighting devices, and more particularly to an improved landscape lighting apparatus.
BACKGROUNDU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,641,345 and 8,057,045 to Johnson describes a projection apparatus for generating a moving star field and a cloud-like effect comprises a means for generating a cloud-like effect using at least one non-coherent light source, a means for generating a moving star field using at least one coherent light source and a means for regulating and supplying electric power. The means for generating cloud-like effect using at least one non-coherent light source comprises at least one pair of condenser lenses and an interferential filter wheel rotated by a motor, disposed between at least one pair of condenser lenses. The means for generating the moving star field using a coherent light source comprises a grating wheel rotated by a motor and a diffractive optical element disposed between the at least one coherent light source and the grating wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,537 to Johnson describes a laser landscape lighting apparatus for use in accent lighting applications for landscapes and outdoor venues. In one embodiment, the laser landscape lighting apparatus includes a coherent light source in combination with a diffractive optical element and optionally a diffraction grating wheel. The diffractive optical element may be, for example, a holographic optical element. In some embodiments, the laser landscape lighting apparatus includes a temperature-controlled integral derivative system. In one application, the laser landscape lighting apparatus may project a static or movable star field.
SUMMARYEmbodiment of the present invention can provide a landscape light. The landscape light can include a light source producing a light, a pattern assembly including at least one pattern generator secured in a path of the light such that the light passing through the at least one pattern generator is projected onto a surface in a pattern defined by the at least one pattern generator, and an articulation assembly configured to articulate the light on the surface onto which the light is being projected. The landscape light can include a second light source producing a second light. The second light can pass through the at least one pattern generator such that the second light is projected onto the surface in the pattern defined by the at least one pattern generator, and the articulation assembly can be further configured to articulate the second light on the surface onto which the second light is being projected.
According to certain exemplary embodiments, the landscape light can include a spotlight producing a background light such that the light is projected substantially within the background light produced by the spotlight. The landscape light can also include a light effect assembly configured to produce at least one visual effect using the light. The visual effect can include at least one of a flashing effect, a pulsing effect, and a strobing effect.
According to other exemplary embodiments, the landscape light can include a wireless control module configured to provide wireless control of the landscape light, a timer configured to enable control of the landscape light based on operation of the timer, a speaker, and/or a motion sensor configured to enable control of the landscape light based on motion detected by the motion sensor.
According to other exemplary embodiments, the at least one pattern generator can include a plurality of pattern generators, each of the plurality of pattern generators defining a different pattern. Further, the pattern assembly can be further configured to enable positioning any of the plurality of pattern generators in the path of the light.
The features and advantages of the present invention can be more readily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a landscape light. Specifically, certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide various new and novel features for a landscape light, such as a landscape light having laser light sources. Landscape lights according to embodiments of the present invention can, for example, be used as interior or exterior festive and/or decorative lighting in connection with holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, etc. Additionally, the landscape lights according to embodiments of the present invention may be used in place of other traditional decorative lighting, such as string lights, etc. Although the embodiments of the present invention are primarily described with respect to a landscape light, it is not limited thereto, and it should be noted that the exemplary apparatus and systems described herein may be used in connection with any lighting apparatus
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, in operation, landscape light 10 can project light produced by light sources 14 and 16 onto a target surface. For example, light produced by light sources 14 and 16 may be manipulated or conditioned by lenses 14a and 16a and be projected onto a target surface, such as a wall or other structure. In an embodiment where lenses 14a and 16a include diffractive elements configured to disperse the light generated by light sources 14 and 16, landscape light may project a plurality of discrete points of light onto the target surface. Landscape light 10 may also include various modes of operation. For example, landscape light 10 may include mode where the lights produced by light sources 14 and 16 can be flashed, strobed, or pulsed at predetermined, or randomized intervals. This may be performed by modulating the power delivered to light sources 14 and 16 in accordance with the desired flashing, pulsing, or strobing pattern. Additionally, landscape light 10 may also a visual effect assembly, which can produce various visual effects using the lights produced by light sources 14 and 16. For example, visual effect assembly may be configured to produce a shimmering effect of the light, a movement of the light across the target surface, a “raining” effect of the light, etc. Visual effect assembly may also be configured to produce the flashing, pulsing, or strobing pattern of the light in addition to or in place of any power modulation techniques utilized to achieve these effects.
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Additionally, landscape light 10 can include a wireless remote control 30 that can enable wireless operation of landscape light 10. For example, landscape light 10 can include a wireless transmitter/receiver, which can wirelessly communicate with a remote control 30 to enable wireless operation of landscape light 10. For example, the wireless transmitter/receiver can employ radio frequency (“RF”), Bluetooth, and/or WiFi technology to facilitate wireless communication between landscape light 10 and remote control 30. According to certain embodiments, landscape light 10 can be wirelessly operated via remote control 30. For example, remote control 30 can control powering landscape light 10 ON and/or OFF, changing the operation of light sources 14 and 16 (e.g., choosing between having one of light source 14 or 16 in an ON condition or having both light sources 14 and 16 in an ON condition), controlling a visual effect setting (e.g., flashing, movement, shimmering, strobing, etc.), controlling a timer setting, etc. Further remote control 30 can indicate and display the current operating status of landscape light 10 (e.g., whether or not landscape light 10 is ON or OFF and/or the mode of operation). According to certain embodiments, remote control 30 can be implemented via an app on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, or via a web-based application on a computer.
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According to embodiments of the present invention, landscape light 10 can include various other features. For example, landscape light 10 can include a motion sensor to control operation of the light when motion is detected. Additionally, landscape light 10 can include a memory, which can facilitate programming various operating modes of landscape light 10. This programming can be performed via remote control 30. Landscape light 10 can further include a speaker, and music and audio can be stored on the memory, which can be played via the speaker. For example, landscape light can include holiday music, scary Halloween sounds, Christmas carols, etc. Further, the lights of landscape light 10 can be choreographed to the audio being played. Additionally, landscape light 10 can include a solar power module, enabling landscape light 10 to be powered by solar energy.
The embodiments and examples shown above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted with each other within the scope of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A landscape light comprising:
- a light source producing a light;
- a pattern assembly including at least one pattern generator secured in a path of the light such that the light passing through the at least one pattern generator is projected onto a surface in a pattern defined by the at least one pattern generator; and
- an articulation assembly configured to articulate the light on the surface onto which the light is being projected.
2. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a second light source producing a second light.
3. The landscape light of claim 2, wherein the second light passes through the at least one pattern generator such that the second light is projected onto the surface in the pattern defined by the at least one pattern generator.
4. The landscape light of claim 2, wherein the articulation assembly is further configured to articulate the second light on the surface onto which the second light is being projected.
5. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a spotlight producing a background light such that the light is projected substantially within the background light produced by the spotlight.
6. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a light effect assembly configured to produce at least one visual effect using the light.
7. The landscape light of claim 6, wherein the visual effect includes at least one of a flashing effect, a pulsing effect, and a strobing effect.
8. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a wireless control module configured to provide wireless control of the landscape light.
9. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a timer, the timer configured to enable control of the landscape light based on operation of the timer.
10. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a speaker.
11. The landscape light of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor, the motion sensor configured to enable control of the landscape light based on motion detected by the motion sensor.
12. The landscape light of claim 1, wherein the at least one pattern generator includes a plurality of pattern generators, each of the plurality of pattern generators defining a different pattern.
13. The landscape light of claim 12, wherein the pattern assembly is further configured to enable positioning any of the plurality of pattern generators in the path of the light.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 15, 2018
Publication Date: Jul 19, 2018
Inventor: Lou LENTINE (Chattanooga, TN)
Application Number: 15/871,894