AU2005200033B2

AU2005200033B2 - Light Emitting Base

Info

Publication number: AU2005200033B2
Application number: AU2005200033A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Duncan James Macdonald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-07
Filing date: 2005-01-06
Publication date: 2010-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2025-01-06
Also published as: AU2005200033A1

Description

LIGHT EMITTING BASE The present invention relates to stands for the placement and display of objects and, more particularly to stands forming a base adapted to illuminate an object placed 5 upon it. BACKGROUND For many people it is desirable to have available at the bedside during the night a glass of water. Groping for 10 such a glass in the dark is a hit and miss affair since the glass is rarely in precisely the same place. Yet to turn on a light just for this purpose is uncomfortable at least, since bedside lights usually are sufficiently bright for reading and other fully awake activities. Yet again when the 15 need arises during the night to visit the bathroom, turning on the light is similarly unpleasant. It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or to offer a useful alternative. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided a base adapted for the support of a container; said base comprising a support structure and a transparent 25 supporting surface for said container; said base further including at least one light emitting source mounted below said surface and adapted to illuminate said container, and wherein switching from a first non-emitting state to a second light emitting state of said at least one light emitting source is effected by means of a touch-sensitive 5 circuit located in said base; said touch-sensitive circuit responsive to the touch of the fingers of a user. Preferably, said support structure comprises a base portion and a perimeter frame adapted to retain said transparent 10 supporting surface at a raised level within said base portion. Preferably, said perimeter frame supports a central portion adapted to support said transparent supporting surface at 15 said raised level, Preferably, said support structure is of metal. Preferably, said transparent supporting structure is a sheet 20 of glass. Preferably, said transparent supporting surface is a sheet of transparent polymeric material. 25 Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is a neon light.

Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is a strip light. 5 Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is one of a plurality of light emitting sources. Preferably, said plurality of light emitting sources are light emitting diodes. 10 Preferably, said plurality of light emitting sources are the light emitting ends of fiber-optic cables. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is 15 arranged on a printed circuit board in a predetermined pattern. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is arranged to project light through holes provided through 20 said central support portion. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is of one colour. 25 Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is of a mixture of colours.

-. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is switched between a first non-emitting state and a second light emitting state. 5 Preferably, said second light emitting state can be varied in intensity of light emitted. Preferably, intensity of light emitted is varied 10 incrementally by repeated operation of said touch sensitive circuit. Preferably, selected ones of said plurality of light emitting sources are arranged to sequentially alternate 15 between said first non-emitting state and said second emitting state under control of a pre-programmed logic circuit. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is 20 powered from a mains electricity supply circuit. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is powered from a battery power source. 25 Preferably, said base includes a solar cell adapted to the charging of said battery power source.

Preferably, said solar cell is incorporated as a substrate layer to said transparent supporting surface; said substrate layer provided with holes for the projection of light from 5 said light emitting sources therethrough. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is powered from a USB port of a computer. 10 Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for the illumination of a container; said method including the steps of; (a) providing a base adapted to the support of said container, 15 (b) arranging said base so as to have a transparent supporting surface, (c) providing at least one light emitting source to project light through said transparent supporting surface, 20 and wherein switching of said at least one light emitting source from a first non-emitting state to a second emitting state is effected by a touch sensitive circuit in said base; said touch sensitive circuit responsive to the touch of the fingers of a user.

Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is a plurality of light emitting diodes. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is a 5 plurality of light emitting ends of fiber-optic cables. Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is a neon light. 10 Preferably, said at least one light emitting source is a strip light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be 15 described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a light emitting base supporting a transparent container. 20 Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the light emitting base of figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a further preferred embodiment of a light emitting base supporting a transparent container.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention when adapted for power supplied from a USB port of a computer. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a first preferred embodiment of a light emitting base 10 for the support of an at least partially transparent container 11 according to the invention and as shown in figures 1 and 2, a support structure 12 is shaped so as to 10 form a base portion 13 comprising a perimeter frame 14 with a raised central support portion 15. Support structure 12 may have any convenient shape such as circular as shown in figure 1 or square or hexagonal for example. Support structure 12 may be formed from any suitable 15 material, such as from pressed metal including for example stainless steel and aluminium, or may be injection moulded from a suitable polymeric material. Preferably base portion 13 is provided with a non-marking and non-slip layer of material 16 on the underside 17 of base portion 13 as shown 20 in figure 2. Base portion 13 may further be provided with a layer of dense material (not shown) to add weight and stability to the base. Central support portion 15 is adapted to support a sheet of transparent material 18 such as glass or of a 25 polymeric material. Supported within base portion 13 and below central support portion 15 as may be seen in figure 2, is an electronic circuit board 19 provided with a plurality of upwardly projecting light sources 20 arranged in a predetermined pattern. Light sources 20 are preferably light emitting diodes but may comprise any substantially point 5 like light sources and could for example include the light emitting ends of fiber optic cables drawing light from a central light source. In an alternative form broader light sources such as miniature neon lights can be used. In a further form strip lighting can be utilized. 10 Central support portion 15 is provided with a plurality of holes 21 coincident with the pattern of light sources and adapted to receive them so as to bring their upper surfaces approximately flush with the upper surface of central support portion 15. Light emitting sources may be set in any 15 desired pattern and may for example include a pattern of concentric rings of sources. In at least one preferred form of the invention a decorative layer of material (not shown) such as for example an embossed or patterned metallic foil, may be interposed 20 between the upper surface of central support portion 15 and the underside of transparent material 18. This decorative material if installed is provided with a matching pattern of holes to that pattern of the holes provided in central support portion 15. 25 In this first preferred embodiment, light sources 20 receive power from the mains power circuit via a transformer 22 such as a plug-in transformer typically used for small, low-powered appliances. Power switching is effected by an on/off switch 23 which may either be located interposed at some convenient location along the length of power supply 5 lead 24 as shown in figure 1 or mounted within frame 14 as shown in figure 2. Alternatively, a light-sensitive switch may be incorporated in the control circuit, so that power is switched on to the light sources whenever the location of the base is sufficiently darkened. 10 In at least one preferred embodiment support structure 12 when formed of a conductive material is provided with a touch sensitive circuit so as to react to the touch of the fingers to trigger the cycling of the power circuit incorporated in the base portion between a power "off" state 15 and a power "on" state, Such cycling may incorporate intermediate light intensity levels such that a first touch for example switches the light sources from the power off state to a first low level of intensity, a second touch to a next higher level and so forth with continuing touches 20 reducing the level of intensity in a reverse sequence from a maximum back to power off. Such touch sensitive control circuits are well known in the lighting industry. Where individual light sources such as diodes are used, all may be switched to the same state, that is, either on or 25 off or to the same intensity level, in unison. Alternatively, a logic circuit may be included in the printed circuit board, so programmed that when power is supplied to the circuit board selected groups of diodes cycle sequentially between emitting and non-emitting states. Such cycling may further include provision for gradual 5 increases and decreases in light intensity. In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, light sources may be supplied with power from replaceable batteries or from rechargeable batteries. In a further preferred embodiment of the present 10 invention as shown in figure 3 in which like elements are numbered alike but with the addition of 100, transparent sheet 118 is combined with a substrate layer of solar collector cells 125 adapted to recharge batteries 126 during periods of natural or artificial light. In this embodiment 15 the solar cell layer is provided with perforations or holes 121 through which the light of the light emitting sources 120 is projected. In a further preferred embodiment shown in figure 4, power is made available from a computer USB port. In this 20 embodiment, the perimeter frame 214 is provided with a USB socket 223 so as to allow the base 200 to be connected to a computer (not shown) via a standard USB cable 224. In this embodiment light emitting sources of the base may come on whenever the computer is activated, or may be controlled by 25 a switch mounted in frame 214, In still another preferred embodiment, the central support portion 15 may be arranged to support the sheet of transparent material 18 only at the periphery, thus allowing a concave form of the central region of support portion 15. 5 The base of any of the above described embodiments may be used to support any of a range of containers but is primarily adapted for the support of a transparent glass 11 filled with water as shown in figure 1. The effect of the light sources projecting upwardly through the transparent 10 sheet of material transforms the appearance of the glass into a column of subdued refracted and reflected light, making the glass easily and attractively discernable in a darkened room without causing discomfort to a person just awakened. Depending on the number and intensity of the light 15 sources used, the base may project sufficient, though subdued light, into its surroundings to enable a person to move about the room in which the base and glass are placed. The lighting effect may be varied or enhanced by selection of the composition of the material from which the 20 glass is constructed. For example, the glass may be frosted or etched. Also, the shape of the glass may be varied for example to a square or rectangular cross-section. Whilst reference has been made to glass material, the at least partially transparent container 11 can be made from 25 plastics or other light transmitting or refracting material, - Iz- M The base may also be used with decorative effect for the support of other containers, such as for example glass vases of flowers or other glass and transparent artifacts. The above describes only some embodiments of the 5 present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus for example, the light source could be a peripheral cold cathode ring. Also a hologram or holographic design could be 10 incorporated in the support portion for example.

Claims

1. A base adapted for the support of a container; said base comprising a support structure and a transparent supporting surface for said container; 5 said base further including at least one light emitting source mounted below said surface and adapted to illuminate said container, and wherein switching from a first non-emitting state to a second emitting state of said at least one light 10 emitting source is effected by means of a touch sensitive circuit located in said base; said touch sensitive circuit responsive to the touch of the fingers of a user.

2. The base of claim 1 wherein said support structure 15 comprises a base portion and a perimeter frame adapted to retain said transparent supporting surface at a raised level within said base portion.

3. The base of claim 2 wherein said perimeter frame 20 supports a central portion adapted to support said transparent supporting surface at said raised level.

4. The base of claim 1 or 2 wherein said support structure is of metal. -1-.

5. The base of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said at least one light emitting source is one of a plurality of light emitting sources.

6. The base of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said 5 plurality of light emitting sources are light emitting diodes.

7. The base of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said at least one light emitting source is arranged on a printed circuit board in a predetermined 10 pattern.

8. The base of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said at least one light emitting source is arranged to project light through holes provided through said central support portion. 15

9. The base of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said at least one light emitting source is of one colour.

10. The base of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said at least one light emitting source is of a mixture 20 of colours.

11. The base of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said second light emitting state can be varied in intensity of light emitted.

12. The base claim 11 wherein intensity of light 25 emitted is varied incrementally by repeated operation of said touch sensitive circuit.

13. The base of any one of claims 4 to 12 wherein selected ones of said plurality of light emitting sources are arranged to sequentially alternate between said first non-emitting state and said 5 second emitting state under control of a pre programmed logic circuit.

14. The base of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said at least one light emitting source is powered from a mains electricity supply circuit. 10

15, The base of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said at least one light emitting source is powered from a battery power source.

16. The base of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said base includes a solar cell adapted to the charging 15 of said battery power source.

17. The base of claim 16 wherein said solar cell is incorporated as a substrate layer to said transparent supporting surface; said substrate layer provided with holes for the projection of 20 light from said light emitting sources therethrough.

18. The base of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said at least one light emitting source is powered from a USB port of a computer. 25

19. A method for the illumination of a container; said method including the steps of: (a) providing a base adapted to the support of said container, (b) arranging said base so as to have a transparent supporting surface, 5 (c) providing at least one light emitting source to project light through said transparent supporting surface, and wherein switching of said at least one light emitting source from a first non-emitting state to 10 a second emitting state by a touch sensitive circuit in said base; said touch sensitive circuit responsive to the touch of the fingers of a user.