EP1945004A1

EP1945004A1 - Parallel lamp connection with one dimmer circuit

Info

Publication number: EP1945004A1
Application number: EP07100405A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Westerveld
Original assignee: Omnilux Lighting LLC
Current assignee: Omnilux Lighting LLC
Priority date: 2007-01-11
Filing date: 2007-01-11
Publication date: 2008-07-16

Abstract

A light array includes a major light, at least one minor light and a dimmer. The minor light is connected to the major light. The dimmer connected to the major light. The dimmer is operable for adjusting the luminance of light emitted from the major and minor lights.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an illuminative apparatus and, more particularly, to a light array.

2. RELATED PRIOR ART

Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional light array includes a plurality of lights. Each of the lights includes two connective units, two sockets 5 connected to the connective units, a light tube 7 with two terminal portions inserted in the sockets 5, a transparent tube 1 for covering the light tube, two rings 6 for holding the light tube 7 firmly in the transparent tube 1 and two pairs of caps 2 for covering the ends of the transparent tubes 1. Each of the caps 2 includes a plurality of rods inserted in apertures defined in the transparent tube 1. Each connective unit of a light can be used to receive a plug 8 leading to a power supply or a plug leading to a connective unit of another light. Problems have been encountered the assembly and use of this conventional light array. Firstly, it is troublesome to assemble all these elements. Therefore, it requires a lot of energy in maintenance. Secondly, the structure of each light is complicated. Therefore, the cost of each light is high. Third ly, two lights are interconnected by a cable that is exposed and aesthetically unpleasant. Fourthly, the luminance of the light emitted from the light tube cannot be adjusted. Therefore, the illuminative effect of the light tube is dull.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a light array includes a major light, at least one minor light and a dimmer. The minor light is connected to the major light. The dimmer connected to the major light. The dimmer is operable for adjusting the luminance of light emitted from the major and minor lights.
An advantage of the light array of the present invention is the adjustability of the luminance of the light emitted from it.
Another advantage of the light array of the present invention is a simple structure and therefore a low cost.
Another advantage of the light array of the present invention is easy assembly and therefore easy maintenance.
Another advantage of the light array of the present invention is an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of embodiments in view of a conventional device referring to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional light array.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a light array according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the light array shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the light array shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the light array shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a light array according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the light array shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the light array in another position than shown in Fig. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Shown in Figs. 2 through 5 is a light array 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The light array includes a major light 40, at least one minor light 50 connected to the major light 40 in parallel and a dimmer 3 0 connected to the major light 40.
The major light 40 includes a first connective unit 41 at an end and a second connective unit 43 at an opposite end. The first connective unit 41 is preferably an 8-figured plug extending perpendicular to the major light 40. The second connective unit 43 is preferably an oval socket defined in perpendicular to the major light 40. A lamp 44 is provided between the ends of the major light 40. The major light 40 is provided with a ballast 42. The first connective unit 41 can be connected to an alternating current (or "AC") power supply. The first connective unit 41 includes two conductive elements 411 that are preferably U-shaped elements of copper. The second connective unit 43 includes two conductive elements 431 that are preferably arched elements of copper.
The dimmer 30 is connected to the conductive elements 411 of the first connective unit 41. The dimmer 30 is energized by DC from at least one battery 20. The dimmer 30 includes a knob 31 operable to adjust the luminance of the light emitted from each of the lights of the light array 10.
The minor light 50 include a first connective unit 51 at an end and a second connective unit 53 at an opposite end. Preferably, the first connective unit 51 of the minor light 50 is an 8-figured plug extending perpendicular to the minor light 50. The 8-figured plug 51 can be fit in the oval socket 43 of the major light 40. Thus, the lights 50 and 40 will not be disconnected when they are pulled longitudinally. The minor light 50 is provided with a ballast 52. The first connective unit 51 of the minor light 50 includes two conductive elements 511 that are preferably U-shaped elements of copper.
Preferably, the second conductive portion 53 is an oval socket defined perpendicular to the minor light 50. The oval socket 53 can receive the 8-figured plug 51 of another minor light 50. The second connective unit 53 of the minor light 50 includes two conductive elements 531 that are preferably arched elements of copper.
Referring to Fig. 4, the second connective unit 43 of the major light 40 is connected to the first conductive portion 51 of the minor light 50. In detail, the conductive elements 431 of the major light 40 contact the conductive elements 511 of the minor light 50. The major light 40 passes the energizing electricity to the minor light 50 so that the minor light 50 illuminates as well as the major light 40. Furthermore, the major light 40 provides the luminance-representing signals to the minor light 50 so that the minor light 50 provides the same luminance as the major light 40 does.
Shown in Figs. 6 through 8 is a light array 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The light array includes a major light 70, at least one minor light 80, a dimmer 90 connected to the major light 70 and at least one connector 100 for connecting the minor light 80 to the major light 70 in parallel.
The major light 70 include a first connective unit 71 at an end and a second connective unit 73 at an opposite end. The first connective unit 71 can be connected to an AC power supply. The first connective unit 71 includes two conductive elements 711 that are preferably U-shaped elements of copper. The second connective unit 73 includes two conductive elements 731 that are preferably arched elements of copper.
The dimmer 90 is energized by DC from at least one battery installed thereon. The dimmer 90 includes a knob 91 operable to adjust the luminance of the light emitted from each light of the light array 60.
The minor light 80 include a first connective unit 81 at an end and a second connective unit 83 at an opposite end. The first connective unit 81 of the minor light 80 includes two conductive elements 811 that are preferably U-shaped elements of copper. The second connective unit 83 of the minor light 80 includes two conductive elements 831 that are preferably arched elements of copper.
The connector 100 includes include a first connective unit 101 at an end and a second connective unit 103 at an opposite end. The first connective unit 101 of the connector 100 can be connected to the second connective unit 73 of the major light 70. The first connective unit 101 of the connector 100 includes two conductive elements 102 that are preferably U-shaped elements of copper. The second conductive portion 103 of the connector 100 can be connected to the first conductive portion 81 of the minor light 80. The second connective unit 103 of the connector 100 includes two conductive elements 104 that are preferably arched elements of copper.
The second conductive portion 83 of the minor light 80 can be connected to the first conductive portion 81 of another minor light 80.
The conductive elements 731 of the major light 70 contact the conductive elements 102 of the connector 100. The conductive elements 104 of the connector 100 contact the conductive elements 811 of the minor light 80. The major light 70 passes the energizing electricity to the minor light 80 through the connector 100 so that the minor light 80 illuminates as well as the major light 70. Furthermore, the major light 70 provides the luminance-representing signals to the minor light 80 through the connector 100 so that the minor light 80 provides the same luminance as the major light 70 does.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, since the connector 100 is flexible, the major light 70 and the minor light 80 can be changed between various positions relative to each other, i.e., the light array 60 can be changed between various positions.
The light array of the present invention exhibits several advantages. Firstly, the luminance of the light emitted from it can be adjusted based on environments in which it is used or illuminative effects that users would like to provide.
Secondly, the luminance of the light emitted from all of the lights of it can conveniently be adjusted via maneuvering the single dimmer.
Thirdly, the position of the light array can be adjusted for the use of the flexible connector.
The present invention has been described through the illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Hence, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

A light array comprising a major light (40; 70), at least one minor light (50; 80) connected to the major light and a dimmer (30; 90) connected to the major light so that the dimmer is operable for adjusting the luminance of light emitted from the major and minor lights.
The light array according to claim 1 wherein the major light comprises a first connective unit (41) for connection to a power supply and a second connective unit (43), wherein the minor light comprises a first connective unit (51) connected to the second connective unit (43) of the major light and a second connective unit (53) for connection to the first connective unit of another minor light.
The light array according to claim 2 wherein the first connective unit of the major light comprises two conductive elements (411).
The light array according to claim 3 wherein the conductive elements of the first connective unit of the major light are connected to the dimmer.
The light array according to claim 2 wherein the second connective unit of the major light comprises two conductive elements (431), wherein the first connective unit of the minor light comprises two conductive elements (511) for connection to the conductive elements of the second connective unit of the major light.
The light array according to claim 2 wherein the second connective unit of the minor light comprises two conductive elements (531) for connection to the conductive elements of the first connective unit of another minor light.
The light array according to claim 1 comprising a connector (100) for connecting the minor light (80) to the major light (70), wherein the major light comprises a first connective unit (71) for connection to a power supply and a second connective unit (73), wherein the minor light comprises a first connective unit (81) and a second connective unit (83) for connection to the first connective unit of another minor light, wherein the connector comprises a first connective unit (101) connected to the second connective unit of the major light and a second connective unit (103) connected to the first connective unit of the minor light.
The light array according to claim 7 wherein the first connective unit of the major light comprises two conductive elements (711), wherein the second connective unit of the major light comprises two conductive elements (731), wherein the first connective unit (101) of the connector (100) comprises two conductive elements (102) for connection to the conductive elements of the second connective unit of the major light and the second connective unit of the connector comprises two conductive elements (104), wherein the first connective unit of the minor light comprises two conductive elements (811) for connection to the conductive elements of the second connective unit of the connector, wherein the second connective unit of the minor light comprises two conductive elements (831) for connection to the conductive elements of the first connective unit of another connector.
The light array according to claim 7 wherein the connector (100) is flexible.
The light array according to claim 1 wherein the first connective unit (51) of the minor light (50) is an 8-figured plug (51), and the second connective unit (43) of the major light (40) is an oval socket (43) for receiving the 8-figured plug (51) of the minor light (50).
The light array according to claim 10 wherein the oval socket is transversely defined in the major light (40).
The light array according to claim 10 wherein the 8-figured plug is transversely formed on the minor light (50).
The light array according to claim 10 wherein the second connective unit (53) of the minor light (50) is an oval socket (53) for receiving the 8-figured plug of another minor light, wherein the oval socket is transversely defined in the minor light.