LED lighting element and method of manufacturing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10801693-B1
Application number	US-202016827538-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Mar 23, 2020
Priority date	May 6, 2017
Publication date	Oct 13, 2020
Grant date	Oct 13, 2020

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are presented for retaining a dome lens in a lighting element that provides a projection of light forming a substantially uniform bright light on a surface a known distance from the lighting element. The lighting element includes a dome lens that is removably positioned proximal to a light source, such that the light source is retained at a location within a focal length of a projection lens and at or within a focal length of the dome lens. The dome lens magnifies the light outputted by the light source, such that the projected light is brighter than the light generated by the light source.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lighting assembly comprising: a lens assembly comprising: at least one objective lens, a housing comprising: a substrate comprising: an electronic circuitry configured to control distribution of a voltage; an aperture holder comprising: a first channel; a second channel substantially perpendicular to the first channel, and an aperture holder opening formed at an intersection of said first channel and said second channel; a lighting source comprising at least one light emitting diode positioned within said aperture holder opening, wherein said lighting source is configured to receive said voltage from said electronic circuitry; and an aperture comprising: a plurality of arms oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, and a plurality of prongs extending from a free end of a corresponding one of said plurality of arms, wherein a free end of said prongs forming a space above said aperture; and an aperture opening positioned at an intersection of said plurality of arms, wherein said plurality of arms are configured to fit within corresponding ones of said first channel and said second channel; and a dome lens contained within said aperture, wherein said dome lens contacts said aperture holder; and an attachment section configured to: attach the lens assembly to the housing, and said light source is within a focal length of said dome lens and said at least one objective lens.

2. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the attachment section comprises one of: a screw thread, a bayonet connection, a snap fit connection and a butt fit connection.

3. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the attachment section is integral to said lens assembly.

4. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the attachment section is a coupler configured to:
engage on a first end said lens assembly and
engage on a second end, opposite the first end, said housing.

5. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the dome lens comprises:
a spherical cap constructed from a sphere cut along a chordal plane.

6. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said prongs being malleable to alter a size of said space.

7. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly comprises:
at least one of: a groove and a protrusion on an outer surface of the lens assembly.

8. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , wherein said electronic circuitry comprising:
a switch configured to:
pass said voltage to said light source.

9. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a ring assembly containing the substrate therein, said ring assembly in physical contact with at least one of: the housing and the attachment section.

10. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an anti-reflective layer on at least one surface of the dome lens.

11. The lighting assembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a threaded ring in contact with said ring assembly.

12. The lighting assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
a battery configured to apply said voltage to said electronic circuitry.

13. A lighting assembly comprising: a housing comprising: a lighting element comprising: a substrate comprising: a printed circuit board containing electronic components thereon; and a Light Emitting Diode (LED) electrically connected to the printed circuit board; an aperture retainer positioned adjacent said substrate, said aperture retainer comprising: a plurality of channels arranged in an orthogonal relationship, and a passthrough at an intersection of said plurality of channels; and an aperture comprising: a plurality of arms arranged in an orthogonal relationship, wherein each of said plurality of arms comprising: a prong extending from a free end of a corresponding one of said plurality of arms; and an aperture opening positioned at an intersection of said plurality of arms, wherein said LED is positioned within said aperture opening; and a dome lens positioned within said aperture, wherein a free end of each of said prongs contacting said dome lens, said LED being positioned at or within a focal length of said dome lens; and a lens assembly comprising: at least one lens; and a connector configured to: attach the lens assembly to the housing.

14. The lighting assembly of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of arms of said aperture are configured to reside within corresponding ones of said plurality of channels.

15. The lighting assembly of claim 13 , wherein said aperture opening comprises an area less than an area of said LED.

16. The lighting assembly of claim 13 , comprising:
a battery configured to output a voltage, wherein the electronic components comprises a switch configured to:
control passage of said voltage outputted by said battery to said LED.

17. The lighting assembly of claim 16 wherein the switch comprises one of: a touch switch control and a touchless switch control.

18. The lighting assembly of claim 17 , wherein the touch switch control is one of:
a mechanical switch control and a capacitive touch switch control.

19. The lighting assembly of claim 17 , wherein said touchless switch control is an infra-red switch control.

20. A lighting device comprising:
a lighting element comprising:
a substrate comprising:
an electronic circuitry configured to:
control distribution of a voltage to a lighting source, wherein said lighting source comprises
a light emitting diode configured to:
 output a light when powered by said voltage, and

an aperture comprising:
a first channel;
a second channel, and
a passthrough at an intersection of said first channel and said second channel, wherein said light emitting diode is positioned on said substrate at said intersection of said first channel and said second channel;

a lens retainer comprising:
a plurality of arms, each of said plurality of arms including a prong extending from a free end of a corresponding one of said plurality of arms, wherein said plurality of arms are configured to be positioned within said first channel and said second channel; and

a first lens positioned within said plurality of prongs, wherein said plurality of arms contact one surface of said first lens and said plurality of prongs contact a second surface of said first lens; and

a lens assembly comprising:
at least one projection lens, said lens assembly configured to:
engage said lighting element, wherein said lighting source is positioned within a focal length of said first lens and said at least one projection lens; and

a battery configured to output said voltage to said electronic circuitry.

Assignees

• Designs For Vision

Inventors

• Feinbloom Richard E
• Braganca Kenneth N

Classifications

• F21V5/048

  the lens being a simple lens adapted to cooperate with a point-like source for emitting mainly in one direction and having an axis coincident with the main light transmission direction, e.g. convergent or divergent lenses, plano-concave or plano-convex lenses · CPC title

• F21V23/0485

  the sensor sensing the physical interaction between a user and certain areas located on the lighting device, e.g. a touch sensor · CPC title

• F21V17/12

  by screwing · CPC title

• F21V17/162

  the parts being subjected to traction or compression, e.g. coil springs · CPC title

• F21V17/166

  the parts being subjected to torsion, e.g. spiral springs · CPC title