Light bulb device with functional features

Abstract

The light bulb device with functional features may include one or more features such as a dimmer function for the light source, an on/off function for the light source, a charger function for external devices using an USB port, an electrical outlet, a night light, etc. The light bulb thus converts the AC voltage in the conventional light socket to one or more usable voltages for electronic features therein or other electronic devices. One such feature is a dimmer function, another feature is one or more USB ports for charging or operating other devices such as video camera. Also, a Bluetooth connection may allow the device to act as a speaker or projector or a clock. A video monitoring feature may be included within the device that can be monitored via Bluetooth connection to a smart phone.

Claims

1. A light bulb device with one or more functional features, said light bulb device comprising: a light source; a main housing, said light source fixedly mounted in a top of said main housing, and a side housing mounted to said main housing; a male threaded base, said male threaded base fixedly mounted to a bottom of said main housing, said male threaded base being capable of removable attachment to a light socket; one or more USB outlets fixedly mounted in said light bulb device in said side housing; and electrical means for providing predetermined electrical energy to said one or more USB outlets and said light source when connected to the light socket.

2. The light bulb device as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source is an incandescent source, a fluorescent source or a LED source.

3. The light bulb device as defined in claim 2, further including a light control being an on/off switch or a dimmer switch or a combination dimmer switch and on/off switch function, mounted in said main housing.

4. The light bulb device as defined in claim 2, further including an electrical outlet providing a conventional AC voltage mounted in said side housing.

5. The light bulb device with one or more functional features, said light bulb device comprising: a light source; a main housing, said light source fixedly mounted in a top of said main housing, and a side housing mounted to said main housing; a male threaded base, said male threaded base fixedly mounted to a bottom of said main housing, said male threaded base being capable of removable attachment to a light socket; one or more USB outlets fixedly mounted in said light bulb device in said side housing; and a light control, said light control mounted in said light bulb device; and electrical means for providing predetermined electrical energy to said one or more USB outlets and said light source when connected to the light socket.

6. The light bulb device as defined in claim 5, wherein said light source is an incandescent source, a fluorescent source or a LED source.

7. The light bulb device as defined in claim 6, wherein said light control comprises an on/off switch or a dimmer switch or a combination dimmer switch and on/off switch function, mounted in said main housing.

8. The light bulb device as defined in claim 6, further including an electrical outlet providing a conventional AC voltage mounted in said side housing.

9. The light bulb device with one or more functional features, said light bulb device comprising: a light source; a main housing, said light source fixedly mounted in a top of said main housing, and a side housing mounted to said main housing; a male threaded base, said male threaded base fixedly mounted to a bottom of said main housing, said male threaded base being capable of removable attachment to a light socket; one or more USB outlets fixedly mounted in said light bulb device in said side housing; a light control, said light control mounted in said light bulb device; an electrical outlet providing a conventional AC voltage mounted to said side housing; and electrical means for providing predetermined electrical energy to said one or more USB outlets and said light source when connected to the light socket.

10. The light bulb device as defined in claim 9, wherein said light source is an incandescent source, a fluorescent source or a LED source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light bulb device of the present invention having a main housing with a side housing for at least one USB port and an on/off switch on the main housing;

(2) FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective views of a light bulb devices of the present invention having a dimmer function combined with the USB function or and electrical outlet function;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the light bulb device of the present invention further including an electrical outlet and a nightlight; and

(4) FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F and 4G illustrate various conventional electrical block schematics for the various possible embodiments shown herein.

(5) Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) With the proliferation of mobile electronic devices in the modern home, appropriate devices are required to provide power thereto or interact therewith. The present invention is a light bulb device with one or more features therein including one or more features such as a dimmer function for the light source, an on/off function for the light source, a charger function for external devices, an electrical outlet, a nightlight, etc. The light bulb device thus will convert the AC voltage in the conventional light socket to one or more usable voltages for electronic features therein or other electronic devices connected thereto as will be disclosed herein.

(7) Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a light bulb device 10 is shown. The light bulb device 10 has a light source 12 that may be an incandescent light, a fluorescent light, or a LED light, but is considered generic and the shape shown in FIG. 1 or other figures is not relevant to the present invention or limiting. The light source 12 is fixedly attached to a main housing 14 at a top 16 and can not be removed from the main housing 14. If the light source 12 does not work, the light bulb device 10 is disposed of in the appropriate manner. Modern devices such as LED lights have extended life into the years as compared to incandescent lights that may last months. The use of graphene in light sources promises to extend the life even longer than traditional LEDs. Thus the present invention must balance the number and types of additional features against the cost since the light bulb device is disposable. An on/off switch 28 is shown in FIG. 1 so that even when the light source is turned off, the USB or electrical outlet have power thereto.

(8) At a bottom 18 in FIG. 1, a male threaded base 20 is fixedly mounted to the main housing 14. The male threaded base 20 is capable of removable attachment to a light socket, not shown, but considered conventional. A side housing 22 is fixedly attached to the main housing 14 and protrudes from the main housing 14. The side housing 22 may be box shaped and has an outer wall 24 that is flat and has at least one or more USB outlets 26 therein. Having a side housing 22 of a protruding shape is superior in design as compared to placing the USB directly in the tubular shaped main housing 14 in that it can then be found in the dark or darken room. Minimally, the USB outlet 26 may provide a source of power to charge an attached device via USB cable, not shown. The USB port 26 may have a conventional design for accepting USB plugs such as Type A 44, Type B, Type Mini A, Type Mini B, Type Micro B, or Type Mini P.

(9) Supporting electrical means for providing predetermined electrical energy to the one or more USB outlets, the light source and other features are schematically shown in FIG. 4 when connected to the light socket. Also shown is the on/off switch 28 in FIGS. 1 and 3, for a light control 40 attached to the main housing 14 for controlling the light source 12.

(10) FIG. 2A is another embodiment of the light bulb device 10 except the on/off switch 28 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a dimmer/on/off switch 42 in the light bulb device 40. The dimmer switch can slide sideways and provide a dimming feature. The dimmer switch 42 moves from an off position at the right side to fully on position and along the way from zero to 100% power to the light source 12. FIG. 2B is a light bulb device 42 having an electrical outlet and a dimmer switch.

(11) Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the light bulb device 10 may also include a 120 VAC outlet 32 or other working voltages as in foreign countries in the side housing 22 instead of the USB outlet or have both mountable therein or having additional side housings. Another feature shown on a bottom 34 of the side housing 22 is a nightlight 36 seen in FIG. 3. The on/off switch 28 may then operate to turn the nightlight 36 on or off instead of the light source 12. If the nightlight can be turned on by moving the dimmer switch to the on position on the left, the light source 12 would be turned off, but an additional switch may be included just for the nightlight feature.

(12) Electrical means 32, FIGS. 4A to 4G, are located in the main housing 12 for providing predetermined electrical energy and features to the one or more USB outlets 26, the light control 30 and the light source 12 or other features as shown herein. The device 10 can be composed of plastic, metal, or any other material that is appropriate. All of the electrical wires and devices must be enclosed to prevent electrical shock to the user.

(13) Referring to FIG. 4A, the electrical means 32 are partially illustrated therein. FIG. 4A illustrates a basic on/off switch 90 that may be used to provide switchable AC or DC power to the electrical devices therein. This may be operated by a pull cord or chain, not shown. Any of the features shown herein may be operated via mobile device having an appropriate App therein via a Bluetooth connection. FIG. 5B illustrates an AC/DC converter 92 that provides for a variety of DC voltages to the device 10 as needed including devices connected to the USB ports. FIG. 5C illustrates a slider dimmer switch 94 that operates an incandescent lamp. Also shown is a dimmer switch 96 that is used to operate LEDs that uses a pulse wave timer NE 555 chip. Many different types of features can be available such as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4D is a projector 98 for placing an image on the inside of a lamp shade, not shown, or even a wall. FIG. 4E is a mini-video camera 102. This can be operated as above to monitor house activities therein such as children, guests, intruders, etc., and even call for emergency assistance as necessary. FIG. 4F is a generic block diagram of the many possible features that can be incorporated into the light bulb device 10. FIG. 4G illustrates a music player 100.

(14) The light bulb device 10 is preferably used on a desk or table lamp, not shown, but considered conventional. Also, the light bulb device may incorporate additional features other than the ones shown above such as a CO detector, a smoke detector/alarm, a pest repellant, a motion detector, a sound recorder, a themed light setting such as blinking, color changing, etc.

(15) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.