Outdoor lighting system with cold cathode ray tubes

Abstract

An outdoor lighting system with cold cathode ray tubes is disclosed. The individual lights are self-powered by one or more batteries carried in the lighting structure itself. In one embodiment, one or more rechargeable batteries are located within a relatively elongated base structure of the lighting component. In one particular embodiment, this elongated base structure also serves as a stake that is utilized to fix the lighting fixture in a particular outdoor location, such as a lawn, pathway, driveway, or patio.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A lawn lighting system, comprising: 
 a light housing;    a lighting element disposed within the light housing;    at least one rechargeable electrical power source conductively coupled to the lighting element; and    a solar energy system for collecting solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical energy, the solar energy system being conductively coupled to the at least one rechargeable electrical power source, such that the solar energy collected and converted into electrical energy recharges the at least one rechargeable electrical power source;    wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source is disposed between the lighting element and the solar energy system.    
   
   
       24 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.  
   
   
       25 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source comprises at least one capacitor.  
   
   
       26 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source comprises a plurality of conductively coupled batteries.  
   
   
       27 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source comprises a plurality of conductively coupled capacitors.  
   
   
       28 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source is conductively coupled in series between the lighting element and the solar energy system.  
   
   
       29 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source is conductively coupled in parallel between the lighting element and the solar energy system.  
   
   
       30 . The lighting system according to  claim 23 , wherein the at least one rechargeable electrical power source is located remote from the solar energy system.