Multifunctional solar-powered lighting devices

Abstract

Lighting devices are described and may include a housing containing a rechargeable battery, a microprocessor, and a plurality of light sources in electronic communication with the rechargeable battery and the microprocessor. At least a portion of the housing may be transparent or translucent, wherein the plurality of light sources face the portion of the housing that is transparent or translucent. The lighting devices may be solar-powered, e.g., including a solar panel coupled to an outer surface of the housing, wherein the solar panel is in electronic communication with the rechargeable battery. The lighting devices herein also include a handle of a malleable material configured to adopt and maintain a variety of positions.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A lighting device comprising:
 a housing including a first component and a second component, wherein the second component is at least partially transparent or translucent to diffuse light outwardly from the housing;   a panel disposed within the housing adjacent to the second component, the panel having a plurality of apertures;   a plurality of light sources disposed within the housing and facing the second component, each light source being aligned with a respective aperture of the panel, such that the plurality of light sources are configured to emit light through the plurality of apertures and toward the second component;   a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing and in electronic communication with the plurality of light sources;   a solar panel coupled to an exterior of the housing, the solar panel being in electronic communication with the rechargeable battery; and   a handle coupled to and movable relative to the housing, the handle being selectively deformable to adopt and maintain a plurality of configurations.   
     
     
         22 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the handle is configured to wrap around an ancillary structure to attach the lighting device to the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         23 . The lighting device of  claim 22 , wherein the housing weighs at least 1 pound, and the handle is configured to support the weight of the housing when coupled to the ancillary structure. 
     
     
         24 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the second component is configured to diffuse light emitted by the plurality of light sources in a pattern. 
     
     
         25 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the panel is reflective. 
     
     
         26 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the housing includes a user interface configured to control brightness, color, or both of the plurality of light sources in response to user input. 
     
     
         27 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the housing includes an electronic connector in electronic communication with the rechargeable battery, the electronic connector being configured to transfer power between an external electronic device and the rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         28 . The lighting device of  claim 27 , wherein the electronic connector is a USB port. 
     
     
         29 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the first component is coupled to the second component with complementary mating features. 
     
     
         30 . The lighting device of  claim 29 , wherein the complementary mating features include tabs, clips, threads, or magnets. 
     
     
         31 . The lighting device of  claim 30 , wherein the complementary mating features include flexible tabs defining recessed areas that receive corresponding projections. 
     
     
         32 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the housing is water resistant or waterproof. 
     
     
         33 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein the handle is coupled to a side of the housing between the first component and the second component, a first portion of the handle being disposed within and fixed relative to the housing, and a second portion of the handle extending outside of the housing. 
     
     
         34 . The lighting device of  claim 21 , wherein a first end of the handle within the housing includes a ridge and a second end of the handle outside of the housing includes a cap, each of the ridge and the cap having a cross-sectional dimension greater than a cross-sectional dimension of a remainder of the handle. 
     
     
         35 . A lighting device comprising:
 a housing including a first component and a second component, wherein the second component is at least partially transparent or translucent to diffuse light outwardly from the housing;   a panel disposed within the housing between the first component and the second component, the panel having a plurality of apertures;   a plurality of light sources disposed within the housing and facing the second component, each light source positioned within a corresponding aperture of the panel;   a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing and in electronic communication with the plurality of light sources;   a solar panel coupled to an exterior of the housing and in electronic communication with the rechargeable battery; and   a handle coupled to and movable relative to the housing, the handle having a longitudinal body that is malleable and configured to wrap around an ancillary structure to maintain a position of the lighting device relative to the ancillary structure.   
     
     
         36 . The lighting device of  claim 35 , wherein a terminal end of the handle includes a cap. 
     
     
         37 . The lighting device of  claim 35 , wherein the housing is cylindrical in shape and the handle has a length approximately equal to a circumference of the housing. 
     
     
         38 . The lighting device of  claim 35 , wherein the handle has a first configuration wherein the handle wraps around a circumference of the housing, a second configuration wherein the handle contacts and supports the first component to tilt the second component upward, and a third configuration wherein the handle contacts and supports the second component to tilt the first component upward. 
     
     
         39 . The lighting device of  claim 35 , wherein the first component is coupled to the second component with complementary mating features, or wherein the first component is integral with the second component. 
     
     
         40 . A lighting device comprising:
 a housing including a first component and a second component, wherein the second component is at least partially transparent or translucent to diffuse light outwardly from the housing;   a panel disposed within the housing adjacent to the second component, the panel having a plurality of apertures;   a plurality of light sources disposed within the housing and facing the second component, each light source positioned within a corresponding aperture of the panel;   a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing and in electronic communication with the plurality of light sources;   a solar panel coupled to an exterior of the first component and in electronic communication with the rechargeable battery; and   a handle coupled to and movable relative to the housing, a first portion of the handle being disposed within and fixed relative to the housing, and a second portion of the handle extending outside of the housing and capable of adopting and maintaining a plurality of configurations.