1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of portable illumination devices, and more particularly to a novel illuminating means having a light carried at one end and a support body member coupled to its opposite end by means of an universal joint, and which further includes a magnet, a suction cup, clip or the like on the support body for releasably securing the illuminating means to a supporting structure such as a pocket key ring, a holder cartridge, storage sleeve, wall surface, or the like.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the past, it has been the conventional practice for a person to employ a pocket light or flashlight to illuminate a specific area in order to visually observe an object or in the performance of conducting a particular procedure. Such illumination means are generally bulky and, when in use, require that the illumination means be held in one hand permitting the person to use his or her other hand in the performance of the procedure. Should two hands be required, the person generally employs a separate stand of some kind for supporting the illumination means so that both of the user's hands are free to perform the procedure or to be used in connection with observing an object. Such a stand is separate from and independent of the illumination device itself and requires either permanent fixture to a wall, post or other support structure or the stand must be stored in a storage area until time for use, which takes up space and requires additional expense.
These problems and difficulties are due primarily to the fact that the illumination means or device does not incorporate an integral mount for supporting the illumination means or device from any one of a variety of available structures or portable holders, such as a wall surface, post, cartridge, or the like. Also, conventional holders or supports for illumination means or devices are generally fixed in one position or require multiple components for movable mounts, which complicate not only structure construction and assembly but maintenance procedures as well. Also, a separate coupling means is required for detachably connecting the illumination means or device to a separate and independent stand in order to support the illumination means or device in a fixed position.
Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide an illumination means or device having an integral mounting construction for detachably connecting the means or device to a support structure, whereby the support structure may take the form of a portable storage holder, case or sleeve, or to a stationary structure such as a wall or post. Preferably, the illumination means is detachably mountable to the support structure by a connection, such as a magnetic coupling, so that the illumination means can readily be removed from the structure or holder and detachably re-connected to another supporting structure. As a portable holder, accessory items such as pens, small tool implements or even luggage tags may be removably carried in a storage compartment of the storage holder or sleeve.
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides an articulated illumination device which includes an elongated holding sleeve with one end threadably attached to a support body or base which includes a magnetic arrangement communicating with an interior storage compartment for insertably receiving and retaining the device. The storage compartment insertably receives one end of the illumination means having a magnet releasably engageable with an iron slug or the support body. A battery-operated light is disposed at the other end. A universal joint includes a socket formed in the support body or base for rotatably mounting a ball outwardly projecting from the illumination device. The magnet is intended to either attach to the support body or base by attraction to the iron slug when the illumination means is in the storage compartment or the magnet is employed for supporting the illumination means in a cantilevered position from a wall surface, a post or the like. The universal joint socket includes an open slot so that a shank carrying the ball permits the illumination means to rotate 90° from the longitudinal axis of the illumination means. However, a plurality of miniature accessory items may be carried in the holding sleeve when the illumination means has been withdrawn from the storage compartment. The holding sleeve may insertably receive and store such items as a pen, tool kit, luggage tag or the like.
It is to be understood that the support body or base may be a support member which constitutes a portion of a pocket item, such as a key ring assembly or the like, that can be releasably attached to any supportive surface by magnetic attractive force and which permits full articulation of the illumination means with respect to the support body or base.
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel articulated light source with a magnetic base so that the light can be stored in a holding sleeve by magnetic force and when withdrawn from the holding sleeve, the magnetic means can mount the illumination means to an appropriate supporting structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic mount for an illumination means connected by a universal joint so as to permit full articulation of the illumination means with respect to a supporting structure.
A further object resides in providing a portable holding sleeve for releasably and insertably storing a selected item chosen from a plurality of miniature accessory items which employs magnetic coupling of the selected item with the holding sleeve.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic mounting means for releasably connecting an illumination means or device to a storage holding sleeve or, when withdrawn therefrom, permits magnetic connection with a supporting structure, such as a wall, post or the like.
Still a further object resides in providing a ball and socket universal joint interconnecting one end of an illumination means with a support body or base so that the illumination means may be rotated to project a light beam in a desired direction and which will accommodate rotation to permit a 90° deployment of illumination means and light beam with respect to the support body or base.
A further object resides in a novel storage and support means for detachably holding an illumination device in a portable storage holder and employing a magnetic engagement means for releasably retaining the illumination device in the storage holder or, when detached therefrom, for releasably retaining the illumination device on a supporting structure.
The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to
It is to be particularly noted that the illumination means is in a carrying or storage position wherein the device is inserted into an open-ended bore formed in a sleeve holder 17. Secured to the end of sleeve holder 17 is a base element 20 that includes an eyelet or loop 21 serving as an attachment means for an accessory, such as a key ring, identified by numeral 22. It is to be understood that any type of accessory can be detachably secured to the base element 22.
Referring now in detail to
The illumination device which includes the illumination source 12, including a suitable source of power, carried on the end of body 11 and the support body 13 is illustrated preparatory for insertion into the open end of bore 25 so that the illumination device may be carried in a storage or transport condition. When inserted into the bore 25, it is to be particularly noted that support body 13 includes a magnet 27 that magnetically engages with the slug 26 to provide releasable retention of the illumination device within the bore 25 of the sleeve 17. As illustrated in
Referring now in detail to
Referring now to
Furthermore, the support body 13 may be releasably attached to a supporting surface by other means than by magnetic attraction. For example, the support body may employ a suction cup, a resilient clip for waist belt attachment, or the like.
In
In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the illumination means, or a selected accessory item, may be carried in the sleeve holder 17 as part of an accessory assembly, such as a key ring, and that the holder can be carried in a purse, pocket, or may even be clipped onto a belt. In its portable condition, the illumination means, or accessory item, is inserted into the bore 25 of the sleeve holder 17, as illustrated in
Another embodiment of the articulated light is illustrated in
In
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Priority claimed on Ser. No. 60/407,801 filed Sep. 4, 2002.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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60407801 | Sep 2002 | US |