Buckle-Mounted Light

Abstract

A belt buckle with an embedded power source, such as battery(s), and an attached or embedded light source (such as light emitting diodes) for illuminating an area in front of a user (such as a hiker, climber, or trail-runner). The buckle is typically a side-release plastic buckle, and is typically mounted centrally on a pack's hip-belt. The light is adjustable vertically, or has a lens to produce a tall, narrow beam of light for the purpose of illuminating a large section of trail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 a shows an isometric view of a light in a stowed position.

FIG. 1 b shows an isometric view of the light of FIG. 1a in an “in-use” position.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the light of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom aspect of the light of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 4 shows a side aspect of the light of FIG. 1a.

FIG. 5 a shows a front aspect of a housing.

FIG. 5 b shows a sectional view of the housing of FIG. 5a.

FIGS. 6 a-6d show various aspects and exploded views of a second embodiment of a light with single, embedded, high-powered LED.

FIGS. 7 a & 7b show isometric and exploded views of a third embodiment of a light with a single, high-powered LED and a movable housing.

FIGS. 8 a & 8b show isometric and exploded views of a fourth embodiment of a light with a swivel lens.

FIGS. 9 a & 9b show isometric and exploded views of a fifth embodiment of a light embedded in a different buckle.

Claims

1. A device for illuminating a user's path, comprising: a buckle comprising a first member and a second member, each configured for attaching a strap thereto,a housing attached to the buckle containing a light source, anda power source attached to said buckle and electrically connected to the light source.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is pivotally attached to the buckle and configured to illuminate an area in front of a user based upon the position the housing is pivoted to.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said light source is a single high-powered light-emitting diode.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said light source is a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: a first semi-translucent panel on a side of the light source, anda second semi-translucent panel on an opposite side of the light source, whereinthe first and second semi-translucent panels are configured to limit the amount of light escaping to the sides of the light source.

6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: an opaque protrusion which is configured to shield a user's direct view of the light source.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein said light source can be set to a flashing mode.

8. A device for illuminating a user's path, comprising: a buckle comprising a first member and a second member, each configured for attaching a strap thereto,a light source embedded within said buckle, anda power source attached to said buckle and electrically connected to said light source.

9. The device according to claim 8 further comprising a lens pivotably mounted to the buckle forward of said light source, said lens having a longitudinal axis of rotation and configured to direct light generated by said light source in a vertical plane.

10. The device according to claim 8 wherein said light source includes a single high-powered light-emitting diode.

11. The device according to claim 8 wherein said light source includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

12. The device according to claim 8 further comprising: a first semi-translucent panel on a side of the light source, anda second semi-translucent panel on an opposite side of the light source, whereinthe first and second semi-translucent panels are configured to limit the amount of light escaping to the sides of the light source.

13. The device according to claim 8 further comprising: an opaque protrusion which is configured to shield a user's direct view of the light source.

14. The device according to claim 8 wherein said light source can be set to a flashing mode.

15. A device for illuminating a user's path, comprising: a side-release buckle comprising a male member and a female member, each configured to attach a strap thereto,a middle member comprising a female receptacle configured to engage said male member, and male protrusion configured to engage said female member,a light source embedded within said middle member, anda power source attached to said middle member and electrically connected to said light source.

16. The device according to claim 15 wherein said light source includes a single high-powered light-emitting diode.

17. The device according to claim 15 wherein said light source includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

18. The device according to claim 15 further comprising: a first semi-translucent panel on a side of the light source, anda second semi-translucent panel on an opposite side of the light source, whereinthe first and second semi-translucent panels are configured to limit the amount of light escaping to the sides of the light source.

19. The device according to claim 15 further comprising: an opaque protrusion which is configured to shield a user's direct view of the light source.

20. The device according to claim 15 wherein said light source can be set to a flashing mode.