This invention relates to lighting and more particularly to portable lights. Still more particularly, it relates to portable lights employing light emitting diodes as the light source.
Many consumers use the illuminated face of a cell phone, or PDA as a dim flashlight to accomplish simple tasks, such as finding a keyhole or reading a map. The light emitted is generally very poor and marginal to say the least. Carrying a small, conventional flashlight that employs incandescent bulbs or “key chain” lights that use LEDs requires the storing and carrying of additional equipment.
It would be an advance in the art to provide a small, portable light that is convenient, waterproof, has an easily replaceable power supply and is readily attachable to device that is already being carried by a consumer.
It is an object of the invention to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the invention to enhance portable lighting devices.
These objects are accomplished, in one aspect of the invention, by a portable light comprising a rigid base; a power supply having first and second poles within said base; a light source positioned in said base, said light source having first and second lead-ins, said first lead-in in contact with said first pole of said power supply; electrical isolation means for isolating said second lead-in from said second pole of said power supply; and a flexible cover fitted to said base, said cover including at least one portion contactable with said second lead-in whereby pressure on said at least one portion defeats said electrical isolation means and causes a connection between said second lead-in and said second pole of said power supply to actuate said light source.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) and the base is provided with an adhesive attachment, whereby the light can be attached to an already carried object.
This portable light eliminates the need of straining ones eyes by the light of a device not meant for primary illumination and does not require carrying a separate lighting source such as a conventional flashlight or a separate light that can, for example, comprise a part of a key chain.
a is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention in an un-illuminated condition;
b is a similar view in an illuminated condition;
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims taken in conjunction with the above-described drawings.
Referring now to the drawings with greater particularity, there is shown in
A light source 20, preferably in the form of a light emitting diode 21, is positioned in the base 12, the light source 20 having first and second lead-ins 22, 24, the first lead-in 22 being in contact with the first pole 16 of the power supply 14. Electrical isolation means 26 isolates the second lead-in 24 from the second pole 18 of the power supply 14. A flexible cover 28, of a suitable material, such as silicone, is fitted to the base 12. The cover 28 includes at least one portion 30 that is contactable with the second lead-in 24 when pressure is applied to the portion 30, the pressure on the at least one portion 30 defeating the electrical isolation means 26 and causing a connection between the second lead-in 24 and the second pole 18 of the power supply 14 to actuate the light source 20.
The electrical isolation 26 means can comprise an electrically insulating washer 26a of the type shown in
In an embodiment of the invention the flexible cover 28 is translucent and contains substantially invisible indicia 40 thereon, which indicia 40 becomes visible when the light source 20 is energized. This feature is shown more clearly in
The rigid base 12 is formed with an inner battery compartment 42 and a light source compartment 44; the battery compartment 42 including a depression 46 surrounded by a wall 48 adjacent the light source compartment 44. A lead-in opening 50 is formed in the wall 48.
An undercut 52 is formed on an outer surface 54 of the base 12 and engages an inwardly projecting flange 60 formed on the flexible cover 28.
Batteries 56 are fitted within the battery compartment 42 and the light source 20 is fitted within the light source compartment 44. The first lead-in 22 of the light source 20 projects through the lead-in opening 50 and contacts the first pole 16. The second lead-in 24 with its electrical isolation means 26 is positioned over the second pole 18 of the battery 56.
The second lead-in 24 remains out of electrical contact with the second pole 18 until pressure is applied to the cover 28 at portion 30. The applied pressure on the portion 30 of the cover 28 defeats the electrical isolation means 26 and causes a connection between the second lead-in 24 and the second pole 18 of the battery 56 to actuate the light source 20.
Since the portable light shown herein is ideally suited, by virtue of its small size (approximately 1.125″×1″×0.375″) for carrying in a pocket or purse, it is preferred that the flexible cover 28 be coated with a friction reducing material. An ideal material for this purpose is parylene, which is available in a number of types.
Assembly of the portable light 10 is easily accomplished and is shown in the exploded views of
To aid in placing the portable light 10 in a fixed position, for example, upon a cell phone or a PDA or upon an interior surface of a purse or pocket book, a double-sided adhesive tape 62 is provided on the base 12.
There is thus provided a portable light source that is small and convenient to use, extremely economical to construct as it employs the minimum number of parts necessary to create its illumination; a light source, a power source, a housing to contain them, and a means to actuate the light, with the latter means, of course, being supplied by the person using the light.
While there have been shown and described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5158356 | Guthrie | Oct 1992 | A |
6070990 | Dalton et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6761468 | Bogal | Jul 2004 | B1 |
20020097575 | Altman | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20030137833 | Hsu | Jul 2003 | A1 |