Patent Application
20180180257
The present invention relates to an illumination apparatus for adjusting light dispersion and brightness for an electronic device having a light source and, more particularly, to an attachable and detachable apparatus for converting an electronic device having a light source commonly used as a camera flash into a dual-functional flashlight and lantern with adjustable light emission. Light dispersion and brightness is controlled by sliding a handle to position a lens farther or closer to the light source of the electronic device. The illumination apparatus has an adjustable clamp, by which an electronic device of varying dimensions is secured. The electronic device may be a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computing device, or the like.
Portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, and the like, have become ubiquitous for communication, entertainment, and other purposes. As their use as digital cameras has grown increasingly important to their function, the integration of a bright light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) for photographic flash into the design of portable electronic devices has become standard. A variety of software has been developed to use this light source for functions other than photographic flash. For example, the user of a smartphone may use the built in LED as a crude flashlight to see in the dark.
However, there is a need for an accessory optical apparatus to better utilize electronic devices having a light source. Ideally, the illumination apparatus would allow the user to easily adjust the brightness and dispersion of the emitted light. Furthermore, such an apparatus needs to be easily attachable and detachable to electronic devices having varying display sizes, thicknesses, and light source positions.
The present invention is directed to an illumination apparatus for adjusting the dispersion and brightness of an electronic device having a light source for use as an adjustable flashlight or lantern. The apparatus includes a lens assembly, a base assembly that houses the lens assembly, and a clamp by which an electronic device may be adjustably attached. The position of the lens with respect to the light source, which determines both the dispersion and brightness of the emitted light, can be easily adjusted to the user's needs.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination apparatus for adjusting light dispersion and brightness may include: a lens unit having a lens; a base assembly having a vertical axis, wherein the lens unit is constructed to move, axially within the base assembly; and a clamp attached to the base assembly wherein the clamp may be constructed to be removably coupled to an electronic device having a light source.
Another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp may provide for the illumination device's base assembly to further include: a hollow body having an upper rim and a lower rim, aligned about the vertical axis, and a hollow body wall, wherein the hollow body wall may have a vertical slit substantially parallel to the vertical axis, wherein the lens unit further may include a side wall surrounding an edge of the lens and a handle fixedly attached to the side wall, wherein the handle may be configured to move axially along the vertical slit so that the lens unit slides up and down the hollow body.
According to another embodiment, of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the vertical slit may further include a first slit and a second slit, wherein the first slit may be located opposite the vertical axis from the second slit. The handle may further include a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle may be located opposite the vertical axis from the second handle.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the hollow body of the base assembly may be substantially cylindrical.
Another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp may provide for the illumination device's base assembly to further include: an arm fixedly attached to the hollow body wall, wherein the arm may contain a narrow aperture, wherein the clamp may further include a rail that fits through the aperture and may be adjustably fixed thereof
Another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp may provide for the illumination device's base assembly to further include: a coupling pad constructed to attach by a frictional fit to a bottom opening of the base assembly, wherein the coupling pad may have a protrusion having a surface in frictional contact with the rail of the clamp, wherein the coupling pad may include a hole substantially coaxial with a lower rim of the base assembly; and a support pad constructed to fit in a space in the arm, wherein an end of the support pad may be in frictional contact with the side wall of the lens unit and a surface of the support pad may be in frictional contact with the rail of the clamp.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the coupling pad and the support pad may be made of a soft material, wherein one or both of the surfaces in contact with the clamp rail may further include a plurality of bumps, wherein the rail of the clamp may further include a slot wherein each bump may be constructed to tightly fit and provide frictional resistance to unwanted movements of the base assembly.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the lens may have a convex surface.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the base assembly may further include a lower housing including a lower arm portion and a lower hollow body portion, and having a top side and a bottom side; and an upper housing including an upper arm portion and an upper hollow body portion, wherein the upper housing may be fixedly attached to the lower housing at the top side of the lower housing.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the clamp may be formed into a “C” shape including a rail, an adjoining section, and a lower section, wherein the lower section may have an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner side may be oriented in the direction of the rail and a pad is fixedly attached to the inner side of the lower section of the clamp, wherein the pad is made of a soft material.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the clamp may include a rail having an adjoining end and an open end, wherein a bumper made of a soft material may be attached to the open end.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the clamp may have an adjoining end with a cord attached by which the user may secure the illumination apparatus.
Another embodiment of the present invention may provide for an illumination apparatus for controlling light dispersion and brightness including: a lens unit having a lens; a base assembly having a vertical axis wherein the lens unit may be constructed to move axially within the base assembly; a clamp attached to the base assembly, wherein the clamp may be constructed to be removably coupled to an electronic device having a light source; and a lantern housing, which is removably attached to the base assembly.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the lantern housing may include: a casing having a base end and a cap end, wherein the casing may be removably attached at the base end to the base assembly at the upper rim of the hollow body; a reflector housed in the casing; and a cap attached to the casing at the cap end.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the reflector may have a tapered end and the tapered end may be directed substantially toward the light source.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the reflector may be in the shape of a right circular cone.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the reflector may be in the shape of a right circular cone having an opening angle of about 30-75 degrees and is substantially coaxial with the casing.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the reflector may be in the shape of a right circular cone having an opening angle of about 52 degrees and is substantially coaxial with the casing.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the reflector may further include a circumferential ridge, by which the reflector is mounted at the cap end of the casing.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the reflector may have a surface including a plurality of circumferential steps.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the casing may further include: a main body; a cap connecting region; a base connecting region; and an o-ring surrounding the base connecting region, wherein the lantern housing may attach removably to the base assembly by a frictional contact between the o-ring and the upper rim of the base assembly. The cap connecting region and the base connecting regions of the casing may be smaller in outer circumference than the main body.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, a clamp, and a lantern housing, the casing of the lantern housing may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may further include a plurality of longitudinal bumps about a cylindrical axis.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the illumination apparatus for adjusting light dispersion and brightness may include: a lens unit having a lens; a base assembly having a vertical axis, wherein the lens unit is constructed to move axially within the base assembly; and a clamp attached to the base assembly wherein the clamp may be constructed to be removably coupled to an electronic device having a light source.
Another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp may provide for the illumination device's base assembly to further include: a hollow body having an upper rim and a lower rim, aligned about the vertical axis, and a hollow body wall, wherein the hollow body wall may have a vertical slit substantially parallel to the vertical axis, wherein the lens unit further may include a side wall surrounding an edge of the lens and a handle fixedly attached to the side wall, wherein the handle may be configured to move axially along the vertical slit so that the lens unit slides up and down the hollow body.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the vertical slit may further include a first slit and a second slit, wherein the first slit may be located opposite the vertical axis from the second slit. The handle may further include a first handle and a second handle, wherein the first handle may be located opposite the vertical axis from the second handle.
In another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the hollow body of the base assembly may be substantially cylindrical.
Another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp may provide for the illumination device's base assembly to further include: an arm fixedly attached to the hollow body wall, wherein the arm may contain a narrow aperture, wherein the clamp may further include a rail that fits through the aperture and may be adjustably fixed thereof
Another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp may provide for the illumination device's base assembly to further include: a coupling pad constructed to attach by a frictional fit to a bottom opening of the base assembly, wherein the coupling pad may have a protrusion having a surface in frictional contact with the rail of the clamp, wherein the coupling pad may include a hole substantially coaxial with a lower rim of the base assembly; and a support pad constructed to fit in a space in the arm, wherein an end of the support pad may be in frictional contact with the side wall of the lens unit and a surface of the support pad may be in frictional contact with the rail of the clamp.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the coupling pad and the support pad may be made of a soft material, wherein one or both of the surfaces in contact with the clamp rail may further include a plurality of bumps, wherein the rail of the clamp may further include a slot wherein each bump may be constructed to tightly fit and provide frictional resistance to unwanted movements of the base assembly.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the lens may have a convex surface.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the base assembly may further include a lower housing including a lower arm portion and a lower hollow body portion, and having a top side and a bottom side; and an upper housing including an upper arm portion and an upper hollow body portion, wherein the upper housing may be fixedly attached to the lower housing at the top side of the lower housing.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the clamp may be formed into a “C” shape including a rail, an adjoining section, and a lower section, wherein the lower section may have an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner side may be oriented in the direction of the rail and a pad is fixedly attached to the inner side of the lower section of the clamp, wherein the pad is made of a soft material.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the clamp may include a rail having an adjoining end and an open end, wherein a bumper made of a soft material may be attached to the open end.
According to another embodiment of the present invention having a lens unit, a base assembly, and a clamp, the clamp may have an adjoining end with a cord attached by which the user may secure the illumination apparatus.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the soft material used to form various pads and frictional surfaces may be silicone, natural rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, or another elastomeric polymer, but not limited.
The advantages of the present invention include: (1) the illumination apparatus converts an electronic device having a light source into an adjustable flashlight or portable adjustable lantern; (2) as a flashlight, the dispersion and brightness of the light from the electronic device can be easily adjusted by a slidable handle; (3) as a lantern, the brightness of the light from the electronic device can be easily adjusted by a slidable handle; (4) the position of the base assembly on the clamp is adjustable and thus the illumination apparatus can be coupled to an electronic device of varying dimensions; (5) the surfaces of the illumination apparatus in contact with the electronic device are made of a soft material so the electronic device can be securely fastened to the illumination apparatus without risk of scratching or otherwise damaging the electronic device.
Although the present invention is briefly summarized, a fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations by use of the word “about”, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
As shown in the perspective view of the base assembly 1200 in
The coupling pad 1280 may be constructed to attach by a frictional fit through a bottom opening 1242 of the base assembly 1200, wherein the coupling pad 1280 may have a protrusion 1282 having a surface 1286 in frictional contact with the rail 1310 of the clamp 1300, wherein the coupling pad 1280 may include a hole 1281 substantially coaxial with a lower rim 1214 of the base assembly 1200. The base assembly may further include a support pad 1290. The coupling pad 1280 and support pad 1290 may be made of a soft material such as silicone, natural rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, or the like. In
As seen in
As shown in
When the lens unit 1100 is positioned closest to the upper rim 1212 as shown in
As shown in
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.
