1. Field
The embodiments relate to kneepads, and in particular to lighted kneepad caps for kneepads.
2. Description of the Related Art
Protective kneepads are used by in many different fields for protection or to provide comfort to individuals. For example, kneepads are used when kneeling on hard or rough surfaces or to reduce blunt force trauma. Various kneepad constructions are available and typically comprise a rigid case or padding which is fitted over the knee and held in place by various attachment elements.
One embodiment provides a kneepad cap including a controller attached to a power source. A lighting housing is attached to the controller. A cap portion is attached to the lighting housing.
Another embodiment provides a kneepad cap for a kneepad. The kneepad cap includes a switch coupled to a power source. A plurality of lighting elements are coupled to the switch. A cap portion coupled to the lighting element.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of lighted kneepad caps, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of lighted kneepad caps and kneepads for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
One embodiment of the invention provides a kneepad cap including a controller attached to a power source. A lighting housing is attached to the controller. A cap portion is attached to the lighting housing. The lighted kneepad cap provides a light source for multiple uses in unlit or dark situations for: safety purposes for road workers, police agencies, towing personnel, rescue workers, location and identification of team members (e.g., for airport personnel, shipping personnel, team sports/entertainment, etc.), construction worker location and identification, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the kneepad cap 110 further includes a lighting element controller 150 coupled with a wiring conduit 155 and a wiring conduit coupler 156. In one example, the kneepad cap 110 is attached to the kneepad 120 via stitching within a molded perimeter groove or channel. The molded groove or channel where the stitching attaches the kneepad cap 110 to an outer surface of kneepad 120 protects the stitching from abrasion for longer product life.
In one embodiment of the invention, the center portion 140 includes multiple raised protective portions 141, where a channel is formed between adjacent raised protective portions 141. The raised protective portions 141 provide added protection to a user as well as a gripping area for added friction on a surface (e.g., the ground or other surfaces) for preventing slipping/sliding. In one embodiment of the invention, the kneepad cap 110 includes an upper recessed portion 160. In one example, the upper recessed portion 160 provides for placement of a company logo or design, placement of radio frequency identification (RFID) elements for retail inventory and security purposes, etc.
In one example, the controller 150 may be attached to the kneepad 120 via molding, welding, adhesives, stitching, snap-fitting, slide-fitting, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the controller 150 may be incorporated or embedded within the kneepad cap (not shown). In another embodiment of the invention, the controller 150 may be detached from the kneepad 120. In one embodiment of the invention, the controller 150 may remotely control lighting elements 510 (FIG. 5/
In one example, the wiring conduit 155 may be made of vinyl covered spring steel and be flexible/bendable to rotate or move the controller 150 as desired. In one embodiment of the invention, the wiring conduit 155 may include threads for attaching to the controller 150 and to the multi-way connector 210 (
In one embodiment of the invention, the kneepad cap 110 is made of molded polyurethane. In other embodiments of the invention, the kneepad cap 105 may be made of other similar materials to polyurethane. In one example, gel materials may be employed along with the kneepad cap 110 for additional comfort.
In one embodiment of the invention, the kneepad cap 110 includes one or more portions of translucent material for passing light through from the lighting elements 510. In one example, one or more of the outer portion 130, the center portion 140 and the inner portion 105 are made of translucent or semi-translucent material. In another example, the inner portion 105 is made of translucent, clear or semi-clear material and one or more of the outer portion 130 and the center portion 140 includes a high-visibility, reflective or glow in the dark material to enhance the effect of emitted light from the lighting elements 510.
In one example, the lighting element housings 205 are translucent and may be clear, semi-clear, colored, etc. In another example, if a specific color is desired either the lighting element housings 205 or the lighting elements 510 (FIG. 5/
In one example, the lighting element housings 205 are made of protective material in order to protect the lighting elements 510 disposed within the lighting element housings 205. In one example, the lighting element housings 205 are made of a cushioned material, such as polyurethane, plastics, rubber, etc. In other examples, the lighting element housings 205 are made of a hardened material (e.g., hardened plastic, rubber, etc., or a combination of a hardened material and cushioned material.
In one embodiment of the invention, the controller 150 includes a protective housing to protect internal components from shock and abrasion. In one embodiment of the invention, the wiring conduit 155 includes a protective material to protect internal wires from compression and abrasion from normal use. It should be noted that other known equivalent materials may be used for the lighting element housings 205, controller housing, wiring conduit 155, multi-way connector 206, include upper end portions 206 and lower end portions 207, such as high-density polyethylene, nylon material, hardened plastic, polymer, rubber, composite material, metal or metal alloy, etc.
In one example, the wiring conduit 155 is pressed into the wiring conduit coupler 156, which is either molded into the kneepad cap 110 or added as a separate component and placed into an opening on the kneepad cap 110. In one example, the wiring conduit 155 is formed in a pseudo “S” curve in order to fit in the form of the rear of the kneepad cap 110 above the left side of the lighting element housings 205.
In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting element 510 includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit lighting from within the lighting element housings 205. In one example, the LEDs of the lighting element 510 may comprise any combination of colored lighting, such as white, red, green, blue, yellow, infrared, etc. In other examples, other types of light sources may be employed with lighting element 510, such as Electroluminescent (EL) light sources, etc. In one example, the multiple LEDs may be connected in series, parallel or both.
In one embodiment of the invention, the switch 520 may comprise a user lighting selection functionality for controlling a desired light intensity from the lighting element 510 by means of a controller circuit 525. In one example, the switch 520 and controller circuit 525 may be user selectable to light only a portion of LEDs of the lighting element 510 (e.g., one, two, three, all, etc.). In another example, the switch 520 and controller circuit 525 may be user selectable to select a particular color of LEDs of the lighting element 510 (e.g., white, red, green, blue, yellow, etc.). In yet another example, the switch 520 and controller circuit 525 may be user selectable to select solid or blinking/strobe LEDs of the lighting element 510.
In one example, the sensor 550 may comprise a position determining sensor (e.g., laying flat or vertical), a light sensor, or any combination of various sensors to provide control of the switch 520. In one example, upon employing a position determining sensor as sensor 550, moving the kneepad cap 110 (e.g., a positioning the kneepad cap 110 from a horizontal position to a vertical or bent position) closes the switch 520, which provides voltage to the lighting element 510 from power source 530, and moving the kneepad cap 110 back to a horizontal position opens the switch 520 cutting off voltage from the power source 530 to the lighting element 510. In this example, power may be saved by turning off the lighting element 510 when the kneepad cap 110 would be on a surface and the emitted light would otherwise be emitted downward.
In one example, upon employing a light sensor as sensor 550, when the switch 520 is placed in an on position, the sensor 550 will not close the circuit 500 unless the sensor 550 senses that not enough light is within the proximity of the light sensor (i.e., the area is dark enough to necessitate lighting the area). In one example, the light sensor 550 may be positioned on the sides, front or back portions of the controller 150. In one example, employing the light sensor 550 provides energy saving when lighting the lighting source 510 is not necessary based on available ambient light. In one example, the light sensor 550 may be manually overridden. In one example, the sensor 550 may include any combination of sensors, such as motion and light sensors, position and light sensors, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention, the power source 530 comprises one or more rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries selected based on the number of LEDs and/or voltage required to power the lighting element 510. In one example, a solar charging circuit is employed to store energy in a rechargeable battery of power source 530. In one example, the solar charging circuit may be disposed on the outer portion of the controller 150. In another example, an adapter or plug in socket may be employed with the lighting source circuit 500 to connect to an external power source, such as a battery pack from an electric tool (e.g., electric drill, hammer, screwdriver, etc.), separate additional battery pack, an AC/DC power supply, etc. Other examples may include multiple power sources 530 for extended lighting.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.