1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, and more specifically to a multi-purpose, multi-function road lamp with articulating head and clip.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typical chemical road lamps are dangerous, unpredictable, and finite. These lamps burn hot and pose fire risks. They degrade over time and may not be functional in a time of need. Once their fuel burns down, they are useless.
Existing electronic road lights and road lamps, including those using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used in recent years. Typically, these devices are designed merely to replace the chemical road lamps of years past. However, in doing so these LED lamps do not improve upon the prior art other than to exchange the light source from the fire of a road lamp to the light emitted from the LED.
Other LED lamps include head lamps or flashlights. However, these typically have limited functionality based upon how they are constructed, and are generally not useful outside of their intended functions. Head lamps, for example, are not very fashionable or useful outside of general utility settings.
What is needed is an LED road lamp which embraces the obvious advantages of the LED and incorporates those advantages into a lamp device which has multiple useful features.
Heretofore there has not been available a multi-purpose LED lamp with the advantages and features of the present invention.
The present invention generally provides a lamp including an articulating head element containing several light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The lights have several modes of lighting, which are selectable via a power switch or other switch. The different modes include solid lights in a directed cone, solid lights in all directions, blinking lights, off, or a combination thereof.
The LEDs are contained within a head portion which is connected to a base by a hinge or a pin element. The head portion may be tilted up away from the base if the base is placed on a flat surface, such that the panel is some angle between zero degrees and 90 degrees away from the base. A preferred embodiment would allow the arm to stop at any angle, but it should at least stop perpendicular to the base at 90 degrees. This allows the LED to be viewed from passersby while the base provides a solid support preventing the lamp from tipping.
A clip allows the lamp to be connected to an external body, such as a shirt pocket, the bill of a cap, or some other article of clothing. Magnets within the clip also allow the lamp to be placed against a metallic surface, such as the inside of a automobile hood or on the roof of an automobile.
The LEDs may be powered by replaceable batteries, such as standard AA or AAA Lithium Ion batteries, or it may contain a semi-permanent rechargeable battery and recharge port. A preferred embodiment includes a USB male-charging element covered by a cap having a lanyard hole.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.
As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
Referring to the figures,
A clip 10 is connected to the base 4 via a protrusion 28 in the base and a connecting pin 22 which allows the clip to hinge about the protrusion. A spring may also be included in the pin or about the pin to force the clip to clamp down against the base 4, thereby securing the base to another object, such as the bill of a cap or a shirt pocket. As shown, the clip 10 includes feet 30 which allow for gripping of the clip but also allow the lamp to be placed on a flat surface, clip-side down, and for the lamp to be balanced there. The fee 30 may also include magnets to allow the lamp 2 to be affixed to a metal surface. The clip also includes one or more clip teeth 32 at the end of the clip, which may contain grippable surfaces to better help the clip 10 secure the lamp 2 to an object.
The lamp features at least three LED lights 8. The switch 14 cycles through lighting options. In a preferred embodiment there are at least three possible lighting options. With a first activation of the switch the LEDs will turn on in a single directional cone. This allows the lamp to be used as a flashlight to light up a scene of an accident or other location. The second activation of the switch turns the LEDs into a 360-degree illumination, functioning as a lantern to light up an area. The third activation of the switch will cause the LEDs to flash continuously. This allows the lamp to be used as a warning element to passing traffic while the user's vehicle is pulled over to the side of the road or for any other emergency situation. The fourth activation of the switch would turn all LEDs off. However, any combination of flashing or solid lights could be programmed into the switch 10 and delivered by the LEDs.
The lamp could alternatively, or preferably, be used as a general work light for indoor or outdoor jobs. For example, the light could be used for automobile repair work in a dimly lit garage or during the night.
Other examples of common use for the lamp would be as a lantern for camping or other outdoor activities. The lamp could be placed on a picnic table or outside of a tent for temporary, directional lighting. The lamp design suits it for carrying as a lantern.
It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.
This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/315,477, filed Mar. 30, 2016, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/136,033, filed Apr. 22, 2016, now U.S. Publication No. 2016/0238224, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/884,579, filed Oct. 15, 2015, now U.S. Publication No. 2016/0109105, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/064,332, filed Oct. 15, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62315477 | Mar 2016 | US | |
62150963 | Apr 2015 | US | |
62064332 | Oct 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15136033 | Apr 2016 | US |
Child | 15473912 | US | |
Parent | 14884579 | Oct 2015 | US |
Child | 15136033 | US |