This application relates to the art of lighting and, more particularly, to a portable light holder and related methods.
In many outdoor activities, it is desirable to wear a light to aid any observers (such as drivers, for example) in identifying the location of the wearer, especially in low-light conditions. The light may take various forms, but one common example is a beacon, which may flash to alert the observers to the wearer's location or relative position.
Aside from clothing, participants in outdoor activities also often wear packs for carrying gear, such as a backpack. Typically, backpacks do not include a ready solution for connecting such a beacon in a desirable location to ensure it will be noticed by observers. Clothing also does not provide a ready form of attachment for such a light such that it will remain readily visible to an observer, such as along a wearer's chest, upper back or arms.
It is also desirable to provide such a pack with the ability to readily accommodate accessories or gear on external portions thereof in a readily accessible manner. One example is a load rail on the rear of the pack, as described in WO2020154369A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. While well-suited for reliably connecting accessories, it is not readily adaptable for connecting to a beacon, and likewise, a beacon is not readily adapted for connecting accessories or gear to a pack.
Accordingly, a need is identified for a light that addresses the foregoing issues and possibly others that have yet to be discovered.
In one aspect, an apparatus for connection to a pack includes: a holder including an internal recess, the holder including at least one connector adapted for connecting an accessory to the pack; an insert for positioning in the internal recess of the holder, the insert including at least one light; and a fastener for fastening the holder to the pack.
In a second aspect, an apparatus for connecting an accessory includes: a pack; and a holder including at least one light, the holder being fastened to the pack and adapted for receiving a connector for connecting the accessory to the pack.
In a third aspect, an apparatus for connection to a pack includes: a holder including an internal recess; at least one connector adapted for connecting an accessory to the pack via the holder; and an insert for positioning in the internal recess of the holder, the insert including at least one light.
In a fourth aspect, a holder for an insert including a light includes: a body including an internal recess for receiving the insert, the body including at least one opening for pushing the insert from the internal recess.
In a fifth aspect, a method of securing an accessory to a pack using a light holder, includes: fastening the light holder to the pack; and fastening a connector for securing the accessory to the light holder.
In a sixth aspect, an apparatus for providing lighting on an object, includes: a holder including an internal recess; an insert adapted for being removably positioned in the internal recess of the holder, the insert including at least one light; and a fastener for fastening the holder to the object.
In a seventh embodiment, an apparatus includes: an article of clothing including a first connector; and a light holder including a removable light, the light holder including a second connector for releasably attaching to the first connector.
These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and like numerals represent like details in the various figures. Also, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that process or other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, where the scope of the invention may encompass more than the appended claims and their equivalents.
Reference is now made to
The body 11 may include a circumferential wall 12 having pair of sidewalls 12a, 12b that extend in parallel with one another, an endwall 12c extending between the pair of sidewalls 12a, 12b at one end of the sidewalls 12a, 12b. A rear wall 12d extends between the pair of sidewalls 12a, 12b at another end of the sidewalls 12a, 12b opposite the endwall 12c. Each of the sidewalls 12a, 12b, the endwall 12c, and the rear wall 12d circumferentially surround the recess 14 to permit an insert to be inserted into the recess 14.
The body 11 may further include a bottom 15 coupled to a bottom of the circumferential wall 12, and a lip 17 coupled to a top of the circumferential wall 12 opposite the bottom 15 to be positioned on opposite sides of the recess 14 with the recess 14 positioned therebetween. The bottom 15 may define passages P that permit a fastener to pass therethrough and couple the body 11 to an external surface. While the body 11 is depicted having a pair of passages P, the bottom 15 may include any number of passages P for coupling the body 11 to an external surface. The passages P may include an internal receiver 12f in the recess 14 that is sized and shaped for engaging a nut. The lip 17 may extend from the circumferential wall 12 partially into the opening 14a to reduce a size of the opening 14a.
The body 11 may further include one or more connectors for forming a connection. This may be in the form of a rail 16 provided along and spaced from corresponding sidewalls 12a, 12b of the body 11, except at the connection points, so as to form a passage G. The rails 16 may each include a central extension 16a extending in parallel with the respective sidewalls 12a, 12b, and a pair of coupling portions 16b extending between the central extension 16a and the sidewalls 12a, 12b to couple the rails 16 to the sidewalls 12a, 12b.
A pull 18 may also be provided at the endwall 12c of the body 11, where the pull 18 has an opening 18a for allowing a lanyard, rope, other elongated member, carabiner, or the like to extend through the pull 18 and couple the body 11 to an external object. The endwall 12c may be partially open, such as via opening 12e, to the internal recess 14 that allows for a user to insert a finger or object to contact an insert within the recess 14 to assist with removing the insert from the recess 14.
Turning now to
A bumper 22a may extend from the circumferential surface 22b away from the outer surface 24, and may be circumferential. The bumper 22a may be sized relative to the proportions of the opening 14a of the recess 14 to allow the insert to be securely retained in place. The bumper 22a may be sized greater than the opening 14a through the lip 17 such that when the insert 20 is positioned in recess 14, the bumper 22a contacts the lip 17 for the lip 17 to retain the insert 20 within the recess 14.
The outer surface 24 of the insert 20 may include one or more light sources. For instance, a pair of spaced LEDs 26a, 26b may be provided. One or both of these LEDs 26a, 26b may be programmed to flash in one or more colors and thus form a beacon. However, it is contemplated and possible that the insert 20 includes any operable number and type of light sources, such as light strips, that may provide continuous light, a flash or strobe, or the like.
The insert 20 may comprise a self-contained unit with a source of power. For example, the source of power may comprise a battery 28a or a solar cell, for powering the light sources. It may also include an on/off switch 28b that may additionally be used to alternate between light effects, such as continuous light or strobing.
As can be appreciated from
Additionally, with reference to
As can be appreciated from
By providing a plurality of holders 10 on the pack and, in particular, along a rear surface thereof, the cord C may be secured in place in a manner that allows for additional articles (e.g., accessories, such as tools or knives, articles of clothing, or the like) to be secured to the pack. Concurrently, the holders 10 as a result of the insert 20 including the one or more lights serves as a beacon, thereby alerting observers to the location of the user of the pack. The dual functionality thus afforded by the arrangement avoids the need for providing separate parts for achieving lighting and holding functionality for the pack, and thus facilitates ease of use and may reduce both cost and complexity.
Turning to
The body 112 may include a retainer, such as in the form of a clip 116 located in the internal recess 114. The clip 116 may include a plurality of deflectable arms 116a extending from the body 112 that include tabs 116b for engaging the insert 120. A corresponding receiver 118 may be provided on the underside of the light 120 for mating with the clip when pushed into engagement therewith so as to form a secure, but releasable connection. The receiver 118 may include a cavity 118a formed in the insert 120 and arms 118b that extend into the cavity 118a for engaging with the tabs 116b of the clip 116. The body 112 may also include a U-shaped sidewall 112a at each end, forming an intermediate gap G between the U-shaped sidewalls 112a for tactile engagement of the light 120, which can then be separated from the body 112 (see
As can perhaps be best understood from
Thus, with reference to
In any case, it can be appreciated that the light holder 100 including the light 120 may be releasably attached to the patch 124 as desired, as well as positioned in different orientations. This portability allows for use in dark or low light conditions, when present, and removal for storage in conditions where use of the light 120 is not needed.
As noted above, the light 120 may also be provided with a trigger or on-off switch. In the illustrated example, this is in the form of a button 130 for toggling between the on and off conditions. Suitable indicia may be also be provided for indicating which position of the button 130 turns the light on or off.
The present disclosure is further defined by the following clauses:
Clause 1. An apparatus for connection to a pack, including: a holder including an internal recess, the holder including at least one connector adapted for connecting an accessory to the pack; an insert for positioning in the internal recess of the holder, the insert including at least one light; a fastener for fastening the holder to the pack.
Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the holder includes an opening adapted for pushing the insert from the internal recess of the holder.
Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the fastener includes a bolt and nut.
Clause 4. The apparatus according to any of clauses 1-3, wherein the holder includes a passage for receiving the fastener.
Clause 5. The apparatus according to any of clauses 1-4, wherein the connector includes a rail spaced from a body of the holder.
Clause 6. The apparatus according to any of clauses 1-5, further including a pull located on an endwall of the holder.
Clause 7. The apparatus according to any of clauses 1-6, wherein the insert includes at least one flashing light forming a beacon.
Clause 8. A pack including the apparatus of any of clauses 1-7.
Clause 9. An apparatus for connecting an accessory, including: a pack; a holder including at least one light, the holder being fastened to the pack and adapted for receiving a connector for connecting the accessory to the pack.
Clause 10. The apparatus according to clause 9, further including a fastener for fastening the holder to the pack.
Clause 11. The apparatus according to clause 9 or clause 10, wherein the fastener includes a bolt for passing through the pack and a passage of the holder.
Clause 12. The apparatus according to any of clauses 9-11, further including a mounting plate on the pack for receiving the fastener.
Clause 13. The apparatus according to any of clauses 9-12, wherein the connector includes an elastic cord and the holder includes a passage for receiving the elastic cord.
Clause 14. The apparatus according to any of clauses 9-12, wherein the holder includes a plurality of holders, each including at least one light.
Clause 15. An apparatus for connection to a pack, including: a holder including an internal recess; at least one connector adapted for connecting an accessory to the pack via the holder; and an insert for positioning in the internal recess of the holder, the insert including at least one light.
Clause 16. A pack including the apparatus according to clause 15.
Clause 17. A holder for an insert including a light, including: a body including an internal recess for receiving the insert, the body including at least one opening for pushing the insert from the internal recess.
Clause 18. The holder according to clause 17, wherein the body includes one or more rails spaced from the body and forming a passage.
Clause 19. A method of securing an accessory to a pack using a light holder, including: fastening the light holder to the pack; and fastening a connector for securing the accessory to the light holder.
Clause 20. The method according to clause 19, wherein the step of fastening the light holder to the pack includes passing the fastener through the pack.
Clause 21. The method according to clause 19 or clause 20, wherein the step of fastening the connector to the light holder includes connecting a cord to a rail of the light holder.
Clause 22 An apparatus for providing lighting on an object, including: a holder including an internal recess; an insert adapted for being removably positioned in the internal recess of the holder, the insert including at least one light; and a fastener for fastening the holder to the object.
Clause 23. The apparatus according to clause 22, wherein the internal recess includes a connector for connecting with the insert.
Clause 24. The apparatus according to clause 22 or clause 23, wherein the fastener includes a plurality of hooks integrally formed on a surface of the holder.
Clause 25. An article of clothing adapted for connecting with the plurality of hooks.
Clause 26. An apparatus, including: an article of clothing including a first connector; and a light holder including a removable light, the light holder including a second connector for releasably attaching to the first connector.
Clause 27. The apparatus according to clause 26, wherein the article of clothing includes a shirt, the first connector includes a patch on the shirt, and the second connector includes a plurality of hooks integrally formed on the light holder.
Clause 28. The apparatus according to clause 26 or clause 27, wherein the light holder includes a connector for releasably connecting with the removable light.
As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:
“A”, “an”, and “the” as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, “a compartment” refers to one or more than one compartment.
“About,” “substantially,” or “approximately,” as used herein referring to a measurable value, such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/−20% or less, including +/−10% or less, +/−5% or less, +/−1% or less, and +/−0.1% or less of and from the specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. However, it is to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.
“Comprise”, “comprising”, and “comprises” and “comprised of” as used herein are synonymous with “include”, “including”, “includes” or “contain”, “containing”, “contains” and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the appended claims' spirit and scope. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/299,718, filed on Jan. 14, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63299718 | Jan 2022 | US |