Patent Application
20130148339
1. Field
The embodiments relate to lighting sources, and in particular to portable attachable light sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
A person working in dark areas or at night typically requires the use of a light source, such as a flashlight or lamp. Using a lamp is sometimes inappropriate due to the working area. Carrying the extra weight of a flashlight or use of a flashlight may be inconvenient, especially when a person is working with their hands or maybe is working on a ladder or suspended by safety equipment.
One embodiment of the invention includes a lighting device. The lighting device including at least one light source. A flexible arm is coupled to the light source. A light source body is coupled to the flexible arm. The light source body rotates for multi-positional lighting.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a system. The system includes a light source. A switch device is coupled to the light source. A power source is coupled to the switch. A flexible extension arm is coupled to the light source. A light source body is coupled to the flexible arm. The light source body rotates for multi-positional lighting.
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 portable light sources, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of portable light sources and devices 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 portable lighting device. The lighting device including at least one light source. A flexible arm is coupled to the light source. A light source body is coupled to the flexible arm. The light source body rotates for multi-positional lighting. In one example, a clip or other attachment device attached with the portable lighting device may be attached to suspenders, a tool bag, a belt, etc. The flexible arm rotates and extends away from the light source body providing light in any direction a user desires, while the user may maintain free hands without having to hold the light source.
In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source 100 includes a flexible arm 130. In one example, the flexible arm 130 is bendable and movable providing the lighting source body 120 to be rotated 360 degrees in three dimensions, and moved to any desired position (e.g., facing down, facing at an angle, facing up, etc.) for providing light in any desired direction when the lighting source 100 is powered on via a switch 140. In another example, once the extension arm 130 is moved or placed in a desired position, the extension arm 130 remains in the placed position until moved or placed in another position.
In one example, the extension arm 130 may be made of vinyl covered spring steel and have a length ranging from 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably about 137 mm. In one embodiment of the invention, the extension arm 130 may include threads for attaching to the housing 110 and the coupling portion 125. In other embodiments, the extension arm 130 may be permanently attached to the housing 110 and the coupling portion 125. In one example, the extension arm 130 has a length greater than the length of the housing 110.
In one embodiment of the invention, the switch 420 may comprise a user lighting selection functionality for controlling a desired light intensity from the lighting element 160 by means of a controller circuit 425. In one example, the switch 420 and controller circuit 425 may be user selectable to light only a portion of LEDs of the lighting element 160 (e.g., one, two, three, all, etc.). In another example, the switch 420 and controller circuit 425 may be user selectable to select a particular color of LEDs of the lighting element 160 (e.g., white, red, green, yellow, etc.). In yet another example, the switch 420 and controller circuit 425 may be user selectable to select solid or blinking LEDs of the lighting element 160.
In one example, the sensor 440 may comprise a position determining sensor, a motion sensor, a light sensor, or any combination of various sensors to provide control of the switch 420. In one example, upon employing a position determining sensor as sensor 440, moving the lighting source body 120 (e.g., a positioning the lighting source body 120 away from the lighting source body holder 210) closes the switch 420, which provides voltage to the lighting element 160 from power source 430, and moving the lighting source body 120 back to the lighting source body holder 210 opens the switch 420 cutting off voltage from the power source 430 to the lighting element 160.
In one example, upon employing a motion sensor as sensor 440, a timer regulates the time that the switch 420 is closed based on sensing motion within a predetermined distance from this sensor 440 disposed on the housing 110. In one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined motion sensing distance is adjustable by a user from 1 ft.-15 ft. In another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined motion sensing distance is preset between distances of 1 ft-3 ft. In one example, the motion sensor may be turned on or off so that the switch 420 may be manually set on/off. In one embodiment of the invention, the timer may be user adjustable or preset to a particular amount of time. In one example, the timer may be adjusted from 5 seconds to 15 minutes. In another example, the timer is preset between 30 seconds and one minute. The use of the motion sensor provides lighting in the set direction of the lighting source body 120 by sensing motion without a user having to manually activate the switch 420.
In one example, upon employing a light sensor as sensor 440, when the switch 420 is placed in an on position, the sensor 440 will not close the circuit 400 unless the sensor 440 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 440 may be positioned on the sides, front or back portions of the housing 110. In one example, employing the light sensor 440 provides energy saving when lighting the lighting source 100 is not necessary based on available ambient light. In one example, the light sensor 440 may be manually overridden.
In one example, the sensor 440 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 430 comprises rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries selected based on the number of LEDs and/or voltage required to power the lighting element 160. In one example, a solar charging circuit is employed to store energy in a rechargeable battery of power source 430. In one example, the solar charging circuit may be disposed on the outer portion of the housing 110. In another example, an adapter or plug in socket may be employed with the lighting source 100 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.
In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source 100 may vary in size. In one example, width of the lighting source 100 may range from 40 mm to 60 mm, preferably 52 mm; the length of the lighting source 100 may range from 60 mm to 90 mm, preferably 81 mm; and the height of the lighting source 100 may range from 15-40 mm, preferably 20 mm It should be noted that the lighting source 100 may be customized according to necessity and desire of the user.
In other examples, other types of light sources may be employed with lighting element 160, such as Electroluminescent (EL) light sources, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source 100 includes glow-in-the-dark material.
In one example, the lighting source 100 may be made of one or more of: ABS, reinforced polypropylene, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, nylon material, hardened plastic, polymer, rubber, composite material, metal or metal alloy, etc., or other similar or equivalent materials.
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.
