Patent Application
20130021786
1. Field
The embodiments relate to lighting sources for utility bags, and in particular to lighting sources for utility bags for lighting an interior/exterior of a utility bag as well as surrounding areas.
2. Description of the Related Art
Utility bags are used for carrying tools, supplies and accessories for professionals as well as non-professionals. Utility bags may be used in the day time or at night. A person using a utility bag 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 carrying a utility bag has their hands full.
One embodiment of the invention includes a lighting device for a utility bag. The lighting device including at least one moveable light source, a bracket connected to a utility bag, and a hinge device connected to the bracket and the moveable light source. The moveable light source is adjustable for targeting lighting.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises a utility bag. The utility bag including at least one light source. A bracket is coupled to the utility bag. A mounting device is coupled to the bracket and the at least one light source. The light source is adjustable for targeting lighting.
Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a lighting device kit for a utility bag. The lighting device kit includes a light source. The light source is adjustable for targeting lighting. A bracket is coupled to the light source. A hinge device is coupled to the bracket and the light source. The bracket is fixable to a side portion of a utility bag.
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 utility bag light sources, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of utility bag 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 lighting device for a utility bag. The lighting device including at least one moveable light source, a bracket connected to a utility bag, and a hinge device connected to the bracket and the moveable light source. The moveable light source is adjustable for targeting lighting.
In one embodiment of the invention, a window 230 allows light to enter the utility bag 140 when the light source housing is in a closed state and the lighting source device is turned on via a switch 520 (see
In one example, the lighting source housing 110 includes a lifting portion 330 for facilitating lifting or moving the lighting source housing 110. In one example, a rotation portion 350 is coupled with a mounting or swivel portion 360, where the rotation portion 350 provides rotation functionality to the lighting source housing 110 and the swivel portion 360 provides swivel functionality to the lighting source housing 110. In one embodiment of the invention, the rotation portion 350 may rotate between 0°-180°. The rotation functionality of the rotation portion 350 coupled with the swivel functionality of the swivel portion 360 provides for the lighting source housing 110 to provide precision targeted lighting in many directions, including within the utility bag 140, the sides of the utility bag 140, and away from the utility bag 140, which provides precision lighting to areas external to the utility bag 140 (e.g., working areas, front/rear pathways, etc.).
In one example, the sensor 540 may comprise a position determining sensor, a motion sensor, 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 540, positioning the lighting source housing 110 to an open state (e.g., a position away from bracket 210) closes the switch 520, which provides voltage to the lighting element 310, and moving the lighting source housing 110 to a closed state (e.g., against the bracket 210) opens the switch 520 cutting off voltage to the lighting element 310.
In one example, upon employing a motion sensor as sensor 540, a timer regulates the time that the switch 520 is closed based on sensing motion within a predetermined distance from this sensor 540 disposed on the lighting source 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 520 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 housing 110 by sensing motion without a user having to manually press/slide the switch 520.
In one example, upon employing a light sensor as sensor 540, when the switch is placed in an on position, the sensor 540 will not close the circuit 500 unless the sensor 540 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 540 may be positioned on the sides, exterior or interior portions of the lighting source housing 110. In one example, employing the light sensor 540 provides energy saving when lighting the lighting source device 100 is not necessary based on available ambient light. In one example, the light sensor 540 may be manually overridden.
In one example, the sensor 540 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 rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries selected based on the number of LEDs 320 and/or voltage required to power the lighting element 310. 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 lighting source housing 110. In another example, an adapter or plug in socket may be employed with the lighting source device 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 device 100 may vary in size. In one example, width of the lighting source device 100 may range in width from 3 inches-8 inches, preferably between 4 inches-6 inches; and the length of the lighting source device 100 may range from 3 inches-10 inches, preferably between 4 inches-6 inches across. It should be noted that the lighting source device 100 may be customized and fit according to necessity and desire of the user, and based on the width and length of the utility bag used (e.g., 140, 640, etc.).
In other examples, other types of light sources may be employed with lighting element 310, such as Electroluminescent (EL) light sources, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source device 100 includes glow-in-the-dark material.
In one example, the lighting source device 100 may be made of one or more of: 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 one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source housing 110 may comprise one or more magnets that may be used to attach to other metal devices when the lighting source housing 110 is removably connected to the swivel portion 360. In one example, the removed lighting source housing 110 may be attached to a tool, a metal portion of a ladder, etc. to provide user directed targeted lighting. In another example, the lighting source housing 110 may include a hook, a through-hole, etc. for attaching to an external object (e.g., a ladder, a tool, a tool belt, a nail, etc.) when the lighting source housing 110 is removably connected to the swivel portion 360.
In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source device 100 may be provided as a kit to be attached to an existing utility bag, such as utility bag, 140, 640, etc. In one example, the lighting source device 100 includes the bracket 210 and is attached to the utility bag existing utility bag via thru-holes 220 using means such as rivets, screws, nuts/bolts, or other similar means for attaching. In one example, the user may attach the lighting source device 100 to any suitable portion of the existing utility bag. In another example, the bracket 210 may include a clip or clamp feature for clipping/clamping the lighting source device 100 to an existing utility bag in a desired location.
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.
