Various aspects of the present invention relate generally to illumination devices, and more particularly, to adjustable utility illumination devices that can be utilized for diverse applications.
Utility lights are frequently used to cast light into non-illuminated or poorly illuminated locations. For instance, utility lights are often used in work areas to improve lighting so that workers can better see an object or area that is the subject of a particular task. In this regard, a worker may repeatedly handle, move and reposition the utility light, e.g., to redirect the light to an area of interest that requires additional illumination based upon the particular task. Moreover, utility lights are portable devices, which are often designed to operate off of battery power. As such, utility lights also find favor in outdoors areas where electricity is not available to power conventional lights.
According to aspects of the present invention, an illumination device comprises a first end member, a second end member and a light tube coupled between the first end member and the second end member. The first end member has at least two faceted surfaces along a perimeter thereof. Analogously, the second end member has at least two faceted surfaces along a perimeter thereof. The light tube is book-ended between the first end member and the second end member such that the at least two faceted surfaces of the first end member are oriented in an aligned relationship with the at least two faceted surfaces of the second end member.
The illumination device further comprises an illumination assembly that includes a light source positioned within the light tube. Moreover, a knob extends from the second end member and is coupled to at least a section of the illumination assembly such that rotation of the knob causes a corresponding rotation within the light tube to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device. In an exemplary implementation, a cross section of the light tube is smaller than a cross section of the first end member and a cross section of the second end member. Moreover, the illumination device is positionable on a flat surface such that a select one of the at least two faceted surfaces of each of the first and second end members rests on the flat surface and the light tube is suspended away from surface by the first and second end members.
According to further aspects of the present invention, an illumination device comprises a first end member having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof and a second end member having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof. The illumination device further comprises an illumination assembly comprising a light source coupled between the first end member and the second end member. In this manner, the illumination assembly is manually rotatable so as to rotate a pattern of light emitted by the illumination device through a plurality of positions, such that the pattern of light covers 360 degrees when rotated through the plurality of positions.
According to still further aspects of the present invention, an illumination device comprises a first end member having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof and a second end member having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof. The illumination device further comprises an illumination assembly comprising a light source, which is coupled between the first end member and the second end member. In this regard, a cross-section of the illumination assembly is smaller than the cross-section of both the first end member and the second end member. The illumination assembly is rotatable about an axis extending between the first and second end members such that manual rotation of the illumination assembly causes a change in the direction of light emitted from the illumination device relative to the stationary positioning of both of the first and second end members.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular, to
The first end member 12 has at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof. Correspondingly, the second end member 14 has at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof. For instance, as illustrated, the first end member 12 and the second end member 14 have a triangular cross-section, thus defining three faceted surfaces therearound. However, in practice, the first end member 12 and the second end member 14 can take on other shapes, including shapes that comprise polygons, curved portions, etc. As illustrated, the first end member 12 is the same general size and shape as the second end member 14 and the first and second end members 12, 14 are arranged generally, in a “book-end” manner bounding the light tube 16 such that the faceted surfaces are oriented in a cooperative relationship, as will be described in greater detail herein. The light tube 16 allows light from a light source within the light tube 16 to pass therethrough, and may thus comprise any suitable material that is transparent, translucent, etc.
The illumination device 10 in this illustrative example also comprises a knob 18. The knob 18 provides a user adjustable control for directing the light that is emitted from the light tube. As illustrated, the knob 18 extends from an exterior major surface of the second end member 14. The knob 18 further aligns substantially coaxially with the longitudinal length of the light tube 16, and is coupled to at least one component within the light tube 16 such that rotation of the knob 18 causes a corresponding change in the direction of light emitted by the illumination device 10. However, in practice, the knob 18 can be positioned in other locations, so long as adjustment of the knob 18 causes a change in the direction of light emitted from the light tube (or at least a change in the direction of light emitted from the light tube relative to the first and second end members 12, 14).
The illumination device 10 also comprises a first pivot-out hook 20 and a second pivot-out hook 22. The first and second pivot-out hooks 20, 22 facilitate positioning of the illumination device 10 in a number of different positions arranged with the length (L) of the illumination device 10 (in the longitudinal direction) oriented generally horizontally. The pivot-out hooks 20, 22 are described in greater detail herein.
The illumination device 10 also comprises a fold-out hook 24. As illustrated, the fold-out hook 24 is shown in a first folded position generally flush with the exterior major surface of the first end member 12 such that the fold-out hook is generally opposite the knob 18. The fold-out hook 24 facilitates positioning of the illumination device 10 in a number of different positions arranged with the length (L) of the illumination device 10 (in the longitudinal direction) oriented generally vertically. The fold-out hook 24 is also described in greater detail herein.
The illumination device 10 still further comprises a plurality of magnets 26, 28. As illustrated, the magnets 26, 28 are embedded into the first and second end members 12, 14 (respectively), and provide a mechanism to support, hold, hang or otherwise set the illumination device 10 into a position in cooperation with a magnetically attractable surface.
An illumination assembly is positioned within the light tube 16. The illumination assembly includes circuitry, one or more illumination devices, and other hardware for directing light, powering light, emitting light, etc. Details describing various embodiments of the illumination assembly will be described in greater detail herein.
Referring to
As schematically illustrated, the illumination assembly 30 is generally elongate. A first end 30A of the illumination assembly 30 is journaled for rotation into the flange/inside major surface of the first end member 12. The illumination assembly 30 extends through the light tube 16. A second end 30B of the illumination assembly 30 is correspondingly journaled for rotation into the flange/inside major surface of the second end member 14 and the knob 18 couples to the illumination assembly adjacent to the exterior major surface of the second end member 14. In this regard, the knob 18 extends from the second end member 14 and is coupled to at least a section of the illumination assembly 30 such that rotation of the knob 18 causes a corresponding rotation of the illumination assembly 30 within the light tube 16 so as to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device 10, e.g., the LEDs in this exemplary implementation. An optional light switch 32 is provided on the knob 18 in the illustrated example, to turn the light source 31 on/off.
Referring to
The knob 18 may rotate the LEDS (and optionally, the battery power) as much as 360 degrees. Alternatively, the knob 18 can rotate the LEDS between some range less than 360 degrees. Moreover, the knob 18 may rotate continuously (i.e., in an endless rotation in either direction). As yet a further example, the knob 18 may rotate to discrete positions, e.g., detents that program a direction of light at designated positions relative to the first and second end members 12, 14.
Referring to
As schematically illustrated, the illumination assembly 30 is generally elongate. A first end 30A of the illumination assembly 30 is journaled for rotation into the flange/inside major surface of the first end member 12. The illumination assembly 30 extends through the light tube 16. A second end 30B of the illumination assembly 30 is correspondingly journaled for rotation into the flange/inside major surface of the second end member 14 and the knob 18 couples to the illumination assembly adjacent to the exterior major surface of the second end member 14. In this regard, the knob 18 extends from the second end member 14 and is coupled to at least a section of the illumination assembly 30 such that rotation of the knob 18 causes a corresponding rotation of the illumination assembly 30 within the light tube 16 so as to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device 10, e.g., the light bulb(s) in this exemplary implementation. An optional light switch 32 is provided on the knob 18 in the illustrated example, to turn the light source 31 on/off.
Referring to
Referring to
The illumination assembly 30 is illustrated both outside of the illumination device 10, and inside the illumination device for purposes of clarity of discussion. In a manner analogous to that of
In this implementation, the illumination source may emit light radially out substantially in all directions. However, the direction of light allowed to exit the illumination device itself, is controlled by manually rotating the reflector to a desired position, thus directing the light in a defined pattern.
Referring to
Referring to
As the knob 18 is rotated, the illumination assembly 30 (or components thereof) rotate is cooperation with the knob 18. However, the first and second end members 12, 14 remain stationary relative to the rotation of the knob 18. Accordingly, the direction of light emitted by the illumination device 10 can be manually altered by a user without physically repositioning the illumination device itself.
As illustrated, the illumination device 10 is in a position where the longitudinal length is horizontal. Additionally, as noted above, the first and second end members 12, 14 each include at least one faceted surface along the edges thereof. Moreover, the faceted edges of the first and second end members 12, 14 are coordinated. As such, the illumination device 10 can rest on a surface such that a faceted edge of each of the first and second end members 12, 14 rests on the surface and the illumination assembly 30 is supported above the surface by the first and second end members 12, 14, as is illustrated. In this manner, the illumination device 10 is stable, even where a user is rotating the knob 18 so as to change the direction of light emitted by the illumination device 10.
Accordingly, the faceted surface of the first end member 12 defines a support surface that allows the illumination device 10 to rest on a support surface in a first position. Similarly, the faceted surface of the second end member 14 defines a support surface that allows the illumination device to rest on the support surface in the first position such that the illumination device 10 contacts the surface at two discrete, spaced apart locations of contact, which are spaced apart by the light tube 16 in this example.
Also, as illustrated, the first and second end members 12, 14 have a cross-section that is larger than the cross-section of the light tube 16. In this regard, the cross-section is taken along a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal length (L). As such, the illumination device 10 can be slid, moved or otherwise repositioned around a work surface without damaging the light tube 16, or inadvertently changing the light pattern orientation. In alternative embodiments, the cross section of the first and second end members 12, 14 need not be larger than the cross-section of the light tube 16.
Referring to
Moreover, as discussed in greater detail herein, manual rotation of the knob 18 by a user causes corresponding rotation of the illumination assembly 30 so that rotation of the knob 18 changes the direction of the light emitted by the illumination device 10 by changing the orientation of the carrier 34, and hence the LEDs 36, relative to the first and second end members 12, 14. Thus, a user can target light to an intended area of interest. In
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The exterior major surface of the first end member 12 includes a contoured recess that allows the fold-out hook 24 to pivot down so that the exterior major surface of the first end member 12 is substantially flat when the fold-out hook 24 is in a default position. In an exemplary implementation, the fold-out hook 24 has a shape that is conformal to at least a portion of the periphery of the first end member 24, e.g., the fold-out hook 24 generally follows the contour of the triangular cross-section of the first end member 12.
According to aspects of the present invention, the fold-out hook 24 is operable between a first position generally flush with the major surface of the first end member 12 and a second position folded out so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the major surface of the first end member 12. That is, when folded out to the second position, the fold-out hook 24 extends from the exterior major surface of the first end member 12 so as to extend generally in the longitudinal direction.
With reference to
In this exemplary implementation, the first pivot-out hook 20 includes two arm components 20A and 20B. When the first pivot-out hook 20 is in a position pivoted flush with the first end member 12, the first arm 20A is positioned adjacent to the inside major surface of the first end member 12 along a first edge 12A, and the second arm 20B is positioned adjacent to the inside major surface of the first end member 12 along a second edge 12B.
Analogously, in this exemplary implementation, the second pivot-out hook 22 includes two arm components 22A and 22B. When the second pivot-out hook 22 is in a position pivoted flush with the second end member 14, the first arm 22A is positioned adjacent to the inside major surface of the second end member 14 along a first edge 14A, and the second arm 22B is positioned adjacent to the inside major surface of the second end member 14 along a second edge 14B.
The pivot-out hooks 20, 22 can pivot out to an appropriate angle for suspending the illumination device 10. For instance, as best illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
According to further aspects of the present invention, the first and second pivot-out hooks 20, 22 can be pivotally secured to the first and second end members 12, 14 respectively, using detents, a ball and spring, or other suitable structure to facilitate discrete positions. This can be useful, for example, to keep the hooks stationary while the illumination device 10 is moved about. Moreover, such devices can be useful, for instance, to provide a tactile response or other user feedback such as a positive click as the pivot-out hooks 20, 22 are pivoted into predetermined positions. As an example, three discrete positions may be provided, including a pivoted back or closed position, a half position as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
With reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
This implementation can include other features. For instance, a bar, beam, bracket or other device can connect the first and second end members, as schematically represented by the dashed line 86, e.g., to define a Generally U-shaped bracket to hold the illumination assembly 30 for pivoting rotation about the pivot points 84. Thus, for instance, the illumination assembly 30 can be rotated such that the shield is proximate to, and parallel to the bar, e.g., to provide protection to the shield (e.g., to keep a lens and/or light source from getting scratched). Moreover, the bar 86 can be a solid color or clear, e.g., a clear plastic. Still further, the bar 86 can neck down, taper or take on other configurations, depending upon the application.
Referring to
Referring to
The features of any one of the illumination devices 10 shown herein can be combined with different features from other implementations to achieve a desired configuration.
With reference to the Figures generally, according to various aspects of the present invention, an illumination device 10 comprises a first end member 12 having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof and a second end member 14 having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof. An illumination assembly 30 has a light source, e.g., LEDs, light bulbs, etc., as described more fully herein, which are coupled between the first end member 12 and the second end member 14. For instance, the illumination assembly 30 can be inserted in a light tube 16, as described with reference to
The illumination assembly 30 is manually rotatable so as to rotate a pattern of light emitted by the illumination device through a plurality of positions, such that the pattern of light covers 360 degrees when rotated through the plurality of positions, as described more fully herein. For instance, the illumination assembly 30 may be continuously rotatable about 360 degrees. The rotation of the light pattern may be accomplished by rotating the light source itself, as described throughout the specification. Alternatively, the rotation of the light pattern may be manually adjusted by rotating a reflector about the light source. For instance, an exemplary arrangement such as that illustrated with reference to
As described more fully herein, in certain illustrative implementations, at least one faceted surface of the first end member 12 defines a support surface that allows the illumination device to rest on a surface in a first position. Moreover, at least one faceted surface of the second end member 14 also defines a support surface that allows the illumination device to rest on the surface in the first position such that the illumination device 10 contacts the surface at two discrete, spaced apart locations of contact.
Moreover, in certain illustrative implementations, a knob 18 extends from the second end member 14 such that rotation of the knob 18 causes a change in the direction of light emitted from the illumination device 10. The knob 18 can optionally be rotatable to continuously vary the rotational position of the pattern of light (or alternatively, to discretely step the rotational position of the pattern of light in discrete steps). Still further, the light source may be rotatable less than 360 degrees. Moreover, the knob 18 can be coupled to at least a section of the illumination assembly 30 such that rotation of the knob 18 causes a corresponding rotation within the light tube to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device. Still further, in certain illustrative implementations, electronics including at least a power switch and wiring that forms a circuit with a battery when a battery is installed within the illumination device 10, such that rotation of the knob 18 causes corresponding rotation of the electronics. As yet another illustrative example, the illumination assembly 30 can include a battery compartment such that at least one battery is insertable therein for powering the light source.
According to still further alternative arrangements, an illumination device 10 may comprise a first end member 12 having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof and a second end member 14 having at least one faceted surface along an edge thereof. An illumination assembly 30 comprising a light source is coupled between the first end member 12 and the second end member 14. In this regard, a cross-section of the illumination assembly 30 is smaller than the cross-section of both the first end member 12 and the second end member 14. For instance, as shown throughout the figures, a cross-section taken orthogonal to the Longitudinal length (L) labeled in
Moreover, as noted in greater detail herein, the illumination assembly 30 is rotatable about an axis extending between the first and second end members 12, 14 such that manual rotation of the illumination assembly 30 causes a change in the direction of light emitted from the illumination device 10 relative to the stationary positioning of both of the first and second end members 12, 14. Rotation of the illumination assembly 30 can be accomplished using a knob such as the knob 18, or via other approaches, e.g., relying upon the user to grasp the illumination assembly 30 for manual rotation thereof.
According to various aspects of the present invention, as noted in greater detail above, the illumination device may comprise at least one magnet contained by the first end member and at least one magnet contained by the second end member. As such, the utility illumination device 10 is releasably securable through magnetic attraction with a magnetically attractive surface.
Further, the faceted surfaces along the edges of the first and second end members 12, 14 provide for a stable base when the illumination device 10 is oriented substantially horizontally. Moreover, the first end member 12 has an exterior major surface that is flat and forms a base sufficient to rest the illumination device 10 vertically on a surface. The illumination device 10 can utilize a cross section of the light tube that is smaller than the cross section of the first end member 12 and the second end member 14. Here, the light tube 16 is suspended between the first end member 12 and the second end member 14 such that positioning the illumination device 10 on a surface (so that the device rests on the faceted sections of the first and second end members 12, 14), suspends the light tube away from the surface. This allows stable placement of the illumination device 10, even on uneven surfaces.
As such, the illumination device 10 can illuminate an area above, below or to either side of the device. The rotation feature allows up to 360 degrees of rotation of the lights, reflector, or combination thereof, within the light tube 16.
Moreover, as described in greater detail herein, at least three adjustable illumination arrangements are described herein. In a first adjustable light arrangement, the light source of the illumination assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. A knob extends from a major surface of the second end member and is coupled to the illumination assembly such that rotation of the knob causes corresponding rotation of the light emitting diodes within the light tube so as to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device.
In this regard, the illumination assembly can further comprise a reflector 74 as described with reference to
In a second adjustable light arrangement, the light source of the illumination assembly comprises a fluorescent bulb. A knob extends from a major surface of the second end member and is coupled to the illumination assembly such that rotation of the knob causes corresponding rotation of the fluorescent bulbs within the light tube so as to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device.
In a third adjustable light arrangement, the illumination source of the illumination assembly comprises at least one fluorescent light and the illumination assembly further comprises a reflector. Moreover, a knob extends from a major surface of the second end member and is coupled to the reflector such that rotation of the knob causes corresponding rotation of the reflector so as to change the direction of light emitted from the illumination device.
Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/627,844, filed Sep. 26, 2012, entitled “UTILITY ILLUMINATION DEVICE”, now allowed, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/539,140, filed Sep. 26, 2011, entitled “UTILITY ILLUMINATION DEVICE”, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20150009661 A1 | Jan 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61539140 | Sep 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13627844 | Sep 2012 | US |
Child | 14494062 | US |