Collapsible light

• US 20110122605A1
• Filed: 11/20/2009
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pelican Products Incorporated (Pelican Products Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pelican Products Incorporated (Pelican Products Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Deighton, Kevin, Judd, Darren
• Granted Patent: US 8,201,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/245 Members limiting spreading of legs, e.g. "umbrella legs" for supports with three or more telescoping legs F16M11/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/28 Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/32 Undercarriages for supports with three or more telescoping legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/04 for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains , e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/145 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/22 telescopic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A collapsible lighting device has a main body surrounded by a collar whose position is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the main body. Pivotally connected or hinged legs are attached to the collar and to the main body with struts. When the collar is on one position, the legs deploy outward from the main body to the extent permitted by the struts, thereby allowing the legs to support the collapsible lighting device upright. A lamp head is attached to a member which telescope from the main body. When deployed, the lamp head can be switched on to provide illumination. When the collar is another position, the legs are drawn in toward the main body to form a cylindrical shape. The lam head can be positioned so that when the telescoping member is retracted into the main body, the collar surrounds the exterior of the lamp head, thus protecting the lamp head for transport. The overall cylindrical shape of the lighting device in the collapsed position facilitates transport, for example using a strap to carry the device on one'"'"'s back.

Claims

1. A collapsible lighting device comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a telescoping member adjustable to a position within said main body;

(c) a lamp head positioned at a first end of said telescoping member, said lamp head having sockets for illuminating elements;

(d) an electrical connection to provide a connection between said lamp head and a power source; and

(e) a collar surrounding said main body, said collar being adjustable to a first collar position relative to said main body when said portable lighting device is in a deployed position, and to a second collar position relative to said main body when said collapsible lighting device is in a collapsed position.

2. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 1 further comprising:

(a) a leg pivotally connected to said collar and to said main body to support said portable light in said deployed position.

3. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 2, wherein said collar adjusts to said first collar position when said leg is in a first leg position to support said lighting device in a deployed position and said collar adjusts to said collar second position when said leg is in a second leg position.

4. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 3, said collar having hand grips therein, said hand grips allowing adjustment of said collar to said first collar position and said second collar position.

5. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 4, said collar having an opening wider than a diameter of said main body.

6. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 5, wherein said collar is adjustable to a position to enclose exterior side surfaces of said lamp head when said lighting device is in a collapsed position.

7. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 5, comprising a pivoting connection between said lamp head and said telescoping member.

8. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 7, wherein said pivoting connection between said lamp head and said telescoping member comprises a hinge joint.

9. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 8, said lamp head comprising a plurality of illuminating elements.

10. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 9, said illuminating elements comprising at least one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent bulb and a halogen bulb.

11. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 10, comprising a switch, said switch activating at least one of said illuminating elements.

12. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 11, wherein said switch activates each of said illuminating elements in a sequence.

13. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 11, wherein said switch comprises a continuously variable switch.

14. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 12, said switch further comprising an indicator to indicate a state of power available from said power source.

15. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 1, said power source comprising a battery.

16. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 15, said battery comprising a rechargeable battery.

17. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 15, further comprising battery recharging circuits.

18. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 6, wherein said collapsible lighting device collapses to a substantially cylindrical shape.

19. The collapsible lighting device recited in claim 18 further comprising a should strap for carrying said collapsible lighting device when in said collapsed position.

20. A lighting device comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a lamp head having sockets therein for illuminating elements;

(c) an electrical connection to provide a connection between a power source and said lamp head;

(d) a collar surrounding said main body, said collar being moveable relative to said main body;

(e) a plurality of legs adjustably connected to said collar, said legs supporting said lighting device in an upright position, said position of said legs determining said position of said collar.

21. A collapsible structure comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) a telescoping member adjustable to a position within said main body;

(c) an operational unit positioned at a first end of said telescoping member;

(d) a collar surrounding said main body, said collar being adjustable to a first collar position relative to said main body when said collapsible structure is in a deployed position and to a second collar position relative to said main body when said collapsible structure is in a collapsed position.

22. The collapsible structure recited in claim 21 further comprising:

a leg pivotally connected to said collar and to said main body to support said collapsible device in said deployed position.

23. The collapsible structure recited in claim 22 wherein said collar adjusts to said first collar position when said leg is in a first leg position to support said lighting device in a deployed position and said collar adjusts to said collar second position when said leg is in a second leg position.

24. The collapsible structure recited in claim 23, said collar having hand grips therein, said hand grips allowing adjustment of said collar to said first collar position and said second collar position.

25. The collapsible structure recited in claim 24, said collar having an opening wider than a diameter of said main body.

26. The collapsible structure recited in claim 25, wherein said collar is adjustable to a position to enclose exterior side surfaces of said operational unit when said collapsible structure is in a collapsed position.

27. The collapsible structure recited in claim 24, comprising a pivoting connection between said operational unit and said telescoping member.

28. The collapsible structure recited in claim 27, wherein said pivoting connection between said lamp head and said telescoping member comprises a hinge joint.

29. A collapsible structure comprising:

(a) a main body;

(b) an operational unit;

(c) an electrical connection to provide a connection between a power source and said operational unit;

(d) a collar surrounding said main body, said collar being moveable relative to said main body;

(e) a plurality of legs adjustably connected to said collar, said legs supporting said operational unit in an upright position, said position of said legs determining said position of said collar.