Light apparatus for illuminating a compact computer video screen

• US 6,354,713 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Neiser, Gabe, Leifer, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELGIZZI, RONALD ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US09/641,178
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 362/109, 362/85, 362/234, 362/33, 362/124
• US Class Current: 362/109
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A lighting assembly for compact computer devices such as, or example, hand held video games utilizes a light source directed away from the display screen of the compact computer device and a reflective surface selectively positionable over the display screen to intercept and reflect the light emanating from the light source and re-direct it toward the display screen. The directing of the light away from the display screen and subsequent reflecting back toward the display screen results in an evenly diffused light being applied to the display screen, while completely eliminating the otherwise experienced hot spots or dark spots common in prior art light assemblies.

Claims

1. A light assembly for use in enhancing the view of a video screen of a compact computer device, the compact computer device having a power supply, an on/off power switch and an external port, the lighting assembly comprising:

a housing adapted to attach to the compact computer device;

a light source operatively connected to said housing and positioned to direct light away from the video screen; and

reflecting means operatively connected to said housing and being positioned to reflect the light directed away from the video screen back toward the video screen.

2. The light assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

an upward extension having a lower end pivotably connected to said housing, an opposing upper end and a recess, said light source being disposed within said recess.

3. The light assembly according to claim 2, wherein said reflecting means comprises a reflector housing having a flat reflector disposed on an underside thereof, said reflector housing being pivotably connected to said upper end of said upward extension.

4. The light assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

power supply means for supplying power to said light source; and

means for securing said housing to the compact computer device.

5. The light assembly according to claim 4, wherein said power supply means comprises a battery disposed in one of said base portion, said reflector housing and said upward extension.

6. The light assembly according to claim 4, wherein said power supply means comprises a power supply plug disposed on an internal side of said housing and adapted to engage the external port of the compact computer device, wherein said power supply plug obtains power for said light source through the external port.

7. The light assembly according to claim 4, wherein said housing further comprises a power on/off switch electrically connected to said power supply means and said light source for selectively providing power to said light source.

8. The light assembly according to claim 4, wherein said means for securing comprises a flange extending from said housing and adapted to snap over a top corner of a top edge of the compact computer device.

9. The light assembly according to claim 4, wherein the compact computer device further comprises a cover panel covering the video screen and an upper edge extending from said cover panel to the top edge, said cover panel being slightly recessed from said upper edge to form a ledge, said means for securing comprising an elongated upper surface having a downward extending flange adapted to snap over the upper edge of said compact computer device and engage the ledge formed between said upper edge and the cover panel.

10. The light assembly according to claim 6, further comprising an additional port disposed on an external surface thereof, said additional port providing another user accessible external port while said power supply plug is disposed within the external port of the compact computer device.

11. The light assembly according to claim 10, wherein the external port of the game device comprises an external link port and said power supply plug engages the external link port of the game device.

12. The light assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises an incandescent light bulb.

13. The light assembly according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.

14. The light assembly according to claim 8, wherein said light emitting diode is a directional light emitting diode.

15. The light assembly according to claim 3, wherein said reflector comprises a mirror.

16. The light assembly according to claim 3, wherein said reflector comprises reflective mylar.

17. The light assembly according to claim 3, wherein said reflector comprises hot stamped chrome.

18. The light assembly according to claim 3, wherein said reflector is integrally formed with said reflector housing.