LED work light

• US 6,857,756 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: General Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Reiff, David L., Reiff, Paul J., Brown, Clyde M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsidulko, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/119,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20020191396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 362/184, 362/244, 362/183, 362/246, 362/237, 362/294, 362/373, 362/800, 362/545, 362/547, 362/396, 362/191
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/65 specially adapted for changing the characteristics or the distribution of the light, e.g. by adjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 14/023 having two or more, or different light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/04 characterised by the provision of a light source housing portion adjustably fixed to the remainder of the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/033 the surface being a wall or like vertical structure, e.g. building facade
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0965 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/32 Flexible tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/04 Provision of filling media
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/006 applied to portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/007 Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane combination of two or more refractors F21V5/008
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/00 Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A work light for work or task areas which uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light. LED clusters are mounted on a circuit board which is located in a housing. The LED work lights may be powered by conventional 120 or 240-volt electrical outlets, a DC generator, a battery, a battery pack, or a car adapter.

Claims

1. A hand held work light comprising:

a base;

a rechargeable battery operably mounted in said base;

a transparent cover operably associated with said base, said battery including a plurality of contacts;

an LED mounting member operably disposed adjacent said cover, said mounting member comprising a heat sink and including a plurality of fins;

a plurality of focused LEDs mounted on said mounting member and electrically connected to said battery;

an energizing circuit for energizing said LEDs from said battery, said energizing circuit including a current limiting device;

said base including a plurality of electrical contacts for respectively contacting said battery contacts and connecting said battery to said energizing circuit; and

a contact enclosure, one of said electrical contacts disposed in said enclosure, whereby one of said battery contacts is connected to said electrical contact within said enclosure and said electrical contact is prevented from contacting another of said battery contacts.

2. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a recharging circuit, said recharging circuit including a unidirectional electrical element for bypassing said current limiting device.

3. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of contact enclosures, each said electrical contact respectively disposed in one of said enclosures, whereby said battery contacts are respectively connected to said electrical contacts within said plurality of enclosures and short circuiting of said contacts is prevented.

4. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a hook for suspending said light.

5. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of hooks for suspending said work light in a plurality of suspending orientations.

6. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a head, said transparent cover comprising a portion of said head, said head rotatable relative to said base.

7. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a head, said transparent cover and said heat sink comprising a portion of said head, said head tiltable relative to said base.

8. The work light according to claim 1 further comprising a head, said transparent cover and said heat sink comprising a portion of said head, said head both rotatable and tiltable relative to said base.