Portable illumination device

• US 20020067611A1
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rob Yaeger
• Original Assignee: Rob Yaeger
• Inventors: Yaeger, Rob
• Granted Patent: US 6,626,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/10 Pendants, arms, or standards; Fixing lighting devices to pendants, arms, or standards adjustable mounting F21V21/14; construction of posts not peculiar to use with lighting devices E04H12/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A portable illumination device for illuminating a target zone includes an outer frame having illumination means disposed at least partially therein, and attachment means for removably attaching the illumination device through desired objects, with the attachment means being formed integral with the outer frame. In a particular embodiment, the portable illumination device includes multiple light emitting diodes which are specifically positioned and directed to illuminate distinct target zones. The portable illumination device may be removably attached to a variety of regularly and irregularly shaped objects.

Claims

1. A portable illumination device, comprising:

(a) an outer frame;

(b) illumination means disposed at least partially within said outer frame; and

(c) attachment means for removably attaching said illumination device to desired objects, said attachment means being formed integral with said outer frame.

2. A portable illumination device as in claim 1 wherein said attachment means is sized and configured to receive specific securing means connected to said desired objects.

3. A portable illumination device as in claim 2 wherein said attachment means comprises one or more slots.

4. A portable illumination device as in claim 3 wherein said securing means comprises one or more protrusions which are sized and configured to be received in said slots.

5. A portable illumination device as in claim 1 wherein said illumination means comprises a plurality of individual light emitting diodes.

6. A portable illumination device as in claim 5 wherein said light emitting diodes comprise multiple colors.

7. A portable illumination device as in claim 6 wherein at least one light emitting diode illuminates in a green color wavelength.

8. A portable illumination device as in claim 1 wherein said outer frame is plastic.

9. A portable illumination device as in claim 1, including an actuating button on said outer frame for actuating said illumination means.

10. A portable illumination device as in claim 1 wherein said illumination means are powered by portable batteries stored within said outer frame.

11. A portable illumination device as in claim 1 being sized and configured to removably attach to a side surface of a tape measure, such that said portable illumination device does not interfere with the functionality of said tape measure.

12. A portable illumination device as in claim 1 wherein said objects include tape measures, tool boxes, clothing belts, walls, building studs, saws, drills, hard hats, nail guns and screw guns.

13. A portable illumination device as in claim 11 wherein said illumination means are directed to illuminate a measuring tape when extended from said tape measure.

14. A portable illumination device as in claim 13 wherein said illumination means are specifically colored to enhance illumination of said measuring tape.

15. A portable illumination device as in claim 14, including a green light emitting diode to enhance illumination of said measuring tape.

16. A portable illumination device as in claim 6 wherein said illumination means may be alternately switched to illuminate a target area using a first color, or to illuminate a general area using a second, different color.

17. A portable illumination device as in claim 1, including a multi-positional switch to alternately switch among said illumination means.

19. A method as in claim 18 wherein said attachment means is slidably received into said securing means.

20. A method as in claim 18 wherein said securing means is adhesively connected to said object.

21. A method as in claim 18 wherein said attachment means comprises one or more slots.

22. A method as in claim 21 wherein said securing means comprises one or more protrusions which are sized and configured to be received in said slots.

23. A method as in claim 18 wherein said illumination means comprises a plurality of individual light emitting diodes.

24. A method as in claim 18, including an actuating button on said outer frame for actuating said illumination means.

25. A method as in claim 18 wherein said portable illumination device is sized and configured to removably attach to a side surface of a tape measure, and said illumination means are directed to illuminate a measuring tape when extended from said tape measure.

26. A method as in claim 24 wherein said actuating button comprises a multi-position switch to alternately switch among said illumination means.

18. A method of illuminating a target zone, comprising:

(a) providing a portable illumination device having an outer frame, illumination means, and an attachment means formed integral with said outer frame;

(b) providing a securing means that is sized and configured to receive said attachment means;

(c) connecting said securing means to an object;

(d) removably attaching said attachment means to said securing means; and

(e) actuating said illumination means.