Portable Cordless Multipurpose Lighting System

• US 20140268711A1
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anson Pdr LLC
• Original Assignee: James M. Lee
• Inventors: Lee, James M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,109,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/191
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/02 characterised by the provision of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/092 Suction devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/32 Flexible tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/402 for working places
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures

Abstract

Systems and methods for lighting body panels of automobiles to facilitate repair of the body panels, where one embodiment is a portable lighting apparatus that includes a light board, a base and an extension member that connects the light board to the base. The light board is supported by the extension member, which is supported by the base. A battery in the base provides power through conductors in the extension member to light sources in the light board. A slip ring in the extension member couples the conductors together so that they can rotate, thereby allowing the light board to rotate with respect to the base, without twisting the conductors. A suction cup mount on the base enables the base to be secured to an automobile body panel, and the extension member allows the light board to be positioned as desired.

Claims

1. A portable lighting apparatus comprising:

a light board that has one or more selectable light sources that provide a plurality of different types of light, wherein each of the plurality of types of light has a unique set of lighting characteristics;

a base that includes a battery which is coupled to the light sources and provides power for the light sources, wherein the base further includes a mount that is attachable to a body panel and thereby secures the base to the body panel; and

an extension member coupled between the light board and the base, wherein the extension member is movable with respect to at least one of the light board and the base, wherein the extension member holds light board in a desired position with respect to the base;

wherein the extension member includes a slip ring which couples a first plurality of electrical conductors that are connected to the battery to a second plurality of electrical conductors that are connected to the light sources, thereby enabling the first plurality of electrical conductors to rotate freely with respect to the second plurality of electrical conductors.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more selectable light sources comprise a plurality of sets of LED'"'"'s, wherein the plurality of sets of LED'"'"'s are selectively powered on and off, thereby providing the plurality of different types of light.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more selectable light sources comprise a plurality of sets of LED'"'"'s, wherein the plurality of different types of light are characterized by unique color temperatures.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more selectable light sources comprise a plurality of sets of LED'"'"'s, wherein the plurality of different types of light are characterized by unique positions on the light board.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electrical switches on the base, wherein each of the switches is connected to one or more of the light sources, and wherein the light sources can be turned on and off with the switches.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a suction cup mount that is alternately attachable to and releasable from the body panel.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base further comprises an exterior surface that enables the lighting apparatus to stand directly on the ground.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base has a sliding battery mount that enables the battery to be alternately attached to or removed from the base.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism that locks the battery in position when the battery is mounted on the base.

10. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slip ring and at least a portion of each of the first and second pluralities of electrical conductors are contained within the extension member.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light board includes a housing and a cover that is at least partially transparent, wherein the light sources are mounted on the housing, and wherein the cover is secured to the housing, thereby enclosing the light sources in the light board.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cover is removable from the housing and replaceable.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the interior of the housing is reflective.