Light apparatus for illuminating a compact computer video screen

• US 5,325,280 A
• Filed: 06/07/1993
• Issued: 06/28/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VIC Tokai Corporation (Tokai Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Curtis Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Tortola, Angelo, Howitt, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/072,706
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 362/23, 362/28, 362/84, 362/85, 362/109, 362/191, 362/234, 362/253, 362/396, 273/855, 273/85 R, 273/148 B, 273/237, 273/269, 273/434, 368/159, 368/188, 368/241, 368/281, 368/321, 248/918, 359/48, 359/49, 359/50
• US Class Current: 362/234
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 25/02 with means for illuminating object viewed
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/02 Viewing or reading apparatus stereoscopic systems G02B30/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/04 having collapsible parts
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1336 Illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0216 Constructional details or arrangements

Abstract

A portable, compact, battery-operated light apparatus for use with a compact computer game having a LCD video screen for enhancing the visibility of the LCD screen in use, which light apparatus comprises a body with a battery compartment and having side panels which define an open viewing space and lights provided in the body element to provide for indirect lighting of the viewing space, the light apparatus comprising a portable, compact, battery-powered light apparatus and which includes ridges on the light apparatus which snap in a releasable manner onto the grooves in a compact computer game video system to releasably secure the light apparatus in position over the LCD video screen of the compact game system.

Claims

1. A portable, compact, light apparatus for use in enhancing the view of a compact computer video screen, which light apparatus comprises:

a) a body which defines a video viewing space, the video viewing space adapted to conform generally to the size of the compact computer video screen to be enhanced for viewing by the user;

b) light means within the body and adapted to be connected to an electrical power source to provide light to enhance the viewing of the compact computer video screen;

c) electrical switch means to control the power from the power source;

d) electrical connection means to connect the light means through the switch means to the power source to be employed therein; and

e) attachment means to secure releasably the light apparatus onto the computer apparatus, so that the viewing space of the light apparatus may be positioned over the video screen of the computer apparatus, and whereby the light enhances the view of the video screen is use by the user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power source is a battery power source.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises ridge means on the light apparatus, the ridge means adapted to fit into a groove means on the compact computer apparatus, whereby the light apparatus may be retained with the compact computer apparatus and the viewing space of the light apparatus positioned over the video screen of the compact computer apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light means is positioned to light up the surfaces of the body to provide reflected homogeneous light onto the computer video screen.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means to prevent direct illumination of the video screen by the light means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is secured releasably to the computer apparatus in a snap-fitting manner.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means is secured releasably to the computer apparatus in a slidable manner.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light means comprises a pair of white light bulbs positioned on opposite sides of the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body comprises four side panels to form a generally rectangular-shaped body and the light means are dispersed on opposite sides of the body and adjacent the apparatus side panels.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body is releasably secured directly adjacent to the surface of the compact computer.

11. In combination, a compact computer apparatus having an LCD video screen for viewing by a user, and which includes releasably attached thereto the light apparatus of claim 1, with the viewing space of the light apparatus positioned generally over the video screen of the compact computer apparatus.