LED dent repair and detail light

• US 9,291,337 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2014
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PRO PDR Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: PRO PDR Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Hulett, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carter, William
• Application Number:
  US14/543,882
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 362600-634
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 1/06 Removing local distortions
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/2404 Arrangements for improving direct observation of the working space, e.g. using mirrors or lamps structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for, F21V33/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/66 Details of globes or covers forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/16 by deformation of parts; Snap action mounting
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/092 Suction devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0925 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/29 employing universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/32 Flexible tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/023 Power supplies in a casing F21V23/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/02 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/40 Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/16 square or rectangular, e.g. for light panels
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A paintless dent removal LED light module has a plurality of selectively illuminated LED strips. There is a small gap between a generally planar diffuser panel and the LED strips, so an image formed upon the diffuser panel has parallel bright strips separated by dark regions. The LED strips are supported upon a tray bottom surface, the tray also having a circumferential and vertically rising side wall, and a lip defining a second plane generally parallel with but displaced from the tray bottom. The diffuser panel rests upon the lip, and is secured by a band having an elastomeric exterior. The tray bottom may incorporate one or more ribs to provide additional strength and rigidity. A power supply has an entirely non-marring exterior with a supporting suction cup. A ball and socket neck having an entirely non-marring exterior mechanically and electrically couples the PDR light to the power supply.

Claims

1. A Light Emitting Diode (LED) light module, comprising:

a tray having a generally planar surface, an at least partially circumferential side wall, and a lip defining a second plane generally parallel with but displaced from that of said generally planar tray surface;

a plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel LED strips supported upon said generally planar tray surface;

a generally planar diffuser panel parallel with, secured to, and supported by said tray lip; and

a small gap between said diffuser panel and said plurality of LED strips of dimension to form an image output from said diffuser panel having parallel bright strips separated by dark regions there between.

2. The LED light module of claim 1, further comprising a band having a deformable interior and an elastomeric exterior, said band wrapped and pinched about and thereby securing said generally planar diffuser panel to said tray lip.

3. The LED light module of claim 2, wherein said band further comprises an elastomerically coated malleable metal.

4. The LED light module of claim 3, wherein said band further comprises a U-shaped cross-section, with a first generally straight leg of said U-shaped band cross-section parallel to and immediately adjacent a diffuser major surface, a second generally straight leg of said U-shaped band parallel to and immediately adjacent a lip major surface;

and a curved base of said U-shaped cross-section defining a perimeter about said diffuser and said lip.

5. The LED light module of claim 1, wherein said generally planar tray surface further comprises at least one rib providing additional strength and rigidity.

6. The LED light module of claim 5, wherein said at least one rib further comprises a plurality of ribs radiating from adjacent to a center of generally planar tray surface towards a perimeter thereof adapted to provide orthogonal three-axis stiffening of said generally planar tray surface.

7. The LED light module of claim 5, wherein said at least one rib further comprises a plurality of ridges and stiffeners adapted to provide orthogonal three-axis stiffening of said generally planar tray surface.

8. The LED light module of claim 1, wherein said generally planar tray surface is adjacent to a bottom of said tray, and distal to said generally planar diffuser panel.

9. The LED light module of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel LED strips is controlled by a switch to be selectively illuminated or dark and thereby selectively control particular spacing between said parallel bright strips.

10. The lightweight and rigid LED light module of claim 1, wherein said tray having said generally planar surface, said at least partially circumferential side wall, and said lip further comprises a unitary structure.

11. A lightweight and rigid Light Emitting Diode (LED) light module, consisting essentially of:

a tray having a generally planar surface;

a plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel LED strips supported upon said generally planar tray surface;

a generally planar diffuser panel parallel with said tray generally planar surface; and

an affixer securing said generally planar diffuser panel to said tray;

said tray, said affixer, and said generally planar diffuser panel defining an exterior shell encompassing said plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel LED strips and defining a small gap between said diffuser panel and said plurality of LED strips of dimension to form an image upon and output from said diffuser panel of parallel bright strips separated by dark regions there between.