Abstract:
A modularly constructed hand held, utility light is described and taught having a sealed electrical module and a separately attached handle module. In one embodiment. module includes two half shells that when assembled and attached to the electric module. Various embodiments of the handle module may comprise an articulation mechanism configured to allow the user to manipulate the direction of the light provided by the utility light by rotating the utility light in at least one direction. The articulation mechanism may comprise one or more of a ball and socket joint, a ratchet mechanism, or any other suitable device configured to allow a user to manipulate the direction of the light provided by the modular utility light. In another embodiment, the handle module may comprise a strap configured to facilitate cord management and/or allow a user to hang the modular utility light above a work area.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/077,430, filed Mar. 19, 2008, titled “Modular Utility Light,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/919,265, filed Mar. 21, 2007, titled “Modular Utility Light,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to an improved hand held utility light. More particularly embodiments relate to a modularly constructed handle for the utility light which allows for design of individual hand hold configurations, as requested by given customers, without the need for separate UL testing and approval for each individually configured light. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Hand held utility lights may comprise two half-shells which when assembled encapsulate therebetween the light bulb receptacle, the light on-off switch, and any other desired brass circuitry. For example see U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,357, issued to Ting on Nov. 10, 1998. 
         [0004]    However, when manufacturing such utility lights for differing customers, each customer may require that the hand-hold portion of the utility light be uniquely different from their competitors. Thus manufacturing suppliers of such utility lights must individually submit each uniquely designed utility light for UL testing and approval even though the electrical portions of each utility light may be identical to that of previously approved utility lights. 
         [0005]    In the event that a given customer desires to reconfigure their particular utility light handle, the entire newly configured utility light must be UL tested and approved even though the redesign is superficial and incorporates previously approved electrical components and circuitry. 
         [0006]    Thus for manufacturers supplying multiple customers, such individual UL testing and approvals becomes costly and generally unnecessary. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A uniquely configured utility light is taught which may not require separate UL testing and approval when the overall appearance of the hand hold portion of the utility light is the only portion of the utility light that is reconfigured. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention disclose a unique hand held utility light having a modular construction wherein the light includes an electrical module and a separately constructed hand hold module, thereby compressing a separate hand hold module connected to an electrical module to complete the light structure. 
         [0009]    By this modular construction the utility light manufacturer need only submit the electrical module for UL testing and approval. Once UL tested and approved, the electrical module may be used with any uniquely designed hand hold module without separate UL testing and approval. Of the complete utility light 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  presents a pictorial view of a typical utility light embodying the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  presents an exploded pictorial view of the utility light illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  presents a detailed, exploded pictorial view illustrating the assembly of the lower portion of the utility light illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  presents a reverse and inverted pictorial view of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  presents a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  presents a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  presents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a utility light comprising an articulation mechanism. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  presents a detailed, cross-sectional front view of the lower portion of the utility light in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  presents an exploded assembly view of the articulation mechanism of the utility light in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  presents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a utility light comprising an alternate articulation mechanism. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  presents a detailed, cross-sectional front view of the lower portion of the utility light in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  presents an exploded assembly view of the articulation mechanism of the utility light in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  presents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a utility light comprising a storage strap. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  presents a detailed rear view of the lower portion of the utility light in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  presents a detailed side view of the lower portion of the utility light in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a utility light  10  comprising a handle module  12 , an electrical module  14 , and a cord  22 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  handle module  12  comprises half shells  12 A and  12 B that when placed together, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , and fastened with fasteners  15 , complete the assembly of handle module  12 . 
         [0026]    Similarly, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , electrical module  14  comprises two opposing shells  14 A and  14 B that permanently, combine to form an outer housing for electrical module  14 . As illustrated, shells  14 A and  14 B, when assembled, encapsulate any desired brass electrical components  20  and the light bulb receptacle  25 . 
         [0027]    When assembled electrical module  14  includes a cylindrical shaped extension  18  which receives thereon handle shells  12 A and  12 B thereby forming the completed utility light as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Post like protrusions  23 A and  23 B extend through an opening in extension  18 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and are fastened by a screw  15 . Two additional screws  15  extend through shell  12 B and cord lock  22 B, within shell  12 B, and are received within cord lock  22 A inside shell  12 A as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . 
         [0028]    Shells  12 A and  12 B, when assembled, further inter lock with extension  18  of electrical module  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0029]    Once the electric module  14  has been designed, tested, and approved by UL, the module  14  may be joined with various handle configurations, thereby forming utility lights of various appearances and designs without undergoing individual UL testing and approval. 
         [0030]    By way of example only,  FIGS. 7-14  depict various embodiments of alternate handle module configurations that may be joined with electric module  14 . Specifically,  FIGS. 7-12  depict two different handle modules, each comprising an articulation mechanism, and  FIGS. 13-14  depict a handle module comprising a strap  350  and locking mechanism  360 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , handle module  112  comprises a first half shell  112   a , a second half shell  112   b  and an articulation mechanism  150 . In this version, handle module  112  is configured to provide a side entry aperture  124  to receive cord  122  within handle module  112 . Of course the side entry aperture  124  may be positioned on either side of handle module  112 . As shown, articulation mechanism  150  comprises a ball and socket joint comprising a socket  114  formed by first half shell  112   a  and second half shell  112   b  and a base assembly  160 . In this example, base assembly  160  comprises a sphere  162  and a support portion  164 . The components of base assembly  160  may be configured to interlock with each other to provide a secure attachment between the components, although other suitable methods of construction may be utilized in place of or in addition to the interlocking design. Sphere  162  may comprise two spherical halves  162   a ,  162   b , as shown in  FIG. 9 , or, alternatively, sphere  162  may have a unitary or other suitable construction. Socket  114  may be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of sphere  162  such that upon assembly utility light  110  may be rotated about base assembly  160  in at least one direction. Because utility light  110  is rotatable, a user can manipulate the direction of the light provided by utility light  110  to illuminate a desired area. 
         [0032]    As shown, the bottom of support portion  164  comprises a hexagonal shape. By way of example only, the bottom of support portion  164  may be hexagonal, square, circular, triangular, or have any other suitable shape. Of course, support portion  164  may be any suitable shape and size depending on the particular application intended by the user. Support portion  164  may be configured to provide adequate support to allow utility light  110  to be placed in a vertical orientation on a support surface. In the illustrated version, support portion  164  further comprises a magnet  166  which may be of sufficient shape, size, and strength to allow utility light  110  to be releasably mounted to a support surface, such as a metal surface, in any desired orientation. Alternatively, support portion  164  may comprise an adhesive instead of a magnet to allow utility light  110  to be fixedly or releasably attached to any suitable support surface in any desired orientation. Of course, neither the magnet nor the adhesive is required. 
         [0033]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , handle module  212  comprises first half shell  212   a , a second half shell  212   b  and an articulation mechanism  250 . Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , handle module  212  is configured to provide a side entry aperture  224  to receive cord  222  within handle module  212 . Of course, side entry aperture  224  may be positioned on either side of handle module  212 . As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , articulation mechanism  250  comprises a base assembly  260  that includes both a ball and socket joint  270  and a ratcheting mechanism  280 . In the illustrated embodiment, ball and socket joint  270  and ratcheting mechanism  280  of articulation mechanism  250  provide two discrete pivot points or points of rotation. Of course, the ball and socket joint is not required, and an alternate embodiment (not shown) may comprise an articulation mechanism that includes a ratcheting mechanism engaged with the handle module without a ball and socket joint. Base assembly  260  further comprises a support portion  264 . The components of base assembly  260  may be configured to interlock with each other to provide a secure attachment between the components, although other suitable methods of construction may be utilized in place of or in addition to the interlocking design. In this example, ball and socket joint  270  comprises a sphere  262  and a socket  214  formed by first half shell  212   a  and second half shell  212   b . Sphere  262  may comprise two spherical halves  262   a ,  262   b , as shown in  FIG. 12 , or, alternatively, sphere  262  may have a unitary or other suitable construction. Socket  214  may be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of sphere  262  such that, upon assembly, utility light  110  may be rotated about base assembly  260  in at least one direction. Ratcheting mechanism  280  may comprise any suitable ratcheting device known to those skilled in the art. Ratcheting mechanism  280  may comprise two substantially spherical halves  280   a ,  280   b , as shown in  FIG. 12 , or, alternatively, ratcheting mechanism  280  may have a unitary or other suitable construction. In the illustrated embodiment, ratcheting mechanism  280  is positioned between sphere  262  and support portion  264 , although other arrangements may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Ratcheting mechanism  280  may be configured to provide an additional range of motion for adjusting the orientation of utility light  210 . Because utility light  210  is rotatable due to ball and socket joint  270  and further adjustable due to ratcheting mechanism  280 , a user can manipulate the direction of the light provided by utility light  210  to illuminate a desired area. 
         [0034]    As shown, the bottom of support portion  264  comprises a circular shape. By way of example only, the bottom of support portion  264  may be hexagonal, square, circular, triangular, or have any other suitable shape. Support portion  264  may be any suitable shape and size depending on the particular application intended by the user. Support portion  264  may be configured to provide adequate support to allow utility light  210  to be placed in a vertical orientation on a support surface. In the illustrated version, support portion  264  further comprises a magnet  266  which may be of sufficient shape, size, and strength to allow utility light  210  to be releasably mounted to a support surface, such as a metal surface, in any desired orientation. Alternatively, support portion  164  may comprise an adhesive instead of a magnet to allow utility light  210  to be fixedly or releasably attached to any suitable support surface in any desired orientation. Of course, neither the magnet nor the adhesive is required. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 13-14  depict a handle module  312  comprising a first half shell  312   a , a second half shell  312   b , and a strap  320 . In the illustrated embodiment, strap  320  comprises a fixed end  322  and a free end  324 . Fixed end  322  is attached to handle module  312 , and free end  324  is configured to be inserted into a slot  314  formed by first half shell  312   a  and second half shell  312   b . It will be appreciated that the slot may be formed entirely within either first half shell  312   a  or second half shell  312   b  or formed jointly by both first half shell  312   a  and second half shell  312   b  (as shown in  FIGS. 13-14 ). Upon insertion into slot  314 , free end  324  may be releasably engaged by a locking mechanism  330 . Locking mechanism  330  may comprise a rotating friction lock or any other device configured to adequately secure free end  324 . Locking mechanism  330  is configured to transition between an engaged configuration and a released configuration. When free end  324  is inserted into slot  314  and locking mechanism  330  is placed in the engaged configuration, then free end  324  is fixedly engaged with locking mechanism  330  and free end  324  may not be removed. When free end  324  is inserted into slot  314  and locking mechanism is placed in the released configuration, then free end  324  is releasably engaged with locking mechanism  330  and free end  324  may be removed from slot  314 . When strap  322  is in the loop configuration, as shown in  FIG. 14 , strap  322  may be used to help manage or store the power cord  340 . Alternatively, a user may hang utility light  310  in an inverted orientation above or adjacent to a work area by placing strap  322  in the loop configuration and placing the loop around a support member. 
         [0036]    Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, there is no intent to thereby limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated herein. On the contrary, the intention herein is to cover all modifications, alternatives, embodiments, and/or equivalents of the subject invention as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed.