Abstract:
A light source assembly ( 10 ) includes a light source ( 12 ) and a base ( 14 ) to which the light source is detachably attachable. The base is adapted to orient the light source to a plurality of positions when the light source is mounted thereon. The light source comprises a battery mounted therein for providing power thereto, at least when the light source is disconnected therefrom. The base is also adapted for being powered by the battery and/or by an alternative power source. The light source is adapted to be operational both when mounted on the base and when disconnected therefrom. The light source assembly may further comprise a mounting plate for attachment thereof, for example, to a building or an external surface of a vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This is a National Phase Application filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/IL2006/000283, filed Mar. 1, 2006, claimed the benefit under 35 USC 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/656,898, filed Mar. 1, 2005, the entire contents of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to light sources such as flashlights and searchlights and particularly to searchlights which comprise a base for orientation thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Flashlights, also known as torches, are portable light sources normally powered by batteries disposed therein. Flashlights may be used for locating objects in a dark area but are also commonly used for a variety of other purposes, such as providing light during an electrical blackout or to navigation a dark route. The batteries may be removed from the flashlight and charged by a battery charger or a flashlight may be adapted to facilitate recharging of batteries contained therein by placement of the flashlight in a cradle or charging base connected to a power source. One flashlight of this kind is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,932, where it is suggested that the flashlight may also be remotely controlled. 
     To enhance their portability flashlights are often designed to be extremely small so as to be carried with a minimum of effort and discomfort. Flashlights can also be found in larger more powerful models such as a “Maglite” which includes large batteries for sustained high intensity output and can serve as useful personal equipment for professionals such as search and rescue personnel and security forces who may use it for searching purposes and even as a baton, in a dangerous situation. Additionally, more powerful flashlights such as High Intensity Discharge (HID) or Xenon Short Arc may be found nowadays to provide stronger beams than that found in a “Maglite” or similar product. 
     Searchlights are light sources which, unlike flashlights, are primarily adapted to search for distant items by lighting dark and/or unclear areas. To lighten distant areas searchlights typically emit light beams of far higher intensity than flashlights, often consuming large quantities of power. To provide the necessary power, searchlights are therefore connected to power sources more powerful and larger than those used in connection with flashlights, such as a building&#39;s power outlet or a vehicle battery. 
     Therefore, searchlights generally differ from flashlights in that they are generally capable of lighting objects at greater distances but are normally not adapted for carrying due to their significant weight and power needs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,989 discloses a searchlight including a mounting plate mountable on an external surface of a vehicle, and a light source assembly detachably mounted thereon. The assembly includes a light source and a base integrally assembled therewith so as to allow the light source to be movable relative to the base. The light source assembly is powered by the vehicle to which its mounting plate is attached, and is not operable when disconnected from the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light source assembly including a light source and a base to which the light source is detachably attachable, the base being adapted to orient the light source to a plurality of positions when the light source is mounted thereon, the light source comprising a battery mounted therein, for providing power thereto at least when the light source is disconnected therefrom, the base being adapted for being powered by said battery and/or by an alternative power source, whereby the light source is adapted to be operational both when mounted on the base and when disconnected therefrom. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the light source assembly includes a mounting plate and said base is adapted for being detachable attachable to said plate. The assembly may also include a light source locking mechanism, to lock the light source in its position on the base, and a base locking mechanism to lock the base in its position on the mounting plate. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the above mounting plate is adapted for mounting on a vehicle and said external power source is that of the vehicle. 
     In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, there is also provided a vehicle with the mounting plate mounted thereon, and the light source assembly detachably attachable thereto. The vehicle may, for example, be such a land vehicle, aircraft, or marine vehicle. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the light source assembly may have an arrangement for the battery in the light source to be charged by an external power source. In this case, the assembly comprises a charging circuit with a socket for receiving power from the external power source, the socket being disposed either in the base or in the light source. In both cases, the socket may be provided with a protecting assembly to allow its protection from the environment when the light source assembly is disconnected from the alternative source. The light source assembly may further include a feeding circuit to power the light source assembly directly from the alternative source, without the use of the battery. The assembly may further include a switch to select between two modes of powering, the charging and feeding modes, using respectively the charging and feeding circuits. The assembly further may comprise a transformer to provide to the charging and feeding circuits different voltages, as needed. 
     In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, the base may be powered by said battery to move the light source into said plurality of positions, when the light source assembly is disconnected from any alternative source. 
     The light source assembly may further be adapted for use with a video camera, and may have an input to receive control signals therefrom for the base to move the light source in accordance with said signals, e.g. to orient the light source in the same direction as the camera. 
     The light source may typically include a reflector with an aperture and a light bulb mounted in the aperture, and it may be of any type suitable for use in searchlights. In one embodiment of the invention, the light source is a HID (high intensity discharge) source or a Xenon Short Arc source. In case the bulb has a non-circular circumferential shape, the reflector&#39;s aperture may have a shape to suit that of the bulb. 
     The battery in the light source assembly may be of any type suitable to provide power to a searchlight. In one embodiment of the invention, the battery is a lithium battery which may be used with a heating element disposed adjacent thereto. 
     The light source assembly have be adapted for remote control both when mounted on the mounting plate, e.g. on a vehicle, and when detached therefrom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of a light source assembly comprising a light source and a base, detached from each other, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the light source shown in  FIG. 1 , including a light source head, a ballast and igniter unit, and a battery unit; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are respectively side and front views of a reflector and a light bulb constituting the light source head shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a front view of the reflector shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a schematic side view of a part of the ballast and igniter unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the base shown in  FIG. 1  with some portions of its cradle removed to facilitate a view of its internal elements; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front view of the base shown in  FIG. 4A  with more portions of the cradle removed; 
         FIGS. 4C and 4D  are perspective views of a cradle floor of the base shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 A and  4 B, respectively with and without a protecting assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a pan-and-tilt unit of the base shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 A and  4 B; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a motor assembly of the pan-and-tilt unit shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective side view of the light source assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , with the light source mounted on the base; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of electrical arrangements for the light source assembly, shown in  FIG. 7  and an external power source; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the light source assembly shown in  FIG. 7 , further comprising a mounting plate attached to a vehicle; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the mounting plate of the assembly shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative use of the light source assembly shown in  FIG. 7 , mounted on a tripod and connected to a video camera; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an alternative mode of operation of the light source shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a light source assembly  10  comprising a light source  12  and a base  14 . The light source  12  is adapted to operate, i.e. to emit a light beam, when mounted on the base  14  and when fully detached from it. In the current example the light source is a high intensity discharge (HID) light source. However it should be appreciated that the light source may be an Xenon Short Arc light source or any other light source suitable for functioning as a searchlight. The base  14  comprises a pan-and-tilt unit  16  and a light source cradle  20  mounted above the pan-and-tilt unit  16 . The pan and tilt unit  16  can further be divided into a motor assembly  19  and a tilt mechanism  18  mounted thereon. 
     The motor assembly  19  comprises a magnetic circular floor  22 , a rotatable cover  24  disposed above the circular floor  22 , and a cylindrical wall  26  disposed between and engaging the circular floor  22  and the rotatable cover  24 . The lower edge  27  of the cylindrical wall has cavities (not shown) formed therein. The circular floor  22  has holes (not shown) formed at positions corresponding to the cavities of the cylindrical wall and is attached to the cylindrical wall  26  by pins (not shown) inserted therethrough. Furthermore, the cylindrical wall  26  has a top portion  32  which has a lower end starting at an inwardly directed shoulder  34  and an upper end forming the shape of an annular lip (not shown). The lower rim  36  of the rotatable cover  24  slidably engages the shoulder  34  allowing rotational motion of the cover  24 . 
     The tilt mechanism  18  is disposed between the rotatable cover  24  of the pan-and-tilt unit  16  and the light source cradle  20 , and provides tilting motion to the cradle  20 . The tilt mechanism  18  will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
     The light source cradle  20  is adapted, in this example, to securely hold the light source  12  when it is mounted thereon, and for providing power thereto. The cradle  20  comprises two side walls  42  and a cradle floor  44  all defining therebetween the interior of the cradle  20 . Each side wall  42  has an exterior surface  46  and an interior surface  48 . Attached to the exterior surface  46  of each side wall  42  is a light source release handle  50 . Mounted on the interior of the cradle  20  are two fingers  51  for securing of the light source  12  to the cradle  20 . The cradle  20  will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
     Turning attention now to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an exploded view of the light source  12 , divided into three sections, a battery unit  52 , a ballast and igniter unit  54  and a light source head  56 . 
     The battery unit  52  comprises a battery housing  53 , a lithium battery (not shown) disposed in the battery housing  53 , and an electrical socket assembly  72  attached to the battery housing  53 . The battery housing  53  comprises a bottom portion  58 , four side portions  60 , and an open top end (not shown). Two of the side portions  60  have a recessed area  64  formed therein. Furthermore, there are guide pins  66  and a cylindrical pins  68  protruding from the side portions  60  that have a recessed area  64 . The top end (not shown) of the battery unit  52  comprises a peripheral rim  70  and is sealed by an electrical socket assembly  72 . The electrical socket assembly  72  has a rectangular opening  74  suitable for insertion of a power plug (not shown) thereto. Furthermore, the lithium battery (not shown) engages the electrical socket  72  receiving or transmitting power the socket assembly  72 . 
     The ballast and igniter unit  54  comprises an intermediate section  76  disposed between a rear end  78  and a front end  80 . 
     The rear end  78  has two T-shaped fasteners  82  pivotally hinged thereto. Engaging each T-shaped fastener  82  is a longitudinally oriented locker  84 . The locker  84 , is pivotal about a portion of the intermediate section  76  adjacent to the rear end  78 , and further comprises a head portion  86 . The head portion  86  extends past the front end  80  of the ballast and igniter unit  54  when the locker  84  is aligned thereto. The head portion  86  comprises a transverse rib  87 , disposed on the head portion  86 , 
     The intermediate section  76  comprises a handle assembly  88  fixed thereto and, in this example, a plug housing portion  90 . The intermediate section also has a small depression  91  formed therein for fastening receipt of the fingers  51  of the cradle  20 . 
     The handle assembly  88  comprises a handle base  92  fixed to the intermediate section  76 , a handle  94  rotatably mounted to the handle base  92 , a handle stopper  96  for restricting and enabling rotation of the handle  94 , a power switch  98  mounted on the handle for turning the light source  12  on and off, a trigger button  100  mounted on the handle  94  for changing the light emitting mode of the light source  12 . The handle  94  is designed to be strong enough to bear the weight of the light source  12  and may be rotated or swiveled to another position, with respect to the handle base  92 , by lifting the handle stopper  96  and applying a rotational force to the handle  94  as will be further discussed hereinafter. Both the power switch  98  and the trigger button  100  are able to control the light source  12  via light source microcontroller (not shown), disposed inside the ballast and igniter unit  54  and connected to the ballast (not shown). The trigger button  100  is adapted to activate a fall power/half power mode and a pulse (flashing) mode, dependent upon the number of times the trigger  100  is squeezed and the length of time for which it is squeezed. It should be noted that while the current light source illustrated has both a power switch  98  and a trigger button  100 , other light sources according to the current invention may be designed to have only a single switch/button performing all the above mentioned functions or a plurality of switches performing the same functions. Additionally, other functions, for example, a dimmer function may also be added to the light source  12 . The plug housing portion  90  encompasses an electrical socket (not shown) for receiving and providing power, in addition to receiving operational signals, from the base  14 . It can also be appreciated that in there may be an alternate light source according to the present invention which is adapted to transmit operational signals to a connected item instead of receiving them. 
     The front end  80  of the intermediate section  76  comprises a first annular rim  102  having longitudinal holes  104  and two central recesses  105  (see  FIG. 1 ) formed therein. Threaded pins  106  are inserted through the longitudinal holes  104  and engage a bolt  108  and a rotatable locker  108  which are pivoted to secure the threaded pin  106  to the first annular rim  102 . Each central recess  105  is adapted to accommodate the head portion  86  of the locker  84  when it is aligned with the ballast and igniter unit  54 . 
     The light source head  56  comprises, a bulb  124  ( FIG. 3A ) and a reflector  126  ( FIG. 3A ), a lens housing  120 , a lens  122  and a second annular rim  112 . The second annular rim  112  comprises two locker recesses  114  and a plurality of slots  116  which, respectively, correspond to the positions of the central recesses  105  and the longitudinal holes  104  of the first annular rim. Each locker recess comprises a transverse edge  118  and is adapted to accommodate the head portion  86  of the locker  84  when it is aligned with the ballast and igniter unit  54 , and the light source head  56  is engaging the front end  80  of the intermediate section  76 . When this is the case, the engagement of the transverse rib  87  and the locker recess  114  causes the intermediate section  76  and the light source head  56  to be fastened together. The threaded pins  106  are slotted into the slots  116  and are fastened to the second annular rim  112  by bolts (not shown), this is done in addition to the locker  84  fastening to ensure that the two sections are securely fastened. It should be noted that the fastening of the light source head  56  to the ballast and igniter unit  54  is done in such a way so as to enable alternative light source heads (not shown) to be secured to the igniter unit  54 . 
     Turning attention now to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C, the bulb  124  can be seen mounted in the reflector  126 . The bulb  124  used, in this example, is a Phillips DL50. The DL50 has a non-circular circumferential shape and the reflector&#39;s aperture  128 , through which the bulb is inserted, has a D-shaped cut-out to maximize the use of the light emitted from the bulb  124 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3D , illustrated are selected elements of the light source  12 , namely, an igniter  130 , a ballast  132  which is engaged to the igniter  130 , a horizontal electrical connector  136  connected at one end to the ballast  132  and when assembled to the electrical socket assembly  72  ( FIG. 2 ) and adapted for providing power therebetween, and a vertical electrical and control connector  138  connected between the ballast  132  and when assembled to the base  14  ( FIG. 1 ) adapted for providing power and control therebetween. The igniter  130  further comprises a bulb socket  140  within which the bulb  124  ( FIG. 3A ) is mounted, when the light source  12  is assembled. The operation of the above described selected elements will be discussed hereinafter. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , there is shown a light source cradle  20  comprising a cradle floor  44 , a side wall  42 , a protecting assembly  142 , a securing assembly  144 , and a release handle  50 . It should be noted that one of the side walls  42  has been removed to facilitate understanding of the cradle  20  construction. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 4D  the cradle floor  44  can be seen to have a front portion  146 , a rear portion  148 , and a rectangular opening  150  formed therein. The rectangular opening  150  is adapted to have an electrical connector (not shown) mounted therein. The electrical connector (not shown) is connectable to an external power source (not shown). 
     Reverting to  FIG. 4A , it should be noted that the interior surface  48  of the side wall  42  has a longitudinal projection  152 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4C , the protecting assembly  142  comprises a vertical rod  154  having an L-shaped recess  156  (also seen in  FIG. 4A ) formed at a top end thereof. The vertical rod  154  is further pivotally attached to an L-shaped rod  158 . The L-shaped rod  158  is pivotally attached to a substantially horizontal rod  160 . The horizontal rod  160  is pivotally attached to a shutter element  162 . The shutter element  162  is fixed to a return element  164 . The return element  164  engages a compression spring  166  fixed to the cradle floor  44  a point  168  and the shutter element  162  at the other. The spring  166  is designed to normally bias the shutter element  162  towards the front portion  146  of the cradle floor  44 . 
     Reverting to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the securing assembly comprises a U-shaped end locker  170 , a spacer  172  pivotally mounted to a front portion  146  of the cradle floor  44 , two spacer rods  174  each connected to an alternate end of the spacer  172 , fingers  51  engaging the spacer rods  174  each having an internally facing tooth-like projection  176  and each being pivotable about a middle point  178 . 
     The release handle  50  is sent to be pivotally mounted to the cradle floor  44  and has a curved projection  180  engaging the fingers  51 . 
     The cradle  20  further comprises a heating element  182  mounted therein powered by whichever external power source the base may be connected to. 
     During mounting of the light source  12  to the base  14 , the light source  12  is positioned above the base  14  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The light source  12  is then lowered into the cradle  20  until the guide pin  66  contacts the longitudinal projection  152 . The light source  12  is then moved rearward until the cylindrical pin  68  is trapped by the U-shaped end locker  170 . The light source  12  is then lowered into the cradle, with the guide pin  66  resting on the L-shaped recess  156  and forcing the vertical rod  154  downwards. The downwards movement of the vertical rod causes the shuttle element  166  to move towards the rear portion  148  of the cradle floor  44 , uncovering the rectangular opening  150  and allowing the electrical connector (not shown) mounted therein to engage the vertical connector  138  of the light source  12 . The lowering of the ballast and igniter unit  54  rotates the vertically oriented spacer  172  to a horizontal position, pivoting the fingers  51  inwardly so that the tooth-like projections  176  engage the small depressions  91  on the ballast and igniter unit  54 , thereby locking the light source  12  into position and pivoting the top of the release handle  50  further from the exterior surface  46  of the side wall  42 . 
     During detachment of the light source  12  from the base  14 , either release handle  50  may be squeezed toward the side wall  42 , the fingers  51  are pivoted outwardly rotating the spacer to a vertical position. The light source  12  may then be lifted by the handle  94 . As the guide pin  66  is removed from the L-shaped recess  156  the spring  166  thrusts the shutter element  162  over the rectangular opening  150 , protecting the electrical element (not shown) mounted therein from exposure to the environment. It should be mentioned, that the protective design of the light source assembly  10  enables it to have an ingress protection level of 65 (IP65 rating). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cradle is able be oriented in a plurality of position by the pan-and-tilt unit  16 . The pan-and-tilt unit  16  is controlled by a wireless remote control system (not shown) as known in the prior art, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,989. However it should be noted that the pan-and-tilt mechanism may be electronically controlled, for example, by a joystick (not shown) attached by a cable. 
     The tilt mechanism  18 , of the pan-and-tilt unit  16 , is mounted atop the rotatable cover  24  of the pan-and-tilt unit  16  and comprises four V-shaped support members  38  each have a central aperture  184  at their base, a shaft  40  inserted through the central apertures  184 , and a shaft cover and sleeve  186  mounted at each end of the shaft to prevent non-rotational motion of the V-shaped support members  38 . The shaft  40  is connected to a first bevel gear assembly  188  which is driven by the motor assembly  19 . 
     The motor assembly  19  comprises a first motor assembly  190  and a second motor assembly  192 . The first motor assembly  190  comprises a first motor  194 . The first motor  194  is supported by a first support bracket  196  and a second support bracket  198 . The motor  194  further engages a first timing wheel  200  which is adapted to be rotated by the motor  194 . The first timing wheel  200  is encircled by a first belt  202 . The first belt  202  also encircles a second timing wheel  204 , which is inline with the first timing wheel  200 . The second timing wheel  204  engages a rotatable spacer  206 . The spacer  206  engages a rotatable contact wheel  208 . The contact wheel  208  engages the cover  24  ( FIG. 1 ). Additionally, the second timing wheel  204 , spacer  206  and contact wheel  208  are supported in position, without impeding rotational motional thereof, by a first pair of mounting brackets  210  which are fixed to the circular floor  22  by screws (not shown) or like means. 
     During operation of the first motor assembly  190 , the motor  194  is activated rotating the first timing wheel  200  which in turn rotates the first belt  202 , second timing wheel  204 , rotatable spacer  206  and contact wheel  208 . The rotation of the contact wheel against the cover  24  causes it to rotate, thereby panning the cradle  20  positioned above. It should be noted a second contact wheel  210  is used to further facilitate motion of the cover  24 . 
     The second motor assembly  192  comprises a second motor  212 . The second motor  212  is supported by a third support bracket  214  and a third support bracket  216 . The second motor  212  further engages a third timing wheel  218  which is adapted to be rotated by the second motor  212 . The third timing wheel  218  is encircled by a second belt  220 . The second belt  220  also encircles a fourth timing wheel  222 , which is inline with the third timing wheel  218 . The fourth timing wheel  222  rotatably engages a second bevel gear assembly  224 . Additionally, the fourth timing wheel  222  is supported in position, without impeding rotational motional thereof, by a second pair of mounting brackets  226  which are fixed to the circular floor  22  by screws (not shown). 
     During operation of the second motor assembly  190 , the second motor  212  is activated rotating the third timing wheel  218  which in turn rotates the second belt  220 , and fourth timing wheel  222 . The rotation of the fourth timing wheel rotates the second bevel gear assembly  224 , thereby rotating the first bevel gear assembly  188  and the shaft  40 . The rotation of the shaft  40  causes the upright V-shaped support members  225  (only one shown in the current view) to tilt, thereby tilting the cradle  20  ( FIG. 1 ) disposed thereon. 
     The pan-and-tilt unit  16  described above uses a friction based system for palming. Friction systems are generally more durable than gears especially during motion of vehicle across bumpy surfaces. The use of the friction system also facilitates use of a lower base than would be used with a gear assembly. 
     In  FIG. 7  the light source assembly is shown assembled. The electrical arrangement between the light source  12  and the base  14  will be discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the light source  12  is held firmly in the cradle  20  allowing the pan-and-tilt unit  16  to operate without the light source  12  changing position with respect to the cradle  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a schematic block diagram of electrical arrangements for the light source assembly is shown. To facilitate the electrical arrangements represented in  FIG. 8 , the light source assembly  10  further comprises a base microcontroller mounted in the base, a transformer controlled by the base microcontroller, and a light source microcontroller. 
     The base microcontroller having a charging circuit adapted to operate at a first voltage rate, a feeding circuit adapted to operate at a second voltage rate, a switch for selecting between the charging circuit and feeding circuit, and a transformer to provide power to the charging and feeding circuits at the first voltage rate and the second voltage rate, respectively. 
     The base microcontroller is adapted to facilitate any of the following operations:
         the lithium battery (not shown) to provide power to the bulb  124  via the horizontal connector  136 , ballast  132  and igniter  130 , thereby illuminating the bulb  124  and subsequently emitting a beam of light from the light source  12 ;   the lithium battery (not shown) to provide power to the base  14  ( FIG. 1 ) via the horizontal connector  136 , ballast  132  and vertical connector  138 , for purposes which will be discussed hereinafter;   the base  14  ( FIG. 1 ), when connected to an external power source (not shown), to provide power to the battery (not shown) via the transformer, the vertical connector  138 , ballast  132  and horizontal connector  136 , thus charging the battery utilizing the charging circuit; and   the base  14 , when connected to an external power source (not shown) may provide power directly to the bulb  124  via the igniter  130 , ballast  132  and vertical connector  138 , utilizing the feeding circuit, thereby illuminating the bulb  124  and subsequently emitting a beam of light from the light source  12 .       

     The light source microcontroller is adapted to facilitate any of the functions described above with respect to the power switch  98  and the trigger button  100 . 
     Additionally, it should be noted that the above-described motor assembly  19  design incorporates bevel gears which tilt the cradle when the cradle  20  is panned by the first motor  194 , to compensate for this undesired tilting the base microcontroller activates the second motor  212  to counter the undesired tilting by providing suitable tilting motion in the reverse direction. 
     Turning attention to  FIG. 9 , a vehicle  250  is shown with a light source assembly  10  is mounted thereon. The light source assembly  10  is seated in a mounting plate  252  which is fixed to an external portion  258  of the vehicle  250 . In this case the external portion  258  is the roof of the vehicle  250 . The view of the light source assembly  10  is somewhat obstructed by the high rim  254  of the mounting plate  252 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , the top view of the mounting plate  252  shows a magnetic floor  251  having a plurality of apertures  256 . The magnetic floor  251  is encircled by a high rim  254 . 
     The mounting plate  252  may be fixed to the vehicle  250  by creating appropriate apertures in the vehicle  250  roof and bolting the mounting plate, via the apertures  256 , to the vehicle  250 . The light source assembly  10  may be inserted and removed from the mounting plate  252  by an upwards or downwards motion. The magnetic floor  251  and magnetic circular floor  22  are adapted to prevent unwanted attachment from the vehicle during motion. The high rim  254  is designed to prevent side motion of the light source assembly  10  when mounted on the mounting plate  252 . 
     It should be noted that any shape or type of mounting plate  252  may be used that will secure the light source assembly  10  to the vehicle during motion, whether magnetic, suction, mechanical etc. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the light source assembly  10  is shown mounted on a tripod  260  without a mounting plate  252 . The light source assembly  10  is powered by a wall power outlet  264 , disposed in a wall  261 . The light source assembly  10  is further connected to a video camera  268  which is part of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system. The light source assembly  10  is adapted to receive control signals from the camera  268  for the base to move the light source in accordance with the signals, orienting the light source in the same direction as the camera  268 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the light source  12  with the handle  94  rotated or swiveled with respect to the handle base  92  as described above. The light source  12  further comprises a cord  270  for connecting the battery  272  to the light source  12 . The battery may then be placed in a person&#39;s pocket, for example, while still providing power to the light source  12 . 
     Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention mutatis mutandis.