Abstract:
A cap for a water bottle has an integral light director lens for guiding light into the bottle. A portable light is temporally retained on the top, outside of the cap. In that position light from the light is directed by the structure of the cap into the bottle. To retain a light with straps, such as a headlamp, the straps can be placed under fingers of the sides of the cap. This can allow the strap to be a handle for the resulting lamp. Alternatively, elastomeric straps, bands or flaps may directly secure the body of a lamp to the upper surface of the cap establishing both a mechanical and optical interface. The use of both headlamps and flashlights are taught.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61754190, filed on Jan. 18, 2013, and US provisional application No. 61801998, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. The entire disclosure of both applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure pertains to devices for directing illumination, more particularly it relates to portable light dispersing and defusing. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When hiking or camping, there are serious trade-offs between having tools for comfort and safety, and reducing the number, volume, and weight of the total items carried. There is a continuing need for devices and methods that provide for multipurpose devices and devices that adapt and combine with other equipment to serve additional needs. One area includes lighting needs, which vary during phases of a camping trip. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A cap for a translucent water bottle can have a downward facing light director. Light entering at the top of the cap can be transmitted into the interior cavity of the water bottle in a manner to be directed to the interior sidewalls. With a translucent plastic bottle, the sidewalls can act as a diffuser creating a 360-degree soft ambient illumination. The source of the focused light can be a headlamp captured on the cap top. The described embodiments can retain and disconnect a lamp from a cap readily and non-destructively without requiring the use of tools. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first example cap; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a lower view of the perspective of the cap in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of the cap in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of the first cap example along line  4 - 4 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the cap in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the first example cap with headlamp; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the first example cap with a bottle, and headlamp facedown; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a cut-away view of  FIG. 7  showing light paths; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 9A-9F  show an embodiment of a cap with opposing V-shaped elastomeric tabs;  9 A is a top view;  9 B is a perspective view;  9 C is a side view;  9 D is a front view;  9 E is a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp;  9 F is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 10A-10F  show additional views of the first example of the cap of  FIGS. 1-8 ;  10 A is a top view;  10 B is a perspective view;  10 C is a side view;  10 D is a front view;  10 E is a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp;  10 F is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 11A-11E  show an embodiment of a cap with a protrusion extending from the bottom surface of the cup into the bottle;  11 A is a top view;  11 B is a perspective view;  11 C is a side view;  11 D is a front view;  11 E is a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12A-12E  show an embodiment of a cap with two elastomeric flaps in a plane parallel to the top surface of the cap; the flaps have opposing semicircular cutouts creating a centrally located opening to hold flashlight;  12 A shows a top view of a cap on a bottle in a flaps-closed position;  12 B shows the cap in a flaps-closed position in perspective;  12 C shows a side view of the cap;  12 D shows a perspective view of the upper portion of the bottle and cap, with the flaps slightly opened;  12 E shows a perspective view at a smaller scale, including a retained flashlight. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 13A-13F  show an embodiment of a cap with a resilient rubber band-like strap across the top of the cap;  13 A is a top view;  13 B is a perspective view;  13 C is a side view;  13 D is a front view;  13 E is a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp;  13 F is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 14A-14E  show an embodiment of a cap with a semi-rigid clip;  14 A is a top view;  14 B is a perspective view;  14 C is a side view;  14 D is a front view;  14 E is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 15A-15F  show an embodiment of a cap with a domed lid;  15 A is a top view;  15 B is a perspective view;  15 C is a side view;  15 D is a front view;  15 E is a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp;  15 F is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 16A-16E  show an alternate version of the domed lid embodiment of the cap in  FIGS. 15A-15F  with a hinge mechanism;  16 A is a top view;  16 B is a perspective view;  16 C is a side view;  16 D is a front view;  16 E is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 17A-17E  show a variation of the embodiment of the cap in  FIGS. 13A-13F  with a wider, circular strap;  17 A is a top view;  17 B is a perspective view;  17 C is a side view;  17 D is a front view;  17 E is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 18A-18E  show an embodiment of a cap with a partial bail short of being a semi-circle;  18 A is a top view;  18 B is a perspective view;  18 C is a side view;  18 D is a front view;  18 E is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 19A-19F  show a version of the embodiment of the cap in  FIGS. 17A-17E  with a slot in the strap;  19 A is a top view;  19 B is a perspective view;  19 C is a side view;  19 D is a front view;  19 E is a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp;  19 F is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and a flashlight; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 20A-20E  show an embodiment of the cap with four short, wide elastomeric fingers;  20 A is a top view;  20 B is a perspective view;  20 C is a side view;  20 E a perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp;  20 D is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 21A-21E  show an embodiment of a cap with a rubber band;  21 A is a top view;  21 B is a perspective view;  21 C is a side view;  21 D front view;  21 E is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 22A-22E  show an embodiment of a cap with a folding bail-type handle;  22 A is a top view;  22 B is a perspective view;  22 C is a side view;  22 D front view;  22 E is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp; 
           [0027]      FIG. 23A-23D  show an embodiment of a cap with a single elastomeric hold-down tab;  23 A top view;  23 B is a perspective view;  23 C is a side view;  23 D is a detailed perspective view of the bottle, cap, and headlamp. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview of Problem 
       [0028]    The most useful light in a tent or campsite can be one with a diffused 360-degree illumination pattern. By the nature of this feature, a relatively large volume and surface can be required. This type of light is not particularly useful while on the move. For that case, a headlamp might be desired. This disclosure describes embodiments of a specialized cap for a water bottle that effectively connects a translucent water bottle to a headlamp, both mechanically and optically. The light director integrated in the cap can be a lens, fiber optics, light pipe, or just an extended protrusion. This can create a diffused ambient light source with a very small addition in weight and volume to items that might be carried in any case for their own standard use. The only added weight would be the difference between a standard water bottle cap and a diffusing cap. 
       First Example Embodiment 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a water bottle cap  1  with an internal lens  2 . The lens is bowl-shaped with a concave upper surface and a parallel convex lower surface.  FIG. 1  shows the thread  3  and the lower side of the lens  2 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a lower perspective view of this cap. In this view fingers  4  are seen extending on the left and right sides. They can retain a strap not shown in this figure. The concave top surface of the lens can be seen in  FIG. 3  as well as a view of the fingers. 
         [0031]    The bowl-shape of the lens  2  is clearly seen in the cross section perspective view of  FIG. 4 . The concave upper surface provides a location for a light source to rest and to direct the light into the bottle. A standard Nalgene bottle may be used. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a top view showing the four fingers  4  and the gap  5  they create for retaining a strap  6 , while  FIG. 6  shows a headlamp  7  secured to the cap  1  via its strap  6  being placed under, and entrapped by, the fingers  4 . Note that the fingers that retain the strap have their respective gaps offset from the center in an opposite, mirror-image fashion. This can help retain the strap. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of an assembled bottle  8 , a cap  1  and headlamp  7  with strap  6 . This same view in a cross section in  FIG. 8  shows the light path  9 . Light emits from the headlamp, is dispersed by the lens to be directed to the sidewalls of the bottle. The translucent properties of the bottle&#39;s sidewalls can then diffuse the light in all directions providing a 360-degree illumination. Alternatively, the light can be focused into the water or the sidewalls can be transparent. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 10A -10F  also portray the embodiment seen in  FIGS. 1-8 . Seen in some views are friction bumps  10  in the strap-holding finger regions that prevent the headlamp strap from sliding. 
       Additional Embodiments 
       [0035]    In  FIGS. 9A-9F  a cap is seen that has opposing V-shaped elastomeric hooks or tabs extending over the center of the cap. They can collectively hold the lamp to the upper portions of the caps. Flexing of the hooks can also help accommodate variations in the size of headlamp supported. These structures on the upper portion of the outside of cap are adapted to grip a headlamp. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 11A-11E  show an embodiment with the cap similar to that of  FIGS. 1-8 , but with a descending, cylindrical lower  11  portion in place of the large convex lens. The lower portion is a deep core meant to spread the light through the volume of the bottle. 
         [0037]    A version that supports a small flashlight on the upper surface of a cap, rather than a headlamp, is seen in  FIGS. 12A-12E . This cap  40  has an opposing set of symmetric flaps  41  on a plane parallel to the plane of the cap&#39;s upper surface. They have semicircular cut-outs that form a circular opening that can capture the head of a small flashlight  42 . The flaps are connected to the cap proper in a way that causes them to be spring-loaded towards closure. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 13A-13F  show an embodiment with a resilient rubber band-like strap  13  across the top of a cap. The cap has tabs  12  on opposite edges that the ends of the straps fit over. As seen in  FIGS. 13E and 13F  the strap can capture a headlamp  7  and secure it to the lens  2 . 
         [0039]    Rather that the rubber band-like strap above, the embodiment seen in  FIGS. 14A-14E  has a semi-rigid clip  15  that snaps on the edges of the cap portion to secure a headlamp. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 15A-15F  and  16 A- 16 E show an embodiment in two variations. In common, these caps have a semi-rigid domed lid. The lid fits completely over a retained headlamp and has horizontal slots to allow the straps to exit. The version in  FIGS. 15A-15F  is a distinct component with a snap-fit to the cap proper, while the version of  FIGS. 16A-16E  is hinged on one side and snap fit on the opposing side. When not is use as a lantern, the area under the dome can be a secondary storage compartment. 
         [0041]    The cap shown in  FIGS. 17A-17E  is a variation of the version seen in  FIGS. 13A-13F . In this latter case, the resilient strap  23  is wider and circular, providing greater support in retaining a headlamp to the cap. 
         [0042]    The cap shown in  FIGS. 18A-18E  has a semi-rigid partial bail-like handle  26  with a pivot connection  25  to the cap proper. It can be thought of as a hook in that it has one end open. This hook can be used to hang the water bottle itself or, as shown, to retain a headlamp. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 19A-19F  show another version of the embodiment seen in  FIGS. 13A-13F  and in  17 A- 17 E. This version is almost identical to that of  FIG. 17A , except the strap  28  has a centrally located slot  29 . As seen in  FIG. 19E , this structure can alternately retain a small flashlight  30  by inserted into the slot. Of course it can also be used to secure a headlamp  7  as shown in  FIG. 19F . 
         [0044]    Rather than the retainer for a headlamp being a structure that extends over the headlamp,  FIGS. 20A-20E  retain a headlamp by elastomeric force created on the sides of the headlamp. It has four symmetrically arrayed elastomeric tabs  31  on the top of the cap that are of a length to capture a headlamp and secure it above the lens  2 . This acts like many cup holders to grasp the head amp. If the lamp is held well enough, there is no need to have any structure to capture the straps. 
         [0045]    Yet a fourth variation of the embodiments of  FIGS. 13A ,  17 A and  19 A is shown in  FIGS. 21A-21E . In this version the strap  32  is very much like the structure of a rubber band. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 22A-22F  show a version similar to that of  FIG. 18A . This version has a bail handle  33  that folds down to rest within a recess along the side of the cap when not in use. It has pivoting connections  34  to the cap proper. The handle can readily snap off, and back on, at least one of its two pivot points to allow a headlamp to be inserted under it as seen in  FIG. 22E . That same operation can also be used to open the handle so it can be used as a hook to hang the bottle up. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  show an embodiment with a single resilient arm  42  extending from one side  43  of a cap to a position that can capture a headlamp. 
         [0048]    These teachings may be applied to vessels other than water bottles and do have applications outside of camping. A particular application may require alternate materials and construction details. 
         [0049]    While numerous, these embodiments and versions represent non-limiting examples. The metes and bounds of the presently claimed invention are expressed in the claims. In those claims, the word “a” is meant to be understood as “one or more” when operationally feasible even though the explicit “one or more” may appear in other places in the claims.