Abstract:
A touch-activated purse illumination assembly having a base unit housing a circuit assembly, a power source and at least one elongated light emitting portion. Touch sensitive switching means are included in the circuit assembly, and feature a pair of partially exposed electrical contacts on the exterior of the base housing unit. After being activated by the touch sensitive switching means, the light emitting portion is energized by the power source for a preset amount of time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to illumination devices specifically for use in purses, handbags and backpacks that allow the user to easily activate and illuminate its interior. The use of small lights as a means for illuminating a purse is known within the art. These may include traditional pocket lamps that hang from a strap down into a purse and must be switched on by the user or light systems built into a purse, which would illuminate upon opening the purse. 
   By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,142 issued to Weir describes a purse light system. The purse light system is a purse with a built in light system, which includes a purse outer structure, a battery pack and a light assembly positioned to emit light into the purse chamber. The purse lighting system automatically switches on when the purse opening is in the open position and off when the purse opening is in the closed position. As many people have more than one purse, this lighting system is impractical, as it does not allow the user to use the illumination device for other purses. Also, many purses illuminate from the top down, which is not as effective as the present invention which emits light from the bottom of the purse or handbag. 
   Another purse lighting system, U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,926 issued to Meyers describes a purse light. This purse light includes a light for illuminating the interior of a purse, consisting of a mounting assembly housing a light bulb, a reflector to direct the light towards a diffusing lens which projects the light in a multitude of directions and a digital clock. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,568 issued to Blue-Recio discloses yet another Light Assembly for the interior of a purse. The Light Assembly consists of a mounting structure to secure the assembly to the inside of a bag. An illumination source which projects light to the interior of the bag, and a switch the user must push to turn the purse light on. The switching mechanism for the &#39;598 patent may allow for the lamp to be inadvertently switched on by pressure from items within the purse which, and may also allow for the lamp to be inadvertently left on by the user, both instances may result in complete discharge of the battery without the knowledge of the user. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,438 issued to King describes a light for the interior of a purse, having a light bulb, an electric power supply mounted within a translucent housing which is temporarily mounted on a mounting bracket which is permanently attached to the inside of a purse. Although the &#39;438 patent can be used in multiple bags, it is still impractical because it requires mounting brackets to be permanently mounted on the interior of a purse. 
   While these devices serve their specific purposes, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a purse lamp for use in a handbag with a flexible illumination assembly, connected to an electric power supply that can be switched on by the mere touch of the users hand. The present invention can also be conveniently and easily moved from one purse to another. The prior art does also not disclose a purse lamp with a timed illumination period, automatically switching the purse light off after a given period of time, protecting the lamp from inadvertent illumination resulting in a prematurely drained battery. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a purse illumination assembly that is touch activated. The light automatically deactivates at a preset time, providing a compact, durable, energy efficient illumination device that can be used in a multitude of bags. By way of example this may be handbags, purses, backpacks. 
   According to one embodiment, a purse illumination assembly is disclosed, the device comprising: a base housing unit; a circuit assembly partially contained within the base housing, wherein the circuit assembly is comprised of a touch sensitive switching means exposed on the exterior of the base housing unit and a power source providing a timed and regulated conveyance of electricity. The purse illumination device further comprises at least one elongated light emitting portion having a first end fixedly attached to the base housing unit and a terminal end, the light emitting portions being in electrical communication with the circuit assembly. 
   According to another embodiment, a purse illumination assembly is disclosed, the device comprising: a substantially rectangular base housing unit having a front end, a back end and four longitudinal sides, wherein at least one longitudinal side is removably attachable to said base housing unit. The device further comprises a touch sensitive switching means partially contained within the base housing unit consisting of two non-intersecting electrical contacts exposed on at least one of the longitudinal sides of the base housing unit. A power source is also contained within the base housing unit. A circuit assembly partially contained within said base housing is in electrical communication with both the touch sensitive switching means and the power source providing a timed and regulated conveyance of electricity. The illumination assembly further comprises, a first flexible tubular translucent elongated light emitting housing having a first end fixedly attached to the front wall of the base housing unit and a terminal end; and at least one light emitting element contained within the light emitting portion being in electrical communication with the circuit assembly. 
   According to another embodiment, a purse illumination assembly is disclosed, the device comprising: a substantially rectangular base housing unit having a front end, a back end and four longitudinal sides, wherein at least one longitudinal side is removably attachable to said base housing unit, and one longitudinal side has two recessed indentations. A touch sensitive switching means partially contained within said base housing unit having two non-intersecting electrical contacts exposed within the two recessed indentations on the longitudinal side of the base housing unit. The illumination assembly further comprises, a circuit assembly partially contained within the base housing in electrical communication with the touch sensitive switching means and a power source. The circuit assembly also has a capacitive timing element, providing a timed and regulated conveyance of electricity. A rechargeable power source is contained within the base housing unit and in electrical communication with an electrical recharging contact and partially contained within the base housing. A first light emitting housing that is elongated, flexible, tubular and translucent has a first end fixedly attached to the front wall of the base housing unit and a terminal end. A second light emitting housing that is elongated, flexible, tubular and translucent has a first end fixedly attached to the front wall of the base housing unit and a terminal end. A voltage high electrical lead in electrical communication with a voltage high terminal of the power source and a voltage low electrical lead in electrical communication with a voltage low terminal of the power source extend through the base housing unit and extend down the first and the second flexible tubular translucent light emitting housing. At least one light emitting diode contained within the first and second light emitting housings are in parallel electrical communication with the voltage high and the voltage low lead. The present invention further comprises an attachment means fixedly attached to the base housing unit providing a purse assembly that is removably attached to the interior of the purse. 
   These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a purse illumination assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a purse illumination assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a circuit schematic according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a purse illumination assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
   The present invention generally provides an illumination device that may be used in conjunction with a handbag. The present invention provides a durable purse illumination device that is easily illuminated by the touch of the users hand, has a timed illumination period, and is easily interchanged between a myriad of various bags. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1A , a purse illumination assembly  10  is disclosed, comprising a base housing unit  12  a timing circuit  14 , circuit assembly  15  and a light-emitting portion  20 . The base housing unit  12  may have a generally rectangular shape with two ends, and four longitudinal sides. At least one of these longitudinal sides may be a removable side providing access to the interior of the base housing unit  12  for tasks such as replacing the power source  18 , or fixing other electrical elements therein. The exterior of the base housing unit  12  may have two recessed indentations  17 . The recessed indentations  17  may contain the touch sensitive switching means  16  therein. These two indentations  17  may be deep enough as to shield the touch sensitive switching means  16  from inadvertent actuation by items contained within the purse but are of a depth that allows the user to intentionally actuate the touch sensitive switching means  16 . 
   The base housing unit  12  may further comprise an attachment means  26  fixedly attached thereto providing a purse illumination assembly  10  that is removably attachable to the interior of the purse. The attachment means  26  may be VELCRO® (e.g. hook and look type fasteners) in which one side of the VELCRO® (e.g. hook and look type fasteners) attachment means is affixed to the base housing unit  12  by an adhesive, and the other side of the VELCRO® (e.g. hook and look type fasteners) is attached to the interior of the purse. Another possible attachment means may be a U shaped clip with a spring like closing effect. One side of the clip may be fixedly attached to a side of the housing  12 , the other side may slipped over an interior pocket of a purse providing a purse illumination assembly  10  that is secured to the interior of a purse. 
   The circuit assembly  15  is partially contained within the base housing unit  12 , wherein the circuit assembly  15  is comprised of a touch sensitive switching means  16  exposed on the exterior of the base housing unit  12 , a power source  18  and a timing circuit  14  providing a timed and regulated conveyance of electricity. The touch sensitive switching means  16  may extend through the base housing unit  12  and are exposed on the exterior of the base housing unit  12 . The touch sensitive switching means  16  may also be exposed on the exterior of the light-emitting portion  20 , and may be comprised of a first electrical contact  21  and a second electrical contact  23  which are non-intersecting. The bridging of the first contact  21  and second contact  23  will illuminate the light-emitting portion  20  for a given amount of time before automatically shutting off. The purse illumination assembly  10  may implement a timing circuit  14 , which may be a capacitive timing circuit, which uses the charging and discharge of a capacitor, to regulate the duration of illumination. The purse illumination assembly may also further comprise a second light-portion. 
   A power source  18  in communication with the circuit assembly  15  may consist of at least one disposable power cell, rechargeable cell or solar powered cell. The illumination assembly  10  may further comprise an electrical contact  27  partially contained within the base housing unit  12  in electrical communication with the power source  18 . This electrical contact  27  allows a conventional battery-charging device to be in removable electrical communication with the power source  18  of the purse illuminating assembly  10 . The user may attach one end of a battery charging unit to the electrical contact  26  in communication with the illumination assembly power source  18 , and the other end of the battery charging unit to a battery charger receptacle, providing a rechargeable purse illumination assembly  10 . The illumination assembly may have a first end  22  fixedly attached to the base housing unit  12  and a terminal end  24 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1B , according to a preferred embodiment it is intended that the illumination assembly  10  be along the bottom of the purse to provide bottom up illumination. This is one of the many advantages of the present invention in relation to the prior art in that bottom up illumination provides much better viewing of the contents of the purse, handbag or the like. As also shown in  FIG. 1B , the purse illumination assembly may comprise a first light-emitting portion  20 , and a second light-emitting portion  30 . 
     FIG. 2  depicts a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit electronic circuit  80  which may control the illumination of the illumination element(s)  99 . When the touch sensor is not actuated, the touch sensor  82  acts as an open circuit and therefore the voltage at the first input of the first NAND gate  88 , is a voltage high, voltage high may range from 3 Volts to 6 Volts. The second input of the first NAND gate  88 , is also a voltage high. By the nature of a NAND gate, the output of the NAND gate  88  is a voltage low, voltage low ranges from 0 Volts to 2 Volts. A voltage low exists on both the positive side and the negative side of the Capacitor C 1 ,  90 . Subsequently, both inputs to the second NAND gate  92  are a voltage low. By the nature of the NAND gate, the output of the second NAND gate  92  is a voltage high, this voltage high is the feedback to the second input of the first NAND gate  88 , and is both inputs to the third NAND gate  96 . By the nature of the NAND gate, the output of the third NAND gate  96  is a voltage low. When the voltage of the N-Mosfet gate  98  is low, the gate voltage does not overcome the threshold voltage of the Mosfet, and no conducting channel exists between the drain and source of the Mosfet. When the circuit is open between the drain and source of the Mosfet, the lighting circuit is not complete, and the illumination elements will not illuminate. 
   In/order to illuminate the purse illumination assembly the touch sensor must be actuated. When the touch sensor  82  is actuated, a voltage divider comprised of resistors R 1   84  and R 2   86  is formed and the voltage at the first input of the first NAND gate  88 , is a voltage low. Regardless of the voltage of the second input of the first NAND gate  88  by the nature of a NAND gate, the output of the NAND gate  88  is a voltage high. A voltage high exists on both the positive side and the negative side of the Capacitor C 1 ,  90 . Subsequently, both inputs to the second NAND gate  92  are a voltage high. By the nature of the NAND gate, the output of the second NAND gate  92  is a voltage low which is the feedback to the second input of the first NAND gate  88 , and is both inputs to the third NAND gate  96 . By the nature of the NAND gate, the output of the third NAND gate  96  is a voltage high. When the voltage of the N-Mosfet gate  98  is a voltage high, the gate voltage exceeds the threshold voltage of the Mosfet  98 , and a conducting channel exists between the drain and source of the Mosfet  98 . When the circuit is closed between the drain and source of the Mosfet  98 , the lighting circuit is complete, and the illumination elements  99  illuminate. 
   The timing element of the illumination circuit is controlled by the capacitor C 1 ,  90 , and R 3 ,  94 . Once capacitor C 1   90  is charged by the actuation of the touch sensor  82 , it discharges through the resistor R 3   94 . Once the charge of the capacitor C 1   90  decreases to a certain level the input to the second NAND gate  92  changes from a voltage high to a voltage low. The output of the second NAND gate  92 , changes from a voltage low to a voltage high, the output of the third NAND gate  96  changes from a voltage high to a voltage low, and the illuminating elements  99  subsequently shut off. 
     FIG. 3  depicts a light-emitting portion  42  in electrical communication with the circuit assembly  45 . The light-emitting portion  42  may be of a length ranging from 2 inches to 10 inches, and may have a first end  51  fixedly attached to the base housing unit  41  and a terminal end  52 . The light emitting portion  42  is comprised of a light emitting housing  43  and three light emitting elements  44  partially contained within the light emitting housing  43 , wherein the light emitting elements  44  are in electrical communication with the circuit assembly  45 . The present invention is not limited to 3 light emitting elements  44 , but is envisioned to have from at least one light-emitting element  44  to a multitude of light emitting elements  44 . The light emitting housing  43  may be a flexible translucent plastic tube. The light emitting element(s)  44  partially contained within the light emitting housing  43 , may be light emitting diode(s) incandescent bulb(s), organic luminescent device(s) or fiber optic(s). The light emitting element(s)  44  contained within the light emitting housing  43  may be sourced from the power supply  46  contained within the base housing unit via a voltage high wire  48  and a voltage low wire  50  extending through the base housing unit  41  and extending the length of the light emitting housing  43 . The light emitting elements(s) may be coupled to the voltage high wire  48 , and the voltage low wire  50  in either a parallel fashion or a serial fashion. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the light-emitting portion  42  may consist of a light-emitting element partially contained within the base housing  41 . The light emitting housing  43  may be either one or a multitude of optical fibers attached to the base housing unit  41 , providing a fiber optic light emitter. 
   It should be understood that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.