Abstract:
A lighting system for providing motorists the necessary light for nighttime and low light conditions and vehicle breakdowns is provided. The lighting system comprises an outer housing having a base surface. A light source extends from the outer housing with the light source selectively providing light. A power source powers the light source and an activation mechanism activates the light source. A magnet is secured to the base surface of the outer housing, with the magnet being positioned substantially opposite the light source wherein the outer housing is releasably securable to a metal surface at any angle allowing the light source to be directed in any desired direction.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority of pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/215,536, filed on May 5, 2009, entitled “Magnetic Tire Light”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to a magnetic tire light system and, more particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic tire light system providing motorists the necessary light for nighttime and low light breakdowns. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    It has become a commonplace to observe that these days, practically no one can work on his or her own car. Even routine maintenance like changing the oil and filter, cleaning or replacing spark plugs and wires, performing a tune-up, are better left these days to the expert mechanic. As cars have become, to large degree, less mechanical and more electronic, the amateur shade-tree backyard mechanic has largely disappeared, replaced by the auto technician wearing a lab-coat and operating a sophisticated array of electronic diagnostic computer equipment. Time was, a man could purchase the Chilton manual on his vehicle, figure out what was wrong with it, buy the parts he needed at a parts store or junkyard, then repair the car on his own. Nowadays, most attempts in that direction do more harm than good, and we wind up going to the mechanic not only to fix what was wrong, but also to fix the things we broke in trying to fix it. Perhaps the single remaining aspect of auto repair that all of us, sooner or later, must encounter and master is changing a flat tire at the side of the road. Oddly enough, while a flat tire or blow-out is certainly a matter of inconvenience, the simple, self-reliant act of changing a blown tire can leave us with a heightened sense of accomplishment and self-confidence, the proven assurance that we can, in some respects at least, still take care of ourselves amid adversity. This is well and good, but the fact is, relatively few motorists are fully prepared to meet a roadside emergency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention is a lighting system for providing motorists the necessary light for nighttime and low light conditions and vehicle breakdowns. The lighting system comprises an outer housing having a base surface. A light source extends from the outer housing with the light source selectively providing light. A power source powers the light source and an activation mechanism activates the light source. A magnet is secured to the base surface of the outer housing, with the magnet being positioned substantially opposite the light source wherein the outer housing is releasably securable to a metal surface at any angle allowing the light source to be directed in any desired direction. 
         [0007]    In addition, the present invention includes a method for providing motorists the necessary light for nighttime and low light conditions and vehicle breakdowns. The method system comprises providing an outer housing having a base surface, extending a light source from the housing, powering the light source, selectively activating the light source, securing a magnet to the base surface of the outer housing substantially opposite the light source, and releasably securing the outer housing to a metal surface at any angle. 
         [0008]    The present invention further includes a lighting system for providing motorists the necessary light for nighttime and low light conditions and vehicle breakdowns. The lighting system comprises an outer housing having a base surface and a light source extending from the outer housing. A flexible neck extends from the outer housing with the light source mounted to the flexible neck. A folding rotary crank powers the light source and an activation switch selectively activates the light source. A magnet is secured to the base surface wherein the outer housing is releasably securable to a metal surface at any angle and wherein the flexible neck allows the light source to be directed in any desired direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a flashlight of a magnetic tire light system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view illustrating the flashlight of the magnetic tire light system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view illustrating a mat of the magnetic tire light system, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view illustrating a folding box of the magnetic tire light system, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the present invention is a magnetic tire light system, indicated generally at  10 , providing motorists the necessary light for nighttime and low light conditions and vehicle breakdowns. The magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention combines a flashlight  12  together with a comfortable, cushioned mat or pad  14  (see  FIG. 3 ) thereby providing motorists with two components of a fully reliable emergency kit for roadside breakdowns in low light conditions. Simply stated, the magnetic tire light system  10  equips motorists with a flexible, easily charged emergency magnetic flashlight or lamp  12  and a folding rubberized pad  14  on which to kneel when performing tire-changes or other repairs. 
         [0014]    As stated above, the magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention has a rechargeable emergency flashlight or lamp  12 . The flashlight  12  preferably has a rectangular housing  16 , measuring approximately six and one-half (6½″) inches in length, approximately three and one-half (3½″) inches in height, and approximately three and one-half (3½″) inches in width although constructing the flashlight  12  with different dimensions is within the scope of the present invention. The flashlight housing  16  is preferably constructed of a tough, temperature- and impact-resistant, waterproof ABS plastic, with a substantially flat, planar base surface  18 . The flat planar base surface  18  allows the motorist to place the flashlight  12  on a horizontal surface without the flashlight  12  tipping over. 
         [0015]    The flashlight  12  of the magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention has a magnet  20  secured thereto allowing the motorist to releasably mount the flashlight  12  to a metal surface. The magnet  20  can be permanently attached to the base surface  18  of the flashlight  12  with a permanent adhesive substance or the like or the magnet  20  can be releasably attached to the base surface  18  of the flashlight  12  with hook and loop fasteners, snaps, releasable adhesive, and the like. Further, it is within the scope of the present invention for the magnet  20  to completely cover the base surface  18  of the flashlight  12  or the magnet  20  can cover only a portion of the base surface  18  of the flashlight  12 . Regardless, preferably, the magnet  20  secured to the base surface  18  is powerful enough to affix the flashlight  12  to any metal surface of the motor vehicle or other place. 
         [0016]    Molded into the top of the housing  16  of the flashlight  12  of the magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention is a handle  22 . Preferably, the handle  22  is approximately four and three-quarters (4¾″) inches in length although constructing the handle  22  in different lengths is within the scope of the present invention. At the posterior base of the handle  22  is an On/Off switch  24 . At the base below the posterior end of the handle  22  is a plug receptor  26  for the accessory power cord with the cord preferably being approximately eighteen (18″) feet in length and including an adapter for use with either a standard 110-volt electrical outlet or with a vehicle&#39;s cigarette lighter. Internal rechargeable batteries power the flashlight  12 . 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment of the magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention is a folding rotary crank  28 . When extended and cranked for approximately ninety (90) seconds (more or less), the rotary crank  28  operates a quality internal generator to charge the rechargeable lamp batteries for twenty-five (25) minutes of illumination. Ten (10) to fifteen (15) LEDs (light emitting diodes) provide the lamp illumination. The light emitting diodes are preferably encased in a pod or module at the end of a flexible neck  30  extending approximately twelve (12″) inches from the top of the lamp housing  16  at the anterior end of the handle  22  with the flexible neck  30  permitting the flashlight  12  to be directed in any direction. The flexible neck  30  allows the flashlight  12  to be directed in any desired direction once the flashlight  12  is mounted in its desired position. 
         [0018]    As briefly mentions above, in addition to the flashlight  12 , the magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention includes a one-quarter (¼″) inch rubber pad  14 , measuring approximately twelve (12″) inches by approximately sixteen (16″) inches. Furthermore, the magnetic tire light system  10  includes a carrying case and collapsible storage box  32  (see  FIG. 4 ) with the storage  32  box composed of nylon panels joined for use with VELCRO fastening pads to hold lug nuts after being removed. 
         [0019]    The magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention presents a number of distinct and significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the magnetic tire light system  10  presents motorists with two essential and highly advanced components of a roadside emergency kit. The magnetic tire light system  10 , featuring a bright, flexible LED flashlight  12  with a quality hand-crank charger  28  and a magnetic base  20 . In the event of a flat tire or other roadside emergency, the motorist retrieves the flashlight  12  of the magnetic tire light system  10  from the trunk of the vehicle. Then, using either the power cord or cigarette-lighter adapter, or by cranking the hand-crank  28  for ninety (90) seconds, the flashlight  12  is powered. The magnetic base  20  of the flashlight  12  permits the motorist to attach the flashlight  12  to the vehicle at the site required, i.e., to a fender or quarter-panel in the event of a tire-change, to the interior of the hood in the event of a mechanical problem. This is a great advantage, because up to now, the motorist equipped with an ordinary flashlight had to have a helper to hold the flashlight, or attempt to work with inadequate illumination. With the flashlight  12  of the magnetic tire light system  10 , the motorist has full illumination of the working area, and has both hands free to perform the work. 
         [0020]    The flashlight  12  of the magnetic tire light system  10  of the present invention is weatherproof, tough, and durable, and because the flashlight  12  can be charged instantly via the hand-crank  28 , there are no batteries to buy or replace. Further, because tire-changes and other roadside repairs require the motorist to kneel by the vehicle, the magnetic tire light system  10  includes a cushioned, supportive rubber mat  14  to intercede between knee and ground. Given the prevalence of broken glass and other debris on highway shoulders and breakdown lanes, the cushioned mat  14  does more than provide comfort while kneeling since it also protects the motorist from potential injury. Compact, handy, and immediately ready for use at any time, the magnetic tire light system  10  comes in its own compact carrying case, suitable for inclusion in a vehicle&#39;s emergency kit and taking up very little room in the vehicle&#39;s trunk or storage compartment. 
         [0021]    A crank-charged, flexible-neck flashlight  12  with a magnetic base  20 , and an accompanying rubber mat  14 , the flashlight  12  of the magnetic tire light system  10  can be quickly charged and attached to the vehicle to provide illumination for roadside repairs, while the mat  14  provides a clean, protective surface on which to work, for example, at changing a flat tire. 
         [0022]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.