Abstract:
A light ( 20 ) that inserts into a cup holder ( 102 ) of an inflatable product ( 100 ). The cup holder light ( 20 ) includes a lens ( 24 ) and a housing ( 22 ). In an embodiment, the lens ( 24 ) may be arranged so that it lights the interior of an inflatable product ( 100 ) when the light is placed in a cup holder ( 102 ) or another pocket in the inflatable product. In this manner, the inflatable ( 100 ) glows when the cup holder light ( 20 ) is illuminated, providing a unique nighttime effect.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/747,257, filed May 15, 2006, and incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Inflatable products have become popular for water recreation. Inflatable products can be a variety of different shapes and sizes, and often are shaped like conventional furniture, but are designed to float on water. As examples, lounge chairs, rafts, floating decks, and a variety of other inflatable products are used when participating in water-related activities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description of some embodiments that are presented later. 
         [0004]    In accordance with an embodiment, a light is provided that inserts into a cup holder of an inflatable product. The light includes a lens and a housing. In an embodiment, the lens may be arranged so that it lights the interior of an inflatable product when the light is placed in a cup holder or another pocket in the inflatable product. In this manner, the inflatable glows when the light is illuminated, providing a unique nighttime effect. 
         [0005]    In an embodiment, a button for the light extends through the lens for the light. In this manner, the housing may be seated at the bottom of a cup holder, with the lens facing upward, yet with the button still accessible to a user. 
         [0006]    Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a isometric view of a cup holder light in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the cup holder light of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the light of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an inflatable with the cup holder light of  FIG. 1  mounted in a cup holder of the inflatable in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
         [0012]    Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows a cup holder light  20  in accordance with an embodiment. The cup holder light  20  includes a lower housing  22  and an upper lens  24  mounted above the housing. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, a column  26  extends through the lens  24  from the lower housing  22 . The column  26  is exposed at the top of the lens  24 . An on/off button  28  is positioned in the middle of the column. 
         [0014]    In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the cup holder light  20  includes finger grips  30 ,  31  on opposite sides of the cup holder light  20 . The bottom of the housing  22  includes a lower chamfer  32  ( FIG. 3 ) and the top of the lens  24  includes upper chamfer  34 . 
         [0015]    One or more lamps are mounted so that the lamps may illuminate the lens  24 . In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the lamps are four light emitting diodes (LEDs)  36 , but more than or less than four LEDs may be used. In addition, in alternate embodiments, one or more fluorescent tubes, one or more incandescent lights, or other suitable lights, or a combination of any of these lamps may be used. 
         [0016]    A power supply for the LEDs  36  may be included in the housing, such as a battery or a rechargeable battery pack. In accordance with an embodiment, the housing  22  and the upper lens  24  are sealed to form a waterproof casing so that the cup holder light  20  may be safely used in water without damage to the power supply or the internal components of the light. In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, an air pocket formed within the housing  22  and/or the lens  24  is sufficient in size so that the cup holder light  20  floats even when the power source is located within the housing  22 . In this manner, the cup holder light  20  may be used as a floating light. In an alternate embodiment, instead of having an air pocket, the cup holder light  20  may include integrated floatable material, such as Styrofoam. 
         [0017]    In use, the cup holder light  20  is inserted into a cup holder  102  ( FIG. 4 ) or another suitable pocket of an inflatable device  100 , such as an inflatable lounge chair. In one use, the housing  22  is inserted first, with the lens  24  extending upward. The user may grasp the finger grips  30 ,  31  to aid in installation. The finger grips  30 ,  31  may also be used to remove the cup holder light  20  from the cup holder  102  of the inflatable  100 . 
         [0018]    When the cup holder light  20  is installed housing  22  first, the upper part of the cup holder light, i.e., the lens  24 , is exposed, along with the on/off button  28 . The sides of the lens  24  are in contact with the inner walls of the cup holder  102 . 
         [0019]    When a user presses the on/off button  28 , the lamps  36  are lit, lighting the upper lens  24 . If the inflatable  100  is made of a translucent or transparent material, the lighting of the lens  24  also lights an interior of the inflatable, as shown by the representation of light rays  104  in  FIG. 4 . In this manner, the inflatable  100  appears to glow, providing an interesting night time effect. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the inflatable  100  is lit through the sides of the lens  24 , but the cup holder light  20  may be installed in a different way so that the interior of the inflatable  100  may be lit. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the outer diameters of the lower housing  22  and the upper lens  24  are matched to the size of standard cup holders for inflatables. In this manner, the cup holder light  20  fits snuggly into a cup holder (e.g., the cup holder  102 ) for an inflatable. As an example, the outside diameter may be 2.6 inches. However, if desired, the cup holder light  20  may be sized for different sized cup holders or a different pocket in an inflatable. 
         [0021]    Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0022]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0023]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0024]    Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.