Abstract:
A work light includes a beveled elastomeric gasket coupling a selectively removable lens to a housing containing a light source and a variable voltage transformer for connecting the light source to a power supply. The elastomeric gasket fits snugly to the work light housing and the lens, creating a waterproof and dust-proof seal around the housing and lens. The housing is provided with cooling fins to help dissipate heat generated by the work light.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a nonprovisional utility application of the provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/928,646 filed in the United States Patent Office on Jan. 17, 2014 and claims the priority thereof and is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a work light and its lens system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an ultra bright sand blasting work light and a quick-change lens system for said work light. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sand blasting is used in maintenance of bridges and other structures. Sand blasting removes layers of rust and paint prior to repainting the surface so that new paint can bind properly. 
     Sand blasting uses high pressure and abrasive material forced through a nozzle on a blast hose at the area being blasted. When sand blasting, a cloud of dust is created by the blast media and particulates that obscures the work area. The sand blaster has a light attached to the blast hose adjacent to the nozzle to see the work area through the cloud of blast material. 
     Current lights burn out frequently and need to be replaced. Additionally, the lens that protects the light bulb from the blast media and debris is damaged in the process and needs to be frequently replaced. The protective lens attaches by a metal gasket with spring clips, screws or similar fasteners and is neither waterproof nor dust-proof offering little protection to the light itself. 
     The light requires disassembly to change the bulb, which involves the worker leaving the immediate area, finding tools such as a screwdriver, replacing the bulb and then returning to the work area. Since the work area may be on a scaffold high above, time is lost while the worker descends, traverses the site in search of a new light bulb and re-ascends to the work area. This may happen once a shift for each worker, causing great loss of productivity and slippage of timetables. 
     While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter. 
     In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a sand blasting light having a quick-change lens for rapid changing of a light bulb and a lens, increasing productivity. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a sandblasting light that has a beveled rubber gasket that couples a lens of a sand blasting light to a housing, the lens selectively removable without tools so that the lens is easily replaced. 
     A further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a sand blasting light having a waterproof, dust-proof housing without grit building up around the lens and light reflector. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a sand blasting light that has a beveled elastic gasket that fits snugly to the light housing and the lens, creating a waterproof and dust-proof seal at the junction of the light housing and lens. 
     Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a sand blasting light that can be used with a plurality of blast hoses sizes. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a sand blasting light with a selectively replaceable bracket, the bracket replaceable with a bracket of a different size so that the sand blasting light is not limited to a particular blast hose. 
     A still further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a sand blasting light that uses a variable amount of power so that the light can selectively be connected to a plurality of blast units having a different voltages. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a sand blasting light with an internal variable voltage capability, the light having a potentiometer that allows a voltage to be selected so that the sand blasting light is not limited to a blast unit with a particular voltage, further eliminating the necessity of an external transformer. 
     Yet another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a sand blasting light that does not overheat when used continuously. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a sand blasting light having a housing with cooling fins that keep the light-emitting diode (LED) light cool, the LED light producing less heat and lasting longer than the traditional halogen lights used in the prior art. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure describes a sand blasting work light that has a beveled rubber gasket that couples a lens to a housing that is selectively removable without tools so that the lens is easily replaced. The beveled elastic gasket fits snugly to the light housing and the lens, creating a waterproof and dust-proof seal around the housing and lens. The light has a selectively replaceable bracket, replaceable by different sizes to adapt to different blast hoses. The light has variable voltage capability that allows a voltage to be selected, eliminating a transformer used to connect to different voltage blast units. The sand blasting light does not overheat when used continuously having a housing with cooling fins and a low-heat producing, long-lasting LED (light-emitting diode) light. 
     The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top perspective view of an example embodiment of a gasket of a quick-change lens system. 
         FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of an example embodiment of a gasket of a quick-change lens system. 
         FIG. 1C  is a cross-section view of an example embodiment of the gasket of a quick-change lens system from the side. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the gasket being removed from a lens without tools. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a work light with a mounting bracket and the quick-change lens system. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the work light with the mounting bracket separating from the work light housing. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an example embodiment of a sandblasting work light housing. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example embodiment of work light power system. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an example embodiment of the sand blasting work light housing and quick-change lens system. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A through 1C  illustrates an example embodiment of a quick-change gasket  10  operative for attaching a protective lens  20  to a sand blasting work light. The gasket  10  provides a method of changing the lens on site during sand blasting work. Lenses must be changed frequently, about once a shift because the lenses become opaque as a result of sand blasting media striking the surface. Work lights in the prior art use halogen bulbs that have a short life and must be frequently replaced. To replace the bulb, the lens must be removed. In the prior art, the lens of the work light was held in place by metal rings or metal snap rings fastened with screws, bolts or spring clips that was neither waterproof or dust-proof. To change a lens meant finding tools to remove the metal rings, which created a time-consuming disruption on the job. 
     An example embodiment of the gasket  10  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C  is configured for coupling the lens to a work light housing quickly without tools. The quick-change gasket  10  allows the lens to be replaced in less than a minute, greatly reducing the interruption to the job that occurs in prior systems. 
     The gasket  10  has a side wall  18  defining a cylindrical space, a beveled top portion  22  with an outside bevel  12  and an inside bevel  14 , the outside bevel  12  sloping downwardly, away from the cylindrical space, the inside bevel  14  sloping downwardly, toward the cylindrical space. 
     On the side wall  18  below the top portion  22  is a decremental inside lip  16  defining a decremental inner diameter. The decremental inside lip  16  and beveled top portion  22  is configured for engaging the lens  20  when coupling to a work light housing. 
     The gasket  10  elastically engages the lens  20  with a compression force and without fasteners. The outer surface of the lens  20  is flush with the inside bevel  14  of the gasket  10 . The gasket  10  is made from an elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber and silicone rubber. The seal formed by the gasket  10  is watertight and dust-tight. 
       FIG. 2  demonstrates the method of selectively removing the lens  20  from the gasket  10  by rolling the gasket  10  back by a thumb  46  engaging the top portion  22  the inside bevel  14  and rolling the inside bevel  14  away from the lens  20  toward the outside bevel  12  thereby releasing the compression force that engages lens  20  without tools. A replacement lens  20  pops into the gasket  10  and is held snugly by compression providing the waterproof, dust-proof seal. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  shows an example embodiment of a work light having a housing  30 , a selectively replaceable bracket  40  and the gasket  10  as described hereinabove engaging the housing  30  and the protective lens  20  covering a light-emitting diode (LED) light bulb  50 . 
     The LED light bulb  50  has a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 93 approaching incandescent bulbs, produces 1200 lumens of light using 12 watts of power with natural-looking colors. The LED light bulb  50  has neodymium in the glass of the bulb, tinting the glass blue/violet, creating a spectral notch that produces the high CRI. The LED light bulb is long lasting estimated to have a 50,000-hour life expectancy, requiring infrequent replacement, producing brighter light and lower heat. The LED light bulb accommodates variable voltages so that the work light of the present system accommodates power supplies from various manufacturers. 
     In one example embodiment, the work light connects by a wire  34  to a power supply. In a further example embodiment, the power supply is a rechargeable battery within the housing  30 . 
     In one example embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 , the housing has a rear portion  30 R having a plurality of heat-dissipating fins  32  behind the gasket  10  and lens  20 , directionally opposite the gasket  10  and lens  20  and the light  50  behind the lens  20 . The fins  32  are configured to cool the work light when used continuously, dissipating any heat caused by the light bulb  50 . 
     In a further example embodiment, the housing  30  has a selectively replaceable bracket  40  at the bottom configured for attaching to a blast hose. The replaceable brackets  40  are configured in different sizes operative for coupling to different size blast hoses. The bracket  40  of the work light is coupled to a blast hose with hose clamps or other means know to those of ordinary skill, such that the curvature of the bracket  40  must conform to the curvature of the hose which varies based on the hose diameter. Using selectively replaceable brackets configured to couple to a different blast hose sizes allows the work light to couple to blast hoses that vary in size, which typically runs from one-half inch to one and one-half inches in diameter. 
     In another example embodiment, the housing  30  has a socket  43  for selectively attaching the bracket  40 , the bracket  40  having a plug  42  mating to the socket  43 , each bracket configured to couple to the sand blasting hose. 
     As illustrated in the block diagram in  FIG. 5 , inside the housing is a variable voltage transformer  36 , such as a potentiometer connecting to a power supply  38 . The variable voltage transformer  36  provides variable voltage capability to the sand blasting work light that allows a voltage to be selected ranging from 12 to 60 volts, eliminating the need for an external transformer used to connect to different blast units, each manufacturer using a different voltage battery or power supply. The variable voltage transformer powers the light bulb  50 , which is one example embodiment is an LED bulb. 
       FIGS. 2 and 6  illustrate a method for installing the lens  20  on the work light. The method comprises placing the gasket  10  on a work light housing  30 , the work light housing have an open end with a light bulb therein, the gasket  10  fitting over said open end, the gasket having the lip  16  engaging the open end of the housing  30 . 
     The gasket  10  expands by rolling the inside bevel  14  toward the outside bevel  12  with the thumb  46 , inserting the lens  20  into the gasket  10  and releasing the gasket  10 . The gasket  10  grasps the lens  20 , holding the lens  20  with compression force, forming a watertight, dust-tight seal over the open end of the work light housing. 
     In another example embodiment, the step of placing the gasket  10  on the work light housing  30  follows the step of inserting the lens  20  into the gasket  10  and releasing the gasket  10 , the gasket  10  grasping the lens  20  forming a watertight, dust-tight seal over the open end of the work light. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates how the housing  30  with the fins  32  opposing the gasket resists water drops  48  and blast media  44  generated during the sand blasting process. 
     The work light of the present disclosure is advantageously brighter, lighter and smaller than the lights in the prior art, thus highly adapted for tight spaces. Further, the work light of the present disclosure having the variable voltage capability and interchangeable hose brackets is useful with virtually every blast unit in the prior art. The work light of the present disclosure presents a significant cost savings in terms of efficiencies and productivity. 
     It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected. 
     It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented an ultra bright sand blasting work light and a quick-change lens system for said work light. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.