Abstract:
A portable fighting assembly may include a housing comprising a power source compartment that opens to a first end, wherein a power source may be enclosed by a power source compartment closure. A cover may enclose the power source and power source compartment closure. The cover may removably attach to the first end of the housing. A light may attach to a second end of the housing. The housing and cover may attach to a base which may attach to a first end of a strap by a fastener. A second and a third fastener may be attached to the strap to removably hold the strap in position while the strap may surround an object such as a utility belt, pant belt or the like. In certain embodiments, instead of a strap, the base may have wings that removably attach to each other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/159,118, filed on Jan. 20, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/885,655, filed Oct. 2, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to lighting assemblies, and in particular to a portable lighting assembly capable of attaching to persons, objects, clothing, clothing accessories and the like. 
     Often times light is required in situations of emergency. For example, light is required in environments where vision is impaired such as when there is lack of sunlight or artificial light and where there is fog or smoke. In other examples, light might be required to warn of any hazards or identify emergency workers. 
     Currently, there is no light or lighting assembly which could be universally used in a variety of ways in different emergency situations. As can be seen, there is a need for a portable lighting assembly that has the ability to attach to persons, objects, clothing, clothing accessories and the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     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 that is presented later. 
     The lighting assembly of the present invention provides a universal lighting assembly that could be used in a variety of applications. The lighting assembly could be used to assist in vision, warn of any hazards, identify the emergency workers, and identify and categorize the injured. The lighting assembly could be attached to persons, objects, clothing, clothing accessories and the like. 
     Broadly, the present invention provides a portable lighting assembly that may include a housing comprising a power source compartment that opens to a first end, wherein a power source may be enclosed by a power source compartment closure. A cover may enclose the power source and power source compartment closure. The cover may removably attach to the first end of the housing. A light may attach to a second end of the housing. 
     The housing and cover may attach to a base which may attach to a first end of a strap by a fastener. A second and a third fastener may be attached to the strap to removably hold the strap in position while the strap may surround an object such as a utility belt, pant belt or the like. In certain embodiments, instead of a strap, the base may have wings that removably attach to each other. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a portable lighting assembly comprises: a housing comprising a power source compartment open to a first end, wherein a power source is enclosed by a power source compartment closure; a cover enclosing the power source and power source compartment closure, wherein the cover removably attaches to the first end of the housing; and a light attached to a second end of the housing, wherein the light connects to the power source. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a portable lighting assembly comprising: a housing comprising a power source compartment, wherein a power source is enclosed; and a light attached to the housing, wherein the light connects to the power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of a light unit of the present invention in use with an embodiment of a retaining member of the present invention to form a first embodiment of a lighting assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 1  with the light unit detached from the retaining member; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed exploded side elevation view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the retaining member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the retaining member of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the light unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top, partial cross sectional view of the light unit of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the light unit of  FIG. 6  in an alternative use; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the light unit of  FIG. 8  in a second embodiment of a lighting assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of a lighting assembly of the present invention with a second embodiment of a light unit of the present invention detached from a retaining member; 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed side elevation view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 10  with a partial cross-sectional view of the light unit; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a light unit of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the light unit of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of the light unit of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the light unit of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is another cross-sectional view of the light unit of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of 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. 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The article “a” is intended to include one or more items, and where only one item is intended the term “one” or similar language is used. Additionally, to assist in the description of the present invention, words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, front, rear, inner, outer, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     A first embodiment of a light unit  16  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 6-9 . The light unit  16  may include a housing  17  having a power source compartment  34  open to a first end. The housing  17  may be water resistant. A power source may fit inside the power source compartment  34  of the housing  17 . The power source may include at least one removable battery  32 . The at least one battery  32  may be a lithium battery. A power source compartment closure  30  may enclose the power source within the power source compartment  34  of housing  17 . The light unit  16  may also include a cover  26  which may enclose the power source and the power source compartment closure  30  within the housing  17 . The cover  26  may removably attach to the first end of the housing  17 . The cover  26  and the housing  17  could be coupled together by various means including snap fit engagement, threaded engagement or by fasteners such as screws. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2, 3 and 6-9 , a light  18  may attach to a second end of the housing  17  and be connected to the power source  32 . The light  18  may be a light-emitting diode (LED), an infra-red beacon or the like. In certain embodiments, the light  18  may include two diodes with a push button mechanism to activate the light  18  and may allow continuous light or a flashing light. In certain embodiments, the light used may be a different color based on what may be required for the use of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the cover  26  may attach to a plate  28 . In this embodiment, the plate  28  includes a first fastener secondary member  20   a , the function of which will be described in more detail below. A pair of wings  21 ,  23  form a base  19  and are coupled to the plate  28 . Each wing  21 ,  23  includes a hole  21   a.    
     A second embodiment of a light unit  40  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this embodiment, the light unit  40  is a pouch  48  having a lens  42  extending therefrom at a top end. In certain embodiments, the light  42  may include a clear lens. The pouch  48  could be used to store a light or other items. For example, the light unit of the first embodiment  16  could be stored within the pouch  48  so that is emitted through the lens  42 . In other examples, other items such as keys, money, mobile device and other valuables could be stored therein. The pouch  48  may have a battery  46  enclosed therein and operably coupled to any electronics stored therein. The pouch  48  also includes a first fastener secondary member  20   a  extending therefrom for attaching to a first fastener primary member  20   b  of a retaining member  14 , the function of which will be described in more detail below. 
     A third embodiment of a light unit  60  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 12-16 . In this embodiment, the light  18  includes at least two diodes and is operably coupled to a circuit board  50 . The circuit board  50  is operably coupled to a power switch  52  in the form of a push button to activate the light  18  and may allow continuous light or a flashing light. In certain embodiments, the light used may be a different color based on what may be required for the use of the present invention and the could be selectively activated by the push button  52 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 12-16 , the power source compartment closure  30  of the light unit  60  includes a power source  32  in the form of a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is fixed to the power source compartment closure  30  and operably coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) port  52  for recharging the battery. 
     In other embodiments, the light unit  60  includes a wireless communications device. The wireless communications device may be a transmitter only, a receiver only, or a transmitter and receiver. The wireless communications device may be a long-range mobile communications device, a short-range wireless communications device, or the like which is capable of transmitting GPS coordinates or receiving instructions. Furthermore, various other functions could be coupled with the communications device including audio and/or visual. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 12-16 , the plate  28  includes the first fastener secondary member  20   a  at a central portion thereof. A pair of wings  21 ,  23  are formed integrally to the plate  28  and extends therefrom. Each wing  21 ,  23  includes holes  21   a . The housing  17 , circuit hoard  50 , power source compartment closure  30  and plate  28  are held together by fasteners such as screws  56 . The light unit  60  could take on other shapes such as a round cross-section. The plate  28  and the housing  17  could also be coupled together by other means including snap fit engagement, threaded engagement or by fasteners such as screws. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 and 10-11 , a first embodiment of a retaining member  14  of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the retaining member  14  is a strap or belt keeper. The belt keeper  14  includes a first faster primary member  20   b  for attaching the first fastener secondary member  20   a  of the light units  16 ,  40 ,  60  described above. In certain embodiments, the strap  14  may also have a second fastener  22  and a third fastener  24 . The second fastener  22  may have a second fastener secondary member  22   a  and a second fastener primary member  22   b . The third fastener  24  may have a third fastener secondary member  24   a  and a third fastener may member  24   b . In certain embodiments, the second fastener  22  and the third fastener  24  may be used in order to further secure the strap  14  to the object as shown for example in  FIG. 1 . That is, the strap  14  is inserted through each hole  21   a  of the wings  21 ,  23 ; the strap  14  is secured around the belt  12 ; each end of the strap  14  is overlapped with each other; and each fastener  21 ,  22 ,  24  is engaged and secured. 
     In certain embodiments, the fasteners may have a snap socket and stud, a hook and latch system or the like. The strap  14  may be removably attached to a belt  12  such as a utility belt, a pants belt and the like. The strap  14  may also be securely attached to other objects. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 12-14 , in certain embodiments, the first wing  21  and the second wing  23  may be removably secured to an object by an alternative retaining member or hook  36 . In certain embodiments, the hook  36  may have an S-shape. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , yet another alternative retaining member is shown. In this embodiment, the light unit  16 ,  60  may be attached directly to the hand of a user. In one application, a gun user could insert a finger of the support hand through the holes  21  of the wings  21 ,  23  to use the light as a guide while aiming the gun. The light unit  16 ,  60  could be positioned such that the power switch  52  is at an upper portion of the light unit  16 ,  60  so that it could be activated with the thumb of the user&#39;s support hand while holding the gun. 
     A method of using the portable light assembly may include the user illuminating themselves to avoid hazards. Examples of individuals that may use the present invention may include police officers conducting motor vehicle stops, children wearing the present device in busy malls, riding their bicycles; crossing guards may bring more attention to themselves to avoid getting hit by traffic. Utility workers may wear the present invention be seen to avoid getting injured on a work site. Parents may place the present invention on strollers to illuminate them to avoid getting hit by traffic. Firefighters may place them on the rear of the air packs so they can be seen in a smoky fire. Rescue workers may be safer helping others at accident scenes so drivers may see them and their equipment because the light flashes and brings attention to their presence. People may place these lights on pets and their own belts so traffic and other individuals may see them easily. Nursing homes may place the portable, lighting assembly of elderly patients to keep better track of their location. Hikers may wear the present invention to be located when they are lost or to mark a trail. Sanitation workers may wear the present invention to avoid being struck in traffic and construction and paving workers may mark themselves to avoid hazards like traffic, heavy equipment use, and they may also be used to mark dangerous sites. 
     The portable lighting assembly may be snapped onto objects to display them and bring additional attention to them. People may wear the present invention at clubs and they may wear the present invention if they break down on the side of the road. Tree crews may attach the present invention to trees that need to be taken down. 
     The portable lighting assembly may attach to anything someone wants to draw attention to in their lives. An example may be to include the infrared beacon alerting others to the user&#39;s location in low light or complete darkness. In certain embodiments, this may include emitting a light only detected by infra-red vision so that specialized weapons and tactical teams may be alerted of the location while remaining undetected by an adversary. Another situation may be a firefighter alerting his location in complete darkness which may include a smoke filled environment. 
     In certain embodiments, the portable lighting assembly includes a GPS receiver and wireless communications device. The wireless communications device can transmit the portable lighting assembly&#39;s GPS coordinates to provide an additional method of locating the portable lighting assembly. The transmission can be always on or turned on manually and can operate independent of the light. Covert operators can use the present invention to track movements and mark locations with the light off so as to conceal activity. The wireless communications device may be a short-range radio or long-range mobile communications device. The wireless communications device may receive instructions to manipulate the light remotely. A portable lighting device with the light off can be located using the wireless communication device to turn the light on. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.