Abstract:
A light that integrates and easily connects to a structural portion of a shelter to produce a flood of light inside the shelter is described. A LED or similar light for a collapsible shelter may contain a relatively thin lighting source (chip on board, COB, module, traditional LED, and others) encircling a mounting channel, a lens or light transmissive covering to protect the lighting source, a control circuit to manage the power going to the lighting source, a housing to hold the internal components, a power source (internal or external), a seal to ensure the device is water and dust tight, an interface that can control the light source and a mount to affix to a structure. The structure may be a fish house, tent, canopy, etc.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/116,079 entitled “COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER LIGHT” filed on Feb. 13, 2015 which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates to collapsible shelters like fish houses, tents, pop up canopies, mobile garages, etc. that have a need for interior lighting to illuminate the space inside the shelter. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are many lanterns, string lighting, rope lighting options for collapsible shelters that allow the user to hang a light inside their shelter. While current shelter lights in the market are attachable in this way, they are not mountable so the shelter can be collapsed and the light does not need to be removed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lighting device secured onto a in a structural component of a shelter. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of a complete construction of a light. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of a complete construction of a light. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2C  is an isometric view of a complete construction of a light. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a complete construction of a light using a LED COB module with a switch. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of an extended housing light. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a light with clip mounting. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a light with quick-detach mounting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    According to various embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a lighting device is described which can be “hard mounted” in a shelter so the user does not have to continually set up a shelter, then attach the light. By securely affixing (meaning securely affixing with a fastener or other method that would require a threshold of effort to remove—as opposed to a hook or other temporary attachment) the light to the shelter and making it virtually integrated into the shelter construction, it appears to be a part of the shelter, offers excellent illumination, and eliminates the need for continual assembly/removal when the shelter is assembled/collapsed. 
         [0014]    The inventive subject matter offers an affordable way to have LED lighting inside a shelter, securely mounted or/including being mounted in a way that the light could be removed and re-attached for added uses and storage. One design with a housing and lighting behind a tough polycarbonate (or similar material) lens, offers excellent light output and durability, which make it acceptable for use in a shelter that collapses and is stored. In addition the light may be configured varying color output in order to offer performance in different conditions (red light is easier on the eyes at night, blue light is easier to identify blood, etc.). The light can also be wired to an auxiliary battery or have an internal battery in the construction according to alternative embodiments. 
         [0015]    The present teachings provide for a simple, durable shelter light that is easy to produce and has a very long operating life, particularly with the use of LEDs. The construction shown in the figures, using the COB module offers for a 120 degree light spread, which will offer excellent illumination inside a shelter, especially when mounted as a down light. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments, the lighting device  100  includes a housing  102 , a light transmissive cover  104 , and a control button  106 . Mounting hardware  108  secures the lighting device  100  to a structural element  110 . 
         [0017]    The housing  102  and light transmissive cover  104  have a central cavity allowing the mounting hardware  108  to pass through and secure the lighting device  100  to the structural element  110 . The central cavity does not have to be exactly in the center of the lighting device  100 , so long as it is within its perimeter. In this way, the mounting hardware  108  can be inserted through the cavity allowing a portion of the hardware to engage with the housing  102  and/or the light transmissive cover  104  to hold it in place. Example mounting hardware  108  includes a bolt and washer. The bolt would extend through the central cavity and thread into the structural element  110 . When tightened, the bolt will squeeze the washer against the lighting device  100 , providing a nice secure attachment to the structural element  110 . 
         [0018]    According to various embodiments, the hardware used to securely attach the lighting device  100  to the structural element is the hardware already present in the structural element. By providing a flange in the housing  102  or light transmissive cover  104  that resides in the central cavity near to the interface with the structural element, the use of a longer piece of hardware (e.g. bolt) is not necessary as the flange position allows for very minimal offset from the original depth of the structural element hardware. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , according to various embodiments, the lighting device  200  includes a housing with backplate  203  and cover  204 , an aperture  206 , a mounting flange  208 A &amp;  208 B, and a control button  210 . The backplate  203  is configured to be mounted against a structural element like a central hub in a shelter, or other element capable of accepting a fastener that would be provided through the aperture  206  to mount the lighting device to the element. The backplate  203  is generally flat in order to mount easily against another flat element, but may also have a curve or indentation arrangement in order to facilitate a smooth mounting with a similarly curved element or element with a protrusion pattern. The cover  204  engages with the backplate to provide a seal for the components internal to the housing. This seal may be moisture or dust restrictive as needed for the application of the lighting device according to various embodiments. Within the housing  202 , internal circuitry and a lighting element reside. The cover  204  includes a light transmissive portion to allow light from the lighting element to illuminate the area exterior to the lighting device  200 . The light transmissive portion may be completely transparent or partially transparent. The transparency may be provided with one or more levels of opacity. The light transmissive portion of the cover may take up the majority of the cover  204 , or only select area(s). The light transmissive portion may be on the face and/or the sides of the cover. According to some embodiments, the cover  204  may extend from the backplate  203  to allow lighting elements to illuminate through light transmissive portions on the sides of the cover. By way of example, the cover  204  and the light transmissive portion may be made of a transparent and rugged material like polycarbonate. The cover  204  can be highly resistant to impact, making the construction very durable. 
         [0020]    The aperture  206  is used to provide a path for a fastener to be inserted through the housing  202 . The fastener can then engage with a mounting flange  208 A/ 208 B. The fastener may engage with the cover  202  via an upper mounting flange  208 A, which would provide access to the fastener near the surface of the cover  204 . The fastener may alternatively engage with the cover  204  or backplate  203  via a lower mounting flange  208 B, which would allow for a shorter fastener and also hide the fastener within the cavity of the housing  202  forming the aperture  206 . In this way, according to alternative embodiments, the mounting flange  208 A/ 208 B may be integrated into the cover  204  or the backplate  203  such that engagement with the mounting flange  208 A/ 208 B by a fastener allows for secure attachment of the housing  202 . 
         [0021]    According to various embodiments, a protector is provided additionally. The protector may engage with the housing  202  at the aperture  206 . The protector may be shaped to fit partially within the aperture, enclosing the fastener, and providing a portion of the protector extending out of the aperture  206 . This will allow the protector to take an impact that would have otherwise hit the housing. If the fastener is engaged near the surface of the cover  204 , the protector may be attached to the head of the fastener to achieve the same result. The protector may be made of a resilient and/or shock absorbing material like a rubber, foam or flexible plastic for example. 
         [0022]    The control button  210  may extend from the cover  204  to provide an interface for a user to control the lighting element within the housing  202 . This control may include turning the lighting element on or off, providing levels of dimming, or providing varying light colors/wavelengths. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , according to various embodiments lighting device  300  is shown in an exploded view with cover  302 , backplate  304 , central aperture  306 , lighting element  308 , lighting control  310 , wiring grommet  312  and interface  314 . The cover  302  attaches to the backplate  304  in order to provide a sealed housing for the lighting control  310  and lighting element  308 . If external wiring is used, a wiring grommet  312  or similar device is used to ensure that the housing is sealed where the wiring exits. The central aperture  306  is defined by the shaping of the cover  302  and backplate  304  and need not be located in the exact center of these elements. The central aperture  306  is defined by an axially aligned opening within the perimeters of the cover  302  and backplate  304 . The use of this central aperture allows a fastener to securely mount the lighting device  300  to another object at a single point—a single mounting location. 
         [0024]    The lighting element  308  may be mounted to the backplate  304  or to the cover  302 . The lighting element  308  will shine light through a light transmissive portion of the cover  302 . The cover  302  may be partially or totally light transmissive. The lighting element  308  is arranged within the lighting device  300  about the central aperture  306 . Because the central aperture  306  exists within the housing defined by the cover  302  and backplate  304 , the lighting element  308  is configured to encircle this central aperture  306 . By encircling the central aperture  306 , the lighting element  308  is able to provide an optimal amount of lighting surface area within the shape of the housing. Utilizing chip-on-board (COB) LED technology, a board may be provided and shaped to encircle the central aperture  306  with substantially continuous illumination about the surface of that board. When the lighting element  308  is described as encircling another component or opening within this description, such encirclement may be total or partial. According to various embodiments, the lighting element  308  encircles the central aperture  306  when a line can be drawn through the central aperture  306  that would pass through the lighting element  308  on both ends. The lighting element  308  includes one or more light emitting devices as well as the board or material supporting (physically and/or electronically) such light emitting devices. According to various embodiments, the shape of the lighting element  308  is determined by the position and size of the central aperture  306 . A larger central aperture  306  will mean a skinnier lighting element  308  within the same sized housing. The position of the central aperture  306  will mean a differently shaped lighting element  308  will be provided. 
         [0025]    The lighting element  308  may include one light emitting device or multiple of varying technologies, sizes or arrangements. The use of high or low intensity illumination may be present. As an example, high intensity illumination means the use of a high power LED for maximum light output such as surface mount LED chips. This could also mean the use of a high wattage halogen or HID bulb. In addition a blue laser focused on a yellow phosphorous could become a high intensity light source. As an example, low intensity illumination means lower output LEDs such as low power LEDs or COB modules (chip on board). COB modules involve printing several small LEDs directly onto a board, then potting over the chips with a transparent substrate that can be colored to change the output color of the LED. Additional low intensity illumination could be low wattage halogen bulbs. The lighting element  308  may, in various embodiments, consist of several different arrangement patterns of high and low intensity illumination as well, which could be used as a high/low feature in the performance. The light emitting devices in the lighting element  308  may additionally be arranged in various directions to obtain a desired light coverage area. If varying output lighting devices are used, high output devices may be activated when the user needs a lot of light and low output when the user needs minimal light. This could also be done to allow white light in one setting, and another color option, or a strobe function, etc. Reflectors and/or lenses can be added to the construction to help focus and direct the light. Light emitting devices capable of emitting differing wavelengths of light may be used as well. Different colored light may be useful depending on the circumstances. Different intensities may be useful as well—for battery preservation, user preference, or other situations. 
         [0026]    The lighting control  310  is provided in electrical communication with the lighting element  308  to adjust the lighting element  308 . According to various embodiments, adjustment of the lighting element  308  includes turning on the lighting element  308  on or off, dimming, switching between high and low intensity sources, and switching between wavelengths/colors emitted. The lighting control may be connected physically or electronically to an interface  314 . The interface  314  may be a physical button to be manipulated by a used to adjust the lighting element  308 . The interface  314  may also include sensors or other external input receptors in order to receive input to adjust the lighting element. As an example, the interface  314  may include an ambient light sensor to allow the lighting control  310  to turn off the lighting element  308  if there is a threshold amount of light already present, or turn on when a threshold amount of light is not present. As another example, the interface  314  may sense motion to control the lighting element  308 . The interface  314  may include one or more controls (buttons, dimmers, or other electrical or mechanical interfaces) to signal the lighting control  310  to adjust the lighting element  308 . 
         [0027]    According to other embodiments, the lighting control  310  may communicate with an interface  314  that is integral to the cover  302 . The cover  302  may be touched, depressed, rotated or otherwise manipulated, and such manipulation will serve as user input to the lighting control  308 . The lighting control  308  will use that user input to adjust the lighting element  308 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , according to various embodiments, the lighting device  400  includes a housing  402  having sides  404 , and a central aperture  406 . The housing  402  is provided with extended sides  404  in order to accommodate additional internal components, larger internal components, or varying lighting arrangements. The sides  404  may be light transmissive, allowing lighting elements provided within the housing  402  to provide illumination through the sides  404 . An on-board battery may be provided within the housing in order to power the lighting elements. According to various embodiments, the battery may be accessible and replaceable through the use of a battery door  408 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , according to various embodiments, the clip-mount lighting device  700  is shown with a housing  702  and mounting clips  704 . The mounting clips  704  may be attached to or integrated into the housing  702 . According to example embodiments, the mounting clips  704  are shaped and arranged to fit over a structural element of a shelter. The backside of the housing is shaped to interface with the structural element smoothly (e.g. having indentations available to cover protruding hardware). The mounting clips  704  may be adjustable in length or spacing in order to effectively and securely attach to one or more types/shapes/sizes of structural elements. A central hub on a collapsible fish house is a good example of a structural element. In such an example, the mounting clips  704  would wrap about the sides of the hub, clipping onto the backside, securing the clip-mount lighting device  700  to the shelter. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , according to various embodiments, a quick-detach lighting device  600  is shown with a housing  602 , connector  604  and mounting plate  606 . The mounting plate  606  is configured to be secured to a structural element. The mounting plate  606  may be securely attached with one or more fasteners. The mounting plate  606  may include an aperture and flange to allow a fastener (a bolt and washer for example) to pass through the aperture and thread into the structural element to secure the mounting plate  606  to the structural element. 
         [0031]    The housing  602  may be provided with a connector  604  configured to easily engage with the mounting plate while allowing for quick removal. The connector  604  may utilize clips configured to engage with edges of the mounting plate  606 . The mounting plate  606  may include an edge configured to receive the connector  604  clips and allow for easy detachment. The connector  604  may comprise other attachment mechanisms such as magnets, threading, hook-and-loop, twist-lock or other simple connection mechanisms to engage with the mounting plate  606 . 
         [0032]    According to various other embodiments, the mounting plate  606  includes electrical wiring that may be connected to an external power supply (e.g. battery). The connector  604  includes electrical connection components that are brought into electrical communication with electrical connection components on the mounting plate  606  such that electricity may be supplied to the quick-detach lighting device  700  when the connector  604  is secured to the mounting plate  606 . 
         [0033]    According to various other embodiments, the quick-detach lighting device  600  may be provided with an internal battery. When detached from the mounting plate  606 , the quick-detach lighting device may be used for mobile illumination in a “flashlight-mode”, running off the battery. If electrical power is provided at the mounting plate, the battery may be charged when the connector  604  is in communication with the mounting plate  606  as described above. 
         [0034]    Thus, example embodiments of the inventive subject matter are disclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present teachings can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. High intensity LEDs are used as an exemplary lighting source, but it is considered that other high intensity or spot/flood beam lighting may be used as well. Similarly, LED COB modules are used as an exemplary lighting source, but it is considered that other lower intensity, flood, or other low-cost lighting source may be used as well. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present teachings are limited only by the claims that follow. 
         [0035]    The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.