Portable light having a pivotable light head

A portable light includes a body having a first end and a second end. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end, and is configured to receive a battery. The portable light also includes a light head pivotably coupled to the first end of the body, a first light source supported by the light head, and a second light source supported by the light head. The first light source includes a spot light emitting diode configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the second light source includes a flood light emitting diode configured to emit light in the direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The portable light further includes an actuator supported by the body and operable to selectively turn on the first light source and the second light source.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable lights and, more particularly, to lights with pivotable light heads.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a portable light including a body having a first end and a second end. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The body is configured to receive a battery. The portable light also includes a light head pivotably coupled to the first end of the body, and a first light source supported by the light head. The first light source includes a spot light emitting diode configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The portable light further includes a second light source supported by the light head. The second light source includes a flood light emitting diode configured to emit light in the direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The portable light also includes an actuator supported by the body. The actuator is operable to selectively turn on the first light source and the second light source.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a portable light including a body having a first end and a second end. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The body is configured to receive a battery. The portable light also includes a light head pivotably coupled to the first end of the body. The light head has a heat sink formed of a metallic material. The heat sink defines an outer surface of the light head. The portable light further includes one or more light emitting diodes coupled to the light head, and a lens coupled to the light head and operable to diffuse light emitted from the one or more light emitting diodes.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a portable light including a body having a first end and a second end. The body defines a longitudinal axis extending through the first end and the second end. The body is configured to receive a battery. The portable light also includes a light head pivotably coupled to the first end of the body, a first light source including a first light emitting diode, a second light source including a second light emitting diode, and a lens coupled to the light head. The lens includes a first section aligned with the first light source and a second section aligned with the second light source. The second section has a different configuration than the first section. The first section and the second section are integrally formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5illustrate a portable light10according to one embodiment of the invention. The illustrated light10includes a light head14and a body18. The body18is configured to be grasped and held by a user. The light head14is moveable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the body18to change the direction in which light is emitted from the portable light10.

The illustrated body18is generally cylindrical and includes a first end18aand a second end18b. The body18also defines a central longitudinal axis20(FIG. 5) extending through the first and second ends18a,18b. The body18further includes a boss22formed at the first end18aof the body18. The boss22is offset from the central longitudinal axis20and coupled to the light head14. In the illustrated embodiment, the boss22includes a fastener26(e.g., a screw) to secure the light head14to the body18. The fastener26defines a pivot axis28(FIG. 4) about which the light head14can pivot relative to the body18. The illustrated pivot axis28is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis20of the body18. As further described below, the light head14is pivotable relative to the body18between a first or inline position (FIG. 3A), a second or partially-extended position (FIG. 3B), and a third or fully extended position (FIG. 3C). In some embodiments, the fastener26can be further tightened to temporarily retain the light head14in different positions relative to the body18.

The light head14includes a lens30, a plurality of light sources34,38(FIG. 5), and a heat sink46. The lens30covers the light sources34,38to protect the light sources34,38and diffuse light emitted from the light sources34,38to the surrounding area. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, the illustrated lens30includes a first lens section42aaligned with the first light source34, and a second lens section42baligned with the second light source38. The first lens section42ais contoured to diffuse light from the first light source34. The second lens section42bincludes a plurality of total internal reflection (TIR) lenses. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second lens sections42a,42bare integrally formed as a single lens. In other embodiments, the first and second lens sections42a,42bmay be formed as separate lenses.

As shown inFIG. 5, the light sources34,38are positioned behind the lens30. The first light source34is different than the second light source38. In the illustrated embodiment, the light sources34,38include light emitting diodes (LEDs). In particular, the first light source34includes a single spot LED, while the second light source38includes at least one flood LED. In other embodiments, the first light source34and/or the second light source38may include one or more LEDs. In further embodiments, the light head14may include other suitable light sources.

As shown inFIG. 5, the heat sink46forms an outer housing of the light head14. The heat sink46thereby supports the other components of the light head14, such as the light sources34,38and the lens30. As such, the entire light head14may be considered the heat sink46that diffuses any excessive or unwanted heat from the light sources34,38. In the illustrated embodiment the heat sink46is formed as a single, monolithic part. The heat sink46also defines an outer surface24of the light head14. However, in alternative embodiments, the heat sink46may define alternative portions or surfaces of the light head14. The heat sink46is formed of a metallic material (e.g., aluminum, etc.). However, in alternative embodiments, the heat sink46may be composed of alternative materials. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of fins52(FIG. 1) is formed in the other surface24of the heat sink46. The illustrated fins52are located adjacent the first end18aof the body and increase the surface area of the heat sink46to dissipate heat away from the light head14.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the light sources34,38are controlled via a control panel50. The illustrated control panel50is positioned adjacent the first end18aof the body18. The control panel50includes one or more actuators electrically connected to the light sources34,38to control operation of the light10. In the illustrated embodiment, the control panel50includes a power actuator54to turn the light sources34,38on and off. The illustrated control panel50also includes a mode actuator58to change an operating mode of the light10. For example, the mode actuator58can cycle through a spot mode in which only the first light source34is turned on, and a flood mode in which only the second light source38is turned on. More specifically, the mode actuator58is additionally capable of cycling through a high flood mode in which the second light source38is capable of emitting light at a high intensity, and a low flood mode in which the second light source38is capable of emitting light at a low intensity. In alternative embodiments, the light10may be operable in an additional mode in which both light sources34,38are turned on. In still further embodiments, the mode actuator58may change the first light source34(e.g., the spot LED) between operating in a high mode and a low mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators54,48are buttons, but may alternatively be switches, dials or other suitable control mechanisms.

When operating in the spot mode, the light10may have a maximum output of at least 500 lumens. When operating in the high flood mode, the light10may have a maximum output of at least 400 lumens. When operating in the low flood mode, the light10may have a maximum output of at least 100 lumens.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, the body18includes a battery housing62formed between the first end18aand the second end18b. The battery housing62is configured to house a power source66(FIG. 5), such as a battery. In the illustrated embodiment, the power source66is insertable into and removable from the battery housing62along an insertion axis that is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis20of the body18. In some embodiments, the power source66may have a Li-ion chemistry such that the power source66is also relatively lightweight (e.g., about 2 ounces or 55 grams). In other embodiments, the battery66may have other chemistries, such as an alkaline chemistry.

The power source66is insertable into and removable from the battery housing62via a battery cap72. The battery cap72is removably coupled to the second end18bof the body18. When connected to the body18, the battery cap72inhibits dirt and other debris from entering the battery housing62. The battery cap72also helps retain the power source66within the battery housing62, but is also removable from the body18to facilitate recharging or replacement of the power source66. The illustrated battery cap72includes one or more magnets70(FIG. 5) such that the light10can be supported and retained on a metal surface.

The power source66is sufficient to operate the light sources34,38for extended periods of time. For example, the power source66can operate the first light source34(e.g., the spot LED) in the high mode for at least 2.5 hours. In addition, the power source66can operate the second light source38(e.g., the flood LED) in the high flood mode for at least 3 hours. Furthermore, the power source66can operate the second light source38in the low flood mode for at least 10 hours.

During use, the power source66may become depleted. As the power source66loses energy, both the first light source34(when operating in the high mode) and the second light source38may decrease in intensity to conserve power. For example, the light sources34,38may gradually decrease intensity to less than 300 lumens over time. In some embodiments, the light sources34,38may decrease to 292 lumens and maintain this intensity until the power source66is completely depleted.

As shown inFIG. 5, the light10also includes an internal control unit78, such as a microcontroller or memory unit, for storing information and executable functions associated with the light10. The internal control unit78is positioned within the body18and electrically coupled to the power source66, the control panel50, and the light sources34,38. The internal control unit78is configured to store the state of the light10as set by the mode actuator58when the light10is powered ON and OFF by the power actuator54. This results in a light10that may be turned ON and OFF while maintaining the most recent state of the light10(e.g., the mode of the light10, the light sources34,38in use, etc.), thereby allowing the user to turn the light10on with the last setting without having to readjust the mode of the light10. In some embodiments, the light sources34,38may cycle on and off and through the modes (e.g., spot/high, spot/low, flood) by repeatedly pressing the mode actuator58.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3A-3C, the light10also includes a clip94coupled to the body18. The illustrated clip94extends substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis20of the body18. The clip94allows the light10to be hung or clipped to another object (e.g., a belt loop, etc.) and allows the light10to be portable. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip94is removable from the body18by a C-shaped clamp96. In other embodiments, the clip94may be permanently coupled to the body18.

The light10further includes a charging port98supported on the body18. The charging port98is electrically coupled to the power source66in the battery housing62. The charging port98allows the power source66to be recharged while in the battery housing62. In the illustrated embodiment, the charging port98is positioned on a side of the body18adjacent the control panel50. In other embodiments, the charging port98may be positioned elsewhere on the body18or on the battery cap62. The illustrated charging port98includes a USB port, although other suitable charging ports may also or alternatively be included on the light10.

During use, the light head14is movable relative to the body18to change the orientation at which light is emitted from the light sources34,38. More particularly, the light head14is pivotable relative to the body18about the pivot axis28(FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the light head14is pivotable up to 110 degrees, allowing a user to redirect the lens30and the light sources34,38from approximately 0 degrees (e.g.,FIG. 3A) to approximately 110 degrees (e.g.,FIG. 3C). For example, the light head14is pivotable between the inline position (e.g.,FIG. 3A) and multiple angled positions (e.g.,FIGS. 3B-3C). When in the inline position, the light sources34,38emit light from the light head14in a direction generally parallel to the central longitudinal axis20of the body18. When in any of the angled positions, the light sources34,38emit light from the light head14in directions that are angled (i.e., not parallel to) the central longitudinal axis20of the body18. When the light head14is fully pivoted relative to the body, the lens30and the light sources30,34are angled approximately 110 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis20.

As shown inFIG. 3A, when in the inline position, the light10has an overall length L (measured between the lens30of the light head30and the battery cap62in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis20) between 6 and 7 inches. More particularly, the overall length L is about 6.13 inches. As shown inFIG. 4, the light10has an overall diameter D (measured across the lens30in a direction normal to the central longitudinal axis) between 1 and 2 inches. More particularly, the overall diameter D is about 1.34 inches. With the power source66included, the light10has an overall weight of between 6 and 7 ounces. More particularly, the overall weight is about 6.67 ounces (190 grams). Without the power source66, the light10has a weight of between 4 and 5 ounces. More particularly, the weight is about 4.75 ounces (135 grams).

In some embodiment, the portable light10has a ratio of maximum light output (in lumens) to overall weight (in ounces) of between 70 and 85. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio is about 76. In some embodiments, the portable light10has a ratio of maximum light output (in lumens) to overall volume (in square inches) of between 10 and 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio is about 19.