Utility box worklight

A portable worklight having a protective outer casing which encloses the contents of the light. The outer casing includes first and second housings which are operable between open and closed positions. When in a closed position, the working components of the light, including the lens, grill, and light source are enclosed by the two housings. In an open position, the second housing acts as a base which holds the worklight in an upright position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to portable worklights, and more specifically, a
 portable worklight that includes an outer protective housing.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 Typical worklights consist of a light housing which typically contain the
 components necessary to illuminate an object. This would include, among
 other things, a lens, grill, light source or lamp, and the necessary
 wiring and electrical components. In addition, a tubular support stand
 often is used to support the light housing in an upright position.
 However, because the worklights are intended to be portable, the
 worklights are often transported in vehicles and the like along with other
 equipment. As a result, the worklight is susceptible to damage when being
 transported, especially the light source and lens which mare made of glass
 and remain exposed to damage from foreign objects. In addition, while the
 common support stand is useful when the light is in a stationary position,
 in a moving vehicle it typically fails to support the device in a stable
 condition.
 The present invention minimizes the risk of damage during transportation by
 providing a worklight having opposing first and second housings which
 enclose the worklight when in a closed position and which hinge open for
 use. Moreover, the housings have at least one flat surface that supports
 the light housing in an upright position during use and in a stable
 position when being stored and/or transported.
 Consequently, an object of the present invention is to provide a worklight
 which incorporates a protective housing as part of the light.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide a first housing that
 contains the light source and an opposing second housing that acts as
 base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Set forth below is a description of what are currently believed to be the
 preferred embodiments or best examples of the invention claimed. Future
 and present alternatives and modifications to the preferred embodiments
 are contemplated. Any alternates or modifications in which insubstantial
 changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in result are intended to
 be covered by the claims of this patent.
 FIG. 1 shows a worklight 10 having a first housing 12 and second housing 14
 both of which define a cavity. Located in the cavity of housing 12 are the
 components making up a standard light, i.e., a lens 17, light source 18,
 grill 20, and front plate 21 as well as the necessary wiring and
 electrical components (not shown)among other things.
 The housings are connected together by hinges 22 and 24 as shown in FIG. 1
 or hinge 100 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, hinges 22 and
 24 form two pivot points 33 and 37 with housings 12 and 14.
 Spring latches 38 and 40 coact with edges 61 and 63 to releasably secure
 the housings together. Hinges 22 and 24 include latches 34 and 36 which
 releasably secure the hinges in a stationary position during operation of
 the light source and permit the rotation of the hinges when released.
 Coacting fasteners 30 and 32 pivotally connect housing 12 to hinges 22 and
 24 as well.
 In use, worklight 10 is stored and transported in a closed position as
 shown in FIG. 5. In this position, the grill, light source, and lens are
 all enclosed by the housings and are inaccessible to foreign objects which
 would damage the components. In addition, the flat surface 19 of housing
 14 holds the device in a stable position which further minimizes the risk
 of damage to the device. When the light is needed to illuminate an object,
 latches 30 and 40 are operated to release the housings which allows
 housing 12 to pivot about pivot point 33. This allows housing 12 to move
 forward as well as up and away from housing 14 and into a position located
 above the central portion of housing 14 until latches 38 and 40 catch and
 hold hinges 22 and 24 in a stable, extended position. This, in turn,
 raises the grill and other operating components of the light out of the
 cavity formed by housing 14. Next, housing 12 is pivoted about fasteners
 30 and 32 until a desired position of illumination is obtained. At the
 same time, housing 14 functions as a base to hold the light source in an
 upright position.
 Moreover, placing pivot points 33 and 37 offset from the center line 39, as
 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, permits housing 12 to remain centrally located
 with respect to housing 14. This maintains the balance of the device when
 it is in an open position which helps prevent tipping. It also allows the
 components in housing 12 to nest within housing 14. Because the components
 must be centrally aligned to nest within housing 14, as shown in FIGS. 2
 and 3, to close the device, pivot point 37 which is located on the lower
 end of housing 37, is positioned to coordinate with the length of the
 hinges to place the outer of edges of the two housing together when in a
 closed position.
 In an alternate embodiment, a single pivot point is used to connect housing
 102 to 104. The construction and operation of this embodiment is similar
 to the embodiment described above.
 It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the
 preferred embodiments described would be apparent to those skilled in the
 art. Changes and modifications can be made without departing from the
 spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its
 intended advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and
 modifications be covered by the following claims.