Illumination assembly

An assembly to selectively hold and position a light source is disclosed, the assembly comprising a mounting bracket or base adapted to be secured to a yard implement or similar device including a tubular frame and an attachment bracket adapted to hold a light source, where the mounting bracket and attachment bracket are pivotably coupled so as to allow flexibility in the positioning of the light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to an attachment assembly. More particularly,
 the present invention relates to a support and attachment assembly to
 secure a source of illumination at a desired attitude and location.
 2. Description of the Prior Art
 There are numerous occasions when it is desirable to temporarily affix a
 source of illumination to an object. In this connection, it is common
 practice to use a support assembly to secure a light source in a desired
 location proximate a workbench. Such support assemblies are illustrated,
 for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 711,621; 2,727,137 and 1,688,148.
 The disadvantage of each of the assemblies illustrated in these patents is
 the lack of flexibility to secure light sources of different sizes. In
 this connection, the support structures disclosed in these patents are
 designed to be secured to a lamp of a lighting socket of a predetermined
 diameter.
 Such rigidity of application, while acceptable in areas utilizing
 standardized lighting fixtures, is generally not practical where lighting
 sources of many different configurations may be potentially used. For
 example, applications which contemplate the attachment of variously sized
 portable light sources, e.g. flashlights , cannot provide the desired
 utility for applications useful with yard implements, bicycle and
 motorcycle applications and other areas where it is desirable to
 temporarily mount a portable light source.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention addresses the above-identified and other advantages
 of prior art attachment and mounting systems.
 In one embodiment, the present invention includes an intermediate frame
 which is bounded by a first and second attachment system. The first end of
 the frame defines a "U" shaped clamping assembly which is adapted to be
 secured to a frame or other rounded or semi-rounded object. The second end
 defines two "C" shaped clamp members which are slidably disposed about a
 track such that they may be moved vis-a-vis each other to secure variously
 sized lighting sources in a substantially fixed position.
 The frame is preferably comprised of at least two components which are
 pivotably coupled so as to allow a range of motion in at least one plane
 by the user. In a second embodiment, a ball joint may be utilized to
 provide virtually unlimited degrees of freedom between the two systems.
 The present invention presents a number of advantages over prior art
 attachment and mounting systems. One such advantage is that the system may
 be used with a wide variety of differently sized lighting sources. Another
 advantage is that the lighting source may be readily adjusted vis-a-vis
 the object to which the system is attached.
 Other advantages will become obvious in light of the following figures and
 the disclosure and description of the preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 One embodiment of the present invention may be seen by reference to FIGS.
 1-3 and 5-7 where may be seen a supporting base member 6 and an attachment
 assembly 8 joined by a pivot assembly 4.
 Pivot assembly 4 is comprised of a first stationary attachment member 10
 and a second supporting base attachment 12 member, where said first and
 second members are pivotally disposed vis-a-vis each other via a pivot or
 support means 13. In the illustrated embodiment, pivot means 13 comprises
 a fastener, e.g. a bolt or support fastener 15, disposed through an
 aperture 16 formed in both first 10 and second 12 members and secured with
 an adjustable locking fastener 19, e.g. a wingnut. In such a fashion, the
 first 10 and second 12 members are relatively moveable in at least one
 plane. Moreover, the relative position of the first 10 and second 12
 members may be adjusted by loosening or tightening pivot means 13 in a
 conventional fashion.
 First stationary member 10 may be affixed to or integrally formed with an
 attachment assembly 8 which generally comprises a stationary member 31 and
 a traveling member 21. Traveling member 35 is generally "L" shaped in
 configuration and defines an upright portion or traveling upright member
 43 and a tongue or traveling plate 38. As illustrated, stationary member
 31 also describes an "L" shape and includes a stationary upright portion
 37 and a stationary base 34, where said stationary base 34 defines a slot
 35 sized to receive traveling member 32. The stationary upright portion 37
 is joined to and extending orthogonally from the stationary base 34 as
 shown in FIG. 5. The stationary base 34 has a pair of spaced apart legs 11
 as clearly shown in FIG. 2. Each leg 11 has a free end 14 and an inner
 surface 18 with a channel 17 formed therein. In such a fashion, traveling
 member 32 is adapted to be slidably received within support member 31. The
 stationary attachment member 10 is joined to and extending from the
 stationary base 34 in an opposite direction to the stationary upright
 member 37.
 Support member 31 and traveling member 32 both define opposed "C" shaped
 contact surfaces 47, as illustrated. In a preferred embodiment, surfaces
 47 are provided with a cushioned, contact layer 48 to aid in securing said
 illumination assembly 100 in a relatively non-slip fashion. The traveling
 plate 38 is carried in the slot 35 and has lateral edges 39 that are
 slidably received within the channels 17 of the legs 11. A traveling
 upright member 43 is joined to and extending from the traveling plate 38
 in opposed fashion to the stationary upright member. It is contemplated
 that layer 48 be made from a closed cell, foam rubber, through other
 materials of comparable performance are also contemplated within the
 spirit of the invention.
 The relative juxtaposition of support member 31 and traveling member 32 is
 governed by a closure system which may include one or more conventional
 fastening systems, e.g. a bolt or attachment fastener 40 and nut 42, which
 may be selectively tightened about a given appliance, e.g. a flashlight
 100. In such a fashion, the traveling member 32 is slid toward stationary
 member 31 until the object, e.g. a flashlight, is adequately compressed
 between the two so as to secure it in a desired position. The traveling
 member is then secured in place by tightening the fastening system.
 Second supporting base attachment member 12 maybe attached to or formed
 integrally with second attachment system 6 which comprises a proximal 51
 and a distal member 52, where said proximal and distal members are
 moveably disposed vis-a-vis each other about a track which is itself
 comprised of an adjustable fastening assembly 55. Proximal 51 and distal
 members 52 include two "C" shaped faces, 65 and 66 respectively, to aid in
 securing the system to a given support structure which has a supporting
 surface. The support structure herein contemplated may include a bicycle,
 a lawnmower or other yard appliance.
 In the illustrated embodiment, a support fastener or fastening assembly 55
 comprises a pair of fasteners 60 disposed through second member 12,
 proximal member 51 and distal member 52 form a clamp and is secured by a
 locking means 62, e.g. wingnuts, in the manner illustrated. In such a
 fashion, clamp members 51 and 52 are slidably disposed about a track
 formed of fasteners 60 which are secured at their terminal ends by
 wingnuts 62. Tightening of locking means 62 urges clamp member 51 against
 52. In such a fashion, the system may be clampingly secured to a pole or a
 variety of differently configured structures as long as portion of said
 structure is sized to fit between clamp members 51 and 52. A supporting
 base attachment member 12 extends from the supporting base 6 and has an
 overlapping portion 22 that is in side-by side contact with an overlapping
 portion 23 of the stationary base attachment member 10, and a support
 fastener 15, 19 extends through the overlapping portions to secure the
 supporting base attachment member 12 to the stationary base attachment
 member 10 in selected orientations. This includes having a pivotal
 arrangement between the stationary base attachment member 10 and the
 supporting base attachment member 12.
 An alternate embodiment of the invention may be seen by reference to FIG. 4
 in which is illustrated an alternate pivot means. In this embodiment,
 first 10 and second 12 members are coupled about a ball joint 71 where the
 rotation of said ball is controlled by a thumb screw 73 or an equivalent
 mechanism. In such a fashion, the illumination assembly carried in
 attachment assembly 8 may be rotatably manipulated to assume any number of
 orientations vis-a-vis base 6.
 While the instant invention has particular application to portable lighting
 assemblies, it should be understood that it also has application to
 various other implements which by their nature are desirable to support at
 desired and various positions.
 It is envisioned that one or more components of the invention may be
 manufactured from a high strength plastic or polymer. It is further
 contemplated that the components be interchangeable so as to provide the
 option to use variously sized clamping elements as the need should arise.
 Although particular detailed embodiments of the apparatus and method have
 been described herein, it should be understood that the invention is not
 restricted to the details of the preferred embodiment. Many changes in
 design, composition, configuration and dimensions are possible without
 departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.