MANUALLY PORTABLE ILLUMINATING DEVICE SUITABLE FOR WARNING SIGNAL

An extendable and/or retractable illuminating device comprises a luminaire atop a telescoping mast, which is selectively positionable between extended and retracted positions, suitable for use as a warning signal. The luminaire has a strobe feature and its intensity is capable of automatic adjustment in response to ambient light levels. The telescoping mast, and thus the luminaire, are driven by an electric motor within a manually portable case, which also houses a rechargeable electrical power supply and microcontroller unit for providing power and operating commands to the luminaire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 5illustrate an extendable and/or retractable illuminating device assembly10shown with a manually portable case12with a case cover14. A manually portable case12is a case that is constructed of a size and out of materials such that it is readily carried by a person of average strength and ability. The manually portable case12and cover14will generally be constructed of a rigid material including metal, plastic, composite, wood, or similarly suitable material. The cover14is fastened by screws, bolts, or snaps, or hinged, or otherwise connected to the case12by a means recognized by those of ordinary skill in the case arts such that the cover14is capable of opening to reveal, and closing to conceal the contents of the case. It is recognized, by those of ordinary skill in the mechanical and container arts, that there will be many containers with various configurations, including different means of access, and constructed of generally rigid materials that will provide for a suitable case.

As best seen inFIG. 1, a tubular telescoping mast16, with a distal end2and an attachment end4extends outwardly from the case12, and is attached to the case at the attachment end4of the telescoping mast16. At the distal end2, the telescoping mast16is fitted with a luminaire18. The luminaire18is selectively positionable between an extended position6(FIG. 1A) and a retracted position8(FIG. 1B). In other words, the luminaire18may be raised, i.e., extended, or lowered, i.e., retracted, with respect to the case12.

FIGS. 2 and 3show a drive motor assembly20housed in case12. The drive motor assembly20comprises a drive motor22, a drive rod spool24, a drive gear26, and a drive rod28. The drive rod28has two ends and is disposed within the tubular passageway17created by the telescoping mast16. One end of the drive rod28, the gear end3, is connected to the drive gear26, which is connected to and driven by the drive motor22. The other end of the drive rod28, the luminaire end5(FIG. 4), is connected to the luminaire18. The drive gear26operates the drive rod28to extend or retract the telescoping mast16. The drive gear26is configured to spool and unspool the drive rod28about the drive rod spool24as the drive rod28extends and retracts, respectively, the telescoping mast16. The drive rod28is made of material sufficiently rigid such that it can extend the telescoping mast16as the drive rod28unspools from the drive rod spool24, and then retract the telescoping mast16as the drive rod28spools on the drive rod spool24. The status indicator29, as discussed infra, may communicate information to the user about problem conditions with the telescoping mast16.

In the preferred embodiment, and best mode presently known, the drive rod28is toothed (FIG. 3B). The teeth of the drive rod28mesh with the drive rod gear26. The drive rod28is held against the drive rod gear26by an idler wheel and is driven by a gear train within drive motor assembly20. The drive rod28feeds from and into the drive rod spool24that rotates as the drive rod28feeds from or into it. The drive rod28is made of plastic, but could also be made of metal, composite, or other suitable rigid material.

Longitudinally disposed along the drive rod28are electrical conductors30. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical conductors30are embedded with the drive rod28.FIG. 3Ashows a cross-sectional view of drive rod28with the electrical conductors24embedded. The electrical conductors30provide a means for electrical communication between the case microcontroller unit32and the luminaire18. The electrical conductors30may be made of copper, aluminum, copper-plated steel, or other similarly conductive material. The electrical conductors30are electrically isolated from one another.

The case microcontroller unit32and rechargeable electrical power supply34are also housed within case12. The rechargeable electric power supply34is in electrical communication with the drive motor assembly20by way of the case microcontroller unit32. Likewise, the rechargeable electric power supply34is in electrical communication with the luminaire18by way of the case microcontroller unit32. The rechargeable electrical power supply could be charged by either a DC or AC charging unit. In the preferred embodiment, the rechargeable electrical power supply unit34is a lithium polymer battery pack that is chargeable by connection to an external charger, which, in turn, may be plugged into a 15/20-amp, 120-volt electrical receptacle. But the rechargeable electric power supply34could be any type or combination of rechargeable battery or batteries, a system of ultracapacitors, a system of capacitors, a hybrid system of batteries and capacitors, or any similarly suitable power storage and supply means.

As best seen inFIG. 4, the luminaire18comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED)36, a strobe microcontroller unit38, at least one reflector40, at least one ambient light sensor42, and a protective cover44. In the preferred embodiment, and best mode presently known, the luminaire18is connected to the distal end2of the telescoping mast16and comprises: a plurality of LEDs36, a plurality of reflectors40—one reflector per LED—and an ambient light sensor42, all of which are mounted atop a strobe microcontroller unit38and covered by protective cover44. In the preferred embodiment, the protective cover44is translucent plastic. Those skilled in the art of luminaires will, however, recognize that a protective cover44may be provided which comprises suitable materials of varying transparencies.

In the preferred embodiment, the luminaire18is provided with a flashing feature wherein a plurality of LEDs36flash at the direction of the strobe microcontroller unit38, creating what is referred to here as a strobe effect. The rate at which the LEDs36flash may be programmable and adjustable thus providing for a variable flash rate. The luminaire18is also equipped with a variable intensity, i.e., the plurality of LEDs36are adjustable to provide brighter or dimmer light output, depending on the situation and in proportion to ambient light conditions. This variable intensity is referred to here as the strobe intensity, which is also controlled by the strobe microcontroller unit38. The luminaire18comprises a ring of ten LEDs36. Each of the LEDs36has an output of about 50 lumens. The LEDs36are situated such that the light output radiates out from each of the LEDs36and then is reflected into a plane normal to the telescoping mast16, with a vertical spread of approximately plus-or-minus (+/−) ten degrees, which reflection is accomplished by reflectors40within the luminaire18. The ambient light sensor42is situated to “look” vertically through the protective cover44of the luminaire18. In other words, the ambient light sensor42senses ambient light directed through the top of protective cover44. The ambient light sensor42is in electrical communication with the strobe microcontroller unit38, which, in turn, is in electrical communication with the case microcontroller unit32. The strobe microcontroller unit38accepts an electrical signal representative of the ambient light from the ambient light sensor42, which the strobe microcontroller unit38reports to the case microcontroller unit32.

The case microcontroller unit32is programmed with logic such that it incorporates the ambient light level signal into its commands to the strobe microcontroller unit38for strobe intensity control. In this way, the strobe intensity corresponds to the ambient light to allow better luminaire visibility in daylight and minimize power consumption at night. Those of ordinary skill in the luminaire arts will be familiar with the proportionality of light output to ambient light. The case microcontroller unit32may also be programmed to control the strobe flash pattern, in a pattern that is both effective at providing a warning signal and safe for onlookers. The inter-microcontroller unit communication, i.e., communication between the strobe microcontroller unit38and the case microcontroller unit32, is performed over the electrical conductors30embedded in the drive rod28.

In the preferred embodiment, the disclosed illuminating device is controlled with a pulse-width modulated signal such that the drive motor22maintains a constant speed as the rechargeable electrical power supply34voltage changes allow the telescoping mast16to appear to raise at the same speed at any time. The preferred embodiment incorporates over-current detection and timing to detect the raised and lowered—that is, the extended and retracting—limits of the telescoping mast16and to detect a partial slowdown of the telescoping mast16as it is extended or retracted, which slowdown may be due to obstacles in the path of the luminaire18or because of friction build-up within the telescoping mast16.

In the preferred embodiment, electrical conductors30are in electrical communication with the case microcontroller unit32, within the drive motor assembly20, via a slip ring mechanism. The slip ring mechanism is not depicted in the drawings, but slip rings are a well-known to those skilled in the electrical arts. The case microcontroller unit32controls the speed and direction of drive motor22. The case microcontroller unit32is in electrical communication with the strobe microcontroller unit32via electrical conductors30. Furthermore, the case microcontroller unit32monitors the drive motor22current consumption, the ambient light sensor42, the rechargeable electrical power supply34, and whether a charger is present.

A charger port45is provided to connect the battery charger. The charger port is in electrical communication with a first power jack46to facilitate charging of the rechargeable electrical power supply34and to provide a power connection to the case microcontroller unit32. Also provided is a second power jack47to provide a power connection to the drive motor22. The case microcontroller unit32is also equipped with at least one data port48, and control logic to monitor the data port48. The data port48allows for manufacturer communication with, and firmware updates of, the case microcontroller unit32.

In the preferred embodiment, the status indicator29is an LED with a refractive lens that provides for easy visibility from all angles. The status indicator29may operate to communicate a number of conditions to a user, including: a low battery, an obstructed mast, a request for remote control synchronization, or a condition requiring manufacturer servicing. Such conditions may be conveyed using various sequences of flashes, with each sequence corresponding to a particular condition. For example, a repeating flash of short duration, like 200 ms, could indicate low battery condition. A repeating sequence of a short flash (200 ms) followed by a long flash, like 400 ms, could indicated that the user needs to synchronize the remote control unit. A sequence of one long flash, three short flashes, and a long flash could indicate that the illuminating device has an uncorrectable error and should be returned to the manufacturer for servicing.

A user may communicate with the case microcontroller unit32, and thus control the disclosed apparatus, via a remote control, which may be attached to a lanyard and worn by the user as a pendant; or the remote control may be attached, for example, to a wheelchair50(FIG. 5) with a hook and loop closure patch or other similar means. In the preferred embodiment, the remote control, which is not shown in the drawings, communicates with the case microcontroller unit32via a packet radio means using the FCC-license-free 2.4 GHz band. The remote control is factory-programmed such that it communicates with only a single device. The remote control has a single button that when depressed communicates with the case microcontroller unit32. The remote control may be provided with an ergonomic design that encourages a user to hold the remote control in a manner that does not obstruct the internal antenna and thus facilitates communication.

In one embodiment, the illuminating device assembly10is mechanically connected to a wheelchair50, as seen inFIG. 5, with no electrical connection between the illuminating device assembly10and the wheelchair50. In such an embodiment, the illuminating device assembly10is powered by rechargeable electrical power supply34, not the wheelchair50or a battery that may be connected to the wheelchair50.

In another embodiment, the case12is equipped with a handle for ease of portability, as is disclosed in application Ser. No. 12/553,934, to which this application claims benefit. The handle is connected to the top of the case12. The handle could be made of any material suitable for the case12. In such an embodiment, the illuminating device assembly10may be used at an emergency location, for example, in lieu of roadside flares. The rechargeable electrical power supply34is has a run time that would exceed the normal burn time of a roadside flare.

FIG. 6depicts a method of operating the illuminating device assembly10. The method comprises the steps of providing52the illuminating device assembly10, including providing54at least one microcontroller for control of the luminaire of the provided device. The method involves programming56the at least one microcontroller such that the illuminating device10only emits light when the luminaire18is in an extended position6. Then it involves controlling58the intensity and flash rate of the luminaire18. Then in it involves attaching60an ambient light sensor42to the disclosed illuminating device10. Next the method involves programming62the at least one microcontroller unit to control the intensity of the luminaire18based in part on the signal from ambient light sensor42. An additional step in the method involves attaching the illuminating device assembly10to a wheelchair50.

While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular embodiment but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.