Hands-free wearable lighting device

A hands-free wearable lighting device is a device utilized to provide illumination to the user's surroundings while being worn. At least one multicolor light-emitting diode (LED) is positioned within an LED compartment located on a housing. A control unit, a brightness adjustment switch, and a color adjustment switch allow the user to alter the light of the at least one multicolor LED. A necklace allows the housing to be worn around the user's neck in order to provide hands-free illumination. The user may utilize the device as a handheld light by grasping the device via a finger tab. Additionally, the user may utilize a prop stand to direct the light from the at least one multicolor LED in a desired direction. The device may include a laser diode as well in order to allow the device to emit a laser in addition to regular illumination.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lighting device for providing illumination to a user's surroundings. More specifically, the present invention is a hands-free wearable lighting device that may be worn around the user's neck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

More adequate illumination is often desirable during various activities including reading in an upright seating position, working in a cramped space, and while exercising outdoors. Conventional lighting devices such as flashlights, lanterns, and similar devices must be held during use and prevent the user from freely utilizing his or her hands. In addition, such devices are impractical during certain activities such as reading or exercising outdoors. In these types of situations, hands-free illumination is most practical as the user is then free to use his or her hands as needed.

The present invention is a hands-free wearable lighting device that provides illumination to the user's ambient surroundings. In its preferred embodiment, the present invention is worn around the user's neck and provides illumination in front of the user. The positioning and orientation of the present invention is adjustable in order to direct the provided illumination in the desired manner by the user. The present invention may additionally be utilized as a handheld lighting device as needed.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a hands-free wearable lighting device for providing illumination to the user's surroundings. The present invention is shown inFIGS. 1-5and comprises a housing1, at least one multicolor light-emitting diode (LED)5, an LED compartment6, a necklace7, a finger tab12, and a control unit13.

The housing1is a casing that provides protection and structural support for the electronic components of the present invention. The housing1is designed to be worn around the user's neck via the necklace7. The necklace7is preferably a chain. However, alternatives for the necklace7such as a cord may be utilized as well. The LED compartment6houses the at least one multicolor LED5and enables light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5to be projected from the housing1. The LED compartment6traverses into a lateral surface2of the housing1and the at least one multicolor LED5is positioned within the LED compartment6. The LED compartment6thus provides protection for the at least one multicolor LED5and additionally allows light from the at least one multicolor LED5to project from the housing1. The LED compartment6may be left open or alternatively, the LED compartment6may be covered by a transparent plate that allows light from the at least one multicolor LED5to pass through.

The control unit13is the electronic component that enables the user to perform a variety of actions such as turning the at least one multicolor LED5on or off, changing the displayed color of the at least one multicolor LED5, and increasing or decreasing the intensity of the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5. The control unit13additionally regulates the behavior of the at least one multicolor LED5. For example, the at least one multicolor LED5may be set to flash repeatedly, indicating that the user is in need of assistance. The at least one multicolor LED5is electronically connected to the control unit13, enabling the control unit13to process user commands.

The necklace7is utilized to wear the present invention around the user's neck, allowing for hands-free illumination of the user's surroundings. The necklace7comprises a first portion8and a second portion9that enable the necklace7to be quickly donned or removed from around the user's neck. The first portion8and the second portion9each comprise a tethering end10and a fastening end11. The tethering end10is the end that is attached to the housing1. The tethering end10of the first portion8is releasably engaged to a first end3of the housing1while the tethering end10of the second portion9is releasably engaged to a second end4of the housing1. This enables the housing1to be easily removed from the necklace7. The releasable engagement may be via a lobster clasp or similar mechanism for quick attachment and removal of the housing1. The fastening end11of the first portion8is releasably engaged to the fastening end11of the second portion9. The necklace7may thus be quickly assembled or disassembled as needed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening end11of the first portion8and the fastening end11of the second portion9are magnetically engaged to each other, providing a secure means of assembling the necklace7while simultaneously enabling the necklace7to be quickly disassembled if needed.

While the present invention is primarily designed for hands-free use, the finger tab12enables the user to grasp and hold the present invention. The finger tab12allows the present invention to be utilized much like a handheld flashlight in lieu of hands-free use. The finger tab12is externally connected to the lateral surface2, opposite to the at least one multicolor LED5. The light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5is thus oriented away from the user when the user is holding the present invention via the finger tab12.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the present invention further comprises a brightness adjustment switch14, a color adjustment switch15, and a power switch16. The brightness adjustment switch14is utilized to adjust the intensity of the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brightness adjustment switch14is a scroll wheel, allowing the intensity of the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5to be adjusted incrementally. In this case, the brightness adjustment switch14is rotatably mounted into the lateral surface2, enabling the brightness adjustment switch14to rotate as the intensity of the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5is adjusted incrementally. The color adjustment switch15allows the user to select the color of the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5. The power switch16is utilized to activate and deactivate the at least one multicolor LED5. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brightness adjustment switch14, the color adjustment switch15, and the power switch16are positioned on the lateral surface2, facilitating the user's ease of access to the aforementioned functions.

With further reference toFIGS. 1-5, the present invention further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB)17and at least one power source18. The PCB17provides mechanical support and electrical connections for the electronic components of the present invention. The PCB17is seated into the LED compartment6, providing protection for the PCB17and the electronic components of the present invention within the LED compartment6. The at least one power source18provides electrical power to the electronic components of the present invention. The at least one power source18may be a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery and is enclosed within the housing1for protection. The at least one power source18may be replaced as needed by removing the at least one power source18from within the housing1. The brightness adjustment switch14and the color adjustment switch15are electronically connected to the control unit13through the PCB17. User inputs through the brightness adjustment switch14and the color adjustment switch15are thus processed by the control unit13and implemented on the at least one multicolor LED5. The at least one power source18is electrically connected to the at least one multicolor LED5through the PCB17, allowing the at least one power source18to provide electrical power to the at least one multicolor LED5as well as to the other electronic components of the present invention. The power switch16is electrically connected to the at least one power source18, allowing the user to activate or deactivate the at least one multicolor LED5via the power switch16.

The present invention further comprises a prop stand19that may be used to support the housing1against a surface (such as the user's body) in order to direct the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5in a desired direction. The prop stand19is hingedly connected across the lateral surface2, opposite to the at least one multicolor LED5. As such, the light provided by the at least one multicolor LED5is oriented away from the prop stand19. The prop stand19may be hingedly adjusted in order to direct the light from the at least one multicolor LED5in the desired direction.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIGS. 6-8, the present invention further comprises a laser diode20. The laser diode20enables use of the present invention as a laser in addition to use in providing conventional illumination. The laser diode20is particularly well-suited for use in conjunction with the finger tab12(for example, when delivering a presentation and directing the audience's attention with the laser diode20). The laser diode20is positioned within the LED compartment6, adjacent to the at least one multicolor LED5. The laser diode20is thus oriented in the same direction as the at least one multicolor LED5and the laser produced by the laser diode20is able to emit from within the LED compartment6. The laser diode20is electronically connected to the control unit13, enabling the control unit13to process user commands such as when activating and deactivating the laser diode20.

The present invention further comprises a laser power switch21. The laser power switch21is utilized to activate and deactivate the laser diode20. The at least one power source18is electrically connected to the laser diode20through the PCB17, allowing the at least one power source18to provide electrical power to the laser diode20. The laser power switch21is electrically connected to the at least one power switch, allowing the user to activate or deactivate the laser diode20via the laser power switch21.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the present invention further comprises a ported light-transmission panel22. The ported light-transmission panel22aesthetically alters the light emitted by the at least one multicolor LED5. The ported light transmission panel may include a monogram, a symbol, or other design through which light is able to pass. The ported light-transmission panel22is positioned across the LED compartment6, adjacent to the lateral surface2and is thus positioned such that light emitted from the at least one multicolor LED5is able to pass through the ported light-transmission panel22.