Handle light

A lighting device including at least one light source and a light source body attached to the light source. The light source body rotates for multi-positional lighting.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments relate to lighting sources, and in particular to lighting sources for handles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Utility bags are used for carrying tools, supplies and accessories for professionals as well as non-professionals. Utility bags may be used in the day time or at night. A person using a utility bag at night typically requires the use of a light source, such as a flashlight or lamp.

Using a lamp is sometimes inappropriate due to the working area. Carrying the extra weight of a flashlight or use of a flashlight may be inconvenient, especially when a person carrying a tool or utility bag has their hands full.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention includes a lighting device. The lighting device including at least one light source and a light source body attached to the light source. The light source body rotates for multi-positional lighting.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a utility bag. The utility bag including at least one light source coupled to a light source handle. A mounting device is coupled to a utility bag handle and the light source handle. The light source handle rotates for targeting lighting.

Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a lighting device kit. The lighting device kit includes a light source body including a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion removably couples with the second body portion. A light source is coupled to the first body portion. The light source body is removably coupled to a handle. The light source body rotates.

Still another embodiment of the invention comprises a bucket including at least one light source coupled to a light source handle. A mounting device is coupled to a bucket handle and the light source handle. The light source handle rotates for targeting lighting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description may disclose several preferred embodiments of light sources for handles, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of handle light sources and devices for clarity and to place the invention in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.

One embodiment of the invention provides a lighting device. The lighting device including at least one light source and a light source body attached to the light source. The light source body rotates around a handle for multi-positional lighting.

FIG. 1illustrates a lighting source100for a handle of a tool, device or utility bag140(e.g., an open/closed tool bag, accessory bag, etc.) according to one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source100includes a lighting source housing including an upper portion129and a lower portion130that are connected to swivel anchor devices125and135. In one example, the lighting source device100is attached to a handle145of a utility bag140. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source10includes a lighting element110. In one example, the lighting element110includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as two, three, four, five, etc.

FIG. 2illustrates the lighting source100for a handle shown moving to an on or lighted state in the direction of the arrow210according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example, the lighting element110provides light in the direction of the arrows220. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source housing including an upper portion120and lower portion130may rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise to provide light in the direction of the sides of the utility bag140. In one example, the lighting source housing is attached to the handle145of the utility bag140via a compression means for attaching. In one embodiment of the invention, the anchor devices125and135rotate with the lighting source housing. In other embodiments of the invention, the anchor devices125and135are stationary and anchor the lighting source housing to the handle145of the utility bag140, where the lighting source housing rotates around the handle145. In one example an interior sleeve (not shown) is used for providing the rotation of the light source100. IN this example, a cam or ratchet type of movement provides for the light source100to be rotated in fixed or predetermined positions, such as 90°, 180°, etc. In another example, the light source100may be rotated freely and locks or remains in a desired position based on friction between the sleeve and the light source100.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective view of the light source100attached to a handle145of a utility bag140that is rotated in the direction of the arrow310to provide light in the direction of the arrows320according to one embodiment of the invention. In one example, the lighting element110may comprise any combination of colored lighting, such as white, red, green, yellow, infrared, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source100may rotate between 0°-180°. In other embodiments of the invention, the lighting source may rotate 360°. The rotation functionality of the lighting source100provides precision targeted lighting in many directions, including within the utility bag140, the sides of the utility bag140, and away from the utility bag140, which provides precision lighting to areas external to the utility bag140(e.g., working areas, front/rear pathways, etc.).

In one example, the lighting source housing may rotate in increments via a ratcheting mechanism that provides increments, such as in 15°, 30°, 45°, 90°, etc. increments of rotation, where the lighting source housing is ratcheted to a releasable locked position in each increment. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source housing is permanently fixed to the handle145of the utility bag140. In other embodiments of the invention, the lighting source housing may be removably coupled to the handle145.

FIG. 4illustrates a circuit400for the light source100for attaching to a handle of a device, tool or the handle145of a utility bag140according to one embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the circuit400for the light source100includes the lighting element110, a switch420, a power source430and optional sensor440. In one example, the switch420may comprise a slide switch, a push button switch, etc. In one example, the switch420is disposed on the lighting source housing on either the upper portion120or lower portion130(e.g., on the outer top portion, a side portion, an inner portion, etc.).

In one embodiment of the invention, the switch420may comprise a user lighting selection functionality for controlling amount the lighting element110by means of a controller circuit425. In one example, the switch420and controller circuit425may be user selectable to light on a portion of LEDs of the lighting element110(e.g., one, two, three, all, etc.). In another example, the switch420and controller circuit425may be user selectable to select a particular color of LEDs of the lighting element110(e.g., white, red, green, yellow, etc.). In yet another example, the switch420and controller circuit425may be user selectable to select solid or blinking LEDs of the lighting element110.

In one example, the sensor440may comprise a position determining sensor, a motion sensor, a light sensor, or any combination of various sensors to provide control of the switch420. In one example, upon employing a position determining sensor as sensor440, rotating the lighting source housing to an on state (e.g., a positioning away the lighting element110from facing up) closes the switch420, which provides voltage to the lighting element110, and moving the lighting source housing back to the facing upward position opens the switch420cutting off voltage to the lighting element110.

In one example, upon employing a motion sensor as sensor440, a timer regulates the time that the switch420is closed based on sensing motion within a predetermined distance from this sensor440disposed on the lighting source housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined motion sensing distance is adjustable by a user from 1 ft.-15 ft. In another embodiment of the invention, the predetermined motion sensing distance is preset between distances of 1 ft-3 ft. In one example, the motion sensor may be turned on or off so that the switch420may be manually set on/off. In one embodiment of the invention, the timer may be user adjustable or preset to a particular amount of time. In one example, the timer may be adjusted from 5 seconds to 15 minutes. In another example, the timer is preset between 30 seconds and one minute. The use of the motion sensor provides lighting in the set direction of the lighting source housing by sensing motion without a user having to manually press/slide the switch420.

In one example, upon employing a light sensor as sensor440, when the switch is placed in an on position, the sensor440will not close the circuit400unless the sensor440senses that not enough light is within the proximity of the light sensor (i.e., the area is dark enough to necessitate lighting the area). In one example, the light sensor440may be positioned on the sides, exterior or interior portions of the lighting source housing. In one example, employing the light sensor440provides energy saving when lighting the light source100is not necessary based on available ambient light. In one example, the light sensor440may be manually overridden.

In one example, the sensor440may include any combination of sensors, such as motion and light sensors, position and light sensors, etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the power source430comprises rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries selected based on the number of LEDs and/or voltage required to power the lighting element110. In one example, a solar charging circuit is employed to store energy in a rechargeable battery of power source430. In one example, the solar charging circuit may be disposed on the outer portion of the lighting source housing. In another example, an adapter or plug in socket may be employed with the lighting source100to connect to an external power source, such as a battery pack from an electric tool (e.g., electric drill, hammer, screwdriver, etc.), separate additional battery pack, an AC/DC power supply, etc.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of a light source100for a utility bag140providing light in the direction of the arrows according to another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the light source100is positioned on a handle145of the utility bag140. As illustrated, lighting source100is rotated about 90° from an upward facing position to a side facing position to provide targeted lighting. In one example, the lighting source100may be positioned to target lighting inside the utility bag140or external to the utility bag140, depending on lighting needs of a user.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source100may vary in size. In one example, width of the lighting source100may range in width from 1 inch-3 inches, preferably between 1.5 inches-2.5 inches; and the length of the lighting source100may range from 5 inches-12 inches, preferably between 6 inches-8 inches. It should be noted that the lighting source100may be customized and fit according to necessity and desire of the user, and based on the diameter of the handle145of the utility bag140used.

In other examples, other types of light sources may be employed with lighting element110, such as Electroluminescent (EL) light sources, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source100includes glow-in-the-dark material.

In one example, the lighting source100may be made of one or more of: reinforced polypropylene, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, nylon material, hardened plastic, polymer, rubber, composite material, metal or metal alloy, etc., or other similar or equivalent materials.

In one example, the removed lighting source housing110may be attached to other handles, such as handles of a tool, a rung portion of a ladder, a broom, a shovel, etc. to provide user directed targeted lighting.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lighting source100may be provided as a kit to be attached to an existing handle of a device, tool or a handle145of a utility bag140. In one example, the lighting source100includes is attached around the handle145as the anchor devices125and135comprise at least two portions that attach to one another to couple around the handle145. In one example, the anchor devices125and135are attached to the handle145via compression means (e.g., clamping, friction tightening, etc.), or other similar means for attaching.

FIG. 6illustrates an insert610for a bucket handle620of bucket600according to another embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the bucket600is a typical bucket including a bucket portion630, a wire carrying portion625and bucket handle620. In one example, the insert610is made of rubber, hardened plastic, metal, metal alloy, wood, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the insert610stabilizes or prevents movement of the bucket handle620, which otherwise would rotate around the wire carrying portion625. In one embodiment the insert610is split so that the insert610may be easily placed over the wire carrying portion625and within the bucket handle620. In one example, the insert610provides friction and pressure against the wire carrying portion625and the bucket handle620.

FIG. 7illustrates an exploded view of a light source100that is sized for connecting to the bucket handle620according to an embodiment of the invention. In one example, the upper portion120and the lower portion130are connected together (in the direction of the arrows) around the bucket handle620and secured by fastening means640, such as screws or similar devices, that are placed into an upper fastening portion641and screwed into a lower fastening portion642. In one embodiment of the invention, the light source100includes circuit400.

FIG. 8illustrates a perspective view of the light source100shown in a first position for providing lighting in the direction of the arrows650when placed in an “on” state upon the circuit400providing power to the lighting element110according to one embodiment of the invention. In this lighting position, a user may light a surrounding work area in the direction of the arrows650without having to hold a light source, such as a flashlight, when natural light or other light sources are not available.

FIG. 9illustrates a perspective view of the light source100shown moving/rotating to a second position in the direction of the arrow660for providing lighting in the direction of the arrows655according to one embodiment of the invention. With the light source providing lighting in the direction of the arrows655, a user may light a surrounding work area without having to hold a light source, such as a flashlight, when natural light or other light sources are not available. In one example, the insert610holds the bucket handle in a stationary or locked position around the wire carrying portion625and the light source100rotates around the bucket handle620. In another example, the light source100rotates with the bucket handle620, which may be forced to rotate around the wire carrying portion625with the insert610provides friction to hold the light source100in a desired position.

FIG. 10illustrates a perspective view of the light source100shown moving/rotating to a third position in the direction of the arrow665for providing lighting in the direction of the arrows656according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example of rotation, the light source100provides lighting into the bucket630, which illuminates the inner portion of the bucket630. This direction of lighting is useful for users so that the contents of the bucket630may be illuminated when natural or other lighting may not be available.

In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.