Quick release portable light mounting system

A worklight mounting system having a post extending from a support and a light having a catch. The post is insertable into the catch and is releasably secured within the catch by the coaction between a groove and at least one roller. The coaction there between prevents axial movement while permitting rotational movement there between.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to a quick mounting system for use with a work light.
 More specifically, the invention relates to a mount which releasably
 affixes a light housing to a support structure such as stand, clamp, or
 other support means.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 In the work light field, there are many types of halogen work lights with
 several common ones, being a stand light, a portable floor light, and a
 clamp light. A stand light, as the name suggests, uses a stand to elevate
 a light housing, in most instances, several feet off the ground for use. A
 portable floor light, on the other hand, is often placed upon a floor
 through the use of a base or legs which typically elevate the light no
 more than several inches off of the floor. A clamp light has a light
 housing affixed to a clamp which, in turn, may be affixed to a wide
 variety of objects.
 The present invention provides a mounting system which allows a typical
 light housing to be quickly and easily mounted to any number of different
 support structures such as a stand, base, legs, clamp, and the like. The
 mounting system does this by providing a post which has a groove on the
 support structure. The light housing, in turn, includes a bracket which
 has a catch. The catch is adapted to releasably engage the post for ease
 of mounting and dismounting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 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.
 As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention provides a bracket or frame 10 to
 which a light housing 12 (shown partially in phantom) may be secured by
 fasteners 14. Also included on frame 10 is a catch 20 which is adapted to
 releasably engage a post 30 which is located on a support 32 which may be
 a pole which extends upwardly from stand (not shown), a clamp, a support
 base, or some other suitable support to which the light housing may be
 affixed. Post 30 includes a groove 34.
 Catch 20 includes a cap 21, interior spring 22, and outer housing 23
 defining a sleeve 24 having bore 25 and inwardly directed finger 45.
 Coaxially located within bore 25 is second sleeve 26 which defines a
 second bore 27 which is adapted to receive post 30. Sleeve 26 is mounted
 to bracket 10 and includes an aperture 40 in which roller 42 rests.
 In use, light housing 12 is mounted to support 32 by inserting post 30 into
 bore 27 located in catch 20. As shown in FIG. 3, post 30 is inserted until
 roller 42, which is urged inwardly by finger 45, engages groove 34. The
 engagement is maintained by spring 22 which is urged against cap 21 and
 finger 45 and maintains finger 45 in the proper spatial relationship with
 respect to roller 42. Roller 42 only partially extends through wall 47 of
 sleeve 26 and is prevented from passing through aperture 40 since the
 inner diameter of aperture 40 is sized to be less than the diameter of
 roller 42.
 By urging roller 42 against and into groove 34, axial movement is prevented
 by the coaction between the roller and groove while rotational movement is
 still allowed for the positioning of the light on an object to be
 illuminated. In addition, a plurality of rollers may be used as well for
 ease of rotational movement.
 To disengage worklight 12 from support 32, roller 42 is released from its
 engagement with groove 34. To do this, outer sleeve 23 is actuated in a
 manner to remove finger 45 from its engagement with roller 42. This causes
 roller 42 to travel downwardly on sloped surface 50 away from and out of
 groove 34. Once roller 42 clears groove 34, the light may be disengaged
 from the support.
 As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the location of the groove and roller may be
 switched. As shown, catch 60 defines a bore 64 in which groove 62 is
 located. Post 70, on the other hand, may include thereon rollers 72 and 74
 which partially extend from the post and are adapted to be depressed into
 post 70. In use, coaction between groove 62 and rollers 72 and 74 is
 similar to the groove/roller engagement described above. As post 70 is
 inserted into bore 64, rollers 72 and 74 are urged inwardly until they
 coact with groove 62. Then, the rollers spring outwardly to inhibit any
 further axially movement while permitting rotational movement as 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.