Portable lighting system

A portable lighting system for single-handed operation includes abase for supporting the portable lighting system, a light source positioned on the base, a traveler having a key member attached to a rotating shaft mechanism extending from the traveler, and a frame connected to the base and the traveler and enclosing the light source. The frame includes a plurality of flexible ribs attached to the base at a first end and to the traveler at a second end, a latch plate having a key opening for engaging the key member and spaced a distance from the traveler, and at least one guide track connected between the traveler and the latch plate. The traveler is movable along the guide member from a starting position toward the latch plate causing the flexible ribs to bend outwardly and the key member is configured to enter the key opening and rotate via the rotating shaft mechanism to lock the traveler from returning to the starting position on the guide track. This configures the lighting system for use.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to portable lighting systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a portable lighting system which is easily assembled for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing proper lighting for an evening event is one of the more difficult tasks in planning. Where safety is a factor, the need to provide proper lighting is greatly heightened. Such is exactly the situation along roadsides where construction crews, construction equipment and potentially hazardous conditions exist. Not just lighting, but proper lighting is crucial to a safe working environment.

Each state has operational requirements for lighting these roadside work zones, with instructions as to area to be illuminated, direction of lighting, height of lights, and even the output (e.g., lumens) of the light source. However, compliance with these requirements can be difficult for road crews. Lights and all the accompanying stands, cords, generators, etc. can be difficult to set-up, take down, and move, especially for a constantly moving work force on a roadside.

One common light used by road crews is the balloon light. This type of light typically consists of an orange and white colored cover over a globe-like frame housing a high-powered light source. The globe-like frame provides protection for the expensive light within. The cover is used for added protection, to create contrast (orange and white) for improved visibility and to prevent glare for motorist. The light structure must be sturdy to withstand various weather conditions, as well as air turbulence created by moving vehicles, and yet must be readily moved to accommodate the ever-changing dynamics of a roadside construction site. Unfortunately, making a device sturdy and weather-resistant adds to the weight and complexity of the system.

The industry needs a lighting system which is portable, easy to set-up and take down, relatively easy to attach to roadside stands and construction vehicles, and durable against numerous weather conditions and turbulent airflow from traffic.

Until the invention of the present application, these and other problems in the prior art went either unnoticed or unsolved by those skilled in the art. The present invention provides a portable lighting system which performs multiple functions without sacrificing portability, illumination, durability or affordability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein an improved lighting system and assembly which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices and systems while affording additional structural and operating advantages.

Generally speaking, the disclosure is directed to a portable lighting system comprising a base for supporting the portable lighting system, a light source positioned on the base, a traveler having a key member attached to a rotating shaft mechanism extending from the traveler, and a frame connected to the base and the traveler and enclosing the light source. In a preferred embodiment, the frame comprises a plurality of flexible ribs attached to the base at a first end and to the traveler at a second end, a latch plate having a key opening for engaging the key member and spaced a distance from the traveler, and at least one guide track connected between the traveler and the latch plate.

In the preferred embodiment, the traveler is movable along the guide member from a starting position toward the latch plate causing the flexible ribs to bend outwardly and the key member is configured to enter the key opening and rotate via the rotating shaft mechanism to lock the traveler from returning to the starting position on the guide track. This configures the lighting system for use.

In specific embodiments, the rotating shaft mechanism is configured to rotate the key member in the range of 10 to 170 degrees when the traveler reaches a first point along the guide track, then 170 to 10 degrees at a second point along the guide track. More preferably, in specific embodiments, the rotating shaft mechanism is configured to rotate the key member in the range of 60 to 120 degrees at the first point and 120 to 60 degrees at the second point.

In other specific embodiments, a cover is attachable to the flexible ribs to enclose the light source. The cover may be colored (e.g., orange and white) to increase visibility.

In specific embodiments described, the light source comprises an LED bulb having a watt equivalence in the range of 300 to 1500 watts.

In specific embodiments, the portable lighting system is mountable on a vehicle using a bracket attached to the base. Alternatively or additionally, the lighting system may mount to a roadway stand.

The present disclosure is also directed to a rotating shaft mechanism for allowing single-handed expansion of a portable light system. Generally speaking, the rotating shaft mechanism comprises a cylinder having one end capable of being fixed to a structure, a rotatable shaft positioned and movable within the cylinder, a slider transversely fixed to the rotatable shaft, a first slider guide track fixed to the cylinder at a position to engage a first side of the slider, and a second slider guide track fixed to the cylinder at a position to engage a second side of the slider opposite the first side. In a preferred embodiment, the slider engages the first track when the rotatable shaft moves longitudinally in a first direction within the shaft and the slider engages the second track when the rotatable shaft moves longitudinally in a second direction within the shaft, the second direction being opposite the first direction, and the shaft rotates as it moves in the first and second directions as a result of the slider engaging the first and second tracks.

In specific embodiments, the shaft alternately moves in the first and second direction to rotate 360 degrees. The shaft rotates in the range of 10 to 80 degrees when the slider engages the first track as the shaft moves in the first direction and the shaft rotates another 80 to 10 degrees when the slider engages the second track as the shaft moves in the second direction.

More preferably, the shaft rotates in the range of 30 to 60 degrees when the slider engages the first track as the shaft moves in the first direction, and the shaft rotates another 60 to 30 degrees when the slider engages the second track as the shaft moves in the second direction.

These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail at least one preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any of the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring toFIGS. 1-17, there is illustrated at least one embodiment of a portable lighting system, generally designated by the numeral10, and its numerous components. The particular illustrated lighting system10was originally developed for roadside and construction sites. However, while all the embodiments illustrated and the following descriptions are directed to a roadside lighting system, it should be understood that the principles of the invention can be more broadly applied to a portable lighting system for many other purposes.

As can be seen inFIGS. 1-3, the lighting system10consists of a frame12with a base14positioned at a lower end and a traveler16positioned at an upper end, and a light source18positioned within the frame12and between the base14and traveler16. The frame12includes both flexible ribs20, which are attached to the base14and the traveler16, and fixed guide rails22, which are also attached by one end to the base14and an opposite end to the traveler16. The guide rails22, of which there are preferably four, are designed to telescope such that as the traveler16moves up and down an inner rod24slides within an outer tube26to expand and contract the guide rails22. The outer tubes26are spring-actuated (not shown) by the flexible ribs (20) such that the inner rods24are biased out (seeFIG. 3).

The flexible ribs20, as shown best inFIG. 2, bow outward when the traveler16moves downward to create a globe-shape. Each of the flexible ribs20, of which there are preferably twelve (12), are equally spaced about the periphery of the base14and traveler16and are pivotably attached to both (seeFIGS. 15 and 16). The entire system10is enclosed by a cover30(seeFIG. 1) which helps diffuse light and protects the light source18and mechanical structures from the elements.

As shown inFIG. 3, a latch plate32having an opening34is fixed to each of the upper ends of the outer tubes26of the guide rails22. A similar key plate36is attached to each upper end of the inner rods24of the guide rails22such that a key member38, which radially extends from a rotating shaft mechanism50attached to the key plate36, aligns with the opening34.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 17, positioned within the frame12below the latch plate32is the light source18. In a preferred embodiment, the light source18is a 240 W LED Corn Light Bulb (1500 W equivalent), manufactured and sold by EverWatt of Richmond, Calif. The bulb is a 360-degree LED bulb constructed with heavy-duty corrosion-resistant materials. The bulb may range in size from a 40 W to a 300 W LED (approximate range of 300 W to 2000 W equivalent), depending on the intended use. Within the base14of the lighting system10is a bulb socket40which connects to an AC power cord42.

The cover30is preferably comprised of numerous panels joined together to allow proper expansion when the lighting system10is set-up. The cover30can be divided into a top section44and a bottom section46. The top section44is preferably substantially opaque and comprised of a durable, water-resistant material (e.g., polyurethane laminate, Naugahyde™, PVC-coated polyester, or similar materials), while the bottom section46is sufficiently transparent to allow diffusion of light. The two sections,44and46, are preferably of contrasting colors (e.g., orange and white) to increase visibility. Snaps, clips, hook-and-loop material, or other known means may be used along the bottom opening of the cover30to help secure it to the base14of the lighting system10. Additional connectors, such as hook-and-loop strips, may be employed on the internal surface of the cover30to secure to the flexible ribs20.

An attachment shaft60(FIG. 2) extends from the bottom of the base14to allow the lighting system10to be mounted to a stand (not shown) or a vehicle (not shown). Other means for attaching the lighting system10may be used, including permanent attachment.

Referring now toFIGS. 5-7, expansion and contraction of the lighting system10is explained. Beginning in the collapsed configuration (FIG. 3), the lighting system10can be more readily transported and stored. Once it is mounted to a proper structure, as discussed above, the lighting system10is ready for expansion. By firmly directing downward pressure on the top of traveler16, the traveler16begins to move toward the latch plate32. As a result, the inner rods24are forced into the outer tubes26of the guide rails22and the flexible ribs20begin to pivot at each of the pivoting attachment points62(FIG. 15) and bow outward. Continuing with the downward pressure, the key member38is shown to be aligned with the correspondingly shaped opening34of the latch plate32. Shortly after the key member38enters the opening34it abuts a secondary plate64. At this point, the operation of the rotating shaft mechanism50locks the traveler16by rotating the key member38to create a misalignment with the opening34. This operation is described in greater detail below. Once locked in place, the portable light system10is ready for use.

Referring now toFIGS. 8-14, the rotating shaft mechanism50can be more readily understood. The mechanism50allows single-handed expansion of the portable light system10by applying a downward force to the traveler16. The amount of force necessary will vary, but can be kept to a minimum with the use of proper materials and components, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The embodiment of the mechanism50shown comprises a cylinder52having one end fixed to the traveler16, a rotatable shaft54positioned and movable within the cylinder52, a slider56transversely fixed to the rotatable shaft54, a first slider guide track58fixed to the cylinder52at a position to engage a first side of the slider56, and a second slider guide track59fixed to the cylinder52at a position to engage a second side of the slider56opposite the first side. The rotatable shaft54is outwardly biased within the cylinder52. The first and second slider guide tracks,58and59, are concealed within a housing70to prevent dirt, dust, and other debris from interfering with operation of the mechanism50.

Returning to the above discussion on expansion of the lighting system10,FIG. 14provides a two-dimensional illustration of the movement of the slider56around the upper and lower guide tracks,58and59, respectively. When the key member38passes through the opening34in the latch plate32(starting point for key member38) and contacts the secondary plate64, the rotatable shaft54is forced into the cylinder52. As the shaft54moves into the cylinder52, the slider56contacts an upwardly sloped surface72of the first guide track58. As a result, the slider56follows the sloped surface72and moves (arrow (a) ofFIG. 14) to a position about 90 degrees from the starting point, stopping when it reaches the apex74of the sloped surface72. At this point, the key member38, which is also moved the 90 degrees, is unaligned with the opening34.

Next, by removing the downward pressure on the traveler16, the flexible ribs20and the guide rails22exert an upward bias on the traveler16. As the traveler16rises, the rotatable shaft54is biased back down from within the cylinder52. The slider56contacts a sloped surface76of the second guide track59and is moved (arrows (b) ofFIG. 14) another 90 degrees (i.e., now 180 degrees from the starting point) until it reaches the bottom78of the sloped surface76. However, the now unaligned key member38catches on the latch plate32and prevents the traveler16from further upward movement. The lighting system10is now fully expanded and locked in place for use (seeFIG. 1).

Preferably, the slider56moves 90 degrees each time the rotatable shaft54moves into and out of the cylinder52. However, it is only required that with each combined inward and outward stroke (one cycle), the slider56, and thus the key member38, moves a total of 180 degrees. This guarantees that the slider56will return, 360 degrees, to the starting point after two cycles. Accordingly, the slider56may move anywhere in the range of from 10 to 170 degrees on the first rotation and then from 170 to 10 degrees on the second rotation—i.e., one cycle and 180 degrees. Those skilled in the art would understand that changing the length and slope of each of the slider guide tracks,58and59, is all that is required to change the degrees of rotation.

When the portable lighting system10is ready to be removed, transported, stored or collapsed for any reason, a user only needs to press downward on the top of the traveler16, as previously described. This will drive the rotatable shaft54and key member38into the secondary plate64forcing the shaft54into the cylinder52. Again, the slider56contacts a second sloped surface80of the first guide track58and moves (arrows (c) ofFIG. 14) the slider56another 90 degrees (now 270 degrees from the starting point) until an apex82is reached. As the force is removed, the rotatable shaft54is biased downward and the slider56contacts a second sloped surface84of the second guide track59. The shaft54and key member38are moved (arrow (d) ofFIG. 14) a final 90 degrees, which realigns the key member38with the opening34. As a result, the traveler16is biased by the flexible ribs20and the guide rails22back to the configurations shown inFIG. 3.