Magnetic light assembly associated method

A multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly includes a magnetic base section with a unitary and single body provided with a planar bottom surface and a power cable provided with an adaptor removably mated directly thereto. The assembly further includes a power-operated light-emitting source electrically mated to the power cable and directly coupled to the base section in such a manner that the light-emitting source is selectively adjustable along an arcuate path oriented above the base section. The light emitting source further includes an anchor shaft and an illuminable light source. The assembly further includes a mechanism for removably securing a plurality of existing hand tools to the base section.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to light assemblies and, more particularly, to a magnetic light assembly for providing portable light while keeping hand tools engaged with the light assembly.

PRIOR ART

Over the years, many different types of tools have been developed and, nowadays, a tool exists for virtually every possible need. With the advent of power tools, accomplishing many tasks has became much easier and less time consuming. Most power tools (other than battery operated tools) are equipped with a fairly short power cable and extension cords are commonly used to provide extra length. Extension cords are a very convenient means of providing electrical power at locations removed from conventional electrical outlets and are used for a wide variety of applications and tasks.

Another device that is commonly used when performing work with powered or non-powered tools is a utility light, frequently referred to as a work light or drop light. A utility light is comprised of a light bulb, enclosed within a protective, metal cage, and a fairly long power cord which supplies power to the bulb. A hook attached to the metal cage is used to conveniently suspend the light bulb over the work area to provide sufficient light. Although utility lights are very useful devices, a frequently encountered problem is finding a place to hook the light onto that provides adequate light to illuminate the work area. Obviously, it would be advantageous to provide a means to resolve this type of problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,698 to Johnson discloses a portable hanging light with a portable housing that has a plurality of integral walls defining a plurality of partitions formed therein and an adjustably positionable lens. The light further includes a plurality of light-emitting sources housed within one partition and a plurality of control switches spaced along the housing. A plurality of hook members are secured to selected portions of the housing to assist in maintaining the light at a substantially stable position. One of the hook members is disposed along the axis and another of the hook members is resiliently connected to one of the housing walls along a rear portion thereof. At least one power cord adapter is electrically coupled to the switches for allowing a user to electrically connect the light to alternate ones of the external power sources. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not include a magnet as an alternative stabling mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,265 to Kovacik discloses a double lamp utility light with a vertically split light housing formed in two halves with an elongated upper light portion extending from a hollow lower handle portion. An electrical outlet is provided in a bottom surface of the handle. A pair of switches on the handle control respective ones of a pair of twin bulb fluorescent lamp assemblies. A lens assembly is releasably attached to the housing and can be removed and installed without tools for changing the lamp assemblies. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide a mechanism for supporting a device other than manually.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,658 to Kovacik discloses a fluorescent utility light that includes an elongated body having a light portion with a detented hook at an upper end and a curved handle portion with an electrical outlet at a lower end adjacent a power cord. A magnet on a clip rotatably engages a groove in the body for attaching the light to a metallic surface. A lens is releasably retained on the body for easy access through an opening to a fluorescent lamp mounted in a socket retained in the body. A plurality of saw tooth ridges formed on an interior of a top wall of the lens directs light from the lamp through the top wall. Unfortunately, this prior art example does not provide hooks as an alternate stability mechanism.

Accordingly, the present invention is disclosed in order to overcome the above noted short comings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing an assembly that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for providing portable light. The multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for providing a portable magnetic light assembly. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly.

A multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly includes a magnetic base section with a unitary and single body effectively provided with a planar bottom surface and a power cable provided with an adaptor removably mated directly thereto. Such an adaptor includes a socket directly matable with the power cord, and first and second conductive clips attached to a distal end of the adaptor such that the power cord can be electrically coupled to positive and negative terminals of an existing battery by mating the first and second conductive clips to the positive and negative terminals respectively.

The assembly further includes a power-operated light-emitting source electrically mated to the power cable and directly coupled to the base section in such a manner that the light-emitting source is selectively adjustable along an arcuate path oriented above the base section. Such a light-emitting source effectively includes a bottom tubular base member monolithically formed with the base section and centrally oriented thereon. Such a base member is equidistantly centered between the magnetic rings and has an arcuate notch formed at a top end thereof.

The light emitting source further includes an anchor shaft with a distal end seated within the notch and further has a proximal end terminating exterior of the notch. A top housing has a generally dome shape directly mated to the proximal end of the anchor shaft. Such a top housing includes a protective mesh screen removably attached to an anterior face of the top housing for advantageously shielding the light source from undesirable foreign debris. Such a mesh screen is freely detachable from the top housing.

The light emitting source further includes an illuminable light source partially nested within the top housing and a pivot lever effectively connected to the anchor shaft and an exterior surface of the base member in such a manner that the pivot lever selectively locks the anchor shaft at alternate positions defined along a travel path extending within the notch so that the top housing is freely adjustable between the alternate positions while the base member remains statically coupled to the base section.

The assembly further includes a mechanism for removably securing a plurality of existing hand tools to the base section while the light-emitting source is adapting along the arcuate path such that the hand tools remain affixed to the base section while the magnetic light assembly is transported between remote locations. Such a removably securing mechanism includes a plurality of annular magnetic rings directly positioned on a top surface of the base section. Each of such magnetic rings is equidistantly and concentrically spaced apart and conveniently seated within a perimeter of the base section. Each of the magnetic rings has continuous and unitary bodies permanently and contiguously seated along the top surface of the base section.

The removably securing mechanism further includes a protective shield directly connected to an outer edge of the base section and extending upwardly therefrom along a partial curvilinear length of the perimeter of the base section. Such a protective shield advantageously has a curvilinear shape with a radius equal to a radius of the base section.

The assembly further includes a hook shaped fastener directly and rotatably engaged with a top edge of the light-emitting source for effectively allowing the magnetic light assembly to be suspended above a ground level.

A method for utilizing a multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly includes the steps of: providing a magnetic base section with a unitary and single body provided with a planar bottom surface; removably mating an adaptor to a power cable; electrically mating a power-operated light-emitting source to the power cable; selectively adjusting the light-emitting source along an arcuate path oriented above the base section; removably securing a plurality of existing hand tools to the base section while the light-emitting source is adapting along the arcuate path such that the hand tools remain affixed to the base section while the magnetic light assembly is transported between remote locations; and directly and rotatably engaging a hook shaped fastener to a top edge of the light-emitting source for allowing the magnetic light assembly to be suspended above a ground level.

The method further includes the steps of: directly positioning a plurality of annular magnetic rings on a top surface of the base section by equidistantly and concentrically spacing apart and seating each of the magnetic rings within a perimeter of the base section; and directly connecting a protective shield to an outer edge of the base section by extending the protective shield upwardly along a partial curvilinear length of the perimeter of the base section.

The method further includes the steps of: providing a bottom tubular base member monolithically formed with the base section and centrally oriented thereon such that the base member is equidistantly centered between the magnetic rings; seating a distal end of an anchor shaft within a notch of the base member by terminating a proximal end of the base member exterior of the notch; directly mating a generally dome shaped top housing to the proximal end of the anchor shaft; partially nesting an illuminable light source within the top housing; connecting a pivot lever to the anchor shaft and an exterior surface of the base member; selectively locking the anchor shaft at alternate positions defined along a travel path extending within the notch by rotating the pivot lever along clockwise and counter clockwise directions respectively; and freely adjusting the top housing between the alternate positions while the base member remains statically coupled to the base section.

The method further includes the step of: removably attaching a protective mesh screen to an anterior face of the top housing and thereby shielding the light source from undesirable foreign debris.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The assembly of this invention is referred to generally inFIGS. 1-3by the reference numeral10and is intended to protect a multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly. It should be understood that the assembly10may be used to provide light in many different setting and should not be limited to providing light in only those settings mentioned herein.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1,2and3, a multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly10includes a magnetic base section with a unitary and single body20provided with a planar bottom surface21and a power cable22provided with an adaptor23removably mated directly thereto, without the use of intervening elements. Such an adaptor23includes a socket24directly matable, without the use of intervening elements, with the power cord22, and first and second conductive clips25,26attached to a distal end27of the adaptor23which is important such that the power cord22can be electrically coupled to positive and negative terminals of an existing battery by mating the first and second conductive clips25,26to the positive and negative terminals respectively. The adaptor23is provided for those occasions when a standard power outlet is not available. The adaptor23may then be used to receive energy from a car battery.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly10further includes a power-operated light-emitting source28electrically mated to the power cable22and directly coupled, without the use of intervening elements, to the base section20in such a manner that the light-emitting source28is selectively adjustable along an arcuate path oriented above the base section20. Such a light-emitting source28includes a bottom tubular base member29monolithically formed with the base section20and centrally oriented thereon. Such a base member29is equidistantly centered between magnetic rings30and has an arcuate notch formed at a top end thereof. The light-emitting source28may remain connected to the base section20or alternatively removed from the base section20for easier portability.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the light emitting source28further includes an anchor shaft31with a distal end32seated within the notch34and further has a proximal end33terminating exterior of the notch34. A top housing35has a generally dome shape directly mated, without the use of intervening elements, to the proximal end33of the anchor shaft31. Such a top housing35includes a protective, mesh screen36removably attached to an anterior face of the top housing35for shielding the light source from undesirable foreign debris. Such a mesh screen36is freely detachable from the top housing35. The protective mesh screen36may be removed in order to facilitate the replacement of an illuminable light source37.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the light emitting source28further includes an illuminable light source37partially nested within the top housing35and a pivot lever38connected to the anchor shaft31and an exterior surface of the base member29in such a manner that the pivot lever38selectively locks the anchor shaft31at alternate positions defined along a travel path extending within the notch34which is vital so that the top housing35is freely adjustable between the alternate positions while the base member29remains statically coupled to the base section20. The pivot lever38enables a user to adjust the anchor shaft31to provide the best light.

Referring toFIGS. 1,2and3, the assembly10further includes a mechanism39for removably securing a plurality of existing hand tools11to the base section20while the light-emitting source37is adapting along the arcuate path which is essential such that the hand tools11remain affixed to the base section20while the magnetic light assembly10is transported between remote locations. Such a removably securing mechanism39includes a plurality of annular magnetic rings30directly positioned, without the use of intervening elements, on a top surface of the base section20. Each of such magnetic rings30is equidistantly and concentrically spaced apart and seated within a perimeter of the base section20. Each of the magnetic rings30has continuous and unitary bodies permanently and contiguously seated along the top surface of the base section20. The removably securing mechanism39is provided for storing various hand tools11.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the removably securing mechanism39further includes a protective shield40directly connected, without the use of intervening elements, to an outer edge of the base section20and extending upwardly therefrom along a partial curvilinear length of the perimeter of the base section20. Such a protective shield40has a curvilinear shape with a radius equal to a radius of the base section20.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly10further includes a hook shaped fastener41directly and rotatably engaged, without the use of intervening elements, with a top edge of the light-emitting source37for allowing the magnetic light assembly10to be suspended above a ground level. The hook shaped fastener41provides a user a method for suspending the assembly10over a given work area.

The assembly includes a light assembly that has a light emitting source installed and enclosed within a protective metal cage, a flexible arm, a power cable, and a circular magnetic tray. Such a protective metal cage that encloses the light assembly and light emitting source includes a hook that is directly attached to, without the use of intervening elements, and extends outward from the top of the cage. The hook is conveniently used to suspend the device over a work area, if a suitable place can be found. One side of the cage is hinged, which is crucial for easily removing and replacing the light emitting source, when required. The bottom end of the protective metal cage is attached to a flexible arm which can advantageously be maneuvered to various positions and the ringed, metal segments conveniently make it possible for the flex arm to maintain any position it is adjusted to.

The metal cage is approximately 12 inches in height and 6 inches in circumference. The flexible arm has power cables extending outward from its lower end, and is about 6 feet in length. The flexible arm and light can be used independently or can be clamped onto the magnetic tray and secured by use of a retaining, butterfly nut. Such a magnetic tray is securely attached to metal parts of a car or any other magnetically conducive surface. The two power cables that extend outward from the flex arm are color coded (red and black) and the ends are terminated by sturdy alligator clips. The red cable is attached to the positive battery terminal and the black cable is connected to the negative battery terminal to effectively supply an operating power to the light.

The present invention, as claimed, provides the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of a portable light that provides several hand-free options. The hook may be used to suspend the assembly over a given work area. In addition, the magnetic bottom surface of the base section allows the assembly to be supported by any magnetic surface. The magnetic rings provide a storage area for hand tools during transportation or storage of the assembly. Such benefits overcome the prior art shortcomings.

The present invention provides an assembly that is convenient and easy to use, is versatile in its applications, is durable yet lightweight in design, and provides users with a convenient means of attaching a utility light at various locations. The versatile nature of the assembly allows a user to position the light in such a manner that it provides optimal illumination in every instance. The battery adapter also allows the device to be used at remote locations where a conventional power outlet may not be readily available.

In use, a method for utilizing a multifunctional and portable magnetic light assembly10includes the steps of: providing a magnetic base section20with a unitary and single body provided with a planar bottom surface21; removably mating an adaptor23to a power cable22; electrically mating a power-operated light-emitting source28to the power cable22; selectively adjusting the light-emitting source28along an arcuate path oriented above the base section20; removably securing a plurality of existing hand tools11to the base section20while the light-emitting source28is adapting along the arcuate path such that the hand tools11remain affixed to the base section20while the magnetic light assembly10is transported between remote locations; and directly and rotatably engaging a hook41shaped fastener to a top edge of the light-emitting source28for allowing the magnetic light assembly10to be suspended above a ground level.

In use, the method further includes the steps of: directly positioning a plurality of annular magnetic rings30on a top surface of the base section20by equidistantly and concentrically spacing apart and seating each of the magnetic rings30within a perimeter of the base section20; and directly connecting a protective shield40to an outer edge of the base section20by extending the protective shield40upwardly along a partial curvilinear length of the perimeter of the base section20.

In use, the method further includes the steps of: providing a bottom tubular base member29monolithically formed with the base section20and centrally oriented thereon such that the base member29is equidistantly centered between the magnetic rings30; seating a distal end32of an anchor shaft31within a notch34of the base member29by terminating a proximal end33of the base member29exterior of the notch34; directly mating a generally dome shaped top housing35to the proximal end33of the anchor shaft31; partially nesting an illuminable light source37within the top housing35; connecting a pivot lever38to the anchor shaft31and an exterior surface of the base member29; selectively locking the anchor shaft29at alternate positions defined along a travel path extending within the notch34by rotating the pivot lever38along clockwise and counter clockwise directions respectively; and freely adjusting the top housing35between the alternate positions while the base member29remains statically coupled to the base section.

In use, the method further includes the step of: removably attaching a protective mesh screen36to an anterior face of the top housing35and thereby shielding the light source37from undesirable foreign debris.