Wide-range portable illumination device

A wide-range portable illumination device is an apparatus that produces a wide horizontal band of light in order to illuminate a wider scope of objects within the dark. The apparatus evenly distributes a plurality of illumination device along a circular arc. Each illumination device is physically separate from each other, which allows them to be arranged in a radially pattern along the circular arc. In addition, each illumination device includes an light emitting diode (LED) bulb and a pyramidal case. The LED bulb traverse into the apex of the pyramidal case and is centrally mounted within the pyramidal case. The pyramidal case has a plurality of lateral panels that surrounds the LED bulb. Each lateral panel has an inner reflective surface, which focuses the light emitted by the LED bulb in one direction. The apparatus also includes a housing, a portable power source, a switch, and an ergonomic handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of flashlights. More specifically, the present invention configures its illumination sources to form a wider band of light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, an ordinary battery flashlight casts only a narrow beam of light that must shine directly on an object for it to be clearly seen. In order to see a wider scope, the flashlight has to be waved back and forth or be moved in a fanning motion. When this is done, only the area illuminated by the narrow beam of light is clear while the surrounding areas receive very little indirect/ambient/radiant light from the flashlight. Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is capable of producing a wider beam of light than typical flashlights. The new and unique shape of the present invention can emit a wide band of light in an almost 180 degree arc, which is due to the curved, convex rectangular shape of the bulb's projective reflective shield. With this type of intense illumination and a projection field of up to 100 meters, a vast area can be instantly lighted and every object is clearly seen by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen inFIG. 1, the present invention is a wide-range portable illumination device, which is used to provide a radial band of light with a horizontal range of almost 180 degrees. The present invention mainly comprises a plurality of illumination devices1, a housing8, a portable power source10, a transparent cover9, and a primary switch11. Each of the plurality of illumination devices1is capable of producing a single beam of light. The plurality of illumination devices1is physically separate objects and, thus, can be arranged along a wide band arc7. The housing8is an enclosure that provides a base for all of the other components of the present invention. The housing8can be made of, but is not limited to, a heavy duty plastic. The portable power source10is used to electrically power the plurality of illumination devices1, and the primary switch11is used to selectively break the electrical current traveling from the portable power source10to the plurality of illumination devices1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable power source10is at least one battery, and the primary switch11is a three-stage switch. For the three-stage switch, the first stage will only activate the central illumination devices along the wide band arc7. The second stage will activate the central illumination devices and the illumination devices surrounding the central illumination devices. The third stage will activate the central illumination devices, the illumination devices surround the central illumination devices, and the most peripheral illumination devices along the wide band arc7. The transparent cover9is used to shield the plurality of illumination devices1from any outside particulate. The transparent cover9can be made of, but is not limited to, a clear acrylic.

As can be seen inFIGS. 2,3, and4, the general configuration of these components allows a user to efficiently and effectively handle the present invention. The wide band arc7is a circular line segment that is used to define the emission range for the radial band of light. The dimensions of the wide band arc7depend on the number of illumination devices1and the dimensions of each illumination device1. Thus, the wide band arc7is positioned adjacent to the housing8so that the plurality of illumination devices1can be evenly distributed along the wide band arc7. The plurality of illumination devices1is also mounted into the housing8in order to properly situate each illumination device1along the wide band arc7. The transparent cover9is positioned across the plurality of illumination devices1as a means to protect the plurality of illumination devices1from any external damage. The portable power source10shown inFIG. 6is positioned within the housing8and is electrically connected to the plurality of illumination devices1through the primary switch11, which allows the housing8to protect all of the electrical connections for the present invention from any external damage. The primary switch11is operatively mounted into the housing8so that a user can move the primary switch11from the off position to the on position and vice versa.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of illumination devices1has a specific configuration shown inFIG. 5in order to better position and orient the plurality of illumination devices1along the wide band arc7. Each of the plurality of illumination devices1comprises a light emitting diode (LED) bulb2and a pyramidal case3. The LED bulb2is a low energy, efficiently sized device that is capable of producing the necessary light in one direction along the wide band arc7. The pyramidal case3is used to enclose and support the LED bulb2and is used as a reflector for the LED bulb2, which focuses the light from the LED bulb2in one direction. The pyramidal case3comprises a plurality of lateral panels4that are positioned about an apex6. The LED bulb2traverses into the pyramidal case3through the apex6so that the plurality of lateral panels4is radially positioned around the LED bulb2. This allows the LED bulb2to be surrounded by the inner reflective surface5for each lateral panel4. The inner reflective surface5can be, but is not limited to, a silver Mylar reflective shielding.

As can be seen inFIGS. 2,3, and4, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed with a supplemental illumination device13, which allows the present invention to be used as an emergency signal. The present invention could also include an at least one interchangeable transparent cover16, which could further assist the present invention while being used as an emergency signal. The supplemental illumination device13provides the present invention with an auxiliary source of light other than the plurality of illumination devices1. Thus, the supplemental illumination device13is mounted into the housing8opposite to the plurality of illumination devices1. In some embodiments, the supplemental illumination device13utilizes the same componentry as the plurality of illumination devices1. The interchangeable transparent cover16is positioned onto the supplemental illumination device13in order to protect the supplemental illumination device13from any external damage. The interchangeable transparent cover16has a colored tint, and multiple interchangeable transparent covers16could each have a different colored tint that would indicate the nature or the severity of an emergency. For example, an interchangeable transparent cover16with a red tint can be used to communicate a warning, and an interchangeable transparent cover16with a yellow tint can be used to communicate caution. Thus, the interchangeable transparent cover16is perimetrically attached to the housing8so that an interchangeable transparent cover16with one kind of colored tint can be detached from the housing8and be swapped out for another interchangeable transparent cover16with a different colored tint. The present invention also further comprises a supplemental power source14and a supplemental switch15, which are respectively used to power the supplemental illumination device13and to selectively break the electrical current flowing into the supplemental illumination device13. The supplemental power source14shown inFIG. 6is positioned within the housing8and is electrically connected to the supplemental illumination device13through the supplemental switch15. Similar to the primary switch11, the supplemental switch15is bistably mounted into the housing8so that the user can move the supplemental switch15from the off position to the on position and vice versa. The supplemental power source14can be, but is not limited to, four AA batteries, and the supplemental switch15is located near the supplemental illumination device13. The supplemental illumination device13and its corresponding components can be extremely helpful in case of mechanical problems with a vehicle, be helpful as a warning light to protect against approaching vehicles, and/or be helpful as a cautionary warning for pedestrians.

As can be seen inFIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is also designed with a kickstand17, which is used to prop up the present invention at an angle. The kickstand17comprises a collapsible member18and a plurality of notches21. If the kickstand17is not being used, then the collapsible member18is straightened out so that the collapsible member18can be efficiently stored into the present invention. If the kickstand17is being used, then the collapsible member18is bent into a protruding shape in order to prop up one side of the present invention at an angle. The collapsible member18can be designed as a ring so that the collapsible member18can also be used to hang the present invention. The first end19of the collapsible member18is hingedly connected to the housing8, and the second end20of the collapsible member18is used to engage one from the plurality of notches21, which are recessed spaces that traverse into the housing8. The plurality of notches21is serially positioned to each other and is adjacent to the first end19of the collapsible member18, which allows the second end20to engage any of the notches21and configures the kickstand17to prop the present invention at the desired angle.

In different embodiments, the present invention could include a few ancillary components that would provide the present invention with additional functionalities. One such ancillary component is a grasping member22, which allows a user to firmly hold and aim the present invention. The grasping member22could be, but is not limited to, a handle or a kind of strap assembly. Either way, the grasping member22is externally connected to the housing8. Another such ancillary component is an at least one phosphorescent strip12, which glows in the absence of light. The at least one phosphorescent strip12allows a user to locate the present invention during a blackout. Thus, the phosphorescent strip12should be externally positioned onto the housing8. Another such ancillary component is a pocket clip23, which allows the present invention to be comfortably attached to a user's clothing. For example, the pocket clip23could be used to attach the present invention to a shoulder strap, a pocket, or a sleeve so that the user does not have to continuously hold the present invention. Thus, the pocket clip23is externally connected to the housing8. Another such ancillary component is a hanging loop24, which is a means to loosely suspend the present invention. For example, the hanging loop24can be used to suspend the present invention to a user's clothing or from a memorable location for the user so that the present invention is readily available to the user. Thus, the hanging loop24is externally linked to the housing8. The handing loop can be, but is not limited to, a rigid ring or a looped strap.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured and shaped to be a typical lantern. For the preferred embodiment, the wide band arc7is 170 degrees, which allows a wide area of space to be completely and instantly illuminated by the present invention and allows objects to be very clearly seen with the present invention. Also for this embodiment, the grasping member22is a handle, which is ergonomically designed with an indented thumb rest that runs through three-fourths of the handle. The primary switch11is located within the indented thumb rest. The plurality of illumination devices1for this embodiment includes sixteen illumination devices and is arranged in a top row of five, a middle row of six, and a bottom row of five along the wide band arc7. The top row and the bottom row are angled outwards in a direction perpendicular to the wide band arc7in order to increase the vertical width of the radial band of light produced by the present invention. Another configuration for the plurality of illumination devices1in this embodiment is a single row of eleven illumination devices that are arranged along the wide band arc7. The portable power source10for this embodiment is a 6-volt battery.

In one embodiment, the present invention is configured and shaped to be an industrial flashlight, which is illustrated inFIG. 7. This embodiment does not contain a supplemental illumination device13or a kickstand17. Also for this embodiment, the portable power source10can be configured to be either two or three D-cell batteries, which is sufficient electrical power for any typical industrial flashlight. The housing8near the plurality of illumination devices1has a flat face, which prevents this embodiment from rolling off of an even or uneven surface. In addition, this embodiment has a handle as its grasping member22and has a pocket clip23positioned opposition to the handle. This embodiment also has a wide band arc7of 170 degrees.

In another embodiment, the present invention is configured and shaped to be a tactical, hands-free, and light-weight flashlight, which is illustrated inFIG. 8. This embodiment does not contain a supplemental illumination device13or a kickstand17. The portable power source10for this embodiment is three AA batteries. Also for this embodiment, the housing8and the grasping member22are designed to be attached to a user's shoulder, which allows the present invention to illuminate the direction that the user is facing. Consequently, the grasping member22is a strap assembly in this embodiment. A circular base is connected onto the bottom of the housing8, and another circular plate is positioned parallel to the circular base and is rotatably connected to the circular base. Thus, the circular plate can concentrically rotate to the circular base. Both the circular plate and the circular base are configured to lock at 90 degree intervals. The strap assembly is connected to the circular plate and is typically wrapped around the shoulder strap of a bulletproof vest so that the strap assembly is perpendicular to the user's neck. A curve in the housing8allows this embodiment to be braced better by the user's shoulder and to be unobtrusive to the user. In addition, the wide band arc7is only 150 degrees for this embodiment.

In another embodiment, the present invention is configured and shaped to be a miniaturized flashlight, which is illustrated inFIG. 9. This embodiment does not contain a grasping member22, a supplemental illumination device13, or a kickstand17. This embodiment does have a pocket clip23, which can be used to attach the present invention to the user's belt. The portable power source10for this embodiment is four AA batteries. In addition, the wide band arc7is 150 degrees for this embodiment. The housing8for this embodiment is also curved its longitudinal axis so that the housing8can properly brace the user's hip while hanging this embodiment of the present invention from the user's belt.