A light assembly includes a base having a receiving port, and a first light source supported by the base. The first light source includes an area light emitting diode configured to emit light in an upward direction from the base. A second light source is supported by the base and includes a flood light emitting diode configured to emit light from a side of the base. A diffuser is supported by the base and extends upwardly from the base to enclose the first light source. A battery pack is removably received in the receiving port of the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lighting devices, and more particularly to portable workspace lighting devices.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention provides a light assembly including a base having a receiving port. The light assembly also includes a first light source supported by the base. The first light source includes an area light emitting diode configured to emit light in an upward direction from the base. The light assembly further includes a second light source supported by the base. The second light source includes a flood light emitting diode configured to emit light from a side of the base. The light assembly also includes a diffuser supported by the base. The diffuser extends upwardly from the base to enclose the first light source. The light assembly further includes a battery pack removably received in the receiving port of the base.

In another aspect, the invention provides a light assembly including a base and a first light source supported by the base. The first light source includes a first light emitting diode configured to emit light in an upward direction from the base. The light assembly also includes a second light source supported by the base. The second light source includes a second light emitting diode configured to emit light from a side of the base. The light assembly further includes a diffuser supported by the base. The diffuser extends upwardly from the base to enclose the first light source. The light assembly also includes a hanging hook movably coupled to a bottom surface of the base that is opposite the diffuser. The hanging hook is movable between an extended position and a stowed position.

In another aspect, the invention provides a light assembly including a base having a receiving port. The light assembly also includes a heat sink positioned within the base. The heat sink includes a first portion and a second portion that is angled relative to the first portion. The light assembly further includes a first light source supported on the first portion of the heat sink. The first light source includes an area light emitting diode configured to emit light in an upward direction from the base. The light assembly also includes a second light source supported on the second portion of the heat sink. The second light source includes a flood light emitting diode configured to emit light from a side of the base. The light assembly further includes a diffuser supported by the base. The diffuser extends upwardly from the base to enclose the first light source. The light assembly also includes a hanging hook movably coupled to a bottom surface of the base that is opposite the diffuser. The hanging hook is movable between an extended position and a stowed position. The light assembly further includes a battery pack removably received in the receiving port of the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-3Billustrate a light assembly10configured to provide illumination to a workspace. The light assembly10may also be referred to as a task-area light. The task-area light10may be held by a user, supported on a support surface, or hung on a support member using features discussed in greater detail below. In addition, the task-area light10may be controlled via a control panel26to operate in multiple lighting modes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the task-area light10includes an area light14and a base18. The illustrated base18is generally cylindrical and supports a flood light22and the control panel26. The area light14is configured to emit light in a 360 degree range, while the flood light22is configured to emit light via a light source62(e.g., light emitting diodes) in a specific direction. The control panel26is electrically connected to the area light14(via a light source38) and the flood light22(via the light source62) to control the lights; for example, to turn the lights on and off, either together or separately.

The area light14includes a diffuser34and the light source38. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source38is a single area light emitting diode (LED), such as a single chip-on-board (COB) LED. In other embodiments, the light source38may include multiple LEDs. The diffuser34, or lens, is supported by and extends upwardly from the base18. The illustrated light source38is arranged to emit light generally upward from the base18. The diffuser34surrounds and encloses the light source38(FIGS. 2 and 4) to help protect the light source38. The diffuser34also diffuses light emitted from the light source38to the surrounding area (e.g., in an upward and outward direction from the base18). In some embodiments, the diffuser34may be detachably coupled to the base18. For example, the diffuser34may be coupled to the base18using a set of fasteners, a ball detent, an interference fit, or other suitable mechanisms.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1-3, the area light14includes a handle42having a grip portion for grasping by a user. The handle42is coupled to an upper end of the diffuser34opposite the base18. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle42is fixed (i.e., immovable) relative to the diffuser34. In other embodiments, the handle42may be movably (e.g., slidably, pivotably, etc.) coupled to the diffuser34for deployment between a stowed position and a use position. The handle42also can be hung on a support structure (e.g., a hook, a rod, etc.) to hang the task-area light10above a support surface.

The task-area light10also includes a hanging hook90coupled to the base14. In particular, the hanging hook90is coupled to a bottom surface of the base18, opposite from the diffuser34. The illustrated hanging hook90is movable between an extended position90a(FIG. 5) for use and a stowed position90b(FIGS. 6 and 7) in the bottom surface of the base18. A track94is formed in the base for retaining the hook90in the stowed position90b. The hook90is pivotally attached to the base18at a pivot point98. A detent102(FIG. 8) retains the hook90in either the extended position90aand/or in the stowed position90b. The detent102extends into the track94and contacts the hook member90to prohibit the hook member90from extending past a certain point when the hanging hook90is extending from the base18. When the hook90is in the stowed position, the hook90does not extend beyond the bottom surface of the base18. In further embodiments, the base18may include two or more detents102,104on opposite sides of the hanging hook90, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. When the hook90is in the extended position, the hook90can engage a support structure (e.g., a rafter, a hook, a rod, a nail, etc.) to hang the task-area light10from the support structure. In another embodiment, the hanging hook90may include two or more hook members coupled to the base18. In such embodiments, the hook members may be pivotally coupled to the base18to selectively extend from the base18independent of each other.

Referring back toFIGS. 1A and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the task-area light10is powered by a DC power source46, such as a removable battery pack (e.g., a power tool battery pack). The battery pack46is insertable and removable from a receiving port50formed within the base18. The receiving port50includes contacts for electrically coupling the battery pack46to the light sources38,62. A locking mechanism helps to retain the battery pack46within the receiving port50to inhibit the unwanted removal of the battery46. The receiving port50is also electrically connected to the control panel26, such that the control panel26may operate the light using the battery pack46positioned within the receiving port50. In further embodiments, the task-area light10may be powered by an integrated battery, which may be housed within the base18and may be rechargeable.

In some embodiments, the base18also supports a power input port (e.g., an AC input). The port can connect to, for example, a wall outlet or a generator via an extension cord. The input port receives power from an AC power source to power the light10. In further embodiments, the base18also or alternatively supports a power output port (e.g., an AC output and/or a DC output). The output port would allow another device (e.g., a second light, a power tool, etc.) to be plugged into the light10, such that multiple devices to be daisy-chained together.

With reference toFIGS. 1B, 2, 3B, and 4, the flood light22includes a housing54that is mounted to the base18. A front face54aof the housing54supports a lens or diffuser58that covers the light source62of the flood light22such that light is emitted through the lens58. The housing54, including the light source62and the lens58, is positioned on a side of the base18such that the flood light22emits light from the side of the base18(as opposed to upward from the base18like the light source38). Referring toFIGS. 1B and 3B, the illustrated light source62includes four flood light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as COB LEDs. The LEDs are arranged in a generally square grid on the side of the base18. In other embodiments, the light source62may include fewer or more LEDs and/or additional lenses. A back face54bof the housing54is coupled to a heat sink66that is disposed within the base18. In further embodiments, the light source62includes a multi-panel light engine, multiple LEDs, or other suitable light source.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, the heat sink66includes two portions66a,66b. The portions66a,66bare coupled together to reduce the overall size of the heatsink66and, thereby, the light assembly10. The first portion66aof the heat sink66is positioned proximate the flood light22, and in particular behind the light source62to support the light source62. The second portion66bof the heat sink66is positioned proximate the area light14, and in particular underneath the light source38to support the light source38. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion66bis disposed at the top of the base18and is oriented substantially parallel to a support surface (e.g., a table, bench, etc.) that supports the light assembly10. The first and second portions66a,66bof the heat sink66form a single, integrated piece and are angled relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion66bis obliquely angled relative to the first portion66a. However, in alternative embodiments, the portions66a,66bmay be positioned in various orientations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the area light14and the flood light22are not operated (i.e., turned on) together because the lights14,22share the same heat sink66. In other embodiments, however, the area light14and the flood light22may both be turned on at the same time. In embodiments of the task-area light10where the area light14and the flood light22are not on together (i.e., ON and OFF in a separate operations), the heat sink66can be reduced in size. In further embodiments, the area light14and the flood light22include separate heat sinks to allow for more efficient use of the two lights14,22at the same time. For example, the area light14and the flood light22may be ON or OFF are the same time, or operate independently. In addition, a circuit board78is positioned within the base18and proximate the heat sink66, in a position not in communication with the light source62of the flood light22.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 3A, the base18also supports the control panel26. The illustrated control panel26includes actuators for operating the task-area light10. For example, the actuators could be buttons, switches, or any suitable control mechanism that is configured to control the light10. A first actuator82is used to turn the task-area light10ON and OFF. In some embodiments, the first actuator82turns both the area light14and a flood light22ON and OFF in a single operation; however, in other embodiments, the first actuator82controls the area light14and the flood light22independently. For example, pressing the first actuator sequences the light10through one or more of the following implementations: both lights OFF, only the area light14ON, only the flood light22ON, and both lights ON.

A second actuator86controls the intensity of task-area light10. For example, the second actuator86operates the task-area light10between a high intensity, a medium intensity, and a low intensity. Other intermediate intensities may be included as well. In some embodiments, the second actuator86controls the intensity of both the area light14and the flood light22in a single operation; however, in other embodiments, the second actuator86controls the intensity of the area light14and the flood light22independently.

In one embodiment, the task-area light10also includes an internal control unit, such as a microcontroller or memory unit, for storing information and executable functions. The internal control unit is configured to store the state of the light10as set by the second actuator86when the task-area light10is powered ON and OFF by the first actuator82. This results in a light that may be turned ON and OFF while maintaining the most recent state of the light (e.g., the section of the light turned on and the intensity level), thereby allowing the user to turn the light on with the last setting without having to readjust the light.

In some embodiments, the task-area10includes a power control circuit that allows the light10to select the power source from which, or to which, power is delivered. For example, the power control circuit could be arranged to deliver power to the light sources38,62from an external power source when that power source is available and to automatically switch to or select the DC power source46as the source when the external source is not available. In another embodiment, the battery pack46could be charged by the external power source while the external power source delivers power to the light sources38,62.

FIGS. 11-12illustrate another light assembly110. The illustrated light assembly110is similar to the light assembly10described above with reference toFIGS. 1-10and includes like parts. Reference is hereby made to the description of the light assembly shown inFIGS. 1-10for description of features and elements of the light assembly110not specifically included below.

The illustrated task-area light110includes an area light114and a base118. The base118is generally cylindrical and supports a flood light122and a control panel126. The area light114is configured to emit light in a 360 degree range, while the flood light122is configured to emit light in a specific direction. The control panel126is electrically connected to the area light114and the flood light122to control the lights; for example, to turn the lights on and off, either together or separately.

In the illustrated embodiment, the task-area light110may powered by a DC power source146, such as a removable battery pack (e.g., a power tool battery pack). The battery pack146is insertable and removable from a receiving port150formed within the base118. The base118also supports a power input port120(e.g., an AC input). The port120can connect to, for example, a wall outlet or a generator via an extension cord. The input port120receives power from an AC power source to power the light110.

The illustrated base118may additionally support a charging circuit. The charging circuit electrically couples the power input port120to the battery pack146to charge the battery pack146. If both the battery pack146and the AC power source are connected to the light110, the AC power source may charge the battery pack146and power the light110. When the AC power source is disconnected from the light110, the battery pack146, if sufficiently charged, may automatically begin powering the light110.