Abstract:
A stand-supported light source includes a combination of collapsing, telescopic and flexible joint couplings. For storage and shipping, a plurality of legs are collapsible to become longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. A telescopic arm coupled to the stand may also be pivoted into a longitudinally parallel axis and then telescopically retracted, which results in a very compact configuration. In use, the telescopic arm may be extended through a range of positions, and may pivot out of parallel with the stand base longitudinal axis, permitting the light source to be located through a wide and precisely controlled range of motion. The legs are pivoted and self locking at a limited range of motion, simplifying set-up. A special clamp accepts a standard trouble light, without inhibiting access to or use of the various electrical switches and outlets that might typically be found on the trouble light. Different embodiments detail the pivot, clamp and various combinations.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/484,415 filed Jun. 30, 2003 of common title and inventorship, the contents which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention pertains generally to the field of illumination, and more particularly to a trouble light stand which may be configured for overhead or underneath illumination from a virtually unlimited number of angles and with diverse work objects by simple manipulation of a few mechanical connectors. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Human beings are capable of using the human intellect to make an amazing number of decisions and perform an equally amazing number of actions in very short time periods. Regardless of the decision or activity, the human intellect is dependent upon sensory information received through the five senses of sight, hearing, sound, touch, taste, and smell. When this sensory information provides clear distinctions to the person&#39;s mind, a person will be able to make decisions and perform actions much more reliably and quickly than when the sensory information is muddled. 
   Research has demonstrated that most humans rely most heavily upon sight for the gathering of information. For example, while blind persons regularly navigate based upon touch, sound, hearing and even smell, most sighted individuals rely almost entirely upon sight. Consequently, for the effective and efficient performance of many tasks and activities, sight is extremely important to an individual. Insufficient illumination has been demonstrated through much research to result in errors of judgment, accidents, and loss of efficiency. 
   In order for visual information to be gathered effectively, there must be sufficient illumination and adequate contrast for a person to reliably and speedily discern objects. This in turn requires adequate illumination within the area of visual interest. As a result, many different lighting arrangements and fixtures have been developed over time which are intended to provide a desired level of illumination. Common illumination systems include various overhead and spot lighting systems. While these methods of illumination provide suitable lighting for objects which are in direct line with such light sources, any objects not in direct illumination path may receive inadequate light for accurate sensory information to be gained in minimal time. Consequently, objects which are shadowed, such as may be found in fight places or in complex geometrical structures of machines or other such constructions, overhead or spot lighting is generally inadequate. In more complex locations, even intense lighting such as daylight may be inadequate, since other objects may block enough light to prevent a persons from discerning shapes and objects quickly and efficiently. 
   Consequently, man has devised alternative lighting systems to augment or replace more general lighting systems. One such system is the well known trouble light that may or may not be extended from a drop line, and which typically includes an extension cord, handle, electric power switch, incandescent bulb, protective cage about the bulb, hanger, and in some cases an electrical outlet. The hanger is provided to permit the light to be suspended from any suitable object in or adjacent the region of interest, while readily permitting a person to move the light source to other locations which may subsequently be of interest. More recently, other types of electric bulbs have been developed which have also been used in similar application, including fluorescent and halogen bulbs, but the hanger continues to be the most prevalent method of support in the field. 
   Unfortunately, there are many environments and tasks where the hanging light may not be adequately positioned to produce the appropriate light, shadowing and contrast desired. One common environment where this is a problem is in the assembly or repair of large and complex machines, such as automobile power trains. The automobile body will almost always block any light from directly reaching any of the power train components. Yet the space is very limited, and in some instances the components such as engine or exhaust manifold may be very hot and hazardous. Consequently, with insufficient light, a mechanic may easily accidentally touch a searing hot component, or may poorly grasp and consequently drop a component. The common hanger will illuminate some of the components, but there are many instances where a hanger is not available at the right position or the direction of illumination when the light is hung from a nearby hanger is inadequate. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first manifestation, the invention is an extensible and collapsible stand in combination with and supporting a light source. A base provides mechanical support upon a surface. A column rises from the collapsible base. A boom arm is coupled through a pivotal joint to the column, and is clamped to a light source having a handle, light bulb, and electrical cord. The clamp coupling light source to boom arm has top and bottom members of a generally u-shaped cross-section operatively drawn together by a force applicator about the light source handle and additionally has means for attachment to the boom arm. 
   In a second manifestation, the invention is a clamp affixing a light source to a supporting stand, comprising top and bottom members of a generally u-shaped cross-section operatively forced together by a force applicator about the light source handle and additionally having a means for attachment to the boom arm. 
   In a third manifestation, the invention is an adjustable trouble light stand for supporting an illumination source above a surface and at various locations relative to a work piece resting upon the surface. A collapsible base has at least three fixed u-shaped brackets, each which are closed from the top and both sides but open from the bottom, at least three legs arranged with each one of the at least three legs extending from and pivotally attached to a corresponding one of the u-shaped brackets to permit movement legs distal to brackets, and surface contacting pads pivotally attached and terminating each of the legs adjacent ends distal to brackets, the ends of the legs pivotal away from the surface to a degree limited by mechanical interference between legs and closed bracket tops. A telescopically extensible vertical standard rises from collapsible base and has a first longitudinally extensive standard member and a second co-axial extensible standard member that define a longitudinal axis of the telescopically extensible vertical standard. A fastener controllably fixes the second extensible standard member to the first longitudinally extensive standard member. A telescopically extensible arm has a first longitudinally extensive member and a second member extensible with respect to the first member, and a hand fastener controllably fixing a relative position between the first longitudinally extensive member and the second member. A pivotal joint couples the telescopically extensible vertical standard to the telescopically extensible arm and has a plate rigidly affixed to the longitudinally extensive member with a plurality of holes that follow an arc having a center of radius at a pivot between the telescopically extensible vertical standard and the telescopically extensible arm. The joint also has a position setting pin suitable for extending through at least one of the plurality of holes and simultaneously passing through openings in a pair of spaced members which extend from the arm first longitudinally extensive member. A hole is provided in the second extensible standard member which follows the arc of holes and permits the position setting pin to pass there through while passing through the openings in the pair of spaced members, thereby locating said telescopically extensible arm co-axially with the second extensible standard member. A light source is additionally included, and has a handle, electric power switch, light bulb, and electrical cord. Finally, a clamp couples the light source to the telescopically extensible arm and has top and bottom clamshell members of a generally u-shaped cross-section forced together by a pair of hand screws. The top and bottom clamshell members open in middle portions most adjacent to the pair of hand screws and provide manual access to the electric power switch. The top and bottom clamshell members are operatively clamped together about the light source handle by forces generated by the hand screws. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a stand-supported light source which includes a combination of collapsing, telescopic and flexible joint couplings. For storage and shipping, a plurality of legs are collapsible to longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. Similarly, a telescopic arm is pivoted into a longitudinally parallel axis, and then telescopically retracted. In use, the telescopic arm may be extended through a range of positions, and pivoted out of parallel with the stand base longitudinal axis. The legs are pivoted and self locking at a limited range of motion, simplifying set-up. A special clamp accepts a standard trouble light, without inhibiting access to or use of the various electrical switches and outlets that might typically be found thereon. 
   A first object of the present invention is to enable a person to position the light source at substantially any position and angle, including components providing both rectilinear and radial adjustment from a ground level illumination to a substantial height. A second object of the invention is to provide a stand which is readily adaptable to a wide variety of light sources, and which does not block or interfere with features or components available thereon. Another object of the present invention is to enable the stand to be collapsed for compact storage and transport, while providing safe and stable use. A further object of the invention is to utilize common components, to minimize manufacturing cost and complexity. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adaptable and readily used light stand which can provide adequate reach and positioning for even the most difficult of locations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment combination light stand and source designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from side plan view. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred light clamp and light source illustrated in  FIG. 1  by magnified section view taken along line  2 ′ of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred light clamp and light source of  FIG. 2  from top plan view. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the preferred light clamp of  FIG. 2  by from end plan view with the light source removed therefrom. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the preferred telescopic arm pivot illustrated in  FIG. 1  by magnified section view taken along line  5 ′ of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the preferred light clamp telescopic arm pivot of  FIG. 5  from top plan view. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Manifested in the preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10 , the present invention combines collapsing, telescopic, pivotal and flexible joint couplings into a stand suitable for supporting diverse light sources. As illustrated generally in  FIG. 1 , preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  is comprised by seven major components, including collapsible base  20 , telescopically extensible vertical standard  30 , pivotal joint  40 , telescopically extensible arm  50 , clamp  60 , light source  70 , and electric cord supports  81 – 83 . Ordinary components commonly used will be recognized and understood to be contemplated herein, for exemplary purposes but not limited thereto including such devices as washers of steel, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon or the like. The use and selection of such ordinary components will be understood to be incorporated herein without specific discussion thereto. 
   Collapsible base  20  most preferably includes at least three, but potentially as many more fixed u-shaped brackets  21  as may be desired, each which are closed from the top and both sides, but open from the bottom most nearly adjacent the surface upon which preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  stands. One leg  22  extends from each bracket  21 , and is pivotally attached thereto through a single bolt and lock nut combination or other suitable fastener  23 . Since brackets  21  are u-shaped and open downward, legs  22  may pivot freely by moving the end of legs  22  distal to brackets  21  downward. This motion in the preferred embodiment will occur simply by lifting standard  30  vertically, though tolerances may be controlled or frictional washers or couplings provided which would instead require manipulative forces to so induce the motion. When so pivoted, legs  22  will be aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of standard  30 , which is beneficial for storage by reducing the floor space required or consumed when preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  is not in use. 
   When legs  22  are to be extended, which will permit base  20  to support the balance of preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10 , the weight of vertical standard  30  and the components supported thereon will cause the ends of legs  22  most distal to brackets  21  to pivot upwards, but this motion will be limited when each leg  22  interferes with the closed top of the associated bracket  21 . Most preferably, individual pads  24  will be provided at the ends of each leg  22 , and will preferably be attached thereto through a pivotal joint or coupling  25 , which may, in the preferred embodiment, simply comprise a bolt and lock nut combination or other suitable fastener which will permit pad  24  to pivot and thereby rest parallel to the part of a supporting surface most nearly adjacent pad  24 . Consequently, even with an irregular surface, pads  24  will rest securely thereon, and will also provide somewhat more contact surface area than would be achieved from the simple end of legs  22 . 
   It will be apparent herein that pads  24  may be provided with any type of suitable contact material which may be suitable for a given application. For automotive shop use, the materials will most preferably be reasonably non-slip, but must also be oil, grease, solvent and cleaner resistant, and so may simply be carbon steel. However, a multitude of other materials may be used, including but not limited to elastomeric or rigid polymers, or other natural or synthetic materials, the particular selection which will be based upon the intended range of applications. 
   While legs  22  are designed in the preferred embodiment for motion downwards, it is also contemplated herein to provide motion permitting legs  22  to be folded so that the ends distal to brackets  21  will pivot upwards to a position adjacent to and parallel with standard  30 . However, to effect this motion and still enable legs  22  to support standard  30  in a reasonably vertical orientation, an additional fastener or affixing mechanism would be required, such as a separate pin, detent or locking mechanism, the nature of which will be selected from the myriad of such devices known in the general hardware industry. Nevertheless, such methods of coupling are believed herein to add undesirable complexity and expense, and consequently are not the most preferred. Instead, such alternatives would be available when other circumstances warrant, such as when final compacted storage length of a preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  is deemed to be critical and necessary to minimize. 
   Telescopically extensible vertical standard  30  rises generally vertically from base  20 , and includes a bottom tube  31 , a smaller extensible tube  32  which slides coaxially within bottom tube  31  and is co-axial therewith to define a vertical longitudinal axis of standard  30 . Relative positioning between bottom tube  31  and extensible tube  32  is maintained by hand fastener  33 , which may be a thumb screw, threaded t-bar, quick release clamp, or any other suitable coupling or fastener which may be used to controllably fix extensible tube  32  to bottom tube  31 . While bottom tube  31  and extensible tube  32  are in the preferred embodiment fabricated from square tubing, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that these tubes  31 ,  32  may in fact be fabricated alternatively from other materials and geometries, and need not comprise tubing at all. Since cylinder and rod combinations and other geometries are known which may be used to fulfill the telescopic function described herein, these geometries will be understood to be contemplated in the present disclosure. Consequently, tubes  31 ,  32  will be understood to be longitudinally extensive members of any geometry which perform the telescopic function along this longitudinal axis as desired and described in the preferred embodiment. 
   A telescopically extensible arm  50  in the preferred embodiment is of construction similar to standard  30 , including outer tube  51 , inner extensible tube  52 , and hand fastener  53  controllably fixing the position of extensible tube  52  relative to outer tube  51 . Once again, tubes  51  and  52  will be understood to be longitudinally extensive members that may assume other geometries when implemented in an actual product. Telescopically extensible arm  50  is coupled to standard  30  through pivotal joint  40 , the details of which will be discussed herein below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . At the end of telescopically extensible arm  50  distal to standard  30  is clamp  60 , which in turn supports light source  70 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 2–4 , clamp  60  will preferably be designed to accommodate a variety of light sources obtained from various manufacturers. In the preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  shown in  FIGS. 1–3 , light source  70  is a traditional trouble light having a handle  71 , electric power switch  72 , protective cage  73 , hanger  74 , incandescent bulb  75 , and electrical cord  76 . It will be understood however, that, as discussed herein above, a variety of light sources have been developed for use in settings where the preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  might be used, and most preferably such light sources will desirably be generally interchangeable with light source  70 , either directly using existing clamp  60  or a clamp of similar function to clamp  60  but with alternative geometry applicable to a different light source geometry. Nevertheless, the preferred clamp  60  illustrated in  FIGS. 2–4  offers much novelty independent of the remainder of preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10 . Clamp  60  includes top and bottom clamshell members  61 ,  62  which as seen in  FIG. 4  have a generally u-shaped cross-section, but which open in the middle portions  69  most adjacent to hand screws  65 ,  66 . This open region  69  is provided adjacent to and to accommodate electric power switch  72  and other features such as electrical outlets, while still providing manual access thereto. Clamshell members  61 ,  62  are operatively clamped together, and consequently about handle  71 , by a combination of plates  63 ,  64  and forces generated there against by hand screws  65 ,  66 . In the preferred embodiment, plate  63  is welded to clamshell member  61 , and plate  64  is welded to clamshell member  62 , but it will be recognized that a myriad of fastening techniques may be utilized. It is nevertheless preferred that the clamshell members  61 ,  62  be affixed to plates  63 ,  64  in some suitable manner, so that clamshell members  61 ,  62  do not accidentally separate therefrom when light source  70  has been removed. Clamp  60  additionally includes a means for attachment to telescopic arm  50 , which in the preferred embodiment is comprised by u-shaped channel  67  and hand screw  68 . This arrangement permits clamp  60  to be pivoted with respect to telescopic arm  50 , but owing to the short distance from pivotal axis formed by hand screw  68 , requires significant bending moment to effect relative movement therebetween. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate pivotal joint  40 , which is used to couple telescopically extensible arm  50  to standard  30 . Plate  41  is preferably rigidly affixed to extensible tube  32  such as by welding or other suitable means. Through plate  41  are provided a plurality of holes  42  that in the preferred embodiment follow an arc having a focal point or center of radius at pivot  43 . Through one of holes  42  may extend a position setting pin  44  which simultaneously passes through openings in spaced members  54 ,  55  which extend from outer tube  51 . Spaced members  54 ,  55 , which may be formed by bifurcating outer tube  51 , form a yoke which surrounds plate  41 . This pivotal joint  40  provides positive locking of angular relationship between standard  30  and telescopic arm  50 , regardless of the amount of torque applied therebetween, while providing a large number of possible angular relationships through the plurality of holes  42 . When proportioned most optimally in accord with the preferred embodiment, holes  42  will be sufficiently closely spaced that any further movement or positioning that may be required and not provided for through these holes will be readily compensated for by motion at hand screw  68  between telescopic arm  50  and clamp  60 . An additional hole  34  is preferably included in extensible tube  32 , which permits position setting pin  44  to pass there through while passing through spaced members  54 ,  55 , thereby locating telescopic arm co-axially with extensible tube  32  and consequently co-axially with standard  30  generally. Pivotal joint  40  will therefore permit telescopic arm  50  in this preferred embodiment to be pivoted from vertical and extending upward from pivot  43  when setting pin  44  passes through hole  34  to nearly vertical again, though this time extending downward relative to pivot  43  when setting pin  44  passes through hole  42  most distal to hole  34 . This wide range of motion permits light source  70  to be positioned from adjacent a ground level near base  20  through any elevation up to substantially above pivot  43 . While this combination of holes  42  and setting pin  44  is most preferred and believed to offer independent novelty owing to the relative simplicity of construction and use and the inherent rigidity and strength, other alternative methods of setting the preferred angular relationship may be utilized that may be known in the art of pivotal couplings, and such will be understood to be incorporated herein as well. Furthermore, the arrangement of pivotal joint  40  outlined herein above which describes and illustrates attachment of plate  41  to extensible tube  32  is optional, and it will be understood that pivotal joint  40  may be reversed. If reversed from the preferred embodiment, plate  41  will be attached to telescopic arm outer tube  51 , and spaced members  54 ,  55  will be affixed to or formed from extensible tube  32  rather than from telescopic arm outer tube  51 . 
   Electric cord support  81  in the preferred embodiment is provided as a part of the structure of positing setting pin  44 , though it will be recognized that other suitable cord locating means may be provided as known in the art of electrical appliances. A cord wind is similarly provided through a combination of protruding tabs  82 ,  83 , and a final guide may be provided in the form of cord ring  84 . Other features such as parts trays, auxiliary outlets, and other such fixtures or components may similarly be provided upon preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10 . 
   As may be recognized, the preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  may be manufactured relatively independent of materials. By that, it will be understood that many diverse materials may be used in the fabrication. Nevertheless, it will also be recognized that preferred embodiment stand-supported light source  10  may be manufactured entirely from steel, which as aforementioned offers advantage in environments where alternative materials such as polymers might be adversely affected by solvents, mechanically damaging forces, or other factors rending polymeric materials unsuitable or undesirable. 
   While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. For exemplary purposes only, and not limiting thereto, it will be appreciated that while the figures illustrate only two sections for telescopically extensible vertical standard  30  and telescopically extensible arm  50 , three or more telescoping sections may be provided as desired, or for some applications no telescoping may be provided. Consequently, the scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.