Abstract:
A portable light includes a light stand having a longitudinal axis and a light assembly section attached to the light stand. The light assembly section is adapted to be connected to a power source and includes a support having a support axis being rotatable and linearly displaceable relative to the longitudinal axis of the light stand; a light panel holder tiltably attached to the support such that the light panel holder is tiltable relative to the support axis; and a light panel removably connected to the light panel holder and tiltable relative to the support axis. The light panel contains a rechargeable battery and a light selectively electrically connectable to at least one of the power source and the rechargeable battery when the light panel is connected with the light panel holder and being powered by the rechargeable battery when the light panel is removed from the light panel holder.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/810,070, filed on Apr. 9, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a light stand, and, in particular, to a multi-axis tilting light stand with a charging circuit and removable lights. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Light stands are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Light stands may be used in various environments such as residential, commercial, or industrial environments in order to illuminate work or recreational areas. 
         [0004]    However, conventional light stands fail to provide flexibility and modularity to address different and changing light requirements. Accordingly, there remains a need for a light stand having multiple axes for tilting and with removable lights. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to an embodiment, a portable light comprises a light stand having a longitudinal axis; and a light assembly section attached to the light stand, wherein the light assembly section is adapted to be connected to a power source and comprises a support having a support axis being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the light stand and being linearly displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the light stand; at least one light panel holder tiltably attached to the support, wherein the at least one light panel holder is tiltable between a stow position aligned essentially parallel to the support axis and a tilt position at an angle to the support axis; and a light panel removably connected to the light panel holder and tiltable relative to the support axis along with the light panel holder, the light panel containing a rechargeable battery and a light selectively electrically connectable to at least one of the power source and the rechargeable battery when the light panel is connected with the light panel holder and being powered by the rechargeable battery when the light panel is removed from the light panel holder. 
         [0006]    According to an embodiment, a portable light comprises a telescoping section having a lower telescoping member and an upper telescoping member, and a light assembly section comprising a tilting hinge disposed on the upper telescoping member; at least one light panel holder hingedly attached to the light panel hinge bracket, the at least one light panel holder having a back portion and a tray portion, the back portion having a tilt lock portion extending therefrom; a center lock member disposed on the light assembly section and movable along an axis of the light assembly section between an unlocked position and a locked position; wherein each of the at least one light panel holder is configured to tilt relative to the axis of the light assembly section; wherein the light assembly section is configured to tilt about an axis of the tilting hinge. 
         [0007]    According to an embodiment, a light stand comprises a telescoping section having a lower telescoping member and an upper telescoping member, and a light assembly section disposed on the upper telescoping member, wherein the light assembly section comprises an upper post extending upwardly therethrough; a hinge bracket; at least one light panel holder hingedly attached to the hinge bracket, the at least one light panel holder having a back portion and a bottom tray portion, the back portion having a tilt lock portion extending therefrom; a center lock member disposed on the upper post and movable along the upper post between an unlocked position and a locked position; wherein the at least one light panel holder is tiltable between a stow position and a tilt position relative to the hinge bracket; wherein in the locked position, the center lock member captures the tilt lock portion to fix the at least one light panel holder in the stow position. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, a light stand comprises a telescoping section having a lower telescoping member and an upper telescoping member. The light assembly section comprises a tilting hinge disposed on the upper telescoping member; an upper post extending upwardly from the tilting hinge; a light panel hinge bracket disposed on the tilting hinge; at least one light panel holder hingedly attached to the light panel hinge bracket, the at least one light panel holder having a back portion and a bottom tray portion, the back portion having a tilt lock portion extending therefrom; a center lock member disposed on the upper post and movable along the upper post between an unlocked position and a locked position; wherein each of the at least one light panel holder is configured to tilt relative to the light panel hinge bracket; wherein the light assembly section is configured to tilt about an axis of the tilting hinge 
         [0009]    Further aspects, objectives, and advantages, as well as the structure and function of embodiments, will become apparent from a consideration of the description, drawings, and examples. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a light stand; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly view of the light stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the light stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the light stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the light stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the light stand of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a light assembly section; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a light assembly section; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the light assembly section with light panels removed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the light assembly section with light panels removed; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a light holder; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a light holder; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a rear view of the removable light; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the removable light. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other equivalent parts can be employed and other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0026]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-14 , embodiments of a light stand are described. Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light stand  1  may generally comprise a stand section  11 , a telescoping section  21 , and a light assembly section  31  having at least one light panel  33 . In the position illustrated at  FIG. 1 , for example, the light stand  1  and each of the stand section  11 , the telescoping section  21 , and the light assembly section  31  has a substantially common longitudinal axis A. As illustrated at  FIG. 7 , for example, the support axis of the light assembly section  31  may be at an angle from the longitudinal axis A by the angle α. As shown at  FIGS. 1 and 3 , for example, the light stand  1  is movable between a stow-position, at  FIG. 1 , and a use-position, at  FIG. 3 . In the stow-position, the light stand  1  may generally form a cylindrical shape in order to store and transport the light stand  1 . In the use-position, the light stand  1  may be moved to various positions or configurations, as required for a particular lighting requirement. For example, the light stand  1  may be moved from a stow-position, to a variety of different use-positions, as described in more detail below. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the stand section  11  may comprise a base  51 , a lower holder  53 , an upper lock collar  55 , a plurality of legs  57 , and a center post  59 . According to an embodiment, the lower holder  53  may be fixedly attached directly on the base  51 . The center post  59  may be received into or through the lower holder  53 . According to different embodiments, the center post  59  may be either in direct contact with the base  51  or separated from the base  51  with a bottom section (not shown) of the lower holder  53 . The relative positions of the base  51 , lower holder  53 , and center post  59  may be generally fixed so as to provide a stable stand for the light stand  1 . 
         [0028]    According to an embodiment, an upper end of the center post  59  may be slidably received in the upper lock collar  55 . For example, in some embodiments, the center post  59  may be provided with a ridge  61  protruding away from the outer surface of the center post  59  extending along a longitudinal axis of the center post  59 , which is also the support axis by the angle α from the longitudinal axis A. The upper lock collar  55  may be similarly provided with a mating groove (not shown) in an inner surface of the upper lock collar  55 . In such an embodiment, the upper lock collar  55  may slide upwardly and downwardly along the longitudinal axis of the center post  59  such that the mating ridge  61  and groove prevent relative rotational movement of the upper lock collar  55  and center post  59 . It is also foreseen that the center post  59  may be provided with a groove and the upper lock collar  55  may be provided with a mating ridge, and that either only one or any plurality of mating ridges and grooves may be provided. 
         [0029]    The plurality of legs  57  may be hingedly attached to the upper lock collar  55 . For example, the upper lock collar  55  may be provided with a hinge  65  for each of the plurality of legs  57 . As illustrated at  FIG. 2 , each of the plurality of legs  57  may be provided with a hinge pin  67  in order to hingedly attach each of the plurality of legs  57  to each of the hinges  65 . It is foreseen that other types of hinges may be utilized with the present embodiment, such as, for example, a pivot hinge, a barrel hinge, a butt hinge, or other types of hinges as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the legs may be integrally formed with the upper lock collar with a relatively thin bending section therebetween provided for hingedly moving the legs relative to the upper lock collar. 
         [0030]    Each of the plurality of legs  57  further includes a leg rod  69  hingedly attached between each leg  57  and the lower holder  53 . For example, the leg rod  69  may include a hinging portion  71  at each end that inserts into leg rod receivers  73  of the leg  57  and lower holder  53 , respectively, allowing the leg rod  69  to hinge relative to both the leg  57  and lower holder  53 . The leg rod  69  may be attached at approximately a middle portion of the leg  57  and approximately at a lower portion of the lower holder  53 . However, the positions of attachment to the leg  57  and lower holder  53  may be adjusted depending on the leg position desired when the light stand  1  is placed in a use-position. 
         [0031]    In the stow-position, the leg rod  69  is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the light stand  1  allowing the stand section  11  to be in an approximately cylindrical shape. As illustrated at  FIG. 3 , when the light stand  1  is moved to a first use-position, the upper lock collar  55  slides along the center post  59  to a position relatively closer to the lower holder  53 . Accordingly, the leg rods  69  hinge with respect to the legs  57  and the lower holder  53 . According to an embodiment, the leg rod  69  provides support to fix the legs  57  at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the center post  59 . For example, the leg rod  69  provides structural support to the legs  57  to support a large weight of, for example, the light assembly section  31 . For example, as illustrated at  FIG. 3 , the light stand may be configured to a first use-position with the legs  57  extended from the stand. As shown in the figures, it is foreseen that three legs  57  may be provided to form a tripod-type stand. It is also foreseen that more than three legs  57  may be provided, such as, for example, four legs, five legs, or more. 
         [0032]    According to an embodiment, the stand section  11  may be further provided with a detent or stand lock  75  provided at the upper lock collar  55 . The stand lock  75  may be provided with a stand release shaft  77  provided through the upper lock collar  55  and into the center post  59 . According to an embodiment, for example, the center post  59  may be provided with a plurality of holes or grooves (not shown) for receiving the stand release shaft  77  therein, thus fixing the position of the upper lock collar  55  relative to the center post  59  in various positions between the stow-position and the use-position. Alternatively, the center post  59  may be provided with one hole to fix the upper lock collar  55  in the stow-position and another hole to fix the upper lock collar  55  in the use-position. The stand release shaft  77  may be actuated into or out of the center post  59  with a stand release shaft lever  79 . According to an embodiment, a spring may be provided in order to bias the stand release shaft  77  inwardly so that a user is required to use the stand release shaft lever  79  to move the stand release shaft  77  outwardly in order to move the light stand between the stow-position and the use position. 
         [0033]    According to an embodiment, a cover collar  83  may be provided on the upper lock collar  55  in order to cover at least a portion of the telescoping section  21 . For example, the cover collar  83  may, for example, protect a user from pinch hazards resulting from at least the covered portion of the telescoping section  21 . Additionally, the cover collar  83  may cover the control panel  85  provided at a top end of the center post  59  when the light stand  1  is in the stow-position. According to an embodiment, the cover collar  83  may directly contact and support the light assembly section  31  when in the stow-position. Further, the cover collar  83  may have at least one opening  87  in order to provide access to the telescoping section  21  or other controls when the light stand  1  is in the stow-position. 
         [0034]    According to an embodiment, in order to adjust the height of the light assembly section  31 , the telescoping section  21  is provided. Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the telescoping section  21  may generally comprise the center post  59 , a first telescoping shaft  101 , and a second telescoping shaft  103 . As explained above, the center post  59  is positioned relative to the upper lock collar  55  and, according to various embodiments, may be fixed at a position relative to the upper lock collar  55  using the stand lock  75 . The relative movement may be a telescoping movement of the center post  59  relative to the various portions of the stand section  11 . The first telescoping shaft  101  and/or second telescoping shaft  103  may additionally be provided for further height extension of the light assembly section  31 . According to an embodiment, the first and/or second telescoping shafts  101  and  103  may be considered an upper telescoping member, and the center post  59  may be considered a lower telescoping member. Alternatively, the first telescoping shaft  101  may be considered the lower telescoping member and the second telescoping shaft  103  may be considered the upper telescoping member. 
         [0035]    According to an embodiment, the first telescoping shaft  101  may be slidably received into the center post  59 . Accordingly, the first telescoping shaft  101  may have a smaller outer diameter than that of the center post  59 . For example, the first telescoping shaft  101  may be concentrically centered within the center post  59  and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the center post  59 . A telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be provided at the top end of the upper lock collar  55  or on the control panel  85 . For example, the control panel  85  may be fixed to and cover the top end of the upper lock collar  55 . The telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may receive the first telescoping shaft  101  therethrough. According to an embodiment, the telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be, for example, a buckle ring. The telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be configured to have a variable inner diameter. For example, in a first position, the telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may allow the first telescoping shaft  101  to move relative to the center post  59  in both a telescoping and rotational manner and, in a second position, the telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be tightened around the first telescoping shaft  101  to prevent movement in both a telescoping and rotational manner, by increased friction, of the first telescoping shaft  101  relative to the center post  59 . The telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be provided with a latch  107  in order to move the telescoping shaft lock collar  105  between the first position and the second position. It is foreseen that other devices may be utilized to fix the first telescoping shaft  101  in a position relative to the center post  59  such as, for example, a detent, a shaft inserted through the first telescoping shaft  101  and the center post  59 , and other means as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0036]    According to an embodiment, the second telescoping shaft  103  may optionally be provided. The second telescoping shaft  103  may have a smaller outer diameter than that of the telescoping shaft  101 . For example, the second telescoping shaft  103  may be concentrically centered within the first telescoping shaft  103  and slidable along the longitudinal axis of the first telescoping shaft  103 . Similar to the above, an additional telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be provided at the top end of the first telescoping shaft  101 . The additional telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may allow the second telescoping shaft  103  to move relative to the first telescoping shaft  101  and in a second position, the telescoping shaft lock collar  105  may be tightened around the second telescoping shaft  103  to prevent movement, by increased friction, of the second telescoping shaft  103  relative to the first telescoping shaft  101 . As explained above, it is foreseen that other devices may be utilized to fix the second telescoping shaft  103  in a position relative to the first telescoping shaft  101 . According to other embodiments, it is foreseen that any number of telescoping shafts may be similarly incorporated into the telescoping section  21  or, additionally, into the stand section  11  and/or light assembly section  31  of the light stand  1 . For example, the light stand with the telescoping shafts extended may be considered a second use-position. 
         [0037]    As described above, the inner receiving area of the center post  59 , the outer surface and inner receiving area of the first telescoping shaft  101 , and the outer surface of the second telescoping shaft  103  may be substantially circular so as to allow relative rotational movement thereof, when desired. However, according to other embodiments, the mating surfaces may be non-circular so as prevent relative rotational movement. For example, if relative rotational movement between the center post  59  and first telescoping shaft  101  is not desired, the inner receiving area of the center post  59  and the mating outer surface of the first telescoping shaft  101  may be square, or hexagonal, or another non-circular shape. Similarly, if relative rotational movement between the first telescoping shaft  101  and the second telescoping shaft  103  is not desired, the inner receiving area of the first telescoping shaft  101  and the mating outer surface of the second telescoping shaft  103  may be square, or hexagonal, or another non-circular shape. It is foreseen that only one or both or none of the center post  59 /first telescoping shaft  101  or first telescoping shaft  101 /second telescoping shaft  103  may allow rotational movement therebetween about the longitudinal axis A of the light stand  1 . For example, the rotational movement of the telescoping shafts may be considered another use-position. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 , the telescoping section  21  may further include a light assembly tilting hinge  109  at an upper end of the second telescoping shaft  103 . As illustrated at  FIG. 2 , the light assembly tilting hinge  109  may comprise a collar  111  disposed around the upper end of the second telescoping shaft and having two arms  113  extending therefrom. A portion of an upper shaft bracket  115  may be received between the two arms  113  and hingedly attached therein with a shaft  117  extending therethrough. The shaft  117  may be a bolt with a bolt head disposed at one end and a knob  119  disposed at another end. The knob  119  may tighten the arms  113  together against the portion of the upper shaft bracket  115  in order to provide a friction fit and fix the tilting angle of the light assembly section  31  attached thereto. According to other embodiments, only one arm  113  may be provided so that the knob  119  may tighten the one arm  113  against the portion of the upper shaft bracket  115  in order to provide a friction fit and fix the tilting angle of the light assembly section  31  attached thereto. 
         [0039]    The upper shaft bracket  115  may be provided with a transverse portion  121  and a longitudinal portion  123 . As explained above, the longitudinal portion  123  of the upper shaft bracket  115  may be received between the arms  113  of the tilting hinge  109 . According to a different embodiment, the length of the transverse portion  121  may extend approximately greater than or equal to half the radius of the light assembly section  31  in order to increase a tilting angle α relative to the longitudinal axis A, as illustrated at  FIG. 7 , for example. For example, the tilting angle α may range between 0° and 180° from the longitudinal axis of the light stand  1 . According to other embodiments, the tilting angle α may range between 0° and 170° or 0° and 135°, for example. The knob  119  may tighten the arms  113  together against the longitudinal portion  123  of the upper shaft bracket  115  to fix the tilting angle α at any angle in the range of angles. For example, the tilted position may be considered a fourth use-position. 
         [0040]    A hinge pin  125  may further be provided in order to fix the tilting angle at approximately 0°. For example, a first end of the hinge pin  125  may be hingedly connected to upper shaft bracket  115 . When the tilting angle is at approximately 0°, the hinge pin  125  may be inserted into a receiving portion of the tilting hinge  109 . Accordingly, in the stow-position, the light stand  1  may be transported without the light assembly section inadvertently tilting during transport. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  8 , and  9 , the light assembly section  31  may generally comprise a hinge bracket  151 , at least one light panel holder  153 , and a center lock assembly  155 . The hinge bracket  151  may include at least one hinge arm  157  having a hinge shaft  159  received therethrough for tilting the light panel holders relative to the longitudinal axis A and the axis or support axis, further defined by the angle α, of the light assembly section  31 . 
         [0042]    The light panel holder  153  may generally comprises a tray portion  161  and a back portion  163 . Hinge arms  165  may extend from a bottom surface of the tray portion  161 . The hinge arms  165  may receive the hinge arm  157  and hinge shaft  159  therethrough so as to hingedly attach the light panel holder  153  to the hinge bracket  151 . As illustrated at  FIG. 8 , for example, the light assembly section  31  may include three light panel holders  153 . The three light panel holders  153  may each face approximately 120° from each other in order to have approximately 360° of light coverage. According to other embodiments, the light assembly section  31  may be provided with two light panel holders or more than three light panel holders spaced at equal angles from each other. For example, four light panel holders may be provided each facing approximately 90° from each other. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , the back portion  163  of the light panel holder  153  may include an alignment member  165  extending outwardly therefrom. The back portion  163  may additionally include at least one additional alignment member  167  extending outwardly therefrom. Further, a tilt lock portion  169  may extend from the back portion  163  of the light panel holder  153 . A power source connector  171  may also be provided at the light panel holder. As explained in further detail, the alignment groove  165  and/or  167  may help to align the light panel  33  to be plugged into the power source  171 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  9 ,  10 , and  12 , an upper post  173  may extend upwardly from the upper shaft bracket  115  of the tilting hinge  109  and through the hinge bracket  151 . As shown at  FIG. 2 , a center lock bracket  175  may be provided on the end of the upper post  173 . A center lock member  177  having a handle  179  thereon is disposed over the center lock bracket  175 . The center lock bracket  175  is provided with a partially circumferential groove or protrusion  181  on the outer surface thereof. The center lock member  177  may be provided with a protrusion  183  extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof. The protrusion  183  of the center lock member  177  may interact with the groove or protrusion  181  of the center lock bracket  175  such that when the protrusion  183  is captured under the protrusion  181  to keep the center lock member  177  in a downward or locked position, as illustrated at  FIG. 9 . The center lock member  177  may be upwardly biased such as, for example, spring  185 . According to an embodiment, when the protrusion  183  is not captured under the protrusion  181 , the center lock member  177  is urged to an upward or unlocked position, as shown at  FIG. 10 . According to yet other embodiments, it is foreseen that the center lock member  177  may be moved between the downward and upward positions by other means as know by one of ordinary skill in the art such as, for example, threaded connections. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the light panel holder  153  may be tilted to an upright position, with the back portion  163  substantially parallel to the support axis defined by the angle α from the longitudinal axis A, such that the tilt lock portion  169  extending from the back portion  163  of the light panel holder  153  is within a circumference of the center lock member  177 . Referring now to  FIG. 9 , when the center lock member  177  is in the downward or locked position, the center lock member  177  may be disposed over the tilt lock portion  169  thus preventing the light panel holder  153  from tilting. Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the center lock member  177  may be moved or urged to the upward or unlocked position thus allowing the light panel holder  153  to be tilted. For example, as shown at  FIG. 12 , the tilted light panel holder  153  may be considered a fifth use position. According to other embodiments, it is foreseen, that the tilt lock portion  169  may extend from other portions of the light panel holder  153  such as, for example, rearwardly from a back surface of the back portion  163 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , each light panel  33  includes a front having at least one light  187  therein, and a back having at least one groove  189  and  191  therein corresponding to each of the alignment members  165  and  167  of the light panel holder  153 . The light panel  33  may further include a power connection  193  corresponding to the power source connection  171  of the light panel holder. According to an embodiment, the light panels  33  may further include a handle  195  extending therefrom. The light panel  33  may be removable from the light panel assembly  155 , as illustrated, for example, at  FIG. 9 . The light panel assembly  155  receives the light panel  33  therein such that the alignment members  165  and  167  of the light panel holder  153  are slidably received in the grooves  189  and  191  of the light panel  33 . When the light panel  33  is received in the light panel holder  153 , the power connection  193  of the light panel  33  may be electrically connected to the power source connection  171  by receiving the power source connection  171  therein. The mating connections between the grooves and the members, described above, may help to properly align the light panel  33  in the light panel assembly. 
         [0047]    The light panel  33  may be further provided with a latch  197  to latch the light panel  33  into the light panel holder  153 . The latch  197  may be provided at an upper end of the alignment groove  189 . For example, the latch  197  may be outwardly biased such that the latch  197  protrudes from the surface of the alignment groove  189 . The light panel receiver  153  may include a corresponding latch receiver  199  at an upper end of alignment member  165 , as shown at  FIG. 11 . When the light panel  33  is placed into and received by the light panel holder  153 , the latch  197  may be biased outwardly into the latch receiver  199  such that the light panel  33  is latched in place into the light panel holder  153 . In order to unlatch the light panel  33  from the light panel receiver  153 , the light panel  33  may be provided with a button  201 . The button  201  may be mechanically connected to the latch  197  such that when the button  201  is depressed, the latch  197  recedes to the surface of the alignment groove  189 . Accordingly, when the button  201  is depressed, the light panel  33  may be unlatched from the light panel holder  153  and the light panel  33  may be removed. According to other embodiments, other latch mechanisms may be used. For example, the latch may be electrically actuated or may be an electromagnetic latch. 
         [0048]    According to an aspect of an embodiment, the tilting of the light panel holder  153  may be fixed by the center lock member  177 , as explained above, independent of the latching of the light panel  33  in the light panel holder  153 . For example, the light panel holder  153  may tilt while the light panel  33  is latched in the light panel holder  153 . Alternatively, the light panel holder  153  may be fixed by the center lock member  177  while a user may unlatch and remove the light panel  33  from the light panel holder  153 . 
         [0049]    Thus, a light stand  1  is described that is adjustable on multiple axes. For example, the height and the rotation of the light assembly section  31  may be adjusted with the telescoping section  121 , as described above. Further, a tilting angle of the entire light assembly section  31  may be adjusted. Still further, a tilting angle of each light panel  33  may be adjusted independent from the tilting angle of the entire light assembly section  31 . Accordingly, the light stand may be configured to be a variety of different use-positions and various combinations thereof. 
         [0050]    Various embodiments of an electrical circuit  200  may be used in combination with the embodiments described herein and illustrated at  FIGS. 15-19 . The electrical circuit  200  may be contained within each light panel  33  or within the light assembly section  31  or within both of the light panels  33  and light assembly section  31 . In order to provide power to the light stand  1 , the light stand  1  may include an electrical connection, such as via electrical cord  202  illustrated at  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to an alternating current (AC) external power supply  211 . The light stand may further include an AC-DC adapter  188  in a portion  204  of the light stand  1  in order to provide direct current power to the electrical circuit. Alternatively, an external battery (not shown) may be the external power source or an internal battery  186  external to the light panel  33  but otherwise contained within the light stand  1 , for example, within lower holder  53 , center post  59 , or upper lock collar  55 , may be used, as illustrated, at  FIG. 2 . The internal battery  186  may be further provided with a charging circuit  205 , as described below. 
         [0051]    Each light panel  33  may be provided with a light  187 , a battery  207 , with a circuit to supply a driving current to the light  187 . According to an embodiment, the light  187  may be a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, a halogen light, or any type of light as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is foreseen that only one light or any plurality of lights may be provided in each light panel  33 . Each light panel  33  may be further provided with a power switch  203  to actuate power to the light  187 . For example, when the electrical power circuit is not connected to the external power source or when the light panel  33  is removed from the light panel holder, the power switch is configured to provide power from the battery  207  internal to each light panel  33  in order to actuate the light  187  in the light panel  33  between the OFF and ON position 
         [0052]    The circuit may be configured to power the circuit of the light panel  33  when the power connection  193  of the light panel  33  is electrically connected with the power source connection  171  of the light panel holder  153 . As described above, such an electrical connection may be provided when the light panel  33  is received in the light panel holder  153 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 15 , when the circuit of the light panel is powered by the external power source, the circuit may be configured to charge the battery  207  of the light panel  33  with a charging circuit  205 . Accordingly, when the light panel  33  is removed from the light panel holder  153 , the circuit may be powered from the light panel internal battery  207  in order to provide the driving current to the light  187 . When the light panel  33  is received in the light panel holder  153  and an electrical connection is established, the circuit may provide power to charge the battery  207  of the light panel  33  while simultaneously drawing power from the battery  207  in order to provide the driving current to the light  187 , as illustrated at  FIG. 15 . In such an embodiment, the driving current provided to the light  187  is provided through the circuit from only the battery  207 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , the embodiment of  FIG. 15  may be modified to include the central battery  186  with a charging circuit  205 . As explained above, the central battery  186  and charging circuit  205  may be contained within the stand section  11  or telescoping section  21  of the light stand  1 . A switch  209  located on the light stand  1  may be further included to switch power ON or OFF from the central battery  186  or external power supply. 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , when the light panel  33  is received in the light panel holder  153  and an electrical connection is established, the circuit may provide power to charge the battery  207  of the light panel  33  and provide the driving current to the light  187  directly from the external power supply. In such an embodiment, the battery  207  is not used to provide the driving current to the light  187  when the light panel  33  is received in the light panel holder  153  and an electrical connection is established. When the light panel  33  is removed from the light panel holder  153 , the circuit may switch the power source providing driving current to the light  187  from the external power source to the battery  207  internal to the light panel  33 . Similarly, when the light panel  33  is placed in the light panel holder  153 , the circuit may switch the power source providing driving current to the light  187  from the battery  207  internal to the light panel  33  to the external power source. 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the control panel  85  located in or on a portion  204  of the light stand  1  may be used to switch power one or more switches  209  from the external power source to a light panel  33  or to any of a plurality of light panels  33 . When the switch  209  is switched to provide power to any one of the light panels  33 , the circuit may be provided as described above. Accordingly to an embodiment, the control panel  85  may be a master switch  209  to switch power on/off to the light assembly section  31 . Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a plurality of switches  209  may be located remotely from the light stand  1  and may be provided to switch power to each of the plurality of light panels  33  independently. Alternatively, the plurality of switches  209  may be located in or on a portion  204  of the light stand  1 . For example, the switches  209  may be configured to provide a driving current to the lights  187 . Alternatively, each of the switches  209  may be provided in series with the charging circuits  205 . 
         [0057]    According to another embodiment, the control panel  85  may be further provided with a central battery  186  such as the battery provided external to the light panel  33  but otherwise contained within the light stand  1 . The central battery  186 , or battery located centrally with the light stand  1 , may provide power to the circuit described above. The central battery may further include a charging circuit  205  connected to the external power source such as through adapter  188 . 
         [0058]    The various electrical connections may be provided with electrical cables or wiring provided through the base  51 , the center post  59 , and the first and second telescoping shafts  101  and  102  to provide power from the external power source to the light assembly section  31  and light panel holders  153 . As shown at  FIG. 7 , for example, the cables or wiring may be provided through a center cavity of the light stand  1 . As described above, the electrical cables or wiring may be used to connect the external power source to the control panel  85  and to the power source connection  171 . 
         [0059]    The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified or varied, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.