Abstract:
A portable lighting system having an elongated support member, retractable legs, retractable light assemblies, and multiple mounting members that slidably move along the support member to cause the legs and light assemblies to move from a retractable position to an extended and support position and back.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed toward a portable lighting system and particularly to a lighting system that is retractable. 
     Lighting systems are known in the art and those that are used for traffic situations such as accidents, road side service, and construction typically are large, complex, expensive, and difficult to transport. Because of this, rarely is a lighting system available for a first responder to an accident or service call. As a result, this creates safety issues for the first responder as well as leads to potential traffic congestion. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a lighting system that addresses these needs. 
     Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a lighting system that is portable and easy to transport. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a lighting system that is retractable. 
     A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a lighting system that is easy to set up. 
     These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable lighting system having an elongated support member with retractable legs at one end and a control box at the opposite end. Pivotally connected to the control box is at least one light assembly. A first and a second mounting member are slidably mounted to the support member. The first mounting member is connected to the legs such that as the mounting member moves along the support member the legs move from a retractable position to a support position and back. The second mounting member is connected to the light assembly(s) such that as the second mounting member moves along the support member, the light assembly moves from a retracted position to an extended position and back. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a lighting system; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a lighting system; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a mounting member; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mounting member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, a portable light system  10  has a plurality of leg members  12  that are pivotally connected to a support member  14 . Preferably, the support member  14  is comprised of three sections that fit within one another. In its original retracted position the length of the support member is 48 inches and in its fully expanded position will be 60 inches. Slidably mounted to the support member  14  is a first mounting member  16 . Mounting member  16  has a plurality of flanges  18  that extend outwardly with each flange  18  having an opening  20 . Mounting member  16  also has a pull pin mount  22  and opening  24  that aligns with openings  26  on the support member  14  to receive a pull pin  28 . 
     Pivotally connected to the flanges  18  at one end are a plurality of guide bars  30 . The guide bars  30  are pivotally connected to the leg members  12  at the opposite end. 
     Attached to the opposite end of the support member  14  is a control box  32  that has a switch  34  electrically connected to a circuit board  36  which is connected to a power source such as a battery  38 . Slidably mounted between the control box  32  and the first mounting member  16  is a second mounting member  40 . The second mounting member  40  has a pair of bushing braces  42  and a pull pin mount  44 . The pull pin mount  44  is aligned with an opening  46  in mounting member  40  that aligns with openings  26  on the support bar  14  to receive a pull pin  28 . Also attached to mounting member  40  is a handle  48 . 
     Pivotally connected to the control box  32  is a plurality of light assemblies  50 . The light assemblies  50 , which are electrically connected to the circuit board  36 , have an elongated partial housing  52  and a plurality of lights  54  dispersed along housing  52 . Pivotally connected to the light assemblies  50 , are a plurality of spreader bars  56  which are pivotally connected to the bushing braces  42  at an opposite end. 
     When in a retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , first mounting member  16  and second mounting member  40  are positioned close to one another along support member  14 . As such leg members  12  and light assemblies  50  are retracted to a position generally parallel with and between the ends of the support member  14 . 
     To move to a working upright position, pull pin  18  is removed from openings  24  and  26  and mounting member  16  is slid along support member  14  away from mounting member  40  toward the end of the support member  14 . As mounting member  16  is moved the guide bars  30  pivot in relation to flanges  18  causing the leg members to move downwardly and outwardly in relation to the support member  14  until the legs are in a support position. Once in a support position, pull pin  28  is inserted through openings  24  and  26  to lock the legs in a support position. 
     Next, pull pin  28  on the second mounting member  40  is removed from openings  46  and  26  so that, using handle  48 , the second mounting member  40  is slid along support member  14  away from support member  16  toward control box  32 . As mounting member  40  is moved, spreader bars  56  pivot in relation to braces  42  causing the light assemblies  50  to move upwardly and outwardly to an extended position. Once in an extended position, the pull pin  28  is inserted through openings  46  and  26  to lock the light assemblies in an extended position. Once locked, switch  34  is activated which activates the lights and desired pattern as determined by the circuit board  36 . 
     Accordingly, a portable light system has been disclosed that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.