Abstract:
A collapsible lighting device has a main body surrounded by a collar whose position is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the main body. Pivotally connected or hinged legs are attached to the collar and to the main body with struts. When the collar is on one position, the legs deploy outward from the main body to the extent permitted by the struts, thereby allowing the legs to support the collapsible lighting device upright. A lamp head is attached to a member which telescope from the main body. When deployed, the lamp head can be switched on to provide illumination. When the collar is another position, the legs are drawn in toward the main body to form a cylindrical shape. The lam head can be positioned so that when the telescoping member is retracted into the main body, the collar surrounds the exterior of the lamp head, thus protecting the lamp head for transport. The overall cylindrical shape of the lighting device in the collapsed position facilitates transport, for example using a strap to carry the device on one&#39;s back.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The Invention relates to collapsible structures, in particular a collapsible lighting device which can be transported to provide lighting in areas where flashlights are unsatisfactory. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Flashlights have been used extensively in areas where lighting is not available. In many circumstances, however, flashlights are inadequate because they fail to provide adequate lighting to accommodate the needs of workers, campers, or persons engaged in other activities. Portable lights which stand alone provide necessary levels of light while leaving workers and other individuals free hands to perform tasks and conduct other activities. Portable lights, however, tend to be bulky and large and inconvenient to carry. The invention disclosed herein provides a collapsible light in a form factor which is portable and easy to carry to provide light for many applications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a collapsible light according to the invention in a collapsed position for transport; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a collapsible light in a collapsed position as it might be carried on a back of a person; 
         FIG. 3  shows a collapsible light according to the invention in a fully deployed position; 
         FIG. 4  shows a strut in an assembly for use in a collapsible light according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a portion of a collar assembly in a collapsible light according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the elements of the light according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a transparent view of a light according to the invention in the collapsed position to illustrate its internal configuration; 
         FIG. 8  shows a bottom perspective view of a light according to the invention in a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 9  shows the collar, base and legs of an assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a light according to the invention in a collapsed position; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates the position of a multifunction power switch in a light according to the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a lamp head in a light according to the invention from a front perspective position; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a lamp head in a light according to the invention from a rear perspective position. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a latching mechanism for use in a collapsible structure according to the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an electrical schematic of a collapsible light according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a collapsible light  101  according to the invention in a substantially cylindrical form factor, resembling a bazooka, for easy transport. Collapsible light  101  has attached to it a carrying strap,  103 , to facilitate carrying the bazooka shaped collapsible light on one&#39;s back, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  further shows securing strap  105 . Securing strap  105  can be used as one way to secure the legs, as discussed further herein, to form an exterior portion of the cylindrical shape in the collapsed position. Other means for securing the legs in the collapsed position can also be used.  FIG. 1  further illustrates lamp head  107 , which has sockets therein for illuminating elements. As shown in  FIG. 1 , lamp head  107  is tucked into a collar  109  to protect the lamp head when the light is in the collapsed position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a collapsible light according to the invention in the deployed position. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the structure of a collapsible light according to the invention includes a main body  301  which mounts on top of a lower body serving as a battery compartment  303  to form a substantially cylindrical shape. The main body and battery compartment can be formed separately or as an integrated unit. Other shapes, such as triangular, square, oval and rectangular, may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     The invention also is not limited to any particular battery type. For example, the battery can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. Battery charging circuitry and a suitable plug to an external power source may be incorporated into the lower body battery compartment  303 , or elsewhere in the light, as may be convenient. It is within the scope of the invention to provide illumination using an AC power source and/or one or more transformers. 
     The interior of main body  301  can house electrical cables, such as a coiled electrical cable (not shown), to deliver electrical power to one or more illuminating elements, such as light emitting diodes, in the lamp head  107 . Other types of illuminating elements, such as incandescent, halogen or fluorescent light elements, may be used in lamp head  107 , without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. As discussed further herein, the main body  301  also accommodates one or more telescoping members, which allow the lamp head  107  of the collapsible light according to the invention to be set at different heights to provide light over different size areas. 
     The main body  301  is surrounded by collar  109 . In the exemplary configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , collar  109  is a two part hollow cylindrical member, including upper collar portion  305  and lower collar portion  307 . The upper and lower collar portions,  305  and  307 , may be formed separately and connected together or may be formed as an integrated unit. Upper collar portion  305  has a wider outer diameter than lower collar portion  307 . 
     One or more legs  309  are pivotally attached or hinged to lower collar portion  307  at pivot points  311 . The legs preferably have a curved shape, such that when the portable light according to the invention is in the collapsed position, the legs form a cylindrical exterior surface which approximates the exterior surface of the upper collar portion  305 . 
     Optional metal prongs  312  on the interior surface of legs  309  exert a spring force biasing legs  309  outward from the lower collar portion  307  into the deployed position. Struts  310  control the outward extension of legs  309 . Struts  310  are pivotally connected to the lower portion of the central section of the collapsible light, for example to battery compartment  303 , and pivotally connected to the interior portion of legs  309 . Struts  310  act to control the legs as they deploy away from the outer surface of the lower collar portion  307 , limit the distance the legs  309  deploy and provide stability when the legs  309  are fully deployed. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that struts  310  could be connected at different locations on the interior surface of the legs and on the central section of the collapsible light to achieve different relationships between the legs  309  and the central section of the collapsible light as desired. For example, the struts  310  could be positioned and sized such that the base  313  touches the ground or other surface beneath the base when the collapsible light is deployed. Alternatively, struts  310  could be positioned and sized to insure that the base  313  does not touch the ground or other surface beneath the base when the collapsible light according to the invention is deployed. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one possible configuration of strut  310 . The strut has a central member  401  extending between a first strut leg  403  which pivotally engages a leg  309  and a second strut leg which pivotally engages the battery compartment  303 . Other strut configuration may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     When the legs  309  are collapsed, the exterior surface of each leg is substantially aligned with the exterior surface of lower collar portion  307 , thereby forming a substantially cylindrical shape covering the main body  301  and battery compartment  303 . Base  313  encloses battery compartment  303  forming a battery compartment lid at its bottom portion. As shown in  FIG. 3 , base  303  has an outer diameter which approximates the outer diameter of the upper collar portion  305 . In one exemplary configuration, a lip  315  formed by the exterior of the battery compartment  303  and base  313  can be entirely recessed or recessed in one or more locations so that when legs  309  are collapsed, they can be held in place by the recesses. As noted above, however, an alternative is to hold legs  309  closed with a strap  105 . 
     In operation, collar  109  and main body  301  move relative to each other, so that the light can be deployed or placed in the collapsed position. Collar  109  has hand grips  320 , which are openings in the upper collar portion  305 . These opening serve as hand grips for use in collapsing the light. When the collapsible light is deployed and the collar  109  is lifted using hand grips  320 , legs  309  lift from the surface on which they sit and move toward the battery compartment. This movement of the legs  309  toward the battery compartment drives the collar  109  upward relative to the main body  301 . When the portable light is deployed from the closed position, collar  109  moves downward relative to the main body, as the legs  309  move away from the battery compartment  303 . 
     In order to facilitate and control the movement between the main body  301  and the collar  109 , main body  301  has slots  317  on its exterior surface  319 . Slots  317  can be formed either as indentations in the exterior surface of the main body  301  or parallel protrusions from the exterior surface  319 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one part of collar  109 , such as lower collar portion  307 , has on its interior one or more guides  501 . Guides  501  engage slots  317  in main body  301  and slide therein.  FIG. 5  also shows lower collar portion  307  having one or more other interior members  503  on its inner surface. Interior members  503  provide added strength to the collar portion. In addition, because interior members  503  extend inward toward the main body  301 , interior members  503  help to control lateral movement or wobbling between the main body  301  and the collar  109 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the elements of the exemplary embodiment of a collapsible light according to the invention as discussed herein.  FIG. 6  illustrates how the various elements previously discussed fit together. In addition,  FIG. 6  illustrates a battery pack  601  for insertion into battery compartment  303 .  FIG. 6  also shows top cap  603  which mounts into the upper portion of main housing  301 . Top cap  603  includes power switch  605 . Power switch  605  can be a on-off switch or can be configured to cause lamp head  107  to emit multiple levels of illumination, for example, dim, medium and bright. Switch  605  can also be configured to turn on illuminating elements in the lamp head  107  in a desired sequence. Switch  605  can also be continuously variable, so that the light can be dimmed. The switch can be any type suitable for turning on one or more lights, for example a rotary switch, without departing form the scope of the invention. 
     Preferably, top cap  603  and base  313  along with main body  301  and battery compartment  303  form a watertight enclosure which protects the elements within the main body, particularly during transport. The elements within this watertight enclosure include the battery, electrical circuits and switches, cables supplying electrical power to the lamp head and telescoping poles to which adjust the height of the lamp head. Such a watertight enclosure also helps facilitate flotation of the collapsible light according to the invention, should it fall into a liquid. 
     Top cap  603  has opening  607  which accommodates one or more telescoping tubes.  FIG. 6  shows a fixed tube  609  with cam lock  610  and a telescoping tube  611  which fits within fixed tube  609 . The cam lock  610  can be used to set the height of telescoping tube  611  to any desired position within the range of the length of the tubes. More than one telescoping tube and cam lock can be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Electrical power to the lamp head is typically delivered through a coiled cable (not shown) which fits within the tubes and extends to a length appropriate to size and number of telescoping tubes. 
       FIG. 7  is a transparent view of the portable light according to the invention, which illustrate the components of the portable light in the collapsed position for transport.  FIG. 7  also illustrate an optional protective feature which can be provided by collar  109 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , collar  109  and lamp head  107  are sized such that when the unit is collapsed and the telescoping members are retracted into each other, lamp head  107  fits within collar  109 . Thus, when sized this way collar  109  protects lamp head  107  from damage during transport. As noted, however, this feature is optional and lamp head  107  can be of any desired size.  FIG. 7  illustrates still another feature of a portable lamp according to the invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a portable light according to the invention can be scalloped in at least one area  701  to facilitate carrying the unit on one&#39;s back, for example using should strap  103  as previously disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a portable light according to the invention in a closed position.  FIG. 8  illustrates base  313 , which forms a battery compartment lid, with a rim  801  to protect the battery compartment  303 . The battery compartment lid provides access to change the batteries which power the lamp head. Connections between the battery and the cable to the lamp head (not shown) are internal to the battery compartment. The battery compartment can also have a charging socket  803 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Charging circuitry is internal to the battery compartment and is not shown. 
       FIG. 9  is a more detailed illustration of the pivot connection between lower collar portion  307  and legs  309 . As noted previously, a metal prong can be used to bias the legs outward toward the deployed position.  FIG. 9  shows another arrangement in which latch  901  is used to lock legs  309  into the deployed position. 
     The side view in  FIG. 10  illustrates another approach to locking in the closed position. In  FIG. 10  latch  1001  is used to latch the collar  109  to the legs  309  to maintain the collapsed position.  FIG. 10  also illustrates the cylindrical shape, resembling that of a bazooka, of the portable light  101  according to the invention when in the collapsed position. 
       FIG. 11  is a more detailed illustration of switch  605  as located in main body top cap  603 . Switch  605  can be equipped with a backlight, such as an LED, or other indicator to provide an indication of the current charge level. 
       FIG. 12  shows the lamp head  107  from the front, or illuminating side, as connected to an end of the telescoping pole  611 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , lamp head  107  is connected to the telescoping pole using a connector  1201  which can pivot and/or rotate within the telescoping tube  611  to provide a wide range of motion.  FIG. 12  also shows light emitting diodes  1203  in the lamp head, which illuminate to provide light. One or more other types of illuminating members could also be used. For example, the light emitting diodes could be replaced with or used in conjunction with halogen bulb, fluorescent bulb and/or incandescent bulbs. Any desired combination of such illuminating elements could be controlled by switch  605  to illuminate in any desired sequence, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 13  shows lamp head  107  connected to telescoping tube  611  from the rear of the lamp head. As shown in  FIG. 13 , when pivoting connector  1201  is an offset hinge. Offset hinge  1202  includes a member  1301  which connects at a first end to the telescoping tube  611 . Member  1301  can be arranged to rotate within tube  611 , thereby allowing lamp head to be placed anywhere in a  360  range to direct light as desired. A second end of member  1301  pivotally connects to member  1302 , which is connected to lamp head  107 . By pivoting second member  1302  about point  1303 , light from lamp head  107  can be directed vertically as desired. As shown, offset hinge  1201  permits about 135 degrees of movement of lamp head  107 . Other arrangements which permit a wider or smaller range of motion may also be used. When the portable light according to the invention is to be placed in the collapsed position, lamp  107  is pulled toward the telescoping tube  611 , such that member  1302  pivots about point  1303  to collapse member  1302  toward member  1301 . When member  1302  is collapsed on member  1301 , lamp  107  is positioned so that the illuminating elements therein face upward vertically. In this way, when the telescoping pole is lowered into the main body, the lamp head can be recessed into collar  109 , so that collar  109  protects the lamp head. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when deployed, the connection between the lamp head and the main body provides a wide range of motion, allowing the lamp head to be rotated to direct the light in a preferred direction and to be pointed upward or downward at an angle limited only by the physical dimensions of the lamp head and the connector. It will also be recognized that more than one pivoting connector can be used to direct light in any desired direction. 
       FIG. 14  shows a detail of a latch mechanism that can be used in a collapsible structure according to the invention.  FIG. 14  shows main body  301  and leg  309  in the collapsed position. To deploy, one lifts the flexible latch  1401  located on battery compartment  303 . Leg  309  deploys outward from the main body  301  until member  1402  aligns with groove. Lifting latch  1401  to disengage member  1402  from groove  1403  allows the structure to return to the collapsed position. In this position, hoop  1405  on the inside of the leg engages with a corresponding fork  1406 , thereby eliminating the need for a leg strap to hold the legs in collapsed position. 
       FIG. 15  is an electrical schematic of a collapsible light according to the invention. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the circuits implement the features previously discussed herein. Microcontroller  1501 , such as MSP430F2002IPW, provides general control and operation to control LED drivers  1503 ,  1505 ,  1507  and  1509 , for example, CAT  4101 . These regulate the current to (drive) LEDs  1510  and  1512 ,  1514  and  1516 . LEDS  1510 ,  1512 ,  1514  and  1516  receive power from fuse/resistor circuits  1502 ,  1504 ,  1506  and  1508 . Voltage regulator  1511  provides voltage regulation from battery  1513 . Battery  1513  may be recharged through charging connector  1515  and charging circuit  1519 . Microcontroller  1501  is programmed to perform its functions through programming connector  1517 . 
     The above description for a portable light is illustrative, as the structure of the invention may be used in conjunction with other devices. It will be recognized that the light may be replaced by other operational units performing other functions. For example, the light may be replaced by a speaker to broadcast sound, a device which provides heat, a fan, a sensor to measure contaminants or air quality or any other number of devices. Indeed, the device connected to the telescoping member need not be powered. For example, the light in the description above may be replaced by a reflector or a solar powered device which generates its own power. In the case of an device which does not require power, the battery compartment can remain empty. In still another application, the device connected to the end of the telescoping member may be one which generates electrical power, such as a windmill or solar collector. In that case, the battery compartment discussed above may be used to house energy storage devices.