Abstract:
Representative embodiments of systems and methods for mounting a tubular or linear illumination device include a substantially planar mounting platform and one or more rings disposed on the mounting platform for grippably receiving the illumination device and enabling rotation of the illumination device therewithin.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of, and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/537,659, which was filed on Sep. 22, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate, in general, to mounts for light sources, in particular mounts that may be reversibly affixed to planar surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Linear illumination devices (i.e., those having one dimension much larger than another perpendicular dimension or having an aspect ratio &gt;&gt;1), e.g., “work lights” are widely utilized for a variety of lighting applications. These lights may incorporate incandescent lights, fluorescent tube lights, or even light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Due to the ubiquitous nature of their use, linear illumination devices typically serve as portable lights, which can be manually attached and removed from various workspaces. 
         [0004]    Conventional linear illumination devices have simple mechanical mounts that are easily attached and detached to an area including the desired workspace and allow emitted light to be broadly cast thereover. The mount, for example, depicted in  FIG. 1A  may be a simple hook  110  integrated with an illumination device  112  (e.g., LED light) to allow the light to be hung over various desired workspaces. The simple hook  110 , however, does not enable precise positioning of the light source  112  or aiming of the emitted light toward a specific target area. Additionally, since the hook  110  is permanently mounted to the illumination device  112 , the useful lifetime of the hook  110  is determined by the relatively shorter lifetime of the light source. Furthermore, the ends  114 ,  116  of the illumination device  112  are usually opaque due to engagement with the hook; this results in no illumination being provided by either end of the device  112 . Finally, in certain environments, there may be no suitable support provided at the workspace for hanging the hook  110 . 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , another strategy for mounting the illumination devices  112  utilizes a pair of magnetic base members  120  for supporting the light source  122  on a surface  122  that is magnetized. Two arcuate arms  124  extending from the base members  120  are pivoted relative to the base members  120  in order to position the light source  122  at a desired location in a work area. Such arcuate arms  124 , however, are bulky and significantly increase the required installation space, thereby limiting the application thereof. 
         [0006]    Consequently, there is a need for an improved mounting system that is compact, easily attached and detached from a work site and detachable from the light source, and capable of accommodating a variety of surfaces and positions. In addition, it is desirable for the mounting system to be rotatable in order to enable precise aiming of the emitted light, and to be capable of securely and adjustably accommodating a variety of light sources. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods that mount linear and/or tubular illumination devices to various work areas utilizing a substantially planar mounting platform and a ring retention member disposed on the mounting platform for gripping the illumination devices. The mounting system significantly reduces the space consumed by the mounting system compared with conventional mounting approaches. In addition, the mounting system may be easily detached from the illumination device; this allows replacement of the illumination device upon failure thereof. In some embodiments, the ring member disposed on the mounting platform is rotatable in relation to the mounting platform; the direction of light emitted from the illumination devices is thus easily adjustable for precise aim at a desired location. In one embodiment, the ring member includes a split or gap to accommodate various sizes (e.g., diameters) of light sources. The mounting platform may include a mechanism for adjusting the length thereof to accommodate light sources having various lengths. In addition, the mounting system may include a ball-and-spring mechanism that engages securing features (e.g., grooves) of the illumination devices to secure the support therefor. In some embodiments, the mounting system incorporates an attachment mechanism (e.g., a magnet and/or an adhesive) to facilitate releasable attachment to various work sites. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention pertains to a mount for a tubular or linear illumination device. In various embodiments, the mount includes a mounting platform and one or more rings disposed on the mounting platform for grippably receiving the illumination device and enabling rotation of the illumination device therewithin. The mount may include two rings located at opposed ends of the platform. Additionally, the mount may include a biasing member protruding within the ring for securing the illumination device therewithin. The biasing member may engage with one or more grooves in the illumination device. In one embodiment, the biasing member is a ball-and-spring mechanism. 
         [0009]    In various embodiment, the ring is rotatable in relation to the mounting platform. For example, the ring may be circular. In one implementation, the ring includes a split therein. An inner surface of the ring may be roughened or textured to increase friction for gripping the illumination device. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the mounting platform includes an attachment mechanism for attaching the mounting platform to a surface. The attachment mechanism may include or consist of a magnet and/or an adhesive. A surface of the attachment mechanism may be substantially coplanar with a surface of the mounting platform. In various embodiments, the width of the mounting platform is larger than the lateral dimension of the ring. In addition, the mounting platform may have an adjustable length. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of mounting a tubular or linear illumination device. In various embodiments, the method includes providing a mounting platform including one or more retention rings thereon, grippably receiving the illumination device within the ring, and rotating the illumination device within the ring and relative to the mounting platform to aim illumination from the illumination device. The ring may have a roughened or textured inner surface. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the method includes attaching the mounting platform to a surface in a work site. Additionally, the method may include securing the illumination device within the ring using a biasing mechanism. In one embodiment, the method includes adjusting a length of the mounting platform to accommodate a length of the illumination device. In another embodiment, the method includes adjusting the lateral dimension of the ring to accommodate the illumination device. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the term “substantially” means ±10°, and in some embodiments, ±5°. Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present technology. Thus, the occurrences of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, routines, steps, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples of the technology. The headings provided herein are for convenience only and are not intended to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed technology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with an emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate conventional approaches for mounting an illumination device to a desired workspace in prior-art configurations; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mounting system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view depicting a mechanism of adjusting a length of a mounting platform in a mounting system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are elevations depicting rings of a mounting system incorporating features for gripping the illumination sources in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Refer first to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a mounting system  100  having a substantially planar mounting surface (or mounting platform)  110  and one or more ring retention members  120  for holding a linear and/or tubular illumination device  130 ; the illustrated embodiment has two retention members  120 . The entire mounting system  100  may be mounted to various workspaces via the mounting platform  110 . The linear and/or tubular light source  130  is received through the ring members  120  and may then be rotated such that at least a desired portion of the light emitted therefrom is aimed in a desired direction. In various embodiments, the mounting platform  110  incorporates a mounting mechanism  140 , such as a magnetic strip and/or a reversible adhesive, for attaching the entire mounting system  100  to any of a variety of different surfaces located at the work area. The magnetic strip and/or adhesive may be recessed such that the surface of mounting platform  110  remains uniformly planar. In one embodiment, the mounting platform  110  is formed from a suitable rigid material (e.g., metal and/or plastic) to increase the rigidity and stability of holding the light sources  130 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in various embodiments, the length L 1  of the mounting platform  310  is adjustable to accommodate various lengths of the light sources  130 . For example, the platform  310  may be configured as a tubular structure having a rectangular cross-section  320 . A first portion  330  of the mounting platform is slidably engaged within a second portion  340  in a telescoping configuration. The entire length L 1  of the mounting platform  310  may be adjusted by expanding or contracting the internal length L 3  of the first portion  330  that is sleeved within the second portion  340 . When a desired length is reached, the relative position of the first portion  330  within the second portion  340  may be fixed using, for example, a compression spring  350  and/or a releasable latch  360 . In one embodiment, the entire length L 1  of the mounting platform  110  is equal to or shorter than the length L 2  of the light source  130  such that the light source  130  are securely retained by the mounting system  100 . Additionally, because the ends of the light source  130  remain uncovered when secured within the mounting system  100 , illumination from either end thereof may be provided. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the mounting system  100  may include one or more curved members (e.g., substantially circular or elliptical rings  400 , two of which are shown in  FIG. 4 ) to grip the linear or tubular illumination device  130 . In one embodiment, the ring(s)  400  are attached to the planar mounting platform  110  reversibly or irreversibly. If, for example, the ring  400  and the planar mounting platform  110  are reversibly attachable, a broken component may be easily replaced without discarding the entire mounting system  100 . In another embodiment, the rings  400  and the mounting platform  110  are a solid integral unit formed by, e.g., injection molding or soldering. The rings  400  may be substantially circular to enable rotation of the illumination device  130  therewithin so that the illumination device  130  can be aimed. In one embodiment, the rings themselves rotate relative to the mounting platform  110 . For example, the platform  110  may include a pair of raised guides having opposed walls rising from the platform surface and including aligned slots therethrough; the rings pass through the slots, which are spaced apart by a distance that permits the round rings to slide through the linear space they define between them with enough friction to retain the rings but not so much as to prevent their convenient rotation by a user. The rings  400  may be made of substantially rigid or slightly flexible material, such as plastic, metal, and/or another suitable material; in the case of rotatable rings, the rings may be slightly deformable to facilitate their convenient rotation through the slots, and when released, the rings resume their natural curvature that retains them within the linear guides. 
         [0022]    The rings  400  may include various features to accommodate variously sized illumination devices  130  securely but without damage thereto. With reference to  FIG. 4A , the rings  400  may feature a split or gap  410  to accommodate illumination devices  130  of various sizes (e.g., different widths or diameters). The split or gap  410  widens as necessary to accommodate the illumination device  130  and the ring  400  thereby acts as a spring, retaining the illumination device  130  therewithin. Conversely, the ring  400  may be compressed to wrap firmly around an illumination device  130  that has a width or diameter smaller than the corresponding lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the ring  400 ; in this case the split  410  enables the opposed ring portions to overlap. In some embodiments, split rings are made of materials (e.g., metal) that can both expand (widen) in a biased manner but also retain a compressed configuration without failure. In various embodiments, the width of the mounting platform is larger than the corresponding lateral dimension (e.g., diameter) of the rings in order to provide stability when mounted on uneven and/or slanted surfaces. 
         [0023]    The rings  400  may grip the illumination sources  130  predominantly via the friction between the illumination source  130  and the inner surfaces of the rings  140 . In one embodiment, the inner surfaces of the rings  140  are roughened or textured in order to increase the static friction. In various embodiments, the rings  400  incorporate another mechanism (preferably adjustable) for gripping the illumination sources  130 . Referring to  FIG. 4A , the rings  400  may incorporate, for example, a ball, rod or other protruding feature  420  that exerts force against the illumination source  130  via a biasing spring  430 ; the features  420  are preferably rounded and/or cushioned to avoid damage to the illumination source  130 , which is then snugly gripped within the rings  400 . Referring to  FIG. 4B , in some embodiments, the illumination sources  130  include one or more grooves  440  (e.g., axial grooves) that are complementary to and engaged by the feature  420  to enable a more secure fit within the rings. In other embodiments, however, the illumination source  130  remains rotatable around its axis within the rings  400  so the emitted light may be aimed. 
         [0024]    In various embodiments, the mounting system  100  is compatible with any of a variety of linear and/or tubular illumination sources  130 , e.g., those of the type described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/385,382, filed on Sep. 22, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0025]    The terms and expressions employed herein are used as terms and expressions of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. In addition, having described certain embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive.