Abstract:
An illumination tool for projecting a light beam through a transparent structure that has a portion of the tool detachably securable via a vacuum seal mechanism that engages the transparent structure. A lighting mechanism is electrically attached to the illumination tool and is positioned in contact with the transparent structure via a soft seal positioned about the lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism may, if desired, be manually activated and deactivated i.e., the illumination tool turned on or off. If desired, the illumination tool may be remotely operated by a user depressing a remote operating switch and a radio signal is communicated to the illumination tool. The remote actuator may also be hardwire connected to the illumination tool. Further, if desired the lighting mechanism may be illuminated via strobe light, a continuous or flashing beam of light.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application Claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Applications Serial No. 60/459,139 filed on Mar. 31, 2003, 60/472,629 filed on May 22, 2003 and 60/528,075 filed on Dec. 9, 2003 all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates, in general, to an illumination tool. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for projecting a light beam through a transparent structure. The apparatus may be manually operated or remotely controlled by a user.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Emergency service personnel i.e., fire, police, medical and vehicle accident responders use emergency lighting. Emergency lighting is primarily designed to focus lighting over a large area. An example of this type of light is a flood light that is positioned relatively close to the area of intended illumination. This type of lighting is ground based or positioned on an elevated stand. This type lighting disperses the light over a wide area. The flood light is focused by physically moving the light beam closer to or farther away distant from the area of intended illumination. If the lighting situation requires illumination inside a confined space that is sheltered from ambient light, focusing the light beam becomes more difficult. The flood light may illuminate the outer surface of the confined space but does little to illuminate the interior of the confined space. An example of a confined space is the interior of a vehicle.  
           [0004]    Attempts in the past to resolve the problem of illuminating the interior of confined spaces have involved the use of hand held lighting devices i.e., flashlights. Unfortunately, hand held lighting devices require the user to hold and point the light toward the area of intended illumination. This restricts the user&#39;s ability to use both hands to render aid or engage in policing activities. Further, hand held lighting devices are not intended to be positioned in the confined space and user must lay them down on a surface or wedge them by some means in order to use both hands.  
           [0005]    It would be desirable to have a hands-free lighting device that could be positioned as a flood light and positioned in confined spaces without requiring the user to physically hold the light stationary. Further, the lighting device would be remotely controlled or directly controlled by the user. The user could, if desired, gang a plurality of lighting devices together and operate them remotely.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is an illumination tool for projecting a light beam through a transparent structure. In one embodiment, the present invention has a portion of the illumination tool detachably securable via a vacuum seal mechanism that engages the transparent structure. A lighting mechanism is electrically attached to the illumination tool and is positioned in contact with the transparent structure via a soft seal positioned about the lighting mechanism. The lighting mechanism may, if desired, be manually activated and deactivated i.e., the illumination tool is turned on or off. If desired, the illumination tool may be remotely operated by a user depressing a remote operating switch and a radio signal is communicated to the illumination tool. The remote actuator may also be hardwire connected to the illumination tool. Further, if desired, the lighting mechanism may illuminate via strobe light or continuous beam of light.  
           [0007]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the illumination tool comprising a magnet and power source may be placed in contact with a metal frame that houses the transparent structure. The lighting mechanism of the illumination tool is extended on a flexible cable thereby the user may, selectively position the tool anywhere on the transparent structure or in any selected direction. Like the first embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment may be remotely activated and deactivated.  
           [0008]    In another embodiment of the present invention a portion of the illumination tool may, if desired, have the lighting mechanism arcuately rotate to a selected position in a 350-degree arc. As in the first embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment may be remotely activated and deactivated. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates a top-level schematic view diagram of the present invention,  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a top-level schematic view diagram of a second embodiment the present invention,  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a top-level schematic view diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention,  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view diagram of the third embodiment of FIG. 3.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    Before describing in detail the particular improved illumination tool or apparatus for projecting a light beam through a transparent structure in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the invention resides primarily in the novel structural combination of conventional lighting components, discrete subsystems or subassembly components and associated control of the aforementioned conventional lighting components and not in the particular detailed configuration thereof. Accordingly, the lighting components, command, control and arrangement of the present invention have, for the most part, been illustrated in the drawings by readily understandable schematic diagrams. The drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to the present invention in order not to obscure the disclosure with structural details which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.  
         [0015]    The present  10 , FIG. 1 may, if desired, be detachably secured to any surface via a vacuum sealable mechanism  12 . The vacuum sealable mechanism  12  has a first elongated cylinder  13  with one end dosed. The other end of the first elongated cylinder  13  is connected to a vacuum sealable apparatus  14 . The vacuum sealable apparatus  14  may, if desired, be any convenient type of vacuum sealing apparatus. For example, the vacuum apparatus  14  is a pliable material that readily forms to the surface of any transparent surface or window  11 . The pliable material may, if desired, be formed into a cup shape, arcuate cup shape or any other geometric shape that may form to the surface the window  11 . The closed portion of the first elongated cylinder  13  has a handle  15  mounted thereon for gripping or carrying the present invention  10 .  
         [0016]    A depressible switch  16 , FIG. 1 is mounted onto the first elongated cylinder  13  in proximity to the handle  15 . The depressible switch  16  is connected to a lever  17  that provides mechanical advantage to a control rod  18  connected to the vacuum sealable apparatus  14 . Pressing down on the depressible switch  16  in concert with the mechanical action of the lever  17 , control rod  18  and a one-way valve  19  releases the vacuum disposed on the window  11  via the vacuum sealable apparatus  14  cup shaped portion.  
         [0017]    A second elongated cylinder  20 , FIG. 1 has one end closed and the other oppositely disposed end is open. A third elongated cylinder  21  has one end closed and the other oppositely spaced end has a lighting mechanism  22  mounted therein. The lighting mechanism  22  has a reflector and a light emitter  23  is connected to the power source  24 . The third elongated cylinder&#39;s  21  closed end is slidably insertable into the open end of the second elongated cylinder  20 . The third elongated cylinder  21  is retained within the confines of the second elongated cylinder  20  by a flange  25 . A spring  26  is mounted within the second elongated cylinder  20  and engages the closed end of the third elongated cylinder  21 . The spring  26  applies pressure on the third elongated cylinder&#39;s  21  closed end thereby forcing the third elongated cylinder  21  to reside against the flange  25 . A soft seal  27  may, if desired, be mounted about the open end of the third elongated cylinder  21 . The soft seal engages the window  11  thereby reducing the light scatter resulting from the operation of the present invention  10 . An elongated member  28  connects the first elongated cylinder  13  and the second elongated cylinder  20  together. The elongated member  28  may, if desired, be any convenient connector that enables the first elongated cylinder  13  to be rigidly connected to the second elongated cylinder  20 . The battery or batteries  24  supplying power to the light emitter  23  are housed in the first elongated cylinder  13  and are connected to the second elongated cylinder  20  and light emitter  23  via elongated member  28 .  
         [0018]    The present invention  10 , FIG. 1 may, if desired, be activated via a remotely operated transmitter  29 . The remote transmitter  29  has an on/off push-button switch  30 . Once the push-button switch  30  is depressed, a signal containing an activation command is transmitted via a first antenna  31  to a receiver  32  mounted within the confines of first elongated cylinder  13 . The receiver  32 , via a second antenna  33 , receives the activation command from the transmitter  29  whereupon the light emitter  23  is activated. Depressing the push-button switch  30  a second time activates the high intensity of the light beam and activates the flash mode of the present invention. Depressing the push-button switch  30  a third deactivates the light emitter  23 . The three-position cycle of the transmitter  29  may, if desired, be repeated. If desired, a plurality of light emitters  23  contained in separately mounted present inventions  10  mounted on a plurality of transparent surfaces may be activated via the transmitter  29  simultaneously. A signal conducting wire  34  may, if desired, be connected to the transmitter  29  and receiver  32  to remotely activate the light emitter(s)  23  rather than depressing push-button switch  30 .  
         [0019]    In operation, the handle  15 , FIG. 1 is grasped and the present invention  10  is adjacently spaced to the window  11 . The vacuum sealable apparatus  14  engages the window  11  along with the soft seal  27 . Pressure is exerted on the handle  15  forcing the vacuum sealable apparatus  14  to attach to the window  11 . The vacuum sealable apparatus  14  holds the present invention  10  in-place. A manual Off-On-Bright three position switch  35  is mounted onto the first elongated cylinder  13  in proximity to the handle  15 . The manual Off-On-Bright switch  35  is pressed and the lighting mechanism  22  projects a light beam through the transparent structure i.e., the window  11 . The manual Off-On-Bright switch  35  is pressed a second time activates the bright mode of the present invention  10 . Activating the manual Off-On-Bright three position switch  35  a third time turns the light emitter  23  off. After use, the present invention  10  may, if desired, be disengaged from the window  11  by depressing switch  16  thereby releasing the vacuum of the vacuum sealable apparatus  14 . To operate remotely the present invention  10  is adjacently spaced to the window  11  (as discussed herein) and the transmitter  29  activates the light emitter(s)  23  via an activation command.  
         [0020]    A second embodiment of the present invention  10 , FIG. 2 is an apparatus to remotely activate a light beam through a transparent structure configured in power source/housing  36 , FIG. 2 with an extendable arm  40  attached to a source for the light beam  41 . The power source/housing  36  may, if desired, be substantially rectangular with a magnet  38  mounted thereon for connecting the rectangular housing  37  to a metallic surface. An example of a metallic surface is a roof or body of a substantially metallic vehicle.  
         [0021]    The power source/housing  36 , FIG. 2 has a handle  39  connected thereto for transporting the rectangular housing  37 . The extendable arm  40  has one end connected to the rectangular housing  37  in such a way as not to interfere with the handle  39 . The other end of the extendable arm  40  is connected to the source for the light beam  41 . The extendable arm  40  may, if desired, be moved or directed into a sustainable position and remain in that position indefinitely. For example, the extendable arm  40  is directed by a user into an arcuate position  40   a.  The arcuate position  40   a  remains in that relative position until altered by the user.  
         [0022]    The light beam source  41 , FIG. 2 comprises a fourth elongated cylinder  42  that has one end closed and the other oppositely disposed end open. A fifth elongated cylinder  43  has one end closed and the other oppositely spaced end has a lighting mechanism  44  mounted therein. The lighting mechanism  44  has a reflector  45  and a light emitter  46  connected to the power source/housing  36  via extendable arm  40 . The fifth elongated cylinder&#39;s  43  closed end is sidably insertable into the open end of the fourth elongated cylinder  42 . The fifth elongated cylinder  43  is retained within the confines of the fourth elongated cylinder  42  by a flange  47 . A spring  48  is mounted within the fourth elongated cylinder  42  and engages the closed end of the fifth elongated cylinder  43 . The spring  48  applies pressure on the fourth elongated cylinder&#39;s  42  closed end thereby forcing the fifth elongated cylinder  43  to reside against the flange  47 . A soft seal  49  may, if desired, be mounted about the open end of the fifth elongated cylinder. The soft seal engages the window  11  thereby reducing the light scatter resulting from the operation of the present invention  10 .  
         [0023]    In operation: The handle  39 , FIG. 2 is grasped by the user and the power source/housing  36  is positioned on a metallic surface. The extendable arm  40  is conveniently positioned to direct the lighting mechanism  44  to any convenient position ergo the soft seal  49  engaging a transparent structure. A manual Off-On-High-Bright three position switch  50  operationally connected to the power source/housing  36  controls the lighting mechanism  44 .  
         [0024]    The second embodiment of the present invention  10  may, if desired, be activated via a remotely operated transmitter  29 . The remote transmitter  29  has an Off-On-High-Bright three-position push-button switch  30 . Once the push-button switch  30  is depressed, a signal containing an activation command is transmitted via a first antenna  31  to a receiver  32  mounted within the confines of housing  37 . The receiver  32 , via a second antenna  33 , receives the activation command from the transmitter  29  whereupon the lighting mechanism  44  is activated. Depressing the push-button switch  30 , a second time deactivates the lighting mechanism  44 . If desired, a plurality of lighting mechanisms  44  contained in separately mounted present inventions  10  mounted on a plurality of transparent surfaces may be activated via the transmitter  29  simultaneously. A signal conducting wire  34  may, if desired, be connected to the transmitter  29  and receiver  32  to remotely activate or deactivate the light emitter(s)  46  rather than depressing push-button switch  30 .  
         [0025]    A third embodiment of the present invention  10  is a hands-free lighting mechanism  60 , FIG. 3. The hands-free lighting mechanism  60  enables the present invention  10  to be attached magnetically to any metal surface and operated remotely by a control switch  61 . The hands-free lighting mechanism  60  is a substantially U-shaped member with the batteries  63 , FIG. 4 operatively connected in leg  62  and the lighting portion operatively connected in leg  64 . The substantially U-shaped member&#39;s legs  62  and  64  are connectively joined by the member&#39;s section  65 . The substantially U-shaped member&#39;s section  65  is substantially elongated to function as a handgrip  66 .  
         [0026]    The end points of the substantially U-shaped member have connected thereon, respectively, a suction cup  67  and a foam member  68 , FIG. 3. The suction cup  67  engages a selected metal surface and holds the hands-free lighting mechanism  60  in place while in use. If desired, a magnet  69  is installed in the leg  62  to aid in holding the hands-free lighting mechanism  60  to the selected metal surface. A cone shaped member  70  has a cylindrical portion  71  connected thereto. The cylindrical portion  71  is sidably positioned within the substantially U-shaped member&#39;s leg  64  and is urged forward by spring  72 . The cone shaped member  70  has connected about the rim foam member  68 . When the spring  72  urges the cylindrical member  71  forward the foam member  68  engages the transparent structure. The substantially U-shaped member&#39;s leg  64  may, if desired, be rotated to any position within a 350 degree arc permitting alternate viewing angles for the operator of the hands-free lighting mechanism  60 .  
         [0027]    In operation, the hands-free lighting mechanism  60 , FIG. 3 is initially held by the operator by the handgrip  66  and positioned in such a way as to allow the substantially U-shaped member&#39;s leg  62  to engage a metal surface. This process allows the substantially U-shaped member&#39;s leg  64  to engage the transparent surface via the cone shaped member  70 . The hands-free lighting mechanism  60  is activated via a manual on-off switch  73  or remotely by switch  61 . The remote switch  61  has an elongated on switch  75  and a foreshortened off switch  76  denoting by feel the activation and deactivation of the hands-free lighting mechanism  60 . If desired, the hands-free lighting mechanism  60  may be operated in the continuous light mode via bulb  77  or a strobe light  78  mode. Either mode may, if desired, be activated by the manual switch  73  or remote switch  61 . Disengaging the hands-free lighting mechanism  60  via release switch  74  releases the suction of the suction cup  67  engaging the metal surface. A low battery indicator may, if desired, be implemented on the present invention  10  to indicate when two thirds (⅔) of the battery life has been expended.