Abstract:
An illumination apparatus that has a magnification means in combination with LED&#39;s (Light Emitting Diodes). The LED&#39;s are arranged in an array inside a lens hood that surrounds the magnification means and are mounted at an angle to provide optimum lighting onto the focal point of the magnification means. The lens hood is fixed to an adjustable arm that is attached to a base. The adjustable arm allows the magnification means and LED&#39;s to be directed at virtually any angle onto a workpiece. The base allows the apparatus to be self-standing and is adapted to receive a portable power source for powering the LED&#39;s. The apparatus may incorporate a diffuser lens to provide a softer lighting effect.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains generally to lighting equipment and more particularly to a portable combination magnifying lens and lamp. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     There arc numerous known varieties of lighting or illumination equipment available today. Such known illumination equipment typically uses incandescent or fluorescent bulbs as its lighting means. Incandescent bulbs has the advantage of a reasonable light output, but its drawbacks are the relatively high power consumption and heat generation. Flourescent bulbs do not require as much power or generate as much heat as incandescent bulbs, however, flourescent bulbs are significantly larger than comparable incandescent bulbs that generate similar lighting output. Nonetheless, these lighting schemes almost universally require 110V AC household electrical current to operate, and hence, require a power cord that effectively limits the range of the lamp&#39;s portability. Therefore, true portability mandates that the illuminating apparatus be cordless. 
     Cordless illumination devices are also commonly known and available, however, since such devices cannot always run on 110V household AC current, their lighting output is limited. These illumination devices typically operate on a voltage of approximately 3V to 12V battery power and a single component (usually incandescent bulb) illuminating source with an unequally dispersed and limited lighting output. Such cordless illumination devices are generally in the form of hand-held lighting devices that do not have self-standing capability and are typically designed to function as an inspection aid rather than a workpiece-viewing enlargement apparatus. 
     Illumination devices that incorporate magnification capability are also known. However, the lighting schemes used in such combination illumination devices also suffer from the aforementioned constraints of high power consumption, heat Generation, and the lack of true portability, whereby gaining an advantage in one aspect results in a drawback in others. The best known illumination device having magnification capability is the “magnifier lamp” that is attached to a piece of furniture or structure. Such lamps operate on 110V AC and therefore are not portable. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a self-standing, portable illumination apparatus that incorporates a magnification means coupled to the illumination source that produces a uniformly illuminated area on the workpiece, without a correspondingly high power requirement, whereby the magnification means and illumination source is directionally adjustable as an integral unit. The present invention satisfies this need, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in existing art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to an illumination apparatus that has a magnification means in combination with LED&#39;s (Light Emitting Diodes). The LED&#39;s are arranged in an array on a mounting ring that is placed inside a lens hood that surrounds the magnification means. The LED&#39;s are mounted at an angle on the mounting to provide optimum lighting dispersion onto the focal point of the magnification means. 
     The lens hood is fixed to an adjustable arm that is attached to a base, The adjustable arm allows the magnification means and LED&#39;s to be directed at virtually any angle onto a workpiece. The base allows the apparatus to be self-standing and is adapted to receive a portable power source for powering the LED&#39;s. 
     An object of the invention is to provide a self-standing illumination apparatus having directional adjustability and magnification capability. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide an illumination apparatus wherein the illumination source is automatically directed onto a focal point of its magnification means. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an illumination apparatus that utilizes a relatively low power consumption. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an illumination apparatus that is portable. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an illumination apparatus that has a reduced heat output from its illumination source. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illumination apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an illuminated optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an illuminated optical assembly shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the illuminated optical assembly shown in FIG. 3, taken along line A—A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus generally shown in FIG.  1  through FIG.  4 . It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein. 
     Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, an illumination apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention is generally shown. Illumination apparatus  10  comprises a base  12 , an adjustable arm  14 , and an illuminated optical assembly  16 . 
     Base  12  includes an activation switch  18  and is adapted to house a portable power source (not shown), such as batteries or the like. Base  12  allows for the placement of apparatus  10  on a surface such that apparatus  10  may be self-standing, regardless of the position or orientation of adjustable arm  14  and illuminated optical assembly  16 . Base  12  is preferably fabricated from plastic, or a like substance to offer a light weight and inexpensive, yet sturdy characteristics. 
     Adjustable arm  14  includes a first end  20  and a second end  22  and has a generally tubular construction such that insulated electrical wires  23   a  and  23   b  may pass therethrough between base  12  and illuminated optical assembly  16 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, adjustable arm  14  is preferably fabricated from a metallic material and has a plurality of interconnected segments  24  cooperating with each other such that there is a degree of movement available between segments  24 . Hence, the cumulative effect of the plurality of interconnected segments  24  is that adjustable arm  14  may be bent to virtually any angle and at any point along the length of adjustable arm  14 . Second end  22  of adjustable arm  14  is attached to base  12  by any known and practical means to ensure a rigid and durable connection therebetween, so that the repeated twisting and bending action imposed on adjustable arm  14  does not result in a separation thereof. First end  20  of adjustable arm  14  is attached to illuminated optical assembly  16  also preferably using any known and practical means to ensure for a rigid and durable connection therebetween. A pair of collars  26   a  and  26   b  disposed on first end  20  and second end  22 , respectively, of adjustable arm  14  serve to attach adjustable arm  14  to base  12  and illuminated optical assembly  16 . As an alternative embodiment (not shown), multiple rigid segments (not shown) interconnected by a combination of swivel, pivot and/or universal joints (not shown) may be used to suspend illuminated optical assembly  16  from base  12 . Hence, the alternative embodiment also provides for directing illuminated optical assembly  16  at virtually any angle or position. 
     Referring also to FIG. 3, illuminated optical assembly  16  is generally shown. Illuminated optical assembly  16  generally comprises a magnifying lens  28 , and lens hood  30 , a mounting ring  32 , a plurality of LED&#39;s  34 , electrical leads  23   a  and  23   b , and uninsulated bus wire  36   a  and  36   b.    
     Magnifying lens  28  is preferably circular and is press-fitted within a centrally defined opening  38  of lens hood  30 . Magnifying lens  28  is maintained in position within centrally defined opening  38  of lens hood  30  by resting in a groove  39 , defined between an annular flange  40  and a ridge  41 , adjacent the bottom of centrally defined opening  38 . Also, since the shape of centrally defined opening  38  matches that of magnifying lens  28 , an inner lateral wall  42  provides a slight degree of compression against magnifying lens  28  that helps maintain magnifying lens  28  in place within centrally defined opening  38  of lens hood  30 . Magnifying lens  28  is selected to provide high quality optical performance characteristics. 
     Mounting ring  32  includes a plurality of holes  44  configured to receive LED&#39;s  34 , as well as a relief slot  46 . Mounting ring  32  is preferably fabricated from a lightweight metallic material, such as aluminum, however, other materials that are light, relatively rigid, and heat tolerant may also be used. In the preferred embodiment, there are six holes  44  that are disposed in an evenly spaced array apart from each other and in a generally circular pattern. All LED&#39;s  34  are connected to uninsulated bus wire  36   a  and  36   b  by soldering or like means, thereby enabling them to receive electrical power from the portable power source within base  12 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that insulated wire may also be employed instead of uninsulated bus wire  36   a  and  36   b . To provide a constant specified voltage to each of the six LED&#39;s  34 , uninsulated bus wire  36   a  and  36   b  are connected in a parallel configuration to LED&#39;s  34 . Uninsulated bus wire  36   a  and  36   b  is connected to electrical leads  23   a  and  23   b  that pass through adjustable arm  14  by detachable couplers (not shown). It is also contemplated that mounting ring  32  may not incorporate relief slot  46 . 
     An advantage obtained from the use of LED&#39;s  34  is a lower power consumption requirement and reduced heat generation therefrom. Preferably, LED&#39;s  34  are of the type known by those skilled in the art as “white LED&#39;s” specifically designed to output visible white light with the application of proper operating voltages and without the aid of additional optical materials. The selection of LED&#39;s  34  is based on maximizing the amount of light output and minimizing the amount of generated heat. It is should be noted that the specific number of LED&#39;s  34 , and hence its corresponding holes  44  in mounting ring  32  is not limited to six, since a greater or lesser number of LED&#39;s  34  may be utilized, depending on the specific needs and available power. Similarly, the specifications for LED&#39;s  34  may be varied as required by the specific application. Since LED&#39;s  34  are generally designed to have a 100,000 hour lifetime, it is highly unlikely that replacing an LED  34  would be necessary during the useful life of apparatus  10 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 4, it can be seen that lens hood  30  incorporates an annular channel  48  that encircles lens hood  30 . Annular channel  48  is bordered by inner lateral wall  42  and an outer lateral wall  50  that is configured to receive mounting ring  32  therebetween. When mounting ring  32  is inserted within annular channel  48 , mounting ring  32  is interposed between inner lateral wall  42  and outer lateral wall  50  by any appropriate means to maintain mounting ring  32  in place therein. Such means may include, but is not limited to, screws (not shown), a groove (not shown), or compressive force between inner lateral wall  42  and outer lateral wall  50 . Lens hood  30  is preferably made of plastic, however, other lightweight, heat-tolerant material may also be used. 
     Relief slot  46  provides access for easily removing mounting ring  32  from lens hood  30  when necessary. As such, not only is mounting ring  32  interchangeable, but also a variety of mounting rings having differing LED  34  combinations may be interchangeably used, thereby allowing illumination apparatus  10  to be adaptable to different lighting needs. Moreover, in the unlikely event of failure of an individual LED  34 , the removability of mounting ring  32  allows for its replacement. 
     LED&#39;s  34  are positioned in an offset orientation within holes  44  of mounting ring  32 . This offset positioning of LED&#39;s  34  allows for the convergence of light towards a focal point of magnifying lens  28 , shown as point O. LED&#39;s  34  are press-fitted in position within holes  44 , and high temperature glue may be applied to ensure a reliable mounting thereon. As shown in FIG. 4, the central axis of the light beam that radiates from LED&#39;s  34  is represented by X, the inner range of the light beam is represented by Y 1 , and the outer range of the light beam is represented by Y 2 . It can be appreciated that the space formed between Y 1  and Y 2  is generally conical. While it is contemplated that the central axis of the light beams, shown as X, converge toward each other, they preferably do not intersect at or before the focal point O of magnifying lens  28 . The inner range of the light beam, which is represented by Y 1 , however, preferably intersects adjacent the focal point  0  of magnifying lens  28 . This orientation of LED&#39;s therefore maximizes the area of coverage of light while ensuring a lack of voids. It also ensures that a uniform distribution of light is reflected onto the surface. 
     Diffuser lens  35  is preferably annular and sized to fit within annular channel  48  of lens hood  30  and held in place by snaps (not shown), press fitting, or like means. Diffuser lens  35  provides an improvement in illuminating some reflective surfaces by providing a softer lighting effect, and hence, reducing the reflection radiating therefrom. Diffuser lens  35  may be either a clear or translucent material having a frosted, faceted or prismatic surface. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that apparatus  10  may operate either with or without diffuser lens  35 , depending on the specific needs of the user. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. This, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.