Patent Publication Number: US-10330286-B2

Title: Lighting device with a viewing hole

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/509,581 filed on May 22, 2017. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to handheld tools and portable flashlights. More specifically, the present invention is related to orifice inspection apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Construction workers and home owners often find the need to look inside an orifice on walls, ceilings, or floors to inspect for possible obstructions, damages, etc. Currently, construction workers and home owners struggle to see inside an orifice with the naked eye as the space is usually dark and with little or no ambient illumination. Trying to see inside an orifice with the help of a flashlight next to the unprotected eye usually results in the light from the flashlight hitting the eye which ends up further obstructing the view. A solution to help improve the vision inside an orifice is to make the hole bigger or remove part of the surface to look inside. However, removing parts of the surface or increasing the size of the orifice requires more tools, more time, increases the amount of debris left from the process, and sometimes is undesirable to do. Another solution to help improve the vision inside an orifice is to use a tool specialized for the purpose of looking inside an orifice, such as borescopes which use a camera connected to a telescopic arm connected to a handle and a display. However, these electronic tools are usually fragile, expensive, need to be plugged-in or recharged, and require some setup prior to use. There is a need for a cheap alternative to improve the view inside an orifice on a surface which does not obstruct the view, provides lighting while not obstructing the view, it is not fragile, it is handheld, and it does not need to be setup or plugged in during use. 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which allows the user to look straight inside an orifice with an unobstructed view. Allowing the user to look inside an orifice helps the user see clearly what is inside. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which illuminates the view inside an orifice without obstructing the line of sight. Having an illuminated view that is not obstructed by the rays of light hitting the eye is helpful as the orifice often lacks illumination and oftentimes the small size of the orifices block the ambient light. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is portable and handheld. Being able to carry the apparatus anywhere is extremely useful and being able to hold the apparatus with one hand helps the user multitask and simplify their work. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is inexpensive and easy to use. Home owners and similar users who are not in the construction business would benefit from a cheap apparatus that can be easily used whenever the apparatus is needed so the user does not have to buy the more complex and expensive alternatives such as borescopes or infrared cameras. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which does not require a power source while the apparatus is used and which does not require to be recharged. Oftentimes construction workers or home owners have to look inside orifices on surface which are far from a power source, so having an apparatus which is powered by replaceable batteries is convenient and practical to use. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus with a vision enhancer, such as a magnifying lens. It is useful to clearly see small details such as cracks or rust inside an orifice, so having a magnifying lens on the apparatus makes the apparatus more useful to construction workers and home owners. Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the invention section. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective exploded view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is another perspective exploded view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the head portion and the handle, wherein the head traversing portion and the handle traversing portion are illustrated. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the head portion and the handle, wherein the handle is removably attached to the head portion. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention, wherein the attachment clip and the plurality of gripping protrusions are illustrated. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention introduces a lighting device that can be used with an orifice. The effective design of the present invention allows a desired viewing area to be inspected through a peep hole without causing any damage to the surface the orifice traverses through. As an example, if the present invention is being used with an orifice that traverses through a wall, the desired viewing area on the opposite side of the wall can be inspected without causing any damage to the wall. Moreover, by utilizing the present invention, the desired area can be inspected regardless of the lighting conditions. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2A , and  FIG. 2B , to achieve the intended functionalities, the present invention comprises a head portion  1 , a lighting source  6 , a handle  9 , a power source  15 , and a peep hole  17 . The head portion  1  and the handle  9  construct the structural body of the present invention and are designed to mimic a flashlight. Thus, the handle  9  is terminally connected to the head portion  1 . The size and shape of the head portion  1  and the handle  9  can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. The material used to manufacture the handle  9  and the head portion  1  can also vary in different embodiments of the present invention. 
     When the present invention is used to inspect a desired viewing area through an opening of a surface, the lighting source  6  is used to illuminate the desired viewing area in low light conditions. To do so, the lighting source  6  is electrically connected to the power source  15  and is positioned within the head portion  1 . On the other hand, the power source  15  is positioned within the handle  9 . The electrical connection between the lighting source  6  and the power source  15  can be established through a lighting printed circuit board (PCB) and a switching PCB. Thus, when the head portion  1  is positioned adjacent the opening, the light from the lighting source  6  is transmitted onto the desired viewing area through the opening the present invention is being used with. The performance characteristics and other properties of both the lighting source  6  and the power source  15  can vary from one embodiment to another. As an example, the wattage of the lighting source  6  can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. The voltage of the power source  15  can also vary in different embodiments of the present invention. 
     The peep hole  17  is used to inspect the desired viewing area when the desired viewing area is illuminated by the lighting source  6 . The desired viewing area can vary based upon the industry the present invention is being used in. As an example, the desired viewing area for an electrician is different from the desired viewing area for a construction worker. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the peep hole  17  centrally traverses through the handle  9  and the head portion  1  and comprises a handle traversing portion  18  and a head traversing portion  19 . In other words, the peep hole  17  extends along a length of the present invention through the handle  9  and the head portion  1 . The handle traversing portion  18  is concentrically aligned with the head traversing portion  19  to create a continuous opening for the peep hole  17  through the handle  9  and the head portion  1 . Preferably, the peep hole  17  will have a ¼-inch diameter through the handle traversing portion  18  and the head traversing portion  19  allowing the user to have an unobstructed view through the peep hole  17 . However, the size and cross-sectional area of the peep hole  17  can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 2A , to maintain the continuous opening of the peep hole  17 , and not interrupt the head traversing portion  19  within the head portion  1 , the lighting source  6  encircles the head traversing portion  19 . As a result, the desired viewing area illuminated by the lighting source  6  and the peep hole  17  are aligned with each other. Likewise, as seen in  FIG. 2B , to maintain the continuous opening of the peep hole  17 , and not interrupt the handle traversing portion  18 , the power source  15  is positioned within the handle  9  to encircle the handle traversing portion  18 . 
     As mentioned earlier, the lighting source  6  and the power source  15  can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. As further illustrated in  FIG. 2A , in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  7  is used as the lighting source  6  and is configured into a ring configuration. Therefore, the peep hole  17  is encircled by the plurality of LEDs  7 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 2B , in the preferred embodiment, a plurality of batteries  16  is used as the power source  15  and is configured into a ring configuration. Thus, the peep hole  17  is encircled by the plurality of batteries  16 . 
     Similar to a flashlight, the head portion  1  is specifically designed to maximize the light emitted from the lighting source  6 . As seen in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the head portion  1  comprises a proximal end  2 , a tapered body  3 , and a distal end  5 . The tapered body  3  extends from the proximal end  2  to the distal end  5  and determines an overall length of the head portion  1 . Since the head traversing portion  19  needs to continue through the tapered body  3 , the head traversing portion  19  extends from the proximal end  2  to the distal end  5 . Even though the tapered body  3  is preferred, a different comparable shape can also be used in other embodiments of the present invention. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 2A , in addition to the tapered body  3 , the present invention further comprises a reflector  8  that maximizes the range of the light emitted by the lighting source  6 . To effectively maximize the range, the reflector  8  is positioned adjacent the lighting source  6  and along an inner surface  4  of the tapered body  3  extending from the proximal end  2  to the distal end  5 . To be positioned within the tapered body  3  the reflector  8  is also tapered. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle  9  is cylindrical and comprises a first end  10 , a body  11 , and a second end  14 . The body  11  extends from the first end  10  to the second end  14  and determines an overall length of the handle  9 . Since the handle traversing portion  18  needs to traverse through a length of the handle  9 , the handle traversing portion  18  extends from the first end  10  to the second end  14 . When connecting the handle  9  and the head portion  1 , the connection occurs at the second end  14  of the handle  9 . As a result, the handle traversing portion  18  is positioned adjacent the head traversing portion  19 , completing the continuous opening of the peep hole  17 . Even though the shape of the handle  9  is cylindrical in the preferred embodiment, the overall shape of the handle  9  can vary as long as the functionality of the handle  9  remains the same. 
     As discussed before, the power source  15  is positioned within the handle  9 , encircling the handle traversing portion  18 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , to position the power source  15  as preferred, the handle  9  further comprises an inner lateral wall  12  and an outer lateral wall  13  that are positioned opposite to each other across the body  11  of the handle  9 . To position the power source  15  without hindering the handle traversing portion  18 , the power source  15  is mounted against the inner lateral wall  12  encircling the handle traversing portion  18 . Since the handle  9  has a cylindrical shape in the preferred embodiment, the outer lateral wall  13 , the inner lateral wall  12 , and the handle traversing portion  18  are all concentric to each other. Moreover, a distance between the inner lateral wall  12  and the outer lateral wall  13  determines the thickness of the body  11  of the handle  9 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in a different embodiment of the present invention, the handle  9  can be removably attached to the head portion  1 . To allow the separation between the handle  9  and the head portion  1 , the present invention further comprises a fastening mechanism  20  so that the handle  9  can be removably attached to the head portion  1  through the fastening mechanism  20  that comprises a first set of threads  21  and a second set of threads  22 . The first set of threads  21  is perimetrically and externally distributed along a body  11  of the handle  9  adjacent the second end  14  of the handle  9 . To correspond with the first set of threads  21 , the second set of threads  22  is perimetrically and internally distributed along the tapered body  3  adjacent the proximal end  2 . Thus, the second end  14  can be positioned into the proximal end  2  so that the first set of threads  21  is engaged with the second set of threads  22 . The handle  9  can be separated from the head portion  1  by disengaging the first set of threads  21  from the second set of threads  22 . 
     As discussed earlier, the power source  15  is positioned within the handle  9  and the lighting source  6  is positioned within the head portion  1 . Therefore, the current flows from the power source  15  to the lighting source  6  only when the handle  9  is attached to the head portion  1 . To maintain the current flow from the power source  15  to the lighting source  6 , the present invention further comprises a first electrical contact  23  and a second electrical contact  24  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The first electrical contact  23  is terminally connected to the handle  9  at the second end  14  and is electrically connected to the power source  15 . As a result, the current can be drawn from the power source  15  through the first electrical contact  23 . The current drawn at the first electrical contact  23  is used by the second electrical contact  24  that is terminally connected to the head portion  1  at the proximal end  2 . Moreover, the second electrical contact  24  is electronically connected to the lighting source  6 . The positioning of the first electrical contact  23  and the second electrical contact  24  ensures that the current flows from the power source  15  through the first electrical contact  23 , through the second electrical contact  24 , and into the lighting source  6 . To do so, the first electrical contact  23  and the second electrical contact  24  are electrically connected to each other. A control switch  28  which is externally mounted onto the outer lateral wall  13  can be used to control the lighting source  6  when the handle  9  is attached to the head portion  1 . To do so, the control switch  28  is electronically connected to the lighting source  6  and the power source  15 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the control switch  28  can be a dimmer so that the user can adjust the overall brightness of the lighting source  6  according to preference. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , to protect the lighting source  6  from dust and other comparable external factors, the present invention further comprises a transparent lens  25  that is preferably mounted onto the tapered body  3  at the distal end  5  so that the peep hole  17  traverses through the transparent lens  25 . To hold the transparent lens  25  stationary, the present invention further comprises a front cap  200  that is mounted onto the distal end  5  over the transparent lens  25 , trapping the transparent lens  25  between the front cap  200  and the lighting source  6 . To maintain the functionality of the peep hole  17 , a cap opening  101  centrally traverses through the front cap  200 . A diameter of the cap opening  101  is similar to a diameter of the peep hole  17 . In another embodiment of the present invention, a magnifying lens can be terminally mounted onto the peep hole  17  adjacent the distal end  5 . As a result, the present invention can not only be used for viewing the desired viewing area but also for magnifying the desired viewing area. 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , for user convenience, the present invention further comprises an attachment clip  26  that allows the user to carry the present invention conveniently. Preferably, the attachment clip  26  will be mounted onto the outer lateral wall  13  of the handle  9  adjacent the first end  10 . Therefore, the present invention can be clipped onto a pocket or similar location. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , for added user convenience, in another embodiment, the present invention further comprises a plurality of gripping protrusions  27  that is distributed along the body  11  of the handle  9  from the first end  10  to the second end  14 . The presence of the plurality of gripping protrusions  27  helps the user maintain a secure grip while utilizing the present invention. 
     When the present invention is being used, the following process flow is generally followed. Initially, the power source  15  is inserted into the handle  9 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of batteries  16  are positioned around the handle traversing portion  18 . To secure the plurality of batteries  16  within the handle  9 , an end cap  100  is mounted onto a first end  10  of the handle  9 . To access the peep hole  17  through the end cap  100 , a cap opening  101  would centrally traverse through the end cap  100 . Moreover, the cap opening  101  will be concentrically aligned with the handle traversing portion  18 . If the first set of threads  21  and the second set of threads  22  are being used, the first set of threads  21  is engaged to the second set of threads  22 . When the head portion  1  and the handle  9  are connected, and the present invention is ready to be used, the distal end  5  of the head portion  1  is positioned against the opening that traverses into the desired viewing area. Next, the lighting source  6  is illuminated so that the desired viewing area is illuminated through the opening. To view the desired viewing area which is now illuminated, the user positions an eye at the first end  10  of the handle  9 . Since the peep hole  17  extends from the first end  10  of the handle  9  to the distal end  5  of the head portion  1 , the desired viewing area can be viewed. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.