Patent Publication Number: US-2021172590-A1

Title: Lighting apparatus and method of use

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to lighting apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When hunting wild hogs at night, it is desirable to use a light that is perceptible by the hunter, but not by hogs or other game. Hunters therefore use colored lights, such as red lights or green lights, in the form of flashlights or lights mounted to a bow, rifle, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     A lighting apparatus includes a frame, a first member rotatably connected to the frame for rotation about a first axis, and a second member rotatably connected to the frame for rotation about the first axis independently of the first member. A first light assembly has a first structure and a first plurality of lights rigidly mounted to the first structure. A second light assembly has a second structure and a second plurality of lights rigidly mounted to the second structure; The first light assembly is rotatably connected to the first member for rotation about a second axis and the second light assembly is rotatably connected to the second member for rotation about a third axis. 
     The lighting apparatus thus provides a high degree of adjustability in the directions that light is projected from the apparatus. In one embodiment, at least some of the lights in the first and second light assemblies are red or green, which enables the use of the device in hunting game that cannot perceive the red or green light, such as wild hogs. 
     A corresponding method of use is also provided. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, front view of a lighting apparatus in accordance with the claimed invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic, perspective view of a frame of the lighting apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic, perspective view of the frame with light assemblies operatively connected thereto; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic, front view of the lighting apparatus with the first light assembly and the second light assembly in respective first positions; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic, front view of the lighting apparatus with the first and second light assemblies in respective second positons; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic, rear view of the lighting apparatus with a rear door in its open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic, rear view of the lighting apparatus with the rear door in its closed position; and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connections between a battery, switches, solar panel, and the lights of the first and second light assemblies. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout, a lighting apparatus  10  in accordance with the claimed invention is schematically depicted. The lighting apparatus  10  includes a frame  14 , a first light assembly  18 , and a second light assembly  22 . The first light assembly  18  includes a first set lights  26 , a second set of light  28 , and a first structure  30 . The lights  26 ,  28  are substantially rigidly connected to the first structure  30  for unitary movement therewith; i.e., the first structure  30 , the first set lights  26 , and the second set of lights  28  are interconnected such that the first structure  30 , the first set of lights  26 , and the second set of lights  28  move together as a single unit. 
     Similarly, the second light assembly  22  includes a third set of lights  36 , a fourth set of lights  38 , and a second structure  40 . The lights  36 ,  38  are substantially rigidly connected to the second structure  40  for unitary movement therewith; i.e., the second structure  40  and the lights  36 ,  38  are interconnected such that the second structure  40  and the lights  36 ,  38  move together as a single unit. 
     In the embodiment depicted, the first and second structures  30 ,  40  are panels having holes formed therein; each of the lights  26 ,  28 ,  36 ,  38  is in a respective hole formed in one of the panels. However, it should be noted that the first and second structures  30 ,  40  may have other configurations within the scope of the claimed invention. 
     The lights  26 ,  28 ,  36 ,  38  in the embodiment depicted are light-emitting diodes, though it should be noted that other light-emitting apparatuses may be employed as lights within the scope of the claimed invention. The first set of lights  26  and the third set of lights  36  emit a first color; the second set of light lights  28  and the fourth set of lights  38  emit a second color. In the embodiment depicted, the first color is either red or green, or perceived by the human eye as red or green, and the second color is white, or perceived as white by the human eye. In other embodiments, the lights may emit light in the infrared spectrum for use with night-vision scopes or goggles, or blue for use in tracking blood trails. It should be noted that any colors (which may includes invisible ranges on the electromagnetic spectrum) may be employed within the scope of the claimed invention. 
     In the embodiment depicted, the first set includes eight lights  26 , and the second set includes three lights  28 . Lights  26  are arranged in two rows of four lights  26 . Lights  28  are arranged in a single row such that each of lights  28  is disposed equidistant from four of lights  26 . Similarly, the third set includes eight lights  36 , and the fourth set includes three lights  38 . Lights  36  are arranged in two rows of four lights  36 . Lights  38  are arranged in a single row such that each of lights  38  is disposed equidistant from four of lights  36 . 
     The frame  14  in the embodiment depicted defines a first rectangular hole  46  and a second rectangular hole  50 . More specifically, the frame  42  includes first, second, and third segments  52 ,  54 ,  56  that are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to one another. The frame  14  also includes fourth and fifth segments  58 ,  60  that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to segments  52 ,  54 ,  56 . The fourth and fifth segments  58 ,  60  interconnect the first, second, and third segments  52 ,  54 ,  56  and cooperate with the first, second, and third segments  52 ,  54 ,  56  to define the holes  46 ,  50 . 
     A first member  64  is disposed within the first hole  46  and a second member  68  is disposed within the second hole  50 . The first member  64  and the second member  68  are rotatably mounted to the frame  14  such that the first member  64  and the second member  68  are independently rotatable with respect to the frame  14  about a first axis  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . More specifically, in the embodiment depicted, the first member  64  and the second member  68  are mounted to the frame by pivot pins  74  that are coaxial with the first axis  70 . 
     The first member  64  defines a hole  78  and the second member  68  defines another hole  82 . The holes  78 ,  82  are slightly larger than the first and second structures  30 ,  40 . The first structure  30  is disposed within the hole  78  formed by the first member  64 , and the second structure  40  is disposed within the hole  82  formed by the second member  68 . The first structure  30 , and thus the first light assembly  18 , is rotatably connected to the first member  64  by pivot pins  86 . 
     Accordingly, the first light assembly  18  is connected to the first member  64  for unitary rotation with the first member  64  about axis  70 ; i.e., the first light assembly  18  and the first member  64  rotate together as a single unit about axis  70 . The first light assembly  18  is rotatable with respect to the first member  64  about a second axis  90  that is coaxial with pivot pins  86 . Thus, the first light assembly  18  is selectively rotatable with respect to the frame  14  about axis  70 , and rotatable with respect to the first member  64  about axis  90 . The second axis  90  is perpendicular to the first axis  70 . 
     The second structure  40 , and thus the second light assembly  22 , is rotatably connected to the second member  68  by pivot pins  94 . Accordingly, the second light assembly  22  is connected to the second member  68  for unitary rotation with the second member  68  about axis  70 ; i.e., the second light assembly  22  and the second member  68  move together as a single unit about axis  70 . The second light assembly  22  is rotatable with respect to the second member  68  about a third axis  98  that is coaxial with pivot pins  94 . Thus, the second light assembly  22  is selectively rotatable with respect to the frame  14  about axis  70 , and rotatable with respect to the second member  68  about axis  98 . The third axis  98  is perpendicular to the first axis  70 . 
     The frame  14  is mounted to a case  100 . The case  100  in the embodiment depicted has a carrying handle  104  for facilitating the transport of the apparatus  10 . The carrying handles  104  is preferably spaced from the remainder of the case  100  such that the handle  104  can be grasped with gloved hands. The case  100  also defines a compartment  108 , as best seen in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , a bulkhead  110  separates the compartment  108  from the frame  14  and light assemblies  18 ,  22 . The apparatus  10  includes at least one battery disposed within the compartment  108 . In the embodiment depicted, the apparatus  10  includes two batteries  112 . Battery-retention brackets  114  are mounted to the bulkhead  110  and prevent the batteries  112  from moving around within the compartment  108 . 
     A door  116  is rotatably connected to the case  100  via hinges  118  for movement between an open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , and a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . A latching system (not shown) is used to retain the door  116  in its closed position. Those skilled in the art will recognize various latching systems that may be employed to releasably retain the door  116  in the closed position, including, for example, a friction latch. A solar panel  120  is mounted to the door  116  and operatively connected to the batteries  112  via a charge controller  124 , as understood by those skilled in the art. When the solar panel  120  is exposed to light, the solar panel  120  generates an electric current that charges the batteries  112 . Although any power source may be employed within the scope of the claimed invention, the batteries  112  in one preferred embodiment are 12 volt, 7 amp-hour batteries. 
     The apparatus  10  includes three switches  130 ,  134 ,  138  that are mounted to the case  100  below the handle  104 . In the embodiment depicted, the switches  130 ,  134 ,  138  are toggle switches and are relatively flat and flush to avoid accidental movement of the switches  130 ,  134 ,  138  when the apparatus  10  is being transported by the handle  104 . The switches  130 ,  134 ,  138  are preferably spaced apart from one another such that a user can operate one of the switches with a gloved hand without inadvertently moving another of the switches. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the batteries  112  are operatively connected to the lights  26 ,  28 ,  36 ,  38  and switches  130 ,  134 ,  138 . More specifically, switch  138  controls the flow of electricity from the batteries  112  to the first set of lights  26 . Switch  130  controls the flow of electricity from the batteries  112  to the third set of lights  36 . Switch  134  controls the flow of electricity from the batteries  112  to the second set of lights  28  and the fourth set of lights  38 . As understood by those skilled in the art, DC/DC converters  142  are employed in the circuits to protect the light emitting diodes. 
     Accordingly, the user is provided with a variety of lighting arrangements, depending on the statuses of the switches  130 ,  134 ,  138 . If only the lights  28 ,  38  emitting the second color (e.g., white) are desired, such as during tracking of an animal after it has been shot, or when field dressing the animal, then only switch  134  is in its closed position, thereby providing a closed circuit with the batteries  112  and lights  28 ,  38 . If it is desired that all lights  26 ,  36  emitting the first color (e.g., red or green) are illuminated, then both switches  130 ,  138  are in their respective closed positions, thereby providing a closed circuit with the batteries  112  and lights  26 ,  36 . Alternatively, for example to save battery life, it may be desirable to have only one of switches  130 ,  138  in its closed position. For maximum illumination, all switches  130 ,  134 ,  138  may be in their closed positions, thereby causing all the lights  26 ,  28 ,  36 ,  38  to be illuminated. 
     The apparatus  10  also includes a flexible strap  150  mounted to the case  100 . The strap  150  may be used as a shoulder strap to aid in carrying the apparatus  10 , and/or it may be used to suspend the apparatus  10  from a tree branch or other object. The apparatus  10  may also include feet (not shown) mounted to the case  100  or similar structure for supporting the apparatus  10  above the ground. 
     The apparatus  10  provides a variety of lighting for use during hunting. For example, light assembly  18  may be rotated about axis  70  in one direction while light assembly  22  is rotated about axis  70  in another direction, thereby providing a wide, but diffuse, cone of light that may, for example, illuminate an area that is 80 yards wide by 200 yards long or to illuminate two trails at the same time. Alternatively, the lighting assemblies  18 ,  22  may face the same direction, thereby providing more concentrated light in a smaller area, such as an area 100 yards long by 40 yards wide. Each of the lighting assemblies  18 ,  22  may be rotated about a respective horizontal axis  90 ,  98  to compensate for varied terrain elevation, etc. 
     While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.