Patent Publication Number: US-2021172591-A1

Title: Lighting system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/943,560, entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM”, filed Dec. 4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to lighting systems, and, more particularly, to a lighting system for a transportation device which emits both visible light and non-visible light. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Low-light conditions may present a hazard to individuals who are not well-lit. Personal protective equipment, such as a reflective clothing, is often used to promote visibility. However, personal protective equipment may not be effective if such equipment is not sufficiently illuminated. Thereby, individuals may need to be sufficiently illuminated by various auxiliary lights. 
     Some auxiliary lights may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). The introduction of LED lighting technology has reduced much of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from an artificial source to near zero. While the efficiency of the LED lighting is very desirable, the use thereof alters the spectral breadth of the light being produced. The lack of UV light degrades the effectiveness of safety markings placed on equipment, vehicles, and clothing worn by operators or security personnel, in that many of such markings are designed to fluoresce, which requires the presence of UV spectral power. 
     UV light is an electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength from roughly 10 nm (30 PHz) to 380 nm (750 THz), which is a shorter wavelength than that of visible light but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight, and also produced by electric arcs and specialized lights such as mercury-vapor lamps, tanning lamps, and black lights. Although the UV light lacks the energy to ionize atoms, long-wavelength ultraviolet radiation can influence chemical reactions, and causes many substances to glow or fluoresce. Therefore, known artificial lighting systems may ineffectually illuminate equipment or individuals in low-light conditions. 
     What is needed in the art is a lighting system for providing the needed ultraviolet radiation in conjunction with visible light to improve visibility of equipment and individuals in low light conditions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a lighting system that includes a lighting device for emanating visible light and ultraviolet light. The lighting device may be a handheld lighting device which is removably mounted on a transportation device. The lighting device includes a body, at least one visible light source connected to the body, and at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body. The at least one ultraviolet light source can illuminate one or more objects, including clothing of the operator of the transportation device. 
     The invention in one form is directed to a lighting system that includes a lighting device configured to be removably connected to a transportation device. The lighting device includes a body, at least one visible light source connected to the body, the at least one visible light source is configured for emitting visible light, and at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body. The at least one ultraviolet light source is configured for emitting ultraviolet light such that a reflectance material of an object, which is not being illuminated by the at least one visible light source, is illuminated by the at least one ultraviolet light source. 
     The invention in another form is directed to a lighting system that includes a transportation device and a lighting device removably connected to the transportation device. The lighting device includes a body, at least one visible light source connected to the body, the at least one visible light source is configured for emitting visible light, and at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body. The at least one ultraviolet light source is configured for emitting ultraviolet light such that a reflectance material of an object, which is not being illuminated by the at least one visible light source, is illuminated by the at least one ultraviolet light source. 
     The invention in another form is directed to a method for illuminating at least one of an area and an object. The method includes providing a transportation device and a lighting device removably connected to a transportation device. The lighting device includes a body, at least one visible light source connected to the body, and at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body. The method further includes emitting at least one of visible light by activating the at least one visible light source and ultraviolet light by activating the at least one ultraviolet light source such that a reflectance material of the object, which is not being illuminated by the at least one visible light source, is illuminated by the at least one ultraviolet light source. 
     An advantage of the invention is that the lighting system dually emits UV light and visible light for illuminating an area in front of the individual and transportation device and illuminating an object being worn by the individual. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that the lighting system is that the UV light and the visible light emit in opposing directions for illuminating the individual and an area in front of the individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting system is removably coupled to a transportation device and is operating in a dual state for emanating nonvisible and visible light; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the lighting system of  FIG. 1 , wherein the lighting system is operating in a visible light state for emanating only visible light; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a lighting system, wherein the lighting system is in the form of a handheld flashlight which can be removably coupled to a transportation device; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the lighting system of  FIG. 3 , wherein the lighting system is carried by an individual and the lighting system is operating in the visible light state; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the lighting system of  FIGS. 3-4 , wherein the lighting system is carried by the individual and the lighting system is operating in a nonvisible light state for emanating only nonvisible light; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the lighting system of  FIGS. 3-5 , wherein the lighting system is carried by the individual and the lighting system is operating in the dual state; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of another embodiment of a lighting system, wherein the lighting system includes a control device for automatically activating the various lighting states of the lighting system. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplification are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, the term visible light refers to the spectrum of light which the human eye can see without the aid of some device. The term non-visible light refers to what the human eye cannot see without the aid of some device. The term ultraviolet (UV) light refers to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength from roughly 10 nm (30 PHz) to 380 nm (750 THz). 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-2 , there is shown, in a schematic form, a lighting system  10 . The lighting system  10  may be in the form of a light source  12 . The light source  12  may be removably mounted to a transportation device, such as a gas or electric powered vehicle or a manpowered vehicle. The transportation device may be in the form of a bicycle B. The light source  12  has a body and emits visible light  14  and non-visible light  16 . The non-visible light  16  may be in the form of UV light  16 . 
     When UV light  16  illuminates and interacts with reflectance material(s)  18 . The reflectance material(s) will  18  convert UV light  16  into visible light  20  to enhance the visibility of the operator, individuals, and/or objects, including the bicycle B. A reflectance material  18  may include any desired material, paint, coating, fabric, etc., which phosphors, i.e., emits visible light upon absorbing UV radiation. It should be appreciated that an object may include any desired object or thing, personnel, and/or animal. For example, the object may be in the form of an article of clothing, such as a safety vest or shirt, worn by the individual. Additionally, for example, the object may be in the form of markings on the bicycle B. By way of example only, the rider of bicycle B is shown wearing an article of clothing with reflectance materials  18 , and the UV light  16  interacts with reflectance materials  18  such that reflectance materials  18  convert UV light  16  into visible light  20  to enhance the visibility of the operator. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the lighting system  10  is shown to be operating in a dual state for emanating both lights  14 ,  16 . In  FIG. 2 , the lighting system  10  is shown to be operating in a visible light state for emanating only visible light  14 . 
     The lighting system  10  may be in the form of a handheld or wearable device which may be carried by an individual or used on one or more transportation devices. Thereby, the lighting system  10  may be removably connected to a transportation device. The light source  12  may have vehicle and non-vehicle applications. The lighting system  10  may have one or more mating features which couple to one or more mating features on the transportation device. For instance, the lighting system  10  may have rail members which interact with channels in a mount affixed to the bicycle B. Additionally and/or alternatively, the lighting system  10  may be removably connected to the transportation device via one or more fasteners, e.g. screws, Velcro®, etc. The lighting system  10  has a selectable emission of UV light  16  and visible light  14 . It should be appreciated that the lights may also be directed by one or more light directing devices, e.g. cones. 
     Now, referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown another embodiment of a lighting system  30 . In the lighting system  30 , the light source  12  is in the form of a handheld flashlight  32 . The flashlight  32  includes a body and light(s)  34 ,  36 , e.g. light emitting diodes (LEDs), which respectively emit the visible and nonvisible light  14 ,  16 . The flashlight  32  includes a control  22  that selectively turns on/off lights  14 ,  16 . The control  22  may be in the form of a switch or button  22  connected to the body. 
     The flashlight  32  may include one or more LEDs  34  for emitting visible light  14  and one or more LEDs  36  for emitting nonvisible light  16 . The LEDs  34 ,  36  may be connected to the opposing ends of the body. The lights  14 ,  16  may emanate from opposite ends of the body of the light source  12 . The ends of the flashlight  32  may have one or more light directing devices, e.g. cones, for directing the visible and nonvisible light  14 ,  16 . The LED(s)  36  may include a widened spectrum including UV light emitting sources and visual light emitting sources, for example, with a spectrum from 360 nm to 385 nm, for example from 360 nm to 670 nm. The lights  34 ,  36  can be connected to the body of the lighting device in any desired fashion. The lights  34 ,  36  may be positioned within or on the body of the light source  12  at any desired location. If multiple lights are including in the flashlight  32 , the visible lights  34  or the UV lights  36  may be positioned on a common substrate or die. It should be appreciated that lights  14 ,  16  may be emitted by any desired light sources. 
     The flashlight  32  may include one or more mating features and/or fasteners which removably engage with one or more mating features and/or fasteners on the bicycle B. Additionally, the flashlight  32  may not include a designated mating feature and may instead fit within a corresponding mount, e.g. clip, recess, or other receiving member, on the bicycle B. 
     Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , there are shown three different states of the light source  12 . In  FIG. 4 , only visible light  14  is illuminated. In  FIG. 5 , only nonvisible light  16  is illuminated. A combination of lights  14 ,  16  are both shown illuminated in  FIG. 6 . In  FIGS. 5-6 , UV light  16  is causing the material  18  to be illuminated causing visible light  20  to emanate from material  18 . 
     It should also be appreciated that the flashlight  32  may be powered by any desired power source. For example, the flashlight  32  may be powered by one or more batteries. Additionally, for example, the flashlight  32  may be selectively connectable to an electric power source of the transportation device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown another embodiment of a lighting system  40 . The lighting system  40  may be substantially similar to the lighting system  30 , except that the light source  12  is in the form of a flashlight  42  that is automatically controlled. The flashlight  42  can be switched in between its various lighting states via one or more light sensors  44  and a control device  46 . Like elements have been identified with like reference characters. The flashlight  42  may or may not include the switch  22  for optional manual control. 
     Each light sensor  44  may be operably connected to the control device  46 . Each light sensor  44  may be coupled to the body of the flashlight  42  at any desired location. Each light sensor  44  may be in the form of an optical sensor for sensing ambient light around the individual and/or bicycle B. For example, each light sensor  44  may sense ambient daylight and/or artificial light, such as street lights or headlights of vehicles. Each light sensor  44  may provide a light signal to the control device  46 . For instance, each light sensor  44  may send a well-lit signal to the control device  46  upon sensing a sufficient amount of ambient light. As used herein, the term sufficient amount of ambient light may refer to a level of ambient light wherein the reflected light  20  from the UV radiation absorbed by the reflectance material(s)  18  is not brighter than the surrounding ambient light. 
     The control device  46  may be operably connected to the visible and ultraviolet lights  34 ,  36 , the sensor(s)  44 , and/or the switch  22  if included. The control device  46  may be located within the body of the lighting device  42 . The control device  46  may be in the form of an analog and/or digital control device, such as a microcontroller. The control device  46  can selectively activate the visible and/or nonvisible LEDs  34 ,  36  depending upon the light signal of the light sensor  44 . 
     While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.