Patent Publication Number: US-2021170934-A1

Title: Mobile Lighting System

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/253,138 entitled Remote Controlled Lighting Apparatus, filed Jan. 21, 2019, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/089,843, entitled Remote Controlled Lighting Apparatus, filed Nov. 5, 2020. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally toward a mobile light, and more specifically, toward a self-propelled mobile light. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the construction and home repair industry. The ability to illuminate a working area can be critical. Typically, a tradesman will set a light to illuminate the specific area so that the necessary work can be accomplished. For example, a plumber may need to work in an area having poor illumination. The plumber may erect a light on a pole or other stand to direct illumination from a light source to the area upon which the plumber needs to conduct his work. In such a situation, the light source is powered by a power cord that extends from an electrical outlet to the light source. 
     However, there are challenges to the above situation. The area upon which the tradesman may need to work may be larger than the area upon which the light can illuminate. 
     In such a situation the tradesman is required to either provide additional lighting structures to increase the lighting capability or move an existing lighting structure to accommodate the workspace needed. Both of these solutions have disadvantages. The providing additional lighting structures is costly and requires an extensive amount of additional equipment by the tradesman. Moving the existing lighting structures requires the tradesman to disassemble and otherwise tear down the existing lighting structure and relocating it to the new location, including redeploying the power cord. At times the new location may be at a distance away and can cause the tradesman to spend time and energy to disassemble and relocate the lighting structure to the new desired location. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to satisfy the challenges as set out above. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates generally toward a mobile light, and more specifically, toward a self-propelled mobile light. 
     In one aspect, a mobile lighting apparatus for use with an associated remote controller that generates commands is disclosed. The mobile lighting apparatus has a mobile platform assembly that is configured to traverse across a surface in response to remotely generated command signals from the remote controller. The mobile lighting apparatus also having a lighting assembly mounted to the mobile platform assembly. The lighting assembly is configured to provide illumination. 
     In some aspects, the mobile platform assembly has a mobile platform, and a transportation assembly connected to the mobile platform. The transportation assembly is configured to provide movement to the mobile platform assembly. The mobile platform assembly further has a control assembly having a receiver configured to receive remotely-generated command signals from the remote controller. The control assembly can be configured to control the transportation assembly in response to the signals. 
     In some aspects, the transportation assembly has a wheel assembly connected to the mobile platform. The wheel assembly is configured to provide movement to the mobile platform assembly. The transportation assembly further has a power assembly configured to provide power to the wheel assembly. The power assembly may have a motor and a battery with the motor configured to provide battery power to the wheel assembly. 
     In some aspects, the wheel assembly may have a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the mobile platform. Further, the wheel assembly may also have at least two treads where each of the at least two treads extending between at least two of the plurality of wheels. 
     In some aspects, the lighting assembly has at least one light source which provides illumination, and at least one mounting arm having the at least one light source mounted thereto. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention with the light structure in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present invention with the light structure in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a schematic representation of an additional embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an additional embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a schematic representation of an additional embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward a compact, self-propelled mobile light. This device would be able to maneuver to various locations, including small or tight to fit locations, to provide illimitation exactly where it is needed for trades people, home owners, emergency responders, especially in tight spaces and controlled by a very small wireless remote. 
     One of the features of the present invention is the ability to eliminate the need to redeploy work light that is powered through the use of a power cord to a desired location. The present invention provides effective lighting in many situations, such as where a task is constantly moving such as painting, wiring plumbing, concrete, crawl spaces, exterior work, elevated work, hard to get to areas where lighting is essential. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , an embodiment of a mobile lighting apparatus  10  is disclosed. The mobile lighting apparatus  10  is used with an associated remote controller  50  that generates command signals. The mobile lighting apparatus  10  includes a mobile platform assembly  12  that is configured to traverse across a surface in response to the remotely generated command signals from the remote controller  50 . Apparatus  10  also has a lighting assembly  20  mounted to the mobile platform assembly  12 . The lighting assembly  20  is configured to provide illumination to desired areas. 
     Lighting assembly  20  may have at least one light source  22  which provides the illumination and at least one mounting arm  24 . The mounting arm is mounted to the mobile platform assembly  12  and is capable of having the light source  22  mounted thereto. In order to provide directional control of the illumination  60 , the mounting arm  24  has at least one pivotable joint  26 . The directional movement capability of mounting arm  24  includes the rotation, panning and tilting capability of the light source  22 . For example, mounting arm  24  may allow for the rotation of 360° relative to the mobile lighting assembly  12  and the tilting of 180° of the light source relative to the mounting arm  24 . Lighting assembly  20  may also capable of being collapsed or folded down flat against the mobile platform assembly  12  for protection and portability when not in use, see  FIG. 1 . 
     In some embodiments, the light source may be a light emitting diode (LED) based light, and may have variable brightness settings, such as low, medium and high brightness settings. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any light bulb or related light source, along with the variable light settings, may be used with the lighting assembly  20  and would be within the scope of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, mobile platform assembly  12  includes a mobile platform  14  and a transportation assembly  16  connected to the mobile platform  14 . The transportation assembly  16  provide the movement capability to the mobile platform assembly  12 . In some embodiments, the overall size of the mobile platform assembly  12  is between one (1) and three (3) feet square in dimension. In such embodiments, light assembly  20  would be sized to fit within the dimensions of mobile platform assembly  12 . 
     Transportation assembly  16  may include a wheel assembly  18  connected to the mobile platform and provides movement to the mobile platform assembly  12 . Wheel assembly  18  may include a plurality of wheels  17  rotatably connected to the mobile platform. While the Figures illustrate the use of four tires, two per side, this number is merely illustrative and not meant to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional configurations having a different number of wheels, such as six or eight, is within the scope of the present invention. Further, wheel assembly  18  may include at least two treads  19  extending between at least two of the plurality of wheels  17 . These configurations allow for either an all treaded wheel assembly or a combination wheel/tread wheel assembly. The various configurations may allow for apparatus  10  to be traversed over various surfaces ranging from smooth surfaces to rough surfaces having obstacles, such as small, e.g. pieces of lumber, in the pathway of apparatus  10 . 
     Transportation assembly  16  also includes a power assembly  32  configured to provide power to the wheel assembly  18 . The power assembly  32  includes a motor  36  and a battery  38 . Battery  38  can be rechargeable and removable. Transportation assembly  16  is also configured to provide variable speeds, such as slow to fast, and directional capability, such as right turn, left turn and reverse, to apparatus  10 . 
     In some embodiments, mobile platform assembly  12  also has a control assembly  30  that is configured to control the operations of apparatus  10 . Control assembly  30  may at least one processor  36  and at least one memory storage device  38 . Further, control assembly  30  may have a receiver  34  configured to receive remotely-generated command signals from the remote controller  50 . The control assembly  30  configured to control the transportation assembly  16  and lighting assembly  20  in response to those signals. 
     In some embodiments, remote controller  50  may be a handheld remote control device having two or more toggles levers. In other embodiments, remote controller  50  may be a software application located on a user&#39;s smartphone. Still in other embodiments, remote controller  50  may be a homing type of device that can be attached to the user belt or clothing. In such embodiments, apparatus  10  may move toward the user as the user walks in a direction. This allows for an area to be illuminated by apparatus  10  while the user walks around a work site without the need for manual movements commands from the user. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a schematic representation of an embodiment  100  of the present invention is disclosed. Embodiment  100  includes a mobile platform assembly  112  and a lighting assembly  120  mounted to mobile platform  112 . 
     Lighting assembly  120  includes a light source  122  mounted to a mounting arm  124 . As set out above, light source  120  produces illumination  160  which can be directed to a specific location. 
     Mobile platform assembly  112  operates as set out above and has a control assembly  130  and a transportation assembly  116 . Transportation assembly  116  operates as set out above as it provides movement capability to mobile platform assembly  112 . Movement by transportation assembly is provided by a power assembly  132  and a wheel assembly  118 . Power assembly  132  has a motor  136  and a battery  138  provides movement to the wheel assembly  118  wherein a plurality of wheels  117  act on that movement in order to move mobile platform assembly  112 . 
     Control assembly  130  has a receiver  134 , at least one processor  136  and at least one memory device  138 . Control assembly  130 , through receiver  134 , is configured to receive remote signals  152  from a remote controller  150 . The remote signals  152  may be stored in memory device  138  and processed by processor  136 . The remote signals  152  may be commands to direct one or more aspects of embodiment  100  to move in a direction or to increase or decrease illumination  160 . For example, commands regarding the movement of mobile platform assembly may be received by receiver  134 . Control assembly  130  may send mobile platform movement commands  164  to transportation assembly  116 , which in turn acts on these commands and moves mobile platform assembly  112  accordingly. Further, commands regarding the movement of lighting assembly  120  and to increase the illumination  160  from light source  122  may be received by receiver  134 . Control assembly  130  may send mounting arm movement and lighting commands  162  to lighting assembly  120 , which in turn acts on these commands and moves lighting assembly  120  and increases the illumination  160  produced by light source  122  accordingly. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an schematic illustration of an embodiment of a mobile lighting system  200  of the present invention is disclosed. The mobile lighting system  200  includes a mobile platform assembly  202  that is configured as previously set out, namely being able to traverse across a surface. 
     Mobile platform assembly  202  is in near-field short distance wireless communication with a portable electronic device (PED)  204 . The PED  204  having at least one transmitter  206  and at least one processor  208 , the PED configured to transmit command signals  210  to the mobile platform assembly  202 . The PED can be a smart phone or a tablet type of device. One type of near-field short distance wireless communication standard is Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances using UHF radio waves in the industrial, scientific and medical radio bands, from 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz, and building personal area networks (PANs). 
     Mobile platform system  200  also includes a lighting assembly  220  mounted to the mobile platform assembly  202 . The lighting assembly  220  is configured to provide illumination and directional control of the illumination. 
     In further embodiments, the mobile platform assembly  202  has a transportation assembly  230  configured to provide movement to the mobile platform assembly  202 . The transportation assembly  230  can include a wheel assembly  232  and power assembly  234 . 
     In further embodiments, the mobile platform assembly  202  has a control assembly  240  having a receiver  242 , at least one processor  244 , and at least one memory device  246 . The control assembly  240  is configured to receive the command signals  210  from the PED  204 . In response to these received command signals  210 , the control assembly  240  is configured to control the transportation assembly  230 , to increase or decrease the illumination of the lighting assembly  220  and to reposition the direction of the illumination of the lighting assembly  220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , an additional embodiment of a mobile lighting system  300  of the present invention is disclosed. The mobile lighting system  300  includes a mobile platform assembly  302  as previously disclosed. Further, the mobile lighting system  300  includes a trailer  310 . The trailer  310  includes a trailer frame  312  which supports a trailer bed  314  upon which a load, e.g. tools, etc., rests. A draw bar  316  connects the trailer frame  312  to a mobile platform assembly  302 . The trailer  310  further includes a stub axle  318  having an associated wheel  320 . The ability to hold tools and other items allows a tradesman to move and work more efficiently within a workspace. Couple this capability with the ability to illuminate a specific area of a workspace, the tradesman is able to perform his work in a more efficient manner than in prior situations where he would be required to leave the workspace to obtain a needed tool. The trailer  310  shown in  FIG. 7  has one pair of wheels mounted on stub axles, however other wheel arrangements such as tandem axles lie within the scope of the invention. 
     In some embodiments, mobile platform assembly  302  further includes at least one portable electronic device charge port  330  configured to provide power to the PED or another portable electronic device. In still other embodiments, mobile platform assembly  302  further includes at least one built-in speaker  332  and configured to broadcasts received audio signals from the PED. 
     While this embodiment discloses movement and lighting commands for the mobile platform assembly and lighting assembly, such commands are merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other commands may be received, processed and acted upon, and such other commands are within the scope of the present invention. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, and by no means limited by the scope of the claims presented herein.