Abstract:
A set of relatively small-sized devices is disclosed for safety and/or illuminative lighting in conjunction with a horse or similar animal, or with equipment associated with such an animal or with transportation devices for individuals. The devices include high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which provide intense, high visible light while being lightweight and giving off little heat. Batteries and wiring are also provided, and are included within structure that are easily attached to and usable from tack such as stirrups, saddles, or harnesses, or easily attached to parts of bicycles or other person transportation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed generally to portable, high-intensity illumination systems, and more particularly to a light source that is easily carried by or attached to a body and using a light emitting diode (“LED”).  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Conventional portable illumination systems, such as flashlights, include an incandescent light bulb and conventional dry cell batteries enclosed in a housing typically constructed of a body section and a head section. The portable, illumination systems of this type are often bulky and cumbersome, and thus often are not carried on or held by a person, or are not easily attached to the body. Further, flashlights or other illuminators that are easily carried in the hand frequently do not provide a high-intensity and/or long-lasting light. Rather, they are generally used for emergency situations or those in which light is needed for a short period or for illumination over a relatively short distance.  
         [0003]     There have been some variations on portable, hands-free illumination systems. Underground coal miners have long mounted large conventional incandescent lights with large, heavy battery packs to the front of hard hats, allowing them to work with both hands while the light on the hat illuminated the area in front of them. U.S. Pat. No. 3,032,647 to Wansky provides an example of a hat-mounted light. U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,297 to Liu also provides an example of a hands-free flashlight, which mounts conventional incandescent light bulbs and conventional drycell batteries to a bulky frame to be worn like spectacles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,294 to Liston and U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,545 to Rising describe hands-free operation of a conventional flashlight by strapping the flashlight to the user&#39;s head.  
         [0004]     While any of these devices, if worn by a user, might function as a hands-free illumination device, such devices are even more bulky and cumbersome than conventional flashlights. Moreover, such devices are not generally suitable for use in conjunction with other equipment, such as that used by public safety personnel.  
         [0005]     Conventional hands-free portable illumination systems are bulky primarily because they use incandescent light bulbs, which suffer from poor efficiency in converting electrical power into radiated visible light. Most of the electrical energy incandescent light bulbs consume is wasted in the form of heat energy, while less than 7% of the energy they consume is typically radiated as visible light. This has severe negative consequences for portable illuminator applications, such as hands-free illumination devices, where the amount of power available for lighting systems is limited. In these applications, electrical power is usually provided by batteries which are periodically replaced, as in the case of a flashlight. Such a mechanism for providing electrical power is inherently bulky, heavy, and/or expensive due at least in part to poor power-conversion efficiency in generating visible light.  
         [0006]     As already noted, incandescent lamps generate large amounts of heat for an equivalent amount of generated light as compared to other sources. This results in very high bulb-wall temperatures typically in excess of 250 degrees Celsius and large heat accumulations which must be dissipated properly by radiation, convection, or conduction to prevent damage or destruction to the illuminator support members, enclosure, optics or to other nearby components. Providing room for the necessary heat dissipation requires additional bulkiness. This high heat signature of common incandescent light sources in illuminators is particularly problematic for hands-free light sources, where the light source is in close proximity to the user&#39;s body or equipment.  
         [0007]     Incandescent light bulbs, or lamps, are also disadvantageous because they are fragile and have a short life. Even in stable environments incandescent lamps must be replaced frequently, sometimes at great inconvenience, hazard, and/or expense. In addition to their short life, incandescent lamps are susceptible to damage from mechanical shock and/or vibration. Such occurrences can damage the delicate filaments from which incandescent light emissions originate, or can damage the surrounding glass casing, which can result in air entering the casing and quick burning out of the filament. Incandescent lamps can also be easily damaged by exposure to liquid moisture, due to the thermo-mechanical stress associated with contact between the hot glass bulb wall and cooler fluids. Thus, incorporating an incandescent lamp into a hands-free illumination device requires substantial or extreme measures to protect the light bulb from shock, vibration, moisture and other hazards while still allowing for removal of the bulb or light fixture when it burns out, is permanently damaged or otherwise loses power.  
         [0008]     Incandescent light bulbs or lamps also exhibit certain electrical characteristics which make them inherently difficult to incorporate in small, lightweight applications, like hands-free illumination devices. For instance, when an incandescent light source is first energized by a voltage source, there is an initial surge of current which flows into the filament. This inrush current, which is typically 12 to 20 times the normal operating current, limits the lifetime of the lamp thus further amplifying the need for an illuminator structure which allows for frequent replacement. Inrush current also necessitates unusual consideration when designing supporting electrical circuits which contain them. Fuses, relays, mechanical or electronic switches, wire harnesses, and connectors electrically connected to such lamps must be capable of repeatedly carrying this extreme transient.  
         [0009]     In addition, the voltage-current (V-I) characteristic of incandescent lamps is notoriously non-linear, as are each of the relationships between light output and voltage, current, or power. The luminous intensity, color temperature, and service life of incandescent lamps varies exponentially as a function of applied current or voltage. This sensitivity to power source variation makes electronic control of incandescent lamps a particularly difficult problem. They are further susceptible to significant reliability and field service life degradation when subjected continuously to DC electrical power, pulse-width modulated DC power, simple on/off switching of any sort, or any over-voltage conditions, however minor. Incandescent lamps also possess significant inductance which, when combined with their relatively high current load, complicates electronic switching and control greatly due to inductive resonant voltage transients.  
         [0010]     These disadvantages to incandescent bulbs in general, and standard flashlights in particular, mean that bright, visible lighting is not generally carried by riders of horses or other animals or individual conveyances. A need exists for lighting that can be carried by animals, small modes of conveyance or people, such as those involved in public safety work, to improve their visibility and safety.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) are provided as a light source for use in lighting devices for illumination or safety for connection or attachment to a person, animal or associated equipment. Embodiments include a lighting device using LED technology is provided in the form of an attachment to a horse&#39;s tack, such as a stirrup or saddle, to mark the horse and rider and warn passers-by of their presence. In another embodiment, a lighted cuff or strap is provided for wrapping around a person&#39;s or animal&#39;s extremity. Features including switching between high- and low-intensity light, flashing or blinking lights, and use of different colors of light are also disclosed.  
         [0012]     Unlike conventional incandescent light bulbs/lamps, LEDs are highly efficient, in that most of the power consumed by an LED is converted into visible light. The efficiency of LEDs allows them to be incorporated into compact, streamlined designs with smaller and lighter batteries or other power sources. Further, LEDs are highly shock resistant and therefore provide significant advantages over incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, rendering LEDs ideal for critical applications, such as pilot-mounted aircraft cockpit illumination. LEDs possess operating lifetimes from 200,000 hours to 1,000,000 hours, as compared to the typical 1,000 to 2,000 hours for incandescent lamps. Finally, LEDs avoid the transience and inductance problems associated with incandescent lamps, allowing LEDs to be incorporated into various structures using simple circuitry.  
         [0013]     Until recently, LEDs did not produce enough light to illuminate another surface. Thus, most LEDs were used as display devices, for example, on/off indicators, etc. These uses still dominate the LED market, but recent advances in LED materials, design and manufacturing have resulted in significant increases in LED luminous efficacy and, in their most recent commercial forms, exhibit a higher luminous efficacy than incandescent lights. Thus, the latest LEDs can provide as much illumination as conventional incandescent lamps.  
         [0014]     In several embodiments of the invention, an apparatus is provided including one or more high-intensity LEDs fixed in a box that is attachable to a horse&#39;s equipment, such as stirrup or saddle, or to parts of other conveyances or equipment, such as bicycles. In this embodiment, the LEDs may receive power from one or more batteries within the box, which may be rechargeable via a connection to the box from an external power source. In another embodiment, a cuff having LEDs and a power source is provided for wrapping around a horse&#39;s or person&#39;s leg, or a part of associated equipment. In these embodiments, the LEDs may be controlled by one or more switches that can be either integrated with the box, cuff or other LED holder, or can be remote and attached by a cable. A user (e.g., a horse rider) can cause the LEDs to illuminate in static and/or dynamic (flashing) fashion by actuating the switch. The LEDs are preferably oriented to direct the LEDs&#39; luminance forward, backward and/or to the side so as to illuminate the area of interest or to advise passers-by of the presence of horse, rider, and/or equipment. LEDs of various colors may be used, with or without appropriate covers or lenses, to produce, for instance, white, blue, red, yellow or green light. Transparent or translucent covers with or without wording or other characters or symbols may also be used. Methods of using and installing the disclosed devices are also provided.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1A  is a side exploded view of an embodiment of a lighting device attachable to horse tack.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0017]      FIG. 1C  is a side view of a stirrup, with which the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  can be used.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1D  is a side view of a stirrup with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  attached.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1E  is a schematic diagram of a circuit that may be used in one or more of the disclosed device embodiments.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic internal view of a further embodiment of a lighting device.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A   
         [0022]      FIG. 2C  is a further front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of a further embodiment of a lighting device.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3B  is a top internal schematic view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3C  is a top internal schematic view of a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3D  is a rear view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3E  is a front view of a prototype substantially according to the embodiment of  FIG. 3A .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of a further embodiment of a lighting device.  
         [0029]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A .  
         [0030]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a lighting device.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5A .  
         [0032]      FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a lighting device.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6B  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A .  
         [0034]      FIG. 6C  is a schematic representation of wiring for the embodiment of  FIG. 6A .  
         [0035]      FIG. 6D  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  along with a stirrup.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6E  is a schematic diagram of a circuit that may be used in one or more of the disclosed device embodiments.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein, being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
         [0038]     The present invention is primarily directed to portable, lightweight, high-intensity illumination devices utilizing LEDs, and is described below primarily in a context of illumination devices used in conjunction with public safety, e.g. for hand held use by police officers or for attachment to police vehicles or horses. However, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may be used for other purposes or situations or in other fields in which such lighting is necessary or should be connected, or alternative embodiments may be made for such purposes, fields or situations.  
         [0039]     Referring now generally to  FIGS. 1A-1D , there is shown a first embodiment of a lighting system for use on a horse, such as a horse ridden by a police officer or other public safety official. Throughout this specification, reference may be made to uses of the devices and systems described herein with “horses,” and it is intended that such uses extend to other beasts of burden or machines to be ridden by individuals (all of which may be referred to, among other things, by the term “conveyance”). In  FIGS. 1A-1D , there is shown a lighting system  20  for attachment to a stirrup  22 , such as a stirrup forming part of the equipment for riding a horse. The exterior of system  20  features a box  24  or similar container. Box  24  includes a battery compartment  26 , which is shown at the bottom of box  24  for ease of access, but may be placed in various places on box  24 . A top  28  is secured to box  24 , and a seal  30  is preferably placed between top  28  and box  24 . Seal  30  may be made of rubber or other known natural or synthetic materials, and in one specific embodiment forms an all-weather seal. In one embodiment, top  28  and seal  30  are secured to box  24  via one or more screws  32 , and in one specific embodiment four screws  32  are placed through top  28  and seal  30  and into box  24 , preferably at each corner of top  28 , seal  30  and box  24 .  
         [0040]     In one particular embodiment, box  24  and top  28  are made of or covered in a shiny material. For example, box  24  and top  28  may be made of chrome or other shiny metal, or may be covered by an outer layer of shiny or reflective paper, foil, tape, paint or other material.  
         [0041]     Box  24  further includes a front side  34  and a backside (not shown). Front side  34  includes, in the illustrated embodiment, two elongated holes  36 , in which are set lenses  38  and  40 . Lenses  38  and  40  are preferably colored. For example, lens  38  may be red and lens  40  may be blue, in conformance with common or standard light colors used by police departments and other public safety officials. The illustrated embodiment shows holes  36  and lenses  38  and  40  as rectangular and extending along a substantial part of the length of side  34  of box  24 . It will be understood, however, that smaller or differently-shaped holes  36 , or more than two holes  36 , may be placed in front side  34 , all or some of which may be covered by or otherwise associated with one or more internal and/or external colored lenses.  
         [0042]     Within box  24 , and proximate to lenses  38  and  40 , there are placed sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  42 . An upper set  44  of LEDs  42  corresponds to lens  38  and its corresponding hole  36 , while a lower set  46  of LEDs  42  corresponds to lens  40  and its corresponding hole  36 . In the illustrated embodiment, three LEDs  42  are provided in each set  42  and  44 . In the embodiment in which lenses  38  and  40  are colored, LEDs  42  may be white, and in one embodiment may be extra bright lamps (catalog number XPR102 272-11881). Alternatively, LEDs  42  may be of the same color as the lens (if any) with which they correspond. For example, if lens  38  has a red color, the LEDs  42  associated with lens  38  may also be red in color, and in one embodiment could be 1.7 volt high bright red LEDs. In yet another embodiment, lens  38  and/or  40  may be clear (i.e. transparent, translucent, or otherwise having no color), and the LEDs associated with them may be colored red, blue, or another color as appropriate to the use. In another embodiment, sets  44  and  46  of LEDs  42  each include five LEDs  42  for providing high-intensity light, and further LEDs  48  for use when the high-intensity light is not needed. For example, in the case in which a mounted police officer is stopped in an investigation, the high-intensity LEDs  42  may be turned on to alert passers-by to the presence of the officer and his or her horse, in much the same way that flashers or rolling lights are activated on public safety automobiles that are parked during an investigation. When the investigation is over, the mounted police officer can turn off the high intensity LEDs  42 , and turn on LEDs  48  to provide some lower-intensity running lights on his or her horse.  
         [0043]     Standard methods, devices and materials are used for wiring and connecting LEDs  42  (and  48 , if present). A cable  50  is provided to connect LEDs  42  (and  48 , if provided) in box  24  to a switch (not shown). Cable  50  includes wires  52  and  54  to connect LEDs  42  and/or  48  to the switch. An opening with a rubber or other seal  55  may be provided in box  24  to allow cable  50  to be electrically connected to items in box  24 . Cable  50  is preferably long enough to reach from stirrup  22  to a saddle horn (not shown) upon the horse, or other position on the saddle, riding tack or the animal itself that would be convenient for a rider to make use of it.  
         [0044]     Battery compartment  26 , as noted above, is located in or attached to the bottom of box  24 , in one embodiment. Battery compartment  26  includes standard holders and/or attachments for batteries, to enable the current from one or more batteries to be used to power LEDs  42  and/or  48 . In one particular embodiment, battery compartment  26  is sized and equipped to hold three AA batteries and one type 23-154 12-volt battery (shown schematically at  49 ). In that embodiment, the 12-volt battery is connected to LEDs  42 , and provides the power to enable LEDs  42  to provide high-intensity light. The three AA batteries are connected to LEDs  48  to provide for lower-intensity running lights when LEDs  42  are not on and such running-light illumination is necessary. As shown in  FIG. 1C , stirrup  22  has a generally flat bottom surface  52 , and in one embodiment hook-and-loop fastener  53  such as that sold under the trademark VELCRO® is attached to bottom surface  52 . Corresponding pieces of hook-and-loop fastener are attached to a top surface  54  of box top  28 . It is preferred that high-quality hook-and-loop fastener intended for industrial use be used. In this way, system  20  is attached to the underside  52  of stirrup  22 , and is held there while the horse walks around. Cable  50  is preferably held on or close to stirrup  22 , the straps or other connections that connect stirrup  22  to a saddle (not shown), and the saddle itself to connect to the switch that is located on or near the saddle.  
         [0045]     Preferably the switch has an “off” setting, and at least two “on” settings. One “on” setting causes LEDs  42  to illuminate and another “on” setting causes LEDs  48  only to illuminate. A third “on” setting may be provided to enable LEDs  42  and/or  48  to flash or turn on and off in a given sequence, assuming LEDs  42  and/or  48  are wired appropriately as is well known in the art.  
         [0046]     A schematic diagram of one embodiment of a circuit  60  that can be used is also shown. It indicates LEDs  42  and  48 , battery  49 , switch  62 , integrated circuits  64 , capacitors (shown as C 1  through C 3 ) and resistance (shown as R 1  through R 17 ). As indicated above, these and other components may be used in known fashion in order to provide energy for substantially continuous illumination or flashing operation, or other operation of LEDs  42  and/or  48 .  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2C , there is shown a high-intensity light  100  intended for mounting to the rear of a saddle on a horse or other mode of individual transportation, including use on such items employed by police or other public-safety officers. Light  100  includes a box  102 , having a front side  104 , in which is placed a clear lens or sign  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, lens or sign  106  features the word “POLICE,” and thus light  100  is intended for use on a police animal or equipment. A set of high bright LEDs  108  are placed within box  102 . In the illustrated embodiment two LEDs  108  are included, and are placed toward opposite ends of box  102 . LEDs  108  are connected by wires  110  to a switch  112  and a battery  114 , in a fashion known in the art. Switch  112  is a standard, two-position on/off switch. In a preferred embodiment, battery  114  is a type 23-154 12-volt battery. Light  100  is intended to be small enough to be carried on an officer&#39;s person, or among his or her equipment, or attached to a saddle or other equipment associated with the officer or an animal or device he or she has. It will be understood that light  100  may be attached to saddle, equipment, or other surfaces via hook-and-loop fastener as generally described above, or by adhesive, clips, hooks, snaps or other known attaching devices.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3D , a portable lighting system  200  is shown. System  200  provides a forward-pointing, high-intensity white light, and a rearward-pointing, high-intensity red light, and therefore may be used to mark a horse or device or other equipment in much the same way as an automobile is commonly marked, i.e. with white light pointing forward and red light facing backward.  
         [0049]     System  200  includes a box  202  with a front side  204 , a rear side  206 , and a bottom side  208 . Front side  204  includes an opening  210  in which a light fixture  212  is situated. Light fixture  212  includes a high-intensity LED  214  and a casing  216 . LED  214  may be wired to shine continuously, and/or to operate in strobe fashion. Casing  216  includes an internal surface or surfaces  218  that are reflective and operate to intensify and direct the light from LED  214  into a beam emitted from front side  204  of system  200 .  
         [0050]     Rear side  206  of system  200  includes two high-intensity red LEDs  220 . Rearward-facing side  206  also includes two on/off switches  222  and  224  in the illustrated embodiment. In one embodiment, switch  222  may operate white LED  214 , while switch  224  may operate red LEDs  220 . Bottom surface  210  further features a slot  228  in which a strap, tab, catch or similar structure (not shown) can be fitted to secure system  200  to a horse or a piece of equipment. Alternatively, a piece of hook-and-loop fastener may be fitted into slot  228 , and a mating piece of hook-and-loop fastener attached to a piece of equipment, so that system  200  can be easily attached and removed to such a piece of equipment.  
         [0051]     Inside box  202 , standard electrical wiring and equipment is found, including eight AA batteries and standard holders for them, and two AAA batteries and standard holders for them (schematically shown at  230  and  232 , respectively). The AA batteries are connected to light fixture  210  and switch  222  in a known fashion, and the AAA batteries are connected to red LEDs  220  and switch  224 , also in a known fashion. In one specific embodiment, a connection  234  is provided along the side of box  202  for a plug  236 . Plug  236  is connected by a cable  238  to a hand switch (not shown). Connection  234  is electrically connected to one or both of switches  222  and  224 . In this way, system  200  can be remotely operated by a hand switch connected via cable  238  and plug  236  to system  200 .  
         [0052]     As with many of the other embodiments described herein, a particular embodiment of system  200  is intended to be relatively small, for example for attachment to a police officer&#39;s horse or for carrying on a police officer&#39;s person. Accordingly, one preferred embodiment has dimensions of approximately four inches in length (i.e. across front side  204 ), a width of approximately two inches (across a left or right side of box  202 ), and a height of about one inch (i.e. from a top surface of box  202  to bottom surface  208 ).  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4B , there is shown an embodiment of a safety and/or illumination lighting system  300 . System  300  includes a cuff  302 , and a set of high-intensity red LEDs  304  attached to cuff  302 . Cuff  302 , in one embodiment, is a linear piece of flexible material, such as leather, certain plastics, or other natural or synthetic non-woven or woven materials, formed into a circle with its ends attached to each other. Each end of the linear flexible material used to make cuff  302  may be provided with known structure for attaching the ends to each other, such as clips, hook-and-loop fastener material, buckles, snaps, clasps, zippers, or other such structures. Cuff  302  is of a length and width to fit around the ankle or hoof of a horse, an ankle or foot covering of a rider, or in similar fashion to another part of horse, machine, or rider to provide light for safety or illumination, without impeding the walking or other motion of the horse, rider or machine.  
         [0054]     LEDs  304  (of which there are four in the illustrated embodiment) are attached to an elongated flexible electrical connector material  306 . In one embodiment, material  306  includes a plastic or other suitable non-conducting substrate to which flexible wires are attached or embedded, which wires extend to connections or clips for LEDs  304 . The substrate is then attached to cuff  302  in a known fashion, for example by adhesive, by sewing, by hook-and-loop fastener, or the like. LEDs  304  are electrically connected via an on/off switch  308  to a set of AAA batteries  310 , in the illustrated embodiment. Batteries  310  and their holders are attached to cuff  302  on either the inside or outside of cuff  302 . Batteries  310  and their holders are contained in a closeable box or pouch (not shown) as is known in the art, to prevent batteries  310  from coming loose and rendering system  300  temporarily useless.  
         [0055]     Variations on the above-described embodiment of system  300  are within the scope of the present invention. For example, one or more high intensity white LEDs may replace the same number of red LEDs, or while LEDs may be added to connector material  306  in a location such that white LEDs generally face forward when system  300  is placed on a horse. In such a case, switch  308  may be replaced with a switch having multiple “on” positions for lighting different combinations of LEDs. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that if the latter type of switch is provided, additional wiring will be necessary to connect the additional “on” positions in the switch. As with other embodiments described herein, wiring, connections and switch(es) can be provided to allow one or more LEDs to blink in order to increase perception of the lights.  
         [0056]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5B , there is shown a variation of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D . The principal difference between this and system  20  is that system  400  is provided with one or more side openings  422  featuring a reflective, transparent or translucent yellow or white lens  423  on each side and a white high-intensity LED is placed proximate to each lens to provide light for safety and/or illumination. A printed circuit board provided in the system  400  can allow flashing or strobe action of the LEDs, for greater visibility when safety is the issue.  
         [0057]     Referring now generally to  FIGS. 6A-6D , there is shown a further variation of the embodiment of the device shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D . A generally circular (e.g. circular, rounded, oval) container  620  has a top side  622 , a bottom side  624 , and a circumferential wall  626 . A first set of LEDs  628  are on a front portion of circumferential wall  626 , and a second set of LEDs  630  are on a rear portion of wall  626 . In the illustrated embodiment, LEDs  628  include four white high intensity LEDs such as those described above, and LEDs  630  include one red high intensity LED such as those described above. LEDs  628  and  630  are preferably attached directly to container  620 , although it will be appreciated that appropriate electrical connections could be included in or on container  620  to allow a cuff with LEDs attached to it (such as cuff  302  described above) to be wrapped around wall  626  or otherwise attached to container  620  and electrically connected to it.  
         [0058]     A switch  632  is also provided. It will have one “off” position and one or more “on” positions, depending on the types of illumination desired, as detailed above. Switch  632  is shown in  FIG. 6B  to be attached to a rear portion of wall  626 , but it will be understood that it could be in other locations on container  620 , or could be a remote switch with cable (not shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D ) extending to container  620 . A schematic circuit diagram is shown in  FIG. 6C , and includes four AAA batteries  634  connected to switch  632  and LEDs  628  and  630 . Batteries  634  are connected to the circuit by conventional battery connections (not shown), and are located inside container  620 .  
         [0059]     A schematic diagram of one embodiment of a circuit  660  (comparable to that shown in  FIG. 6C ) that can be used is also shown. It indicates LEDs  628  and  630 , battery  634 , switch  632 , and resistance (shown as R 1  through R 5 ). As indicated above, these and other components may be used in known fashion in order to provide energy for substantially continuous illumination or flashing operation, or other operation of LEDs.  
         [0060]     An aperture  636  may be provided in the center of container  620  ( FIG. 6B ). Aperture  636  is shown as roughly square and extending through the entirety of the height of container  620 , although it will be appreciated that aperture  636  may have any of a number of regular or irregular shapes and may be shallower than the height of container  620  (i.e. there would be no aperture through bottom side  624  of container  620 ). Aperture  636  is provided to accommodate a boss, tab, clasp or other mating or locking structure on a horse&#39;s tack or other part of an individual conveyance. Top side  622  has two lateral portions  638  and  640  which are covered with hook-and-loop fastener in this embodiment. It will be appreciated that other types of fasteners, such as adhesives, hooks, snaps or the like, could be used in place of such hook-and-loop fastener.  FIG. 6D  shows schematically the connection of container  620  to a stirrup  642  by inserting a boss  644  on stirrup  642  into aperture  636  of container  620 . In this case, boss  644  acts simply as a guide, and stirrup  642  is provided with hook-and-loop fastener (or other appropriate fastener) so that container  620  can be attached to stirrup  642 . Boss  644  may be of a hard material (e.g. plastic), or may be of a softer material such as rubber to provide additional sealing ability. Boss  644  can be replaced with a positive engagement, such as a clasp, detent, hook or similar device, to assist with or perform entirely the attachment of container  620  to stirrup  642 .  
         [0061]     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.