Abstract:
A collapsible lighting device including a plurality of light panel sections, each light panel section comprising a plurality of light emitting elements, at least one connection element constructed and arranged to connect one or more light panel sections of the plurality of light panel sections to one another, and an electronic control system configured to distribute electrical power to the plurality of light emitting elements.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/325,412, filed on Apr. 19, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally provides an improved lighting device, and more particularly an improved lighting device of the type commonly used for temporary lighting. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Flashlights have been long known and widely used. Although simple flashlights have been generally effective for many required applications, such as illuminating small work areas in dimly lit locations with a generally large space envelope surrounding them. However, their abilities are often limited by size. Generally, whenever a larger area of illumination is required, a larger flashlight is required. When a larger flashlight is used, the space envelope around any particular work area is also required. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A collapsible lighting device can solve many of the problems posed by conventional flashlights. Flashlights work well when a relatively small focused area of illumination is needed for a particular work area. They become limited when a wide area of illumination is required, such as the underside of an automobile or behind a piece of equipment for example. As flashlights typically only have one light bulb which is focused by a reflective lens, they typically only illuminate a small area. By utilizing a plurality of light emitting elements, a collapsible lighting device can illuminate a significantly larger work area. 
         [0005]    This creates an additional improvement. Flashlights are generally are hard to position and hold in place when aiming the single beam of light at a particular work area. They require precise positioning to illuminate a desired area which can be difficult for a user, and sometimes can be impossible given the space envelope surrounding the work area. As the collapsible lighting device utilizes a plurality of light emitting elements to create a larger area of illumination, they do not require such precise positioning and aiming. 
         [0006]    Although large arrays of light emitting elements can provide a larger area of illumination, a very large rigid device would be awkward and difficult to handle by a user. Also, portability and transportation concerns exist. By making the device collapsible, an end user can roll up or fold a large device into a compact and portable form. Then that user would be able to put the device in a tool box or bag and bring it to another work area. Further, collapsible lighting devices are capable of being temporarily expanded to produce a larger array of light, depending on the needs of a user at any particular time. 
         [0007]    In addition, to improve on the userability of a lighting device, a collapsible lighting device can be designed to be thin and low profile so that it can be used in tight spaces like under an automobile or between a wall and a large piece of equipment. Further, a collapsible lighting device can be manufactured from flexible materials such that it does not require a large flat surface to be placed on, as often work areas are not conducive to large, flat, stable surfaces. To compliment the thin design, a collapsible lighting device can be designed with mounting tabs and magnets built in to allow for temporary positioning in a variety of applications. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, a collapsible lighting device comprises: a plurality of light panel sections, each light panel section comprising a plurality of light emitting elements; at least one connection element constructed and arranged to connect one or more light panel sections of the plurality of light panel sections to one another; and an electronic control system configured to distribute electrical power to the plurality of light emitting elements. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the electronic control system comprises an on/off switch. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the electrical power supply comprises a rechargeable battery pack. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the at least one connection element comprises a rotating hinge. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the at least one connection element comprises a multi-position rotating joint. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, the at least one connection element comprises a flexible material joint. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, a light panel section of the plurality of light panel sections comprises a base material and a lens material, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements of the light panel section are positioned between the base material and the lens material. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment the collapsible lighting device further comprises mounting tabs attached to the light panel. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the collapsible lighting device further comprises magnetic components for mounting. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, the base material comprises one or materials selected from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic, polyurethane, vinyl, nylon, composite, textile, and metals. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the lens material comprises one or materials selected from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic, polyurethane, vinyl, nylon, composite, textile, and metals. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the connection element constructed and arranged to connect one or more light panel sections of the plurality of light panel sections to one another can be decoupled. 
         [0020]    In another aspect, a collapsible lighting device comprises: a flexible light panel section that can be rolled up; a plurality of light emitting elements; an electrical power source; and an electronic control system configured to distribute electrical power to the plurality of light emitting elements. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the flexible light panel section comprises a flexible base material and a flexible lens material, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements of the flexible light panel section are positioned between the flexible base material and flexible lens material. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the electronic control system comprises an on/off switch. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment, the electrical power source comprises a rechargeable battery pack. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the collapsible lighting device further comprises mounting tabs attached to the light panels. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the collapsible lighting device further comprises magnetic components for mounting. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment, the flexible base material comprises one or materials selected from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic, polyurethane, vinyl, nylon, composite, textile, and metals. 
         [0027]    In another embodiment, flexible lens material comprises one or materials selected from the group consisting of: rubber, plastic, polyurethane, vinyl, nylon, composite, textile, and metals. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the collapsible lighting device comprises light emitting elements which are positioned and directed in opposing directions to allow multi-directional illumination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present inventive concepts will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same elements throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fully expanded lighting device in accordance with embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an individual light panel in accordance with embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an individual light panel in accordance with other embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a method of collapsing a lighting device in accordance with embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a method of collapsing a lighting device in accordance with other embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a flexible lighting device in accordance with embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a method of mounting a lighting device in accordance with embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a method of mounting a lighting device in accordance with other embodiments of the present inventive concepts. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fully expanded lighting device. A lighting device  100  can comprise one or more light panels  101  each having a plurality of light emitting elements  103 . The light emitting elements  103  of the light panels  103  can be powered by an electrical power source  105 , such as, a rechargeable battery pack comprising one or more individual batteries, a solar power panel, a fuel cell, or an internal electrical generator. In another embodiment, the light emitting elements  103  of the light panels  101  can be powered by AC electrical power. 
         [0039]    The lighting device  100  can further comprise an electronic control system  107  that is configured to control the distribution of electrical power to the light emitting elements  103  of the one or more light panels  101 . In one embodiment, the electronic control system  107  comprises a simple on/off operational switch or a control dial. Further, the electronic control system  107  can comprise an LED driver circuit that can manage and distribute electrical power to the light emitting elements  103 . 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the one or more light panels  101  can be connected to one another by hinges  112 . However, in another embodiment, the light panels  101  can be connected to one another by a rotational joint or a flexible material, such as, rubber or plastic. Further, the one or more light panels  101  can be electrically connected to one another by a wire harness  104 . The wire harness  104  can comprise one or more conductors from the group of conductors comprising: ribbon cable, coaxial cable, twisted wire. However, in another embodiment, electrical connections can be built into the hinge mechanism  112 . As such, the wire harness  104  or hinge  112  can distribute electrical power to each of the one or more light panels  101  of the lighting device  100 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment the light panels  101  can be decoupled at the hinges  112  to add or remove light panels from the lighting device  100 . In another embodiment, the light panels  101  can be permanently coupled to one another at the hinges  112 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an individual light panel. A light panel  101  can comprise a plurality of light emitting elements  103  that are positioned between a base material  110  and a lens material  111 . The base material  110  and the lens material  111  can comprise materials that protect inner components from debris and/or damage. The base material  110  can comprise one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising: metals, plastics, acrylics, composites and glass. The lens material  111  can comprise one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising: plastics, acrylics, and glass. In one embodiment, the base material  110  and the lens material  111  comprise the same material. Further, the lens material  111  can comprise a translucent material or a transparent material, and the base material  110  can comprise a translucent material, a transparent material, a reflective material or an opaque material. 
         [0043]    The light emitting elements  103  can comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, in other embodiments, the light emitting elements  103  can comprise one or more, incandescent lighting elements, fluorescent lighting elements, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or liquid crystal displays (LCDs). 
         [0044]    In this exemplary embodiment, electrical power is provided to the light emitting elements  103  of the light panel  101  by a power cord  106 , which can be connected to an external AC electrical outlet. However, in other embodiments, electrical power can be provided to the light emitting elements  103  of the light panels  101  by an electrical power source, such as, the electrical power source  105  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an individual light panel. A light panel  101  can comprise a plurality of light emitting elements  103  that can be housed in a rigid chassis  116 . The light emitting elements  103  of the rigid chassis  116  can be covered with a lens material  111 . The light emitting elements  103  can be powered by an electrical power source  105  and can further be controlled by an electronic control system  107 . 
         [0046]    The rigid chassis  116  and lens material  111  can comprise a material which has sufficient material properties to protect the inner components from debris and/or damage. The chassis  116  can comprise one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising: metals, plastics, acrylics, composites and glass. The lens material  111  can comprise one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising: plastics, acrylics, and glass. In one embodiment, the chassis  116  and the lens material  111  comprise the same material. Further, the lens material  111  can comprise a translucent material or a transparent material, and the chassis  116  can comprise a translucent material, a transparent material, a reflective material or an opaque material. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a method of collapsing a lighting device  100 . A lighting device comprising a plurality of light panels  101  can be collapsed according to an accordion-type method, which allows a lighting device  100  comprising two or more individual light panels  101  to be fully collapsed into a stack  150 . 
         [0048]    In this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of light panels  101  are connected to one another by hinges  112 . In this manner, the plurality of light panels  101  can be collapsed, wherein one light panel is folded onto an adjacent light panel. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a method of collapsing a lighting device  100 . A lighting device comprising a plurality of light panels  101  can be collapsed according to a roll-up method, which allows a lighting device  100  comprising two or more individual light panels  101  to be collapsed into a roll  151 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a flexible lighting device  200 . A flexible lighting device  200  can comprises a plurality of light emitting elements  103  encased between a flexible base material  201  and a flexible lens material  202 , and can be controlled by an electronic control system  107 . In one embodiment, electrical power can be provided to the flexible lighting device  200  by a power source  105  or an electrical cord  106 . 
         [0051]    The light emitting elements  103  can be circular in shape, and can comprise one or more individual light emitting elements, however, in other embodiments the light emitting elements  103  can be any shape that is desired for additional functional or aesthetic requirements. For example, the light emitting elements  103  can be rectangular, triangular, or long thin strips. Light emitting elements  103  can be spaced apart from adjacent light emitting elements  103  such that if light modules are rigid, the entire flexible lighting device maintains flexibility and may be rolled up. Depending on the size of the light emitting elements  103 , a space between adjacent modules can be optimized for maximum lighting. For example, larger more powerful light emitting elements  103  may require larger space between adjacent light emitting elements  103  to prevent the flexible lighting device  200  from becoming a rigid mat of light emitting elements  103 . Further, light emitting elements  103  can be connected to one another electrically by a wire harness  104 . Light emitting elements  103  can be positioned facing different directions to provide multi directional illumination. 
         [0052]    In this exemplary embodiment, the flexible base material  201  can comprise one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising: plastics, polyurethane, vinyl, and rubber. The flexible lens material  202  can comprise one or more materials selected from the group of materials comprising: plastics, polyurethane, vinyl, and rubber. In one embodiment, the flexible base material  201  and the flexible lens material  202  can comprise the same material. However, in other embodiments the flexible base material  201  and the flexible lens materials  202  can be different materials. Further, the flexible lens material  202  can comprise a translucent material or a transparent material, and the flexible base material  201  can comprise a translucent material, a transparent material, a reflective material or an opaque material. 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a method of mounting a lighting device  100 . A light panel  101  can comprise a plurality of mounting tabs  114 , which can be used to hang or position the lighting device  100 . In one embodiment, the mounting tabs  114  can be manufactured as part of a light panel  101 . However, in other embodiments, the mounting tabs  114  can be separate components which can be attached to the light panel  101 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a method of mounting a lighting device  100 . A light panel  101  can comprise a plurality of mounting magnets  115 , which can be used to hang or position the lighting device  100  in a variety of applications. In one embodiment, the mounting magnets  115  can be manufactured and molded into any one of the material housings, such as, the base material  110  or lens material  111 . In other embodiments the mounting magnets  115  can be connected to the light panel  101  by a press fit friction joint or adhesive bonded to either the base material  110  or lens material  111 .