Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a key cap light assembly that produces an efficient beam of light and is adaptable to a variety of key types. The key cap light has an elastomeric sleeve that is adapted to enclose a variety of key heads having different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. The elastomeric sleeve binds an LED assembly to the key to provide an energy efficient, operator-activated, light source proximate the key.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an illumination device generally, and more particularly to a key cap light that is adaptable to a multitude of key types and is capable of illuminating a darkened lock or keyhole.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have become a viable alternative to conventional light sources. Current LED technology provides high levels of lumen output while drawing several times less energy than conventional incandescent or florescent light sources. LEDs are also much smaller than traditional light sources. Such improvements have led to LED usage in a variety of applications. For example, numerous LED-equipped key lights are known. Such devices are generally intended to illuminate a lock or keyhole in a darkened environment. Unfortunately, however, each of the known LED-equipped key lights suffer from one or more drawbacks. For example, prior art LED-equipped key lights are generally not attachable to standard, factory-produced keys without significant machining or other costly modification. Key lights that are attachable to factory-produced keys are generally limited to use with keys of a specific size, shape, and thickness. Finally, LED-equipped key lights that operate with factory-produced keys of different sizes, shapes, and thickness generally require use of fasteners, such as screws, clips, welds, or sticky adhesives to attach the LED light to the key. Such fasteners are undesirable as they are generally susceptible to corrosion or degradation when exposed to common environmental elements such as moisture and dirt.  
         [0005]     It would be desirable then to provide a durable LED-equipped key light that is structured to provide an efficient beam of light for illuminating a keyhole in a darkened environment. It is further desirable to provide an LED-equipped key light that is readily adaptable to a variety of standard key sizes, shapes and thicknesses. Finally, it is desirable to produce an LED-equipped key light that is attachable to standard, factory-produced, keys without a need for metal fasteners or tacky adhesives.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages by providing a key cap light assembly that produces an efficient beam of light and is adaptable to a variety of key types. The key cap light has an elastomeric sleeve that is adapted to enclose a variety of key heads having different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses. For purposes of the foregoing specification and appended claims the term “elastomeric” refers to materials that readily resume a formed shape after being stretched or expanded. The elastomeric sleeve binds an LED assembly to the key to provide an energy efficient, operator-activated, light source proximate the key.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the key cap light comprises an elastomeric sleeve structured to at least partially enclose a key head, a pocket defined in the elastomeric sleeve, and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly disposed at least partially within the pocket. The LED assembly may comprise at least one LED, at least one battery, and at least one activator for operatively engaging the LED assembly.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a key cap light adapted to fit a first key having a first key head size and a second key having a second key head size. The key cap light includes an elastomeric sleeve adaptable to a first position for receiving the first key having the first key head size, and further adaptable to a second position for receiving the second key having a second key head size. In another embodiment, a pocket is defined in the elastomeric sleeve and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly is disposed at least partially within the pocket. The LED assembly includes at least one LED and corresponding electrical circuitry. In one embodiment, the LED assembly includes an electrochemical energy source, such as a battery, and an activator that allows a user to operatively engage the LED assembly.  
         [0009]     The elastomeric sleeve of the key cap light defines a formed or rest position. As the second key head size may be larger than the first key head size or vice versa, the elastomeric sleeve is adaptable to stretching to first and second positions. The elastomeric sleeve is not generally stretched in the rest position. In various embodiments, the elastomeric sleeve is comprised at least partially of spandex, neoprene, or other similar elastomeric materials.  
         [0010]     The key cap light of the present invention provides several advantages. The key cap light includes an elastomeric sleeve structured to couple the key cap light to a variety of keys regardless of their size, shape, or thickness. Advantageously, the key cap light of the present invention does not require use of complex fasteners, attachment tools or tacky adhesives. The key cap light of the present invention also includes an LED assembly for providing an efficient, operator-activated, beam of light proximate the blade of a standard factory-produced key. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0011]     Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of first and second keys according to the known prior art;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a key cap light adapted to at least partially enclose the first key of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a key cap light in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a key cap light in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a key cap light in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a section view of a key cap light, taken along section lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a transversely stretched key cap light elastomeric sleeve in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a longitudinally stretched key cap light elastomeric sleeve in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a key cap light adapted to at least partially enclose the second key of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0022]     Conventional keys of the type needed to open locks disposed in doors, cars, safety deposit boxes, and the like, are commonly manufactured in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses.  FIG. 1  depicts two such conventional keys. A first key  10  includes an oval-shaped head  12  extending from a key blade  14  as shown. In many applications, a key ring aperture  16  is defined at one end of the key. The key ring aperture is structured to receive a key ring (not shown) for binding one or more keys together as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. A second key  20  is depicted having a rectangular shaped head  22  extending from a key blade  24  as shown. The second key  20  also defines a key ring aperture  26  proximate one end of the key. As is apparent in view of the standard keys illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the size, shape, and thickness of respective key heads may vary significantly between applications. This result is generally intended by key manufacturers as such varying features allow consumers to differentiate between keys having different purposes (e.g., house keys, car keys, pad lock keys, etc.).  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  depicts a key cap light assembly  100  coupled to a conventional key in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of simplicity, the foregoing specification and appended claims will refer to the key cap light assembly as a key cap light. In the depicted embodiment, the key cap light  100  is coupled to the first key  10  of  FIG. 1  for illustration purposes. As will be apparent in view of the disclosure provided below, key cap lights  100  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention are not limited to use with any one key head structure and are designed specifically to enclose key heads of varying sizes and shapes. In this regard,  FIG. 9  depicts a key cap light  200  coupled to the second key  20  of  FIG. 1  as discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0024]     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the key cap light  100  is comprised of an elastomeric sleeve  115  and an LED assembly  116 . The elastomeric sleeve  115  is structured to stretch over, and at least partially enclose, the head  12  of a standard key  10 , thereby binding the key cap light  100  to the key  10 . In various embodiments, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a number of apertures as described in detail below. In one embodiment, for example, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a key blade aperture  135 . The key blade aperture is structured to receive a key blade  14 . In another embodiment, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a key head aperture  134 . The key head aperture  134  is structured to receive a portion of the key head  12 . In such embodiments, the elastomeric sleeve  115  (and thus the key cap light  100 ) is secured at a first end by the key blade extending through the key blade aperture  135 , and secured at a second end by a portion of the key head  12  extending through the key head aperture  134 . The second element of the key cap light  100  is the LED assembly  116 . The LED assembly  116  includes at least one LED  139  and corresponding electrical circuitry. In one embodiment, the at least one LED  139  is directed to illuminate an area proximate the blade  14  of an attached key  10 . To operate the key cap light  100 , a user simply directs the key blade  14  toward a selected key hole (not shown). An engaged LED  139  is thus positioned to illuminate the selected key hole.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts an exploded view of a key cap light  100  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As referenced above, the key cap light  100  is comprised of an elastomeric sleeve  115  and an LED assembly  116 . In one embodiment, the elastomeric sleeve  115  comprises one or more elastomeric materials such as spandex materials including those sold by Du Pont under the LYCRA® brand, neoprene materials, or other stretchable nylon or polyester blended materials. Apart from their elasticity, such materials provide resistance to moisture and other environmental contaminants. In various embodiments, the elastomeric sleeve  115  may be structured generally as a pouch, cup, or band.  
         [0026]     In the depicted embodiment, the elastomeric sleeve  115  is structured generally as an inverted cup. The elastomeric sleeve  115  includes an outer surface  120  having a rim portion  125  at least partially enclosing an inner surface (as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5 ). In one embodiment, the rim portion  125  of the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a rest position that is smaller than the key head  12  of the first key  10  and smaller than the key heads of other standard factory-produced keys (not shown). Such sizing allows the elastomeric sleeve  115  to stretch from the rest position to a stretched position whereby the elastomeric sleeve  115  at least partially encloses the key head  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Such sizing is best illustrated through a comparison of the elastomeric sleeve positions shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  depicts an elastomeric sleeve  115  in a rest position while  FIG. 2  illustrates the elastomeric sleeve  115  stretched to a first position in which the elastomeric sleeve  115  has been installed to partially enclose the key head  12  of the first key  10 . Once installed, the elastomeric sleeve  115  snugly fits the key head  12  in order to firmly hold the key cap light  100  to the key. As a result, the key cap light  100  of the present invention has little need for undesirable fasteners or tacky adhesives.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment of the invention, as referenced briefly above, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a key blade aperture  135 . The key blade aperture  135  is sized to receive key blades  14  of differing keys. In the depicted embodiment, the shape of the key blade aperture  135  is rectangular; however, in alternate embodiments key blade apertures  135  may take any shape large enough to receive a key blade  14 . In another embodiment, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a key head aperture  134  positioned generally opposite the key blade aperture  135  as shown. In the depicted embodiment, the key head aperture  134  is a rectangular slot, however, the key head aperture  134  may take any shape capable of receiving a portion of the key head  12 . In this regard, the elastomeric sleeve  115  is held to the key head  12  by at least three points, namely, the point at which the key blade  14  extends through the key blade aperture  135 , the point at which a portion of the key head  12  extends through the key head aperture  134 , and the point at which the rim portion  125  of the elastomeric sleeve  115  at least partially encloses the key head  12 .  
         [0028]     In the depicted embodiment, the key head aperture  134  additionally provides a user access to the key ring aperture  16  as shown. In alternate embodiments, however, an optional ring aperture  130  may be required to provide such access in differently configured keys (as shown in  FIG. 9 ).  
         [0029]     In another embodiment, as shown collectively in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6 , the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines a pocket  136  for receiving the LED assembly  116  as described in further detail below. The depicted LED assembly  116  comprises at least one LED  139 , an activator  137  for activating the at least one LED  139 , a battery  138  for powering the at least one LED  139 , and a circuit board  140  for controlling the at least one LED  139 . For simplicity purposes, the at least one LED  139  is referred to below as the LED  139 . It is noted however, that the present invention is not limited to key cap lights having a single LED and may, in fact, include key cap lights having multiple LEDs.  
         [0030]     Although depicted as a button, the activator  137  may include alternate devices or switches that allow users to selectively engage the LED  139 . For example, the activator  137  may include buttons, dials, optical sensors, thumb wheels, and the like. Likewise, the LED  139  of the depicted embodiment is a white LED; however, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the LED  139  may be any other type of LED or combination of LEDs, including but not limited to blue LEDs, red LEDs, orange LEDs, amber LEDs, yellow LEDs, green LEDs, or bi- or tri-color LEDs. The depicted battery  138  is a flat lithium battery, however, other batteries known in the art may be used.  
         [0031]     In the depicted embodiment, the activator  137 , the battery  138 , and the LED  139  are disposed in electrical communication via a circuit board  140 . The circuit board  140  supports corresponding electrical circuitry for driving the LED  139  to illuminate in response to a user pressing or otherwise operatively engaging the activator  137 . In the depicted embodiment, the circuit board  140  is a small printed circuit board or PCB.  
         [0032]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines an activator aperture  132  and an LED aperture  133  as shown. The depicted activator aperture  132  is structured to provide a user access to the activator  137 . Alternatively, in other embodiments, the activator aperture  132  may be omitted as the activator may be operated by a user through the elastomeric sleeve, e.g., via a rocker switch or other devices (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, the LED aperture  133  is structured to provide an unimpeded beam of light from the LED  139  toward the blade  14  of an attached key.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the elastomeric sleeve  115  is shown in its rest or un-stretched state. As referenced above, the depicted elastomeric sleeve  115  is structured generally as an inverted a cup having an outer surface  120  defining a rim portion  125  that at least partially encloses an inner surface  121 . The rim portion  125  of the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines an access aperture  122  as shown. In one embodiment, the access aperture  122  exposes a pocket  136  located on the inner surface  121  of the elastomeric sleeve  115 . The pocket  136  operates to enclose, support, isolate, and protect the LED assembly  116 . In the depicted embodiment, the pocket  136  is comprised of an elastomeric material that is stitched to the inner surface  120  of the elastomeric sleeve  115 . In alternate embodiments, however, the pocket  136  may be formed integrally within the inner surface  120  of the elastomeric sleeve  115 . For example, the pocket  136  may molded as a unitary part of the elastomeric sleeve  115  such that no stitching or other attachment is necessary (not shown). The pocket  136  may be comprised of any material sufficient to enclose and isolate the LED assembly  116  from water, dirt, or other contaminants. Elastomeric materials (e.g., spandex, neoprene, blended polyester, nylon, etc.) may be particularly useful as pocket materials as they allow the pocket to stretch in unison with the elastomeric sleeve, thus, reducing strain on the attachment area between the pocket and the elastomeric sleeve.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the depicted pocket  136  is located generally centrally on the inner surface  121  of the elastomeric sleeve  115  and slightly proximate the key blade aperture  135 . In alternate embodiments, the pocket  136  may be located anywhere on the inner surface  121  of the elastomeric sleeve  115 . Further, in other embodiments, the pocket  136  may be disposed on the outer surface  120  of the elastomeric sleeve  115  (not shown). In such embodiments, the pocket  136  may define apertures for exposing the activator  137  and the LED  139 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  depict the longitudinal and transverse elasticity of the elastomeric sleeve  115 . In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the elastomeric sleeve  115  is adapted to stretch transversely from a rest position along arrows A-A. Such transverse elasticity allows the elastomeric sleeve to receive key heads of differing shapes, widths, and thicknesses. In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the elastomeric sleeve  115  is adapted to stretch longitudinally from a rest position along arrows B-B. Such longitudinal elasticity allows the elastomeric sleeve to receive key heads of differing shapes, lengths, and thicknesses.  
         [0036]     Returning briefly to  FIG. 2 , the depicted key cap light  100  is coupled to the first key  10  at least partially because of the transverse and longitudinal elasticity demonstrated in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . The key cap light  100  is stretched from a rest position to the first position depicted in  FIG. 2  generally as described below. The first key  10  is placed into the access opening of the elastomeric sleeve  115  (shown as  122  in  FIG. 5 ) and the key blade  14  is inserted into the key blade aperture  135  as shown. The elastomeric sleeve  115  is stretched transversely such that the key head  12  is received within the access aperture. The elastomeric sleeve  115  is stretched longitudinally such that a portion of the key head  12  is received by, and locked into, the key head aperture  134  as shown. In the depicted embodiment, the elastomeric sleeve  115  defines an activator aperture  132  that allows a user to operatively engage the activator  137 .  
         [0037]     Similarly,  FIG. 9  depicts a key cap light  200  adapted to stretch transversely and longitudinally to a second position for fitting the second key  20  of  FIG. 1 . In the depicted embodiment, the second key  20  is placed into the access opening of the elastomeric sleeve (shown as  122  in  FIG. 5 ) and the key blade  24  is inserted into the key blade aperture  235  as shown. The elastomeric sleeve  215  is stretched transversely such that the key head  22  is received within the access aperture. The elastomeric sleeve  215  is stretched longitudinally such that a portion of the key head  22  is received by, and locked into, the key head aperture  234  as shown. In the depicted embodiment, the elastomeric sleeve  215  defines an activator aperture  232  that allows a user to operatively engage the activator  237 . In addition, the depicted elastomeric sleeve  215  defines a key aperture  230  for aligning with the key ring aperture  26  of the key and thereby allowing use of a key ring (not shown) with the key cap light  200  of the present invention.  
         [0038]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.