Abstract:
An assembly to selectively hold and position a light source is disclosed, the assembly comprising a mounting bracket or base adapted to be secured to a yard implement or similar device including a tubular frame and an attachment bracket adapted to hold a light source, where the mounting bracket and attachment bracket are pivotably coupled so as to allow flexibility in the positioning of the light source.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an attachment assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a support and attachment assembly to secure a source of illumination at a desired attitude and location. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are numerous occasions when it is desirable to temporarily affix a source of illumination to an object. In this connection, it is common practice to use a support assembly to secure a light source in a desired location proximate a workbench. Such support assemblies are illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 711,621; 2,727,137 and 1,688,148. 
     The disadvantage of each of the assemblies illustrated in these patents is the lack of flexibility to secure light sources of different sizes. In this connection, the support structures disclosed in these patents are designed to be secured to a lamp of a lighting socket of a predetermined diameter. 
     Such rigidity of application, while acceptable in areas utilizing standardized lighting fixtures, is generally not practical where lighting sources of many different configurations may be potentially used. For example, applications which contemplate the attachment of variously sized portable light sources, e.g. flashlights , cannot provide the desired utility for applications useful with yard implements, bicycle and motorcycle applications and other areas where it is desirable to temporarily mount a portable light source. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the above-identified and other advantages of prior art attachment and mounting systems. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention includes an intermediate frame which is bounded by a first and second attachment system. The first end of the frame defines a “U” shaped clamping assembly which is adapted to be secured to a frame or other rounded or semi-rounded object. The second end defines two “C” shaped clamp members which are slidably disposed about a track such that they may be moved vis-a-vis each other to secure variously sized lighting sources in a substantially fixed position. 
     The frame is preferably comprised of at least two components which are pivotably coupled so as to allow a range of motion in at least one plane by the user. In a second embodiment, a ball joint may be utilized to provide virtually unlimited degrees of freedom between the two systems. 
     The present invention presents a number of advantages over prior art attachment and mounting systems. One such advantage is that the system may be used with a wide variety of differently sized lighting sources. Another advantage is that the lighting source may be readily adjusted vis-a-vis the object to which the system is attached. 
     Other advantages will become obvious in light of the following figures and the disclosure and description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a first side view of one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a second side view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One embodiment of the present invention may be seen by reference to FIGS. 1-3 and  5 - 7  where may be seen a supporting base member  6  and an attachment assembly  8  joined by a pivot assembly  4 . 
     Pivot assembly  4  is comprised of a first stationary attachment member  10  and a second supporting base attachment  12  member, where said first and second members are pivotally disposed vis-a-vis each other via a pivot or support means  13 . In the illustrated embodiment, pivot means  13  comprises a fastener, e.g. a bolt or support fastener  15 , disposed through an aperture  16  formed in both first  10  and second  12  members and secured with an adjustable locking fastener  19 , e.g. a wingnut. In such a fashion, the first  10  and second  12  members are relatively moveable in at least one plane. Moreover, the relative position of the first  10  and second  12  members may be adjusted by loosening or tightening pivot means  13  in a conventional fashion. 
     First stationary member  10  may be affixed to or integrally formed with an attachment assembly  8  which generally comprises a stationary member  31  and a traveling member  21 . Traveling member  35  is generally “L” shaped in configuration and defines an upright portion or traveling upright member  43  and a tongue or traveling plate  38 . As illustrated, stationary member  31  also describes an “L” shape and includes a stationary upright portion  37  and a stationary base  34 , where said stationary base  34  defines a slot  35  sized to receive traveling member  32 . The stationary upright portion  37  is joined to and extending orthogonally from the stationary base  34  as shown in FIG.  5 . The stationary base  34  has a pair of spaced apart legs  11  as clearly shown in FIG.  2 . Each leg  11  has a free end  14  and an inner surface  18  with a channel  17  formed therein. In such a fashion, traveling member  32  is adapted to be slidably received within support member  31 . The stationary attachment member  10  is joined to and extending from the stationary base  34  in an opposite direction to the stationary upright member  37 . 
     Support member  31  and traveling member  32  both define opposed “C” shaped contact surfaces  47 , as illustrated. In a preferred embodiment, surfaces  47  are provided with a cushioned, contact layer  48  to aid in securing said illumination assembly  100  in a relatively non-slip fashion. The traveling plate  38  is carried in the slot  35  and has lateral edges  39  that are slidably received within the channels  17  of the legs  11 . A traveling upright member  43  is joined to and extending from the traveling plate  38  in opposed fashion to the stationary upright member. It is contemplated that layer  48  be made from a closed cell, foam rubber, through other materials of comparable performance are also contemplated within the spirit of the invention. 
     The relative juxtaposition of support member  31  and traveling member  32  is governed by a closure system which may include one or more conventional fastening systems, e.g. a bolt or attachment fastener  40  and nut  42 , which may be selectively tightened about a given appliance, e.g. a flashlight  100 . In such a fashion, the traveling member  32  is slid toward stationary member  31  until the object, e.g. a flashlight, is adequately compressed between the two so as to secure it in a desired position. The traveling member is then secured in place by tightening the fastening system. 
     Second supporting base attachment member  12  maybe attached to or formed integrally with second attachment system  6  which comprises a proximal  51  and a distal member  52 , where said proximal and distal members are moveably disposed vis-a-vis each other about a track which is itself comprised of an adjustable fastening assembly  55 . Proximal  51  and distal members  52  include two “C” shaped faces,  65  and  66  respectively, to aid in securing the system to a given support structure which has a supporting surface. The support structure herein contemplated may include a bicycle, a lawnmower or other yard appliance. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a support fastener or fastening assembly  55  comprises a pair of fasteners  60  disposed through second member  12 , proximal member  51  and distal member  52  form a clamp and is secured by a locking means  62 , e.g. wingnuts, in the manner illustrated. In such a fashion, clamp members  51  and  52  are slidably disposed about a track formed of fasteners  60  which are secured at their terminal ends by wingnuts  62 . Tightening of locking means  62  urges clamp member  51  against  52 . In such a fashion, the system may be clampingly secured to a pole or a variety of differently configured structures as long as portion of said structure is sized to fit between clamp members  51  and  52 . A supporting base attachment member  12  extends from the supporting base  6  and has an overlapping portion  22  that is in side-by side contact with an overlapping portion  23  of the stationary base attachment member  10 , and a support fastener  15 ,  19  extends through the overlapping portions to secure the supporting base attachment member  12  to the stationary base attachment member  10  in selected orientations. This includes having a pivotal arrangement between the stationary base attachment member  10  and the supporting base attachment member  12 . 
     An alternate embodiment of the invention may be seen by reference to FIG. 4 in which is illustrated an alternate pivot means. In this embodiment, first  10  and second  12  members are coupled about a ball joint  71  where the rotation of said ball is controlled by a thumb screw  73  or an equivalent mechanism. In such a fashion, the illumination assembly carried in attachment assembly  8  may be rotatably manipulated to assume any number of orientations vis-a-vis base  6 . 
     While the instant invention has particular application to portable lighting assemblies, it should be understood that it also has application to various other implements which by their nature are desirable to support at desired and various positions. 
     It is envisioned that one or more components of the invention may be manufactured from a high strength plastic or polymer. It is further contemplated that the components be interchangeable so as to provide the option to use variously sized clamping elements as the need should arise. 
     Although particular detailed embodiments of the apparatus and method have been described herein, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details of the preferred embodiment. Many changes in design, composition, configuration and dimensions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the instant invention.