Abstract:
An illuminating device including a housing, at least one LED located within said housing, a grip handle, wherein the grip handle comprises a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first shell and the second shell join together, a rotatable shaft, coupled to the grip handle and to the housing, wherein the rotatable shaft comprises a spindle and a belt that rotates along the spindle to rotate the grip handle and the housing in a twisting motion against one another, an electric generating device received in a cavity of the grip handle, and an actuating device including a follower rotatably attached to the grip handle, including a handle pivotally attached to the follower for rotating the follower relative to the grip handle, and including a knob rotatably attached to the handle, to allow the handle to be rotated relative to the grip handle, wherein the actuating device and the electric generating device generate electric energy to energize the illuminating device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a self-powered illuminating device, and more particularly, a self-powered illuminating device with flashlight and lantern illuminating members connected by a spindle and collar coupling to a deflectable handle to facilitate ergonomic and/or stable use of the same under a variety of conditions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Typical illuminating devices are lanterns and/or flashlights that require either batteries or an AC voltage source. The inability to adjust the position and orientation of a flashlight and/or a lantern can be inconvenient. Typically, lanterns are designed to be placed on a table for illumination of an area such as a work area, for example, for reading, eating or the like. Alternatively lanterns may be hung or placed on a high object. 
         [0003]    In principal, ordinary flashlights may be used for work area illumination. In such uses, typically, the user places a flashlight in a stable position, aimed as closely as possible to a particular work area. 
         [0004]    In the past, attempts have been made to improve the flexibility of lighting devices. For example, the bendable flashlight with a central portion which may be bent around, for example, a pipe, which is made by Black &amp; Decker and sold under the trademark Snakelight, represents an attempt to provide a lantern function in a flashlight. This flashlight generally comprises an illumination end, and an elongated opposite gooseneck portion, which may be secured around any desired object. If desired, for example, such a light may be rotated around a stay or a mast on a boat and the light aimed to provide general illumination, or illumination of a particular work task. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    There are also several functional limitations for hands-free and hand-held uses associated with prior art flashlights and/or lanterns. Illuminating devices known in the art can usually be hand-held in an upright position, or can be placed on their base. This is a problem because it requires the light to be placed on a stable and relatively flat, horizontal surface, which is not always available or convenient. 
         [0006]    One embodiment of the present invention is an illuminating device including several elements. The illuminating device includes a light source housing. The device also includes at least one LED located within the housing and a grip handle. The grip handle includes a first shell and a second shell, and the first shell and the second shell join together and define a collar at one end. The device also includes a rotatable shaft, defined on the light source housing. The shaft is coupled to the spindle on the grip handle of the housing. The collar rotates on the spindle to rotate the grip handle relative to the light source housing in a twisting motion. Alternatively, the collar may be provided on the light source housing and the spindle provided on the grip handle. The device also optionally includes an electric generating device received in a cavity of the grip handle. An actuating device including a follower coupling rotatably attached to the grip handle, including a handle pivotally attached to the follower for rotating the follower relative to the grip handle. A knob is rotatably attached to the handle, to allow the handle to be rotated relative to the grip handle, and couple rotary motion to the electric generating device to generate electric energy to energize the illuminating device. 
         [0007]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention an illuminating device has a lantern and a headlamp. The illuminating device includes a body having: an elongated handle with a hand grip, for example on the grip handle, and a housing portion joining and extending laterally from an end of the elongated handle to have a distal end with respect to the elongated handle. The illuminating device also includes at least one rechargeable battery accommodated in the handle, a rotatable driving shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, with a spindle for rotating said elongated handle against said housing portion, a first recess and a second recess in the housing portion, wherein the first recess is at an end of the housing portion and the second recess is alongside the driving shaft, one LED received in the first recess and connectable to the battery, wherein the one LED is the headlamp. At least one LED is received in the second recess and connectable to the battery, wherein the at least one LED is the lantern. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an illuminating device fully rotated in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an angled side perspective view of an illuminating device fully rotated in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an angled back perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an angled front perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a back perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a first side perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a second side perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position illustrating a function; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a back perspective view of an illuminating device in a straight position illustrating its function; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the rotating mechanism; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the spindle and collar mechanism; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a schematic of an electrical circuit for operating the inventive illuminating device  10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    With reference to the figures,  FIGS. 1-10  illustrate an illuminating device constructed in accordance with the present invention. An illuminating device  10  includes a headlamp  12 , more clearly shown in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment, the headlamp  12  comprises, for example, a single light bulb  52  which emits a direct beam of light. The headlamp  12  is located at the front end of illuminating device  10 , and is mounted in an illuminator housing  14 . The housing  14  of the illuminating device  10  has a concave divot  38  where the headlamp  12  is located and placed. 
         [0025]    The housing  14 , which is attached to a rotating member  44 , includes a plurality of LEDs making up a lantern  40  of the illuminating device  10 . The rear of the illuminating device  10  is shown in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen in this figure, a hook  30  is mounted in a recess  31  of the housing  14 . 
         [0026]    The handle  20  includes indentations  62  to provide an easy grip for a user on the illuminating device  10 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6  and  8 . The front side of the illuminating device  10  is shown in  FIG. 7 . Here, there is a magnet holder mounting  60 , where a magnet  18  is positioned. The magnet  18  in this embodiment is glued to the magnet holder mounting  60 , however the magnet could also be attached using a metal screw, a plastic screw, or any other means to attach the magnet to the handle. The magnet  18  is used to attach the illuminating device  10  to a magnetic surface, for example iron or steel, like a refrigerator, or the hood of a car. When one is doing mechanical work under the hood of a car, for example, one can attach the illuminating device  10  to the hood, using the magnet  18 , for a continuous light source. If such a use, the flashlight may be configured as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , thus providing for general illumination of the engine. 
         [0027]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a charging device  50  ( FIG. 7 ) is positioned on the side of illuminating device  10 . Charging device  50  includes a follower coupling  32  and a crank  34  having one end pivotally secured to the follower coupling  32  by a shaft  46 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  7  and  11 . The grip of the illuminating device  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , includes a switch  42 . 
         [0028]    The base  58  of the illuminating device  10  is shown in  FIG. 10 . Here, the base  58  includes a connector  54  configured to receive the output of an AC voltage charger and an indicator light  56 , which indicates when charging is occurring. Alternatively, the indicator light may be used to indicate the state of charge of an already charge battery. Still another alternative is blinking or other drives of indicator light  56  to indicate various things including charging and state of charge. The base  58  also includes a divot  48  and a support member  36  ( FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 ,  8  and  10 ). 
         [0029]    When it is desired to charge a rechargeable battery contained in illuminating device  10 , the crank is rotated from the position shown in  FIG. 8  in the direction of arrow  35  to the position illustrated in solid lines in  FIG. 11 . Crank  34  is then rotated on on pin  46  relative to follower  32  to bring handle  20  from the folded or storing position, illustrated in  FIG. 1  an open or working position illustrated in  FIG. 11 . A knob  48  may be rotatably secured to the other end of the crank  34  with a fastener  70 , to allow the follower  32  to be easily gripped for rotation, for example in the direction indicated by arrow  37 , relative to the handle  20 . Typically this may be done by grasping the crank  34  by holding the knob  48 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the crank may be rotated around 360 degrees continuously, either clockwise or counterclockwise. 
         [0030]    An electrical circuit for operating the event of illuminating device  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . An electrical generator  39  may be located within the handle  20  and mechanically coupled to coupling follower  32 . The actuating device  50  and the electrical generator  39  are mechanically coupled to one another in order to generate and supply energy to a storage battery  80 . Storage battery  80  is connected by a coupling circuit, for example a rectifier circuit  43 , two the headlamp  12  and to the lantern illumination assembly  40 . Lantern illumination assembly  40  may be, for example, an array of five, ten, twenty, or even more light emitting diodes. Power may be switched between headlamp  12  and lantern illumination assembly  40  by a selector switch  42  or any other suitable device. 
         [0031]    It is noted that the present invention does not require the use of a generator. Other means of producing energy may be used with the present invention, for example, a rechargeable battery  80  may be the charged by house current or a car battery. 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment, the switch  42 , as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , can perform three functions. The switch  42  can turn the headlamp  12  on, or it can turn the lantern  40  on, or it can turn the illuminating device  10 , including both the headlamp  12  and the lantern  40 , off. However, a switch with any number of functions may be used with the present invention. 
         [0033]    Returning to  FIG. 10 , the indicator light  56  lights up if the illuminating device  10  is receiving power in some embodiments, or is charged in other embodiments. In yet another embodiment, the emitting light  56  indicates that the illuminating device  10  needs more power to operate. The divot  48  is an opening in the base  58  for the knob  48  to snap in and be held in place. Support member  36  ( FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 ,  8  and  10 ) provides a stable platform at the base  58  so that the illuminating device  10  may stand upright easily. 
         [0034]    The housing  14  which holds the lantern element  40  may be injection molded in two halves  14   a ,  14   b , and assembled with the elements bearing against each other at an interface  45 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each of these halves are joined to one another via fasteners  24   a ,  24   b ,  22   a  and  22   b . In this embodiment, the fasteners are metal screws, however these two halves may be attached using glue, plastic screws, metal screws, or any other way where the two halves are joined. 
         [0035]    Housing  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , includes a spindle  47  which defines a race  49 . See also  FIG. 8 . Race  49  on spindle  47  is engaged by a collar  67 , as described below. 
         [0036]    The handle  20  comprises a first shell  20   a  and a second shell  20   b . The first shell and the second shell are joined together, in this embodiment, by screws  22   c ,  22   d ,  26  and  28 . Any other fastening means may be used, like glue or any other mechanism. Each of the first shell and the second shell cover half of a spindle each, located in the rotating mechanism  44 . The first shell  20   a  and a second shell  20   b    
         [0037]    Power is coupled from storage battery  82  illuminator housing  14  by a plurality of wires, as will be described below. The rotating element is restrained from rotating 360 degrees; for example it can rotate just short of the 360 degrees, to a maximum of approximately 350 degrees. The less than full 360 degree rotation prevents rotation from continuing in one direction unchecked, the wires within from being twisted, broken or damaged. 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIGS. 13-14 , a first wire  84   a  conducts the electricity to actuate the headlamp  12 , a second wire  84   b  conducts the electricity to light the lantern  40 , and a third wire  84   c  is a common or a ground. The rotating device  44  is coupled to the handle  20 . 
         [0039]    As alluded to above, rather than the illuminating device  10  being operated by a generator  50  charging a battery, the illuminating device  10  may also be operated using a non-rechargeable battery(s), a charger that is plugged into the wall, AC voltage, DC voltage, or a charger that is plugged into the cigarette lighter in a car or any other device. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment ( FIG. 12 ), the hook  30  is shown in a resting position and in a hanging position. The hook comprises a ball  78 , which is part of a ball and socket mounting, that can be rotated approximately 180 degrees in three dimensions, enabling the hook to go from resting position within the housing  14  to a hanging position, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The hook  30  can be used to hang the illuminating device  10  and allows the illuminating device  10  to be used as a hanging light, for example using lantern light  40 . 
         [0041]    What is desired to operate the inventive light, crank  34  is rotated from the position, illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 2  to the physician illustrated in solid lines in  FIG. 11 . Generally the operation of crank type rechargeable flashlights is known. Plus, the crank is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow  37 , for example. This is done until the battery is charged. Alternatively, the batteries may be charged by coupling a recharging power supply to connector  54 . Once the battery has been sufficiently charged, switch  42  may be operated to turn on the light in the desired fashion. 
         [0042]    As alluded to above, the inventive light may be hung by causing magnet  18  to engage a magnetic surface, such as steel or iron. For example, magnet  18  may be engaged with a steel tent pole to provide general illumination inside a tent. Alternatively, magnet  18  may engage the side of a car to illuminate an area beside the car or provide a reading light for an individual sitting in the car seat with his legs extending from the car. Yet another alternative is to thank the inventive light  10  through the use of hook  30 . In either case, the flashlight/lantern  10  of the present invention may be placed either in the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1  or the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Such configuration is selected by rotation, for example in the direction of arrow  87 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 13 . 
         [0043]    Such rotation allows the grip handle and the housing to rotate with respect to each other, to positions with are oriented at an angle to each other. This is achieved because rotation is permitted by the collar and spindle arrangement about a rotation axis at an angle between 15° and 75°, but preferably about 45°, with respect to the axis of the inventive device  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It is noted that the device may be hung or used in either the  FIG. 1  position or the  FIG. 3  position. Intermediate positions may provide various advantages with securement by magnet  18  or hook  30 . 
         [0044]    In addition to the description of specific, non-limited examples of embodiments of the invention provided herein, it should be appreciated that the invention can be implemented in numerous other applications involving the different configurations of video-processing equipment. Although the invention is described hereinbefore with respect to illustrative embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.