Abstract:
Disclosed is a portable illumination device that is used in conjunction with mirrors that are commonly situated in residences such as homes, apartments, motels, cabins, etc. The device allows a user to groom with sufficient lighting using virtually any household mirror that they currently have or any mirror that might be available when traveling.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable illumination device that is used in conjunction with mirrors that are commonly situated in residences such as homes, apartments, motels, cabins, etc. This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/305,594 filed on Mar. 9, 2016. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A mirror in a residence is typically used for grooming. However some grooming practices, such as applying makeup, require exceptional lighting to be done effectively. Many bathroom and bedroom mirrors are not located where acceptable lighting is available, and it is usually not practical to install such lighting. Increasing interest in the cosmetic market has resulted in the production of several varieties of the illuminated cosmetic mirror, including counter top and wall mounting methods. These devices are typically housed in a body or a form with a set mirror omitting a peripheral brim of light. Users find the over-all viewing surface and size of mirrors in some of these devices to be too small. To counteract this issue, larger counter-top model illumination devices have been developed. However, these current devices use valuable counter top space; many users have extremely limited counter top space. Several wall mounted illuminated mirrors do not utilize counter top space. However, in many of these devices, users must commit to a permanent installation and hardwiring. This is not an option for those who rent or who are traveling elsewhere and utilizing facilities that are not their own. The current devices also have other drawbacks. Their maximum light intensity is still not sufficient for grooming and the range of their usable viewing angles is uncomfortable for many users. What is needed is a portable illumination device that allows a user to groom with sufficient lighting using virtually any household mirror that they currently have or any mirror that might be available when traveling. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable illumination device. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the portable illumination device. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the device in use. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the device mounted in a stand. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of the device highlighting a powering alternative. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a posterior view of an embodiment of the device highlighting the mounting mechanism. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    An illumination device that can be used with virtually any common residential mirror is described. The illumination device includes a directionally forward-facing panel of light emitting diodes arranged in an array lining the midpoint of the shape of the housing, underlying a curved diffusive surface. Some embodiments include a dimming mechanism to accommodate user preference of brightness variation. The device is easily attachable to and easily releasable from a mirror. This allows a user to illuminate virtually any mirror in their household or virtually any mirror encounter while traveling. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the portable illumination device and  FIG. 2  is an exploded view an embodiment of the illumination device. Device  10  is comprised of a frame  22  which is illuminated on the anterior side and connected to a vertical surface such as a mirror on the posterior side. Housing  2 , lighting element  6 , and diffused surface  1  are joined together to comprise frame  22  enclosing opening  21  through which users will view themselves in a mirror when device  10  is mounted, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Housing  2  secures lighting element  6  under diffused surface  1  which is located on the anterior side of frame  22 . Lighting element  6  is comprised of a strip  12  inlayed with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  11  facing the diffused surface  1 . This is seen more clearly in  FIG. 1 , where a piece of diffused surface  1  is cut away and to show the interior of housing  2  for illustration purposes only. Diffused surface  1  is preferably fabricated in a semi-translucent, shatter resistant material such as high-density polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. The color of light emitted from LEDs is preferably white, but any color light is contemplated by this disclosure. The anterior of housing  2  may contain a ridge  15  in which lighting element  6  is inset. Housing  2  is further comprised of power switch  3 , dimmer slide  4 , power cord  5 , card hole  16 , and mounting mechanism  7 . Frame  22  can be variable in shape; however, the most preferred shape is an oval shape to best focus on the facial shape for grooming. Frame  22  can also be variable in size. Ideally the device is sized so that the opening  21  is large enough to frame a typical face when being viewed in mirror by a user, while the device  10  overall is compact enough to make it easier for a user to transport in for their luggage when traveling. Housing  2  can be fabricated of materials known in the art such as a rust-resistant metal and/or plastic. Preferably the material is strong enough to resist breakage, while being lightweight enough tor the device to be hung for long periods of time and for ease of portability of the device. Preferably, as seen closer in  FIG. 6 , mounting mechanism  7  located on the posterior of frame  22  is comprised of a suction cup  13  and bracket  14 . Bracket  14  is secured to the posterior of frame  22  by fastening means  59 , depicted here as screws but any typical fastening means known in the art is contemplated by the invention. The back of suction cup  13  is inserted into hole  58  in wide portion and slid up and locked into the narrow portion interlocking suction cup  13  with hole  58 . Suction cup  13  allows for easy attachment and release from a surface. Though only one suction cup/hole combination is shown here located centrally in the bracket  14 , this disclosure also contemplates a plurality of such combinations non-centrally located to be used as well. Other non-permanent mounting mechanisms are also contemplated by this disclosure. Dimmer slide  4 , as can be seen better seen in  FIG. 2  preferably allows power switch  3  to act as a sliding dimmer switch which in turn allows the user to adjust the light intensity to their preference in varying lighting situations. Other types of dimmer mechanisms, such as turning knobs or remote controlled dimmers, are also contemplated by this disclosure. As shown here in  FIGS. 1 and 2  by power cord  5  the method of power is as standard cord of varying length able to be plugged into a common dual prong wall mounted outlet to power the unit. The energy is delivered from the power cord to the LEDs using standard methods known in the art. Any common power input apparatus that utilizes any common power source are contemplated by this disclosure. A non-limiting example of an alternative power source and power input is shown in  FIG. 5  below a typical Universal Serial Bus (USB) cord can be used to recharge a compatible battery to power the illuminated device. Another non-limiting example can be typical alkaline batteries used in typical chamber with terminals; said chamber is part of the frame or connected to the frame as the power input. 
         [0011]    How an embodiment of the device would typically be used is shown in  FIG. 3 . Device  10  is shown attached to a mirror  18  inside a mirror frame  20  as person could typically use the device  10 . As shown here, device  10  is plugged into a typical wall mounted outlet  19 . 
         [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment of a stand mounted device. Device  30  is inset within stand  37  and outlines mirror  38 . Device  30  is comprised of housing  32  which frames lighting element  36  under diffused surface  31 . Lighting element  36  is comprised of a strip  42  inlayed with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  41 ; shown here in the interior of housing  32  where a piece of diffused surface  31  is cut away for illustration purposes. Diffused surface  31  is preferably fabricated in a semi-translucent, shatter resistant material such as high-density polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. Housing  32  is further comprised of power switch  43 , dimmer slide  34 , and power cord  35 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a powering alternative for an embodiment of the device, which allows one or more batteries in the device to be charged and used while not being attached to power source. Device  50  is comprised of housing  52  and diffused surface  51 . Housing  52  contains device receptacle  53 . Device receptacle  53  can be designed to receive a typical device connector  57 . For example, device connector  57  can be micro USB-B connector. Device connector  57  is attached at one end to cord  56 , while attached at the opposite end of cord  56  is a typical power source connector  55 . An option for power source connector  55  can be a USB-A connector. Cord  56  connects device  50  to a power source  54  which in turn charges one or more batteries within device  50 . Power source  54  can be any power source known the art that connects and charges device batteries via typical cords such as the depicted cord  56 . This embodiment allows the user to illuminate virtually any mirror that they encounter within their home or while traveling without worrying about having a convenient wall mounted outlet available. 
         [0014]    The foregoing description merely illustrates the invention is not intended to be limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept. Accordingly it is not intended that the invention be limited except by the appended claims.