Patent ID: 7476006

Claim:
An extendable/retractable light unit, which includes: a telescopic housing with an outer sleeve having proximate and distal ends and an inner sleeve having proximate and distal ends, said sleeves being telescopically interconnected; a luminaire connected to said inner sleeve and located in proximity to the distal end thereof; a drive mechanism including a motor connected to one of said sleeves and an extension/retraction mechanism connected to said motor and the other of said sleeves for extending and retracting said inner sleeve relative to said outer sleeve between extended and recessed positions; said drive mechanism including a scissor jack including first and second pivotally interconnected, articulated linkages; each said linkage comprising pivotally interconnected arms; said first linkage being pivotally connected to said outer and inner sleeves in proximity to the proximate ends of said outer and inner sleeves; said first linkage being connected to said motor whereby activating said motor folds and unfolds said linkages relative to each other; said motor having a first, extension direction of operation for unfolding said linkages and a second, retraction direction of operation for folding said linkages relative to each other whereby said scissor jack respectively extends and retracts said inner sleeve telescopically relative to said outer sleeve, said motor comprising a reversible, electric motor connected to one of said linkages and each said drive mechanism includes a threaded rod connected to said motor and threadably connected to said second linkage; and said drive mechanism including a pair of pivot pins extending transversely through said first and second linkages and connected to said inner and outer sleeves in proximity to said inner and outer sleeve proximate ends.