Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a portable light, and more particularly to a light having plural flexibly branched arms, each of which has a light emitting diode (LED) lamp. The light of the illustrated invention is especially suitable for outdoor use. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
   Portable lights such as flashlights are in frequent demand in outdoor activities. Many sizes of portable, hand-held lights are available, most of them designed to either focus a light beam or to diffuse light to illuminate a relatively greater area. Given the many different types of portable lights on the market, it is to be expected that many consumers own several different types of lights, often each different type best suited to a different purpose. 
   The present invention relates to a general-purpose light that includes a unique configuration and number of flexible arms or branches, each having an LED at one end and attached at the other end to the body of the light. Each of the branches may be positioned to direct the light in any desired direction relative to the other branches. The branches may be oriented to provide directional, focused lighting, and also diffuse lighting that covers a larger area with a wash of light. Because the position of the branches may be varied relative to one another, the direction that light is cast from any LED can be altered by redirecting one or more of the flexible branches. The light of the present invention thus allows a user to use a single light as a replacement for many different lights having different purposes. 
   The light illustrated in the present invention has a body that is preferably made of weather resistant material. Multiple flexible branches each ending in a bright, long-lasting LED are connected to the body. Each branch may be bent independent of the other branch so that the light from each branch may be directed onto a different object, or in a different direction from the other branches. A branch will remain in a bent configuration until the user changes its position. A branch may be re-bent or re-straightened as needed. 
   The light may be hung in a tent or other location for area lighting or for directional area lighting. It may be hand-held or placed in a standing position on a table or work surface. Further, the branches may be bent to create a mounting for the unit as well as direct lighting as desired. Holes integrated into the body near one end of the light comfortably accept a carabiner or other attachment device for additional attachment options. 
   For forward focus use, and for storage, the branches may be fitted into retaining receptors at the end of the body in such a manner that their beam is directed forward, providing a bright forward focused light. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will be more readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the light of the illustrated invention showing some of the flexible branches fixed into place on the body of the light in the forward focus position, and one of the flexible branches in a flexed position so that light emitted from that branch is cast in a different direction relative to the other branches. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the light illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isolated perspective view of a single flexible branch showing the LED, and the tab feature on the LED collar which may be fitted into the retaining slot in the body of the light when in the forward or storage position. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating one possible electrical circuit that may be used with the illustrated invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A preferred embodiment of the flexibly branched LED light  10  of the present invention is shown  FIGS. 1 through 3 . While the invention is illustrated and described with respect to its use as a compact light with three branches, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such use, and there may be more or less than the three flexible branches described herein. Moreover, although it is particularly well suited to outdoor use, the light of the present invention may just as well be used in any other location. 
   The light  10  is defined by a main body  12  that includes three primary body sections: an upper main body section  14 , a lower main body section  16 , and a flat base section  18 . An end cap  15  is fitted onto the outer end of upper main body section  14 . Three elongate flexible branches  20 ,  22  and  24  have a first end connected to cooperatively shaped receptacles  26  (two of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ) formed around the periphery of base section  18 . Although not shown, and as described below, each of the flexible branches  20 ,  22  and  24  includes internal wiring that connects an LED lamp  28  on the second or distal end of each branch to the electrical circuitry of the light  10 . A lens  29  covers each LED  28 . 
   The main body  12  of light  10  may be made of any appropriate material, but preferably is made of durable and weather-resistant plastic material such as ABS, although many different plastics, metal, and the like may be used. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the lower main body section  16  is generally hollow and is sized to contain a source of electrical power such as batteries  30 . In the illustration of  FIG. 2 , three batteries  30  are illustrated, and for purposes of illustration it may be assumed that batteries  30  are of the standard size designation AAA. It will be understood, however, that the power source may be supplied by a variety of batteries, etc. Upper main body  14  is attached to the lower main body section  16  by any appropriate means such as male threads  32  formed on the portion of the upper main body that mates with the lower main body when the two are connected as in FIG.  1 . Although not shown, when threads  32  are used, female threads are cooperatively formed in lower body section  16 . The relative position between upper main body section  14  and lower main body section  16  is not important-that is, these two body sections are connected together without regard to the relative rotational positions of the two sections. However, the relative positions of lower body section  16  and base section  18  must be fixed because lower body section  16  includes elongate grooves  34  that are configured for receiving part of the branches  20 ,  22  and  24  when the branches are stored against the body  12 . Accordingly, base section  18  is connected to lower body section  16  in a manner that allows the base section to be indexed relative to the lower body section, such as a snap-on or bayonet type mount. 
   With continuing reference to  FIG. 2 , a switch  36  that is electrically connected to open and close the electrical circuit that illuminates LEDs  29  is housed in a cooperatively shaped receiver opening  37  in lower main body section  14 . A peripheral edge  39  formed on switch  36  is larger than the receiver opening  37  and thus prevents the switch from entering the receiver opening past the peripheral edge. Base section  18  includes an open central region  41  that allows a user to operate the switch  36 . Moreover, the outermost peripheral rim portion  43  of base section  18  is generally flat so that the light  10  may be stood upright on base section  18 , for example on a table or other work surface. The switch  36  may be of any appropriate type, such as a rocker switch or a push-button switch, and is preferably a dual position switch that allows for three different illumination states for the LEDs: when the switch is closed, a “low” illumination setting and a “high” illumination setting, and when the switch is open, the LEDs are not illuminated. The open central region  41  of base section  18  defines a recessed area relative to rim portion  43 , and a flexible membrane  38  such as a thin urethane overmold that covers the central region  41  and thus the switch  36  allows a user to operate the switch. Membrane  38  provides a water-tight seal and protects the switch  36  from damage arising from exposure to moisture, dust, etc. Moreover, the membrane is inset into the lower portion of base section  18  so that the light  10  may be set upright on the base. It should be appreciated that switch  36  may just as well be located on other positions on the light. 
   The three flexible branches  20 ,  22  and  24  are connected to and arranged around the outer periphery of base section  18  at receptacles  26 . As noted earlier, the wiring, which is not shown, extends through the interior of the branches. The outer portion of the branches  20 ,  22  and  24  is secured in receptacles  26  with an adhesive or another appropriate securement. Each of the branches extends upwardly along the sides of body  12  and such that a lower portion of each branch is configured for being received in grooves  34  as described above in the lower body section  16 . 
   The flexible branches  20 ,  22  and  24  are preferably made of durable, flexible material such as deformable plastic coating or wrapped coaxial cable and the like, although many different materials may be used. Importantly, the branches may be bent at any variety of angles and will hold their position when bent. As well, the branches may be straightened and will hold their position. At the distal end of each branch is an LED  28  that is electrically connected to the circuitry in light  10 . While use of an LED  28  is preferred, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to LEDs and other illumination devices such as incandescent lamps may be used. A collar  40  is fitted to the distal end of each branch and LEDs  28  are housed in the collars  40 . Collars  40  further define seats for the lenses  29 . A retaining tab  42  extends from the collar  40  and may be frictionally fitted into receptor slot  44  formed in the upper main body section  14  and cap  15 . When retaining tabs  42  are inserted into slots  44  the associated branches  20 ,  22  and  24  remain in the forward focus position in which the light from each of the LEDs is aimed forward in generally the same direction. 
   One flexible branch  22  is illustrated in isolation in FIG.  3 . The elongate branch  22  is defined by a housing material that is readily flexible but which retains its deformed shape when bent to a curved position (as opposed to a linear branch position). The housing material is preferably plastic, and the wires that provide the electrical connection between the electrical circuitry and LED  28  is contained in the interior of the housing material. 
   As noted, each of the branches  20 ,  22  and  24  may be independently bent as shown in  FIG. 1  with respect to branch  22  and when bent the branches retain their bent positions. This allows the user to direct the light wash from each of the three branches toward different targets. An optional flexible strengthening rod (not shown) may be incorporated into the branches to provide greater strength if desired. 
   Three openings  50  are formed through upper main body section  14  to define a means of attaching light  10  with a strap or carabiner or the like to another object, such as in a tent or hanging from a backpack. Moreover, as best seen in  FIG. 1 , the outer portion of upper main body section  14  is slightly recessed around the periphery of each opening  50  to provide an ergonomic thumb-rest. 
   The electrical components of the light  10  illustrated herein are described generally to provide context to the invention. It should be understood however that the electrical components described herein may be varied widely by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. One exemplary circuit diagram that may be used with the light  10  described herein is shown in FIG.  4 . For purposes of illustration, power supply  31  is preferably supplied by batteries  30 , capacitor  52  is 100 μF, resister  54  is 100 KΩ and resister  56  is 6.8 KΩ, and transistor  58  is an 8550 transistor. All of these components are widely available. Control integrated circuit  60  may be configured according to desired electrical and functional parameters, and in the preferred embodiment, when combined with switch  36  which as noted is a dual position switch, allows the LEDs to be illuminated in a low illumination setting and a high illumination setting. 
   Although preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in this art that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Category: f