GB2251932A

GB2251932A - Portable illuminating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2251932A
Application number: GB9100143A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Rose
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-04
Filing date: 1991-01-04
Publication date: 1992-07-22
Also published as: GB9100143D0

Abstract

A portable illuminating apparatus has an elongate body (11) with a handle (12) at one end and an illuminating section (14) at the other end. The section (14) is arranged to transmit light radially outwardly around the entire circumference of the lower part of the body (11). The apparatus is particularly suitable for illuminating an area of ground which is covered by undergrowth. <IMAGE>

Description

PORTABLE ILLUMINATING APPARATUS This invention relates to a portable illuminating apparatus. More particularly it relates to an apparatus which facilitates thorough searching of an area of terrain.

Many instances occur when an area of terrain needs to be searched. One such example is after an automobile accident when fragments of glass and other physical evidence may be scattered over a relatively large area. In determining amongst other things the cause of the accident, the area around the scene of the accident has to be searched and any relevant evidence collected.

The ease of collection of evidence is largely dependent on the type of terrain over which it is scattered. Over a generally uniform terrain, for example road surfaces, collection is relatively easy, whereas over a generally rough terrain such as undergrowth adjacent to roads, collection is made relatively difficult. Over such rough terrain sticks are commonly used to comb through the undergrowth to detect the relevant evidence.

A major problem occurs when the undergrowth has to be searched in the hours of darkness. In such a situation a searcher may be provided with a searching stick to be used in one hand, and a hand torch to be used with his other hand to illuminate the area in which he is to search. If the undergrowth is particularly dense, the searcher may need to use at least one arm to protect his person from interfering tree branches or shrubs and the like. For a thorough examination of a particular area the stick and the torch both need to be pointed towards the area of search, and since it is a natural reaction to protect oneself, it is likely that when searching through dense undergrowth the area will not be thoroughly examined as the searcher protects himself from interfering branches and shrubs.

Alternatively a powerful search light may be used to illuminate a relatively large area for a number of searchers to comb. This type of illumination is not suitable when dense undergrowth is to be searched since shadows will be cast over the area to be searched by the searchers and the undergrowth itself, thereby hindering a thorough examination of the area.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and facilitates thorough examination of a selected area of terrain.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable illuminating apparatus comprising a pole having at least one light source disposed axially along and within said pole, the arrangement being such that light is radiated generally outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the pole.

The invention will be described now by way of example only with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an illuminating apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a section of the illuminating apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an illuminating apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical pole 11 having an handle 12 at one end thereof and a detachable conical portion 13 at its other end. An illuminating section 14 is disposed axially along the pole 11. Switch means 15 are provided on the handle 12 to energise the illuminating section. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 one illuminating section is provided, however a plurality of illuminating sections can be provided along the length of the pole if so required.

Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a section of the pole 11 incorporating an illuminating section 14. A light bulb 20 is provided on one section 11a of the pole 11 generally along the longitudinal axis of the pole 11. A ring 21 of transparent material, such as perspex, and which has an external diameter substantially the same as the external diameter of the pole sections 11a and llb, is arranged to be sandwiched between those sections 11a and 11b in such a way that the outer surface of the pole 11 is generally continuous.

The transparent ring 21 is secured to the pole sections 11a and 11b by suitable means. For example the ring 21 may bonded to section 11b with a suitable adhesive, and section 11a can be provided with a screw thread 22 which is capable of being screwed into a corresponding screw thread 23 located on the inside of the ring 21. Such an arrangement facilitates relatively easy separation of the constituent sections of the pole to enable a damaged light bulb to be replaced.

The circular end portions 24, 25 of the respective pole sections 11a and 11b are covered in a reflective material to enhance the intensity of light radiated from the pole.

The axial length of the transparent ring 21 is such that light is radiated from the pole substantially in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole.

A set of conical portions of differing lengths are provided, and one of an appropriate length is selected and secured to the pole 11 so that the tip of the pole touches the surface upon which the undergrowth lies and, when activated, the illuminating section 14 illuminates the surface of the undergrowth.

Once a suitable conical portion has been secured to the pole, the pole is inserted into the undergrowth and the light bulb switched on. The surface of the undergrowth surrounding the pole is illuminated by the light bulb, and the pole can be combed through the undergrowth to search for debris.

It will be appreciated that a searcher using this apparatus will hold the pole in one hand and his other hand will be free to sift through the undergrowth illuminated by the pole, thereby thoroughly examining the illuminated area. Alternatively whilst on the move the free hand of the searcher can be used to fend off interfering branches and shrubs without affecting the searchers ability to thoroughly search a given area.

If a particular area requires an especially careful search the conical portion of pole can be inserted into the ground to make the pole free standing and thereby leaving both hands of the searcher free to-sift through the illuminated undergrowth for debris. To ensure that the surface of the undergrowth remains illuminated when the pole has been inserted into the ground a peripheral flange can be provided on the pole at a desired distance between the conical portion and the illuminating section, to prevent the illuminating section from being disposed within the undergrowth.

In some instances it may be necessary to illuminate an area other than the surface of the undergrowth, for example it may be desirable to illuminate at a level beneath the surface of the undergrowth as well as the surface itself. In such circumstances a plurality of illuminating sections can be disposed axially along the pole. In other situations the plane to be illuminated may not be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole. It can therefore be appreciated that the illuminating section can be arranged within the pole in such a way that light is radiated from the pole generally outwardly at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the pole. It can also be appreciated that the pole can be extendible telescopically to facilitate searching remote areas.

The portable illuminating apparatus of the present invention has many practical applications. It can be used on any type of terrain and can have considerable eductaional benefits enabling school children and researchers to observe wildlife in a particular area of undergrowth or the like in the hours of darknesso The device can also be made waterproof and used to search sea-beds of river-beds.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable illuminating apparatus comprising a pole having at least one light source disposed axially along and within said pole, the arrangement being such that light is radiated generally outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the pole.

2. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein light is radiated in a general plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pole.

3. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said light source is energised by switch means provided on a first end of said pole.

4. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a conical portion is removably connected to a second end of said pole.

5. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein conical portions of differing sizes may be connected to the second end of said pole.

6. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein restricting means are provided on said pole between said light source and said conical portion to ensure said light source does not penetrate a surface into which the pole is inserted.

7. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said restricting means comprises a peripheral flange.

8. A portable illuminating apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said pole is extendible telescopically.

9. A portable illuminating apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.