AU2003236424A1 - Electromagnetic work light - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT ELECTROMAGNETIC

WORKUGHT

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including best method of performing it known to me

TITLE

ELECTIOMAGNETIC WORKLIGHT FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an electromagnetic work light for securing to metal sufaces in conventional and unconventional positions such as experienced by boiler makers, metal body builders and mechanics and the like.

More paticularly the work light of the present invention involves the use of electromagnetic energy to removably attach a lighting apparatus to a ferromagnetic metal surface proximate a work piece for providing light for a person to work on the work piece, Typically ,the work piece may be under a vehicle or inside a storage tank or the like.

In the context of the present invention the term metal surface is considered to mean a metal that is capable of receiving a magnet, So typically the metal surface is a ferromagnetic suface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many people paticulary in the engineering trades setting up a work light to provide adequate vision in confined and unorthdox places at times becomes tedious and time consuming.

Two examples of these situations are a boilermaker (engineer) working inside tanks with no appropiate fixtures to prop a conventional work light, or a bodybuilder (transport engineer) working in confined spaces underneath truck trailers. In both situations precise and steady light placement is essential.

This invention solves these problems by adding another dimension to the conventional work light, with the use of an electromagnet to secure a lighting apparatus to a metal surface.

It is known to provide drill stands with electromagnetic bases such as for example, as shown in US Patents 1,023,921,2,820,377 and 2,887,910. The electrical power for drill is also used for the electromagnetic base.

US Patent 4,506,317 shows a support for a flash light that incorparates permanent magnets in the base, the support having a tripod base and an elongate arm pivotally connected to the base for orientating the flash light.

US Patent 4,907,769 shows a flashlight holder having a tripod base to facilitate fixing a flashlight to a vehicle where the the surface may not be flat However none of this prior art deals with the issue of how to mount larger and heavier lighting apparatus such as flood lights as used by boilermakers, transport engineers and and mechanics and the like. Also, the prior art does not utilise electromagnetic energy to fix such lighting apparatuses to metal surfaces SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an electromagnetic work light for use in relation to metallic surfaces.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a lighting apparatus including an electromagnetic base for removable attachment to ferromagnetic surfaces.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an electromagnetic work light for use in relation to a metallic surface for directing light on to a work piece, the work light including a electromagnetic base having a magnet means for attaching the work light to the metallic surface, a control means for controlling the electromagnetic base between an ON condition for attaching to the metallic surface, and an OFF condition for allowing detachment from the metallic surface, a lighting apparatus mounted on the electromagnetic base, the lighting emitting apparatus including a light emitting means, and an orientation means, the orientation means enabling orientation of the light emitting means for directing light onto the work piece, and the control means including a switch means for turning the light emitting means ON and OFF.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a magnetic power cord holder, having a magnetic base and a cord receptacle for removably attaching an electrical power cord to a ferromagnetic surface.

Typically, the magnet means is in the form of a electromagnet.

Typically, the orrientation means is in the form of a flexible elongate member of the type sometimes used in desk lamps. Preferably, the orientation member is relatively large in cross section so as to carry the force of the weight of the light emitting means and maintain a desired orientation for the light emitting means.

4 Typically, the light emitting means is in the form of an incandescent lamp. More paticularly, the light emitting means is in the form of a quartz halogen lamp or light emitting diodes.

Conveniently, the light emitting means includes a focussing means for focussing the light between a narrow beam of focus and a broad beam of focus.

Conveniently, the electromagnetic worklight includes a magnetic retainer located on the body of the work light, the magnetic retainer allows temporary attachment of small tools and metal components and the like to the work light during its use.

B-RIEF DESCRI1711ON OF TBE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of an electromagnetic work light in accordance with one aspect of the present invention paticularly envisaged for use with mains electrical power, Figure 2 is a side view of an electromagnetic work light in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention paticularly envisaged for use without mains electrical power Figure 3 is a side view of yet another electromagnetic work light in accordance with the present invention showing a magnetic retainer paticularly envisaged for storing small tools and components whilst work is performed, an example of use is shown; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a control circuit suitable for the electromagnetic work light of Figure 1; Figures 5 and 6 are a side view and plan view, respectively of a magnetic power cord holder for use with the electromagnetic work light of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a perspective view, seen from alxwe the electromagnetic work light of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a side cut away view of an electromagnet and pivot pad base for use with the electromagnetic work Wih of the present invention; and, Figure 9 is a bottom layout view of the of the electromagnet and pivot pads of Figure 8 DESRIrro~OF EXM PLARY EMBODIMNT(S) The present invention will now be described, by way of exampe with paticular reference to a number of embodimnents.

In Figure 1 there is shown an electromagnetic worklight 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The electromagnetic work light 10 has a magnetic base 12, a body 14, a fleible elongate neck 16 and a light emitting apparatus 18. The work light 10 is connected to a remote source of electrical power via a power cord 11.

The remote source of electrical power could be mains AC power or from a portable generator or the like.

The magnetic base 12 is in the form of an electromagnet 51 driven by mains electricity.

The electromagnet 51 creates a magnetic field that is at least powerful enough to support the force of the weight of the electromagnetic work light 10 if it were mounted horizontally or upside down on a metal surface.

In regards to the electromagnetic work light 10, it is envisaged that the magnetic base 12 could include a residual magnetisimn means to ensure that if electrical power is accidentaly removed from the electromagnet 51, there is still enough magnetic energy to support the force of the weight of the of the electromagnetic work light The purpose of this to ensure that the electromagnetic workc light 10 does not fall from the metal surface if mounted horizontally or upside down and the power supply is interrupted.

The residual magnetisiin means could be in the form of a battery back up system for the electromagnet 5 1. In Figure 4 there is shown a suitable control circuit 40. The body 14 houses a control circuit 40 which consists of a transformer 42, a ful wave rectifier 44, a diode 46 and a bank of rechargable batteries 48. The transformer 42 steps down mains power AC current to a low voltage, such as for example, 12 volts The rectifier 44 converts the low voltage AC current into substantially DC current The diode 46 pevents back EMF from damaging the batteries 48.

The batteries 48 are intended as a temporary safety device to inhibit the work light from falling if mounted horizontally or upside down, and to allow the operator a reasonable amount of time to reinstate the power supply.

It is envisaged that a more sophisticated control circuit 40 could be used for the work light 10, For example, the control circuit 40 could include a sensor to sense when the batteries 48 are fully charged and stop charging them. Also, the control circuit 40 could include a low voltage sensor and provide an audible or visual warning in the event that the charge in the batteries 48 became too depleted to maintain the magnetic flux in the electromagnet 51 to sufficiently attach the electromagnetic work light 10 to the metal surface In Figure 4 there is shown switches 34, and 36 and an LED 38,.The switch 34 controls the operation of the electromagnet 51, and the switch 36 controls the operation of the light emitting apparatus 18, The LED 38 indicates when electrical power is present and absent at the electromagnetic work light The batteries 48 are shown connected via the switch 34 to the electromagnet 51 of the magnetic base 12 and the LED 38. The LED 38 is lit when the electromagnet 51 is energised. The switch 34 has a second set of poles for reversing the direction of the electrical current through the electromagnet 51, and thereby demagnitizing the magnetic base 12 to assist in removing the electromagnetic work light 10 from the metal surface The second set of poles is preferably a momentary contact type. The switch 36 connects the low voltage current the lightbulb 50 of the light emitting appaatus 18, The control circuit 40 is a typical circuit that may be used to control the electromagnet work light 10. It is envisaged that the light bulb 50 could be a quartz halogen bulb or one or more light emitting diodes In Figure 1 there is also shown a body 14 that has a handle 30 for allowing easy hand carrying of the electromagnetic work light 10,.The handle 30 extends fiom the magnetic

I

base 12 to proximate the elongate neck 16,.In the present embodiment of the present invention the handle 30 terminates at a recessed control panel 32 in which the switches 34, 36, and LED 38 are situated.

The control panel 32 is recessed so as to protect the switches 34, 36 and the LED 38 It is also envisaged that the control panel 32 could have dual controls so that it can be operated from either side of the electromagnetic work light 10 The control panel 32 could also have a surround made of resilient material such as rubber or the like.

In Figure 1 there is further shown a flexible elongate neck 16 attached to the top of the bodyl4.Typically, the neck 16 is made from a spiralled coil of metal or a plastic ball and socket type design. Preferably a sheild constructed of rubber or the like is disposed about the neck 16 for its protection. The flexible elongate neck 16 allows the orientation of the light emitting apparatus 18 to be adjusted with respect to the body 14. In this way the light 50 can be directed on to a work piece located at any angle to the magnetic base 12.

The light emitting apparatus 18 has a bezel 60 atop a head 62 that contains the light bulb or light emitting diodes, Typically, the bezel 60 can be rotated for changing the focus of beams of light from the bulb 50 or light emitting diodes. That is the bezel 60 can adjust the light beam between a narrow focus for detail and precision work situations, and a flood or broad focus for general work situations. The head 62 is fixed atop the neck 16.

In Figure 2 there is shown a rechargable battery type electromagnetic work light 20 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and like numerals denote like parts The rechargable work light 20 eliminates the need for a remote source of power, due to its self contained battery 52. The battery 52 could be similar to the type used in rechargable hand tools such as drills and the like, The battery 52 is used to energise the electromagnet 51 and the lighting emitting apparatus 18.

It is envisaged that the control circuit 32 include a warning device that emits an audio or visible warning before the power in the battery 52 becomes too little to maintain the electromagnetic attachment of the base 12 to the metal surface.

It is also envisaged that a recharging appliance be included to replenish the batterys 52 power level when needed. The advantage of the electromagnetic work light 20 is its rechargable self contained battery 52, which makes it ideal for automotive road side break downs, and work situations where mains electricity is unavaliable.

In Figure 3 there is shown a frontal side view of the work light 10 and its magnetic retainer 13, an example of use is also shown. The magnetic retainer 13 consists of a permanent magnet or magnets arranged in such a way to form a rectangular or elongate pad, which is incorparated and fixed within the body 14 of the work lights 20, The magnetic retainer is envisaged to have appropiate magnetic holding power, suitable for temporary storage of ferromagnetic small tools and components whilst work is being performed. The magnetic retainer 13 is designed specifically for temporary storage of small tools and components, and is not intended as a magnetic attaching device for supporting the electromagnetic work light.

In Figures 5 and 6 there is shown a side view and plan view respectively of a magnetic power cord holder 200 for use with the electromagnetic work light 10, In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cord holder 200 has a retainer 202 capable of receiving an electrical power cord and a permanent magnetic base 204 for removable attachment to a metal surface.

It is envisaged that the magnetic power cord holder 200 could be constructed of a resilient plastic or the like. Typically, the retainer 202 is C-shaped in cross section and rectangular in plan, The retainer 202 has an opening 206 that is narrower than the diameter of the power cord that it is to retain.

The retainer 202 has two ears 210 which can receive a clip or the like across the opening to capture the power cord and thereby enable use of the cord holder 200 with the opening 206 disposed in a sustantially horizontal or vertically downward position.

The advantage of the magnetic power cord holder 200 is that it aids in keeping the power cord away from the immediate work area, thus minimising accidents associated with unsafe positioning of electrical power cords.

In Figure 7 there is shown a perspective view of the electromgnetic work light 10 showing flexing of the neck 16 to adjust the orientation of the head 62 of the light emitting apparatus 18.

In Figures 8 and 9 there is shown a side cutaway view and bottom layout view of an electromagnet 51 and pivot pad base 80 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, paticularly envisaged for use where the ferromagnetic metal surface may be uneven or sustantially convex or concave. The pivot pad base 80 has a centrally positioned electromagnet 51, with three pivot pads 54 equally positioned around its circumference Each pivot pad 54 consists of a cone receptacle 70 and ball element 71. The pivot pads 54 are locked in position within a dose tolerance socket element 72 by the ball element 71 and operates much the same way as a ball joint connection, The tolerance of the socket element 72 shall be such that it allows free movement of the ball element 71, which allows the cone receptacle 70 to adjust to the angle of the chosen metal surface, an example is shown in Figure 8.

The socket element 72 is envisaged to have a chamfered opening of such a size as to allow the cone receptacle 70 to sustantially pivot to adjust to fit the contour of any uneven or substantially convex or concave ferromagnetic surfaces such as automotive panels, large diameter piping and storage tanks and the like.

Its envisaged that the pivot pads 54 and socket elements 72 could be constructed of a resilient plastic or the like. It is also envisaged that the pivot pad base 80 could be a removable unit, accessory for the electromagnetic work lights 10 and 20. To allow the operator a option of either a flat magnetic base 12 or a pivot pad base 80 to suit the given work situation.

Figure 9 shows a bottom layout veiw of the pivot pad base 80. It shows three pivot pads 54 positoned equally around the circumference of the electromagnet 51 and flush with the out side circumference of the pivot pad base 80. The pivot pad 54 placement is designed to cope effectively with three dimensional convex and concave ferromagnetic surfaces It is also envisaged that a layer of plastic or rubber be fixed to the bottom of the pivot pads 54 and conventional magnetic base 12 for added adhesion and protection to the work surface.

The advantage of the pivot pad base 80 is that it minimises unsteady magnetic attachment of the electromagnetic work lights 10 and 20 to uneven or sustantially convex and concave Ferromagnetic metal surfaces, such as experienced by other magnetic type lighting apparatuses. Also the pivot pad base 80 envisaged as being removable as a unit adds versatility to the electromagnetic work lights of 10 and Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (4)

1. A lighting apparatus including an electromagnetic base for removable attachment to ferromagnetic surfaces.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim I wherein the lighting apparatus and electromagnetic base are energised by mains A/C power or alternatively rechargable batteries.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim I or 2 including a magnetic retaining pad for temporary storage of ferromagnetic components or tools.

4 The lighting apparatus of claim 1, 2, or 3 including a pivot pad base for removable attachment to substantially uneven, convex and concave ferromagnetic surfaces. The lighting apparatus of any one of the preceeding claims, also includes a magnetic power cord holder having a magnetic base for removable attachment of an electrical power cord to ferromagnetic surfaces. 6 An electromagnetic work light for use in relation to metallic surfaces for directing light on to a work piece, the work light including a magnetic base having a magnet means for attaching the work light to a mettallic surface, a control means for controlling the magnetic base between an ON condition for attaching to a metallic surface and an OFF condition for allowing detachment from the metallic surface, a light emitting apparatus mounted on the magnetic base, the lighting apparatus including a light emitting means and an orientation means, the orientation means enabling orientation of the light emitting means for directing light on to the work piece, and the control means including a switch means for turning the light emitting means ON and OFF 7 A magnetic power cord holder having a magnetic base and a cord receptacle for removably attaching an electrical power cord to a ferromagnetic surface 13 8 A lighting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. 9 A magnetic power cord holder substantially as herein described with paticular reference to Figures 5 and 6. TODD KINGSLEY RANGI Dated this 22nd day of August 2003