AU2006276688B2

AU2006276688B2 - Clip type lamp detachably coupled with cap

Info

Publication number: AU2006276688B2
Application number: AU2006276688A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dae-Up Sohn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-20
Filing date: 2006-12-06
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-06
Also published as: AU2009206161B2; EP1838992B1; WO2007073047A1; HK1106572A1; CN101018980A; EP1838992A4; JP4515518B2; CN101018980B; KR200412703Y1; JP2008541348A; CN101900249B; AU2009206161A1; EP1838992A1; TW200730761A; AU2006276688A1; TWI339251B; CN101900249A

Description

1 CLIP TYPE LAMP DETACHABLY COUPLED WITH CAP Technical Field The present invention relates to a clip type lamp. 5 More particularly, the present invention relates to a clip type lamp, which is detachably attached to a cap visor so as to ensure the user's field of vision when the user is mountaineering, fishing, exercising or traveling at night. 10 Background to the Invention In general, in order to protect the face of a user from sunlight while ensuring the user's field of vision during leisure activity or sports activity, such as 15 mountaineering, fishing, exercising, traveling, hiking, or jogging, the user wears a cap having a visor protruding from the front section of the cap. The user also wears the cap when the user works at night. Although the cap does not cause special problems 20 when the user is mountaineering, fishing, exercising, or traveling in the daytime, such a cap does not ensure the user's field of vision at night, so the user must carry a lamp including a flash or an electric bulb. In addition, since the user must move while 25 gripping the flash or the electric bulb when the user is mountaineering or traveling at night, the activity of the user may become unnatural. Further, since the user must move along the path illuminated by the light, the user may be careless of peripheral environment, causing 30 the safety accident. Moreover, in the case of night work requiring illumination, the worker must illuminate the working place using the lamp or the electric bulb while gripping the lamp or the electric bulb in one hand. Accordingly, 35 the worker has to perform the work by using the other 2 hand only, causing inconvenience. In addition, when it is necessary to perform the work using both hands, the other worker must support the worker to illuminate the working place using the lamp or the electric bulb. 5 To solve the problems described above, applicant of the present invention has filed Korean Utility Model Registration No. 312,151 that discloses a clip type lamp detachably coupled with a cap visor. This clip type lamp includes a plurality of 10 electric bulbs 24 installed at the front side of a case 22. A switch 26 operating the electric bulbs is installed at one side of the case 22. A battery is accommodated in the case 22, and a clip 28 having elasticity is provided on the case 22, in which one 15 side-end of the clip 28 is integrally formed with the top of the case 22. In the conventional clip type lamp having the above structure, if the user pushes the clip type lamp from the front side to the rear side of the cap visor, 20 the other end of the clip having one end fixed to the case moves upward, so that the cap visor is fixedly inserted between the case of the lamp and the clip. In this state, if the user operates the switch installed at one side of the case of the lamp fixed to the cap visor, 25 the electric bulbs are turned on, thereby illuminating the road ahead. However, since the switch is installed at one side of the case in the conventional clip type lamp, the user must find and manipulate the switch by touching the 30 lateral side of the case, which is fixed to the lower end portion of the cap visor, so as to operate the electric bulbs, causing inconvenience of user and making it difficult to manipulate the switch. In addition, since the lamp is fixed to the cap 35 visor, which is bent while forming a curved surface, a 3 predetermined center portion of the clip provided at an upper portion of the case may serve to fix the cap visor. For this reason, when the user is in activities, such as hiking or jogging, the lamp cannot be secured to 5 a fixed position in the cap visor, but moves in the left or right direction, so that the illumination direction of light may not match with the viewing direction of the user. In extreme cases, the lamp is separated from the cap visor. 10 In addition, if the user forcibly couples the clip of the lamp with the cap visor having various curved configurations, the curved surface of the cap visor may be forcibly deformed into a flat surface or a crooked surface according to the shape of the case of the clip, 15 so it is difficult for the user to make a desired shape of the cap visor. Furthermore, if the user forcibly couples the clip of the lamp with the cap visor, an outer skin of the cap visor may be torn, deteriorating the cap. For this reason, the clips are individually 20 fabricated corresponding to the curved configurations of the cap visor. In addition, harmful insects or winged insects, such as mosquitoes or moths, are gathered in the vicinity of the lamp fixed to the cap visor due to light 25 generated from the electric bulbs at night. The insects gathered in the vicinity of the lamp may obstruct the user's field of vision. Although the insects also move along the light generated from the electric bulbs while obstructing the user's field of vision, there are no 30 specific solutions to remove the insects. In extreme cases, the user must turn off the lamp. Furthermore, when the conventional clip type lamp is used for a long period of time, the user must frequently exchange the battery accommodated in the case 35 with a new one.

4 The present invention was developed with a view to minimizing the above-noted problems occurring in the prior art. References to prior art documents in this 5 specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. Summary of the Invention 10 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip type lamp comprising: a body having a smoothly curved surface and accommodating a battery therein; a plurality of electric bulbs installed at a 15 front portion of the body; and clip means detachably attached to a cap visor, characterized in that the clip means comprises first and second clips each having a first end portion fixed to a front portion of the body and a second end portion resiliently moving up and down, 20 wherein the first and second clips include first and second protrusions each having a first end portion integrally formed with the body, arching forwardly of the body, and engageable with a front rim of a cap visor, first and second clip fixing sections extending 25 rearward from the first and second protrusions to allow the first and second clips to be securely fixed to the cap visor, and distal end portions curved upward such that the first and second clips are easily engaged with the cap visor, and wherein the first and second 30 protrusions having locking holes locked with the front rim of the cap visor. Preferably the clip type lamp further includes an ultrasonic wave generator accommodated in the body; and a switch for operating the electric bulbs and the 35 ultrasonic wave generator. Preferably the switch protrudes from a bottom surface of the body in a hemispherical shape. Preferably a plurality of 5 ultrasonic wave ports are formed at upper and lower portions of the body so as to emit ultrasonic waves, which are generated from the ultrasonic wave generator, to an exterior. 5 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a clip type lamp comprising: a body having a smoothly curved surface and accommodating a battery therein; a plurality of electric bulbs installed at a front portion of the body; first 10 and second clips having first end portions fixed to the front portion of the body and second end portions elastically movable up and down, wherein the first and second clips include first and second protrusions having arc-shaped sections and being integrally formed with the 15 front portion of the body while protruding beyond the front portion of the body, and first and second clip fixing sections extending downward from the first and second protrusions that define first and second locking holes therein; and a solar cell plate detachably 20 installed on the body. Preferably coupling holes are formed at both sides of the front portion of the body, and the solar cell plate includes a body section positioned between the first and second clips; an extension member extending 25 along a bottom surface of the body section from a front portion of the body section and having an arc-shaped section; and power-supplying protrusions provided at both sides of a rear portion of the extension member in such a manner that the power-supplying protrusions are 30 detachably inserted into the coupling holes to apply power accumulated in a solar cell to the battery accommodated in the body. The clip type lamp preferably further includes an ultrasonic wave generator accommodated in the body; and 35 a switch for operating the electric bulbs and the 6 ultrasonic wave generator. Preferably the switch protrudes from a bottom surface of the body in a hemispherical shape. Preferably a plurality of ultrasonic wave ports are formed at upper 5 and lower portions of the body so as to emit ultrasonic waves, which are generated from the ultrasonic wave generator, to an exterior. Advantageously the first and second clips are integrally formed with both sides of a front section of 10 a lamp body such that the two clips can be fixedly coupled with a front section of the cap visor regardless of the curved configurations of the cap visor, the clip type lamp can be easily attached to or detached from the cap visor without causing damage to an outer skin of the 15 cap visor, the clip type lamp is prevented from moving or separating from the cap visor, and a switch for operating an electric bulb and an ultrasonic wave generator is provided at a lower portion of the lamp body in such a manner that the user can easily operate 20 the electric bulb and the ultrasonic wave generator while wearing the cap equipped with the clip type lamp. The clip type lamp preferably further includes a connection jack provided at one side of the body and connected to an external power source so as to charge 25 the battery accommodated in the body. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional lamp; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a clip type 30 lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottom side of a clip type lamp; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage state 35 of a clip type lamp coupled with a cap visor according 7 to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a front view showing a clip type lamp coupled with a cap visor according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 5 FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a clip type lamp coupled with a cap visor according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a bottom side of a clip type lamp coupled with a cap visor according 10 to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a clip type lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a clip type 15 lamp shown in FIG. 8 coupled with a cap visor; FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a clip type lamp coupled with a cap visor according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a clip type 20 lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 12 is a right-side view of FIG. 11. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments 25 Hereinafter, clip type lamps according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a clip type 30 lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottom side of the clip type lamp, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the clip type lamp coupled with a cap visor according to the first embodiment of the 35 present invention, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the 8 clip type lamp coupled with the cap visor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the clip type lamp coupled with the cap visor according to the first embodiment of 5 the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a bottom side of the clip type lamp coupled with the cap visor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clip type lamp 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a body 110, in which a battery is accommodated. An upper portion of the body 110 closely adheres to a lower portion of a cap visor 300 having a smoothly curved surface. A plurality of electric bulbs 15 120 are provided at the front portion of the body 110. First end portions of first and second clips 131 and 132 are fixed to the front portion of the body 110 and second end portions of the first and second clips 131 and 132 are elastically moved up and down. 20 The first and second clips 131 and 132 include first and second protrusions 131a and 132, which have arc-shaped section and are integrally formed with the front portion of the body 110 while slightly protruding beyond the front portion of the body 110, and first and 25 second clip fixing sections 135 and 136, which extend downward from the first and second protrusions 131a and 132a. In addition, the first and second protrusions 131a and 132a define first and second locking holes 131b and 30 131b such that a rim of the cap visor 300 can be securely rested in the first and second locking holes 131b and 131b. In order to allow the clip type lamp to be easily coupled with the cap visor 300, center portions of the 35 first and second clip fixing sections 135 and 136 make 9 contact with the body 110 and end portions of the first and second clip fixing sections 135 and 135 are slightly bent upward. 5 As mentioned above, the clip type lamp according to the present invention includes a split type clip divided into two parts, so the clip can be attached to the cap without deforming the outer appearance of the cap. 10 A switch 140 is installed at a lower side of the body 110 in order to operate the electric bulbs 120 and an ultrasonic wave generator (not shown) accommodated in the body 110. In addition, a plurality of ultrasonic wave ports 150 are formed at upper and lower portions of 15 the body 110 so as to allow ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic wave generator to be easily emitted out of the body 110. If the user pushes the switch 140 one time, the electric bulbs 120 are turned on, thereby irradiating 20 light. In addition, the ultrasonic wave generator accommodated in the body 110 is also operated, so that ultrasonic waves are generated. In this state, if the user pushes the switch 140 again, the electric bulbs 120 may flicker in a predetermined time interval, but the 25 ultrasonic wave generator continuously generates the ultrasonic waves. In this state, if the user pushes the switch 140 one more time, the electric bulbs 120 are turned off and the operation of the ultrasonic wave generator stops. 30 As shown in FIG. 3, the switch 140 protrudes from the bottom surface of the body 110, preferably, in the form of a hemispherical structure, so as to allow the user to easily operate the switch 140. Meanwhile, a connection jack 160 can be provided 35 at one side of the body 110. The connection jack 160 is 10 connected to an external power source so as to charge the battery accommodated in the body 110. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, in such a clip type lamp 100 having the above structure, the cap visor 300 is 5 positioned between the body 110 of the lamp 100 and the first and second clips 131 and 132. At this time, since the second end portions of the first and second clip fixing sections 135 and 136 of the first and second clips 131 and 132 are bent upward, the lamp 100 can be 10 easily coupled with the cap visor 300 if the user pushes the lamp 100 from the front side to the rear side of the cap visor 300. In addition, since both sides of the body 110 are curved downward while forming a curved surface, the body 110 can be closely coupled with the cap visor 15 300 having the curved configuration. At this time, since the second end portions of the first and second clip fixing sections 135 and 136 are bent upward relative to the upper surface of the cap visor 300, and the body 110 fully makes contact with the 20 bottom surface of the cap visor 300 without requiring excessive force, the outer skin of the cap visor 300 may not be damaged by the first and second clips 131 and 132. In the clip type lamp 100 attached to the cap 25 visor 300, the rim of the cap visor 300 is fixedly inserted into the locking holes 131b and 132b formed at center portions of the first and second protrusions 131a and 132a of the first and second clips 131 and 132, and the first and second clips 131 and 132 are fixedly 30 supported on the upper surface of the cap visor 300, so that the lamp 100 can be secured at the fixed position in the cap visor 300 without being separated from the cap visor 300, even if the user is in intensive activities, such as hiking or jogging. 35 In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in a state 11 in which the clip type lamp 100 is fixedly attached to the cap visor 300, the front end portion of the cap visor 300 is positioned in the locking holes 131b and 132b of the first and second protrusions 131a and 132a, 5 so the front portion of the cap visor 300 may protrude beyond the body 110 of the clip type lamp 100. Accordingly, raindrops falling on the upper surface of the cap visor 300 can be prevented from being introduced into the electric bulbs 120 provided at the front 10 portion of the body 110 of the lamp 100. When it is necessary to operate the electric bulbs 120 of the lamp 100 fixed to the cap visor 300 at night, the user simply pushes the switch 140 having the hemispherical shape, which protrudes from the bottom 15 surface of the body 110 of the lamp 100, thereby operating the electric bulbs 120. In addition to the illumination function of the electric bulbs 120, the electric bulbs 120 may flicker in a predetermined time interval, if the user pushes the 20 switch 140 one more time. This flickering function of the electric bulbs 120 is very advantageous when the user is in emergency or when it is necessary to notify others of the position of the user. Meanwhile, although it is not illustrated in 25 figures, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a pair of switches 140 can be installed at both sides of the bottom surface of the body 110. In this case, one switch serves to operate the electric bulbs 120 provided at the front portion of the body 110, 30 and the other switch serves to operate the ultrasonic wave generator accommodated in the body 110 of the clip type lamp 100. In addition, it is also possible to operate the ultrasonic wave generator accommodated in the body 110 35 of the clip type lamp 100 simultaneously with the 12 electric bulbs 120 by manipulating the switch 140 of the clip type lamp 100. In this case, ultrasonic waves are emitted through the ultrasonic wave ports 150 formed at the lower portion of the lamp body 110, thereby 5 preventing bucks or harmful insects, such as mosquitoes, from gathering in the vicinity of the electric bulbs 120. The ultrasonic wave ports 150 may include perforation holes, which are formed at the lower portion 10 of the body 110 when the body 110 is fabricated through injection molding. In addition, the ultrasonic wave ports 150 can be formed at the lower portion of the body 110 after the body 110 has been fabricated. Meanwhile, when the clip type lamp 100 of the 15 present invention is not used, the user connects the connection jack 160 provided at one side of the body 110 to an external power source, such as a lighter socket installed in a vehicle, thereby charging the battery accommodated in the body 110 of the lamp 100. Thus, the 20 user can use the clip type lamp 100 for a long period of time. Hereinafter, the clip type lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The same 25 reference numerals will be used to refer to the same elements throughout the specification. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the clip type lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing 30 the clip type lamp shown in FIG. 8 coupled with a cap visor, and FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the clip type lamp coupled with the cap visor according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The clip type lamp according to the second 35 embodiment of the present invention is substantially 13 identical to clip type lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except that a pair of coupling holes 170 are formed at the front portion of the body 110 and a solar cell plate 200 is coupled with 5 the body 110 through the coupling holes 170. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the solar cell plate 200 coupled with the clip type lamp 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a 10 body 210, which is installed between a pair of clips 130. An extension member 220 is integrally formed with the front portion of the body 210. The extension member 220 has an arc-shaped section and power-supplying protrusions 230 are provided at both sides of the rear 15 portion of the extension member 220 in such a manner that the power-supplying protrusions 230 can be inserted into the coupling holes 170 formed at both sides of the front portion of the body 110 to apply power to the battery accommodated in the body 210. 20 Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the solar cell plate 200 is positioned on the upper surface of the cap visor 300. In the daytime, the clip type lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention stores 25 energy by absorbing solar heat through the solar cell plate 200, thereby charging the battery accommodated in the body 110 of the lamp 100. Thus, the user can use the lamp at night, without using an external power source. In addition, although the present invention has 30 been described in that the solar cell plate 200 is detachably coupled to the body 110 of the lamp 100, the solar cell plate 200 can be integrally formed with the body 110 of the lamp 100 or can be installed on the body 110 using a separate fixing unit. 35 Preferably, the solar cell plate has a large area 14 to receive light from the sun as much as possible. To this end, the solar cell plate has a foldable structure. In this case, the user may develop the foldable solar cell plate in daytime to receive solar energy and fold 5 the foldable solar cell plate at night to easily store the foldable solar cell plate. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a clip type lamp according to the third embodiment of the present 10 invention, and FIG. 12 is a right-side view of FIG. 11. The clip type lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention is substantially identical to the clip type lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for the 15 shape of the clip. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the clip type lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a clip section 400 coupled to the body 110 of the clip type lamp. The clip section 400 is 20 provided with a head 410 having an arc-shaped section that protrudes upward in the front direction from the front portion of the body 110. First and second clip fixing sections 411 and 413 are provided at both sides of the head 410. The first and second clip fixing 25 sections 411 and 413 extend along the bottom surface of the body 110. A locking hole 415 is defined by means of the head 410, and the rim of the cap visor 300 is fixedly inserted into the locking hole 415. 30 In addition, in order to allow the clip type lamp to be easily coupled with the cap visor 300, the center portions of the first and second clip fixing sections 411 and 413 closely make contact with the body 110 and end portions of the first and second clip fixing 35 sections 411 and 413 are bent upward from the upper 15 surface of the cap visor 300. Furthermore, since the front portion of the head 410 has a large surface area, the head 410 may serve as a billboard or a print board for exhibiting product 5 names or advertisements. Industrial Applicability As described above, according to the clip type lamp of the present invention, the body of the lamp is 10 bent downward while forming the curved surface. In addition, first end portions of first and second clips are integrally formed with the body and second end portions of the first and second clips are elastically moved up and down, so that the cap visor is fixedly 15 coupled with the first and second clips when the clip type lamp is attached to the cap visor. Therefore, the clip type lamp is easily attached to or detached from the cap visor while keeping the external appearance of the cap visor regardless of the various curved 20 configurations of the cap visor, without causing damage to the outer skin of the cap visor while preventing the lamp from moving or separating from the cap visor even if the user is in intensive activities. In addition, the clip type lamp according to the 25 present invention includes the switch provided at the lower portion of the lamp body in such a manner that the user can easily operate the electric bulb and the ultrasonic wave generator using the switch while wearing the cap equipped with the clip type lamp. 30 Furthermore, according to the present invention, the clip type lamp emits ultrasonic waves through the ultrasonic wave ports formed at the lower portion of the lamp body, thereby preventing bucks, winged insects, or harmful insects, such as moths or mosquitoes, from 35 gathering in the vicinity of the electric bulbs of the 16 clip type lamp. Further, since the solar cell plate is provided on the body, the solar cell can be automatically charged in the outdoor field during daytime. In addition, the head 5 part of the body may serve as a billboard or a print board for exhibiting product names or advertisements. In addition, the clips provided at both upper sides of the lamp body are integrally formed with the 10 lamp body, so that the clip type lamp has the secure and simple construction and the productivity of the clip type lamp can be improved.

Claims

1. A clip type lamp comprising: a body having a smoothly curved surface and 5 accommodating a battery therein; a plurality of electric bulbs installed at a front portion of the body; and clip means detachably attached to a cap visor, characterized in that the clip means comprises first and 10 second clips each having a first end portion fixed to a front portion of the body and a second end portion resiliently moving up and down, wherein the first and second clips include first and second protrusions each having a first end portion 15 integrally formed with the body, arching forwardly of the body, and engageable with a front rim of a cap visor, first and second clip fixing sections extending rearward from the first and second protrusions to allow the first 20 and second clips to be securely fixed to the cap visor, and distal end portions curved upward such that the first and second clips are easily engaged with the cap visor, 18 and wherein the first and second protrusions having locking holes locked with the front rim of the cap visor. 5

2. The clip type lamp as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an ultrasonic wave generator accommodated in the body; and a switch for operating the electric bulbs and the 10 ultrasonic wave generator.

3. The clip type lamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch protrudes from a bottom surface of the body in a hemispherical shape. 15

4. The clip type lamp as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a plurality of ultrasonic wave ports are formed at upper and lower portions of the body so as to emit ultrasonic waves, which are generated from the 20 ultrasonic wave generator, to an exterior.

5. The clip type lamp according to any preceding claim further comprising: a protrusion head to which the first and second 25 protrusions are connected, wherein the protrusion head has an arc shape protruding forward and upward of the body.

6. The clip type lamp according to any 30 preceding claim further comprising: a solar cell plate mounted on the body. 19

7. The clip type lamp according to claim 6, wherein the solar cell plate is detachably mounted on the body. 5

8. The clip type lamp according to any preceding claim further comprising a connection jack provided at one side of the body and connected to an external power source so as to charge the battery accommodated in the body. 10

9. The clip type lamp according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion head has a wide front surface.

10. The clip type lamp according to claim 6 or 15 7, wherein the solar cell plate has a foldable structure.

11. The clip type lamp according to claims 6, 7 or 10, wherein coupling holes are formed at both sides of a front surface of the body, and the solar cell plate 20 comprises: a body disposed between the first and second clips; an arc-type extension member protruding from a front surface of the body and extending along a bottom surface of the body; and 25 power-supplying protrusions detachably coupled into the coupling holes and provided at both sides of a rear end of the arch-type extension member to apply power to the battery. 20

12. The clip type lamp according according to any preceding claim, wherein the electric bulbs are turned on and off at a predetermine time interval by the switch. 5

13. A clip type lamp substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 12 of the accompanying drawings. 10