AU2011100138A4

AU2011100138A4 - Portable lighting system

Info

Publication number: AU2011100138A4
Application number: AU2011100138A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Grant Geddes
Original assignee: SOUTH BURNETT REGIONAL COUNCIL
Current assignee: SOUTH BURNETT REGIONAL COUNCIL
Priority date: 2011-02-02
Filing date: 2011-02-02
Publication date: 2011-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-02

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "PORTABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 PORTABLE LIGHTING SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to portable lighting. In particular the invention relates to a portable lighting system including an extendible mast of non conductive material. BACKGROUND Existing portable lighting systems are generally rather limited in safety and high lighting features, and are typically designed for use in clear spaces. This can be a major risk in situations requiring the attention of emergency services personnel. These situations may be provoked by storms, bushfires, vehicle accidents, or one of a wide range of similar events. With damage to structures, power lines may be obscured, dragged down or ruptured. Contact with the power lines can be very serious, if not fatal. In addition, existing portable systems are not suitable for lighting large areas, such as car parks. They are often powered by generators which are noisy and emit a considerable qhantity of exhaust fumes. Generators also require periodic refuelling, mandating dedicated labour to maintain operation. Existing portable systems are also limited in functionality to lighting only. Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a potable lighting system, which may overcome at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a portable lighting system comprising an extendible mast of non-conductive material, the mast being reversibly attached at a first end to a base, and reversibly attached at a second end to a head including at least one light. In another form, the invention resides in a portable lighting system comprising an extendible mast of non-conductive material, the mast being reversibly attached at a first end to a base, and reversibly attached at a second end to a head including at least one light and an electronic flare, wherein the mast includes facility for storing traffic cones. In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice, one or more preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first Example of the invention; FIG. 2 is a further schematic of the first Example of the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic of the base of the first and second Examples of the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic of the base of the first and second Examples of the invention without the base cover; FIG. 5 is a schematic of a second Example of the invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic of the head of the second Example of the 3 invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic of a third Example of the invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic of the base of the third Example of the invention, without the base cover; FIG. 9 is a schematic of the base of the third Example of the invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic of the head of the third Example of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Detailed, non-limiting examples of the use of the invention are provided. Example 1: Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, an example of a portable lighting system (1) of the invention is shown. The system shown in this Example is suitable for single person operation. The base (2) includes a galvanised metal portion (3) and a traffic-cone-shaped cover (4). The cover (4) can be reversibly attached to the metal portion (3) by any appropriate means. Figure 3 shows this attachment by means of wing nuts and bolts (5). Referring to Figure 4, the metal portion (3) accommodates at least one battery (6). Generally for this example of the invention, two sealed 22amp deep cycle gel batteries are connected in parallel to power the light of the invention. This configuration is maintenance-free. Referring particularly to Figure 3, the base (2) also includes a battery monitor (7). The battery monitor (7) is an LED fuel gauge which is always illuminated to allow easy reading at any time of the day or night. The system 4 of the invention, using the features described herein, can operate for about eight hours at full power before recharging of the battery is required. The metal portion (3) includes a rubber shoe (8) of about 5mm on the underside to prevent slipping of the lighting system, and impart chemical resistance to the underside of the base (2). The base (2) also includes handles (9) for ease of moving the lighting system when necessary. The base cover (4) is traffic-cone-shaped to increase visibility, and includes reflective labels (10) and safety information (11). The base (2) can also be used as a traffic cone per se in light of the traffic cone shaped cover (4). The base cover (4) can also accommodate in the order of up to ten traffic cones for storage and/or transport. The traffic cones are fed down the mast (12) to rest in a stack on the base cover (4). Alternatively the mast can be passed through the cones. The extendible mast (12) of the invention is made of non-conductive material. In this way, when the mast is extended, the danger from contact with power lines is eliminated. In the example of the invention represented in Figures 1-4, the extendible mast (12) is made of reinforced fibreglass. This material makes the mast (12) light, strong and rustproof, and of course electrically safe. The mast (12) extends and contracts telescopically from about 1 m to about 6m, the latter being the optimum height for good light performance. The mast (12) also includes a position locking device to secure the mast (12) at the desired height. The mast can also be graduated (13) to increase accuracy of extension and height.

5 Figures 1 and 2 show the head (14) of this Example of the invention, being a galvanised plate (15), reversibly attached near the top of the mast (12). The head includes a 17* down adjustable tilt which ensures that the lights (16) on the head do not shine directly into the eyes of oncoming vehicle drivers. The head (14) also includes a safety lock (not visible in this representation) to prevent accidental separation of the head from the base. The light configuration for this example of the invention is a configuration of 3x3 lamps (16) attached to the head (15). The lens on the lights is a 100% optically pure acrylic lens, which enables a white light delivering optimum visual recognition and accuracy. In addition, the lights are impenetrable to dust, and waterproof to 3m. The lights used in the system of the invention can also withstand cleaning with a high pressure water blaster. The portable lighting system can also include a solar panel connected to the battery, resulting in zero downtime of the system. The lights of the system of the invention are connected to the batteries by a plug in the base (3) of the system, and a coiled insulated cord (17) to the head (15) (see for example Figure 2). Alternatively, the system does not include a battery, but is powered by a car battery or the like, which is connected to the lights via a coiled insulated cord and Anderson plug. The system of the invention can be set in 5 minutes and dismantled if required by: removing the head (15) and lights (16) from the mast (12); and 6 contracting and removing the mast (12) from the base (2). Example 2: The second Example of a system of the invention is represented in Figures 5 and 6. The base (2) and mast (12) are the same as described for the first Example above. The lights are also attached to the head (14), however, in this Example the lights comprise a combination of a bar light (19) and two small flood lights (20). The bar light draws only 5amps and produces 5% more light than high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. The flood lights (20) are each 10watt light emitting diode (LED) lights producing 800 lumens. Together, the bar light and flood lights provide a light output of 5200 lumens. The head (14) can also include an e-flare (21) attached to the top end of the head (14). The e-flare (21) is visible for 1km at night. The eflare (21) is powered through a reducer which reduces the 12V from the battery to 3V. Example 3: Referring to Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, a third Example of the portable lighting system of the invention is shown. This Example is designed for lighting large areas like car parks, boat docking locations, and for long term illumination. The base (22) comprises a heavy duty bucket (23) (see Figure 8) with removable and adjustable wheels (24), a removable and adjustable stabilising foot (25) and a traffic-cone-shaped cover (26) (see Figure 9). The wheels (24) and foot (25) are height adjustable by turning the handles (27) attached to each. The base (22) also includes a bumper bar (28) surrounding the base for ease of moving the lighting system when necessary.

7 The base cover (26) is traffic-cone-shaped to increase visibility, and includes reflective labels and safety information. The base (22) houses the battery (not visible in this representation) of the system. The battery used in this example of the invention is an extra low voltage 12V/200amp/hr absorbed glass mat (AGM) marine battery, which is sealed inside the base and maintenance-free. Also included in the base (not visible in this representation) is a waterproof sealed 240v battery charger. The base (22) also includes a battery monitor (not visible in this representation). The battery monitor is an LED fuel gauge which is always illuminated to allow easy reading at any time of the day or night. The system of the invention, using the features described herein, can operate for more than three days before recharging of the battery is required. The base cover (22) can also accommodate in the order of up to ten traffic cones for storage and/or transport. The traffic cones are fed down the mast (29) to rest in a stack on the base cover (22). The base cover (22) is securely attached to the base (23) using latches (30). The extendible mast (29) of the invention is made of non-conductive material. In this way, when the mast is extended, the danger from contact with power lines is eliminated. In this Example of the invention, the extendible mast (29) is made of fibreglass. This material makes the mast (29) light, strong and rustproof, and of course electrically safe. The mast (29) extends and contracts telescopically from about 1 m to about 6m, the latter being the optimum height for good light performance under conditions appropriate for this Example of the invention. The mast (29) 8 also includes a position locking device to secure the mast (29) at the desired height. Referring to Figures 7 and 10, the head (31) of the system of the invention represented in this Example is a galvanised plate (32), reversibly attached near the top of the mast (29). The head includes a 30* down bubble tilt which ensures that the lights (33) on the head do not shine directly into the eyes of oncoming vehicle drivers. The head (31) also includes a safety lock (not visible in this representation) to prevent accidental separation of the head from the base. The lights (33) of the system are attached to the head (31) on rotatable brackets (34). The lights (33) can be fixed in one position on the head, or can be adjustable, or can be a combination of fixed and adjustable enabling 3600 of illumination. This example of the invention includes 4 set of lights (33), each set comprising six 10 watt LED lights arranged in a circular configuration. Each 10 watt LED light produces 800 lumens of white light. Together, the four sets of lights (33) provide a light output of 20 000 lumens. The head (31) is connected to the mast (29) by sliding either attachment portion (35) of the head (31) onto the mast (29) The lens on the lights is a 100% optically pure acrylic lens, which enables a white light delivering optimum visual recognition and accuracy. In addition, the lights are impenetrable to dust, and waterproof to 3m. The lights used in the system of the invention can also withstand cleaning with a high pressure water blaster. The portable lighting system can also include a solar panel attached 9 to the head which continuously recharges the battery, resulting in zero downtime of the system. Alternatively, the system does not include a battery, but is powered by a car battery or the like, which is connected to the lights via a coiled insulated cord and Anderson plug. The system of the invention can be dismantled if required by: removing the head (31) and lights (33) from the mast (29); and contracting and removing the mast (29) from the base (22). It is clear from the foregoing that the system of the invention provides a portable lighting system which is easy to move and set up in all terrains and under all conditions; is quiet and easy to operate; provides superior and powerful lighting under any circumstances; and is safe and effective. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprises", and variations such as "comprise" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A portable lighting system comprising an extendible mast of non conductive material, the mast being reversibly attached at a first end to a base, and reversibly attached at a second end to a head including at least one light.

2. The portable lighting system of claim 1, including an electronic flare reversibly attached to the head.

3. The portable lighting system of claim 1 or claim 2, including facility on the mast for storing traffic cones.

4. The portable lighting system of any one of claims 1 to 3 further including a battery in the base.

5. A portable lighting system comprising an extendible mast of non conductive material, the mast being reversibly attached at a first end to a base including a battery, and reversibly attached at a second end to a head including at least one light and an electronic flare, wherein the mast includes facility for storing traffic cones and the base includes reversibly attached height-adjustable wheels.