GB2284470A - Battery powered lighting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Lighting apparatus comprises a lighting unit carried by a support assembly incorporating a battery power source for the lighting unit wherein an arm extends upwardly from the support assembly to which it is secured, the arm carrying at its upper end the lighting unit electrically connected to the battery power supply, the lighting unit being provided by a reflector and/or refractor system associated with an electric lamp, and arranged and constructed to provide a wide field of light output. <IMAGE>

Description

Battery Powered Lighting Apparatus This invention relates to battery powered lighting apparatus, and more especially such lighting apparatus where a lighting unit is carried by a portable support assembly incorporating a battery power supply for the lighting unit. Such forms of lighting apparatus are known and used for many purposes.

However hitherto such apparatus has usually provided a focused light output which is not of a kind of optimum benefit for many uses.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least substantially reduce this problem.

In accordance with the invention there is provided lighting apparatus comprising a lighting unit carried by a support assembly incorporating a battery power source for the lighting unit wherein an arm extends upwardly from the support assembly to which it is secured; the arm carrying at its upper end the lighting unit electrically connected to the battery power supply; the lighting unit being provided with a reflector and/or refractor system associated with an electric lamp, and arranged and constructed to provide a wide field of light output.

The front face of the lighting unit may be of a square or rectangular configuration which may be higher than it is wide. In one embodiment however the front face is wider than it is high, to the edges of which is attached a rectangular transparent member provided with a refractive pattern on at least one side thereof designed and constructed to provide a wide spread of light on passage therethrough from the lamp of the unit disposed therebehind.

The lamp of the lighting unit may be mounted adjacent the back thereof and protrude through a reflector mounted at the rectangular front of the lighting unit behind the refractor element, said reflector being of a generally concave configuration inwardly of the lighting unit from its front mounting.

The reflector may taper inwardly in four essentially planar portions one from each of the four edges of the rectangular front of the unit towards the lamp protruding forwardly thereof adjacent the back of the unit. The four tapering sides of the reflector may be at an angle of between 200 and 400, and preferably at approximately 300 to the plane of the refractor element.

The lamp support may comprise a box-like body structure which preferably is self-supporting by being, for example flat based, and within which is located a rechargeable electrical battery, and may carry ancillary equipment such as a carrying handle, carrying strap, a radio and/or siren for emergency purposes together with associated controls therefor, an integral ancillary lamp, which may be or incorporate a spot light facility, a radio and/or a clock for example.

The lighting unit supporting arm may be detachable from the body structure and may be telescopic to provide variable height for the lighting unit. The lighting unit may be detachably mounted at an adjustable angle with respect to the vertical direction of its light output at the top of its telescopic arm. The lighting unit may be connected to its power supply by means of a coiled resilient connector lead carrying an appropriate connector plug at its lower end.

By means of the invention the lighting unit, because of its reflector and refractor configuration, and its height and angle adjustability, is admirably suited to provide optimum lighting conditions for situations where a wide field of light, a "wall of light", provides optimum lighting, and where the self-supporting nature of the support body provides a "hands free" lighting source. Such circumstances include beach based night sea angling and many other purposes in agriculture, pyrotechnic operations industry, and domestic circumstances, for example.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the lamp apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section through the lamp unit of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is an isometric rear view of the support body of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings it will be seen that the apparatus comprises a support member in the form of a box like body structure 1 formed of a polyurethane within which is located a rechargeable electrical battery (not shown) such as a sealed lead-acid battery which may for example having power characteristics comprising an output of 12V DC 7Ah (maximum 10A).

Detachably mounted on the support body 1 by means of a twist lock connector 27 is an aluminium telescopic arm 2 in three portions, which may be extended to any length within its full range and locked at that length by tightening the inter length ferrules 30 and 31.

Detachably mounted at the top of the telescopic arm 2 by means of a bracket 32 and a bolt (not shown) passing through apertures in the bracket and the top of the arm 2 and a wing nut 11, is a lighting unit 3 arranged to be of wide light output. By the mounting arrangement the lighting unit is capable of variable alignment as indicated by arrows 42.

The form and construction of the lighting unit 3 illustrated is of very real significance with respect of the efficacy of the lighting apparatus of the invention and will therefore be described now in some detail.

The lighting unit 3 is provided with a front 36, through which the light output passes, of rectangular configuration, the horizontal side edges 37 being of greater length than the vertical side edges 38, the ratio of the vertical sides to the horizontal sides being typically within the range of 0.7:1 to 0.8:1. In one particular embodiment the ratio is 0.77:1, in this example the dimensions being approximately 5 inches (12.5 cms) by 6.5 inches (16.5 cms).

The front opening 36 of the lighting unit is closed by a rectangular translucent sheet of plastics material 13 such as a polycarbonate plastics having on its inner face a pattern of grooves 39 running both horizontally and vertically and so designed as to provide a wide spread to light passing therethrough. Clip-on coloured filters (not shown) may be provided to fit in front of sheet 13. The unit 3, as can most clearly be seen in Figure 2, is of a general concave configuration from the front 36 to the back 40 thereof, although provided centrally of the back with a vertically disposed planar portion 41 to which is connected a lamp holder 6 into which is mounted a lamp 5 (which may be 10-20w) which projects through an aperture 35 in a reflector 4 so as to provide lighting at the front of the reflector 4.The reflector 4 itself is secured around the edge of the front opening 36 of the lamp unit, being held in place, with the transparent refractor sheet 13 by means of a securing rim member 12.

The reflector 4 is so structured that planar portions thereof taper from each front edge 37, 38 of the unit 3, meeting at inclined edges 33, to a rectangular portion 34 adjacent the rear of the unit which is provided with the aperture 35 through which the lamp 5 protrudes.

I have found that with this particular configuration of refractor and reflector a full wide beam of light (a "wall of light" is provided by the lighting unit 3 (the edges of which beam can be seen generally indicated by lines 28). This facility is of course aided by the variable telescopic arm 2 on which it is mounted, and by the adjustability of vertical angle of the lighting unit by detachable adjustable mounting by means of the wing nut 11 and its bolt on the end of the arm 2, and again by the self-supporting nature of the body, providing "hands free" lighting.

The lighting unit 3 is provided with a coiled flexible lead 7 having a plug 8 at its lower end which is connectable to a socket 9 on the support body 1 for powering the lighting unit. The socket 9 may also be used for insertion of a plug from a recharging unit (not shown).

The support body is provided with a carrying handle 21 and a shoulder carrying strap 10.

The support body 1 is provided with an integral ancillary torch-like lighting unit 24 having a reflector and lamp arrangement and structure similar to that of a car headlamp, including an off-centre lamp 23 (which may be lOw) for "dipped" operation, and a main spotlight lamp 22 (which may be 20w) for throwing an essentially parallel light output 28 therefrom. Alternate direction operation of a three position switch 20 may be provided for operating the ancillary lighting unit 24, the alternate positions provided dipped, off, and main or spot operation.

The support body 1 may incorporate a digital clock 19, and may also incorporate a radio having a speaker 14, volume control 15, and station tuner control 16.

The support body 1 may be provided with a switch 17 for providing a lamp flashing arrangement for emergency purposes and/or for emergency siren operations through the speaker 14 of the radio.

A socket 43 may be provided to receive an appropriate fuse, which may conveniently be of 10 amp capacity, and twin sockets 44 may be provided having 12 volt DC output for example to provide power for accessories to external lighting apparatus, such as a television, auxiliary lighting, or other power appliances.

By means of the apparatus of the invention we have provided a most convenient form of lighting apparatus providing optimum wide spread "wall of light" lighting of a "hands free" nature as well as providing apparatus capable of giving ancillary services.

It is to be appreciated that the lighting apparatus as hereinabove described and illustrated has many potential uses. Thus it can be used by anglers, in the building industry, by plumbers, and electricians amongst others. It can also be used in the farming industry, it can be used in photography (providing outside back lighting for example), in the railway industry, by the emergency services such as gas, water and electricity, in the event of car breakdowns, and in everyday domestic use. Clearly as can be seen from this exemplary list, the lighting apparatus of the invention is of great versatility.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of lighting apparatus in accordance with the invention and the modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. Lighting apparatus comprising a lighting unit carried by a support assembly incorporating a battery power source for the lighting unit wherein an arm extends upwardly from the support assembly to which it is secured; the arm carrying at its upper end the lighting unit electrically connected to the battery power supply; the lighting unit being provided with a reflector and/or refractor system associated with an electric lamp, and arranged and constructed to provide a wide field of light output.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front face of the lighting unit is of rectangular configuration wider than it is high, to edges of which front face is secured a rectangular transparent member provided with a refractive pattern on at least one side thereof designed and constructed to provide a wide spread of light on passage therethrough from the lamp of the unit disposed therebehind.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lamp of the lighting unit is mounted adjacent the back thereof and protrudes through a reflector mounted at the edges rectangular front of the lighting unit behind the refractor element, said reflector being of a generally concave configuration inwardly of the lighting unit from its front mounting.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the reflector tapers inwardly in four essentially planar portions one from each of the four edges of the rectangular front of the unit towards the lamp protruding forwardly thereof adjacent the back of the unit.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the four tapering sides of the refractor are at an angle of between 200 and 400 to the plane of the refractor element.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the four tapering sides of the reflector are at an angle of approximately 300 to the plane of the refractor element.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lighting unit supporting arm is telescopic whereby to provide variable height for the lighting unit.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lighting unit is mounted at an adjustable angle with respect to the vertical direction of its light output at the top of its telescopic arm.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lamp support comprises a box-like body structure of self-supporting configuration within which is located a rechargeable electric battery.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the box-like body structure carries items of ancillary equipment.

11. Lighting apparatus substantially as shown and is hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.