GB2297610A - An illuminating device which can be worn on a finger - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for illuminating an article to be held in or worked upon by the hand of a user, which device comprises: a. a ring-like member adapted to be mounted on one or more fingers of the user; b. a source of illumination carried by the ring-like member; and c. an offset member located intermediate the ring like member and the source of illumination whereby the source of illumination is offset from the axis of the finger and is adapted to direct its illumination towards the nip of the forefinger and thumb of the user.

Description

TITTLE: DEVICE The present invention relates to a device, notably to one for illuminating an article being manipulated in the hands of a user.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION: Many operations on articles are carried out manually by a user and this frequently involves the use of both hands by the user. Where the operation is being carried out in the dark, for example securing bait to a fishing hook at night, the user requires some illumination of the article to be able to carry out the operation successfully.

It has been proposed to provide a torch or other form of illumination on a stand, for example a tripod or the like, so that the user does not have to use either hand to support the torch. However, the torch is rigidly mounted and casts its beam along a fixed path. The user then has to ensure that the article is maintained within the illuminated area and that his hands do not come between the article and the light source.

It has been proposed to mount a torch on a head band or the like so that the light is directed along a path from the user's head and thus essentially along the line of sight of the user. This may obviate the need for the user to use a hand to support and guide the torch light beam, but it locates the source of light some distance from the article being worked on. Therefore, a powerful light source is required to achieve adequate illumination of the article. This, in turn, requires a substantial battery or other power source for the head lamp or torch.

It has also been proposed to mount a torch or other light source upon the forefinger of a user so that the light from the torch is directed along the axis of the user's finger. Since the light source is now located adjacent the article being manipulated by the user, a small light source and battery can be used. However, such a device does not achieve consistent illumination of the article and I have found that this is due to the fact that the beam of light readily fails to illuminate the article as the finger carrying the torch is flexed.

The need continues for a simple and compact means for illuminating articles in the hands of a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for illuminating an article to be held in or worked upon by the hand of a user, which device comprises: a. a ring-like member adapted to be mounted on one or more fingers of the user; b. a source of illumination carried by the ring like member; and c. an offset member located intermediate the ring like member and the source of illumination whereby the source of illumination is offset from the axis of the finger and is adapted to direct its illumination towards the nip of the forefinger and thumb of the user.

The source of illumination can be a pea or similar electrically powered light bulb, one or more optic fibres or any other suitable source of illumination. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a conventional battery powered light bulb, for example of the type commercially available in a hand held torch or a bicycle lamp.

Typically, such bulbs are powered by a source of low voltage, for example a battery or a small dynamo of the type used on a cycle. Preferably, the bulb is powered by a conventional battery or battery pack containing one or more conventional batteries connected in parallel or in series. Such a battery pack can be carried remotely upon the person of the user, as when a battery pack is carried upon the waist band of the user's clothing or upon a wrist strap, and is connected by an electrically conductive lead to the bulb. However, it is preferred to mount the battery on the ring-like member so as to provide a unitary construction to the device. For example, a compact pen type torch can be mounted on the ring-like member.

For convenience, the invention will be described in terms of such a unitary assembly.

The ring-like member can take the form of a closed ring of a suitable material which is dimensioned so as to fit upon the index or another finger of the user. If desired, the member can be carried by more than one finger.

However, this may restrict the freedom of movement of the user and it is preferred to mount the ring-like member upon the forefinger of the user. In order to accommodate different finger sizes for different users, it is preferred to form the ring-like member as a split ring which can be contracted or splayed as required, for example when the ring-like member is made from a spring material. The split in the split ring will also allow the ring-like member to be slotted onto a support member, for example the end plate of a fishing reel spool, to allow the torch to be supported and allow the user to have both hands free for more complex operations, eg. untangling a fishing line in the light beam from the torch.If desired, the inner surfaces of the ring-like member can carry a sponge or other deformable material so that the ring-like member can be a tight fit upon the selected finger of the user. Alternatively, the ring-like member can be a ring of fabric or similar material which can be applied around the desired finger of the user and laced or otherwise secured in position. The ring of fabric can be elasticated so that it inherently self-tightens upon the finger of the user. However, in order to provide a simple and easily removed or applied device, it is preferred to form the ring-like member as a split ring of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material which also provides a firm mounting for the light source and the offset member.

The light source is offset from the longitudinal axis of the finger of a wearer by means of the offset member. The offset member can take a variety of forms, for example a rod or other arm attached to the ring-like member. The offset member can be adjustable in length and/or can be pivotally mounted on the ring-like member so that the offset position of the light source can be adjusted to accommodate different users and to optimise the position of the light source with respect to the article being manipulated by the user. However, as indicated above, the battery and light bulb are preferably provided in a unitary housing similar to a pen type torch and this can be mounted upon the ring-like member so that the housing extends transversely of the longitudinal axis of the finger upon which the device is mounted so as to provide the desired offset.Thus, for example, the axially elongated body of a pen type torch assembly can be mounted tangentially upon the outer face of the rim of the ringlike member with its longitudinal axis directed substantially normal to the axis of the ring-like member with the light bulb of the assembly directed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the finger so that the light is directed towards and/or focused upon the nip between the thumb and forefinger. Preferably, the bulb or other light source which provides the illumination is offset from 1 to 4 cms from the axis of the finger. For convenience the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a pencil torch type assembly as the source of illumination and the offset member.

The body of the torch can be secured to the ring-like member by any suitable means, for example in a slit ring clip rivetted to the ring-like member, by a strap, by adhesive or any other suitable means. The securing means can be substantially rigid, so that the relative orientation of the torch and the ring-like member is fixed. However, as indicated above, it may be desired to form the securing means as a pivotal or ball and socket type mounting, whereby the relative orientation of the torch body and the ring-like member can varied. Such mounting can incorporate locking means whereby a selected orientation can be retained once selected, but readily released to permit a different orientation to be selected.

As indicated above, the beam of light emanating from the source of illumination is preferably directed so that it illuminates an article held by the user or being manipulated by the hand of the user. By mounting the source of illumination upon the finger of the user the intensity of the light emitted by the device need not be as great as that required for a head lamp or other source of illumination which is remote from the hands of the user. Furthermore, the illumination will inherently tend to follow movements of the user's hands and thus retain illumination upon the article.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING: The invention will now be described by way of illustration with respect to a preferred form thereof as shown in the accompanying drawing, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT: The device comprises a split ring 1 made from a spring steel or plastic and covered with a rubber or soft plastic sleeve to provide a surface which grips the forefinger of a user when inserted into the split ring. Preferably, the ring extends axially for from 0.5 to 1.5 cms to provide a steady platform for the source of illumination as described below. Typically, the member 1 is dimensioned so that it is a snug fit between the first and second joints of the forefinger of the user. As shown, the ring is a split ring so that it can be splayed to accommodate different sizes of finger. The slit in the ring also allows the ring to be fitted onto the rim of a fishing reel or other support.In this case the support may be of a larger dimension than the width of the slit so that the ring 1 is expanded slightly as the support is located into the slit and the ring thus grips the support firmly.

This frees both hands of the user for complex operations when the presence of the device on the finger of the user would interfere with such operations.

Mounted upon the member 1 is a compact pen type torch 2 having a cylindrical body 3 which houses a conventional AA or similar battery (not shown). The body 3 has an end cap or other means by which a battery can be inserted into and removed from the body. The body 3 also carries a conventional pea bulb 4 electrically connected to the battery to provide the illumination. The bulb 4 is preferably located adjacent the free end of body 3 and is directed so that so that the light from the bulb illuminates the area between the forefinger and the thumb of the user. This can be achieved by mounting the body 3 laterally offset from the axis of the finger, but still orientated substantially parallel to the axis of the finger and with the bulb 4 located axially and terminally upon body 3.Alternatively, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the body 3 is orientated at right angles to the axis of the finger and the bulb 4 is mounted on body 3 so that its light is directed at right angles to the axis of the body. For example, the bulb 4 can be mounted externally upon a side wall of body 3 so that it provides all round illumination of the area encompassed between the thumb and forefinger of the user. If desired, the bulb can- be provided with a parabolic reflector as with a conventional torch to focus and direct the light axially.

Alternatively, the base of the bulb can incorporate a silvered portion to assist direction and focusing of the light emitted by the filament of the bulb. Such bulbs are available commercially.

As indicated above, the body 3 can be secured to the ringlike member 1 in a fixed orientation, as when the body is secured to member 1 by a snap fit mounting in a second split ring orientated at 900 to member 1. However, it may be desirable to secure body 3 to member 1 by a rotatable mounting, for example a rivet or the like, which permits relative movement of body 3 with respect to member 1 and allows a user to orientate body 3 and hence the light it emits to best suit the operation to be performed.

By providing the source of illumination upon the finger of the user, the light is generated in close proximity to the article being worked upon and movement of the user's fingers during the work is mirrored by movement of the illumination without the need for conscious movement or adjustment by the user.

The device of the invention finds widespread use where it is desired to illuminate an article held by the fingers of a person or a workpiece to be manipulated by a user.

Thus, the device may be used to illuminate a model or an electronic circuit which the user is assembling from component parts, or to illuminate an article which is being manipulated by the user, for example when tying a fishing fly or lure or affixing a worm to a fish hook.

Alternatively, the device may be used to illuminate a workpiece upon which the user is carrying out work, as with the adjustment of the tappets of a motor car engine or to illuminate an area of work in a confined area, as with work on an electronic circuit located within a confined housing.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A device for illuminating an article to be held in or worked upon by the hand of a user, which device comprises: a. a ring-like member adapted to be mounted on one or more fingers of the user; b. a source of illumination carried by the ring like member; and c. an offset member located intermediate the ring like member and the source of illumination whereby the source of illumination is offset from the axis of the finger and is adapted to direct its illumination towards the nip of the forefinger and thumb of the user.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the source of illumination comprises a light bulb.

3. A device as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the source of illumination and the offset member comprise a unitary assembly containing a battery and a bulb, which unitary assembly is mounted upon the ring-like member so as to direct the illumination from the bulb longitudinally with respect to the finger of the user upon which the device is mounted.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring-like member is a split ring.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring-like member is made from a spring material whereby it can expand to accommodate different sizes of fingers.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source of illumination is offset by from 1 to 4 cms from the longitunial axis of the ring-like member.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the offset member is adjustably mounted upon the ring-like member.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the offset of the source of illumination is adjustable.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with respect to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.