WO1994012076A1

WO1994012076A1 - Integral portfolio and reading light

Info

Publication number: WO1994012076A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/011372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl Fisherman
Original assignee: Talbot Marketing Group, Inc.
Priority date: 1992-11-27
Filing date: 1993-11-23
Publication date: 1994-06-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portfolio (10) and reading light (44, 46) and is directed to a simple, inexpensive, compact, and portable device for lighting the inner and outer work surfaces (14, 22) of a portfolio (10). An elongated housing (30) is mounted on one of the work surfaces of the portfolio and includes a battery compartment (32) and a second compartment (36) for receiving a movable arm (38) and a reading light (44, 46), which may be extended to direct light onto the work surfaces (14, 22).

Description

INTEGRAL PORTFOLIO AND READING LIGHT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an integral portfolio and reading light and, more particularly, is directed to a simple, inexpensive, compact, and portable device for lighting up the work surfaces of a portfolio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although portfolios with writing pads, document compartments, calculators, and the like are well known, they are difficult to use at night or in dark areas. Typically, they do not have lights built in to them for lighting up the

.document or work surfaces, including the reading and/or writing surfaces when needed.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combination of a portfolio and reading light which overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide an improved device which is simple to use and store, inexpensive, convenient, compact, portable, and which accommodates all types of portfolios. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combination of a portfolio and reading light which is combined into a compact and portable arrangement but yet allows the reading light to be extended over the work surfaces, document compartments, and reading surfaces of the portfolio so that the user can more easily focus the light where desired. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement which is easy to use and which is easy to store, since the operation of extending the reading light out of its housing automatically operates to turn on the reading light, and storage is easily accomplished, since it is only necessary to return the reading light to its housing, which automatically turns off the reading light.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided an improved integral portfolio and reading light which includes a first cover member for ^•receiving and holding paper, pads, and the like and a second cover member, which may have document compartments, calculators, and/or a telephone index. An elongated housing is mounted on the inside of the first cover member and includes a first compartment for receiving batteries arranged in parallel to a second compartment for receiving a supporting arm for a reading light. The supporting arm and reading light are disposed for movement relative to the second compartment between an open position in which the supporting arm extends out of the second compartment and a closed position in which the supporting arm is slidably disposed within the second compartment. In addition, the reading light is movably mounted relative to the supporting arm for directing light in different directions, as desired by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the reading light includes a reflector. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, electrically- conductive metal contacts are provided on the inside of the housing and on the lower end of the supporting arm. In this manner, when the supporting arm is moved to its closed position in the housing, the contacts are disengaged, and the reading light is automatically turned off, so that the device is ready for transport or storage. To operate, the supporting arm is simply moved out of the housing to its extended position, and the contacts on the supporting arm come into engagement with the contacts on the housing to automatically turn on the reading light and render the device ready for use. Advantageously, as a result of the invention, there is provided an improved device which is easy to use and easy to store. The simple operation of extending the supporting arm and reading light renders the device ready for use, and the simple operation of retracting the supporting arm into the housing turns off the light and renders the device ready for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the integral portfolio and reading light illustrating the reading light and supporting arm in its extended position; Figure 2 shows the reading light in different positions;

Figure 3 shows the reflector being retracted into the housing; and

Figure 4 illustrates the interior of said housing. DESCRIPTION OF THE

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The drawings illustrate the lighted portfolio 10 of the present invention. The portfolio 10 includes a first cover member 12 having an inner work surface or reading surface 14 and a pocket 16 for receiving paper pads 18 and the like or even a telephone index. The portfolio 10 also includes a second cover member 20 having an inner section 22 having a number of pockets or document-receiving compartments 24 for receiving and storing various documents, maps, stationery articles, stamps, magazines, notes, and the like. A zippered compartment 26 is also provided, as is well known in the portfolio art. In addition, a calculator may be mounted in the portfolio.

As will be understood, in addition to or instead of compartments, there may be pockets, with or without closures, such as zippers, snaps, and the like. Further, the compartments and/or pockets may be provided on the outside surfaces of covers 12 and 20.

A hinge area 28 is provided between the first and second cover members 12 and 20 for folding the two cover members relative to each other. The portfolio 10 is made of any suitable material, such as leather or vinyl, as is well known. As shown in Figure 1, an elongated housing 30 is attached to one side of the hinge area 28 on cover member 12. The attachment may be by glue, rivets, clips, magnets, or any other suitable fastening means. As shown in Figure 4, housing 30 includes a first compartment 32 for receiving batteries 34, a second compartment 36 for receiving a supporting arm 38, a wall 37 separating the two compartments, and a reflector housing 44, for a purpose to be explained. As will be noted, compartments 32 and 36 are rectangular in cross section but can be of any suitable configuration, such as semicircular. Compartment 32 is closed at the top by a cap 69 and is openable at the bottom or side by a door 71 for changing batteries 34. Compartment 36 includes a collar member 70 at its top through which arm 38 moves in and out of the compartment 36.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the supporting arm 38 includes sections 40 which are flexible and bendable, so that the arm can be moved or adjusted to any desired position over the work surfaces 14 and 22, or compartments 24 of portfolio 10, or over the outer surfaces. Arm 38 also includes a stop member 42 at the lower end of the. arm for engaging collar member 70 to limit how far arm 38 may be extended. The reflector housing 44 is connected to the upper end of the arm

38 and encloses a light bulb 46. In this manner, the reflector housing 44 may concentrate the light from light bulb

46 downwardly towards the work surfaces 14 or 22. The supporting arm 38 and reflector 44 are disposed for movement relative to compartment 36 between an open position (shown in Figure 2) in which the supporting arm 38 extends out of the compartment 36, and a closed position in which the supporting arm 38 and reflector 44 are completely disposed within the compartment 36. Figure 3 shows reflector 44 being fully retracted. In addition, the reflector housing 44 is pivotally mounted by a collar 48 on supporting arm 38 for pivoting reflector housing 44 and light bulb 46 in all different directions, as desired during use.

The housing 30 and the compartments 32 and 36 may be shorter than the portfolio 10. In addition, the top surface

44a of the reflector housing 44, in its fully closed position, is coplanar with or coextensive with the top 30a of housing

.30. Accordingly, in this manner, when reflector housing 44 is moved to its closed position, surface 44a functions as a closure to close off the open end of compartment 36 and also protects bulb 46 from damage when not in use.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown the automatic switching arrangement of the present invention. More particularly, battery compartment 32 includes a metal contact 60 mounted at its upper end, which extends into compartment 36 and includes one end 60a for contact with batteries 34 and a second end 60b for contact with elongated arm 38, in a manner to be explained. In addition, housing 30 includes an elongated L-shaped metal contact 62 disposed therein, which has one end 62a connected to the bottom of batteries 34 and an upper end 62b for contact with arm 38, in a manner to be explained. Arm 38 houses an electrical wire 64 connected to light bulb 46 and which extends down through the length of light bulb 46 and which extends down through the length of supporting arm 38 to metal contacts 66 and 68 mounted on stop member 42. As supporting arm 38 moves in and out relative to compartment 36, metal contact 68 always remains in engagement with metal contact 62. Thus, it is only when metal contact 66 is brought into engagement with metal contact 60b that the electrical circuit is completed and operates to turn on light bulb 46. This occurs when supporting arm 38 is moved in an upward direction within compartment 36 to its extended position. Arm 38 is prevented from being removed from compartment 36 by stop member 42 engaging collar 70 disposed at the top of compartment 36. When the arm 38 is retracted into compartment 36, and reflector housing 44 closes housing

30, the electrical contact between contact 66 and 60b is broken, and the light is automatically turned off.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the simple step of extending or retracting the supporting arm 38 operates to automatically turn on or off the light bulb 46.

It is simple and convenient for the user to move the device to its operating position for use or to move the device to its closed position for storage and transport. In addition, a compact and portable arrangement is provided when reflector housing 44 is moved to its closed position. Further, since arm 38 is flexible and bendable, when it is in the extended position, the light bulb 46 can be adjusted to focus on the work surfaces 14 or 22, or merely be held in any desired position over the portfolio 10. Still further, since reflector housing 44 is rotatable or pivotable relative to arm 38, this further enhances the capability of directing light as desired by the user. As a further advantage, when the reflector housing 44 is in its closed position, the light bulb 46 is completely enclosed and protected, and thus is not susceptible to being damaged.

Advantageously, as a result of the various embodiments of the present invention, there has been provided an improved integral portfolio and reading light which is simple to use, inexpensive, compact, portable, and safe. A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, ^•• some features of the invention will be employed without a . corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope and of the invention herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A portfolio and reading light, comprising: a portfolio having a first cover member defining a first work surface, a second cover member defining a second work surface, and a hinge area therebetween for folding said first and second cover members relative to each other; an elongated housing mounted on one of said first and second cover members including a first compartment for receiving batteries and a second compartment for receiving a supporting arm for a reading light; said supporting arm being disposed for movement relative to said second compartment between an open position in which said supporting arm extends out of said second compartment and a closed position in which said supporting arm is disposed within said second compartment; and said reading light being movably mounted relative to said supporting arm for directing light in different directions.

2. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said reading light includes a reflector which is movable relative to said supporting arm.

3. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 2, wherein said supporting arm in the closed position functions to turn off said reading light automatically.

4. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said first compartment and said second compartment are arranged in parallel relative to each other in said housing, said second compartment being of sufficient length to completely receive said supporting arm within said second compartment when said supporting arm is moved to said closed position.

5. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 2, wherein the top surface of said reflector, in said closed position, is substantially coplanar with the top edge •of said housing.

6. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said supporting arm is flexible and bendable.

7. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, further including switching means for automatically turning said reading light on and off operated by movement of said supporting arm.

8. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 7, wherein said switching means includes a first contact on said supporting arm and a second contact in said housing, said first contact being moved out of engagement with said second contact when said supporting arm is moved to said closed position to turn off said light, and said first contact being moved into engagement with said second contact when said supporting arm is moved to said open position to turn on said light.

9. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the first work surface of said first cover member includes a pocket member for receiving and holding paper pads.

10. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the second work surface of said second cover member includes a plurality of compartments for receiving documents, such as maps, a telephone index, magazines, stamps, notes, and photographs.

11. A portfolio and reading light in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said housing is glued to the inner surface of said first cover member.