Lighting device securable to a support structure |
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申请号 | US10925484 | 申请日 | 2004-08-25 | 公开(公告)号 | US20060044797A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2006-03-02 |
申请人 | Mary Steady; Jacqueline Steady; | 发明人 | Mary Steady; Jacqueline Steady; | ||||
摘要 | A lighting device comprising a lighting unit, a housing supporting the lighting unit, an activation unit for activating the lighting unit and a strap for securing the housing to a respective support structure. Alternatively, a sleeve may be used to secure a housing to a respective support structure. | ||||||
权利要求 | We claim: |
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说明书全文 | The present invention relates to a lighting device securable to a support structure, such as a handlebar of a bicycle. It is known to use a rigid lighting unit for a support structure where power circuitry is included in the support structure. It is an advantage of the invention that a lighting device is provided with a variable fitting device for securing a housing of a lighting device to a support structure. It is another advantage of the invention that power circuitry is external to any support structure, such as a bicycle handlebar. It is another advantage of the invention that a power source may be included in the housing of the lighting device. It is yet another advantage of the present invention that finishing surfaces and protective grips of support structures need not be altered in conjunction with a lighting device according to the present invention. It is another advantage of the invention that an activation unit is available external to the housing. It is still another advantage that an activation unit is remote to the housing. It is yet still another advantage that a housing of a lighting device according to the present invention rests on a respective securing device for securing to a respective support structure. It is another advantage of the present invention that the lighting device may be activated without removing a hand from a respective support structure when a user is gripping the support structure, such as a handlebar. It is another advantage of the present invention that a housing of the lighting device may be contoured to complement a respective support structure. It is another advantage of the present invention that a housing of the lighting device may include a grip or cushion for contact with a support structure. It is an advantage of an embodiment of the present invention that the lighting unit is securable at any point along an entire support structure as opposed to only a distal end of a support structure. The best mode of the invention is shown in Lighting device 1 includes housing base 6 and housing extension 7. Housing extension 7 may be integral with housing base 6 or removably secure to housing base 6. Housing base 6 and/or housing extension 7 may compliment the shape and or size of a respective support structure. Housing base 6 includes a transparent region for allowing light emission to pass there through. At least light emission source 2 is internal to housing base 6. Light source 2 may be integral with housing base 6. Housing base 6 and/or housing extension 7 include respective access areas for replacing light emission source 2 and a respective power source of power circuitry 3. Housing base 6 and housing extension 7 are designed to protect light emission source 2, power circuitry 3 and communication path 5 against elements as desired and necessary. Extension 7 is designed to include a region for receiving strap 8. Strap 8 secures to a respective support structure, by tying, by having elasticity, or with a closure device, for example. Strap 8 may include closure 9. Closure 9 may include any of a velcro® hook and fastener closure, a snap closure, a tie closure, a brace closure, a bracket closure, a rubber closure and a clasp closure alone or in combination. Strap 8 may be wrapped around variable sizes and shapes. Housing extension 7 may be contoured. Such a contour could complement a shape of a respective support structure. A concave contour could be use for a cylindrical support structure. In addition, as shown in Activation unit 4 activates constant light emission, blinking light emission or no light emission, independently or in sequence. Activation unit 4 may include a switch, such as a push-on activator 4a or a toggle switch 4a. Activation unit 4 is designed to protect against elements as necessary and desired. It is possible to include power circuitry in the activation source. Activation unit 4 may be accompanied by securing element 10 to secure activation unit 4 to a respective support structure such as a handle bar, bar or pole. Securing element 10 may secure to a support structure by tying, by having elasticity, or with a closure device, for example. Activation unit 4 may be strapped on a user's body or wrist. Of course, there may be the occasion where a user wishes to carry or hold the activation unit without securing the activation unit to a support structure. Embodiment 2 indicates like elements with the same reference numerals. In embodiment 2, lighting device 1 is secured to a respective support structure with a sleeve 13, see Of course, a plurality of lighting units, housings and straps or sleeves may be used with a single activation unit. Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus as illustrated, as well as uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Many variations of the invention within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. |