GB2148628A

GB2148628A - Portable light

Info

Publication number: GB2148628A
Application number: GB08328222A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Patrick Rowlson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-10-21
Filing date: 1983-10-21
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB8328222D0

Abstract

Existing battery powered portable lighting systems seek to maximise the length of time the light is available by using low powered bulbs or large batteries. There are many applications where a brighter light is required, but for shorter durations and this can be achieved by using lightweight rechargeable batteries 5 combined with higher powered bulbs 10, 11 to provide a lightweight system which can be conveniently recharged between use. The system can be formed for use as a cycle lamp or a hand-held torch, providing better visibility and leading to greater safety. The bulb, or bulbs, 10, 11 can be rigidly or removably attached to a battery holder 4 or coupled to the holder via wires 9 and a connector 1. The connector 1 can also be used for coupling a charger to the batteries 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portable bright lighting system specification (i) Technical field Portable lighting systems.

(ii) Background art Current electricity and light.

(iii) The invention The invention combines the use of lightweight rechargeable batteries (for example, but not necessarily, 5 X 1.24 volt rechargeable cells), with low voltage (for example, but not necessarily, 6 volt) high wattage lamps (for example, but not necessarily, 12 watts), to make a portable lighting system, where an enhanced light output is required for a relatively short time (for example, but not necessarily, up to 90 minutes) between charging.

Three main variables affect the characteristics of a battery powered lighting system, namely: the power of the battery (watt hours), the bulb strength (watts), and the time light is available (hours or seconds). The variables are all relates as follows: (a) For any given battery, the time the light is available is inversely proportional to the bulb strength.

(b) For any given bulb, the time the light is available is directly proportional to the battery power.

(c) For any given length of time, the bulb strength is directly proportional to, or determined by, the battery power.

Existing systems seek to mazimise the time the light is available, even in cases where the light is required for only short periods at a time. This is particularly so in the most popular type of system, which uses non-rechargeable dry batteries. These batteries have to be replaced when exhausted and it is not generally acceptable to replace then often, due to the cost. Consequently the bulb strengths are normally very low in these systems, giving a low light output, in order to prolong the life of the battery. A further disadvantage is that low strength bulbs have fragile filaments which can easily be damaged in a portable light.

Another system uses a heavy rechargeable battery to give a stronger light, over a relatively long period, but its use as a portable system is limited by its weight. Furthermore, this type of battery can spill acid which may cause corrosion or harm the user.

The invention claimed takes advantage of the lightweight rechargeable batteries to drive a strong bulb or bulbs where a higher light output is required for a relatively short time.

The batteries can then be conveniently recharged in readiness for further use. The invention claimed would be particularly appropriate for, but not exclusive to, use as a cycle lamp system, or a hand held torch, providing better visibility and leading to greater safety.

(iv) Description of drawings Figure 1 This shows a cross-section of a possible construction of the battery holder for the lighting system, with contacts, switch, connecting plug and lamps. Note: the position and number of contacts, plugs, switches and lamps can be varied according to any particular application of the invention.

It should also be noted that this example of construction is only one of many possible constructions in which the invention could be put to use. The design of the battery holder need not conform to any particular shape or size provided that it will accommodate the battery (or batteries) required and make the necessary electrical contacts, both with the battery (or batteries) and any switch (or switches) and any lamp (or lamps) that may be required for a particular application. The battery holder may, but need not, include an opening (or openings) to facilitate the insertion or removal of the battery (or batteries).

The battery holder may be constructed in such a way that the lamp or lamps) are rigidly attached to it, or are attached, but are removeable, or separate and connected solely by electrical wires (as shown) in the drawing).

The construction may include an electrical switch (or switches) to illuminate and extinguish the lamp (or lamps, either jointly or independently) as required. The construction may (but need not) include a connecting plug (or plugs), or other connector (or connectors), for any lamp (or lamps) that are required. Such plug (or plugs), or connector (or connectors) could (but need not) be used also as electrical connections for recharging the battery (or batteries). Similarly a separate plug (or plugs), or connector (or connectors), could (but need not) be included for recharging the battery (or batteries). Any of the components may (but need not) also include additional items, such as (but not exclusively) fixing brackets, to render them suitable for any particular application of the invention.

Figure 2 This shows a circuit diagram for a possible system using two lamps, one switch and one connecting plug, although, as noted above, these can be varied as required.

(v) Description of construction There are many ways in which the invention could be used, and the exact construction shape, size, and number of the components would vary according to the particular use in question. Some components may not be necessary in certain cases.

The central components are the battery holder and lamp (or lamps).

The battery holder's shape and size will be determined usually by the shape and size of the rechargeable battery (or batteries) that are to be accommodated. It may be constructed of any appropriate material, but if metal is used, suitable insulation would be required for the electrical contacts. The lamp (or lamps) may be rigidly fixed to the battery holder, or fixed but removeable, or separate and connected solely with electrical wires, or conductors. The battery holder would incorporate electrical contacts and wires or conductors to connect the battery (or batteries) to the lamp (or lamps). These wires or conductors may also (but need not) be directed through a switch (or switches) to facilitate the illumination and extinguishing of the lamp (or lamps, either jointly or individually) as required.Similarly the wires or conductors may (but need not) be directed through a plug (or plugs) or other connector (or connectors) to facilitate the removal of the lamp (or lamps) if required.

Such plug (or plugs) or connector (or connectors) may, (but need not) also be used as a suitable connector to recharge the battery (or batteries). Similarly a separate plug (or plugs) or connector (or connectors) could, (but need not) be included for recharging the battery (or batteries).

Any of the components may (but need not) also include additional items, such as (but not exclusively) fixing brackets, to render them suitable for any particular purpose or application of the invention.

(iv) Exploitation of the invention The invention could be used in any situation where a portable bright light is required for relatively short periods (for example, but not exclusively, up to 90 minutes).

The invention would be particularly appropriate for (but not exclusive to) the following two examples of its use: (a) As a bicycle lamp system. It would be appropriate for both front and rear lamps. Also additional lamps such as direction indicators may (but need not) be included in the system. The brighter light available would result in better visibility and would lead to greater road safety. The batteries would be recharged during the periods between use.

(b) As a hand-held torch. The torch need not be any larger than existing examples, but would have a much enhanced light output over short periods. The batteries could be recharged during the normal periods between use.

In the drawings the reference numerals indicate the following: 1. Connecting plug and socket if lamps are to be detachable. Socket may also be used as a connecting point for recharg ing batteries.

2. On/off switch.

3. electrical wires or conductors.

4. Battery holder (may be constructed from any appropriate material, but if metal is used electrical contacts must be insu lated from casing).

5. Rechargeable batteries (number used will determine voltage).

6. Clip on contact.

7. Lid for access to batteries.

8. Battery contacts.

9. Connecting wires/conductors.

10. First lamp.

11. Second Lamp (if required-further lamps may be added)

Claims

1. The invention claimed is characterised by the use of a lightweight rechargeable battery (or batteries) to power a high strength lamp (or lamps), to make a portable bright lighting system.

2. The rechargeable battery (or batteries) as claimed in Claim 1 would be accommodated in a battery holder, whose shape and size will usually (but need not) be determined by the shape and size of the said battery (or batteries). It may be constructed of any appropriate material, but if metal is used, suitable insulation would be required for the electrical parts. The battery holder may also, but need not, include a suitable opening (or openings) to facilitate the insertion and, or, removal of the said battery (or batteries) as claimed in Claim 1.

3. The lamp (or lamps) as claimed in Claim 1 may be rigidly fixed to the battery holder, or fixed but removeable, or separate and connected solely by electrical wires or conductors.

4. The battery holder as claimed in Claim 2 would incorporate electrical contacts and wires or conductors to connect the battery (or batteries) as claimed in Claim 1 to the lamp (or lamps) as claimed in Claim 1.

5. The wires or conductors as claimed in Claims 3 and 4 may, but need not, be directed through a swich (or switches) to facilitate the illumination and the extinguishing of the lamp (or lamps, either jointly or individually) as claimed in Claim 1 as required.

6. The wires or conductors, as claimed in Claims 3 and 4, may, but need not, be directed through a plug (or plugs) or other connector (or connectors) to facilitate the removal of the lamp (or lamps) as claimed in Claim 1, if required. Such plug (or plugs) or connector (or connectors) may, but need not, also be used as a suitable connector (or connectors) to recharge the battery (or batteries) as claimed in Claim 1.

7. A separate plug (or plugs) or connector (or connectors) could, but need not, be included for recharging the battery (or batteries) as claimed in Claim 1.

8. Any of the components claimed in previous claims may, but need not, also include additional items, such as, but not exclusively' fixing brackets, to render them suitable for any particular purpose or application of the invention.