GB2631136A

GB2631136A - Light strip with platform

Info

Publication number: GB2631136A
Application number: GB2400035.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Geoffrey; Thornton Carl
Original assignee: Hest Inc Ltd
Current assignee: Hest Inc Ltd
Priority date: 2024-01-02
Filing date: 2024-01-02
Publication date: 2024-12-25
Also published as: GB202400035D0

Abstract

The reel assembly 10, particularly for lighting a jobsite, comprises lights 102 disposed along a flexible elongate light strip 100 and a spool 200 having a rotatable body. The light strip is deployable from a first configuration in which it is wound on the body to a second configuration in which it is unwound to illuminate a space and optionally detached from the spool. The spool comprises a battery platform 300 for a demountable power tool battery, optionally connectable via a passageway of the spool to a portion of the light strip locatable in the spool. Optionally the light strip is at least partially photoluminescent or reflective, and/or comprises stabilisers to maintain the lights upright when deployed. There may be a support 400 for rotatably supporting the spool, and optionally a crank 208 for winding the light strip. Also claimed is a kit comprising the reel assembly and a battery platform converter or adapter.

Description

LIGHT STRIP WITH PLATFORM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a light strip reel for improving lighting around a jobsite and a method of doing such.

BACKGROUND

In many instances, maintenance or construction work has to be undertaken near pedestrian or vehicular traffic or generally in areas of low lighting.

In many jurisdictions, there is a legal requirement to maintain a jobsite well illuminated both for the health and safety of the workers but also any pedestrians or vehicles nearby. Having the jobsite near pedestrian or vehicular traffic can be dangerous for both the traffic and the construction workers. Oncoming traffic may hit obstacles, fall into holes, or otherwise have to swerve suddenly to avoid doing so. Construction workers have an increased risk when working at a jobsite that is proximal to a road due to said oncoming traffic. Other types of workers that require high attention to detail such as painters, joiners, and/or electricians require high visibility in order to perform their task at hand. This is especially important in areas of low lighting.

Typically, workers will erect barriers around the jobsite in order to increase the security. These barriers sometimes include lights to indicate the border of the jobsite to oncoming traffic. Other types of workers may use a headlight or spotlights for illuminating their jobsite. An issue with this is being able to supply power to the lights. Having an electrical generator on the jobsite is oftentimes impractical and not eco-friendly.

Additionally, the electrical generator may be already at capacity of providing electricity to other machines on the jobsite. An alternative option would be to provide the lights with standard batteries. This is also impractical because changing the batteries requires construction workers to be able to find the exact replacement battery (such as AAA batteries) and then further manipulate small toggles to get into the battery housing within the lights. Furthermore, having to replace standard batteries is not ecologically friendly as the wasted batteries are hard to recycle.

it is known in GB2602370 to provide a reel for a strip light and comprising a body around which the strip light is windable for use on jobsitcs such as building sites, roadworks, or highway maintenance.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reel assembly for uprov ng lighting around a jobsite.

A jobsite may include a building site, roadworks, or highway maintenance. However, jobsites may include further areas in which, for example, construction, maintenance, painting, joining, or electrical work is being undertaken.

The reel assembly may comprise a flexible elongate light strip having lights disposed along its elongate length. Lights may include Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or filament bulbs, for instance. The reel assembly may comprise a spool having a rotatable body.

The light strip may have a first, wound, configuration in which it is wound on the body for storage and transport. The light strip may have a second, deployed, configuration in which it is unwound from the body for illuminating a space at a jobsite. The spool may comprise a battery platform for powering the light strip. The battery platform may be configured to receive a demountable and/or removable battery that is compatible with being removable mounted to a power tool.

The battery may be a battery configured to power a cordless power tool. The battery may be easily removable from the battery platform of the reel assembly. The battery may be removable from the battery platform of the reel assembly without needing tools.

The battery may be directly connectable to the battery platform. Alternatively, the battery may not be directly connectable to the battery platform. For instance, the reel assembly may be compatible with a platform converter (as described below) to connect the battery to the battery platform.

An advantage is that a worker on a jobsite will typically have a plurality of batteries for power tools with them and can use one of these batteries to power the light strip. Workers will also have a charging station where they can put the empty batteries for power tools for recharging and easy storage. They can then easily select a charged battery to attach to the reel assembly from the charging station.

An advantage of using a battery is that the assembly is totally portable and may operate using a standard battery suitable for providing electrical power to a power tool. Such batteries typically operate at IRV. The assembly can thereby be used anywhere and in different countries because such power tools batteries are common among different brands in many countries. The assembly may for example be used in and around a vehicle, for example where an electrical connection to the vehicle to provide power is either not available or is not practical.

Illuminating a jobsite may include laying the light strip on the ground such that it partitions a space containing the jobsite away from a road or pathway. Preferably and advantageously, the light strip will be sufficiently far away from the workers on the jobsite such that there is improved safety in the vicinity and surrounding the jobsite. An advantage is that creating such a space allows workers to perform maintenance or construction work without having their safety jeopardised by oncoming traffic. A further advantage is that creating such a space increases the safety of oncoming traffic.

Alternatively, illuminating a jobsite may include providing the light strip near a low lighting jobsite, thereby allowing a worker to see the work that they are doing or illuminating the jobsite so that others can see potential hazards.

The reel assembly may further comprise a support. The spool may be supportable by the support allowing the spool to rotate. The support may be locatable in a stationary vehicle. The support may be permanently fixed to a stationary vehicle. The spool may be fixed to the support. Alternatively, the spool may be removable from the support. An advantage is that the light strip can be easily unwound from around the spool by simply pulling on the light strip. Similarly, the light strip can easily be rewound by rotating the spool and the light strip will be rewound around the spool thereby safely storing the light strip for future use.

The spool may further comprise a crank for rotating the spool when supported by the support. Rotating the spool enables winding the light strip from the second configuration to the first configuration. An advantage is that this allows a worker to easily rotate the spool specifically when rewinding the light strip about the spool.

The spool may comprise a passageway for connecting the battery platform to the light strip. A portion of the light strip for connecting to the battery platform may be locatable within the body of the spool.

Alternatively, when the light strip is in the second configuration, the light strip may be detached from the spool. The battery platform may then be directly connected to the light strip without passing through the body of the spool. The light strip and battery platform may be separate to the spool.

The light strip may at least partially be photoluminescent. The light strip may be made from a photoluminescent material and/or a material that reflects light. The light strip may have groupings of photoluminescent material interspersed between the lights.

The light strip may comprise a plurality of stabilisers disposed along its elongate length configured to maintain the light strip in a position allowing the lights to maintain an upwards orientation. The stabilisers may be fixed to the light strip and have legs that protrude perpendicularly to the elongate length of the light strip. The stabilisers may be configured such that, in use, the stabilisers maintain the lights in an upwards orientation. An upwards orientation allows the lights to shine in a direction away from the road such that they can be seen by oncoming traffic. An advantage is that the light strip will always be pointing upwards and towards oncoming traffic, as opposed to pointing into the ground where it will serve little to no purpose.

The light strip may be fastenable to a barrier using fasteners. The barrier may demarcate the jobsite and provide a further level of safety to the jobsite. Fasteners may include zip ties, hook-and-loop strips, or an over-centre latch. The skilled person would understand that other types of fasteners are equally envisioned.

The spool may further comprise a switch. The switch may be for making and breaking an electrical current between the light strip and the battery. The switch may be an "on-off' switch.

The body of the spool may be substantially cylindrical, having two side walls. The side walls may be substantially co-planar. The side walls may form the bases of a cylinder.

The body of the spool may have a curved surface that joins the side walls. The battery platform may be located on one of the side walls of the body. This allows a worker to easily and efficiently remove the battery from the reel assembly, thereby facilitating exchanging batteries.

The body may comprise a lateral protrusion for protecting the battery platform from adverse weather effects. The lateral protrusion may extend perpendicularly from the side wall so as to partially surround the battery platform. The lateral protrusion may be a closable cover that can cover the battery platform and/or battery when connected to the battery platform to protect the battery and/or the battery platform from rain or other external factors. An external jobsite is likely to experience a variety of weather, one of the most adverse thereof being rain. Notably it is important not to get batteries and other electrical components wet in the rain. By providing a protrusion to the body, this can shield some if not all of the battery and battery platform from the rain. in a preferably embodiment, most if not all of the reel assembly is waterproof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts. The kit of parts may comprise a red assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention. The kit of parts may comprise at least one platform converter. The platform converter may be attachable to the battery platform of the reel assembly, the at least one platform converter for mounting, to the reel assembly, a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool. The battery may be directly connectable to at least one of the platform converters and/or the battery platform of the reel assembly. Preferably, each platform converter is configured to receive a battery having a different shape and/or structure. Each platform converter may be compatible with batteries for power tools, the power tools having a battery platform with a different shape and/or structure. An advantage is that a worker will not have to buy a reel assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention that can specifically interface with the power tool that they have, thereby excluding other battery platforms. The worker can simply choose the appropriate platform converter that allows them to convert the battery platform of the reel assembly to be configured to receive the battery that they already own, such as for a specific brand.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts. The kit of parts may comprise a reel assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention. The kit of parts may comprise at least one, preferably at least two, demountable and removable batteries that are compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool.

The kit of parts may comprise a charging station for charging at least one demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool. An advantage is that a worker can change batteries when one has no more charge. The worker can then connect the empty battery to the charging station so that the empty battery can recharge whilst the reel assembly is being powered by a second battery.

The kit of parts may further comprise a power tool that is compatible with the at least one demountable and removable battery. The kit of parts may comprise at least one platform converter attachable to the battery platform of the reel assembly, the at least one platform converter for mounting, to the reel assembly, a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool, wherein the battery is not directly connectable to the battery platform of the reel assembly.

The kit of parts may further comprise a power tool that is compatible with the at least one demountable and removable battery.

in a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for improving the lighting around a jobsite. The method may comprise locating a reel assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention. The method may comprise deploying the light strip from the first configuration to the second configuration. Deploying the light strip from the first configuration to the second configuration may cordon off a space around the jobsite. The method may comprise connecting a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool to the battery platform of said reel assembly. The steps of deploying and connecting together illuminate said cordoned off space and/or jobsite. The battery may be selected from a charging station.

The method may further comprise removing the battery from the battery platform of the reel assembly once the charge level of the battery has gone below a certain charge threshold. The charge level of the battery going below a certain charge threshold may be when the battery has no more charge left.

The method may further comprise replacing, on the battery platform, the battery with a second demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool, the second battery having a higher charge level than the battery. The second battery may be selectable from at least one battery connected to a charging station. An advantage is that the batteries can be swapped out from a charging station so that a worker will always have a charged battery available to power the reel assembly.

The method may further comprise returning the light strip from the second configuration to the first configuration. An advantage is that the light strip is easily storable and can be readily deployed at a subsequent jobsite. Winding the light strip about a body stores the light strip safely and minimises risk of damage during transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures in which: Figure 1 shows a side on perspective view of a reel assembly in a wound configuration; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a reel assembly in a deployed configuration; Figure 3 shows a close-up side-on perspective view of a battery and a platform converter; Figure 4 shows a side-on perspective view of a kit of parts including a reel assembly and two platform converters; Figure 5 shows a side on perspective view of a kit of parts including a reel assembly, a battery, a charging station, and a power tool; Figure 6 shows a flow-chart showing the steps of a method of using a reel assembly; Figure 7 shows a transverse cross-section of a reel assembly; and Figure 8 shows a transverse cross-section of an alternative reel assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The contents of GB2602370 are hereby incorporated by reference.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example in more detail below.

With reference to Figures 1, 3, and 5, there is shown a reel assembly 10 for improving lighting around a jobsite. The reel assembly 10 comprises a flexible elongate light strip 100, a spool 200, a battery platform 300, and a support 400. Each clement will be described in more detail below.

The flexible elongate light strip 100 is provided with lights 102 along its elongate length. Preferably the lights 102 are LED lights, but the skilled person will readily understand that other lights are equally possible such as filament bulbs, for instance. Preferably, the lights 102 are arranged at a substantially uniform spacing along the light strip 100. The lights 102 may be arranged at a density of 200 lights per metre, for example, or between 100-300 lights per metre. The skilled person will readily understand that other lengths and densities are equally envisaged. Alternatively, the lights 102 may not be uniformly arranged along the light strip 100 -for example, the lights 102 may be arranged in groups with a space between groups.

The light strip 102 is flexible in nature allowing a worker to manipulate it to form a largely arbitrary curve on the ground such that the light strip 100 still lies flat so that the lights 102 are not obstructed by the ground. Alternatively, a worker can fix the light strip to a barrier using fasteners (not shown in Figure 1 but described below in relation to Figure 2). Preferably, the flexible elongate light strip 100 is approximately 25 metres in elongate length. The skilled person will readily understand that other lengths are equally envisaged. A length of 25 metres has been realised by the inventors of the present disclosure to represent the approximate length to successfully illuminate a typical jobsite.

The spool 200 is substantially cylindrical allowing the light strip 100 to be wrapped around it for storage and transportation. The spool 200 is also provided with flanges 202 to keep the light strip 100 from falling off the spool 200. The spool 200 is substantially cylindrical and is provided with two sidc walls 204. A crank 208 is located on one of the flanges, this allows a worker to easily wind the light strip 100 in from an unwound position (described in more detail below). The battery platform 300 is located on one of the side walls 204. The battery platform 300 is configured to receive a demountable and removable battery 302 that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool (hereinafter a battery 302). When the battery platform 300 receives the battery 302, the battery 302 forms an electrical circuit with the light strip 100. The side wall 204 is further provided with a switch 206 for making and breaking the electrical circuit between the battery 302 and the light strip 100. The side wall 204 is substantially flush with the flanges 202. The battery platform 300 then protrudes from the side wall 204 allowing a worker to easily connect the battery 302 to the battery platform 300 as will be described below. in some embodiments (not shown), the side wall 204 is further provided with a closable cover that can cover the battery platform 300 and battery 302 when connected to the battery platform 300 to protect both the battery 302 and the battery platform 300 from rain or other external factors. The closable cover may be referred to as a lateral protrusion.

The battery platform 300 is provided with guide rails 304 and a recess 305. The guide rails 304 allow a worker to slide the battery 302 in the correct manner to connect the battery 302 to the battery platform 300. The battery 302 is provided with a catch 308 to couple with the recess 305 so that the battery 302 can be securely connected to the battery platform 300. This prevents the battery 302 from falling out of the battery platform 300 during use. The catch 308 may be a flexible arm that is naturally urged into the recess 305. The catch 308 may alternatively be two flexible arms disposed on either side of the battery 302 which couple with two recesses that are disposed on the guide rails 304 of the battery platform 300. The worker can then disconnect the battery 302 from the battery platform 300 by removing the catch 308 from the recess 305 and sliding the battery 302 out from the battery platform 300 along the guide rails 304.

Beneficially, most workers on jobsites will already have multiple interchangeable batteries for power tools and furthermore will have a charging station for said batteries. Providing a reel assembly that is adapted to be powered by a battery that a worker will typically have access to allows workers to easily power the reel assembly and allows the reel assembly to be sold at a lower price point because there is no need to provide expensive batteries either built into the reel assembly or even detachably connected to it. Another benefit is that batteries for power tools typically can supply a direct current of 12V which is the typical requirement for LEDs.

The reel assembly 10 is optionally provided with a support 400, as shown in Figure 4.

The support 400 is coupled to the spool 200 in a manner that allows the spool 200 to rotate about a central axis that goes perpendicularly through both side walls 204. The support 400 has a handle 402 and legs 404 for easy transportation in and out of a vehicle as well as increased stability when placed on the ground. Beneficially, a worker can use the crank 208 to easily rotate the spool 200 thereby winding in the light strip 100 from an unwound, deployed state.

Turning to Figure 2, there is shown a perspective view of a reel assembly 10 according to the present disclosure as described in relation to Figure 1 above. The reel assembly 10 in this figure is in a deployed state. The light strip 100 projects from the spool 200 thereby cordoning off an illuminating the border of a jobsite. In this embodiment, the light strip 100 is attached to barriers 600 that also demarcate the jobsite. The barriers may be metallic or plastic fencing for restricting entry. Equally, the barriers may be meshed panels. In some arrangements, the barriers may be modular in nature so that a worker can attach one end of a barrier to one end of another so as to link barriers together to surround a jobsite. The light strip 100 is attached to the barriers 600 via a plurality of fasteners 602. The fasteners 602 may be permanently fixed to the light strip 100. Alternatively, the fasteners 602 may be permanently fixed to the barriers 600 or they may be separate entities that are provided alongside the reel assembly 10 that a worker can place at points along the light strip 100 of their choosing.

Turning to Figure 3, there is shown a close-up side-on perspective view of the battery platform 300 and a platform converter 306. The battery platform 300 is configured to receive a battery 302. The battery platform 300 is configured to receive and connect with a battery 302. The battery makes electrical connection with first set of electrical contacts 314a thereby allowing current to flow. Once the battery 302 is connected to the battery platform 300, the battery 302 provides electrical power to the light strip 100. This is advantageous because workers will often have a plurality of batteries for power tools and the interface for connecting the battery to the power tool (or the reel assembly in this instance) is a lot simpler than having to manipulate battery housing covers or having to locate and plug in extension leads. Additionally, no tools are required to change out the battery 302.

The platform converter 306 can be directly connected to the battery platform 300 by providing a first face 307 that is removably mountable to the battery platform 300. The platform converter then has a second, opposing, face 308 which can receive a different battery that would not be directly connectable to the battery platform 300. The second face 308 is provided with second set of electrical contacts 314b. The second set of electrical contacts 314b are disposed at different positions on the platform converter 306 when compared to the electrical contacts 314a of the battery platform 300 such that they are complementary to the electrical contacts on the battery to be received. The platform converter 306 is therefore useful if workers have batteries issued by different manufacturers. A worker can select the platform converter 306 that is compatible with their battery, connect the first face 307 of the platform converter 306 to the battery platform 300 and then connect their battery to the second face 308 of the platform converter 307.

It is appreciated that different brands of power tools will have varying battery shapes and configurations. To that end, platform converter(s) 306 may be provided that are compatible with a battery (such as shape and/or configuration) from a certain brand and can be received in the battery platform 300 of the reel assembly! 10. For instance, each platform and platform converter may have a specific arrangement of electrical contacts depending on the configuration of the electrical contacts on the battery to be connected. In this way, the battery platform 300 may be suitable for connecting to a battery 302 from a specific brand, manufacturer, and/or model. By providing platform converter(s) 306, a worker is not restricted to needing batteries from a specific brand and can interchange batteries from alternate brands that may either offer a lower price point or might have further advantages.

Turning to Figure 4, there is shown a kit of parts 4 according to the present disclosure.

The kit of parts comprises the reel assembly 10 as well as two platform converters 306a, 306b. The battery platform 300 and both platform converters 306a, 306b are suitable for connecting batteries from different manufacturers to the reel assembly 10. That way, the red assembly can be used on a jobsite where different workers may have different batteries. The platform converters 306a. 306b can be stored in an accessible location and can be selected by a worker as appropriate to then be attached to the battery platform 300. Whilst Figure 4 is depicted as having two platform converters, the skilled person will understand that either fewer or more platform converters are equally possible.

Turning to Figure 5, there is shown a kit of parts 5 according to the present disclosure.

The kit of parts 5 comprises a reel assembly 10, at least one demountable and removable battery 302 that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool, and a charging station 310 for charging the at least one battery 302. In other arrangements, there may also be provided at least one platform converter 306 (not shown) for converting the at least one battery 302 to be connectable to the battery platform 300 of the reel assembly 10.

The charging station 310 has multiple charging ports 312 that can each receive a battery. The charging station 310 is either directly plugged into an electrical power source, such as a generator, or has a battery of its own. The skilled person will understand that other methods of providing electrical power to the charging station 310 are equally possible.

When a battery is connected to the charging station 310, the charging station 310 provides electrical power to the battery 302 thereby charging the battery 302. The charging station 310 may have a display above each charging port 312 to indicate the charge level of the battery 302 in that charging port 312. The kit of parts 5 may also comprise a power tool 20 that is compatible with the at least one battery 302. If the battery 302 is not directly connectable to the battery platform 300, a platform converter 306 may be provided to convert the battery platform 300 of the reel assembly to be able to receive a battery that is removably mountable from the power tool 20.

The power tool 20 may be a cordless power drill, a cordless grinder, a cordless circular saw, or a cordless impact wrench. In general, the power tool 20 will be a cordless power tool because they require power to be supplied via battery. The skilled person will understand that other power tools are equally possible. With this kit of parts 5, a worker can use the reel and once the battery is empty or close to being empty, the worker can remove the battery and replace it with a charged battery from the charging station 310. The worker can therefore have a number of batteries that can be changed in and out of the reel assembly 10 and the charging station 310 in order to provide constant electrical power to the light strip 100 of the reel assembly.

Turning to Figure 6, there is shown a method 6 of using a reel assembly 10 according to the present disclosure.

At 5100, a user locates the reel assembly 10. The user can be a maintenance worker, construction worker, painter, joiner, and/or electrician that is setting up a jobsite.

At 5200, the user deploys the light strip 100 from a wound configuration to a deployed configuration. Since the spool 200 is rotatab17,7mounted to the support 400, the user can simply pull on the light strip 100 to unwind it from the spool 200. Advantageously, the user can place the reel assembly 10 on the ground and stand on the support 400. The user can then place the light strip 100 on the ground surrounding the jobsite. The user can alternatively fasten the light strip 100 to barriers 600 using fasteners 602. The barriers are either already in place or the user will put them in place at the same time as they deploy the light strip 100. The light strip 100 and barriers 600 can be placed at a set minimum distance from the jobsite to increase the safety of the workers.

At S300, the user connects the battery 302 to the battery platform 300, thereby illuminating said jobsitc. The user may equally connect 5300 the battery 302 to the battery platform 300 before deploying 5200 the light strip 100. The inventors have realised that many workers will have a plurality of batteries for power tools to swap in and out of said power tools when one battery runs out of charge. The depleted battery can then be placed in the charging station 310 to recharge and be ready to swap back in. Advantageously, the reel assembly of the present disclosure can interface directly with the battery 302. This facilitates workers being able to swap in and out batteries without having to manipulate battery housing covers or requiring long extension leads to plug the reel assembly into an electrical generator that may or may not be on site. At this point, the jobsite is illuminated. The user and other workers may proceed to undertake the work as needs be with decreased risk of being hit by an oncoming traffic or a pedestrian straying into the jobsite and falling into a hole or equivalently, with an increased lighting when the jobsite has low lighting.

At 5400, the battery 302 may be depleted through use. A user then removes the battery 302 from the battery platform 300, for example, once the charge level of the battery 302 has gone below a certain charge threshold. The charge threshold can be when the battery 302 is depleted. Alternatively, the charge threshold may be when the battery has approximately 5 minutes of battery life left or when the battery has 1% charge remaining. The skilled person will readily understand that multiple ways of determining a charge threshold are possible and are all equally envisaged. The user can then return the battery 302 to the charging station 310 for recharging.

At S500, the user then replaces the battery 302 with a second battery 304. The second battery can advantageously be selected from the charging station 310 and have a higher charge level than the first battery 302. If necessary, the user can select an appropriate platform converter 306 to attach to the battery platform 300 before connecting the second battery 303. It may be necessary to provide a platform converter 306 for the first battery 302 and/or a different platform converter for the second battery 302. This allows a user to easily replace the battery. The user can also use batteries from different manufacturers and is not restricted to having to use batteries from one manufacturer.

At 5600. the user returns the light strip 100 from the second configuration to the first configuration. This happens once the work has terminated, and the jobsite is no longer operational. The user can return the light strip 100 from the second configuration to the first by operating the crank 208 and winding the light strip 100 around the spool 200.

Beneficially, the reel assembly 10 can be placed into a work truck or stored safely so that it is ready to be deployed rapidly in the future.

In Figure 7, there is shown a transverse cross-section of the reel assembly 10 as described in relation to Figures 1 to 5. As can be seen, the side walls 204 are substantially flush with the flanges 202. The side walls 204 may be integrally formed with the flanges 202 or alternatively the side walls 204 are attached to the flanges 202. The battery platform 300 is then fixed to a side wall 204 protruding therefrom. This allows a worker easy access to the battery platform and can slide a battery 302 in and out of the battery platform 300.

In Figure 8, there is shown a transverse cross-section of an alternative reel assembly 80. The alternative reel assembly 80 shares features with the reel assembly 10 except that the battery platform 802 and side wall 804 provided with the battery platform are recessed with respect to the flange 806. The battery platform 802 may be integrally formed into the side wall 804. In this alternative embodiment, the battery platform 802 is configured to have a battery removably inserted into the recessed battery platform 802 instead of slid into the battery platform according to the main embodiment. All subsequent features of the reel assembly 20 are equally applicable to the alternative reel assembly 80. When the battery is in the recess it may be fully recessed, so that its outward surface does not project axially beyond the surface of the reel adjacent to the recess, or it may be partially recessed with the outermost surface of the battery projecting beyond the level of the part of the reel that defines the recess.

Some examples of where the invention finds application are discussed below. One instance is when a homeowner or tradesperson is working outside a property and needs more light, for example when working on fences, gardening, lighting repairs, painting etc, and in low light conditions such as at dusk or night-time, or just want more light at a particular location. This arrangement can be convenient and can operate for as long as the battery can provide electrical power. For longer periods than that which the battery is able to power the light, the user may simply take another battery off another power tool, or from a battery charging station, and swap the battery in the reel out for the new one. A converter may be used to convert the electrical connections on the reel to be complementary to those on the new battery, if necessary.

Another example is to illuminate another type of site which has no power of its own, using the battery powered red as the power source for the lights. This could for example be for use as temporary lights at bonfire night in a field, or the user can take the strip lights indoors to illuminate an indoor space.

Although specific examples have been described, these are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which should be determined with reference to the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A reel assembly for mproving lighting around a jobsite" the reel assembly comprising: a flexible elongate light strip having lights disposed along its elongate length; and a spool having a rotatable body, wherein the light strip has a first, wound configuration in which it is wound on the body for storage and transport and a second, deployed, configuration in which it is unwound from the body for illuminating a space at a jobsite, the spool comprising a battery platform for powering the light strip, wherein the battery platform is configured to receive a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool.
2. The reel assembly of claim 1, wherein the spool comprises a passageway for connecting the battery platform to the light strip and a portion of the light strip for connecting to the battery platform is locatable within the body of the spool.
3. The reel assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when the light strip is in the second configuration, the light strip is detached from the spool.
4. The reel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the light strip is at least partially photoluminescent and/or reflective of light.
S. The reel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the light strip further comprises a plurality of stabilisers disposed along its elongate length configured to maintain the light strip in a position allowing the lights to maintain an upwards orientation.
6. The reel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the spool further comprises a switch for making and breaking electrical current between the light strip and the demountable and removable battery.
7. The reel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the battery platform is located on a side wall of the body.
8. The reel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body has a lateral protrusion for protecting the battery platform from adverse weather effects.
9. The reel assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the assembly further comprises a support, wherein the spool is supportable by the support allowing the spool to rotate.
10. The reel assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the spool further comprises a crank for winding the light strip from the second configuration to the first configuration.
11. A kit of parts comprising: a reel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and at least one platform converter attachable to the battery platform of the reel assembly, the at least one platform converter for mounting, to the reel assembly, a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool, wherein the battery is directly connectable to the at least one of the platform converters and/or the battery platform of the reel assembly.
12. A kit of parts comprising: a reel assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10; and at least one demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool.
13. The kit of parts of claim 12 further comprising a charging station for charging the at least one demountable and removable battery.
14. The kit of parts of claim 12 or claim 13, further comprising: at least one platform converter attachable to the battery platform of the reel assembly, the at least one platform convertor for mounting, to the reel assembly, a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to the power tool, wherein the battery is not directly connectable to the battery platform of the reel assembly.
The kit of parts of any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a power tool that is compatible with the at least one demountable and removable battery.
16. A method for improving the lighting around a jobsite, the method comprising: locating a reel assembly comprising: a flexible elongate light strip having lights disposed along its elongate length: a spool having a rotatable body, wherein the light strip has a first, wound configuration in which it is wound on the body for storage and transport and a second, deployed, configuration in which it is unwound from the body for illuminating a space at a jobsite.the spool comprising a battery platform for powering the light strip, wherein the battery platform is configured to receive a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool; deploying the light strip from the first configuration to the second configuration; and connecting a demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool to the battery platform of the reel assembly, the steps of deploying and connecting together illuminating said jobsite.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: removing the battery from the battery platform of the reel assembly once the charge level of the battery has gone below a certain charge threshold, optionally placing the battery onto a charging station for charging the battery.
18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the battery is a first battery, and further comprising: replacing, on the battery platform, the first battery with a second demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool, the second battery having a higher charge level than the first battery.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second battery is selectable from at least one demountable and removable battery that is compatible with being removably mounted to a power tool connected to a charging station.
20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, the method further comprising: returning the light strip from the second configuration to the first configuration.