IP Library › Granted Patent US 12663126
Granted Patent B2
US 12663126 · App. 18/969,993 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Portable illumination apparatus

Inventors: Tao Wang (Suzhou, CN); Karen M. Baumeister (Jarrettsville, MD); Jonathan Kirkpatrick (Baldwin, MD); Xiaotian Zeng (Suzhou, CN); Ling Yang (Suzhou, CN); Timothy J. Payne (Colombus, OH)
Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
F21L4/045F21L4/027F21L4/085F21V21/0885F21V21/0965F21V21/145F21V21/30F21Y2105/16F21Y2115/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12663126
App. No.
18/969,993
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A portable illumination apparatus such as, for example, a task light, that is lightweight and compact to provide enhanced illumination in an ambient environment when placed in one of a plurality of operating modes. The portable illumination apparatus includes a support base and a light module that includes one or more light sources and a rechargeable power source. The light module may be manually manipulated for movement between a collapsed, stowed position and a deployed position by rotation of about a first rotational axis. In the deployed position, the light module is rotatable about the second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis. The support base incorporates a carabiner clip member that facilitates secure attachment of the portable illumination apparatus to an object or surface in a manner that facilitates hands-free use of the portable illumination apparatus.

Claims (44)

1 . An illumination apparatus, comprising:

a support base defining a frame member having a connection region defining a first rotational axis;

a rotary member, attached to the frame member at the connection region, and defining a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis, the frame member fixed about the second rotational axis; and

a light module having one or more light sources operable to illuminate light, the light module being mountable on the connection region via the rotary member for movement about the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis,

wherein the frame member has an opening at a center thereof;

wherein the frame member includes a first part on a first side of the connection region and a second part on a second side of the connection region opposite the first side of the connection region, the first part and the second part for being arranged in at least partial collinear relation in a first position, the first part and the second part for being separable in a second position to provide access to the opening in the frame member to facilitate secure attachment of the illumination apparatus to an object; and

wherein the opening is a through hole opening.

2 . The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame member has a generally rectangular cross-section.

3 . The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first anti-slip member on the frame member.

4 . The illumination apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a second anti-slip member on the frame member.

5 . The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first magnetic element on the frame member.

6 . The illumination apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a second magnetic element on the frame member, the second magnetic element being disposed parallel to the first magnetic element.

7 . The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light module further comprises a rechargeable power source.

8 . The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a first anti-slip member on the frame member and a second anti-slip member on the frame member;

a first magnetic element on the frame member and a second magnetic element on the frame member;

a charging port on an outer sidewall surface of the light module;

wherein the light module comprises a rechargeable power source;

wherein the second magnetic element being disposed parallel to the first magnetic element.

9 . An illumination apparatus, comprising:

a support base defining a frame member having a connection region defining a first rotational axis;

a rotary member, attached to the frame member at the connection region, and defining a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis; and

a light module having one or more light sources operable to illuminate light, the light module being mountable on the connection region via the rotary member for movement about the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis, the frame member fixed about the second rotational axis;

a power source in the light module;

wherein the frame member defines an opening;

wherein the opening is a through-hole opening; and

wherein the connection region forms a first discontinuity along the frame member, the frame member comprises a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part for being continuously arranged along the frame member in a closed position, the second part movable away from the first part in an open position to form a second discontinuity along the frame member to provide access to the opening in the frame member to facilitate secure attachment of the illumination apparatus to an object.

10 . The illumination device of claim 9 , wherein the light module comprises a light housing;

wherein the light housing comprises a first shell member and a second shell member that define an interior space.

11 . The illumination device of claim 10 , wherein the power source is disposed in the interior space.

12 . The illumination device of claim 11 , further comprising a seal member between the first shell member and the second shell member.

13 . The illumination device of claim 11 , further comprising a heat sink in the interior space.

14 . The illumination device of claim 11 , further comprising a bracket in the interior space.

15 . An illumination apparatus, comprising:

a support base defining a frame member having a connection region defining a first rotational axis, the frame member having a center opening;

a rotary member, attached to the frame member at the connection region, and defining a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis, the frame member fixed about the second rotational axis; and

a light module having one or more light sources operable to illuminate light, the light module being mountable on the connection region via the rotary member for movement about the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis;

a power source in the light module;

wherein the frame member includes at least a first part and a second part in planar arrangement with and coterminous with the first part around the center opening in a closed position, wherein the second part is pivotable relative to the first part from the closed position to provide access to the center opening to facilitate secure attachment of the illumination apparatus to an object or surface in an open position.

16 . The illumination apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the second part is a clip member.

17 . The illumination apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the frame member has a generally rectangular cross-section.

18 . The illumination apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a first anti-slip member on the frame member and a second anti-slip member on the frame member.

19 . The illumination apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a first magnetic element on the frame member, and a second magnetic element on the frame member;

wherein the second magnetic element is disposed parallel to the first magnetic element.

20 . The illumination apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the center opening is a through hole.