IP Library Granted Patent US 12,196,380
Granted Patent B2
US 12,196,380 · App. 18/313,909 · Granted Jan 14, 2025

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 12,196,380
App. No.
18/313,909
Granted
Jan 14, 2025
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 (38)

1. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

a support base defining a frame member having an opening at a center thereof, a carabiner clip member, and a connection region defining a first rotational axis;

a rotary connector member defining a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis; and

a light module mountable to the connection region via the rotary connector member for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position by rotation of the light module about the first rotational axis;

wherein the light module comprises a light module housing having a light source region that supports one or more light sources operable to illuminate light, the light source region having a surface area that is approximately equal to a surface area of the frame member so as to engage a planar surface of the frame member in the stowed position of the light module, and a power source region that supports a rechargeable power source, the power source region having a surface area that is less than the surface area of the frame member so as to be recessed in the opening in the stowed position of the light module; and

wherein the opening is a through hole opening.

2. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a first planar surface of the light source region is directed away from the frame member.

3. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a first planar surface of the light source region is coplanar with the planar surface of the frame member.

4. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a planar surface of the light source region engages the planar surface of the frame member.

5. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the deployed position, the light module is rotatable about the second rotational axis.

6. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the frame member is composed in whole or in part of a ferromagnetic material.

7. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light module comprises a power charging port located on an outer sidewall surface thereof to facilitate recharging of the rechargeable power source; and

wherein the power charging port facilitates a total charging time of 80 minutes to reach a full charged state of the rechargeable power source.

8. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising one or more anti-slip members on the frame member to facilitate anti-slip zones on a surface of the frame member.

9. An illumination apparatus, comprising:

a support base defining a frame member having an opening at a center thereof and a connection region defining a first rotational axis;

a rotary member defining a second rotational axis that is perpendicular to the first rotational axis; and

a light module mountable on the connection region via the rotary member for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position by rotation of the light module about the first rotational axis, the light module including a light module housing having a light source region operable to illuminate light, and a power source region operable to supply power to the light source region, the power source region having a surface area that is less than a surface area of the frame member so as to be recessed in the opening of the frame member in the stowed position of the light module;

wherein the opening is a through hole opening.

10. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a first planar surface of the light source region is directed away from the frame member.

11. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a first planar surface of the light source region is coplanar with a first planar surface of the frame member.

12. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein in the deployed position, the light module is rotatable about the second rotational axis.

13. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the frame member is composed in whole or in part of a ferromagnetic material.

14. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the frame member comprises a pair of spaced apart frame leg members connected by a pair of frame cross members;

wherein each frame leg member terminates to a pivot pin at the connection region; and

wherein the rotary member is connected at a first longitudinal end to the light module and at a second longitudinal end to the frame member.

15. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the light module is composed in whole or in part of a metallic material, a polymer material, or a composite material.

16. The illumination apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the light module is composed in whole or in part of a ferromagnetic material.

17. 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 between a stowed position and a deployed position by rotation of the light module about the first rotational axis,

wherein the light module is rotatable about the second rotational axis when placed in the deployed position,

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

wherein the opening is a through hole opening.

18. The illumination apparatus of claim 17 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a first planar surface of a light source region that supports the one or more light sources is directed away from the frame member.

19. The illumination apparatus of claim 17 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a first planar surface of a light source region that supports the one or more light sources is coplanar with a first planar surface of the frame member.

20. The illumination apparatus of claim 17 , wherein in the stowed position, the light module is oriented such that a planar surface of a light source region that supports the one or more light sources engages a first planar surface of the frame member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2025
From: WANG, TAO; BAUMEISTER, KAREN M.; KIRKPATRICK, JONATHAN; ZENG, XIAOTIAN; YANG, LING; PAYNE, TIMOTHY J.
To: BLACK & DECKER INC.
Reel/Frame 073277/0159 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63345281 · May 24, 2022
Related Publication 20230392760A1 · Dec 7, 2023
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