EP1438533A1 - Device for illuminating a generally flat surface - Google Patents

Device for illuminating a generally flat surface

Info

Publication number
EP1438533A1
EP1438533A1 EP02786519A EP02786519A EP1438533A1 EP 1438533 A1 EP1438533 A1 EP 1438533A1 EP 02786519 A EP02786519 A EP 02786519A EP 02786519 A EP02786519 A EP 02786519A EP 1438533 A1 EP1438533 A1 EP 1438533A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
illuminating
light
light source
page
illuminating device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02786519A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1438533A4 (en
EP1438533B1 (en
Inventor
James F. Bennett, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LightWedge LLC
Original Assignee
LightWedge LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/127,883 external-priority patent/US6951403B2/en
Application filed by LightWedge LLC filed Critical LightWedge LLC
Publication of EP1438533A1 publication Critical patent/EP1438533A1/en
Publication of EP1438533A4 publication Critical patent/EP1438533A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1438533B1 publication Critical patent/EP1438533B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/0004—Personal or domestic articles
    • F21V33/0048—Office articles, e.g. bookmarks, desk lamps with drawers, stands for books or music scores
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D3/00—Book covers
    • B42D3/12—Book covers combined with other articles
    • B42D3/123—Book covers combined with other articles incorporating sound producing or light emitting means or carrying sound records
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V2200/00—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
    • F21V2200/20—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems of light guides of a generally planar shape

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to portable lights and like illuminating devices and, more particularly, to a portable illuminating device adapted for illuminating a generally flat surface, such as a page of a book, with minimal or at least reduced emission of significant light beyond the surface being illuminated.
  • Portable illuminating devices are well known and have various and sundry configurations and potential uses.
  • One type of such device is commonly referred to as a book light and essentially comprises a small light weight portable light-generating lamp adapted to be attached or otherwise supported in close proximity to a book, magazine or the like being read, so as to illuminate the pages thereof.
  • Representative examples of such book lights are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,432,042; 4,598,340; 4,680,681; 5,280,416; 5,442,528; 5,695,271; 5,921,664; Des. 414,574; 6,022,119; and 6,213,618.
  • Such devices are intended to direct a targeted beam of light only at the reading material so as to minimize or avoid altogether inconveniencing or bothering others.
  • one use promoted for such book lights is for reading in bed without the necessity of utilizing a table lamp so as to avoid interfering with a partner's ability to sleep.
  • the known devices are still inconvenient in that the light, although of lesser lumens than table lamps, still is emitted in an undiffused manner and may still bother others in the vicinity. Attaching the devices to books or magazines is also sometimes inconvenient and unwieldy despite the small size and light weight of such devices.
  • the present invention accordingly provides an illuminating device basically comprising a light source and an illuminating body for generally overlying the surface to be illuminated.
  • the illuminating body comprises a light conductive material configured to receive and deflect light from the light source onto the underlying surface being illuminated.
  • the illuminating device of the present invention is dimensioned and configured to overlie and illuminate a page of a book for reading in the absence of other light.
  • the illuminating body is formed of a transparent light conductive material generally in a wedge-shape tapering from an enlarged edge for receiving and conducting light into and through the illuminating body and deflecting the light onto the page to be illuminated.
  • the light source along with a battery for powering the light source are contained in a housing secured to and supporting the enlarged edge of the illuminating body in close light-receiving proximity to the light source.
  • the housing and the illuminating body may have mating projections and receptacles for securing them together. It is also advantageous to provide an abutment attachable to the illuminating body for engagement against a book or the like in order to rest the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page or other surface being illuminated.
  • the light source may be one or more light bulbs, e.g. LEDs, with the illuminating body preferably being formed with a corresponding number of recesses configured compatibly with the light bulb to closely receive and substantially surround the bulb in order to cause the light transmitted from the light bulb or bulbs three- dimensionally into and through the illuminating body. It is further preferred that the light bulb have a frosted globe, and that the end edge of the illuminating body into which the bulb is received also be textured, for assisting in diffusing the light from the bulb.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in use overlying a page of a book being read so as to illuminate the page;
  • Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the illuminating device of Figure 1, with the housing thereof partially in cross-section; and
  • Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the illuminating device of Figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown with the housing thereof partially broken away.
  • an illuminating device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted particularly for use as a book light is indicated in its totality at 10.
  • the illumination device 10 basically comprises a housing 12 which supports an illuminating body 14 extending outwardly from the housing 12, and also contains an arrangement suitable for generating a source of light, indicated overall at 16.
  • the illuminating body 14 fundamentally is contemplated to comprise a transparent body formed of a material capable of conducting light and dimensioned and configured to overlie the item intended to be illuminated, e.g., in a rectangular shape in front elevation corresponding to a typical page of a published book.
  • a transparent body formed of a material capable of conducting light and dimensioned and configured to overlie the item intended to be illuminated, e.g., in a rectangular shape in front elevation corresponding to a typical page of a published book.
  • certain thermoplastic resins such as various acrylic and polycarbonate resins, have the inherent capability of conducting light throughout the material and, hence, it is contemplated and preferred that the illuminating body 14 be fabricated of such material, although the present invention is not intended to be limited to these materials but can potentially utilize any illuminating body made of any other transparent material capable of conducting light.
  • the illuminating body is further configured to deflect a substantial portion of the conducted light within the illuminating body 14 onto the underlying book page or other surface to be illuminated.
  • the illuminating body 14 is preferably formed in a wedge shape tapering from an enlarged end 14A narrowingly to an edge 14B of a substantially reduced cross-sectional thickness at the opposite end of the illuminating body 14.
  • the housing 12 preferably is substantially hollow in order to receive and secure the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14, e.g., by screws and other fastening means (not shown), and also to contain the light source arrangement 16 in immediate adjacency to the enlarged end 14A.
  • the housing 12 preferably is configured as compactly as possible to occupy a minimal portion of the front elevational surface area of the illuminating device 10, but in the accompanying drawings the housing 12 is illustrated more schematically and on a more enlarged scale for better clarity and understanding of the individual components of the illuminating device 10.
  • the light source arrangement 16 may comprise any suitable combination of components capable of generating visible light and applying such light to the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14 contained within the housing 12 so as to conduct the light into and through the illuminating body 14.
  • the light source arrangement 16 may comprise a common miniature light bulb 18 supported centrally within the housing 12 immediately adjacent the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14 and connected in series w th a storage battery 20 and a manual on-off switch 22 by a simple DC-form of electrical wiring circuit, indicated generally at 24, for selective energization and deenergization of the light bulb 18.
  • the operation of the illuminating device 10 may thus be readily understood.
  • the battery 20 supplies electrical power to the light bulb 18, thereby energizing the light bulb 18 to emit visible light. Because the housing 12 is enclosed and preferably fashioned of an opaque material, the emitted light is contained within the housing and, due to the immediate proximity of the light bulb 18 to the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14, the light is substantially conducted into and through the illuminating body 14 toward the opposite narrowed end edge 14B. However, because of the tapering wedge shape of the illuminating body 14, a substantial amount of the conducted light is deflected downwardly and emitted from the underside of the illuminating body 14.
  • the illumination device 110 basically comprises a housing 112 which supports a rectangularly wedge- shaped illuminating body 114 formed of a suitable light-conductive thermoplastic resin.
  • the housing 112 of the illumination device 110 is partially broken away to reveal the operative internally-supported light generating arrangement 116.
  • the light generating arrangement 116 comprises a miniature circuit board which supports a pair of miniature LED-type light bulbs 118 in laterally spaced arrangement, a pair of ordinary dry cell batteries 120, and a manual on-off switch 122.
  • the light bulbs 118 project directly and snugly into correspondingly spaced and configured bores 125 formed in the immediately adjacent enlarged end 114A of the illuminating body 114.
  • the light bulbs 118 are completely surrounded by the resinous material of the illuminating body 114 whereby the light transmitted by the bulbs is effectively conducted into the body 114 three-dimensionally, i.e., longitudinally in the lengthwise direction of the body, laterally in the widthwise direction of the body, and transversely in the direction of the body's thickness.
  • the internal deflection of the conducted light within the illuminating body 114 is enhanced over that accomplished by a light bulb merely being oriented adjacent, so as to be shown at, the enlarged end 114A of the illuminating body 114.
  • each light bulb 118 should have a frosted or otherwise textured surface effect so as to the diffuse the transmitted light and prevent any tendency of the light to conduct in noticeable streaks or beams.
  • the edge of the enlarged end 114A, the interior surfaces of the bulb - receiving bores 125, as well as a portion of the front and rear faces, of the illuminating body 114 are textured, as indicated at 129, to further enhance diffusion of the emitted light from the bulbs.
  • the housing 112 includes lateral arms 112A which enclose and project partially along the opposite lateral side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 adjacent its enlarged end 114A.
  • the side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 are formed with laterally projecting ears 115, which are received snugly in recessed receptacles 113 formed in the arms 112A of the housing 112.
  • the mating engagement of the ears 115 of the illuminating body 114 in the receptacle recesses 113 of the housing 112 effectively enhances the securement of the housing 112 with the illuminating body 114.
  • the projecting arms 112 A of the housing 112 are configured with lengthwise channels 117 along the front and back sides of the arms 112A to matingly receive in removable fashion opposing legs 127A of abutment devices 127.
  • the abutment devices 127 form forwardly and rearwardly projecting flanges along the side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 which can function as rests to engage against a book or other item to be illuminated so as to hold the illuminating device in overlying relation thereto.
  • the illuminating device 10 of the present invention may be embodied in various sizes and configurations as suitable for use in illuminating virtually any generally flat surface in virtually any application wherein it is desirable to avoid emitting any significant quantity of the conducted light beyond the underlying surface to be illuminated and viewed.
  • alternative embodiments for military and/or industrial applications and uses are contemplated to be possible.
  • the illuminating body 14 be formed of a tapered shape other than a wedge but equally capable of deflecting light onto an underlying surface or may be formed of a convex or other suitable shape to magnify any surface over which the device is placed.
  • the housing 12 may be equipped or configured with a clip-like or similar device capable of engaging over a book so as to facilitate hands-free retention of the device in place overlying a page of a book.
  • the advantages of the present invention over known forms of book lights and other illuminating devices will be readily apparent.
  • the device is simple and easy to use and effectively focuses the majority of the emitted light directly on the surface to be illustrated with minimal emission of light beyond the surface so as to avoid interfering with or bothering other persons in the vicinity.
  • the present invention does not suffer the disadvantage of diffusion of the emitted light away from the illuminated surface, the present invention may potentially illuminate as effectively as or better than conventional devices while utilizing a smaller and lower wattage bulb than conventional lights, thereby realizing an increased battery life in contrast to known devices.

Abstract

A device for illuminating a generally flat surface essentially without emitting significant light beyond the surface is particularly adapted for use as a book light. The device comprises a battery-operated light source contained within a housing to which a transparent light-conductive illuminating body is mounted in close adjacency to the light source to transmit the light through the illuminating body. The device may be placed with the illuminating body over a book or other flat surface for illuminating viewing through the transparent illuminating body. The illuminating body is tapered in a wedge shape to deflect the conducted light onto the underlying surface.

Description

DEVICE FOR ILLUMINATING A GENERALLY FLAT SURFACE
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/039,670, filed October 26, 2001, entitled "Device for Illuminating a Generally Flat Surface," co- pending herewith. Background of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable lights and like illuminating devices and, more particularly, to a portable illuminating device adapted for illuminating a generally flat surface, such as a page of a book, with minimal or at least reduced emission of significant light beyond the surface being illuminated.
[0003] Portable illuminating devices are well known and have various and sundry configurations and potential uses. One type of such device is commonly referred to as a book light and essentially comprises a small light weight portable light-generating lamp adapted to be attached or otherwise supported in close proximity to a book, magazine or the like being read, so as to illuminate the pages thereof. Representative examples of such book lights are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,432,042; 4,598,340; 4,680,681; 5,280,416; 5,442,528; 5,695,271; 5,921,664; Des. 414,574; 6,022,119; and 6,213,618. Typically, such devices are intended to direct a targeted beam of light only at the reading material so as to minimize or avoid altogether inconveniencing or bothering others. Thus, one use promoted for such book lights is for reading in bed without the necessity of utilizing a table lamp so as to avoid interfering with a partner's ability to sleep. [0004] While such book lights are generally effective for such purpose, the known devices are still inconvenient in that the light, although of lesser lumens than table lamps, still is emitted in an undiffused manner and may still bother others in the vicinity. Attaching the devices to books or magazines is also sometimes inconvenient and unwieldy despite the small size and light weight of such devices. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to develop a device for illuminating any generally flat surface with minimal or at least reduced emission of significant light beyond the surface, such as a page of a book being read, so as to overcome the disadvantages of the known portable lights and illuminating devices described above. [0006] Briefly summarized, the present invention accordingly provides an illuminating device basically comprising a light source and an illuminating body for generally overlying the surface to be illuminated. The illuminating body comprises a light conductive material configured to receive and deflect light from the light source onto the underlying surface being illuminated.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the illuminating device of the present invention is dimensioned and configured to overlie and illuminate a page of a book for reading in the absence of other light. For this purpose, the illuminating body is formed of a transparent light conductive material generally in a wedge-shape tapering from an enlarged edge for receiving and conducting light into and through the illuminating body and deflecting the light onto the page to be illuminated. The light source along with a battery for powering the light source are contained in a housing secured to and supporting the enlarged edge of the illuminating body in close light-receiving proximity to the light source. The housing and the illuminating body may have mating projections and receptacles for securing them together. It is also advantageous to provide an abutment attachable to the illuminating body for engagement against a book or the like in order to rest the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page or other surface being illuminated.
[0008] Preferably, the light source may be one or more light bulbs, e.g. LEDs, with the illuminating body preferably being formed with a corresponding number of recesses configured compatibly with the light bulb to closely receive and substantially surround the bulb in order to cause the light transmitted from the light bulb or bulbs three- dimensionally into and through the illuminating body. It is further preferred that the light bulb have a frosted globe, and that the end edge of the illuminating body into which the bulb is received also be textured, for assisting in diffusing the light from the bulb. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in use overlying a page of a book being read so as to illuminate the page;
[0010] Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the illuminating device of Figure 1, with the housing thereof partially in cross-section; and [0011] Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the illuminating device of Figures 1 and 2. [0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an illuminating device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown with the housing thereof partially broken away.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0013] Referring now to the accompanying drawings and initially to Figure 1, an illuminating device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted particularly for use as a book light is indicated in its totality at 10. The illumination device 10 basically comprises a housing 12 which supports an illuminating body 14 extending outwardly from the housing 12, and also contains an arrangement suitable for generating a source of light, indicated overall at 16.
[0014] The illuminating body 14 fundamentally is contemplated to comprise a transparent body formed of a material capable of conducting light and dimensioned and configured to overlie the item intended to be illuminated, e.g., in a rectangular shape in front elevation corresponding to a typical page of a published book. As is known, certain thermoplastic resins, such as various acrylic and polycarbonate resins, have the inherent capability of conducting light throughout the material and, hence, it is contemplated and preferred that the illuminating body 14 be fabricated of such material, although the present invention is not intended to be limited to these materials but can potentially utilize any illuminating body made of any other transparent material capable of conducting light. Advantageously, the illuminating body is further configured to deflect a substantial portion of the conducted light within the illuminating body 14 onto the underlying book page or other surface to be illuminated. For this purpose, the illuminating body 14 is preferably formed in a wedge shape tapering from an enlarged end 14A narrowingly to an edge 14B of a substantially reduced cross-sectional thickness at the opposite end of the illuminating body 14.
[0015] The housing 12 preferably is substantially hollow in order to receive and secure the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14, e.g., by screws and other fastening means (not shown), and also to contain the light source arrangement 16 in immediate adjacency to the enlarged end 14A. The housing 12 preferably is configured as compactly as possible to occupy a minimal portion of the front elevational surface area of the illuminating device 10, but in the accompanying drawings the housing 12 is illustrated more schematically and on a more enlarged scale for better clarity and understanding of the individual components of the illuminating device 10. [0016] The light source arrangement 16 may comprise any suitable combination of components capable of generating visible light and applying such light to the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14 contained within the housing 12 so as to conduct the light into and through the illuminating body 14. By way of example, but without limitation, the light source arrangement 16 may comprise a common miniature light bulb 18 supported centrally within the housing 12 immediately adjacent the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14 and connected in series w th a storage battery 20 and a manual on-off switch 22 by a simple DC-form of electrical wiring circuit, indicated generally at 24, for selective energization and deenergization of the light bulb 18. [0017] The operation of the illuminating device 10 may thus be readily understood. Upon manual actuation of the switch 22 to close the electrical circuit 24, the battery 20 supplies electrical power to the light bulb 18, thereby energizing the light bulb 18 to emit visible light. Because the housing 12 is enclosed and preferably fashioned of an opaque material, the emitted light is contained within the housing and, due to the immediate proximity of the light bulb 18 to the enlarged end 14A of the illuminating body 14, the light is substantially conducted into and through the illuminating body 14 toward the opposite narrowed end edge 14B. However, because of the tapering wedge shape of the illuminating body 14, a substantial amount of the conducted light is deflected downwardly and emitted from the underside of the illuminating body 14. Thus, with the illuminating device 10 placed in overlying relation to a generally flat surface,, such as a page of a book, as depicted in Figure 1, the light conducted within the illuminating body 14 is substantially applied directly and primarily to the underlying surface, thus readily facilitating illuminated viewing of the surface through the transparent body 14. [0018] With reference now to Figure 4, a second contemplated embodiment of an illuminating device according to the present invention is shown in a perspective view and indicated in its totality at 110. As with the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the illumination device 110 basically comprises a housing 112 which supports a rectangularly wedge- shaped illuminating body 114 formed of a suitable light-conductive thermoplastic resin. In Figure 4, the housing 112 of the illumination device 110 is partially broken away to reveal the operative internally-supported light generating arrangement 116. Basically, the light generating arrangement 116 comprises a miniature circuit board which supports a pair of miniature LED-type light bulbs 118 in laterally spaced arrangement, a pair of ordinary dry cell batteries 120, and a manual on-off switch 122. In this embodiment, the light bulbs 118 project directly and snugly into correspondingly spaced and configured bores 125 formed in the immediately adjacent enlarged end 114A of the illuminating body 114. Advantageously, in this manner, the light bulbs 118 are completely surrounded by the resinous material of the illuminating body 114 whereby the light transmitted by the bulbs is effectively conducted into the body 114 three-dimensionally, i.e., longitudinally in the lengthwise direction of the body, laterally in the widthwise direction of the body, and transversely in the direction of the body's thickness. In turn, the internal deflection of the conducted light within the illuminating body 114 is enhanced over that accomplished by a light bulb merely being oriented adjacent, so as to be shown at, the enlarged end 114A of the illuminating body 114. It is further contemplated in this embodiment that the outer globe 118A of each light bulb 118 should have a frosted or otherwise textured surface effect so as to the diffuse the transmitted light and prevent any tendency of the light to conduct in noticeable streaks or beams. In conjunction therewith, the edge of the enlarged end 114A, the interior surfaces of the bulb - receiving bores 125, as well as a portion of the front and rear faces, of the illuminating body 114, are textured, as indicated at 129, to further enhance diffusion of the emitted light from the bulbs.
[0019] According to another feature of the illuminating device 110 in the embodiment of Figure 4, the housing 112 includes lateral arms 112A which enclose and project partially along the opposite lateral side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 adjacent its enlarged end 114A. In conjunction therewith, the side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 are formed with laterally projecting ears 115, which are received snugly in recessed receptacles 113 formed in the arms 112A of the housing 112. The mating engagement of the ears 115 of the illuminating body 114 in the receptacle recesses 113 of the housing 112 effectively enhances the securement of the housing 112 with the illuminating body 114. Additionally, the projecting arms 112 A of the housing 112 are configured with lengthwise channels 117 along the front and back sides of the arms 112A to matingly receive in removable fashion opposing legs 127A of abutment devices 127. When thusly secured in place on the arms 112A, the abutment devices 127 form forwardly and rearwardly projecting flanges along the side edges 114C of the illuminating body 114 which can function as rests to engage against a book or other item to be illuminated so as to hold the illuminating device in overlying relation thereto. [0020] Persons skilled in the relevant art will readily recognize and understand that the present invention is susceptible to numerous embodiments, uses and modifications beyond the specific form of book light disclosed and illustrated herein. Fundamentally, the illuminating device 10 of the present invention may be embodied in various sizes and configurations as suitable for use in illuminating virtually any generally flat surface in virtually any application wherein it is desirable to avoid emitting any significant quantity of the conducted light beyond the underlying surface to be illuminated and viewed. For example, alternative embodiments for military and/or industrial applications and uses are contemplated to be possible. It may also be desirable, both for the specific book light embodiment disclosed herein and various other embodiments, that the illuminating body 14 be formed of a tapered shape other than a wedge but equally capable of deflecting light onto an underlying surface or may be formed of a convex or other suitable shape to magnify any surface over which the device is placed. Similarly, it is contemplated that the housing 12 may be equipped or configured with a clip-like or similar device capable of engaging over a book so as to facilitate hands-free retention of the device in place overlying a page of a book. These and other embodiments, applications and modifications of the present invention are contemplated to be within the scope and substance of the invention.
[0021] The advantages of the present invention over known forms of book lights and other illuminating devices will be readily apparent. The device is simple and easy to use and effectively focuses the majority of the emitted light directly on the surface to be illustrated with minimal emission of light beyond the surface so as to avoid interfering with or bothering other persons in the vicinity. Because the present invention does not suffer the disadvantage of diffusion of the emitted light away from the illuminated surface, the present invention may potentially illuminate as effectively as or better than conventional devices while utilizing a smaller and lower wattage bulb than conventional lights, thereby realizing an increased battery life in contrast to known devices. [0022] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A device for illuminating a generally flat surface essentially without emitting significant light beyond the surface, the device comprising: a light source, and an illuminating body for generally overlying the surface being illuminated, the body comprising a transparent light conductive material configured to receive and deflect light from the light source onto the surface being illuminated, the body defining a recess for receiving and essentially surrounding the light source for transmitting the light from the light source three-dimensionally into the body.
2. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating body comprises a tapered configuration.
3. An illuminating device accordingly to claim 2, wherein the illuminating body is generally wedge shaped.
4. An illuminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the light source and supporting the illuminating body and the light source in assembly with one another.
5. An illuminating device accordingly to claim 4, wherein the housing and the illuminating body have mating projections and receptacles for securing the housing and the illuminating body together.
6. An illuminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery for selectively energizing the light source.
7. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating body is dimensioned and configured to overlie and illuminate a page of a book for reading in the absence of other light.
8. An illuminating device according to claim 7, further comprising an abutment attachable to the illuminating body for engagement against the book for resting the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page.
9. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating body comprises a magnifying area.
10. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one light bulb and the recess in the illuminating body is configured compatibly with the light bulb for closely receiving the light bulb.
11. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one light bulb, the light bulb having a frosted globe for diffusing the light from the light source.
12. An illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating body includes a textured portion adjacent the light source for diffusing the light therefrom.
13. A device for illuminating a generally flat surface essentially without emitting significant light beyond the surface, the device comprising: a light-generating means, an illuminating means configured for generally overlying the surface being illuminated; and the illuminating means comprising a transparent light conductive means configured to receive and deflect light from the light-generating means onto the surface being illuminated; the transparent light conductive means defining a recess for receiving and essentially surrounding the light-generating means for transmitting the light from the light-generating means three-dimensionally into the light conductive means.
14. An illuminating device according to claim 13, wherein the illuminating means comprises a generally tapered configuration.
15. An illuminating device accordingly to claim 14, wherein the illuminating means is generally wedge shaped.
16. An illuminating device according to claim 13 further comprising a housing means containing the light-generating means and supporting the illuminating means and the light-generating means in assembly with one another.
17. An illuminating device accordingly to claim 16, wherein the housing means and the illuminating means have mating projections and receptacles for securing the housing means and the illuminating means together.
18. An illuminating device according to claim 13, further comprising an electricity supply means for selectively energizing the light-generating means.
19. An illuminating device according to claim 13, wherein the illuminating means is dimensioned and configured to overlie and illuminate a page of a book for reading in the absence of other light.
20. An illuminating device according to claim 19, further comprising an abutment means attachable to the illuminating means for engagement against the book for resting the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page.
21. An illuminating device according to claim 13, wherein the viewing means of the illuminating means comprises a magnifying means.
22. An illuminating device according to claim 13, wherein the light generating means comprises at least one light bulb and the recess in the illuminating means is configured compatibly with the light bulb for closely receiving the light bulb.
23. An illuminating device according to claim 13, wherein the light generating means comprises at least one light bulb, the light bulb having a frosted globe for diffusing the light from the light generating means.
24. An illuminating device according to claim 13, wherein the illuminating means includes a textured portion adjacent the light generating means for diffusing the light therefrom.
25. A device for illuminating a page of a book essentially without emitting significant light beyond the page, the device comprising: a light source, a battery for selectively energizing the light source, an illuminating body dimensioned and configured for generally overlying the page to be illuminated, the body being formed of a transparent light conductive material generally in a tapering wedge-shape for receiving and conducting light into and through the illuminating body and deflecting the light onto the page to be illuminated, and a housing secured to the illuminating body for containing the light source and the battery and for supporting the illuminating body in close light-receiving proximity to the light source, the body defining a recess for receiving and essentially surrounding the light source for transmitting the light from the light source three-dimensionally into the body.
26. An illuminating device according to claim 25, further comprising an abutment attachable to the illuminating body for engagement against the book for resting the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page.
27. An illuminating device accordingly to claim 25, wherein the housing and the illuminating body have mating projections and receptacles for securing the housing and the illuminating body together.
28. A device for illuminating a generally flat surface essentially without emitting significant light beyond the surface, the device comprising: a light source, an illuminating body for generally overlying the surface being illuminated, the body comprising a transparent light conductive material configured to receive and deflect light from the light source onto the surface being illuminated, a housing secured to the illuminating body for containing the light source and the battery and for supporting the illuminating body in close light-receiving proximity to the light source, and the housing and the illuminating body have mating projections and receptacles for securing the housing and the illuminating body together.
29. A device for illuminating a page of a book essentially without emitting significant light beyond the page, the device comprising: a light source, an illuminating body dimensioned and configured for generally overlying the page to be illuminated, the body being formed of a transparent light conductive material for receiving and deflecting the light onto the page to be illuminated, and an abutment attachable to the illuminating body for engagement against the book for resting the illuminating device in overlying relation to the page.
EP02786519A 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Device for illuminating a generally flat surface Expired - Lifetime EP1438533B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US127883 1980-03-06
US3967001A 2001-10-26 2001-10-26
US39670 2001-10-26
US10/127,883 US6951403B2 (en) 2001-10-26 2002-04-23 Device for illuminating a generally flat surface
PCT/US2002/034285 WO2003036164A1 (en) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Device for illuminating a generally flat surface

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1438533A1 true EP1438533A1 (en) 2004-07-21
EP1438533A4 EP1438533A4 (en) 2006-10-11
EP1438533B1 EP1438533B1 (en) 2010-01-06

Family

ID=26716350

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02786519A Expired - Lifetime EP1438533B1 (en) 2001-10-26 2002-10-25 Device for illuminating a generally flat surface

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1438533B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005507144A (en)
WO (1) WO2003036164A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003036164A1 (en) 2003-05-01
EP1438533A4 (en) 2006-10-11
JP2005507144A (en) 2005-03-10
EP1438533B1 (en) 2010-01-06

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