Back to results
US 5,493,482 AGranted
Enhanced portable fluorescent work light
OwnerDonald A. Boweninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The subject invention is a portable, multiple lamp, fluorescent work light encased in a durable, light-weight tubular case employing resilient end caps. The tubular shell and the resilient end caps, when tied together with a single structural rod, form a strong, durable structure which can be opened by unscrewing just one external nut. The resilient end caps combine three different functions in one item such that weight, size and cost can be reduced. The invention is intended for work or construction sites where a considerable amount of temporary, rugged lighting needs to be deployed rapidly.
Claims21
A portable work light comprising:
- a clear tubular outer shell having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis with an internal dimension extending transverse said axis;
- a resilient end cap enclosing an end of the tubular shell and having an opening passing through the end cap;
- a support structure extending longitudinally through the cavity of an tubular shell and having a threaded portion at the end thereof;
- lighting components secured to the support structure and positioned within the cavity of the tubular shell;
- a plate connected to the support structure by internal wiring extending from the support structure, the plate being positioned over the opening in the end cap and having an opening through which the threaded portion of the structure extends, the plate when disposed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis completely covers the opening in the end cap but when disposed in another plane, the plate is capable of being pushed through the opening in the end cap, the plate having a lateral dimension which is larger than the opening in the end cap for forming a water proof seal with the end cap but smaller than the internal dimension of the tubular shell to allow removal of the tubular shell;
- and
- a threaded nut for engaging the threaded portion of the support structure for tightening the plate against the end cap and securing the end cap to the end of the tubular shell.
4 more elements
A portable work light comprising:
- a clear tubular outer shell having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis with an internal dimension extending transverse said axis;
- a resilient end cap enclosing an end of the tubular shell and having an opening passing through the end cap, the opening including a pair of internal slots positioned opposite to each other;
- a support structure extending longitudinally through the cavity of the tubular shell and having a threaded portion at an end thereof;
- lighting components secured to the support structure positioned within the cavity of the tubular shell;
- a plate comprising a circular disk connected to the support structure by internal wiring extending from the support structure, the plate being positioned over the opening in the end cap and having an opening through which the threaded portion of the support structure extends, the plate when disposed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis completely covers the opening in the end cap but when disposed in another plane, the plate is capable of being pushed through the opening in the end cap by passing through the internal slots, the plate having a lateral dimension which is larger than the opening in the end cap for forming a water proof seal with the end cap but smaller than the internal dimension of the tubular shell to allow removal of the tubular shell;
- and
- a threaded nut means for engaging the threaded portion of the support structure for tightening the plate against the end cap and securing the end cap to the end of the tubular shell.
4 more elements
A method of assembling a portable work light comprising the steps of:
- providing a clear tubular outer shell having a cavity extending along a longitudinal axis with an internal dimension extending transverse said axis for surrounding internal lighting components, the internal lighting components being secured to a support structure which has a threaded portion at an end thereof, a plate being connected to the support structure by internal wiring extending from the support structure;
- enclosing an end of the tubular shell with a resilient end cap, the end cap having an opening passing through the end cap, the plate when disposed in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis completely covers the opening in the end cap but when disposed in another plane is capable of being pushed through the opening in the end cap, the plate having a lateral dimension which is larger than the opening in the end cap for forming a waterproof seal with the end cap but smaller than the internal dimension of the tubular shell to allow removal of the tubular shell;
- disposing the plate in a plane non-transverse to the longitudinal axis and pushing the plate through the opening in the end cap;
- positioning the plate over the opening in the end cap in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis such that the threaded portion of the structural rod extends through an opening in the plate;
- and
- engaging a threaded nut means on the threaded portion of the support structure for tightening the plate against the end cap and securing the end cap to the end of the tubular shell.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.