Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2a6~9g
TROUBLE LIGHT POSI'~IONER
Field of the Invention
This application pertains to a device for posi-
tioning a trouble light in a selected positionO
Background of the Invention
Trouble lights are used by workmen to illuminate
work spaces such as engine compartments, vehicle undercar-
riages, furnace rooms, attics, etc. which are difficult to
illuminate adequately with workshop ceiling lights. In a
typical trouble light, a light bulb is enclosed within a
protective metal cage. The light bulb and cage are mounted
atop a handle. A power cord extends from the base of the
handle. A hook mounted atop the cage is used to hang the
trouble light at a convenient spot so that the bulb will
illuminate a desired portion of the work space. A trouble
light must be sufficiently rugged to withstand dirty work
environments, plus a good deal of jarring, dropping and
knocking about.
The prior art has evolved a variety of trouble
light positioning mechanisms which improve the workman's
ability to direct the light to a desired portion of the
work space. The present invention further improves upon
this important aspect of the operation of a trouble light.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the
invention provides a trouble light positioner having first
and second hooks, a swivel for swivelably mounting the
first hook atop a trouble light, a mechanism for retaining
the swivel in a selected position, and a mechanism for
slidably attaching the second hook to the trouble light's
power cord. A second retaining mechanism may be provided
to releasably retain the second hook within the base of the
trouble light.
Preferably, the swivel comprises first and second
washers having opposed serrated surfaces. The first washer
- 2 - 2~62~
is fixed to the first hook. The second washer rotates
around the first hook, with respect to the first washer.
The retention mechanism may comprise a spring
mounted on the first hook to urge the second washer against
the first washer. A pawl nut mounted on the first hook
compresses the spring against the second washer. An
annular groove on the first hook preventing the pawl nut
from slipping away from the spring.
Brief_Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a pictorial illustration of a trouble
light equipped with a trouble light positioner constructed
in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the inven-
tion.
Figure 2 is an enlarged, exploded illustration ofthe swivel mechanism of the preferred embodiment.
Figure 3 is an enlarged illustration of the base
portion of the trouble light of Figure 1, sectioned trans-
versely to show a hook-retaining slot provided in the base
portion.
Figure 4 is similar to Figure 3, but shows the
base portion sectioned parallel to the hook-retaining slot.
Figure 5 is a pictorial illustration of a ve-
hicle, showing a trouble light positioned with the aid of
the invention to illuminate the vehicle's engine compart-
ment.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Figure 1 depicts a conventional trouble light 10
having a handle 12 from which an electrica] power cord 14
extends. A light bulb 16 is removably screwed into a
socket 18 provided atop handle 12. A metal cage 20 fas-
2~2~8
3 --
tened atop handle 12 by clamp 22 surrounds and protectslight bulb 16. The cage can be opened for replacement of
the light bulb.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first hook 24 is
swivelably mounted atop cage 20 by a "swivel means" con-
sisting of first and second washers 26, 28. First washer
26 is fixed to shank 30 of first hook 24. Shank 30 passes
through an aperture in second washer 28, such that second
washer 28 can rotate around shank 30 with respect to first
washer 26. Washers 26, 28 have opposed serrated surfaces
32, 34.
A "retention means", namely spring 36, is pro-
vided for retaining the swivel means in a selected posi-
tion. Spring 36 slides over shank 30 and is held in place
by pawl nut 38, which firmly grips shank 30. Pawl nut 38
is slidably advanced along shank 30 to compress spring 36
between a third washer 40 and the base of second washer 28,
thus urging second washer 28 against first washer 26.
Pawl nut 38 is slidably positioned on shank 30
such that washers 26, 28 may rotate relative to one another
when a slight twisting force is applied therebetween, but
such that serrated surfaces 32, 34 are pressed together to
resist further rotation of washers 26, 28 in the absence of
such twisting. An annular groove may be cut in shank 30 to
receive the lower rim of pawl nut 38, thus assisting in
holding pawl nut 38 in position on shank 30 and preventing
slippage of pawl nut 38 away from spring 36.
An apertured mounting tab 42 is provided on
second washer 28 to facilitate removable affixation of the
swivel means atop cage 20 by a screw or bolt 44. Trouble
light 10 can then be suspended by hanging first hook 24
over a convenient projection. The workman may then twist
handle 20 with one hand to rotate trouble light 10 as
2~66~98
aforesaid about its longitudinal axis (i.e. in either
direction indicated by double headed arrow 46) to focus the
illumination of light bulb 16 on a selected work space.
Suspension of trouble light 10 from a single
point may not always enable the workman to optimally
illuminate the desired portion of the work space. The
invention accordingly provides a second hook 48 and an
"attaching means" for slidably attaching second hook 48 to
power cord 14. ~ore particularly, second hook 48 is fixed
to a short leather strap 50 which is folded several times.
A series of aligned apertures are drilled through the
folded strap. Power cord 14 is then passed through the
aligned apertures. Strap 50 may then be slidably moved
along power cord 14, but will resist such movement unless
a reasonable sliding force is applied. This facilitates
positioning of second hook 48 at any point along power cord
14.
First and second hooks 24, 48 may be cooperative-
ly utilized to position trouble light 10 for optimal
illumination of a desired portion of the work space. For
example, as shown in Figure 5, first hook 24 may be placed
over one edge of the hood 52 of a vehicle 54. Strap 50 is
then drawn along power cord 14 until second hook 48 may be
fitted over the opposite edge of hood 52, thus suspending
trouble llght 10 directly above engine compartment 56 so
that light from bulb 16 projects directly downwardly into
engine compartment 56 for maximum illumination thereof.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a second "retention
means" incorporating slot 58 is provided in the base of
handle 12 for releasably retaining second hook 48 within
handle 12 when second hook 48 is not in use. In particu-
lar, a pair of spaced, plastic spring-like fingers 60, 62
are formed in handle 12, inside slot 58. Lower, inwardly
facing projections 64, 66 on fingers 60, 62 are spread
2 ~ 8
apart when second hook 4~ is pushed upwardly into slot 58.
Fingers 60, 62 spring back into position after second hook
48 has passed above projections 64, 66. Projections 64, 66
prevent second hook ~8 being withdrawn from handle 12
unless second hook 48 is intentionally pulled so as to
overcome the retention force of spring-like fingers 60, 62.
A cavity 68 in the bottom of handle 48 receives strap 50
while second hook 48 is retained as aforesaid within handle
12.
It can thus be seen that the invention does not
detract from the desired rugged characteristic of a trouble
light; leaves the trouble light free of unnecessary ob-
structions; and, enhances the workman's ability to illumi-
nate the work space. The positioning mechanism depicted inFigure 2 allows the workman to reliably, rotatably fix the
position of the light throughout a complete 360Q range with
a one-handed twisting action. The mechanism holds that
position irrespective of counter-rotation forc~s such as
those which may be imposed by kinks or twists in power cord
14. The addition of second hook 48 extends the positioning
range to include non-vertical and even horizontal orienta-
tions of the trouble light.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art
in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations
and modifications are possible in the practice of this
invention without departing from the spirit or scope
thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be
construed in accordance with the substance defined by the
following claims.
