Shade for a headlamp

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a removable shade for a headlamp which incorporates a strap for attaching the headlamp to the user's head about the forehead. Headlamp assemblies are commonly used for hiking and camping but may be utilized for any activity where a light source is required. The headlamp assembly frees the user's hands and is therefore typically more desirable than a flashlight or hand held lantern.

It is sometimes desired to adjust the brightness of the headlamp, for example, lowered, filtered and/or otherwise provided in a color and intensity that is different that the lamp source itself. A removable shade which a user may attach to the headlamp assembly to create the desired lighting effect is therefore desirable. Such removable light shades may furthermore be configured to allow the user to sit the headlamp assembly upon a flat surface or hang it from a fixed point (e.g., a hook), in either case thereby converting the headlamp assembly into a lantern. While various headlamp assembly shades have been proposed, most have a non-flexible housing and are not convenient to carry as an accessory, especially when camping or hiking when packing space, and hence packing load, is desired to be kept to a minimum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above needs by providing in a first aspect a removable shade for a headlamp assembly having a headlamp attached to a head strap. The removable shade is preferably made from a light diffusing, sturdy yet flexible material such as polypropylene, for example. The shade is configured to include first and second wall panels which may lay over each other in a contacting, thin, flat configuration when not attached to a headlamp. As such, the shade is very easily packed into the user's carry bag or clothing pockets and does not take up much room.

In one embodiment, the removable shade is rectangular shaped with the first and second panels being closed along three sides thereof. The fourth side is open and provides an opening wherethrough the headlamp may be removably inserted in between the first and second panels. The fourth side further preferably includes first and second notches cut or otherwise formed in the free edges of the first and second panels, respectively. In an embodiment, the notches are “T” shaped and allow first and second headband segments, which are adjacent to and located on either side of the headlamp, to be removably inserted into a respective first and second notch thereby removably securing the headlamp assembly to the shade.

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a shade for removable attachment to a headlamp assembly comprising a headlamp connected to a head-strap where the shade is formed from first and second flexible, translucent wall panels which may lay flat against each other when not in use. The shade includes notches formed in each wall panel to which the segments of head-strap located on either side of the headlamp may be removably connected.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of converting a headlamp assembly having a headlamp attached to a head-strap into a shaded lantern, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a shade having first and second flexible, translucent wall panels which may lay flat against each other when not in use, the panels having an opening leading to an interior defined by the first and second panels, the opening defined by first and second free side edges each including a notch; removably inserting first and second segments of the head-strap which are located on either side of the headlamp into the first and second notches; and inserting the headlamp into the interior of the shade between the first and second wall panels. If desired, the headlamp may be inserted into the interior of the shade first and thereafter the head-strap segments attached to the respective notches.

In this attached condition, the first and second panels are flexed outwardly and held in this position by the headlamp to form outwardly curved, first and second wall panels. The headlamp assembly with shade may thereafter be suspended from a fixed point by the head-strap, or placed upon a flat surface which is possible since the panel wall free edges in the attached condition are spaced from each other and form a stable platform for the shade.

In another embodiment which may be used for larger headlamp styles, the removable shade has a main body portion having first and second panels being closed along three sides thereof. A collar portion is connected to the main body portion along a portion of each of the first and second panels with first and second elongated openings formed between the main portion and the collar portion adjacent the opposite side edges thereof. The upper edge of the collar portion is open and provides an opening together with the main body portion wherethrough the headlamp may be removably inserted in between the first and second panels. In an embodiment, the elongated openings are configured to run parallel to the upper edge of the collar portion and allow first and second headband segments, which are adjacent to and located on either side of the headlamp, to be removably inserted into a respective first and second notch thereby removably securing the headlamp assembly to the shade.

Additional objects, advantages and novel aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-D are perspective, top plan, front elevation and side elevation views of a first embodiment of headlamp assembly shade according to the invention, respectively;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the shade in the flexed condition and showing the hidden back panel wall in dashed lines;

FIG. 2B is the view of FIG. 2A without showing the hidden back panel wall;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the shade of FIGS. 1 and 2 removably attached to a headlamp assembly and positioned on a flat surface with the otherwise hidden shade parts and headlamp shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 3B is the view of FIG. 3A without showing the hidden features of the shade or headlamp;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing the shade of FIGS. 1 and 2 removably attached to a headlamp assembly and suspended from a hook with the otherwise hidden shade parts and headlamp shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 4B is the view of FIG. 4A without showing the hidden features of the shade or headlamp or hook;

FIGS. 5A-C are front and side elevation and top plan view of the shade shown in the expanded condition;

FIGS. 6A-D are front elevation, top plan, side elevation and perspective views of another embodiment of headlamp assembly shade according to the invention, respectively;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the shade in the flexed condition and showing the hidden back panel wall in dashed lines;

FIG. 7B is the view of FIG. 7A without showing the hidden back panel wall;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the shade of FIGS. 6A-D removably attached to a headlamp assembly and positioned on a flat surface with the otherwise hidden shade parts and headlamp shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 8B is the view of FIG. 8A without showing the hidden features of the shade or headlamp;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the shade of FIGS. 6A-D removably attached to a headlamp assembly and suspended from a hook with the otherwise hidden shade parts and headlamp shown in dashed lines;

FIG. 9B is the view of FIG. 9A without showing the hidden features of the shade or headlamp or hook; and

FIGS. 10A-C are front and side elevation and top plan view of the shade of FIGS. 6A-D shown in the expanded condition;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With regard to a first embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1A-5C, the present invention provides in a first aspect a removable shade 10 for a headlamp assembly 12 having a headlamp 14 attached to a head strap 16. The removable shade 10 is preferably made from a light diffusing, sturdy yet flexible material such as polypropylene, for example. The shade 10 is configured to include first and second wall panels 10a and 10b which are interconnected along at least one edge and may lay over each other in a contacting, thin, flat configuration when not attached to a headlamp 14 (see FIGS. 1A-D). As such, the shade 10 is very easily packed into the user's duffle bag, backpack or clothing pockets (not shown), and as such does not take up much room or create any appreciable added weight.

In an embodiment, the removable shade 10 may be square or rectangular shaped with the first and second panels 10a, 10b being closed along three sides 10c, 10d and 10e thereof. The fourth side 10f is open and provides an opening “O” wherethrough the headlamp 14 may be removably inserted in between the first and second panels 10a, 10b. While a four-sided configuration is shown and described herein, it is understood that other configurations are possible and within the scope of the invention including, for example, polygonal, arcuate and any combinations thereof.

The panel edges which are not interconnected (in this embodiment, fourth side 10f) further preferably includes first and second notches 18a, 18b cut or otherwise formed in the first and second free edges 20a, 20b of the first and second panels 10a, 10b, respectively. In an embodiment, the notches are “T” shaped with a first linear slit 18a′, 18b′ extending from and perpendicular to respective free edge 20a, 20b, and a second linear slit 18a″, 18b″ extending perpendicular to respective first linear slits 18a′, 18b′. The second linear slits 18a″, 18b″ extend spaced and parallel to respective free edge 20a, 20b to form a “T” with first linear slits 18a′, 18b′. This “T” configuration allows first and second headband segments 16a, 16b, which are adjacent to and located on either side of the headlamp 14, to be manually maneuvered into a respective first and second linear slits 18a′, 18b′ and thereafter manually maneuvered into respective second linear slits 18a″, 18b″ wherein the head-strap segments 16a, 16b reside while headlamp assembly 14 is attached to shade 10. In an embodiment, the corners of first and second slits 18a′, 20a′ may have rounded corners “R” adjacent free edges panel 20a, 20b to facilitate the insertion of head-strap segments 16a, 16b therein, respectively. Withdrawal of head-strap segments 16a, 16b from respective notches 18a, 20b is easily performed by performing the same attachment manual maneuver described above in reverse. Although a “T” notch configuration is shown and described herein, it is understood that notches 18a, 18b may be formed in other configurations (linear and or curved) so long as they are adapted to removably connect shade 10 to head-strap segments 16a, 16b.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of converting a headlamp assembly having a headlamp attached to a head-strap into a shaded lantern, wherein the method comprises the steps of providing a shade 10 having first and second, flexible, translucent wall panels 10a, 10b, respectively, which may lay flat against each other when not in use, such as seen in FIGS. 1A-D. The panels 10a, 10b have an opening “O” leading to an interior “I” defined by the first and second panels, the opening defined by first and second free side edges 20a, 20b each including a notch 18a, 18b; removably inserting first and second segments 16a, 16b of the head-strap 16 which are located on either side of the headlamp 14 into the first and second notches 18a, 18b; and inserting the headlamp 14 into the interior “I” of the shade 10 between the first and second wall panels 10a, 10b. If desired, the headlamp 14 may be inserted into the interior “I” of the shade 10 first and thereafter the head-strap segments 16a, 16b may be attached to the respective notches 18a, 18b.

In this attached condition, the first and second panels 10a, 10b are flexed outwardly and held in this position by the headlamp 14 to form outwardly curved, first and second wall panels 10a, 10b as seen in FIGS. 2A-5C. The headlamp assembly 12 with shade 10 may thereafter be suspended from a fixed point such as a hook “H” seen in FIGS. 4A, 4B by the head-strap 16, or placed upon a flat surface “S” as seen in FIGS. 3A, 3B which is possible since the panel wall free edges 20a, 20b in the attached condition are spaced from each other and form a stable platform for the shade 10.

A second embodiment of the invention is seen in FIGS. 6A-10C where the removable shade 100 having first and second panels 100a, 100b for a headlamp assembly 120 having a headlamp 140 attached to a head strap 160. The removable shade 100 is preferably made from a light diffusing, sturdy yet flexible material such as polypropylene, for example. The shade 100 is configured to include first and second wall panels 100a and 100b which are interconnected along at least one edge and may lay over each other in a contacting, thin, flat configuration when not attached to a headlamp 140 (see FIGS. 6A-D). As such, the shade 100 is very easily packed into the user's duffle bag, backpack or clothing pockets (not shown), and as such does not take up much room or create any appreciable added weight.

In an embodiment, the removable shade 100 may be generally square or rectangular shaped with the first and second panels 100a, 100b being closed along three sides 100c, 100d and 100e thereof. The fourth side 10f is open and provides an opening “O” wherethrough the headlamp 14 may be removably inserted in between the first and second panels 10a, 10b. While a four-sided configuration is shown and described herein, it is understood that other configurations are possible and within the scope of the invention including, for example, polygonal, arcuate and any combinations thereof.

The first and second panels 100a and 100b each include a main body portion 100a′, 100b′ and a collar portion 100a″, 100b″, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the collar portion and main body portion are integrally formed from the same panels 100a, 100b, although they may be made as separate pieces which are attached together during manufacturing, if desired. A seen best in FIG. 6A, the collar portions 100a″, 100b″ may have a width W₂ which is smaller than the corresponding width W₁ of main body portions 100a′, 100b′. First and second elongated slits S₁ and S₂, which may extend spaced from and parallel to edge 100f, may be formed between main body portion 100a′ and collar portion 100a″ to form first and second adjacent collar tabs T₁ and T₂ at panel 100a, and third and fourth adjacent collar tabs T₃ and T₄ at panel 100b. The adjacent tab pairs T₁, T₃ and T₂, T₄ may be but preferably are not connected to one another. As seen best in FIGS. 6A, B and FIGS. 7A, B, slits S₁ and S₂ extend through each panel 100a and 100b and thereby form front and back panel unconnected free edges E₁ and E₃, respectively, adjacent side edge 100e, and front and back panel unconnected free edges E₂ and E₄, respectively, adjacent side edge 100c.

Thus, when ready to use the shade 100 which is normally in the stored, flat condition seen in FIGS. 6A-D, a user presses inwardly along sides 100c and 100e causing panels 100a and 100b to move away from each other as seen in FIGS. 7A,B and 10A-C. In this “open” shade configuration, the adjacent tabs T₁ and T₃ may bend slightly inwardly toward each other and may or may not overlap with each other. Likewise, adjacent tabs T₂ and T₄ may bend slightly inwardly toward each other and may or may not overlap with each other. Due to collar portion 100a″ not being as wide as main body portion 100a′, when moved to the open shade configuration described above, first and second crescent shaped gaps G₁ and G₂ are formed at adjacent tab pairs T₁, T₃ and T₂, T₄, respectively. While holding the shade in the open configuration, the user passes the headlamp light 140 through opening “O” into the interior “I” of shade 100 between first and second panels 100a, 100b. First and second headband segments 160a, 160b are passed between adjacent tabs T₁, T₃, and T₂, T₄, respectively, until they extend through gaps G₁ and G₂, respectively. Withdrawal of head-strap segments 160a, 160b from respective gaps G₁ and G₂ is easily performed by performing the same attachment manual maneuver described above in reverse. It is noted that although slits S₁ and S₂ are formed parallel to edge 100f and are straight and elongated as shown and described herein, it is understood that slits S₁ and S₂ may be formed in other configurations (e.g., non-parallel, angled or curved) so long as they are adapted to removably connect shade 100 to head-strap segments 160a, 160b.

In this attached condition, the first and second panels 100a, 100b are flexed outwardly and held in this position by the headlamp 140 to form outwardly curved, first and second panels 100a, 100b as seen in FIGS. 8A-10C. The headlamp assembly 120 with shade 100 may thereafter be suspended from a fixed point such as a hook “H” seen in FIGS. 9A, 4B by the head-strap 160, or placed upon a flat surface “S” as seen in FIGS. 8A, 8B which is possible since the collar portion free edges 100f when in the attached condition are spaced from each other and form a stable platform for the shade 100.

It will thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a shade for a headlamp assembly which allows the user to create a hands-free lantern. The shade is extremely light-weight and takes up a minimum of space when not in use such that it is easily packed and carried with other belongings (e.g., in a backpack or pocket). The shade may be provided in multiple colors so that the user may choose the desired lighting effect. The translucency of the shade panels may also be varied as desired by selecting the appropriate materials and thicknesses for the panels.

While this method and apparatus has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described.