CAMERA BAG DIVIDER WITH LED LIGHTING

Abstract

A divider for separating a compartment of a bag includes a divider portion and a lighting portion. The divider portion includes an opening and an interior cavity. The lighting portion is insertable and removable form the interior cavity of the divider portion. The lighting portion includes at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emitting diode.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to divider system for a camera bag, and in particular to a divider with removable LED lighting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most photographers carry flashlights or other similar lighting devices in their equipment bags for use at night or other low light conditions. These flashlights are generally carried in an accessory pocket of the bag or in any open space of the bag not being used. However, such flashlights take up space in the bags, may be easily misplaced, and require the photographer to hold the flashlight when using it, which may be cumbersome if the photographer is attempting to handle delicate and costly photographic equipment.

Accordingly, there is a need for a portable light to be used in conjunction with a camera bag or other similar bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments hereof are directed to a divider for separating a compartment of a bag, the divider including a divider portion and a lighting portion. The divider portion includes an opening and an interior cavity. The lighting portion is insertable and removable form the interior cavity of the divider portion. The lighting portion includes at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emitting diode. The divider portion may further include first and second attachment mechanisms including hook or loop material for attaching the divider to corresponding loop or hook material in a bag, such as a camera bag.

Embodiments hereof are also directed to a camera bag including an interior compartment defined by at least a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, wherein at least the first wall and the second wall include a patch of loop or hook material. The bag further includes a divider including a divider panel, first and second attachment mechanisms, and a lighting portion. The divider panel includes a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally parallel to each other and the third and fourth edges are generally parallel to each other, and wherein the third edge is open to an interior cavity of the divider panel. The first attachment mechanism is coupled to the divider panel adjacent the first edge of the divider panel and includes hook or loop material configured to engage the corresponding patch of loop or hook material of the first wall of the bag. The second attachment mechanism is coupled to the divider panel adjacent the second edge of the divider panel and includes hook or loop material configured to engage the corresponding patch of loop or hook material of the second wall of the bag. The lighting portion is insertable and removable from the interior cavity of the divider panel, and includes at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emitting diode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale.

FIG. 1 is schematic illustration of a divider in accordance with an embodiment hereof

FIG. 2 is schematic cross-sectional illustration taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration taken along line B-B of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the housing containing the circuit board of the lighting portion of the divider of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration taken along line C-C of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a bag including the divider of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Although the descriptions of embodiments hereof are in the context of a divider for a camera bag, the invention may also be used in any other applications where it is deemed useful, such as other types of bags. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a divider 100 hereof is shown. Divider 100 includes a divider portion 110 and a lighting portion 120 which is insertable and removable from a cavity or interior 118 of divider portion 110.

Divider portion 110 is similar to conventional removable dividers in that divider portion 110 includes a planar panel 112 and attachment wings or mechanisms 113a, 113b disposed along opposite edges of panel 112. Attachment mechanisms 113a, 113b include hoop or loop material 115a, 115b for attachment to corresponding loop or hook material in a bag 200, as shown in FIG. 6 and described below. In other embodiments, divider portion 110 may be permanently attached to a bag, and in such an embodiment attachment mechanisms 113a, 113b are not needed. Divider portion 110 includes side edges 162a, 162b, a closed bottom edge 160, and an open top edge 164, as shown in FIG. 1.

Panel 112 includes a first layer 114 and a second layer 116 which define an interior volume or cavity 118 between first layer 114 and second layer 116. First and second layers 114, 116 may be formed from a soft protective material such as nylon or polyester and may include a thin padding such as an open cell foam or a cross-linked polyethylene within the soft protective material, as known to those skilled the art. In an embodiment, first and second layers 114, 116 are at least partially translucent or undyed such that light from lighting portion 120 may illuminate the interior of a bag without removing lighting portion 120 from divider portion 110. However, some color may be introduced to the material that may be desirable, such a red fabric for night lighting, or other desirable colors for mood lighting. Further, the materials may be provided with antistatic protection adjacent control panel 126 (discussed below).

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a third layer 117 and a fourth layer 119 may be disposed within first and second layers 114, 116 to define cavity 118. Third and fourth layers 117, 119 may be a material to aid in padding to protect items in the bag adjacent divider 100 and lighting portion 120, such as, but not limited to loft knit mesh fabric, laminated knits, high loft woven fabrics, other open knit or woven mesh fabrics, and similar materials known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art would recognize that additional layers or configurations of panel 112 may be utilized, provided that panel 112 includes a cavity 118 to hold lighting portion 120, as described in more detail below.

Attachment mechanisms 113a, 113b may be a different material than panel 112 an attached to panel 112, or may be an extension of panel 112. For example and not by way of limitation, in one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, panel 112, and first and second layers 114, 116 may be formed unitarily. First and second layers 114, 116 may be stitched together by stitching 111a, 111b where panel 112 transitions to attachment mechanisms 113a, 113, as shown in FIG. 3. In such an embodiment, cavity 118 is formed between layers 114, 116 and attachment mechanisms 113a, 113b are formed by first and second layers disposed adjacent to each other, with hook or loop material 115a, 115b attached thereto, as shown in FIG. 5. Those skilled in the art would recognize that other configurations for panel 112 and attachment mechanisms 113a, 113b may be utilized.

Referring back to FIG. 1, lighting portion 120 includes an illuminating panel 122, a control panel 126 incorporating electrical components discussed in more detail below, and light emitting diodes (“LED”) 124a, 124b. A switch 128 is coupled to control panel 126 to operate LEDs 124a, 124b, such as an on-off switch and/or a selector switch. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, switch 128 is a dial. However, those skilled in the art would recognize that other types of switches may be used, such as rotary switches, buttons, dials, etc. Further, each LED 124a, 124b may include several LEDs. For example, in one embodiment, each LED 124a, 124b includes a white LED and a red LED. In such an embodiment, a second switch 129 may be used to select the red LEDs or the white LEDs. In other embodiments, switch 128 may be used both for intensity control (described below) and selection of different LED colors. An embodiment with white and red LEDs would allow a user to select either the white LEDs or the red LEDs, such that the red LEDs can be used for night photography when bright light is not desirable near camera equipment. Those skilled in the art would recognize that more or less LEDs may be used, and that different colors or variations of LEDs may also be used. LEDs 124a, 124b are coupled to control panel 126 and to a first end 123 of illuminating panel 122. LEDs 124a, 124b may be coupled to control panel 126 and illuminating panel 122 using adhesive, mechanical connectors, or other devices known to those skilled in the art. Specific types or variations of LEDs, such as surface-mounted device (SMD) LEDs or dual in-line package (DIP) LEDs may also be used.

Illuminating panel 122 is a generally clear panel 142 that allows light from LEDs 124a, 124b to pass therethrough from first end 123 to a second end 125 thereof. Panel 142 can be materials known in the art, such as acrylic, PVC sheets, polyurethane, polycarbonate, fiber optic panels, and other light transmitting materials. Panel 142 may be rigid or flexible for easier bending. Further, diffusion particles 144 may be dispersed throughout panel 142, as shown in FIG. 5. Without diffusion particles 144, light from LEDs 124a, 124b would tend to travel from first end 123 to second end 125 with limited dispersion out of illuminating panel 122 in directions away from the planar surface of panel 142. Diffusion particles 144 may be a UV print on panel 142, surface deformations or cuts forming acute end angles, or other materials and methods to diffuse light emitting from LEDs 124a, 124b. Diffusion particles 144 may be suspended within the material of panel 142 to create refraction or may be created by a molding process to direct light. Also shown in FIG. 5, a reflective material or coating 146a, 146b may be applied along the edges of panel 142 such that light is reflected back towards the center of panel 142, rather than escaping from the edges of panel 142. Although not shown, such a reflecting material or coating may also be applied to the edge of panel 142 at second end 123 of illuminating panel 122. This assists in light emitting from the planar surfaces of panel 142 rather than escape from edges of panel 142. Reflective material or coating 146a, 146b may be, for example and not by way of limitation, a white coating, silver coating, or reflective tape.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of control panel 126. Control panel 126 includes a housing 120 and a circuit board 132 disposed within housing 130. FIG. 4 shows control panel 126 with a potion of housing 130 removed to show circuit board 132. Control panel 126 further includes a battery 134 to power LEDs 124a, 124b, and a potentiometer 136. Switch 128 is coupled to potentiometer 136 to control LED's 124a, 124b. By rotating switch 128, the electrical resistance by potentiometer 136 is controlled, thereby controlling the output of LEDs 124a, 124b. Switch 28 also turns the LEDs on/off. Switch 129 may be used to select between red LEDs and white LEDs. Further, switch 128 or 129 may be other types of switches, such as, but not limited to, dome button switches. Other features not shown may also be included. For example, and not by way of limitation, battery 134 may be a rechargeable battery and housing 130 may include a port, such as a mini-USB port, coupled to the battery to re-charge the battery. Further, a timing feature may be included to limit the total time the LEDs are on, such as, for example 30 seconds. Such a timing feature prevents the LEDs from inadvertently being left on and exhausting the battery. In another embodiment, a single button may be used to turn on one color LED, but holding the button for a predetermined period of time lights a different color LED, provides flashing, provides a longer time before the LEDs turn off, or other desirable features known to those skilled in the art. Although a particular circuit has been described schematically with respect to FIG. 4, those skilled in the art would recognize that different circuit designs may be used to power and control LEDs 124a, 124b. For example, and not by way of limitation, the battery may be charged using small solar panels. Further, sensors may be used to activate LEDs 124a, 124b, such as, but not limited to, light sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., detecting the cover of bag 200 opening), and other sensors known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 shows divider 100 in use with a schematic representation of a bag 200 or a portion thereof. In particular, bag 200 includes four panels defining an interior volume thereof. A divider 204 separates the interior volume into a first interior compartment 203 and a second interior compartment 203. Interior compartment 202 is divided by divider 100, as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, divider 200 includes a strip of loop or hook material 206. Similarly, an interior surface of the front panel of bag 200, opposite divider 204, likewise includes a strip of loop or hook material. Attachment mechanism 113a with corresponding hook or loop material 115a, is coupled to loop or hook material 206, and attachment mechanism 113b (not shown in FIG. 6) with corresponding hook or loop material 115b, is coupled to the strip of loop or hook material on the interior surface of the front panel of bag 200. Those skilled in the art would recognize that large patches of loop and hook material, as shown compartment 203 may be used instead of a strip of loop or hook material. As can be seen in FIG. 6, lighting portion 120 of divider 100 is disposed in cavity 118 of divider portion 110. Control panel 126 of lighting portion 120 is preferably facing the opening of divider portion 110 for easy access to the switching associate with control panel 126. Lighting portion 120 may be switched on while in cavity 118, thereby illuminating the interior of bag 200 through first and second layers 114, 116 and third and fourth layers 117, 119, if utilized. Further, housing 130 of control panel 126 may be grasped by the user and lighting portion 120 may be removed from divider portion 110 such that the user can user lighting portion 120 to illuminate other specific areas of bag 200 or other areas away from bag 200. By incorporating lighting portion 120 as part of divider 100, the user has easy access to lighting portion 120 and a convenient location to store lighting portion 120 without utilizing significant space in bag 200. Also, access to lighting portion 120 is simplified when compared to storing a flashlight in a separate compartment of bag 200. Further, being disposed in divider portion 110 with appropriate padding, lighting portion 120 will not damage sensitive and expensive camera parts and accessories disposed in bag 200, as compared to a flashlight that is store within a the interior of bag 200.

While various embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Claims

1. A divider for separating a compartment of a bag comprising:

a divider portion including a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally parallel to each other and the third and fourth edges are generally parallel to each other, and wherein the third edge is open to an interior cavity of the divider portion; and

an lighting portion insertable and removable from the interior cavity of the divider portion, the lighting portion including at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emitting diode.

2. The divider of claim 1, wherein the divider portion includes a first attachment mechanism disposed along the first edge, a second attachment mechanism disposed along the second edge, and a divider panel disposed between the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism, the divider panel including the interior cavity.

3. The divider of claim 2, wherein the first attachment mechanism and the second attachment mechanism each include hook or loop material configured to attach to corresponding loop or hook material of the bag.

4. The divider of claim 2, wherein the divider panel includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material.

5. The divider of claim 4, wherein the divider panel further includes a third layer of material adjacent the first layer of material and a fourth layer of material adjacent the second layer of material, wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the third layer of material and the fourth layer of material.

6. The divider of claim 5, wherein the third layer of material and the fourth layer of material are selected from the group consisting of loft knit mesh fabric, laminated knits, high loft woven fabrics, and other open knit or woven mesh fabrics.

7. The divider of claim 1, wherein the illuminating panel comprises an acrylic panel with diffusion particles disposed therein.

8. The divider of claim 7, wherein the diffusion particles comprise a UV print disposed on the acrylic panel or surface deformations or cuts on the acrylic panel forming acute end angles.

9. The divider of claim 7, wherein a reflective material is coated on or attached to at least two edges of the illuminating panel, wherein the reflective material is configured to reflect light from the at least one light emitting diode away from the edge upon which the reflective material is coated or attached.

10. The divider of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one red light emitting diode and at least one white light emitting diode.

11. The divider of claim 10, wherein the control panel includes a switch for selecting between the at least one red light emitting diode and the at least one white light emitting diode.

12. The divider of claim 1, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises two red light emitting diodes and two white light emitting diodes.

13. The divider of claim 1, wherein the control panel is coupled to an edge of the illuminating panel, and wherein the lighting portion is configured to be insertable and removable from the interior cavity of the divider portion with the control panel disposed towards the opening.

14. The divider of claim 1, wherein the control panel includes a battery, a potentiometer for controlling intensity of the at least one light emitting diode, and a switch for turning the at least one light emitting diode on and off.

15. A bag comprising:

an interior compartment defined by at least a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, wherein at least the first wall and the second wall include a patch of loop or hook material; and

a divider including, a divider panel including a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, wherein the first and second edges are generally parallel to each other and the third and fourth edges are generally parallel to each other, and wherein the third edge is open to an interior cavity of the divider panel, a first attachment mechanism coupled to the divider panel adjacent the first edge of the divider panel, the first attachment mechanism including hook or loop material configured to engage the corresponding patch of loop or hook material of the first wall, a second attachment mechanism coupled to the divider panel adjacent the second edge of the divider panel, the second attachment mechanism including hook or loop material configured to engage the corresponding patch of loop or hook material of the second wall, and an lighting portion insertable and removable from the interior cavity of the divider panel, the lighting portion including at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emitting diode.

16. The bag of claim 15, wherein the illuminating panel comprises an acrylic panel with diffusion particles disposed therein.

17. The bag of claim 15, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises at least one red light emitting diode and at least one white light emitting diode.

18. The bag of claim 15, wherein the control panel is coupled to an edge of the illuminating panel, and wherein the lighting portion is configured to be insertable and removable from the interior cavity of the divider panel with the control panel disposed towards the opening.

19. The bag of claim 15, wherein the control panel includes a battery, a potentiometer for controlling intensity of the at least one light emitting diode, and a switch for turning the at least one light emitting diode on and off.

20. The bag of claim 15, wherein the divider panel includes a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material, and wherein the first and second layers of material are translucent.