Grip light

Abstract

A grip light for use with a handheld appliance having an exterior grip surface extending from an upper grip portion downward toward an opposite working end, light transmissive material running through the grip from a light receiving surface to a bottom surface of the working end, and a light pipe inlet for receiving light from a light pipe into the light receiving surface and thereby permitting light from the light pipe to be projected out from working end of the grip light to illuminate an area therebelow.

1 . A grip light for use with a handheld appliance comprising: an exterior grip surface extending from an upper grip portion downward toward a working end of said grip light; light transmissive material surrounded by said exterior grip surface and extending from said upper grip portion downward from a light receiving surface to at least one bottom surface of said working end of said grip light; and an inlet adapted to receive light from a light pipe into said light receiving surface, permitting light from the light pipe to be projected from said working end of said grip light to illuminate an area proximate to said working end and an area therebelow. 
     
     
         2 . The grip light of  claim 1  further comprising a light source box having said light pipe extending therefrom, said light source box having a light source adapted to inject light into said light pipe, and said light pipe adapted to transmit light from said light source box to an end of said light pipe adapted to be received by said inlet of said grip light. 
     
     
         3 . The grip light of  claim 2  wherein said light source comprises one more light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         4 . The grip light of  claim 2  wherein said light source box includes controls for controlling light color and intensity. 
     
     
         5 . The grip light of  claim 1  further comprising a work area light. 
     
     
         6 . The grip light of  claim 5  further comprising: a light source box having said light pipe extending therefrom, said light source box having a light source adapted to inject light into said light pipe, and said light pipe adapted to transmit light from said light source box to an end of said light pipe adapted to be received by said inlet of said grip light; and circuitry in said light source box adapted for control of said work area light. 
     
     
         7 . The grip light of  claim 1  wherein said bottom surface of said working end of said grip light comprises a ring-shaped surface that extends 360 degrees encircling said working end of said grip, said ring-shaped surface permitting light from the light pipe to be projected from said working end of said grip light in a 360 degree pattern to illuminate said area proximate to said working end and said area therebelow. 
     
     
         8 . The grip light of  claim 7  wherein said grip light is autoclavable. 
     
     
         9 . The grip light of  claim 7  wherein said grip light is disposable. 
     
     
         10 . The grip light of  claim 1  wherein said inlet is adapted so that said light pipe may be pulled from and re-inserted into said inlet. 
     
     
         11 . The grip light of  claim 1  wherein said light pipe is disposable. 
     
     
         12 . The grip light of  claim 1  wherein said light pipe comprises a light guide capable of projecting light to an end insertable into said inlet.