Portable Light and Insect Extermination Device

Abstract

A handheld lighting apparatus is disclosed having a top housing coupled to a first light source and an electrical grid configured to distribute a quantity of electricity to an object that contacts adjacent portions of the grid. The top housing is slidably mounted to a bottom housing having a cavity therein, the cavity being configured to receive the electrical grid assembly therein. The first light source emits light ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 nm in a first mode and light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm in a second mode. A second light source is disposed about the bottom housing configured to propagate light in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lighting apparatus.

1 . A handheld lighting apparatus, comprising:
 a top housing coupled to a first light source and an electrical grid configured to distribute a quantity of electricity to an object that contacts adjacent portions of the grid, the top housing being slidably mounted to a bottom housing having a cavity therein, the cavity being configured to receive the electrical grid assembly therein,   wherein the first light source emits light ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 nm in a first mode and light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm in a second mode;   an enclosure disposed about the electrical grid assembly configured to permit passage of insects through portions of the enclosure;   a second light source disposed about the bottom housing configured to propagate light in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lighting apparatus;   a power source coupled to the first and second light source and the electric grid.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first light source comprises a plurality of LEDs mounted in the top housing, the plurality of LEDs oriented with a face of the LEDs in a direction that is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the lighting apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first light source is disposed adjacent the electrical grid. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical grid comprises an outer grid and an inner grid disposed about a central core. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , comprising a programmable logic control system coupled to a switch and the power source, the control system configured to operate the first light source such that light propagated from one or more LEDs ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm is pulse width modulated at a rate greater than about 20 KHz while light propagated from one or more LEDs ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 nm is not pulse width modulated or is pulse width modulated at a rate below 2 KHz. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , where the electrical grid is shaped to approximate a cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld device of  claim 6 , wherein the electric grid enclosure comprises a plurality of transparent bars disposed circumferentially about the electrical grid. 
     
     
         8 . A handheld lighting apparatus, comprising:
 an open configuration comprising a top housing coupled to a first light source and an electrical grid configured to distribute a quantity of electricity to an object that contacts adjacent portions of the grid, the electrical grid partially enclosed by a protective enclosure configured to permit objects smaller than approximately 10 mm therethrough, the top housing being slidably mounted to a bottom housing having an opening and a cavity therein, the cavity being configured to receive the electrical grid assembly and enclosure through the opening;   a closed configuration wherein the electrical grid is slidably disposed within a cavity in a bottom housing;   a second light source disposed about the bottom housing opposite the opening of the bottom housing;   a power source coupled to the first light source, second light source, and electrical grid.   
     
     
         9 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 8 , a switch coupled to the power source configured to prevent power from being provided to the first light source and the electrical grid when the lighting apparatus is disposed in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first light source is disposed adjacent the opening of the bottom housing when the apparatus is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first light source is disposed adjacent the opening of the bottom housing when the apparatus is in an open configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first light source is configured to emit a beam of light ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 nm in a first mode, a beam of light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm in a second mode, and a beam of light ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 and a beam of light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm in a third mode. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the beam of light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm is pulse width modulated at greater than about 20 KHz to about 100 KHz. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the beam of light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm is pulse width modulated at a duty cycle ranging from 25% to 75%. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld lighting apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first light source is disposed within the electrical grid. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a handheld lighting apparatus, comprising:
 obtaining a lighting apparatus capable of operation in at least an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when the apparatus is in an open configuration (i) a first light source, second light source, and electric grid are viewable, (ii) the first light source and second light source are not in contact with ambient air about the apparatus, and (iii) the electric grid is in contact with ambient air about the apparatus, wherein when the apparatus is in a closed configuration, the first light source and electric grid are concealed within a cavity in the lighting apparatus;   configuring the lighting apparatus for operating in an open configuration by slidably removing the first light source and electric grid from a cavity within the lighting apparatus;   configuring the lighting apparatus for operating in a closed configuration by slidably disposing the first light source and electric grid within the cavity in the lighting apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising modulating the first beam of light propagated from the first light source ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm at a rate greater than about 2 KHz to about 20 KHz. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising simultaneously modulating a second beam of light propagated from the first light source ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 nm at a rate greater than about 2 KHz to about 20 KHz at a duty cycle that is greater than the duty cycle of first beam of light. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising simultaneously propagating beam of light from the first light source ranging from about 400 nm to about 720 nm that is not pulse width modulated or is pulse width modulated at a rate below 2 KHz. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising operating simultaneously operating the second light source. 
     
     
         21 . A lighting apparatus, comprising:
 a top housing coupled to a first light source and an electrical grid configured to distribute a quantity of electricity to an object that contacts adjacent portions of the grid, the top housing being mounted to a bottom housing,   wherein the first light source emits a beam of light ranging from about 315 nm to about 400 nm;   a moveable hook coupled to a top portion of the top housing;   an enclosure disposed about the electrical grid assembly configured to (i) permit passage of insects from outside the enclosure to inside the enclosure and (ii) permit emissions of light from the first light source from inside the enclosure to outside the enclosure;   a second light source disposed about the bottom housing configured to propagate light in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lighting apparatus;   a power source coupled to the first and second light source and the electric grid; and   a power switch disposed about the top housing coupled to the power source and the first and second light sources.   
     
     
         22 . The lighting apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of slats oriented substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and a plurality of longitudinal voids disposed between adjacent slats, wherein each void ranges from between 5 and 10 mm.