Portable lighting system including light tower and inverter having removable battery pack

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention relates to a portable inverter. The portable inverter includes an electrical inverter, a closed battery receiver, an open battery receiver, and an electrical outlet. The electrical inverter is configured to convert direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power. The closed battery receiver is configured to receive a battery and is electrically coupled to the electrical inverter to supply DC power from the battery to the electrical inverter. The open battery receive is configured to receive a battery and is electrically coupled to the electrical inverter to supply DC power from the battery to the electrical inverter. The electrical outlet is electrically coupled to the electrical inverter and configured to supply AC power from the electrical inverter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable inverter, comprising:
 an electrical inverter configured to convert direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power;   a closed battery receiver configured to receive a battery, wherein the closed battery receiver is electrically coupled to the electrical inverter to supply DC power from the battery to the electrical inverter;   an open battery receiver configured to receive a battery, wherein the open battery receiver is electrically coupled to the electrical inverter to supply DC power from the battery to the electrical inverter; and   an electrical outlet electrically coupled to the electrical inverter and configured to supply AC power from the electrical inverter.   
     
     
         2 . The portable inverter of  claim 1 , further comprising an extendable and collapsible handle with a locking mechanism used to maintain a height of the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The portable inverter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wheels configured to allow the inverter to be transported via the set of wheels by a user. 
     
     
         4 . The portable inverter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of side handles configured to allow the portable inverter to be lifted by a user. 
     
     
         5 . The portable inverter of  claim 1 , wherein the portable inverter is configured to be substantially 19 inches in height, 19 inches in width, and 16.5 inches in depth. 
     
     
         6 . The portable inverter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical outlet comprises a power outlet configured to couple with a power input receptacle of a light tower. 
     
     
         7 . The portable inverter of  claim 1 , further comprising a power input receptacle configured to receive a power input from a power source. 
     
     
         8 . The portable inverter of  claim 7 , wherein the power input receptacle is further configured to directly charge the battery located inside the closed battery receiver. 
     
     
         9 . A light tower, comprising:
 a base including a power input receptacle configured to receive a power input from a power source;   an extendible mast coupled to the base, wherein the mast is configured to move between a lowered position and a raised position;   a light coupled to the mast; and   a stabilizer platform pivotally connected to the base, the stabilizer platform configured to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the base;   wherein in the raised position, the stabilizer platform covers the power input receptacle; and   wherein in the lowered position, the power input receptacle is exposed and the stabilizer platform is configured to stabilize the light tower.   
     
     
         10 . The light tower of  claim 9 , further comprising a dimmer input device that is configured to allow a user to adjust the brightness of the light. 
     
     
         11 . The light tower of  claim 9 , wherein the mast is configured to be raised and lowered to a plurality of heights that are adjustable within a range of heights. 
     
     
         12 . The light tower of  claim 9 , further comprising a control panel including:
 a light control, the light control configured to adjust the brightness of the at least one light; and   a mast control, the mast control configured to raise and lower the height of the mast within a range of heights.   
     
     
         13 . The light tower of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one stabilizer leg, the stabilizer leg configured to pivot between a raised position or a lowered position relative to the base, wherein in the lowered position, the stabilizer leg is configured to stabilize the light tower. 
     
     
         14 . The light tower of  claim 9 , further comprising a handle and a plurality of wheels configured to allow the light tower to be transported via the wheels by a user. 
     
     
         15 . The light tower of  claim 14 , wherein the compact light tower is configured to define a horizontal plane between the handle and the wheels when a rear surface of the handle contacts a ground surface, allowing the light tower to rest on a backside of the light tower. 
     
     
         16 . The light tower of  claim 9 , further comprising a power output plug configured to provide a power output. 
     
     
         17 . The light tower of  claim 9 , wherein the compact light tower is configured to:
 in a fully compacted position, be substantially 60 inches in height, 18 inches in width, and 18 inches in depth; and   in a fully deployed position, be substantially 120 inches in height, 50 inches in width, and 54 inches in depth.   
     
     
         18 . The light tower of  claim 9 , wherein the stabilizer platform is further configured to receive and secure an inverter, wherein the inverter is configured to couple with the power input receptacle of the light tower. 
     
     
         19 . A portable lighting system, comprising:
 a light tower, comprising:
 an extendible mast; 
 a light coupled to the mast; and 
 a power input configured to electrically couple to a power output to receive power; 
   a portable inverter comprising a power output configured to provide power;   wherein the portable inverter is configured to be removably coupled to the light tower to connect the power output to the power input to complete an electrical circuit between the light tower and the inverter and provide power from the inverter to the light tower.   
     
     
         20 . The portable lighting system of  claim 19 , wherein the light tower further comprises:
 a base including the power input; and   a stabilizer platform pivotally connected to the base, the stabilizer platform configured to pivot between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the base;   wherein in the raised position, the stabilizer platform covers the power input;   wherein in the lowered position, the power input is exposed and the stabilizer platform is configured to stabilize the light tower; and   wherein the inverter is supported by the stabilizer platform when the power output of the inverter is connected to the power input of the light tower.