Cylindrical Flashlight Casing Patents (Class 362/202)
  • Publication number: 20020149930
    Abstract: A flashlight includes battery cells and an LED light source. A switching device is at the base of the barrel and the bottom of the battery. A head is located above the barrel. A housing holds the LED, and the cells are on a tray associated with the housing, and filtered in the body to be removable when the head is separated from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 6454433
    Abstract: A reflector comprising a concave body having a first region, a second region and a third region. The first region includes first facets and the second region includes second facets. The third region has a smooth surface. The first region is separated from the second region by the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Alessio
  • Publication number: 20020131264
    Abstract: A theft-proof removable door handle illumination device having a base, a door handle illumination assembly, and a case supporting the assembly. The base is operable to be mounted on a mounting surface. The door handle illumination assembly is operable to provide illumination. The case and base are removably interconnected such that disconnection of the case from the base requires movement of the case in a disconnect direction that is at least substantially parallel to the mounting surface. The case and base cooperate when interconnected to prevent movement of the case in a direction generally perpendicular to the disconnect direction. With this arrangement, the device is easily associated with a door assembly so that movement of the case in the disconnect direction is permitted only when the door is open. The case, once removed, can be used for illumination purposes apart from the door (e.g., a flashlight).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Mark A. Weisbach, Dee Weisbach
  • Publication number: 20020109986
    Abstract: A Compliant flexible connector for connecting together two members. The flexible connector is an elongate metal rod or wire made of a material having a relatively low melting point. The metal rod is capable of deforming to a desired shape such that it does not work harden as a result of the deformation. Because the flexible connector does not work harden, the connector will not fracture after successive plastic deformations. The flexible connector is made of sufficient stiffness so that the connector will maintain the desired shape after it is deformed. To achieve a desired stiffness the connector can be made of varying diameters or a plurality of connectors may be bundled together. The flexible connector may be formed of an electrically conductive material to form an electrical connection between two electrical components. The flexible connector may also be formed of hollow rods to permit passage of gas and fluids. A fiber optic core may also be disposed within the hollow rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Martin J. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20020109987
    Abstract: A push-type flashlight comprises a barrel, a lamp shield assembly, a lamp seat assembly, and a switch device. The lamp shield assembly comprises a waterproof sleeve for threadedly and tightly engaging with a reflective member and thus retaining the reflective member in the lamp shield. The switch device comprises a pusher cap that is threadedly and tightly engaged with an insulating sleeve in the switch member. O-rings are respectively mounted to an upper end and a lower end of an outer periphery of the barrel to thereby provide the required pressure-tight and waterproof effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Larry Lai
  • Publication number: 20020105799
    Abstract: A telescopic flashlight that includes a housing that is telescopic and hand-held, a battery interface that is disposed in the housing and interfaces with at least one battery, a bulb interface that is disposed relative to the housing, electrically communicates with the battery interface, and interfaces with a bulb, and circuity that is disposed in the housing and electrically communicates the bulb interface with the battery interface The housing includes a handle portion that is held by a user and a body portion that is telescopically attached to, and extends from and retracts into, the handle portion thereof The battery interface includes an on/off slide switch, a coil spring, and first, second, and third electrical connectors. The bulb interface includes a head, a bulb socket, and a beacon. The circuity includes positive and negative telescoping rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Charles D. Bliss
  • Patent number: 6428179
    Abstract: An illuminable accessory item having an illuminating unit included within the structure of the accessory item so that the illuminating unit is illuminated upon exertion of pressure on a specific trigger point on the accessory item. A pressure-activated actuator that controls the illumination of the illuminating unit is activated when pressure is applied to the trigger point. The actuator comprises a circuit board that, in combination with the illuminating unit, a trigger and one or more power sources, forms a closed circuit that delivers electrical current to the illuminating unit. One or more embodiments of the invention further include an ornamental fixture that is preferably transparent or translucent and can be used as a cover for the illuminating unit. When the illuminating unit is lit, its illumination is visible through the transparent or translucent portions of the ornamental fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventors: David M. Saffron, Jack Saffron
  • Patent number: 6428182
    Abstract: A flashlight has a switch housing in between the battery compartment and reflector. The neck of the switch housing holds a lamp support at a central position within a reflector. A o-ring on the rear of the switch housing seals the battery compartment. The switch housing partially floats within the flashlight tube to allow for a slight adjustment of the lamp relative to the reflector to insure centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: MAG Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Publication number: 20020101732
    Abstract: A flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tail cap, a head assembly, and a miniature lamp bulb holder and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel. One-way valves may be positioned at seal locations in association with passageways to allow venting of overpressure within the interior volume of the flashlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: MAG INSTRUMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 6402340
    Abstract: A flashlight comprises an electrically-conductive cylindrical housing having a reduced inner diameter portion, for example, a tapered portion, and a hole at a forward end thereof with a solid state light source projecting through the hole at the forward end thereof and a tail cap attached to the housing at a rearward end thereof. A switch in the tail cap selectively connects the solid state light source and at least one battery in the housing in circuit through the housing for causing the solid state light source to produce light. The light source makes electrical contact with the housing at a contact area at which an insulating coating has been removed. The housing of the flashlight is formed by forming a reduced inner diameter portion in a cylindrical housing tube having an insulating coating and removing the insulating coating from the inner surface of the reduced inner diameter portion of the housing to provide the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Charles W. Craft
  • Patent number: 6402339
    Abstract: A passenger-cabin lighting device comprises as follows. A transparent member is made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, and has a light emitting surface and a light reflecting surface. A semitransparent member is made of semitransparent synthetic resin containing the scattering material. The semitransparent member is bonded to an inside of the transparent member to constitute a light emitting body. A plurality of light emitting diodes are diposed on one end face of the light emitting body for projecting light into the transparent member and the semitransparent member. A control circuit controls flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes. The thus constructed passenger-cabin lighting device may be used for lighting and illuminating the passenger cabin, and for highlighting the car itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Mukogawa, Osamu Yamanaka, Tadanobu Iwasa, Hiroshi Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6398383
    Abstract: A flashlight carriable on one's person having a hollow main barrel and an end cover, the end cover including an LED, a lamp holder and switching device. One end of a battery set provided in the main barrel is pressed by a spring against the electric conductive cap of the switching device when the end cover is mounted. When the hollow main barrel is rotated relative to the end cover, the LED is turned on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Yu-Hwei Huang
  • Patent number: 6386730
    Abstract: A flashlight having a flashlight head with two merged yet independent lamp/reflector systems, the head including a common reflector structure having two reflectors of differing light projecting characteristics, the two reflectors arranged side by side with a common boundary across part of the common reflector structure. A flashlight holder and battery charger includes interacting surfaces on the flashlight and the holder that permit insertion of the flashlight into the holder only when the flashlight is in a predetermined position relative to the holder, require that the flashlight be manually moved or rotated in a predetermined direction after insertion for locking the flashlight in the holder and for permitting battery charging only when the flashlight's lamps are disconnected from the batteries, and require that the flashlight be manually moved or rotated in the opposite direction for permitting removal of the flashlight from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventor: John Wallace Matthews
  • Patent number: 6388390
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a source of power, a source of light, and switching circuitry connected with the source of power and the source of light. The source of light may be a semiconductor diode capable of emitting white light when energized. Touch-sensitive switch apparatus includes first and second terminals which are engagable by an operator of the flashlight to increase intensity of light emitted by the semiconductor diode. Third and fourth terminals are engagable by the operator to decrease intensity of the light emitted by the semiconductor diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Erwin J. Rachwal
  • Patent number: 6386732
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a lamp base module disposed in a conductive barrel for seating a lamp thereon. The lamp base module includes a first insulator base member having first and second terminal receiving holes. First and second conductors are mounted in the terminal receiving holes, respectively. A hollow conductive seat is disposed above the first insulator base member, and has an upright wall portion establishing electrical contact with the barrel, and a flange portion that extends radially and inwardly from a bottom end of the upright wall portion and that contact electrically the first conductor. A second insulator base member has two coupling arms extending into two base coupling holes in the first insulator base member for coupling together the first and second insulator base members. The second insulator base member has two terminal extension holes to permit extension of two lamp terminals of a lamp for enabling electrical connection between the lamp terminals and the first and second conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Publication number: 20020041494
    Abstract: A flashlight having a head assembly, a switch assembly and a removable tail cap with a spare bulb holder provided by the tail cap. The spare bulb holder includes a resilient body having an internal, U-shaped wall defining a slot configured to receive a flashlight bulb, a cylindrical wall about the slot and ribs extending between the U-shaped wall and the cylindrical peripheral wall. The slot extends through the cylindrical peripheral wall and includes a first section for receiving the plug of a flashlight bulb, a second section for receiving the flange of a flashlight bulb and a third section for receiving a lens of the flashlight bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Publication number: 20020041493
    Abstract: A light device having a battery and lamp housing and a hinged top door. Batteries and a lamp holder are located within the housing and are accessible by opening the hinged top door. As the hinged top door is opened, a cam surface that holds the batteries in tight contact with the lamp holder moves away from the batteries, thereby releasing the tension holding the batteries in place within the housing. The batteries can therefore be easily loaded and unloaded. Likewise, as the hinged top door is closed, the tension holding the batteries in place is reapplied to the batteries to create a circuit for powering a lamp engaged with the lamp holder. Furthermore, the lamp engaged with the lamp holder is also accessed through the hinged top door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Mark A. Ferguson, Scott W. Osiecki, Joseph P. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6366028
    Abstract: A light, such as a miniature flashlight, includes a housing adapted to hold a battery, a voltage step-up circuit disposed so as to come into electrical contact with the battery when the battery is placed in the housing and an illumination device, such as a light emitting diode (LED), electrically connected to the voltage step-up circuit. The voltage step-up circuit increases the voltage provided by the battery to drive the LED, to thereby enable the flashlight to use a power source, such as a single standard AA battery, which provides a DC voltage below the turn-on threshold voltage of the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: CMG Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: James L. Wener, Anthony Kaplan, Walter Raczynski
  • Patent number: 6361183
    Abstract: A flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tail cap, a head assembly, and a miniature lamp bulb holder and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel. One-way valves may be positioned at seal locations in association with passageways to allow venting of overpressure within the interior volume of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Publication number: 20020024807
    Abstract: A flashlight has a switch housing in between the battery compartment and reflector. The neck of the switch housing holds a lamp support at a central position within a reflector. A o-ring on the rear of the switch housing seals the battery compartment. The switch housing partially floats within the flashlight tube to allow for a slight adjustment of the lamp relative to the reflector to insure centering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Publication number: 20020018343
    Abstract: An underwater flashlight has an adjustable focusing beam and a waterproof battery pack which can be removably changed underwater. The flashlight includes a watertight housing having a slidably mounted lamp therein slidable by an external sliding focus member having a permanent magnet mounted therein. The permanent magnet moves an internal sliding focusing member also having a magnet therein coacting with the external magnet. The slidable inside focusing member is connected by a link to the lamp for moving the lamp into and out of a reflector when focusing the lamp. An on/off switch is attached to the slidable outside focusing member and has a magnet mounted therein for actuating a pickup coil attached to the slidable inside focusing member. The flashlight includes a waterproof attachable battery pack which has a magnetic switch therein actuated by a magnet in the watertight housing of the flashlight so that the batteries do not provide an electrical connection until the contacts are brought together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Wilfried Steger
  • Patent number: 6345900
    Abstract: A flashlight having a head assembly, a switch assembly and a removable tail cap with a spare bulb holder provided by the tail cap. The spare bulb holder includes a resilient body having an internal, U-shaped wall defining a slot configured to receive a flashlight bulb, a cylindrical wall about the slot and ribs extending between the U-shaped wall and the cylindrical peripheral wall. The slot extends through the cylindrical peripheral wall and includes a first section for receiving the plug of a flashlight bulb, a second section for receiving the flange of a flashlight bulb and a third section for receiving a lens of the flashlight bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 6336732
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a switch housing mounted in a barrel which is formed with a radial switch opening. The switch housing defines a button hole aligned with the switch opening in the barrel. The button hole has a large-diameter hole portion proximate to the switch opening, and a small-diameter hole portion distal to the switch opening. A button switching element is mounted in the switch housing, and has a button-confining sleeve and a button movably confined by the sleeve. The sleeve and the button extend through the small-diameter hole portion and into the large-diameter hole portion of the button hole. A resilient sealing member is disposed in a first annular clearance defined between the sleeve and the large-diameter hole portion of the button hole. The sealing member has an operating portion projecting into the switch opening of the barrel, a tubular portion enclosing the button and the sleeve, and a peripheral flange portion extending into the large-diameter hole portion of the button hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Patent number: 6334697
    Abstract: A hand-held beacon uniquely suited for hailing taxicabs is an excellent signaling device that is easy to operate and adaptable for carrying. Pushing a button on the handle portion closes a circuit to cause a light source at the top of the handle portion to beam light. In some embodiments, a reflective, blocking layer adhesively attached to the inside of the device focuses the light in a desired direction. Also desirably, the device has a plurality of annular bands. The reflective layer, which reflects light coming from outside in some embodiments is reflective also on the inside for enhanced distribution of light through the light element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventors: Evan Gappelberg, Irving Schaffer, Christopher Wilson
  • Publication number: 20010043470
    Abstract: Flashlight activated by external pressure on one end of its casing to energize the lamp. The flashlight includes a casing for holding a battery and the contact portion a lamp, a front cap positioned on the front of the casing to secure the lamp protruding through an aperture, and a rear cap made of resilient material. A resilient spacer is positioned within the casing, intermediate the lamp and the battery to retain these two components out of contact in the nonilluminated state. External depression of the resilient rear cap urges the battery forward and the resilient spacer compressed to allow contact between the battery and base of the lamp. Contact wire electrically connects the lamp and battery to complete a circuit. Release of the rear cap allows the resilient spacer to expand, breaking contact between the battery and lamp, to turn off the flashlight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph T. Miller
  • Patent number: 6318879
    Abstract: A two-part flashlight controllable by rotation, it has a hollow cylindrical main body including a closed end and an opening, an internal thread is provided near the opening. An end cover has an external threaded portion to connect the internal thread of the main body; the end cover has a transparent cover, an LED and an internal spring. Except the LED and other main elements, a battery set and a controlling switch are placed in the space formed by the end cover and main body to render the battery set and controlling switch to mutually press contact in cooperation with the spring. The switch includes an insulation sleeve, a metallic stem like spring seat having an upper and a lower enlarged end is inserted into the insulation sleeve, the upper enlarged end is abutted on a second spring provided in an enlarged inner hole in the insulation sleeve, the lower enlarged end can abut against and separate from a metallic contact in the insulation sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Yu-Hwei Huang
  • Publication number: 20010038533
    Abstract: A light emitting accessory includes a tube, a switch cap, a light source, a ballast, and at least one battery. The switch cap is threadably engagable with the tube. The at least one battery and light source are retained by the ballast. The switch cap is rotated to close an electrical circuit between the at least one battery and the light source. In a second embodiment, the light emitting accessory includes a switch cap, base tube, light assembly, and at least one battery. The switch cap is threadably engagable to the base tube. The at least one battery and the light assembly are retained by the base tube. Rotation of the switch cap will close an electrical circuit between the at least one battery and at least one light emitting device of the light assembly. In a third embodiment, the light emitting accessory includes a decorative case, a light assembly, and at least one battery. The light assembly is retained in the decorative case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Dawn A. Piparo-Haase, James A. Heyden
  • Patent number: 6309092
    Abstract: An illumination device is adapted to be placed in an interior of an object to illuminate a surrounding area, and comprises a housing, a light source and a decorative skirt. The housing has an interior sized and adapted to receive an electric power supply, and includes a base portion operative to support the housing in an upright orientation relative to a support surface of the object and an upper end portion opposite the base portion. The light source is disposed at the upper end portion and a decorative skirt surrounds the upper end portion and depends downwardly alongside an outer surface thereof. Preferably, the decorative skirt simulates the appearance of wax drippings and the electric power supply includes one or more batteries suspended within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Pumpkin Ltd.
    Inventors: Kea L. Bardeen, Barry P. Brown
  • Patent number: 6299324
    Abstract: A lantern having a flashing lantern cap includes a flashing lantern cap, a head, and a handle. The flashing lantern cap is formed to be capable of being detachable from the lantern to make light emitted from a lamp of the lantern to flash. The flashing lantern cap is attached at the fore end of the head. The head has the lamp inside and into which the flashing lantern cap is inserted. The handle is coupled to the rear end of the head and stores a battery inside. The handle can further include at the rear end thereof a multi-function portion having at least one of a cutter for cutting provided at an angled inlet, a hammer for breaking a car window, and a compressed gas injector used for self-defense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Tae Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 6296367
    Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight, having a head end and a tail end, has an incandescent bulb disposed to direct its illumination out of the head end and has a switch accessible at the tail end. The flashlight houses an assembly of rechargeable batteries and a voltage converter that steps up the voltage provided by the rechargeable batteries and powers the incandescent bulb with the stepped-up voltage when the switch is in the “ON” position. When the switch is in the “OFF” position, the rechargeable batteries may be recharged while they are inside of the flashlight, via positive and negative contact rings disposed coaxially about the switch in the tail end of the flashlight. A recharger is positioned to provide current through the positive and negative contact rings for recharging the batteries inside the flashlight when protrusions carried on the recharger housing snap into a circumferential groove provided in the flashlight housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Parsons, W. Clay Reeves
  • Patent number: 6293684
    Abstract: A wand light has a base tube (1) with a light-tube end in which a base end of a light tube (9) is pivotal concentrically with pivotal-light-switch attachment of the light tube to the base tube. The base tube contains a stored-energy unit (2) in addition to being a handle and a daytime signaler. The light tube contains a light emitter which can include a flashlight bulb (35) or a plurality of light-emitting diode units (18) on a circuit board (14). The light tube is twisted in the base tube for selective switching of current for the light emitter. Moisture-proof pivotal attachment of the light tube to the base tube, moisture-proof construction of the light tube and moisture-proof construction of the base tube render the entire wand light moisture-proof. Predetermined ruggedness, diameter, length, diameter per length and length of the light tube per length of the base tube render it adaptable to a wide variety of uses. Accidental and unintentional switching are prevented with twist switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Edward L. Riblett
  • Patent number: 6283611
    Abstract: A flashlight is provided having a housing and a head. A molded member including a grip and an actuator button is molded into the housing as one piece to the housing of the flashlight to seal the flashlight and prevent infiltration of water, gases and small particles. Preferably, the materials of the housing and the molded member are selected of materials that form a chemical bond. Also preferably, the housing and molded member are formed by a two-step molding operation of a two-step molding machine. The actuator may be utilized to turn the flashlight on and off, is preferably located at the rear of the flashlight, and has a limited travel distance to preclude the actuator button from turning the flashlight on under certain conditions. In addition, the head of the flashlight is movable with respect to the housing to turn the flashlight continuously on and continuously off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Charles W. Craft
  • Patent number: 6280051
    Abstract: A novelty flashlight with a clear body. The front half is cone shaped and houses a light bulb, 2 AA batteries and a switch, and is covered with an attractive soft material. The rear half houses a liquid (e.g. water) and ornamental elements. An opaque cap is provided which, when placed over the front end of the flashlight, blocks light from escaping other than toward the rear end of the flashlight to illuminate the liquid and ornamental elements, acting as a nightlight for kids. The front end is surrounded by a reflective/opaque coating under the soft material. The bulb support, which is usually a reflective parabolically shaped piece in a typical flashlight, is transparent to allow light to pass backward into the rear end of the flashlight. Light is also conducted through the clear flashlight housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Stewart Wallach
  • Patent number: 6280046
    Abstract: A handcuff key assembly comprises an elongate housing having means to illuminate a handcuff key at one end of the housing. The key is illuminated through a light transmitting fixture holding the key. A locking pin is provided at the opposite end of the assembly on a threaded assembly. A bulb fits in the recess of the fixture and abuts a battery. An electrical circuit energizes the bulb and includes the battery, the bulb, the housing and the locking pin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Albert M. Perez
  • Patent number: 6260985
    Abstract: Portable lighting apparatus includes heavy-duty light formed with a pouch and a small light that can be inserted into or withdrawn from the pouch. The two lights can be used together or separately. Each of the lights can assume multiple configurations, and the two lights can be used together or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Noel E. Zeller
  • Patent number: 6257734
    Abstract: A flashlight apparatus includes a quantity of tritium within a transparent capsule for emitting light independently of any power source for helping a person locate the apparatus in the absence of substantial external light. The tritium glows in the dark for many years without any external power source. The apparatus also includes the conventional elements of a power source, a primary light source, a power circuit for electrical communication between the power source and the primary light source, a switch, and a housing containing the power source, the primary light source. The light source is preferably a light emitting diode, and may alternatively be an incandescent bulb. The light emitting diode is preferably a high intensity, low power consuming light emitting diode. The transparent capsule includes a vial containing the tritium, which capsule provides a virtually unbreakable enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph Tchira
  • Patent number: 6259021
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a housing, in particular for an electric appliance, having a housing part (1) with a noncircular cross section closed by a detachable housing bottom (3). The housing bottom (3) includes an outer bottom (4) and an inner bottom (5) mounted for rotation in the outer bottom (4). In a closed condition, the inner bottom (5), the housing part (1) and the outer bottom (4) are joined together in particular by positive engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Fritsch, Karl Herzog, Gerhard Kressner
  • Patent number: 6231207
    Abstract: A flashlight including a hollow translucent member with one or more end caps is disclosed. Each end cap may include an LED, LED carrier, LED carrier socket, battery, switch, electrical coupling between the battery and switch. Each end cap may be reversible or have a plurality of LED carrier sockets facilitating configuration as a flashlight or lamp. The flashlight lamp operates in a flashlight mode when configured with one or more LEDs directing light away from the flashlight lamp. The flashlight lamp operates as a lamp when configured to emit light from within the hollow translucent member. The flashlight lamp may be configured to operate as both a flashlight and a lamp. The flashlight lamp may be watertight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Douglas B. Kennedy, Greg J. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6227678
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a body having a compartment for containing a battery cell, a light bulb supported by the body for energization by the battery cell, a switch on the body for controlling the energization of the light bulb, and at least one contact unit at one end of the compartment for making co-axial contact withthe battery cell. The contact unit includes a conductive coil spring having an end, a conductive end cap at the end for contacting the battery cell, and a stationaryholder for maintaining the spring substantially straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Andrew Kai Ching Yau
  • Patent number: 6224236
    Abstract: A light-emitting amusement retractable seat comprising a top cover, a combined body including a light-emitting seat, a light-emitting cover, and a light-emitting diode, a sleeve mounted below the top cover, a clipping seat mounted within the sleeve, a spring and a metallic cap mounted in between the light-emitting seat and the clipping seat, a rotating seat mounted within the clipping seat, a retractable socket mounted within the rotating seat, and a combination of usable objects mounted within the retractable socket, and a bottom cover mounted at the bottom of the sleeve to protect the combination of usable objects such as an eraser, a lipstick, a lipstick get or a stamp having elongated shapes. The inner wall of the sleeve is provided with two vertical protruded rails, corresponding to each other to guide the entry of the vertical guiding grooves at the outer wall of the clipping seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Ming-Tay Shu
  • Patent number: 6213623
    Abstract: A resilient watertight light baton is disclosed having multicolored light source and power source mounted therein. The light sources are in electrical communication with the power source via interior electronics and solid state light sources. The exterior walls of the light baton are machined to effectively transmit light from the light source. The baton is extremely easy to use with only one hand and is controlled with a single button. By pressing the button the unit turns on and a steady glow color is emitted. By pushing the button again the color changes. By pressing and holding the button the selected color flashes. Ten colors or more may be selected or caused to flash using this procedure. This type of design is extreme robustness and can withstand extreme depths of submergence, making it useful for deep diving and submergence signaling applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: James P Campman
  • Patent number: 6206543
    Abstract: A flashlight holder assembly for releasably receiving a flashlight of the type having head rotatable with respect to a barrel for operation thereof. The barrel of the flashlight defines a faceted exterior surface. The holder defines a barrel support and a base. The barrel support defines a faceted internal surface and a slot which cooperate to closely receive the barrel such that the barrel is retained in the barrel support in a non-rotatable manner. The base defines a base plate to which the barrel support is secured. In one embodiment, the holder includes a clip which extends from the base plate and is positioned below the base plate and cooperates with the base plate to receive and retain the periphery of an article therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: David Vincent Henry
  • Patent number: 6199997
    Abstract: A flashlight has a safety point that can break a glass window in an emergency. The flashlight comprises a handle, a lamp at the first end of a handle, an end cap at the second end of a handle, and a safety point base coupled to the end cap. The safety point base includes an intermediate support cylinder, an enlarged end plate, a central cylinder, and a central peg. There is a central bore, which is throughout the intermediate support cylinder, the enlarged end plate, and the central cylinder, the central peg being received into the central bore. The central peg has a cylindrical portion and a safety point tip portion which protrudes from the enlarged end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Arthur C. Outsen, Daniel C. Outsen
  • Patent number: 6193388
    Abstract: A flashlight in accordance with the present invention includes a chamber, end cap, head assembly and lamp holder assembly. The end cap includes a bowed tripod portion to facilitate standing the flashlight on a flat surface. The head assembly includes a reflector and a lens. In one embodiment of the invention, the head assembly includes an elliptical reflector. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight having a elliptical reflector is matched with a negative or planar lens. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the head assembly includes an hyperbolic reflector. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight having a hyperbolic reflector is matched with a positive or planar lens. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the flashlight includes electrode connections which prevent the conduction of electrical energy from batteries which are improperly aligned within the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Bison Sportslights, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Halasz, Stephen Sandor Halasz
  • Patent number: 6186641
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a rechargeable battery and is loaded from the front. The contacts are on an intermediate portion between the barrel extended and made with contacts of a recharging device. There is a helical spring member between the switching device above the barrel and the top of the battery and a helical spring member on the base of the barrel at the bottom of the battery. An enlarged head is located above the barrel and there is the intermediate portion between the head and the barrel. The intermediate portion receives the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Parker
  • Patent number: 6174071
    Abstract: A flashlight includes an elongate body having a front end and providing a compartment for containing a battery cell and a head assembly connected to the front end. The head assembly includes a light bulb, a reflector movable between an inner position behind the light bulb and an outer position surrounding the light bulb for light focusing, and a colored filter movable between an inner position behind the light bulb and an outer position surrounding the light bulb for light color changing. The flashlight includes a manually operated mechanism for initially moving the filter from the inner position to the outer position and subsequently moving the reflector from the inner position to the outer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Kwong Chi Chan
  • Patent number: 6161938
    Abstract: A flashlight particularly useful by safety personnel such as a firefighter and capable of operation with rechargeable battery means or non-rechargeable battery means. The flashlight includes a one-piece plastic casing having a tubular body portion defining a battery compartment and a right angled head portion in which a light bulb is mounted. The battery compartment is closed by an end cap on which electrical conductive means is mounted to form a part of the battery circuit when non-rechargeable batteries are placed in the compartment. A plurality of charging contacts are mounted on the rear wall of the body portion of the flashlight for enabling rechargeable batteries to be recharged while in the compartment. The charging contacts are recessed within the rear wall of the battery compartment so that they can not be engaged by non-rechargeable batteries within the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Koehler-Bright Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Kish, Randy S. Cramer
  • Patent number: 6161936
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a portable lighting device is provided, which comprises a battery casing, a miniature lamp mounted near an end of the battery casing, and a shielding plate arranged at a position separated from the miniature lamp in axial direction of said battery casing, said shielding plate being made of a semi-transparent material and containing a light storing material. According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable lighting device is provided, which comprises a battery casing, a miniature lamp mounted near an end of the battery casing, and a cylindrical member extended from the end of the battery casing where the miniature lamp is mounted in axial direction of the battery casing, disposed to shield front side and lateral side of the miniature lamp, being made of a semi-transparent material and containing a light storing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Giichiro Sato
  • Patent number: 6158874
    Abstract: The invention is a multi-beam flashlight device with a high intensity lamp in a rotatable reflector housing at one end of the device, and a low intensity lamp positioned in the reflector housing to generate a low intensity light beam at an acute angle relative to the high intensity beam. Each lamp bulb is controlled individually by separate switches located on the case of the flashlight. A flat-sided ring member encircles the rotatable reflector housing to prevent the flashlight from rolling when placed on a surface. The low intensity lamp may be designed to produce a colored low intensity beam to reduce visual detection from a distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Samuel Brustein, Stacey S. Brustein
  • Patent number: 6145997
    Abstract: A flashlight having a battery suspension system is provided and includes a flashlight body having a substantially hollow portion into which at least one battery may be loaded; an end cap removably mountable to one longitudinal end of the flashlight body; a head assembly removably mountable to another longitudinal end of the flashlight body opposite the one longitudinal end; a first spring disposed adjacent the end cap and extending in an axial direction of the flashlight body; a second spring disposed adjacent the head assembly and extending in the axial direction of the flashlight body; and a plate member disposed with one surface in contact with the second spring, and another surface facing toward the first spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John August Sedovic, David J. Bamber, Michael Chan