Abstract: A portable mechanical light generating device includes an electrical generator located in a portable housing. The generator is activated by way of a rotatable shaft which rotates an armature within a magnetic field in order to produce electricity. A coil spring is adapted to be wound tightly and then slowly unwind. While unwinding, the spring turns a succession of gears in order to rotate the shaft associated with the generator. As a result, the slow unwinding of the spring allows the generation of electricity over sustained periods of time.

Abstract: A switching device for preventing prolonged depression-action type activation includes a housing and a depressible plunger mounted in the housing. This plunger includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion being movable with respect to the upper portion. The plunger is adapted to be filled with fluid and has a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. An operable stopper valve is associated with the outlet port for maintaining it closed, with the valve being operatively responsive to depression of the plunger for allowing fluid to escape from the plunger. A first spring associated with the lower portion retracts the same inwardly toward the housing when sufficient fluid has escaped from the plunger and while the upper portion is depressed inwardly. A second spring associated with the upper portion urges the same outwardly from the housing when there is no depression force on the upper portion.