Portable Light Patents (Class 200/60)
  • Patent number: 6222138
    Abstract: An electric appliance includes a first electric power supply of first batteries arranged in a first pattern, and alternatively a different second electric power supply of second batteries arranged in a second pattern. An electrical ON-OFF switch has an ON-OFF position push-button switch actuator and a rotary switch actuator which releasably blocks that ON-OFF position push-button switch actuator in an OFF position. A tail end is equipped with a bistable OFF and ON switching function and with a momentary ON switching function unified into one electric toggle switch having a stable OFF position, a stable ON position, and a momentary ON position. A flashlight beam is cast with a first lamp and reflector assembly, an alternative second lamp and reflector assembly is substituted for that first lamp and reflector assembly and a second light beam of a different configuration is cast with that alternative second lamp and reflector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Laser Products Ltd.
    Inventors: John Wallace Matthews, Paul Youngcho Kim
  • Patent number: 6196698
    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: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 6158873
    Abstract: An underwater light has a head assembly including a reflector, a light source located in the head assembly and movable relative to the reflector, a housing that moves relative to a slide that engages the switch such that it is twist activated. Continued twisting adjusts the position of the light source to adjust beam spread. Bearings are included in the head assembly to allow the twisting action to be effected under high pressure, while o-ring seals prevent leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: John M. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 5990430
    Abstract: A switch device is mounted on the rear end of a conductive barrel body of a flashlight, and includes an actuating plunger movably disposed in a coupling member. An elastomeric cap member includes an annular insert portion interposed between a rear annular wall of the coupling member and the actuating plunger, and a cap portion. The cap portion has a depressible body and an annular connecting portion which extends forwardly in an axial direction and which is formed integrally with the insert portion to define an annular juncture therebetween. A block member extends radially and outwardly from the annular juncture to form a shoulder that faces rearwards, and has an outer peripheral surface distal to and radially spaced relative to the annular juncture. A socket portion extends forwardly from the depressible body so as to be plugged by a depressible plug end of the actuating plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Patent number: 5836672
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a charger for charging the rechargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph Emsley Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5763845
    Abstract: A luminous device comprises a base mount, a circuit housing, a guide disk, a light bulb, a battery set, and a rotary switch. The base mount is provided therein with a receiving compartment in which the circuit housing is located. The circuit housing is provided with a cavity having a female threaded portion, a battery compartment, a light bulb compartment, a upper contact surface located between the threaded portion and the battery compartment, and a lower contact surface located between the battery compartment and the light bulb compartment. The guide disk has a first guide hole and a second guide hole. The light bulb has a short leg extending through the first guide hole, and a long leg passing through the second guide hole to emerge on the upper contact surface. The battery set is located over the guide disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Frank Hsieh
  • Patent number: 5752764
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a cylindrical tube with front and rear ends, and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism has an end cap, a contact member, a plunger cylinder, a driving assembly, a depressing assembly, and a retainer. The end cap is threadedly engaged in the rear end of the cylindrical tube. The contact member has an annular portion disposed between the plunger cylinder and the retainer, and a number of leg portions which are connected electrically with the end cap. The plunger cylinder has a front threaded portion which engages a front threaded portion of the end cap. The driving assembly is connected with the depressing assembly and is received slidably in the plunger cylinder. The retainer is connected to the front threaded portion of the end cap. A spring member is retained in the retainer and has a front section which extends out of the retainer and a rear section which engages the contact member and the driving assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Patent number: 5629105
    Abstract: A battery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing an electric transducer, includes a hand-held battery housing carrying the transducer mount, and first and second internal battery contacts. A first external battery charge terminal is on the transducer mount, and a second external battery charge terminal is on a part of the battery housing, such as its end cap. A double-throw switch has a common element electrically connected to an internal battery terminal contact, has a first switched contact leading to a first terminal of the electric transducer, and has opposite second switched contact electrically connected to an external battery charge terminal. If there are two electric transducers, they may be a part of a light source comprising a reflector, a first electric lamp having a filament at its focal point, and a second electric lamp extending into that reflector beside the first electric lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Laser Products Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5536543
    Abstract: An illuminated plastic lighting of alphanumeric symbols, such as letters, numbers or words, in soft feel buttons is provided, wherein a translucent rigid base portion is covered with a soft opaque plastic. The opaque plastic has the same thickness as a raised protrusion bearing the desired alphanumeric symbol. The opaque plastic coating is applied in a fluid condition to the top level of the alphanumeric symbol, for revealing the alphanumeric symbol through a recess in the opaque elastomeric coating material. A light source is placed at the bottom of the translucent base portion. The soft feel button is specially useful for making lighted buttons and more particularly, for soft feel buttons for automobile dashboards and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Izumi Corporation
    Inventor: John Papandreou
  • Patent number: 5528472
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a charger for charging the rechargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph E. Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5473521
    Abstract: A flashlight with detachable battery terminals comprising a hollow housing having an open end; a light source disposed within the housing for providing illumination; a battery removably disposed within the housing for providing electrical energy with the battery having a first pole and a second pole; an elongated slidable electrically conductive arm coupled to the housing and light source and having a first battery terminal formed on one end and a pivotable second battery terminal formed on the other end with the first battery terminal positioned against the first pole and the second battery terminal positioned against the second pole and light source when the arm is slid in one direction to thereby define an engaged mode of operation and with the first battery terminal positioned away from the first pole and the second battery terminal positioned away from the second pole and light source when the arm in slid in another direction to thereby define a disengaged mode of operation; and a power switch coupled to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Robert J. Minshall
  • Patent number: 5455752
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a charger for charging the rechargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph E. Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5451735
    Abstract: A circumferential switch has a flexible electrically conductive band positioned around and separated from an outer circumference of a tubular body so that an air gap is formed between the band and tubular body. The band is electrically connected to a circuit board, contained within the tubular body, by a lead that passes through a circular hole in the tubular body. The circuit board is in electrical contact with the tubular body, which is also electrically conductive. The switch is in a first state in its normal position, i.e., positioned around and separated from the outer circumference of the tubular body. The switch changes states only when any part of the band makes contact with the tubular body. Thus, when the band is depressed by being squeezed, i.e., deflected, the band makes electrical contact with the tubular body, and the switch is in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Worthington Data Solutions
    Inventors: Montgomery W. Worthington, Steven A. Luzovich, Christopher R. Kilgus, II
  • Patent number: 5446444
    Abstract: A test circuit for testing operation of a liquid level detector. The liquid level detector includes a probe that is placed at a test site. A control circuit monitors changes in capacitance of the probe due to changes in the liquid level at the test site. A test switch grounds an input to the probe which and causes the control circuit to sense an alarm condition. If the detector does not activate an alarm when the test switch is actuated, the detector is not properly functioning and repair or replacement of the level detector is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Benjamin N. Lease
  • Patent number: 5426273
    Abstract: A switching apparatus has a cylindrically shaped hollow insulated body with first and second parts that sealingly engage each other at longitudinal abutting surfaces. The first part has a longitudinal recess. The body is formed with a radial button retaining passage. A conducting unit is disposed in the recess and includes elongated first and second conducting elements with a respective first end portion contacting a corresponding one of two input terminals of a driven element, and a respective second end portion. The second end portion of the first conducting element contacts one of two output terminals of a power source. A third conducting element has a first end portion extending out of the body and contacting the other output terminal of the power source, and a second end portion spaced apart from the second end portion of the second conducting element. A button unit is movably disposed in the button retaining passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Patent number: 5357246
    Abstract: A portable torso mounted signal device for communicating traffic directives to pedestrians, airport terminal, and vehicular traffic comprising of four strategically placed colored lenses on a board (10); board (10) is shaped in such a manner as to accommodate two lenses (12,14), circular in shape which are vertically positioned, a second pair of lenses arrow shaped (16,18), horizontally positioned on the face of the signal device. The device is self-contained in that a harness (60), power source (66), electrical circuits, and electrical switches (82) to control illumination of colored lenses are all fixed to this same board. Indicating lights (74) on the posterior surface inform the operator which lenses are illuminated during operation. The signal device is readily portable, requires no assembly, ready for immediate use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Martin E. Wendelken, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5345370
    Abstract: A lamp or flashlight having a multi-feature switching assembly is disclosed. The flashlight comprises a barrel, a head assembly, and a rotating switching assembly. The head assembly and switching assembly are rotated relative to the barrel and a tongue extending from the barrel to bring a conductor of the switching assembly into contact with, or remove the conductor from contact with, the tongue to close or open an electrical circuit for turning the light bulb on or off, respectively. The conductor may be adapted to nestingly engage the tongue in a locked on position, and a resilient member may be added to nestingly engage the tongue in a locked off position. Unlocked on and off positions of the switching assembly permit the light to be quickly flashed on and off. The head assembly includes a head and a head portion, and the head portion may be rotated relative to the head to adjust the focus of the light independently of the on/off function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Satelight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Murray, Michael C. Story
  • Patent number: 5282116
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a barrel, a lamp socket assembly disposed inside the barrel, and a conductive coupling unit disposed inside the barrel around a lamp holder of the lamp socket assembly to connect electrically the barrel and the lamp holder. The coupling unit includes first and second coupling pieces. The first coupling piece is annular in shape and is interposed between and is in tight contact with the lamp holder and the barrel. The first coupling piece has a resilient end portion which is formed from a plurality of frontwardly extending and angularly spaced first peripheral flanges. The second coupling piece has an annular base with a diameter which expands gradually from a rear end to a front end of the annular base. The rear end of the annular base is formed with a plurality of angularly spaced and frontwardly extending second peripheral flanges that contact tightly the lamp holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Patent number: 5267130
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a recharger for charging the chargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph E. Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5260858
    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 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 5211471
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a tailcap switch and a flexible boot made of an elastomeric material covering the tailcap switch and providing a water-resistant and contaminant-resistant shield around the switch. The flexible boot preferably includes a substantially cylindrical bellows section and a flat exterior end surface with at least one substantially straight edge on the circumference of the end surface that reduces any tendency of the flashlight to roll when laid on its side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: The Brinkmann Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Rohrs
  • Patent number: 5208486
    Abstract: A switch for connecting a load to a power source has a first rotatable ratchet wheel which meshes with a unidrectionally rotatable second ratchet wheel, which meshes with mating teeth on an interior-facing surface face of a stationary ratchet face. The ratchet wheels are biassed together via a spring such that one end may be brought into contact with a load, while the other end is in contact with a power source. The switch moves the one end into or out of contact with the load for making or breaking the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Arthur N. Revis
  • Patent number: 5161879
    Abstract: A flashlight for security personnel has a gravity actuated switch for application of electrical power to multiple lamps to enable the projection of light in downward directions to illuminate multicolored working surfaces and to inhibit the projection of light in horizontal and other directions where hostile persons may be watching. The projected light intensity is variable by polarizing optical means and is coordinated with the gravity switch and the user's control so that the initial intensity at turn-on of the flashlight occurs at the lowest projected intensity. The lamp array, contained in a removable cartridge, has multiple light emitters selected for color characteristics, for a fast time decay response on turn-off, and for reduced red and infrared energy emissions. Reversal of battery polarity effects dramatic changes in color or intensity of the projected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 5161095
    Abstract: A flashlight having a casing containing a pair of batteries, a head assembly mounted on an upper end of the casing, and a tail assembly mounted on a lower end of the casing. The head assembly includes a swivel head carrying a bulb with the swivel head being rotatable about a swivel axis which is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the casing. The tail assembly includes a rotary switch for illuminating and extinguishing the bulb. The bulb has a terminal which is connected electrically to a negative terminal on one of the batteries by operating the rotary switch. Another terminal on the bulb is connected electrically to a positive terminal on the other battery. The rotary switch includes a lifter that is movable in response to rotation of the tail cap for lifting a spring out of contact with a conductive insert in the casing lower end thereby electrically disconnecting the conductive means and the battery negative terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Richard J. Gammache
  • Patent number: 5158358
    Abstract: A flashlight having a switch and beam adjustment mechanism located in the tailcap whereby the flashlight may be turned on and focused with one hand without changing the grip on the flashlight by that hand. Batteries of "AAAA" size are contemplated for use in one embodiment of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Robert J. DeLong, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5158357
    Abstract: A battery powered pocket flashlight has a noncorrosive and electrically nonconductive case containing a restrictive aperture for the projection of light from the lamp source and a resilient color filter attached externally upon the end of the case by integral stub axles extending inward into the case for an axis of rotation intersecting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flashlight for operation by the user in the selection of unfiltered light of the lamp source or a light at a color of the visible spectrum of colors. The filter is secured to the case by resilience of the filter material and by its shape in the form of an acute sector of a sphere. The electrical subsystem is completely removable from the case for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 5143441
    Abstract: A miniature flashlight comprising a barrel, tail cap, head, bulb holder, bulb and an electrical circuit. The bulb holder is positioned at one end of the barrel such that the bulb extends into the head. The head includes a parabolic reflector surrounding the bulb such that the rotation of the head relative to the barrel changes the focus of the flashlight beam. A rotary switch associates the bulb holder with the barrel to control opening and closing of the electrical circuit. Rotation of the head away from the barrel closes the electrical circuit. The head is not a part of the electrical circuit and its removal exposes the bulb for substantially spherical illumination. The head assembly is removable from the barrel for use as a base into which the tail cap and barrel is inserted to stand the miniature flashlight in its "on" condition, as a lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 5138538
    Abstract: A flashlight having a self-extingushing feature that prevents unintentional run-down of its batteries, particularly when used by children, which is achieved by means of a circuit breaking device controlled by a timer, and further having a bypass switch, preferably of a child-proof nature, to override the self-extinguishing feature and thereby improve the utility of such flashlight as an ordinary household flashlight. Optionally, the flalshlight may also have additional "child-proofing" mechanisms such as an interlock to prevent unintended activation of the bypass switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Michael Z. Sperling
  • Patent number: 5121308
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a recharger for charging the chargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph E. Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5091611
    Abstract: A switch for a portable light source such as a flashlight which has a housing for carrying one or more batteries and for supporting a lamp bulb. The switch includes a switch body securable to the housing and an actuator that is axially moveable relative to the switch body for electrically coupling and uncoupling an electrode of the batteries to one of the terminals of the lamp bulb to switch the lamp bulb on and off. The actuator is also rotatably moveable relative to the switch body to prevent axial movement of the actuator and thereby lock the flashlight in the on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: The Brinkmann Corporation
    Inventors: W. Clay Reeves, Donald L. Rohrs
  • Patent number: 5072347
    Abstract: A hand held search light includes a miniaturized electronic control circuit for igniting and operating an arc lamp in the light. Lamp mounting means is disclosed for shock mounting the arc lamp, including means to center and focus the light beam emitted by the search light. The search light is modularized for ease of field maintenance by unskilled personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Robert L. Brunson
  • Patent number: 5070438
    Abstract: A pen-size flashlight comprises a tubular body receiving two size AAAA batteries and having a bulb and bulb contact assembly mounted on the forward end and a switch assembly driven by a rotatable cap on the rear end. The bulb contact assembly is removable for changing batteries and includes a bulb holder threadably secured to the tubular body and mounting a bulb, an insulator mounted to the bulb holder and defining an opening extending from the bulb tip terminal toward the front battery terminal and a dual diameter coil spring extending through the insulator to electrically connect the bulb tip terminal and the front battery terminal. The switch assembly includes a switch housing defining a threaded opening extending rearwardly from the rear battery terminal and a switch plunger threadably received in the switch housing opening. A switch driver sleeve is mounted for rotation about the switch housing and a cap is fitted over the switch driver sleeve and switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: The Bridgeport Metal Goods Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Francis G. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5058900
    Abstract: An illuminator assembly is disclosed which is formed from a light emitting diode (LED) having two electrode pins extending therefrom which are cut to predetermined lengths. One lead then is formed to provide a circularly shaped spring support base and the other lead is bent to provide an attachment potion extending through the center of the opening formed by the spring support base. A capture spring of conical configuration then is attached to the centrally disposed lead which extends through the spring support base opening. A compressible coil switching spring then is attached to the spring support base. The assemblage thus formed is employed with a battery of a variety having a forward face which engages the free end of the switching spring and which includes a rod shaped electrode extending from the center portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Progenics Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis J. Denen
  • Patent number: 5055646
    Abstract: A single pole, single throw switch for flashlights and other low amperage circuits is enclosed in a dielectric housing having an electric circuit contact fixed therein, the switch being selectively actuable by moving a threaded portion of a first electrode into and out of a complementarily threaded portion of a second electrode. Relative motion of the electrodes is achieved by manually rotating a cap-like part of the housing to which the first electrode is fixed. Voltages that can be accommodated by the switch are limited by the associated I.sup.2 R effects of contact resistance during switch actuation. Various components of the switch are fixed in the dielectric housing by friction, tongue and groove fasteners, and screws to facilitate servicing and repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Barney L. Byrum
  • Patent number: 5050053
    Abstract: A battery powered pocket flashlight has a noncorrosive and electrically nonconductive case containing a restrictive aperture for the projection of light from the lamp source and a resilient color filter attached externally upon the end of the case by integral stub axles extending inward into the case for an axis of rotation intersecting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flashlight for operation by the user in the selection of unfiltered light of the lamp source or a light at a color of the visible spectrum of colors. The filter is secured to the case by resilience of the filter material and by its shape in the form of an acute sector of a sphere. The electrical sub-system is completely removable from the case for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Inventor: Kevin McDermott
  • Patent number: 5008784
    Abstract: A lighting equipment includes a cylindrical tube having a profile formed in a bottom. The profile has a pair of lower grooves and a pair of higher grooves. A barrel, a spring, a cell and a braket are received in the cylindrical tube. A rod is coupled to the bracket. A pin is laterally provided on the rod. The pin is actuated to follow the profile so that the pin is laid in either the upper grooves or the lower grooves. A center electrode of the cell is actuated either to contact or to be separated from a prong of a light bulb in order to turn on or turn off the light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Howard Wang
  • Patent number: 4940860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a waterproof switching device for a portable electric appliance with a hollow body. The switching device comprises a switching body, a sealing member, a slideable button and a coupling ring, wherein the switching body includes two parts, the profiles of which are complementarily to each other, the switching body having a dimension which is slightly larger than that of the circumferential shell of the cavity of the hollow body of the portable electric appliance. The profile of the switching body is slightly converging in a longitudinal direction relative to an axis thereof. By virtue of forcing the converged end portion into the cavity of the hollow body, the switching body will be tightly snapped therein. A coupling ring may further be interposed between the switching body and the hollow body to strengthen the engagement of the switching body with the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
  • Patent number: 4939628
    Abstract: A switch mechanism for a flashlight is disposed in an end cap on a rear end of the flashlight. The switch mechanism includes a plunger cylinder fitted within the end cap, an annular ring being force-fitted on a front end of the plunger cylinder, a guide with a number of guide blocks and a cam surface being slidable in the plunger cylinder, a plunger with a number of ribs and a cam surface being slidable in the guide, a contact element passing through the annular ring, and a spring being biased between a rearmost battery and the contact element. The contact element is pushed to overcome a biasing force of the spring and is contactable with the annular ring by depressing the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: Howard Wang
  • Patent number: 4905129
    Abstract: A flashlight having a tail cap switch is disclosed. The tail cap is formed to fit in one end of the flashlight barrel for retaining one or more power cells therein. It is easily removable for replacement of the flashlight power cells. The tail cap has an integral switch for connecting and disconnecting the flashlight bulb to and from the power cells. A flexible boot is provided for enclosing an exposed portion of the switch when the tail cap is installed in the flashlight barrel. The flexible boot, which is formed of a resilient, water-resistant material, has a peripheral sealing portion which is formed to fit between the switch body and the barrel so as to form a watertight seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Raymond L. Sharrah
  • Patent number: 4875146
    Abstract: A hand torch has a bulb holder 8 of molded plastics material, designed to protect the bulb 19 from damage due to movement of the batteries 14 if the torch is dropped. The bulb holder has an outer wall 9, inner wall 10, forward flange 11 within which is a bulb-holding recess, and radial ribs 12 against which the forward rim 13 of the battery abuts when the battery contact pip 17 touches the bulb center contact spring 16. The ribs 12 are abutments preventing the battery from moving towards the bulb if the torch is dropped. The lens 4 is made of ORAGLASS DR toughened acrylic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Drane
  • Patent number: 4843526
    Abstract: An adjustable focus flashlight comprising three units: a head, a replaceable switch unit, and a battery unit. The replaceable switch unit includes a switch assembly having two holes in one end for bulb leads, and a holder near that end for storing a spare bulb. The replaceable switch unit also includes a cylindrical member around the switch assembly, which is externally threaded, at the end near the holes, to engage the internal threads of the head, and adjust the focus. A flexible sleeve fits around the outer surface of the cylindrical member, the sleeve having a circular protrusion formed in the end thereof, to frictionally engage part of the head, and maintain a selected focus adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: George T. Price, III
  • Patent number: 4823242
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb and for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a recharger for charging the chargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph E. Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4819140
    Abstract: A disposable-type flashlight comprises a hollow, flexible case having cap enclosed ends. Within the rear cap is a conductive pressure plate having a flat W-like configuration. Inner apexes of the pressure plate engage a positively charged end of an insulated battery and a negatively charged end of an uninsulated battery. The batteries are spaced apart within the case by a center post having a front end opening to hold an inner end of a bulb. One of two filament lead wires from the bulb is soldered to a negatively charged end of the insulated battery. The other lead wire is folded forward to fit in an opening in a middle web section a conductive, U-shaped spring switch. Spaced apart arms of this switch are positioned on each side of the batteries and fit firmly against an inner side of the case. An outer lens end of the bulb projects through the switch web section opening and an aperture in the front cap. This placement maintains the bulb lead wire in contact with the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: James P. Griffin
  • Patent number: 4811176
    Abstract: A tubular battery-receiving casing has a resilient member at one end urging a first conductor into electrical contact with one terminal of a battery assembly. Such first conductor includes a portion extending lengthwise along a side of the casing. At the other end of the casing, a lamp assembly has a conductor with a V-shaped annular portion forming a flared groove. Such annular portion is in electrical contact with the other battery terminal through the positive and negative terminals of a lamp. A switch member in the form of a long loop of conductive material return bent at both ends is slidable lengthwise of the casing to connect and disconnect the base and lamp conductors. The leading end of the switch loop fits in the flared groove of the conductor for a reliable electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Inventor: Ralph Myhres
  • Patent number: 4807097
    Abstract: A miniature flashlight utilizes a standard type of bulb commonly used in standard size flashlights. In the preferred embodiment, the miniature flashlight includes a cylindrical casing containing a pair of batteries. A bulb disposed in the casing has a first terminal connected to the positive terminal of one of the batteries. The bulb has a cylindrical metallic base with an integral annular flange that forms a second terminal of the bulb. The casing carries a conductive flange for contacting the annular flange of the bulb in order to illuminate the bulb. The miniature flashlight of the preferred embodiment also includes a shuttle switch formed of nonconductive material which is operable for extinguishing the bulb by moving the bulb in a direction which moves its annular flange away from the conductive flange on the casing. The shuttle switch is generally ring shaped with a plurality of lugs for engaging the annular flange of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Richard J. Gammache
  • Patent number: 4797517
    Abstract: A switch device of the portable flashlight includes a casing, two bulbs built in the casing and a lighting circuit connected to the bulbs, and a switch mounted on the casing for turning on and off the lighting circuit. The switch device comprises members for operational part of a switch and having a turnable; contact members installed on the axis of the turnable; base-board for supporting the turnable; two contact members installed on the base-board for detachably engaging the first contact member; and recess formed with the casing to receive the base-board and having a hole through which the lighting circuit is connected with the above three contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Skylite Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 4737892
    Abstract: A portable flashlight including a body having therein a dry cell assembly and a dry cell holder frame and having on its front face a light source unit, wherein the body is provided on the bottom face with a first contact plate coming into contact with a first dry cell and a second contact plate coming into contact with a second dry cell, one of said contact plates being integrally provided with a projecting contact piece, which has its contact end extended above the other contact plate, and an axially turnable keep member is attached on the contact piece, said keep member being turned at a given angle, whereby the contact piece is forced down into contact with the other contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Skylite Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 4734834
    Abstract: A portable lamp, especially for mounting on the head of the user, includes an adjustment collar designed to ensure displacement of the reflector causing a variation of the light beam focus, and operation of the bulb switch. The lamp comprises a single casing having an insulating body subdivided by an intermediate wall into a first rear compartment housing the power supply unit, and a second front compartment housing the bulb and the adjustable focusing device. The wall is provided with a communication orifice between the two adjacent compartments, and with a fixed sleeve to house the bulb. The switch is composed of an elastic contact blade cooperating with a flange of the reflector. Refer to FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Petzl S.A.
    Inventors: Paul Petzl, Pierre Petzl
  • Patent number: 4709310
    Abstract: A mount structure for a suspender strap of a portable flashlight includes a female member integrally provided on the body of the flashlight and the male member detachably fitted over the female member by suitable means in a sliding fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Skylite Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 4697133
    Abstract: An article having an electric motor which is powered by a battery which is capable of being recharged and which is connected and disconnected to the electric motor by movement of the battery between an operating position and a recharging position. The battery is housed within a casing which is movably supported within the article within which the electric motor is mounted and which article may take the form of a vehicular toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventor: Grigorios Pergandis