Lamp Terminal Directly Contacts A Battery Terminal Patents (Class 362/201)
  • Patent number: 6109762
    Abstract: A card-like flashlight device includes an inner light generating module having a housing, battery, lamp and switch member, and an outer protective cover. The housing has upper and lower surfaces and defines a central opening through the upper surface and a cavity below and in communication with the central opening. The battery is mounted in the cavity. The lamp has a bulb element and upper and lower conductive lead elements extending therefrom receiving the battery therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Lumatec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjarki Hallgrimsson, Bryce Ashdown
  • Patent number: 6070990
    Abstract: A card light assembly comprising a generally flat polymeric tray having inner and outer surfaces and a pair of ends, a peripheral rim on the inner surface, an electrochemical cell-receiving recess in the inner surface, and a LED-receiving recess at one of the ends, an annular electrical separator and a disc-type electrochemical cell in the cell receiving recess, a LED in said LED-receiving recess, the LED having two leads, one of which is in abutment with the cell and the other of which is spaced from the cell by the separator. A pressure sensitive adhesive label extends over the inner surface, and over the cell, and is adhered to the housing inner surface to thereby retain the separator and cell within the assembly. At least one of the tray and label is flexibly depressible at the separator and cell for pressing the other lead against the cell to temporarily energize the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Dalton, Peter F. Lynch, David A. Furth
  • Patent number: 6045235
    Abstract: A DC power supply unit (30) comprising a flashlight (32). A rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) is provided, having a positive terminal (36) and a negative terminal (38). The rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) is supported in the flashlight (32). An adjustable structure (40) is in the flashlight (32) for electrically connecting the flashlight (32) to the positive terminal (36) and the negative terminal (38) of the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34), so that the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) can operate the flashlight (32). A facility (42) in the flashlight (32) is for electrically connecting the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) to a remote electrical device, so that the rechargeable cellular telephone battery (34) can operate the remote electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Robert K. Hee
  • Patent number: 5967641
    Abstract: A tool box includes a cover mounted to a base which receives a receiving member, an extension rod, a collapsible member and a light means therein which is actuated by a switch member disposed to the box. The receiving member receives a plurality of bits and is pivotally disposed to the base member, a spring member is disposed between the base member and an underside of the receiving member to pop up the receiving member when the cover is opened. The extension rod can be inserted into a polygonal passage defined in an end of the box so as to connect with a bit. The collapsible member has a magnetic member disposed to a distal end thereof so as to magnetically adhere bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventors: Chin-Fu Sung, Yan-Shing Lee
  • Patent number: 5934789
    Abstract: An improved planar disposable flashlight is presented having a one-piece housing for mounting the elements of the flashlight in a fixed structural relationship while providing support and protection to the flashlight. The one piece housing includes a pair of resilient C-shaped clamps which releasably grasp a pair of light bulb shafts and position the light bulbs in a predetermined position, and a protective bumper is provided which separates the light bulbs and protects them from impact. The housing also comprises channels which communicate the electrical leads from the light bulbs to the switch and the connections to the battery's terminals, securing the leads from crimping or snagging. A recessed area is provided for securing a pressure sensitive switch therein, bordered by columns which protect the switch from inadvertent activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventors: Iain Sinclair, Allen Pearson
  • Patent number: 5927846
    Abstract: A thin, disposable, extremely bright flashlight is constructed around a thin, planar dry cell battery. The battery, a switch, and miniature incandescent lamps are sealed within a flexible cover of approximately the size of a playing card. The sealed construction removes any danger from electrical sparks in a flammable atmosphere. A window of translucent or transparent material is provided at one end of the package. Two miniature lamps, which may be overdriven to increase their brightness, are located behind this window. The lamps are sufficiently bright that a beam collimation system is unnecessary. Squeezing the package at a designated location closes a dome switch, causing the lamps to light. Releasing pressure on the dome switch opens the circuit so that the light cannot be inadvertently left on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Iain Sinclair
  • Patent number: 5893631
    Abstract: A compact flashlight is provided having a base with an interior recess for permitting reciprocable movement of a disk battery. The base includes a bulb having a first lead that extends along the bottom of the interior recess. A second diverging lead extends from the bulb to an area along an upper side of the recess. The battery overlies the first lead so that electrical contact is made with the bottom portion of the battery. A carrier overlies the battery and includes a boss portion extending into an opening of a cover that encloses the base. Forward thumb pressure on the boss portion moves the battery from a bulb-off to a bulb-on position when the battery comes into electrical contact with the second diverging lead. This results in illumination of the bulb. The carrier is provided with resilient members extending outwardly from the back end of the carrier. The resilient members engage a corresponding detent in the housing and maintain the battery in an off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen J. Padden
  • Patent number: 5704706
    Abstract: An athletic shoe (20) includes a sole (22), an upper (25), and a tongue (26), as well as fasteners (28), such as shoelaces. Incorporated into the sole (22) of the athletic shoe (20) is a receptacle (30) for receiving and retaining a plug-in module (32) in a slide-in, releasably locking arrangement. The plug-in module (32) preferably includes a battery (62), a light emitting device (54), and electrical circuit elements (58, 60, 72) arranged to selectively connect the battery (62) to the light emitting device (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: L.A. Gear, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Goldston, Jon L. Bemis, Carmen Charles Rapisarda
  • Patent number: 5685630
    Abstract: A battery-operated automatically switched lighting device is provided for illumination of the interior of enclosures provided with doors, such as for closets, cupboards, cabinets, and the like. Identical light transmitting housing parts are assembled together to contain batteries, a light bulb, and formed metal strips acting as contacts and switch actuator when the enclosure door is opened and closed. Various protrusions projecting from the bottom wall of each housing part together form battery, bulb, housing, and contact strip locating features, and molded locking tabs snap fit together to releasably hold the housing parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Trent S. Herman
  • Patent number: 5515249
    Abstract: A hand tool set including a casing formed of two hinged shells to hold a handle and a full set of tool bits, and a lamp assembly mounted in a lamp chamber inside the casing, wherein the handle can be removed from the casing and attached to a polygonal hole at one end of the casing to hold one tool bit for turning screws; the lamp assembly has a self-provided battery power supply and is controlled by a press button to illuminate the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Hsuan-Sen Shiao
  • Patent number: 5515248
    Abstract: A thin, disposable key light device that is adhesively attachable to the head of a key includes a light emitting diode, a disk battery, an insulative annular spacer, and an adhesive disk. A lead of the light emitting diode extends over a hole in the annular spacer. Leads of the light emitting diode straddle the battery and annular spacer. Switch actuation pressure applied to a flexible housing elastically deforms one of the leads through the hole in the annular spacer, causing that lead to electrically contact one electrode surface of the battery and thereby connect the light emitting disk in series with the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventors: Madeline M. Canfield, Paul C. Mioduski
  • Patent number: 5477435
    Abstract: An improved module of the type having a light emitting diode and a wafer battery held in the case. The module has a case having a floor, a lighted end and an LED supporting cavity at the lighted end. An LED is supported in the case so that its lower conductor is adjacent the floor and its upper conductor is supported in a cantilevered manner from the transparent lens portion of the LED. A wafer battery having a positive and a negative terminal on each side thereof, is positioned so that one of its terminals continuously contacts the lower conductor of the LED and the upper conductor is positioned so that it is spaced from the other terminal of the wafer battery. A weight member is held above the upper terminal of the LED and the weight member has sufficient weight so that it will move the upper conductor downwardly when the weight is moving downwardly by inertia but will not have sufficient weight to move the upper conductor into contact with the wafer battery when the module is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Carmen Rapisarda
    Inventors: Carmen Rapisarda, Mark R. Goldston, Jon L. Bemis
  • Patent number: 5457613
    Abstract: A peripherally sealed card-like flashlight device includes an inner light generating module, a middle folded card insert, and an outer peripherally sealed protective cover. The inner module includes a flat battery pack, a lamp having a light emitting element and a pair of conductive lead elements extending therefrom, and an electrical switch assembly attached on the flat battery pack. Strips of metallic tape are used to electrically connect one of the lead elements to one electrically conductive portion of the flat battery pack and to position the other of the lead elements over an aperture through the switch assembly and overlying and spaced from another electrically conductive portion of the flat battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Lumatec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Vandenbelt, Peter Altman
  • Patent number: 5386351
    Abstract: A flashlight consists of a bulb with leads, a battery of flat, disc shape and three molded plastic parts. Assembly is accomplished without tools by slip fitting two of said parts together to form a case, the third part serving as a push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Blue Tiger Corporation
    Inventor: Marilyn Tabor
  • Patent number: 4731712
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a flexible housing of mating halves. A lamp and two batteries are arranged such that the lamp terminals are in contact with the battery terminals. The lamp is operated by squeezing the housing which in turn bends a switch member that completes the circuit between the batteries and the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company
    Inventor: Helmut K. Amthor
  • Patent number: 4692846
    Abstract: A battery holder for use in conjunction with a coin type battery carries an electric element having a pair of leads extending radially of the inner surface of the holder. One of the leads is considerably longer than the other and extends to the edge of the holder and then turns axially along the inner surface of the rim of the holder so as to engage the side edge of a coin battery when inserted. A substantial portion of the remainder of this lead is covered by insulation material so as to prevent contact with other portions of the coin battery. The other lead from the electric element engages a terminal of opposite polarity of the coin type battery when the coin type battery is properly inserted so as to switch the electric element to an "ON" state. Reversal of the battery orientation switches the element "OFF".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignees: Deborah Donkerbrook, Ronald Carstersen, Gail Carstersen, Randall Johnson
    Inventor: Randall Johnson
  • Patent number: 4631646
    Abstract: A discardable flashlight comprises a housing provided at one end with a lampholder assembly and containing a forward battery, which is disposed adjacent to and electrically connected to said lampholder assembly, and a rear battery, which is remote from said lampholder assembly and adapted to be electrically connected in series with said forward battery and said lampholder assembly. Spring means are provided for laterally urging the forward portion of the rear battery to a break position in which it is electrically disconnected from the forward battery. A fingerpiece is provided, which laterally engages the rear battery at said forward portion opposite to said spring means and is manually depressible to push the rear battery to a position in which it is electrically connected to said forward battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Trautz & Co. Inh. Hans Spindler
    Inventor: Hans Spindler
  • Patent number: 4623954
    Abstract: A safety light for removable assembly to a bicycle handlebar or the like comprising a battery shell of conductive sheet metal construction having cantilevered inwardly projecting tabs at one end for resilient electrical contact with batteries captured therein and an opening at the opposing end for threadably receiving a lamp. The shell is contoured for sliding press-fit insertion into the open end of a tubular handlebar. A lens is mounted on the bulb of the lamp and has a head for endwise abutment with the handlebar end. A skirt integrally extends from the lens head surrounding the lamp and is closely received internally of the handlebar end for absorbing the shock of impacts on the handlebar end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Freedom Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Schott, Lawrence A. Schott
  • Patent number: 4586113
    Abstract: An illuminating device for a wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, comprising a light housing and a battery case pivotally secured to one another by means including a pair of branched arm portions so that vertical angle of the position of said light housing can be adjusted. Metallic terminals for positive and negative current are provided in a battery case to press and hold batteries therein and the respective ends thereof extend from the battery case along the inner sides of the arm portions. Metallic terminals for positive and negative current in the light housing extend to a base portion of the light housing in through holes in the base portion. An electrical connection is made between the respective terminals in the light housing and the battery case by means of a pair of washers, each having a projection thereon fixed between the inner sides of the arm portions and the outer sides of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Tsuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadaharu Tsuyama
  • Patent number: 4442478
    Abstract: Enclosures such as drawers and glove compartments are provided with a light that automatically turns on when the enclosure is opened and turns off when closed. This light has a lightbulb in circuit with batteries and a switching mechanism, including a spring and actuator for the spring which is mounted to rotate, move linearly outwardly and inwardly relative to the light's housing, or do both simultaneously. The actuator has a portion engaging the spring and an arcuate edge portion extending beyond the housing which engages a surface of the enclosure when the enclosure is opened or closed. During relative movement between the enclosure surface and the light, the actuator moves the spring between two positions, one of which opens the circuit to the lightbulb, the other of which closes this circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventor: Benjamin H. Stansbury
  • Patent number: 4433365
    Abstract: Miniature flashlight consisting of a case (1) of moulded plastics material closed by a cover (2) that is at least partly metallic and containing a cell (18), an electric bulb (11-12) and a pressure spring (16), characterized in that the whole unit is flat in shape, comprising two facing walls formed respectively by the bottom wall (7) of the case and by at least a portion of the cover (2); in that the cell (18) consists of a flat cylindrical cell the casing of which is in contact with the center contact stud (19) of the bulb (12) and the opposite polarity contact (20) of which is oriented towards the cover (2); in that the bottom wall (7) of the case (1) comprises parts (9, 10) enabling the socket (11) of the bulb (12) to be housed and restrained; and in that at least one of the two facing walls (7 and 2) is flexible enough for compression of the unit between the fingers (25) to bring the socket (11) or the cell (18) contact (20) into contact with the conducting portion of the cover (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Jean P. Rousseau
  • Patent number: 4339788
    Abstract: A portable, self-contained lighting device with improvements in bulb positioning, switching, and electrical contact wherein(a) the bulb position changes axially depending on the presence or absence of the power source;(b) the rotating switch is positioned essentially directly above the bulb; and(c) the electrical contact strip is preloaded against the switch assembly in the "off" position and has an over-travel capacity of up to about 50% with a compensating flexible knee capable of changing by up to about 40.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. White, Donald P. Weiss
  • Patent number: 4333129
    Abstract: A physical and electrical separation of the batteries in a conventional flashlight is achieved by placing a separator plate between the batteries. The separator plate, of a non-conductive material, has a first and second side, each with a conductive coating which is not in electrical communication. A second switch means connects the two sides when placed in the "on" position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Inventor: Charles W. Ewing
  • Patent number: 4314317
    Abstract: A flashlight having side by side compartments for storage and a battery respectively. The battery compartment has partial dividers for confining the battery and leaving a space for a contact strip having a leg portion on which the battery sits. A snap in divider fits above the battery to hold a lamp, and the top of the contact strip is bent inwardly to make contact with the base of the lamp. Different color light transmitting caps can be put over the lamp so that the flashlight can be used for spectator voting or approval. Preferably different color caps can be kept in the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Inventor: Jerry A. Robson
  • Patent number: 4306277
    Abstract: A flashlight having an insertable probe contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Inventor: Egbert J. Bodde
  • Patent number: 4305118
    Abstract: A utility case for personal accessories and, in particular, for a lighter, a flashlight, and a measuring tape and which is distinctively made with a casing forming conveniently arranged compartments to replaceably fit modular accessory units therein. The casing includes a pair of upright compartments adjacent each other fore and aft of the casing and each having an open upper end. The modular flashlight unit and lighter unit removably fit in the upright compartments and have a switch and a flint wheel respectively which are arranged to be actuated by fore and aft motion of the same thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Inventor: Roland Paquette
  • Patent number: 4129899
    Abstract: A flashlight has a battery holder provided with battery leads and a lamp holder having lamp socket leads. A connection between the two holders permits the lamp holder to be burned on an axis at right angles to the axis of the lamp socket. The connection may be a shaft carrying the leads of one holder and contacts within the other holder and in engagement with the contacts of its leads or the connection may be externally of both holders with the contacts within it and holding the appropriate contacts in engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: George W. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 4122510
    Abstract: A flashlight in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a housing enclosing an insulating battery retaining member formed with spring arms for retaining a pair of batteries in spaced-apart relationship. Further included is a light bulb having a pair of leads extending therefrom and carried at one end of the housing with the leads each connected to a battery. Adjacent the opposite end of the housing a conductive switch member is frictionally retained on the positive post of one battery and extends between the battery retaining member and a flexible wall of the housing. The other end of the switch member is located adjacent a cutout portion of the battery retaining member which exposes a conductive surface of the other of the batteries so that when the flexible wall of the housing is pressed the other end of the switch wire contacts the other of the batteries completing a circuit between the batteries and the light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignees: S. Harry Fazzina, Roberta A. Fazzina
    Inventor: Richard L. Halliday, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4112482
    Abstract: A safety belt of reflective material having a side coupling, is provided with red or amber colored rear lamp and a red or white front lamp that is manually removable from the belt for use as a portable flashlight which is equipped with interchangeable reflective panes on the battery and light compartments, of different colors, such as red and white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1978
    Inventor: Virgil Powell