Insulated Casing With Switch Between Fixed Conductors Patents (Class 362/204)
  • Patent number: 6679616
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: MOCAP, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph T. Miller
  • Patent number: 6644825
    Abstract: A nail-driving tool includes a body and an illumination device detachably mounted to the body. The body includes a plurality of engaging members formed thereon, and the illumination device includes a casing having an engaging groove for releasably engaging with one of the engaging members of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Hwai-Tay Lin
  • Patent number: 6623135
    Abstract: An illuminating writing instrument useful for persons afflicted with hypotonia comprises: (a) a housing having a lower end and an upper end; (b) a writing core located within the housing, wherein the writing core has a first end which extends beyond the lower housing end and a second end; (c) a head having a first head end which operatively interfaces the writing core second end, and a second head end; (d) a force applying member which is operatively associated with the head; and (e) an electrical circuit which comprises in electrical connection: (i) a power source, (ii) a first switch electrically operatively associated with the power source, (iii) a second switch which is operatively associated with the second head end, wherein the second switch is capable of generating a signal responsive to force being applied to the writing core first end, and (iv) a multicolor indicator operatively associated with the first and second switches and capable of receiving signals from the first and second switches
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jason L. Moss
  • Patent number: 6612715
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a conductive barrel, a lamp unit and a tail cap switch. The tail cap switch includes a tail cap member, a push button member movable relative to the tail cap member, a conductive biasing member, and a contact blocking member to control the moving range of the push button member. In practice, the tail cap member is adjustable relative to the barrel to one of a normally closed position, a normally open position, and a switch on/off position between the normally closed position and the normally open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Shiau
  • Publication number: 20030151916
    Abstract: A switch as for a flashlight selectively connects, for example, a solid state light source and a battery in the flashlight in circuit for causing the solid state light source to produce light. The switch comprises a pushbutton and a metal contact having a periphery that selectively contacts a housing, and a spring. Pressing the pushbutton moves the pushbutton and the metal contact to contact the housing. The metal contact may include a feature for centering the metal contact with respect to the pushbutton and thus with respect to the housing end. The switch may be disposed in a tail cap attached to a flashlight housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Robert A. Kline, Charles W. Craft
  • Patent number: 6585388
    Abstract: A ball pen including a light emitting device is provided. In the ball pen, a light emitting diode (LED) is enclosed in a figurine attached to the end of the ball pen and two electric wires are connected to the LED. One of the wires is connected to one electrode of a battery and the other is in contact with a cone-shaped spring positioned at the lower portion of the battery. The cone of the cone-shaped spring is pushed up by an ink cartridge, making the cone-shaped spring come into contact with one electrode of the battery, so that an electric current flows through a circuit including the battery and the LED, thereby illuminating the LED. A stick is firmly engaged with the push button member and thus, the push button member is pushed to make inclined surfaces of a cylinder-rotation sawtooth and an inclined protruding stopper, which are formed in a rotational cylinder, glide along the inclined surfaces of the cylinder-rotation side protrusions, thereby rotating the rotational cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Jin-woong Kim
  • Patent number: 6585391
    Abstract: A flashlight with unique flashlight electrical connections, including a switch structure featuring a switch requiring a small amount of force, and a short stroke distance to actuate, attached to a member on which a circuit adding additional functions to the flashlight may be located. The member has conductive springs attached to either end that are used to complete the electrical circuit with the battery and the lamp, while their compressive force is absorbed by a housing protecting the switch structure. A conductive strip is used to improve the conductivity of the circuit in a metal flashlight which has been provided with an electrically resistive protective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nordic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg W. Koch, Bruce K. Bangerter, Kevin E. Collier, Darrell B. Steinicke
  • Publication number: 20030095402
    Abstract: A nail-driving tool comprises a body and an illumination device detachably mounted to the body. The body comprises a plurality of engaging members formed thereon, and the illumination device comprises a casing having an engaging groove for releasably engaging with one of the engaging members of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Hwai-Tay Lin
  • Patent number: 6547414
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Wilfried Steger
  • Patent number: 6530672
    Abstract: A miniature flashlight consists of a housing, a light emitting diode (LED), a pair of batteries, and a flexible cover and a contact device that acts as both a momentary contact and a conventional switch. The LED is received in a seat formed in the housing with the head portion of the diode received in an aperture in the side wall of the housing. A longer contact arm is captured in a channel formed in the bottom wall. A shorter contact arm rests on a shoulder that forms part of the LED seat. A pair of coin cell batteries are received within another seat formed in housing. The lower battery sits on top of the longer contact arm captured in the channel of the bottom wall. A resilient plastic cover is assembled with the housing to maintain the diode and the batteries within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert D. Galli
  • Publication number: 20030039118
    Abstract: The portable lighting device of the present invention includes a casing defining a battery compartment. The battery compartment may be lined with a shock absorbing material and may be configured to receive a plurality of batteries arranged in at least two rows that are offset with respect to one another. The casing may define two support surfaces with one inclined with respect to the other. A battery cartridge may be used in the lighting device that has a pivoting handle to aid in removal of the cartridge from the battery compartment. A reflector isolator may also be employed to reduce mechanical shock transferred to the lamp. A lantern so constructed can withstand drops of up to 15 feet or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Scott W. Osiecki, Mark A. Ferguson, David A. Furth, Ronald J Kingston
  • Patent number: 6520660
    Abstract: A flashlight having a mechanism for preventing electrical contact members thereof from rusting comprises a battery frame including a plurality of slanted flexible bifurcation members for receiving one or more batteries, each bifurcation member having a recess proximate the electrode. In an unused position, batteries are disengaged from each other and from a bulb and a conductor coupled to bulb. While in use, by pushing a switch to hold bifurcation members upright in a secured position so.that batteries, bulb, and conductor are electrically coupled together with electrodes and a protuberance of conductor inserted through recesses, thereby forming a circuit from bulb to conductor via batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Chiu Ming Ho
  • Publication number: 20030016533
    Abstract: A security flashlight for emergency light situations, with a handgrip area, which area incorporates one or more radial pressure switches, which are activated between on and off positions by designated hand grip pressure, without longitudinal movement of the user's hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: John D. Forsythe
  • Publication number: 20020186560
    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: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: MAG INSTRUMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 6471366
    Abstract: An underwater light includes a sealed housing defined by a rigid portion and a flexible portion. The rigid portion incorporates a light transmission window. A light source is mounted in the housing to direct its light through the housing's window. Also mounted in the housing are a power source and an open electrical circuit coupling the power source to the light source. The open electrical circuit includes spaced-apart terminals that prevent electrical power from being delivered to the light source. One of the terminals is coupled to the flexible portion of the housing and is aligned with another of terminals. Flexing of the housing's flexible portion into the housing causes the terminals to contact one another so that electrical power can be delivered to the light source. For depth compensation, a non-compressible dielectric fluid fills the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Wes Hughson, Bill Olstad
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6354712
    Abstract: An inertially responsive switch for use in footwear for electrically connecting a battery with a light includes an electrically conductive ball mounted in a housing for rolling movement about an upright axis along which a pair of electrical terminals are spaced apart. When the ball contacts the terminals, an electrical current from the battery passes along the terminals and the ball in order to illuminate the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: E. S. Originals, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Anteby
  • 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: 6273586
    Abstract: A battery sleeve for flashlights including a cylindrical sleeve having an open first end and an open second end. The cylindrical sleeve has an elongated slot extending between the open first end and the open second end. The elongated slot allows for expansion of the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is dimensioned for receiving a pair of batteries therein. The cylindrical sleeve is dimensioned for being received within a flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Steve Schuloff
  • 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: 6206539
    Abstract: A flash light, which includes a barrel holding a battery set, and a lamp case and rim assembly, a holder shell mounted in the barrel at a front side, a lamp complete mounted in the holder shell assembly and forced backward by a spring, a switch mounted in the barrel and operated to turn on/off the lamp bulb of the lamp complete, wherein the lamp complete has a beveled stop edge at the expanded rear end thereof, and a stop flange backwardly extended from the expanded rear end; a focal length adjustment device is installed in the barrel around the button of the switch for adjusting the focal length of the flash light, the focal length adjustment device including a lower actuating member mounted around the button of the switch and having an actuating rod stopped at the beveled stop edge at the lamp complete, an upper actuating member coupled to the lower actuating member at a top side and having a lever for turning by hand to rotate the lower actuating member for enabling the lamp complete to be moved forwards/b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Kent Ko
  • Patent number: 6183105
    Abstract: A flashlight which includes a rechargeable battery and is loaded from the base of the body of the flashlight. The contacts are on the barrel of the flashlight and are for contact with the recharging device. On top of the battery there is a tangentially directed spring member for contacting a ring of the top contact of the battery and a permanently located stud member in the central location. An enlarged head is located between the intermediate portion which is located between the head and the barrel. The intermediate portion receives the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Parker
  • 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: 6126295
    Abstract: A ratcheting wrench, of the type having an elongated handle connected at one end by a neck to a ratchet head having a drive stem, has a manually selectively operable source of illumination contained in the handle and a fiber optic rod bundle contained in the a channel formed in the neck. The fiber optic rod bundle transmits light from the illumination source through the channel so that the transmitted light exits the wrench adjacent the drive stem in a beam which illuminates a lateral work area below and in axial alignment with the drive stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Alltrade Inc.
    Inventor: George Hillinger
  • Patent number: 6056415
    Abstract: A penlight constructed of materials including metal components having very low magnetic susceptibilities is described. The battery powering the penlight lamp is a lithium battery also constructed of materials having low magnetic susceptibilities. The penlight is particularly useful in the vicinity of the strong magnetic field of an MRI scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Minrad Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie B. Allred, III, Earl R. Holdren, III, Richard W. Mott, Charles L. Mozeko, Jack A. Belstadt, Jeffrey B. Mallon, Philip Wutz, Michael F. Pyszczek
  • Patent number: 5904414
    Abstract: A flashlight that includes a substantially watertight battery housing, a bulb mounted in a socket assembly, a reflector, and a lens covering a forward end of the reflector. A plurality of batteries are supported in the housing so that only if the batteries are correctly polarized will a circuit be completed to allow current from the batteries to energize the bulb. This reduces the emission of flammable gas or corrosive liquid from the batteries. A membrane seals a vent port in the battery housing and is made of a material that permits a flammable gas generated by the batteries within the housing to continuously escape from the housing through the membrane without permitting water to enter the housing through the membrane. Pellets are mounted inside the battery housing for neutralizing the effects of any flammable gas emitted within the battery housing that may have nevertheless been produced and not adequately vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Underwater Kinetics
    Inventors: William J. Monteleone, Alan K. Uke, Elmer F. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5816695
    Abstract: A candlestick type lamp has a base seat, a pipe, a plastic upper seat, a bulb, an extended conductive plate disposed in the pipe, and the conductive plate having a hook-shaped conductive plate and a lower disk end receiving a metal spring. The bulb has a screw base and a tip end. The plastic upper seat has an inner thread, a through hole, and an outer thread. The pipe has an inner threaded upper end engaging with the outer thread and a slide groove receiving the extended conductive plate. A cell is disposed between the metal spring and the tip end. The screw base engages with the inner thread. The hook-shaped conductive plate contacts the bottom of the screw base. The upper end of the conductive plate contacts a periphery of the screw base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Mei-Lu Lin
  • Patent number: 5752763
    Abstract: A light device includes a housing which has an end with a bulb mounting hole and a conductive plate around the bulb mounting hole, and a light bulb to extend through the bulb mounting hole. The light bulb has a base which includes a cylindrical contact portion and a tip contact portion. The cylindrical contact portion is free of screw threads and has an annular flange. A clamping member clamps the annular flange against the conductive plate so as to establish electrical connection between the light bulb and the conductive plate. The light bulb will not loosen upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Inventor: Hank Chiang
  • Patent number: 5632548
    Abstract: There is provided a pressure actuated light comprising a housing means having an open end into which a human digit can be inserted, and a closed end adapted to transmit light; and an illuminating system located proximally to said closed end, comprising a light source, e.g., LED, adjacent said closed end; a battery, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Roger C. Mayfarth
  • Patent number: 5601359
    Abstract: A flashlight is provided with a conductive casing and a resilient sleeve positioned on the conductive casing. The sleeve is mounted on the casing by conducting a flow of pressurized gas through the casing, aligning the sleeve with the rear end of the casing to inflate the sleeve, and then urging the sleeve onto the casing. The sleeve is configured to expose the forward end of the casing, which is threaded to rotatably engage a head assembly. The head assembly includes a spring positioned therein for mounting a conductive rim of a lamp socket in abutment with the forward end of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, John DiNenna, David A. Rufe
  • Patent number: 5550719
    Abstract: A screw driver with a flashlight comprising a grip having a driver hole for fixing a driver rod, a lamp base with a negative pole connected with a short wire with a spring to contact the negative pole of a battery and a positive pole connected with a bar, a lamp fixed in the top of the lamp base beside the driver rod, the lamp base fitted in a conducting groove provided lengthwise near a battery chamber in the grip, a button switch fixed in a male threaded end portion of a bottom cap, the male threaded portion engaging a female thread in a rear end of the grip to grip to assemble the bottom cap with the grip, and confining the lamp and its related components in the grip, and the button switch located in the bottom cap and able to be touched manually to turn on or off the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Shang-Tai Kuo
  • Patent number: 5422798
    Abstract: A switch for use in a flashlight assembly including a tubular body for containing or receiving a power source such as at least one battery. A light assembly including a light source coupled to one end of the body, and a switch assembly closing an opposite end of the body and moveable about a longitudinal axis of the body between at least a first position for placing the light source in electrical continuity with the power source and a second position breaking the electrical continuity between the light source and the power source. The switch includes a tubular housing detachably received in the opposite end of the body and having a detent extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof. The housing concentrically receives a neck portion of an end cap which closes the housing and forms one end of the flashlight. A pair of grooves, one on each side of a cantilevered spring in the neck portion, accepts the detent extending from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Osiecki, David A. Furth, Stephen M. Hale, K. W. Au
  • Patent number: 5406207
    Abstract: An improved testing structure is provided in a flashlight (or lantern) provided with an electrical continuity tester. The flashlight or lantern has an insulated body and a flashlight (or lantern) bulb and batteries in primary series circuit. The testing structure, which is formed in the flashlight (or lantern) body, includes a testing series circuit, which is electrically-coupled to the primary series circuit, and a testing site. The testing site includes a pair of converging, sloping, facing walls, separated by a floor, the floor being provided with a pair of spaced-apart channels. Two electrically-conductive strips of specifically-defined structure and orientation are provided within the testing site to repose within the pair of spaced-apart channels. The strips may be resiliently urged into coincident relationship with the walls of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Eugene D. Shershen
  • Patent number: 5392550
    Abstract: An internally mounted laser beam gun sight suitable for use in automatic pistols is provided by replacing the conventional recoil spring guide rod with a hollow tube having substantially the same exterior shape and dimensions, but containing a laser beam generation module, batteries and an on/off switch within its hollow bore. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow tube has two portions which are movable with respect to each other. A first portion contains the batteries and a second portion contains the laser module. An insulated bushing containing a central electrical contact is located between the two portions. In the preferred embodiment, the central contact forms part of an internal electrical switch which is activated by relative motion of the first and second portions of the guide tube to turn the laser beam on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventors: Larry Moore, Keith D. Halsey
  • Patent number: 5262728
    Abstract: An improvement is provided in a combination flashlight (or lantern)/continuity tester having an insulated body and a (flashlight) bulb and batteries in series circuit. The improved tester, which is formed in the flashlight (or lantern) body, includes an entry site of a particular configuration into the interior of the body. The testing means includes a pair of electrically-conductive strips, each strip having a contact portion, adjacent to the body entry site and penetrating into the interior of the body. Each strip is also in electrical contact with the series circuit. The shape of the entry site is such as to guide terminals of the circuit element being tested into contact with respective ones of the strips. The electrical continuity of a fuse or light bulb is determined by the lighting of the bulb being tested and/or by the lighting of the lamp bulb of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Eugene D. Shershen
  • 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: 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: 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: 5021929
    Abstract: A battery powered flashlight includes a housing defining an interior cavity which supports an internal battery power source and flashlight bulb in operative communication with a movable switch also supported upon the housing. The housing further defines an opening and a generally parabolic reflector communicating the output light of the flashlight bulb to the housing opening. A simulated toy figure is joined to and appears to extend from the upper portion of the housing and supports a miniature replica of the flashlight. A curved light transmissive light pipe is coupled between the miniature light replica and the flashlight bulb in an optical coupling which permits a portion of the flashlight bulb output energy to be coupled through the light pipe and directed outwardly from the miniature flashlight to produce a secondary light beam. Movable colored filters are supported within the housing to permit coloration of the light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Armen Danielian
  • Patent number: 5008785
    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 recharging the chargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph E. Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • 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: 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: 4722036
    Abstract: A flashlight employing a battery casing, switching means and a lens and reflector unit, said battery casing adapted to accommodate one or more cells and having a single conductive coil spring member for providing an electrical path from a terminal of a cell disposed near the bottom of the casing to the open end area of the casing where the spring can electrically contact a terminal on the switch means or a terminal on the lamp of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company
    Inventor: Kenneth T. Hastings
  • 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: 4680682
    Abstract: A waterproof flashlight in which there is utilized a lens housing movably mounted on a tubular barrel. Within the tubular barrel is located one or more batteries and also a light bulb with the light bulb to emit light through the lens housing. An elastomeric seal is to be located between the lens housing and the tubular barrel to prevent entry of water within the tubular barrel. A switch assembly is to be mounted on the tubular barrel which when moved will activate and deactivate the light bulb. The switch assembly includes a magnetically sensitive reed switch assembly mounted within the tubular barrel. This reed switch assembly is to be activated by a movable magnet mounted on the exterior surface of the tubular barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventor: David H. Parker
  • Patent number: 4600977
    Abstract: The surveillance signal apparatus is preferably provided a signal lamp, as an illuminated switch or as an illuminated key. It comprises a casing with electrical and electronic connections and with an apparatus heat disengageably disposed at the casing. The apparatus head comprises a signal part provided with electric voltage and preferably an illuminating element. A voltage limiter and a current limiter are disposed in an explosion-proof and pressure tight encapsulated space of the casing and they are electrically predisposed to the signal part in the apparatus head via a feed part. The apparatus head with the signal part and the feed part are formed by the output of the voltage limiter and by the output of the current limiter as an explosion protection self safety unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Reinhold Barlian
    Inventors: Reinhold Barlian, Martin Fischle, Karl-Heinz Lux
  • Patent number: 4596239
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved light source for illuminating examining devices, particularly medical devices such as laryngoscopes. The light source comprises an electrically conducting light bulb holder with a longitudinal passageway therethrough, a light bulb with two depending electrodes snugly positioned in one end of the passageway with a portion of the light generation means extending out of the passageway, a non-conducting insert also having a longitudinal passageway telescopicly interfitting into the other end of the passageway and urging one of the electrodes disposed between the insert and the bulb holder into electrical contact with the latter and an electrically conducting rivet or plug snugly interfitting the exposed longitudinal end of the passage was in the insert and electrically contacting the second electrode disposed within said insert passageway and forming a terminal for the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: General Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Bauman
  • Patent number: 4581686
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flashlight assembly having a rotatable head which acts as a switch mechanism for turning the light on or off.The flashlight has an elongated metal housing, and the rotatable head is also made of metal. A spacer member made of an electrical insulating material is securely attached to the head member. The spacer member threadedly engages threads formed on the housing. Thus, there is normally no electrical continuity between the metal head member and the metal housing. However, when the head member is rotated in a tightening direction, a flat annular face on the head member comes into mating engagement with a similar face on the housing, thus establishing electrical continuity between those two members and completing the internal electrical circuit of the flashlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4544990
    Abstract: An illuminating telescopic device is described for use in a wide variety of applications, such as a signalling device, a conventional flashlight, an indicating light, a play light, and the like. The illuminating telescopic device includes one or more light transmissive extensible elements having a combined length greater than the length of its associated housing, so as to provide an effective signalling device when in use, while being compactly portable when stored within its housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Inventors: Alex Wieselman, Leonard D. Prince
  • Patent number: 4517499
    Abstract: A reusable light comprising a housing configured to operatively retain a voltage source therein having an extended bulb assembly mounted on one end thereof and a switch pivotally mounted on the opposite end thereof, the extended bulb assembly comprises an elongated hollow sleeve having a mounting member attached on one end thereof to attach the extended bulb assembly to the housing and a bulb housing having a light source disposed therein attached to the opposite end thereof, a first conductor including a first and second conductor element extending substantially the length of the flexible light coupled to the light source, a second conductor disposed within the hollow sleeve being coupled to another portion of the light source and a removable cap to selectively house the extended bulb assembly, the switch movable to operatively engage the first conductor means to selectively close the circuit and activate the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Key Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Saron