Combination task lamp and flash light

Abstract

A single combination task lamp and flashlight instrument, providing separate flood and spot light beams, independently controlled in a three-state sequence by simple push button switches. The two kinds of light beams are produced by separate arrays of compact light emitting devices. both arrays are driven by a single, rechargeable battery powered electrical circuit that provides separate, regulated constant currents to the respective arrays of LEDs. The optics and electronics are constructed in a single, ruggedized, compact module. The module is enclosed within an elongated handle that positions the center of mass for optimum balance of the instrument and the control switches for convenient operation according to the sense of touch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other objects of the invention disclosed herein will be understood from the following detailed description read with reference to the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention. Structures appearing in more than one figure and bearing the same reference number are to be construed as the same structure.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a perspective view of a combination task lamp and flash light according to the present invention that provides both flood and spot light illumination;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a preferred configuration of light emitting assemblies and the directionality of their respective emissions of light;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a flood light pattern on a flat target surface at a nominal distance from the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the overlapping of beams of light from individual emitters;

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross section profile of a solid body lens for use with each light emitting device in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B illustrates an enlarged cross section of a portion of FIG. 4A to show detail thereof;

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross section profile of the solid body lens of FIG. 4A in assembly with a light emitting device assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an electrical circuit for use in the embodiment of FIG. 1 for powering and controlling the light outputs thereof;

FIG. 6A illustrates a first portion of a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6B illustrates a second portion of the schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of major parts and assemblies of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of a rearward side of a light emitting module of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of the forward side of the light emitting module illustrated in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C illustrates a perspective view of a basic module portion of the light emitting module appearing in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 8D illustrates a side cross section view of the light emitting module of the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a one embodiment of a handheld instrument 600 according to the present invention having a center of mass 602;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary use of the instrument 600 of FIGS. 9 and 10.

Claims

1. A hand held instrument, comprising: an elongated, tubular housing having first and second ends and a center of mass offset toward the first end;an electrical circuit disposed within the tubular housing and providing operative means of the instrument; andat least a first actuator for controlling first and second switch contacts and disposed on the surface of the housing intermediate the center of mass and the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second switch contacts of the at least a first actuator are connected in the electrical circuit of the instrument and operable in a first state to place the electrical circuit in an OFF condition when the first and second contacts are engaged.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument is a task lamp.

3. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument is configured for operation in at least first and second modes.

4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein the first and second modes include a first mode as a flood light and a second mode as a spot light.

5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein: the first actuator is a single pole single throw (SPST) switch having first and second contacts connected in the electrical circuit and a latching mechanism operable by an actuating member that is sequentially operable in first, second, and third states corresponding respectively to latched engagement, momentary disengagement, and latched disengagement of the first and second contacts.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein: the first state places the electric circuit in the OFF condition;the second state provides activation of the electric circuit in a momentary ON condition; andthe third state provides activation of the electric circuit in an ON condition.

7. The instrument of claim 6, wherein subsequent operation of the actuating member from the third state causes engagement of the first and second contacts and provides restoration of the first state of the electric circuit.

8. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the first actuator comprises: a single pole single throw (SPST) switch having normally open first and second contacts and a latching mechanism operable by an actuating member;wherein the SPST switch is connected in the electric circuit for activating at least a conducting path in the electric circuit.

9. The instrument of claim 8, wherein the electrical circuit produces no output when the SPST switch is in the first state.

10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument comprises a device for emitting directed energy in a controlled manner.

11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein further comprising a second actuator for controlling first and second contacts and disposed on the surface of the housing intermediate the center of mass and the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second contacts of the second actuator are connected in the electrical circuit of the instrument.

12. The instrument of claim 11, wherein the second actuator is operable in a subordinate relationship to the first actuator.

13. The instrument of claim 11, wherein the second actuator is operable to select one of at least first and second operating modes of the instrument.

14. The instrument of claim 13, wherein the first and second modes include a first mode as a flood light and a second mode as a spot light.

15. A handheld battery powered instrument, comprising: an elongated tubular housing having a central portion, the housing enclosing an electrical operating means of the instrument;at least one actuator for controlling the operating means, disposed on an external surface of the housing within the central portion and connected to the electrical operating means; anda center of mass of the instrument disposed within the central portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one actuator is disposed within a relief formed in the external surface of the housing, the relief having a substantially cylindrical cross section oriented approximately at a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one actuator is disposed nearer a first end of the central portion of the housing.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the center of mass is disposed nearer a second end of the central portion of the housing.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electrical operating means comprises: a task lamp having a first mode of operation as a flood lighting instrument and a second mode of operation as a spot lighting instrument; andat least one second actuator for selecting one or the other or both of the first and second modes.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each operation of the at least one second actuator causes a momentary closure of first and second contacts of the actuator, each momentary closure signaling a subsequent selection of the first and second modes.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the task lamp is operable for use as a club when the housing of the task lamp is grasped by the user's hand in position for operating the at least one actuator or the at least one second actuator.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, comprising: at least one battery disposed within the housing for supplying power to the operating means in the handheld instrument.