Patent Application
20200278104
The present invention relates generally to a flashlight and more generally relates to a flashlight in the shape of a cross.
Many people use flashlights in different capacities. In dark spaces, such as attics or crawlspaces, people use flashlights to illuminate the area. When the power goes out in a residence because of a storm or other power outage, a flashlight allows the occupants to navigate the house, read, and do other tasks. A camper uses a flashlight when the sun goes down to find their way and locate items in the dark of night.
The present invention is a new, useful flashlight that is in the shape of a cross. The flashlight has a main body, but also contains a first and second protrusion. The protrusions extend outwardly from the body, forming a cross shape with the light illuminating from the top.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a flashlight that includes a body with a first end and a second end. A first side protrusion extends outwardly from the body and a second side protrusion extends outwardly from another side of the body. A cover apparatus is engaged to the first end, and a button assembly is engaged to the second end. A light assembly is disposed within the body for projecting light outwardly from the first end of the body.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a first side protrusion that is generally circular and hollow and a second side protrusion that is generally circular and hollow.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a first side protrusion and a second side protrusion composed of plastic.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a first side protrusion and a second side protrusion composed of metal.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a light bulb, a light contact, and an electrical contact disposed on the second end, wherein the light bulb is electrically coupled to the light contact.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a light assembly includes a light bulb, a light contact, and an electrical contact, wherein the light bulb is electrically coupled to the light contact. A battery hays a first end and a second end, the first end is disposed adjacent the electrical contact and a biasing element is disposed adjacent the second side.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a metal wire with a first end engaged to the light contact and a second end engaged to the biasing element.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a generally circular, hollow body that includes a first end and a second end, and a generally circular, hollow first side protrusion extends outwardly from the body. A generally circular, hollow second side protrusion extends outwardly from the body, and a cover apparatus is engaged to the first end. A button assembly is engaged to the second end; and a light assembly disposed within the body for projecting light outwardly from the first end of the body.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a button assembly of a shape that corresponds to the shape of the body having a first position and a second position, wherein the first position activates a light and the second position deactivates a light.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes a generally circular, hollow body that includes a first end and a second end, a first side protrusion extends outwardly from the body disposed in closer proximity to the first end of the body than the second end of the body. A second side protrusion extends outwardly from the body disposed in closer proximity to the first end of the body than the second end of the body. A cover apparatus engaged to the first end, and a button assembly engaged to the second end. A light assembly disposed within the body for projecting light outwardly from the first end of the body.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion selectively secured to the body.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes the first side protrusion engaged to the body by an adhesive.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes the second side protrusion engaged to the body by an adhesive.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes the cover selectively secured to the first end of the body.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flashlight includes an LED bulb.
The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a flashlight is illustrated in
The first side protrusion 14 extends outwardly from the body 12 and the second side protrusion 16 extends outwardly from the body 12. The first side protrusion 14 and the second side protrusion 16 are preferably perpendicular to the body 12 of the flashlight 10. The first protrusion 14 is generally circular. Likewise, the second protrusion 16 is generally circular. The length of the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 16 is less than the length of the body. Preferably, the length of the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 16 is about half the length of the body 12. As shown in
The first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 16 can be solid, or alternatively, may have a hollow cavity and include an interior surface surrounding the cavity. The first protrusion 14 contains a first end and a second end. The second end is engaged to the body 12 and the first end contains an opening providing access to the cavity. Likewise, the second protrusion 16 contains a first end and a second end. The second end is engaged to the body 12 and the first end contains an opening providing access to the cavity. The first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 16 may be integral with the body 12 and potentially manufactured by an injection molding process. Alternatively, the first protrusion 14 and the second protrusion 16 are adhered to the body 12 by an adhesive or welded, if metal, to the body 12.
As illustrated in
In another alternative embodiment, each side of the body 12 contains an internally threaded bore, forming a first bore and a second bore. The second end of the first protrusion 14 contains external threads that correspond to the internal threads of the first bore of the body 12. The second end of the second protrusion 16 contains external threads that correspond to the internal threads of the second bore of the body 12. The first protrusion 14 is selectively secured to the first bore by rotating the first protrusion 14 within the first bore and mating the threads of the first protrusion 14 with threads of the first bore. The second protrusion 16 is selectively secured to the second bore by rotating the second protrusion 16 within the second bore and mating the threads of the second protrusion 16 with threads of the second bore. Selectively secured means the protrusion (14, 16) are not integral with the respective bore and the protrusions (14, 16) can be removed from the body 12 and inserted into the body 12.
A cover apparatus 18 is engaged to the first end of the body 12. The cover apparatus 18 is generally circular and has a diameter the same as or similar to the diameter of the body 12. The cover apparatus 18 has a first end and a second end and is generally hollow with an inner surface surrounding a cavity within the cover apparatus 18. The second end of the cover apparatus 18 is engaged to the first end of the body 12. Preferably, the second end of the cover apparatus 18 contains threads that correspond with threads on the first end of the body 12 for forming a selectively secured arrangement between the cover apparatus 18 and the body 12. The second end of the cover apparatus 18 may be externally threaded and the first end of the body 12 internally threaded. Alternatively, the second end of the cover apparatus 18 may be internally threaded and the second end of the body 12 externally threaded. In another alternative embodiment, the cover assembly 18 may be adhered to the first end of the body 12 by an adhesive or like means. The first end of the cover assembly 18 may contain a clear lens which fits within the inner surface of the cover assembly 18 or alternatively is engaged to the end portion of the first end of the cover assembly 18.
As illustrated in
The button assembly 20 is engaged to the second end of the body 12. The button assembly 20 has a first position, or “on” position, and a second position, or “off” position. The button assembly 20 is generally circular and having a diameter identical to or very similar to the diameter of the body 12. The button assembly 20 is engaged to the biasing element 32. The button assembly 20 has a first end and a second end and contains a button 38 on the second end. The first end of the button assembly 20 is engaged to the second end of the body 12. Preferably, the first end of the button assembly 20 contains threads that correspond with threads on the second end of the body 12 for forming a selectively secured arrangement between the button assembly 20 and the body 12. The first end of the button assembly 20 may be externally threaded and the second end of the body 12 internally threaded. Alternatively, the first end of the button assembly 20 may be internally threaded and the second end of the body 12 externally threaded. In another alternative embodiment, the button assembly 20 may be adhered to the second end of the body 12 by an adhesive or like means. The button 38 is engaged to the second end of the metal wire 36.
The second end of the metal wire 36 contacts the biasing element 32. As shown in
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
