Patent Application
20060238998
The present invention is directed to a singular device capable of numerous different functions in an attached, or assembled configuration, as well as when detached. More precisely, the present invention is directed to a device which is a combination of a flashlight and an audio component. As designed, the invention is directed toward a quick release and attachment mechanism such that the two main elements of the invention, the flashlight and the audio piece, may be readily disassembled and their use concurrently continued.
Flashlight and audio devices are known to typical individual as well as those skilled in the art. The existing devices, however, are lacking in their ability to sustain multi-functional use as either assembled pieces of the product or as separate detached modules. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,663, to Young describes a combination device that includes both a flashlight and a two way wireless radio. This invention, however, was extremely bulky and provided no description of nor any motivation for a detachable audio component which may be used independently from the flashlight portion of the invention. Moreover, both the flashlight and the radio of the Young invention relied upon the same power source, thereby vitiating any potential separate but concurrent use.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. D302,103 and D378,181, to Yuen, depict a combination radio and flashlight device. Although no written description is provided therein, both of these inventions purport to be combination devices, again using the same battery power source for flashlight and radio operation. In addition to this common power supply, neither patent includes any means or method by which the radio and the flashlight may be detached or used independently while separated.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. D489,703, to Tien, shows a combination device which appears to include a flashlight and radio. While this device does share some similarity of shape with the present invention, there is no similarity of function. The Tien invention also does not have any means for nor suggestion of separability. Similar to those patents described above, the Tien device also appears to rely upon a single power supply to power all the combined components of the invention and it is depicted as a device having a singular housing which is incapable of being detached to create two separately independent devices.
In addition to the discussion above, none of the previously known devices includes a belt clip for attachment to another article or for hands free use. This is primarily due to the larger size and bulky configuration of the preexisting devices, none of which are suited to the highly portable, yet versatile uses of the present invention. Moreover, with the exception of the Tien patent, none of the prior art devices includes a carabineer clip, again attesting to the efficient and compact configuration and size of the present invention.
What is needed is a combination flashlight and audio device which is designed for use as either an attached combination device, but which also may be detached for greater versatility with each of the detached components having its own independent power supply to enable concurrent yet independent use.
What is additionally desired is for the combination device to further include optional elements, such as a hands free clip, a compass and a carabineer ring clip.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device which is a combination of a flashlight and an audio device. A further object of the invention is to configure the combination device in such a manner that it is compact and yet that each of the included components is independently powered to permit their concurrent use in either the detached or the attached configuration of the invention. Yet another object of the invention is to build upon the compactness and separability of the components by the inclusion of clips, carabineer rings and other elements for the attachment of a component or of the entire combination device to another article. Lastly, an object of the invention is to include other related emergency or adventure related components, such as a compass, within or affixed to the invention.
Each of the above described objects is met by the present invention in its configuration of a combination flashlight and audio device. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an elongated body with the flashlight bulb and lense portion proximate one end and the audio component proximate the opposite end. The audio component would be generally round in this embodiment, with a section of its perimeter having a flange attachment with mating jaws and a release and attachment slide mechanism. This slide is used to lock the audio component to the assembly and in the unlocked position, to facilitate the detachment of same. The audio component further includes a power supply, in this case a set of disc shaped batteries. It would also include the various requisite controls for such a device, whether tuning, volume and the like for a radio or send, receive and other controls for a cellular telephone. The audio component may further include an external speaker in conjunction with or as an alternate to an headphone jack. In the preferred embodiment, the audio component lastly includes a clip on one side, such that it may be attached to the belt or a pocket of its user. The clip thereby permits hands free operation and is positioned whereby when the entire combination assembly is clipped to the user's belt, the flashlight may be oriented to project a beam forward, again to facilitate hands free operation of each of the light and audio source.
The generally rounded attachment flange of the audio component fits into a mating flange face of the flashlight portion of the combination device. In the preferred embodiment, the flashlight portion of the device is a streamlined elongated housing from which the bulb and/or light lense projects from one end. It may also include a compass on one of its external surfaces. The flashlight would incorporate an electrical circuit with a switch serving to close the circuit between the power supply and light so as to illuminate the light. The switch may be one of any type appropriate for operation of the flashlight, such as a pressure switch, a slide or a positive displacement type.
For increased functionality, the flashlight portion may further include some type of clip whereby it may be attached to another article. The most common means of clip would be the popular carabineer type of spring loaded key ring.
These and other aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present invention, and features and components thereof. With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the components of the present invention to form the apparatus as a whole, unless specifically described otherwise, such means are intended to at least encompass conventional fasteners such as machine screws, machine threads, snap rings, hose clamps such as screw clamps and the like, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Components may also be connected by friction fitting, snap fitting, adhesives, or by welding or deformation, if appropriate. Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for making components of the present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural or synthetic fibers, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing or production methods including casting, extruding, molding and machining may be used.
Any references to front and back, right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower, and horizontal and vertical are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present invention or its components to any one positional or spacial orientation.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an elongated body with the flashlight bulb and lense portion proximate one end and the audio component proximate the opposite end. Referring to
The audio enclosure of the preferred embodiment houses a radio and therefore also includes the various requisite controls for such a device, such as tuning controls 2b, volume control 2c and an headphone jack 2d. While not shown on these drawings of the preferred embodiment, the invention may further include an external speaker of the type well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the audio component lastly includes a clip 6 on one side, such that when separated from the flashlight body 7, it may be attached to the belt or a pocket of its user as depicted in
The generally rounded attachment flange face 2a of the audio component fits into a mating flange surface 7a of the flashlight body 7 of the combination device. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the flashlight body 7 of the device is a streamlined elongated flashlight housing la from which the bulb 9 and/or light lense projects from one end. It may also include a compass 10 on one of its external surfaces. The flashlight body 7 would incorporate an electrical circuit with a switch 11 serving to close the circuit between the power supply and light so as to illuminate the light or bulb 9. The switch 11 may be one of any type appropriate for operation of the flashlight, such as a pressure switch, a slide or a positive displacement type.
For increased functionality, the flashlight body 7 may further include some type of clip 12 whereby it may be attached to another article. The most common means of clip 12 would be the popular carabineer type of spring loaded key ring. Any other type of clip, key ring or attachment means, however, may be employed to achieve the flashlight body 7 attachment function if desired.
While the preferred embodiment depicts and describes the audio component as being a radio, the scope of the invention is not so limited. For example, among the known devices contemplated to be within the scope of the audio component 2 of the invention are a radio, cellular telephone, two way radio, cassette player, CD player, CD recorder, MP3 player, DVD player, DVD recorder or a digital audio recording and playback unit. Similarly, while the preferred embodiment describes a compass as a secondary functional piece of the invention, other pieces may be incorporated In or attached to the invention. These pieces or implements may include a screwdriver tip, an awl or other pointed tip, a writing implement, a knife implement a lighter or other igniting implement, or any other implement which may provide increased utility or functionality to the device.
Lastly, it is contemplated that any of the numerous generally flat surfaces of the invention are well suited for and may be utilized for the imprinting of graphical or advertising material for the purposes of advertising or promotion.
