Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6231207
-
Patent Number
6,231,207
-
Date Filed
Monday, April 26, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 15, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- O'Shea; Sandra
- Zeade; Bertrand
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 362 158
- 362 184
- 362 194
- 362 238
- 362 239
- 362 250
- 362 202
- 362 800
- 362 188
- 362 186
- 362 190
- 362 240
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A flashlight including a hollow translucent member with one or more end caps is disclosed. Each end cap may include an LED, LED carrier, LED carrier socket, battery, switch, electrical coupling between the battery and switch. Each end cap may be reversible or have a plurality of LED carrier sockets facilitating configuration as a flashlight or lamp. The flashlight lamp operates in a flashlight mode when configured with one or more LEDs directing light away from the flashlight lamp. The flashlight lamp operates as a lamp when configured to emit light from within the hollow translucent member. The flashlight lamp may be configured to operate as both a flashlight and a lamp. The flashlight lamp may be watertight.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of hand-held light sources. More particularly, this invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) flashlight lamp.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of hand-held light sources which utilize LEDs, there are many devices with various applications including flashlights, signal sticks and lighted wands. Some devices provide omni-directional lighting for illuminating a region around the device in a fashion similar to a lamp. Other devices provide focused, concentrated or directional lighting for illuminating small regions or objects like a flashlight. Still other devices are used for signaling remote persons where neither omni-directional nor concentrated lighting is of importance.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,695 to Lin et al. discloses a signal stick including a handle enclosing dry-cell batteries, a connector with a circuit board mechanically and electrically connected to one end of the handle, a transparent sleeve connected to the connector and an inner tube mounted within the sleeve. The transparent inner tube supports three rows of LEDs, each row being of a different color (i.e., yellow, green and red). The Lin et al. signal stick has end caps but they are not reversible. The Lin et al. device is used to hand-signal traffic in combination with various combinations of the LEDs for visibility. The Lin et al. device does not provide light for use by the user, but rather for visibility during signaling to others.
Similar examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,423 to Lee and U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,568 to Dong et al. which disclose a hand-carried traffic control lights including a cylindrical handle holding batteries, a multi-stage switch cap, a longitudinal LED carrier extending from the handle and coupled to the batteries through the switch cap. The Lee apparatus includes a colored reflecting tube surrounding the LED carrier and an external tube surrounding the color reflecting tube. The Dong et al. device does not have an inner colored reflecting tube. Both devices have a conventional incandescent bulb mounted in an end cap for directional lighting.
None of the above patents appear to disclose an apparatus capable of being configured to operate as a lamp, a flashlight or both, wherein the apparatus is also watertight. It is desirable to have a lightweight device suitable for use in unlighted environments (e.g., in a tent at night, in a cave, in a dark room, etc.) that would provide light. Thus, there is a need in the art for a flashlight lamp.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a flashlight lamp. An embodiment of a flashlight lamp includes a hollow translucent cylindrical member with one closed end and one open end, wherein the open end has an end cap securely disposed therein. An end cap includes an LED and battery. An end cap may also include an LED carrier, one or more LED carrier sockets and a switch. The end cap may be reversible to allow configuration as a flashlight or lamp.
Another embodiment of a flashlight lamp includes a hollow translucent cylindrical member with two open ends, wherein each end includes an end cap. An end cap may be threadedly coupled to the inside or outside of the hollow translucent member. Alternatively, an end cap may be slidably coupled to the inside, outside or within the hollow translucent member.
These embodiments and attendant advantages of the invention will be readily understood by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which illustrate what is currently regarded as the best mode for carrying out the invention, and in which like reference numerals refer to like parts in different views or embodiments:
FIG. 1
is a side view an embodiment of a flashlight lamp in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2
is a side view of another embodiment of a flashlight lamp in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 3
is a side view of yet another embodiment of a flashlight lamp in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 4
is a side view of yet still another embodiment of a flashlight lamp in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 5
illustrates a cross-sectional view of one end of a flashlight lamp wherein an end cap is shown threadedly engaged with the inside of a cylindrical member;
FIG. 6
illustrates a cross-sectional view of one end of a flashlight lamp wherein an end cap is shown threadedly engaged with the outside of a cylindrical member;
FIG. 7
illustrates a cross-sectional view of one end of a flashlight lamp wherein an end cap is shown slidably engaged with the inside of a cylindrical member;
FIG. 8
illustrates a cross-sectional view of one end of a flashlight lamp wherein an end cap is shown slidably engaged with the outside of a cylindrical member;
FIG. 9
illustrates a cross-sectional view of one end of a flashlight lamp wherein an end cap is shown slidably engaged within an end of a cylindrical member; and
FIG. 10
illustrates a front view of a flashlight lamp in accordance with this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description discloses various embodiments of a flashlight lamp.
FIG. 1
is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a flashlight lamp
11
in accordance with this invention. This embodiment of a flashlight lamp
11
includes a hollow translucent cylindrical member
12
with a closed end
14
, an open end
16
, an inner wall
18
and an outer surface
20
. Hereinafter the terms “hollow translucent cylindrical member” and “cylindrical member” will be used synonymously. The cylindrical member
12
may be formed of a plastic or plastic-like material, such as but not limited to DACRON, TEFLON, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and NYLON. The cylindrical member
12
may be clear or colored. Furthermore, the cylindrical member
12
may include a means for dispersing light, emanating from within, in virtually every direction externally. Such light dispersing means may be a property of the material from which the cylindrical member is formed. The light dispersing means may be one or more light reflecting objects (not shown) within the inner cavity
22
. Alternatively, the light dispersing means may be a coating of light dispersing material on either the inner wall
18
, or the outer surface
20
, or both. The closed end
14
may be formed of the same material as the rest of the cylindrical member
12
, i.e., integrally formed with the cylindrical member
12
and analogous to the bottom of a cup. The closed end
14
may be a plug formed in one of two open ends of the tubular cylindrical member
12
. Alternatively, the closed end
14
may comprise a material that reflects internally incident light back into the inner cavity
22
within the cylindrical member
12
.
The open end
16
is shown with an end cap
24
securely disposed within the open end
16
of the cylindrical member
12
. The end cap
24
includes an LED
26
which may be mounted in an LED carrier
28
and a battery
30
. The end cap
24
may have a switch (not shown) for selectively energizing the LED
26
. Such a switch may, for example and not by way of limitation, be a rocker switch, a multi-position slider switch, a rotational switch or a push-button switch. The end cap
24
is shown with the LED
26
directing light in a direction along the axis (see dotted line
27
) of the flashlight lamp
11
and in a direction outward from (see arrow
29
) the flashlight lamp
11
. In this configuration, the flashlight lamp
11
operates like a flashlight with a focused beam directed by the user. The end cap
24
may be reversible. With the end cap
24
reversed, light from the LED
26
is directed into the inner cavity
22
, whereupon light may pass through the translucent cylindrical member
12
, thus operating like a lamp or omni-directional light source. Alternatively, the end cap may have LED carrier sockets (not shown) in which an LED carrier
28
may be placed on either side of said end cap
24
or both.
The LED
26
may be any LED that emits light in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, i.e., wavelengths from approximately 390 nm to approximately 770 nm. Table 1 below, lists exemplary semiconductor materials for visible LEDs suitable for use in this invention.
TABLE 1
|
|
Semiconductor Material for Visible LED
Color Band
|
|
gallium nitride (GaN)
Violet
|
gallium arsenide - phosphor (GaAs-
Blue
|
Phosphor)
|
zinc sulphide (ZnS)
Blue
|
silicon carbide (SiC)
Blue
|
gallium phosphide doped with nitrogen
Green
|
(GaP:N)
|
Ga
.14
P
.86
Yellow
|
Ga
.35
P
.65
Orange
|
GaP:ZnO
Red
|
Ga
.6
P
.4
Red
|
|
The materials listed in Table 1 are exemplary only and not intended to be an exhaustive list of suitable materials for a visible LED.
The battery
30
may be formed of any conventional technology such as, for example, lithium ion, nickel-metal-hydride, nickel-cadmium, or alkline. Lithium ion is currently the preferred technology for the battery
30
because of its high energy density. The battery
30
may be rechargeable or disposable. The battery
30
may be
25
replaceable individually, or integrated with an end cap
24
and/or an LED carrier
28
.
The battery
30
may be comprised of more than one battery. For example, if a particular LED requires 6 volts to operate properly, two batteries in series, each battery nominally delivering 3 volts with sufficient current would suffice as a battery
30
in accordance with this invention.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a flashlight lamp
40
is illustrated. This embodiment includes a hollow translucent cylindrical member
22
with a first end
44
, a second end
46
, an inner wall
18
and an outer surface
20
. The cylindrical member
42
is formed of a plastic or plastic-like material, similar to those as detailed for the flashlight lamp
11
above. The cylindrical member
42
may be clear or colored. Furthermore, the cylindrical member
42
may include a means for dispersing light emanating from within in virtually every direction externally. Such light dispersing means may be a property of the material from which the cylindrical member is formed. The light dispersing means may be one or more light reflecting objects (not shown) within the inner cavity
22
. Alternatively, the light dispersing means may be a coating of light dispersing material on either the inner wall
18
, or the outer surface
20
, or both.
The embodiment of a flashlight lamp
40
illustrated in
FIG. 2
also includes two end caps
24
each disposed within, and secured to, the first end
44
and to the second end
46
, respectively. The two end caps
24
are substantially identical and interchangeable, i.e., each end cap
24
is configured to couple either to the first end
44
or to the second end
46
of the cylindrical member
22
. End caps
24
may have different colors, finishes or other aesthetic appearance from one another. Each end cap
24
includes an LED
26
, which may be mounted in an LED carrier
28
, and a battery
30
. Each end cap
24
may have a switch (not shown) for selectively energizing each LED
26
. Each end cap
24
may be reversible. In the embodiment of a flashlight lamp
40
illustrated in
FIG. 2
, each LED
26
directs light along the axis
27
of the flashlight lamp
40
in directions away from
29
the flashlight lamp
40
. In this configuration, the flashlight lamp
40
may operate a dual-direction flashlight if both LED's
26
are energized. Alternatively, a single LED
26
may be energized and the flashlight lamp
40
operates like a flashlight.
FIG. 3
illustrates an alternate configuration of the flashlight lamp
40
b
illustrated in FIG.
2
. In the flashlight lamp
40
b
, each end cap
24
is reversed, whereby light from one or both LEDs
26
may be switchably energized, directing light into (see arrows
31
) the inner cavity
22
thus, operating as a lamp. In this alternate configuration, two levels of light intensity are possible: a low intensity, where one LED is energized and a high intensity, where both LEDs are energized.
FIG. 4
illustrates a variation on the configurations illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3
. The flashlight lamp
40
c
of
FIG. 4
includes one end cap
24
with LED
26
directing light outward
29
, and the other end cap
24
with LED
26
directing light inward
31
. With both LEDs
26
energized in this variation, the flashlight lamp
40
c
operates as both a lamp and a flashlight. Where only one LED
26
is energized, the flashlight lamp
40
c
operates as a flashlight or a lamp depending on the direction of the single LED
26
.
FIG. 5
illustrates a cross-section of one end
53
of a flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
b
and
40
c
, wherein an end cap
54
is threadedly engaged
51
with the inner wall
18
of a cylindrical member
52
. The terms “threadedly engaged
51
” and “threaded engagement
51
” are used synonymously herein. End
53
may be an open end
16
of a cylindrical member
12
as shown in FIG.
1
. Alternatively, end
53
may be one end of a cylindrical member
42
as illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4
. End cap
54
includes a battery
30
, at least one LED carrier socket
56
(two are shown), one LED carrier
28
, at least one switch
58
(two are shown) and electrical coupling
60
between the battery
30
and switch
58
. A filter
66
or light dispersing means
68
may be placed inside the cavity
22
of the cylindrical member
52
between the LED
26
and the inner wall
18
when the flashlight lamp
11
,
40
b
and
40
c
is configured as a lamp. The threaded engagement
51
may be a water tight seal, such as a labyrinth seal.
The end cap
54
may include means for threadedly engaging
62
the end cap
54
with the cylindrical member
52
. Such means for threadedly engaging
62
may be slots or holes in the end cap
54
for placing digits (or any special tool, such as a spanner, wrench, screwdriver, etc.) against and rotating. The means for threadedly engaging
62
allows the user to remove or secure the end cap
54
as necessary. The end cap
54
may be reversible such that if only one LED
26
and LED carrier
28
are provided, the end cap
54
may be reversed to change from flashlight configuration to lamp configuration and vice versa. LED carrier
28
may have a notch
64
(a plurality of which are shown) for use with a lever (not shown) to allow disengaging from the LED carrier socket
56
.
FIG. 6
illustrates an alternative cross-section of one end
70
of a flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
b
and
40
c
, wherein an end cap
74
is threadedly engaged
51
with the outer surface
20
of a cylindrical member
72
. End
70
may be an open end
16
in a cylindrical member
12
as shown in FIG.
1
. Alternatively, end
70
may be one end of a cylindrical member
42
as illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4
. End cap
74
includes a battery
30
, at least one LED carrier socket
56
(two are shown), one LED carrier
28
, at least one switch
58
(two are shown) and electrical coupling
60
between the battery
30
and switch
58
. A filter
66
or light dispersing means
68
may be placed inside the cavity
22
of the cylindrical member
52
between the LED
26
and the inner wall
18
when the flashlight lamp
11
,
40
b
and
40
c
is configured as a lamp. The threaded engagement
51
may be a watertight seal, such as a labyrinth seal. The threaded engagement
51
may also include an O-ring
77
to effect a watertight seal.
The end cap
74
may include means for threadedly engaging
62
the end cap
74
with the cylindrical member
72
. Such means for threadedly engaging
62
may be knurling or slots along the outer surface
79
of the end cap
74
for increasing friction when rotationally engaging and disengaging the end cap
74
from the cylindrical member
72
. The means for threadedly engaging
62
allows the user to remove or secure the end cap
74
as necessary.
FIG. 7
illustrates yet another alternative cross-section of one end
80
of a flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
b
and
40
c
, wherein an end cap
84
is slidably engaged
81
with the inner wall
18
of a cylindrical member
82
. End
80
may be an open end
16
of a cylindrical member
12
as shown in FIG.
1
. Alternatively, end
80
may be one end of a cylindrical member
42
as illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4
. The slidable engagement
81
may form a watertight seal between the inner wall
18
of the cylindrical member
82
and the end cap
84
. Cylindrical member
82
may include an integral rib
83
along the inner wall
18
to act as a stop when the end cap
84
is inserted (see arrow
87
) into cylindrical member
82
. End cap
84
may have a means for removing (see arrow
89
for direction of removal) the end cap
84
from the cylindrical member
82
once inserted. Such means for removing (not illustrated for clarity) may be a ring, pull tab or other similar means as is well known to one of skill in the art. The end cap
84
may be reversible such that if only one LED
26
and LED carrier
28
are provided, the end cap
84
may be reversed to change from flashlight configuration to lamp configuration and vice versa. The end cap
84
may have a lid
86
which provides access to a battery compartment
88
. The lid
86
may also have a watertight seal between the lid
86
and the end cap
84
. Furthermore, the lid
86
may have notches
83
or other similar means for engaging and disengaging the lid
86
from the end cap
84
.
FIG. 8
illustrates still yet another alternative cross-section of one end
90
of a flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
b
and
40
c
, wherein an end cap
94
is slidably engaged
91
with the outer surface
20
of a cylindrical member
92
. End
90
may be an open end
16
of a cylindrical member
12
as shown in FIG.
1
. Alternatively, end
90
may be one end of a cylindrical member
42
as illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4
. End cap
94
includes a battery
30
, at least one LED carrier socket
56
(two are shown), one LED carrier
28
, at least one switch
58
(two are shown) and electrical coupling
60
between the battery
30
and switch
58
. A filter
66
or light dispersing means
68
may be placed inside the cavity
22
of the cylindrical member
92
between the LED
26
and the inner wall
18
when the flashlight lamp
11
,
40
b
and
40
c
is configured as a lamp. The slidable engagement
91
may form a watertight seal between the inner wall
18
of the cylindrical member
92
and the end cap
94
. The threaded engagement
91
may also include an O-ring
77
to effect a watertight seal.
FIG. 9
illustrates another variation of a cross-section of an end
100
of a flashlight lamp
10
,
40
,
40
b
and
40
c
, wherein an end cap
104
is slidably engaged
101
within a cylindrical member
102
. The slidable engagement
101
is shown as a circular tongue and groove. End
100
may be an open end
16
of a cylindrical member
12
as shown in FIG.
1
. Alternatively, end
100
may be one end of a cylindrical member
42
as illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4
. End cap
104
includes a battery
30
, at least one LED carrier socket
56
(two are shown), one LED carrier
28
, at least one switch
58
(two are shown) and electrical coupling
60
between the battery
30
and switch
58
. A filter
66
or light dispersing means
68
may be placed inside the cavity
22
of the cylindrical member
92
between the LED
26
and the inner wall
18
when the flashlight lamp
11
,
40
b
and
40
c
is configured as a lamp. The slidable engagement
101
may form a watertight seal between the inner wall
18
of the cylindrical member
102
and the end cap
104
. The threaded engagement
101
may also include an O-ring
77
(not shown) to effect a watertight seal.
FIG. 10
illustrates a front view of a flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
c
,
53
and
80
in accordance with this invention. The flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
c
,
53
and
80
of
FIG. 10
shows the end cap
24
,
44
,
54
and
84
secured within an end of the flashlight lamp
11
,
40
,
40
c
,
53
and
80
. End cap
24
,
44
,
54
and
84
may include an external switch
58
as shown.
Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the invention is not limited to these described embodiments. Rather, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a person skilled in the art may combine any of the features illustrated or described in a given embodiment above in another embodiment which may not have such feature illustrated or described.
All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A flashlight lamp, comprising:a hollow translucent cylindrical member including a closed end, at least one open end, an inner wall and an outer surface; an end cap capable of watertight seal against said at least one open end including a light emitting diode (LED) having two configurations, said first configuration capable of providing directional lighting along the axis of said hollow translucent cylindrical member and in a direction away from said hollow translucent cylindrical member and said second configuration capable of providing omni-directional lighting from light emanating within said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 2. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said closed end comprises a plug.
- 3. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said closed end comprises an integrally sealed end formed in said hollow translucent member.
- 4. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, further comprising a light dispersing means within said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 5. The flashlight lamp of claim 4, wherein said light dispersing means is a colored translucent cylindrical filter within said hollow translucent cylindrical member for coloring and dispersing light emanating from within said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 6. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said end cap further comprises: at least one battery for providing electrical energy to energize said LED; and a switch for selectively coupling said battery to said LED.
- 7. The flashlight lamp of claim 6, wherein said switch is selected from the group comprising rocker, slider, rotational and push-button.
- 8. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said end cap screws into threads formed within said inner wall toward said open end of said hollow translucent cylindrical member providing a watertight seal between said end cap and said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 9. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said end cap screws onto threads formed on said outer surface toward said open end of said hollow translucent cylindrical member providing a watertight seal between said end cap and said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 10. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said end cap press-fits against said inner wall toward said open end of said hollow translucent cylindrical member providing a watertight seal between said end cap and said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 11. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said end cap press-fits against said outer surface toward said open end of said hollow translucent cylindrical member providing a watertight seal between said end cap and said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 12. The flashlight lamp of claim 1, wherein said end cap press-fits within a slot formed within said hollow translucent cylindrical member at said open end providing a watertight seal between said end cap and said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 13. A flashlight lamp, comprising:a hollow translucent cylindrical member having a first end and a second end; a first end cap and a second end cap, said first end cap coupled to said first end and said second end cap coupled to said second end, both end caps being substantially identical and interchangeable and including at least one light source mounted therein.
- 14. The flashlight lamp of claim 13, wherein said hollow translucent cylindrical member disperses light, emanating from within, omni-directionally.
- 15. The flashlight lamp of claim 13, wherein said hollow translucent cylindrical member is formed of a plastic-like material.
- 16. The flashlight lamp of claim 15, wherein said plastic material is selected from the group consisting of DACRON, TEFLON, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and NYLON.
- 17. The flashlight lamp of claim 13, wherein each of said two end caps is reversible.
- 18. The flashlight lamp of claim 13, wherein each of said two end caps further comprise:at least one light emitting diode (LED); at least one battery; and a switch electrically coupling the at least one LED to the at least one battery for selectively energizing said at least one LED.
- 19. The flashlight lamp of claim 18, wherein said at least one LED emits light along the axis of said hollow translucent cylindrical member and in a direction away from said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 20. The flashlight lamp of claim 18, wherein said at least one LED emits light along the axis of said hollow translucent cylindrical member and into said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
- 21. The flashlight lamp of claim 18, wherein said at least one battery is selected from the group consisting of alkaline, nickel-metal-hydride and lithium ion.
- 22. The flashlight lamp of claim 13, wherein each of said two end caps further includes two sockets for mounting an LED carrier, each socket disposed at opposite sides of each of said two end caps.
- 23. The flashlight lamp of claim 13, further comprising means for dispersing longitudinally directed light from an LED omni-directionally.
- 24. The flashlight lamp of claim 23, wherein said means for dispersing longitudinally directed light from an LED omni-directionally is a colored translucent cylindrical filter within said hollow translucent cylindrical member for coloring and dispersing light emanating from within said hollow translucent cylindrical member.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1494088 |
Jul 1967 |
FR |