Patent Application
20110273870
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for directing a flashlight.
Flashlights are widely used in applications ranging from repair work in dark spaces, to camping, and in emergencies causing loss of power. A conventional flashlight is typically a cylindrically shaped tube with a lamp and reflector on one end capable of aiming light in a certain direction. A conventional flashlight is gripped by a user along the circumference of the cylinder and aimed by pointing the flashlight's reflector.
Conventional flashlights generally require a user to grasp a handle with one or more hands while directing the beam of light. Some flashlights are small and easy to hold, requiring only one hand to control them, while others are heavier and project a larger and brighter beam of light. These heavier flashlights may require a user to use both hands to guide the beam. In many cases the user deals with the difficulty by propping the flashlight along adjacent objects while simultaneously trying to aim the flashlight in the desired location and position. This is hardly an ideal situation as the typical cylindrical shape of many flashlights makes propping the flashlight difficult and unreliable.
There is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for supporting and directing a flashlight without requiring separate supports. Particularly desirable is an apparatus and method of attaching a flashlight to a user's clothing, allowing the flashlight to be carried by the user during periods of use and non-use.
The present invention provides for an efficient and convenient apparatus for directing a flashlight, particularly an apparatus that allows a user to direct a flashlight without requiring both hands. In an embodiment, the apparatus is capable of being efficiently and securely attached to the user's clothing and also allows deployment of the flashlight for use, and for storage when the flashlight is not in use.
According to an embodiment, an apparatus for directing a flashlight comprises: a base; a receptacle mechanically coupled to the base; a clip mechanically coupled to the opposite side of the base capable of securing the apparatus to an article of clothing; one or more hinges mechanically coupled to the base and receptacle, and optionally one or more straps mechanically coupled to the receptacle for attaching a flashlight to the receptacle. Such apparatus and related methods facilitate directing a flashlight's beam in front of a user while simultaneously securing the flashlight to a user's article of clothing.
Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below.
The present invention described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose several embodiments of the invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration and not as limits of the invention.
Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments.
In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
The present invention provides for an efficient and convenient apparatus for directing a flashlight, particularly an apparatus that directs a flashlight beam in front of a user. The apparatus of the invention may efficiently and securely attached an article of the user's clothing and is capable of deploying the flashlight when in use, or storing the flashlight when not in use. An embodiment allows a user to attach a conventional flashlight to the user's clothing and then direct the flashlight beam as needed or desired. The device or apparatus easily attaches to an article of clothing such as a shirt pocket, and is capable of accepting a wide variety of flashlight shapes and sizes.
In an embodiment, the apparatus generally comprises: a base; a receptacle mechanically coupled to the base; a clip mechanically coupled to the opposite side of the base permitting securing the device to an article of clothing; one or more hinges mechanically coupled to the base and receptacle, and optionally one or more straps mechanically coupled to the receptacle for attaching a flashlight to the receptacle.
By securing a flashlight to an article of clothing, the apparatus facilitates directing, carrying, and storing of a flashlight in a hands-free manner, allowing the user to use both hands for a task. The apparatus further provides a convenient method of storing the flashlight by pivoting the flashlight away when not in use while secured to the user's clothing.
According to an embodiment, the straps adjust to accommodate a variety of flashlight shapes and sizes. For example, using apparatus of the invention, a conventional flashlight, i.e. a cylindrically shaped flashlight, is placed on the receptacle and the straps are wrapped around the body of the flashlight, securing it in the receptacle. The receptacle straps may be adjusted based on the shape and dimensions of the flashlight. Exemplary designs of the adjustable receptacle straps include wide bands with reclosable ends, which may utilize hook and loop fabric sections. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the flashlight may be secured to the receptacle by a plurality of straps and a buckle.
Advantageously, the apparatus facilitates securing the flashlight to the user while simultaneously directing the flashlight's beam. Both of the user's hands are free to complete a task while the flashlight is in use. The apparatus may be easily secured to the user's clothing, allowing the flashlight to be stowed and carried when not in use.
As illustrated in
The base 101 is constructed to allow a user to secure the apparatus 100 to an article of clothing, e.g. inside a shirt pocket, collar or sleeve. The base 101 comprises a flat bar and may be formed from any suitably durable material. The base 101 may be any shape suitable for securing the apparatus 100 to an article of clothing. The base 101 may further optionally comprise a plurality of supports 102, which may comprise semicircular tabs. According to an exemplary embodiment, the base 101 and the plurality of supports 102 are formed as two discrete components, which are then mechanically coupled when forming the apparatus 100. The one or multiple components of the base 101 and plurality of supports 102 may be formed using any suitable methodology. In an exemplary embodiment, the components are formed by molding.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Cover 110 connects receptacle 106 to base 101. Hinge 111 connects base 101 to cover 110. Hinge 111 allows horizontal movement of cover 110. This also allows receptacle 106 to move horizontally because cover 110 is connected to receptacle 106 through hinge 109.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
When a user operates the apparatus 100, the receptacle 106 is capable of pivoting outward directing the flashlight in front of the user, e.g. perpendicular to the user's body. In an embodiment, the hinges 109 and 111 may comprise a ratchet disk or other assembly to allow the receptacle 106 to be secured in any pivoted position. When the flashlight is not in use it may be stowed by the user by pivoting receptacle 106 downward, i.e. parallel to the base 101.
Various modifications and alterations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein may be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be distributed across multiple locations.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
