The present invention relates to a pocket tool having a flashlight. In particular, the present invention relates to a pocket tool having a number of folding ancillary tools and a spring activated flashlight that may be automatically activated upon deployment.
Pocket tools such as folding knives typically include a handle and one or more ancillary tools, such as a blade, pivotally attached to the handle. The ancillary tools have a compact, closed position and an extended, open position and may have the capability of being locked into the open position. A user opens an ancillary tool by grasping the tool or pushing a knob protruding from the tool in order to rotate the tool into the open position.
Due to the many features available on such pocket tools, such as knives, screwdrivers, scissors and the like, many users carry such a tool at all times and use it under many conditions. One such condition may be in low light conditions in which it would be desirable to have a flashlight attached to the pocket tool. One such design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,277 to Dallas.
One challenge presented by current pocket tools having a light source is that the light source is not well suited to light the ancillary tool that is in use. Even if the light source is oriented to shine in the direction of the ancillary tool, it may be obscured by the user's hand, thus reducing the effectiveness of the light source.
Another design challenge presented by a pocket tool having a flashlight is the efficiency of opening and activating the flashlight. It is advantageous to have the flashlight stowed in the pocket tool handle when not in use so that the tool may be more efficiently carried. However, when the flashlight is desired, a user may wish to easily and quickly activate the flashlight. Conventional approaches requiring the user to manually unfold the flashlight from the handle and further activate a switch to turn on the flashlight are time consuming and may be awkward if the user is already engaged in utilizing one of the other ancillary tools.
Another challenge presented in the design of a pocket tool with a flashlight is providing light to all desired areas, especially if those areas are not proximate to one another. Typical flashlight designs have a single bulb that only directs light in a single direction when activated.
Accordingly, there is a need for a pocket tool that includes a light source that may be efficiently deployed and activated. Further, there is a need for a light source that is configured to shine in the desired direction without being obscured by the user's hand or other portions of the tool. Further still, there is a need for a light source on a pocket tool that is configured to light multiple areas when activated.
It would be desirable to provide a system and/or method that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs.
The invention relates to a pocket tool having a handle and at least one ancillary tool coupled to the handle. A flashlight is coupled to the handle and the flashlight has a first light source directed in a first direction and a second light source directed in a second direction.
The invention further relates to a pocket tool having a handle, an ancillary tool coupled to the handle, and a flashlight coupled to the handle. The flashlight has a closed position and an open position. The tool further has a means for biasing the flashlight into the open position, coupled between the handle and the flashlight, and a means for activating the flashlight. The means for activating the flashlight moves the flashlight from the closed position to the open position and turns the flashlight on when activated.
The invention further relates to a flashlight having a handle and a lighting unit coupled to the handle. A first light source is coupled to the lighting unit and directs a first light beam in a first direction. A second light source is also coupled to the lighting unit, the second light source directing a second light beam in a second direction.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
The invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
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In an exemplary embodiment, a pivot latch pin 42 is used to maintain the flashlight 18 in the closed position until its desired engagement by the user. The pivot latch pin 42 serves as a means for activating the flashlight 18. By depressing the portion of the pivot latch pin 42 that extends out of the handle 12 (see
According to an exemplary embodiment, although the flashlight 18 is biased in the opening direction by pivot spring 40, interaction between the pivot latch pin 42 and a corresponding ridge 48 on the flashlight 18 maintains the flashlight 18 in the closed position until the user depresses pivot latch pin 42, thus sliding pivot latch pin 42 with respect to ridge 48 until ridge 48 matches up with notch 46 in the pivot latch pin 42, permitting ridge 48 to slide through notch 46 thus allowing flashlight 18 to rotate into the open position.
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In a preferred embodiment, the flashlight 18 does not have a button or switch requiring manual interaction by the user to turn on the flashlight. Rather, the flashlight 18 is designed to automatically turn on when it rotates into the open position. Therefore, with one action, such as depressing the pivot latch pin 42, the user may open and turn on the flashlight 18. The auto-on feature may be effectuated by having electrical contacts in the handle that complete a lighting circuit only when the flashlight is in the open position.
In another preferred embodiment, the flashlight 18 includes a microprocessor (not shown) that controls the various modes of the flashlight 18. In this embodiment, a push switch 58 (see
While the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe various exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, the multiple light beams emitted by the flashlight may be configured to shine in different directions depending on the type of tool. Further, rather than utilizing the flashlight solely in connection with a pocket tool having ancillary tools, the multiple beam flashlight concept may be used separately as part of a stand-alone flashlight having a handle and a lighting unit with multiple light sources. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangements of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.