Patent Grant
7682038
The present invention relates generally to portable lights such as spotlights, flashlights, and the like, and, more particularly, to portable lights having a multi-mode reflector.
Portable lights such as spotlights and flashlights typically include a light source, such as a lamp bulb, surrounded by a concave reflector to reflect the light from the lamp bulb and direct the light through a lens covering the open end of the reflector. In general, the light source can be selected from a number of different types of sources, including incandescent, halogen, xenon, or light emitting diode (commonly referred to as “LED”). In such portable lights, the reflector can have a parabolic or non-parabolic shape and the positional relationship between the lamp bulb and the reflector can be fixed or variable.
When the relationship between the lamp bulb and the reflector is fixed, a parabolic reflector may be used to achieve a focused spot beam of light. In that case, the lamp bulb—or more specifically, its light emitting element, such as the filament in the case of an incandescent source—is disposed at the focal point of the parabolic reflector, so that the light rays project generally parallel to each other from the reflector. Since the light is concentrated, spot beams are useful for illuminating a particular object. For other applications, it is desirable to provide broader, more dispersed light pattern than that provided by a spot light pattern. To that end, for example, flashlights have been provided that include a non-parabolic reflector configured to achieve a broad, dispersed light pattern.
For purposes of achieving a variable light pattern, the lamp bulb and reflector can be movable relative to one another along an optical axis of the reflector. This focusing adjustment can be accomplished by mounting either the lamp bulb or the reflector in a fixed position on the portable light, and providing means to move the other component relative to it, or the lamp bulb and reflector can be mounted so that both move. Whatever the arrangement, when the lamp bulb and reflector are displaced relative to one another so that the lamp bulb is not at the focal point of the reflector, the light rays diverge from the central axis, creating a comparatively broader beam as compared to having the lamp bulb at the focal point. Although such flashlights provide different modes of light patterns, shortfalls exist. For example, when the lamp bulb is not at the focal point, an un-illuminated, or dimly illuminated spot typically results at the center of the light pattern, which is undesirable in most uses. Moreover, the size of the un-illuminated center becomes exacerbated with distance.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there exists a need for a portable light that solves that aforementioned problems. The present invention fulfills this need and others.
The invention provides a portable light having a reflector assembly configured to provide multiple modes, or multi-modes, of light reflection. The reflector assembly surrounds a light source and has first and second reflectors that together define a substantially continuous reflective surface. The second reflector is mounted for axial movement relative to the first reflector. Thus, different modes of light reflection can be produced.
In selected embodiments, the reflectors combine to define a substantially parabolic reflective surface, with the light source disposed at a focal point. The second reflector is disposed within a central opening defined by the first reflector.
In an exemplary embodiment, first and second modes of light reflection are provided, each having a distinct light pattern. A user can easily switch between the modes as desired. To that end, the user engages a mode switch disposed on the portable light. The switch is operatively connected to the second reflector, e.g., via a lever disposed within the housing, to move the second reflector relative to the first reflector.
In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the reflector assembly includes an inner reflector disposed in the central opening of an outer reflector. The inner reflector is mounted for axial movement along the projection axis relative to outer reflector. The portable light further includes a light source fixed relative to the inner reflector, at a focal point thereof. In a first position, the reflectors combine to define a substantially parabolic reflective surface.
In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of pins project rearward from the outer reflector through corresponding openings in the inner reflector for connecting the inner and the outer reflectors. A plurality of springs are disposed about a corresponding pin.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
With reference now to the drawings, and particularly
In the first mode (
In the second mode (
With reference now to
With reference now to
A trigger button 40 is positioned adjacent to and partially recessed within the handle 26 and is coupled to an electrical circuit 43 located within the cavity and configured to operate the lamp bulb 18. Depressing the trigger button turns the bulb on and releasing the trigger button turns the bulb off. When the trigger button is in the on or off position it can be locked in place using a trigger lock 42, also provided on the handle. With the trigger button in the on position, the trigger button can be locked in place by engaging the trigger lock. The trigger lock allows the portable light to remain in the on position without having to press the trigger button continuously.
A plastic lens 44 is located beyond a distal edge 46 of the outer reflector 22. The plastic lens is supported by a head assembly 48 that fits over the reflector and is attached to the housing 14. An open front end of the housing has external threads to fit together with internal threads of the head assembly. In other embodiments, the head assembly can be attached to the housing by other methods, e.g., snap-fit, screws, bolts, and so on.
The housing 14 and the handle 26 are integrally formed and are made from a durable plastic material. The handle protrudes from the bottom rear portion of the housing and is adapted to be held by a person's hand for directing light from the portable light to a specific location. The housing is cylindrical in shape, though, in other embodiments, various other shapes can be used, as desired. A rear portion 52 of the handle is covered using a rubber or elastomeric material to provide a better grip with the person's hand.
The rechargeable battery 16 is mounted in a rear opening 54 (
With reference now to
It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a portable light having a reflector assembly configured to provide multiple modes of light reflection. The reflector assembly surrounds a light source and has first and second reflectors that together define a substantially continuous reflective surface. The reflector assembly is configured such that the first reflector and the second reflector can be axially displaced relative to each other. Thus, different modes of light reflection can be produced.
Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference only to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070064415 A1 | Mar 2007 | US |
