Patent Application
20190017689
This application relates to a flashlight with settable multi-levels of light that can be emitted.
The following drawings illustrate the concepts of the present invention. Illustrations of an exemplary device are not necessarily drawn to scale.
While the embodiments described can take many different forms, specific embodiments illustrated in the drawings will be described with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to a specific embodiment illustrated.
The exemplary flashlight 101 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the housing 110 comprises an outer gripping surface that comprises a spiral groove 111. The spiral groove 111 makes it less likely that the flashlight 101 will slip when being held, but also is less likely than a knurled surface, for example, to abrade a user's clothing.
In some embodiments, the flashlight 101 comprises a clip 112 that is appended to the outer surface of the housing 110 for releasable attachment of the flashlight 101 to a user's person.
The bezel 120 comprises a light emitting element (not shown), such as at least one light emitting diode (LED). In some embodiments, the bezel 120 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis “x” over a limited range of rotation. When the bezel 120 is rotated in a first direction, the bezel 120 also moves longitudinally away from the housing 110 along the longitudinal axis “x.” When the bezel 120 is rotated in an opposite second direction, the bezel 120 also moves longitudinally toward the housing 110 along the longitudinal axis. As best seen in
In some embodiments, the rear button assembly 130 adjoins the rear end of the housing 110 by threading engagement. The housing 110 comprises a battery chamber 116, and a battery (not shown) can be inserted into, or removed from, the battery chamber 116 when the rear button assembly 130 is disengaged from the rear end of the housing 110, as seen in
In some embodiments, the battery can be rechargeable, and can be recharged when power is supplied through the USB input port 114. For example, power can be supplied from a computer or from wall power with appropriate rectification. In some embodiments, there is a charging status indicator 115. For example, the charging status indicator 115 can flash red while the battery is charging, and can emit a steady green when the battery is fully charged until the power source is disconnected from the USB input port 114.
In some embodiments, the distal end of the bezel 120, the distal end of the rear button assembly 130, or both are tapered for easier insertion of the flashlight 101 into a user's pocket.
In some embodiments, the rear button assembly 130 comprises a rear button 131 that operates by being depressed in a direction of the longitudinal axis “x.” Circuitry causes the light emitting element to emit a steady bright light if the rear button 131 is single-depressed, and causes the light emitting element to emit at a desired alternative light setting if the rear button 131 is double-depressed. In some embodiments, the circuitry allows the light emitting element to cycle through a plurality of available alternative light settings if the bezel 120 is rotated in the first direction, and allows a user to select the desired alternative light setting from among the plurality of available alternative light settings before the bezel 120 is rotated back in the second direction. Examples of available alternative light settings include a strobe light and steady lights having different respective levels of brightness, such as 5, 15, 45 and 80 lumens. Other examples include lights of different respective colors.
In some embodiments, the light emitting element automatically cycles through the plurality of available alternative light settings if the bezel 120 is rotated in the first direction. In some embodiments, the light emitting element cycles through the plurality of available alternative light settings after further user action if the bezel 120 is also rotated in the first direction. In some embodiments, light emitting element automatically cycles through the plurality of available alternative light settings if the bezel 120 is rotated in the first direction and the rear button 131 is maintained in a depressed state. In some embodiments, the light emitting element automatically cycles through the plurality of available alternative light settings if the bezel 120 is rotated in the first direction and the rear button 131 is depressed and released. In some embodiments, the circuitry causes the desired alternative light setting to be selected if the rear button 131 is maintained in a depressed state while the light emitting element is cycling through the plurality of available alternative light settings, and the rear button 131 is released when the light emitting element is emitting at the desired alternative light setting. In some embodiments, the circuitry causes the desired alternative light setting to be selected if the light emitting element is cycling through the plurality of available alternative light settings, and the rear button 131 is depressed and released when the light emitting element is emitting at the desired alternative light setting. In some embodiments, the circuitry causes the desired alternative light setting to advance sequentially to a next one of the plurality of available alternative light settings each time the alternative light setting selection button 113 is depressed and released before the bezel is rotated back in the second direction.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the rear button assembly 130 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis “x” between three settings. In the first setting, the circuitry causes the light emitting element to continue to emit the steady bright light or at the desired alternative light setting after the rear button 131 is depressed and released, until the rear button 131 is depressed and released a second time. In the second setting, the rear button 131 cannot be depressed far enough for the circuitry to cause the light emitting element to emit any light. In the third setting, the circuitry causes the light emitting element to emit the steady bright light or at the desired alternative light setting only as long as the rear button 131 is maintained in a depressed state.
From the foregoing, it will be understood that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated and described is intended or should be inferred.
