Self-defense flashlight equipped with an aerosol dispenser

• US 20060096590A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Protecta Technology, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Protecta Technology, Ltd.
• Inventors: Cole, Dennis, SKellern, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,509,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/00 Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/14 for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/10 Hand-held or body-worn self-defence devices using repellant gases or chemicals

Abstract

A flashlight for dispensing a substance from an aerosol canister, the flashlight including an elongated housing having a front end, a rear end, and a central longitudinal axis, the aerosol canister being slidably received within the housing. At least one light emitting diode disposed approximate the front end of the housing and an elongated spray tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the aerosol canister and the spray tube extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis such that the distal end extends beyond the front end of the housing.

Claims

1. A flashlight for dispensing a substance from an aerosol canister, the flashlight comprising:

an elongated housing having a front end, a rear end, and a central longitudinal axis, the aerosol canister being slidably received within the housing;

at least one light emitting diode disposed approximate the front end of the housing; and

an elongated spray tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the aerosol canister and the spray tube extending parallel to and approximately along the central longitudinal axis such that the distal end extends beyond the front end of the housing.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising a laser diode disposed approximate the front end of the housing, the laser diode being arranged to emit a laser parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing.

3. The flashlight of claim 2, further comprising:

a first printed circuit board disposed approximate the front end of the housing, the first printed circuit board including a light circuit; and

wherein the at least one light emitting diode further includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, the plurality of light emitting diodes and the laser diode being disposed on the first printed circuit board, the distal end of the spray tube extending through and beyond the first printed circuit board.

4. The flashlight of claim 3, further comprising:

a lens secured to the front end of the housing such that the light emitting diodes and laser diode are disposed between the first printed circuit board and the lens; and

wherein the distal end of the spray tube extends through and beyond the lens.

5. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising a switch assembly disposed on the housing, the switch assembly including:

a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger being configured to displace the proximal end of the spray tube when urged inwardly such that the substance in the aerosol canister is emitted through the spray tube;

a switch door operable between an open and a closed position, the switch door including a camming surface; and

wherein moving the switch door from the closed position to the open position causes the camming surface to activate a laser switch, thereby providing power to and activating the laser diode.

6. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising:

a canister housing, the canister housing including a projection extending inwardly from an inner surface of the canister housing, the canister housing being configured to slidably receive the aerosol canister; and

wherein the aerosol canister includes a mating groove configured to receive the projection as the aerosol canister is slidably disposed in the canister housing, the canister housing being configured to be received within the housing.

7. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable power source disposed within the housing, the housing including a charging port such that the power source is rechargeable while being disposed in the housing.

8. A flashlight for dispensing a substance from an aerosol canister, the flashlight comprising:

an elongated housing having a front end and a rear end, the aerosol canister being slidably received within the housing;

a light source disposed adjacent the front end of the housing; and

a spray tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the aerosol canister and the distal end extending beyond the front end of the housing such that the substance can be discharged therefrom in a desired direction; and

a laser diode disposed approximate the front end of the housing, the laser diode being arranged to emit a laser in the desired direction of discharge.

9. The flashlight of claim 8, wherein the light source further comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes.

10. The flashlight of claim 9, further comprising a rechargeable power source disposed within the housing, the housing including a charging post such that the power source is rechargeable while being disposed in the housing.

11. The flashlight of claim 9, further comprising:

a first printed circuit board disposed adjacent the front end of the housing, the first printed circuit board including a light circuit; and

wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes and the laser diode are disposed on the first printed circuit board, and the distal end of the spray tube extends through and beyond the first printed circuit board.

12. The flashlight of claim 11, further comprising:

a lens secured to the front end of the housing such that the light emitting diodes and the laser diode are disposed between the first printed circuit board and the lens; and

wherein the distal end of the spray tube extends through and beyond the lens.

13. The flashlight of claim 8, further comprising a switch assembly disposed on the housing, the switch assembly including:

a plunger extending into the housing, the plunger being configured to contact the proximal end of the spray tube when urged inwardly such that the substance in the aerosol canister is emitted through the spray tube;

a switch door operable between an open and a closed position; and

wherein moving the switch door from the closed position to the open position allows user access to the plunger.

14. The flashlight of claim 13, further including a laser switch, and wherein the switch door further comprises a camming surface, the camming surface being configured to contact the laser switch as the switch door is moved from the closed to the open position, thereby providing power to the laser diode.

15. The flashlight of claim 8, wherein the housing further includes a projection extending inwardly from an inner surface of the housing, and wherein the aerosol canister further includes a mating groove configured to receive the projection as the aerosol canister is slidably disposed in the housing.

16. A flashlight for dispensing a substance from an aerosol canister, the flashlight comprising:

an elongated housing having a front end and a rear end, the aerosol canister being slidably received within the housing;

a light source disposed approximate the front end of the housing;

a spray tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being in fluid communication with the aerosol canister and the distal end extending beyond the front end of the housing; and

a switch assembly including;

a plunger means for causing the substance in the aerosol canister to be emitted through the spray tube;

a switch door operable between an open and a closed position; and

wherein moving the switch door from the closed position to the open position allows a user to access the plunger.

17. The flashlight of claim 16, further comprising a laser diode disposed approximate the front end of the housing, the laser diode being arranged to emit a laser parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the housing.

18. The flashlight of claim 17, further including a laser switch and wherein the switch door further includes a camming surface configured to activate the laser switch as the switch door is moved from the closed to the open position, thereby providing power to the laser emitting diode.

19. The flashlight of claim 16, wherein the light source further comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

20. The flashlight of claim 19, further comprising:

a first printed circuit board disposed approximate the front end of the housing, the first printed circuit board including a light circuit; and

wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes and the laser diode are disposed on the first printed circuit board, and the distal end of the spray tube extends through and beyond the first printed circuit board.

21. The flashlight of claim 16, further comprising:

a canister housing, the canister housing including means for aligning the aerosol canister disposed on an inner surface of the canister housing, the canister housing being configured to slidably receive the aerosol canister; and

wherein the aerosol canister includes a mating means for aligning the aerosol canister configured to receive the means for aligning as the aerosol canister is slidably disposed in the aerosol housing.