Hand operated flashlight

• US 20060245182A1
• Filed: 02/16/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wen Sung Lee
• Original Assignee: Wen Sung Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Wen Sung
• Granted Patent: US 7,222,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/06 with mechanical drive, e.g. spring
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed

Abstract

A flashlight includes one or more light devices for being energized to generate light, one or more chargeable batteries are received in the housing and coupled to the light device for energizing the light device, an electric generating device is received in the housing, and rotatable or drivable by an actuating device. A directing device is coupled between the electric generating device and the chargeable battery for preventing an anti-phase electric current from flowing toward the chargeable battery and for preventing the chargeable battery from being damaged by the anti-phase electric current. A coupler may be coupled to the electric generating device for coupling to various electric facilities.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a housing including a front opening,

a circuit board received in said housing,

at least one light device received in said opening of said housing for being energized to generate light out of said housing,

at least one chargeable battery received in said housing and coupled to said at least one light device for energizing said at least one light device,

an electric generating device received in said housing, and including a spindle,

a pinion attached to said spindle of said electric generating device,

an actuating device including a follower rotatably attached to said housing, and including a handle pivotally attached to said follower for rotating said follower relative to said housing, and including a knob rotatably attached to said handle, to allow said handle to be rotated relative to said housing,

a gearing device received in said housing and coupled between said follower of said actuating device and said electric generating device, to allow said electric generating device to be actuated by said actuating device via said gearing device, and to generate electric current to energize said at least one light device, and

a directing device coupled between said electric generating device and said at least one chargeable battery for preventing an anti-phase electric current from flowing toward said at least one chargeable battery and for preventing said at least one chargeable battery from being damaged by the anti-phase electric current.

2. The flashlight as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directing device includes a diode for guiding an electric current to flow from said electric generating device to said at least one chargeable battery and for preventing the anti-phase electric current from flowing toward said at least one chargeable battery.

3. The flashlight as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a filtering device coupled to said directing device for rectifying the electric current generated by said electric generating device.

4. The flashlight as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a voltage stabilizing device coupled between said directing device and said at least one chargeable battery for stabilizing the electric current from said directing device and for protecting said at least one chargeable battery.

5. The flashlight as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a coupler coupled to said electric generating device for coupling to an electric facility and for outputting the electric current to the electric facility.

6. The flashlight as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a voltage stabilizing device coupled between said directing device and said coupler for stabilizing the electric current from said directing device to said coupler.

7. The flashlight as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a switch device coupled between said voltage stabilizing device and said coupler for controlling the electric current to flow from said voltage stabilizing device to said coupler.

8. The flashlight as claimed in claim 7, wherein said switch device is coupled to said at least one chargeable battery for switching off the electric current from said electric generating device to said at least one chargeable battery and for controlling the electric current to only flow to said coupler.

9. The flashlight as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a plate having a cavity formed by a casing for receiving said electric generating device.

10. The flashlight as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a reflector having at least one hole for receiving said at least one light device.