RENEWABLE ENERGY FLASHLIGHT

• US 20070201223A1
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RSGA International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RSGA International Incorporated
• Inventors: Long, Jon, Tianming, Qian
• Granted Patent: US 7,404,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/157
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/06 with mechanical drive, e.g. spring
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A renewable energy flashlight includes a flashlight housing, a light emitter carried by the housing, and a power source carried by the housing and powering the light emitter. The power source includes a charging magnet, at least one induction coil, and first and second repulsion members, all carried by the housing. The housing is configured to allow movement of the charging magnet between first and second positions within the housing. The induction coil carried is configured to allow movement of the charging magnet therethrough, thereby inducing current through the induction coil. Each repulsion member includes an elastic rebounding material reflexively seeded with at least one internal magnet. The first repulsion member is secured at the first position within the housing in polar opposition to the charging magnet. The second repulsion member secured at the second position within the housing in polar opposition to the charging magnet.

Claims

1. A renewable energy flashlight comprising:

a flashlight housing;

a light emitter carried by the housing; and

a power source carried by the housing and powering the light emitter, the power source comprising;

a charging magnet carried by the housing, the housing configured to allow movement of the charging magnet between first and second positions within the housing;

at least one induction coil carried by the housing and configured to allow movement of the charging magnet therethrough, thereby inducing current through the induction coil; and

first and second repulsion members, each repulsion member carried by the housing and comprising an elastic rebounding material reflexively seeded with at least one internal magnet, the first repulsion member secured at the first position within the housing in polar opposition to the charging magnet, the second repulsion member secured at the second position within the housing in polar opposition to the charging magnet.

2. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage device carried by the housing and in communication with the induction coil.

3. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 2 wherein the energy storage device comprises a capacitor.

4. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 2 further comprising circuitry carried by the housing and in communication with the energy storage device, the light emitter and the induction coil, the circuitry configured to selectively charge the energy storage device in a first mode and discharge the energy storage device to power the light emitter in a second mode.

5. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 4 wherein the circuitry comprises a reed switch mounted to the exterior of the housing.

6. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a lens carried by the housing and covering the light emitter.

7. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 6 wherein the lens comprises a convex magnifying lens.

8. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 6 further comprising a concave reflector carried by the housing and at least partially surrounding the light emitter, the reflector configured to capture and direct light through the lens.

9. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 wherein the light emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

10. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises:

an interior chamber defined by the housing; and

a tubular carriage sized to fit and be inserted within the interior chamber, interior walls of the carriage defining a transverse chamber having first and second ends and air equalization passages in communication with the interior and exterior of the tubular carriage, the charging magnet carried in the carriage.

11. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 10 wherein the housing further comprises shielding surrounding the tubular carriage.

12. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 11 wherein the shielding comprises a magnetically impervious material.

13. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 11 wherein the shielding comprises a conductive coating applied to the interior chamber of the housing surrounding the tubular carriage.

14. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 wherein the components are sealed within the housing forming a water impervious flashlight.

15. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 wherein the flashlight has a density less than water.

16. The renewable energy flashlight of claim 1 wherein the repulsion members comprise silicone.