FLASHLIGHT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME

• US 20080074868A1
• Filed: 09/21/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First-Light USA, LLC
• Original Assignee: First-Light USA, LLC
• Inventors: Ross, Jeremy B., Steele, Gavin A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,510,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/025 the light sources being of different shape or type
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/406 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 1/35 for illuminating the target , e.g. flash lights

Abstract

A multi-function flashlight device in one preferred embodiment comprising a housing assembly having a tubular member for gripping the device in a user'"'"'s hand, a control housing coupled to the tubular member, and a lamp housing coupled to the control housing and having a light source mounted therein. The light source has an optical axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. Batteries are housed in the tubular member. A control panel having a keypad overlay is mounted in the control housing. The keypad overlay includes a plurality of control buttons. A driver board in the control housing receives signals from the control panel and control the operation of the light source. The plurality of control buttons are manipulable by a single digit of the user'"'"'s hand while gripping the tubular member.

Claims

1. A multi-function flashlight device comprising:

a first housing arranged and designed for gripping the device in a user'"'"'s hand, said first housing having a longitudinal axis;

a second housing assembly coupled to said first housing;

a light source mounted in said second housing assembly, said light source having an optical axis, said optical axis is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first housing;

a power source received in said first housing;

a control panel having a keypad overlay mounted in said second housing assembly, said keypad overlay including a plurality of control buttons; and

a driver board in said second housing assembly arranged and designed to receive signals from said control panel and control the operation of said light source,

wherein said plurality of control buttons are manipulable by a single digit of the user'"'"'s hand while gripping said first housing.

2. The flashlight device of claim 1, wherein said keypad overlay includes a first control button, a second control button and a third control button, said control buttons having a normal state and a depressed state.

3. The flashlight device of claim 2, further comprising a secondary light source mounted in said second housing assembly.

4. The flashlight device of claim 2, wherein said control buttons are positioned adjacent to one another to allow concurrent depression of at least two said control buttons by a single digit of the user'"'"'s hand while gripping said first housing.

5. The flashlight device of claim 1, further comprising a finger retainer assembly coupled to said first housing, said finger retainer assembly arranged and designed to be adjustable relative to said optical axis.

6. The flashlight device of claim 1, further comprising:

a retention system having a first component coupled to said first housing and a second component arranged and designed to be attached to the user'"'"'s clothing, said second component including a receptacle for releasably receiving said first component.

7. An ergonomic handheld flashlight device for one hand operation, comprising:

a housing assembly having a substantially L-shaped configuration, said housing assembly having an upper forward portion, an upper rear portion, a top end and a lower first member arranged and designed for one finger of a user'"'"'s hand to grasp and hold said first member, said first member having a longitudinal axis;

a keypad coupled to said upper end of said housing assembly, said keypad having a plurality of control buttons, said keypad being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first member, said longitudinal axis intersecting said keypad;

wherein said plurality of control buttons are arranged and designed for manipulation by the hand'"'"'s thumb while the finger grasps and holds said first member.

8. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 7, wherein said housing assembly includes a control housing coupled to said first member, said control housing comprising said upper rear portion and including said keypad.

9. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 8, wherein said plurality of control button are positioned adjacent to one another for concurrent manipulation by the hand'"'"'s thumb while the finger grasps and holds said first member.