FLASHLIGHT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING SAME

• US 20110096537A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First-Light USA, Inc.
• Original Assignee: First-Light USA, LLC
• Inventors: Ross, Jeremy B., Steele, Gavin A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,075,156 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/191
• 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 flashlight system comprising:

a housing assembly including a tubular assembly having a longitudinal axis and an upper assembly coupled to said tubular assembly;

a light source mounted in said upper assembly and having an optical axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said tubular assembly;

a control surface located on said upper assembly of said housing assembly; and

a retention system comprising a first mating component coupled to said housing assembly and a second mating component adapted to be attached to an external article or surface, said first and second mating components releasably mating with one another.

2. The flashlight system of claim 1, wherein said control surface includes at least a control button.

3. The flashlight system of claim 1, wherein said control surface includes a plurality of control buttons and said plurality of control buttons are configured so that more than one button may be contacted simultaneously by a user'"'"'s thumb.

4. The flashlight system of claim 1, further comprising a finger retainer assembly coupled to said housing assembly.

5. The flashlight system of claim 1, further comprising a clip coupled to said housing assembly.