MODULAR FLASHLIGHT SYSTEM

• US 20150267882A1
• Filed: 06/02/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tactical Impulse, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tactical Impulse, LLC
• Inventors: O'BRIEN, PAUL
• Granted Patent: US 10,060,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/085 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0421 the switch being part of, or disposed on the tail cap portion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A modular flashlight and a modular flashlight system are provided. In one example, the modular flashlight includes a base configuration that can be modified with a modular extension unit.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a housing with a first end and a second end;

a light source disposed at a first end of the housing;

a controller configured to toggle the light source between at least an on state and an off state;

a first switch electrically coupled to the controller, configured to provide an input signal to the controller to toggle the light source between at least the on state and the off state; and

a sensor electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a component matched to the sensor and provide an input signal to the controller to toggle the light source to the off state upon detecting the component matched to the sensor if the light source is in the on state, and to prevent the light source from being toggled to the on state if the light source is in the off state.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein a retention device is configured to removably receive the flashlight so that the sensor is positioned proximate to the component matched to the sensor when the first housing is received into the retention device.

3. The flashlight of claim 2 wherein a tail cap is configured to removably couple to the second end of the first housing, wherein a second switch is configured to toggle the light source between at least an on state and an off.

4. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the controller is additionally configured to store the flashlights on/off state into memory upon detection of a component matched to the sensor, and;

upon removal of the component matched to the sensor, return the flashlight to the stored operating on/off state.

5. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the controller is additionally configured to store the flashlights output mode into memory upon detection of a component matched to the sensor, and;

upon removal of the component matched to the sensor, return the flashlight to the stored output mode.

6. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the controller is additionally configured to toggle the flashlight to a user-defined on/off state and output mode upon removal of the component matched to the sensor.

7. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein a tail cap is configured to removably couple to the second end of the first housing, wherein a second switch is configured to toggle the light source between at least an on state and an off.

8. A retention device operable to interact with a flashlight having a sensor such that the flashlight can control at least one of its on and off states when in proximity to the retention device, comprising:

a receptacle for receiving the flashlight, the receptacle having a lip to prevent the flashlight from sliding through; and

a component matched to the sensor, for interacting with the sensor of the flashlight.

9. A retention device comprising:

a receptacle for receiving the flashlight

an electric current delivery system to charge a flashlight battery within retention device;

a power receptacle for receiving power from a power source external to the retention device; and

a visual indicator for displaying the charging status of the flashlight battery.

10. The retention device of claim 9 further comprising:

an internal battery; and

a visual indicator for displaying the charging status of the internal battery.

11. The retention device of claim 10 further comprising a female power output receptacle in a common Universal Serial Bus (USB) arrangement coupled to the internal battery.

12. A modular flashlight comprising:

a first housing with a first end and a second end;

a light source disposed at a first end of the first housing;

a controller configured to toggle the light source between at least an on state and an off state; and

a first switch electrically coupled to the controller, configured to provide an input signal to the controller to toggle the light source between at least the on state and the off state;

a modular extension unit having a second housing with a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end is configured to removably couple to the second end of the first housing, wherein the second housing is configured to complete the circuit to provide power to the light source, and;

wherein only one of the tail cap and second housing can be coupled to the second end at a particular time.

13. A modular flashlight comprising:

a first housing with a first end and a second end;

a first light source disposed at a first end of the first housing;

a second housing removably coupled to the first housing, and having a second light source;

a controller configured to toggle at least one of the first light source and the second light source between at least one of an on state and an off state;

a first switch electrically coupled to the controller, configured to provide an input signal to the controller to toggle at least one of the first light source and the second light source between at least one of the on state and the off state; and

a second switch configured to toggle at least one of the first light source and the second light source between at least one of the on state and the off state independently of the first switch.

14. A modular flashlight comprising:

a first housing with a first end and a second end;

a first light source disposed at a first end of the first housing;

a second housing removably coupled to the first housing with a third end and a fourth end;

a pressure switch positioned at the fourth end of the second housing;

an exposed positive and negative electronic terminal positioned at the fourth end of the second housing;

a controller coupled to the pressure switch configured to deliver electric current to positive and negative electronic terminals during constant application of pressure to the pressure switch.

wherein only one of the tail cap and second housing can be coupled to the second end at a particular time.