Flashlight with switch assembly

• US 4,843,526 A
• Filed: 10/13/1987
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MAG Instrument Incorporated
• Original Assignee: George T. Price III
• Inventors: Price, George T. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US07/107,781
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 362/205, 362/207, 362/204, 362/20 C, 362/187, 362/158, 200/60
• US Class Current: 362/187
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 2/00 Systems of electric lighting devices systems employing both electric and non-electric light sources or exchangeable light sources F21L27/00

Abstract

An adjustable focus flashlight comprising three units: a head, a replaceable switch unit, and a battery unit. The replaceable switch unit includes a switch assembly having two holes in one end for bulb leads, and a holder near that end for storing a spare bulb. The replaceable switch unit also includes a cylindrical member around the switch assembly, which is externally threaded, at the end near the holes, to engage the internal threads of the head, and adjust the focus. A flexible sleeve fits around the outer surface of the cylindrical member, the sleeve having a circular protrusion formed in the end thereof, to frictionally engage part of the head, and maintain a selected focus adjustment.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a switch body having a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls and two ends;

a first hole in the first end of the body, for receiving a first bulb lead;

a second hole in the first end of the body, for receiving a second bulb lead;

a first contact on the second end of the body;

a second contact on one of the walls of the body;

a cylindrical member around the top, bottom, and side walls of the body, said member engaging the second contact;

a flexible sleeve around the outer surface of the cylindrical member, said sleeve having a circular protrusion formed in the end thereof;

a head threadably attached to one end of the cylindrical member, with part of the head frictionally engaging the circular protrusion, to maintain a selected focus adjustment; and

a battery unit threadably attached to the other end of the cylindrical member.

2. A flashlight as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

means near the first end of the body, for storing a spare bulb.

3. A flashlight as defined in claim 2 wherein the means near the first end of the body, for storing a spare bulb, comprises a pair of flexible members, for engaging opposite sides of the bulb.

4. A flashlight comprising:

a switch body having a top wall, bottom wall, two sides walls and two ends;

a first hole in the first end of the body, for receiving a first bulb lead;

a second hole in the first end of the body, for receiving a second bulb lead;

a first contact on the second end of the body;

a second contact on one of the walls of the body;

means for electrically connecting the interior of the first hole with the first contact, including switch means;

means for electrically connecting the interior of the second hole with the second contact;

a cylindrical member around the top, bottom, and side walls of the body, said member engaging the second contact and having an opening therein for communicating with the switch means;

a flexible sleeve around the outer surface of the cylindrical member, said sleeve having a circular protrusion formed in the end thereof;

a head threadably attached to one end of the cylindrical member, with part of the head frictionally engaging the circular protrusion, to maintain a selected focus adjustment; and

a battery unit threadably attached to the other end of the cylindrical member.

5. A flashlight as defined in claim 4 further comprising:

means near the first end of the body, for storing a spare bulb.

6. A flashlight as defined in claim 5 wherein the means near the first end of the body, for storing a spare bulb, comprises a pair of flexible members, for engaging opposite sides of the bulb.

7. A flashlight comprising:

a switch body having a cavity therein, said body having a top wall, bottom wall, two side walls, and two ends;

a first hole, in the first end of the body, for receiving a first bulb lead, said first hole communicating with said cavity;

a second hole, in the first end of the body, for receiving a second bulb lead;

a first opening, in the second end of the body, said first opening communicating with said cavity;

a second opening, in one of the walls of the body, said second opening communicating with said second hole;

a switch, in the cavity, said switch having an actuating member and a pair of terminals, the first terminal extending into the first hole, and the second terminal extending into the first opening;

a first spring contact, adjacent the second end of the body, connected to the second terminal;

means for connecting said first and second terminals, in response to the movement of the actuating member;

a conductor, in the second hole and the second opening;

a second spring contact, adjacent the second opening, connected to the conductor;

a cylindrical member around the top, bottom and side walls of the switch body, said member engaging the second spring contact and having an opening therein, for communicating with the actuating member;

a flexible sleeve around the outer surface of said cylindrical member, said sleeve having a circular protrusion formed at the end thereof; and

a head threadably attached to one end of the cylindrical member, with part of the head frictionally engaging the circular protrusion, to maintain a selected focus adjustment; and

a battery unit threadably attached to the other end of the cylindrical member.

8. A flashlight as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

means near the first end of the body, for storing a spare bulb.

9. A flashlight as defined in claim 8 wherein the means near the first end of the body, for storing a spare bulb comprises a pair of flexible members, for engaging opposite sides of the bulb.