Flashlight for covert applications

• US 5,161,879 A
• Filed: 04/10/1991
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kevin Mcdermott
• Original Assignee: Kevin Mcdermott
• Inventors: McDermott, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Application Number:
  US07/682,964
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 362/204, 362/205, 362/206, 362/118, 362/158, 362/189, 362/208, 362/231, 362/293, 362/800, 362/240, 200/60, 200/61.52, 200/DIG. 29, 200/61.83, 200/61.45 R, 359/501
• US Class Current: 362/206
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/083 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/14 for producing polarised light
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashlight for security personnel has a gravity actuated switch for application of electrical power to multiple lamps to enable the projection of light in downward directions to illuminate multicolored working surfaces and to inhibit the projection of light in horizontal and other directions where hostile persons may be watching. The projected light intensity is variable by polarizing optical means and is coordinated with the gravity switch and the user'"'"'s control so that the initial intensity at turn-on of the flashlight occurs at the lowest projected intensity. The lamp array, contained in a removable cartridge, has multiple light emitters selected for color characteristics, for a fast time decay response on turn-off, and for reduced red and infrared energy emissions. Reversal of battery polarity effects dramatic changes in color or intensity of the projected light. A manual control overrides the automatic gravity switch for projection of light in unrestricted directions while a tactile generator warns the user that light is projected in a high risk direction. Modular contruction of the removable cartridge permits selection of optional lighting arrays and accessories.

Claims

1. A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one light source; and

b) a symmetrical gravity actuated electrical switch for automatically controlling said application of power to enable said projection of beamed light into a defined acceptable spatial zone about the downward vertical direction and to inhibit said projection of beamed light in all remaining space outside of said acceptable spatial zone said gravity switch symmetrically operative at any angle of rotation of said device about the longitudinal axis of said illumination subassembly.

2. A device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said defined acceptable spatial zone comprises:

a) a volume of space about the apparent local downward vertical direction, further comprising a field of illumination determined by an acute angle for the beamwidth of said device; and

b) said volume of space comprises a portion of the hemispherical volume located below the horizontal plane containing the center of gravity of said device.

4. A device, as recited in claim 1 or 3, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a continuously variable control, responsive to said attending user of said device, for reciprocal adjustment of the luminous intensity of said beamed light projected from said device.

5. A device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said variable control of luminous intensity of said beamed light comprises:

a) a rotatable optical filter interposed in the exit aperture of said device for the polarization of said beamed light;

b) a stationary optical filter interposed in the exit aperture of said device for the successive polarization of said beamed light; and

c) means for continuous variable adjustment, responsive to said attending user, of said rotatable polarizing filter to effect a variable differential polarization of said projected light beam in a range between parallel planes of polarization and crossed planes of polarization yielding thereby said variable adjustment of the luminous intensity of said projected light beam between maximum and minimum intensities, respectively.

6. A device, as recited in claim 5, wherein the improvement still further comprises:

a) means for securing operational registry between said polarizing optical filters, differentially adjusted for said crossed planes of polarization, and said lock-out means for said gravity actuated switch as placed in said non-operative off-status, for initiating said beamed light at said minimum level of luminous intensity from which said attending user may increase said luminous intensity to said maximum level obtainable at said differential adjustment of said polarizing filters for parallel planes of polarization of said projected light beam.

7. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the improvement still further comprises:

a) a graduated scale of indicators for dividing the range of control of said variable luminous intensity level, said indicators usable by said attendant for fine visual adjustments of said intensity level and for coarse adjustments by touch sensing in darkened situations.

8. A device, as recited in claim 2 or 3, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) a housing for said illumination subassembly to enable the projection of a directed beam of light with a desired angular beamwidth; and

b) a gravity actuated electrical switch, with ON and OFF modes determined by the shutoff angle of said switch, for application of power to said illumination subassembly whenever said device is directed in a downward vertical direction, and for sustaining said application of power until said device is rotated away from said downward vertical direction through an angle equal to said shutoff angle, wherein the sum of said shutoff angle and one half angular beamwidth of said directed beam of light is less than eighty degrees.

9. A device, as recited in claim 8, wherein the improvement still further comprises:

a) a tubular opaque hood for shielding the lighted face and reflector of said illumination subassembly to prevent viewing of any portion of said lighted face and reflector unless an observer in front of said device is located within an acute viewing angle of the longitudinal axis of said device.

10. A device, as recited in claim 1 or 3, wherein the improvement still further comprises:

a) an electrical override switch, manually operable by said attending user, comprising electrical contacts with means for closure thereof for an electrical circuit in parallel with said gravity actuated electrical switch for an override application of power to said illumination subassembly irrespective of spatial orientation of said device.

11. A device, as recited in claim 1 or 3, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) means for automatically reducing the decay time span for extinguishing said projection of light, said light preset at any operable luminous level when said electrical power is disconnected from said illumination subassembly.

12. A device, as recited in claim 10, wherein said override switch further comprises:

a) a helical spring having a first end thereof in conducting contact with the casing terminal of said gravity switch and a second end thereof in conducting contact with an enclosed first end of a conducting override shaft;

b) an exposed second end of said override shaft for operational access by said attending user;

c) a conducting bar transversely affixed to said override shaft at a location in proximity to said first override shaft end; and

d) a wraparound strut of a battery holding cage, offset from the longitudinal axis of said override shaft a distance that is bridged by said transverse bar when said override shaft is rotated, by said attending user, into the gravity switch bypass mode thus forming an electrical circuit from a battery to said illumination subassembly.

13. A device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said gravity actuated switch comprises:

a) a sealed conducting case in a cylindrical configuration further comprising a concavously arched inner region symmetrically formed in a first end wall of said case;

b) a conducting post terminal coaxially projecting into said concavously arched inner region of said first end wall;

c) an insulator for isolating said conducting post terminal from said sealed case;

d) a symmetrical gap between said post and the inner wall of said sealed case;

e) a conducting liquid in the cavity of said sealed case in sufficient quantity to bridge the gap between said post terminal and the inner surface of said arched inner region of said case when said light beam is directed downward, said quantity of said conductive liquid being insufficient for bridging said gap when said central axis is aimed upward from said vertical direction in excess of forty five degrees; and

f) means for unobstructed movement of said conducting liquid within said sealed case between said OFF and ON modes to effect automatic switch operation at the boundary of said acceptable spatial zone, automatically responsive to the forces of gravity.

27. A device, as recited in claims 1, 14, or 17, wherein said light beam comprises:

a) a concentration of at least 75 percent of the energy within the 620-700 nanometer bandwidth is in a 40 nanometer bandwidth for red object viewing; and

b) a concentration of at least 85 percent of the energy within the 380-700 nanometer bandwidth is within the 380-600 nanometer bandwidth.

28. A device, as recited in claims 1, 14, or 17, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) means for the synthesis of said directed beam of light from sources of at least two different spectral distributions, for viewing and recognition by said attending user of surfaces having indicia thereon in black and white and in multiple colors of the visible spectra.

29. A device, as recited in claim 28, wherein said means for synthesis of spectral light and energy distributions comprises:

a) said illumination subassembly further comprising;

at least one lamp, operative in a first color spectral bandwidth of the visible light spectrum, responsive to an unidirectional flow of direct current in a first connecting circuit of said electrical power;

at least one lamp, operative in a second color spectral bandwidth distribution of said visible light spectrum, different from said first color spectral bandwidth, responsive to bidirectional flows of direct current in a different connecting circuit of said electrical power; and

b) means, accessible to said attending user, for reversing the polarity of said direct current flow in said device which selectively changes said spectral light and energy distribution of said directed beam from the colors of a composite of said first and second color spectra to the colors of said second color spectra of said array which is operative upon said bidirectional flows of direct current.

30. A device, as recited in claim 29, wherein said means for reversing the polarity of said direct current flow comprises:

a) at least one battery for an electrical power supply; and

b) a receptacle in said device, accessible to said attending user, for insertion and replacement of said batteries in a selected direction therein for either normal or reversed direct current polarities.

31. A device, as recited in claim 28, wherein said means for synthesis of spectral light and energy distributions comprises:

a) said illumination subassembly further comprising;

at least one lamp, operative in a first color spectral bandwidth distribution of the visible light spectrum, which is responsive to a flow of direct current in a first direction in a first connecting circuit of said electrical power;

at least one lamp, operative in a second color spectral bandwidth distribution of said visible light spectrum that is different from said first color spectral bandwidth distribution, which is responsive to a flow of direct current in a second direction in a different connecting circuit of said electrical power;

said first and second directions of direct current flow being responsive to opposite polarities of said electrical power; and

b) means accessible to said attending user, for reversing the polarity of said electrical power in said device, for alternatively selecting said directed beam of light from said first or second color spectral distributions.

32. A device, as recited in claim 31, wherein said means for reversing the polarity of said direct current flow comprises:

a) at least one battery for an electrical power supply; and

b) a receptacle in said device, accessible to said attending user, for insertion and replacement of said batteries in a selected direction therein for either normal or reversed direct current polarities.

3. A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one light source;

b) a reversible gravity actuated switch for automatically controlling said application of electrical power to said illumination subassembly to enable said projection of beamed light into a defined acceptable spatial zone about the downward vertical direction and to inhibit said projection of beamed light in all remaining space outside of said acceptable spatial zone, said gravity actuated switch comprising;

a sealed case; and

a conductive liquid for enclosure in said sealed case, said conductive liquid automatically responsive in movement within said case to the force of gravity, for operating said electrical switch to enable said application of electrical power for projection of said light beam in said defined acceptable spatial zone about said vertical direction, and for operating said electrical switch to inhibit said application of electrical power for extinguishing said light beam before rotation of said light beam upward forty-five degrees from said downward vertical direction.

14. A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light and radiant energy in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one lamp;

b) an alarm subassembly for alerting an attending user that said beamed light is projected into a forbidden spatial zone, outside of an acceptable spatial zone comprising said apparent local downward vertical direction;

c) a manually operable electrical switch, responsive to said attending user, comprising electrical contacts with means for closure of an electrical circuit to energize said lamp and said alarm subassembly; and

d) an automatic gravity actuated electrical switch that de-energizes said alarm subassembly when said beamed light is projected into said acceptable spatial zone.

15. A device as cited in claim 14 wherein said alarm subassembly comprises an audible signaling device.

16. A device as cited in claim 14 wherein said alarm subassembly comprises a tactile signaling device.

17. A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one lamp,

b) means for automatically reducing the decay time span for extinguishing the projected light, said projected light preset at any operable luminous intensity level, when said electrical power is disconnected from said illumination subassembly; and

c) a tubular opaque hood for shielding said illumination subassembly to prevent viewing of said illumination subassembly by an observer located outside of a thirty five degree angle measured from the longitudinal axis of said directed beam.

18. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) a continuously variable controller for the level of luminous intensity of said projected light.

19. A device, as recited in claim 18, wherein the improvement still further comprises:

a) a graduated scale of indicators for dividing the range of control of said luminous intensity level, said scale usable by an attendant for fine visual adjustments and for coarse adjustments by touch sensing in darkened situations.

20. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) at least one switch that is automatically operable, responsive to physical orientation of said device, for "On" or "Off" application of said electrical power independently of the adjusted position of said luminous intensity controller.

21. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for reducing the decay time span comprises:

a) at least one light emitting diode lamp in said illumination subassembly.

22. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for reducing the decay time span comprises:

a) said illumination subassembly further comprising;

an incandescent lamp; and

a red light absorbing filter interposed between said incandescent lamp and an exit aperture of said device for said directed beam.

23. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for reducing the decay time span comprises:

a) said illumination subassembly further comprising a multiplicity of lamps.

24. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein said means for reducing the decay time span comprises:

a) at least one electroluminescent lamp in said illumination subassembly.

25. A device, as recited in claim 17, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) a control system, operable by an attending user, for a coordinated dimming of said directed beam and the disconnection of said electrical power for extinguishing the projection of light from said device.

26. A device, as recited in claim 25, wherein said control system comprises:

a) first and second polarizing filters, operative differentially by said user, between parallel and cross planes of polarization of said directed beam; and

b) an on-off switch for said electrical power keyed to be operative at said cross plane polarization at the minimum level of luminous intensity of said directed beam.

33. A flashlight, operable by an attending user for signaling and for illuminating multicolored surfaces, which comprises:

a) an opaque housing having an exit aperture for projecting a beam of light through a shielding hood;

b) an electrical power supply comprising at least one replaceable battery which may be installed, by said user, alternatively in normal and reversed polarities;

c) an illumination subsystem operative to generate light upon application of said electrical power and rapidly responsive to disconnection of said electrical power yielding a short decay time span for projection of light, which subsystem comprises;

at least one array of light emitting lamps operative at a first spectrum of colors upon an unidirectional flow of direct current in said emitting lamps; and

at least one array of at least one light emitting lamp operative at a second spectrum of colors, different from said first color spectrum, upon reverse and bidirectional flows of direct current in said emitting lamp;

d) a luminous intensity control subsystem for said projected beam of light, comprising;

a first light polarizing lens interposed between said illumination subsystem and said housing exit aperture;

a second light polarizing lens successively interposed between said first light polarizing lens and said housing exit aperture; and

means, operable by said attending user, for differentially adjusting the planes of polarization of said first and second polarizing lenses in a range between parallel and crossed planes of polarization for continuous variation of said luminous intensity of projected light between the available maximum and minimum levels, respectively.

e) an electrical switching subsystem for connection of said power supply to said illumination subsystem, comprising;

a gravity actuated switch for the automatic connection of said power supply to said illumination subsystem when said flashlight is aimed to project said beam of light downward within a defined conical volume centered within a small acute included angle about the vertical direction, and for the automatic disconnection of said power supply from said illumination subsystem when said flashlight is aimed to project said beam of light in spaces outside said defined conical volume;

an override switch, manually operable by said attending user, for connection of said power supply to said illumination subsystem irrespective of the aiming direction of said flashlight; and

means, manually operable by said attending user, for disabling said gravity actuated switch for locking said flashlight in an OFF status; and

f) means for coordinating said electrical switching subsystem and said luminous intensity control subsystem for restricting initiation of the turn-on of said beam of light to coincide with said minimum intensity level effected by crossed planes of polarization of said intensity control subsystem.

34. A flashlight, operable by an attending user for projecting a beam of light for signaling and for illuminating multicolored surfaces, which comprises:

a) a cylindrical tubular housing of opaque material open at each end, which comprises;

a first end of said tubular housing for a light exit aperture, for assembly therein of a light polarizing optical module, said first housing end having a male threaded segment thereon and at least one keyway slot for angular registry of said polarizing optical module; and

a second end of said tubular housing for assembly therein of a removable flashlight cartridge, said second housing end having in proximity and parallel to said second end a slot with a gravity switch off-cam extending circumferentially approximately ninety degrees in said housing, for locking said cartridge in place and for setting a range of variable luminous intensity control;

b) a hood of opaque insulating material having matching female threads therein for assembly upon said first end of said tubular housing, for securing said optical module and for shielding said light exit aperture from side view;

c) said optical module, comprising;

an outer lens;

a first polarizer lens for said variable luminous intensity control;

a keyway pin for registry of said polarizer lens in said housing; and

an O-ring for sealing said flashlight against entry of foreign substances;

d) said flashlight replaceable cartridge, comprising;

a mechanical structure comprising a cage of at least three electrically conducting struts for assembly of said cartridge;

at least one dry cell battery for removable placement within said structural cage;

an interchangeable lamp module of optional design for removable attachment to the inner end of said structural cage for emission of light, said lamp module comprising input and output contacts for an electrical circuit supplied with power from said battery;

at least one light emitting lamp; and

a second polarizing lens for said variable luminous intensity control;

an electrical switching subassembly enclosed within the outer end of said structural cage for completing a conducting circuit from said battery to said lamp module;

a control cap attached to said electrical switching subassembly, said control cap comprising;

a raised surface remaining outside said flashlight housing for operation by said attending user when said cartridge is assembled in said housing;

a spring loaded locking pin for placement in said slot and said gravity switch off-cam of said housing;

a manually operable override switch connecting shaft and thumb lever; and

, a second O-ring for sealing said flashlight against entry of foreign substances; and

e) means for rotating said cartridge, about its long axis, within said cylindrical flashlight housing for initiating said projection of light and for varying said luminous intensity of the projected light beam.

35. A flashlight, as recited in claim 34, wherein said electrical switching subassembly, comprises:

a) an insulated retaining cup for assembly to said conducting cartridge cage, said retaining cup comprising an open top and an aperture through the base thereof, said aperture positioned for contact with at least one conducting strut of said cartridge cage.

b) an encased gravity actuated electrical switch for insertion within said insulated retaining cup;

said gravity switch comprising a sealed electrically conducting case for contact with a terminal of said battery;

a conducting liquid within said conducting case; and

a conducting contact and output terminal post, insulated from said case, for projecting through said retaining cup aperture for contact with said cage conducting strut;

a retaining ring for securing said gravity switch within said insulated cup; and

means, operable by said attending user, for opening the electrical circuit from said battery through said gravity switch to said conducting cage strut for achieving an off-status for said flashlight; and

c) an override switch, manually operable by said attending user, comprising;

a permanent isolated and insulated electrical conducting circuit from a terminal of said battery to a contact terminal of said override switch; and

means for manually closing said override contact terminal upon said cage conducting strut for completion of said conducting circuit from said battery to said lamp module.

36. A flashlight, as recited in claim 34, wherein said interchangeable lamp module further comprises:

a) a modular case of insulating materials for support of a multiplicity of light emitting lamps and for rotation with said cartridge;

b) an incandescent filament lamp, responsive to bidirectional flows of current;

c) an optical filter for absorbing red energies of the light emitted by said incandescent filament when energized;

d) an array of multiple light emitting diode lamps, responsive only to unidirectional flow of said electrical current, for the emission of light comprising at least one color spectra different from the filtered spectra of said incandescent filament lamp;

e) a second polarizing lens permanently attached to said modular case to polarize the composite emissions of all of said light emitting diodes and said incandescent filament lamps; and

f) means for connecting an electrical circuit from an adjacent battery terminal through said multiplicity of lamps to said conducting cartridge cage strut for return current flow to said battery.

37. A flashlight, as recited in claim 34, which further comprises:

a) a tactile generator, removably insertable in said cartridge cage, for automatically alerting said attending user through the sense of touch that light is being projected in a high risk direction, said tactile generator comprising;

a cylindrical container comprising insulating material for insertion within said cartridge cage said tactile container further comprising;

longitudinal keyways in the outer surface of said container distributed to receive said cage conducting struts therein;

an internal cavity in said container, and means for penetrating the shell of said container with input and return electrical conductors;

an automatic gravity actuating electrical switch inserted and physically oriented in said container cavity for automatic closure of an electrical circuit to said battery only when said flashlight is aimed to project light in said high risk directions; and

an electrically driven vibrating mass connected within said container cavity to said accompanying gravity switch and said electrical circuit for stimulating said touch of said attending user.

38. A flashlight, as recited in claim 34, wherein said interchangeable lamp module still further comprises:

a) at least one light emitting diode lamp for reducing the decay time span in extinguishing said beam of light from said flashlight when said battery power is disconnected from said lamp module.

39. A flashlight, as recited in claim 34, wherein said interchangeable lamp module still further comprises:

a) at least one electroluminescent lamp for reducing the decay time span in extinguishing said beam of light from said flashlight when said battery power is disconnected from said lamp module.

40. A device, operative by a user on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam at a desired intensity, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly comprising;

a first light source, operative to project from said device light in a first color spectral bandwidth distribution of the visible light spectrum;

a second light source, operative to project from said device light in a second color spectral bandwidth distribution of said visible light spectrum that is different from said first color spectral bandwidth distribution;

b) circuit means for connecting said illumination subassembly to said electrical power;

c) means operable without intensity control of the directed beam for automatically reducing the decay time span for extinguishing the projected light when said electrical power is disconnected from said illumination subassembly; and

d) means accessible to said attending user for altering the flow of current in said circuit for changing the color of said directed beam of light.

41. A device, as recited in claim 40, wherein said means for changing said color of said light beam comprises:

a) said first light source, responsive to a flow of current in a first direction in a connecting circuit to said electrical power;

b) said second light source, responsive to a flow of current in a second direction in said connecting circuit in reverse to said first direction of current flow; and

c) a switch in said connecting circuit of said electrical power for selection, responsive to an attending user, between said first and second directions of current flow.

42. A device as recited in claim 40, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a) a battery power supply;

b) a battery compartment to enclose said battery;

c) means to reverse the position of said battery in said battery compartment to effect reversal of polarity of said electrical power and a corresponding change in color.

43. A device according to claim 40, wherein one of said selectable directed beam colors is of the blue or green band of the visible spectrum of colors.

44. A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one lamp;

b) a circuit means for connecting said illumination subassembly to said electrical power;

c) a control system, operable by an attending user, for dimming and polarizing the directed light beam coordinated with the disconnection of said electrical power for extinguishing the projection of light from said device, wherein said control system comprises;

first and second polarizing filters, operative differentially by said user, between parallel and cross planes of polarization of said directed beam; and

an on-off switch for said electrical power keyed to activate said illumination subassembly at a predetermined level of luminous intensity of said directed beam.