Neck supported flashlight apparatus

• US 5,268,826 A
• Filed: 04/12/1993
• Issued: 12/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger W. Greene
• Original Assignee: Roger W. Greene
• Inventors: Greene, Roger W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/044,766
• Time in Patent Office: 239 Days
• Field of Search: 362/103, 362/105, 362/108, 362/191, 362/382, 362/396, 362/802, 362/183
• US Class Current: 362/103
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A semi-annular band formed of shape-retentive material is arranged for positioning about an individual'"'"'s neck, having its first end secured to a photo-cell and its second end mounting a flashlight member thereon, whereupon the photo-cell permits actuation of the flashlight member upon entering areas of limited available light.

Claims

1. A neck supported flashlight apparatus, comprising,

a semi-annular band formed of a shape-retentive material, having a band first end and a band second end, with the band first end including a photo-cell switch plate, and the band second end including a flashlight housing, and a battery cable in electrical communication between the photo-cell switch plate and the flashlight housing, with the flashlight housing including a housing front wall spaced from the band first end, and the housing front wall including a pivotal ball mounted within the housing front wall, and a support shaft extending from the pivotal ball, and a flashlight head mounted to the support shaft, wherein the flashlight shaft includes an illumination bulb and at least one battery member mounted within the flashlight housing in electrical communication with the photo-cell switch plate to effect selective actuation of the illumination bulb.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the semi-annular band includes a convex exterior surface, and a battery cable having a cable first end secured to the photo-cell switch plate and directed along the convex exterior wall, and the cable having a cable second end directed into the flashlight housing in electrical communication with the at least one battery member therewithin.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the battery housing includes a spring clip mounted thereon for attaching the battery housing to a garment.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the band first end includes a first end latch plate arranged for reception within the flashlight housing rear wall, and the flashlight housing rear wall includes a spherical rear wall socket to permit pivotal mounting of the flashlight housing to the semi-annular band, and the band having a band second end latch plate arranged for reception within the photo-cell switch plate.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the photo-cell switch plate includes a three-way switch arranged to permit selective actuation of the illumination bulb sensitive to limited available light or deactivation of the photo-cell switch plate, or selective illumination of the illumination bulb through the at least one battery member.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the battery cable first end includes a battery cable plug member, and the switch plate includes a switch plate electrical socket, wherein the battery cable plug member is arranged for separation relative to switch plate electrical socket, and further including a battery recharge housing arranged for receiving the battery cable plug member, wherein the battery recharge housing includes a plug receiving socket having a keyway slot, and the battery cable plug member includes a cable plug rib arranged for complementary reception within the keyway slot to maintain polarity in recharging of the at least one battery through the battery cable.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the battery cable plug member includes a plurality of prong members received within the recharge housing plug receiving socket, wherein each of the prong members includes a prong base fixedly mounted to the battery cable plug member, and a prong tip, wherein the prong tip is separated and hingedly mounted relative to the prong base, including a resilient flexible hinge structure.