Dynamo-powered torch

• US 5,839,817 A
• Filed: 09/23/1997
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ming-Chih Wei
• Original Assignee: Ming-Chih Wei
• Inventors: Wei, Ming-Chih
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Application Number:
  US08/935,413
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 362/192, 362/193, 362/183, 362/157, 320/2, 320/7, 320/35, 320/30, 322/38
• US Class Current: 362/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/06 with mechanical drive, e.g. spring

Abstract

A dynamo-powered torch operative without a power supply in the form of a battery is disclosed. The dynamo-powered torch includes a cylindrical hollow body and a dynamo housed in the cylindrical hollow body. The cylindrical hollow body has a knob disposed at a rear end thereof. The knob has an axle centrally mounted on a face of the knob and a spiral power spring mounted around the axle. A clamp is mounted on the axle of the knob and driven by the spiral power spring. A gear train, which includes a first gear, a second gear, a drive shaft, a third gear and a forth gear, is provided for driving the dynamo. Two conductor strips extends from the dynamo to a bulb which is lit by current passing from the dynamo to the bulb via the conductor strips.

Claims

1. A dynamo-powered torch comprising:

a cylindrical hollow body having a front end and a rear end;

an axle rotatably supported within the body at the rear end thereof, the axle having a knob mounted at one end thereof so as to be rotatably disposed at the rear end of the body, a spiral power spring mounted around the axle, a substantially Z-shaped clamp securely mounted on the axle proximate the other end thereof so as to be driven by the spring, and a first gear mounted on the axle, the first gear having a circular recess defined within one face to receive the clamp, the periphery of the recess being configured as a unidirectional ratchet to engage the clamp;

a drive shaft rotatably supported within the body, the drive shaft having a second gear mounted at one end thereof, the second gear being circumferentially engaged with the first gear, and a third gear mounted at the other end thereof and driven by the drive shaft;

a dynamo having a spindle rotatably supported within the body, the spindle having a fourth gear mounted thereon, the fourth gear being circumferentially engaged by the third gear so that the dynamo is driven by the spring through the axle, the clamp, and the first through fourth gears;

a bulb mounted within the front end of the body; and

two conductor strips electrically connecting the dynamo to the bulb.

2. A torch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axle has a slit defined therein for receiving an end of the spiral power spring.