Waterproof switch device for a flashlight

• US 5,990,430 A
• Filed: 11/12/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
• Original Assignee: Shoei-Shuh Shiau
• Inventors: Shiau, Shoei-Shuh
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US09/190,063
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 200/302.2, 200/60, 362/206
• US Class Current: 200/302.2
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/08 Casing of switch constituted by a handle serving a purpose other than the actuation of the switch

Abstract

A switch device is mounted on the rear end of a conductive barrel body of a flashlight, and includes an actuating plunger movably disposed in a coupling member. An elastomeric cap member includes an annular insert portion interposed between a rear annular wall of the coupling member and the actuating plunger, and a cap portion. The cap portion has a depressible body and an annular connecting portion which extends forwardly in an axial direction and which is formed integrally with the insert portion to define an annular juncture therebetween. A block member extends radially and outwardly from the annular juncture to form a shoulder that faces rearwards, and has an outer peripheral surface distal to and radially spaced relative to the annular juncture. A socket portion extends forwardly from the depressible body so as to be plugged by a depressible plug end of the actuating plunger. A tubular retaining member includes an inner annular retaining portion that extends inwardly and radially from an inner surface thereof such that, once the retaining member is brought to engage the rear annular wall of the coupling member, liquid-tight abutments are established among the inner annular retaining portion and the annular connecting portion and the shoulder.

Claims

1. A waterproof switch device for a flashlight which includes a conductive barrel body having a front annular end portion and a rear annular end portion in a longitudinal direction, and a battery received in the barrel body with an electrode proximate to the rear annular end portion, said waterproof switch device comprising:

a conductive coupling member having

a front annular wall adapted to be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to and adapted to engage the rear annular end portion to establish an electric connection therebetween;

a rear annular wall; and

a middle annular portion interposed between said front and rear annular walls in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal direction;

a conductive spring member disposed in said coupling member;

an elastomeric cap member including

an annular insert portion extending in said axial direction,

a cap portion having a depressible body with a periphery, and an annular connecting portion that extends forwardly from said periphery in said axial direction and that is formed integrally with said insert portion to form an annular juncture therebetween,

an annular block member extending radially and outwardly from said annular juncture to form a shoulder facing rearwardly in said axial direction, said block member having an outer peripheral surface distal to and radially spaced relative to said annular juncture, and

a conductive retaining member having

a forward annular engaging end disposed to be fitted snugly with said rear annular wall once said retaining member is brought towards said coupling member in said axial direction,

an annular engaging portion extending rearwardly from said forward annular engaging end in said axial direction, and having a forward inner wall proximate to said forward annular engaging end and of a first dimension sufficient to engage fittingly said outer peripheral surface of said block member when said forward annular engaging end is fitted snugly on said rear annular wall, and

an inner annular retaining portion inwardly and radially extending from said forward inner wall, and spaced from said forward annular engaging end in said axial direction, said inner annular retaining portion being of a second dimension less than that of an outer circumference of said annular connecting portion that is proximate to said annular juncture so as to form liquid-tight abutments among said inner annular retaining portion, said annular connecting portion and said shoulder when said retaining member is brought to fit snugly with said rear annular wall of said coupling member.

2. The waterproof switch device as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring member has a middle section and a rear section in said axial direction, said switch device further comprising

an insulated retaining member disposed in said coupling member to hinder movement of said middle section of said spring member in said axial direction relative to said coupling member and insulate electrically said spring member from said coupling member;

a contact member disposed to be in electric contact with said coupling member, and having a contact end proximate to said rear section of said spring member;

an actuating plunger disposed to be movable relative to said coupling member in said axial direction, and having

a front actuating end secured to said rear section of said spring member to electrically connect and disconnect said contact end of said contact member to and from said rear section when said actuating plunger is moved in said axial direction between switch-on and switch-off positions, and

a depressible plug end extending rearwardly and outwardly of said rear annular wall of said coupling member.

3. The waterproof switch device as defined in claim 2, wherein said cap member further has a socket portion disposed to extend forwardly from said depressible body in said axial direction so as to be plugged therein by said depressible plug end.