Miniature LED flashlight

• US 6,190,018 B1
• Filed: 01/06/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Inventors: Parsons, Kevin L., Reeves, W. Clay, Keller, Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): WARD, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/226,322
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 362/116, 362/196, 362/200, 362/800, 362/205
• US Class Current: 362/116
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/005 Fobs
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0885 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashlight having a power source and a light source having a high intensity positioned in a power source frame. The flashlight further includes a power source frame housing that encloses the power source frame. The frame and the housing cooperate to secure and protect the internal components of the flashlight. The flashlight is further provided with side covers that have flat surfaces to receive markings or engravings. A switch is provided to activate the light source, the switch preferably providing tactile feedback to the user.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a light emitting diode having first and second leads extending therefrom;

a power source having a first side and a second side, the second side being opposite the first side;

a housing enclosing the leads of the light emitting diode and the power source;

a switch disposed adjacent the power source including an electrically conductive switch plate electrically connecting a lead of the light emitting diode and the power source upon activation of the switch, said lead being out of physical contact with said power source when the switch is activated;

wherein the switch is activated by applying pressure to an elastomeric switch element disposed for operative engagement with said switch plate whereby a circuit including the first and second leads of the light emitting diode, the switch plate, and the power source is completed.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the switch plate is a dome plate.

3. The flashlight of claim 2, wherein the dome plate is positioned between the power source and a lead of the light emitting diode, but out of contact with the power source.

4. A flashlight comprising:

a light emitting diode;

a power source;

a power source frame adapted to receive the power source;

a power source frame housing enclosing at least a portion of the light source, the power source, and the power source frame; and

a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source.

5. The flashlight of claim 4, wherein the power source frame housing further comprises first and second sides, and the power source frame comprises a first side and a second side, the second side of the power source frame being opposite the first side of the power source frame.

6. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein the first and second sides of the power source frame housing each have a plurality of pegs extending therefrom along an inner periphery thereof, and wherein a periphery of the power source frame includes a plurality of pegholes adapted to receive the pegs of the first and second sides of the power source frame housing such that the power source frame housing can be engaged with the power source frame.

7. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein one of the sides of the power source frame housing includes a keyring extension having an opening whereby a keyring can be attached to the keyring extension.

8. The flashlight of claim 7, further comprising a spring-biased keyring lock attached to the power source frame wherein, upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring extension is opened to permit a keyring to be attached to the keyring extension.

9. The flashlight of claim 8, wherein the spring-biased keyring lock pivots about a circular post positioned on the power source frame.

10. The flashlight of claim 4, further comprising first and second frame side covers having an outer periphery that is sandwiched between the power source frame housing and a periphery of the power source frame.

11. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein the first and second side covers comprise aluminum.

12. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein at least one of the side covers has a flat surface adapted to receive markings or engravings.

13. The flashlight of claim 10, further comprising first and second frame side covers that are composed of a material dissimilar from the frame housing.

14. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein the side covers are flat and lie in parallel planes.

15. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein the switch further includes a button and a dome plate, one of the side covers including the button affixed thereon and positioned adjacent the dome plate.

16. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the power source frame includes a counterbore having a terminus within the power source frame, and the dome plate is positioned in the counterbore such that an outer periphery of the dome plate is positioned in the counterbore such that an outer periphery of the dome plate abuts the terminus of the counterbore, and wherein the switch is activated by applying pressure to the dome plate.

17. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the button is made of rubber and muffles the sound of the switch when it is activated.

18. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the button includes an engaging element for engaging the dome plate.

19. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the dome plate includes an engaging element for engaging the power source.

20. The flashlight of claim 18, wherein the light emitting diode is of high luminous intensity and emits blue light.

21. The flashlight of claim 4, wherein the power source frame has a thickness in the range of 0.15 and 0.25 inches.

22. The flashlight of claim 21, wherein the thickness is 0.18 inches.

23. The flashlight of claim 21, wherein the thickness of the power source frame is equal to the thickness of the light emitting diode.

25. The flashlight of claim 21, wherein the spring-biased keyring lock pivots about a circular post positioned on the power source frame.

24. A flashlight comprising:

a light source;

a power source;

a power source frame enclosing at least a portion of the light source and the power source;

a power source frame housing containing the power source frame, light source and power source;

a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source; and

a keyring extension extending from the power source frame housing having an opening whereby a keyring can be attached to the keyring extension and the keyring extension further includes a spring-biased keyring lock operatively connected to the power source frame wherein, upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring lock is opened to permit a keyring to be attached to the keyring extension.

26. The flashlight of claim 24, wherein the keyring lock exerts a force against the outermost edge of the keyring extension.