Miniature LED flashlight

• US 6,357,890 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Inventors: Keller, Donald A., Parsons, Kevin L., Reeves, W. Clay
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): WARD, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/653,646
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 362/800, 362/200, 362/116, 362/196, 362/205
• US Class Current: 362/116
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/00 Key-rings
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• 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: 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 operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source; and

a keyring extension extending from the housing having an opening whereby a keyring can be attached to the keyring extension;

a keyring lock operatively connected to the housing 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.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring lock pivots about a circular post positioned within the housing.

3. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring lock exerts a force against an end of the keyring extension.

4. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring extension extends from one side of the housing.

5. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the housing includes side covers positioned on both sides of the power source.

6. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein the sides covers are made of a material dissimilar to the housing.

7. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein at least one of the side covers is comprised of aluminum.

8. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein the side covers are comprised of metal.

9. The flashlight of claim 8, wherein the side covers are comprised of anodized aluminum.

10. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein at least one of the side covers is includes indicia.

11. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein at least one of the side cover is laser engraved.

12. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein the indicia is a logo.

13. The flashlight of claim 5, wherein an elastomeric switch element is positioned within one of the side covers.

14. The flashlight of claim 4, wherein the housing includes at least one side cover positioned on one side of the power source.

15. The flashlight of claim 14, wherein the at least one side cover is made of a material dissimilar to the housing.

16. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the at least one side cover is made of anodized aluminum.

17. 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 operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source; and

a keyring extension extending from the housing and having an opening whereby a keyring can be attached to the keyring extension;

the keyring extension further including a keyring lock 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.

18. The flashlight of claim 17, wherein the keyring lock exerts a force against an end of the keyring extension.

19. The flashlight of claim 17, wherein the keyring extension extends from the housing on a side opposite from the light emitting diode.