Flashlight

• US 6,388,390 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2001
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Erwin J. Rachwal
• Original Assignee: Erwin J. Rachwal
• Inventors: Rachwal, Erwin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, THUY V
• Application Number:
  US09/849,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20020014860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 315/200.R, 315/224, 315/291, 362/84, 362/202, 362/205, 362/208, 362/800, 362/802
• US Class Current: 315/200.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/06 with mechanical drive, e.g. spring
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/09 in which the lamp is fed by pulses automatic circuit devices built into or on the incandescent lamp H01K1/625; vehicle winking devices B60Q1/38
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/395 Linear regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A flashlight includes a source of power, a source of light, and switching circuitry connected with the source of power and the source of light. The source of light may be a semiconductor diode capable of emitting white light when energized. Touch-sensitive switch apparatus includes first and second terminals which are engagable by an operator of the flashlight to increase intensity of light emitted by the semiconductor diode. Third and fourth terminals are engagable by the operator to decrease intensity of the light emitted by the semiconductor diode.

Claims

1. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a light source connected with said housing, said light source being energizable to provide light to illuminate an object spaced from said housing, a battery connected with said housing, first and second terminals which are engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, and electrical circuitry connected with said first and second terminals, said battery and said light source to effect energization of said light source by said battery in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

2. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

3. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light source is a semiconductor diode capable of emitting light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

4. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said light source is capable of emitting white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

5. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry is operable between a first condition in which said light source is energized by a first flow of electrical current to provide light of a first intensity to facilitate locating said flashlight and a second condition in which said light source is energized by a second flow of electrical current which is greater than the first flow of electrical current to provide light of a second intensity which is greater than the first intensity, said electrical circuitry being operable between the first and second conditions in response to a conducting of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

6. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor which is operable between a plurality of conditions, said field effect transistor being operable between a first condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a first intensity and a second condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a second electrical potential which is less than said first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a second intensity which is less than said first intensity, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the first condition, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity which is insufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the second condition.

7. A flashlight as set forth in claim 6 wherein said light source is a diode capable of emitting white light when energized.

8. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source to emit light of an intensity which varies during conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

9. A flashlight as set forth in claim 8 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to maintain the intensity of the light emitted from the light source constant upon interruption of conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

10. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 further including third and fourth terminals which are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to de-energize said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

11. A flashlight as set forth in claim 10 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

12. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 further including third and fourth terminals which are engaged by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to reduce the intensity of light emitted from said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

13. A flashlight as set forth in claim 12 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

14. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a de-energized condition in which said light source is ineffective to emit light to an energized condition in which said light source is effective to emit light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

15. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a first condition emitting light of a first intensity to second condition emitting light of a second intensity which is greater than said first intensity in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

16. A flashlight as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry effects operation of said light source from a first condition in which said light source continuously emits light to a second condition in which said light source intermittently emits light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

17. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a semiconductor diode capable of emitting light when energized, a source of power, a touch-sensitive switch, and electrical circuitry connected with said touch-sensitive switch, said source of power and said semiconductor diode, said electrical circuitry being operable in response to said touch-sensitive switch being touched by the person operating said flashlight to effect energization of said semiconductor diode to emit light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced from said flashlight.

18. A flashlight as set forth in claim 17 wherein said touch-sensitive switch includes first and second terminals which are engaged by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight.

19. A flashlight as set forth in claim 17 further including a second touch-sensitive switch connected with said semiconductor diode, said electrical circuitry being operable in response to said second touch-sensitive switch being touched by the person operating said flashlight to effect de-energization of said semiconductor diode.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17 further including a second touch-sensitive switch connected with said semiconductor diode, said electrical circuitry being operable in response to said second touch-sensitive switch being touched by the person operating said flashlight to effect a reduction in the intensity of light emitted by said semiconductor diode from a first intensity which is sufficient to illuminate objects spaced from said flashlight to an intensity which is insufficient to illuminate an object spaced from said flashlight.

21. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a light source connected with said housing, said light source being energizable to provide light to illuminate an object spaced from said housing, a battery connected with said housing, first and second terminals which are engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, and electrical circuitry connected with said first and second terminals, said battery and said light source, said electrical circuitry being effective to increase intensity of light emitted from said light source to a maximum intensity as a function of duration of engagement of said first and second terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to maintain the intensity of light emitted from said light source constant upon interruption of engagement of said first and second terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

22. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 further including third and fourth terminals which are connected with electrical circuitry and are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to interrupt emission of light from said light source in response to engagement of said third and fourth terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

23. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 further including third and fourth terminals which are connected with said electrical circuitry and are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to reduce the intensity of light emitted from said light source to a predetermined minimum intensity in response to engagement of said third and fourth terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

24. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 further including third and fourth terminals which are connected with said electrical circuitry and are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first, second, third, and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

25. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor and a capacitor connected with said field effect transistor, said field effect transistor being in a condition in which it is effective to conduct electrical current which effects energization of said light source when said first and second terminals are engaged by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said capacitor being effective to provide an electrical potential which is effective to maintain said field effect transistor in the condition in which it is effective to conduct electrical current which effects energization of said light source upon interruption of engagement of said first and second terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

26. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

27. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said light source is a semiconductor diode capable of emitting light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

28. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said light source is capable of emitting white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

29. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry is operable between a first condition in which said light source is energized by a first flow of electrical current to provide light of a first intensity to facilitate locating said flashlight and a second condition in which said light source is energized by a second flow of electrical current which is greater than the first flow of electrical current to provide light of a second intensity which is greater than the first intensity, said electrical circuitry being operable between the first and second conditions in response to a conducting of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

30. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor which is operable between a plurality of conditions, said field effect transistor being operable between a first condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a first intensity and a second condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a second electrical potential which is less than said first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit-light of a second intensity which is less than said first intensity, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the first condition, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity which is insufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the second condition.

31. A flashlight as set forth in claim 30 wherein said light source is a diode capable of emitting white light when energized.

32. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a de-energized condition in which said light source is ineffective to emit light to an energized condition in which said light source is effective to emit light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

33. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a first condition emitting light of a first intensity to second condition emitting light of a second intensity which is greater than said first intensity in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

34. A flashlight as set forth in claim 21 wherein said electrical circuitry effects operation of said light source from a first condition in which said light source continuously emits light to a second condition in which said light source intermittently emits light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

35. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a light source connected with said housing, said light source being energizable to provide light to illuminate an object spaced from said housing, a battery connected with said housing, first and second terminals which are engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, and electrical circuitry connected with said first and second terminals, said battery and said light source, said electrical circuitry effects operation of said light source from a first condition in which said light source continuously emits light to a second condition in which said light source intermittently emits light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

36. A flashlight as set forth in claim 35 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

37. A flashlight as set forth in claim 35 wherein said light source is a semiconductor diode capable of emitting light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

38. A flashlight as set forth in claim 35 wherein said light source is capable of emitting white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

39. A flashlight as set forth in claim 35 wherein said light source is a diode capable of emitting white light when energized.

40. A flashlight as set forth in claim 35 further including third and fourth terminals which are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to de-energize said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

41. A flashlight as set forth in claim 40 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

42. A flashlight as set forth in claim 35 further including third and fourth terminals which are engaged by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to reduce the intensity of light emitted from said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

43. A flashlight as set forth in claim 42 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

44. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a light source connected with said housing, said light source being energizable to provide light to illuminate an object spaced from said housing, a battery connected with said housing, first and second terminals which are engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, third and fourth terminals which are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, and electrical circuitry connected with said first, second, third and fourth terminals, said electrical circuitry being effective to increase intensity of light emitted from said light source in response to engagement of said first and second terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to decrease the intensity of light emitted from said light source in response to engagement of said third and fourth terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

45. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to cause said light source to intermittently emit light in response to engagement of said first and second terminals by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight when said light source is emitting light of a maximum intensity.

46. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first, second, third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

47. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said light source is a semiconductor diode capable of emitting light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

48. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said light source is capable of emitting white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

49. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry is operable between a first condition in which said light source is energized by a first flow of electrical current to provide light of a first intensity to facilitate locating said flashlight and a second condition in which said light source is energized by a second flow of electrical current which is greater than the first flow of electrical current to provide light of a second intensity which is greater than the first intensity, said electrical circuitry being operable between the first and second conditions in response to a conducting of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

50. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor which is operable between a plurality of conditions, said field effect transistor being operable between a first condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a first intensity and a second condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a second electrical potential which is less than said first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a second intensity which is less than said first intensity, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the first condition, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity which is insufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the second condition.

51. A flashlight as set forth in claim 50 wherein said light source is a diode capable of emitting white light when energized.

52. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to maintain the intensity of the light emitted from the light source constant upon interruption of conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the per son operating said flashlight.

53. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to de-energize said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

54. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a de-energized condition in which said light source is ineffective to emit light to an energized condition in which said light source is effective to emit light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

55. A flashlight as set forth in claim 44 wherein said electrical circuitry effects operation of said light source from a first condition in which said light source continuously emits light to a second condition in which said light source intermittently emits light in response to conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

56. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a semiconductor diode connected with said housing, said semiconductor diode being energizable with a first electrical potential to emit light of a low intensity which is ineffective to illuminate objects spaced more than a first distance from said flashlight, said semiconductor diode being energizable with a second electrical potential to emit light of a maximum intensity which is effective to illuminate objects spaced more than the first distance from said flashlight, a battery connected with said housing, switch apparatus operable by the person operating said flashlight, electrical circuitry connected with said switch apparatus, said battery and said semiconductor diode, said switch apparatus being operable by the person operating said flashlight to increase electrical potential conducted from said battery through said electrical circuitry to said semiconductor diode from said first electrical potential to said second electrical potential to increase the intensity of the light emitted by said semiconductor diode from said low intensity to said maximum intensity.

57. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said switch apparatus includes at least one terminal which is fixedly connected with said circuit board and is disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

58. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said semiconductor diode emits light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is energized with said second electrical potential.

59. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said semiconductor diode emits white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is energized with said second electrical potential.

60. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor which is operable between a plurality of conditions, said field effect transistor being operable between a first condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said semiconductor diode with the first electrical potential to cause said semiconductor diode to emit light of said low intensity and a second condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said semiconductor diode with the second electrical potential which is greater than said first electrical potential to cause said semiconductor diode to emit light of said maximum intensity.

61. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said switch apparatus includes first and second terminals which are engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said first and second terminals through the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry effects energization of said semiconductor diode to emit light of an intensity which varies during conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

62. A flashlight as set forth in claim 61 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to maintain the intensity of the light emitted from said semiconductor diode constant upon interruption of conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

63. A flashlight as set forth in claim 61 wherein said switch apparatus includes third and fourth terminals which are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to de-energize said semiconductor diode in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

64. A flashlight as set forth in claim 63 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

65. A flashlight as set forth in claim 61 wherein said switch apparatus includes third and fourth terminals which are engaged by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to reduce the intensity of light emitted from said semiconductor diode in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

66. A flashlight as set forth in claim 65 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

67. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said semiconductor diode by said battery from a de-energized condition in which said semiconductor diode is ineffective to emit light to an energized condition in which said semiconductor diode is effective to emit light of the low intensity in response operation of said switch apparatus.

68. A flashlight as set forth in claim 56 wherein said electrical circuitry effects operation of said semiconductor diode from a condition in which said semiconductor diode continuously emits light to a second condition in which said semiconductor diode intermittently emits light in response to operation of said switch apparatus.

69. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a semiconductor diode connected with said housing, said semiconductor diode being energizable to provide white light to illuminate an object spaced from said housing, a battery connected with said housing, switch apparatus operable by the person operating said flashlight, and electrical circuitry connected with said switch apparatus, said battery and said semiconductor diode, said electrical circuitry effects operation of said semiconductor diode from a first condition in which said semiconductor diode continuously emits white light to a second condition in which said semiconductor diode intermittently emits white light in response to actuation of said switch apparatus by the person operating said flashlight.

70. A flashlight as set forth in claim 69 wherein said switch apparatus is operable by the person operating said flashlight to increase electrical potential conducted from said battery through said electrical circuitry to said semiconductor diode from a first electrical potential to a second electrical potential to increase the intensity of the white light emitted by said semiconductor electrode from a low intensity to a maximum intensity when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition.

71. A flashlight as set forth in claim 70 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said switch apparatus includes at least one terminal which is fixedly connected with said circuit board and is disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

72. A flashlight as set forth in claim 70 wherein said semiconductor diode emits white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition and is energized with said second electrical potential.

73. A flashlight as set forth in claim 69 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor which is operable between a plurality of conditions, said field effect transistor being operable between a first condition and a second condition, said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said semiconductor diode with the first electrical potential to cause said semiconductor diode to emit white light of a low intensity when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition of said semiconductor diode and said field effect transistor is in the first condition of said field effect transistor, said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said semiconductor diode with a second electrical potential which is greater than said first electrical potential to cause said semiconductor diode to emit light of a maximum intensity.

74. A flashlight as set forth in claim 69 wherein said switch apparatus includes first and second terminals which are engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said first and second terminals through the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry effects energization of said semiconductor diode to emit white light of an intensity which varies during conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition.

75. A flashlight as set forth in claim 74 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to maintain the intensity of the white light emitted from said semiconductor diode constant upon interruption of conduction of electrical energy between said first and second terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition.

76. A flashlight as set forth in claim 74 wherein said switch apparatus includes third and fourth terminals which are engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to de-energize said semiconductor diode in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition.

77. A flashlight as set forth in claim 76 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said first and second terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said third and fourth terminals being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

78. A flashlight as set forth in claim 74 wherein said switch apparatus includes third and fourth terminals which are engaged by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to reduce the intensity of white light emitted from said semiconductor diode in response to conduction of electrical energy between said third and fourth terminals through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight when said semiconductor diode is in the first condition.

79. A flashlight to provide a source of illumination which is movable by a person operating the flashlight, said flashlight comprising a housing, a light source connected with said housing, said light source being energizable to provide light to illuminate an object spaced from said housing, a battery connected with said housing, at least one terminal which is engagable by a portion of a body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, and electrical circuitry connected with said one terminal, said battery and said light source to effect energization of said light source by said battery in response to conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

80. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said one terminal being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

81. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said light source is a semiconductor diode capable of emitting light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

82. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said light source is capable of emitting white light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight.

83. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry is operable between a first condition in which said light source is energized by a first flow of electrical current to provide light of a first intensity to facilitate locating said flashlight and a second condition in which said light source is energized by a second flow of electrical current which is greater than the first flow of electrical current to provide light of a second intensity which is greater than the first intensity, said electrical circuitry being operable between the first and second conditions in response to a conducting of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

84. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a field effect transistor which is operable between a plurality of conditions, said field effect transistor being operable between a first condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a first intensity and a second condition in which said electrical circuitry is effective to energize said light source with a second electrical potential which is less than said first electrical potential to cause said light source to emit light of a second intensity which is less than said first intensity, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity sufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the first condition, said light source being energized to emit light of an intensity which is insufficient to illuminate objects spaced more than six feet from said flashlight when said field effect transistor is in the second condition.

85. A flashlight as set forth in claim 84 wherein said light source is a diode capable of emitting white light when energized.

86. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source to emit light of an intensity which varies during conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

87. A flashlight as set forth in claim 86 wherein said electrical circuitry is effective to maintain the intensity of the light emitted from the light source constant upon interruption of conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

88. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 further including another terminal which is engagable by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to de-energize said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight at said other terminal.

89. A flashlight as set forth in claim 88 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said one terminal and said other terminal being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

90. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 further including another terminal which is engaged by the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight to enable electrical energy to be conducted through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight, said electrical circuitry being effective to reduce the intensity of light emitted from said light source in response to conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

91. A flashlight as set forth in claim 90 wherein said electrical circuitry includes a circuit board having major side surfaces interconnected by minor side surfaces and circuit components connected with said circuit board and disposed adjacent to at least one major side surface of said circuit board, said one terminal and said other terminal being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board, said one terminal and said other terminal being fixedly connected with said circuit board and being disposed adjacent to at least one of said minor side surfaces of said circuit board.

92. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a de-energized condition in which said light source is ineffective to emit light to an energized condition in which said light source is effective to emit light in response to conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

93. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry effects energization of said light source by said battery from a first condition emitting light of a first intensity to second condition emitting light of a second intensity which is greater than said first intensity in response to conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.

94. A flashlight as set forth in claim 79 wherein said electrical circuitry effects operation of said light source from a first condition in which said light source continuously emits light to a second condition in which said light source intermittently emits light in response to conduction of electrical energy through the portion of the body of the person operating said flashlight.