Light emitting diode (LED) flashlight

• US 6,685,336 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Neiser, Gabe
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Guiyoung
• Application Number:
  US10/112,023
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 362/194, 362/195, 362/196, 362/202, 362/203, 362/208, 362/221, 362/225, 362/250, 362/555, 362/545, 362/800, 362/297
• US Class Current: 362/188
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/025 in portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/045 in portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light emitting diode (LED) flashlight that utilizes reflection techniques to maximize light provided by the one or more LED light sources. A reflection housing is connected to the flashlight housing and includes a light housing that is suspended within the reflection housing and positions the LED light source toward the flashlight handle. Reflective surfaces within the reflection housing receive the light emanating from the LED light source and reflect and re-direct the light out the transparent end opposite the flashlight handle.

Claims

1. A flashlight having a power source and a light emitting end, the flashlight comprising:

an LED light source electrically connected to the power source and being positioned, to direct light in an opposing direction away from the light emitting end; and

a reflection housing having inside reflective surfaces connected to a handle and positioned to receive the light directed in the opposite direction away from the light emitting end and reflect it out the light emitting end.

2. The flashlight according to claim 1, further comprising a central support for supporting said LED light source within said reflection housing.

3. The flashlight according to claim 2, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the position of said central support and thereby said LED light source within said reflection housing.

4. The flashlight according to claim 3, wherein said adjustment means comprises an adjustment knob rotatably connected to said handle, a gear mechanism connected to said adjustment knob and said central support, wherein rotation of said adjustment knob axially moves said central support.

5. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein said reflection housing further comprises a end disposed opposite the handle, said end having a transparent end for releasing the light reflected within said housing.

6. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting end includes a light emitting aperture.

7. The flashlight according to claim 6, wherein the light emitting aperture is variable in size and shape.

8. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein said LED light source comprises more than one LED.

9. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting end includes a magnifier.

10. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting end includes a diffuser.

11. A flashlight having a power source and a light emitting end, the flashlight comprising:

an LED light source electrically connected to the power source; and

a reflection housing having inside reflective surfaces connected to a handle and a central support axially disposed therein, wherein the light emitting end is part of the reflection housing and is positioned opposite said handle, and said central support includes reflective surfaces positioned in front of the LED light source such that the light emanating from said LED light source is intercepted by said reflective surfaces and internally reflected within said inside reflective surfaces of the reflection housing before being released through the light emitting end.

12. The flashlight according to claim 11, further comprising adjustment means for adjusting the position of said central support and thereby said reflective surfaces within said reflection housing.

13. The flashlight according to claim 12, wherein said adjustment means comprises an adjustment knob rotatably connected to said handle, a gear mechanism connected to said adjustment knob and said central support, wherein rotation of said adjustment knob axially moves said central support.

14. The flashlight according to claim 11, wherein said LED light source comprises more than one LED.

15. The flashlight according to claim 11, wherein the light emitting end includes a magnifier.

16. The flashlight according to claim 11, wherein the light emitting end includes a diffuser.

17. A flashlight having a power source, the flashlight comprising:

a plurality of LED light sources connected to the power source; and

a reflection housing having inside reflection surfaces connected to a handle and having a transparent light emitting end opposite said handle, wherein said plurality of LED light sources are circumferentially disposed within said reflection housing and positioned to direct light in an opposing direction away from said light emitting end, said reflection housing receiving the light directed in the opposite direction away from said light emitting end and reflecting the light emanating from the plurality of LED light sources through said light emitting end.

18. The flashlight according to claim 17, wherein said light emitting end further comprises an aperture having variable size and shape.

19. The flashlight according to claim 17, wherein said LED light source comprises more than one LED.

20. The flashlight according to claim 17, wherein the light emitting end includes a magnifier.

21. The flashlight according to claim 17, wherein the light emitting end includes a diffuser.

23. The flashlight according to claim 17, wherein the light emitting end includes a magnifier.

24. The flashlight according to claim 17, wherein the light emitting end includes a diffuser.

22. A flashlight having a power source and a light emitting end, the flashlight comprising:

a reflection housing having inside reflective surfaces connected to a handle;

at least one LED light source electrically connected to the power source a positioned outside said reflection housing; and

at least one aperture in said reflection housing for receiving said at least one LED light source such that said light source emits light into said reflection housing.

28. The flashlight according to claim 22, wherein the position and angles of the inside reflective surfaces are alterable.

25. A flashlight having a power source, the flashlight comprising:

a plurality of LED light sources connected to the power source; and

a reflection housing connected to a handle and having a transparent light emitting end, and a plurality of light source apertures, wherein said plurality of LED light sources are circumferentially disposed outside said reflection housing and positioned within said plurality of apertures to direct light into said reflection housing, said reflection housing having inside reflective surfaces positioned to capture the light emitting from said lights sources and reflect it through said transparent light emitting end.

26. The flashlight according to claim 25, wherein the light emitting end includes a magnifier.

27. The flashlight according to claim 25, wherein the light emitting end includes a diffuser.

29. The flashlight according to claim 25, wherein the position and angles of the inside reflective surfaces are alterable.