Flexible bendable flashlight

• US 6,874,908 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Inventors: Kline, Robert A., Sharrah, Raymond L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton, Anabel
• Application Number:
  US10/144,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20030210543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 362/198, 362/158, 362/800, 362/119, 362/120, 362/202, 362/203, 362/199, 362/197
• US Class Current: 362/187
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/145 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/32 Flexible tubes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0421 the switch being part of, or disposed on the tail cap portion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashlight comprises a housing having, for example, a tapered portion and a hole at a forward end thereof with a flexible/bendable extension including a solid state light source extending through the hole at the forward end thereof. A switch, preferably in a tail cap, selectively connects the solid state light source and at least one battery in the housing in circuit for causing the solid state light source to produce light. The flexible extension preferably makes electrical contact with the housing and/or preferably includes an insulating cover having an end retained in the housing.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a housing having a bore and a hole at a forward end thereof;

an elongated flexible/bendable member having a first end thereof extending through the hole in said housing from interior the bore thereof, and including at least two electrical conductors extending substantially the length thereof;

securing means disposed around said elongated flexible/bendable member interior the bore of said housing for securing said elongated flexible/bendable member in said housing;

wherein said securing means comprises a split collar compressed in the bore of said housing;

a light source disposed at a second end of said elongated flexible/bendable member distal said housing and connected to the at least two electrical conductors thereof;

at least one battery in said housing; and

a switch for selectively connecting said light source and said at least one battery in circuit via the at least two conductors of said elongated flexible/bendable member for causing said light source to produce light.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said securing means further comprises an electrically conductive eyelet for making electrical connection between one of the at least two conductors of said elongated flexible/bendable member and said housing.

3. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said split collar is electrically conductive for making electrical connection between one of the at least two conductors of said elongated flexible/bendable member and said housing.

4. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said split collar is electrically insulating for urging one of the at least two conductors of said elongated flexible/bendable member against said housing.

5. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said spilt collar has a central opening wherein said elongated flexible/bendable member is disposed.

6. The flashlight of claim 5 wherein the central opening of said split collar has a plurality of projections extending radially inward for engaging said elongated flexible/bendable member.

7. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said elongated flexible/bendable member includes a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween.

8. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein said securing means comprises a cylindrical fitting surrounding at least the center conductor of said coaxial cable.

16. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a current limiting electrical device in circuit with said light source at the distal end of said elongated flexible/bendable member.

17. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a molded body for supporting said light source to the second end of said elongated flexible/bendable member.

18. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve overlying at least a portion of said housing and a portion of said flexible/bendable member proximate where said elongated flexible/bendable member extends through the hole in said housing.

19. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a tail cap on said housing, wherein said switch includes a pushbutton switch located in said tail cap for selectively connecting and disconnecting said at least one battery and said housing when said pushbutton is pressed and released.

9. A flashlight comprising:

a housing having a bore and a hole at a forward end thereof;

an elongated flexible/bendable member having a first end thereof extending through the hole in said housing from interior the bore thereof, and including at least two electrical conductors extending substantially the length thereof, wherein said elongated flexible/bendable member includes a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween;

securing means disposed around said elongated flexible/bendable member interior the bore of said housing for securing said elongated flexible/bendable member in said housing,

wherein said securing means comprises a split coller compressed in the bore of said housing and engaging the outer conductor of said coaxial cable;

a light source disposed at a second end of said elongated flexible/bendable member distal said housing and connected to the at least two electrical conductors thereof;

at least one battery in said housing; and

a switch for selectively connecting said light source and said at least one battery in circuit via the at least two conductors of said elongated flexible/bendable member for causing said light source to produce light.

10. The flashlight of claim 9 wherein said coaxial cable includes a jacket on the coaxial outer conductor thereof, and wherein said split collar engages the jacket and the outer conductor of said coaxial cable.

11. The flashlight of claim 9 wherein said securing means further comprises an electrically conductive eyelet for making electrical connection between the outer conductor of said elongated flexible/bendable member and said housing.

12. The flashlight of claim 9 wherein said split collar is electrically conductive for making electrical connection between the outer conductor of said coaxial cable and said housing.

13. The flashlight of claim 9 wherein said split collar is electrically insulating for urging the outer conductor of said coaxial cable against said housing.

14. The flashlight of claim 9 wherein said split collar has a central opening wherein said coaxial cable is disposed.

15. The flashlight of claim 14 wherein the central opening of said split collar has a plurality of projections extending radially inward for engaging said coaxial cable.

20. An elongated bendable member for a flashlight comprising:

a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween extending from a first end to a second end thereof;

a split collar surrounding the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable for engaging the outer conductor at the first end thereof;

an electrically conductive eyelet for making electrical connection to the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof;

a cylindrical fitting surrounding at least the center conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof, and

a light source disposed at the second end of said length of coaxial cable and connected to the center and outer conductors thereof.

21. The elongated bendable member of claim 20 in combination with a housing having a hole therein, wherein said length of coaxial cable extends through the hole of said housing with the first end of said length of coaxial cable disposed interior said housing.

22. The elongated bendable member of claim 21 wherein said housing further comprises a battery and a switch coupled to the center and outer conductors of said length of coaxial cable for selectively energizing said light source to produce light.

23. The elongated bendable member of claim 20 wherein said coaxial cable includes a jacket on the coaxial outer conductor thereof, and wherein said split collar engages the jacket and the outer conductor of said coaxial cable.

24. The elongated bendable member of claim 20 wherein said split collar has a central opening wherein said coaxial cable is disposed, and wherein the central opening of said split collar has a plurality of projections extending radially inward for engaging said coaxial cable.

25. A method for making a light-producing member comprising:

providing a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween extending from a first end to a second end thereof;

placing a split collar surrounding the outer conductor of the length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof;

swaging an electrically conductive eyelet to the first end of the length of coaxial cable for making electrical connection to the outer conductor thereof;

placing a cylindrical fitting surrounding at least the center conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof proximate the swaged electrically conductive eyelet; and

connecting a light source to the center and outer conductors at the second end of the length of coaxial cable.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprises pressing the split collar, the swaged eyelet and the cylindrical fitting into a hollow housing in a press fit.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

providing a hollow housing having a hole at a first end thereof and an opening at a second end thereof;

prior to said connecting a light source, inserting the length of coaxial cable with the split collar, the swaged eyelet and the cylindrical fitting thereon into the opening at the second end of the hallow housing until the second end of the length of coaxial cable extends out of the housing through the hole in the first end thereof; and

then said connecting said light source to the center and outer conductors at the second end of the length of coaxial cable.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said inserting further comprises pressing the split collar, the swaged eyelet and the cylindrical fitting into the hollow housing in a press fit.

29. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

providing a hollow housing having a hole at a first end thereof and an opening at a second end thereof;

inserting the length of coaxial cable with the light source connected thereto into the hole of the hollow housing until the first end of the coaxial cable extends out of the hollow housing through the opening therein;

then, said placing a split collar, said singing an electrically conductive eyelet, and said placing a cylindrical fitting as recited in claim 25.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising pressing the split collar, the swaged eyelet and the cylindrical fitting into the hollow housing in a press fit.

31. The method of claim 25 further comprising molding a body over the connections of said light source to the center and outer conductors at the second end of the length of coaxial cable.

32. An elongated bendable member for a flashlight comprising:

a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween extending from a first end to a second end thereof;

a split collar surrounding the outer conductor and/or the insulating member of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof, wherein the coaxial outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable overlies said split collar; and

a light source disposed at the second end of said length of coaxial cable and connected to the center and outer conductors thereof.

33. An elongated bendable member for a flashlight comprising:

a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween extending from a first end to a second end thereof;

means for making electrical connection to the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof including;

a split collar surrounding the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable for engaging the outer conductor at the first end thereof; and

a light source disposed at the second end of said length of coaxial cable and connected to the center and outer conductors thereof.

34. The elongated bendable member of claim 33 wherein said means for making electrical connection further comprises:

an electrically conductive eyelet for making electrical connection to the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof; and

a cylindrical fitting surrounding at least the center conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof.

35. A flashlight comprising:

a hollow housing having a hole at a forward end thereof;

an elongated bendable member having a first end thereof extending through the hole in the forward end of said hollow housing from interior thereof, said elongated bendable member comprising;

a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween extending from a first end to a second end thereof;

means for making electrical connection to the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof including;

a split collar surrounding the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable for engaging the outer conductor at the first end thereof; and

a light source disposed at the second end of said length of coaxial cable and connected to the center and outer conductors thereof;

a plurality of battery cells in said hollow housing; and

a switch on said hollow housing for selectively connecting said light source and said plurality of battery cells in circuit via the center and outer conductors of said elongated bendable member for causing said light source to produce light.

37. The flashlight of claim 35 wherein said split collar has a central opening wherein the first end of said length of coaxial cable is disposed, and wherein the central opening of said split collar has a plurality of projections extending radially inward for engaging the first end of said coaxial cable.

38. The flashlight of claim 35 wherein said switch comprises:

a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a rearward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, said pushbutton also having an engaging feature;

a metal contact having an outward circular contact flange and an engaging feature thereon for engaging the engaging feature of said pushbutton, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and

an electrically conductive coil spring disposed for electrically contacting said metal contact and for urging said metal contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

39. The flashlight of claim 38 wherein said hollow housing is electrically conductive and has a tail cap thereon, and wherein said switch is disposed in said tail cap and is moveable therein for selectively connecting said metal contact and said electrically conductive hollow housing for causing said light source to produce light.

36. A flashlight comprising:

a hollow housing having a hole at a forward end thereof;

an elongated bendable member having a first end thereof extending through the hole in die forward end of said hollow housing from interior thereof, said elongated bendable member comprising;

a length of coaxial cable having a center conductor, and a coaxial outer conductor, and an insulating member therebetween extending from a first end to a second end thereof;

means for inhaling electrical connection to the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof including;

a split collar surrounding the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable for engaging the outer conductor at the first end thereof; and

a light source disposed at the second end of said length of coaxial cable and connected to the center and outer conductors thereof;

a plurality of battery cells in said hollow housing; and

a switch on said hollow housing for selectively connecting said light source and said plurality of battery cells in circuit via the center and outer conductors of said elongated bendable member for causing said light source to produce light,

wherein said means for making electrical connection comprises one or more of;

an electrically conductive eyelet for making electrical connection to the outer conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof;

a cylindrical fitting surrounding at least the center conductor of said length of coaxial cable at the first end thereof; and

/or

the center conductor of said length of coaxial cable overlying said split collar.

40. A flashlight comprising:

a housing having a cavity for receiving at least one battery;

an elongated flexible member extending from said housing, said elongated flexible member comprising at least two electrical conductors extending substantially the length thereof;

a solid state light source disposed at an and of said elongated flexible member distal said housing and connected to the at least two electrical conductors thereof;

a current limiting electrical device at the distal end of said elongated flexible member connected in circuit with said solid state light source; and

a molded body molded at the distal end of said elongated flexible member for supporting said solid state light source and said current limiting electrical device.

41. The flashlight of claim 40 further comprising:

at least one battery disposed in the cavity of said housing; and

a switch for selectively connecting said solid state light source and said at least one battery in circuit via the at least two conductors of said elongated flexible member for causing said solid state light source to produce light.

42. The flashlight of claim 40 wherein said at least two electrical conductors of said elongated flexible member comprise an inner conductor and an outer conductor surrounding said inner conductor.

43. The flashlight of claim 40 wherein said solid state light source comprises a light emitting diode and/or wherein said current limiting electrical device comprises a resistance.

48. The flashlight of claim 40 wherein said elongated flexible member includes an outer cover, and wherein said molded body overlies a portion of said outer cover.

49. The flashlight of claim 40 wherein said solid state light source includes a base, and wherein said molded body supports the base of said solid state light source.

50. The flashlight of claim 40 wherein said solid stale light source emits white, red, blue, amber or green light.

44. An elongated bendable member for a flashlight comprising:

a length of an elongated member comprising first and second electrical conductors extending from a first end to a second end thereof, wherein said elongated member is flexible and the first end thereof is adapted for making electrical connection to at least one battery;

a solid state light source at the second end of said length of flexible elongated member and connected to the first electrical conductor thereof;

a current limiting electrical device at the second end of said flexible elongated member in series connection with said solid state light source and with the first and second electrical conductors; and

a molded body molded at the second end of said flexible elongated member for supporting said solid state light source and said current limiting electrical device.

45. The elongated bendable member of claim 44 wherein said first and second electrical conductors of said elongated flexible member comprise an inner conductor and an outer conductor surrounding said inner conductor.

46. The elongated bendable member of claim 44 wherein said solid state light source comprises a light emitting diode and/or wherein said current limiting electrical device comprises a resistance.

47. The elongated bendable member of claim 44 in combination with:

a housing having a cavity for receiving at least one battery, wherein the first end of said flexible elongated member extends from said housing;

at least one battery disposed in the cavity of said housing; and

a switch for selectively connecting said solid state light source and said at least one battery in circuit via the first and second conductors of said flexible elongated member for causing said solid state light source to produce light.

51. The elongated bendable member of claim 44 wherein said elongated flexible member includes an outer cover, and wherein said molded body overlies a portion of said outer cover.

52. The elongated bendable member of claim 44 wherein said solid state light source includes a base, and wherein said molded body supports the base of said solid slate light source.

53. The elongated bendable member of claim 44 wherein said solid state light source emits white, red, blue, amber or green light.