Flashlight with light emitting diode source
First Claim
1. A flashlight assembly comprising:
- a housing;
at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted within the housing generating a mechanically adjustable LED beam and serving as a light source;
a reflector extending from an end of the housing for focusing and dispersing the at least two LEDs to a desired light contour; and
an adjustable switch coupled to a variable resistor for controlling the level of optical output wherein the switch is adapted to selectively turn on and off any select number of the at least two LEDs, thereby allowing a user to choose from several different levels of illumination wherein said reflector is fixed and the LEDs serving as the light source are selectively movable for focusing and dispersing the LED beam as desired.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for improving the performance of flashlights includes a substantially cylindrical housing (10) having a first end (12) and a second end (14). A battery cap (18) is operatively connected to the first end of the housing and functions to secure a series of batteries in place. A series (30) of light emitting diodes (LED) (32-48) are mounted within the flashlight housing at the end opposite the battery cap. The series of LEDs form an LED array which operates as the light source for the flashlight. A substantially cone-shaped optical assembly (50) extends outward from the second end of the housing and operates to focus and disperse the LED beam emitted by the LED array. The flashlight further includes an adjustable switch (56) disposed on the exterior of the housing. The switch is coupled to a variable resistor (58) which permits control over the light level and/or battery life. An electronic current regulator (70), enclosed by the housing, allows the LED beam to remain at a constant and desired light level, thereby increasing the efficiency of the battery life. A dynamic pulse control system (74) is coupled to the switch which takes advantage of the human eye perceiving the pulsed beam to be continuous. The pulse control also increases the peak current through the LED source.
85 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A flashlight assembly comprising:
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a housing;
at least two light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted within the housing generating a mechanically adjustable LED beam and serving as a light source;
a reflector extending from an end of the housing for focusing and dispersing the at least two LEDs to a desired light contour; and
an adjustable switch coupled to a variable resistor for controlling the level of optical output wherein the switch is adapted to selectively turn on and off any select number of the at least two LEDs, thereby allowing a user to choose from several different levels of illumination wherein said reflector is fixed and the LEDs serving as the light source are selectively movable for focusing and dispersing the LED beam as desired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
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Original AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
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InventorsElghoroury, Hesham M, Nelson, Wordell, Thomas, Edward J.
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Primary Examiner(s)Husar, Stephen
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Assistant Examiner(s)Ton, Anabel
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Application NumberUS09/604,474Time in Patent Office1,946 DaysField of Search362/154, 362/185, 362/205, 362/295, 362/251, 362/800, 362/187, 362/184US Class Current362/184CPC Class CodesF21L 4/027 the light sources being a LEDF21V 14/025 in portable lighting devicesF21V 14/045 in portable lighting devicesF21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be use...F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
