Themes for flashlight inserts

• US 7,147,345 B1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samuel Toney Jr
• Original Assignee: Samuel Toney Jr
• Inventors: Toney, Samuel Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rehm, Adam C.
• Application Number:
  US10/889,583
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 362/186, 362/202, 362/208, 362/311, 362/351, 362/359, 362/812, 405/55, 405/60
• US Class Current: 362/208
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/00 Lighting devices or systems producing a varying lighting effect
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/006 applied to portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/10 for personal use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/30 Lighting for domestic or personal use
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

The present invention 10 discloses an embossed lens 20 having properties that when combined and inserted into a flashlight 22 in replacement of the existing flashlights lens, augments the passing light from the flashlight into a projection 12 having a predefined shape, orientation and color themes for the typical application of presenting to viewers a symbol or logo for organizations typically in the genre of fraternities, sororities, political parties and other symbolically representable groups. The surface of the lens 20 comprises primarily a clear or tinted region 16 used as a primary backdrop during projection and composing the majority of the lenses mass while an embossed portion 18 is used to create visual differences in the projected image 12 using contrasting color and shape. Additionally, the present invention 10 may be provided with indicia 28 to present to the viewer which way the lens should be inserted into the flashlight.

Claims

1. A lens for a flashlight, the flashlight having a lens retainer cap thereon, comprising:

a) said lens disposed in the flashlight, said lens having first and second opposing sides and a rim, with a light bulb inside said flashlight and said lens located between said light bulb and a retainer against said rim for retaining said lens on said flashlight;

b) an embossment disposed on said first side of said lens, said embossment comprising a recess formed in a surface of said lens, said recess being filled with a pigmented substrate having an outer surface smoothed within said recess;

c) wherein said embossment comprises a symbol being representative of a group of people, wherein said symbol is projected on a surface when the flashlight is turned on and pointed toward the surface, all light coming from said light bulb;

d) indicia on said first side of said lens adjacent said rim indicating which side of said lens to orient toward the inside of the flashlight, said retainer cap covering said indicia when said lens is mounted in said flashlight; and

e) said lens having a clear portion outside of said recess, said clear portion being tinted in a contrasting color to said embossment.

2. The lens of claim 1, wherein said indicia is also disposed on said second side of said lens.

3. The lens of claim 2, wherein said symbol is centrally disposed in said lens.

4. The lens of claim 3, wherein said symbol represents a fraternity group.

5. The lens of claim 3, wherein said symbol represents a sorority group.

6. The lens of claim 3, wherein said symbol represents a political group.