LED flashlight having clip extending from frame

• US 7,186,001 B1
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Armament Systems and Procedures Incorporated
• Inventors: Parsons, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton; Anabel
• Application Number:
  US11/005,384
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 362/116, 362/200, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/200
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/00 Key-rings
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0885 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashlight having a light-emitting diode light source with first and second leads extending therefrom, a power source, a power source frame enclosing at least a portion of the power source; a housing containing the light source and power source, a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source, and wherein one or all of the following may be included 1) a keyring extension extending from a power source frame or the housing with the keyring extension having an opening whereby an article can be attached to the keyring extension and includes a keyring lock wherein upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring lock is opened to permit the article to be attached to the keyring extension; 2) the housing is comprised of translucent material; and 3) the housing includes at least one side cover which is not integral with the housing and the at least one side cover being selected from anodized aluminum, anodized metal, anodized metal which includes indicia, die struck metal, laser engraved metal, and a side cover having a separate medallion attached thereto.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a light emitting diode light source;

a power source;

a power source frame adapted to receive the power source;

a power source frame housing enclosing at least a portion of the light source, at least a portion of the power source, and at least a portion of the power source frame;

a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source;

wherein the flashlight further includes a keyring extension having an opening whereby a keyring can be attached to the keyring extension; and

wherein the power source frame housing is elongated, and wherein the light source is positioned at an end thereof.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising a spring-biased keyring lock attached to the power source frame, wherein upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring extension is opened to permit a keyring to be attached to the keyring extension.

3. The flashlight of claim 2, wherein the spring-biased keyring lock pivots about a circular post positioned on the power source frame.

4. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring extension is integral with the power source frame.

5. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring extension is integral with the power source frame housing.

6. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring extension and the power source frame are formed as a unitary part.

7. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring extension is integral with at least a portion of the flashlight.

8. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the keyring extension permits the flashlight to be releasably fastened to an article of clothing.

9. A flashlight comprising:

a light emitting diode light source;

a power source;

a power source frame that positions the power source is a stationary manner with respect to the light source;

a power source frame housing, the power source frame being received within the power source frame housing so that at least a portion of the power source frame and at least a portion of the power source are generally enclosed by the power source frame housing;

a switch that is operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source, without moving the power source or power source frame with respect to the light source, by creating an electrical connection between the power source and a lead of the light source;

an electrically conductive member that forms a part of the switch, that is in both physical and electrical contact with the power source when the switch is closed, and that bridges a gap between a lead of the light source and a terminal of the battery when the switch is closed; and

wherein the power source frame or the power source frame housing includes a keyring extension having an opening whereby a keyring can be attached to the keyring extension; and

wherein the light source is mounted in an end portion of the power source frame housing so that, when the switch is closed, at least some light is emitted from the light source and through an aperture that is formed in an end of the power source frame housing.

10. The flashlight of claim 9, wherein the keyring extension is integrally formed as a portion of the power source frame.

11. The flashlight of claim 9, wherein the keyring extension is integrally formed as a portion of the power source frame housing.

12. The flashlight of claim 9, wherein the power source frame housing is not integrally formed as a portion of the power source frame.

13. The flashlight of claim 9, wherein the power source frame housing completely encircles the perimeter of the power source and power source frame.

14. The flashlight of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the light source extends through and beyond the aperture formed in the power source frame housing.

15. A flashlight comprising:

a light emitting diode light source;

a power source;

a frame that positions the power source in a stationary manner with respect to the light source;

a housing, the frame being received within housing so that at least a portion of the power source frame and the power source are generally enclosed by the housing;

a switch that is operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source, without moving the power source or power source frame with respect to the light source, by creating an electrical connection between the power source and a lead of the light source;

a keyring extension attached to the frame or the housing, the key ring extension having an opening whereby an article can be attached to the keyring extension;

an electrically conductive member that forms a part of the switch, that is both physical and electrical contact with the power source when the switch is closed, and the bridges a gap between a lead of the light source and a terminal of the battery when the switched is closed; and

wherein the light source is mounted in an end portion of the housing so that, when the switch is closed, at least some light is emitted from the light source and through an aperture that is formed in an end of the housing.

16. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the keyring extension is integrally formed as a portion of the frame.

17. The flashlight of claim 15, wherien the keyring extension is integrally formed as a portion of the housing.

18. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the housing is not integrally formed as a portion of the frame.

19. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein the housing completely encircles the perimeter of the power source and power source frame.

20. The flashlight of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the light source extends through and beyond the aperture formed in the housing.