Faraday flashlight

• US 7,229,188 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cricket Holdings Far East Limited
• Original Assignee: Daka Research, Inc.
• Inventors: Mah, Pat Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cranson, Jr.; James W
• Application Number:
  US11/261,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20060050504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 362/192, 362/157
• US Class Current: 362/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/06 with mechanical drive, e.g. spring
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/00 Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems

Abstract

A light generating flashlight system device utilizes a large centrally located magnet which is mounted to slide past a magnet pickup or current induction wire which may be preferably mounted at a center point of travel in a tubular housing having a tubular chamber through which the magnet travels. A pair of elastomeric dampers are located each at the end of a support system sleeve which is sized to fit within a main housing to stabilize all internal support within a sealed unit. The result is a device which both facilitates the manual movement of the flashlight body so that the magnet slides past the center magnet pickup or current induction wire, and also conserves the residual momentum of the magnet once it has traveled past the magnet pickup or current induction wire by providing a bumper and spring to conserve some of the mechanical energy going in the other direction. Ninety second of manual activation enables about five minutes of illumination. A ready charger is disclosed which uses induction to charge the flashlight system by proximity to the manual charging magnet wire.

Claims

1. A self contained, manually energizable flashlight comprising:

a magnet having a magnetic field;

an annularly cylindrical main housing having an opening;

a cap for engaging said annularly cylindrical main housing adjacent said opening;

a transparent light transmissive material, said cap positioned to provide force to hold said transparent light transmissive material toward said annularly cylindrical main housing;

a support system sleeve having a first end and a second end, for supporting a translating movement of said magnet toward said first end and toward said second end of said support system sleeve, said support system sleeve held within said annularly cylindrical main housing by said cap;

a magnet wire positioned such that said magnet passes by said magnet wire each time said magnet makes said translating movement of said magnet toward said first end and toward said second end of said support system sleeve, energizing said magnet wire from passage of said magnetic field through said magnet wire upon said translating movement of said magnet;

a capacitor for storing an electrical charge;

a light emitting diode;

circuitry connected to said capacitor, said light emitting diode, and to said magnet wire for converting said energization of said magnet wire into an electrical charge stored in said capacitor.

2. The flashlight as recited in claim 1 and further comprising an “

o”

ring adjacent said transparent light transmissive material.

3. The flashlight as recited in claim 2 wherein said “

o”

ring contacts said support system sleeve.

4. The flashlight as recited in claim 2 wherein said “

o”

ring contacts an inner surface of said annularly cylindrical main housing.

5. The flashlight as recited in claim 2 wherein said “

o”

ring contacts said transparent light transmissive material.

6. The flashlight as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a pair of dampers including a first damper located inside and at said first end of said support system sleeve and a second damper located inside and at said second end of said support system sleeve, for dampening the impact resulting from a translating movement of said magnet toward said first end and toward said second end of said support system, said dampers having an opening.

7. The flashlight as recited in claim 6 wherein said opening has a top internal curve.

8. The flashlight as recited in claim 6 wherein said opening has a pair of side walls.

9. The flashlight as recited in claim 8 wherein said first and said second side walls bend upon application of axial compressive force to said damper.

10. The flashlight as recited in claim 6 wherein each damper has a rounded end disposed to contact said magnet.