Multimode flashlight having light emitting diodes

• US 7,896,518 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2008
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AOB Products Company (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Powertech Inc.
• Inventors: Holmes, Danny J., Gross, Barbara R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRUCE, DAVID VERNON
• Application Number:
  US12/009,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20090185368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 362/184, 362/183, 362/230, 362/231, 362/205, 362/249.02, 362/240, 362/555, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A flashlight with light emitting diode (LED) sources that produce at least three different colors. The colored LEDs cycle on and off using two separate switches. One switch cycles preferably white LEDs on and off. Another switch preferably cycles from red LEDs being on to green or blue LEDs being on to off and combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a. a first white light wavelength light source disposed within a body having an exterior;

b. a second wavelength light source disposed within the body;

c. a third wavelength light source disposed within the body;

d. a first switch disposed on the exterior of the body that is operable to activate functioning of the first white light source; and

e. a second switch disposed on the exterior of the body that is operable to asynchronously activate functioning of either the second wavelength light source or the third wavelength light source.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the second wavelength light is perceived as red light.

3. The flashlight of claim 2 wherein the third wavelength light is perceived as either blue or green light.

4. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the first switch and the second switch are disposed parallel to the beam of the emitted light.

5. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the first switch and second switch are push button switches disposed about one inch apart on their center and in-line with the light beam.

7. A flashlight comprising:

a. a first activatable component comprising a first output wavelength light source disposed within a body having an exterior;

b. at least one additional activatable component disposed within the body;

c. a first switch disposed on the exterior of the body that is operable to activate functioning of the first activatable component; and

d. a second switch disposed on the exterior of the body that is operable to activate functioning of the at least one additional activatable component;

e. the exterior of the body further having a first side and wherein the first and second switches are both further disposed on the first side of the exterior of the body; and

f. the first switch and second switch are push button switches disposed about one inch apart on their center and in-line with the light beam.

8. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein one of the at least two additional activatable components is a second light source capable of producing a different second output wavelength of light at a light intensity;

and wherein another one of at least two additional activatable components is a third light source capable of producing the different second output wavelength of light at a different light intensity.

9. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein one of the at least one additional activatable components is a second light source capable of producing a different second output wavelength of light.

10. The flashlight of claim 9 wherein another one of at least one additional activatable components is a third light source capable of producing a different third output wavelength of light.

11. A flashlight comprising:

a. a first activatable component comprising a white light source disposed within a body having an exterior;

b. at least two additional activatable components comprising light sources disposed within the body;

c. a first switch disposed on the exterior of the body that is operable to activate functioning of the first activatable component; and

d. a second switch disposed on the exterior of the body that is operable to simultaneously activate the at least two additional activatable components.

12. The flashlight of claim 11, wherein the first switch and second switch are push button switches disposed about one inch apart on their center and in-line with the light beam.