Emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight

• US 7,997,756 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven Michael Rorick
• Original Assignee: Steven Michael Rorick
• Inventors: Rorick, Steven Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward; John A
• Application Number:
  US12/395,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20100165613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 362/205, 362/206, 362/204, 362/158, 200/60
• US Class Current: 362/206
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices

Abstract

Improvements in an emergency switch for an end cap flashlight that allows conducting power to the light source by applying side or rotational force on the end caps of the flashlight. The cap is designed to give faster and more convenient access to light in an emergency, or when needed. The end cap connects to the inner conductor with a castled shape that allows the conductors to be moved in or out alignment to allow or prevent contact. The gasket or washer provides insulation and spacing of the conductors. Side forces on the end cap overcome the spacing of the washer to make electrical contact. The end cap may also support a glass breaking device. The glass breaker is a hardened tip on the end of the cap.

Claims

1. An emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight comprising:

an inner switch body being a first conduit;

an outer switch body being a second conduit, portions of said first and said second conduits being adapted to make no contact, temporal contact and continuous contact to complete an electric circuit;

a non-conductive washer;

a fastener which carries electricity from a battery to said outer switch body wherein said fastener affixes said inner switch body with said outer switch body together;

an insulating washer which insulates said fastener from said inner switch body;

a pinning device located between said inner switch body and said outer switch body which protrudes into a cam-shaped recess, and

wherein electricity is conducted between said first conductor and said second conductor when force is applied to said outer switch body that is sufficient to push said outer switch body off a common axis with said inner switch body.

2. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said inner switch body is scalloped.

3. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 2 wherein said outer switch body is scalloped.

4. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 3 wherein when said scallops of said inner and said scallops of said outer switch bodies are aligned electricity can be conducted with said sufficient pressure.

5. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 3 wherein when said scallops of said inner and said scallops of said outer switch bodies are not aligned electricity cannot be conducted with said sufficient pressure.

6. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said outer switch body is scalloped.

7. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 6 wherein said inner switch body is scalloped.

8. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 7 wherein when said scallops of said inner and said scallops of said outer switch bodies are aligned electricity can be conducted with said sufficient pressure.

9. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 7 wherein when said scallops of said inner and said scallops of said outer switch bodies are not aligned electricity cannot be conducted with said sufficient pressure.

10. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said pinning device is a spring loaded pin or bearing.

11. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said cam shaped recess has at least one detent.

12. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said inner switch body and said outer switch body are sufficiently engaged said inner switch body and said outer switch body create said continuous contact.

13. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said outer switch body further includes an embedded glass breaker.

14. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 13 wherein said outer switch body has a dual angle step to said glass breaker.

15. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said flashlight has a scalloped illumination end.

16. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said emergency switch provides a waterproof flashlight.

17. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said force can be applied from any side direction onto said outer switch body.

18. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said emergency switch is incorporated into the non-illuminating end of the flashlight.

19. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said emergency switch is incorporated into the illuminating end of the flashlight.

20. The emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight according to claim 1 wherein said inner switch body and said an outer switch body are axially rotated relative to each other to make said no contact, said temporal contact and said continuous contact to complete said electric circuit.