Portable light having a rotatable cylindrical head

• US 8,511,847 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2011
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharrah, Raymond L., Ziegenfuss, Peter J., Orme, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): SEMBER, THOMAS M
• Application Number:
  US13/195,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20120033414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 362/190, 362/191, 362/200, 362/202, 362/205, 362/285, 362/287, 362/418, 362/419, 362/197, 362/199, 362/427
• US Class Current: 362/199
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/04 characterised by the provision of a light source housing portion adjustably fixed to the remainder of the device
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/08 Devices for easy attachment to any desired place, e.g. clip, clamp, magnet
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0808 Adhesive means
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0832 Hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0885 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/70 characterised by passive heat-dissipating elements, e.g. heat-sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/083 for portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A portable light may comprise: a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing extensions or projections thereon, the light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein; a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported between the extensions of the light body adjacent the light body, the light head including a light source for producing light; and a switch for selectively actuating the light source. The light may include interchangeably a generally rectangular battery or a plural cylindrical batteries, and the battery or batteries may be rechargeable.

Claims

1. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart extensions extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the extensions thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart extensions of said light body, said light head including a light source for producing light;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions;

a switch for selectively actuating said light source; and

an electronic circuit board including an electronic circuit for controlling operation of said light source responsive to said switch.

2. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said generally cylindrical light head is located:

adjacent an end of said light body;

or

adjacent a broad surface of said light body;

or

adjacent a broad surface of said light body near an end of said light body.

3. The portable light of claim 1 wherein:

said generally cylindrical light head is rotatable about its axis;

or

said generally cylindrical light head includes a knob at an end thereof for rotating said generally cylindrical light head about its axis;

or

said generally cylindrical light head is rotatable about its axis and includes a knob at an end thereof for rotating said generally cylindrical light head about its axis.

4. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical light head is rotatable less than 360°

or is rotatable more than 360°

.

5. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said generally cylindrical light head includes a cylindrical member having a recess therein and wherein said light source includes a light emitting diode in the recess of said cylindrical member.

6. The portable light of claim 5 further comprising:

a reflector in the recess of said cylindrical member in front of said light emitting diode;

or

a lens in the recess of said cylindrical member in front of said light emitting diode;

or

a reflector and a lens in the recess of said cylindrical member in front of said light emitting diode.

7. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said generally cylindrical light head includes a cylindrical member comprising a thermally conductive metal or a thermally conductive non-metal.

8. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said switch is actuatable:

at an end of said generally cylindrical light head;

or

at a knob at an end of said generally cylindrical light head;

or

at an end of said generally cylindrical light head having a knob thereat;

or

at an end of said generally cylindrical light head opposite an end thereof having a knob;

or

on said generally rectangular light body;

or

on an edge of said generally rectangular light body;

or

any two of the foregoing.

9. The portable light of claim 1 further comprising a source of electrical power including:

a generally rectangular source of electrical power in the generally rectangular cavity of said generally rectangular light body;

or

a source of electrical power includes plural cylindrical sources of electrical power side by side in the generally rectangular cavity of said generally rectangular light body;

or

a generally rectangular source of electrical power and plural cylindrical sources of electrical power interchangeable in the generally rectangular cavity of said generally rectangular light body.

10. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuit board includes:

a connector for making electrical connection to a source of electrical power when a source of electrical power is in said light body;

or

a connector for making electrical connection to an external electrical power source for charging the source of electrical power when the source of electrical power is in the cavity of said light body;

or

a first connector for making electrical connection to a source of electrical power when a source of electrical power is in said light body and a second connector for making electrical connection to an external electrical power source for charging the source of electrical power when the source of electrical power is in the cavity of said light body.

11. The portable light of claim 1 wherein said light body has a feature for receiving an attachment device thereon, said portable light further comprising an attachment device for attaching said portable light to a person and/or object.

12. The portable light of claim 11 wherein said attachment device comprises:

a band, a strap, a clip, a slip-on clip, a snap-on clip, a hook and loop fastener, or a fastener.

13. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart extensions extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the extensions thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart extensions of said light body, said light head including a light source for producing light;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions; and

a switch for selectively actuating said light source,

wherein said generally cylindrical light head includes at least one circular electrical contact and said light body includes at least one fixed electrical contact adjacent the circular electrical contact of said generally cylindrical light head for providing at least one electrical slip ring connection therebetween.

14. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart extensions extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the extensions thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart extensions of said light body, said light head including a light source for producing light;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions; and

a switch for selectively actuating said light source,

wherein said generally cylindrical light head includes a cylindrical member and a curved lens slidable along said cylindrical member.

15. The portable light of claim 14 wherein said curved lens includes one or more slidable curved lenses, each slidable curved lens being shorter than said cylindrical member and having a different optical property than another slidable curved lens.

16. The portable light of claim 14 wherein said curved lens:

is captive adjacent said cylindrical member;

or

includes one or more color filters, a polarizing filter, and/or a diffusing filter;

or

includes one or more color filters, a polarizing filter, and/or a diffusing filter and is captive adjacent said cylindrical member.

17. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart extensions extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the extensions thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart extensions of said light body, said light head including a light source for producing light;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions; and

a switch for selectively actuating said light source,

wherein said switch includes an electrical switch disposed on an electronic circuit board in said light body and is actuated by a switch actuator on said light body.

18. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart extensions extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the extensions thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart extensions of said light body, said light head including a light source for producing light;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions;

a switch for selectively actuating said light source;

a rechargeable battery in the cavity of said light body, said portable light further including;

a charging connector on said light body electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery;

or

a USB compatible charging connector on said light body electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery.

19. The portable light of claim 18 further comprising:

an electronic circuit board including an electronic circuit for controlling operation of said light source responsive to said switch.

20. The portable light of claim 19 wherein said electronic circuit board is disposed adjacent a source of electrical power when the source of electrical power is disposed in the cavity of said light body.

21. The portable light of claim 19 wherein said switch comprises a switch actuator on said generally rectangular light body and an electrical switch on said electronic circuit board actuatable by said switch actuator.

22. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart extensions extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a battery therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the extensions thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart extensions of said light body;

a light source in said generally cylindrical light head for producing light;

a knob for rotating said generally cylindrical light head;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions;

said generally cylindrical light head including at least one lens through which light produced by said light source passes;

a switch for selectively actuating said light source to produce light; and

a generally rectangular battery in the cavity of said generally rectangular light body for selectively providing electrical power to said light source responsive to said switch.

23. The portable light of claim 22 wherein said generally cylindrical light head is located:

adjacent an end of said light body;

or

adjacent a broad surface of said light body;

or

adjacent a broad surface of said light body near an end of said light body.

24. The portable light of claim 22 wherein said cylindrical light head is rotatable more than 360°

wherein;

said generally cylindrical light head includes at least one circular electrical contact; and

said light body includes at least one fixed electrical contact adjacent the circular electrical contact of said generally cylindrical light head for providing at least one electrical slip ring connection therebetween.

25. The portable light of claim 22 wherein said generally cylindrical light head includes a cylindrical member and a curved lens slidable along said cylindrical member and captive adjacent thereto.

26. The portable light of claim 25 wherein said curved lens includes one or more slidable curved lenses, each slidable curved lens being shorter than said cylindrical member and having a different optical property than another slidable curved lens.

27. The portable light of claim 25 wherein said curved lens includes one or more color filters, a polarizing filter, and/or a diffusing filter.

28. The portable light of claim 22 further comprising a rechargeable battery in the cavity of said light body, said portable light further including:

a charging connector on said light body electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery;

or

a USB compatible charging connector on said light body electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery.

29. The portable light of claim 22 wherein said switch comprises a switch actuator on said generally rectangular light body and an electrical switch on an electronic circuit board in said light body and actuatable by said switch actuator.

30. The portable light of claim 22 wherein said light body has a feature for receiving an attachment device thereon, said portable light further comprising an attachment device for attaching said portable light to a person and/or object.

31. The portable light of claim 30 wherein said attachment device comprises:

a band, a strap, a clip, a slip-on clip, a snap-on clip, a hook and loop fastener, or a fastener.

32. A portable light comprising:

a generally rectangular light body having a pair of opposing spaced apart projections extending from one surface thereof, said light body having a generally rectangular cavity for receiving a source of electrical power therein;

a generally cylindrical light head rotatably supported adjacent the one surface of said light body between the projections thereof, wherein each opposing end of said generally cylindrical light head is rotatably supported by one of the spaced apart projections of said light body, said light head including a light source for producing light;

whereby said light head is rotatable relative to said light body for directing light in different directions;

a switch for selectively actuating said light source;

a plurality of electrical conductors providing electrical contacts in the generally rectangular cavity of said light body, wherein the electrical contacts are arranged to receive interchangeably a generally rectangular battery or a plurality of cylindrical batteries; and

a source of electrical power in the generally rectangular cavity of said light body including interchangeably a generally rectangular battery having terminals for connecting to the electrical contacts and a plurality of cylindrical batteries having terminals for connecting to the electrical contacts.

33. The portable light of claim 32 wherein said generally cylindrical light head is located:

adjacent an end of said light body;

or

adjacent a broad surface of said light body;

or

adjacent a broad surface of said light body near an end of said light body.

34. The portable light of claim 32 wherein said cylindrical light head is rotatable more than 360°

wherein;

said generally cylindrical light head includes at least one circular electrical contact; and

said light body includes at least one fixed electrical contact adjacent the circular electrical contact of said generally cylindrical light head for providing at least one electrical slip ring connection therebetween.

35. The portable light of claim 32 wherein said generally cylindrical light head includes a cylindrical member and a curved lens slidable along said cylindrical member and captive adjacent thereto.

36. The portable light of claim 35 wherein said curved lens includes one or more slidable curved lenses, each slidable curved lens being shorter than said cylindrical member and having a different optical property than another slidable curved lens.

37. The portable light of claim 35 wherein said curved lens includes one or more color filters, a polarizing filter, and/or a diffusing filter.

38. The portable light of claim 32 wherein said source of electrical power includes a rechargeable battery, said portable light further including:

a charging connector on said light body electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery;

or

a USB compatible charging connector on said light body electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery.

39. The portable light of claim 32 wherein said switch comprises a switch actuator on said generally rectangular light body and an electrical switch on an electronic circuit board in said light body and actuatable by said switch actuator.

40. The portable light of claim 32 wherein said light body has a feature for receiving an attachment device thereon, said portable light further comprising an attachment device for attaching said portable light to a person and/or object.

41. The portable light of claim 40 wherein said attachment device comprises:

a band, a strap, a clip, a slip-on clip, a snap-on clip, a hook and loop fastener, or a fastener.