Multifunction Flashlight

• US 20150318023A1
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Published: 11/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glenn Bushee
• Original Assignee: Glenn Bushee
• Inventors: Bushee, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 9,508,391 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/06 combined with other apparatus having a different main function
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/10 Indicating arrangements; Warning arrangements G11B15/04, G11B19/04, G11B27/34, G11B27/36 take precedence

Abstract

A multifunction flashlight includes an audio recorder, a video recorder and a flashlight having one or more operating modes. The flashlight includes an audio microphone secured within a water-tight interior compartment in the body of the flashlight. A storage compartment is provided in a rear portion of the flashlight for removably storing one or more light diffuser caps which are selectively mountable over the flashlight lens. A port in the wall of the flashlight can be opened to improve audio reception and sensitivity of a microphone housed within the flashlight. A resilient switch cover is provided with two or more differently textured surface portions to allow an operator to identify an audio, video or lighting function by tactile feel or touch. A delay circuit can be provided to protect the audio anchor video functions from in advertent or unintentional actuation.

Claims

1. A flashlight, comprising:

a video recorder;

a switch for turning said video recorder on and off;

a translucent switch cover; and

a light visible through said translucent switch cover providing notice to an operator that video images are being recorded.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said light blinks during video recording.

3. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said light is turned off when said video recorder is turned off.

4. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said translucent switch cover comprises a waterproof switch cover protecting said switch from water damage.

5. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said translucent switch cover comprises two different textured surface portions providing two different tactile sensations to an operator.

6. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising an audio recorder, and wherein, said switch cover has a thickness of about one millimeter or less to allow sound to pass through said switch, cover for recording by said audio recorder.

7. The flashlight of claim 6, further comprising an audio switch for turning said audio recorder on and off and wherein said switch cover is resiliency depressible into said audio switch and into said video switch.

8. The flashlight of claim 7, wherein said switch cover is formed as a one-piece resilient switch cover overlying both said audio and video switches.

9. A flashlight, comprising:

a hollow body portion preventing the entry of water therein and having an exterior wall and an opening formed in said exterior wall and selectively communicating with ambient externally of said hollow body portion;

a switch cover provided on said hollow body portion and constructed with a thin wall portion;

an audio recorder integral with said flashlight and disposed inside said hollow body portion;

a microphone mounted within said flashlight sending audio signals to said audio recorder; and

a rubber or elastomeric plug removably insertable into the opening to prevent entry of water into the opening and to protect said microphone from harmful ambient conditions and removable from the opening to improve audio recording, and wherein said thin wall, portion of said switch cover allows sufficient ambient sound to pass through it to produce audio recordings when said plug closes the opening.

10. The flashlight of claim 9, further comprising a shock absorbing material provided within said hollow body portion and supporting at least a portion of said microphone.

11. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein said shock absorbing material comprises a rubber material.

12. The flashlight of claim 9, further comprising a membrane having pores provided between the opening and said microphone to protect said microphone.

13. A flashlight, comprising:

a hollow body portion comprising a closed water-tight enclosure;

a light source;

a first on-off switch provided within said hollow body portion and connected electrically to said light source;

an audio recorder comprising a microphone disposed in said water-tight enclosure;

a video recorder;

a second on-off switch provided within said hollow body portion adjacent to said first on-off switch and connected electrically to said video recorder, said second on-off switch operating said audio and video recorders simultaneously; and

a single one-piece resilient textured switch cover provided on an exterior portion of said hollow body portion and extending over said first and second on-off switches and resiliency depressible to operate said first and second switches, said switch cover having a first textured portion adjacent and movable over said first switch and a second textured portion having a texture different front said first textured portion and disposed adjacent and movable over said second switch, said first and second textured portions providing tactile feel to an operator to locate, identify and selectively operate first and second switches for turning on and off said light source and said audio and video recorders, said switch cover constructed to allow sound to pass through said switch cover into said water-tight enclosure and enable said microphone to record clear audio input.

14. The flashlight of claim 13, wherein said switch cover comprises a resilient elastomeric switch cover preventing water front entering said hollow body portion and further comprising a microphone disposed within said, flashlight adjacent to said switch cover.

15. The flashlight of claim 14, wherein said first textured portion is substantially smooth and said second textured portion is substantially rough.

16. The flashlight of claim 13, wherein said switch cover comprises a thickness of about 1 millimeter or less to facilitate passage of sound through said switch cover and into said hollow body portion.

17. The flashlight of claim 13, further comprising a third switch selectively preventing and enabling activation of said audio recorder.

18. The flashlight of claim 17, wherein said, flashlight comprises a front body portion and a rear body portion and wherein said third switch is made accessible by separating said from and rear body portions.

19. A flashlight, comprising:

a hollow body having a first portion removably connected to a second portion with a screw thread connection;

an audio recorder and a video recorder provided within said hollow body portion;

an audio video switch operable from an external portion of said hollow body for turning said audio recorder and said video recorder on and off; and

a switch provided within said hollow body portion enabling deactivation of said audio recorder without deactivation of said video recorder;

wherein said switch is made accessible by separating said first and second portions of said hollow body by unscrewing said screw thread connection.

20. The flashlight of claim 19, further comprising an internal wall within said hollow body and an electrical connector on said internal wall and wherein said switch is on said internal wall.