Combination courtesy light and detachable flashlight assembly

• US 5,077,643 A
• Filed: 08/09/1990
• Issued: 12/31/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip J. Leach
• Original Assignee: Philip J. Leach
• Inventors: Leach, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US07/564,787
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 362/74, 362/155, 362/82, 362/190, 362/191, 362/183, 362/80, 320/2
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/324 for signalling that a door is open or intended to be opened
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/59 Lighting devices mounted in the vehicle interior and adapted for portability
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets

Abstract

A combination courtesy light and detachable flashlight assembly is provided to permit the operator of a vehicle to detach the flashlight from a flush-mounted receptacle. The flashlight operates from rechargeable batteries charged by a power supply when the flashlight is inserted in the receptacle.

Claims

1. A combination flashlight and courtesy light unit for a vehicle, comprising:

power supply means for providing an electric current;

a compartment within a wall of a vehicle;

a first plurality of electrical contacts disposed within said compartment and connected to said power supply means;

a light unit adapted for insertion within said compartment, said light unit further comprising,

a housing;

a second plurality of electrical contacts on said housing for providing a conductive coupling with said first plurality of contacts when said light unit is inserted in said compartment,

a rechargeable battery connected to said second plurality of contacts for receiving said electrical current and storing a charge when said light unit is inserted in said compartment,

a switch mounted on said housing,

a light source connected to said battery and a second plurality of contacts through said switch, said light source being selectively energized by said switch;

whereby said battery energizes said light source using the stored charge when said switch is closed and said light unit is not inserted in said compartment, and said power supply means energizes said light source when said switch is closed and said light is inserted in said compartment.

2. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is connected to a 12 V vehicle electrical system for providing less than 12 V regulated DC power to said battery.

3. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is connected to a 12 V vehicle electrical system for providing 3.3 V or less regulated DC power to said battery.

4. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 3, wherein said power supply further comprises a 12 V unregulated DC input, a ground input, a resistor connected to said 12 V input, a first diode having a cathode connected to said resistor and an anode connected to said ground input, a second diode having an anode connected to the cathode of said first diode and having a cathode, and a current amplifier connected between the cathode of said second diode and said ground input.

5. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 4, wherein said current amplifier further comprises an operational amplifier and three resistors.

6. A combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

power supply means for providing an electric current;

a compartment within a wall of a vehicle;

first electrical contact means disposed within said compartment and connected to said power supply means for providing a conductive path thereto;

a light unit adapted for insertion within said compartment, said light unit further comprising,

a housing,

a second plurality of electrical contacts disposed on said housing for providing a conductive coupling with said first contact means when said light unit is inserted in said compartment,

a rechargeable battery connected to said second plurality of contacts for receiving said electrical current and storing a charge when said light unit is inserted in said compartment,

a switch mounted on said housing,

a light source connected to said battery through said switch, said light source being selectively energized by said switch;

whereby said battery energizes said light source with said stored charge when said switch is closed and said light unit is not inserted in said compartment, and said power supply means energizes said light source when said switch is closed and said light unit is inserted in said compartment.

7. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a prism arranged adjacent to said light unit for directing light in a predetermined direction.

8. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 6, wherein said first contact means further comprises a first plurality of electrical contacts and a corresponding number of springs, said first plurality of contacts being mounted within said compartment on said springs for providing an opposing force when said light unit is inserted into said compartment.

9. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 8, wherein said first plurality of electrical contacts comprises three electrical contacts.

10. A combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

power supply means for providing an electric current,

a compartment within a wall of a vehicle;

first electrical contact means including a first plurality of electrical contacts connected to said power supply means for providing a conductive coupling therewith, and a corresponding number of springs, each one of said first plurality of contacts being mounted within said compartment on a corresponding one of said springs;

a light unit adapted for insertion within said compartment, said first contact means providing an opposing force to said light unit when inserted in said compartment, and said light unit further comprising,

a housing,

locking means disposed on said housing for retaining the light unit within said compartment against the opposing force of said first contact means,

a second plurality of electrical contacts disposed on said housing for providing a conductive coupling with said first contact means when said light unit is locked within said compartment,

a rechargeable battery connected to said second plurality of contacts for receiving said electrical current and storing a charge when said light unit is inserted in said compartment,

a switch mounted on said housing,

a light source connected to said battery through said switch, said light source being selectively energized by said switch;

whereby said battery energizes said light source using the stored charge when said switch is closed and said light unit is not inserted in said compartment, and said power supply means energizes said light source when said switch is closed and said light unit is inserted in said compartment.

11. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 10, wherein said locking means comprises a detent latch, said detent latch defined by a flexible finger having a protruding retainer for engaging a rim of said compartment when said light unit is inserted in said compartment, and a protruding catch for allowing manual depression of said flexible finger for removal of said light unit.

12. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 10, wherein said locking means comprises a rib disposed around the periphery of said housing, and said compartment is defined by an internal peripheral groove for receiving said rib.

13. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 12, wherein said compartment is mounted within the roof of a vehicle for providing a detachable overhead light.

14. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 13, wherein said light unit further comprises a lens covering said light source for directing light generated thereby.

15. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 14, wherein said lens is a dual color lens.

16. A combination flashlight and courtesy light unit for a vehicle, comprising:

power supply means connected to a 12 V electrical system of said vehicle for providing at most 3.3 V regulated DC power therefrom;

a compartment within a wall of a vehicle;

a first plurality of electrical contacts disposed within said compartment and connected to said power supply means;

a light unit adapted for insertion within said compartment, said light unit further comprising,

a housing,

a second plurality of electrical contacts disposed exteriorly on said housing for providing a conductive coupling with said first plurality of contacts when said light unit is inserted in said compartment, a rechargeable battery connected to said second plurality of contacts for receiving electrical current from said electrical system and storing a charge when said light unit is inserted in said compartment,

a switch mounted on said housing,

a light source connected to said battery and a second plurality of contacts through said switch, said light source being selectively energized by said switch;

whereby said battery energizes said light source using the stored charge when said switch is closed and said light unit is not inserted in said compartment, and said power supply means energizes said light source when said switch is closed and said light unit is inserted in said compartment.

17. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 16, wherein said power supply means further comprises a 12 V unregulated DC input, a ground input, a resistor connected to said 12 V input, a first diode having a cathode connected to said resistor and an anode connected to said ground input, a second diode having an anode connected to the cathode of said first diode and having a cathode, and a current amplifier connected between the cathode of said second diode and said ground input.

18. The combination courtesy light and flashlight assembly according to claim 17, wherein said current amplifier further comprises an operational amplifier and three resistors.