Multi-functional tactical flashlight

• US 5,931,562 A
• Filed: 10/17/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George L. Arato
• Original Assignee: George L. Arato
• Inventors: Arato, George L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US08/953,284
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 362/184, 362/276, 362/802, 362/190, 362/205, 362/202, 362/206, 362/229, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/00 Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A multi-functional tactical flashlight that includes a case, a flashlight bulb, a high intensity flash lamp, at least one infrared sensor, and an indicator. The case has a bulbous head. The flashlight bulb is disposed in the bulbous head of the case and is selectively illuminated therefrom. The high intensity flash lamp is disposed in the bulbous head of the case and is selectively illuminated therefrom. The at least one infrared sensor is disposed adjacent to the bulbous head of the case and is selectively activated. The indicator is responsive to the at least one sensor and indicates when the at least one infrared sensor senses an infrared signal. The at least one infrared sensor can be only one infrared sensor or a matrix array of infrared sensors. The indicator can be only one LED or a buzzer when the at least one infrared sensor is likewise only one infrared sensor or can be a matrix array of LEDs when the at least one infrared sensor is likewise a matrix array of infrared sensors so as to produce a diagrammatic figure of the object being sensed by the matrix array of infrared sensors.

Claims

1. A multi-functional tactical flashlight, comprising:

a) a case having a bulbous head;

said case being elongated and cylindrically-shaped for containing a power source;

b) a flashlight bulb disposed in said bulbous head of said case and being selectively illuminated therefrom;

c) a high intensity flash lamp disposed in said bulbous head of said case and being selectively illuminated therefrom;

said high intensity flash lamp being in electrical communication with the power source through a first two-position slide switch disposed longitudinally on said case so as to allow for selective illumination of said high intensity flash lamp when needed;

d) at least one infrared sensor disposed adjacent to said bulbous head of said case and being selectively activated; and

e) an indicator responsive to said at least one sensor for indicating when said at least one infrared sensor senses an infrared signal.

2. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said case has a threaded tail that is selectively opened and closed by an end cap for allowing access to the power source.

3. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said bulbous head of said case is closed by a first lens.

4. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said bulbous head of said case has a reflector therein with said flashlight bulb extending centrally and longitudinally therefrom;

said reflector has a periphery.

5. The flashlight as defined in claim 4, wherein said reflector further has said high intensity flash lamp extending longitudinally from its periphery.

6. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said flashlight bulb is in electrical communication with the power source through a second two-position slide switch disposed longitudinally on said case so as to allow for selective illumination of said flashlight bulb when a flashlight is needed.

7. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said case further has a pod that extends longitudinally forwardly along said bulbous head of said case, where it is closed by a second lens.

8. The flashlight as defined in claim 7, wherein said pod contains said at least one infrared sensor disposed directly behind said second lens.

9. The flashlight as defined in claim 7, wherein said at least one infrared sensor is selected from the group consisting of a single infrared sensor and a matrix array of infrared sensors, with said second lens focusing light thereon.

10. The flashlight as defined in claim 7, wherein said pod contains an amplifier that is in electrical communication with said at least one infrared sensor and the power source through a third two-position slide switch disposed longitudinally on said case so as to allow for selective activation of said at least one infrared sensor when needed.

11. The flashlight as defined in claim 10, wherein said amplifier is in electrical communication with said indicator which extends longitudinally along an exposed surface of said pod.

12. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicator is one of a single LED and a buzzer when said at least one infrared sensor is likewise only one infrared sensor.

13. The flashlight as defined in claim 1, wherein said indicator is a matrix array of LEDs when said at least one infrared sensor is likewise a matrix array of infrared sensors so as to provide a diagrammatic figure of an object sensed by said matrix array of infrared sensors.