Light emitting diode 9-volt battery snap flashlight

• US 6,511,202 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Benjamin Victor Duane Henry
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Victor Duane Henry
• Inventors: Henry, Benjamin Victor Duane
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy A
• Application Number:
  US09/587,173
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 362/194, 362/195, 362/200, 362/202, 362/205, 362/800
• US Class Current: 362/195
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/06 the elements being coupling devices , e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A high-low light-emitting diode glow-in-the-dark flashlight. The flashlight includes an end cap assembly that snaps onto the top of a 9-volt battery. The battery functions as both a power source and a handle. The end cap assembly includes a highly efficient and high brightness LED and a switch that turns the light on and off. A spot on the flashlight glows when turned off, allowing the flashlight to be easily located in the dark. The end cap assembly further includes a 9-volt battery snap that releasably connects to the terminal of a conventional 9-volt battery. The end cap assembly simply snaps on and off the terminal end of the battery. In another embodiment, a glow-in-the-dark housing fits over the end cap assembly. The flashlight is small and lightweight.

Claims

1. A flashlight, comprising:

a) a battery which comprises a first battery contact and a second battery contact, each contact located on an upper surface of said battery;

b) a connection means for releasably attaching to said first battery contact and said second battery contact;

c) at least one light emitting diode having a pair of terminals, said light emitting diode being mounted to said connection means;

d) an end cap housing mounted on said connection means, said end cap housing covers said first battery contact and said second battery contact when said connection means is connected to said battery;

e) a circuit within said end cap housing interconnecting said at least one light emitting diode to said battery for providing power to said at least one light emitting diode;

f) said circuit further including means for limiting electrical current to said at least one light emitting diode; and

g) said battery, when connected to said connection means, is the power source and the handle for said flashlight.

wherein the flashlight is of such compact size and low weight as to be suitable for single-handed portable operation by a user, the flashlight further having a purpose of providing general-purpose illumination.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said end cap housing of said flashlight is made from rigid plastics.

3. The flashlight of claim 2, wherein said end cap housing of said flashlight is formed of a glow-in-the-dark plastic-like material.

4. The flashlight of claim 1, further comprising a switching device dispose within said end cap housing for switching said at least one light emitting diode to said battery in order to energize said at least one light emitting diode.

5. The flashlight lamp of claim 4, wherein said switch is selected from the group comprising toggle, rocker, slider, rotational, thumbwheel, pushwheel, potentiometer, and push-button.