Multiple light LED flashlight

• US 7,387,402 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lui , Chun Wai
• Original Assignee: Lui , Chun Wai
• Inventors: Lui (Phillip), Chun Wai
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ton; Anabel M.
• Application Number:
  US11/125,784
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 362/184, 362/183, 362/191, 362/237, 362/294, 362/800, 362/373
• US Class Current: 362/196
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/69 Details of refractors forming part of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/006 applied to portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0008 providing for indirect lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A multiple lens LED flashlight is disclosed and comprises a quick release opening mechanism combined with a slow release battery mechanism for easy replacement of batteries. A reverse tapered handle provides a secure grip and ensures proper and safe use of the multiple lens LED flashlight. Various different lens designs refract light emitted from the LEDs and create one or more of a wide angle of projected light as well as concentrated narrow beam of light.

Claims

1. A multiple light LED flashlight comprising an elongate tubular housing and a bulb housing, a quick disconnect mechanism positioned between the tubular housing and the bulb housing, the tubular housing defining a chamber sized and configured to receive at least one battery, the quick disconnect mechanism adapted to provide access to the chamber by removal of the bulb housing from an end of the tubular housing, the bulb housing comprises an outer shell member and a lower shell member that are secured together, a housing is positioned within a region defined between the outer shell member and the lower shell member, a lens assembly is positioned generally between the housing and the outer shell member, the lens assembly comprising a plurality of lenses that are integrally formed and a plurality of LED'"'"'s extending through a portion of the housing and being generally aligned with a respective lens of the lens assembly.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of LED'"'"'s extend into a respective socket formed in the housing.

3. The flashlight of claim 2, wherein at least one of the sockets comprises a glow-in-the-dark material.

4. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein interfaces between the lens assembly and the outer shell member and interfaces between the outer shell member and the lower shell member are sealed.

5. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein a contact is partially embedded within a wall of the elongated tubular housing.

6. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of lenses comprises a generally flat surface facing the respective LED and an opposing generally hemispherical surface.

7. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly further comprises a central cover.

8. The flashlight of claim 7, wherein a plurality of LED'"'"'s are positioned proximate the central cover.

9. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the lower shell member is formed of a light transmitting material.

10. The flashlight of claim 9, wherein the lower shell member is generally clear.

11. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein the lower shell member is generally colorless.

12. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the tubular housing has a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion with the smaller diameter portion being positioned between the larger diameter portion and the bulb housing.

13. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the lens assembly comprises at least one lens selected from the group consisting of a semi-spherical lens, an elongate two piece lens in which an elongate lens is positioned at least partially within a ring-like lens and an elongate two piece lens in which an elongate lens rests on an outer surface of a ring-like lens.

14. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising an end piece connected to said tubular housing, said tubular housing being positioned between said end piece and the bulb housing.

15. The flashlight of claim 14, wherein the end piece comprises a plurality of holes.

16. The flashlight of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of pins that connect the end piece to the tubular housing.

17. The flashlight of claim 16, wherein the pins extend beyond the end piece and define a plurality of protruding rod tips.

18. The flashlight of claim 16 further comprising a lanyard that is connected to at least one of the plurality of pins.

19. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of indented ribs extending in an axial direction along a portion of the tubular housing.

20. The flashlight of claim 1 further comprising a glow-in-the-dark portion that is positioned within the bulb housing on the same side of the lens assembly as the plurality of LED'"'"'s.