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AssigneeArmament Systems and Procedures, Inc.
InventorsKevin L. Parsons, W. Clay Reeves
Estimating the term…
A miniature flashlight includes a high intensity light source supported on a non-conductive battery frame that defines a recess opening outwardly of the battery frame and adapted to receive a replaceable modular self-contained power source, such as a modular battery pack. The battery frame includes a switch side plate which supports a switch slide plate for movement between an “off” position, a first position enabling momentarily closing of a circuit including the light source and battery pack, and a second circuit closing position to continuously energize the light source in response to actuation of an externally exposed switch push button. Side covers are retained on opposite sides of the battery frame and have outer exposed surfaces for receiving indicia thereon. A keyring extension is formed at one end of the battery frame and has a keyring lock that permits keys or other items to be attached to the keyring extension and also facilitates convenient attachment and detachment of the flashlight from clothing items and the like.
A flashlight as defined in claim 2 wherein said battery holder has a pair of openings therein facilitating electrical connection of positive and negative terminals of said battery in circuit with said light source.
A flashlight as defined in claim 2 wherein said battery holder and said battery frame are mutually cooperable to prevent full insertion of said battery park into said recess unless said battery pack is in a predetermined orientation relative to said battery frame when inserted into said recess.
A flashlight as defined in claim 4 wherein said battery frame includes an opening communicating with said recess so as to enable insertion of a pusher member into said opening to at least partially eject said battery pack from said recess.
A flashlight as defined in claim 5 wherein said battery holder has a post extending therefrom positioned to enter said opening when said battery pack is fully inserted into said recess, whereby a battery holder post on a similarly shaped battery holder can be inserted into said opening from externally of said battery frame to at least partially eject a battery pack when fully disposed within said recess.
A flashlight as defined in claim 7 wherein said battery holder has a locating arm adapted for receipt within a notch formed in said battery frame adjacent said recess when said battery pack is inserted into said recess disposed in said predetermined orientation.
A flashlight as defined in claim 9 wherein said switch plate and said switch slide plate are mutually cooperable to establish an off position for said switch slide plate wherein said circuit is open, said push button being operative to move said slide plate to said first position from said off position in response to predetermined movement of said push button longitudinally of said housing, and being operative to effect movement of said slide plate to said second position in response to continued movement of said push button longitudinally of said housing from said off position.
A flashlight as defined in claim 10 wherein said switch plate and said slide plate define mutually cooperable detents operative to releasably maintain said slide plate in either said off or second positions in response to actuation of said push button by an operator.
A flashlight as defined in claim 14 wherein said keyring includes a keyring lock operative to prevent unintentional release of keys or a key chain from said keyring.
A flashlight as defined in claim I wherein said keyring extends longitudinally outwardly from an end of said housing opposite said light source.
A flashlight as defined in claim 18 wherein said battery frame, switch plate, battery holder and frame members are made of a non-metallic material, said side covers being made of a metallic material.
A flashlight as defined in claim 19 wherein said non-metallic material comprises plastic, and said metallic material comprises aluminum.
A flashlight comprising, in combination;
A flashlight as defined in claim 21 wherein said switch includes a push button carried by said housing, said push button being movable generally longitudinally of said housing to a first position to effect operation of said switch in said first mode, and being movable generally longitudinally of said housing to a second position to effect operation of said switch in said second mode.
A flashlight as defined in claim 22 wherein said push button includes an outer dome surface extending outwardly of said housing to facilitate actuation of said push button by an operator's thumb or finger.
A flashlight as defined in claim 24 wherein said light source comprises a LED having leads extending therefrom, said housing including a battery frame defining said recess and supporting said LED with said leads extending into said battery frame, a selected one of said leads being interconnected to said negative pole of said battery without physically contacting said negative pole, the other of said leads being adapted for interconnection to said positive terminal without physically contacting said positive terminal in response to operation of said switch in said first and second modes.
A flashlight as defined in claim 26 wherein said housing includes an opening communicating with said recess so as to enable insertion of a pusher member into said opening to at least partially eject said battery pack from said recess when disposed therein.
A flashlight as defined in claim 28 wherein said battery holder has a post extending therefrom positioned to enter said opening when said battery pack is fully inserted into said recess, whereby a battery holder post on a similarly shaped battery holder can be inserted into said opening from externally of said housing to at least partially eject a battery pack when fully disposed within said recess.
A flashlight as defined in claim 32 wherein said switch plate and said switch slide plate are mutually cooperable to establish an off position for said switch slide plate wherein said circuit is open, said push button being operative to move said slide plate to said first position from said off position in response to predetermined movement of said push button longitudinally of said housing, and being operative to effect movement of said slide plate to said second position in response to continued movement of said push button longitudinally of said housing from said off position.
A flashlight as defined in claim 33 wherein said switch plate and said slide plate define mutually cooperable detents operative to releasably maintain said slide plate in either said off or second positions in response to actuation of said push button by an operator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.