US 5,161,879 A · Flashlight for covert applications

Abstract

A flashlight for security personnel has a gravity actuated switch for application of electrical power to multiple lamps to enable the projection of light in downward directions to illuminate multicolored working surfaces and to inhibit the projection of light in horizontal and other directions where hostile persons may be watching. The projected light intensity is variable by polarizing optical means and is coordinated with the gravity switch and the user's control so that the initial intensity at turn-on of the flashlight occurs at the lowest projected intensity. The lamp array, contained in a removable cartridge, has multiple light emitters selected for color characteristics, for a fast time decay response on turn-off, and for reduced red and infrared energy emissions. Reversal of battery polarity effects dramatic changes in color or intensity of the projected light. A manual control overrides the automatic gravity switch for projection of light in unrestricted directions while a tactile generator warns the user that light is projected in a high risk direction. Modular contruction of the removable cartridge permits selection of optional lighting arrays and accessories.

Claims44

Dependent claims

A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one light source;
and
b) a symmetrical gravity actuated electrical switch for automatically controlling said application of power to enable said projection of beamed light into a defined acceptable spatial zone about the downward vertical direction and to inhibit said projection of beamed light in all remaining space outside of said acceptable spatial zone said gravity switch symmetrically operative at any angle of rotation of said device about the longitudinal axis of said illumination subassembly.

A device, operative on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly, responsive to said application of electrical power, comprising at least one light source;
b) a reversible gravity actuated switch for automatically controlling said application of electrical power to said illumination subassembly to enable said projection of beamed light into a defined acceptable spatial zone about the downward vertical direction and to inhibit said projection of beamed light in all remaining space outside of said acceptable spatial zone, said gravity actuated switch comprising:
a sealed case;
and
a conductive liquid for enclosure in said sealed case, said conductive liquid automatically responsive in movement within said case to the force of gravity, for operating said electrical switch to enable said application of electrical power for projection of said light beam in said defined acceptable spatial zone about said vertical direction, and for operating said electrical switch to inhibit said application of electrical power for extinguishing said light beam before rotation of said light beam upward forty-five degrees from said downward vertical direction.

2 more elements

A flashlight, operable by an attending user for signaling and for illuminating multicolored surfaces, which comprises:

a) an opaque housing having an exit aperture for projecting a beam of light through a shielding hood;
b) an electrical power supply comprising at least one replaceable battery which may be installed, by said user, alternatively in normal and reversed polarities;
c) an illumination subsystem operative to generate light upon application of said electrical power and rapidly responsive to disconnection of said electrical power yielding a short decay time span for projection of light, which subsystem comprises:
at least one array of light emitting lamps operative at a first spectrum of colors upon an unidirectional flow of direct current in said emitting lamps;
and
at least one array of at least one light emitting lamp operative at a second spectrum of colors, different from said first color spectrum, upon reverse and bidirectional flows of direct current in said emitting lamp;
d) a luminous intensity control subsystem for said projected beam of light, comprising:
a first light polarizing lens interposed between said illumination subsystem and said housing exit aperture;
a second light polarizing lens successively interposed between said first light polarizing lens and said housing exit aperture;
and
means, operable by said attending user, for differentially adjusting the planes of polarization of said first and second polarizing lenses in a range between parallel and crossed planes of polarization for continuous variation of said luminous intensity of projected light between the available maximum and minimum levels, respectively.
e) an electrical switching subsystem for connection of said power supply to said illumination subsystem, comprising:
a gravity actuated switch for the automatic connection of said power supply to said illumination subsystem when said flashlight is aimed to project said beam of light downward within a defined conical volume centered within a small acute included angle about the vertical direction, and for the automatic disconnection of said power supply from said illumination subsystem when said flashlight is aimed to project said beam of light in spaces outside said defined conical volume;
an override switch, manually operable by said attending user, for connection of said power supply to said illumination subsystem irrespective of the aiming direction of said flashlight;
and
means, manually operable by said attending user, for disabling said gravity actuated switch for locking said flashlight in an OFF status;
and
f) means for coordinating said electrical switching subsystem and said luminous intensity control subsystem for restricting initiation of the turn-on of said beam of light to coincide with said minimum intensity level effected by crossed planes of polarization of said intensity control subsystem.

15 more elements

A flashlight, operable by an attending user for projecting a beam of light for signaling and for illuminating multicolored surfaces, which comprises:

a) a cylindrical tubular housing of opaque material open at each end, which comprises:
a first end of said tubular housing for a light exit aperture, for assembly therein of a light polarizing optical module, said first housing end having a male threaded segment thereon and at least one keyway slot for angular registry of said polarizing optical module;
and
a second end of said tubular housing for assembly therein of a removable flashlight cartridge, said second housing end having in proximity and parallel to said second end a slot with a gravity switch off-cam extending circumferentially approximately ninety degrees in said housing, for locking said cartridge in place and for setting a range of variable luminous intensity control;
b) a hood of opaque insulating material having matching female threads therein for assembly upon said first end of said tubular housing, for securing said optical module and for shielding said light exit aperture from side view;
c) said optical module, comprising;
an outer lens;
a first polarizer lens for said variable luminous intensity control;
a keyway pin for registry of said polarizer lens in said housing;
and
an O-ring for sealing said flashlight against entry of foreign substances;
d) said flashlight replaceable cartridge, comprising:
a mechanical structure comprising a cage of at least three electrically conducting struts for assembly of said cartridge;
at least one dry cell battery for removable placement within said structural cage;
an interchangeable lamp module of optional design for removable attachment to the inner end of said structural cage for emission of light, said lamp module comprising input and output contacts for an electrical circuit supplied with power from said battery;
at least one light emitting lamp;
and a second polarizing lens for said variable luminous intensity control;
an electrical switching subassembly enclosed within the outer end of said structural cage for completing a conducting circuit from said battery to said lamp module;
a control cap attached to said electrical switching subassembly, said control cap comprising:
a raised surface remaining outside said flashlight housing for operation by said attending user when said cartridge is assembled in said housing;
a spring loaded locking pin for placement in said slot and said gravity switch off-cam of said housing;
a manually operable override switch connecting shaft and thumb lever;
and, a second O-ring for sealing said flashlight against entry of foreign substances;
and
e) means for rotating said cartridge, about its long axis, within said cylindrical flashlight housing for initiating said projection of light and for varying said luminous intensity of the projected light beam.

22 more elements

A device, operative by a user on the application of electrical power, for the projection of light in a directed beam at a desired intensity, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) an illumination subassembly comprising:
a first light source, operative to project from said device light in a first color spectral bandwidth distribution of the visible light spectrum;
a second light source, operative to project from said device light in a second color spectral bandwidth distribution of said visible light spectrum that is different from said first color spectral bandwidth distribution;
b) circuit means for connecting said illumination subassembly to said electrical power;
c) means operable without intensity control of the directed beam for automatically reducing the decay time span for extinguishing the projected light when said electrical power is disconnected from said illumination subassembly;
and
d) means accessible to said attending user for altering the flow of current in said circuit for changing the color of said directed beam of light.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flashlight for covert applications

Life of this patent

Flashlight for covert applications

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44