Flashlight with flexible core

A flashlight having a total length formed by a base, a working end housing and a flexible core assembly comprising:

• said base which acts as a counterweight, forms a power end for said flashlight and has a longitudinally extending bore capable of housing at least one battery, said base housing further characterized by having a longitudinal dimension that is between about 15% and about 30% of the total length of said flashlight, and a shortest transverse dimension normal to a longitudinal axis that is between about 3% and 10% of the total length of said flashlight;
• said working end housing separated from said base housing and supporting in operative relationship a reflector, a lens, and a light bulb, said working end housing further characterized by having a longitudinal dimension that is between about 10% and about 25% of the total length of the flashlight, a width at its broadest part between about 5% and about 13% of the total length of said flashlight and a thickness between about 5% and about 12% of the total length of said flashlight;
• said flexible core assembly connecting said base housing in operative relationship with said working end housing, said flexible core assembly further characterized by having a longitudinal dimension between about 50% and about 65% of the total length of said flashlight;
• said flexible core assembly further comprising an outer resilient sleeve surrounding a plurality of interconnected rotatable ball and socket joints forming an inner flexible core and capable of being folded to place said base housing adjacent said working end housing, resulting in a folded length that is between about 45% and about 60% of the extended length of the flashlight;
• at least one circumferential ridge and slot arrangement inside said working housing to secure said resilient outer sleeve to substantially prevent said sleeve from moving longitudinally with respect to said working end housing;
• said outer resilient sleeve having a plurality of circumferential ridges along the length of an outer surface thereof and first means for preventing the rotation of said resilient outer sleeve relative to said base housing and second menas for preventing the rotation of said resilient outer sleeve relative to said working end housing;
• electrical conductors housed within said flexible core assembly to electrically connect said base housing with said working end housing;
• and
• an electrical on/off switch operably connected to said electrical conductors to control the flow of electricity from said base housing to said working end housing.