# US 7,745,957 B2 · Combination task lamp and flash light > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,745,957 B2 - Document ID: US7745957B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/639,556 - Filed: 2006-12-15 - Published: 2007-07-12 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-01-10 - Assignees: Bayco Products, Ltd. - Inventors: Bijan Bayat; James Newton; Robert Lee Ellis; Gordon L. Treichler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745957B2 ## CPC - F21L 4/027: {the light sources being a LED} - F21V 7/0075: {for portable lighting devices} - F21V 7/0091: {using total internal reflection} - F21V 23/0414: {specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices} - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - F21L: LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract A single combination task lamp and flashlight instrument, providing separate flood and spot light beams, independently controlled in a three-state sequence by simple push button switches. The two kinds of light beams are produced by separate arrays of compact light emitting devices. both arrays are driven by a single, rechargeable battery powered electrical circuit that provides separate, regulated constant currents to the respective arrays of LEDs. The optics and electronics are constructed in a single, ruggedized, compact module. The module is enclosed within an elongated handle that positions the center of mass for optimum balance of the instrument and the control switches for convenient operation according to the sense of touch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hand held instrument, comprising: an elongated, tubular housing having first and second ends and a center of mass offset toward the first end; an electrical circuit disposed within the tubular housing and providing operative means of the instrument; and a single pole single throw (SPST) switch having first and second contacts and a latching mechanism mounted on the housing intermediate the center of mass and the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second switch contacts of the at least a first actuator are connected in the electrical circuit of the instrument and operable in a first state to place the electrical circuit in an OFF condition when the first and second contacts are engaged. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument is a task lamp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument is configured for operation in at least first and second modes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The instrument of claim 3, wherein the first and second modes include a first mode as a flood light and a second mode as a spotlight. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1, wherein: the single pole single throw (SPST) switch having first and second contacts is connected in the electrical circuit and the latching mechanism is operable by an actuating member that is sequentially operable in first, second, and third states corresponding respectively to latched engagement, momentary disengagement, and latched disengagement of the first and second contacts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The instrument of claim 5, wherein: the first state places the electric circuit in the OFF condition; the second state provides activation of the electric circuit in a momentary ON condition; and the third state provides activation of the electric circuit in an ON condition. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The instrument of claim 6, wherein subsequent operation of the actuating member from the third state causes engagement of the first and second contacts and provides restoration of the first state of the electric circuit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1, wherein the single pole single throw (SPST) switch comprises: a single pole single throw (SPST) switch having normally open first and second contacts and a latching mechanism operable by an actuating member; wherein the SPST switch is connected in the electric circuit for activating at least a conducting path in the electric circuit. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The instrument of claim 8, wherein the electrical circuit produces no output when the SPST switch is in the first state. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument comprises a device for emitting directed energy in a controlled manner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The instrument of claim 1, wherein further comprising a second SPST switch having first and second contacts and mounted on the surface of the housing intermediate the center of mass and the second end of the housing, wherein the first and second contacts of the second SPST switch are connected in the electrical circuit of the instrument. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The instrument of claim 11, wherein the second SPST switch is operable in a subordinate relationship to the first SPST switch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The instrument of claim 11, wherein the second SPST switch is operable to select one of at least first and second operating modes of the instrument. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The instrument of claim 13, wherein the first and second modes include a first mode as a flood light and a second mode as a spot light. ### Claim 15 A handheld battery powered instrument, comprising: an elongated tubular housing having a central portion disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof, the housing enclosing an electrical operating means of the instrument; a single pole single throw (SPST) switch having first and second contacts and a latching mechanism for controlling the electrical operating means, mounted on the housing within the central portion of the instrument and connected to the electrical operating means; and a center of mass of the instrument disposed within the central portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the SPST switch is disposed within a relief formed in the external surface of the housing, the relief having a substantially cylindrical cross section oriented approximately at a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the SPST switch is disposed nearer a first end of the central portion of the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the center of mass is disposed nearer a second end of the central portion of the housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electrical operating means comprises: a task lamp having a first mode of operation as a flood lighting instrument and a second mode of operation as a spot lighting instrument; and at least one second SPST switch for selecting one or the other or both of the first and second modes. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each operation of the at least one second SPST switch causes a momentary closure of first and second contacts of the SPST switch, each momentary closure signaling a subsequent selection of the first and second modes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the task lamp is operable for use as a club when the housing of the task lamp is grasped by the user's hand in position for operating the at least one actuator or the at least one second actuator. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, comprising: at least one battery disposed within the housing for supplying power to the operating means in the handheld instrument.