Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc.

The Brinkmann Corporation

W Clay Reeves

Kevin L Parsons

Donald A Keller

Donald L Rohrs

Michael Story

A method and apparatus are provided for operating a flashlight using a light emitting diode as a primary light source. The method includes the steps of activating the light emitting diode as the primary light source of the flashlight under one of a plurality of different operating modes and selecting the operating mode using a momentary contact disposed on an outer surface of the flashlight. In the disclosed embodiments, the flashlight takes the form of a relatively small size, generally flat housing having metallic side panels that may be of various colors and have indicia printed on them. The housing has an integral keyring extension enabling an article to be attached to the flashlight or for the flashlight to be attached to other articles, such as the clothing of a user.

Miniature flashlight having replaceable battery pack and multiple operating modes

A flashlight having a light-emitting diode light source with first and second leads extending therefrom, a power source, a power source frame enclosing at least a portion of the power source; a housing containing the light source and power source, a switch located adjacent the power source and operable to close a circuit including the light source and the power source, and wherein one or all of the following may be included 1) a keyring extension extending from a power source frame or the housing with the keyring extension having an opening whereby an article can be attached to the keyring extension and includes a keyring lock wherein upon exerting a force against the keyring lock, the keyring lock is opened to permit the article to be attached to the keyring extension; 2) the housing is comprised of translucent material; and 3) the housing includes at least one side cover which is not integral with the housing and the at least one side cover being selected from anodized aluminum, anodized metal, anodized metal which includes indicia, die struck metal, laser engraved metal, and a side cover having a separate medallion attached thereto.

LED flashlight with side panels inside structure

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.

Miniature flashlight having replaceable battery pack

LED flashlight with clip opposite LED

The present invention provides a flashlight having two switches, an on-off switch and an intermittent switch. The on-off switch allows the flashlight to be placed in either the on position or the off position. The intermittent switch allows the flashlight to be in the on position only when the switch is depressed and manually held down by the user. The presence of both switches provides the user with the flexibility of using the flashlight in either the on/off mode or the intermittent mode.

Dual switch flashlight

A dual mode rechargeable flashlight includes a generally rectangular housing sized to be readily carried and operated in one's hand and having a pair of upper and lower frame members that receive and retain generally planar rectangular panels preferably made of anodized aluminum and which may be of selective colors and have indicia imprinted thereon. An integral charging system within the flashlight housing enables recharging of DC batteries connectable in circuit with a high intensity lamp carried within a reflector assembly at a forward lens end of the flashlight. A modular self-storing blade assembly facilitates connection of the charging system to an electrical outlet. A power pack support housing within the flashlight is accessible through an access door to enable insertion of a 6-volt DC battery power pack connectable in circuit with a high intensity long life LED carried within the reflector assembly. Selective actuation of a switch button effects energizing of either the high intensity lamp or the high luminous intensity LED.

Dual mode rechargeable flashlight

Miniature led flashlight

A flashlight having a power source and an LED positioned in a housing. A switch is provided on the housing to activate the light source, and a magnet is affixed to the flashlight to allow the flashlight to be mounted to metal surfaces.

Miniature LED flashlight

A flashlight having a power source and a light source having a high intensity positioned in a power source frame. The flashlight further includes a power source frame housing that encloses the power source frame. The frame and the housing cooperate to secure and protect the internal components of the flashlight. The flashlight is further provided with side covers that have flat surfaces to receive markings or engravings. A switch is provided to activate the light source, the switch preferably providing tactile feedback to the user.

A flashlight including a housing with an internal groove, a contact spring resting within the groove, a lamp assembly disposed within the housing, and a power source in electrical contact with the housing. The contact spring provides an electrical contact between the housing and the lamp assembly.

Flashlight having improved vibration resistance

A rechargeable flashlight, having a head end and a tail end, has an incandescent bulb disposed to direct its illumination out of the head end and has a switch accessible at the tail end. The flashlight houses an assembly of rechargeable batteries and a voltage converter that steps up the voltage provided by the rechargeable batteries and powers the incandescent bulb with the stepped-up voltage when the switch is in the &ldquo;ON&rdquo; position. When the switch is in the &ldquo;OFF&rdquo; position, the rechargeable batteries may be recharged while they are inside of the flashlight, via positive and negative contact rings disposed coaxially about the switch in the tail end of the flashlight. A recharger is positioned to provide current through the positive and negative contact rings for recharging the batteries inside the flashlight when protrusions carried on the recharger housing snap into a circumferential groove provided in the flashlight housing. The positive contact ring is electrically connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery assembly via a diode that becomes forward biased during the recharge process. The diode serves to prevent current from flowing through the voltage converter or through the incandescent bulb during the recharge process.

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

W Clay Reeves