Patent ID: 7527388
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: F21L,F21V,F21Y,H05B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A flashlight comprising: a lamp assembly having a plurality of output states and operable to emit light along an optical axis; an elongated barrel-type housing defining a housing axis parallel to the optical axis and parallel to the length of the housing, and defining a cylindrical bore for receiving a stack of one or more cylindrical batteries; a control ring encompassing the housing and rotatable on the housing axis; the control ring being operably connected to the lamp assembly to change the output state in response to rotation of the ring; and a detent mechanism operably connecting the control ring to the housing; the detent mechanism providing a plurality of different stable positions of the control ring with respect to the housing; and wherein the detent mechanism includes a spring generating a force in a direction parallel to the housing axis; and wherein the detent mechanism includes a spring element having a first indexing feature securing the spring element to the housing, and a second indexing feature, the ring having a plurality of mating features operable to mate with the second indexing feature to provide the different stable positions when the second indexing feature engages each respective mating feature.