Patent ID: 7281815
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: F21L,F21V,F21Y,H01H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A lighting device having a multi-channel switch assembly, comprising: a head assembly, wherein the head assembly comprises a light source; a light body having a first end and a second end, wherein the head assembly is coupled to a first end of the light body; a battery housing, wherein an interior cavity of the battery housing defines a battery compartment capable of receiving a battery, and wherein the battery housing is positioned within a cavity formed by the light body; an switch assembly coupled to a second end of the light body via a threaded collar, wherein the switch assembly is indexed to the light body, wherein the switch assembly comprises at least some of a rotator that is rotatable to at least one light activating channel relative to the light body; an actuator, wherein the actuator includes a magnet coupled to a lower portion of the actuator such that the magnet is maintained in a fixed position relative to the actuator, and wherein the actuator is coupled to the rotator such that when the rotator is rotated to a light activating channel, the actuator and the magnet are also rotated to a corresponding light activating position, a button coupled to the actuator, and a switch cup rotatably coupled to the rotator and the threaded collar, wherein when the switch assembly is coupled to the light body, the switch cup is indexed to the light body, and wherein the switch cup is electrically coupled to a negative terminal of the battery such that, when the switch assembly is coupled to the light body, the switch cup is electrically coupled to the light body and the controller; at least one Hall effect sensor associated with each light activating channel of the switch assembly, wherein each Hall effect sensor is capable of producing an activation signal when the magnetic field from the magnet activates the proximate Hall effect sensor; wherein, when the button is depressed, the actuator is moved from a first position within the switch cup to a second position within the switch cup, such that the magnet is moved to a position that is proximate the Hall effect sensor associated with an instant light activating channel of the rotator such that the magnetic field of the magnet activates the proximate Hall effect sensor associated with an instant light activating channel of the rotator; and a controller, wherein the controller is electrically coupled to each Hall effect sensor such that the controller is capable of receiving an activation signal from each Hall effect sensor and determining the output function for the light source that is represented by the activated Hall effect sensor, wherein the controller is electrically coupled to the light source and the battery such that the controller is capable of energizing the light source in response to the receipt of an activation signal from each Hall effect sensor and controlling the output patterns and on/off functions of the light source.