Patent ID: 6447144
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: A43B,F21L

Abstract:
A spark generating lighting mechanism comprising:an element mounting structure; a grinding wheel secured relative to said mounting structure and having a spark material igniting surface; a quantity of spark material adjacent to said grinding wheel and having a spark material first end in contact with said spark material igniting surface; spark material retaining means secured relative to said mounting structure adjacent to said grinding wheel and containing said spark material; biasing means bearing against said spark material second end for biasing the spark material against grinding wheel; grinding wheel rotation means secured relative to said mounting structure and drivably connected to said grinding wheel; and a translucent spark shield secured relative to said mounting structure and adjacent to said grinding wheel for deflecting and containing within said mechanism burning particles of said spark material causing sparks while passing rays of light; wherein said mounting structure comprises a flashlight housing having a tubular housing side wall with a side wall forward end and a side wall rearward end, a rear wall closing said side wall rearward end, external side wall threads around said side wall forward end; an annular cap having internal threads sized to engage by screwing over said side wall threads, the cap having a central lens port with a lens port diameter; a lens sized to fit with the cap but having a diameter larger than said lens port diameter, such that said cap retains said lens across said side wall forward end; funnel-shaped reflector having a narrower end and having wider end terminating with a reflector rim within said side wall forward end, such that said lens bears against said reflector wider end and said cap compresses the perimeter of said lens against said reflector rim of said reflector wider end, holding said lens and said reflector secure relative to said flashlight housing; said reflector extending into said housing and progressively tapering to said narrower end into said housing; said spark shield secured within the narrower end of said reflector; a grinding wheel axle rotatably mounted in said housing side wall; wherein said grinding wheel is positioned immediately rearward of said spark shield and secured around said grinding wheel axle; a tubular passageway secured across the interior of said housing side wall, opening through a first side wall port and a second side wall port, said passageway having a lateral spark light release opening into which said grinding wheel extends; wherein the spark material retaining means comprises a spark material guide tube extending within said passageway from said first side wall port toward said grinding wheel, said spark material guide tube containing at least one segment of spark material and wherein said biasing means comprises a spark material biasing spring; such that operating said wheel rotation means causes said grinding wheel to rotate relative to said housing and abrade said spark material, causing burning spark material particles to break away from said spark material and to strike said spark shield and cast light through said spark shield and said lens, and then to drop into said passageway through said spark light release opening for periodic removal by the user.