Abstract:
A flashlight may include a housing supporting a light source, a lens, a parabolic reflector and an energy source operatively connected to the light source. An adjustable light beam reflector may be mounted on the housing to intersect/deflect all or a portion of the collimated light rays projected by the flashlight. The adjustable reflector may be movably mounted on the housing for manipulation by a user to produce a wide range of light beam shapes or patterns forward of and/or generally lateral relative to the forward end of the flashlight.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/964,282, filed Dec. 30, 2013, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to flashlights and more particularly to a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector. 
     Adjustable beam flashlights typically project a light beam that may be adjusted from a spot projected beam to a broad projected beam. The spot beam may be best produced by an axially symmetric concave parabolic reflector (or a modified paraboloid where the paraboloid is modified to project a spot beam of the intended pattern diameter) with the light source close to the focus of the paraboloid which produces generally collimated light rays resulting in a high intensity spot beam of light. The light beam may be broadened, as for example, in a conical shaped beam, by moving the light source further away from the focus of the paraboloid, preferably but not necessarily toward the larger end of the paraboloid, to produce a relatively nonparallel and diffuse radiating beam. A defocused spot beam, however, is not a good flood beam because the distribution of light is highly uneven. A spot beam is generally poorly suited for illuminating a nearby object because the intensity of the illumination is typically too great and the field of illumination is too narrow. Likewise, a flood beam is generally not suited for illuminating distant objects because the light beam is typically to diffuse to illuminate the distant object. 
     SUMMARY 
     A flashlight may include a housing supporting a light source, a lens, a parabolic reflector and an energy source operatively connected to the light source. An adjustable light beam reflector may be mounted on the housing to intersect/deflect all or a portion of the collimated light rays projected by the flashlight. The adjustable reflector may be movably mounted on the housing for manipulation by a user to produce a wide range of light beam shapes or patterns forward of and/or generally lateral relative to the forward end of the flashlight. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. 
       It is noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the a flashlight with an adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustration the adjustable beam reflector in a fully extending position; 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom perspective of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustration the adjustable beam reflector in a fully retracted position; 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom perspective of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustration the adjustable beam reflector in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom perspective of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustration the adjustable beam reflector in a fully extended position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective partial section view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the projection of a light beam when the adjustable beam reflector is in the fully extended position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the projection of a light beam when the adjustable beam reflector is in intermediate position; 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the projection of a light beam when the adjustable beam reflector is in the fully retracted position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective partial section view of a second embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an adjustable beam reflector illustration a plurality of slots extending through the adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of an adjustable beam reflector illustration a plurality of holes extending through the adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a light beam projection of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 12A  illustrating the adjustable beam reflector in a light beam incepting position; 
         FIG. 11C  is a front perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 11D  is a front perspective view of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 12B ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A  a is a perspective view illustrating a light beam projection of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 11C  with the beam reflector in a light beam non-intercepting position; 
         FIG. 13B  a is a perspective view illustrating a light beam projection of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 11B  with the beam reflector in a light beam intercepting position; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable beam reflector; 
         FIG. 14B  is another perspective of the flashlight shown in  FIG. 14A  illustration the beam reflector in a light beam intercepting position; and 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a sixth embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable beam reflector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout all the drawing figures, attention if first directed to  FIG. 1  in which a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector is generally identified by the reference numeral  100 . The flashlight  100  may include, for purposes of illustration but not by way of limitation, a substantially cylindrical body  110  housing an energy source and a light source arranged in a circuit typical of most prior art flashlights. The flashlight body  110  may include a head portion  112  typically cast as one piece with the body  110 . The head portion  112  may support a light source  114 , such as an LED or incandescent bulb. The light source  114  may be located proximate the focus point of a light reflector  116 , typically a parabolic reflector, supported in the head portion  112  of the flashlight body  110 . A lens  118  may be secured to the front end of the head portion  112  enclosing the light source  114  and reflector  116  within the flashlight body  110 . A switch  120  may be mounted to the flashlight body  110  to form a normally open electrical circuit. Actuation of the switch  120  closes the electrical circuit to supply power to the light source  114 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , a bracket  122  is fixedly secured to the flashlight body  110 . The bracket  122  may include a forward portion  124  configured to mate with the upper cylindrical surface of the head portion  112  of the flashlight body  110 . A rearward portion  126  of the bracket  122  may be configured to mate with lower cylindrical surface of the flashlight body  110 . The bracket  122  may include raised ridges  128  that extend generally from a front face  130  of the bracket portion  124  to the rearward portion  126 . The ridges  128  may be spaced relative to one another and define a channel therebetween. Each of the ridges  128  may further include a race  132  generally defining a curved path. 
     An adjustable light beam reflector  134  may be slidably supported by the bracket  122 . The reflector  134  may include a generally elongated body with a slight curvature, best shown in  FIG. 5 , generally matching the curvature of the ridges  128 . The reflector  134  may include a pair of spaced arms  136  extending from a distal end thereof. The arms  136  may be provided with outwardly extending tabs  138  sized and configured to extend into the races  132  in the ridges  128 . The ridges  128  may include axial grooves  140  sized to slidably receive the lateral sides of the reflector  134 . 
     The reflector  134  may be movably attached to the bracket  122  by flexing the arms  136  toward each other and sliding them through the grooves  140 . Thereafter releasing the arms  136  to expand outwardly and thereby positioning the tabs  138  in the races  132  of the ridges  128 . A thumb grip  142  may be provided on the top surface of the reflector  134  to facilitate transmission of a force from a user&#39;s thumb to slide the reflector  134  to a desired position. The reflector  134  may be constrained to move between a forward stop  144  and a rear stop  146  in the races  132 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the bottom perspective views show the adjustable reflector  134  at three different positions. In  FIG. 3A , the reflector  134  is fully retracted to the rearmost position with the tabs  138  juxtaposed against the rear race stop  146 . In this position, the reflector  134  does not intercept the light beam projected by the light source  114 . In  FIG. 3B , the reflector  134  is shown advanced to an intermediate position so that it partially intercepts the light beam projected by the light source  114 . Light rays  152 ,  154  are not deflected by the mirrored surface  150  of the reflector  134  whereas light rays  156 ,  157 ,  158  are incepted and laterally deflected by the mirrored surface  150  of the reflector  134 . In  FIG. 3C , the reflector  134  is advanced to the fully extended position with the tabs  138  juxtaposed against the forward race stop  144 . In this position, all of the light beam projected by the light source  114  is deflected laterally by the reflector  134 , generally downward toward the ground or walking path surface. 
     In  FIGS. 6A-6C , exemplary light beams or patterns that may be projected by the flashlight  100  toward the ground and/or a distant object  160 , such as a wall, are illustrated. In  FIG. 6A , the reflector  134  is depicted advanced to its fully extended position and thereby deflecting the entire light beam projected the light source  114  to a near field broad beam  162  toward the ground. In  FIG. 6B , the reflector  134  is in an intermediate position. The projected light beam from the light source  114  is divided into a spot beam  164  at the wall  160  and a broad beam at the ground. In  FIG. 6C , the reflector is illustrated in the fully retracted position so that the projected light beam is directed toward a forward spot beam  166  at the wall  160 . Many near field and far field light beam projections may be generated by incremental advancement of the reflector  134  between the race stops  144 ,  146 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a second embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector is generally identified by the reference numeral  200 . The flashlight  200  is substantially similar to the flashlight  100  described above with the exception that the flashlight  200  includes an adjustable reflector  234  that includes a plurality of apertures. By way of illustration but not by limitation,  FIG. 8A  illustrates a reflector  234  that includes a plurality of slots  270  and the reflector  234  illustrated in  FIG. 8B  includes a plurality of holes  272 . The reflector  234  may include apertures of various sizes and shapes, such as, but not limited to, stars, half moons, tear drops and/or any number of combinations thereof. 
     Some light rays will be unobstructed by the reflector  234 , even when the reflector  234  is in the fully extended position, shown in  FIG. 7 . Light rays  252  may pass through the apertures to illuminate a distance object, while light rays  254 ,  258  may be laterally deflected toward the ground. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a third embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector is generally identified by the reference numeral  300 . The flashlight  300  is substantially similar to the flashlight  100  described above with the exception that the flashlight  300  includes an adjustable reflector  334  having a convex mirrored surface  350 . Several variables may be considered when designing the reflector  334 . For example, under certain conditions a convex spoon shape may be expected to yield a broad light beam in the lateral direction, and under other design parameters or conditions a narrow light beam may be produced. Part of the consideration involves whether intersecting light waves are permitted, and also the magnitude of the acute (or oblique) angle created in the generally longitudinal direction. In the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the orientation and location of the spoon shaped geometry of the reflector  334  produces a narrow path of significant length, but the same reflector  334  may be repositioned and re-orientated to produce only a broad near field light beam pattern. In  FIG. 10 , the convex (down) profile of reflector convex surface  350 , as viewed from the side, greatly extends the near field projection of light rays  379  in the longitudinal direction (in front of the user). This extended near field narrow light beam pattern may merge with the far field (illustrative ‘wall’  305 ) spot beam pattern  301  such that one continuous narrow light field is provided with near and far field foot path illumination. Note that although this reflector convex surface  350  is “spoon” shaped, or a truncated spoon shape, the side to side convex (down) profile as viewed from the front of the reflector convex surface  350  has a minimal effect (as per design option) in broadening near field light pattern  302  relative to the maximum effect of the front to rear convex (down) mirrored surface. Different combinations of movable reflector convex and/or flat mirrored surfaces may be combined as desired in order to achieve a given end result of light beam patterns. Also, with the movable reflector  334 , further considerations of variations in light beam pattern may be possible with regard to optical design of the mirrored reflector surface  350 , such as employing faceted mirrored surfaces, or matted surfaces and the like. 
     With regard to the mirrored reflector surfaces, the adjustable reflector may typically be made from a plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-stryene (ABS), polycarbonate or styrene-acrylonitri Ic (SANS), and the reflective surfaces may be created by vacuum depositing a metal onto the plastic material (metalized) with a light-reflecting metal such as silver or aluminum. Typically, inexpensive production reflectors may be coated with a thin layer of lacquer, then aluminum is deposited in a vacuum (vapor deposited aluminum, VDA) and finally a second layer of lacquer may be applied in order to protect the aluminum reflective surface. Alternately, the adjustable reflector may simply be formed from a high quality stainless steel such as 316 grade or better, or chrome plated steel, and polished to the degree desired. An additional option may be to employ metal-loaded paints at the reflector surface. As indicated previously, the movable reflector may be a computer generated parabola, modified or unmodified, and with or without the addition of flat (faceted) or complex curved profiles. Also, small discrete flat surfaces may be provided, or an “orange peel” texture may be provided. These alterations serve largely to scatter or diffuse light, primarily to the near field, as may be required by design considerations. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11D , collectively, a fourth embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector is generally identified by the reference numeral  400 . The flashlight  400  may include, for purposes of illustration but not by way of limitation, a substantially cylindrical body  410  housing an energy source and a light source arranged in a circuit typical of most prior art flashlights. The flashlight body  410  may include a head portion  412  typically cast as one piece with the body  410 . The head portion  412  may support an adjustable reflector  450  is rotatably secured to a yoke base  425 . The yoke base  425  may be secured to head portion  412  of the flashlight body  410 . A compression spring  435  may be secured between the reflector  450  and the yoke base  425 . The reflector  425  may be biased to a position which does not obstruct any light rays emanating from the light source of the flashlight  400 . During use, the reflector  450  may be tilted more or less with a user&#39;s thumb while deflecting at least a portion of the available light beam downward to the ground terrain or foot path. 
     An exploded view of the flashlight  400  is shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the reflector  450 , compression spring  435 , yoke base  425 , and flashlight body  410  are separated for purpose of illustration. The reflector  450  is shown to include a prismatic or faceted reflective surface  449  to facilitate near field scattering of deflected light rays. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13  B, the flashlight  400  is shown illustrating reflector  450  flipped up thus allowing all available light to be projected to a distant spot target, and  FIG. 13  B illustrates the reflector  450  to be tilted down thus deflecting at least a portion of the available light laterally. 
     Directing attention now to a fifth embodiment shown in  FIG. 14A , a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector is generally identified by the reference numeral  500 . As indicated by the use of common reference numerals, the flashlight  500  is similar to the flashlight  400  described above. The flashlight  500  may include a reflector  550  mounted on the head portion  412  of the flashlight body  410 . The reflector  550  may, without limitation, be fabricated of flexible plastic or other suitably flexible material, and may include a reflective bottom surface  552 . The reflector  550  may be fixedly secured to the head portion  412  of the flashlight body  410  in a conventional manner. A forward portion  554  of the reflector  550  may extend forward of the head portion  412  of the flashlight body  410  in a longitudinal direction. A living hinge  575  may connect the forward portion  554  to a rearward portion  556  of the reflector  550 . The reflector  550  may include a finger loop  558  proximate its forward distal end for a user to insert a finger therethrough to manipulate the reflector  550 . Living hinge  575  is of proper thickness as to allow both endurance and sufficient flexation such that deflection of available light rays to some lateral direction may be readily facilitated in an adjustable manner. 
     Directing attention now to  FIG. 15 , a sixth embodiment of a flashlight with an adjustable light beam reflector is generally identified by the reference numeral  600 . As indicated by the use of common reference numerals, the flashlight  600  is similar to the flashlight  400  described above. The flashlight  600  may include a reflector  650  mounted on the head portion  412  of the flashlight body  410 . The reflector  650  may, without limitation, be fabricated of flexible plastic or other suitably flexible material, and may include a reflective bottom surface  652 . The bottom surface  652  may be mirrored. The reflector  650  may be flexed along at least a portion of the reflective (mirrored) bottom surface  652 , thus forming a variably curved reflector  650 . The reflector  650  presents a complex reflective geometry such that extreme downward flexing of the reflector  650  focuses very concentrated light  695  to the foot path. In this manner, high degrees of flexation of the reflector  650  laterally introduces bright concentrated near field illumination of the foot trail or ground terrain, and low or nonexistant flexing of the reflector  650  allows most or all light rays  690  to continue toward a forward target. 
     Finally, the reader may note that in addition to smooth, faceted, and/or prismatic surfaces, the reflector  650  may exhibit some degree of translucence, for example but without limitation, the bottom surface  652  of the reflector  650  may be partially mirrored such that at least a portion of the light rays  690  is visible or transmitted through the reflector  650 . Translucence of the reflector  650  may be desirable for permitting the light rays  690  to illuminate a forward target and simultaneously reflect laterally to illuminate the foot path, as well as increase a user&#39;s visibility to others and the like. Also, it should be noted that the reflector  650  may include a conventional lens mated to the reflective surface of the reflector  650  to further effect characteristics of the deflected light, or the reflector  650  may work in cooperation with a conventional lens including lens regions having plano, aspherical, or double convex characteristics, as well as a Fresnel type lens installed between the flashlight parabolic reflector and the reflector  650 . 
     While a preferred embodiments of the invention has been shown and described, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.