Abstract:
A personal alarm light operates as a multi-purpose emergency tool having a power pack of batteries powering a white light beam, as well as a radially emanating red light ring. An audible alarm has a loud, typically high-pitched oscillating sound. A resonance chamber amplifies the sound, which emanates from apertures delivering sound radially away from the resonance chamber. Crowns on each end of the tool provide regions of reduced area and alternating relieved sections about the circumference thereof, in order to provide increased impact pressure from the points when used as hammers to break glass, or as strikers to cut through fabric or other sheet materials.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/905,376, filed May 30, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/654,048, filed May 31, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portions of the above-referenced applications are inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced applications. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. The Field of the Present Disclosure. 
     This invention relates to lights such as flashlights and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for lights having additional tools and alarms integral thereto. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Flashlights are used by individuals, companies, workmen, safety professionals, sports enthusiasts, hikers, backpackers, and so forth. Flashlights come in a variety of sizes, a variety of power systems, various light sources, and numerous specialty materials. Some are rechargeable. Generally they include a beacon or beam generation system such as a lightbulb powered by batteries. 
     Meanwhile, joggers, hikers, individuals walking through urban areas at night, individuals leaving working facilities through darkened parking lots and parking decks, and so forth may have a need for a light that is brighter, more intense, and has a better directed beam then typical flashlights. Meanwhile, an individual in a vehicle stopping at night or in an accident at night may have need various emergency functions provided by other tools. 
     Accordingly, it would be an advance in the art to create a flashlight system that provides additional emergency signaling including audio and visual alarm elements, as well as other safety tools that may be useful in an emergency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a tool comprising a base containing a closure and at least one of an audible alarm and a crown, the crown having alternating reduced axial cross sectional area and axial relief around the circumference thereof. 
     The body may be configured to support a source of power portable therewith, and secured to be closed by the base. A head is typically attached for securing the source within the body and containing a light powered by the source. 
     At least one of the head, body, and base may further contain an actuator. Likewise, at least one of the head, body, and base may further contain a controller operably connected to the source, the alarm, the light, and the actuator for actuating the light and alarm. This is done in response to an actuation procedure executed through the controller by operation of the actuator. 
     A method of use may comprise providing a tool having a light, an alarm audible in the range of human hearing, and a body. The tool used in the method may further comprise an actuator, a power supply, and a controller, operably interconnected. Activating the light by the controller to operate continuously occurs in response to a first procedure applied to the actuator. Activating the alarm by the controller to operate in an alarm mode occurs in response to a second procedure, distinct from the first procedure, applied to the actuator. In certain embodiments, the method may include activating, by the controller, the light in an intermittent alarming mode coincident with operation of the alarm. 
     Thus, in one embodiment, a personal alarm light operates as a multi-purpose emergency tool having a power pack of batteries powering a white light beam as well as a radially emanating red light ring. An audible alarm has a loud (80-120 decibels, typical volume), high-pitched, oscillating (intermittent) sound. 
     A resonance chamber amplifies the sound, which emanates from apertures delivering sound radially away from the resonance chamber. Crowns on each end of the tool provide points of reduced axial cross section, precipitous edges (corners), and alternating relieved sections in order to provide increased impact pressure from the points when used as hammers to break glass, or as strikers to cut through fabric or other sheet materials. 
     In one embodiment of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, an emergency tool or flashlight may include a head, as well as a body, grip, or core area away from the head and threaded thereto. At the back end, opposite the head, a base or tail may be secured to maintain electrical connection with a power secure within the tool, while also serving other functions. 
     In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, the emergency tool may be provided with various lighting systems. For example, in one embodiment, light emitting diodes, as a group, or as a single diode, may be installed behind a lens to provide a directed beam of light. 
     In addition, the apparatus may include a crown as part of the head providing point areas and relief areas in alternating spacing around the lens. Thus, an individual has a tool that may be used for breaking a window in a vehicle, building, or the like. 
     Meanwhile, the light, in addition to having white light provided in a beam directed along the axial direction, may also include a window having a filter or colored source emitting red light from the same or a different source. Thus, in certain embodiments, the light may provide not only a beam of white light, but a ring or other configuration of red light operating steadily or intermittently to signal an alarm. 
     In certain embodiments, the ends at the head and base ends of the tool may each have a collar presenting an increased circumference greater then that of the main body. That increased circumference provides a secure hold beyond just friction against the hand of a user. The collar circumference may also be machined or otherwise formed to have flats thereon. This will provide the tool with a tendency to stay in one location on a flat surface, rather than rolling away. 
     A switch may be combined with control technology, in hardware, software, or both, built into the tool in order to control the light. The switch may be actuated with a single click, multiple clicks, or by being held down. Different modes maybe initiated thereby, such as steady light, blinking light, or audible alarm sounds, respectively. 
     According to the difficulty or ease of manufacture, the tool may be built in more sections than simply the head, the base, and the center core or body. Additional or fewer, the light, the lens, the batteries and so forth sections may be created to hold, for example, an audio alarm. 
     In certain embodiments, it has been found that the audio alarm can be greatly enhanced at a given power level by creating a resonance chamber there around. By having a transducer that creates sounds, inside a resonance chamber, the tool may increase preferentially the energy of the sound waves at a particularly selected and desired frequency. Accordingly, the volume or decibel level at that preferred frequency is greatly enhanced. A comparatively high-pitched, piercing sound above the frequency range of a human voice has been found suitable and effective. 
     In use, the apparatus may be held in the hand as a flashlight, with the user directing the beam in a preferred direction. The beam may be directed to assist in lighting a dark area, or in blinding an assailant by providing a very bright (e.g., one-watt LED) beam. Such a beam aimed directly into the eyes of an assailant is disabling at night. 
     Similarly, by using a different actuation series on the switch, the tool may act as a stroboscopic light, thus providing high intensity, light emitting diode (LED) light in a stroboscopic manner. Such a light is disorienting, confusing, and blinds a person whose eyes are accustomed to the dark by introducing bright light. 
     Likewise, the steady or intermittent, stroboscopic, effect also may cast light through a window on the circumference of the tool. This provides light in multiple directions. 
     A full radial emission of light enhances the ability of the light to be seen, regardless of location. If the light is dropped or thrown it may continue to emit light for several more hours, typically eight to fifty. Similarly, because the tool has larger diameters at opposing ends (head and base) a user may grip the body of the tool more securely and easily. One may use the ends of the tool, and more particularly the machined point regions to break a window, tear through a material, or otherwise escape from or gain access to a region that is covered with glass, fabric, canvas, light gauge metal, or the like. 
     One may also signal by pounding on a wall, bulkhead window, or the like. For example, one may cut through upholstery and signal by pounding on the roof of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the body of the tool provides an internal support or anvil supporting the hand against collapse. Thus, the tool hardens the first of a user if so needed and supports the hand against deflection or related injury. 
     Meanwhile, the alternating pointed and relieved regions on each end (head and grip) of the tool also provide a contact area if the tool is used as a baton. Typically, the tool may be short, just longer then a hand breadth, and having the head and base extending out at each end of a closed fist. Thus, as a baton, the points or crown tools may be used primarily by driving each, on its end of the body acting as a “handle”, directed in axial directions forward, backward, or both. 
     In a hammer mode, the tool may easily break glass, tear through fabrics, and leverage the force of the hands and arms of a user in striking, pounding, tearing, or cutting to create many more pounds per square inch of load and a more aggressive grip and contact cutting area than any part of the human body can generate or sustain without injury. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of an emergency tool in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective exploded view of various component regions and elements of the tool of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective exploded view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a front end elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear end elevation view thereof; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view thereof; and 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , while referring generally to  FIGS. 1-10 , an emergency tool  10  may be formed to have a head  12  or head end  12  and a body  14 . The body may be terminated by a base  18 . However, in certain embodiments, a coupler  16  may act as an additional extension or housing to hold an audio alarm, and to form with the base  18  a resonance chamber for amplifying the sound of an audible alarm. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-10 , the emergency tool  10  may be formed with the head  12  to include a crown of points  20 . Similarly, the base  18  may include a crown of points  20 . In both cases, at both the head  12  and the base  18 , points  20  alternate with relief  22  or relief regions  22  in order to increase the effective pressure (stress) when a user applies force by swinging the tool  10  in the hand of a user, as a hammer-like tool. 
     The tool  10  is not necessarily used for pounding nails or driving other fasteners. Rather, the tool  10  may be used as a baton or hammer in order to break a window in an automobile, to escape therefrom, or to break a window in an automobile, building, or the like for either escape or entry. 
     For example, a user in a home or fire may choose to break a window to escape to a balcony, outside feature, or the like. Similarly, a user in an automobile that has pitched into a body of water or river may use the points  20  to hammer against a windshield or side window of the automobile in order to provide a means of escape. 
     Similarly, an individual seeking to rescue someone in a submerged vehicle or to access a room through a locked window may hold the tool  10  as a hammer  10  or baton  10 , and drive a point or points  20  against the glass in order to break the window. 
     Narrowing the effective cross sectional area presented on each point  20 , by cutting out the relief areas  22 , increases the impact, the sharp edge, the stress area, per square inch (force per unit). The points can all be made more effective than bare hands, with reduced, little or (even no) risk of injury. 
     Therefore, in general, an emergency tool  10  may rely on the points  20  on the head  12 , the base  18 , or both to act as hammering elements. Notwithstanding the lack of a handle such as a hammer handle, the tool  10  may be gripped in a hand, and the hand may be swung at the end of an arm, about an elbow, about a shoulder, or both. Thus, the head end  12  and the base end  18  may both be used as striking elements. 
     Accordingly, the cross sectional area viewed in an axial direction along the central axis of the tool  10  is minimized to an appropriate value at each of the points  20 . Also they may be machined to have a small radius (e.g., one to five mils.), less than one tenth millimeter radius. 
     That is, by removing the relief area  22  or removing material from the relief area  22 , the smaller, axial, cross sectional, as well as the edge radius minimization area of each point, results in a substantial increase in pressure or stress (forced applied per unit area) by each point  20  in contact with any object. Thus, each point  20  may act to tear fabric, upholstery, canvas, light metal or the like, and break any brittle material in order to provide access to or escape from the binding force of such glass, fabric, sheet material, or the like. 
     In certain situations, a user may need to escape from a vehicle. Accordingly, one of the points  20  may be hammered against a window or windshield and provide an exit for entrapped occupants. Similarly, an individual fleeing a room of a burning building may break a window to destroy it, access a lock, or otherwise escape. Moreover, the number and durability of the points  20  provide for breaking a window directly, as well as breaking out all of the shards of the window that may remain. 
     Likewise, an individual coming upon an accident, such as a submerged vehicle, may grab the tool, and pound the points  20  against the glass of a window, windshield, or the like available, in order to gain access to the vehicle, and extricate any entrapped individuals. 
     In certain embodiments, an individual within an automobile, upon running off a road, careening out of control in an accident, or otherwise ending in a body or stream of water may reach for the tool  10 , and break a window or windshield in order to escape. 
     For example, tempered glass will typically break into small particles, typically half inch effective diameter each. In contrast, non-tempered glass will break in long shards, which, if broken by a first or a shove, will deflect a substantial distance. Upon rupture, the shard will rake back to their original position, cutting and doing much damage, injury, or both. Thus, a sharp impact from one or more points  20  of the tool  10  provides a much safer and faster, as well as more reliable, approach to breaking into or out of a window. 
     Similarly, an individual seeking to rescue a child through a window that is locked, may simply shadow the window using the tool  10 , gain access to a lock, and thereby open the sash, frame, or other locking mechanism. 
     In other situations, a user may rely on the points  20 , and the fact that they may be machined to be substantially squared off, in order to rake the face of an assailant, or pound on the forehead, face, eyes, jaw, head, arm, or other available aspect of an assailant, thus inflicting pain, even while the alarm light is flashing and the alarm sound is wailing. 
     The tool  10  may cast a beam of light through a lens  24 . The lens  24  may be mounted in place within the head  12  by the window  28 . For example, the window  28  operates as a ring  28 , transparent or translucent and filtering light passing radially there through to form a red beacon. The window  28  in the illustrated embodiment passes light in every radial direction. Thus, whenever the beam of light passes through the lense  24 , light passing radially exits through the window  28 , as red light. Thus, the red light provides an alarm color, which may be seen even if the light is dropped or thrown. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the collar  30  is formed to have flats  32  machined thereon, or otherwise formed therein. That is, for example, the circumference  34  of the collar  30  may have flats  32  formed to interrupt its circular nature in order to resist rolling by the tool  10  on a flat surface. Likewise, the base  18  may include a collar  30 , having a circumference  34  interrupted by flats  32  formed thereon. In each case, the head  12  and the base  18  have circumferences  34  that exceed the circumference of the main portion of the body  14 . 
     By having the collars  30  at a larger diameter then the effective diameter of the body  14 , the hand of a user when curled in a grip, does not have to rely exclusively on friction in order to pound with the tool  10  in an axial direction. 
     In general, the various components  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  of the tool  10  may be threaded together. For example, the threads  36  mate with the threads  26  to secure the body  14  to the head  12 . In fact, the body, may be formed in 1, 2, 3, or more components. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  14  actually separates toward the head end  12  away from the central portion, which also separates from a rear resonance portion  16  or coupler  16 . Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the body  14  is actually formed in 3 components as the main tubular frame of the tool  10 . However, such a frame or casing may be formed in as few as two pieces, including a body and one cap. 
     A reflector  38  may surround a light  40 . Typically, the light  40  will be a light emitting diode (LED). Typically a high intensity LED having a power usage of from about 1 to about 5 watts may be suitable. A single watt LED has been effective. Nevertheless, a 3 watt LED is available, but provides substantially less time of lighting from a single load of batteries. 
     A switch  42  may be part of a larger assembly providing actuation of the light  40 . The switch  42  may be advantageously located in a recess  44 , which tends to provide more room for motion, at a smaller diameter. Moreover, the recess  44  may be sized to place the upper or outer surface of the switch into or below the surface of the body  14 . This may be sized or resisting or preventing accidental actuation of the light  40  when the tool  10  is being stored in a glove box, purse, brief case, pocket, tool box, or the like. 
     The threads  74  are matched to fit the base  18 , or the intermediate coupler  16 . The coupler  16  holds the audio system, and serves to form a resonance chamber with the base  18 . A resonance chamber has been found important in order to provide maximum sound volume from a transducer  70  contained therein. 
     Typically, the threads  74  fitted into the thread  72  close the body  14  to hold a power supply  50 . Typically, a power supply  50  includes a frame  52  sized and appointed to retain several batteries  54 . In the illustrated embodiment, 3 batteries  54  fit within the frame  52 , wherein they are electrically connected in series in order to provide power out through their contacts  56 ,  58 . 
     The contact  56  may be spring loaded in order to provide the tolerancing of the fit of the power supply  50  within the engagement portion of the body  14 . 
     For example, the engagement region  46  provides the bulk of the length in which the hand of a user may engage knurling, rubber gripping, a textured surface, or the like. This increases the effective frictional grip of a user on the body  14  of the tool  10 . The engagement portion  46  provides increased friction, while the increased diameters of the collars  30  on the head  12  and the base  18  may each provide a stop. That is an increased diameter resists slipping by the hand of a user axially along the body  14  of the tool  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the rear contact  58  of the power supply  50  may be shaped in any suitable manner, including the non-deflecting, flat contact surface  58  illustrated. As long as one end or the other, or an adjacent component, has a deflecting portion (e.g., the spring  82 ) or the front contact  56  has a spring loaded plunger, then any length adjustment may be accommodated in the tolerencing of the deflecting contact  56 ,  82 ,  92 , and so forth. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the coupler  16 , which may actually be formed as part of the base  18  or body  14 , may operate as a resonance chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, a bulkhead  62  of the base  18  forms one end wall of a resonance chamber  60 . Similarly, another bulkhead  64  in the coupler  16  may form an opposite end. The diameter of the coupler  16 , the length of the distance between the bulkheads  62 ,  64 , or both will operate as “significant lengths” (resonant-frequency-determining lengths) for acoustical resonance of sounds within the chamber region  60 . 
     It has been found that the distance between the bulkheads  62 ,  64  may be selected to optimize a particular frequency generated by the transducer  70  driven by the electronics  66  (e.g., controller  66  or driver  66 ) operating the transducer  70  at a frequency, within a range, over a range of frequencies. Accordingly, the significant lengths of diameter and length of the chamber  60 , as defined by the diameter and length of the coupler  16  and base  18 , as well as the length between the bulkheads  62 ,  64  determines a fraction of a wave length of sound that will be preferentially amplified within the chamber  60 . 
     Thus, the resonance chamber  60  provides increased volume of sound generated by the transducer  70 , and at a single or multiple preferred set of frequencies according to the significant lengths. The system  10  or tool  10  is closed up by threads  72  mating with threads  74 , and the threads  76  mating with the threads  78  on the base  18 . The only remaining opening to the resonance chamber  60  is a set of apertures  80  allowing radial emanation of sound at the selected frequencies from the chamber  60 . 
     In the illustrated embodiments, springs  82  may serve as contacts  82  in order to assure electrical connection between components within the tool  10 . In some embodiments, the controller  66  may be formed on the bulkhead  64  itself, thus eliminating one of the springs  82 . Meanwhile, components  84  such as seals, keepers, and the like may hold the various components, such as the transducer, the controller  66 , and so forth in their proper places. Likewise, other components  84  may act as seals at each threaded fitting in order to provide a seal against incursion of water, humidity, or the like. 
     A personal alarm light  10  was designed to operate with an audible signal of from about 80 to about 120 decibels in one prototype. The light had a flashing white strobe beam and a flashing red strobe ring casting a radial light with a one watt LED, but circuitry for supporting a three watt LED. The light included a focusing reflector and all lighting options were controlled by a single button using different sequences and delay or persistence times. 
     The ends of the body of the flashlight were scalloped as illustrated to provide edges that could be used to break glass, or provide self-defense if an attacker is close. Other lighting technology may be used for the light source as well. In one embodiment, the tool  10  or flashlight  10  may be used as a conventional flashlight, operated by a single click of the button to turn it on or off. The light was powered by three AAA batteries placed in a cartridge or frame. 
     To operate the alarm the button was pressed and held for several seconds from about 3 to about 6 seconds. The alarm can be engaged while the flashlight is either the on or off condition, since the controller is not limited to either condition for actuation thereof. Once the alarm is activated, a signal of 80 to 120 decibels in volume sounded with an audible but piercing frequency, powered by a piezoelectric transducer and augmented in certain prototype configurations by a resonance chamber tuned to maximize the volume at the chosen frequency. 
     A red tinted filter ring around the LED altered the color of light emitted radially from the LED, which thus appeared red from the radial direction beside the light  10  or tool  10 . The light may be configured in several versions, including different light sources, light wattages, different sizes in lengths and diameters, various colors, modified barrel, body, and base designs, as well as the shape and aggressiveness of angles, edges, lengths, areas, and relief in the crown regions. 
     A high quality machined metal casing or structure as illustrated and described above is useful in many situations at home as well as away from home. These may include, for example, walking, jogging, camping, night stands, kitchen utility closets or drawers, on a subway, traveling by car or public transportation, or the like. The tool  10  includes no sharp blades or points, no long extensions that may qualify as weapons, yet provides light, noise, and a short baton for a user. 
     The alarm is turned off by holding the button down for an extremely long time, which may be selected to last from about 8 to about 60 seconds, or even more. Thus, an assailant cannot disable the alarm readily until after it has performed its function. A person in danger may activate the alarm by holding down the button for a pre-programmed time, typically only needing to be somewhat longer than a click. Up to three seconds works well, but as short as a fraction of a second is also an option easily distinguishable from a single click by adding a short but conscious persistence of pressure on the button (actuator). 
     Upon actuation, the flashing light illuminates by an axial beam and a radial, red light emanates out from the sides of the head. A user may aim the flashlight beam at 5 assailant&#39;s eyes, but the alarm goes off immediately, both drawing attention of passersby, signaling others that someone is in danger or at least drawing unwanted attention to the assailant. Likewise, the alarm sound at a loud, piercing frequency is designed to startle and disorient an assailant who is not expecting it. 
     If a user determines to flee, he or she may carry the tool along, or may throw it away some distance, motivating an assailant to flee the area or chase the alarm to destroy it or shut it off. 
     Studies show that one need only delay or disrupt an attack for two to three seconds to dissuade the attacker in most instances. If an assailant is several yards away, the alarm function may be activated and the unit  10  tossed a short distance away, forcing an assailant to decide whether to continue towards the user (potential victim) or to go after the light to turn off the alarm. The assailant does not know the capacities and difficulties of disabling the tool  10 , and even the time for decision or moving away from a user is sufficient to allow adequate flight for escape in the large majority of cases. 
     Another use for someone who gets lost or separated from a group, such as a class, camping group, or scout troop, is as a signal. A voice does not carry as well, nor last as long as the audible signal, which can be supported by the batteries for several hours. 
     Thus, one can rely on the alarm to make a suitable alarm noise in order to be found. 
     In certain embodiments, the tool  10  may fit accessories such as running straps, headbands, clips for shoulder straps or purses, magnets, and the like. In certain embodiments, GPS and Bluetooth activation of cell phones may also broadcast or call in emergency signals that could be added to the tool. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its fundamental functions or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the illustrative embodiments are to be embraced within their scope.