Abstract:
There is provided a hand held flashlight having different intensity and direction of projected light controlled by switches which function independently or pently.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a hand held flashlight having a different direction and intensity of projected light. More particular, there is provided a flashlight which comprises multidirectional and intensity stationary light emitting source. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditional flashlights are normally provided with a reflector having rotational symmetry. That is, the reflector has a shaped formed by rotating a generatrix along the longitudinal axis passing through the bulb of the flashlight. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,402 discloses a multiple lens LED flashlight which provides one or more wide angle projections of light as well as a concentrated light beam. Sets of LEDs are mounted to separate circuit boards. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,661 discloses a flashlight utilizing halogen lamps having variable fields of illumination with adjustably positioned lens. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to the invention there is provided a flashlight comprising at least three light emitting bulbs within reflectors which direct light either to the sides or to the front where the light can also be emitted in at least 180 degrees. A dimmer switch for each bulb is provided whereby the light intensity is controlled for each bulb depending upon a direction required to be used. 
         [0006]    It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a flashlight which has multiple directions of light emission and intensity. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a flashlight which emits light to one or two sides. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the invention to provide a flashlight with reflectors that captures and redirects light in a preselected beam. 
         [0009]    These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from a reading of the preferred embodiments together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top elevation in cross-section of the flashlight of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram wherein a dimmer controls all three bulbs in the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram wherein each bulb is controlled by a dimmer switch. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    With reference to  FIG. 1  there is provided a flashlight ( 10 ) comprising a tubular housing ( 21 ) made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or aluminum. The illustrated elongated housing extends between a large end ( 18 ) and a small removable end or cover ( 22 ). 
         [0014]    At the large end ( 18 ) is a transparent cover ( 18 A) defining a chamber ( 18 B) sized and configured to receive a bulb housing ( 11 ) which contains at least three light emitting bulbs ( 12 ) which can have an incandescent filament or preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs can have any size, shape and color. The bulbs ( 12 ) are each housed in reflectors ( 13 ). The reflectors ( 13 ) extend upwardly around the bulbs ( 12 ) to form a socket for the bulbs ( 12 ). The two side reflectors direct light to the sides and the middle reflector ( 13 ) directs light to the front so that the light is emitted when all three bulbs ( 12 ) are activated and the light is emitted at least 180 degrees. The reflectors ( 13 ) may be in the shape of a paraboloid or other similar shape to capture and redirect light from a bulb in a preselected beam. 
         [0015]    The bulb housing ( 11 ) may be removable to provide access to the battery ( 20 ). 
         [0016]    The bulbs ( 12 ) may be at an angle with respect to the reflector ( 13 ) or the reflector may be shaped to capture substantially all the light produced by the bulb and redirect it toward a direction in a predetermined pattern. 
         [0017]    The reflector is made typically from a plastic material which is coated on at least one surface with a light-reflecting material such as silver, aluminum or other similar material. 
         [0018]    A standard electronic ballast ( 15 ) is provided for converting battery voltage from the battery through a dimmer switch ( 16 ) to the bulbs ( 12 ). Alternatively there is provided a dimmer switch for each of the bulbs ( 12 ) so that the intensity of light emitted can vary with each bulb. 
         [0019]    Electrical circuitry ( 14 ) is provided for connecting the electronic ballast ( 15 ) to the bulbs ( 12 ) and the ballast to the electrical contact with the battery. The circuitry delivers electrical energy from the power source through the dimmer switch(es) to the light generating assembly. The circuitry in combination with the ballast delivers electrical energy from the power source to the light generating assembly. The circuitry ( 14 ) includes on and off switch(es) for controlling the flow of electricity from the battery to the ballast. External electrical input jacks (not shown) may be provided to effect recharging of the battery. 
         [0020]    External switches ( 19 ) are provided for each of the bulbs. 
         [0021]    As seen in  FIG. 1  the circuitry ( 14 ) can be provided with a single dimmer switch ( 16 ) which controls the intensity of light emitted from all the bulbs ( 12 ). Also there are external switches ( 19 ) which activate or deactivate the bulbs ( 12 ). 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the circuitry ( 14 ) comprises a dimmer switch ( 16 ) that controls the intensity of the electricity to each bulb so as to vary the degree of light intensity to each of the bulbs ( 12 ). This allows either side bulbs to be activated for viewing only the sides without light diffused from the center bulb which may interfere with sight. 
         [0023]    The lens ( 18 A) may comprise convex existing lens which act with the reflectors to form a concentrated light beam to each side and front of the flashlight. 
         [0024]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art also are within the scope of this invention. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by the claims that follow.