Abstract:
A thermally-insulating, glow-in-the-dark, protection shield and grip for a flashlight. The shield encircles the switch so that the switch cannot inadvertently be turned ON to discharge the batteries.

Description:
The present application is claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/928,338 filed May 9, 2007. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to a flashlight with an on/off switch and more particularly to a protection shield for encircling the switch so that the switch cannot inadvertently be turned on and the batteries thereof run down. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Flashlights are known and have been used for many years in many ways. A common conventional flashlight is generally longitudinally elongated, cylindrical, and has a light switch that the user manually presses to turn on the light. 
   Illustrative of flashlights and arrangements including switch structure are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. No. 1,688,006 (Duisenberg); U.S. Pat. No. 1,981,213 (Zwierzynski); U.S. Pat. No. 2,569,780 (Berger); U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,818 (Bertelloti); U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,228 (Keller); U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,167 (Boyd); U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,459 (Willett et al); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,054 (Booty, Jr.). 
   Keller discloses a flashlight holder ring. 
   Duisenberg discloses a flashlight switch guard in the form of a cap guard that snaps into closing fitment with the switch. 
   While the above patent references are believed to disclose improvements or solutions to problems then presented, desirably a user would like to have a simple inexpensive approach that will prevent the user from inadvertently leaving the light switch on, resulting in the batteries running down. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a protection shield and grip for a flashlight, comprising, in combination: a flashlight including a handle portion having opposite ends and an outer surface disposed along and around a longitudinal centerline; a light-emitting portion for emitting a light beam therefrom; a switch movably disposed relative to said outer surface and between ON and OFF positions, respectively, of said flashlight; and a protection shield and grip disposed about said outer surface and for rotation between a first position exposing said switch for operation and movement by a user, and a second position covering and shielding said switch. 
   The present invention discloses a flashlight apparatus comprising: an assembly including a handle portion having opposite ends and an outer surface disposed along a longitudinal centerline, a light-emitting portion for emitting a directional light beam, and a switch movably disposed relative to the outer surface and between on and off positions, respectively, of the light, and a protective shield disposed about the outer surface and for rotation between first and second positions, wherein the switch is exposed and available for use in operating the light and covered and shielded from further use. 
   According to an aspect of this invention, when in the second position, the shield protectively encloses the switch, and depending on the desired application, prevents further operation of the switch. As such, the switch can be inhibited from inadvertently being operated, or, maintained in the on position, if so desired. 
   According to this embodiment, the shield comprises a split cylindrical sleeve adapted to fit about and rotate relative to the outer surface of the handle portion and the switch, the sleeve being resiliently radially expandible and contractible, wherein to engage the outer surface of the handle portion and maintain the sleeve in a desired first position relative to the switch and the switch is exposed for use, and to yield to external manual force and rotate into a second position wherein to cover and inhibit inadvertent use of the switch. In an aspect, the sleeve may be comprised of a resilient polymer which glows in darkness, and thermally insulates the user&#39;s hand from hot and cold temperatures. 
   In an aspect, the split cylindrical sleeve has an inner surface complementary to the outer surface of the handle portion, opposite longitudinal end faces, and a pair of radial end faces disposed in faced relation that move towards and away from one another, the end faces defining a longitudinal gap that is registered with the switch when the sleeve is rotated into the first position. 
   Depending on the application, the switch is capable of being moved longitudinally, and termed a slide switch, or radially up and down (i.e., radially towards and away from the central longitudinal axis). 
   Preferably, the inner surface proximate to at least one, or both end faces, is provided with a taper, the tapered surface providing a cam surface to enable rotation of the sleeve over and atop the switch. 
   In some applications, the inner surface of the sleeve is formed to include at least one recess that opens on one of the two radial end faces, the recess being sized to protectively receive and fit about the switch upon rotation of the sleeve, the recess extending angularly inwardly and away from the radial end face to an rearward abutment endwall that limits rotation of the shield relative to the handle portion. 
   In some applications a like shaped recess extends from each radial end face, enabling the shield sleeve to be rotated in either direction. 
   According to another embodiment, a shield for protecting the light switch of a flashlight of the type including a generally cylindrical handle portion having an outer surface, a light, and a switch disposed on the outer surface for operating the light, comprises a generally hollow cylindrical split sleeve that is resilient and radially expansible and contractible, the sleeve having an inner surface, opposite end faces, and a pair of radial faces, the radial faces being in spaced relation to one another and forming a gap that extends longitudinally between the end faces, and the inner surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the outer surface wherein the sleeve forms a frictional non-moving engagement with the outer surface yet yields to an external torque to rotate between a first position wherein the sleeve covers the switch and a second position wherein the switch is disposed in the gap and for positioned for operable use. 
   The present invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and to the following Detailed Description, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are side views of a flashlight assembly, according to the present invention, between a flashlight and switch protection sleeve, respectively, wherein the sleeve is in one of two positions and a flashlight switch is exposed for use and protectively covered and the use thereof inhibited. 
       FIG. 3  is a view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  illustrating the protection sleeve in fitted relation to the flashlight and the switch exposed for use. 
       FIG. 4  is a view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  illustrating the protection sleeve in covering relation with the flashlight switch. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are views similar to  FIGS. 3 and 4  and illustrate an alternate preferred embodiment of a switch protection sleeve according to this invention, the sleeve having at least one recess for receiving the flashlight switch. 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate an alternate preferred embodiment of a switch protection sleeve according to this invention and shown, respectively, in perspective, in perspective and when mounted in covering relation about a flashlight switch, and in a side elevation view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are side views of a flashlight assembly, according to the present invention, between a flashlight and switch protection sleeve, respectively, wherein the sleeve is in one of two positions and a flashlight push button switch is exposed for use and protectively covered and the use thereof inhibited. 
       FIG. 12  is a view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10  illustrating the protection sleeve in fitted relation to the flashlight and the switch exposed for use. 
       FIG. 13  is a view taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11  illustrating the protection sleeve in covering relation with the flashlight switch. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , according to the present invention, a flashlight apparatus, generally indicated by the number  10 , comprises a conventional flashlight  12  and a protective shield  14  for protecting and exposing the switch of the flashlight. The assembly of protective shield  14  and flashlight  12  essentially requires only that the protective shield have a diameter that enables frictional fitment thereof about and with the outer surface of the conventional flashlight. 
   The flashlight  12  is longitudinally elongated and generally cylindrical and includes a handle portion  16  having opposite forward and rearward ends  18  and  20  and a generally cylindrical outer surface  22  disposed along a longitudinal centerline  24 , a light-emitting portion  26  at the forward end  18  for emitting a directional light beam, and a switch  28  movably disposed relative to the outer surface and between on and off positions, respectively, of the light. The light  26 , the switch  28 , and the circuitry for connecting the switch to the light are conventional and will not be described in detail herein. 
   Depending on the particular flashlight, the switch  28  is capable of being moved longitudinally back and forth, and termed a slide switch, or radially up and down (i.e., radially towards and away from the central longitudinal axis). Further, depending on the flashlight  12 , the slide switch may be disposed within a recess in the outer surface  22  and, at least in part, be below the outer surface or project upwardly from the outer surface. In some flashlights, the switch may be within a recess and the top surface thereof coextensive with the outer surface of the flashlight. In all of these arrangements, the shield  14  should cover the switch. 
   In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the switch  28  is a slide switch that extends, at least in part, upwardly from the outer surface  22  of the handle portion  16 . To actuate the light  26 , the switch  28  is moved longitudinally between the opposite ends  18  and  20  of the handle portion  16 . 
   The protective shield  14  is disposed about the outer surface  22  and for rotation between a first position ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), wherein the switch  28  is exposed and available for use in operating the light, and a second position ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ), wherein the switch is covered and shielded from further use. 
   When in the second position, the protective shield  14  protectively covers and/or encloses the switch  28 . Depending on the desired application, the shield  14  prevents further operation of the switch. That is, when the shield  14  is in covering relation with the switch  28 , the switch can be inhibited from inadvertently being operated and the light maintained in an off position, or if so desired, maintained in the on position. 
   According to this embodiment, the shield  14  comprises a split cylindrical sleeve  30  adapted to fit about and rotate relative to the outer surface of the handle portion and the switch  28 . The sleeve  30  has a cylindrical inner surface  32  that is complementary to the outer surface  22  of the handle portion  16 , opposite longitudinal end faces  34  and  36 , and a pair of radial end faces  38  and  40  disposed in faced relation with one another. The inner surface  32  is complementary to the outer surface  22  of the handle portion  16 . The radial end faces  38  and  40  form a longitudinal gap  42 . 
   The sleeve  30  is dimensioned to circumscribe at least a portion of the flashlight body  16 . Preferably, the sleeve  30  encircles the flashlight body by an amount that the switch  28  is snugly nested in the gap  42  and between the end faces  38  and  40 . As illustrated, the cover  30  encircles approximately 340°-350° of the flashlight  12  when viewed in cross-section. 
   The sleeve  30  is comprised of a material that is resilient and enables the sleeve to radially expand and contract (i.e., temporarily open or flex and be pressed radially inward). The diameter of the inner surface  32  of the sleeve  30  is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the outer surface  22  of the handle portion  16  wherein the inner surface  32  will normally be forced into circumferential gripping relation with the outer surface  22  of the handle portion. 
   Preferably, the sleeve  30  is manufactured from a self supportive but flexible plastic which is durable and resistant to environmental factors of rain, extreme temperatures and sunlight. Exemplary materials include polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC or equivalent materials to which has been added phosphorescent or glow material that emit light in darkness and will glow for 4 to 16 hours. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , and then in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the resilience of the material enables the sleeve  30  to be maintained in the first position, wherein the switch  28  is not covered but in the gap  42 , and maintained in the second position, wherein the switch  28  is covered by the sleeve. The end faces  38  and  40  are resiliently biased towards one another but the sleeve  30  will yield to external manual torque or rotational forces applied thereto, whereupon the end faces  38  and  40  and the surfaces  22  and  32  will separate slightly and enable the sleeve to rotate into a new position relative to the handle portion  16 . 
   In an aspect, as the inner surface of the sleeve proximate to the end faces  38  and  40  has a taper  38   a  and  40   a  wherein to form a cam surface to slide upwardly and atop the switch  28  upon rotation of the sleeve  30 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in some applications, the inner surface  22  of the sleeve  30  is formed to include at least one recess  42 . The recess  42  has a longitudinal extension that is coextensive with the switch  28  to be protectively covered and opens on and extends angularly from a radial end face  38  and  40  to a rearward abutment endwall  44 . The recess  42  is generally rectangular and sized to protectively receive and fit about the switch  28 . The endwall  44  provides a limit on the rotation of the shield  14  relative to the handle portion  16 . 
   In some applications a like shaped recess  42  extends from each radial end face, enabling the shield sleeve  30  to be rotated in either direction. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7-9 , the reference number  46  indicates another preferred embodiment of a protective shield or sleeve according to this invention. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the sleeve  46  is stepped and generally cylindrical and longitudinally split to form a gap  48 , forming a pair of circumferentially spaced sidewalls  50  and  52 . Further, the sleeve  46  includes cylindrical forward and rearward end sections  54  and  56  and a cylindrical central section  58  that extends between the end sections  54  and  56 , each of the sections  54 ,  56  and  58  being generally coaxially centered with the geometric axis of the sleeve. The sleeve is dimensioned such that the end sections  54  and  56  thereof frictionally engage the outer surface  12  of the flashlight  10 , in a manner described hereinabove. 
   Further, according to this embodiment of the invention, the central section  58  has a diameter greater than that of the end sections and forms an annular recess  60  that extends between the sidewalls  50  and  52 . Importantly, the annular recess  60  is dimensioned to encircle the switch  28  of the flashlight. 
   Additionally, the outer surface of the sleeve is preferably provided with a surface that enables the user to rotate the sleeve, and or mount and remove the sleeve from the flashlight. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a suitable elastomer, indicated at  62 , is molded onto the exterior surface of the central section  58 . In some applications, the outer surface of the central section may be provided with ribs or otherwise roughened, wherein the sleeve  46  may be gripped and positioned as desired. 
   In  FIG. 8 , the sleeve  46  is shown mounted to the flashlight, and angularly positioned such that the switch  28  is protectively covered. The sleeve, so positioned, prevents the switch from being turned on when the flashlight is not in use. If operation is desired, the user would grip the elastomer  62 , and rotate the sleeve  46  relative to the flashlight, until gap  48  is rotated into register with the switch  28 . 
     FIG. 9  is a side view showing the switch  28  protectively encircled and enclosed within the annular recess  60 . 
     FIGS. 10-13  depict an embodiment of the invention wherein the flashlight  12  has a push button switch  43  which is almost level with the outer surface  22  of the flashlight  12 , and wherein the sleeve/shield  14  is provided with a gap  42  but is not provided with a cut out or abutments endwalls  44  for the switch  43 . 
   The invention has been described with reference to various preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the present patent application. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.