Abstract:
A multiple swivel flashlight provides a stable housing with flat bottom for ready support on most surfaces, as well as a pair of lamp reflector arms which are either conducting or carry conductors to supply the reflectors with the voltage and current needed to drive the lamps. Where the exterior of the support arms are conducting, they are either coated or painted to insulate the exterior. Where the support arms are non-conducting, conductors are either inlaid or attached, preferably along the interior surface of the conductors. The support arms support the reflectors at an angle in order to enable the user to optimally adjust the position of the multiple swivel flashlight.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to lighting equipment and more particularly to flashlight having double swiveling illumination elements which can be independently angularly adjusted. The angular relationship of the illumination elements enables the user to either carry or set the flashlight down for advantageous usage. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A number of systems have been available for illumination. The constant which has heretofore been present in portable illumination is the design conflict between a carried or portable lighting unit and a stable or independently supported unit. As a prime example, utility lights have a large six-volt lantern size battery and are handy and balanced for carrying, but awkward for setting up for use in a free-standing application. Cylindrical in line battery type hand held flashlights have the same problem, they are difficult to temporarily set up in a free-standing position. 
   Further, either the lantern or single in line conventional flashlight have the limitation of a single lamp and reflector. Where a wider area is sought to be illuminated, the user has to wave the light back and forth. Where two areas of interest are fairly close together a slight waving motion is required. Where two widely separated areas of interest exist, more rapid and extreme movement is needed to keep both sides visible. 
   In the alternative, there are commercial light sets which range from trailer mounted light trees complete with generators. However these systems are not portable nor carryable into tight working spaces where both the ability to aim and direct the light may be compromised, as well as the ability to apply more than one source of light. 
   Failure mode is another area where conventional portable lighting typically fails. In a close dark work space, the failure of the main bulb element can leave a worker totally in the dark, unless he carries a backup light source. Even when a backup source is carried, it may be difficult to locate where the worker is plunged into darkness unexpectedly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A multiple swivel flashlight provides a stable housing with flat bottom for ready support on most surfaces, as well as a pair of lamp reflector arms which are either conducting or carry conductors to supply the reflectors with the voltage and current needed to drive the lamps. Where the exterior of the support arms are conducting, they are either coated or painted to insulate the exterior. Where the support arms are non-conducting, conductors are either inlaid or attached, preferably along the interior surface of the conductors. 
   The support arms support the reflectors at an angle in order to enable the user to optimally adjust the position of the multiple swivel flashlight, so that the reflectors can be positioned to not interfere with each other. With the light reflectors positioned to pivot from lines placed at an angle to the base, the base may be carried in the same manner as a conventional flashlight with both light beams being directed forward, with the beams either focussed at an area or divergingly spread apart. In the alternative, the top reflector can be directed upwardly to provide light reflected from a ceiling while the bottom reflector can be directed forward to enable directed placement of the beam. In the alternative, and particularly when no ceiling is present, the bottom reflector can be directed downwardly to illuminate the path for better walking while the top reflector is directed forward to illuminate areas much farther forward of the user. 
   In a non-carried situation, the multiple swivel flashlight can be placed on a surface and have its reflectors oriented at the areas of interest, particularly work spaces. The multiple swivel flashlight can be supported from its flat bottom or stood upright upon its battery compartment cap. Further, although predominantly shown as having relative dimensions based around a battery compartment as a multi celled “D” sized tube, it is understood that the flashlight may have any number and type of batteries, including lantern and cylindrical dry cell batteries. If one bulb burns out, the user can either carry on with one light source, or change the bulb using the light from the reflector still outputting light. 
   A telescoping embodiment is disclosed which shows three reflectors and enables both pivoting and height and reflector spacing by the provision of a telescoping version of the reflector supports. The current supplied to the reflectors is provided through insulated telescoping supports which have a system of internal conductance surfaces with current transferred by a wiping structure regardless of the height of deployment of the telescoping structure. A swich may be provided for selective energization of one or more of the reflectors independently in order to conserve battery power and to provide for maximum user selectability. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the multiple swivel flashlight and illustrating the angled support from which the pivoting reflectors depend; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the multiple swivel flashlight illustrating the relative displacement of the reflectors and vertical profile; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view and illustrating the circular battery containment cap; 
       FIG. 4  is a closeup view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  and illustrating the mechanics of pivoting contact between a fully conductive conducting reflector support arm supporting a pivotable reflector; 
       FIG. 5  is an inside view of a second embodiment of a conducting reflector support arm made of insulating material having an inlay or line of deposition of conducting material and forming annular areas around apertures through which pivot axis fittings of the pivotable reflectors extend; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a vertically expandable lantern-style flashlight with a pivotable base reflector and a pair of upper displaceable and pivoting reflectors; 
       FIG. 7  is a left side view of the vertically expandable lantern-style flashlight as seen in  FIG. 6  in a non expanded, compact state as was shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a right side view of the vertically expandable lantern-style flashlight seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , but shown in an expanded mode with telescoping supports deployed; 
       FIG. 9  is an expanded view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6  and illustrates one possible configuration for structures which make up the telescoping supports for the pivoting reflectors; and 
       FIG. 10  is a view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  and illustrating one possible conductor swiping arrangement which can be utilized within insulated telescoping supports flash compacted state. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A multiple swivel flashlight  11  includes a main housing  13 , preferably having a flat base  15  for improved stability when placed on a nearly horizontal surface. The multiple swivel flashlight  11  is shown is a two reflector embodiment. From the side view of  FIG. 1 , a first conducting reflector support arm  17  can be seen as supporting a 
   first axially pivotable reflector  19  at a pivot point seen as a first reflector first pivot axis fitting  21 . First conducting reflector support arm  17  can also be seen as supporting a second axially pivotable reflector  23  at its pivot point seen as a second reflector first pivot axis fitting  25 . 
   A positive electrical and mechanical engagement rocker switch  27  can be partially seen as placed in a position on the main housing  13  to enable thumb manipulation but with a positive on and off operation as is advantageous for both carried and placed utilization of the multiple swivel flashlight  11 . At the end of multiple swivel flashlight  11  a battery end cap  29  is seen. The battery end cap is preferably also flat at its rearward face in order to enable the multiple swivel flashlight  11  to be placed on its end. This position will give the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  a higher vantage point. 
   Where the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  are able to draw power from a pair of conducting reflector support arms, their swivel may continue for 360° about their pivot axis without having to worry about connecting wires limiting the degree of pivot. Further, and given the angular relationship, where connecting wires between the main housing  13  and the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  are used and where the degree of pivot may be restricted, the combination of the angular relationship of the supports, relative displacement of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  will still enable nearly any placement of the beams by a directed orientation of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23 , along with the positioning of the housing  13 . However, where wires are eliminated, the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  may be more readily adjusted without concern for undue wear and pulling on the wires. 
   The orientation of the multiple swivel flashlight  11  seen in  FIG. 1  is lying on one side of its housing  13  with the flat surface  15  in the down position. Inside the housing  13  and shown in dashed line format are batteries B 1  and B 2  which are depicted as a pair of cylindrical batteries, although other battery types and configurations are possible. Also seen is a charging/auxiliary port  31  for accepting an external source of power, such as alternating or direct current from a wall charger or other charger. With this added power input possibility the multiple swivel flashlight  11  can be operated with batteries, with auxiliary power with batteries, and with auxiliary power without batteries. When multiple swivel flashlight  11  is used with both batteries and auxiliary power it will serve as an un-interruptible light source, a particularly valuable orientation where power is not constant. An optional control can either enable user selectability or automatic sensing of whether rechargeable or alkaline batteries B 1  &amp; B 2  are used so that auxiliary power operation can be had by switched control or constant re-charging. One or more of the multiple swivel flashlights  11  can be set up in a work space and left on indefinitely as the sole power sources with no fear of temporary power interruption. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a front view better illustrates the relationship of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  with respect to each other. The relationship angle and separation enables the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  to achieve a large angular span of coverage without interference with each other. Should the angles of coverage start to interfere, the multiple swivel flashlight  11  can simply be reversed (especially if its standing on its end, cap  29 ) with the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  re-adjusted for a wider, cooperative relationship. 
     FIG. 2  also illustrates details of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23 , including first reflector surface  33  and first bulb  35  of first axially pivotable reflector  19  and a second reflector surface  37  and second bulb  39  of second axially pivotable reflector  23 . A second conducting reflector support arm  41  is seen opposite the first conducting reflector support arm  17 . 
   Also seen is the first reflector second pivot axis fitting  43  and the second reflector second pivot axis fitting  45 . The rocker switch  27  is also partially seen. Both of the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  can be made long enough to allow the multiple swivel flashlight  11  to be turned over and rest upon them and facilitate a wide range of angles. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , if it was desired to illuminate in a direction to the upper left of  FIG. 1 , along the length of the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41 , the user can either turn the housing  13  around and direct the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  rearward, over the housing  13 , or the multiple swivel flashlight  11  can be turned over to rest on the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  for a quick re-adjustment of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a rear view illustrates a predominant view of the battery end cap  29 . The curved edges of the top of the main housing  13  facilitates manual carriage and handling. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , one possible configuration for the electrical connection of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  with respect to the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  is shown. In the embodiment seen in  FIG. 4 , the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  are pre stressed to provide a bias toward each other to apply a sandwiching pressure to the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  with respect to the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41 . 
   The view of  FIG. 4  is taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  and contemplates that the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  are themselves conductive and covered by an insulating material at least on the outside and free of insulation material at the point of electrical contact. In  FIG. 4 , the pivot axis fitting  25  is formed integrally with the second axially pivotable reflector  23 . At the base of the pivot axis fitting  25  a conductive ring  51  surrounds the pivot axis fitting  25  and is connected by a conductive wire  53  to a bulb  55 , with a second conductive wire  57  leading to a similar arrangement on the other side of the second axially pivotable reflector  23  at pivot axis fitting  45 . 
   The conductive ring  51  may be a crinkle shaped washer and will preferably be fixed with respect to the second axially pivotable reflector  23 , and is located adjacent an aperture  59  in the first conducting reflector support arm  17  to accommodate the passage through of the pivot axis fitting  25 . As the second axially pivotable reflector  23  turns it rubs directly against the second conducting reflector support arm  17  shown. As is seen, the second conductive arm  17  may have an insulating layer  61  which has an aperture  63  to accommodate the pivot axis fitting  25 . 
   An optional slip nut  65  is seen which can further provide an urging axial force of the first conducting reflector support arm  17  toward the second axially pivotable reflector  23 , to insure that the conductive ring  51  makes good contact with the first conducting reflector support arm  17 . The location of the bulb  55  is schematic in nature and the other connection at wire  57  reflects an identical arrangement of the other side of the second axially pivotable reflector  23 . The first axially pivotable reflector  19  has an identical arrangement. In terms of pre-stressing the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41 , they should be able to be manually urged apart to load the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23 . 
   Where the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  are to be wholly conductive, they should be firmly and insulatably mountable with respect to housing  13  which should be made of a non conducting material. The rocker switch  27  is connected internally to energize one of the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41  with respect to the other so that the bulbs  35  and  39  of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23  will be illuminated by switchably creating a voltage potential between the first and second conducting reflector support arms  17  and  41 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5  an alternative embodiment of the first conducting reflector support arm  17  is seen as a non-conducting first conducting reflector support arm  71  with the same aperture  59  seen in  FIG. 4 . However, the inside surface of the first conducting reflector support arm  71  facing the viewer of  FIG. 5  includes a conductive portion  73  which extends toward the aperture  59  and forms a circular area annular portion  75  surrounding aperture  59  to facilitate good electrical contact with respect to the conductive ring  51 . 
   Also seen is an aperture  81  for accommodating pivot axis fitting  21  and also having a circular area annular portion  75  for electrically engaging a conductive ring  51  on first axially pivotable reflector  19 . In this configuration circular area annular portions  75  and  83  provide sufficient area for electrical contact. All of the electrical structures seen in  FIG. 5 , including conductive portion  73 , circular area annular portions  75  and  83  can be provided by an insertion into an inlay cavity of the first conducting reflector support arm  71 . Other methods of conductive deposition can include vacuum vapor deposition, adhesive attachment of conductors and vapor buildup. It is recommended that enough conductor be provided in the circular area annular portions  75  and  83  to withstand long wear against the conductive rings  51  on each side of each of the first and second axially pivotable reflectors  19  and  23 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a further embodiment of a multiple swivel flashlight is seen as a vertically telescoping lantern-style flashlight  101 . Vertically telescoping lantern-style flashlight  101  is shown expanding vertically, but can have its supports angled forward or rearward as designed. Flashlight  101  has a main housing  103 . Main housing  103  has a pair of forward projections including a right projection  105  and a left projection  107 , between which a lower pivoting reflector  109  is pivotally mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis. The lower pivoting reflector  109  is supported by a pair of pivot supports  111 , each of which enables current to be supplied to a bulb  113  at the center of the lower pivoting reflector  109 . 
   Since lower pivoting reflector  109  is the lowest and supported by the main housing  103  it is the best protected and regardless of any vertical deployment of other structures, and has the horizontally narrowest supports  111 . Above each of the right and left projections  105  and  107  are first telescoping sections  115  and  117 , respectively. A second pivoting reflector  119  is pivotally mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis. The second pivoting reflector  119  is supported by a pair of pivot supports  121 , each of which enables current to be supplied to a bulb  123  at the center of the lower pivoting reflector  119 . Because the right and left projections  115  and  117  are telescopingly more narrow from the right and left projections  105  and  107  from which they depend, the pivot supports  121  may be wider and of more diameter than the pivot supports  111  to provide stability and bridge the gap between the second pivoting reflector  119  and the right and left projections  115  and  117 . In the alternative, the second pivoting reflector  119  may be of a larger diameter to better occupy the space between the right and left projections  115  and  117 , with the pivot supports  121  being the same as pivot supports  111 . 
   Above each of the right and left projections  115  and  117  are second telescoping sections  125  and  127 , respectively. A third pivoting reflector  129  is pivotally mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis. The third pivoting reflector  129  is supported by a pair of pivot supports  131 , each of which enables current to be supplied to a bulb  133  at the center of the lower pivoting reflector  119 . Again, because the right and left projections  125  and  127  are telescopingly more narrow from the right and left projections  115  and  117  from which they depend, the pivot supports  131  may be wider and of more diameter than the pivot supports  121  to provide stability and bridge the gap between the third pivoting reflector  129  and the right and left projections  125  and  127 . As before, the third pivoting reflector  129  may be of a larger diameter to better occupy the space between the right and left projections  125  and  127 , with the pivot supports  131 , and  121  being the same as pivot supports  111 . A handle  135  is seen extending partially above the second pivoting reflector  129 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , a left side view of the vertically telescoping lantern-style flashlight  101 , seen in  FIG. 6 , emphasizes its handle  135  as located over a battery  137  in a lantern-style arrangement. The battery  137  may be of a type to include springs  139  to press against contacts  141  which follow other circuitry to selectively place the battery  137  into electrical contact with the bulbs  113 ,  123 , and  133 . A selector switch  143  may be provided to enable selectable energization of one or more of the bulbs  113 ,  123 , and  133  to give maximum controllability, as well as to conserve power when only one or two or other multiples of any number of multiple reflectors need energization. Inclusion of reflectors in excess of reflectors  109 ,  119  and  129  is contemplated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a right side view of the vertically telescoping lantern-style flashlight  101 , seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7  in compact position, is now seen in expanded and deployed position. The first telescoping section  115  is seen raising the second pivoting reflector  119  higher above the main housing  103 , and the second telescoping section  125  is seen raising the third pivoting reflector  129  above the second pivoting reflector  119 . Arrows indicate the pivoting action of each of the reflectors  109 ,  119  and  129 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a view looking down into the series of left projection  107 , first telescoping section  117  and second telescoping section  127  is seen. In this one of many configurations, each of the first telescoping section  117  and second telescoping section  127  are seen as annular “I” beams having a central opening which either accommodates or has the ability to accommodate further telescoping sections. The use of corners having projections of the “I” shape enables a lesser wetted contact area where the “I” overall is sized to limit contact to the ends of the projections with significant clearance given with respect to adjacent large surface areas. 
   In addition, the use of the ends of the “I” shape as dimensioning and surface to surface contact enables the spaces defined by the dimensioning of those contact surfaces to provide a controlled electrical connection “wiping contact”. At the top of  FIG. 9 , a wiping contact system  145  is seen. The wiping contact system  145  can be used to provide a continuous line of contact, for example, from the left projection  107  to the pivot support  131 . Other sets of wiping contact system can be used to provide contact, for example, to pivot support  121 . 
   At the bottom of  FIG. 9 , a wiping contact system  145  is seen as connecting a different part of the left projection  107  to the first telescoping section  117  pivot support  121 . The width of the structures shown in  FIG. 9  are such that multiple wiping contact systems such as wiping contact systems  145  and  147  can be placed at different heights about the inner periphery of the structures seen to provide many more than two wiping systems  145  and  147 . It can easily be seen that many multiples of the telescoping reflectors  109 ,  119 , and  121  can exist from a telescoping system. 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , a view of the wiping contact system  145  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  is illustrated. On the outside of second telescoping section  127 , an insulating layer is exposed to the outside, while a conducting layer  151  is inwardly exposed. Since the view taken is on a side which does not illustrate the pivot support  131 , a path (not shown) will be needed to enable the current flowing in the conducting layer  151  to reach the pivot support  131 . 
   An electrical through connection  153  places the conducting layer  151  in electrical contact with a wiper fitting  155 . Wiper fitting  155  has an angled wiper portion  157  which is in contact with a conducting layer  161  on the inside of first telescoping section  117 . Likewise, the lower portion of first telescoping section  117  includes a conducting layer  161  which is inwardly exposed. Conducting layer  161  has a lower electrical through connection  163  which places the conducting layer  161  in electrical contact with a wiper fitting  165 . Similarly, wiper fitting  165  has an angled wiper portion  167  which is in contact with a conducting layer  171  on the inside of left projection  107 . 
   While the present invention has been described in terms of a multiple swivel flashlight, and especially having an angled support which permits 360° pivoting rotation of reflectors to give easy and rapid divergence and convergence of the light beams, as well as a telescoping capability for vertical height adjustment and user determined height and spacing of the reflectors, the present invention may be applied in any situation where the ease and utility of the combined structures are desired to increase the utility of use of portable lighting. 
   Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.