Abstract:
A multi-mode light-emitting device having a light source which changes illumination from steady state to flashing dependent on the polarity of the power source connected to its inputs. A multi-mode switch mechanism which changes from manually activated to water dependent on the polarity of the power source attached to the inputs and a rotating switch mechanism are also part of the invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention: 
     The present invention relates, in particular but not exclusively, to a multi-mode light-emitting device for underwater applications. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art: 
     Related devices have been proposed in the following prior art documents: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,777 
                 McDermott 
                 12/1/98 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,485 
                 Goldston et al. 
                 4/19/94 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,953 
                 Ask et al. 
                 3/14/89 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,847 
                 Scolari et al. 
                 9/23/86 
               
               
                   
                 JP 62071287 
                 Masaru 
                 9/25/85 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,686 
                 Nelson 
                 4/8/86 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,178 
                 Uke 
                 7/23/85 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,459 
                 DeLuca 
                 10/20/81 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,018 
                 Briggs, et al 
                 7/10/79 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,983 
                 Stiriss 
                 3/25/24. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     More specifically, devices capable of modifying the characteristics of light through reversal of polarity of the power source have been proposed in the prior art. For example, documents U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,777 discloses a device which modifies the intensity or color of the light by reversing the polarity of the power source. Document JP 62071287 also shows a simple circuit responsive to reversal of polarity to illuminate different light sources. 
     Portable signaling devices with flashing light sources abound. These can be divided into two main categories: (1) light sources which flash in response to wearer&#39;s movements, and (2) light sources whose on-off cycles are driven by an electronic timer circuit. 
     Documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,303,485 and 4,161,018 provide for a signaling light source which flashes intermittently in response to movement. Alternatively, documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,812,983 and 4,613,847 provide for a signaling light source which flashes at a constant rate while document U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,018 describes a signaling light source which flashes in a random manner. Finally, document U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,459 provides a hybrid version which is essentially a user selectable combination of both the above. 
     The prior art has also proposed devices intended to be worn. For example, document U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,847 describes one embodiment in which a signaling light source may be clipped onto a belt. Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,953 illustrates a signaling light source which is worn as an arm band while both documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,296,459 and 4,161,018 describe light sources to be worn as jewelry. Finally, document U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,485 discloses footwear with flashing light sources. 
     Moreover, three prior art references disclose portable lights with a light source turned on and off by rotating the head of the light relative to the body. Documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,581,686 and 4,531,178 disclose devices equipped with this type of mechanism. Both of these devices operate by interconnecting two concentrically and proximately mounted pieces by means of a thread and rotating the two pieces to bring two surfaces into contact, thereby closing an electric circuit. Furthermore, document U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,983 discloses a system which, although it does not use what is conventionally referred to as a thread to bring the surfaces into contact, does complete the circuit within the battery compartment. However, the grooved surface of the head and raised nipple of the case of document U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,983 work in a fashion which is similar to a thread. 
     Furthermore, document U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,178 discloses a switch structure suitable for use under water. Both documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,531,178 and 5,842,777 disclose a rubber O-ring to seal the cavity formed by screwing the head onto the case. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multi-mode light emitting device, comprising: 
     a light module comprising a light source, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a polarity responsive controller interposed between the light source and the first and second terminals; 
     a DC power source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal; and 
     a switch means selectively defining either interconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b) the second and negative terminals, or interconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b) the second and positive terminals; 
     wherein the polarity responsive controller comprises: 
     a steady state power supply circuit activated by the interconnections between (a) the first and positive terminals and (b) the second and negative terminals, and supplying, when activated, steady state power from the DC power source to the light source which then produces a steady state light; and 
     an intermittent power supply circuit activated by the interconnections between (a) the first and negative terminals and (b) the second and positive terminals, and supplying, when activated, intermittent power from the DC power source to the light source which then produces a flashing light. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rotatable switch mechanism, comprising: 
     a hollow casing made of electrically non-conductive material, the hollow casing having a closed bottom and an opening opposite to the closed bottom to define a compartment for a battery pack having first and second terminals; 
     an electrically conducting contact plate mounted on the closed bottom of the hollow casing for contact with the first terminal of the battery pack; 
     a hollow cap made of electrically non-conductive material, the hollow cap being threadedly mounted on the open end of the hollow casing and having a tubular wall portion with a distal annular edge, the tubular wall portion of the hollow cap extending inside the hollow casing from the open end to the closed bottom; 
     an electric load mounted inside the hollow cap, and including a contact for contact with the second terminal of the battery pack; 
     an electric conductor running from the electric load along the tubular wall portion to reach and cover a portion of the distal annular edge; 
     whereby rotation of the hollow cap about the hollow casing in a first direction will bring the electric conductor covering the distal annular edge into contact with the contact plate and the first terminal of the battery pack to thereby energize the electric load, and whereby rotation of the hollow cap about the hollow casing in a second direction opposite to the first direction will spread apart the electric conductor and the contact plate to de-energize the electric load. 
     The above defined structure therefore provides for a solution to the problem of replacing waterproof switches and reed switches commonly used in underwater applications. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light-emitting device, comprising: 
     a hollow casing made of electrically non-conductive material, the hollow casing having a closed bottom and an opening opposite to the closed bottom to define a compartment for a battery pack having first and second terminals; 
     an electrically conducting contact plate mounted on the closed bottom of the hollow casing for contact with the first terminal of the battery pack; 
     a hollow translucent lens cap made of electrically non-conductive material, the hollow lens cap being threadedly mounted on the open end of the hollow casing and having a tubular wall portion with a distal annular edge, the tubular wall portion of the hollow lens cap extending inside the hollow casing from the open end to the closed bottom; 
     a light source mounted within the lens cap and comprising a first contact for contact with the second terminal of the battery pack and a second contact including an electric conductor running from the light source along the tubular wall portion to reach and cover a portion of the distal annular edge; 
     whereby rotation of the hollow lens cap about the hollow casing in a first direction will bring the electric conductor covering the distal annular edge into contact with the contact plate and the first terminal of the battery pack to thereby energize the light source, and whereby rotation of the hollow cap about the hollow casing in a second direction opposite to the first direction will spread apart the electric conductor and the contact plate to de-energize the light source. 
     According to a final aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-mode switch mechanism, comprising: 
     a load module; 
     a DC power source for the load module; 
     a polarity reversing means changeable between a first mode in which connections of a first polarity are established with the DC power source and a second mode in which connections of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity are established with the DC power source; 
     a user activated switch having an on position and an off position; 
     a water activated switch; 
     wherein the polarity reversing means, user activated switch and water activated switch define between the DC power source and the load module a switching arrangement in which: 
     when the polarity reversing means is in the first mode, current from the DC power source is supplied to the load module through the user activated switch in the on position; and 
     when the polarity reversing means is in the second mode, current from the DC power source is supplied to the load module through the water activated switch coming into contact with water. 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the appended drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of multi-mode light-emitting device for underwater applications in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multi-mode light-emitting device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the multi-mode light-emitting device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional, elevation view of the multi-mode light-emitting device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional, elevation view of the multi-mode light-emitting device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross sectional elevation view of the multi-mode light-emitting device of FIG. 1, showing an electrically conducting flat conductor in contact with an electrically conducting contact plate; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of multi-mode light-emitting device in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a polarity responsive controller forming part of the multi-mode light-emitting device of FIG.  1  and operating in a flashing mode; and 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a polarity responsive controller forming part of the multi-mode light-emitting device and operating in a steady state mode. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of a multi-mode light-emitting device for under water applications according to the present invention will now be described. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the appended drawings, this preferred embodiment of a multi-mode light-emitting device  1  includes an electrically non conductive hollow hollow cap such as a hollow lens cap  2 , an electric load module such as a light module  4 , a battery pack such as a coin cell battery  6 , an electrically conducting contact plate  8 , an electrically non conductive hollow casing  10 , and an optional belt clip  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the hollow cap  4  is preferably made of molded, translucent and electrically non conductive plastic material. The hollow cap  4  defines a closed dome  16  forming a lens, an externally threaded cylindrical wall portion (tubular wall portion)  15  with a distal annular edge  14  opposite to the dome  16 , and an annular shoulder  42  between the dome  16  and cylindrical wall portion  15 . 
     An external, annular groove  26  is formed in the cylindrical portion  15  adjacent to the annular shoulder  42 . This annular groove  26  seats a resilient, sealing O-ring  28 . 
     Finally, the lens cap  2  is formed with a channel  30  having successive axial channel section  30   1  on the inner face of the cylindrical portion  15 , transversal channel section  30   2  on the annular edge  14  and axial channel section  30   3  on the outer face of the cylindrical portion  15 . 
     Again, the hollow casing  10  is made of molded, electrically non conductive plastic material, and comprises a closed, generally flat bottom  18  and an opening  20  opposite to the closed bottom  18 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, the hollow casing  10  defines, between the closed bottom  18  and the opening  20 , an inner cylindrical surface  19 . Cylindrical surface  19  comprises a non threaded surface portion  21  adjacent to the opening  20  and a threaded surface portion  40  between surface portion  21  and the closed bottom  18 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the electrically conducting contact plate  8  is circular and snugly fits on the generally flat, closed bottom  18  of the hollow casing  10 . A central spring member  9  is cut into the plate  8  to provide for appropriate electric contact with one terminal of the coin cell battery. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, when the externally threaded cylindrical portion  15  is screwed onto the inner surface portion  40 , the hollow cap  2  and casing  10  define a cavity  22 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, the light module  4  comprises a light source  32  mounted centrally on one side of a circular printed circuit board  34 . The light source is preferably a high intensity light-emitting diode (LED). The light module  4  is mounted in the hollow cap  2  with the circular printed circuit board  34  applied on an internal, annular shoulder  33  and with the light source  32  located within the dome  16 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the light module  4  further comprises two contact members (terminals) for connection to the coin cell battery  6  in order to supply the LED  32 . The first contact member can be a metallic contact pin  36  extending through the board  34  and protruding on the side of the board  34  opposite to the LED  32 . The second contact member can be a flat electric conductor  38  running from the printed circuit board through the successive channel portions  30   1 ,  30   2  and  30   3 . A section  38   1  of the flat electric conductor  38  therefore covers the edge  14  of the hollow cap. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the appended drawings, the externally threaded cylindrical cap portion  15  is screwed onto the threaded cylindrical surface portion  40  with the coin cell battery placed in the disk like compartment  22  defined between the printed circuit board  34  and the closed bottom  18 . To switch the light-emitting device on, the hollow cap  2  is rotated to screw the cylindrical cap portion  15  on the surface portion  40  until (a) a first terminal  6   1  of the coin cell battery  6  contacts the metallic contact pin  36  and (b) the section  38   1  of the flat electric conductor  38  contacts the plate  8  to contact through this plate  8  a second terminal  6   2  of the coin cell battery. This turns the LED  32  on. 
     Then, the resilient, sealing O-ring  28  is compressed between (a) the external, annular groove  26  formed in the cylindrical portion  15  adjacent to the annular shoulder  42 , and (b) the non threaded surface portion  21  of the cylindrical surface  19  adjacent to the opening  20 , to thereby seal the cavity  22  and prevent water from penetrating this cavity  22  during under water applications. 
     To switch the light-emitting device off, the hollow cap  2  is rotated to unscrew the cylindrical cap portion  15  from the surface portion  40  until at least the section  38   1  of the flat electric conductor  38  no longer contacts the plate  8 . This turns the LED  32  off. 
     As it will readily appear to those of ordinary skill in the art, complete unscrewing of the cylindrical cap portion  15  from the surface portion  40  separates the hollow cap  2  and casing  10  to access the coin cell battery  6 . The coin cell battery  6  can then be reversed and the hollow cap  2  and casing  10  joined together. 
     Let&#39;s now assume that terminal  6   1  is a positive terminal of the coin cell battery  6 , and terminal  6   2  is a negative terminal of the coin cell battery  6 . 
     The schematic block diagram of FIGS. 8 and 9 is a polarity responsive controller  100  for producing steady state or intermittent lighting of the LED  32  depending on the polarity of the coin cell battery  6 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the coin cell battery  6  has been placed to connect the positive terminal  6   1  to the contact pin  36  and the negative terminal  6   2  to the contact plate  8  and electric conductor  38 . The controller  100  then forms an intermittent power supply circuit comprising a diode  48 , a full-wave bridge rectifier  50 , a 4V DC to DC converter  52 , a first oscillator  54 , a second oscillator  56  and a fixed current drive  58  to drive the LED  32 . The first oscillator  52  and the second oscillator  54  operate at different frequencies and supply respective square wave outputs with approximately a 50% duty cycle. In the preferred embodiment the first oscillator  52  operates at a frequency of 100 kHz and the second oscillator  56  operates at a frequency of 2 Hz. 
     A coin cell battery  6  having its positive terminal  6   1  connected to the contact pin  36  and its negative terminal  6   2  connected to the flat conductor  38  through the contact plate  8 , forward biases the diode  48  to thereby enable the second oscillator  56  via its enabling/disabling input  60 . This causes the output of the first oscillator  54  to be modulated by the second oscillator  56 . More specifically, the battery  6  supplies a positive voltage to to the 4V DC to DC converter  52  through the full-wave bridge rectifier  50  to activate the first oscillator  54 . The second oscillator  56 , which is then activated as mentioned in the foregoing description, modulates (see  101 ) for example at the frequency of 2 Hz the 100 kHz square wave from the first oscillator  54 . The modulated output of the second oscillator  56  is supplied to the fixed current drive  58  and used to intermittently drive the LED  32 . 
     The schematic block diagram of FIG. 9 is the same as the schematic block diagram of FIG. 8 with the exception that the battery  6  has been reversed to connect the negative terminal  6   2  to the contact pin  36  and the positive terminal  6   1  to the electric conductor  38  through the contact plate  8  to form a steady state power supply circuit. This reverse biases the diode  48  thus disabling the second oscillator  56  via its enabling/disabling pin  60 . In operation, the battery  6  supplies a positive voltage to the 4V DC to DC converter  52  through the full-wave bridge rectifier  50  to activate the first oscillator  54 . Then, the output  102  of the first oscillator  54  is no longer modulated by the second oscillator  56 . The unmodulated output of the second oscillator  56  is supplied to the fixed current drive  58  and used to steady state drive the LED  32 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2  and  4  optionally a belt clip  12  can be mounted to the casing  10 . The belt clip  12  is outfitted with two clips  62  which are inserted in corresponding accessory slots  64  integral to the hollow casing  10 . 
     Referring to FIG.  7  and in accordance with an alternate preferred embodiment a Velcro strap  66  can be mounted to the casing  10  by inserting the strap  66  through the accessory slots  64 . Also, a hook device is associated to the strap  66 . 
     Finally, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a multi-mode switch mechanism which can be integrated to the light-emitting device of FIGS. 1-9. This multi-mode switch mechanism comprises a load module such as the LED  32 , a DC power source such as the coin cell battery  6  for the load module, and a polarity reversing means consisting of reversing the coin cell battery  6  to change between a first mode in which connections of a first polarity are established with the coin cell battery and a second mode in which connections of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity are established with the coin cell battery. A user activated switch such as described hereinabove having an on position and an off position is also provided as well as a water activated switch. The polarity reversing means, user activated switch and water activated switch define between the DC power source and the load module a switching arrangement in which: 
     when the polarity reversing means is in the first mode, current from the DC power source is supplied to the load module through the user activated switch in the on position; and 
     when the polarity reversing means is in the second mode, current from the DC power source is supplied to the load module through the water activated switch coming into contact with water. 
     It is believed to be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to suitably connect the polarity reversing means, the user activated switch and the water activated switch between the DC power source and the load module to define a switching arrangement suitable for the intended purpose. 
     Finally, just a word to mention that the light module  4  could be replaced by any other type of load, including for example a radio transmitter. 
     Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, this embodiment can be modified at will, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.