Abstract:
A dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head provides a single lighting device for providing ample light for at least two persons walking in single file in an environment devoid of light. The dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head has a pair of opposed, axially oriented, light emitting heads separated by a circular, hollow barrel which houses internal components. Flashlight bulbs are wired in a parallel circuit arrangement with the only common circuit elements being the power source. Two independent switches are provided to allow the flashlight bulbs to operate independently of one another. The barrel is made of high-impact plastic. A posterior end of the barrel includes a pivot assembly allowing for selective pivotal adjustment of the second light-emitting head to a plurality of specific angular settings.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 493,312 filed on May 10, 2001. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to dual beam flashlights and, more particularly, to a dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The standard flashlight has found a well-deserved place in toolboxes everywhere. It is the perfect tool for providing light almost anywhere. It can be used to provide supplemental light in dimly lit locations, and provide the sole source of light in locations without any light or during a power failure. One common use for a flashlight is to light a path while walking in-line with someone else such as in a tunnel or down a path. During such use, the lead person swings the beam side-to-side to light the way. Unfortunately, if those following do not have their own flashlight, they may stumble in the dark. Additionally, if the lead person gets too far ahead, those following may have difficulty in locating them, since the light beam is aimed in the other direction. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which the sue of a single flashlight can be beneficial for those walking in-line or down a narrow path in dimly lit areas. The development of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head fulfills this need. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. The following patents disclose the design and function for a twin-headed flashlight: U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,562 issued in the name of Yang; and U.S. Pat. No. D 407,515 issued in the name of Yang et al. 
     The following patents describe a twin-beam portable light assembly: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,430 issued in the name of May; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,403 issued in the name of Booty, Jr. 
     The following patents disclose the ornamental design for a flashlight: 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 370,989 issued in the name of Garrity; and U.S. Pat. No. D 363,564 issued in the name of Kish et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,497 issued in the name of Cheng describes an electric lantern with a plurality of holders and lamps. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 371,855 issued in the name of Huen describes the ornamental design for a flexible flashlight. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 349,776 issued in the name of Yuen discloses the ornamental design for a combined fluorescent lamp and flashlight. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for a dual headed flashlight which allows for the temporary lighting of two separate areas in a manner which is especially beneficial for multiple people walking in a line or down a path. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flashlight with two lens assemblies which functions like a conventional flashlight, but with two reflector assemblies. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a flashlight with two lens assemblies used while walking in-line with another person or down a path. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a flashlight with two lens assemblies which allows lead person to see where they are going, while guiding those behind. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device with dual light assemblies which projects light beams approximately 180° apart. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device with dual light assemblies with lamps wired in series with separate switches. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device with dual light assemblies which allows independent lamp operation. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a device with dual light assemblies for providing redundant operation in the event of lamp failure in one light. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a battery-operated device having a set of replaceable batteries for powering both lights and which allows operation anywhere. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head is disclosed comprising a pair of opposed, axially oriented, light emitting heads. The present invention closely resembles a common two-cell flashlight, with the exception of an additional light and reflector assembly in lieu of a closing cap. The lights are wired in a parallel circuit arrangement with the only common circuit elements being the power source, or replaceable batteries. Two independent switches are provided to allow the lamps to operate independently of one another, that is, one lamp can operate, the other lamp can operate, or they both can operate simultaneously. The barrel or enclosure is made of high-impact plastic, or alternatively, of aluminum. A posterior end of the barrel includes a pivot assembly allowing for selective pivotal adjustment of the second head to a plurality of specific angular settings. 
     The use of the present invention allows for the temporary lighting of two separate areas in a manner which is especially beneficial for multiple people walking in a line or down a path. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a front end view of the end cap located at the anterior end of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a side elevational view of the end cap located at the anterior end of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a front end view of the end cap located at the posterior end of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 b  is a side elevational view of the end cap located at the posterior end of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pivot assembly taken along lines V—V of FIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the internal electronic components taken along lines VI—VI of FIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 b , a dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10  is shown, according to the present invention, comprised of a linearly elongated, circular, hollow barrel  20  having an anterior end  22  opposite a posterior end  24 . In order to enhance a user&#39;s grip of the barrel  20 , a series of structurally integral, elongated ridge members  25  are circumferentially aligned therearound in a spaced-apart parallel manner, being perpendicular with respect a horizontal plane represented by xy. 
     The anterior end  22  includes a first head  30  defined as having a generally conical-shaped neck  32  with end cap receiving threads  37  formed circumferentially around a mouth portion  36  thereof for allowing an end cap  38  to be removably coupled thereto. A series of structurally integral, linearly elongated ridge members  35  are circumferentially aligned in a closely-spaced parallel manner around an external circumferential surface of the neck  32 . The ridge members  35  are perpendicularly aligned with respect to the mouth portion  36  of the neck  32  and are provided not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to facilitate enhanced grip of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10  during use. 
     The end cap  38  is of a circular, hollow configuration with complementary threads  39  formed therein for allowing the end cap  38  to be removably coupled to the mouth portion  36  of the neck  32 . Removal of the end cap  38  provides access to an interior of the neck  32 , within which resides a flashlight bulb  33 , and further provides access to an internal cavity  40  of the barrel  20 , within which a power source  44  and internal electrical circuitry  50  (to be described in greater detail below) are housed. The end cap  38  includes a series of structurally integral, linearly elongated ridge members  45  circumferentially aligned in a parallel manner around an external circumferential surface thereof. The ridge members  45  extend in a longitudinal direction with respect to ridge members  35  of the neck  32 , and are spaced apart at a distance greater than the ridge members  35  thereof. The ridge members  45  serve to enhance a user&#39;s grip for facilitating easy removal and replacement of the end cap  38 , a need which typically arises when battery removal and replacement is required. The ridge members  45  further add to the decorative features of the present invention. The end cap  38  further includes an oval lens  98  suitably disposed along an inner periphery thereof. 
     The posterior end  24  of the barrel  20  includes a pivot assembly  60  (to be described in greater detail below) for allowing selective adjustment of a second head  70 . 
     The second head  70  is defined as having a generally conical-shaped neck  72  with end cap receiving threads  77  formed circumferentially around a mouth portion  76  thereof for allowing an end cap  78  to be removably coupled thereto. A series of structurally integral, linearly elongated ridge members  75  are circumferentially aligned in a closely-spaced parallel manner around an external circumferential surface of the neck  72 . The ridge members  75  are perpendicularly aligned with respect to the mouth portion  76  of the neck  72  and are provided not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to facilitate enhanced grip of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10  during use. 
     The end cap  78  is of a circular, hollow configuration with complementary threads  79  formed therein for allowing the end cap  78  to be removably coupled to the mouth portion  76  of the neck  72 . Removal of the end cap  78  provides access to an interior of the neck  72 , within which resides a flashlight bulb  73 . The end cap  78  includes a series of structurally integral, linearly elongated ridge members  85  circumferentially aligned in a parallel manner around an external circumferential surface thereof. The ridge members  85  extend in a longitudinal direction with respect to ridge members  75  of the neck  72 , and are spaced apart at a distance greater than the ridge members  75  thereof. The ridge members  85  serve to enhance a user&#39;s grip for facilitating easy removal and replacement of the end cap  78 , a need typically arising in the event the flashlight bulb  73  requires replacement. The ridge members  85  further add to the decorative features of the present invention. The end cap  78  further includes an oval lens  99  suitably disposed along an inner periphery thereof. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the pivot assembly  60  is comprised of a ball joint  62  rotatably joined to a socket member  64 . The socket member  64  includes a T-shaped anchoring arm  66  formed integral at an end thereof which is mounted to an internal circumferential sidewall of the barrel  20 . The socket member  64  is further defined as having a pair of anchoring shoulders  65  integrally formed along opposite outer sidewalls, along a linearly elongated centerline thereof, which are mounted to an internal circumferential sidewall of the posterior end  24  of the barrel  20 . The anchoring shoulders  65  function to provide added structural rigidity and ensured anchoring to the socket member  64 . 
     The ball joint  62  includes an elongated pivoting arm  63  having a T-shaped end  67  mounted to an internal circumferential sidewall of the neck  72 . 
     In order to allow for selective pivotal adjustment of the second head  70  to a plurality of specific angular settings, a pivotal adjustment arm  90  is provided. The pivotal adjustment arm  90  is defined as having an arcuate shape and includes a plurality of pin receiving apertures  92  spaced equidistant thereabout. The pivotal adjustment arm  90  is suitably mounted to an internal circumferential sidewall of the neck  72  in a location being opposite of a mounting location of the pivoting arm  63  of the ball joint  62 . 
     A spring-loaded pin  94 , located along a linearly elongated centerline of the pivoting arm  63 , is designed so as to cooperate with the plurality of pin receiving apertures  92  of the pivotal adjustment arm  90 . 
     Longitudinal force applied to the second head  70  serves to bias the spring-loaded pin  94  in a lateral direction so as to be effectively removed from a selected pin receiving aperture, until cooperating with an adjacent pin receiving aperture, whereby the second head  70  is there held in position. The plurality of pin receiving apertures  92  are spaced so as to provide for selective angular adjustment of the second head  70  at angles of approximately 110°, 135°, and 160° with respect to axial centerline 12′-12″. However, the angles chosen for selective adjustment are meant only as a suggestion, and is in no means limiting. 
     The dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10  facilitates utilization of a single lighting device for providing ample light for at least two persons, such as where persons are walking in single file in an environment absent of light. For example, the leader of the two carries the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10  and selects a desired angle of the second head  70  so as to illuminate the ground in front of the follower. Being angled at a downward direction, the emitted beam is prevented from contacting the follower&#39;s eyes and causing temporary blindness. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, in order to prevent contact of extraneous particles with the pivot assembly  60 , a protective sheath  100  is suitably adhered between the posterior end  24  of the barrel  20  and an end of the neck  72  opposite the mouth portion  76  thereof. 
     The protective sheath  100  is fabricated of a suitable flexible, water-repellent fabric being appropriately dyed so as to be color-coordinated with an exterior color of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10 . 
     The barrel  20 , neck  32 , 72 , and end cap  38 , 78  are preferably constructed of an injection molded plastic material, and are thus formed easily of recycled material. However, it is envisioned that other fabrication materials suitable for construction would include aluminum, utilizing casting, extrusion, and machining processes. 
     Finally, FIG. 6 illustrates internal electronic components of the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10 , and FIG. 7 sets forth a schematic diagram thereof. The first head  30  includes a flashlight bulb  33  mounted within an electrical bulb socket  34 . The first head  30  further includes a reflective conical member  34   a  closed by flashlight lens  98 . The electrical bulb socket  34  is electrically connected via an electrical system comprising a power source  44 , a spring clip conductor  51 , a conductive spring plate  52 , and a switch  31 . The electrical bulb socket  34  is electrically connected to electrical terminal of switch  31 . The conductive spring plate  52  is disposed within the internal cavity  40  of the barrel  20  via gasket  53  and electrically connects a positive terminal of battery  44   a  to electrical terminal of switch  31 . A single depression of switch  31  actuates emission of a beam of light via the flashlight bulb  33 . A subsequent depression of switch  31  serves to deactivate the emission of light from the flashlight bulb  33 . 
     The second head  70  includes a flashlight bulb  73  mounted within an electrical bulb socket  74 . The second head  70  further includes a reflective conical member  74   a  closed by flashlight lens  99 . The electrical bulb socket  74  is electrically connected via the electrical system further comprising a spring clip conductor  54 , a conductive spring plate  55 , and a switch  71 . The electrical bulb socket  74  is electrically connected to electrical terminal of switch  71 . The conductive spring plate  55  is disposed within the internal cavity  40  of the barrel via gasket  56  and electrically connects a negative terminal of battery  44   b  to electrical terminal of switch  71 . A single depression of switch  71  actuates emission of a beam of light via the flashlight bulb  33 . A subsequent depression of switch  71  serves to deactivate the emission of light from the flashlight bulb  73 . Thus, the dual-beam light assembly with adjustable posterior head  10  is designed and configured with two independent switches  31 ,  71  by which the first head  30  or the second head  70 , or both, may emit a beam of light. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To use the present invention, a user depresses switch  31 , switch  71 , or both, thereby actuating an emission of a beam of light via flashlight bulbs  33 ,  73 . Next, the user selects a desired downward angular adjustment of the second head  70  by applying longitudinal force thereto. The pivot assembly  60  provides for selective angular adjustment of the second head  70  at angles of approximately 110°, 135°, and 160°. Once the user has selected a desired position, the second head  70  is held in position via the pivotal adjustment arm  90 . Upon completing use of the present invention, the user simply depresses switches  31  and  71 , thus effectively deactivating emission of light from the flashlight bulbs  33 ,  73 . 
     The use of the present invention allows for the temporary lighting of two separate areas in a manner which is especially beneficial for multiple people walking in a line or down a path. 
     Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.