Abstract:
A light emitting diode (LED) flashlight that utilizes reflection techniques to maximize light provided by the one or more LED light sources. A reflection housing is connected to the flashlight housing and includes a light housing that is suspended within the reflection housing and positions the LED light source toward the flashlight handle. Reflective surfaces within the reflection housing receive the light emanating from the LED light source and reflect and re-direct the light out the transparent end opposite the flashlight handle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/112,023 filed Mar. 29, 2002, pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to flashlights, and more particularly to flashlights using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) as the light source. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,207 to Kennedy et al., discloses a light emitting diode flashlight lamp. This reference discloses the use of an LED as a direct source of light for a flashlight assembly. As shown, the LED is contained in an end cap housing that is threaded onto an end of a translucent cylinder. In this manner, the end cap, and corresponding LED can be positioned to shine light away from the cylindrical tube (i.e., in flashlight mode) or can be positioned to shine light into the cylindrical tube (i.e., in lamp mode). In the standard flashlight mode, the &#39;207 patent has simply replace the incandescent light source with a LED. Even with the bright white light LEDs currently available, the LED light source fails to provide a sufficiently disperse light for use as a conventionally flashlight. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,070,987, 6,213,623, 6,293,684, 5,622,423, 5,697,695 and 5,036,442 all disclose various different types of light wands or traffic control devices that are flashlight-like in shape and utilize one or more LEDs as a light source for the wand. In each instance the one or more LEDs are used in order to light the wand and a translucent material is used as the cylindrical rod in which the LEDs are disposed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a flashlight that utilizes one or more LEDs as the light source. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an LED flashlight that utilizes reflection techniques to maximize the LED light. 
     These and other objects are achieved in accordance with an embodiment of the invention wherein the flashlight has a power source, a switch electrically connected to the power source, an LED light source electrically connected to the switch and being positioned to direct light toward the handle, and a reflection housing connected to the handle and positioned to receive the light directed toward the handle and reflect it away from the handle. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the flashlight has a power source, a switch electrically connected to the power source, an LED light source electrically connected to the switch, and a reflection housing connected to the handle and having a transparent end opposite said handle and a central support axially disposed therein. The central support has reflective surfaces positioned in front of the LED light source such that the light emanating from the LED light source is intercepted by said reflective surfaces and internally reflected within said reflection housing before released through said transparent end. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the flashlight includes a plurality of LED light sources circumferentially disposed around the outer edge of the reflection housing facing toward the handle. The reflective surfaces within the reflection housing receive the light emanating from the plurality of LEDs and reflects the same out of the reflection housing. 
    
    
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings wherein like reference numeral denote similar components throughout the views: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the LED flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the LED flashlight according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the LED flashlight according another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the transparent end of the LED flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the LED flashlight according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the LED flashlight according to another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows the LED flashlight  10  according to a first embodiment of the invention. Flashlight  10  includes a handle  12  which generally contains a battery  14 , a switch  16  and a button or lever  18  connected to the switch for selectively providing power from the battery to the light source. A reflective housing  24  is connected to the handle and includes a front transparent window or end  30 . Reflective housing  24  also contains the light housing  20  having one or more LED lights sources  22  mounted therein. 
     In this embodiment, light housing  20  is supported on a central support  26  extending from the handle portion  12  into the reflective housing  24  and light source  22  is disposed such that light emanating there from is directed toward the handle. The inside reflective surfaces  28  of reflective housing  24  are positioned to internally receive and reflect the light from light source  22  in a direction opposite the handle  12  and out the transparent end  30  of the reflective housing. The exposed portions of light housing  20  and central support  26  can also include reflective surfaces to enhance the internal reflection. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the angles and positions of the reflective surfaces  28  may be changed, altered or otherwise manipulated to obtain the desired lighting effect from flashlight  10 . Examples of such alterations in reflective surfaces  28  are shown in dotted lines. 
     The central support  26  can be fixedly mounted within handle  12  and reflective housing  24 , but may also be adjustably mounted within the handle. This adjustment will be described later with reference to FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 2 shows flashlight  10  according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the light housing  20  is positioned such that the light source  22  is directed away from the handle  12  and central support  26  includes a reflective surface  27  disposed in front of the light source  22 . Reflective surface  27  is positioned to intercept the light emanating from light source  22  and reflect it back toward the reflective surfaces  28  within reflective housing  24 . Once intercepted, the light is internally reflected within reflective housing  24  before it is released through the transparent end  30 . 
     FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of LED flashlight  10  where the reflective surface  27  is positioned in front of light source  20  to intercept the light and reflect it back toward the reflective surfaces  28  in reflective housing  24 . In this embodiment, the central support has been removed and reflective surface  27  is suspended in front of light source  20  using any suitable known support. An example of such support can be very thin or fine wires  42  that do not obstruct the internal light reflection. 
     In accordance with various embodiments, the transparent end  30  includes an aperture  40  that may be variable in size. FIG. 5 shows an example of the transparent end  30  showing how the variation in the internal reflective surfaces  28  can result in a change of the aperture size. The size of aperture  40  can be fixed or adjustable by the user in order to maximize the light. Those of skill in the art recognize that the position and disposition of the reflective surfaces  28  within reflective housing  24  are a matter of design choice and depend on the application (e.g., preferred distance of operation) for which the LED flashlight is intended. 
     FIG. 4 shows an adjustment system according to an embodiment of the invention. As explained with reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the position of central support  26  within reflective housing  24  can be axially moved to adjust the reflection properties of the flashlight. An adjustment knob or dial  32  is connected to a gear  34  having teeth  36  that are meshed with corresponding teeth  38  on the central support  26 . Thus, rotation of the knob  32  will cause central support  26  to be axially displaced along axis  44 . 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment where a plurality of LED light sources  22  are circumferentially disposed the inside of reflection housing  24  adjacent the transparent end  30 , and at least one forward firing or directed LED light source  60 . In this embodiment, the light emanating from LEDs  22  is directed into the reflection housing  24  such that reflective surfaces  28  operate to reflect the light out the transparent end  30 . In addition to the rearward directed LEDs  22 , at least one forward firing or directed LED  60  is added to supplement the light generation within the light housing  24  and provide a more vibrant light output from the flashlight. As with the previous embodiments, transparent end  30  can include an aperture  40  of variable size to change the lighting effect of the flashlight. 
     In accordance with other embodiments, transparent end  30  can include a lens  42  that can be a magnifying lens, a diffuser type lens or a combination of both. 
     FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the invention where the light source  22  is removed from within the reflection housing  24  and disposed adjacent the perimeter of housing  24  within an appropriate aperture  50  such that the light emanating from light source  22  is substantially directed into reflection housing  24 . Although only one light source  22  is shown, the addition of multiple light sources  22  disposed around the outside perimeter of reflection housing  24  with multiple respective apertures  50  is clearly within the spirit of the present invention. In addition to the rearward directed light sources  22 , at least one forward directed LED  60  is added to the reflection housing  24 . The forward firing LED  60  supplements the light generated within housing  24  and operates to provide a more vibrant and brighter light output from reflection housing  24 . 
     In this embodiment, the reflective surfaces  28  within reflection housing  24  can be angled A in any desired configuration to maximize the light output from end  30 . Although reflective surface  28  is shown at one angle A, those of skill in the art will recognize that various angles, including multiple angles can be used to accommodate one or more lights sources positioned outside the reflection housing  24  as shown. 
     While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.