Patent Publication Number: US-8113682-B2

Title: Multipurpose waterproof lighting device with electronic glow stick

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/244,663, filed Oct. 2, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,820, issued Dec. 7, 2010, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to lighting sources and more particularly to a light source with flashlight and glow stick function that is structured to be used in a water-intensive environment. 
     Portable lighting is typically designed with the task in mind. Accordingly, flashlights are designed to focus a beam of light for peering into dark corners or cast light longer distances whereas lanterns are designed to cast light short distances but in all directions. One such general lighting source is the chemical-based glow stick. The glow stick embeds two or more chemicals within a hollow plastic tube that, when combined, fluoresce for a brief period of time. To use the glow stick, the tube is bent so that a capsule containing one of the chemicals is broken. The tube is shaken to mix the two chemicals and start the fluorescence process. Light from this process is radiated out the sidewalls of the tube in all directions. 
     One alternate solution would be to replace the chemical-based glow stick with an electronic one, using batteries, lamps, and associated circuitry. A problem may occur, however, when such electronic devices are used in a water-intensive environment. That is, water may enter the battery compartment and cause short-circuits, or alternately rust electronics controlling the device. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a multifunction lighting device that is hardened against water intrusion and capable for use in high pressure situations without rupturing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In various representative aspects, the present invention describes a multipurpose lighting device having a water-tight chamber for maintaining the illumination electronics therein. 
     A lighting device comprises an elongated assembly forming a water-tight chamber adjacent a first end of the lighting device, where the first end includes a transparent face along a long axis of the elongated assembly. A lighting module, having a first light source and a second light source positioned on opposite ends of the lighting module, is positioned within the water-tight chamber so that the first light source is adjacent to and is configured to project light out the transparent face in a first direction along the long axis of the elongated assembly. The second light source is configured to illuminate along an elongated portion of the elongated assembly, where the elongated portion extends from the water-tight chamber in a second direction along the long axis of the elongated assembly opposite from the first direction, and out translucent circumferential sides of the elongated portion. A button on the module allows one to selectively alternate between the first and second light sources. A water-tight interface is coupled within the open end of the module housing and interposed between the module housing and the elongated portion of the lighting device, where the interface includes a transparent wall along the long axis of the elongated assembly and adjacent the second light source. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the lighting device comprises a first part defined along a long axis of the lighting device. The first part includes a unitary module housing having circumferential side walls surrounding the long axis and a transparent face intersected by the long axis at a terminal end of the device, where the side walls and transparent face define a cavity within the module housing. A second part of the lighting device includes a substantially translucent body joined coaxially with the first part to form a water-tight seal therebetween and define the cavity substantially within the first part. An integrated module, installed substantially coaxially within the cavity, comprises a power storage part, a first light source configured to direct light in a first direction along an axis of and out the first part, and a second light source configured to direct light in a second direction along an axis into the interior of and out the second part, wherein the first direction and second direction are coaxial and in opposite directions. The second light source and second part are configured so that the substantially translucent body of the second part is illuminated by the second light source along a length and about a circumference of the second part. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multifunction lighting device according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lighting device of  FIG. 1  shown in exploded view so that all components are illustrated. 
         FIG. 3  is a front-section view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  illustrating the lighting module installed within the body of the multipurpose lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side-section view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  illustrating the lighting module installed within the body of the multipurpose lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flow-chart illustrating the function of the lighting module upon multiple button presses. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a waterproof version of a lighting device implemented according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded view of a terminal end of the lighting device of  FIG. 6  showing the whistle-end separated from the cap. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a head-end of the lighting device of  FIG. 6  shown in exploded view so that all components are illustrated. 
         FIG. 9  is a side-section view taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 6  illustrating the lighting module installed within the body of the lighting device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front-section view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 1  illustrating the lighting module installed within the body of the multipurpose lighting device of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a multipurpose lighting device  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. Device  10  is comprised of a device body having a flashlight housing  12 , a glow stick housing  14 , and an end cap  16  adjacent one end of the glow stick housing  14 . 
     A button  18  is defined on a surface of the flashlight housing  12  and interfaces with a button on a lighting module  20  ( FIG. 2 ) as will be described further below. The flashlight housing includes multiple ribs  22  running about the circumference of the housing  12 . A flange  24  is fixed at an end of the flashlight housing  12  and couples with a detachable wrist strap  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the flashlight housing  12  defines a hollow interior  28  into which the lighting module  20  is installed. Female threads  30  formed on the inside walls of the hollow interior  28  mate with male threads  32  formed on the end of the glow stick housing  14 , thereby enclosing the interior  28  and fixing the lighting module  20  within the lighting device  10 . 
     The lighting module includes two opposable light sources, shown by flashlight LED  34  and glow stick LED  36 . Both light sources  34 ,  36  are actuated by a button  38  formed on the lighting module that, itself, is aligned with and actuated by the button  18  formed on the flashlight body  12 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the end cap  16  removed from the end of the glow-stick housing  14 . A whistle  40  is formed on the end and includes a mouthpiece opening  42  and whistle opening  44  separated by a shaped baffle (not shown) that completes the whistle. As will be appreciated, the multipurpose lighting device  10  includes a flashlight function, a lantern or glow stick function, and a whistle function. The device thus provides a useful multipurpose tool for emergencies or just general use. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lighting module  20  is shown installed within the flashlight housing  12  of the device  10 . Module  20  includes a rounded lower end  46  terminating in elongate ridges  48   a ,  48   b  running the length of the module. Complementary molded portions  50   a ,  50   b  formed on inside walls of the cavity  28  are slidingly engaged with the ridges  48   a ,  48   b  when the lighting module  20  is installed. The cavity  28  of the flashlight housing is thus shaped by the molded portions  50   a ,  50   b  and by the dimensions of the cavity to locate the lighting module at a specific point so that (a) the lighting module button  38  is aligned with the button  18  formed on the outside of the flashlight module  12 , and (b) the flashlight LED  34  inserts properly within a conical reflector  52  so that the light may be focused and projected outward through a forward-facing lens or transparent front  54 . A power source, such as batteries  56   a ,  56   b , and  56   c , is installed within the lighting module to power the LEDs  34 ,  36  and electronics necessary to selectively actuate the lights according to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , button  18  includes an elastomeric top portion that resiliently deforms under downward pressure to force a hard contact against the aligned button  38  of the lighting module  20 . Multiple clicks on the button  38  operate control electronics within the module to function as shown in  FIG. 5 , namely in Table 1: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Lighting Device (10) Operation 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Button Press 1 → 
                 flashlight LED 34 turned on 
               
               
                   
                 Button Press 2 → 
                 flashlight LED turned off; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 glow stick LED 36 turned on 
               
               
                   
                 Button Press 3 → 
                 glow stick LED 36 flashed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 intermittently as emergency light 
               
               
                   
                 Button Press 4 → 
                 glow stick LED 36 turned off 
               
               
                   
                 Button Press 5 → 
                 flashlight LED 34 turned on 
               
               
                   
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Turning lastly to the glow stick operation, and as shown best in  FIG. 4 , glow stick LED  36  illuminates within the elongate chamber  58  formed within the glow stick housing  14 . Light emitted from the LED  36  is internally reflected within the elongate glow stick chamber  58  and scatters out the sidewalls of the housing  14  to form an even glow along its length. The chamber  58  and/or glow stick housing  14  are preferably tapered to facilitate this even glow. The whole operates to better diffuse the illumination along the entire length of the glow stick housing. In this way, the housing may or may not include the hollow interior  58 , and may or may not include a solid core (not shown) of a diffusive and/or light scattering material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, LED  36  gives off a colored light (e.g. red or blue) that matches the colored translucent plastic forming the flashlight housing  12  of the device  10 . Glow stick housing  14  includes an O-ring  60  on an outside wall that bears against the inside wall of flashlight housing  12  when the two housings are screw-fitted together. The O-ring  60  helps to prevent water from seeping into the hollow interior  28  of the flashlight housing  12  and thereby adversely affecting the lighting module. 
     The multipurpose lighting device is useful in that it uses, in its preferred implementation, a single power source and actuator (e.g. button  18 ) to alternately operate a flashlight and an electronic (as opposed to chemical) glow stick. The lighting device  10  further includes an optional whistle feature  40 . In special emergencies, therefore, a single device can thus flash colored light in all directions as the glow stick portion is capable of doing, as well as allow a manual sound alarm (e.g. whistle). 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a lighting device  100  that has been implemented with further waterproofing features according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Device  100  is comprised of an elongated assembly having a unitary module housing  112  at a first end of the lighting device  100 , an elongated portion  114 , a water-tight interface  200  coupled between housing  112  and elongated portion  114 , and an end cap  116  adjacent an opposite end of the elongated portion  114 . All elements are defined along a long axis  202  of the lighting device  100 . 
     Unitary module housing  112  has generally circumferential side walls  204  surrounding the long axis  202  and a transparent face  206  intersected by the long axis ( FIG. 9 ) at a terminal end of device  100 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, side walls  204  and transparent face  206  are integrated together to form a unitary body  112  with no gaps or seams between the parts to allow intrusion of water therebetween. This may be accomplished by injection molding the side walls  204  and transparent face  206  together into a single piece of plastic of sufficient thickness so as to harden the housing  112  from impact and high water pressure. 
     A button  118  is defined on a surface of the unitary module housing  112  and interfaces with a button  138  on a lighting module  120  ( FIG. 8 ) as will be described further below. The unitary module housing includes multiple ribs  122  running about the circumferential side walls  204  of the housing  112 . A flange  124  is fixed at an end of the unitary module housing  112  and couples with a detachable wrist strap  126 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an opposite end of the elongated portion  114  defining an alternative whistle feature.  FIG. 7  shows the end cap  116  removed from the end  208  of the elongated portion  114  of lighting device  100 . A whistle  140  extends axially from the end  208  and includes a mouthpiece opening  142  and whistle opening  144  separated by a shaped baffle (not shown) that completes the whistle. An interior wall (not shown) defined at end  208  separates whistle  140 , and particularly the internal cavity therein, from a hollow interior of the elongated portion  114  so as to prevent intrusion of water into the elongated portion  114 . This interior wall is preferably transparent or translucent so as to admit light therethrough into the whistle portion  140  from a light source installed within the lighting device  100 . As will be appreciated, the multipurpose lighting device  100  includes a flashlight function, a lantern or glow stick function, and can also include a whistle function. The device thus provides a useful multipurpose tool for emergencies or just general use. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates in exploded perspective view the operative end of the lighting device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the unitary module housing  112  defines a water-tight chamber  128  into which a lighting module  120  is installed. Female threads  130  ( FIG. 9 ) formed on the inside walls of the hollow interior  128  mate with male threads on a threaded portion  232  formed on a proximal end of the water-tight interface  200 , thereby enclosing the interior  128  and fixing the lighting module  120  within the lighting device  100 . 
     The lighting module  120  includes a first light source, shown by flashlight LED  134 , and a second light source, shown by glow stick LED  136 , positioned on opposite ends of lighting module  120 . Both light sources  134 ,  136  are actuated by a button  138  formed on the lighting module that, itself, is aligned with and actuated by the button  118  formed on the unitary module housing  112 . Housing button  118  is configured to resiliently deform under downward pressure to force a hard contact against the aligned module button  138 . A circuit board  220  interfaces with button  138  and is configured to implement various lighting functions as detailed below. 
       FIG. 9  shows the lighting module  120  installed within the elongated assembly of lighting device  100 , and specifically within the water-tight chamber  128  within the unitary module housing  112 . The lighting module  120  is positioned within the water-tight chamber  128  so that the first light source  134  is adjacent to and is configured to project light out the transparent face  206  in a first direction along the long axis  202 . The second light source  136  is configured to illuminate along an elongated portion  114  of the elongated assembly, where the elongated portion  114  extends from the water-tight chamber  128  in a second direction along the long axis  202  of the elongated assembly opposite from the first direction, and out the translucent circumferential sides  214  of the elongated portion  114 . Button  138  is configured to selectively alternate between the first and second lighting sources  134 ,  136 . 
     Unitary module housing  112  is shown with circumferential side walls  204 , a closed end capped by transparent face  206 , and an opposed open end adjacent LED  136  forming the bounds of the water-tight chamber  128 . A transparent wall  210  is formed interiorly of the interface  200  to thereby form a bound of chamber  128  when the interface  200  is coupled with the unitary module housing  112 . Proximal circumferential inner walls  212  extend toward and contact a surface of module  120  to both fix the module within chamber  128  and surround the second lighting source  136 . 
     The water-tight interface  200  is coupled within the open end of the module housing and is interposed between the module housing  112  and the elongated portion  114  of the lighting device  100 . Interface  200  includes a threaded portion  232  formed on an exterior circumference of a first end and a threaded portion  230  formed on an interior circumference of a second end of the interface  200 . The first end is mated with complementary threaded portions  130  formed adjacent the open end of the module housing  112 , and the second end is mated with complementary threaded portions  132  formed on the elongated portion  114  of the elongated assembly. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a diameter of the exterior circumference threaded portion  232  is equal to a diameter of the treaded portion  230  on the interior circumference of the second end. In this way, the interface  200  may be removed from the assembly of lighting device  100  so that the elongated portion  114  directly couples to the unitary module housing  112 . That is, threads  132  defined exteriorly of the elongated portion  112  mate with complementary threads  130  formed interiorly within the unitary module housing  112 . 
       FIG. 9  also shows a reinforcement member  214  affixed about the open end of the module housing  112 . In a preferred implementation, member  214  includes a metal reinforcement ring embedded interiorly within cavity  128 , and on an inner surface of housing  112 , and is configured to couple with the threads  232  of water-tight interface  200  via threads  130  formed within the metal ring. 
     The lighting device  100  may further include a supplemental light source positioned on the lighting module  120  offset to the long axis  202  of the elongated assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the supplemental light source includes at least two LEDS, such as supplemental light sources  216   a ,  216   b , spaced from one another about the long axis  202  of the elongated assembly. As shown, supplemental light sources  216   a ,  216   b  are located on a surface of the module facing the transparent face  206  and adjacent first light source  134 , are positioned on lighting module  120  equally offset to the long axis  202  of the elongated assembly, and are configured to be activated together with the second light source  136 . Supplemental lights  216   a ,  216   b  may be colored LEDs that are matched with LED  136  so that a glow of matching colors is effused through elongated portion  114  and through at least a front part of housing  112 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lighting module  120  is shown installed within the housing  112  of the device  100 . Module  120  includes a rounded lower end  146  terminating in elongate ridges  148   a ,  148   b  running the length of the module. Complementary molded portions  150   a ,  150   b  formed on inside walls of the cavity  128  are slidingly engaged with the ridges  148   a ,  148   b  when the lighting module  120  is installed. The cavity  128  of the flashlight housing is thus shaped by the molded portions  150   a ,  150   b  and by the dimensions of the cavity to locate the lighting module at a specific point so that (a) the lighting module button  138  is aligned with the button  118  formed on the outside of the flashlight module  112 , and (b) the flashlight LED  134  inserts properly within a conical reflector  152  so that the light may be focused and projected outward through a the transparent face  206  of the unitary module housing  112 . 
     A power source  156 —such as batteries  156   a ,  156   b , and  156   c —is installed within the lighting module  120  to power the LEDs  134 ,  136 ,  216   a ,  216   b  and electronics necessary to selectively actuate the lights according to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . The power source  156  is disposed between the first light source  134  and the second light source  136  and is configured within the lighting module  120  to energize the both light sources. 
     The water-tight cavity  128  may further be configured to include ridges, such as ridge  222 , formed on inside lower surfaces of the cavity. The rounded lower end  146  of module  120  rests on these ridges  222  so that the module is generally spaced from contact with the lower portion of cavity  128 . This air gap  228  acts to further insulate the module and the heat generated therefrom so that the housing  112  is protected from temperature differentials when used in extreme conditions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , button  118  includes an elastomeric top portion that resiliently deforms under downward pressure to force a hard contact against the aligned button  138  of the lighting module  120 . Multiple clicks on the button  138  operate control electronics within the module to function as shown in  FIG. 5 , namely in Table 2: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Lighting Device (100) Operation 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Button Press 1 → 
                 flashlight LED 134 turned on 
               
               
                 Button Press 2 → 
                 flashlight LED turned off; glow stick 
               
               
                   
                 LED 136 (and, optionally, supplemental 
               
               
                   
                 lights 216a and 216b) turned on 
               
               
                 Button Press 3 → 
                 glow stick LED 136 (and, optionally, 
               
               
                   
                 supplemental lights 216a and 216b) 
               
               
                   
                 flashed intermittently as emergency light 
               
               
                 Button Press 4 → 
                 glow stick LED 136 (and, optionally, 
               
               
                   
                 supplemental lights 216a and 216b) turned off 
               
               
                 Button Press 5 → 
                 flashlight LED 134 turned on 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Repeat as with Button Press 2 . . . 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Turning lastly to the glow stick operation, and as shown best in  FIG. 9 , glow stick LED  136  illuminates within the elongate chamber  158  formed within the elongated portion  114 . Light emitted from the LED  136  is internally reflected within the elongate glow stick chamber  158  and scatters out the sidewalls  214  of the elongated portion  114  of lighting device  100  to form an even glow along its length. The chamber  158  and/or elongated portion  114  are preferably tapered to facilitate this even glow. The whole operates to better diffuse the illumination along the entire length of the glow stick housing. In this way, the housing may or may not include the hollow interior  158 , and may or may not include a solid core (not shown) of a diffusive and/or light scattering material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, LED  136  gives off a colored light (e.g. red or blue) that matches the colored translucent plastic forming the unitary housing  112  of the device  100 . Glow stick housing  114  includes an O-ring  160  on an outside wall that bears against the inside wall of water-tight interface  200  when the two elements are screw-fitted together. The O-ring  160  helps to prevent water from seeping into the hollow interior  158  of the elongated portion  114  of lighting device  100 , or into the cavity  128  if portion  114  is directly coupled to housing  112 , and thereby adversely affecting the lighting module  120 . 
     In an alternate aspect of the invention, lighting device  100  comprises a first part defined along a long axis  202  of the lighting device. The first part includes a unitary module housing  112  having circumferential side walls  204  surrounding the long axis  202  and a transparent face  206  intersected by the long axis at a terminal end of the device, where the side walls and transparent face define a cavity  128  within the module housing. A second part of the lighting device includes a substantially translucent body  114  joined coaxially with the first part  112  to form a water-tight seal therebetween and define the cavity substantially within the first part. An integrated module  120 , installed substantially coaxially within the cavity  128 , comprises a power storage part  156 , a first light source  134  configured to direct light in a first direction along an axis  202  of and out the first part  112 , and a second light source  136  configured to direct light in a second direction along an axis  202  into the interior  158  of and out the second part  114 , wherein the first direction and second direction are coaxial and in opposite directions. The second light source  136  and second part  114  are configured so that the substantially translucent body of the second part is illuminated by the second light source along a length and about a circumference of the second part. 
     The lighting device  100  further includes a whistle  140  coupled coaxially to one end of the second part  114  and configured, together with the second part, to be illuminated by the second light source  136 . A reflecting part  152  is fixed within the cavity  128  at one end of the first part  112  and surrounding the first light source  134  so that the reflecting part  152  focuses light from the first light source  134  and directs it out the first direction through the transparent face  206  of the module housing  112 . 
     The lighting device further includes an interface  200  joined between the first part  112  and the second part  114  of the lighting device and including a transparent wall  210  along the long axis  202  of the elongated assembly and adjacent the second light source  136 . A threaded portion  232  is formed on an exterior circumference of a first end of the interface  200  and a threaded portion  230  is formed on an interior circumference of a second end of the interface  200 . The first end  232  is mated with a complementary threaded portion  130  formed adjacent an open end of the module housing  112 , and the second end  230  mated with a complementary threaded portion  132  formed on an exterior circumference of the second part  114 . A metal reinforcement ring  214  is affixed to an inside diameter of the first part adjacent the open end of the module housing  112  and includes the complementary threaded portion  130  to which the interface is joined. In a preferred embodiment, a diameter of the exterior circumference of the first end of the interface  200  is equal to a diameter of the interior circumference of the second end. Further, the second part  114  including an o-ring  160  adjacent the complementary threaded portion  132  formed on the exterior circumference of the second part 
     The multipurpose lighting device is useful in that it uses, in its preferred implementation, a single power source  156  and actuator (e.g. button  118 ) to alternately operate a flashlight and an electronic (as opposed to chemical) glow stick. The lighting device  100  further includes an optional whistle feature  140 . This configuration has the advantage of concentrating all electrical components—including multiple light sources shining in multiple directions, a power source  156 , control circuitry  220 , and actuator button  138 —into a single module  120 , and maintaining that module  120  in a single water-tight cavity  128 . In special emergencies, therefore, a single device can thus flash colored light in all directions as the glow stick portion is capable of doing, as well as allow a manual sound alarm (e.g. whistle). 
     Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the invention.