Patent Abstract:
A flashlight is provided which includes an elongate and generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, a lamp assembly attached to the first end, and a removable end cap attached to the second end. The end cap is removable for inserting a power source for powering a light source of the lamp assembly. A sleeve is attached on a lower part of the body at the second end. A slidable leg stand is removably attached to the body and limited in travel along a longitudinal axis of the body between a bottom of the lamp assembly and a top of the sleeve.

Full Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/218,293 to the inventor, filed Jun. 18, 2009, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Example embodiments of the present invention in general relate to a flashlight supportable by a plurality of pivotable legs. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    There are known mechanisms that hold a flashlight in a self-supporting upright position to free a user&#39;s hands. One type of flashlight support includes a clip to hold the flashlight in an upright position. However, since the clip is small relative to the flashlight, the clip does not stably support the flashlight. Other types of flashlight supports include legs that pivot into a tripod orientation to support the flashlight in the free-standing position. However, the legs in these tripod constructions are typically cumbersome and bulky. 
         [0006]    Other known devices for holding a flashlight in a free-standing position are bulky and complex, and can make the flashlight difficult to operate. Moreover, the legs in these constructions have a fixed length and are typically attached to the flashlight body at a fixed point on the body. This limits the orientations in which the flashlight can be placed, and also requires a flat, planar surface on which to arrange the legs so as to stably support the flashlight. Such support devices for flashlights cannot be used effectively in uneven terrain conditions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a flashlight. The flashlight includes an elongate and generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, a lamp assembly attached to the first end, and a removable end cap attached to the second end. The end cap is removable for inserting a power source for powering a light source of the lamp assembly. A sleeve is attached on a lower part of the body at the second end. A slidable leg stand is removably attached to the body and limited in travel along a longitudinal axis of the body between a bottom of the lamp assembly and a top of the sleeve. 
         [0008]    Another example embodiment is directed to a flashlight having an elongate and generally cylindrical body having an upper end and a lower end, a lamp assembly removably attached to the upper end, and a collar dimensioned to slide back and forth the body. The collar includes a plurality of equally spaced hinge mechanisms formed thereon. The flashlight includes a plurality of legs, with each leg having a proximal end received in a corresponding hinge mechanism and a distal end, a collar limit ring attached to a lower portion of the body toward the lower end, and a release attached to the collar for removably securing the collar up and down the body to a desired location, limited in travel between the lamp assembly and collar limit ring. 
         [0009]    Another example embodiment is directed to flashlight having a body, lamp assembly attached to the body, and a slidable leg stand removably attached to the body and limited in travel up and down along the length of the body. The leg stand includes a plurality of legs. Each leg is individually pivotable in an arc of about 120 degrees upward from a plane in which the leg is in parallel relation next to the body. Each leg is configured to make an audible sound when pivoted by a user of the flashlight. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Example embodiments of the present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the example embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flashlight in accordance with the example embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate constituent components thereof. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view of a portion of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate features of the collar in more detail. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of a lower portion of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate the collar limit ring in more detail. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion of the body of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate the guide channels for the collar in more detail. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the leg stand of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate the guide ribs of the collar and pin of the release in more detail. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of the collar of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate leg-collar interfaces in more detail. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a partial enlarged side view of a leg to illustrate a non-skid foot in further detail. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged bottom plan view to illustrate the on/off button in more detail. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the flashlight in a stow/carry configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The example embodiments as to be described hereafter relate to a flashlight with pivotable legs which, in an example, are attached to a single, slidable collar on the flashlight body to provide a stand function for the flashlight. Unless otherwise defined below, terms used to describe the example embodiments should be understood for their plain meaning. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a flashlight in accordance with the example embodiments; and  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate constituent components thereof. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flashlight  10  includes a generally elongate body  20  having a longitudinal axis and a lamp assembly  30 . As shown, the lamp assembly  30  is attached to one end of the body  20 . The flashlight  10  includes a leg stand (shown generally by element  40 ) attached to the body  20 . The leg stand  40  includes a collar  45 . A plurality of legs  50  are pivotally attached to the collar  45 . 
         [0023]    As detailed hereafter, the collar  45  is adapted to be slidable along the longitudinal axis of the body  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the collar  45  may be a single-molded article; however it is within the skill of the art to fabricate collar  45  of two piece construction. 
         [0024]    The body  20  includes a plurality of locking bores  25  in spaced-relation to one another for fixedly securing the collar  45  in various positions along the longitudinal axis thereof. A pin  47  of a release  46  is biased by spring pressure of a spring  42  into one of the bores  25  so as to secure the collar  45  to the body  20 . 
         [0025]    Each leg  50  includes a proximal end  51  attached to the collar  45  via a hinge mechanism  52  formed in the collar  45 , and a distal end  53  terminating in a non-skid foot  54 . The hinge mechanism  52  permits leg  50 &#39;s pivot or travel in an arc of up to approximately 120 degrees from the leg  50 &#39;s stowed or carry position (i.e., taken from a plane in which the leg is secured in parallel relation next to the body on the leg stand  40 ) against body  20  upward. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lamp assembly  30  includes a head  31  that is affixed to a connector  60 . The connector  60  includes a necked down threaded portion for engagement to collar  45  and includes a protective fixed plastic gasket  61  there between. In an example, head  31  may be formed of ABS. An acrylic lens  32  is supported within a circular lens collar  32 A formed within the inner periphery of the head  31 . A reflector  33  abuts the lens  32  and is supported in a reflector holder  34  that is removably attached to a connector  60  via threaded fastening means, for example. 
         [0027]    The connector  60  is also attached to an LED holder  35  which in turn supports the lamp, configured in this example as a high-intensity LED bulb  36  that is retained within a circular bulb retainer  36 A. One or more LED bulbs  36  may be provided on the printed circuit board (PCB)  37  that is supported within LED holder  35 . In an example, the LED bulb(s) has/have an intensity of at least 120 lumens. In one example, the LED bulb  36  may be an off-the-shelf product such as the 3W Q5 4-Mode 180-Lumen bulb from CREE®. 
         [0028]    The PCB  37  is biased against a spring  38  and pressure washer  39  so as to be in constant contact with a power source  70  via a conductive plate  37 A of a DC energy extender conduit  65 . The DC energy extender conduit  65  is shown as a two piece construction, although it is within the skill of the art to fabricate the DC energy extender conduit  65  as a single-molded article. 
         [0029]    In an example, the power source  70  may be embodied by one or more rechargeable batteries with cells having any of nickel metal hydride (NIMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell chemistry. In another example, the power source  70  may include one or more rechargeable Li-ion batteries. In a specific example, the power source may comprise a pair of 3V Propel® Model CR123A rechargeable lithium cells by TENERGY®. Alternatively, the power source  70  may be embodied by a plurality of disposable alkaline or lead-acid batteries. 
         [0030]    An end cap  24 , which in an example is formed of TPR or alternatively cast aluminum, but alternatively could be composed of stainless steel, ABS or a carbon-fiber composite for example, is attached to the lower end of body  20 . An optional material carry strap  80  may be attached to end cap  24 . 
         [0031]    End cap  24  includes a bore through which extends a dual-position rubberized switch  29  for high and low power operation. End cap  24  seats against o-ring  73 , which in turn bears on power source  70 . The switch  29  is biased against aluminum pressure washer  76  and a metal (iron or steel) spring  27  so as to contact the power source  70  upon switch  29  actuation. A switch cap  28  protects the switch  29  and serves as the contact point for power on/off of flashlight  10 . 
         [0032]    Reference should be made to  FIGS. 3-8  for the following discussion, with occasional reference back to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view of a portion of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate features of the collar in more detail. As previously noted, the collar  45  is adapted to be slidable along the longitudinal axis of the body  20 . In an example, the collar  45  may be formed from cast aluminum tubing using a metal casting process such as sand casting, die casting, or investment casting, for example. Alternatively, collar  45  may be composed of stainless steel or other metal. The collar  45  is shown as a single-molded article, although it is within the skill of the art to fabricate collar  45  of multiple pieces or parts/halves. 
         [0033]    In another example, collar  45  may be formed by an injection molding process from a high impact plastic, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), which is an easily machined, tough, low cost rigid thermoplastic material with high impact strength, and may be a desirable material for turning, drilling, milling, sawing, die-cutting, shearing, etc. Virgin ABS may be mixed with a plastic regrind of ABS or another lightweight, durable plastic material. ABS is merely an example material, equivalent materials may include various thermoplastic and thermoset materials, such as talc-filled polypropylene, high strength polycarbonates such as GE Lexan®, or blended plastics. 
         [0034]    There are many known injection molding machines for forming plastic injection molds, other plastic molding processes such as vacuum forming may be used. Alternatively, collar  45  may be formed of cast aluminum, stainless steel or other metal using a metal casting process such as sand casting, die casting, or investment casting, for example. In a further alternative, collar  45  may be composed of a carbon-fiber material. 
         [0035]    The body  20  may be formed of aluminum tubing; alternatively of steel tubing, ABS or from a carbon-fiber material. The body  20  includes a plurality of locking bores  25  in spaced-relation to one another for fixedly securing the collar  45  in various positions along the longitudinal axis thereof. Each locking bore  25  is provided to receive the pivoting engagement of a pin  47  of a release  46  of the collar  45 . The pin  47  may best be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . The pin  47  is biased by spring pressure of a spring  42  ( FIG. 2 ) into one of the bores  25  so as to secure the collar  45  to the body  20 . A lower surface of the release  46  is depressible under user force to rotate a cam against spring pressure, overcoming the spring tension so as to lift the pin  47  out of a given locking bore  25 , thereby enabling the collar  45  to slide up and down the body  20  to a desired location, its travel limited at the upper end by the head  31  of the lamp assembly  30  and limited at the lower end by a circular collar limit ring  72 . Spring pressure of the spring  42  then seats the pin  47  in the bore  25  in snap fit relation as the user lets go of the release  46 , for example, securing the collar  45  in a desired position on the body  20 . 
         [0036]    Accordingly, a lower surface of the release  46  is depressible under user force to rotate a cam against spring pressure of spring  42 , overcoming the spring tension so as to lift the pin  47  out of a given locking bore  25 , thereby enabling the collar  45  to slide up and down the body  20  to a desired location, its travel limited at the upper end by the head  31  of the lamp assembly  30  and limited at the lower end by a circular collar limit ring  72 . Spring pressure then seats the pin  47  in the bore  25  in snap fit relation as the user lets go of the release  46 , for example, securing the collar  45  in a desired position on the body  20 . 
         [0037]    Release  46  and pin  47  may be made of ABS. The spring (not shown) which imparts the levered counterforce against user pressure on the bottom end of the release  46  may be formed of steel, for example. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of a lower portion of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate the collar limit ring in more detail. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a rubber sleeve  21  is attached to a lower end of the body  20  so as to provide a grip surface, and abuts the collar limit ring  72  of the body  20 . Sleeve  21  may be formed of TPR; alternately it may be made of TPE. A leg retaining ring  22  abuts the sleeve  21  and fits over the bottom end of body  20 . The leg retaining ring  22  may be formed of aluminum, ABS or a carbon-fiber composite. Leg retaining ring  22  further includes a plurality of spaced catch recesses  23  which receive a portion of the skid foot  54  of each leg  50 , particularly leg portions  56 , so as to secure the legs  50  in parallel relation to the body  20 , as shown best in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0039]    For example, to secure the legs, the collar  45  is moved up to the top most bore  25  so that the leg portions  56  come into alignment with recesses  23 . Each recess  23  has a wider opening that narrows down to a tighter catch  59 . Catch  59  is dimensioned to be slightly narrower than the diameter of leg portion  56  so that a leg portion  56  attaches within a corresponding catch  59  in snap-fit relation to secure the leg alongside body  20 . All four legs  50  secured within recesses  23  signify a carry or stowed configuration for the flashlight  10 , for example. This is best shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0040]    Referring primarily to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each of the collar  45  and body  20  include guide means to align the collar  45  with the body  20 . The body  20  includes a plurality of spaced, grooved alignment channels  26  formed in its exterior surface along its longitudinal axis (See  FIG. 5 ). In an example, there are three (3) equally spaced channels  26 . These channels  26  are designed to match up with alignment guide ribs  49  on the interior surface of the collar  45 , as best seen in the top plan view of  FIG. 6 . The view of  FIG. 6  also illustrates the pin  47  extending through a semi-circular slot opening  43  ( FIG. 2 ) at the top of collar  45  into the collar  45  interior; this permits travel into a desired locking bore  25  once the pin  47  is lined up with a given bore  25  to secure collar  45  in place, whereupon the release  46  is released to allow spring pressure from spring  42  to seat the pin  47  into the bore  25  formed in body  20 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of a portion of the collar of the flashlight of  FIG. 1  to illustrate leg-collar interfaces in more detail. The hinge mechanism  52  (of which there are four) may be embodied by a fixed block with an open cavity  44  to receive the proximal end  51  of a corresponding leg therein. Each leg  50  may have a bore (not shown) through which a pivot pin  48  traverses there through for attachment between faces of the fixed block, an internal spring ( 57 , see  FIG. 2 ) within the cavity  44  of the hinge mechanism  52  which imparts a counter tension to the pivot pin  48  at the proximal end  51  of the leg  50  as the leg  50  is rotated/pivoted in a range of up to about 120 degree range from its vertical stowed or carry position in the same longitudinal plane as the body  20  (for example, when abutting the leg retainer ring  22 ) upward. In an example, the internal spring  57  may be composed of spring iron. Alternatively, any bearing and ramp construction as is known in the art or equivalent bearing-based assembly which permits pivoting and/or rotational movement can replace the internal spring construction within cavity  44  of the hinge mechanism  52 . 
         [0042]    Accordingly, the pivot pin  48  is biased against by spring  57  to permit controlled pivoting and/or rotational movement. As noted, the hinge mechanism  52  permits the leg  50  to be pivotable in an approximately 120 degree arc upward from the leg  50 &#39;s stowed position along the side of the body  20  to increase the variability of leg adjustment. 
         [0043]    Moreover, the proximal end  51  of each leg  50  includes a plurality of spaced, sequential ridges or ribs  55  which contact an interior ramp or protruding element ( 58 , see  FIG. 2 ) within each cavity  44  of the fixed block of the hinge mechanism  52  designed to secure a leg  50  to the collar  45 . Accordingly, as a given leg  50  is pivoted (in either direction) within the cavity  44 , an audible, tactile noise or sound is imparted as a given rib  55  comes into contact with a corresponding ramp  58  within cavity  44 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a partial enlarged side view of a leg to illustrate a non-skid foot in further detail. The leg  50  may be formed of aluminum in one example; alternatively each leg may be composed of a hard plastic such as ABS or other high strength polycarbonate materials. Each non-skid foot  54  may be constructed of a rubber or plastic material to serve as a stop for the leg  50 . An example material for foot  54  is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). TPE is a plastic material compounded to display characteristics like an elastomer. TPE is normally tough, cut resistant, flexible, smooth, typically with vibrant coloring. Alternatively, foot  54  may be formed of a malleable plastic such as TPR. 
         [0045]    In a variation, each leg  50  may include a concentric telescoping leg portion  56 . Leg portion  56  may be adapted to be extended and/or locked at a desired length so as to provide adjustability in the total length of the leg  50 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged bottom plan view to illustrate the on/off button in more detail. The switch cap  28  protects the switch  29  and serves as the contact point for the user to turn the flashlight  10  on and off. Switch  29  is formed of ABS; switch cap  28  may be formed of any of ABS, TPE or TPR for example. A protective pressure washer  78  is situated between switch  29  and switch cap  28  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the flashlight in a stow/carry configuration. As shown in  FIG. 10 . All four legs  50  are shown attached to the collar limit ring  22  so that the flashlight  10  may be securely stowed or hand-carried. Optionally, flashlight  10  may be tied off to an external structure via carry strap  80 . 
         [0048]    The example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the example embodiments of the present invention. All such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5