Abstract:
A self-defense flashlight includes sharp edges positioned around the head end. A sharp edge protector can be positioned so as to surround and protect the sharp edges, when the flashlight is not being used for self-defense purposes. When needed, the sharp edge protector can be moved so as to expose the sharp edges, allowing the flashlight to be used as a weapon. The protectable sharp edges can also be positioned around the tail end of the self-defense flashlight.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention pertains generally to flashlight technology, and more specifically to an improved self-defense flashlight with protectable spikes. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   A flashlight is an essential tool for law enforcement officers. As part of an officer&#39;s duty gear, a flashlight provides an illumination source that can be critical during night shifts or when entering buildings and other potentially dark spaces. Law enforcement officers sometimes need to utilize physical force against perpetrators in the line of duty. Because one of the officer&#39;s hands can be utilized holding the flashlight, it is useful for the flashlight to have a secondary function as a weapon. Flashlights exist in which angled edges are positioned around the bezel of the head, for self-defense purposes. When needed, such a flashlight can serve as a weapon, for attacking an identified enemy. Positioning the angled edges around the heed of a flashlight naturally inflicts a wound on the enemy, as the force of the hand and arm movement is transferred to the edge when the flashlight is used to strike. 
   Some self-defense flashlights instead have angled edges positioned around the tail-end. Hand and arm force is transferred to spikes is this position when the flashlight is brought down to strike an enemy backwards, with the tail-end directed towards the target. 
   Whether the angled edges are positioned around the head or the tail, these edges of self-defense flashlights are dull, in order to prevent them from accidentally harming the carrier. If the angled edges where sharp, the law enforcement officer could easily be accidently cut or injured while carrying the flashlight. Having dull edges in a self-defense flashlight limits its usefulness, as a sharp surface would inflict greater injury on the enemy. Additionally, the exposed angled edges are subject to breaking or damage, rendering them even less useful. Furthermore, a potential enemy can see the angled edges, and thus the law enforcement officer looses the element of surprise that can be provided by a concealed weapon. 
   What is needed is a self-defense flashlight without the disadvantages of existing systems described above. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one embodiment, a self-defense flashlight includes sharp edges positioned around the head end. A sharp edge protector can be positioned so as to surround and protect the sharp edges, when the flashlight is not being used for self-defense purposes. When needed, the sharp edge protector can be moved so as to expose the sharp edges, allowing the flashlight to be used as a weapon. In another embodiment, the protectable sharp edges are positioned around the tail end of the self-defense flashlight. 
   The features and advantages described in this summary and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a self-defense flashlight with spikes positioned around the head, with the spikes concealed by a movable spike protector, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a self-defense flashlight with a movable spike protector positioned so as to expose the spikes, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a self-defense flashlight with spikes concealed by a spring loaded protector, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a spring loaded protector positioned so as to expose the spikes of a self-defense flashlight, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a self-defense flashlight with concealed spikes in the tail-end, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a self-defense flashlight with spikes positioned in the tail-end exposed, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a self-defense flashlight  100  in which sharp edges (spikes)  101  provide robust self defense, without risking accidental harm to the carrier or damage to the edges. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a movable protector  103  surrounds the spikes  101  when not needed for striking an enemy. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the spike protector  103  is in the form of a cylinder wrapped around the head  105  to hide the spikes  101 , thus preventing the protrusion of the sharp edges  101 . The protector  103  thus prevents the spikes from inflicting accidental harm to the carrier when the flashlight  100  is not being used as a self-defense tool. The protector  103  not only protects the carrier, but also protects the spikes  101  themselves from potential damage. In addition, the protective ring  103  can act as a disguise to hide the sharp edges  101  from a potential enemy. This conceals the weapon from the potential attacker. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to utilize the flashlight  100  as a self-defense tool, the spike protector  103  is lowered to reveal the sharp edges  101 . With the spike protector  103  lowered, the spikes  101  around the head  105  of the flashlight  100  protrude forward, and the sharp edges  101  are revealed for striking on the enemy. Positioning the spikes  101  around the head  105  is logical, since flashlights  100  are held in the hand for projecting light in order to identify potential threats. By positioning the spikes  101  around the head  105  with the sharp edge aligned along the longitudinal axis of the flashlight  101  following the projection of light, the target is illuminated as the spiked flashlight  100  is brought down to strike the enemy. 
   Returning now to  FIG. 1 , it is useful to be able to lower and raise the spike protector  103  quickly, to reveal or hide the spikes  101  underneath. Thus, in one embodiment, instead of utilizing conventional single threading, multiple staggered threads  107  are used to allow faster movement of the spike protector  103  from the top to the bottom in revealing the spikes  101 . With such multiple staggered threads  107 , by twisting the spike protector  103  between the thumb and the index finger, the spikes  101  can be quickly revealed as the self defense flashlight  100  is brought to an attack position in one single motion. It is to be understood that in other embodiments, conventional single threading (not illustrated) can be employed. 
   In both single and multiple threaded embodiments, the movement of the spike protector  103  is achieved by its rotation. The thread  107  between the head  105  and the spike protector  103  provides movement of the spike protector  103  along the longitudinal axis of the flashlight  100 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3 , note that even with multiple staggered threads  107 , the exposure of the spikes  101  still takes time and effort, which can be detrimental in time critical combat situations. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the movement of the spike protector  103  is facilitated longitudinally and forced upward with a spring  301 . The uncoiled spring  301  forces the spring-loaded spike protector  103  toward the front of the flashlight  100  to hide the sharp edges  101  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The extension force of the spring  301  conceals the spikes  101 , and protects them  101  from damage and from inflicting accidental harm. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the compression of the spring  301  moves the spike protector  103  backward as the flashlight  100  is brought down to strike an enemy. Since the spikes  101  are part of the body of the flashlight  100  in this embodiment, the spikes  101  penetrate into the flesh as the spike protector  103  moves backward with the compression of the spring  301 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a different embodiment in which the spikes  101  are positioned around the tail-end  501  of a flashlight  100 . As with the embodiments illustrated and described above, the spikes  101  are concealed and protected. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in this embodiment the spikes  101  are positioned at the back end of the tail-cap  501 . However, instead of moving up and down a spike protector  103 , a spike ring  505  is moved up and down. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the spikes  101  are protected when the spike ring  505  is lowered. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , if the tail-end  501  needs to be used for self defense, the spike ring  505  can be quickly raised to reveal its sharp edges  101 . In such an embodiment, the placement of the spikes  101  and the protector is reversed, with the spikes  101  on the outside in the form of a movable ring  505 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , this design provides a larger area in the back of the tail-cap  501  for positioning a tail rubber switch  507  for activating the flashlight  100  if needed. 
   As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the members, features, attributes and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, divisions and/or formats. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.