Patent ID: 6976766

Claim:
A switch device for use in a flashlight comprising: a housing having an electrical contact on a first end thereof and an outer wall defining an interior cavity; at least one battery in said interior cavity; an actuator threadedly received onto said housing; a contact member disposed within said actuator having first and second electrical contacts; and a plunger assembly slideably received in said actuator, said plunger being electrically conductive, said plunger movable between a first released position and a second engaged position, said plunger further including means for selectably retaining said plunger in said engaged position, said switch device having a fully closed position wherein said actuator is fully threaded onto said housing, said first contact of said contact member is in electrical communication with said electrical contact on said housing, said second contact member is in electrical communication with said battery and said plunger is retained in said second engaged position wherein said plunger is in electrical communication with said first and second electrical contacts on said contact member, said switch device having a selectibly closed position wherein said plunger is partially depressed between said first and second positions, said plunger being in electrical communication with said first and second electrical contacts on said contact member, and said switch device having a fully open position wherein rotation of said actuator relative to said housing causes a space between said first electrical contact on said contact member and said electrical contact on said housing.