Patent ID: 6848808

Claim:
A combination fastener and lighting device for a portable carrying case comprising: a pair of complementary fastener members for releasably securing portions of a carrying case in a closed position when mating surfaces of the complementary members are placed proximate to each other; a lighting device including a light emitting diode (LED), a power source and a switch operatively connected to the power source and LED, said lighting device being incorporated in a first of the pair of fastener members, the switch being positioned in said first member to be operatively moved from an on position to an off position by a portion of the second fastener member when the mating surfaces of the first and second members are brought proximate to each other, whereby the lighting device is deactivated when the mating surfaces are placed in contact with each other and the lighting device is activated to illuminate an interior portion of the carrying case when the mating surfaces are separated from each other; wherein the first fastener member is formed with an access aperture adjacent the switch and the second fastener member includes a projecting portion corresponding to the access aperture when the fastener members are in a mating relation, whereby the projecting portion of the second member makes operable contact with the switch surface below the aperture to move the switch from an on position to an on off position; wherein the pair of fastener members are configured to mate in mechanical engagement; wherein the fastener members are configured to engage in a snap fitting relation; and wherein the lighting device is removable from said first fastener member, whereby the light device can be utilized independently of the carrying case.