Patent Document

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/392,657 filed Mar. 19, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/112,848 filed Mar. 29, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to improvements in the technology relating to inexpensive and reliable lighting sources and more particularly to a human powered flashlight free of batteries and free of external integrity breaches and which is engineered to use light efficiently. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Production of light with a portable light source or flashlight is a well known expedient in which a tubular body is fitted with a number of series connected batteries. The disadvantages of conventional flashlights with this conventional configuration are generally (1) breach of internal external integrity from having to access the battery compartment fairly regularly to replace batteries, and (2) other breaches of external integrity associated with light bulb changes at the front of the device and from a mechanical linkage relating to the on and off switch. 
   In some devices especially built for underwater use, a series of multiple “o” rings may be employed for water sealing. However, when these structures are employed at points likely to be repeatedly accessed, such as the rear entrance to the battery compartment, degradation will likely occur resulting in an eventual breach of sealing integrity. 
   Other step have been taken to insure integrity such as placing a flexible push button cover over the on and off switch, but these covers tend to either leak early in their functional life at the ring of circular attachment, or later in their functional life by cracking or punching breach. Seals around the bulb changing entrance, typically the front lens cover have proven to be more secure. 
   Production of energy for lighting using generator devices are also known. In some cases a crank generator is provided with the crank extending through the housing, creating another source of housing fluid breach. Either a scientifically closely toleranced bearing must be provided to keep moisture out (close tolerance along with friction loss) or the generator must itself be water proof. The generator is itself a complex mechanical machine and also prone to water damage, rust, and excessive wear. 
   Because of the breakdowns cited above, non-battery flashlights are generally unreliable as an emergency or long storage time period source of lighting, and particularly in a harsh or moist environment. 
   Further, the majority of personal lighting products are generally inefficient as being operated using an incandescent (heated filament) light source which is not conserving of energy usage per unit of illumination. Most generator models require considerable hand crank input to effect any significant light output over time. 
   What is therefore needed is a more compact, more isolated source of emergency lighting which is human powered, but which is also efficient in operation. The device should be impact resistant and have relatively few moving parts and no intense, high force, small area wear surfaces. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The light generating device of the present invention utilizes a large centrally located magnet which is mounted to slide past a magnet pickup or current induction wire which may be preferably mounted at a center point of travel in a tubular housing having a tubular chamber through which the magnet travels. A pair of elastomeric bumpers are located each at the end of the tubular chamber. Each of the elastomeric bumpers are supported by its own spring secured against the sides, end or both of the terminal ends of the tubular chamber. The mounting sequence is first chamber end or structure to first spring, to first bumper to freely slidable or translatable magnet to second bumper secured by second end or structure of the chamber. The result is a device which both facilitates the manual movement of the flashlight body so that the magnet slides past the center magnet pickup or current induction wire, and also conserves the residual momentum of the magnet once it has traveled past the magnet pickup or current induction wire by providing a bumper and spring to conserve some of the mechanical energy going in the other direction. 
   Where the size of the magnet is matched to the length of the tubular chamber and the size of the springs, a matched, sealed mechanical system is formed which can be continuously operated with minimal wrist energy. The mechanical input energy is intended to be stored regardless of whether the light is operational during charging or not. The energy consumption of the lamp should be such that the mechanical charging action can keep sufficient energy stored in advance of its consumption in light production so that the flashlight of the invention can be continued to be utilized even when any temporary store of energy provided is depleted. This action is contemplated to be performed by shaking the flashlight several times to input mechanical and then electrical energy into storage, followed by a period of illumination from an energy reservoir, which may be chemical or capacitor or other. 
   In addition, an activation switch for external control is had with an external smaller magnet which operates in conjunction with a reed switch to enable mechanical activation without the necessity to form a mechanical linkage between the inside and outside of the flashlight. 
   One appliance which can greatly expand the capabilities of the flashlight of the invention is a charger which uses inductive energy transfer. Ordinary chargers rely upon physical touching of contacts and the corresponding external corrosion possibilities, as well as the possibility of non-contact with the outside energy source. Because the flashlight of the invention is completely sealed, inductive charging offers secure charging and no possibility of lack of charge through loss of physical contact. 
   With a charge system, the flashlight is ready to go, ready to be employed in lighting on a moment&#39;s notice. A further addition is a paralleling of the on and off switch to be activated by an electromagnet in a charger housing especially in the case of power failure. Since the flashlight unit is self contained, a cessation of charging will not result in drain of the stored power. Further, a relay which operates to switch the flashlight on will enable its use as an emergency light to enable a user to find it and use it, and to handily pluck it from its charger and exit the building if needed. The flashlight can also be switched on while in the charger, to enable it to act as a continuously charged, fixed location night light, as well as a portable night light. 
   The charger uses an induction system which has a physical realization matching the coil used in the charging system of the flashlight. Proximity to the charger, and its charging coil or proximity to the electromagnetic field produced by the charger will result in charging. As a result, the structure of the charger is not particularly constrained. A wall plug-in unit which is supported by an outlet and which further supports the flashlight is preferred, but a modular charger which has a wall transformer and a connected sleeve would also work well. The former enables deployment at various outlets in a room, while the latter enables more specialized orientation and deployment. 
   The flashlight of this invention is further enhanced by the independently utilizable options including (1) addition of a secondary brighter LED and (2) the addition batteries housed in a detachable battery compartment. The batteries serve to power the secondary brighter LED or two LEDs together upon activation of a secondary switch. This is to increase brightness of this invention. The batteries also serve to act as a one time quick charger for the main capacitor storage unit upon activation of a turbo charge switch. The turbo charge function is used to to reduce the number of shakes required to fully charge the capacitor so that the LED will able to be activated almost instantly, especially when the flashlight is not left on continuous charge. The slide knob disclosed herein can implement the turbo charge function. 
   Another derivative of turbo charging is trickle charging. The storage capacitor can be set to continuously charge by a pulsed current which will be sufficient to conserve the battery power and overcome capacitor drain, but which can stop by the activation of the slide knob which fully invokes the quick charge. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the Faraday flashlight of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the Faraday flashlight as seen in  FIG. 1  looking toward the front end; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the Faraday flashlight seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are expanded views of a section taken along line  4 A and  4 B of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of a further embodiment utilizing lateral pinch dampers to protect the casing from magnet force movement; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a unitary body pinch flexure damper utilized to dampen the impact of a sliding magnet; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the damper shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of one of the field chargers shown in conjunction with the elements of the flashlight and its magnet; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a block diagram of another charger shown in conjunction with the elements of the flashlight and an additional induction coil; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of another charger in conjunction with the elements of the flashlight and built-in AC wall plug; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of a portion of the flashlight housing seen in FIG.  10  and illustrating the folding plug blades shown in stored position; 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a block diagram of another instant quick charger shown in conjunction with the elements of the flashlight and addition of a brighter LED, detachable battery compartment and Turbo Charge Controller; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a block diagram of another trickle charger shown in conjunction with the elements of the flashlight and addition of a brighter LED, detachable battery compartment and Trickle Charge Controller; and 
       FIG. 14  is a more detailed schematic of the circuitry of both the charger shown in FIG.  8  and the flashlight of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The description and operation of the invention will be best initiated with reference to FIG.  1  and which illustrates a Faraday flashlight which will hereinafter be referred to as a flashlight  11 . The external appearance of the flashlight  11  discloses two portions, a main housing chamber  13  portion and a front cap  15  portion which is separated from the main housing chamber  13  portion by a dividing line  17 . Front cap  15  portion may include a combination or unitary clear cap which includes a threaded engagement portion and integral lens. In the version shown in the figures, a lens will be shown to be separate from the engagement portion of the cap, but this is just one possible variation. At the rear of the main housing chamber  13  is a protruding lug  19  having an opening  21  which is not immediately visible in  FIG. 2 , but which is indicated by arrow. An upper flattened portion  25  and a lower flattened portion  27  are seen in FIG.  2 . An expanded portion  29  of the main housing chamber  13  is seen as meeting front cap  15  at the dividing line  17 . 
   At the top of the flashlight  11  an attached switch assembly  31  is seen as having an attached saddle  33  which overlies the cylindrical outer surface and a slide member  35  which has retaining members (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) which fit within the saddle  33 . The whole of the switch assembly  31  may be mounted to the main housing chamber  13  by gluing, fusion, or the like. Switch assembly includes the slide member  35  to act by virtue of movement of a magnet within slide member  35  to a point over a portion of the housing chamber  13  at which a reed switch (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) is located, and in order to close the reed switch by proximity of such magnet. It should be noted that the orientation of the flashlight  11  is such that the internals are protected from water and moisture, including the magnet wire  63  and magnet  65 . Magnet  65  typically may have a strength of N35, and the magnet wire  63  may have about 1600 turns. About 1.3 watt can be generated for each passage of the magnet  65  through the coil of magnet wire  63 . 
   However, it is contemplated that the magnet  65  could be made to be external to the main housing chamber  13 , while the magnet wire  63  may be internally or externally located. Further, rather than simple movement of a straight tubular shaped main housing chamber  13 , the movement of the magnet  65  could be effected by other mechanical and configurational structure. 
   As will be seen, the portion of main housing chamber  13  over which the saddle  33  is positioned may provide an accommodation space or depression to better accommodate saddle  33  and especially to protect its becoming dislodged upon external applied force, especially force along the main housing chamber  13 . 
   The front cap  15  is shown as being supplied with a series of indentations  39  which provide not only a decorative effect, but approximate a spacing for finger and hand manipulation. The flashlight  11  is intended to be waterproof, shockproof, and to generally never need servicing as it lacks any sort of bulb which could burn out. It uses a light emitting diode which is shockproof and is not generally expected to be changed. Indentations  39  may also assist machine placement of the front cap  15  consistently to a pre-determined torque in order to provide maximum sealing while minimizing the chance of overrunning the threads of attachment. Also seen is an end surface  41 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the flashlight  11  as seen in  FIG. 1 , but looking toward the front end, illustrates further details within the cap  15 . Just within cap  15 , and beyond the end surface  41  is an angled surface  43 . Just beyond angled surface  43  is an inner cylindrical surface  45 . Adjacent the inner cylindrical surface  45  is a curved lens  47 . As will be seen, sealing will occur behind the curved lens  47  and the arrangement of structures is such that any moisture or water which enters the dividing space or dividing line  17  still must negotiate the seal behind the curved lens  47  in order to have an opportunity to further invade the inner workings of flashlight  11 . Also seen immediately to the rear of slide member  35  is a slide space  49  which defines the limits over which the slide member  35  may travel. In the configuration of  FIG. 2  this is seen as allowing a forward and rearward motion along the main housing chamber  13  body, but an arrangement for side to side movement can be made. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the Faraday flashlight  11  seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrates the orientation of structures already covered in detail, as well as the visual effect of a main housing chamber  13  having an expanded portion  29 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , expanded views of a sectional view taken along line  4 A and  4 B of  FIG. 2  are shown. Beginning at the end of the main housing chamber  13  closest the protruding lug  19 , and adjacent an internal surface  51  of the main housing chamber  13 , a centering sleeve  53  is supported by projections  55  and  57 . The centering sleeve  53  supports a magnet wire and magnet support assembly  59  which includes a magnet translation support sleeve  61  supporting 1600 turns of magnet wire  63  at a position approximate the center of travel of a magnet  65  which is mounted to freely axially slidably move within the magnet translation support sleeve  61 . The term “magnet wire” is utilized only to indicate that this wire is intended to have induced currents due to the movement of a magnet. 
   The end of magnet translation support sleeve  61  nearest the centering sleeve  53  includes a circumferentially outwardly directed groove  67  to enable it to fit within and be seated against the centering sleeve  53 . Near the center of the magnet translation support sleeve  61 , a pair of spaced apart lands  69  are provided to both stabilize the magnet translation support sleeve  61  against the internal surface  51  of the main housing chamber  13 , and to provide a defined annularly radial volume for the magnet wire  63 . In the case shown in  FIG. 4B , this volume includes a portion of the external surface of magnet translation support sleeve  61  shown with numeral  71  which has a smaller cylindrical radius to accommodate slightly more volume of the magnet wire  63 , but this need not be the case in every design. 
   At a portion of the magnet translation support sleeve  61  opposite the circumferentially outwardly directed groove  67 , a radial land  73  is provided for stabilizing the magnet translation support sleeve  61  against the internal surface  51  of the main housing chamber  13 . 
   Within and near the end of the magnet translation support sleeve  61  near the centering sleeve  53  a screw  75  secures a spring retainer  77  to the centering sleeve  53 . The spring retainer  77  further secures a rear spring  79 , at a first end of rear spring  79 , and within the magnet translation support sleeve  61 , preferably in a manner that it will not contact or rub against an inner surface  81  of the magnet translation support sleeve  61 . A second end of the spring  79  is attached to a first damper  83  by its rearwardly extending boss  85  around a central bore  87 . 
   Within and near the end of the magnet translation support sleeve  61  near the radial land  73  a screw  75  secures a spring retainer  77  to an end wall  89  of the magnet translation support sleeve  61 . The spring retainer  77  further secures a front spring  91 , at a first end of front spring  91 , and within the magnet translation support sleeve  61 , also preferably in a manner that it will not contact or rub against an inner surface  81  of the magnet translation support sleeve  61 . A second end of the front spring  91  is attached to a second damper  83  by its rearwardly extending boss  85  around a central bore  87 . 
   As is further shown, the magnet translation support sleeve  61  is not seen to end at the radial land  73 , but continues with a web portion  95  leading to a support  97  for supporting a gold capacitor  101  which may preferably be commercially available from Panasonic EECF 5 R 5 U 105  and may have a value of up to one farad and is limited only by the limitations desired for energy storage capacity. Gold Capacitor  101  provides the energy storage for powering the flashlight  11 . Support  97  may continue with a wall  103 , as well as a wall which would be present to obstruct the view of  FIG. 4A , but which is removed in order to see the sectional view of  FIG. 4A. A  divider  105  is seen located over the gold capacitor  101 . Above the divider  105  a reed switch bracket  107  supports one or more lengths of tape  109  for spacing a reed switch  111 . The reed switch  111  is underneath a position occupied by the forward most translation of slide member  35 . A small magnet  115  is shown within the slide member  35  and in a position over and just to the side of the reed switch  111 . Small magnet  115  is utilized to cause the reed switch  111  to close when the slide member  35  is in its forward position.  FIG. 4A  also illustrates the depth of an external indentation  117  in the main housing chamber  13  which accommodates the small magnet underneath the slide member  35  which translates within the attached saddle  33 . When the slide member  35  and small magnet  115  are brought rearwardly within the saddle  33  and away from the reed switch  111 , the reed switch  111  will open to interrupt any lighting circuit present. 
   Forward of the support  97 , a further support  121  connects the support  97  to a reflector housing  123 . At the rear of the reflector housing a light emitting diode  125  may be connected to circuitry  126 . Circuitry  126  will provide rectification of the alternating currents produced with the magnet wire  63  and magnet  65  for each travel length of the magnet  65 . Light emitting diode  125  is concentrically mounted within the reflector housing  123  and surrounded by a reflector material  127 . The inner cylindrical surface of reflector housing  123  may also be reflectorized. Just ahead of the reflector housing  123 , the internal surface  51  of the main housing chamber includes a groove  131  which is concentrically larger than internal surface  51 . Groove  131  has a radial surface width to fit an “o” ring  135 . Groove  131  has an axial depth to accommodate both the “o” ring  135  and about half the thickness of the lens  47 . The lens  47  is forced in place by the rearward projection of a butt end  137  of the inner cylindrical member  139  of which the inner cylindrical surface  45  was previously seen. As also can be seen, a mating space  141  is immediately adjacent the lens  47  and between the main housing chamber  13  and the front cap  15 . The mating space  141  leads to a threaded interface including an outer set of threads  143  on the main housing chamber  13  and an inner set of threads  145  on the front cap  15 . The other side of the threaded interface is in communication with the dividing line  17 . 
   Note that any moisture or water must gain admittance in one of two paths. One path is through the dividing line  17 , thence through the threaded interface between outer set of threads  143  and inner set of threads  145  on the front cap  15  and to the edge of the lens  47 . The other path is between the outer periphery of the front face of the lens  47  and the continuous butt end  137  of the inner cylindrical member  139  of the front cap  15 . 
   In order to enter the inside of the main housing chamber  13 , moisture must either go past the sealed barrier between the “o” ring  135  and the groove  131 , or between the “o” ring  135  and the periphery of a rear face  147  of the lens  47 . 
   First, it is clear that the flashlight  111  can be provided with varying capacity members. For example, the magnet  65  has been found to work well utilizing a diameter size of about nineteen millimeters and a length of about 28 millimeters. The field strength of the magnet  65  will depend upon the material used. Variations might include the use of two magnets  65  separated by a plastic interconnect. In this configuration, the magnets would excite the magnet wire  63  twice for each tilt of the main housing chamber  13 . Ideally, the pair of magnets  65  could be reverse polarized so that one tilt would be equivalent to two tilts with one magnet. Three or four magnets could be joined together to give four actuations of the magnet wire  63  for each tilt of the flashlight  11 . 
   Conversely, multiple numbers of sections of the magnet wire  63  could be provided. Two sections of magnet wire  63  would produce twice the energy per tilt or travel of the magnet  65  from one end of the magnet translation support sleeve  61  to the other. Again, the strength of the springs  79  and  91 , combined with the hardness of the dampers  83  and the weight of the magnet  65  (or magnets  65 ) will determine the natural frequency of shaking for activation of the flashlight  11 . Further, where the magnet translation support sleeve  61  is made from nearly frictionless material and where the magnets  65  are made from a material complementary to the frictionless material of the magnet translation support sleeve  61 , very little energy from friction will be consumed and the bulk of the reverse magnetic EMF force will predominate as resistance to shaking the flashlight  11 . Insofar as any resistance from air entrapment within the magnet translation support sleeve  61 , this can be vitiated by providing alternative routes for air to pass. Alternate routes can be accomplished by providing a core in the magnet  65 , or by providing side slots along the side edges of magnet  65 , or by providing long ribs along the inside of the magnet translation support sleeve  61  to provide a reduced surface wear area as well as spacing for displacement air to pass, or the magnet translation support sleeve  61  itself could be provided with ventilation holes to allow air to pass in the space between the an outer surface  149  of magnet translation support sleeve  61  and internal surface  51  of the main housing chamber  13 , for example. 
   Given the fact that the stored energy in the flashlight  11  is accomplished with a high efficiency gold capacitor  101 , the storage capability of the gold capacitor can be enlarged by utilizing either more capacitors  101  in parallel, or a larger capacitor  101 . Unlike storage batteries, a capacitor  101  will not suffer deleterious effects from being charged for long periods of time. Capacitors may have some leakage or some rating based upon inadvertent leakage, but regardless of this factor, there is no negative effects from keeping a constant charge. As such, the flashlight  11  is ideal for storage in a horizontal position in locations subject to movement. For example, storage under the seat of a truck laterally will result in movement of the magnet  65  from one end of the magnet translation support sleeve  61  each time an alternative corner is turned. In more specialized structures, such as upon surfaces that turn slowly, the mounting of the flashlight  11  will provide a continuous charge. In machinery which undergoes significant shaking in a predominant direction, the flashlight  11  could also be mounted. The mounting method may vary, but any mounting external magnets should be located away from both the path of travel of the magnet  65 . In all of these cases, the flashlight  11  will automatically be available for use in a fully charged condition. 
   Utilizing the structures described, it is expected that the resulting flashlight  11  could be manually shaken back and forth at approximately one movement per half second, for a total 90 seconds to make enough energy to power the light emitting diode  125  for about 5 minutes. The light output is preferably and deliberately low at about 6000 lux in order that the cycle time enable a user to have the ability “stay ahead” of the energy utilization time. In the example of a ninety second shake for about five minutes of illumination, and depending upon the capacity of the components, it will be preferable to perform the shaking at a time when the light emitting diode  125  is switched off via the switch assembly  31 . In emergency circumstances, the user who performs shaking with the light emitting diode  125  on, will experience a lesser cycle time and a jumpy light show. If the components were set to a vigorous ninety second shake followed by five minutes of operation, if the shaking occurred while the flashlight  11  was on, the five minutes would be reduced to about three and a half minutes. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , an exploded view of a further embodiment of the invention illustrates further internal details as well as the presence of a unitary body pinch flexure damper  151 . Also can be seen is a perspective view of an integrated internal support system  155  including the magnet wire and magnet support assembly  59 , web portion  95 , support  97  forming a semi enclosed circuits area, and attached reflector housing  123 . 
   The integrated internal support system  155  forms a stable support structure which can be securely fixed within the main housing chamber  13  and which will stabilize and support the internals during the shaking operation. Because the system  155  extends essentially the length of the housing  13 , its implacement to bear against the rear of the housing  13  at its rear end, and the front of the housing by virtue of the pressure of the cap  15  when engaged on the front of the housing  13 . 
   Further details are seen beginning at the upper left side of the drawing. The saddle  33  is seen to include the slide space  49  through which the slide member  35  can axially translate. Small magnet  115  is seen as fitting under a matching space in the slide member  35 . As a result, a matching space  157  need only have a defined separation from the reed switch  111 . 
   The matching space  157  need not be present, as the saddle  33  can be curved to fit on a cylindrical housing, but the use of matching space  157  enables better control of the assembly process. The centering sleeve  53  is formed as a cover and has a central opening or aperture  159  to accommodate an anchor  161  of the unitary body pinch flexure damper  151 . Loading the damper  151  is as easy as threading the anchor  161  through the central opening to anchor it by friction or by adhesive or glue against the sleeve  53 . Inasmuch as the whole of the system  155  is under a stabilizing compression, the sleeve  53  and damper  151  will not tend to dislodge itself from its connection with the sleeve  53 . 
   An aperture  162  in the end wall  89  will accommodate the other anchor  161  of the other pinch flexure damper  151 . Once the anchor  161  is threaded through the aperture  159  or  162  in either the sleeve  53  or the end wall  89 , the anchor  161  may be trimmed or clipped as is necessary to provide any clearance for objects with which the anchor  161  would otherwise interfere. Also seen are screws  163  which are used to hold the reed switch bracket  107  against a set of bare wires  165  which extend upward from the circuit board divider  105 . Another screw  167  is used to secure the gold capacitor  101  to the circuit board divider  105 . All of the electronics fit within a box opening including the pair of oppositely spaced walls  103  and underlying support  97 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a perspective and a side view of the unitary body pinch flexure damper  151  illustrates further details thereof. The anchor  161  may include a land  169  having a conic surface  171  and spaced apart from a base surface  173  of the damper  151 . A portion of the anchor  175  exists between the land  169  and the base surface  173  which will enable capture of the structures around the apertures  159  and  162  to help stabilize the damper  151 . The extent of the anchor  161  beyond the land  169  can be trimmed after installation if there is an interference problem. The main extent of the anchor  161  is to facilitate manual threading through apertures  159  and  162 , and tension to pull the land  169  through. 
   Base surface  173  is part of a base  177 . A pair of hourglass shaped or angled side walls  181  and  183  extend from the base  177 . Each of the side walls curves gently toward each other for about half of their length and then back to form a top internal curve  185 . The curve  185  sits below a rounded solid end member  189 . 
   The shaped, opposing nature of the side walls  181  and  183  insure that any axial compressive force borne between the solid end member  189  and the base  177  will result in the side walls  181  and  183  bending toward each other at their mid points. The first stage of deformation will occur as the side walls  181  and  183  bend about their mid sections with the mid sections of the side walls  181  and  183  being driven toward each other. The second stage of deformation will occur once the mid sections of side walls  181  and  183  have made contact, with the second stage of deformation resulting in the increase in surface area contact of the mid sections of the side walls  181  and  183  with each other. 
   The first stage of deformation slows the movement of the magnet  65  less rapidly than the second stage of deformation. Because of the dampening action, no spring return force action is had with respect to the magnet  65 . This effect is due to the mass of the magnet which is about even with the mass of the remainder of the flashlight  11 . The mass amounts are such that a typical user&#39;s movements significantly move the flashlight back and forth and the path of travel of the magnet  65  is significantly shortened by movement of the flashlight  11  depending upon the severity and frequency with which it is shaken. The main action of the dampers  151  is to prevent the magnet  65  from making hard impact against the structure of the magnet wire and magnet support assembly  59 , especially where the flashlight  11  is shaken severely. Damping may also be aided by the clearance between the magnet  65  and the inner surface  81  of the magnet translation support sleeve  61 . 
   The advantages of the flashlight  11  are clear in that a user can have a flashlight available for emergency use or backup use and which does not need batteries. The sealed unit of the flashlight  11  can be left idle for decades and then pressed into use. Because a capacitor  101  is used for energy storage and because capacitors, especially high efficiency (charge per unit weight) capacitors will typically drain its charge. As a result, a user who typically stores the flashlight  11  in a secure location must find and shake the flashlight  11  to energize it before it is ready to use. 
   Further disclosed herein are ways of charging capacitor  101  which better enable the flashlight  11  to be used as an emergency light. Many emergency lights left in charging position for long periods of time fail because the storage cell typically used in such flashlights has either corroded, or failed because of being required to hold a charge for a long period of time. Where the charger is co-located with a conventional flashlight, the heat from the charger can damage the battery. 
   The flashlight  11  is amenable for use with a charging coil which can charge the capacitor  101  through electromagnetic force energy received through the flashlight  11  main housing chamber  13 . The charger can be constructed in a variety of configurations to enable a high variety of support structures. In addition to an overlying sleeve, any housing which contains a coil or can transmit a magnetic field which can induce current in the magnet wire  63  will act to keep the capacitor  101  charged. This will enable a user to keep the flashlight  11  as a quick ready emergency flashlight which is instantly available from its charger. With an emergency which is associated with power failure, the flashlight  11  is ready to go and need only be shaken to supplement current which is used since retrieval from the charger. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a block diagram illustrating the charger and its relationship with the overall flashlight  11  circuitry is shown. A POWER SOURCE INPUT line input block  201  is seen supplying power to CHARGER ELECTRONICS block  203 . The POWER SOURCE INPUT line input block  201  can be either an AC line input or a DC input having inverter electronics which will produce an alternating magnetic field. The charger electronics block  203  is connected to a charging coil  205 . The flashlight  11  is shown physically within the charging coil  205  to illustrate one manner with which an electromagnetic field can be induced into the magnet wire  63  within the flashlight  11 . The remaining portion of  FIG. 8 , beginning with magnet wire  63 , illustrates components associated with flashlight  11 . 
   The charging coil  205  is separated from but in close proximity to a coil of magnet wire  63 . Magnet  65  is shown in a position to move through the magnet wire  63 . Thus the magnet wire  63  is energized either by movement of magnet  65  or by an alternating electromagnetic field from the charging coil  205 . 
   Magnet wire  63  is connected to a RECTIFIER block  211 . RECTIFIER block  211  is connected to an AVERAGE VOLTAGE PROTECTION or AVERAGE VOLTAGE PROTECTION block  213 . The AVERAGE VOLTAGE PROTECTION block  213  is connected to a CHARGE STORAGE CAPACITOR block  215  and keeps the voltage to an average. One of a pair of leads from the CHARGE STORAGE CAPACITOR block  215  is connected in series through a REED SWITCH block  219 . The other lead from the a CHARGE STORAGE CAPACITOR block  215  and a lead from the REED SWITCH block  219  is connected to a WHITE (light) LED block  221 . 
   WHITE LED block  221  is connected in parallel to an ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE PROTECTOR block  223 . A SLIDE KNOB block  225  is shown adjacent to but separated from the REED SWITCH BLOCK  219 . When the SLIDE KNOB block  225 , containing small magnet  115  is moved into proximity to the REED SWITCH BLOCK  219 , reed switch  111  closes to turn the flashlight  11  on. When the SLIDE KNOB block  225 , containing small magnet  115  is moved out of proximity to the REED SWITCH BLOCK  219 , reed switch  111  opens to turn the flashlight  11  off. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a schematic illustrating the use of the flashlight  11 , shown as a rectangle supported by a charger shown by demarcation of its charger housing  251  illustrates some support for the flashlight  11  housing chamber portion  13  or at least some orientational registering of a charger housing  251  with respect to the flashlight  11  charger housing  251 . Within the charger housing  251 , a switch electro magnet block  255  is oriented to a position close to either (1) an auxiliary reed switch  256  which is connected in parallel with the reed switch  111 , or (2) directly to the reed switch  111 . Either the reed switch  111  or  256 , upon energization of the switch electro magnet block  255  to which the RELAY block  257  is connected, will cause the flashlight  11  to turn on. 
   Since the switch assembly  31  is located over the reed switch  111 , a triggering switch electro magnet block  255  would either cover or obstruct operation of the reed switch  111  and in some cases be affected by the small magnet  115 . By making a separate reed switch  256  wired in parallel with reed switch  111  and locating it elsewhere, a user has independent “on” control. A user can switch the flashlight  11  to the “on” position whether or not a power failure has occurred. 
   In one case, RELAY block  257  is energized by a CHARGER ELECTRONICS block  261 . The CHARGER ELECTRONICS BLOCK  261  is connected to a POWER SOURCE INPUT block  263 . Where the POWER SOURCE INPUT block  263  includes both line electrical input and a battery storage, it can switch to battery automatically upon power failure. An optional charger LED  265  can be used to not only indicate the energization of the charger of the charger housing  251  but also to provide some illumination upon power failure where the POWER SOURCE INPUT block  263  includes battery power. 
   When the power input to the charger circuit of charger housing  251  fails, the POWER SOURCE INPUT block  263  switches to battery power and either energizes or maintains energization of the charging coil  205 . The POWER SOURCE INPUT block  263  then closes or opens the RELAY block  257  to energize or de-energize switch electro magnet block  255 . For maximum power savings, the steps will include opening a reed switch ill or  256  with de-energization of switch electro magnet block  255  to enable the reed switch  111  to close by the cessation of a electromagnet in opposition to a permanent magnet, for example. 
   In any event, the actuation of RELAY block  257  acts to close the reed switch  111  to turn the flashlight  11  on. Preferably the charger within the charger housing  251  will be in a position to lend support to the flashlight  11  and preferably to orient flashlight  11  in a vertically upward orientation. This results in the combination charger in charger housing  251  and flashlight  111  becoming a power failure light. A home or office equipped with a number of such charger housing  251  and flashlight  11  combination sets would experience automatic night lighting upon power failure. However, night lights cannot be removed and taken along. In situations where one or two occupants in a dwelling experience a power failure, they can not only have enough light to see, but can go directly to the flashlight  11  and remove it from the charger housing  251  and use the flashlight  11  to assist in evacuation of the building. 
   In a business with a number of employees, and equipped with a large number of charger housing  251  and flashlight  11  combination sets, employees would each have a handy light to assist in evacuation. In both the home and business situations, a long evacuation route could be managed because of the ability to manually add power to the flashlight  11  by shaking. By having a charger housing  251  to provide constant charging, each of the flashlights  11  would be completely charged and ready to go in the event of a power failure. 
   Again, the charger housing  251  can be of any shape which will communicate power to flashlight  11  and of any orientation which will enable actuation of the reed switch  11  upon loss of power. In the alternative, the relay  257  and electrically actuated switch electro magnet block  255  need not be present for two other alternatives. In a first alternative, the flashlight  11  is maintained in the off position, but under constant charge. In this situation, the user must, upon power failure, find the charger housing  251  and flashlight  11  combination set in the dark. This is not the optimum situation, but is manageable where the charger housing  251  and flashlight  11  combination set is kept in an easily reachable location or where the charger carries its own illumination LED in place of charger LED  265 . 
   A second alternative involves the flashlight  11  being left on permanently. As stated earlier the amount of light from the flashlight  11  is not high where a single white light emitting diode is used. Where the flashlight  11  is to be left on constantly, it will not output a significant amount of light in the daytime to be noticed. At night, the light output will be comparable to a night light. If left on constantly, the flashlight  11  should have a power input sufficient to keep the capacitor fully charged and to equal the amount of light output from the white light LED source  221 . 
   Of course, in the most automated configuration, whenever the flashlight  11  is placed into a pre-determined resting position within the charger housing  251 , the charging coil  205  charges the magnet wire  63 . The charging coil  205  on the charger may preferably be in vertical position, in close proximity to the charging coil  205  when the flashlight  11  sits in vertical position to the charger housing  251 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , many of the features which are possible in  FIGS. 8 and 9  have been combined into a single housing. A retractable AC power plug  275  is located at the lower end of the flashlight  11  housing housing  251 . The plug  275  is sufficient to support the flashlight  11  from a common alternating current outlet. Because the power is made available directly to the flashlight  11  charger housing  251 , the charging coil  205  to magnet wire  65  connection is not necessary. 
   The power source  263  can be a capacitative power transfer device with a power pickup in the charger electronics block  261 . Such an arrangement enables the inside of the charger housing  251  to continue its sealed relationship to the components seen in FIG.  5 . Capacitive transfer can be had with a separate line within the main housing chamber  13  connecting directly to the charger electronics  261 , or by direct conduction using connector terminals which formed at the time the charger housing  251  is formed. The seal of the main housing chamber  13  can be maintained by a variety of mechanical means combined with different structure to take power from the power plug  275  to the rectifier. 
   The other components seen in  FIG. 10  are the same as seen in the FIG.  9 . In the configuration shown, the flashlight  11  can be manipulated to deploy the blades of the plug  275  to a position for insertion in a wall plug. The modes of operation including (1) detection of loss of input power to then cause illumination of the LED  125 , or (2) constantly on as selectable by the user by manipulation of the reed switch  219  and preferably with enough power input capability to keep a full charge under conditions of constant illumination, or (3) constantly off and charging as selectable by the user and preferably assisted with a charging illumination charger LED  265  to assist location of an off flashlight  11  in the dark and (4) flash the illumination of the charger LED  265  in the event of an AC power failure. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , a front view of the charger housing  251  is shown with the AC power plug  275  seen as a pair of blades folded to a position flush with the housing  25 . In this manner, the AC power plug  275  can be deployed for charging and support from a wall outlet, and folded to a stowed position when carried or stored not in charging position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , a schematic shows one manner for implementing two optional features. A detachable battery compartment  281  is preferably external to the flashlight and preferably has two terminals  283  that mate to the corresponding input terminals  285  on the flashlight which lead to a quick charge controller  291 . The functions of the quick charge controller  291  are two fold. The quick charge controller  291  drives a brighter LED, seen as white LED light source  293 , upon activation of the reed switch RS 1 . Reed switch RS 1  is connected between the quick charge controller  291  and one terminal of the second white LED light source  293 . Reed switch RS 1  operates with slide knob  295 . 
   A switch RS 2  is connected between the quick charge controller  291  and one terminal of the charge storage capacitor  215 . The quick charge controller  291  is thus enabled to quick charge the charge storage capacitor  215  once upon activation of reed switch RS 2 . Charge storage capacitor  215  is charged by the quick charge controller  291  by for a fixed period of time. Where the external charger is not used or available, this “quick charge” feature enables a user to quickly grab the flashlight and get instant light, followed by the long term ability to provide light by manual charging or shaking. Again, slide knob  295  is shown to be in operational proximity to the RS 1  switch, while a slide knob  297  is shown to be in operational proximity to the RS 2  switch. 
   The slide knob switches  225 ,  295  and  297  may be separately operated, or jointly operated, or sequentially operated. For example, where a single actuation is had, the quick charge controller may momentarily check the charge storage capacitor to see if it is charged, and then charge it if it is not charged, and then make a decision on the second white LED light source  263  based upon the level of charge of the charge storage capacitor, and the voltage magnitude supplied by the detachable battery compartment  281 . 
   If the charge storage capacitor  215  is charged, such as from an external charger, connection to switch RS 2  would not be had, but the connection to switch RS 1  would be enabled. Of course, the quick charge controller  291  would be internally set so that the absense of any voltage from the detachable battery compartment would not result in bleedoff from the charge storage capacitor back through the RS 2  switch, nor any activation of the second white led light source  293  should only a manual source of charge be available. 
   Referring to  FIG. 13 , the detachable battery compartment is external to the flashlight and has two terminals that mate to the corresponding terminals on the flashlight. A trickle charge controller  299  replaces the quick charge controller  291  and is connected to the detachable battery compartment  281 . The functions of A Trickle Charge Controller is two fold, it drives the second white LED light source upon activation of the reed switch RS 1 , and it quick charges the charge storage capacitor  215  once upon detection of activation of reed switch RS 1 . Capacitor  215  is periodically charged by the trickle charge controller  299  for a short duration of time until the charge storage capacitor is fully charged and the flashlight is ready for use most of the time. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14  a more detailed schematic is shown. This schematic will illustrate alternating current conversion to a lower frequency field which matches, as much as possible, the natural frequency of the magnet wire  63 . The circuitry shown which is downstream of the first rectifier section could be used in conjunction with a direct current power source. 
   Beginning at the left, a charger circuit  301  includes a plug  303  will take an alternating current input (such as 220 or 110 volt) from a wall socket as is typically found in the home. A switch SW 1 , connected to the line terminal of plug  303 , enables the charger circuit  301  to be turned off without removing the plug  303  from its wall connection. A filter set consisting of a parallel combination of a resistor R 1  and a capacitor C 1  supplies the filtered AC current to position  1  of diode rectification bridge B 1 . Position  3  of diode rectification bridge B 1  is connected to the other or neutral terminal of the plug  303 . Position  4  of the of diode rectification bridge B 1  is grounded and position  2  of the of diode rectification bridge B 1  forms a main node for the remainder of the connected circuitry of the charger  301 . 
   Position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1  is connected to ground through a capacitor C 2  and position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1  is also connected to ground through a series combination of resistor R 2  and a light emitting diode ON LED. 
   Position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1  is connected through a resistor R 3  to the collector of a transistor Q 1 , the emitter of transistor Q 1  being grounded. The collector of transistor Q 1  is connected through a capacitor C 3  to the base of a transistor Q 2 . Further, position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1 , is connected through a resistor R 4  to the collector of transistor Q 2 . 
   Position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1  is connected through a resistor R 6  to the collector of transistor Q 2  the emitter of transistor Q 2  being grounded. The collector of transistor Q 2  is connected through a capacitor C 4  to the base of transistor Q 1 . Further, position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1 , is connected through a resistor R 5  to the collector of transistor Q 2 . 
   The collector of transistor Q 2  is connected through a resistor R 8  to the base of a transistor Q 3 , the collector of transistor Q 2  the emitter of transistor Q 2  being grounded. Further, position  2  of diode rectification bridge B 1  is connected through a series combination of a resistor R 7  and a coil L 1  to the collector of transistor Q 3 . The coil L 1  should have a size and matching characteristic with the coil of magnet wire  63  of the flashlight  11  to obtain maximum power transfer characteristic. 
   Also seen, and shown somewhat schematically for orientation purposes, is the coil of magnet wire  63  and the charging magnet  65  which passes through it. The coil L 1  and coil of magnet wire  63  are enabled to be placed into a physical proximity such that energization of coil L 1  will energize the coil of magnet wire  63 . Structures which may accomplish this include providing a larger coil L 1  into which the flashlight  11  housing  13  may fit, or some such other compatible structure. 
   Continuing with the circuitry for the flashlight  11 , the coil of magnet wire  63  is connected to positions  2  and  4  of a diode rectification bridge B 2 . Positions  1  and  3  of diode rectification bridge B 2  are connected through a parallel combination of a 5.1 volt zener diode Z 1 , and a capacitor C 5  which is shown as capacitor  101  in the other views. Positions  1  and  3  of diode rectification bridge B 2  are connected through a series combination of reed switch  111  and illumination LED  125 , both of which were seen in the previous drawings. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Circuit Values 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               R1 
               1Mega ohm 
             
             
                 
               R2 
               3k ohms 
             
             
                 
               R3,R6 
               2.7k ohms 
             
             
                 
               R4,R5 
               47k ohms 
             
             
                 
               R7 
               12k ohms 
             
             
                 
               R8 
               2k ohms 
             
             
                 
               C1 
               0.22 pF 
             
             
                 
               C2 
               22 μF 
             
             
                 
               C3,C4 
               392 μF 
             
             
                 
               C5 
               1F, 5.5 volt 
             
             
                 
               Q1,Q2 
               9014C 
             
             
                 
               B1 
               1N4001 
             
             
                 
               B2 
               1N4004 
             
             
                 
               Illum.LED 
               NSPW500BS 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   While the present invention has been described in terms of a flash light not needing incandescent bulbs or batteries, its charging system to permit quick emergency light use, and more particularly to particular structures which are both sealed and manually powered lighting device, the principles contained therein are applicable to other instruments, devices, processes and structures in which sealed, water proof, and underwater lighting can be provided. 
   Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.

Technology Category: h