GB2530484A - A flash light or torch - Google Patents

Abstract

A flashlight or torch has a housing supported on a wrist band or strap. The torch has two battery powered LEDs and a lens that is displaceable with respect to the light sources so as to permit a user to focus a light beam. A lens cover is moveable with respect to the torch body. The LEDs are supported to be displaceable with respect to the housing so as to vary their location. The torch may also be detached from the wrist band to enable it to be worn elsewhere. A user selectable flashing sequence and choice of colour selection is provided for the LEDs. The torch may be deployed in a number of different ways making it useful for hobbyists and healthcare workers.

Description

A FLASHLIGHT OR TORCH

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flashlight or torch, more particularly, but not exclusively the invention relates to a flashlight or torch that is supported on a strap and is, in normal use, worn by the user on their wrist.

Background

Flashlights or torches are well known. They are portable and usually provide compact light sources; providing convenient, typically pocket-sized light sources for professionals, sporting enthusiasts and hobbyists.

There is great number of different types of flashlights and torches which are normally worn on the wrist, and some examples of these flashlights or torches are described below.

Prior Art

United Kingdom Patent GB-B-MS 805 (Maritaux) discloses a flashlight that is worn by the user. The flashlight has a circuit that makes and breaks as the user walks due to movements of a person walking so as to draw attention to the wearer at night, for example to passing motorists.

International Patent Application WO-A-2002/014737 (Lee) discloses a flashlight that is worn on the wearer's wrist that includes a ball and socket joint which enables the user to direct a beam of light in a particular direction.

United States Patent US 6213619 (San Vu) discloses a flashlight that is also mountable on a wearer's wrist. The flashlight is cable of pivoting in two planes and includes a pivotable light source.

Another example of a popular torch or flashlight is one that is worn by the user on a headband. This type of torch or flashlight is particularly useful in caving, potholing, rock climbing and exploring, when both hands may be required.

However, a disadvantage of these types of flashlight or torch is that they tend to dazzle the person to whom the wearer may be speaking, as there is a natural tendency to look at.someone whilst talking to them.

United States Patent Application US-Al -2009/0168407 (Clifford Wright) discloses a light mechanism which includes a section that is pivotable, with respect to housing, so that the light source can rotate relative to the housing.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems associated with the aforementioned and other types of flashlight or torch and seeks to provide a solution that is flexible and a flashlight or torch that can be adapted for use in many different applications.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a flashlight or torch including a housing that is supported on a wrist band or strap and two light sources powered by one or more batteries, the light sources are supported in a portion that is displaceable with respect to the housing that is connected to the wrist band or strap, so as to vary the location of the light sources.

Optionally the light sources are mounted 1800 one to another and are rotatable, so that they always radiate in opposite directions.

Ideally at least one displaceable lens is provided so as to vary an optical characteristic of each light source.

The flashlight or torch is ideally modular and is removable from the housing that connects it to the wrist band or strap by way of a quick release mechanism. In this preferred embodiment the housing is capable of being removed from the support that is connected to the wrist band or strap by way of the mechanism so that it can be used in other applications. Optionally a magnet may be fitted on the housing, for example on a back part of the housing which is not normally seen in use.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the torch or flashlight can be turned into a lamp or a diffused light source and suspended from a ceiling mounted support such as a hook, or magnetically attached to metal surface.

The lens is ideally supported in the rotatable housing so that the lens and housing are rotatable with respect to one another in order to vary an optical characteristic, such as beam width or shape, of the flashlight or torch.

Advantageously this variation of an optical characteristic is achieved by rotating the portion of the housing with a finger grip or bevel so as to alter the relative position of the lens with respect to the light source(s).

Preferably there is provided a detent mechanism which includes a ratchet so as to positively engage with teeth, when rotating the portion of the housing, so as to ensure the light is set to a particular position or orientation and the beams has a particular shape or form, and is maintained as such.

Ideally the lens has covers that are replaceable and which render the flashlight or torch waterproof. Lens covers are also ideally rotatable, through any angle from between 00 to 360°, so as to alter the relative orientation of the lens with respect to the light source. A light-pipe or other guide means provides a pathway from the light source to a lens.

The housing is ideally in the general form of a truncated right circular cylinder so lies relatively flat against a user and has similar dimensions as a watch.

These features offer the advantage of being compact and therefore the flashlight or torch is unlikely to interfere with activities that a user may be carrying out at the same time or catch on clothing.

The housing advantageously is provided with an arrangement which facilitates twisting by a user so enabling the user to vary a position or characteristic of the light source.

Texturing of external surfaces, for example by bevelling or rendering, is ideally also provided so as to enable users easily to grip and twist a front face, to a different setting, even when the torch or flashlight is wet.

The flashlight or torch is preferably supported on a fluorescent wrist band which may be fabric. Optionally the fabric is tough and is formed from woven, water resistant material. The wrist band may also include an electroluminescent material which is powered by a battery source.

In another embodiment a manually operable means includes a means for selecting a flashing regime for the flashlight or torch, for example at the side of the housing or body of the flashlight or torch.

The at least one light source is ideally a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser LED, and may be provided in one or more colours or in an embodiment may include a light emitting diode whose colour may be varied. A further alternative embodiment may include a light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal device (LCD) watch module showing date, time and temperature.

Optionally a flashing using is provided. Preferably by twisting the housing with respect to the wrist band the user may vary the focus of the light or another property, such as switch on a particular function, for example a flashing unit, so as initiate one of several different possible flashing sequences.

The flashing time interval may be variable so that a user can alter the flashing time intervals or it may be pre-set to a particular time based flashing regime (duty cycle). Also a photo cell may be arranged to detect daylight conditions and/or turn off a backlight or other energy absorbing devices so as to prolong the life of the battery.

In another embodiment the colour of the tights may be varied. Preferably however1 two coloured lights are provided and these are red and white.

Alternatively a red and a green option may be provided and this might be used by crew or passengers of a ship port sea-going vessel to indicate port' (left) or starboard (right) hands. Such flashlights or torches when worn on the wrists would serve to indicate the position and orientation of a person overboard' and so facilitate their rescue.

Another different colour combination may be selected, so that in use, for example whilst cycling, a red light is presented in a rearward facing direction and a white light is directed in a forwards facing direction.

Preferably each of the coloured lights is disposed so that they are located on diametrically opposite sides of the edge of the housing.

Ideally the at least one battery that powers the LED(s) is/are rechargeable.

Ideally recharging is achieved by way of a universal serial bus (USB) connector provided in the housing.

A waterproof cover is preferably provided which closes the USB socket when not required. Ideally this cover is tethered to the housing to prevent it from being lost.

Preferably the strap is flexible and simple to clean and may be, for example, an elasticated band or another material such as hook and loop means such as Velcro (Trade Mark).

In another embodiment the flashlight or torch may be supplied in a kit form that includes: a hook or similar means for suspending the torch or flashlight so that it can be used a lamp. This is arrangement is considered to be achievable by way of the variation of the angle of the light beam which can be set to floodlight mode as well as beam mode.

Optionally a charger may also be included in the kit, as well as plug and various adaptors for different sized sockets and/or optionally different cables for connecting the charger to a mains or other power supply. A solar panel unit may be optionally supplied, as part of a kit, in order to charge the battery.

Typically a logo or advert or stylised front face or some other indicia, such as colours of a football team, flag, photograph or image may be printed on, or added to the housing, so as to render it more distinctive; this could be in the form of a stick-on overlay.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an overall view of a preferred embodiment of the flashlight or torch; Figure 2 shows an overall view of another embodiment of the flashlight or torch; Figure 3 shows an overall view of a third embodiment of the flashlight or torch; Figure 4 shows an overall view of a fourth embodiment of the flashlight or torch; Figures 5a to 5d show top and bottom and front and back side, diagrammatical views of the flashlight or torch of Figure 1 and the relative arrangement and location of the light emithng diodes (LEDs); Figure 6 shows an overall view of a circuit board on which are mounted components in an interior of the housing of the flashlight or torch of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an example of a circuit diagram of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure Ba shows a functional block diagram corresponding to the circuit diagram of Figure 7; Figure Sb shows a PlC with varying more modes of operation a functional block diagram corresponding to the circuit diagram of Figure 7; Figures 9 to 12 show, in diagrammatical form, various other embodiments and different uses of the flashlight or torch; Figure 13 shows a solar panel with a USB lead for a unit charging; and Figure 14 shows a device with a front mounted LED or LCD clock/date unit

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures generally, Figures 1 to 4 show a flashlight or torch 10 supported on a housing 12 that is connected to a strap or flexible wrist band 14. The flashlight or torch 10 shown in Figures 1 and 3 is generally disc-shaped and is in the form of a truncated right circular cylinder, similar to the face of a wrist watch.

The flashlight or torch 10 in Figure 2 is generally box-shaped and the flashlight or torch 10 shown in Figure 4 has an angled face in octagonal form with different letters or characters printed or formed thereon.

The housing 12 that is connected to the flexible wrist band 14 includes a release mechanism (not shown) that enables a user to detach the flashlight or torch 10, so enabling it to be worn, for example on a lapel or on a hat (not shown), by attaching material 100 (as shown in Figure 10) which may be part of the wrist band 14 to a person's coat (Figure 9).

Figures 5a to 5d show plan, under plan and side views of the flashlight or torch of the embodiment of Figure 1 and illustrate the relative arrangement and location of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 50 with respect to the housing body 13; the position of a USB port 52; and the position of rechargeable battery 54. The operation of these components and their inter-relations is described below in greater detail, with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 6 shows an overall view of a circuit board 60 on which are mounted components including emitting diodes (LEDs) 50; USB port 52; and a switch 60.

Referring now to Figure 7 there is shown an example of a circuit diagram for use with the circuit board 60 shown in Figure 6. The circuit 70 comprises two sections: section 70A which has a USB port 52 connected to a rechargeable battery 54; and section 7B which controls the flashing regime of four or six LEDS 50a, SOb, 50c and SOd by way of logic circuits 700 and flip flops 702 and 704. The operation of logic circuits 700 and flip flops 702 and 704 is described below with reference to Figure 8a.

Figure 8a shows two sections corresponding to the circuits in 70A and 70B in Figure 7. Section 70A is the section circuit that governs charging of rechargeable batteries and section 70B is the logic circuits that oversee the operation of the flashlight or torch and govern the flashing regime, selection of colours of lights and low and high battery level indicators.

Referring in detail to the logic drawing in Figure Ba, and the corresponding programmable integrated circuit shown in Figure Bb, there are four conditions these are: all LEDs off; white and red LEDs on; white LED on only; and white and red LEDs both flashing. Alternative or additional flashing regimes may. be included.

Input switch 820 operates a 2-bit counter 824 to select the mode which uses a CD 4027 CMOS dual JK output. The output of counter 862 is decoded by a logic Schmitt trigger 864 operating under control of input NAND gate 864.

Logic gates 870 (CD 4093) oversee the output of decoder drives 866 and the output of NPN transistors 867 and 868 so as to switch on LEDs SOa, 50b, 50c and 50d.

Red LEDs 50a and 50b and white LEDs SOC and 50d are mounted in pairs or sets of three at 1800 so as to provide a wide angle viewing angle and may be rotated through any angle between 00 and 3600. In an alternative embodiment (shown in Figure 8b) three pairs of LEDs can be connected in parallel so as to provide for redundancy in the event that one LED fails.

Suitable current controlling circuit (not shown) may be provided in order to accommodate fluctuations and surges that occur when an LED fails.

Oscillator 811 includes the logic gate 870 (CD 4093) using a time constant of around 100 ms. When it is desired to select a flashing mode, as described below with reference to Figure 8b, the output of the decoder 890 is a switch so that oscillator 892 is in turn switched on and off. Output of drivers 894 to the LEDs 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d is thereby activated.

So as to prevent contact bounce from switch 920, a trigger clock input 940 is sent to a counter 960 using two NAND gates CD 4093 which are connected in series from the switch output.

Battery 54 is a rechargeable lithium cell with a USB input 52 to connect to an external 5 Volt DC supply (not shown). Charging circuit 70A uses LM321 comparators to show the batteries 54 condition. Red LED indicator 76 shows charging and green LED indicator 77 shows when fully charged.

Figure 8b shows a peripheral interface controller (PlC) with varying modes of operation. The PlC can be programmed so that it also offers individual drives of each of the LEDs and this offers a chasing sequence. An advantage with these types of circuit are they are robust and cheaper to manufacture.

Another advantage is that software can be downloaded to the wrist watch via the USB 52.

Figure 9 shows, in diagrammatical form, a person wearing the flashlight or torch. Figure 10 shows, in diagrammatical form, the flashlight or torch 10 detached from the wristband 14 but connected to a piece of material 100 -such as a hook and eye material, for example Velcro (Trade Mark) type.

Figure 11 shows, in diagrammatical form, an embodiment of the flashlight or torch 10 suspended by a hook 110, from a piece of string, or rope 112 inside a tent 114, thereby acting as a makeshift camping lantern.

Figure 12 shows, in diagrammatical form, an embodiment of the flashlight or torch 10 attached to a bicycle 120 thereby acting as a flashing headlamp. A similar device may be lashed or connected to a rear portion or stay (not shown) of the bicycle and switched to flash red, thereby acting as a rear warning light.

Figure 13 shows a solar panel 130 with USB lead 131. In use this is plugged into the IJSB socket of the flashlight or torch in order to charge the battery 54 in sunlight conditions.

Figure 14 shows a LED or LCD backlit display (140) clock module that can display time, date and temperature and can be rotated through 360°.

Optionally the flashlight or torch 10 is supplied with elastic webbing, connectors, mounting devices, a carrying case and other fixtures and fittings that permit the The foregoing are considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation of the embodiment described, and accordingly, suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.