WO2001033137A1 - Lampe de poche dotee d'une fonctionnalite d'eclairage diffus fluorescent - Google Patents

Lampe de poche dotee d'une fonctionnalite d'eclairage diffus fluorescent Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001033137A1
WO2001033137A1 PCT/AU2000/001230 AU0001230W WO0133137A1 WO 2001033137 A1 WO2001033137 A1 WO 2001033137A1 AU 0001230 W AU0001230 W AU 0001230W WO 0133137 A1 WO0133137 A1 WO 0133137A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
handle
section
cross
lens assembly
lighting device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2000/001230
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Richard Dalton
John Robert Brown
Gregory Michael Martens
Justin John Formica
Original Assignee
Eveready Battery Company Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eveready Battery Company Inc. filed Critical Eveready Battery Company Inc.
Priority to AU78921/00A priority Critical patent/AU7892100A/en
Publication of WO2001033137A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001033137A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V21/00—Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices; Hand grips
    • F21V21/40—Hand grips
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21L—LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION
    • F21L4/00—Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells
    • F21L4/02—Electric lighting devices with self-contained electric batteries or cells characterised by the provision of two or more light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hand held lighting device having both flashlight and fluorescent area light capability. Background of the invention
  • Prior art flashlights of the type to which this invention relates tend to be quite cumbersome to use and are difficult to hold in a user's hand.
  • a lighting device including: a generally elongate handle having a width which is narrower than its depth, the handle tapering along at least one side thereof in transverse cross-section; a first lens assembly mounted to one end of the handle adapted to direct a light beam in a direction which is substantially coaxial with the length of the handle; and a second lens assembly located in the handle and aligned generally parallel to the length of the handle, the second lens assembly adapted to direct light emitting from the lens assembly in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the handle.
  • a lens assembly for a flashlight said lens assembly including first and second generally elongate translucent panels, inclined relative to each other and joined together along a common longitudinal edge; a reflector located between the two panels adapted to reflect light towards said common edge, and an elongate fluorescent lamp mounted within the triangular space defined between the reflector and the two translucent panels and extending parallel to said common edge.
  • the present invention provides a lighting device including: a handle portion having a cross section which comprises narrow ends which diverge as they extend toward a central portion of said cross section; a first lens assembly at one end of said handle portion; a second lens assembly located in said handle portion at one of said narrow ends of said cross section, said second lens assembly contoured to match said handle portion.
  • the second lens assembly has a fluorescent lamp associated therewith.
  • the fluorescent lamp can be of a diameter in the range of 2mm to 8mm but is preferably of approximately 3mm in diameter and preferably consumes energy at the rate of approximately 4 watts.
  • said handle portion is curved or angled so that when a rear portion of said handle is substantially horizontal said first lens assembly will direct light at an angle to the horizontal.
  • the narrow ends of said cross section can diverge towards the centre of said cross section.
  • the handle ' s cross section can have a constant width for a predetermined length between said ends which diverge towards the centre of said cross section.
  • the tapering of the handle is preferably along one edge but may be along both.
  • the shape of the taper can be part elliptical, part lenticular or triangular. If the tapering of the handle is along both edges of the handle the handle portion in cross section will preferably be elliptical, lenticular, lozenge shaped, an irregular hexagonal or irregular octagonal.
  • the shape employed has a major axis of symmetry and a minor axis of symmetry, but may have only one axis of symmetry as is the case with a triangular shape.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a flashlight/area light of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a cross section through the light of figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a cross section through the handle portion of the light of figure 1.
  • Figure 3a is an alternative cross sectional shape to that of figure 3.
  • Figure 3b is a further alternative cross sectional shape to that of figure 3.
  • Figure 3c is a further alternative cross section shape to that of figure 3.
  • Figure 3d is a further alternative cross section to that of figure 3.
  • Figure 3e is a further alternative cross section to that of figure 3.
  • Figure 3f is a further alternative cross section to that of figure 3.
  • Figure 4 is a top view of the light of figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is an underneath view of the light of figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a rear view of the light of figure 1.
  • Figure 7 is a front view of the light of figure 1.
  • Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the light of figure 1.
  • a flashlight 10 having a first lens assembly 12 located at a forward end of a handle 14.
  • the flashlight 10 has a transition portion 17 between the lens assembly 12 and the handle 14.
  • a second lens assembly 18 is located within the contour of and thus forms part of the handle 14 and has an external shape in cross section which is the same as the cross section of the handle 14.
  • the second lens assembly 18 is shaped and configured to conform to the shape and configuration of the handle 14 so that the lens 18 provides a smooth continuation of the contours of the handle 14. More will be said about the lens assembly 18 below.
  • the rear 20 of the handle 14 includes a battery housing end cap 22 and a rubber grip 24 is located around a relatively narrow lower end 16B.
  • a cut out 26 in the lower portion of the transition section 17 provides a positive location for engagement of a user's finger when the flashlight 10 is used in flashlight mode.
  • At the rear end of the upper spine 16 are two cut away or scalloped portions 28 and 30 which allow for the attachment of a wrist grip or similar article.
  • an on/off switch 32 which is connected to a power circuit so as to switch on and/or off an incandescent lamp in the lens assembly 12 by moving the switch 32 from an off position to an on position in a first direction will switch on said flashlight 10 in flashlight mode. Pushing the switch 32 in the other direction switches on a fluorescent lamp located in the lens assembly 18.
  • FIG 2 Illustrated in figure 2 is a longitudinal cross section through the apparatus of figure 1 where it can be seen that the flashlight 10 has a battery housing portion 40 in which four batteries/dry cells 42T and 42B are housed in series connection.
  • the circuit in which the batteries 42T and 42B are connectable, is generally in the open condition with the switch 32 in a middle off position. It will be noted that the batteries 42T overlie the batteries 42B. This allows the handle to be of slender configuration in cross-section, as described in more detail below.
  • rearward top battery 42T and the negative end of the rearward bottom battery 42B are electrically connected by means of a coiled contact 44.
  • the closure 22 is rotated or translated out of the page of figure 2 whereby the coiled portion of coiled contact 44 slides over the negative terminal of rearward battery 42B and the positive terminal of rearward battery 42T.
  • the lower portion 14B of the handle 14 has a recess 42 which is of substantially the same peripheral shape as rubber grip 24 and of a depth similar to the thickness of rubber grip 24 so that when rubber grip 24 is applied by adhesive to the lower portion 14B of handle 14, a relatively smooth transition of the surfaces of the rubber pad to the surfaces of the handle 14 is achieved.
  • the lens assembly 12 at the front of the flashlight 10 includes a lens cover 46 which lies adjacent to the terminus of a reflector 48.
  • the reflector surrounds an incandescent lamp 50 centrally located through the reflector 48.
  • the second lens assembly 18 includes a contoured elongated lens 52. a similarly elongated reflector 54 (which has a generally U-shaped cross section) and a fluorescent lamp 56 passing through the ends 58 and 60 of the reflector 54.
  • the fluorescent lamp 56 is generally circular in cross section and has a 3mm diameter and 4 watts of power consumption. A 3mm diameter size fluorescent lamp is most preferred although a lamp having a diameter in the range of 2mm to 8mm can also be used.
  • the fluorescent lamp 56 is preferably of the cold cathode fluorescent type but other types may be suitable.
  • a printed circuit board 62 for carrying the components required to operate fluorescent lamp 56 and other electronic functions as are required to switch between a flashlight mode and an area light mode utilising a fluorescent lamp.
  • Figure 3 is a transverse cross section of the flashlight handle 14 through approximately the mid way point along the length of the handle 14.
  • the transverse cross section of the handle portion 14 tapers along the end which houses the fluorescent lamp and lens assembly.
  • the taper is of a generally elliptical or lenticular shape having relatively narrow top and bottom ends 16 and 16B respectively.
  • the shape is such that the width of the cross section at the ends 16 and 16B in narrower than the central portion of the handle.
  • the handle is preferably substantially symmetrical about both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane extending along the longitudinal centre line of the handle.
  • the major axis from end 16 through to end 16B is approximately 50mm in length whilst the minor axis or width of the cross section is approximately 25mm.
  • the bottom end 16B should rest against a user's palm, while top end 16 should be near a person's finger tips.
  • the shape described above allows the handle to sit in and be captured by the hand of an adult user, in such a manner as to be firstly comfortable and secondly in such a way that when fluorescent lamp 56 is switched on, a user can be grabbing a substantial proportion of the handle's surface area yet not need to shield light output from the lamp 56.
  • Illustrated in figures 3A, 3B and 3D are irregular hexagonal and irregular octagonal cross sections that could also be utilised to provide the same advantages of the invention.
  • Illustrated in figure 3C is a lenticular shape also able to be used to the same effect.
  • In 3E is a generally triangular shaped cross section where the second lens assembly 18 would need to be located at an upper apex as indicated by assembly 18.
  • In figure 3F is a lozenge shaped cross section.
  • item 18 indicates the location of the second lens assembly which contains a fluorescent lamp.
  • figures 3, 3A, 3B, 3C. 3D and 3F all show examples of handle cross sections which taper at an top and a bottom edge of the handle. Further figure 3E tapers along the whole height of the handle. If desired, the taper on the handle need only be in the vicinity of the fluorescent lamp and lens assembly 18 and thus combinations of the top halves of the shapes illustrated in figures 3, 3A to 3F can be combined with other shapes for the lower half of the handle. Thus, if desired a handle cross section can be part lenticular, part elliptical, part tapering etc with the proviso that the tapering shape be along the edge where the second lens assembly 18 is located.
  • the shape of the cross section of handle 14 is such that in use as an area light, an adult user's fingers will rest on one tapering side of the handle 14, adjacent lens assembly 18, (with a user's fingers preferably not contacting the lens assembly 18). and the user's thumb on the other tapering side of handle 14. Due to the tapering or diverging shape from narrow end 16 to narrow end 16B (or vice versa), it means that a better grip is attained when used in area light mode as a user's fingers and thumb have to be prised apart before the flashlight 10 can drop out of a user's hands in the direction of narrow end 16 to narrow end 16B.
  • other shapes which have either an always diverging then always converging shape such as in figures 3 or 3C, or initially diverging, partially constant, finally converging as in figures 3A or 3B can be used.
  • cross sections of figures 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3F are symmetrical about two axes, while cross section 3E is symmetrical about one axis only. It is important to note that in the above description the terms upper and lower are used relative to the orientation of the flashlight 10 as illustrated in the accompanying figures. Clearly, in use, the flashlight 10 could adopt many different orientations in which case ends 16 and 16B may not be in an upper/lower positional relationship.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'éclairage ou une lampe de poche/dispositif d'éclairage diffus combinés (10) comprenant une partie poignée (14) dont la section transversale comprend des extrémités étroites allant en divergeant vers la partie centrale de la section transversale, un premier ensemble de lentilles (12) à une extrémité de la partie poignée (14) et un second ensemble de lentilles (18) dans la partie poignée (10) à l'une des extrémités étroites de la section transversale précitée, le second ensemble de lentilles (18) étant profilé de façon qu'il épouse la forme de la partie poignée (10).
PCT/AU2000/001230 1999-10-29 2000-10-11 Lampe de poche dotee d'une fonctionnalite d'eclairage diffus fluorescent WO2001033137A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU78921/00A AU7892100A (en) 1999-10-29 2000-10-11 Flashlight with fluorescent area light capability

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPQ3742A AUPQ374299A0 (en) 1999-10-29 1999-10-29 A lighting device construction
AUPQ3742 1999-10-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001033137A1 true WO2001033137A1 (fr) 2001-05-10

Family

ID=3817893

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2000/001230 WO2001033137A1 (fr) 1999-10-29 2000-10-11 Lampe de poche dotee d'une fonctionnalite d'eclairage diffus fluorescent

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AUPQ374299A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001033137A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003019070A2 (fr) * 2001-08-24 2003-03-06 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Dispositif d'eclairage
WO2005040676A1 (fr) * 2003-10-27 2005-05-06 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Lampe torche convertible et surface eclairante comprenant un obturateur d'ouverture
EP1811226A1 (fr) * 2006-01-24 2007-07-25 Worlds Apart LTD Moyen d'éclairement
WO2021034515A1 (fr) 2019-08-16 2021-02-25 Streamlight, Inc. Lampe pouvant être tenue à la main dotée d'une poignée ergonomique, et ensemble batterie associé
EP4088057A4 (fr) * 2020-01-10 2024-01-10 Streamlight, Inc. Lampe pouvant être tenue à la main dotée d'une poignée ergonomique, et ensemble batterie associé

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4432043A (en) * 1981-12-23 1984-02-14 Parly Tools Manufacturing Limited Combined fluorescent lamp and spotlight
GB2172097A (en) * 1985-03-08 1986-09-10 Ever Ready Ltd Multipurpose lamp
US4977489A (en) * 1989-12-05 1990-12-11 Fatia Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable battery operated lighting device
US5467258A (en) * 1992-12-21 1995-11-14 The Coleman Company, Inc. Flashlight apparatus
GB2309512A (en) * 1996-01-29 1997-07-30 Alliance Ind Co Ltd Fluorescent lamp

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4432043A (en) * 1981-12-23 1984-02-14 Parly Tools Manufacturing Limited Combined fluorescent lamp and spotlight
GB2172097A (en) * 1985-03-08 1986-09-10 Ever Ready Ltd Multipurpose lamp
US4977489A (en) * 1989-12-05 1990-12-11 Fatia Industrial Co., Ltd. Portable battery operated lighting device
US5467258A (en) * 1992-12-21 1995-11-14 The Coleman Company, Inc. Flashlight apparatus
GB2309512A (en) * 1996-01-29 1997-07-30 Alliance Ind Co Ltd Fluorescent lamp

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003019070A2 (fr) * 2001-08-24 2003-03-06 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Dispositif d'eclairage
WO2003019070A3 (fr) * 2001-08-24 2003-04-24 Eveready Battery Inc Dispositif d'eclairage
US6629767B2 (en) 2001-08-24 2003-10-07 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Lighting device
CN100412442C (zh) * 2001-08-24 2008-08-20 永备电池有限公司 一种照明装置
WO2005040676A1 (fr) * 2003-10-27 2005-05-06 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Lampe torche convertible et surface eclairante comprenant un obturateur d'ouverture
US7360920B2 (en) 2003-10-27 2008-04-22 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Convertible flashlight and area light with an aperture shutter
US7775686B2 (en) 2003-10-27 2010-08-17 Eveready Battery Company, Inc. Convertible flashlight and area light with an aperture shutter
EP1811226A1 (fr) * 2006-01-24 2007-07-25 Worlds Apart LTD Moyen d'éclairement
EP2063169A3 (fr) * 2006-01-24 2009-09-30 Worlds Apart Ltd Moyen d'éclairement
WO2021034515A1 (fr) 2019-08-16 2021-02-25 Streamlight, Inc. Lampe pouvant être tenue à la main dotée d'une poignée ergonomique, et ensemble batterie associé
EP4088057A4 (fr) * 2020-01-10 2024-01-10 Streamlight, Inc. Lampe pouvant être tenue à la main dotée d'une poignée ergonomique, et ensemble batterie associé

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