WO2006064333A1

WO2006064333A1 - An accessory for an electric torch

Info

Publication number: WO2006064333A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/003746
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lewton Levy; David Roy Kessel; Joel Dorfan; Andrew Marc Ager
Original assignee: Brevity Trade (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-14
Filing date: 2005-12-13
Publication date: 2006-06-22

Abstract

The invention provides an accessory for an electric torch. The accessory comprises an illuminative cap (10) which is attachable to an end of an electric torch (12) so as to be interchangeable with an end cap on the torch. The illuminative cap (10) includes a connector (20) for connecting the illuminative cap to the end of the electric torch (12), a protective holder (22) formed from a transparent or translucent material, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (24A and 24B) embedded within the protective holder (22) so that the light emitting diodes (24A and 24B) are protected by the holder (22) and, when illuminated, radiate light from the protective holder (22) to identify the illuminative cap (10).

Description

AN ACCESSORY FOR AN ELECTRIC TORCH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to an accessory for an electric torch, and more specifically to an illuminative cap which is interchangeable with an end cap on an electric torch.

Electric torches are used by policemen, firemen and other emergency personnel for a variety of reasons. For example, electric torches often are used by emergency personnel for conventional illumination, as well as for providing an emergency beacon allowing them to be seen and/or identified. One type of electric torch used widely by emergency personnel is a tubular multi-cell electric torch sold under the name MAG-LITE™ which has an adjustable beam, is resistant to moisture and is durable. These electric torches generally have clear lenses and conventional bulbs, and hence cannot be used to distinguish between different types of emergency personnel.

Devices which are attachable to conventional torches of the kind described above for providing independently controlled coloured flashing light are known. These devices allow different emergency personnel to use different colours widely identified with such personnel. For example, policemen may use the colour blue for identification, firemen and emergency medical personnel may use the colour red for identification, and other emergency personnel, such as tow truck operators, may use the colour amber for identification. The known devices attachable to electric torches generally include a connector in the form of a male thread which is threadably engageable with a female thread at one end of the electric torch, a coloured lens, a lamp or bulb typically in the form of a strobe light which is controlled by a flasher circuit, and an electrical connector for drawing power from the batteries of the electric torch.

A disadvantage of devices of the type described above is that they are not very robust and tend to have a relatively low resistance to impacts. Accordingly, if the device is accidentally dropped or knocked against a hard object, this can cause the lens and/or the bulb to break. Furthermore, these devices rely on the batteries of the electric torch for power, and generally cannot be used independently of the electric torch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminative cap which is relatively strong and durable, and which has a relatively high resistance to impacts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an illuminative cap with an independent power supply so that the illuminative cap can be used with an electric torch or independently of the torch. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an accessory for an electric torch, the accessory comprising an illuminative cap which is attachable to an end of an electric torch so as to be interchangeable with an end cap on the torch, the illuminative cap including: a connector for connecting the illuminative cap to the end of the electric torch; a protective holder formed from a transparent or translucent material; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) embedded within the protective holder so that the LEDs are protected by the holder and, when illuminated, radiate light from the protective holder to identify the illuminative cap.

Preferably, the illuminative cap includes a plurality of primary LEDs which are fully embedded within the protective holder for illuminating the protective holder, and a plurality of secondary LEDs which are arranged to emit channelled light from pockets within the protective holder. For example, the illuminative cap may include three primary LEDs within an annular protective holder, and three secondary LEDs arranged to emit light from pockets defined in an upper surface of the protective holder.

The protective holder may be formed from an impact resistant epoxy resin, which may include colour tints.

The LEDs may be electrically connected to a power source via a printed circuit board and a switch. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the illuminative cap is arranged to effect illumination of the LEDs in more than one mode. For example, the LEDs may be arranged to illuminate in one or more flashing modes.

In one arrangement, the illuminative cap includes a battery cell housing for holding lithium cells within the connector.

The connector may be formed from an electrically conductive material such as aluminium, and may form part of an electrical circuit.

Conveniently, the connector may include a screw thread which is threadably engageable with a complementary screw thread in the end of the electric torch.

In one arrangement, at least a portion of the battery cell housing is formed from aluminium, typically a high grade aluminium, and includes a detachable, aluminium end cap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an accessory for an electric torch according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the accessory of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the accessory according to the invention; and

Figure 4 shows a side view of an electric torch incorporating the accessory of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings illustrate an accessory for an electric torch according to one embodiment of the present invention. The accessory comprises an illuminative cap 10 which is attachable to the end of an electric torch 12 so as to be interchangeable with an end cap (not shown) on the torch.

With particular reference to Figure 4 of the drawings, the electric torch 12 may be a multi-cell tubular torch such as an electric torch sold under the name MAG-LITE™. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the electric torch 12 is conventional in nature and need not be described in detail for a full understanding of the invention. Generally though, the torch 12 includes a tubular barrel 14 for holding a number of batteries (not visible) placed end to end in electrical series, and a push-button switch 16 for selectively connecting a positive terminal of the batteries to a bulb (also not visible). An end cap (not shown) is threadably engageable with a female thread in a tail end 18 of the barrel 14. The end cap includes a coil spring (not shown) for contacting a negative terminal of the batteries and biasing the batteries into secure contact with a positive terminal of the electric torch 12. With reference also to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the illuminative cap 10 includes a connector 20 for connecting the cap to the tail end 18 of the electric torch 12, a protective holder 22 which is formed from a transparent or translucent material, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 24A and 24B embedded within the protective holder 22 in a manner which is described in more detail below.

As representatively illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the connector 20 may carry a male thread 26 for threadably engaging the female thread in the tail end 18 of the electric torch 12, and a knurled portion 28 for facilitating screw thread attachment or detachment of the illuminative cap 10 and the tubular barrel 14 of the torch. The connector 20 may also include an elastomeric O-ring 30 for forming a seal against the tubular barrel 14 when the illuminative cap 10 is attached to the electric torch 12. In Figure 3 of the drawings the connector 20 is seen to define a partially threaded bore 32 for receiving a battery cell housing which is designated generally with the reference numeral 34. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the connector 20 is formed form an electrically conductive material such as, for example, a high grade aluminium, which may be anodised.

The battery cell housing 34 may include a cap 36 with a male thread 38 which is threadably engageable with the threaded portion of the bore 32, as shown. The cap 36 may define an elongate slot 40 for facilitating the screw thread attachment or detachment of this cap and the connector 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 36 is formed form an electrically conductive material such as, for example, aluminium, and is sized to receive four Cr 2032 lithium cells 42. The battery cell housing 34 also includes an electrically conductive collar 44 which carries an internal and external thread, as shown, and an insulator in the form of a threaded sleeve 46 for insulating the collar 44 from the cap 36 and the connector 20. The insulator 46 may be formed from a plasties material such as a polyvinyl chloride.

The protective holder 22 may be formed from an impact resistant epoxy resin which may be essentially transparent or may include one or more colour tints so as to be translucent. The protective holder 22 is bonded to the connector 20 in a cold moulding process in which the epoxy resin encapsulates or surrounds the LEDs 24A and 24B as well as a printed circuit board (PCB) which is designated with the reference numeral 48. In this way, the protective holder 22 serves to hold and protect the LEDs on the illuminative cap 10.

The LEDs 24A may comprise three high intensity LEDs which are encapsulated within the epoxy resin of the protective holder 22, and the LEDs 24B may comprise three high intensity LEDs which locate in pockets 50 defined in the holder 22, as shown. In this way, when the LEDs are illuminated, they emit light into the holder 22, illuminating the holder and causing it to glow. The glowing protective holder 22 can then be used generally to identify the illuminative cap 10. At the same time, the LEDs 24B emit light which is channelled out of the pockets 50 in the direction of the arrows A in Figure 3 as higher intensity light which is visible across a relatively small viewing angle, typically in the range of about 15° to about 30°. The higher intensity light may be useful for directing or signalling. For example, the higher intensity light may be used to direct traffic at a road block or at the site of an emergency such as an accident or a fire.

The LEDs 24A and 24B are electrically connected to the lithium cells 42 via the PCB 48, the collar 44 of the battery housing 34, a switch 52 and an electrically conductive spring member 54. The switch 52 may be a push- button, mechanical switch which, when closed, completes an electrical circuit for illuminating the LEDs. In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 52 includes a watertight cover 56, and carries male screw threads 58 which are threadably engageable with the screw threads of the collar 44. The screw threads 58 allow the switch 52 to be easily replaced if damaged.

When the switch 52 is closed, current flows from the lithium cells 42 to the LEDs via the spring member 54, the collar 44, the PCB 48, and the switch 52, and then returns to the lithium cells 42 via the PCB 48, the connector 20 and the cap 36.

A microchip (not illustrated) on the PCB 48 is programmed with software that controls the operation of the LEDs so that the LEDs may operate in more than one mode, for example in two or more flashing modes. The software programmed on the microchip may be conventional in nature and need not be described in detail for a full understanding of the invention.

A coil spring 60 is provided (see Figures 1 to 3) for allowing the illuminative cap 10 to be connected to the electric torch 12 in the same manner in which the electric torch end cap is connected to the torch.

In practice, the illuminative cap 10 may be connected to the electric torch 12 by removing the end cap of the torch, inserting the coil spring 60 into the open tubular barrel 14 of the torch, and screwing the illuminative cap onto the end of the torch by engaging the male screw thread 26 on the cap 10 with the female thread in the tail end 18 of the torch. With the illuminative cap 10 connected to the electric torch 12, the switch 52 may be used to close an electrical circuit in the illuminative cap and illuminate the LEDs 24A and 24B. The glowing protective cover 22 may then be used as an identifier, beacon, or the like, or the higher intensity light emitted from the pockets 50 of the protective cover 22 may be used for signalling or for directing.

If desired, the switch 52 may be depressed to change the mode of operation of the LEDs, for example from a non-flashing mode to a flashing mode, or from one flashing mode to another.

It will be appreciated that the illuminative cap 10 may be used in various different applications. For example, policemen or traffic control officers may use the illuminative cap at a road block or the like either as a beacon or identifier, in which case the cap 10 may be left stationary, or as a means for directing people or vehicles, in which case the cap 10 may be moved back and forth using the higher intensity light emitted from the pockets 50 of the protective cover 22. Other applications include use as a beacon or identifier at a site of an accident or other emergency situation, or more generally as an identifier, for example by hikers and the like. The higher intensity directional light from the pockets 50 of the protective cover 22 may also be used for signalling in various applications.

The illuminative cap 10 may also be connectable to a magnetic unit (not illustrated) having magnetic properties which allow it to be attached to metallic objects. In this application, the magnetic unit may include a female thread which is engageable with the male thread 26 on the cap 10, and a magnet for attaching the illuminative cap to metallic objects. Accordingly, instead of being attached to the electric torch 12, the illuminative cap 10 may be magnetically attached to a motor vehicle or the like.

Alternatively, or in addition, the illuminative cap 10 may be connectable to an extended battery system (not illustrated). The extended battery system may include a female thread which is engageable with the male thread 26 on the illuminative cap 10, and an additional power supply for extended use applications.

One advantage of the illuminative cap of the invention is that the lower intensity glow in the protective cover 22 can be used generally for identification purposes, while the higher intensity channelled light from the pockets 50 of the protective cover 22 can be used for directing or signalling. Also, the illuminative cap of the invention includes its own independent power supply in the form of the lithium cells 42 and hence can be used independently from an electric torch. Furthermore, the cap 10 may be tinted in different colours for different purposes, or the LEDs may be different colours. It will also be understood that since the LEDs 24A and 24B are embedded in or surrounded by an impact resistant epoxy resin protective holder 22, the illuminative cap 10 is water resistant, relatively strong and durable, and has a relatively high resistance to impacts. In addition, the LEDs 24A and 24B have a relatively long life, typically around 200 000 hours. A further advantage of the illuminative cap 10 is that the switch 52 is replaceable if damaged. Finally, it will be appreciated that the illuminative cap 10 is relatively compact.

Claims

1. An accessory for an electric torch, the accessory comprising an illuminative cap which is attachable to an end of an electric torch so as to be interchangeable with an end cap on the torch, the illuminative cap including: a connector for connecting the illuminative cap to the end of the electric torch; a protective holder formed from a transparent or translucent material; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) embedded within the protective holder so that the LEDs are protected by the holder and, when illuminated, radiate light from the protective holder to identify the illuminative cap.

2. An accessory according to claim 1 , wherein the illuminative cap includes a plurality of primary LEDs which are fully embedded within the protective holder for illuminating the protective holder, and a plurality of secondary LEDs which are arranged to emit channelled light from pockets within the protective holder.

3. An accessory according to claim 2, wherein the illuminative cap includes three primary LEDs within an annular protective holder, and three secondary LEDs arranged to emit light from pockets defined in an upper surface of the protective holder.

4. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective holder is formed from an impact resistant epoxy resin.

5. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protective holder includes colour tints.

6. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the LEDs are electrically connected to a power source via a printed circuit board and a switch.

7. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illuminative cap is arranged to effect illumination of the LEDs in more than one mode.

8. An accessory according to claim 7, wherein the LEDs are arranged to illuminate in one or more flashing modes.

9. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the illuminative cap includes a battery cell housing for holding lithium cells within the connector.

10. An accessory according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the battery cell housing is formed from aluminium and includes a detachable, aluminium end cap.

11. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is formed from an electrically conductive material and forms part of an electrical circuit.

12. An accessory according to claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a screw thread which is threadably engageable with a complementary screw thread in the end of the electric torch.