Patent · US Expired

Rotating head switch mechanism for flashlight

US4581686A · kind A · utility

69Cited by
5References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 1984
Grant dateApr 8, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21V23/0428
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flashlight assembly having a rotatable head which acts as a switch mechanism for turning the light on or off. The flashlight has an elongated metal housing, and the rotatable head is also made of metal. A spacer member made of an electrical insulating material is securely attached to the head member. The spacer member threadedly engages threads formed on the housing. Thus, there is normally no electrical continuity between the metal head member and the metal housing. However, when the head member is rotated in a tightening direction, a flat annular face on the head member comes into mating engagement with a similar face on the housing, thus establishing electrical continuity between those two members and completing the internal electrical circuit of the flashlight.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.