Patent · US Expired

Miniature flashlight

US6523973B2 · kind B2 · utility

83Cited by
36References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 2001
Grant dateFeb 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 24, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF21Y2115/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A miniature flashlight consists of a housing, a light emitting diode (LED), a pair of batteries, and a flexible cover and a contact clip that acts as a switch. The LED has a head portion and two contact arms. One of the contact arms is shorter than the other and is displaced at a slight angle relative to the longer contact arm. The LED is received in a seat formed in the housing with the head portion of the diode received in an aperture in the side wall of the housing. The longer contact arm is captured in a channel formed in the bottom wall. The shorter contact arm rests on a shoulder that forms part of the LED seat. A pair of coin cell batteries are received within another seat formed in housing. The lower battery sits on top of the longer contact arm captured in the channel of the bottom wall. A resilient plastic cover is assembled with the housing to maintain the diode and the batteries within the housing. The first end of the contact clip is frictionally engaged in the walls of the seat within the housing and engages the second contact of the diode, while the opposing second end is disposed in spaced relation over the upper surface contact of the upper battery. The cover is se…

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