HK1161631A - Multifunction flashlight - Google Patents

Description

Multifunctional electric torch

Background and summary of the invention

Law enforcement personnel typically carry flashlights while on duty. Such flashlights are commonly referred to as "duty lights". While these conventional flashlights work well, in some cases it may be desirable to combine the traditional lighting and illumination functions provided by conventional duty lights with other functions.

In accordance with the present disclosure, digital camera or photography functionality as well as audio or recording functionality may be combined with conventional duty light functionality within a compact and durable flashlight body.

By using a astigmatic lens cover that can be selectively mounted on the lens of the flashlight, high quality photographic records can be obtained. The astigmatic lens can be conveniently stored in a compartment formed in part by a removable end cap on the flashlight body.

To protect the recording microphone from impacts, loud noises and water, the microphone is conveniently mounted under a soft, resilient watertight light switch cover for operating the lighting function of the flashlight and the recording function. While it may appear that such a recessed and shrouded mounting may have a detrimental effect on the recording effect, it has been found that this is not the case. In fact, the microphone is mounted under the light switch cover and under the switch that is activated by pressing the switch cover, still achieving a high quality recording.

To further protect the recording microphone from damage caused by strong noise, such as gunshot and explosion sounds, the microphone may be covered, wrapped or overmolded within a protective sound attenuating covering, such as a foam material, flocked material, spongy material, cotton batting material or, preferably, open-cell foam material.

A polarizer cover is provided to reduce glare from reflected sunlight. For example, when recording in the sun a shiny object such as a thin sheet of driver's license or car windows, a polarizer mounted above the video recorder lens will improve the quality of the recorded image by reducing glare reflected from the driver's license or windows. Similar improvements can be achieved at night by reducing glare from bright lights such as high intensity flashlights and headlights.

In one embodiment, the on-off switch that operates the video recorder is connected to a timing circuit that provides a timing delay between the time the switch is turned on and the time the recorder responds. That is, once the operator depresses or turns on the video recorder's on-off switch, the switch must be held depressed for a predetermined period of time, such as half a second, one second, or two seconds, before the video recorder turns on or off. This can prevent the video recorder from being accidentally or unintentionally activated or deactivated, such as by momentarily depressing the video recorder's on-off switch when the flashlight is dropped or bumped.

Once the recorder is activated and begins recording, a blinking light may be illuminated through the translucent switch cover to alert the operator that the flashlight is recording video images. When the video recorder is switched off, the blinking light is also switched off.

The switch cover may include two different surface portions to provide two different tactile sensations to the operator's finger. For example, a smooth resilient surface portion may be located above the on-off switch of a video recorder, while a textured resilient surface portion may be located above the on-off switch of a flashlight. The perception of the different parts provides a hint to the operator that the operator is activating the desired function, i.e. the lighting or video or optional audio recording function. Alternatively, a different third textured portion may be provided on a portion of the switch cover above the recording switch. Pressing the desired portion of the switch surface activates or deactivates the video recorder and flashlight and/or optional audio recorder.

Drawings

In the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a multi-function duty light constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the right side view showing an alternative embodiment;

FIGS. 10-13 are partial views similar to the other embodiments of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a partial view of a microphone encapsulated in a shock absorbing material; and

fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a switching device including a time delay circuit.

The same reference numbers will be used throughout the different views of the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Detailed Description

As seen in fig. 1-8, the multi-function flashlight 10 is constructed in three parts, namely, a front tubular body portion 12, a rear tubular body portion 14, and a rear end cap 16. The front and rear body portions 12, 14 and the rear end cap 16 may be made of any durable material, such as a metal or plastic material, with an aluminum alloy well suited for this application.

The front body portion 12 and the rear body portion 14 may be removably interconnected by a threaded connection at interface 15, while the end cap 16 may be removably interconnected with the rear body portion 14 by a threaded connection at interface 17. A cylindrical front crown (front crown)18 surrounds a circular rim or baffle (bezel)22, said rim or baffle 22 surrounding a lens through which light from the multi-function flashlight is projected.

A circular diffuser cap 24 is removably mounted on the bezel 22 by a simple friction fit. The light diffusing cover 24 is formed with a smooth inner surface and a textured or rounded grained outer surface for diffusing light emitted from the multi-function flashlight 10. The light diffusing cover 24 may be made of clear plastic that is clear or colored. The red diffuser cover can be used by pilots for night flight lighting, the blue diffuser cover can be used by investigators for locating blood traces, and the green diffuser cover can be used for reading terrain maps in the dark. The non-tinted diffuser cap may be used to eliminate any high intensity light or "hot spots" of light so that the light beam emitted through the non-tinted diffuser cap has a substantially uniform intensity, without dark and/or bright spots. In addition to or instead of the light dispersing cover 24, a polarizing cover 25 (fig. 8) may be press fit over the front crown 18 to reduce glare when recording video images.

As can also be seen, a resilient thin-walled resilient or rubber switch cover 30 is mounted on the front body portion 12. Two push button on-off switches 32, 34 are mounted within the hollow front body portion 12 directly beneath the switch cover 30, as shown schematically in fig. 5. In this embodiment, the front switch 32 simultaneously turns on and off the audio recorder 52 and the video recorder 54.

As discussed below, the switch 32 can be adjusted to turn on only the video recorder 54. As shown schematically in FIG. 5, the digital audio recorder 52 and the digital video recorder 54 are of known design and are mounted within the front body portion 12. The rear switch 34 simply turns the flashlight on and off. However, the switch 34 may be connected to a logic chip or switching circuit 55 (FIG. 15) within the front body portion 12 to select the high brightness light mode, the low brightness light mode, the high brightness strobe light mode, and the OFF mode. Selection of any particular mode of operation may be accomplished by repeatedly and continuously depressing and releasing the switch cover 30 and the push button switch 34 until the desired mode of operation is achieved by sequentially pulsing up and down or toggling the push button switch 34.

In some applications, it may be desirable to record only video or only audio. In such a case, the third push button switch 36 (FIG. 5) may be connected to the recorder 52 to independently turn the recorder on and off, while the front switch 32 may be connected to the recorder 54 to independently turn the recorder on and off. A small video lens 38 (fig. 1 and 6) is shown mounted behind the front mounting plate 39 in a known manner.

In another embodiment, an audio switch 36 (fig. 5 and 15) is mounted on the inner wall 35 of the front body portion 12 remote from the switch cover 30. The wall 35 carries one or more electrical connectors 37 for downloading audio or video recordings from the recorder 52 and recorder 54 to a computer hard drive, diskette, flash drive or other electronic storage device. The switch 36 and connector 37 are accessible by unscrewing the front body section 12 from the rear body section 14. Another switch configuration is shown in fig. 15, which will be discussed further below.

It can also be seen from fig. 5 that an audio microphone 40 is mounted within the front body portion 12 directly below the switch cover 30 and directly below the switches 32, 34. In this arrangement, the microphone 40 is securely sealed and protected within the water-tight (water-light) interior of the front body portion 12, rather than being mounted on the exterior of the multi-function flashlight 10 exposing its elements. The switch cover 30 is mounted to the front body portion 12 in a watertight fit to prevent water from entering the interior of the front body portion and damaging the microphone, the audio recorder 52, the video recorder 54, and the electronic circuitry housed within the front body portion.

Since the elastic material of the switch cover 30 is thin (about 1mm or less), sound can easily pass through the switch cover 30 with little sound absorption and decibel loss. Surprisingly, although the microphone 40 is mounted in a water-tight enclosure enclosed within the front body portion 12, it is capable of recording clear and unambiguous audio input.

As can be seen in fig. 8, the end cap 16 and rear body portion 14 are formed with mating threads 44, 46. The storage compartment 50 is formed as a recessed cylindrical receptacle in the open rear end of the rear body portion 14 for receiving and storing one or more light diffusing covers 24 and/or small polarizers of the type described above. This provides a convenient storage container for the light diffusing cover 24 and optionally the polarizer 25 and reduces the risk of losing the light diffusing cover and polarizer.

Another embodiment is shown in fig. 9, in which audio microphone 40 is mounted within flashlight 10 above a support or cradle 60 mounted therein. The microphone 40 is placed near or directly above a slit, port or opening 64 formed through an outer or outer wall 66 of the precursor portion 12. Alternatively, the microphone 40 and port or opening 64 may be located on the rear body portion 14. Wires 68 connect the microphone 40 to the recorder 52.

A sliding or pivoting cover 70 is mounted over the port or opening 64 for protecting the microphone from the environment when the recorder 52 is not in use. To achieve a highly accurate recording, the user may simply push or slide the cover 70 away from the opening 74 to directly expose the opening 64 and the microphone 40 to the ambient environment to allow for improved audio communication and sensitivity between the microphone 40 and the ambient environment.

As shown in fig. 9, the shroud 70 may slide rearward within the slide from a forward position shown in solid lines, where the shroud closes the opening 64, to a rearward position shown in phantom, allowing the microphone 40 to more freely communicate with the surrounding environment. Alternatively, the cover may simply pivot about a pivot pin to expose and close the opening 64.

A resilient gasket 72 may be located on the cover 70 or on the tubular wall 66 around the periphery of the opening 64. Gasket 72 provides a secure seal around opening 64 to prevent or reduce water or other liquids from entering the interior of flashlight 10 when cover 70 is closed. Gasket 72 may be formed between cover 70 and wall 66 by a press fit to provide a waterproof and vacuum seal with respect to the surrounding environment.

To provide additional protection for the microphone 40 as well as the recorder 52, video recorder 54 and other internal electronics, a porous or semi-porous membrane 80 may be mounted over the opening 64. The membrane 80 may be a fabric material that has little or no sound dampening or absorbing effect on the quality of the recorded sound. One particularly effective membrane material is the type of fabric sold under the brand GORTEX. An open cell foam or sponge material may also be used for the membrane 80. The membrane 80 also blocks liquids and contaminants from entering the interior of the flashlight 10 without affecting microphone recording sensitivity and performance. The membrane 80 may also provide some protection for the microphone against high noise.

Another embodiment is shown in fig. 10, in which a port or opening 64 is formed as a threaded hole 64 within a wall 66. An axial slot screw 90, such as a quarter-turn "DRUZE" screw, is threaded into the threaded bore 64. An O-ring seal 72 is mounted on the flashlight wall 66 or on the inside or under the screw head 92. A deep axial slot 96 is formed diagonally along the axis of the screw 90. When screw 90 is tightened against wall 66, O-ring 72 is compressed to form a water-tight seal. When the screw 90 is opened by being turned out one quarter of a turn, the slot 90 provides open communication between the ambient environment and the interior of the flashlight along the slot 96 to provide a high quality audio signal to the microphone 40.

Another embodiment is shown in fig. 11, in which the switch cover 30 is movably mounted over the opening 64. The switch cover can be slid axially from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dashed lines. As the switch cover 30 is moved forward along the wall 66 of the flashlight 10, the opening 64 is exposed to allow the microphone 40 located near the opening 64 for better audio input, better audio sensitivity and sound reception.

To simplify operation of the video recorder 54, the switch housing 30 may be provided with an actuator (activator), such as a finger 98, to open the video recorder 54 by engaging the push button switch 32 when the switch housing 30 is moved to the forward or open position.

In fig. 12, another embodiment is shown, wherein a rubber or elastic plug (plug)100 is formed on a rubber or elastic strip 102, one end 104 of which strip 102 is fixed to the wall 66 of the flashlight, and the opposite free end 106 thereof is used as a pull strip for pulling the plug 100 out of the opening 64. In this way, the opening 64 may be opened by removing the plug 100 from the opening 64, and the opening 64 may be closed by inserting the plug 100 into the opening 64. A similar opening and plug configuration may be provided on another portion of the front body portion 12 to allow access to and external electrical connection with the battery charging circuit for charging one or more rechargeable batteries housed within the rear body portion 14.

Another embodiment is disclosed in fig. 13, in which no port or opening 64 is formed in the wall 66 near the microphone 40. This embodiment is particularly suitable for police and military applications where high noise, such as gunshot and explosive sounds, can damage or destroy sensitive microphones. By completely enclosing and sealing the microphone 40 within the wall 66 of the flashlight 10, shock waves generated by high noise can be absorbed and attenuated by the wall 66, but accurately recorded without causing damage to the microphone.

In any of the embodiments described above, similar protection against shock and high noise may be provided to the microphone 40 by covering a portion or all of the microphone 40 with sound or shock attenuating material. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, the microphone 40 may be encapsulated or coated with an impact absorbing material 108, such as a plastic or rubber open cell foam material, a flocked material, or a batting material, among others.

In some cases, it is desirable to provide protection from inadvertent or accidental activation or deactivation of the audio or video recording function. For example, in stressful and dangerous situations, an operator may inadvertently squeeze flashlight 10 momentarily resulting in turning on or off the audio and/or video recording functions. Alternatively, the switches 32, 36 may be inadvertently activated by a bump or drop. One solution to this problem is shown in fig. 15, where a timer or time delay and switch circuit or "chip" 110 receives an on or off signal from the video or audio/video only switch 32, and/or the audio only switch 36.

The delay and switching circuit 110 activates or deactivates the corresponding audio and/or video function after a predetermined short delay of at least half a second up to one or two seconds. In this way, accidental impact of the switch cover 30 with brief pressure on the switch will not affect the audio or video function. However, depressing switches 32 and/or 36 for half a second (or more) will change the current operating mode of the audio and/or video function from on to off or from off to on.

As further shown in fig. 15, the switch cover 30 is provided with two or more differently textured surfaces 118, 120. In one embodiment, the front of the switch cover 30 may be formed with a substantially smooth surface 118 and the rear may be formed with a substantially rough surface 120. This allows the operator to easily find the desired audio, video or flashlight illumination function without having to look at the flashlight or when in low or dark environments.

If only two switches are provided under the switch cover, only two different textures are required, such as a smooth surface and a rough surface with, for example, ribs 124 and grooves 126. In those cases where the audio switch 36 is provided below the switch cover 30, a differently textured third surface 130 may be provided. This surface may for example be an undulating or variegated surface.

The foregoing has disclosed the preferred embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. It will be understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A flashlight, comprising:

a video recorder;

a switch for turning the video recorder on and off; and

a timing circuit electrically connected to the switch for delaying activation of the video recorder.

2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the timing circuit is used to delay shutdown of the video recorder.

3. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the switch must remain in the open position for at least 0.5 seconds before the video recorder begins recording.

4. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the switch must remain in the off position for at least 0.5 seconds before the recorder stops recording.

5. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the flashlight further comprises an outer wall, and further comprising a microphone mounted and enclosed within the outer wall of the flashlight, and the microphone is connected to a sound recorder mounted within the flashlight.

6. A flashlight, comprising:

an outer wall;

a sound recorder integral with the flashlight and disposed within the outer wall; and

a microphone mounted within the flashlight and enclosed within the outer wall for transmitting audio signals to the recorder.

7. The flashlight of claim 6, further comprising a shock absorbing material disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the microphone.

8. The flashlight of claim 6, wherein the flashlight includes a hollow body portion and an opening formed in the hollow body portion adjacent to the microphone and in communication with an environment external to the hollow body portion.

9. A flashlight of claim 8, further comprising a membrane disposed between the opening and the microphone to protect the microphone.

10. The flashlight of claim 8, further comprising a removable cover for selectively covering the opening.

11. A flashlight, comprising:

a light source;

a first on-off switch electrically connected to the light source;

a video recorder;

a second on-off switch electrically connected to the video recorder; and

a switch cover disposed adjacent to the first switch and the second switch, the switch cover having a first textured portion adjacent to the first switch and a second textured portion having a different texture than the first textured portion and disposed adjacent to the second switch.

12. A flashlight of claim 11, wherein said switch cover includes a resilient switch cover, said flashlight further comprising a microphone disposed within said flashlight adjacent said switch cover.

13. A flashlight of claim 12, wherein the first textured portion is substantially smooth and the second textured portion is substantially rough.

14. The flashlight of claim 11, further comprising a storage compartment formed within the flashlight and a plurality of astigmatic lenses stored within the storage compartment.

15. The flashlight of claim 11, further comprising a polarizer mounted on the flashlight.