JPH1196802A - Flashlight having low magnetic susceptibility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flashlight as a useful device in the vicinity of a magnetic resonance scanner. SOLUTION: A flashlight comprises a handle means 12, a lamp means 194, a sleeve means surrounding at least one part of the handle means and related to the handle means so as to be rotatable, and a battery 32 contained in the handle means so as to supply electrical energy to the lamp means. The first end portion of the battery 32 contains first continuous terminal, and a second terminal which brings the lamp means into a non-energized state when the sleeve means surrounding the first continuous terminal is arranged furthest from the battery and is at first at a non-rotatable position. When the sleeve means is turned against the handle means, the lamp means is moved in the handle means so as to be brought into electrical contact with the second terminal and an electrical route bringing the lamp means in an energized state is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates generally to portable medical devices. In particular, the present invention relates to flashlights, and more particularly, to flashlights made from materials having relatively low magnetic susceptibility. This provides the flashlight of the present invention as a useful device near a magnetic resonance scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are many portable medical devices, such as flashlights, which are made of metallic materials that cannot be used in the presence of a strong magnetic field of a magnetic resonance scanner. For example, Downey U.S. Pat.
67,646; Stevens, 1,877,077.
No. 2,459,702 of Hipwell et al., Grimsley
No. 2,651,763, Toth No. 3,890,
No. 498, No. 4,203,150 of Shamlian, Bree
No. 4,237,527 of dlove, No. 4,286,311 of Maglica, No. 5,593,2 of Maglica
No. 22, and No. 5,601,359 of Sharrah et al.

[0003] US Patent No. 4,607,623 to Bauman discloses that a thin copper layer is first formed on the ABS by electroless plating, and then a new copper layer is electroplated to a thickness of about 0.5 to 0.5 mm.
A portable laryngoscope made from a non-ferrous material such as ABS is described, which is provided with an electrically conductive portion by forming a 2 mm conductive layer. Next, a thin layer of aluminum is formed on the portion of the copper coating that is intended to reflect. A battery for powering the device is not described, but a nickel / cadmium type battery can usually be used. Nickel / cadmium type batteries are not useful in the flashlight of the present invention because they are considered to be relatively nonmagnetic.

No. 310,004 to Weston, Ca
No. 485,089 of rhart, No. 2,28 of Murphy
No. 2,979, Zaromb No. 3,352,715, Ru
No. 3,673,000 of etschi and No. 4,318,967 of Ruetschi describe diamagnetic materials (a
nti-magnetic materials or non-magne
tic materials). In addition, Kaye U.S. Pat. No. 2,864,880, and Dassow et al.
2,807, 4,053,687 of Coiboin et al.
No., Catanzarite No. 4,264,688, Guitin
o No. 4,595,641; Baughman et al.
104,752, Sunshine No. 5,149,598
No. 5,173,371 of Huhndorff et al., Kasako
No. 5,194,340 of Klein and No. 5,41 of Klein
No. 8,087 and Spellman No. 5,443,92
No. 4 relates to a battery with means for ensuring proper battery polarity. However, none of the batteries described in these patents are useful as a power source for the portable medical device of the present invention because they include at least a plurality of components that can be magnetized, and are not sufficient to expand the use. It has no energy density and does not have a terminal structure similar to the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,926 to Heitman et al. Describes an illuminator for an MRI scanner.

[0005]

There is a need for a flashlight made exclusively of metal to withstand the harsh use conditions that surgical devices sometimes experience. To this end, most of the flashlights of the present invention are composed of metal parts. However, with the increasing use of magnetic resonance scanning to assist healthcare professionals before and after clinical and surgical procedures, the metal parts need to be made of materials with the lowest possible magnetic susceptibility.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The flashlight of the present invention is made of a material such as a metal part having a very low magnetic susceptibility. Non-metallic parts are thermoplastic materials,
For example, it is preferably formed of an acetal compound such as DELRIN. Batteries that supply power to flashlight lamps are also made of materials with low magnetic susceptibility. Lithium batteries are preferred, and all components such as the case, terminal leads, current collectors and current collector leads, typically made of nickel, are also made of non-magnetic austenitic stainless steel in the present invention. ing. In addition, the battery has a special terminal structure for the laryngoscope that avoids accidental use of another battery, including non-magnetic batteries.

[0007] The invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

[0008]

1 to 8 show a flashlight 10 having a low magnetic susceptibility characteristic according to the present invention. The flashlight 10 comprises a handle 12 and a head 14, which requires a lamp operating means 16. The flashlight is turned on / off by making it rotatable with respect to the head in accordance with the condition. This device is used to irradiate an object, for example, in a healthcare environment, particularly near a strong magnetic field of a magnetic resonance unit (not shown).

As can be seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the handle 12 is a cylindrical tube comprising a central portion 18 which, via a step 20, has internal threads 24.
And a central portion 18
Continues to a distal end portion 28 through a chamfer 26. The handle 12 is provided with a net-like raised portion 30 (FIG. 1) on the outer surface thereof to make it easier to grasp the flashlight 10. Handle 12 is preferably made of chrome plated brass.

A battery 32 (FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) is housed in the central portion 18 of the handle and provides power to the lamp means as an assembly 34 which will be described in detail below. According to the present invention, the battery 32 has a special terminal structure and is made of a material having a relatively low magnetic susceptibility. Battery 32 is preferably an alkali metal battery, more preferably an alkali metal / liquid cathode battery. More preferably lithium /
A thionyl chloride-bromide chloride (Li / BCX) couple is utilized. The battery case near the distal end portion 28 of the handle is insulated according to conventional methods to prevent electrical contact.

[0011] As shown in FIGS.
The opposite end of 2 is a negative contact ring 3 permanently connected to the battery case providing one terminal of the battery.
6. The central positive terminal 38 is recessed and insulates the periphery to prevent accidental short circuits.
Non-magnetic fuse 42 prevents accidental runaway of the electrochemical reaction, while a thermoplastic insulating plate 44 is supported on the step of insulator 40 to protect positive terminal 38 and fuse 42. ing. The plate 44 has an opening 4 in the center.
6 are provided so that the positive terminal 38 can be accessed. Battery 3 having relatively low magnetic susceptibility
To provide 2, all external and internal electrical components, such as case terminals, terminals 36, 38, current collectors, and contact leads, are made of stainless steel.

This special terminal structure is a flashlight 1
This prevents accidental loading or discharging of the battery into the handle 12 that is not intended for use at zero. Such accidental use of the battery adversely affects the low susceptibility characteristics of the flashlight.

The battery 32 is secured within the handle 12 by a cap spring 48, preferably made of beryllium copper plated with silver, which has an end cap 50 that is accurately mated to the distal end portion 28 of the handle, and It is interposed between the battery and extends to the central portion 18 of the handle. The end cap 50 is made of a non-magnetized material such as a thermoplastic acetal material, and has a large head 52 that abuts on the distal end of the handle 12. A groove 54 formed between the cap head 52 and the annular protrusion 56 of the cap receives an O-ring 58 made of a flexible elastic material and seals the cap 50 within the distal portion 28 of the handle 12. doing.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the battery securing assembly is threadedly engaged with the handle connection portion 22 and includes a battery fastener 60, preferably made of an acetal thermoplastic material. The fixture is threadedly engaged with handle 12 to hold battery pin 62, battery spring 64, tube disc 66, and a set of spring contacts 68 therein. The battery pins 62 are preferably gold-plated brass, the battery spring 64 is preferably made of silver-plated beryllium copper, the tube disk 66 is an acetal thermoplastic material, and the spring contacts 68 are silver-plated. It is made of beryllium copper.

The battery fixture 60 includes a threaded portion 70 sized to engage the inner thread 24 of the handle connection portion 22.
have. The threaded portion 70 of the battery fixture 60 is adjacent to a cylindrical portion 72, which terminates at a distal end 76 following a chamfer 74. The battery fixture 60 is provided with a first cylindrical perforation 78 and a smaller diameter second cylindrical perforation 8 with an internal shoulder 80.
2 and continues to the end face 76. A pair of diametrically opposite openings 84 are provided through the threaded portion 70 in the thickness direction. The battery fixture 60 is
The battery pin 62 of the cylindrical body 86 provided with the annular protrusion 88 near the connection end 90 is received.

The inner thread 24 of the handle connecting portion 22 terminates in an inner shoulder 92. The shoulder 92 supports a tube disc 66 having a central opening 94. The tube disc 66 has a pair of opposed channels 9
6 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4), a channel 96 communicates between the outer edge of the disk and the diametrically opposed portion of the opening 94. The tube disk 66 supports a pair of spring contacts 68, each spring contact leg being located within one of the disk channels 96, the spring contact portion 98 being located on the opposite surface of the tube disk 66. Are located in

As shown in FIG.
Is supported on the inner shoulder 92, the spring contact 68 is clamped between the shoulder 92 and the disk 66 so that the contact portion 98 contacts the negative ring terminal 36 of the battery 32.
Contact The tube disc 66 and the spring contact 68 are secured to this portion by a battery fixture 60 threadedly engaged to the connecting portion 22 of the handle. Further, the battery fixture 60 holds the battery pin 62 between the tube fixture 66 and the tube disc 66, and
The connection end of 8 abuts the inner shoulder 80 of the battery fixture. At this time, a battery spring 64 surrounds the body 86 of the battery pin 62 and is interposed between the tube disk 66 and the opposite side of the annular projection 88. Openings 84 located on opposite sides of a pair of diameters in the battery fixture 60 are provided for receiving a tool such as a spanner wrench.
0, battery pin 62, battery spring 64,
The tube disk 66 and the spring contact 68 can be fixed at predetermined positions. Battery 32
At the same time, the battery fixture assembly is mounted in the handle 12 and fixed thereto by the cap spring 48 and the end cap 50 to form a portion of the flashlight 10 of the present invention, which is referred to as a battery pack assembly.

After the battery fixture assembly is threaded into the handle connection portion 22, the connection portion 22 receives the head 14 by screw engagement. The head 14 is made of copper-plated brass. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the head 14 of the flashlight 10 of the present invention comprises a base portion 100 having an outer thread 102 which meshes with an inner thread 24 of the handle connection portion 22 to form the head 14 It can be connected to the handle 12. An outer inwardly curved portion 104 is between the base portion 100 and the mounting portion 106, and the mounting portion 1
The annular groove 1 for receiving the elastic O-ring 110
08.

The mounting portion 110 of the head 14 has three partially overlapping races (track rings) 112. Each of these races 112 starts near the connection opening end 114 of the mounting portion 110 and runs toward the base portion 100 of the head 14, approximately one third of the circumference of the head.
It is slightly longer. That is, the connection opening end 114
Start point of the first race near the curved portion 104 of the head 14
, Overlaps with the end point of the second race 112, and the end point of the first race overlaps with the start point of the third race. The race 112 allows the mounting portion 11 of the head 14 to be mounted.
0, the cage 116 and the sleeve 118 are rotatably mounted. When the cage 116 and the sleeve 118 are rotated, they move in the axial direction of the flashlight 10 as described in detail below.

Inside the mounting portion 110 of the head 14,
A first cylindrical surface 120 is provided, the first cylindrical surface 120 continuing to a second cylindrical surface 122 via an inner step 124. Second cylindrical surface 12
2 continues to a shoulder 128 via a ramp 126 and further to a third cylindrical surface 130 in the curved portion 104 of the head. Within the base portion 100 of the head 14, a third cylindrical surface 130 continues to an outwardly extending ramp 132, and a fourth cylindrical surface 13.
4 and the second slope portion 136.

The spacer 138 is preferably constructed of an acetal thermoplastic material, and has a cylindrical outer surface 140, which is a distal chamfer 142
Followed by The cylindrical outer surface 140 and the chamfer 142 of the spacer 138 are closely received by matching the second inner cylindrical surface 122 and the ramp 126 of the head member 14. At this time, the chamfered portion 142 comes into contact with the slope portion 126.

An inner step 124 between a first cylindrical surface 120 of the head 14 and a second cylindrical surface 122 of smaller diameter is provided with a contact spring 14 thereon.
4 is supported. This contact spring 1
44 is preferably made of beryllium copper plated with silver.

The lamp holder 146 has a cylindrical outer surface 14.
8, the outer cylindrical surface 148 being received in intimate contact with the third cylindrical surface 130 just inside the inwardly curved portion 104 of the head member 14. The lamp holder 146 is preferably made of gold-plated brass.
Has a first inner cylindrical portion 150. This first
The inner cylindrical portion 150 of FIG. 4 continues to the second inner cylindrical portion 154 via an inner step 152 and further to the inner thread 158 via a step 156. The threaded portion 158 is open to open the fourth inner cylindrical portion 160
This fourth inner cylindrical portion 160 follows the outwardly flaring slope 162 and further to its connection end.

The front insulator 164 is preferably composed of an acetal thermoplastic material.
When 4 is received in the lampholder 146, its end 166 abuts the step 156 and its cylindrical outer surface 168 contacts the second cylindrical portion 154. The front insulator 164 has a cylindrical through-hole 170 having a first diameter, which opening 170 is open to an annular inlet 172 having a second diameter greater than the diameter.

The contact pin 174 has a large diameter disc 17 between the front shaft 178 and the rear shaft 180.
6, the rear shaft 180 having a contact 182. The contact pin 174 is preferably made of gold-plated brass and the front shaft 178 is sized to be received in the through hole 170 of the front insulator 164. When the front insulator 164 is received in the lampholder 146, the disk 176 of the contact pin 174 is located in the second inner cylindrical portion 154 in the lampholder 146 near the step 152. The rear insulator 184 is preferably composed of an acetal thermoplastic material, which has a cylindrical outer surface 186 which is opposite the end faces 188, 1
It continues to 90. Cylindrical through-hole 192 has surfaces 188 and 1
90 and is sized to fit the rear shaft 180 of the contact pin 174 so that the pin 174 can be inserted into the front insulator 16 within the lampholder 146.
4 and can be fixed.

The lamp 194 is threadedly engaged with the inner thread 158 of the lamp holder 146. A lamp 194 useful in the flashlight 10 of the present invention is a commercially available no. X02.88.044 type. Reflector 196 is preferably silver-plated beryllium copper and has a step 197 that serves to rest the end of contact spring 144. When this reflector 196 is mounted on the fourth inner cylindrical portion 160 in the lamp holder 146 and surrounds the lamp 194 in a reflective relationship therewith, the contact spring 144 causes the reflector 196 and the inner step of the head 14 to move. 124 while having an urging relationship. The reflector 196 is preferably constructed of gold-plated brass. A stainless steel contact spring 198 is received in the annular groove 200 in the base 202 of the reflector 196. The spring 198 places the reflector 196 in place and serves as an electrical contact between the reflector 196 and the lamp holder 146.

The sleeve 204 is preferably made of gold-plated brass.
4 has an inner cylindrical portion 206 having a first diameter, which continues via a step 210 to an inner cylindrical portion 208 having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. Second cylindrical portion 20 within sleeve 204
A portion of the outer surface near the end of 8 is a screw 212.

The cage 214 is preferably constructed of an acetal thermoplastic material.
Has a cylindrical outer surface with three equally spaced openings 218. The opening 218 is in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flashlight 10 and receives the stainless steel ball 220. When the cage 214 is placed in the sleeve 204 and placed on the step 210, and the cage 214 and the sleeve 204 are placed so as to cover the placement portion 106 of the head 14, the respective openings 218 and One ball 220 is held in the mounting portion 106 with one of the races 112. This assembly is held in this position by the sleeve 204. On the other hand, the sleeve 204
And a lens ring 224 that engages with the mounting portion 106 of the head 14 to be fixed at a predetermined position. The lens and ring are preferably constructed from an acetal thermoplastic material.

As shown in FIG. 5, the head 14 is threadably connected to the connection portion 22 of the handle, and the individual balls 220 are raced near the connection opening end 114 of the mounting portion 106 of the head 14. With sleeve 204 and cage 214 positioned at the beginning of 112, contact 195 of ramp 194 contacts forward shaft 178 of contact pin 174, and its rear shaft 180 contacts the adjacent end of battery pin 62. It contacts the part 90. However, the far end 226 opposite the battery pin 62 (FIGS. 4 and 5) is in a floating position and is not in contact with the central positive terminal 38 of the battery 32. The rotation of sleeve 204 relative to head 14 and handle 12 provides energy to lamp 194. By this movement, the sleeve 204 and the cage 214 held by the sleeve 204 move toward the handle 12. At this time, the ball 220 moves along the race 112 toward the end point of the race. This movement causes the lamp holder 14
6, the lamp 194, the reflector 196, the lens 222 and the lens ring 224 move toward the handle 12 against the biasing force of the contact spring 144, and move the contact pin 174 and the battery pin 62 against the biasing force of the battery spring 64. Pressing in the direction of the battery 32, the distal end 226 of the battery pin 62 contacts the central positive terminal 38 of the battery (shown in broken lines in FIG. 5). Negative annular contact ring 36, spring contact 68, handle 12, head 14, lamp holder 1
The electrical circuit is completed via 46, reflector spring 198, and reflector 196 that contacts the case of lamp 194. When energy is supplied to the lamp 194,
Light can travel straight through the lens 222 to illuminate an object, for example, in a screening treatment or consultation.

When the sleeve 204 is rotated in the opposite direction,
The sleeve 204 and the cage 214 move away from the handle 12. At this time, the ball 220 moves along the race 112 toward the start point of the race near the connection opening end 114 of the mounting portion 110 of the head 14. At that time, the contact spring 144 urges the lamp holder 146, the lamp 194, the reflector 196, the lens 222, and the lens ring 224 away from the handle 12. At this time, the battery spring 64 urges the battery pin 62 so as not to contact the positive terminal 38 at the center of the battery.

To demonstrate the low magnetic susceptibility characteristics of the flashlight of the present invention, Table 1 lists the magnetic susceptibility of various materials used to make the flashlight along with other materials that may be selected.

[0032]

[Table 1]

For comparison, Table 2 lists the susceptibility of various relatively high magnetic materials.

[0034]

[Table 2]

The data used to generate Tables 1 and 2 was obtained from John John of the General Electric Corporate Research and Development Center at 12309 Schenectady, New York.
Obtained from an article written as "Type 1 and Type 2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Role of Magnetic Susceptibility in Magnetic Field Compatibility" written by Schneck. The disclosure of this paper is incorporated herein by reference.

That is, the flashlight of the present invention is a useful device before and after clinical and surgical procedures.
It is useful for use in environments in close proximity to strong magnetic fields emitted by magnetization resonance scanners.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be summarized. (1) a) handle means; b) ramp means; c) sleeve means surrounding at least a portion of said handle means and in rotatable relationship with said handle means; A flashlight comprising a battery housed in said handle means for providing a suitable energy, said battery having a first end facing said lamp means and a second end. Wherein the second end and at least a portion of the battery sidewall between the ends are provided with an insulator to avoid electrical contact therewith, and the first end of the battery is One continuous terminal and surrounding the first continuous terminal, when the sleeve means is located furthest from the battery and in a first non-rotating position, the lamp means is de-energized. A second terminal, wherein the ramp means moves within the handle means to cause electrical contact with the second terminal when the sleeve means is rotated relative to the handle means. Flash light, thereby completing an electrical path for energizing said lamp means. (2) The flashlight according to (1), wherein the first continuous terminal of the battery has a ring shape at the first end of the battery. (3) The battery according to (1), wherein the second terminal of the battery is centered on a vertical axis of the battery.
The flashlight as described in. (4) The first continuous terminal of the battery comprises a ring at the first end, and the second terminal is in a retracted position toward the second end of the battery with respect to a plane of the ring. The flashlight according to the above (1), wherein (5) The flashlight according to (1), wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. (6) The flashlight according to the above (1), wherein the battery is a lithium / thionyl chloride-bromide chloride type battery. (7) cage means are disposed between said sleeve means and said handle means, said cage means surrounding a portion of said handle means with a plurality of partially overlapping races; Each of the races is formed starting from a starting point near the distal end of the sleeve means furthest from the battery and extending for a portion of the girth of the handle means to an end point closer to the battery. The method of claim 1, wherein a ball is held in each of the races by the sleeve means and the cage means to provide a rotational relationship between the sleeve means and the handle means. Flashlight. (8) When the sleeve means is rotated with respect to the handle means, the ball moves along the race from a start point of the race to an end point thereof, thereby putting the ramp into a biased state. The flashlight according to the above (7). (9) The flashlight according to (7), wherein three races are present around the handle means. (10) a) handle means; b) ramp means; c) surrounding at least a portion of said handle means and rotating relative to said handle means to move said ramp means along a longitudinal axis of said handle means. A flashlight having axially displaceable sleeve means; and d) a battery contained within said handle means for electrically energizing said lamp means, said sleeve means being furthest from said battery. At the first non-rotating position located at
The ramp means is de-energized, and when the sleeve is rotated relative to the handle means, the ramp moves within the handle means to provide an electrical connection to the battery for energizing the ramp means. Completing the pathway, the battery is an alkali metal battery housed in an austenitic stainless steel case having a magnetic susceptibility of less than or equal to about 6700 × 10 ^6, including components inside the battery, the handle means, the sleeve means and the A flashlight, wherein the lamp means is equal to or lower than the magnetic susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel. (11) The flashlight according to (10), wherein the handle is made of chrome-plated brass. (12) The flashlight according to (10), wherein the sleeve means is made of chrome-plated brass. (13) The flashlight according to (10), wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. (14) a) a case; b) an anode housed in the case; c) a cathode housed in the case operatively associated with the anode; d) the anode and A battery comprising: a first terminal connected to one of the cathodes; and e) a second terminal connected to the other of the anode and the cathode, wherein the case has first and second ends. Wherein the second end and at least a portion of the side wall of the case are provided with an insulator to prevent electrical contact therewith; The battery according to claim 1, wherein one end of said battery comprises said first terminal which is a continuous member surrounding said second terminal. (15) The first continuous terminal of the battery comprises a ring at the first end, and the second terminal is in a retracted position toward the second end of the battery with respect to the plane of the ring. The battery according to the above (14), wherein the battery is disposed. (16) The battery according to (14), wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. (17) The battery is lithium / thionyl chloride-
The battery according to the above (14), which is a bromide chloride type battery. (18) a) providing handle means; b) mounting sleeve means surrounding at least a portion of the handle means and rotatably associated with the handle means; c) Housing the ramp means within the handle; d) providing a battery within the handle to electrically energize the ramp means; e) disabling the ramp means. A non-rotating position furthest from the battery and biasing the ramp means by moving the ramp means within the handle means to cause electrical contact with the second terminal; A method of assembling a flashlight, comprising a step of rotatably disposing the sleeve means between a rotating position and a rotating position for completing an electric circuit. Has a first end facing the ramp means and a second end, at least a portion of the side wall of the battery between the second end and the end. A method comprising providing an insulator to prevent electrical contact of the battery, wherein the first end of the battery comprises a first continuous terminal surrounding a second terminal. (19) The method according to (18), wherein the battery is the first continuous terminal of the battery in which the first end is formed in a ring shape. (20) The battery according to (1), wherein the second terminal of the battery is centered on a vertical axis of the battery.
The method according to 8). (21) providing the first continuous terminal of the battery, wherein the first end comprises a ring;
Placing said terminal in a retracted position toward said second end of said battery with respect to the plane of said ring. (22) The method according to (18), wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. (23) a) providing handle means; b) mounting sleeve means surrounding at least a portion of the handle means and in rotatable relation to the handle means; c) a light source And d) providing a battery contained within the handle to supply electrical energy to the lamp means; and e) providing energy to the lamp means. Between a non-rotating state, located furthest from the battery, in an unsupplied state, and a rotating state, in which the ramp means is moved within the handle means to contact a battery that is energized to the ramp means. in, a method of assembling a flashlight comprising a step of rotating the sleeve means, having about 6700 × 10 ⁶ or less susceptibility Preparing an alkali metal battery housed in an austenitic stainless steel case; and an electric component inside the battery, the handle means, the sleeve means, and the lamp having a magnetic susceptibility equal to or less than the magnetic susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel. A method comprising the further step of providing a means. (24) The method according to the above (23), further comprising a step of preparing the handle means made of chrome-plated brass. (25) The method according to the above (23), further comprising means for mounting a sleeve made of brass plated with chrome.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a flashlight according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a head and a cage portion of the flashlight according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the flashlight shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the flashlight shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a handle and a head of the flashlight according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a handle and an end cap of the flashlight according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery of the flashlight according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the battery.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Flash light 12 Handle 14 Head 32 Battery 112 Race (track) 204 Sleeve 214 Cage

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Earl R., Holdren The Third United States, New York 13021, Auburn, State Route Thirty For 5028, Apartment 1 (72) Inventor Richard W. Mott United States, New York 14051, East Amherst, Quincy Coat 8546 (72) Inventor Charles El, Modico United States, New York 14150, Tonawanda, Prior Avenue 253 (72) Inventor Jack A, Bellstadt United States, New York 14094, Rockport, Town Line Road 6046 (72) Inventor Jeffrey Bee, Malon United States, D -York, 14094, Rockport, Briarwood Drive 47 (72) Inventor Phillip S, Oots, United States of America, 14221, New York, 14221, Williamsville, Maple Road 1121 (72) Inventor Michael F, Paiseque, United States of America, 14482, New York, Leroy, Lake Road 8055

Claims (25)

[Claims] A) handle means; b) ramp means; c) sleeve means surrounding at least a portion of said handle means and in rotatable relationship with said handle means; d) said ramp means. A flashlight comprising a battery housed in said handle means for providing electrical energy, said battery having a first end facing said lamp means and a second end. Wherein the second end and at least a portion of the battery sidewall between the ends are provided with an insulator to avoid electrical contact therewith, wherein the first end of the battery comprises: Enclosing the first continuous terminal and the first continuous terminal, wherein the sleeve means is disposed furthest from the battery and is non-energized to the ramp means when in the first non-rotating position. And a second terminal for turning the ramp means within the handle means for electrical contact with the second terminal when the sleeve means is rotated relative to the handle means. Causing the lamp means to be energized thereby completing an electrical path. 2. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the first continuous terminal of the battery has a ring shape at the first end of the battery. 3. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein the second terminal of the battery is centered on a vertical axis of the battery. 4. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the first continuous terminal of the battery comprises a ring at the first end, and the second terminal is toward the second end of the battery with respect to the plane of the ring. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the flashlight is disposed at a retracted position. 5. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. 6. The flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a lithium / thionyl chloride-bromo chloride type battery. 7. Cage means is disposed between said sleeve means and said handle means, said cage means surrounding a portion of said handle means with a plurality of partially overlapping races. Each of the races starting from a starting point near the distal end of the sleeve means furthest from the battery and forming a portion of the girth of the handle means to an end point closer to the battery. And wherein a ball is retained in each of said races by said sleeve means and said cage means to provide a rotational relationship between said sleeve means and said handle means. Flash light. 8. Rotating the sleeve means with respect to the handle means causes the ball to move along the race from the start of the race to its end, thereby biasing the ramp. The flashlight according to claim 7, characterized in that: 9. The flashlight according to claim 7, wherein there are three races around the handle means. 10. A handle means; b) a ramp means; c) surrounding at least a portion of said handle means and rotating with respect to said handle means to place said ramp means on a longitudinal axis of said handle means. A flashing means comprising: a sleeve means for axially moving along; d) a battery housed within the handle means for electrically energizing the lamp means, wherein the sleeve means is separated from the battery. In the furthest, first, non-rotating position, the ramp means is de-energized, and when the sleeve is rotated relative to the handle means, the ramp moves within the handle means. Orth having an electrical path to complete the said battery of about 6700 × 10 ⁶ or less susceptibility of the battery to be energized to the lamp unit Te An alkaline metal battery contained in a night stainless steel case, wherein the internal parts of the battery, the handle means, the sleeve means and the lamp means are equal to or lower than the magnetic susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel. Flash light. 11. The flashlight of claim 10, wherein said handle means is chrome plated brass. 12. The flashlight according to claim 10, wherein said sleeve means is made of chrome-plated brass. 13. The flashlight according to claim 10, wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. 14. a) a case; b) an anode contained within said case; c) a cathode contained within said case operatively associated with said anode; A battery comprising: a first terminal connected to one of an anode and the cathode; and e) a second terminal connected to the other of the anode and the cathode, wherein the case comprises a first and a second case. Wherein the second end and at least a portion of the side wall of the case are provided with an insulator to prevent electrical contact therewith; The battery according to claim 1, wherein the first end comprises the first terminal formed of a continuous member surrounding the second terminal. 15. The battery of claim 1, wherein the first continuous terminal of the battery comprises a ring at the first end, and wherein the second terminal is toward the second end of the battery with respect to the plane of the ring. The battery according to claim 14, wherein the battery is disposed in a retracted position. 16. The battery according to claim 14, wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. 17. The battery according to claim 14, wherein the battery is a lithium / thionyl chloride-bromo chloride type battery. 18. a) providing handle means; b) mounting sleeve means surrounding at least a portion of said handle means and in a rotatable relationship with said handle means; c) a light source D) providing a battery in the handle to electrically energize the lamp means; and e) de-energizing the lamp means. Biasing the ramp means by moving the ramp means within the handle means to cause electrical contact with the second terminal in a non-rotating position located furthest from the battery in a state. A method of assembling a flashlight, comprising the step of rotatably disposing the sleeve means between a rotational position where an electric circuit to be completed is completed. The battery has a first end facing the ramp means and a second end, at least a portion of the battery sidewall between the second end and the end. A method comprising providing an insulator to prevent electrical contact of the battery, wherein the first end of the battery comprises a first continuous terminal surrounding a second terminal. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the battery is the first continuous terminal of the battery with the first end formed in a ring. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the second terminal of the battery is centered on a vertical axis of the battery. 21. Providing the first continuous terminal of the battery wherein the first end comprises a ring; and connecting the second terminal to the second surface of the battery with respect to the plane of the ring. Placing in a retracted position toward the end. 22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the battery is an alkali metal battery. 23) a) providing handle means; b) mounting sleeve means surrounding at least a portion of said handle means and in rotatable relation to said handle means; A) storing the lamp means in the handle as a light source; d) providing a battery housed in the handle to supply electrical energy to the lamp means; A non-rotating state located farthest from the battery, in a state where no energy is supplied, and a rotating state in which the ramp means is moved within the handle means to contact the battery to be energized to the lamp means. Rotating the sleeve means during the assembly of the flashlight, wherein the magnetic susceptibility is less than about 6700 × 10 ^6. Preparing an alkali metal battery housed in an austenitic stainless steel case having: an electric component inside the battery, having a magnetic susceptibility equal to or less than the magnetic susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel, the handle means, the sleeve means, and the lamp A method comprising the further step of providing a means. 24. The method of claim 23 including providing said handle means of chrome-plated brass. 25. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising means for mounting a sleeve made of chrome-plated brass.
3. The method according to 3.