KR930006266Y1 - Tailcap insert - Google Patents

Abstract

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Description

Tail cap insert

1 is a front perspective view showing the tail cap insert of the present invention in perspective.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the one-way flow seal of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the tail cap end of the flashlight of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the tail cap insert.

5 is a back view of a preferred tail cap including the presently disclosed design.

Figure 6 is a side view illustrating an optional gas outlet of the present invention.

7 is a front view of the tail cap insert of FIG.

The invention is intended to improve flashlights, in particular to prevent the ingress of foreign matter into the battery compartment of a flashlight and / or its battery compartment having a tailcap insert of the type generally disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,819,141, and out of the flashlight. A flashlight having an improved seal that allows the gas to be circulated to the surroundings.

Pocket lamp inserts of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,819,141, which consist of various sizes, statuses and power supplies, are known.

Typically, the flashlight incorporates a general type of insert to eliminate several processing steps in the manufacturing process of the flashlight and to maintain a high degree of electrical continuity in the electrical circuit at the tail cap portion of the flashlight.

In the known tailcap inserts of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,819,141, the lateral forces exerted on the wing of the insert are sometimes secured between the wing and the inner surface of the barrel at the tailcap end of the flashlight. Insufficient force to be applied to. It has also been found that in indentations in the tail cap inserts have not been provided to enhance the rigidity of the preliminary lamps normally maintained in the center caps of the tail caps. In addition, the tailcap insert of the general type disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,819,141 causes the tailcap spring to loosen from the keg during replacement of the battery and or lamp for tailcap removal.

Conventional flashlights are also known to generate gas during normal operation of a sealed battery. One problem associated with conventional flashlights is that the installation is inadequate for a flashlight that emits excess gas generated during normal operation of the flashlight.

Many conventional flashlights, through the combination of precise mechanical tolerances at closed points, and through carefully planned and arranged o-shaped rings or equivalent seals, ie the seals effectively prevent contaminant penetration as well as Through a seal that prevents leakage of the gas generated during the previous normal operation, even if it is effectively sealed, an undesirable gas can be filled in the flashlight battery compartment accordingly.

The present invention seeks to improve the flashlight technology according to the purpose described later.

The first object of the present invention is to provide a flashlight or a flashlight having a tailcap insert having an improved ability to form and maintain continuity of an effective electrical circuit near the tailcap end of the flashlight from the battery to the conductive casing of the flashlight. have.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a flashlight having a one-way seal that allows the discharge of gas from the inside of the flashlight battery chamber to the surroundings, but prevents the intrusion of foreign matter into the battery chamber of the flashlight.

The third object of the present invention is to provide a tail cap insert having an improved reserve lamp retainer function.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a tailcap insert having an improved ability to retain a tailcap spring attached to the tailcap insert for removal of the tailcap from the keg.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a means by which the outermost wing portion is retained from radial expansion beyond a distance from the centerline by radial extension of the tailcap insert to prevent excessive expansion and possible bending or rupture. The sixth object of the invention is to provide a flashlight with a provision for achieving any combination of the above-described objects.

The above and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, can be achieved by a flashlight according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a flashlight having a tailcap insert and / or a one-way flow seal on the tailcap.

One embodiment of the tail cap insert of the present invention is arranged so that the force is applied radially outwardly against the inner wall of the barrel in response to the compression force applied by the tail cap spring to the subsequent assembly of the flashlight and the battery, the overall top Provided is a generally cylindrical, electrically conductive tube having wings extending from an outwardly extending contact plate, finger or insert front end.

Alternatively, the present invention is not only positioned to hold and secure the conical tail cap spring of the flashlight at the front end of the tail cap insert, but also extends in the front inward direction from the front end of the tail cap insert and extends in the front inward direction. May include an angle bent tailcap spring retainer plate.

In addition, the tailcap insert of the present invention may include a pair of symmetrical, mutually opposite, and contact plate retainer fingers spaced at a distance relative to the centrifugal end of each contact plate while the tailcap assembly is removed from the keg, The excessive radial extension of the contact plates serves to prevent the contact plates.

In addition, the present invention may include a one-way flow seal disposed in the middle between the tail cap and the barrel and having no rearward facing groove, inner wall and outer wall, and formed of a flexible material having a donut shape configuration. The gas contained in can be discharged through the seal, but is configured to prevent ingress of foreign matter through the seal and into the body of the flashlight. The seal shape also includes one or more outlets disposed in between the passage tail caps.

In the general type of flashlight shown in U. S. Patent Nos. 4,577, 263 and 4,658, 336, it is advantageous to be composed of the tail cap insert of the general type shown in U.S. Patent 4,819,141.

Although it may be written virtually in any size and shape of a flashlight of the present invention, the following description relates to the use of a flashlight of the kind disclosed in the above-mentioned invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the tailcap insert 10 is shown.

The tailcap insert 10 has a longitudinal slot 12 formed along its longitudinal surface and a general tubular body having a plurality of contact plates 14 and spring retainers 17 at its front end. The slot is one for arranging the insert 10 in the center bore of the tail cap 24 and serves to facilitate the manufacturing process from the material of the thin plate and to provide a variable engagement radius. The contact plate 14 functions to provide an electrically conductive path between the battery 56 and the barrel of the metal flashlight.

The tailcap insert 10 of the present invention may be made of any suitable conductive material, for example beryllium copper or other material that provides good mechanical durability as well as conductivity.

2 shows a rear perspective view of the one-way flow seal 40 of the present invention.

The inner groove 44 generally extends into a donut shaped seal 40, the groove 44 having an outer wall 52 and an inner wall 54 radially. As will be described in more detail later, the groove outer wall 52 forms a flexible portion 42 of the one-way flow seal 40 together with its adjacent area.

Groove 44 is shown facing the tail cap; However, it should be noted that important characteristics of the grooves face away from the battery compartment.

In a preferred embodiment, the tailcap insert 10 has two contact plates 14, 14 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Each contact plate 14 extends inward from the main body portion of the tail cap insert 10 at the contact plate lamp retainer portion 38 and forward and outward at the wing 56. The mutually opposing contact plate lamp retainer portions 38 and 38 oppose the spare lamp 50 which is sufficient to fix the lamp in the center cavity of the tail cap 24 when the tail cap assembly is inserted into the barrel with the battery. Will apply power.

The contact plates 14, 14 thus extend from the tail cap center bore centerline to the radially outward and forward direction at a predetermined maximum radial distance and the centrifugal end 15 at the contact plate retainer fingers 16, 16. It is bent toward the longitudinal center bore of the terminal.

Each contact plate 14 has two contact plate retainer fingers 16 and 16 at the centrifugal end. The connecting plate retainer fingers 16 and 16 protrude in contact with the inner surface of the tail cap counterbore 48, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the contact plate 14, which exceeds a predetermined radiation distance from the center line, 14) prevents radial expansion. In this regard, excessive expansion which is damaged or destroyed is prevented due to the possibility of adverse bending forces that can be applied to the contact plate 14.

In addition to the two contact plates 14, 14 at the front end of the tailcap insert 10, four spring retainer plates 17 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a total of four spring retainers 17 are provided with a tailcap insert 10 and each spring retainer plate 17 is provided with an upper leg 20 of the lower leg 18. It consists of.

3, the tail cap end of the barrel 22 includes a barrel counter 36, a battery 56 portion, a tail cap 24 and a tail cap insert 10. As shown in FIG. Further concise are the conventional conical tailcap springs 28, one-way flow seals 40, lanyard holes 26 and outlet holes 46.

Although conical springs are preferred, as shown in FIG. 3, other types, as long as the springs perform the function of applying a spring force between the battery and the tail cap to push the battery forward and the insert blades radially outward. Springs of the form can be used, for example straight, tubular, springs.

In its assembled state, as shown in FIG. 3, the tail cap 22 is screwed at the end of the barrel 22 with the thread 30 and tailcap thread 32 of the barrel. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the compressive force exerted on the spring 28 by the action of the battery 56 and the tail cap 24 exert a downward force on the inner surface of the wing 56 of each contact plate 14. This results in its radially outermost part being rigidly mechanically fixed against the inner surface of the barrel 22 in the barrel counterbore 36 and forming an improved reliability and reliable electrical contact.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, for each contact plate 14, the lamp retainer portion 38 is provided for the lamp 50 disposed in the center hole of the tail cap 24 to better mount the spare lamp. Apply radially extending internal force.

Also shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 is a one-way flow seal 40.

As described above with respect to FIG. 2, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 shows a one-way seal 40 having a flexible portion 42 and a groove 44 of an opening extending from the battery chamber around the outside, and also the groove 44 Has a groove outer wall 52 and a groove inner wall 54. FIG. 3 also shows the tail hole with the outlet hole 46 in close contact with the rear of the adjacent seal flexible portion 42. When assembled, seal 40 is disposed on surface 58 of shoulder 58 and tail cap 24.

The one-way seal of the present invention replaces a conventional O-ring disposed at the tail cap end of a conventional flashlight. Although the one-way flow seal of the present invention is preferably disposed on the tail cap portion of the flashlight to provide a one-way seal between the interior and exterior of the flashlight waste treatment chamber, the seal of the present invention may prevent the entry of another part, for example, contamination. It can also be located at the front of a flashlight to provide significant effluent treatment.

Also, although one-way seals may be associated with AA size batteries or general types of flashlights with small size batteries such as AAA or AAAA, one-way seals of the present invention may actually be of any size and type of batteries, in particular C and D-. This can be useful for flashlights that use cell size.

As noted, the one-way flow seal of the present invention is preferably a plastic or flexible material having sufficient flexibility to extend the seal flexible portion 42 radially inward for a predetermined overpressure state that permits discharge in the battery housing. For any pressure generated by it, depending on whether it is a solid, liquid or gas, it enters the outlet 46 and presses radially outward from the groove 44. For example, the unidirectional seals of the present invention may be formed by buna-n natural or synthetic rubber, or materials used in the manufacture of conventional seals or O-rings.

In addition, it can be noted that, depending on the type of battery used in the flashlight, the characteristics of the external gas generated during the battery working time may affect the selection of the constituent material used in the seal, thus preventing adverse chemical reactions.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cross-sectional view of the tailcap insert of the preferred embodiment clearly illustrates the vane 56 and the centrifugal end 15 of each contact plate 14, the top of the vane 56 and The radially outward direction is shown.

The contact plate lamp retainer portion 38 is shown radially inwardly in the wing 56 and extending forward from the front end of the main portion 11 of the tail cap insert 10 shows two spring retainer plates 17. do.

In FIG. 4, the slightly curved form of the spring retainer plate 17 formed by the lower leg 18 and the upper leg 20 is such that the conical tailcap spring 28 slides around the plurality of contact plate retainers 17. Therefore, when lowered, the height of the inner surface of the wing 56 of the contact plate 14 is the same.

For the removal of the tail cap from the keg, the spring retainer plate 17 is exerted a slight force radially outward from the tail cap insert centerline, so that, for example, as shown in the cross section of FIG. A check force is applied to the coil.

Upon insertion of the tail cap, the spring 28 carries the vanes 56 against the barrel 22.

5 is a back view of a preferred tail cap 24 embodying the presently disclosed design.

Other figures of the external properties of this tailcap are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 of US Pat. No. 4,819,141, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

6 illustrates an optional configuration of the gas outlet hole shape of the present invention, wherein a number of toothed holes 46, 46 'are positioned around the ends of the barrel 22 and tail cap 24. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6 the outlets 46, 46 ′ are shown in the shape of the barrel 22 and the tail cap 24, and the outlets can be conveniently formed by the tail cap itself as the hole is preferably. It is formed on the barrel 22 and the tail cap 24. Also, if the seal is placed on top of the barrel, the outlet will be placed in a suitable position on top of the barrel or on top of the flashlight.

Although multiple outlets are shown, substantially some of the holes will function as long as there is at least one outlet size that is sufficient to circulate the flow of external gas from the interior of the battery housing. For FIG. 6, the outlet is preferably located only for the tail cap or outlet 46, or for one component for the pail or outlet 46 ', as shown by reference to the preferred outlet 46 and 46'. It can be seen that it is preferable to be.

Although the exact pressure, gas generation ratio, and identity vary with flashlight and battery type, it can be seen that the gas emission value is relatively small compared to the capability of metallic flashlights with increased pressure. In addition, the one-way flow seal of the present invention can be used in conventional batteries, non-rechargeable battery flashlights as well as in rechargeable batteries.

Referring to FIG. 7, the tail cap in the present invention has four contact plate upper fingers 20, two contact plates 14 and wings 56, and a double and mutually facing contact plate retainer pinker 16. A front view of the insert 10 is shown to illustrate each radial position.

As the tailcap assembly is alternated at the tailcap end of the canister 22, the tailcap insert is pushed radially outwardly, i.e., bottom and top as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the at least 10 and counterbore 36 improve mechanical and electrical contact between the inner surface of the keg. In addition, when the coil spring 28 is placed on the tailcap insert 10, the four spring retainer plates 17 will first be compressed radially inward, and then the original resilience will provide radial outward force, This will keep the spring on the tailcap during normal use.

Referring again to FIG. 7, when the tail cap 24 is removed from the tail cap end of the barrel 22, the dual and mutually opposite contact plate retainer portions 16 move radially outward, i.e., in FIG. It will be seen that the wing 56 of the contact plate 14 is retained from movement to the bottom and top. Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 7 and 3, it can be seen that these portions 38 are adjacent to the tailcap counterbore 48.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, many modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art and the present invention may be used to achieve understanding. It is understood that all such optional embodiments are within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (12)

A vat, a lamp, a battery power source, a spring and a tail cap electrically connected to the battery power source; A conductive metal insert disposed within the barrel, the body being electrically connected to the spring, having a tubular shape and capable of holding a reserve bulb, extending radially outward from the body and between the barrel and the spring. A flashlight insert further comprising a pair of arm members in contact with each other for providing a conductive path, the insert comprising: means for applying a force radially outwardly of the arm member by engaging the tail cap to the barrel; Tail cap inserts for flashlights. 2. A tailcap insert for a flashlight as recited in claim 1, wherein said force application means includes a spring disposed between said tail battery and said tailcap. 3. The tailcap insert for a flashlight of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of elastic means for retaining a spring attached to the tailcap upon removal of the tailcap from the keg. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of members each defining a first portion extending radially outwardly relative to the body portion and a second portion extending radially inwardly relative to the body portion. And wherein said portions are capable of countering said spring when said tail cap is removed from said barrel. 5. The tailcap insert for a flashlight as recited in claim 4, further comprising means for preventing the arm member pair from extending beyond a predetermined radiation distance. 6. The tailcap insert for a flashlight as recited in claim 5, wherein said anti-extension means comprises a plurality of mutually opposing members extending from the distal end of each of said arm members. The tail cap insert for a flashlight of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of elastic means attached to the tail cap to retain the spring when the tail cap is removed from the barrel. 8. The tailcap insert for a flashlight as recited in claim 7, wherein said spring comprises a conical spring. 8. The tailcap insert for a flashlight of claim 7, wherein said spring comprises a cylindrical spring. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of members each defining a first portion extending radially outward with respect to the body portion, and a second portion extending radially inward with respect to the body portion. And wherein said portions are capable of countering said spring when said tail cap is removed from said barrel. 2. The tailcap insert for a flashlight as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for preventing the arm member pair from extending beyond a predetermined radiation distance. The tail cap insert for a flashlight as recited in claim 11, wherein said extension preventing means includes a plurality of mutually opposing members extending from the distal end of each arm member pair.