Flashlight

FLASHLIGHT

0002FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The field of the invention is flashlights. More specifically, the

0003invention relates to a portable hand held battery powered flashlight.

0004[0002] Light emitting diodes (LED's), are increasingly used in flashlights

0005in place of incandescent bulbs. LED's use less power than incandescent

0006bulbs. LED's also have specific light emission directivity, and an operating life

0007which is far longer than that of most incandescent bulbs. See International

0008Patent Publication WO 2004/088199 A2, incorporated herein by reference.

0009While use of LED's can greatly extend battery life, the traditional drawbacks

0010associated with batteries have not been fully overcome. Most flashlights have

0011an on/off switch as the only control. This often results in compromises in

0012performance, since when the flashlight in on, the bulb or LED is illuminated

0013using whatever power may remain in the batteries. If the light output is not

0014sufficient, the only thing the user can do is to put in fresh batteries, if available.

0015In many uses, a relatively low amount of light is ordinary sufficient, and a

0016brighter light is only needed intermittently, for short time intervals. Yet, current

0017flashlight designs generally cannot match light output to the user's changing

0018requirements.

0019[0003] While use of LED's in flashlights have several advantages, design

0020challenges remain in creating a uniform beam of light under a wide range of

0021conditions. Generally, the shape or uniformity of the beam also changes as the beam is focused. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an

0022improved flashlight.

0023BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION [0004] In a first aspect, a flashlight has a first or an on/off switch. When

0024the first switch is on or closed, a circuit allows a first amount of current flow to

0025a bulb or LED, which creates a first amount of light. The circuit is designed so

0026that the first amount of current can be delivered for a relatively longer amount

0027of time, before the batteries run down. The flashlight also has a second or a

0028momentary bright switch. When the first switch is on, and when the

0029momentary bright switch is actuated, the circuit allows a second and larger

0030amount of current to flow to the bulb or LED. This provides increased light

0031output, while the momentary bright switch is actuated or pressed. When the

0032momentary bright switch is released, the circuit returns to providing the first

0033and lower amount of current. As a result, in ordinary use, the flashlight has

0034long battery life. However, the flashlight can also provide a brighter light,

0035when needed, via the momentary bright switch.

0036[0005] In a second aspect, a flashlight has a front housing and a rear

0037housing, and one or more light sources on the rear housing. A lens on the

0038front housing has a concave rear surface and a convex front surface. The lens

0039efficiently focuses light from the LED. The rear surface of the lens may have a

0040radius of curvature of from about 2-15 times greater than the radius of

0041curvature of the front surface of the lens. The ratio of the thickness of the lens

0042to the diameter of the lens may typically range from about 0.1 to 1.0. [0006] In a third aspect, a flashlight includes current boost means for

0043maintaining current flow to the LED, substantially independently of dropping

0044voltage of the batteries over time. In additional aspects, the flashlight may

0045include a solar or photocell, for charging the batteries using ambient light.

0046Accessories, such as color filters or a light beam aiming mirror, may also be

0047attached to the front of the flashlight.

0048[0007] The invention resides as well as sub combinations of the

0049elements described. Each of the separate aspects described above may be

0050used alone, in combination with each other. The features, elements and

0051methods described relative to one embodiment may also be used in the other

0052embodiments.

0053BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] Fig. 1 is a front and side perspective view of the present

0054flashlight.

0055[0009] Fig. 2 is a side view of the flashlight shown in Fig. 1.

0056[0010] Fig. 3 is an exploded front and side perspective view of the

0057flashlight shown in Fig. 1.

0058[0011] Fig. 4 is an enlarged section view of the flashlight shown in Fig. 1.

0059[0012] Fig. 5 is an enlarged exploded section view of the flashlight

0060shown in Figures 1 and 4.

0061[0013] Fig. 6 is a section view of a convexo-concave lens for use in the

0062flashlight of Figs. 1-5 as an alternative lens design. [0014] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of alternative circuitry for use in the

0063flashlight shown in Fig. 1.

0064[0015] Fig. 8 is a graph of the performance of the prior art flashlight

0065shown in Figs. 39 and 43 of WO 2004/088199 A2.

0066[0016] Fig. 9 is a graph of the performance of the flashlight shown in

0067Figs. 1-5 using the circuitry shown in Fig. 7.

0068[0017] Figure 10 is a partial section view of the back end of another

0069flashlight.

0070[0018] Figure 11 is an end view of the flashlight shown in Fig. 10.

0071[0019] Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the switch holder shown in

0072Figures 10 and 11.

0073[0020] Fig. 13 is a side view of the flashlight shown in any of the

0074preceding figures, including a clip for securing the flashlight onto a pocket,

0075belt, clipboard, etc.

0076[0021 ] Fig. 14 is a top view of the flashlight shown in Fig. 13.

0077[0022] Fig. 15 is a plan view of the clip shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

0078[0023] Fig. 16 is section view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 15.

0079[0024] Fig. 17 is an end view of the clip shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

0080[0025] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a flashlight having a built in

0081photocell.

0082[0026] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a flashlight having a clip-on color

0083filter holder.

0084[0027] Fig. 20 is a front view of the flashlight shown in Fig. 19. [0028] Fig. 21 is a side view of a flashlight having a mirror for aiming the

0085light beam.

0086[0029] Fig. 22 is a front view of the flashlight shown in Fig. 21.

0087[0030] Fig. 23 is a side view of the flashlight shown in any of the

0088preceding figures, including a case for holding a flashlight along with

0089replacement sets of batteries.

0090DETAILED OF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0031] Turning now in detail to the drawings, as shown in Figures 1 and

00912 a flashlight 10 has a lens 14 within a front cap 12 on a front housing section

009216. A rear housing section 20 extends into the front housing section 16. A

0093housing ring 18 is provided on the rear housing section 20 adjacent to the

0094front housing section 16. And end cap 22 on the rear housing section 20 is

0095removable to install or remove batteries from the flashlight 10. Referring now

0096to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the front cap 12 has a conical surface 30 at its front end

009732. A seal groove 41 is provided adjacent to the conical surface 30 on the

0098front cap 12 as shown in Fig. 5. Screw threads 28 are provided on the back

0099end of the cap 12.

0100[0032] Referring to Figures 4-6, a single convexo-concave lens 702 may

0101be used. The back surface 706 of the lens 702 is concave and the front

0102surface 704 of the lens 702 is convex. The lens thickness BB ranges from

0103about 6-10 mm, and is about 8 mm in the specific design shown. The

0104diameter AA of the lens 702 ranges fit the flashlight size or other parameter,

0105and will typically be about 7-70 mm (with AA about 10-20 mm or 15 mm in the design of Fig. 6). The radius of curvature of the concave rear surface of the

0106lens 702 ranges from about 7-70 mm and is typically about 25-75 mm or 37-

010762 mm. This design, using a single convexo-concave lens 702 (with a rear

0108surface radius of about e.g., 50 mm) works well over shorter ranges of up to

0109about 18 meters. The lens shown in Fig. 6 may also be used in lens

0110combinations for use over longer ranges of up to 23-30 meters.

0111[0033] A cylindrical or ring surface 38 at the back end of the lens 14

0112seals against a seal element, such as an O-ring 40 in the seal groove 41 as

0113shown in Fig. 5. The lens 14 preferably has a focal length of 8-16, 10-14 or 12

0114mm. The lens is sufficiently thick enough to provide adequate strength to

0115resist pressure equivalent to 2800 meters of water.

0116[0034] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a lamp housing 42 having a conical

0117inside wall 44 is placed or pressed into the front cap 12, holding the lens 14

0118and O-ring 40 in place. The threaded back end 28 of the front cap 12 is

0119threaded into internal screw threads 82 at the front end of the front housing

012016. The lamp housing 42 is longitudinally positioned within the front cap 12

0121via a flange 46 at the back end of the lamp housing 42 stopping on the back

0122end of the front cap 12. A front cap O-ring or seal 48 seals the front cap 12 to

0123the front housing 16.

0124[0035] The front housing 16 is threaded onto the rear housing 20 via

0125internal threads 84 on the front housing 16 engaged with external threads 104

0126at the front end of the rear housing 20. The components described above (i.e., the front cap 12, lens 14, O-ring 40, lamp housing 42, and O-ring 48) are

0127all supported on (directly or indirectly) and move with, the front housing 16.

0128[0036] Referring still to Figures 4 and 5, the LED, light source or lamp 50

0129has anode and cathode leads extending into electrical contacts 52 in a switch

0130housing 54. A micro-switch 60 is supported within the switch housing 54. A

0131plunger 56 extends from the micro-switch 60 through and out of the front end

0132of the switch housing 54, with the plunger biased outwardly against the back

0133surface of the housing 42. The switch housing 54 is supported on or in the

0134front end of a switch housing tube 72. A rim or collar 64 contacts the front end

0135of the switch housing. The contacts 52 extend through contact bores or

0136openings 62 in the switch housing 54, as shown in Figure 8.

0137[0037] A circuitry module 70 within the switch housing tube 72 is

0138electrically connected to the switch 60, and also to the batteries 90 via a

0139battery contact 76 extending through a tube collar 74 at the back end of the

0140switch housing tube 72. As shown in Figure 4, a housing seal 78 seals the

0141front end of the rear housing section 20 to the back end of the front housing

0142section 16, while still allowing the front housing section 16 to turn, and shift

0143longitudinally (along a center axis of the flashlight), as the front and rear

0144housing sections are turned relative to each other.

0145[0038] The rear housing section 20 has an open internal cylindrical

0146space for holding the batteries 90. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and

01475, three N size batteries are used. Of course, different numbers and types of

0148batteries may be used, consistent with the requirements of the LED 50 and circuitry module 70 provided. The front end of the rear housing section 20

0149includes a seal groove 102 as shown in Fig. 5, just behind the external

0150threads 104, to hold and position the housing seal 78. A stop 106 limits the

0151rearward range of travel of the front housing section 16 on the rear housing

0152section 20. A housing ring 18 is pressed onto the rear housing section 20 and

0153positioned adjacent to the stop 106. At the back end of the flashlight 10,

0154threads 98 on the end cap 22 are engaged with rear internal threads 108. An

0155end cap seal or O-ring 92 within a groove 93 on the end cap 22 seals the end

0156cap 22 against a recess 109 in the rear housing section 20. A battery spring

015794 grounds the negative terminal of the rear most battery to the rear housing

0158section 20, and forces the batteries 90 into contact with each other and with

0159the battery contact 76. A hole 96 through the end cap 22 allows the flashlight

016010 to be mounted on a key chain, key ring or wire.

0161[0039] Figure 4 shows the flashlight 10 in the off position. The front

0162housing section 16 is threaded onto the rear housing section 20, until it comes

0163to the stop 106. In this position, the plunger 56 is almost entirely within the

0164switch housing 54, causing the switch 60 to be in the off position. Electrical

0165power provided from the batteries 90 through the battery contact 76 and

0166circuitry module 70, as well as through the rear housing section 20, is

0167__provided to the switch 60. The switch 60_is also connected to the LED. As

0168the switch 60 is in the off position, no power is provided to the LED. To turn

0169the flashlight 10 on, the front housing section 16 is turned (counter clockwise

0170in Fig. 1) causing it to move forward via the interaction of the threads 104 and 84. As the front housing section 16 moves forward, the front cap 12, lens 14

0171and the lamp housing 42 move with it. The LED 50, switch housing 54,

0172plunger 56, switch 60 circuitry module 70 all remain in place, as they are

0173supported within the switch housing tube 72 which is fixed to the rear housing

0174section 20.

0175[0040] As the LED or light source 50 and lamp housing 42 move away

0176from the switch housing 54, the plunger 56, biased by spring force in the

0177switch 60 also moves forward or outwardly. This movement causes the switch

017860 to move into an on position. In the on position, the electrical power is

0179provided to the LED 50. To focus the light from the LED or light source 50,

0180the user continues to turn the front housing section 16. This increases the

0181spacing "S" between the lens 14 and the LED 50, allowing light from the LED

0182to be focused to a desired distance. A position stop 130 on the front end of

0183the switch housing tube 72 prevents the front housing section 16 from

0184separating from the rear housing section 20. When the front housing section

018516 is turned to its maximum forward position (where further forward movement

0186is prevented by the stop 130), the lens 14 focuses the light to a maximum

0187distance.

0188[0041] Fig. 7 shows a circuit 800 having a boost converter 812 (such as

0189Zetex ZXSC400) to maintain current flow through the LED 50 or 306, while the

0190voltage from the battery 90 decreases over time. The combination of the

0191boost converter 812 and the transistor Q4 allows for very low feedback

0192voltage, resulting in lower losses, while still accurately maintaining current flow. The circuit shown in Fig. 7 can be easily adapted to operate with a 1 , 3

0193or 5 watt LED 306 (or to other values as well), by simply changing the values

0194of L1 and changing Q4. The operating voltage supply range is also improved,

0195with the circuit 800 able to operate with a battery voltage down to about as low

0196as 1.8 volts. The efficiency of the circuit is also increased, thereby increasing

0197the useful life of the batteries 90.

0198[0042] Fig. 8 is a graph showing performance of a flashlight as shown in

0199Fig. 39 of WO 2004/088199, having a 1 W LED powered by two AAA cells. Fig.

02009 is a graph of performance of the same flashlight, using the circuit 800 shown

0201in Fig. 7. In each case, the flashlight was adjusted using a dimmer to provide

0202an initial brightness of 800 Lux at 0.6 meters (about 18% of maximum

0203brightness). In each case, brightness measurements were taken every 5

0204minutes. With the prior circuit, brightness dropped to about 50% after about

0205130 minutes, and dropped below 100 Lux after about 170 minutes. With the

0206circuit 800, as shown in Fig. 9, the brightness remained above 700 Lux for

0207over 500 minutes.

0208[0043] Figs. 10-12 show another flashlight 900 having a momentary

0209bright feature. Except for the description below, the flashlight 900 may be the

0210same as the other designs described above. The flashlight 900 uses a

0211momentary— bright .micro-switch -920, instead — of_ a variable resistor.

0212Consequently, rather than a variable dimmer function, the flashlight 900

0213provides a momentary bright function, when the switch 920 is closed. [0044] Referring to Fig. 10, a rubber end seal 902 has a lip or ring 904

0214held within a slot or groove in an end cap 906. The end seals the back end of

0215the flashlight. The end seal 902 is advantageously precision molded and

0216makes an interference fit with the end cap. A plunger 910 is secured into a

0217center post 908 of the end seal 902. A shoulder 912 on the end cap 906 limits

0218inward movement of the plunger 910.

0219[0045] Turning now also to Figs. 11 and 12, the switch 920 is secured

0220within a slot 940 of a switch holder 930 via screws 932. The switch holder 930

0221fits within the end cap 906 with a slight clearance. This allows the end cap to

0222be turned without turning the switch holder 930. A switch button 922 on the

0223switch 920 is adjacent or in contact with the plunger 910, as shown in Fig. 10.

0224Tabs 934 on the switch holder 930 help to hold the switch holder 930 in

0225position within the end cap 906. First, second and third wires 946, 948 and

0226950 extend around the switch holder 930 and through a slot 936 in the switch

0227holder. The first and second wires 946 and 948 connect to first and second

0228contacts 924 and 926, respectively, on the switch 920. The third wire 950

0229passes through a hole 938 in the switch holder 930, and is soldered to the

0230switch holder 930 as a ground wire. As shown in Fig. 11 , this provides a neat

0231and compact wiring harness, so that the batteries can be quickly and easily

0232-changed. - - —

0233[0046] The switch 920 is normally open. In this state, a current limiting

0234resistor, such R7 in Fig. 7, is in series with the LED. Consequently, current

0235flow through the LED is limited. This provides for extended battery life, in a normal use mode. For example, if the flashlight 900 uses two 1.5 volt AAA

0236cells, and a 1 watt LED, current flow through the LED in the normal use mode

0237may be e.g., 80-160, or 100-140, and nominally 120 mA in this design, as

0238determined by the resistance of the LED and the rest of the circuit. Under

0239these conditions, the batteries can be expected to nominally last for about 6

0240hours, before light output drops below a specified level.

0241[0047] The momentary bright feature is used by pressing in on the end

0242seal 902. As the user pushes the end seal 902 in (with a thumb or finger), the

0243plunger 910 pushes on the switch button 922. This closes the switch, shorting

0244the first contact and wire to the second contact and wire. The current limiting

0245resistor (e.g., R4 or R7) is also shorted or bypassed. Consequently, the

0246resistance of the circuit connecting the batteries to the LED drops, and current

0247flow increases. The increase in current increases the light output from the

0248LED. With the batteries and LED in the example above, current increases

0249from e.g., 120 mA, to about e.g., 500-750 mA, and nominally 640 mA, in this

0250particular design. This increases the brightness of the LED by about 40-50%.

0251However, battery life is proportionally reduced, for example, to about 1-2

0252hours.

0253[0048] When the end seal 902 is released, the switch switches back to

0254— normal-mode,-as the switch button -922 and the center post-908 of the end

0255seal 902 are resiliently or spring biased outwardly, away from the switch 920.

0256Hence, the flashlight 900 remains in the bright mode, only when the end seal

0257902 is pressed in. This largely prevents inadvertently leaving the flashlight in the bright mode, and prematurely draining the batteries. In addition, when the

0258front or on/off switch 60 is in the off position, the momentary bright switch 920

0259cannot cause the LED to turn on, or to remain on. If the switch 60 is off or

0260open, movement of the switch button, intentional or unintentional, will not

0261cause the flashlight 900 to turn on. The risk of draining the batteries by

0262inadvertently having the end seal pressed in, is accordingly greatly reduced.

0263[0049] The momentary bright mode or feature is useful when a brighter

0264light is wanted for a relatively short time interval, for example, for reading,

0265viewing or inspecting over a short distance, or for better viewing of more

0266distance objects under dim or no light conditions. The momentary bright

0267mode, as described above, may be used in any of the flashlights described

0268above, along, or in combination with other features, such as a dimming,

0269blinking, and/or automatic shut-off feature.

0270[0050] Referring to Fig. 10, to change the batteries, the end cap 906 is

0271unscrewed. The switch holder 930 remains substantially in place, as the end

0272cap 906 turns. The end cap is then removed from the rear section 312 and

0273moved to one side. The switch holder 930 is then pulled back and out of the

0274rear section. The wires 946, 948 and 950 have sufficient slack for this

0275purpose. The spent batteries are replaced, and the flashlight 900 re-

0276assembled.

0277[0051] As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, any of the flashlights described

0278above may be provided with a clip 960. The clip 960 is shown on the

0279flashlight 900, as one example. The clip 960 may be used for securing or holding the flashlight onto a surface, such as a pocket, a belt, a clipboard or

0280notepad, etc. The clip 960 can also be provided on a flashlight to prevent the

0281flashlight from rolling when placed onto an inclined surface.

0282[0052] The clip 960 is advantageously made or molded of a tough and

0283resilient material, such as plastic. Referring to Figs. 15-17, for purposes of

0284description, the clip 960 has a ring section 962 and an arm section 964. As

0285shown in Fig. 16, a bore 968 extends through the ring section 962. The outer

0286ends of the bore 968 have chamfered or beveled surfaces 970. An arm tip

0287section 972 is joined to the arm section at a slight upward angle UA. The

0288angle UA and length of the arm tip section provide enough separation of the

0289tip section 972 from the flashlight body, to allow clip to slide over a thin holding

0290surface or object. The angle UA is typically about 120-175°, 140-160°, or

0291about 150°. Ridges or teeth 966 are optionally provided on the bottom or

0292inside surface of the arm section, at the break where the tip section 972 joins

0293the arm section 964.

0294[0053] Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the clip 960 is installed by

0295unscrewing and removing the end cap 906. The clip 960 is pushed or slid

0296onto the rear section. The bore 968 is dimensioned so that it fits closely over

0297the rear section 20 or 312 of the flashlight. The bore is dimensioned so that

0298_ the clip_can_slide onto_the_rear section with_nominaLto. moderate force. The

0299near line-to-line fit of the clip on the rear section generally prevents the clip

0300from turning or rotating about the rear section or from sliding forward or backward on the rear section, without applying deliberate force. The arm

0301section 964 is held against the rear section via preload or spring force.

0302[0054] As shown in Figs. 13 and 14, clip 960 may have a total length LL

0303dimensioned so that when installed, the back end of the ring section 962 is

0304adjacent or in contact with the end cap 906, and the front end of the ring

0305section 972 is located over the center ring 18. With the back end of the clip

0306960 backstopped by the end cap 906, the clip cannot slide backwards while

0307attaching the clip onto a pocket, etc., regardless of the holding force exerted

0308by the ring section 962 on the rear section 20 or 312 of the flashlight. The clip

0309960 may alternatively be longer, so that the ridges 966 engage complimentary

0310grooves on the center ring 18. After the clip is installed on the rear section,

0311the end cap is replaced. Screwing the end cap back onto the rear section can

0312push the clip slightly further forward, to position the clip as desired. The clip

0313can be removed following the reverse sequence. Consequently, the clip 960

0314may be provided as an accessory which can be installed on and removed

0315from the flashlight as desired by the user. Referring to Fig. 15, the width WW

0316of the arm section 964 is less than the diameter of the rear section. For most

0317designs, the width WW is advantageously about 40-80%, or 50-70% of the

0318outside diameter of the rear section.

0319[0055] Fig. 18 shows a flashlight design 1010 which may share various

0320of the elements described above, and further including a photocell or solar cell

03211012. The cell 1012 generates electricity when exposed to light. The cell 1012

0322may be located in or on the front housing section 16, or the rear housing section 20, or a cell 1012 may be located on each of the sections 16 and 20.

0323The cell 1012 may be formed with a curvature matching the curvature of the

0324tubular sections, of the cell 1012 may be flat. The length, width, shape, area

0325and location of the cell 1012 may vary depending on the type of cell used and

03265 the size and shape of the flashlight 1010. The dotted lines in Fig. 18 indicate

0327alternative size cell 1012 having a length approaching the length of the front

0328housing section 16.

0329[0056] In use, when the flashlight 1010 is in relatively bright ambient light

0330conditions, such as sunlight, the cell or cells 1012 convert light into electrical

033110 current. This electrical current is routed to the circuitry module 70, or an

0332equivalent module of circuit (which may be part of the circuit 800 shown in Fig.

03337). The circuitry module conditions the electrical current as appropriate and

0334then provides the current back to the batteries. As a result, the batteries are

0335charged by operation of the cell 1012. This will typically take place when the

033615 flashlight is not in use, as relatively brighter ambient light conditions are

0337needed to achieve significant charging.

0338[0057] Figs. 19 and 20 show the flashlight used with a filter or gel

0339accessory clip or holder 1020. The holder 1020 may be made of a resilient or

0340spring-like material, so that it can snap onto and off of the front end of the

0341-20 flasblight_10. TheJiolder. 102O- holds. one or_more filters or. gels 1022, to

0342change the color or other characteristic of the light beam from the flashlight

03431020. The filters 1022 may be dimensioned so that the spring clamping force

0344that holds the holder onto the flashlight also holds the filters into the holder. In other words, the filters 1022 may have the same diameter as the front end of

0345the flashlight.

0346[0058] Figs. 21 and 22 show a flashlight used with a light beam aiming

0347accessory 1030. The aiming accessory places a reflector, such as a mirror, in

0348front of the flashlight, to aim the beam of light. The reflector may optionally be

0349provided as part of the flashlight, rather than as an accessory which is

0350installed and removed as desired. The aiming accessory may take any form

0351which provides a reflector to aim light from the flashlight. Figs. 21 and 22 show

0352one of many different forms of the aiming accessory. In Figs. 21 and 22, a

0353wire form or other type of clip 1032 may be snapped onto the front of the

0354flashlight. The clip 1032 has a ring section 1034 dimensioned to snap and

0355hold onto the front of the flashlight. The clip 1032 may also have legs 1036 to

0356orient and hold both the accessory 1030 and the flashlight on a flat surface.

0357[0059] Referring to Fig. 21 , a reflector 1040 has a reflecting surface

03581042, such as a glass mirror, supported on a ball clamp 1044. The ball clamp

03591044 is clamped onto a ball 1038 on the clip 1032. A tension adjuster 1046,

0360such as a wing nut, may be used to adjust the clamping force on the reflector.

0361Other forms of tension adjusters or positioners may also be used, such as

0362gooseneck tubes, pliable wire frames, magnet attachments, hook and loop

0363tape, mechanical linkages, such as bar and/or spring linkages, etc., to position

0364and hold a reflecting surface in front of the flashlight.

0365[0060] The reflecting surface 1042, such as the mirror, typically will have

0366a diameter about the same as the diameter of the lens 14. Ordinarily, the reflecting surface 1042 will be flat, to provide light beam aiming, but not

0367additional focusing. However, in some applications, the reflecting surface

03681042 may also be curved to provide both aiming and focusing. The reflecting

0369surface 1042 is advantageously sized and located so that it can reflect

0370virtually all light coming through the lens. The reflecting surface will generally

0371be fully mirrored or reflective, so that only minimal light is transmitted or

0372absorbed, although a partially reflective surface 1042 may be used to allow

0373light to be aimed at two different locations.

0374[0061] In use, the reflector can be temporarily or permanently attached

0375to the flashlight. To make a temporary attachment where the reflector is

0376provided as an accessory, the wire form clip 1032 or other element may be

0377snapped onto or otherwise attached the flashlight. The front ring 12 may have

0378a groove to accept the clip 1032. The legs 1036, if provided, prevent the

0379flashlight from rolling. The reflecting surface can then be positioned to reflect

0380the beam of light passing through the lens 14, into virtually any direction,

0381without the need to pick up or aim the flashlight itself. Fig. 23 shows a case

03821050 for holding a flashlight along with replacement sets of batteries.