Patent US3665178A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3665178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reserve type flashlight
Assignee: Duracell Inc USA
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Filing: 1970-07-09
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A reserve flashlight utilizing a reserve cell, normally inactive by keeping the electrolyte isolated, until desired for use, and then rendered active by releasing the electrolyte to function between the electrodes. The housing is a plastic molded structure, inexpensive enough to be discarded when the cell is used up.
Inventors
- 👤 George J Sussingham
- 👤 Franklin G Fagan Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:00
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V23/00; F21L; F21L2/00; F21L4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A portable hand operable reserve flashlight comprising a molded plastic case having a front portion to embody and constitute and serve as a lamp and reflector section, and supporting a control switch thereon, and shaped to include an axial concentric hollow cylinder to define a reservoir space for a body of electrolyte; and a rear section to fit in a human hand and to fit onto said front portion and to provide space for and to include a cathode structure, a depolarizer, an anode, and an absorbent separator barrier between said depolarizer and anode; means for normally keeping said reservoir space closed and sealed to retain a volume of electrolyte therein isolated from said cathode and anode elements, in order thereby to keep said battery cell elements inactive; and means for rupturing said closing and sealing means of said reservoir to release said electrolyte from said reservoir and to permit said electrolyte to move into space between said anode and said cathode and to wet and soak said absorbent separator barrier and said depolarizer, to establish an ionic conductor between cathode and anode and to thereby render the cell active to provide energy for the flashlight upon closure of the control switch; and said axial concentric hollow cylinder having a longitudinally fluted outer peripheral surface formed thereon to enable the freed electrolyte to flow quickly into its operating space to quickly engage the anode and through said separator to the cathode, to enable the flashlight to become quickly operative for use when desired.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
A portable hand operable reserve flashlight comprising a molded plastic case having a front portion to embody and constitute and serve as a lamp and reflector section, and supporting a control switch thereon, and shaped to include an axial concentric hollow cylinder to define a reservoir space for a body of electrolyte; and a rear section to fit in a human hand and to fit onto said front portion and to provide space for and to include a cathode structure, a depolarizer, an anode, and an absorbent separator barrier between said depolarizer and anode; means for normally keeping said reservoir space closed and sealed to retain a volume of electrolyte therein isolated from said cathode and anode elements, in order thereby to keep said battery cell elements inactive; and means for rupturing said closing and sealing means of said reservoir to release said electrolyte from said reservoir and to permit said electrolyte to move into space between said anode and said cathode and to wet and soak said absorbent separator barrier and said depolarizer, to establish an ionic conductor between cathode and anode and to thereby render the cell active to provide energy for the flashlight upon closure of the control switch; and said axial concentric hollow cylinder having a longitudinally fluted outer peripheral surface formed thereon to enable the freed electrolyte to flow quickly into its operating space to quickly engage the anode and through said separator to the cathode, to enable the flashlight to become quickly operative for use when desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 1, in which said front portion includes an internal hollow cylindrical container supported on said front portion and having an internal space to accommodate a pre-determined volume of electrolyte.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 1, in which said front cylindrical plastic portion embodies an outer housing cylindrical about an axis, and an inner concentric cylinder to define a reservoir for said electrolyte within said inner cylinder, and spaced from the outer housing to define a well between said inner and outer cylinders; a lamp; means supporting said lamp at the front or lower end of said inner cylinder; first potting means disposed within said front or lower end of said inner cylinder to envelop and seal the back end of said lamp and to seal the space at the bottom of said inner cylinder as a floor for the electrolyte and to support the lamp; and second potting means disposed in the well between the inner and the outer cylinders to provide a supporting floor for said absorbent barrier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 3, in which said second potting means to support said absorbent barrier is formed with a concentric annular well to serve as a circular seat to receive and position the lower end of said absorbent barrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 1, in which said front portion and said rear portion of said case or housing are respectively provided with interfitting telescoping sections hermetically sealed, and the back end of the rear portion of said case is closed, to confine said electrolyte within said casE.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 1, in which said cathode is disposed against the inner surface of said rear portion of said case; said depolarizer is disposed to engage the inner surface of said cathode; said absorbent barrier is disposed to engage the inner surface of said depolarizer; said anode is disposed within said absorbent barrier; said reservoir space for said electrolyte is defined within a cylinder concentrically disposed within said anode; a helically wound conductor frictionally encircles said cylinder for said electrolyte and engages the inner surface of said anode and extends downward to electrically engage one terminal of a lamp supported on the front portion of said case; a flexible conductor connecting said cathode to one terminal of said switch; a flexible conductor connecting a second terminal of said lamp to a second terminal of said switch; and a movable element of said switch for controlling the electrical connection and disconnection of said two terminals of said switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 6, in which a closure cap seal is closingly sealed to the top end of the reservoir cylinder and is provided with fracturable element to permit said seal to be broken to release said electrolyte from said reservoir; an outer closure is fixed to the top or outer end of said case to close said case against any leakage of said electrolyte; and means are supported on said outer closure for breaking said fracturable element on said closure cap seal to release said electrolyte confined therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 7, in which said reservoir cylinder is provided with longitudinal flutes spaced around the external periphery of said cylinder to enable said electrolyte when released from said cylinder to flow quickly down the full length of the anode and to quickly wet the absorbent barrier and depolarizer to render the cell active.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A reserve flashlight, as in claim 1, in which said cathode electrode is frictionally held in position against the inner surface of said plastic case, and serves, in turn, to support said depolarizer material in place.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |