US3776429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination flashlight and propellant discharge device
Assignee: LUCIA J DE
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Filing: 1972-02-28
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A device, incorporating the conventional configuration, appearance, weight and handiness of a flashlight, which doubles as a flashlight and a protective means incorporating a three position switch, a first or off position for deactivating the device, a second position for completing a circuit to the flashlight bulb through a conventional battery energized circuit and a third position for discharging a propellant from a capsule, enclosed within the housing, in the general direction in which the flashlight is aimed, the circuit to the bulb being energized in said third position. Interlock means are provided to prevent discharge of the propellant at all times except when the switch is in the third position.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucia J De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:39
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0064; F21V33/0076; F21L; F21L4/00; F21L4/005; F41; F41H; F41H9/00; F41H9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
305 words
A combination flashlight and propellant discharge device comprising, A. a main, generally cylindrical housing providing, 1. a rear chamber, having a removable rear end closure cap, for the reception of conventional flashlight battery means in contact with positive and negative terminal means, 2. a forward chamber having, a. a longitudinally disposed sleeve fixed therein for the sliding reception of a conventional type of valved capsule containing a propellant, b. a cap means slidably receiving a neck portion of the capsule, 3. an enlarged head portion containing, a. a removable lens, reflector, light bulb and socket assembly, b. electric terminal means to said light bulb, c. connection means between said discharge means and said head portion to open the valve means in the capsule to discharge the propellant when the capsule is slid forwardly in said sleeve; B. a switch means providing, 1. a three position slide button having, a. a first, off, position, b. a second position wherein contact means are provided to complete an electric circuit between said battery and light bulb terminals, and c. a third position wherein said electric circuit is maintained, 2. means, including a manually operable push button, to slide the capsule forwardly in said sleeve, 3. interlock means to prevent operation of said push button in said first and second positions and to permit operation thereof in said third position, said rear chamber being defined between said closure cap and a first wall fixed within said housing intermediate its length, said positive terminal for the battery means being fixed to said first wall and said negative terminal being in the form of a compression spring fixed within said end cap; said forward chamber being defined between said first wall and a second wall, spaced forwardly therefrom, having means to maintain it firmly in place to permit manual removal threof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
305 words
A combination flashlight and propellant discharge device comprising, A. a main, generally cylindrical housing providing, 1. a rear chamber, having a removable rear end closure cap, for the reception of conventional flashlight battery means in contact with positive and negative terminal means, 2. a forward chamber having, a. a longitudinally disposed sleeve fixed therein for the sliding reception of a conventional type of valved capsule containing a propellant, b. a cap means slidably receiving a neck portion of the capsule, 3. an enlarged head portion containing, a. a removable lens, reflector, light bulb and socket assembly, b. electric terminal means to said light bulb, c. connection means between said discharge means and said head portion to open the valve means in the capsule to discharge the propellant when the capsule is slid forwardly in said sleeve; B. a switch means providing, 1. a three position slide button having, a. a first, off, position, b. a second position wherein contact means are provided to complete an electric circuit between said battery and light bulb terminals, and c. a third position wherein said electric circuit is maintained, 2. means, including a manually operable push button, to slide the capsule forwardly in said sleeve, 3. interlock means to prevent operation of said push button in said first and second positions and to permit operation thereof in said third position, said rear chamber being defined between said closure cap and a first wall fixed within said housing intermediate its length, said positive terminal for the battery means being fixed to said first wall and said negative terminal being in the form of a compression spring fixed within said end cap; said forward chamber being defined between said first wall and a second wall, spaced forwardly therefrom, having means to maintain it firmly in place to permit manual removal threof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
a forward chamber having, a. a longitudinally disposed sleeve fixed therein for the sliding reception of a conventional type of valved capsule containing a propellant, b. a cap means slidably receiving a neck portion of the capsule,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
a forward chamber having, a. a longitudinally disposed sleeve fixed therein for the sliding reception of a conventional type of valved capsule containing a propellant, b. a cap means slidably receiving a neck portion of the capsule,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
means, including a manually operable push button, to slide the capsule forwardly in said sleeve,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
means, including a manually operable push button, to slide the capsule forwardly in said sleeve,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to maintain comprises a pair of elongated, longitudinally extending spring strips, fixed at their rear ends to said main housing in a diametrically opposed relation, each of said spring strips having a generally inwardly turned forward end portion with a widened head and a narrowed neck therebehind sized to fit snugly in the inner portion of an inwardly extending edge notch in said second wall, said notch having a widened outer Portion to permit passage therethrough of said widened head when said inwardly turned end portion is manually flexed outwardly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
means, including a manually operable push button, to slide the capsule forwardly in said sleeve,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
means, including a manually operable push button, to slide the capsule forwardly in said sleeve,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
a forward chamber having, a. a longitudinally disposed sleeve fixed therein for the sliding reception of a conventional type of valved capsule containing a propellant, b. a cap means slidably receiving a neck portion of the capsule,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
a forward chamber having, a. a longitudinally disposed sleeve fixed therein for the sliding reception of a conventional type of valved capsule containing a propellant, b. a cap means slidably receiving a neck portion of the capsule,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
interlock means to prevent operation of said push button in said first and second positions and to permit operation thereof in said third position, said three position slide being slidably mounted along said longitudinally disposed switch housing, fixed against the outer surface of said main housing, intermediate the length thereof, detent and follower means to selectively position said slide button in any of said three positions; first and second leaf spring slide members fixed to said slide button for longitudinal movement within said switch housing; said first slide member carrying said contact means which bridges a pair of contacts to complete said flashlight circuit when said slide button is in said second and third positions; said interlock means being comprised of said second leaf spring slide member and abutment means positioned immediately therebelow, preventing downward movement of said push button at all times except when said slide button is in said third position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
interlock means to prevent operation of said push button in said first and second positions and to permit operation thereof in said third position, said three position slide being slidably mounted along said longitudinally disposed switch housing, fixed against the outer surface of said main housing, intermediate the length thereof, detent and follower means to selectively position said slide button in any of said three positions; first and second leaf spring slide members fixed to said slide button for longitudinal movement within said switch housing; said first slide member carrying said contact means which bridges a pair of contacts to complete said flashlight circuit when said slide button is in said second and third positions; said interlock means being comprised of said second leaf spring slide member and abutment means positioned immediately therebelow, preventing downward movement of said push button at all times except when said slide button is in said third position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
an enlarged head portion containing, a. a removable lens, reflector, light bulb and socket assembly, b. electric terminal means to said light bulb, c. connection means between said discharge means and said head portion to open the valve means in the capsule to discharge the propellant when the capsule is slid forwardly in said sleeve; B. a switch means providing,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
an enlarged head portion containing, a. a removable lens, reflector, light bulb and socket assembly, b. electric terminal means to said light bulb, c. connection means between said discharge means and said head portion to open the valve means in the capsule to discharge the propellant when the capsule is slid forwardly in said sleeve; B. a switch means providing,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
interlock means to prevent operation of said push button in said first and second positions and to permit operation thereof in said third position, said rear chamber being defined between said closure cap and a first wall fixed within said housing intermediate its length, said positive terminal for the battery means being fixed to said first wall and said negative terminal being in the form of a compression spring fixed within said end cap; said forward chamber being defined between said first wall and a second wall, spaced forwardly therefrom, having means to maintain it firmly in place to permit manual removal threof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
interlock means to prevent operation of said push button in said first and second positions and to permit operation thereof in said third position, said rear chamber being defined between said closure cap and a first wall fixed within said housing intermediate its length, said positive terminal for the battery means being fixed to said first wall and said negative terminal being in the form of a compression spring fixed within said end cap; said forward chamber being defined between said first wall and a second wall, spaced forwardly therefrom, having means to maintain it firmly in place to permit manual removal threof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
84 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said cap means comprises a longitudinally disposed cap having its closed end disposed against said second wall and its open end slidably receiving said capsule neck, a rigid tube being axially disposed, through said cap and having a forward end extending through sand rigidly fixed to said closed end, and a rearward end positioned to engage and open the capsule valve means, when the capsule is slid forwardly, to discharge the propellant through said rigid tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
an enlarged head portion containing, a. a removable lens, reflector, light bulb and socket assembly, b. electric terminal means to said light bulb, c. connection means between said discharge means and said head portion to open the valve means in the capsule to discharge the propellant when the capsule is slid forwardly in said sleeve; B. a switch means providing,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
an enlarged head portion containing, a. a removable lens, reflector, light bulb and socket assembly, b. electric terminal means to said light bulb, c. connection means between said discharge means and said head portion to open the valve means in the capsule to discharge the propellant when the capsule is slid forwardly in said sleeve; B. a switch means providing,
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said propellant discharge means comprises a short length of tubing, having a small diameter through orifice, mounted adjacent to the outer periphery of the forward end of said enlarged head portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said connection means comprises said rigid tube and a flexible tubular connection between said rigid tube and short length of tubing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination flashlight and propellant discharge device comprising, A. a main, generally cylindrical housing providing,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination flashlight and propellant discharge device comprising, A. a main, generally cylindrical housing providing,
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
108 words
The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein a portion of said second leaf spring slide member is at all times positioned directly beneath said push button, said second slide member having a main length of a predetermined width and an increased width forward end portion, said abutment means comprises a pair of opposed, fixed inwardly extending flanges which are spaced apart a distance to permit downward movement of said push button to flex said second slide member inbetween said flanges in said third position, said downward movement being arrested in said first and second positions by contact of said increased width forward end portion with said flanges.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination as defined in claim 7 including cam means operable to impart forward sliding movement to the capsule and a vertically extending plunger, operably connected to said cam means, having an enlarged head portion urged at all times by a compression spring against the bottom surface of said second leaf spring slide member whereby downward movement of said push button is transmitted to said plunger and cam means when said slide button is in said third position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said cam means is comprised of a movable slide block, fixed to the bottom end of said plunger, in sliding engagement with a block fixed to said first wall, said blocks having complementarily abutting, angled cam surfaces whereby said movable block, which is in contact with the rear end of the capsule, is moved forwardly, during its downward movement, to move the capsule forwardly.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
69 words
The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said push button is fabricated from a suitable plastic material having a color such as red, including a light reflecting optic rod having a first end positioned closely adjacent to said light bulb and a second end positioned to reflect light from said light bulb onto said push button to illuminate same when said slide button is in said third position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein said second leaf spring slide member includes a through hole, positioned to permit the reflected light to pass therethrough in said third position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |