Push button switching module for flashlights

Claim 2

A push button switching module adapted for coupling between a battery casing and a lens and reflector unit which comprises a module casing having a push button switch secured on a mounting bracket both of which are fixedly disposed wholly within the module casing with the bottom member of said switch aligned with an opening in the wall of the module casing, and contact means adapted through activation of the push button switch for completing or interrupting an electrical circuit between said battery casing and said lens and reflector unit.

Claim 3

The push button switching module of claim 1 wherein a flexible boot member is disposed and secured over the opening in the wall of the module casing where the button member of said switch is aligned, and wherein said switching module has a first threaded open end adapted to be threadably mounted to the battery casing and a second threaded open end adapted to be threadably mounted to the lens and reflector unit.

Claim 4

The push button switching module of claim 2 wherein the threaded open ends of the module are axially aligned.

Claim 5

The push button switching module of claim 2 wherein the threaded open ends of the module are disposed on axis spaced 90* apart.

Claim 6

A flashlight comprising a battery casing provided with a front open end adapted to receive at least one battery and having means for electrically connecting the bottom vicinity of said battery casing to the vicinity of the front open end; a lens and reflector unit having a front open end and including a lens, a lens ring, a lamp holder containing contact means, and a lamp mounted therein; and a switching module adapted at one end to be detachably mounted to the open end of the battery casing and adapted at the opposite end to be detachably mounted to the open end of the lens and reflector unit, said switching module comprising a module casing having a push button switch secured on a mounting bracket both of which are fixedly disposed wholly within the module casing with the button member of said switch aligned with an opening in the wall of the module casing, and contact means adapted through activation of the push button switch for completing or interrupting an electrical circuit between the battery casing and the lens and reflector unit.

Claim 7

A flashlight comprising a battery casing provided with a front open end adapted to receive at least one battery and having means for electrically connecting the bottom vicinity of said battery casing to the vicinity of the front open end; a lens and reflector unit having a front open end and including a lens, a lens ring, a lamp holder containing contact means, and a lamp mounted therein; and a switching module adapted at one end to be detachably mounted to the open end of the battery casing and adapted at the opposite end to be detachably mounted to the open end of the lens and reflector unit, said switching module comprising a module casing having a push button switch secured on a mounting bracket both of which are fixedly disposed wholly within the module casing with the button member of said switch aligned with an opening in the wall of the module casing, and contact means adapted through activation of the push button switch for completing or interrupting an electrical circuit between the battery casing and the lens and reflector unit.

Claim 8

The flashlight of claim 5 wherein a flexible boot member is disposed and secured over the opening in the wall of the module casing where the button member of said switches faces; wherein the front open end of the battery casing is threaded; wherein the front open end of the lens and reflector unit is threaded; and wherein both ends of the switching module are threaded so that the battery casing can be threadably mounted at one end of the module while the lens and reflector unit can be threadably mounted to the opposite end.

Claim 9

The flashlight of claim 6 wherein the threaded ends of the switching module are axially aligned.

Claim 10

The flashlight of claim 6 wherein the threaded ends of the switching module are disposed on axis spaced 90* apart.

Claim 11

The flashlight of claim 6 wherein a gasket is added between the flexible boot member and the opening in the wall of the module casing so as to provide a watertight seal thereat.

Claim 12

The flashlight of claim 9 wherein a gasket is added between each of the mating threaded mountings of the flashlight.

Claim 13

The flashlight of claim 8 wherein a belt-clip is secured to the side of the switching module casing.

Claim 14

The flashlight of claim 6 wherein said battery casing has electrical contact means extending from the bottom of said battery casing to the vicinity of the front open end; wherein said lens and reflector has a contact shell mounted therein; and wherein said switching module has a first means for coupling the contact means at the vicinity of the front open end of the battery casing to the contact shell in the lens and reflector unit, a second means adapted for coupling the terminal of the lamp to the center terminal of a battery disposed adjacent the front open end of the battery casing, and wherein said switch controls at least one of said first and second means.