US5321591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toy flashlight strobe module
Assignee: I and K Trading Co
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Filing: 1992-12-21
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Granted: 1994-06-14
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Expires: 2012-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A toy flashlight formed in a configuration including a strobe module. The flashlight includes a handle housing and a releasably mounted transparent enclosure with the strobe module enclosed therebetween. The strobe module is provided to switch a light source between ON state and an OFF state to create a rapidly blinking light. Further, a strobing circuit is provided to control the switching mechanism of the strobe module. In this manner, the strobe module with strobing circuit can be inserted into a conventional flashlight to enhance its play value.
Inventors
- 👤 Benjamin Cimock
- 👤 Eric Gatley
- 👤 Patrick Chau
- 👤 John Lam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:00
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/26; H03K3/28; H03K3/281; H03K3/282; H03K3/2826; H03K3/2828; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/09; A; A63; A63H; A63H33/00; A63H33/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An amusement device comprising handle means for receiving a power supply therein, light source means releasably mounted to said handle means for emitting a beam of light, strobe means mounted to said handle means for controlling the output of said beam of light, said strobe means including a Darlington circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, said first transistor having an emitter and a base, said second transistor having an emitter and a collector, said emitter of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor coupled to said light source; an RC circuit coupled to said base of said first transistor and to said collector of said second transistor; a drain resistor coupled to said RC circuit, said base of said first transistor and said emitter of said second transistor and said power supply coupled to said emitter of said first transistor and said light source, said handle means including a switching means connected to said light source means, said power supply and said strobe means for supplying power to said strobe means and a substantially transparent enclosure means releasably mounted to said handle means so that said beam of light transmits through said transparent enclosure; wherein said strobe means turns said light source means to an on state and an off state so that said beam of light blinks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An amusement device comprising handle means for receiving a power supply therein, light source means releasably mounted to said handle means for emitting a beam of light, strobe means mounted to said handle means for controlling the output of said beam of light, said strobe means including a Darlington circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, said first transistor having an emitter and a base, said second transistor having an emitter and a collector, said emitter of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor coupled to said light source; an RC circuit coupled to said base of said first transistor and to said collector of said second transistor; a drain resistor coupled to said RC circuit, said base of said first transistor and said emitter of said second transistor and said power supply coupled to said emitter of said first transistor and said light source, said handle means including a switching means connected to said light source means, said power supply and said strobe means for supplying power to said strobe means and a substantially transparent enclosure means releasably mounted to said handle means so that said beam of light transmits through said transparent enclosure; wherein said strobe means turns said light source means to an on state and an off state so that said beam of light blinks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said light source means is a light bulb.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said transparent enclosure is a sword to provide additional play value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amusement device of claim 3, wherein said sword includes a blade and a hilt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
A strobing circuit for switching a light source between an on state and an off state, comprising: a Darlington circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, said first transistor having an emitter and a base, said second transistor having an emitter and a collector, said emitter of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor coupled to said light source; an RC circuit coupled to said base of said first transistor and to said collector of said second transistor; a drain resistor coupled to said RC circuit, said base of said first transistor and said emitter of said second transistor; and power supply means coupled to said emitter of said first transistor and said light source for driving said strobing circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
A strobing circuit for switching a light source between an on state and an off state, comprising: a Darlington circuit having a first transistor and a second transistor, said first transistor having an emitter and a base, said second transistor having an emitter and a collector, said emitter of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor coupled to said light source; an RC circuit coupled to said base of said first transistor and to said collector of said second transistor; a drain resistor coupled to said RC circuit, said base of said first transistor and said emitter of said second transistor; and power supply means coupled to said emitter of said first transistor and said light source for driving said strobing circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said first transistor includes a collector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The strobing circuit of claim 6, wherein said second transistor includes a base, said base of said second transistor coupled to said collector of said first transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said first transistor is a master transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said second transistor is a slave transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said drain resistor has a value of 100 kΩ.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said resistor of said RC circuit has a value of 47 kΩ.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said capacitor of said RC circuit has a value of 2.2 μF.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said power supply supplies 3.0 volts to said circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The strobing circuit of claim 5, wherein said light source is a prefocused bulb having a resistance of 0.9 Ω.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
210 words
A strobing circuit for rapidly switching a light source between an on state and an off state, comprising: power supply means for supplying charge to the circuit; charging means for storing the charge received from the power supply means for a predetermined period of time; and switching means for switching between the on state and the off state based on the charge of the charging means; said switching means including a first transistor and a second transistor, said first transistor having an emitter and a base, said second transistor having an emitter and a collector, said emitter of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor coupled to said light source; said charging means coupled to said base of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor, the switching means being in the on state when the charge is stored in the charging means; the switching means being in the off state when no charge is stored in the charging means; the light source being in the on state for the predetermined period of time of the charging means when the switching means is in the on state and the light source is in the off state when the switching means is in the off state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
210 words
A strobing circuit for rapidly switching a light source between an on state and an off state, comprising: power supply means for supplying charge to the circuit; charging means for storing the charge received from the power supply means for a predetermined period of time; and switching means for switching between the on state and the off state based on the charge of the charging means; said switching means including a first transistor and a second transistor, said first transistor having an emitter and a base, said second transistor having an emitter and a collector, said emitter of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor coupled to said light source; said charging means coupled to said base of said first transistor and said collector of said second transistor, the switching means being in the on state when the charge is stored in the charging means; the switching means being in the off state when no charge is stored in the charging means; the light source being in the on state for the predetermined period of time of the charging means when the switching means is in the on state and the light source is in the off state when the switching means is in the off state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The strobing circuit of claim 15, wherein when said first transistor is in the on state, the second transistor is in the on state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The strobing circuit of claim 16, wherein the charging means is a RC circuit including a resistor and a capacitor.
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) | 1997-06-13 | 1997-12-13 | 1998-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-13 | 2001-12-13 | 2002-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-13 | 2005-12-13 | 2006-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |