Flashlight pushbutton switch

Claim 2

A switch for a flashlight including a housing having a cylindrical end, said switch comprising: a hollow cylindrical cap engaging the cylindrical end of the housing; a pushbutton in said cylindrical cap and movable axially therein; a metal electrical contact having a circular periphery and a central opening, said metal electrical contact engaging said pushbutton and being movable axially in said cylindrical cap with said pushbutton to selectively contact the cylindrical end of the housing for making selective electrical contact therewith; and a coil spring disposed axially for urging said metal electrical contact and said pushbutton away from the housing in said cylindrical cap.

Claim 3

The switch of claim 1 wherein said metal electrical contact comprises a metal ferrule having a cylindrical portion axially disposed and a circular flange extending outwardly from an end of the cylindrical portion of said metal ferrule, wherein the circular flange provides the circular periphery.

Claim 4

The switch of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical portion of said metal ferrule engages said coil spring.

Claim 5

The switch of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical portion of said metal ferrule is electrically connected to said coil spring.

Claim 6

The switch of claim 2 : wherein said pushbutton includes a cylindrical body, and wherein the cylindrical body of said pushbutton is in the cylindrical portion of said metal ferrule.

Claim 7

The switch of claim 2 further comprising a cylindrical insulator on the cylindrical portion of said metal ferrule.

Claim 8

The switch of claim 1 : wherein the cylindrical end of the housing and said cylindrical cap each include threads attaching the cylindrical end of the housing to said cylindrical cap, whereby rotating one of the housing and said cylindrical cap relative to the other one thereof causes said cylindrical cap to move axially in relation to the cylindrical end of the housing; and wherein rotating said cylindrical cap relative to the housing selectively electrically connects said metal electrical contact to the cylindrical end of the housing.

Claim 9

The switch of claim 1 : wherein said cylindrical cap has a shoulder on the interior surface thereof, wherein said pushbutton includes a lesser diameter body portion and a greater diameter body portion, and wherein the greater diameter body portion of said pushbutton is urged to bear against the shoulder of said cylindrical cap by said coil spring.

Claim 10

The switch of claim 8 wherein the lesser diameter body portion of said pushbutton is in the central opening of said metal electrical contact.

Claim 11

The switch of claim 8 : wherein said cylindrical cap has an opening therein, and wherein the lesser diameter body portion of said pushbutton is in the opening of said cylindrical cap.

Claim 12

The switch of claim 1 wherein said coil spring is electrically conductive and makes electrical contact to said metal electrical contact at the central opening thereof.

Claim 13

A switch and a flashlight comprising: a flashlight housing having a conductive end; a light source located in said flashlight housing for projecting light from said flashlight housing when said light source is energized; a battery in said flashlight housing and electrically connected to said light source and to the conductive end of said flashlight housing; a cap attached to the conductive end of said flashlight housing and having a hole therein; and a pushbutton switch in said cap comprising: a pushbutton in said cap and extending through the hole therein, wherein the pushbutton is movable in said cap; a metal contact having a circular periphery proximate said pushbutton and having a central opening therethrough, said metal contact engaging said pushbutton and being movable with said pushbutton for selectively making an electrical connection between said battery and the conductive end of said flashlight housing; and a spring for biasing said metal contact and said pushbutton away from the conductive end of said flashlight housing, whereby said light source and said battery are selectively connected in circuit by said metal contact for causing said light source to selectively produce light responsive to moving said pushbutton.

Claim 14

A switch and a flashlight comprising: a flashlight housing having a conductive end; a light source located in said flashlight housing for projecting light from said flashlight housing when said light source is energized; a battery in said flashlight housing and electrically connected to said light source and to the conductive end of said flashlight housing; a cap attached to the conductive end of said flashlight housing and having a hole therein; and a pushbutton switch in said cap comprising: a pushbutton in said cap and extending through the hole therein, wherein the pushbutton is movable in said cap; a metal contact having a circular periphery proximate said pushbutton and having a central opening therethrough, said metal contact engaging said pushbutton and being movable with said pushbutton for selectively making an electrical connection between said battery and the conductive end of said flashlight housing; and a spring for biasing said metal contact and said pushbutton away from the conductive end of said flashlight housing, whereby said light source and said battery are selectively connected in circuit by said metal contact for causing said light source to selectively produce light responsive to moving said pushbutton.

Claim 15

The switch and flashlight of claim 12 : wherein the conductive end of said flashlight housing and said cap each include threads attaching said cap to the conductive end of said flashlight housing, whereby rotating one of said flashlight housing and said cap relative to the other one thereof causes said cap to move axially in relation to the conductive end of said flashlight housing; and wherein rotating said cap relative to the conductive end of said flashlight housing moves the metal contact into electrical contact with the conductive end of said flashlight housing.

Claim 16

The switch and flashlight of claim 12 : wherein said metal contact includes a metal ferrule having a circular flange extending radially outward, wherein the circular flange of said metal ferrule provides the circular periphery of said metal contact, said metal ferrule being electrically connected to said battery and being movable axially with said pushbutton for the selectively making an electrical connection between said battery and the conductive end of said flashlight housing responsive to said pushbutton being pressed.

Claim 17

The switch and flashlight of claim 12 wherein said spring is electrically conductive and electrically connects said metal contact to said battery.

Claim 18

The switch and flashlight of claim 12 : wherein said cap has a shoulder on the interior surface thereof, wherein said pushbutton includes a lesser diameter body portion and a greater diameter body portion, and wherein the greater diameter body portion of said pushbutton is urged to bear against the shoulder of said cap by said spring.

Claim 19

The switch and flashlight of claim 16 wherein the lesser diameter body portion of said pushbutton is in the central opening of said metal contact.

Claim 20

The switch and flashlight of claim 16 : wherein said cap has an opening therein, and wherein the lesser diameter body portion of said pushbutton is in the opening of said cap.

Claim 21

The switch and flashlight of claim 12 wherein said spring is electrically conductive and makes electrical contact to said metal contact at the central opening thereof.

Claim 22

A tail-cap switch for a flashlight comprising: a cylindrical tail cap having an axial bore having a greater diameter portion and a lesser diameter portion defining a shoulder in the bore, wherein the lesser diameter portion of the axial bore defines a hole in said cylindrical tail cap, said cylindrical tail cap having threads at one end thereof for engaging a flashlight; a pushbutton in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap and movable axially therein, said pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a forward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof; a metal ferrule in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap and having an outward circular flange extending from a cylindrical body having a central opening engaging the forward cylindrical body portion of said pushbutton, said metal ferrule being movable axially in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap for selectively making electrical contact with the flashlight; and a coil spring disposed axially for urging said metal ferrule and said pushbutton toward the shoulder of the bore of said cylindrical tail cap, whereby causing said pushbutton to move axially in said cylindrical tail cap causes the circular flange of said metal ferrule to move axially relative to the flashlight and to selectively contact and not contact the flashlight.

Claim 23

A tail-cap switch for a flashlight comprising: a cylindrical tail cap having an axial bore having a greater diameter portion and a lesser diameter portion defining a shoulder in the bore, wherein the lesser diameter portion of the axial bore defines a hole in said cylindrical tail cap, said cylindrical tail cap having threads at one end thereof for engaging a flashlight; a pushbutton in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap and movable axially therein, said pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a forward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof; a metal ferrule in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap and having an outward circular flange extending from a cylindrical body having a central opening engaging the forward cylindrical body portion of said pushbutton, said metal ferrule being movable axially in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap for selectively making electrical contact with the flashlight; and a coil spring disposed axially for urging said metal ferrule and said pushbutton toward the shoulder of the bore of said cylindrical tail cap, whereby causing said pushbutton to move axially in said cylindrical tail cap causes the circular flange of said metal ferrule to move axially relative to the flashlight and to selectively contact and not contact the flashlight.

Claim 24

The tail-cap switch of claim 20 further comprising a cylindrical insulator on the cylindrical body of said metal ferrule.

Claim 25

The tail-cap switch of claim 20 wherein said coil spring is electrically conductive for providing electrical connection to said metal electrical contact.

Claim 26

The tail-cap switch of claim 20 in combination with a flashlight, wherein the flashlight includes threads for engaging the threads of said cylindrical tail cap, whereby rotating said cylindrical tail cap relative to the flashlight causes said cylindrical tail cap to move axially in relation to the flashlight, and wherein rotating said cylindrical tail cap selectively electrically connects said metal ferrule to the flashlight.

Claim 27

The tail-cap switch of claim 23 wherein said coil spring is electrically conductive and provides electrical connection between said metal ferrule and said flashlight.

Claim 28

A tail-cap switch comprising: a cylindrical tail cap having an axial bore having a greater diameter portion and a lesser diameter portion defining a shoulder in the bore, wherein the lesser diameter portion of the axial bore defines a hole in said cylindrical tail cap, said cylindrical tail cap having threads at one end thereof; a pushbutton in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap and movable axially therein, said pushbutton having an outward circular flange; a metal electrical contact in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap, said metal electrical contact having an outward circular flange and a central opening therethrough, said metal electrical contact engaging said pushbutton and being movable axially therewith in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap for selectively making electrical contact; and a coil spring disposed axially for urging said metal electrical contact and said pushbutton toward the shoulder of the bore of said cylindrical tail cap, whereby causing said pushbutton to move axially in said cylindrical tail cap causes said metal electrical contact to move axially for selectively making and breaking contact.

Claim 29

A tail-cap switch comprising: a cylindrical tail cap having an axial bore having a greater diameter portion and a lesser diameter portion defining a shoulder in the bore, wherein the lesser diameter portion of the axial bore defines a hole in said cylindrical tail cap, said cylindrical tail cap having threads at one end thereof; a pushbutton in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap and movable axially therein, said pushbutton having an outward circular flange; a metal electrical contact in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap, said metal electrical contact having an outward circular flange and a central opening therethrough, said metal electrical contact engaging said pushbutton and being movable axially therewith in the bore of said cylindrical tail cap for selectively making electrical contact; and a coil spring disposed axially for urging said metal electrical contact and said pushbutton toward the shoulder of the bore of said cylindrical tail cap, whereby causing said pushbutton to move axially in said cylindrical tail cap causes said metal electrical contact to move axially for selectively making and breaking contact.

Claim 30

The tail-cap switch of claim 25 wherein said coil spring is electrically conductive for providing electrical connection to said metal electrical contact.

Claim 31

The tail-cap switch of claim 25 in combination with an object including a conductive end having threads thereon for engaging the threads of said cylindrical tail cap, whereby rotating said cylindrical tail cap relative to the object causes said cylindrical tail cap to move axially in relation to the object, and wherein rotating said cylindrical tail cap selectively electrically connects said metal electrical contact to the conductive end of the object.

Claim 32

The tail-cap switch of claim 27 wherein said coil spring is electrically conductive for providing electrical connection between said metal electrical contact and said object.

Claim 33

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange between a forward cylindrical body portion and a rearward cylindrical body portion each of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof; a metal contact ferrule having an outward circular contact flange extending from a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body of the metal contact ferrule having a central opening engaging the forward cylindrical body portion of said pushbutton therein, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact ferrule is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and electrically contacting said metal contact ferrule for urging said metal contact ferrule and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 34

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange between a forward cylindrical body portion and a rearward cylindrical body portion each of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof; a metal contact ferrule having an outward circular contact flange extending from a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body of the metal contact ferrule having a central opening engaging the forward cylindrical body portion of said pushbutton therein, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact ferrule is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and electrically contacting said metal contact ferrule for urging said metal contact ferrule and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 35

The switch assembly of claim 29 further comprising a cylindrical insulator on the cylindrical body of said metal contact ferrule, wherein the circular periphery of the outward circular contact flange of said metal contact ferrule is exposed.

Claim 36

The switch assembly of claim 29 wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating.

Claim 37

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating; a metal electrical contact having an outward circular contact flange and having a central opening therethrough, said metal electrical contact engaging the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and extending into the central opening through said metal electrical contact for electrically contacting the metal electrical contact, said coil spring for urging the metal electrical contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 38

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating; a metal electrical contact having an outward circular contact flange and having a central opening therethrough, said metal electrical contact engaging the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and extending into the central opening through said metal electrical contact for electrically contacting the metal electrical contact, said coil spring for urging the metal electrical contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 39

The switch assembly of claim 32 wherein the cylindrical body portion of said pushbutton is in the central opening of said metal electrical contact.

Claim 40

The switch assembly of claim 32 wherein said metal electrical contact comprises a metal ferrule having a cylindrical portion axially disposed and a circular flange extending outwardly from an end of the cylindrical portion of said metal ferrule, wherein the circular flange of said metal ferrule provides the outward circular contact flange of said metal electrical contact.

Claim 41

A flashlight comprising: a cylindrical housing having a reduced inner diameter portion and a hole at a forward end thereof, wherein said housing is electrically conductive, wherein the reduced inner diameter portion defines a shoulder; a solid state light source in said housing abutting the shoulder and projecting through the hole at the forward end of said housing; at least one battery in said housing; a tail cap attached to said housing at a rearward end thereof; and a switch located in said tail cap for selectively connecting said solid state light source and said at least one battery in circuit for causing said solid state light source to produce light, said circuit including said electrically conductive housing, and said switch including a metal ferrule having a circular flange movable to contact said housing, said ferrule being in electrical contact with said at least one battery.

Claim 42

A flashlight comprising: a cylindrical housing having a reduced inner diameter portion and a hole at a forward end thereof, wherein said housing is electrically conductive, wherein the reduced inner diameter portion defines a shoulder; a solid state light source in said housing abutting the shoulder and projecting through the hole at the forward end of said housing; at least one battery in said housing; a tail cap attached to said housing at a rearward end thereof; and a switch located in said tail cap for selectively connecting said solid state light source and said at least one battery in circuit for causing said solid state light source to produce light, said circuit including said electrically conductive housing, and said switch including a metal ferrule having a circular flange movable to contact said housing, said ferrule being in electrical contact with said at least one battery.

Claim 43

A pocket-sized flashlight comprising: an elongated hollow cylindrical metal housing having a reduced inner diameter portion and a hole at a forward end thereof, wherein the reduced inner diameter portion defines a shoulder; a solid state light source located in said housing abutting the shoulder and having a light-emitting lens projecting through the hole at the forward end of the metal housing, said solid state light source having first and second electrical leads, the first electrical lead making electrical contact to said metal housing; a plurality of batteries in series connection in said housing and connected to the second electrical lead of said solid state light source; a tail cap attached to said metal housing at a rearward end thereof and having a hole therein; and a pushbutton switch located in said tail cap and extending through the hole therein for selectively connecting said plurality of batteries to said metal housing, said pushbutton switch including a metal ferrule having a circular flange extending radially outward, said metal ferrule being connected to said plurality of batteries and being movable axially for contacting said metal housing responsive to said pushbutton being pressed, whereby said solid state light source and said batteries are selectively connected in circuit for causing said solid state light source to selectively produce light responsive to said pushbutton switch.

Claim 44

A pocket-sized flashlight comprising: an elongated hollow cylindrical metal housing having a reduced inner diameter portion and a hole at a forward end thereof, wherein the reduced inner diameter portion defines a shoulder; a solid state light source located in said housing abutting the shoulder and having a light-emitting lens projecting through the hole at the forward end of the metal housing, said solid state light source having first and second electrical leads, the first electrical lead making electrical contact to said metal housing; a plurality of batteries in series connection in said housing and connected to the second electrical lead of said solid state light source; a tail cap attached to said metal housing at a rearward end thereof and having a hole therein; and a pushbutton switch located in said tail cap and extending through the hole therein for selectively connecting said plurality of batteries to said metal housing, said pushbutton switch including a metal ferrule having a circular flange extending radially outward, said metal ferrule being connected to said plurality of batteries and being movable axially for contacting said metal housing responsive to said pushbutton being pressed, whereby said solid state light source and said batteries are selectively connected in circuit for causing said solid state light source to selectively produce light responsive to said pushbutton switch.

Claim 45

The switch of claim 1 wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating.

Claim 46

The switch and flashlight of claim 12 wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating.

Claim 47

The tail-cap switch of claim 20 wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating.

Claim 48

The tail-cap switch of claim 25 wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating.

Claim 49

A switch comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a rearward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, said pushbutton also having an engaging feature; a metal contact having an outward circular contact flange and an engaging feature thereon for engaging the engaging feature of said pushbutton, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed for electrically contacting said metal contact and for urging said metal contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 50

A switch comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a rearward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, said pushbutton also having an engaging feature; a metal contact having an outward circular contact flange and an engaging feature thereon for engaging the engaging feature of said pushbutton, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed for electrically contacting said metal contact and for urging said metal contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 51

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a rearward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, said pushbutton also having a radially symmetric engaging feature; a metal contact ferrule having an outward circular contact flange and a radially symmetric engaging feature thereon complementary to and engaging the radially symmetric engaging feature of said pushbutton, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact ferrule is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and electrically contacting said metal contact ferrule for urging said metal contact ferrule and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 52

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a rearward cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, said pushbutton also having a radially symmetric engaging feature; a metal contact ferrule having an outward circular contact flange and a radially symmetric engaging feature thereon complementary to and engaging the radially symmetric engaging feature of said pushbutton, wherein the circular contact flange of said metal contact ferrule is proximate the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and electrically contacting said metal contact ferrule for urging said metal contact ferrule and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 53

The switch assembly of claim 42 wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating.

Claim 54

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating; a metal electrical contact having an outward circular contact flange and having a central opening therethrough, said metal electrical contact abutting the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; wherein said pushbutton and said metal electrical contact have complementary means for maintaining said pushbutton and said metal electrical contact in a predetermined radial relationship; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and extending into the central opening of said metal electrical contact for electrically contacting the metal electrical contact, said coil spring for urging the metal electrical contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 55

A switch assembly comprising: a pushbutton having an outward circular flange and a cylindrical body portion of lesser diameter than the circular flange thereof, wherein said pushbutton is electrically insulating; a metal electrical contact having an outward circular contact flange and having a central opening therethrough, said metal electrical contact abutting the outward circular flange of said pushbutton; wherein said pushbutton and said metal electrical contact have complementary means for maintaining said pushbutton and said metal electrical contact in a predetermined radial relationship; and an electrically conductive coil spring disposed axially with respect to said pushbutton and extending into the central opening of said metal electrical contact for electrically contacting the metal electrical contact, said coil spring for urging the metal electrical contact and said pushbutton in the same direction.

Claim 56

The switch assembly of claim 44 wherein the means for maintaining said pushbutton and said metal electrical contact in a predetermined radial relationship maintains said pushbutton and said metal electrical contact in a coaxial relationship.

Claim 57

The switch assembly of claim 44 wherein the outward circular flange of said metal electrical contact is centered relative to the outward circular flange of said pushbutton.

Claim 58

The switch assembly of claim 44 wherein said metal electrical contact comprises a metal ferrule having a radially symmetric projection extending axially from an outward circular flange thereof, wherein the circular flange of said metal ferrule provides the outward circular contact flange of said metal electrical contact and the radially symmetric projection provides the complementary means for maintaining of said metal electrical contact.

Claim 59

A pocket-sized pushbutton switch flashlight comprising: an elongated hollow cylindrical metal housing having a hole at a forward end thereof; a solid state light source located in said housing and having a light-emitting lens projecting through the hole at the forward end of the metal housing, said solid state light source having first and second electrical leads, the first electrical lead making electrical contact to said metal housing; a plurality of batteries in series connection in said housing and connected to the second electrical lead of said solid state light source; a tail cap attached to said metal housing at a rearward end thereof and having a hole therein; and a pushbutton switch located in said tail cap and extending through the hole therein for selectively connecting said plurality of batteries to said metal housing, said pushbutton switch including: a metal ferrule having a circular contact flange extending radially outward and moveable axially for selectively contacting said metal housing responsive to said pushbutton switch being pressed, said metal ferrule having a centering feature for centering said metal ferrule in said tail cap; and a metal coil spring for electrically connecting said metal ferrule to said plurality of batteries and for urging said metal ferrule away from said metal housing, said metal coil spring extending into the centering feature of said metal ferrule, whereby said solid state light source and said batteries are selectively connected in circuit for causing said solid state light source to selectively produce light responsive to said pushbutton switch.

Claim 60

A pocket-sized pushbutton switch flashlight comprising: an elongated hollow cylindrical metal housing having a hole at a forward end thereof; a solid state light source located in said housing and having a light-emitting lens projecting through the hole at the forward end of the metal housing, said solid state light source having first and second electrical leads, the first electrical lead making electrical contact to said metal housing; a plurality of batteries in series connection in said housing and connected to the second electrical lead of said solid state light source; a tail cap attached to said metal housing at a rearward end thereof and having a hole therein; and a pushbutton switch located in said tail cap and extending through the hole therein for selectively connecting said plurality of batteries to said metal housing, said pushbutton switch including: a metal ferrule having a circular contact flange extending radially outward and moveable axially for selectively contacting said metal housing responsive to said pushbutton switch being pressed, said metal ferrule having a centering feature for centering said metal ferrule in said tail cap; and a metal coil spring for electrically connecting said metal ferrule to said plurality of batteries and for urging said metal ferrule away from said metal housing, said metal coil spring extending into the centering feature of said metal ferrule, whereby said solid state light source and said batteries are selectively connected in circuit for causing said solid state light source to selectively produce light responsive to said pushbutton switch.