U.S. patent application number 13/262804 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for multifunction flashlight.
Invention is credited to Glenn Bushee.
Application Number | 20120274774 13/262804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43992341 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120274774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bushee; Glenn |
November 1, 2012 |
MULTIFUNCTION FLASHLIGHT
Abstract
A multifunction flashlight includes an audio recorder, a video
recorder and a flashlight having one or more operating modes. The
flashlight includes an audio microphone secured within a
water-tight interior compartment in the body of the flashlight. A
storage compartment is provided in a rear portion of the flashlight
for removably storing one or more light diffuser caps which are
selectively mountable over the flashlight lens. A port in the wall
of the flashlight can be opened to improve audio reception and
sensitivity of a microphone housed within the flashlight. A
resilient switch cover is provided with two or more differently
textured surface portions to allow an operator to identify an
audio, video or lighting function by tactile feel or touch. A delay
circuit can be provided to protect the audio and/or video functions
from in advertent or unintentional actuation.
Inventors: |
Bushee; Glenn; (Duxbury,
MA) |
Family ID: |
43992341 |
Appl. No.: |
13/262804 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
November 2, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/55038 |
371 Date: |
October 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61281038 |
Nov 12, 2009 |
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61338297 |
Feb 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/158 ;
348/E7.085; 362/86 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/025 20130101;
G11B 33/06 20130101; G11B 33/10 20130101; F21V 33/0056 20130101;
F21L 4/005 20130101; F21V 33/0052 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/158 ; 362/86;
348/E07.085 |
International
Class: |
F21L 4/00 20060101
F21L004/00; H04N 7/18 20060101 H04N007/18 |
Claims
1. A flashlight, comprising: a video recorder; a switch for turning
said video recorder on and off; and a timer circuit electrically
connected to said switch delaying activation of said video
recorder.
2. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said timer circuit delays
deactivation of said video recorder.
3. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said switch must be held in
an on position for at least 0.5 seconds before said video recorder
begins recording.
4. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said switch much be held in
an off position for at least 0.5 seconds before said video recorder
ends recording.
5. The flashlight of claim 1, wherein said flashlight further
comprises an exterior wall and further comprising a microphone
mounted and enclosed within said exterior wall of said flashlight
and connected to an audio recorder mounted within said
flashlight.
6. A flashlight, comprising; an exterior wall; an audio recorder
integral with said flashlight and disposed inside said exterior
wall; and a microphone mounted within said flashlight and inside
and enclosed within said exterior wall for sending audio signals to
said audio recorder.
7. The flashlight of claim 6, further comprising a shock absorbing
material provided adjacent at least a portion of said
microphone.
8. The flashlight of claim 6, wherein said flashlight comprises a
hollow body portion and an opening formed in said hollow body
portion proximate said microphone and communicating with ambient
externally of said hollow body portion.
9. The flashlight of claim 8, further comprising a membrane
provided between the opening and said microphone to protect said
microphone.
10. The flashlight of claim 8, further comprising a movable cover
selectively covering the opening.
11. A flashlight, comprising: a light source; a first on-off switch
connected electrically to said light source; a video recorder; a
second on-off switch connected electrically to said video recorder;
and a switch cover disposed adjacent said first and second
switches, said switch cover having a first textured portion
adjacent said first switch and a second textured portion having a
texture different from said first textured portion and disposed
adjacent said second switch.
12. The flashlight of claim 11, wherein said switch cover comprises
a resilient switch cover and further comprising a microphone
disposed within said flashlight adjacent to said switch cover.
13. The flashlight of claim 12, wherein said first textured portion
is substantially smooth and said second textured portion is
substantially rough.
14. The flashlight of claim 11, further comprising a storage
compartment formed within said flashlight and a plurality of light
diffusing lenses stored within said storage compartment.
15. The flashlight of claim 11, further comprising a light
polarizing lens fitted on said flashlight.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0001] Law enforcement officers typically carry a flashlight while
on duty. Such flashlights are often referred to as "duty lights".
While these conventional flashlights work well, it may be desirable
in some cases to combine multiple functions with the traditional
lighting and illumination functions provided by conventional duty
lights.
[0002] In accordance with this disclosure, a digital photographic
recording or video function and an audio or sound recording
function can be combined with a traditional duty light function in
a compact durable flashlight body.
[0003] Photographic recordings of high quality can be obtained with
the use of a light diffusing lens cap which can be selectively
mounted over the lens of the flashlight. The diffuser lens can be
conveniently stored in a compartment formed in part by a removable
end cap on the body of the flashlight.
[0004] In order to protect the audio recording microphone from
shocks, loud noises and water damage, the microphone is
conveniently mounted beneath a flexible elastomeric water-tight
light switch cover used for operating the lighting function and the
audio and video recording function of the flashlight. While it may
seem that such a recessed and covered mounting would adversely
affect the quality of audio recordings, this has been found not to
be the case. In fact, excellent quality audio recordings are
possible with the microphone mounted beneath the light switch cover
and beneath the switches which are actuated by depressing the
switch cover.
[0005] To further protect the audio recording microphone from
damage due to loud noises, such as gunfire and explosions, the
microphone can be covered, encased or encapsulated in a protective
sound attenuating covering, such as a foam material, flocked
material, sponge-like material, a batting material, or preferably
an open-cell foam material.
[0006] A polarized lens cap is provided to reduce glare from
reflected sunlight. For example, when video recording a shiny
object in sunlight, such as a laminated driver's license or a car
window, a polarized lens fitted over the lens of the video recorder
will improve the quality of the recorded images by reducing the
glare reflected from the license or window. Similar improvements
are achieved at night by reducing the glare from bright lights,
such as high intensity flashlights and car headlights.
[0007] In one embodiment, an on-off switch which operates the video
recorder is connected to a timer circuit which provides a timed
delay between the time the switch is activated and the time the
video recorder responds. That is, once an operator depresses or
activates the on-off switch for the video recorder, the switch must
remain depressed for a predetermined period of time, such as
one-half, one or two seconds, before the video recorder is turned
on and turned off. This prevents accidental or unintentional
activation and deactivation of the video recorder by a momentary
brief depression of the video recorder on-off switch such as may
occur when the flashlight is dropped or bumped. Once the video
recorder is activated and begins recording, a blinking light can
shine through a translucent switch cover to provide notice to an
operator that the flashlight is recording video images. When the
video recorder is turned off, the blinking light is also turned
off.
[0008] The switch cover can include two different surface portions
to provide two different tactile sensations to an operator's
fingers and thumb. For example, a smooth resilient surface portion
can overlie the video recorder on-off switch and a textured
resilient surface portion can overlie the flashlight on-off switch.
The feel of the different sections provides an indication to the
operator that the operator is activating the desired function--i.e.
illumination or video recording or, optionally audio recording.
Optionally, a third differently textured portion can be provided on
the portion of the switch cover overlying the audio switch.
Pressing down on the desired switch surface portion activates and
deactivates the video recorder and the flashlight and/or
optionally, the audio recorder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the multifunction duty
light constructed in accordance with this disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view thereof;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view thereof;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded rear perspective view
thereof;
[0018] FIG. 9 is right side view, partially in section, showing an
alternate embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 10-13 are partial views of other embodiments similar to
FIG. 9;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a partial view of a microphone enclosed in a
shock absorbing material; and
[0021] FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a switching arrangement
including a time delay circuit.
[0022] In the various views of the drawings, like reference
numerals denote like or similar parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] As seen on FIGS. 1-8, a multifunction flashlight 10 is
constructed in three sections, namely a front tubular body portion
12, a rear tubular body portion 14 and a rear end cap 16. The front
and rear body portions 12, 14 and the rear end cap 16 can be
fabricated from any durable material such as metal or plastic
materials, with aluminum alloys being well suited for this
application.
[0024] The front and rear body portions 12, 14 can be removably
interconnected at interface 15 with a screw-thread connection, and
the end cap 16 can be removably interconnected at interface 17 to
the rear body portion 14 with a screw-thread connection. A
cylindrical front crown 18 surrounds a circular rim or bezel 22
which surrounds a lens through which light from the multifunction
flashlight is projected.
[0025] A circular light diffuser cap 24 is removably mounted on the
bezel 22 with a simple friction fit. The diffuser cap 24 is formed
with a smooth inner surface and a textured or rounded granular
outer surface to diffuse the light emitted from the multifunction
flashlight 10. The diffuser cap 24 can be formed of clear or
colored transparent plastic. A red diffuser cap can be used for
night flying illumination by pilots, a blue diffuser cap can be
used by investigators to locate blood stains and a green diffuser
cap can be used for reading topographical maps in the dark. A clear
diffuser cap can be used for eliminating any high intensity or "hot
spots" of light so that the light beam emitted though the clear
diffuser cap has a substantially uniform intensity without dark
spots and/or bright spots. In addition to or in place of the
diffuser cap 24, a light polarizing cap 25 (FIG. 8) can be press
fit over the front crown 18 to reduce glare when recording video
images.
[0026] As further seen in the Figures, a resilient thin-walled
elastomeric or rubber switch cover 30 is mounted on the front body
portion 12. As shown schematically in FIG. 5, two on-off button
switches 32, 34 are mounted within the hollow front body portion 12
directly beneath the switch cover 30. In this embodiment, the front
switch 32 turns both the audio recorder 52 and a video recorder 54
on and off simultaneously.
[0027] As discussed below, switch 32 can be adapted to only actuate
the video recorder 54. The digital audio and video recorders 52, 54
are of known design and are mounted within the front body portion
12 as schematically shown in FIG. 5. The rear switch 34 simply
turns the flashlight on and off. However, switch 34 can be
connected to a logic chip or switching circuit 55 (FIG. 15) within
the front body portion 12 to select a high intensity light mode, a
low intensity light mode, a high intensity strobed light mode and
an off mode. Selection of any particular operating mode can be
achieved by repetitively and serially depressing and releasing the
switch cover 30 and button switch 34 until a desired operating mode
is reached by sequentially pulsing or switching the button switch
34 up and down.
[0028] In some applications it may be desirable to record only
video or only audio. In those cases, a third button switch 36 (FIG.
5) can be connected to the audio recorder 52 for independently
turning it on and off, and the front switch 32 can be connected to
the video recorder 54 for independently turning it on and off. A
small video lens 38 (FIGS. 1 and 6) is shown mounted behind a front
mounting plate 39 in a known fashion.
[0029] In another embodiment, the audio switch 36 (FIGS. 5 and 15)
is mounted remotely from the switch cover 30 on an internal wall 35
in the front body portion 12. Wall 35 supports one or more
electrical connectors 37 for downloading audio and video recordings
from the recorders 52, 54 to a computer hard drive, disk, flash
drive or other electronic storage device. The switch 36 and
connectors 37 are made accessible by unscrewing the front body
portion 12 from the rear body portion 14. Another switching
arrangement is shown in FIG. 15 and discussed further below.
[0030] As further seen in FIG. 5, an audio microphone 40 is mounted
within the front body portion 12 directly below the switch cover 30
and directly below the switches 32, 34. In this arrangement, the
microphone 40 is safely sealed and protected within the water-tight
interior of the front body portion 12, as opposed to being exposed
to the elements by being mounted on the exterior of the
multifunction flashlight 10. The switch cover 30 is mounted to the
front body portion 12 with a water-tight fit to prevent water from
entering the interior of the front body portion and damaging the
microphone, the audio and video recorders 52, 54 and the electronic
circuits housed therein.
[0031] Because the elastomeric material of switch cover 30 is thin
(about 1 mm or less), sound easily passes through the switch cover
30 with very little sound absorption and decibel loss.
Surprisingly, the microphone 40 is able to record crisp and clear
audio input while being mounted in a closed water-tight enclosure
within the front body portion 12.
[0032] As seen in FIG. 8 the end cap 16 and the rear body portion
14 are formed with matching screw threads 44, 46. A storage
compartment 50 is formed as a recessed cylindrical pocket in the
open rear end of the rear body portion 14 to receive and store one
or more of the diffuser caps 24 and/or small light polarizing
lenses of the type noted above. This provides a handy storage
container for the diffuser caps 24 and optionally for the
polarizing lenses 25 and reduces the risk of loss of the diffuser
caps and polarizing lenses. Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 9
wherein the audio microphone 40 is mounted on a support or bracket
60 mounted within the flashlight 10. The microphone 40 is
positioned near or directly over a slot, port or opening 64 formed
through the external or exterior wall 66 of the front body portion
12. The microphone 40 and port or opening 64 can alternatively be
positioned on the rear body portion 14. Wires 68 connect the
microphone 40 to the audio recorder 52.
[0033] A sliding or pivoting cover 70 is mounted over the port or
opening 64 to protect the microphone from the environment when the
audio recorder 52 is not in use. To achieve highly accurate audio
recordings, a user can simply push or slide the cover 70 away from
the opening 74 so as to directly expose the opening 64 and
microphone 40 to the ambient environment and allow for improved
audio communication and sensitivity between the microphone 40 and
the surrounding ambient.
[0034] As seen in FIG. 9, the cover 70 can slide rearwardly within
a slideway from the forward position as shown in solid lines, where
the cover closes the opening 64, to the rear position shown in
dashed lines, allowing the microphone 40 to communicate more freely
with the surrounding ambient. Alternatively, the cover can simply
pivot about a pivot pin to expose and close the opening 64.
[0035] An elastomeric gasket 72 can be seated on the cover 70, or
seated on the tubular wall 66 around the peripheral edge of the
opening 64. Gasket 72 provides a secure seal around opening 64 to
prevent or reduce entry of water or other liquid into the interior
of the flashlight 10 when the cover 70 is closed. Gasket 72 can be
formed with a tight compression fit between the cover 70 and wall
66 to provide both a water tight and a hermetic seal from the
ambient.
[0036] To provide additional protection for the microphone 40 as
well as for the audio and video recorders 52, 54 and other internal
electronics, a porous or semi-porous membrane 80 can be mounted
over the opening 64. Membrane 80 can be a fabric material which has
little or virtually no muffling or sound absorbing effect on
recording quality. A particularly effective membrane material is a
fabric of the type sold under the brand GORTEX. An open pore foam
or sponge material can also be used for membrane 80. Membrane 80
also blocks the entry of liquids and dirt into the interior of the
flashlight 10 without affecting microphone recording sensitivity
and performance. Membrane 80 can also provide some protection for
the microphone against loud noises.
[0037] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 wherein the port or
opening 64 is formed as a threaded bore 64 within wall 66. An
axially-grooved screw 90 such as a quarter-turn "DRUZE" screw is
threaded into the threaded bore 64. An O-ring seal 72 is mounted on
the flashlight wall 66 or on the inner or underside of the screw
head 92. A deep axial groove 96 is formed diagonally along the
shaft of the screw 90. When the screw 90 is tightened against the
wall 66, the O-ring 72 is compressed to form a water-tight seal.
When the screw 90 is turned one quarter turn open, the groove 90
provides open communication along the groove 96 between the
surrounding environment and the inside of the flashlight to provide
high quality audio signals to microphone 40.
[0038] Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 where the switch
cover 30 is movably mounted over an opening 64. The switch cover
can slide axially from the position shown in solid lines to the
position shown in dashed lines. When the switch cover 30 is moved
forwardly along the wall 66 of the flashlight 10, opening 64 is
uncovered allowing for improved audio input, improved audio
sensitivity and sound reception by the microphone 40 located
adjacent the opening 64.
[0039] To simplify operation of the video recorder 54, the switch
cover 30 can be provided with an actuator such as a finger 98 which
turns on the video recorder 54 by engaging the button switch 32
when the switch cover 30 is moved to the forward or open position.
Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 where a rubber or
elastomeric plug 100 is formed on a rubber or elastomeric strip 102
having one end 104 fixed to the flashlight wall 66 and it's
opposite free end 106 serving as a pull strip to pull the plug 100
out of the opening 64. In this manner, opening 64 can be opened by
removal of plug 100 from opening 64 and closed by insertion of plug
100 into opening 64. A similar opening and plug arrangement can be
provided on another portion of the front body portion 12 to allow
access and external power connection to a battery charging circuit
for charging one or more rechargeable batteries housed in the rear
body portion 14.
[0040] Yet another embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 13 wherein no
port or opening 64 is formed in wall 66 in the proximity of the
microphone 40. This embodiment is particularly well adapted for use
in tactical police and military applications where loud noises such
as gunfire and explosions can damage or destroy a sensitive
microphone. By completely enclosing and sealing the microphone 40
within the walls 66 of flashlight 10, the shock waves produced by
loud noises can be absorbed and attenuated by walls 66, yet
accurately recorded, without damage to the microphone.
[0041] Similar protection against shock and loud noises can be
provided to microphone 40 in any of the embodiments described above
by covering some portion or all of microphone 40 in a sound and
shock attenuating material. As seen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14,
microphone 40 can be enclosed or encased in a shock absorbing
material 108, such as a plastic or rubber open cell foam material,
a flocked material or a cotton batting material and the like.
[0042] In some cases, it is desirable to provide protection against
inadvertent or unintended activation or deactivation of the audio
and/or video recording functions. For example, in tense and
dangerous situations, an operator may unintentionally momentarily
squeeze the flashlight 10 so as to turn on or off the audio and/or
video recording functions. Alternatively, the switches 32, 36 can
be unintentionally activated by bumping or dropping. A solution to
this problem is shown in FIG. 15 wherein a timer or time delay and
switching circuit or "chip" 110 receives an on or off signal from a
video only or audio/video switch 32 and/or the audio only switch
36.
[0043] After a predetermined short delay of at least one-half
second up to one or two seconds, the time delay and switching
circuit 110 activates or deactivates the respective audio and/or
video function. In this manner, accidental bumping against the
switches through brief depression of switch cover 30 will not
affect the audio or video functions. However, depressing the
switches 32 and/or 36 for one-half second (or more) will change the
current operating mode of the audio and/or video functions from on
to off and from off to on.
[0044] As further seen in FIG. 15, the switch cover 30 is provided
with two or more different textured surfaces 118, 120. In one
embodiment, the front portion of the switch cover 30 can be formed
with a substantially smooth surface 118 and the rear portion of the
switch cover can be formed with a substantially rough surface 120.
This allows an operator to easily locate a desired audio, video or
flashlight lighting function without looking at the flashlight or
when in poor or dark lighting conditions.
[0045] If only two switches are provided under the switch cover,
then only two different textures are required such as a smooth
surface and a rougher surface with, for example, ribs 124 and
grooves 126. A differently textured third surface 130 can be
provided in those cases where the audio switch 36 is located
beneath the switch cover 30. This could be a bumpy or checkered
surface, for example.
[0046] There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of
the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be
understood that various changes and modifications may be made
thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *