U.S. patent number RE36,883 [Application Number 08/582,272] was granted by the patent office on 2000-09-26 for holder for a flashlight.
Invention is credited to Ronald L. Krenzel.
United States Patent |
RE36,883 |
Krenzel |
September 26, 2000 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Holder for a flashlight
Abstract
This invention provides an elongated flexible member that is
capable of being formed into a plurality of differing shapes so
that it can be supported at a variety of locations and has
retaining means for retaining it in a desired shape so that a
holder connected to one end thereof can hold a flashlight at any
desired position relative thereto.
Inventors: |
Krenzel; Ronald L. (Boulder,
CO) |
Family
ID: |
25416664 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/582,272 |
Filed: |
January 3, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
902940 |
Jun 23, 1992 |
05276596 |
Jan 4, 1994 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/191; 362/396;
362/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M
11/40 (20130101); F21L 15/14 (20130101); F16M
13/02 (20130101); F16M 11/041 (20130101); F21V
21/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16M
11/40 (20060101); F16M 11/20 (20060101); F21L
015/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;362/396,421,189,190,191,198,199,418,410 ;248/104,106,160
;D26/138,140,60,62,65 ;446/73,485,368,375 ;285/166 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82657 |
|
Apr 1957 |
|
DK |
|
361338 |
|
May 1962 |
|
CH |
|
Other References
Stuart Schneider; "Collecting Flashlights with Value Guide"; 1996.
.
Loc-Line The Original Modular Hose System brochure, May, 1991.
.
"Unveiling the Solution to your High Performance U/W Lighting
Needs"; 1 page Advertisement, no date. .
"The SeaBlaze Lighting System"; Skin Diver; various issues; 7
pages, 1990. .
Light & Motion s "Infinity Strobe Arm: Gives you the Freedom to
Shoot!"; Advertisement; 3 pages, no date..
|
Primary Examiner: Husar; Stephen
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sheridan Ross P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for holding a flashlight at a desired location
comprising:
an elongated flexible member capable of being moved into a
plurality of differing shapes.Iadd., the elongated flexible member
comprising a plurality of interconnected segments.Iaddend.;
retaining means for retaining said elongated flexible member in a
desired shape;
holding means connected to an end portion of said elongated
flexible member for holding a flashlight at a desired location;
attachment means comprising a portion of said elongated flexible
member itself for attaching said elongated flexible member on a
fixed object; and wherein said attachment means comprise:
a central body section, a male end section .Iadd.at an end of the
central body section and.Iaddend., an externally threaded end
section .[.and.]. .Iadd.at another end of the central body section,
the attachment means having .Iaddend.a longitudinal axis; and
said male end section having an outer surface having a
configuration similar to that of .[.said.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.male
end portion of .[.said.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.segment.
2. A device as in claim 1 and further comprising:
connecting means for connecting said holding means to said end
portion of said elongated flexible member to permit relative
angular and rotational movement between said holding means and the
remaining portion of said elongated flexible member.
3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises:
a member having a generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration
and a longitudinal axis; and
said member having an arcuate extent greater than 180 degrees and
having spaced apart terminal end portions.
4. A device as in claim 3 wherein:
said member being formed from a resilient material so that said
terminal end portions may be spread apart as said flashlight is
inserted therein and function to resile back and exert a resilient
force on said flashlight to hold it at a desired location.
5. A device as in claim 4 wherein:
.[.said elongated flexible member comprises a plurality of
interconnected segments.]. .Iadd.the flashlight comprises a power
source connected to an end of the elongated flexible
member.Iaddend..
6. A device as in claim 5 wherein each of said segments
comprises:
a central body portion, a male end portion .Iadd.at an end of the
central body portion, and .Iaddend.a female end portion .[.and.].
.Iadd.at the other end of the central body portion, each of the
segments having .Iaddend.a longitudinal axis.
7. A device as in claim 6 wherein:
said male end portion .Iadd.of a first interconnected segment
.Iaddend.having an outer surface comprising a frustum of a sphere;
and
said female end portion .Iadd.of a second interconnected segment
.Iaddend.having an inner surface comprising a frustum of a sphere
and dimensioned to receive said male end portion .Iadd.of the first
interconnected segment .Iaddend.to permit relative movement between
.Iadd.the .Iaddend.interconnected .Iadd.first and second
.Iaddend.segments so that .[.their.]. .Iadd.the
.Iaddend.longitudinal axes .Iadd.of the first and second segments
.Iaddend.are either in or out of alignment and permit.[.s.].
unrestricted rotational movement therebetween.
8. A device as in claim 7 wherein said retaining means
comprise:
frictional forces between said outer and inner surfaces when said
male end portion .Iadd.of the first .Iaddend.segment is within said
female end portion .Iadd.of the second segment .Iaddend.to retain
interconnected segments in the shape to which they have been
moved.
9. A device as in claim 8 wherein:
each or said segments is formed from a plastic material.
10. A device as in claim 1 wherein:
said central body section having an outer surface configuration for
receiving a tool for rotating said attachment means. .Iadd.
11. A device for positioning a flashlight comprising:
(a) an elongated flexible member capable of being formed into a
plurality of differing shapes, wherein said elongated flexible
member comprises a plurality of discrete rotatable interconnected
segments, each of the discrete rotatable interconnected segments
having a male end and a female end for connecting to an adjacent
discrete rotatably interconnected segment, whereby the elongated
flexible member is capable of being wrapped completely around a
portion of an object for retaining said elongated flexible member
in a desired position; and
(b) a flashlight engaging said elongated flexible member, wherein
each discrete rotatable interconnected segment in said plurality of
discrete rotatable interconnected segments has unrestricted
rotational movement relative to an adjacent discrete rotatable
interconnected segment and wherein the female end has a socket
formed by a frustum of a sphere defined by an inner surface of the
female end and an opening for receiving the male end of an adjacent
rotatably interconnected segment, the opening having a perimeter
and a plurality of points on the perimeter of the opening, wherein
a plurality of lines connects all of the points on the perimeter of
the opening with a center of the frustum of a sphere and all of the
lines form a plurality of angles with a longitudinal axis of the
female end, each of the plurality of angles having a magnitude,
such that the magnitudes of all of the plurality of angles are
substantially the same..Iaddend..Iadd.12. The device of claim 11,
wherein each of said discrete rotatable interconnected segments
comprises a central body portion, a male end portion at an end of
the central body portion, and a female end portion at another end
of the central body portion and each of the discrete rotatable
interconnected segments has a longitudinal axis; and
(i) said male end portion of a first segment has an outer surface
comprising a frustum of a sphere; and
(ii) said female end portion of a second segment, that is rotatably
interconnected to the first segment, has an inner surface
comprising a frustum of a sphere and dimensioned to receive said
male end portion of the first segment to permit relative movement
between the rotatably
interconnected first and second segments so that the longitudinal
axes of the first segment and the second segment are either in or
out of alignment
and to permit rotational movement therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.13.
The device of claim 11, wherein said elongated flexible member
comprises retaining means for retaining said elongated flexible
member in a desired shape to maintain said device in said desired
position on said object..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The device of claim 13,
wherein said desired shape is a loop and a portion of said object
is contained within said loop..Iaddend..Iadd.15. A device for
positioning a flashlight comprising:
(a) an elongated flexible member capable of being wrapped
completely around a portion of an object for retaining the
elongated flexible member in a desired position, said elongated
flexible member comprising a plurality of discrete, rotatably
connected segments wherein a first end of each of said plurality of
discrete, rotatably connected segments includes a female end
portion having a longitudinal axis and a second end of each of said
plurality of discrete, rotatably connected segments includes a male
end portion having a longitudinal axis, the female end portion
being connected to the male end portion of an adjacent discrete,
rotatably connected segment to permit relative movement between
adjacent discrete, rotatably connected segments so that the
longitudinal axes of connected female and male end portions of
adjacent discrete, rotatably connected segments are either in or
out of alignment; and
(b) a flashlight connected to said elongated flexible member,
wherein said female end portion of each of the plurality of
discrete, rotatably connected segments has an inner surface
comprising a frustum of a sphere wherein the frustum of a sphere
has an opening sized to receive the male end portion of an adjacent
discrete, rotatably connected segment and wherein substantially of
the opening is contained in a common plane to provide each of the
plurality of discrete, rotatably connected segments with
substantially identical degrees of movement in all directions
relative to an adjacent discrete, rotatable connected
segment..Iaddend..Iadd.16. A device for positioning a flashlight
comprising:
(a) an elongated flexible member capable of being wrapped
completely around a portion of an object for retaining the
elongated flexible member in a desired position, said elongated
flexible member comprising a plurality of discrete, rotatable
connected segments wherein a first end of each of said plurality of
discrete, rotatable connected segments includes a female end
portion having a longitudinal axis and a second end of each of said
plurality of discrete, rotatably connected segments includes a male
end portion having a longitudinal axis, the female end portion
being connected to the male end portion of an adjacent discrete,
rotatably connected segment to permit relative movement between
adjacent discrete, rotatable connected segments so that the
longitudinal axes of connected female and male end portions of
adjacent discrete, rotatable connected segments are either in or
out of alignment; and
(b) a flashlight connected to said elongated flexible member,
wherein a first segment is rotatable relative to an adjacent
segment to a plurality of differing positions and all of the
positions to which the first segment is rotatable relative to the
adjacent segment define a first set of positions and, in the first
set of positions, the longitudinal axis of the first segment is
offset by a plurality of angles relative to a longitudinal axis of
the adjacent segment, each of the plurality of angles having a
magnitude, and the magnitudes of the plurality of angles are
substantially the same..Iaddend..Iadd.17. A device for positioning
a flashlight comprising:
(a) an elongated flexible member capable of being wrapped
completely around a portion of an object for retaining the
elongated flexible member in a desired position, said elongated
flexible member comprising a plurality of discrete, rotatably
connected segments wherein a first end of each of said plurality of
discrete, rotatably connected segments includes a female end
portion having a longitudinal axis and a second end of each of said
plurality of discrete, rotatably connected segments includes a male
end portion having a longitudinal axis, each of the female end
portions in the plurality of discrete, rotatably connected segments
being connected to the male end portion of an adjacent discrete,
rotatably connected segment to permit relative movement between
adjacent discrete, rotatably connected segments so that the
longitudinal axes of connected female and male end portions of
adjacent discrete, rotatably connected segments are either in or
out of alignment; and
(b) a flashlight connected to said elongated flexible member
wherein each of said discrete, rotatably connected segments
comprises a central body portion, said male end portion at one end
of the central body portion and said female end portion at another
end of the central body portion and wherein:
(i) said male end portion of a first segment of said plurality of
discrete, rotatably connected segments has an outer surface
comprising a frustum of a sphere; and
(ii) said female end portion of a second segment of said plurality
of discrete, rotatably connected segments, the second segment being
rotatably connected with the first segment, has an inner surface
comprising a frustum of a sphere and dimensioned to receive said
male end portion of the first segment to permit relative movement
between the rotatably connected first and second segments so that
the longitudinal axes of the male end portion of said first segment
and the female end portion of the second segment are either in or
out of alignment and to permit rotational movement
therebetween..Iaddend..Iadd.18. The device of claim 17, wherein
said elongated flexible member is formed into a shape comprising at
least a portion of a loop..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The device of claim
17, wherein said elongated flexible member is formed into a shape
comprising an open loop..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The device of claim 17,
wherein said elongated flexible member comprises retaining means
for retaining said elongated flexible member in a desired
shape..Iaddend..Iadd.21. A method for holding a flashlight in a
desired position comprising:
providing said flashlight with an elongated flexible member
comprising a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected
segments, each of said plurality of discrete, rotatably
interconnected segments having a male end and a female end; and
wrapping at least a portion of said elongated flexible member
around an object in order to retain said flashlight in a
desired
position..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The method of claim 21, wherein said
wrapping step comprises:
forming said at least a portion of said elongated flexible member
into a loop around said object..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The method of
claim 21, wherein after said wrapping step said elongated flexible
member is in a desired shape and further comprising:
maintaining said elongated flexible member in said desired
shape..Iaddend..Iadd.24. A method for using a flashlight
positioning device comprising an elongated flexible member
comprising a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected
segments, each discrete, rotatably interconnected segment having a
central body portion, a male end portion at a first end of the
central body portion and a female end portion at a second end of
the central body portion and operatively attached to a flashlight
comprising wrapping at least a portion of said elongated flexible
member around an object in order to retain said flashlight in a
desired position..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The method of claim 24, wherein
said wrapping step comprises:
forming said portion of said elongated flexible member into a loop,
wherein
a portion of said object is contained within said
loop..Iaddend..Iadd.26. The method of claim 24, wherein said object
is at least one of a pipe, rod, and engine part..Iaddend..Iadd.27.
The method of claim 24, wherein the female end portion of a first
segment of the plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected
segments has an inner surface comprising a frustum of a sphere and
dimensioned to receive the male end portion of an adjacent second
segment of the plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected
segments to permit relative rotational movement between the first
and second segments and after said wrapping step said elongated
flexible member is in a desired shape and further comprising:
maintaining said elongated flexible member in said desired
shape..Iaddend..Iadd.28. A method for positioning a flashlight,
comprising:
providing a flashlight engaged with an elongated flexible member
which is capable of being formed into a plurality of differing
shapes by means of a plurality of discrete, rotatably
interconnected segments in the elongated flexible member with each
of the plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments
having at least one of a male end and a female end for engaging one
of a female end and male end respectively of an adjacent discrete,
rotatable interconnected segment;
forming at least a portion of said elongated flexible member into a
desired shape comprising a base for resting on a support surface
and a generally vertically extending portion projecting upwardly
from the base; and
retaining the at least a portion of said elongated flexible member
in the desired shape..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The device of claim 17,
wherein:
the flashlight comprises a power source connected to an end of the
elongated flexible member..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The device of claim
17, wherein:
each of the plurality of discrete, rotatable connected segments
comprises a passage extending therethrough..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to apparatus for use in providing
light where necessary and more particularly, to a portable device
for holding a flashlight at any desired location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many times when a person, who is alone and doing some
kind of work, needs a third hand. This is particularly true when a
flashlight has to be used so that such a person can see what is
being worked on. Flashlights have been laid on any available
objects in an effort to provide light at a desired location, but
often without good results. Small flashlights have even been held
in the mouth of the worker. Thus, there exists a need for a readily
portable device that can be used anywhere to hold a flashlight at a
desired location to provide needed light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device that is readily portable and can
be used substantially anywhere to hold a flashlight to provide
needed light at a desired location.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an
elongated flexible member that is capable of being moved into a
plurality of differing shapes. Retaining means are provided for
retaining the elongated flexible member in a desired shape. Holding
means are provided on one end portion of the elongated flexible
member for holding a flashlight. Generally, the desired shape has a
base portion which is adapted to be placed on a fixed surface. A
generally vertically extending portion projects upwardly from the
base portion. The holding means are connected to an end portion of
the elongated flexible member by suitable connecting means, such as
a rivet. The holding means comprise a member having a generally
arcuate cross-sectional configuration having an arcuate extent
greater than 180 degrees and a longitudinal axis. The member is
formed from a resilient material, such as a plastic material, and
has spaced apart terminal end portions which may be spread apart so
that a flashlight can be inserted into the member and so that the
terminal end portions will resile back to exert frictional forces
on the flashlight to restrain relative movement between the member
and the flashlight. The flashlight also has a longitudinal axis so
that when the flashlight is inserted into the member, the
longitudinal axes of the member and the flashlight are in a
parallel relationship.
The elongated flexible member comprises a plurality of
interconnected segments each of which has a central body portion, a
male end portion, a female end portion and a longitudinal axis. The
male end portion has an outer surface having the configuration of a
frustum of a sphere and the female end portion has an inner surface
having the configuration of a frustum of a sphere and is
dimensioned to receive the male end portion. The outer and inner
surfaces are dimensioned so that there is frictional contact
therebetween when a male end portion is inserted into a female end
portion. This permits one segment to be moved relative to another
segment so that their longitudinal axes are either in or out of
alignment and permits unrestricted rotational movement between
interconnected segments. Therefore, since the holding means is
connected to the end segment, it permits the same type of movement
of the flashlight. Also the frictional forces retain the two
segments at whatever relative position they have been moved to.
Preferably, each segment is made from a plastic material.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, attachment means
are provided for attaching one end of the elongated flexible member
to a fixed support such as an internally threaded socket mounted at
a fixed location. The attachment means comprise an adapter having a
central body section, an externally threaded end section, a male
end section and a longitudinal axis. The male end section has an
outer surface having a configuration similar to the outer surface
of the male end portion so that it can be inserted into a female
end portion and function as described above relative to
interconnected segments. The central body section has an outer
configuration adapted to be received in a tool so that the adapter
can be rotated to secure the externally threaded end section into
the internally threaded socket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention
are shown in the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for holding a flashlight
of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the holding means;
FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section of one of the segments;
.[.and.].
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this
invention.Iadd.; and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of this
invention.Iaddend..
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1, there is disclosed a readily portable device 2 for
holding a flashlight 4 having a longitudinal axis. The device 2
comprises an elongated flexible member 6 which is capable of being
moved into a plurality of differing shapes. The shape illustrated
in FIG. 1 comprises a base portion 8 adapted to be placed in
contact with a support surface 10 and a generally vertically
extending portion 12. Holding means 14 (FIG. 2) are provided for
holding the flashlight 4 and comprise an open-ended
arcuately-shaped member 16 having an arcuate extent greater than
180 degrees and having a longitudinal axis. The member 1 is
preferably formed from a resilient material such as polyethylene,
such as that marketed under the trade designation "DELRIN", so that
the end portions 18 and 20 may be moved apart as the flashlight 4
is inserted therethrough and then spring back to retain the
flashlight 4 therein. Reinforcing means 22 are preferably
integrally molded with the member 16. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
when the flashlight 4 has been inserted into the member 16, the
longitudinal axes thereof are in a parallel relationship.
.[.The.]. .Iadd.As shown in FIG. 5, the .Iaddend.elongated flexible
member 6 may be formed into a variety of shapes other than that
illustrated in FIG. 1. Such shapes include wrapping a portion of it
around a pipe or rod for working under a sink, wrapping a portion
around any convenient part when working on an engine and in fact,
can be used anywhere.
The elongated flexible member 6 is of the type marketed by Lockwood
Products, Inc. under the trade designation LOC-LINE .[.().].
(.Iadd.R).Iaddend.. This product is used a modular hose system for
providing high volume fluids for cooling tools, such as in cutting
operations. The elongated flexible member 6 comprises a plurality
of interconected segments 30. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each
segment 30 comprises a central body portion 32, a male end portion
34 and a female end portion 36. The male end portion 34 has an
outer surface 38 comprising a frustum of a sphere and the female
end portion 36 has a mating inner surface 40 comprising a frustum
of a sphere which is dimensioned so that, when the male end portion
34 is inserted into the female end portion 36, there is frictional
contact between the mating outer and inner surfaces 38 and 40.
These frictional forces function as retaining means to hold one
segment 30 at any desired location relative to an interconnected
segment 30. However, these frictional forces can be overcome which
permits interconnected segments 30 to be moved relative to each
other so that their longitudinal axes are either in or out of
alignment and permits unrestricted relative rotational movement
therebetween. The member 16 is preferably provided with a female
end portion 36 having an inner surface 40 so that it can be
connected to the male end portion 34 of the end segment 30 or it
can be connected to an end segment 30 by any suitable means, such
as a rivet. This connection permits the flashlight 4 to have the
same relative movements as the interconnected segments, as
described above. The length of the elongated flexible member 16 can
be changed by adding or removing segments 30.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. An
adapter 50 has a male end portion 34 that is dimensioned to fit
into a female end portion 36 and has an externally threaded end
portion 52. An internally threaded socket 54 is secured to a ledge
56 by clamping 35 means 58. The adapter 50 has a central body
section 60 having an outer surface configuration so that a tool can
be applied thereto and rotated to attach the adapter 50 and
therefore, the elongated flexible member 6, to the socket 54.
It is contemplated that the inventive concepts herein described may
be variously otherwise embodied and it is intended that the
appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments of
the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.
* * * * *