초록 ▼

A multi-purpose light is disclosed. The multi-purpose light includes a housing, an illumination mechanism provided in the housing for illuminating the mailbox interior and a switch provided on the housing for reversibly activating the illumination mechanism. Aa pivot contact having a generally cylin

A multi-purpose light is disclosed. The multi-purpose light includes a housing, an illumination mechanism provided in the housing for illuminating the mailbox interior and a switch provided on the housing for reversibly activating the illumination mechanism. Aa pivot contact having a generally cylindrical pivot portion is rotatably mounted in the housing and engaged by the switch. A contact extension extends from the pivot portion. The switch is moveable between a first position wherein the contact extension disengages the illumination mechanism and the illumination mechanism is extinguished, and a second position wherein the pivot contact rotates in the housing and the contact extension engages the illumination mechanism to activate the illumination mechanism. An activation clip embodiment of the multi-purpose light is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-purpose light comprising: a housing; an illumination mechanism provided in said housing for illuminating the mailbox interior; a switch provided on said housing for reversibly activating said illumination mechanism; and a pivot contact having a generally cylindrical p

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-purpose light comprising: a housing; an illumination mechanism provided in said housing for illuminating the mailbox interior; a switch provided on said housing for reversibly activating said illumination mechanism; and a pivot contact having a generally cylindrical pivot portion rotatably mounted in said housing and engaged by said switch and a contact extension extending from said pivot portion, said switch moveable between a first position wherein said contact extension disengages said illumination mechanism and said illumination mechanism is extinguished, and a second position wherein said pivot contact rotates in said housing and said contact extension engages said illumination mechanism and said illumination mechanism is activated. 2. The multi-purpose light of claim 1 comprising a reflective surface provided on said housing for reflecting light from said illumination mechanism. 3. The multi-purpose light of claim 1 wherein said pivot contact comprises a plastic pivot contact body and an electrically-conductive coating provided on said pivot contact body. 4. The multi-purpose light of claim 3 comprising a reflective surface provided on said housing for reflecting light from said illumination mechanism. 5. The multi-purpose light of claim 1 further comprising a flexible switch connector connecting said switch and said pivot portion of said pivot contact. 6. The multi-purpose light of claim 5 comprising a reflective surface provided on said housing for reflecting light from said illumination mechanism. 7. The multi-purpose light of claim 5 wherein said pivot contact comprises a plastic pivot contact body and an electrically-conductive coating provided on said pivot contact body. 8. The multi-purpose light of claim 7 comprising a reflective surface provided on said housing for reflecting light from said illumination mechanism. 9. A multi-purpose light comprising: a housing; an attachment clip provided on said housing for removably attaching said housing to the mailbox; a light bulb extending from said housing; a battery provided in said housing and in electrical contact with said light bulb; a contact spring provided in electrical contact with said light bulb; a switch provided on said housing for reversibly activating said light bulb; and a pivot contact having a generally cylindrical pivot portion rotatably mounted in said housing and engaged by said switch, a contact extension extending from said pivot portion and a spring attachment tab extending from said contact extension and engaged by said contact spring, said switch moveable between a first position wherein said contact extension disengages said battery and said light bulb is extinguished, and a second position wherein said pivot contact rotates in said housing and said contact extension engages said battery and said light bulb is activated. 10. The multi-purpose light of claim 9 comprising an angled reflective surface provided on said housing adjacent to said light bulb for reflecting light from said light bulb. 11. The multi-purpose light of claim 9 wherein said pivot contact comprises a plastic pivot contact body and an electrically-conductive coating provided on said pivot contact body. 12. The multi-purpose light of claim 11 comprising an angled reflective surface provided on said housing adjacent to said light bulb for reflecting light from said light bulb. 13. The multi-purpose light of claim 9 further comprising a flexible switch connector connecting said switch and said pivot portion of said pivot contact. 14. The multi-purpose light of claim 13 comprising an angled reflective surface provided on said housing adjacent to said light bulb for reflecting light from said light bulb. 15. The multi-purpose light of claim 13 wherein said pivot contact comprises a plastic pivot contact body and an electrically-conductive coating provided on said pivot contact body. 16. The multi-purpose light of claim 15 comprising an angled reflective surface provided on said housing adjacent to said light bulb for reflecting light from said light bulb. 17. A multi-purpose light comprising: a housing; an illumination mechanism provided in said housing for illuminating the mailbox interior; an activation clip carried by said housing for reversibly activating said illumination mechanism; and a pivot contact having a generally cylindrical pivot portion rotatably mounted in said housing and engaged by said activation clip and a contact extension extending from said pivot portion, said activation clip moveable between a first position wherein said contact extension disengages said illumination mechanism and said illumination mechanism is extinguished, and a second position wherein said pivot contact rotates in said housing and said contact extension engages said illumination mechanism and said illumination mechanism is activated. 18. The multi-purpose light of claim 17 wherein said pivot contact comprises a plastic pivot contact body and an electrically-conductive coating provided on said pivot contact body. 19. The multi-purpose light of claim 17 wherein said activation clip comprises a long segment extending from said housing and a short segment extending from said long segment and engaging said pivot portion of said pivot contact. 20. The multi-purpose light of claim 19 wherein said pivot contact comprises a plastic pivot contact body and an electrically-conductive coating provided on said pivot contact body.