초록 ▼

A multi-function flashlight device in one preferred embodiment comprising a housing assembly having a tubular member for gripping the device in a user's hand, a control housing coupled to the tubular member, and a lamp housing coupled to the control housing and having a light source mounted therein.

A multi-function flashlight device in one preferred embodiment comprising a housing assembly having a tubular member for gripping the device in a user's hand, a control housing coupled to the tubular member, and a lamp housing coupled to the control housing and having a light source mounted therein. The light source has an optical axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. Batteries are housed in the tubular member. A control panel having a keypad overlay is mounted in the control housing. The keypad overlay includes a plurality of control buttons. A driver board in the control housing receives signals from the control panel and control the operation of the light source. The plurality of control buttons are manipulable by a single digit of the user's hand while gripping the tubular member.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A multi-function flashlight device comprising: a first housing arranged and designed for gripping the device in a user's hand, said first housing having a longitudinal axis; a second housing assembly coupled to said first housing; a light source mounted in said second housing assembly,

We claim: 1. A multi-function flashlight device comprising: a first housing arranged and designed for gripping the device in a user's hand, said first housing having a longitudinal axis; a second housing assembly coupled to said first housing; a light source mounted in said second housing assembly, said light source having an optical axis, said optical axis is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first housing; a power source received in said first housing; a control panel having a keypad overlay mounted in said second housing assembly, said keypad overlay including a plurality of control buttons; and a driver board in said second housing assembly arranged and designed to receive signals from said control panel and control the operation of said light source, wherein said plurality of control buttons are manipulable by a single digit of the user's hand while gripping said first housing. 2. The flashlight device of claim 1, wherein said keypad overlay includes a first control button, a second control button and a third control button, said control buttons having a normal state and a depressed state. 3. The flashlight device of claim 2, further comprising a secondary light source mounted in said second housing assembly. 4. The flashlight device of claim 2, wherein said control buttons are positioned adjacent to one another to allow concurrent depression of at least two said control buttons by a single digit of the user's hand while gripping said first housing. 5. The flashlight device of claim 1, further comprising a finger retainer assembly coupled to said first housing, said finger retainer assembly arranged and designed to be adjustable relative to said optical axis. 6. The flashlight device of claim 1, further comprising: a retention system having a first component coupled to said first housing and a second component arranged and designed to be attached to the user's clothing, said first component and said second component releasably mating with one another. 7. An ergonomic handheld flashlight device for one hand operation, comprising: a housing assembly having a substantially L-shaped configuration, said housing assembly having an upper forward end, an upper rear end, an upper section and a lower first member arranged and designed for one finger of a user's hand to grasp and hold said first member, said first member having a longitudinal axis; a keypad coupled to said upper section of said housing assembly, said keypad having a plurality of control buttons, said keypad being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first member, and said longitudinal axis of said first member intersecting said keypad; wherein said plurality of control buttons are arranged and designed for manipulation by the hand's thumb while the hand's finger grasps and holds said first member. 8. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 7, wherein said housing assembly includes a control housing coupled to said first member, said control housing comprising said upper rear end and including said keypad. 9. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 8, wherein said plurality of control button are positioned adjacent to one another for concurrent manipulation by the hand's thumb while the finger grasps and holds said first member. 10. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 7, wherein said keypad is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first member. 11. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 7, further comprising a light source mounted in said housing assembly, said light source having an optical axis, said optical axis is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said first member. 12. The ergonomic handheld flashlight device of claim 11, wherein when said optical axis is horizontal and said first member is substantially vertically oriented below said optical axis, said plurality of control buttons are positioned above said optical axis. 13. The flashlight device of claim 1, wherein when said optical axis is horizontal and said first housing is substantially vertically oriented below said optical axis, said plurality of control buttons are positioned above said optical axis. 14. A flashlight system comprising: a housing assembly including a lower member having a longitudinal axis and an upper assembly coupled to said lower member; a light source mounted in said housing assembly, said light source having an optical axis, said optical axis is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said lower member; a plurality of control buttons coupled to said upper assembly and positioned and spaced in proximity to one another to allow separate manipulation of each said control button and allow concurrent manipulation of at least two said control buttons via a single digit of a user's hand. 15. The flashlight system of claim 14, further comprising a clip coupled to said housing assembly and adjustable relative to said optical axis, said clip arranged and designed to form a friction fit with a portion of the user's clothing. 16. The flashlight system of claim 15, wherein said clip is removably coupled to said housing assembly. 17. The flashlight system of claim 14, further comprising a retention system having a first mating component coupled to said housing assembly and a second mating component arranged and designed to be attached to the user's clothing or uniform, said first and second components releasably mating with one another. 18. The flashlight system of claim 17, wherein the orientation of said optical axis is adjustable relative to said second mating component with said first mating component mating said second mating component and coupled to said housing assembly. 19. The flashlight system of claim 17, wherein said optical axis is allowed to be oriented through a range of at least 180 degrees relative to said second mating component with said first mating component mating said second mating component and coupled to said housing assembly. 20. The flashlight system of claim 17, wherein said first mating component is adjustably coupled to said lower member, said adjustable coupling allowing the orientation of said optical axis to be adjustable relative to said second mating component with said first mating component mating said second mating component and coupled to said lower member. 21. The flashlight system of claim 17, wherein said first and second mating components releasably mate via a dovetail connection. 22. The flashlight system of claim 21, wherein said dovetail connection comprises an elongated dovetail extension coupled to said first component and said second component having a receptacle for slidably receiving said elongated dovetail extension. 23. The flashlight system of claim 14, further comprising a finger retainer assembly coupled to said lower member, said finger retainer assembly arranged and designed to be adjustable relative to said optical axis. 24. The flashlight system of claim 23, wherein said finger retainer assembly comprises a curved portion defining an opening between said lower member and said finger retainer assembly, said opening arranged and designed to receive a user's finger. 25. The flashlight system of claim 23, wherein said finger retainer assembly is removably coupled to said lower member. 26. The flashlight system of claim 23, wherein said finger retainer assembly can be positioned at any location around the circumference of said lower member. 27. The flashlight system of claim 23, further comprising a clip coupled to said housing assembly and adjustable relative to said optical axis, said clip arranged and designed to form a friction fit with a portion of the user's clothing or uniform. 28. The flashlight system of claim 23, further comprising a retention system having a first mating component coupled to said housing assembly and a second mating component arranged and designed to be attached to the user's clothing or uniform, said first and second components releasably mating with one another. 29. The flashlight system of claim 14, wherein said control buttons are positioned in an upper section of said upper assembly. 30. The flashlight system of claim 14, wherein said control buttons are positioned in an upper rear portion of said upper assembly. 31. The flashlight system of claim 14, wherein said lower member is arranged and designed to be grasped by wrapping a finger of the user's hand substantially around said lower member, wherein said plurality of control buttons are arranged and designed for manipulation by the hand's thumb while the hand's finger grasps said lower member. 32. The flashlight system of claim 31, wherein said upper assembly comprises an upper forward portion including said light source and an upper rear portion including said plurality of control buttons, said lower member is coupled to said upper rear portion. 33. The flashlight system of claim 32, wherein said upper assembly has a longitudinal centerline substantially transverse to said lower member longitudinal axis. 34. The flashlight system of claim 32, wherein said upper assembly has a lower surface, wherein during manipulation of at least one said control button by the user's thumb, the finger grasping said lower member is allowed to abut said lower surface of said upper assembly to maintain constant control of said housing assembly and orientation of said optic axis.