Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Portable
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-05-15
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Portable
C362S489000, C362S191000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231219
ABSTRACT:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a dual-purpose glovebox light assembly and a cradle useful for the light assembly. The light assembly serves as a light for a glovebox of an automobile and includes a cradle and a flashlight. The flashlight is removable. The cradle of the light assembly which is to be permanently installed inside the glovebox to hold the flashlight during normal use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Often times a driver or passenger of an automobile is in need of a flashlight. For example, when changing a flat tire or attending to some other emergency in the dark or when searching under the seats for a missing item. However, it is typical that either a flashlight is not available or, if a flashlight is available, the batteries are dead, making the flashlight useless.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a flashlight which is stored in an automobile. It is even more desirable to have the flashlight work dependably and yet most desirable to have the flashlight serve another purpose.
The present invention seeks to provide a dual-purpose light assembly which serves as a flashlight and as a light for a glovebox of an automobile.
Another advantage being sought by the present invention is to provide an aesthetic structure for securely, yet removably attaching a flashlight in a glovebox.
Yet another advantage being sought by the present invention is making the flashlight rechargeable by the automobile's battery.
Still another advantage being sought by the present invention is providing structure on the flashlight that renders using the flashlight easier.
A further advantage being sought by the present invention is providing a way by which the flashlight will be turned off when placed in the light assembly in the glovebox.
In accordance with the present invention, one embodiment is a cradle for holding a flashlight in a glovebox of an automobile and for facilitating the use of the flashlight as a light for the glovebox. The cradle includes a plurality of connecting sides defining a cavity for holding the flashlight. One of the sides has an insertion opening to allow the flashlight to slide in and out of the cavity and a light opening to allow light from the flashlight to shine through the cradle. The cradle also includes a reflector attached to the cradle near the light opening to cause light from the flashlight to be reflected in a direction different from the direction the light is coming from the flashlight.
Another embodiment of the present invention is also a cradle for holding a flashlight in a glovebox of an automobile and for facilitating the use of the flashlight as a light for the glovebox. Like the first embodiment, the cradle includes a plurality of connecting sides defining a cavity for holding the flashlight. Also like the first embodiment, one of the sides of the cradle has an insertion opening to allow the flashlight to slide in and out of the cavity and a light opening to allow light from the flashlight to shine through the cradle. However, this embodiment has a tapered inner surface on a side adjacent the side with the insertion opening. The taper gradually projects more inward in the direction from the insertion opening toward the side opposite the insertion opening. The tapered inner surface is present to gradually increase the snugness of the fit of the flashlight as it is being inserted into the cradle and has other advantages as well.
Other embodiments of the present invention are dual-purpose light assemblies for gloveboxes of automobiles. Each light assembly includes a flashlight and a cradle for holding the flashlight. The flashlight includes a housing, a power supply inside the housing, a switch mounted on the housing, and a light source in the housing. The light source is controllable by the switch. The cradle can be either the first or second embodiment described above or a combination thereof.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the appendant drawings.
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Clairmont, II Ronald L.
Lohss Kurt L.
Cargill Lynn E.
Cornwall Susan M.
Sember Thomas M.
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