Illumination – With implement or hand held holder therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-19
2001-03-13
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With implement or hand held holder therefor
C362S120000, C362S202000, C362S253000, C362S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199997
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to flashlights and, more particularly, to a safety point provided on an end cap of a flashlight which is used to break glass in an emergency.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fire fighters, law enforcement personnel and other emergency services personnel often encounter an emergency situation where it becomes necessary to break a pane of tempered glass such as in an automobile window or home. Using the typical implements that they carry, such as batons and flashlights, it can be very difficult to break the glass.
Design trends have provided automobiles with additional glass windows and other glass areas. Buildings have also been constructed with large glass windows and partitions. With so many power accessories and safety, comfort and security subsystems in a vehicle or in a building, these glass panes are often closed and may not even be capable of being opened. Thus, in an emergency, the ability of occupants to escape through a window is often prevented. In a vehicle, for example, with the air conditioning running, the windows are closed. Many vehicles have power lock doors, windows, self-locking doors, and childproof door latches. These security/safety subsystems are controlled at the drivers seat by the driver. There is no electrical override. In an emergency, the driver must release these subsystems to allow passengers to exit the vehicle.
In an accident, including one in which a vehicle remains upright, an electrical failure, fire or electrical short in a subsystem may preclude the ability to rapidly exit the vehicle. If doors are locked, jammed or inoperable, the only means of escape is through a window. If the vehicle is flipped over or is submerged in water, exit is prevented unless the windows are broken. Yet, safety glass in vehicles is difficult to break by kicking or punching. As a result, there is no ability to exit rapidly from smoke, fire, water or fumes that are entering the passenger compartment.
Attempts to successfully break a window manually as by a kick, elbow, punch, or slam is difficult because the window glass has flexibility and absorbs some of the energy of the blows. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to break out increase fear and anxiety from the inability to escape.
In buildings, large, thick, plate glass windows are even more difficult to break than vehicle glass. It is known that attempts to escape from a building may involve smashing a chair or other heavy object against a window pane only to have the pane remain unfazed, or crack but not break open.
Safety hammers are known that have a point or points that can be used to break glass. However, these hammers are specially designed for breaking glass or for emergency use and therefore may not be on hand or readily accessible when the need arises. They are not typical implements that are carried or readily accessible day after day, nor are they designed or configured to be incorporated or retrofitted into such typical implements. Moreover, these safety hammers normally have exposed points that can cause inadvertent injury.
Accordingly, an easy to carry, easy to use and readily accessible means is needed for emergency services personnel to break in through a window in various emergencies and for occupants to break out through a window in various emergencies. It would be particularly desirable if such means could be incorporated or retrofitted into an implement that is already in widespread use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a flashlight which has a safety point that can break a glass window in an emergency. A safety point base is provided on an end cap for a flashlight. The safety point base includes an intermediate support cylinder, an enlarged end plate, a central cylinder, and a central peg. There is a central bore throughout the intermediate support cylinder, the enlarged end plate, and the central cylinder, the central peg being received into the central bore. The central peg has a cylindrical portion and a safety point tip portion which protrudes from the enlarged end plate.
The end caps of existing flashlights can be retrofitted or adapted to be used with the safety point base, such that new flashlights will not need to be manufactured or purchased. Alternatively, the end cap may comprise the safety point base integrally as part of a new flashlight. The safety point tip portion is preferably bonded or press fit into the central bore, but also may be integral with the safety point base. If the tip portion is press fit into the central bore, it is more easily removed and replaced when worn. A rubber cap is placed over the safety point tip portion to avoid inadvertent contact with the tip by a user and any injury caused by such contact. A slit in the rubber cap allows the tip portion to pierce the rubber cap and be utilized to break windows. The rubber cap returns to the original shape over the tip portion after use so as to continue to avoid harm to persons using the flashlight.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4751621 (1988-06-01), Jenkins
patent: 4882956 (1989-11-01), Lang
patent: 4896253 (1990-01-01), Southworth
patent: 4985954 (1991-01-01), Wehr
patent: 5097599 (1992-03-01), Hasegawa
patent: 5226718 (1993-07-01), Lin
patent: 5491898 (1996-02-01), Riley
patent: 5611615 (1997-03-01), Jang
patent: 5657543 (1997-08-01), Collins
patent: 6036332 (2000-03-01), Antal
Outsen Arthur C.
Outsen Daniel C.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
O'Shea Sandra
Ward John Anthony
LandOfFree
Flashlight with a safety point and method of production thereof does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Flashlight with a safety point and method of production thereof, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Flashlight with a safety point and method of production thereof will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2549921