Illumination – Self powered lamp – Cylindrical flashlight casing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-23
2001-04-10
Quach, Y. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Self powered lamp
Cylindrical flashlight casing
C362S184000, C362S205000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213623
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of communication and more particularly to an apparatus for hand held line of sight signaling.
Visual signaling is a common and easily understood method of relaying information from at least one person to another. Visual signaling is often used in environments hostile to other forms of communication. Such environments include traffic intersections, airports, mountain ranges, underwater and the like. Provided the environment is hospitable to the transmission of light from a source point to a receiver point, visual signaling provides an effective means of communication. However, such environments tend to be destructive on the visual signaling device.
One type of visual signaling device is a light baton or wand. Light batons are hand held devices which, at the control of the holder emit colored or white light. Light batons are used to direct pedestrians, motor vehicles, aviation vehicles, and the like. The baton may be used to generate light signals indication safe and clear passage, dangerous and hazardous conditions, direction to proceed, or identifying one's location.
A common problem encountered in use of light batons is the shortened life span of the baton from usage in hostile and rugged environments. These environments expose the baton to manual battering as well as the natural elements. As a result, a need exists for a light baton having characteristics that can withstand use in hostile and rigid environments.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,882 to McDermott includes a battery powered device. The device claimed is directed to a spring which supplements the gravitational force to position the device in an erect posture in the water. However, the patent does not teach an audible alarm or different modes with replaceable sleeves.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,016,549 to Finn is directed to an illuminating device with a floating device. The device is in two parts and must be detached from the illuminating portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,423 to Lee is a traffic control light. It is not waterproof or appear to be submersible in water. The device includes numerous LEDs for illumination.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,364,787 to Harrison et al. is related to a portable flash light carried by a person afloat in water. However, it is a two part system and does not appear submersible.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,364,787 to Meyers and 2,908,901 to Lewis each describes an audible alarm.
While these various inventions in the prior art have provided improvements in visual signaling devices, none provides a visual signaling light emitting baton with a choice of different colors either glowing, flashing or a combination thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hand held light wand of the present invention is a visual signaling light emitting wand with a choice of different colors either glowing, flashing or a combination thereof. This device is sealed at each end with hemispheric end caps. The present invention provides extreme robustness and is essentially a special case of an egg shape. This shape persists the light wand to withstand extreme depths of submergence, thus making it useful for deep diving signaling applications.
The present invention provides a lightweight all solid state lighting source that easily changes colors by simply pressing one button. The baton is extremely easy to use with only one hand and is controlled with a single button. By pressing the button, to turn the baton on, a steady glow color is activated. Pushing the button again changes the color. Additionally, by pressing and holding the button, the user can cause the baton to flash the selected color. It is contemplated that the baton can have at least ten or more colors selected or caused to flash using this procedure.
The mechanical design of the baton is a tube sealed at both ends with hemispheric end caps. This type of design provides an extreme robustness and the baton can withstand extreme depths of submergence, making it useful for deep diving and submergence signaling applications. All interior electronics and solid state light sources are sealed from the outside atmosphere, thus making the glow baton explosion proof and waterproof.
It is an object of the invention to provide a resilient watertight light baton having a multicolored light source and power source mounted therein.
It is a further object of the invention to provide the light sources in electrical communication with the power source via interior electronics and solid state light sources.
Another object of the invention is to provide machined exterior walls of the light baton to effectively transmit light from the light source.
It is an advantage of the invention that the baton is extremely easy to use with only one hand and is controlled with a single button.
It is an object of the invention to provide a steady glow color of light after a pushing of a button.
It is a further advantage of the invention to be able to select ten or more colors of light and be able to cause flashing of the light.
A further advantage of the invention is that this type of design is extremely robust and can withstand extreme depths of submergence, making it useful for deep diving and submergence signaling applications.
It is a further object of the invention to seal all interior electronics and solid state light sources from the outside atmosphere, thus making the glow baton explosion and waterproof.
Further novel features, advantages and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5036442 (1991-07-01), Brown
patent: 5070437 (1991-12-01), Roberts, Sr.
patent: 5079679 (1992-01-01), Chin-Fa
patent: 5622423 (1997-04-01), Lee
patent: 5865524 (1999-02-01), Campman
patent: 6017140 (2000-01-01), Chou
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
Quach Y.
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