GB2196728A - Flash light - Google Patents

Abstract

A flash light particularly suitable for use by a watchman or security guard comprises a body, at one end of which is a lamp cover for providing illumination and further includes a flashing light system for generating a visible alarm signal and high voltage electric shocking means for enabling an electric shock to be administered by means of the flash light.

Description

SPECIFICATION Flashlight This invention concerns a construction of flashlight which is particularly suitable for use by a watchman or security guard, in that it can be used for illumination, for giving an alarm signal or for self-defence, and moreover can also be used as a baton or truncheon, e.g. in the suppression of riots and the like.

In addition to being usable for ordinary illumination purposes, the flashlight of the invention may also be used for night patrol work, for mountaineering, and for walking dark roads without the need to carry also a baton or truncheon which is often used with an ordinary flashlight. If one uses an ordinary flashlight, one has to carry the flashlight in one hand and the baton or truncheon in the other hand so that one can deal appropriately with any circumstances which may arise. It is, however, difficult both to use the ordinary flashlight and to deal with incidents simultaneously.

An object of this invention is to provide a multi-purpose flashlight suitable for use by a watchman, security guard, or like person, in connection with suppression of unruly activity or riots, in addition to providing illumination, the flashlight including electrical circuitry to produce a flashing light, optionally an audible alarm system whereby assistance may be summoned, shock-imparting system, whereby the flashlight can be used e.g. by means of two projected needles, to impart a high voltage electrical shock to an attacker so as to provide effective self-defence.

With this object in view, the present invention provides a flashlight suitable, for example, for use by a guard, e.g. in riot suppression, and comprising a body at one end of which is a lamp cover accommodating a lamp bulb for providing illumination, and further including a flashing light system for generating a visible alarm signal and high voltage shocking means for enabling an electrical shock to be administered by means of the flashlight.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a practical embodiment of the flashlight of the invention, which flashlight is particularly suitable for use in relation to riot suppression and/or self-defence; Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating diagrammatically the electrical circuitry of the flashlight of Fig.1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the component parts of the flashlight of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detached fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line IV-IV of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view as indicated by the line V-V of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is an exploded view illustrating some of the components of the switch of the flashlight of Figs. 1 to 5.

As shown, main body 10 of the illustrated flashlight is basicaily of hollow rectangular configuration to accommodate cells or batteries 124 and 128 (which are shown in Fig. 2 and are referred to later) with its bottom face in the shape of segment of a circle, the majority of the length of the body 10 being smooth for convenience of holding. The size of its rear end is slightly reduced to form an integral end piece onto which fits an inner padded or insulated ring 12 and surrounding skirt 14 of an end cover 16. The inner ring 12 is formed with a suspension lug 18 whereby the flashlight can be suspended from a user's belt, and its two opposite sides are formed with hooked lugs 20.The end cover 16 is fitted with two buckle rings 22 with respective toggle handles 24 swingable about respective pivots 25 on the end cover 16 as fulcrums, whereby the buckle rings 22 can be engaged with the lugs 20 to hold the end cover 16 in place, or disengaged from such lugs 20 to release the end cover 16.

The main body 10 is shaped to include a recess 26 accommodating a switch assembly 28 which is shown exmploded in fig. 3 and some of the components of which are also shown in Fig. 6. The bottom of the recess 26 is divided into two parts each of which comprises a respective circular array of conductive terminals (not visible) which are connected into the circuitry of the flashlight. Fitting into the recess 26 is a switch body 30 which is hollow and accommodates two switch mechanisms 32 the principal components of which are shown in Fig. 6. Each such switch mechanism 32 comprises a respective turning rotor 34 having a shank which projects upwards through the top of the body 30. A respective spring 36 is provided on the projecting part of the shank, and is held thereon by a screw 38 whose head serves as a press button of the switch.The rotor 34 matches with and is complementary to a respective switching rotor 40. Complementary teeth on the turning rotor 34 and the switching rotor 40 co-operate such that downward pressing of the button 38 serves to cause rotary movement or changing of a contact rotor 42 from a position connecting two of the terminals in the base of the recess 26 to a new position connecting another pair of such terminals.

The switch body 30 is overlaid by a soft resilient covering 44 having deformable protuberances for the respective press buttons 38, this covering 44 being held in place by an apertured cover plate 46 secured to the body 10 by screws 48.

The front end of the main body 10 has a head 50 of circular configuration and on the neck 52 of which is an audible alarm system indicated generally by reference numeral 54.

The neck 52 is formed with a plurality of windows 56 therearound, and is overlaid by a rotatable shutter ring 58 having corresponding windows 60 and held in place by a retainer ring 62 which screws on to a threaded section 64 of the body 10, with the interposition of a washer 66. A sound generator 102 (referred to later), for instance a siren or buzzer, is enclosed by the neck 52, and this sound generator 102 is connected to a microswitch 68 which will be switched on when a recess 70 in the shutter ring 58 registers therewith.

The arrangement is such that when the shutter ring 58 is in a position closing off the windows 56 in the neck 52, the sound generator 102 is turned off; on the other hand when the ring 58 is rotated to bring the recess 70 into register with the microswitch 68, the windows 60 in the shutter ring 58 are in register with the windows 56 in the neck 52.

This ensures that the maximum volume of sound is emitted from the flashlight when the sound generator 102 is switched on, and the arrangement will be such that the sound can be heard some hundreds of metres away.

The circuitry shown in Fig. 2 is installed within head chamber 72 of the main body 10 of the flashlight. The inner surface of the mouth of the head chamber 72 is threaded as at 74 for engagement therewith of a lamp cover 76 by screw thread 78 on shank 80.

The outer surface of the lamp cover 76 is ribbed as at 82. At two diametrically opposed positions, the lamp cover 76 has integrallyformed longitudinally-extending sleeves 84 (see particularly Fig. 4) which each accommodate a respective needle 86 which is pointed at its front end and is surrounded, within the sleeve 84, by a respective spring 88 which acts to tend to withdraw the respective needle 86, that is to say to bias the needle 86 to the right as viewed in Fig. 4, to a position in which the pointed tip of the needle 86 does not project from its sleeve 84.

Accommodated on the shank 80 of the lamp cover 76, between a flange 90 on the latter and the confronting end of the head 50 is a needle actuating wheel 92. This wheel 92 has a respective internal cam helix 94 for each of the needles 86 so that each such needle 86 abuts against its respective helix 94 by its rear non-pointed end. Thus, by rotating the needle actuating wheel 92 in one direction it is possible to cause the needles 86 to be displaced axially so that their pointed tips project from the sleeves 84, whilst rotation of the wheel 92 in the opposite direction permits the needles 86 to return to their withdrawn positions wherein their pointed tips are within the sleeves 84, under the action of their springs 88.

The head chamber 72 of the flashlight serves to accommodate carriers for circuit components of the flashlight. One such carrier is a sleeve 96 which, when in position in the chamber 72, divides the latter into an outer chamber part and an inner chamber part having slots 98 for the passage of electrical wires (not shown). Located in the inner part are the principal components of the audible alarm system 54 including the switch 68 which is shown a second time at the bottom right hand side of Fig. 3 so that its relationship to the other components of the audible alarm can be seen. The switch 68 fits into a complementary recess in a resonant or amplifying cone 100 which in turn fits to the buzzer or siren 102.

As has already been described, the switch 68 is so disposed that it will register with the recess 70 in the shutter ring 58, after appropriate rotation of the latter, when the buzzer or siren 102 is switched on, and the flashlight emits a loud audible signal or alarm.

The front end of the sleeve 96 serves as an abutment or locator for a second carrier of the flashlight circuitry, indicated generally by reference numeral 104 and comprising a circuit board 106 and an abutting insulating disc 108. A lamp bulb 110 screws centrally into the board 106 so that its contacts touch appropriate terminals (not visible) in conventional manner. The disc 108 carries, at approximately diametrically opposed locations, visual alarm devices in the form of bulbs 112 and 114. A conical or approximately parabolic reflector 11 6 is provided to surround the lamp bulb 110 so as to concentrate light from the latter through the front end of the lamp cover 76, whilst the exterior of the reflector 116 serves to reflect light from the bulbs 112 and 114 laterally outwards through the ribbed outer surface 82 of the lamp cover 76.The circuitry to the bulbs 112, 114 includes an appropriate switch (not shown) to cause these bulbs, when supplied with current, to flash, so as to ensure that the light they emit will be recognised as a warning or alarm signal, e.g.

by the police. It will be appreciated that the reflector 116, the carrier 104, and part of the sleeve 96 are accommodated within the lamp cover 76.

Provided around the exterior of the sleeve 96 towards the front end thereof are six conducting metal strips 118 which are equispaced around the sleeve 96 and are so connected into the circuitry of the flashlight as to be supplied with a very high voltage which can be used to generate an electric shock. By use of suitable electronic circuitry it is possible to produce a potential of as much as 35,000 to 36,000 volts. By use of appropriate electronic components, in accordance with known technology, the voltage is accumulated and converted into the high voltage, for instance by capacitance. Further description of the generation of the high potential to be available to be used to provide a shock-producing effect, e.g.

by sudden discharge, is unnecessary here since it is well known in the art. Since the front end of the sleeve 96 projects into the shank 80 of the cover 76, the strips 118 are able to make contact with conductive studs 120 which in turn contact the needles 86 so that the latter are electrically connected to the high voltage supply above referred to. If desired, the electrical continuity to the needles 86 may be achieved by way of an electrically conductive annular insert or ring which is not shown in the drawings.

When the needles 86 are caused to project from their sleeves 84, they are connected to the high voltage supply, so that if the needles 86 are applied to the body of an attacker, which can if necessary be effected through his clothes by reason of the needles being pointed, he will suffer unexpected shock(s), perhaps accompanied by noise from discharge of potential.

The sleeve 96 is shaped at its rear end to provide a pluraliry of feet of tongues 122 which are in a circular array and each of which is slightly bent outward. By reason of its curved shape and its own tensile strength, the component 96 is of appropriate strength to ensure a stable assemblage.

The electrical circuitry of the flashlight is illustrated very diagrammatically in Fig. 2 and is efectively in two sections or parts: One part, which is in the upper part of the diagram of Fig. 2, utilises eight small cells 124 as its power source. One of the switches 32, for convenience indicated in,Fig. 2 as switch 32B, controls the supply of current from these eight cells 124 to a unit indicated generally at 126 which serves to produce the high voltage at the needles 86 for the administration of a shock as above discussed. The buzzer or siren 102 is also connected with the cells 124 by way of the microswitch 68 which is actuated by the shutter ring 58 as above described.

The other section or part of the circuitry, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 2 utilises four medium-sized cells 128 as its power source, and this is connected in circuit with the other of the switches 32, here designated as switch 32A, which serves to control the supply of current to the lamp bulb 110. The cells 128 are also connected via the switch 32B which enables the flashing bulbs 112, 114 to be switched in or out as may be required.

Thus, it will be understood that the invention provides a self-defence type flashlight which has the advantages of providing illumination, a flashing light signal or alarm for calling attention to the presence of danger, an optional audible alarm to summon help and the possibility of administering an electrical shock to repel an attacker. The electrical shock is, of course, intended to be of very low current intensity so that it will only inflict pain, e.g. locally to an attacker's muscles for a very short period of time, without danger or risk of the possibility of burning the assailant's skin. Such an arrangement is novel, and provides an effective useful and practical new dimension in the defence of persons against attackers, or in the suppression of riots.

As a resumee, therefore, it is to be explained once again that the design and structure of the flash-light of the invention is purely for self-defence, illumination, the provision of a flashing light to call the attention of police and others to the danger, the possibility of administering an electrical shock to repel an attacker and an optional audible alarm for calling for help. It is thus a multi-purpose flashlight.Its main structure includes the main body 10 which accommodates the cells- 124 and 128, the rear end cover 16, the switch buttons 38, with their turning rotors 34, the shutter ring 58 of the audible alarm system, the intermediate washer 66, the retainer ring 62, the electrical circuit carrier sleeve 96, and the metal contacts for conducting high voltage to enable an electrical shock to be administered, the lamp bulb 110, the bulbs 112, 114 for the flashing light, the reflector 116, the actuating wheel 92 for the needles 86, the lamp cover 76, etc, all of which are major components. Its main electrical circuitry is divided into the two parts or sections for operation by the different groups of the cells 124 and 128. The eight small cells 124 supply current for electrical shock administration at high voltage and the generation of the audible alarm e.g. to call police.The other group of the four medium sized cells 128 supply current for the lamp 110 and the flashing bulbs 112, 114 which serve to call attention, e.g. of the police. Control of the flashing lights and of the high voltage electrical power is achieved by change-over and switching e.g. between four sections in each single button switch 32.

The illumination is operated by the single button switch 32A. The emission of sound from the audible alarm is contrqlled through the shutter ring 58, turning of which operates the switch 68 connected with the buzzer or siren 102. The switch arrangement 28 on the main body 10 of the flashlight is accommodated in the recess 26 and carried in a hollow switch body 30. This body 30 is divided into left and right chambers respectively each accommodating a respective activating rotor 34. The shank of the rotor 34 projects up from the body 30 and is enclosed by the spring 36 held captive by the button head provided by the screw 38. The activating rotor 34 and its switching rotor 40, are matched. The two rotors 34, 40 engage with each other to move simultaneously by teeth or cams.By pressing the button 38, the rotor 40 can be turned through 90" causing corresponding turning of the switching rotor 42 whose electrically conductive head turns relative to complementary electrical contacts arranged in a cross or ring shape in the recess 26 to connect or disconnect the four contacts thereof e.g. in pairs to change between the first or second part or section of the circuitry to produce the audible alarm or initiate operation of the flashing lights. The third and fourth sections are used for generating and controlling the high voltage electricity for enabling a shock to be administered to the attacker.

Tapered neck 52 is formed with the windows 56, and the insulating retainer ring 62, engaging on the screw threaded section 64 of the body 10 locates the rotatable shutter ring 58 in place over the neck 52. This shutter ring 58 has the recess 70 for co-operative engagement with the head of the micro switch 68 in the head chamber 72 of the flashlight, the shutter ring 58 serving to open or close the microswitch 68 to cause the buzzer or siren 102 to emit its audible alarm. The rotatable shutter ring 58 is matched with the neck 52 of the main body 10 of the flashlight. The head chamber 72 accommodates the sound generator in the form of the buzzer or siren 102 and when the audible alarm is switched off, the ribs of the shutter ring 58 of the alarm system blank off the windows 56 so that the alarm system may be hermetically sealed.When the audible alarm system is switched on, the turning of the shutter ring 58 is effective to energise the buzzer or siren 192, and the ribs of the shutter ring 58 open the sound windows 56 to increase the sound effect of the alarm.

The head chamber 72 of the flashlight accommodates the carrier 104 of electrical circuit components, and more particularly the circuit board 106 and its abutting insulating disc 108 which may be united or laminated together. In the middle of the board 106 is a hole into which the lamp bulb 110 threadedly engages. The flashing light bulbs 112, 114 are attached at approximately diametrically opposed positions to the disc 118. Around the sleeve 96, which serves as an abutment for the electrical circuit board 106, there are the six conducting metal strips 118 for the current to pass to the needles 86 by which electrical shock can be administered. Its circuitry is connected to the button switch 32B which controls the application of the high voltage to the needles 86 by which also sparks and explosive sounds can be generated.The inner part of the carrier 96 for the electrical circuit board is divided into the two chambers, namely the inner and outer chambers respectively, to accommodate the above-described electrical circuit systems. Its feet or tongues 122 curve slightly outwards. These curves and the degree to which the feet or tongues are bent in conjunction with the tensile strength of the material thereof are instrumental in assuring stability of the carrier 96 when assembled in place.

The lamp cover's outer curved surface 82 is ribbed as illustrated, this ribbing serving to reinforce the cover 76, and the sleeves 84 for the needles 86 extend axially, parallel to such ribbing. Each needle 86 is surrounded, in its sleeve 84, by its respective spring 88 which biasses the needle 86 so that its rear nonpointed end protrudes past the flange 90 at the rear ends of the ribs 82 to engage the respective cam surfaces 94 in the rotatable needle actuating wheel 92 which is rotatable on the shank 80.

The inner surface of the shank 80, is also equipped with the electrically conductive sheet -form annulus or ring and/or with the studs 120 which connect with the needles 86. The inner surface of the shank 80, annulus or ring, or the studs 120, contact with the outer surface or strips 118 of the carrier sleeve 96, for supplying the electrical potential to the needles 86 for producing electrical shocks.

When the needle actuating wheel 92 is turned, the cam surface 94 causes the piercing needles 86 to project. At the same time, the respective switch 32 turns on the power.

The high voltage unit 126 supplies the high voltage to the needles.

Claims (19)

1. A flashlight suitable, for example, for use by a guard e.g. in riot suppression, and comprising a body at one end of which is a lamp cover accommodating a lamp bulb for providing illumination, and further including a flashing light system for generating a visible alarm signal and high voltage shocking means for enabling an electrical shock to be administered by means of the flashlight.

2. A flashlight as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lamp bulb is located within a conical or parabolic mirror to direct light through the end of the lamp cover, the flashing light system including one or more bulbs disposed so that light therefrom is reflected laterally by the exterior surface of the mirror, through the lamp cover.

3. A flashligh as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the high voltage shocking means comprises a pair of needles which can be extended to project from the lamp cover or caused to withdraw into the cover.

4. A flashlight as claimed in claim 3 wherein a needle actuating wheel, rotatably located in a shank of the lamp cover, enables the needles to be extended.

5. A flashlight as claimed in claim 4 wherein the needle actuating wheel has, for each needle, an internal cam helix abutted by the rear end of the respective needle, respective spring serving to bias the needle into its withdrawn position.

6. A flashlight as claimed in any of claims 3, 4 and 5 wherein each needle is accommodated in a respective integral sleeve on the lamp cover.

7. A flashlight as claimed in any preceding claim further including a sound generator adapted, upon energisation, to emit a loud audible alarm.

8. A flashlight as claimed in claim 7 wherein switching on and off of the sound generator is effected by turning a ring which is mounted rotatably on the body.

9. A flashlight as claimed in claim 8 wherein the ring is mounted on a tapered neck of the body.

10. A flashlight as claimed in claim 9 wherein the tapered neck defines a head chamber in which the sound generator is accommodated.

11. A flashlight as claimed in claims 9 and 10 in which the tapered neck has windows therein and the ring is a shutter ring also having windows which register with those in the neck when the sound generator is switched on.

12. A flashlight as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11 wherein the ring co-operates with a microswitch to switch the sound generator on and off.

13. A flashlight as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a main switch assembly for the lamp and the flashing light is accommodated in a recess in the body.

14. A flashlight as claimed in claim 13 wherein the main switch assembly comprises a pair of press button switches each comprising a press button depression of which turns a turning rotor which co-operates with a respective switching rotor to turn a contact rotor relative to respective contacts in the base of the recess.

15. A flashlight as claimed in claim 14 wherein each depression of the press button turns the respective contact rotor through 90".

16. A flashlight as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, and in claim 10 wherein the head chamber accommodates part of a circuit component carrier including a sleeve which projects into the lamp cover and has therearound a plurality of metal strips by which electric current is conducted to the needles.

17. A flashlight as claimed in claim 16 wherein the sleeve provides an abutment for a circuit board into which the lamp bulb is centrally screwed, this circuit board being abutted by an insulating disc- carrying the flashing lamps.

18. A flashlight as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sleeve is shaped at its end remote from the lamp bulb with a plurality of feet or tongues which are slightly outwardly curved.

19. A flashlight substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.