Filing Information

Inventor(s)	John G. Rousso · Paul R. Holbrook ·
Assignee(s)	Black & Decker Inc. ·  View assignee updates
Attorney/Agent(s)	Barry E. Deutsch ·
Primary Examiner	Ira S. Lazarus ·
Assistant Examiner	Alan B. Cariaso ·
Application Number	US8286852
Filing date	08/05/1994
Issue date	05/14/1996
Predicted expiration date	08/05/2014
U.S. Classifications	362/198  · 362/194  ·
International Classifications	F21L 1508  ·
Kind Code	A
International Classifications	439162;333;350;352;928 ·

Patent Family

Abstract

A flashlight includes a flexible core comprising a pair of conductive wires which electrically connect a source of power to a power using implement. A flexible spine surrounds the pair of conductive wires and includes a plurality of interconnected universally rotatable members. A resilient sleeve engages the outer surface of the rotatable members forming the spine. The flashlight includes a working end housing and a base housing. A first anchor connects one end of the flexible core to the base end housing and a second anchor connects the other end of the flexible core to the working end housing. The outer surface of the resilient sleeve is restrained against relative twisting or longitudinal movement with respect to each housing.

Independent Claims | See all claims (12)

1. 1. A flashlight comprising:a base housing forming a power end for said flashlight and having a longitudinally extending bore including at least one battery housed therein;a working end housing spaced from said base housing and supporting a reflector, a lens, and a light bulb, said working end housing including means defining a longitudinally extending bore;a flexible core assembly connecting said base housing to said working end housing and comprising a pair of conductive wires electrically connecting said battery to said light bulb, a flexible spine surrounding said pair of conductive wires and including a plurality of interconnected and universally rotatable members, and a resilient sleeve member engaging an outer surface of each of the rotatable members forming said spine;a first anchor connected to a first end of said flexible core and having a portion extending within the bore of said base housing, said anchor including first gripping means underlying the resilient sleeve member of said flexible core, and said base housing bore including second gripping means overlying the sleeve of said flexible core and sandwiching said sleeve between said first and second gripping means; anda second anchor connected to a second end of said flexible core and having a portion extending within the bore of said working end housing, said second anchor including third gripping means underlying the sleeve of said flexible core and said working end housing bore including fourth gripping means overlying the sleeve of said flexible core and sandwiching said sleeve between said third and fourth gripping means.
2. 6. A flashlight comprising:a base housing forming a power end for said flashlight and having a longitudinally extending bore including at least one battery housed therein;a working end housing spaced from said base housing and supporting a reflector, a lens, and a light bulb, said working end housing including means defining a longitudinally extending bore;a flexible core assembly connecting said base housing to said working end housing and comprising a pair of conductive wires electrically connecting said battery to said light bulb, a flexible spine surrounding said pair of conductive wires and including a plurality of interconnected and universally rotatable members, and a resilient sleeve member engaging an outer surface of each of the rotatable members forming said spine, said sleeve member including a first end extending into the bore of the base housing and a second end extending into the bore of the working end housing, each of said bores includes a plurality of inwardly extending ridges for engaging the outer surface of said sleeve.
3. 8. A flashlight comprising:a base housing forming a power end for said flashlight and having a longitudinally extending bore;a working end housing spaced from said base housing and including means defining a longitudinally extending bore;a flexible core assembly connecting said base housing to said working end housing and comprising a pair of conductive wires electrically connecting said base housing to said working end housing, a flexible spine surrounding said pair of conductive wires electrically connecting said base housing to said working end housing, a flexible spine surrounding said pair of conductive wires and including a plurality of interconnected and universally rotatable members, and a resilient sleeve member surrounding an outer surface of each of the rotatable members forming said spine;a first anchor connected to a first end of said flexible core and having a portion extending within the bore of said base housing, said anchor including first gripping means underlying the resilient sleeve member of said flexible core, and said base housing including second gripping means overlying the sleeve of said flexible core and sandwiching said sleeve between said first and second gripping means; anda second anchor connected to a second end of said flexible core and having a portion extending within the bore of said working end housing, said second anchor including third gripping means underlying the sleeve of said flexible core and said working end housing bore including fourth gripping means overlying the sleeve of said flexible core and sandwiching said sleeve between said third and fourth gripping means.