Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~~ ~91~+~
FLASHLIGHT HOLDER CLAMP ASSEMBLY
Back rid
This invention relates to devices for holding a flashlight securely and
for also clamping the flashlight with its holder onto a tubular shaped member
such
as a bicycle handlebar, backpacking frame, etc. The invention is primarily
intended for use with a miniature, hand held flashlight of the type described
in
United States Patent Nos. 4,577,263; 4,658,336; 4,899,265; 4,656,565; or
4,851,974.
Hand held flashlights of various sizes, shapes, and containing
various features are well known. It is also well known that bicycles may be
equipped with lights for use in night time cycling. It would therefore be
highly
desirable to provide a clamp assembly by which a flashlight could be secured
to
the handlebars of a bicycle. Such a clamp assembly should be economical to
manufacture and be readily adjustable. It would also be desirable to provide
an
assembly which has an adjustable mounting for a flashlight for use on other
support structures where the axis of the tubular support structure is parallel
to the
axis of the barrel of the flashlight, such as for use in conjunction with a
rifle. It
would also be desirable to provide an assembly which has the capability of
adjusting the angle of the clamp itself with respect both to the support
structure
and with respect to the flashlight. Such assemblies are described herein.
-1-
77766-8
' ~~ ~ 2 019148
PATENT
191/066
It is an object of the present invention to provide a
clamp for securely holding a hand held flashlight and for
clamping the hand held flashlight at an appropriate location of a
bicycle at ona end and for holding and orienting a dry cell
flashlight at its other and to provide for lighting a pathway
ahead of the bicycle.
It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a portable flashlight holder clamp for clamping onto a
tubular shaped object at one end and for holding a flashlight at
its other end whereby the flashlight holder end may be oriented
so that the flashlight shines in either the direction of the
tubular member or in a direction substantially perpendicular to
the tubular member.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
flashlight holder clamp which is adjustable to provide for
varying the angle that the beam of light from the flashlight is
directed with respect to a predetermined reference direction.
It is a further object of the invention to provide for
a flashlight holder clamp in which the flashlight may be adjusted
horizontally and/or vertically within the clamp and/or in which
the clamp itself may be adjusted rotationally or perpendicularly
with respect to axis of the support structure to which it is
attached.
2
201918
PATENT
191/066
By the following description flashlight holder clamps
are described which accomplish the above aforementioned objects
and which provide for an adjustable, portable means for holding a
hand held type flashlight at one of its ends and for clamping
onto a structural member, such as a bicycle handlebar, at its
other end.
One flashlight holder clamp assembly of the present
invention includes a truncated spherical gripping member adapted
to fit about a portion of the barrel the flashlight, a mounting
bracket adapted to fit about the spherical gripping member and to
clamp onto the handlebar or other support member to which the
assembly is to be secured, and a fastening member for drawing the
mounting bracket tightly about the gripping member and the
support member. Upon tightening the fastening member, the
assembly is secured to the support member, such as for example, a
bicycle handlebar, and the gripping member is constricted about
the flashlight barrel to secure the flashlight in place in a
desired angular orientation with respect to the support member.
The spherical gripping member also defines a plurality
of uniformly spaced longitudinal slots therein which communicate
along their inner ands with the central.cylindrical channel
therein to provide uniform construction of the gripping member
about the flashlight. The spherical gripping member is contained
within an upper region of the mounting bracket defined by an
upper forward portion thereof and a upper rearward portion
wherein the inner periphery of the adjacent portions defines a
curvature to smoothly adjoin the outer periphery of the spherical
portion of the gripping member such that upon drawing the two
3
~ 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
portions together about the gripping member, the gripping member
is constricted about the flashlight barrel. The adjacent upper
forward and upper rearward portions of the mounting bracket also
define two perpendicularly disposed pairs of aligned apertures
therein; a forward and rearward facing pair and lateral facing
pair. A selected one of the pairs of apertures receives the
portion of the flashlight barrel protruding from the spherical
gripping member and thereby allows the flashlight to be held by
the gripping member within the mounting bracket in a selected
'orientation with respect to the support member.
The mid region of the forward and rearward portions of
the mounting bracket provide for an attaching and tightening
means such as for example a male/female screw. The lower ends of
the forward and rearward portions of the mounting bracket are
configured to fit the handlebar such that upon tightening of the
mals/femals screw, the forward and rearward positions of the
mounting bracket are drawn together, constricting the spherical
gripping member in the upper portion thereof, while the lower
ends of the bracket are drawn tightly about the support member,
thereby securing the flashlight in place on the support member.
Prior to tightening of the screw fastener, the gripping member
with the flashlight protruding therefrom is rotated within the
upper region of the mounting bracket to bring the flashlight into
the desired angular orientation with respect to the support
member. Tightening of the screw fastener secures the flashlight
in place.
Ths forward and rearward facing apertures in the upper
forward and upper rearward portions of the mounting bracket
permit orientation of the gripping member and the flashlight so
4
t
2019148
PATENT
191/066
that the beam.of light may be directed generally perpendicular in
either a forward or rearward direction from the longitudinal axis
of a support member, such as the bicycle handlebar. The
allowable rotational movement of the gripping member within the
mounting brackot pormits the gripping member to be orionted so
that the beam of light can be readily adjusted upwardly,
downwardly or to the left or to the right from a direction
precisely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
handlebar. It should also be noted that the lateral apertures
formed by the upper forward and upper rearward'section also
provide for orientation of the ball so that the flashlight may be
pointed in either a forward or rearward direction along the
longitudinal direction of the tubular member.
In other embodiments, the adjustable mounting bracket
may have provision for only a forward and rearward facing pair of
aligned apertures for receiving the flashlight barrel and only a
lateral facing pair of aligned apertures for clamping on to a
support structure. . Such an embodiment would be primarily
intended for use on a bicycle.
also, in another embodiment the upp~r portion as well
as the lower portion of the adjustable mounting clamp are
provided with spherical gripping members, so that a predetermined
range of vertical and/or horizontal adjustment of the flashlight
with respect to the clamp and radial and other adjustment of the
clamp with respect to the support structure may ba achieved. In
this embodiment a upper and lower pair of aligned apertures are
oriented 90' with respect to each other.
In another embodiment, there are two pairs of upper
aligned apertures oriented 90' with respect to each other and two
5
2 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
pairs of lower aligned apertures oriented 90' with respect to
each other. In this embodiment, spherical gripping members are
provided both for the upper portions and for the lower portions.
This embodiment provides for the greatest flexibility and degree
of adjustment of direction of the flashlight beam with respect to
the support structure.
The gripping sphere preferably is made of a plastic
material that has good strength, elasticity, and forming
characteristics, such as one of many nylon based materials
commercially available. The mounting bracket may be made of
metal, or may also be made of plastic materials. The fastener
may be a conventional male/female screw fastener, or may be any
one of a number of conventional fastening means such as thumb
screw, wing nut, or allen socket type screw. In the preferred
embodiments the flat in the head of the screw is sized to
accommodate a coin, such as a U.S. quarter, or other common coin
depending on the country of interest, so that tha coin may bs
used as a screwdriver.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TFIE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a
flashlight holder clamp assembly of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional, side view of the
Figure 1 assembly.
Figure 3 is a side view of the Figure 1 assembly taken
at 90' from the Figure 2 view.
Figure 4 is a side view of the Figure l assembly taken
at the same angle as the Figure 2 view.
6
2 0191 ~ ~ PATENT
191/066
Figure 5 is a partial cross sectional, top view of the
gripping sphere of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a partial cross sectional, bottom view of
the gripping sphere of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a side view of an assembly of the present
invention made with a plastic material.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional, side view of the
Figure 7 assembly with the gripping sphere in place.
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second
preferred embodiment of the flashlight holder clamp assembly of
the present invention.
Figure l0 is a front elevation, partial section view of
the Figure 9 assembly.
Figure 11 is a side elevation, partial section view of
the Figure 9 assembly.
Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of a third
preferred embodiment of the flashlight holder clamp assembly of
the present invention.
Figure 13 is a side elevation, partial section view of
the Figure 12 assembly.
Figure 14 is is a front elevation, partial section view
of the Figure 12 assembly.
Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth
preferred embodiment o! the flashlight holder clamp assembly of
the present invention.
Figure 16 is a side elevation, partial section view of
the Figure 15 assembly.
Figure 17 is a front elevation, partial section view of
Figure 15 assembly.
2 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
Figure 18 is a horizontal, section view of the Figure
15 assembly taken along line 18-18 of Figure 17.
DFTAT .LF.p DESCRTPTTON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODTMENTS
By reference to Figures 1-18 preferred ambodim~ants of
the present invention will be described.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, an exploded
perspective view, a cross sectional, side view and a side view of
a first embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at
10. The flashlight holder clamp assembly generally comprises a
truncated spherical gripping member 11 and a mounting bracket 12
having a first member 13 and a second member 14. The gripping
member il is preferably made of a plastic material such as one of
the many nylon based materials commercially available. Because
the truncated spherical gripping member 11 functions to close
down upon or constrict the flashlight barrel upon tightening of
the mounting bracket 12, virtually any other material of
construction for th~ gripping member which will permit this
function i~ acceptable for purposes of this invention. Shown in
Figure 1 in phantom is a flashlight positioned within the
spherical gripping member li. The spherical gripping member 11
is contained within the upper regions of a forward portion 15 of
the first member 13 and rearward portion 16 of the second
member 14 of the mounting bracket 11. The mounting bracket 12
has a mid-region 17 for containing a fastener such as a
male/female screw fastener shown with male portion 18 and female
portion 19 for drawing together the forward and rearward portion
of the mounting bracket 12 about the gripping member 11 and a
bicycle handlebar, as will be described. The mounting bracket 12
8
2 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
also has a lower forward and rearward portion generally shown as
clamping around a bicycle handlebar 20 or other tubular member as
shown in Figure 2. Reinforcing ribs 21, 22 provide an additional
measurs of support between the upper and lower regions of the
first and second members 13 and 14 of the mounting bracket 12. In
the preferred embodiments the tubular member 20 is intended to be
a conventional handlebar of a bicycle along the region where the
handlebar extends longitudinally in a direction perpendicular
from the straight-ahead path of the bicycle.
l0 ~ As mentioned above the spherical gripping member is
preferably made of a plastic material. The gripping member has a
centrally disposed cylindrical channel extending therethrough of
sufficient diameter to accommodate a flashlight barrel. In order
to accommodate different sized flashlight barrels, as for example
to accommodate an AA or AAA sized flashlight barrel, gripping
member 11 may be constructed with different channels 23 of
varying cross-sectional diameters but having the same outer
diameter in order to fit snugly within the mounting bracket 12.
Alternatively the spherical gripping member 11 may be constructed
with a large channel diameter and one or more inserts of the same
or equivalent material may be provided so that the insert will
fit into the channel 23 with the inner diameter of the insert
being sized to accommodate the barrel of a flashlight of chosen
size. Also, the spherical gripping member 11 has a plurality of
uniformly spaced longitudinal slots 24 cut into the body of the
gripping member li to provide for even constriction, i-e.,
distribution of the clamping, or holding force upon the
flashlight barrel with tightening of the male/female screw
fastener portions 18, 19. It should be noted that the flashlight
9
2 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
mounting bracket of the present invention, and in particular the
slots 24 of the spherical gripping member 11, may be presented in
a number of aesthetically pleasing ways. For example, a
preferred embodiment of the flashlight holder clamp assembly of
the present invention is shown in copending design patent
application, attorney docket number 180/237, entitled Flashlight
Holder Clamp Assembly.
The upper portions of the mounting bracket 12 are
provided with a pair of circular axially aligned apertures 25 and
26~with aperture 25 being disposed in the forward body portion 27
and aperture 26 being disposed in the rear body portion 28, as
seen in Figures 1-2. Ths left and right sides of each of the
forward body portion 27 and rearward body portion 28 are formed
so that upon assembly, two axially aligned side or lateral
apertures 29 and 30 are formed between the forward and rearward
body portions 27 and 28 with the central common axis of
apertures 29 and 30 being perpendicular to the central common
axis of apertures 25 and 26. The forwardly and rearwardly facing
apertures 25 and 26 are preferably of the same diameter as the
perpendicularly disposed apertures 29 and 30. To allow for
pivotal adjustment of the gripping member 11 and attached
flashlight within the mounting bracket 32, the diameter of each
of apertures 25, 26, 29 and 30 is larger than the cross-sectional
diameter of the channel 23 in the gripping member 11. Through
this configuration, the flashlight shown in phantom lines in
Figure 1 extends through the channel 23 in the truncated
spherical gripping member 11 and protrudes outwardly from the
clamp assembly through either aligned apertures 25 and 26 or 29
l0
2 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
and 30, depending on the desired orientation of the flashlight
with respect to the handlebar 20.
In use, the flashlight to be carried by the assembly is
inserted through the cylindrical channel 23 in the gripping
member 11. The mounting bracket 12 is then placed about the
gripping member 11 and the handlebar 20 with the barrel of the
flashlight aligned with and extending through either aligned
apertures 25 and 26 or 29 and 30 depending on the desired
orientation with respect to the handlebar 20. On a bicycle
handlebar, the flashlight would normally point forwardly through
aperture 25. In Figure 1 the phantom flashlight and gripping
member 11 are shown oriented at a right angle from a normal
orientation. The fastening members 18 and 19 era then tightened,
constricting the spherical gripping member 11 about the barrel of
the flashlight, securing the gripping member in place between the
upper portions.27 and 28 of the mounting bracket 32 and
tightening the lower portions 31 and 32 of the mounting
bracket 12 about the handlebar 20. To adjust the angle of the
flashlight beam, it is only necessary to loosen the fastening
members 18, 19 which relieves the pressure extended by the
mounting bracket 12 on the gripping member 11, allowing the
flashlight and gripping member to be rotated within and with
respect to the mounting bracket to the desired orientation.
Retightening the fastening members 18, 19 secures the gripping
member il and flashlight in the desired orientation. The
adjustment provided by this assembly is limited by the diameter
of the aligned apertures in the mounting bracket to the maximum
allowable deviation of the flashlight from the central axis of
the aligned apertures, so that the flashlight barrel will abut
11
PATENT
191/066
the edge of the wall of the apertures through which the
flashlight extends. Such deviation, however, allows more than
ample adjustment of the flashlight so that it can be rotated to
point at an angle less than the horizontal direction and thus
focus on a point along the straight ahead path of the bicycle.
The spherical gripping member may also be rotated so that the
channel 23 and, thus the flashlight, point in a direction along
the longitudinal direction of the tube 20. In such a mounting,
the flashlight would be mounted within the assembly such that it
would extend through side apertures 29.and 30 in the mounting
bracket as opposed to apertures 25 and 26 for a forward
pointing securement.
It is also within the scope of the invention that
filters, such as a red, yellow or green filter may be used in
conjunction with the flashlight and that the flashlight placed in
the flashlight.clamp assembly of the present invention may be
used to perform a safety, or warning function, as well as an
illuminating function.
~rlthough the flashlight mounting assembly of the
present invention is intended primarily for use on bicycle
handlebars to provide for illumination of the bicycle path
during darkness, numerous other uses may be made of the
flashlight holder clamp of the present invention. For example
it may be used on backpack frames and as an aid to illumination
or for providing warning illumination in conjunction with
virtually any other device, member, or surface onto which the
clamp may be fastened.
Hy reference to Figures 7 and 8 a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the Figures 7
12
-- 2019148
PATENT
191/066
and 8 embodiment, the mounting bracket material is of a plastic
construction. In Figures 7 and 8 like parts as shown in
Figures 1-6 are illustrated with the same reference numerals and
lead lines. For example the same truncated spherical
gripping member il with a cylindrical channel 23 and slots 24 are
shown. In Figures 7 and 8 like parts having the different, or
plastic material of construction are shown with a prime
designation after the numeral. Thus for example the forward
housing unit is labeled as 27~ and the rearward housing unit is
designated as 28'. As shown in Figure 8 the midregion 17' is
formed with recesses sized to accommodate the male portion l8~and
female portion 19 of the male/female screw fastener. The head of
the screw also has a slot dimensioned to accept a popular coin of
a desired country, for example a U.S. quarter. Reinforcing
ribs 21~, 22~ as shown in Figures 7 and 8 provide an additional
measure of support between the upper and lower regions of the
clamp assembly. The thickness of the housing members 27~ and 28'
are not critical, provided that the thickness provides sufficient
strength and support for the mounting bracket and the contained
gripping member 11. As may be noted by comparing Figures 2 and
8, the Figure 8 housing members 27' and 28~, when made o! the
plastic material, are thicker than the members 27 when made of
metal, as shown in Figure 2. As also is show, in Figures 1-4 and
7-8 the edges of the housing are rounded off to preclude having
sharp or rough edges, and may be rounded or smoothed in a variety
of aesthetically pleasing ways, such as shown in corresponding
design patent application, attorney docket number 380/237.
Referring to Figures 9-11 a second preferred embodiment
will be described. The alternate assembly is generally shown at
13
' X019148
PATENT
191/066
33 and comprises a truncated spherical gripping member 34 and a
mounting bracket 35. The gripping member 34 is like that
previously described with respect to Figures 1-8. The mounting
bracket 35 provides for one pair of upper aligned apertures 36
and 37, with aperture 36 disposed in body portion 35A of mounting
bracket 35 and with aperture 37 disposed in body portion 35H.
The mounting bracket 35 also provides for one pair of lower
aligned apertures 38 and 39, with a portion of each of the
apertures defined by the body portions 35A and a portion defined
by the body portion 35H. As shown in Figure 10 one portion 40 is
defined in body portion 35A and one portion 41 is defined in body
portion 35B. The lower pair of aligned apertures are oriented at
90' with respect to the upper pair of aligned apertures, as
illustrated in Figures 9-11. This embodiment features simplicity
of. construction and is intended for use where the beam of light
is to be directed generally at right angles from the direction of
the axis of the support member. Conventional fittings 42, 43 and
44 and materials of construction as described above may be used
with this embodiment. The functions of the preferred embodiment
of Figures 9-11 may be accomplished with a variety of designs,
shapes and styles.
Referring to Figures 12-14 a third preferred embodiment
will be described. This alternate assembly is generally shown at
45 and comprises two truncated spherical gripping members 46 and
47 positioned in a mounting bracket 48. Gripping members 46 and
47 are like that previously described with respect to Figures 1-
li. The mounting bracket 48 provides for one pair of upper
aligned apertures 49 and 50, with aperture 49 disposed in body
portion 48A of mounting bracket 48 and with aperture 50 disposed
14
~ 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
in body portion 48H. The mounting bracket also provides for
accommodation of lower gripping member 46, which may be of the
same or a different size than the upper gripping member 47, and
for a pair of lower aligned apertures 51 and 52. As shown in
Figur~s 9-14, tho lower apertures are each defined by a portion
of the body portions 48A and 48H.
. The materials of construction and fittings or fastening
means 53, 54 and 55 are as described above with reference to
Figures 1-11.
The embodiment of Figures 12 to 14 provide means for
the additional functions for easy and significant rotational
and/or other adjustment of the assembly with respect to the axis
of the support member. This is accomplished through provision of
the lower spherical member 46 and the lower aligned apertures 51
and 52.
Referring to Figures 15 to 17 a fourth preferred
embodiment will ba described. This alternate assembly has upper
and lower truncated spherical gripping members 56 and 57, and as
described above with respect to the third preferred embodiment.
The fourth proferr~d embodiment also provides for two pairs of
upper alignod apertures and two pairs of lower aligned apertures
for maximum adjustment of the flashlight beam direction with
respect to the axis of the support structure. The upper aligned
apertures era shown at 58, 59, 60 and 61 and are mutually
perpendicular. The lower aligned apertures are shown at 62, 63,
64 and 65 and are also mutually perpendicular. Fasteners are
shown at 66, 67, and 68 and are of the type described previously.
Materials of construction are.also as described previously. Slot
69 provides for holding a security wrench, such as a right angle,
2 01914 8 PATENT
191/066
hex allen wrench, as shown in Figure 15. A plastic sleeve may
also be provided in the slot 69 to aid in holding the security
wrench.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 17, the clamp
assembly may be affixed to the support structure to either pair
of lower aligned apertures and, due to the lower spherical
gripping member feature, may also be adjusted rotationally and/or
at other angles with respe~t to the axis of the support member.
As described above with respect to Figures 1-8, the flashlight
to may be affixed to extend through either pair of upper aligned
apertures and may also be radially and/or pivotally adjusted
laterally with respect to the clamping assembly mounting bracket.
Thus, this embodiment provides for a maximum adjustment of
flashlight beam direction with respect to the axis of the support
structure used.
The functions of the three embodiments shown in Figures
9-17 may be accomplished with various designs, shapes and overall
configurations. The specific shapes, styles and overall
configurations shown in Figures 9-17 are subject matter of
commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Attorney Docket No.
191/67.
Although the preferred embodiments show a single
fastening means such as a male/female screw fastener which
accomplishes both functions of holding the housing pieces of the
mounting bracket 12 together so that it may be clamped onto a
tubular member such as a bicycle handlebar 20, and of
constricting the gripping member il around the flashlight barrel
at channel 23 to achieve a gripping effect, the flashlight holder
clamp may be constructed with other fastening means which perform
16
209148
PATENT
191/066
these functions. Also, the mounting bracket may be constructed
so that difterent fastening means perform each of these separate
functions. For example the mounting bracket may have one
fastening means to clamp onto the held device, such as the
bicycle handlebar while a second clamping means could be used to
tighten down on the gripping member 11. These alterations are
also considered to be within the scope of the present invention,
although they are not specifically set forth with drawings
herein.
While preferred embodiments of the herein invention
have bean described, numerous modifications, alterations
alternate embodiments and alternate materials may be contemplated
by those skilled in the art and may be utilized in accomplishing
the objacta of the present invention. It is envisioned that all
such alternates are considered to be within the scope of the
present invention as defined by the appended claims.
17
