Spotlight with user-friendly fixable adjustable focus

[0001] The present invention relates primarily to flashlights, spotlights, or lights powered by batteries.

[0002] Spotlights and flashlights are available in various shapes and sizes that are well known in the art. Flashlights are typically powered by batteries of various sizes. Flashlights may use LED's, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, or any other light emitting device as their light source. Some available flashlights have focusing features that allow the user to focus the beam of light to a desired concentration pattern. However, in order to maintain the focus of the light, the focusing mechanism must be prevented from rotating out of position. If a locking system is employed to prevent the focus of the light from changing, the locking system will have to be disengaged before the focus of the light may be altered. It may be cumbersome for a user to have to disengage a locking system just to alter the focus of the light, especially in low-light settings where a flashlight is likely to be used. In addition, there exist lights in the prior art that employ detent/fixing mechanisms located on the external surface of the light. These external mechanisms may not be sufficiently protected from dirt and debris or physical damage.

[0003] The present invention is a focusable spotlight that allows its user to focus the light pattern to precisely the right position and then maintain that focus. Focusing is accomplished by rotating a reflector assembly on threads attached to a lamp assembly so that the parabolic reflector in the reflector assembly changes position in relation the light source, thus changing the focus of the light pattern.

[0004] The present invention provides one set of alternating ridges and valleys on the lamp assembly that mate with another set of alternating ridges and valleys in the reflector assembly for fixing the position of the reflector assembly, and thus the focus of the light. The mating of these alternating ridges and valleys prevents the focus of the light from changing involuntarily, as from vibrations or movement incidental to normal use, while still allowing the user to adjust the focus by applying sufficient rotational force to the reflector assembly.

[0005] Additionally, the present invention allows the user to adjust the focus of the light without having to physically interact with, or disengage any sort of focus locking or detent mechanism. The present invention also provides a more durable and reliable means for fixing the focus of a light because of the enclosed nature of the ridges and valleys.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention, which shows the reflector housing 10 mounted on the lamp housing 12. The reflector housing 10 is mounted to the cylindrical mounting member 14 of the lamp housing 12 by its resilient cylindrical neck 16, which has internal threads 18, and a plurality of alternating ridges and valleys 20, that are directed parallel to the axis of the resilient cylindrical neck 16, on its internal surface. The threads 18 on the resilient cylindrical neck 16 mate with the focusing threads 22 on the internal surface of the resilient cylindrical neck 16 mate with alternating ridges and valleys 24 on the external surface of the cylindrical mounting member 14 to fix the focus of the light in a desired position.

[0012] The invention may be focused by rotating the reflector housing 10 on the focusing threads 22 so that the parabolic reflector 26, located within the reflector housing 10, as shown in FIG. 3, moves either closer or further away from the cylindrical mounting member 14 and the light source located thereon, thus changing the focus of the light. Once the light is focused in the desired position, the ridges and valleys 20 on the internal surface of the resilient cylindrical neck 16 will be settled within their corresponding ridges and valleys 24 on the cylindrical mounting member 14 to maintain that focusing position. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the ridges 20, 24 may be rounded in shape, or could have a “V” shape, or any other shape that will function correctly, as may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0013] The resilient cylindrical neck 16 is sufficiently flexible so that as the proper amount of force is applied to rotate the reflector housing, the neck 16 will expand as the ridges 20 on the internal surface of the resilient cylindrical neck 16 move up and over the adjacent ridges 24 on the cylindrical mounting member 14, and into the adjacent valleys 24 on the cylindrical mounting member 14. Thus, the reflector housing 10 is rotated with respect to the lamp housing 12. The amount of rotational force required to adjust the focus in this manner is sufficient, as will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art, to prevent any inadvertent changing of the focus, while still enabling user-friendly intentional adjustment.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a lens 28 is installed in the reflector assembly 10 to protect the parabolic reflector 26 and light source from damage, dirt, debris, moisture, and the like. The lens 28 may be manufactured with suitable characteristics to facilitate the focusing of the light. The lens 28 may be manufactured from glass, plastic, or any other suitable material.

[0015] In an embodiment, a switch 30 is mounted on the handle 32 to turn the power to the light source on and off. Additionally, the light may have power cables 34 that extend from the bottom of the handle 32 in order to connect to a power source, such as a battery. The light source of the present invention may be an incandescent light bulb, a halogen light bulb, a fluorescent light bulb, or any other suitable light emitting device, as will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the spotlight may be mounted on the top of a car, on a motorcycle, or on an all terrain vehicle for increased light at night, particularly in rural areas. The spotlight may also be mounted on a boat to increase visibility during nighttime boating. The present invention would maintain the focus of the light pattern even while the vehicle travels over rough terrain or through rough waters.

[0017] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a user-friendly focus fixing mechanism that does not require the user to interact with the mechanism itself, but can be adjusted as easily as a light without a fixing or locking mechanism simply by providing adequate rotational force to the reflector housing.

[0018] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a more reliable focus fixing mechanism than currently available alternatives that employ external mechanisms that may be easily deformed or broken.

[0019] It is a further objective of the present invention that the mated ridges and valleys, which allow the focus of the light to be maintained, are protected from environmental dirt and debris because of their enclosed nature as illustrated in the accompanying figures.

[0020] Although details of specific implementations and embodiments are described above, such details are intended to satisfy statutory disclosure obligations rather than to limit the scope of the following claims. Many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Thus, the invention is defined by the claims, not limited by the specific features described above. The invention is claimed in any form that falls within the proper scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.