阅读说明：本技术 手电筒夹具 (Flashlight clamp ) 是由 N·杰克逊 N·塞维斯 于 2021-03-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种灯夹紧装置,包括夹具,该夹具配置成将该灯夹紧装置附接到物体上。灯夹紧装置还包括灯组件,该灯组件配置成在该夹具上至少两个不同位置处可移除地连接到该夹具,该灯组件包括磁体,由此该灯组件可移地连接到包括铁磁性金属的表面。该夹具包括：包括第一端和第二端的滑动杆、连接到该第一端的第一钳口和可滑动地容纳该滑动杆的主体,该主体具有与该第一钳口相对的第二钳口。该夹具还包括驱动组件,用于在第一方向上移动该滑动杆。(A lamp fixture includes a clamp configured to attach the lamp fixture to an object. The lamp fixture further includes a lamp assembly configured to be removably coupled to the fixture at least two different locations on the fixture, the lamp assembly including a magnet, whereby the lamp assembly is removably coupled to a surface including a ferromagnetic metal. This anchor clamps include: a slide bar including a first end and a second end, a first jaw coupled to the first end, and a body slidably receiving the slide bar, the body having a second jaw opposite the first jaw. The clamp also includes a drive assembly for moving the slide bar in a first direction.)

1. A lamp fixture device comprising:

a clamp configured to attach the lamp fixture to an object; and

a lamp assembly configured to be removably attached to the clip at least two different locations on the clip, the lamp assembly comprising a magnet, whereby the lamp assembly is removably attached to a surface comprising a ferromagnetic metal.

2. The lamp fixture of claim 1 wherein the lamp assembly further comprises:

an attachment portion, a base portion, and a light source portion; and

a hinge connecting the base portion and the light source portion such that the light source portion is rotatable about the hinge.

3. The lamp fixture of claim 2 wherein said base portion rotates relative to said attachment portion and said attachment portion removably attaches said lamp assembly to said fixture.

4. The light fixture device of claim 3 wherein the light source portion is rotatable about the hinge along a first axis and the base portion is rotatable relative to the attachment portion along a second axis.

5. The lamp fixture device of claim 4 wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially perpendicular to each other.

6. The lamp fixture of any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the lamp assembly further comprises a rotation mechanism configured to allow the base portion to rotate relative to the attachment portion, and wherein the rotation mechanism comprises at least two detents for locking the base portion in at least two different rotational positions relative to the attachment portion.

7. The lamp fixture device of any one of claims 2-6 wherein the hinge comprises at least two detents for locking the light source portion in at least two different angular positions relative to the base portion.

8. The lamp fixture device of any one of claims 1-7 wherein the at least two different positions of the fixture to which the lamp assembly is removably attached include a first position on the fixture and a second position on the fixture, and wherein:

the first position comprises a first surface of the clamp for removably attaching the lamp assembly;

the second position comprises a second surface of the clamp for removably attaching the lamp assembly; and

the first surface is perpendicular to the second surface.

9. The lamp fixture device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the clamp further comprises:

a slide bar including a first end and a second end;

a first jaw connected to the first end;

a body slidably receiving the slide bar, the body including a second jaw opposite the first jaw; and

a drive assembly for moving the slide bar in a first direction.

10. A clamping device, comprising:

a slide bar including a first end and a second end;

a first jaw connected to the first end;

a body slidably receiving the slide bar, the body including a second jaw opposite the first jaw; and

a drive assembly for moving the slide bar in a first direction, the drive assembly comprising:

a drive rod having an aperture through which the slide rod extends, the drive rod being movable between a first position in which there is substantially no frictional engagement between the drive rod and the slide rod and a second position in which the drive rod is in frictional engagement with the slide rod;

a trigger handle coupled to the body and configured to engage the drive rod to move the drive rod between the first position and the second position; and

a locking mechanism coupled to the body and configured to lock the trigger handle in a locked position, wherein the drive lever frictionally engages the slide bar when the trigger handle is in the locked position.

11. The clamping device as recited in claim 10, wherein the body further comprises a cavity formed therein through which the sliding bar extends.

12. The clamping device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the drive rod is located within the cavity.

13. The clamping device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein when the trigger handle is connected to the drive bar for frictional engagement therewith, the drive bar pulls the slide bar in a first direction causing the first and second jaws to move closer.

14. The clamping device as recited in any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a brake lever having an aperture through which the slide lever extends, the brake lever being movable between a first position in which there is substantially no frictional engagement with the slide lever and a second position in which the brake lever is frictionally engaged with the slide lever.

15. The clamping device as in claim 14 wherein the brake lever rotates about a substantially central pivot point of the brake lever to move between the first position and the second position.

16. The clamping device according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

a brake release button, wherein actuation of the brake release button moves the brake lever from the second position to the first position; and

a spring biasing the brake lever in a second position.

17. The clamping device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the trigger handle is pivotally coupled to the body, and the spring biases the trigger handle in the first position such that the trigger handle and the slide bar are oriented at a first acute angle to each other.

18. The clamping device as recited in claim 17, wherein said spring is compressed when said trigger handle is in said locked position and said trigger handle and said slide bar are oriented at a second acute angle to each other, wherein said first acute angle is greater than said second acute angle.

19. The clamping device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a slide movable between a first position releasing the trigger handle and a second position locking the trigger handle.

20. A lamp fixture device comprising:

a clamp for attaching the lamp fixture to an object, wherein the clamp comprises:

a slide bar including a first end and a second end;

a first jaw coupled to the first end;

a body slidably receiving the slide bar, the body including a second jaw opposite the first jaw;

a drive assembly for moving the slide bar in a first direction, the drive assembly comprising:

a drive rod having an aperture through which the slide rod extends, the drive rod being movable between a first position in which there is substantially no frictional engagement between the drive rod and the slide rod and a second position in which the drive rod is in frictional engagement with the slide rod;

a trigger handle coupled to the body and configured to engage the drive rod to move the drive rod between the first position and the second position; and

a locking mechanism coupled to the body and configured to lock the trigger handle in a locked position, wherein the drive lever is frictionally engaged with the slide lever when the trigger handle is in the locked position; and

a lamp assembly configured to be removably attached to the clip at least two different locations on the clip, the lamp assembly comprising a magnet, whereby the lamp assembly is removably attached to a surface comprising a ferromagnetic metal.

Background

Flashlights and other types of lamps are commonly used to illuminate areas such as work areas, hard to reach spaces, and the like. For example, battery powered lights can be easily carried to illuminate a wide variety of locations.

Disclosure of Invention

An illustrative lamp fixture includes a clamp configured to attach the lamp fixture to an object. The lamp fixture further includes a lamp assembly configured to be removably attached to the fixture at least two different locations on the fixture, the lamp assembly including a magnet, whereby the lamp assembly is removably attached to a surface including a ferromagnetic metal.

An illustrative clamping device includes: a slide bar including a first end and a second end, a first jaw coupled to the first end, a body slidably receiving the slide bar. The body includes a second jaw opposite the first jaw. The clamping device also includes a drive assembly for moving the slide bar in a first direction. The drive assembly includes: a drive rod having an aperture through which the slide rod extends, the drive rod being movable between a first position in which there is substantially no frictional engagement between the drive rod and the slide rod and a second position in which the drive rod is in frictional engagement with the slide rod. The drive assembly also includes a trigger handle coupled to the body and configured to engage the drive rod to move the drive rod between the first position and the second position. The drive assembly also includes a locking mechanism coupled to the body and configured to lock the trigger handle in a locked position, wherein the drive lever frictionally engages the slide lever when the trigger handle is in the locked position.

An illustrative lamp fixture includes a clamp configured to attach the lamp fixture to an object. This anchor clamps include: a slide bar including a first end and a second end, a first jaw coupled to the first end, and a body slidably receiving the slide bar. The body includes a second jaw opposite the first jaw. The clamp further includes a drive assembly for moving the slide bar in a first direction. The drive assembly includes a drive rod having an aperture, the drive rod being movable between a first position in which there is substantially no frictional engagement between the drive rod and the slide rod and a second position in which the drive rod is frictionally engaged with the slide rod. The drive assembly also includes a trigger handle coupled to the body and configured to engage the drive rod to move the drive rod between the first position and the second position. The drive assembly also includes a locking mechanism coupled to the body and configured to lock the trigger handle in a locked position, wherein the drive lever frictionally engages the slide lever when the trigger handle is in the locked position. The lamp fixture further includes a lamp assembly configured to be removably attached to the fixture at least two different locations on the fixture, the lamp assembly including a magnet, whereby the lamp assembly is removably attached to a surface including a ferromagnetic metal.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a perspective side view of an exemplary flashlight clamp in a first state with the clamp closed, the handle locked, and the lamp assembly in a first position.

FIG. 1B is a perspective side view of the exemplary flashlight fixture of FIG. 1A, illustrating the location of various components of the flashlight fixture.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary flashlight fixture of FIG. 1A in a first state.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary flashlight fixture of FIG. 1A in a first state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary flashlight clamp of FIG. 1A in a second state with the clamp closed, the handle locked, and the lamp assembly installed in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the exemplary flashlight clamp of FIG. 1A in a third state with the clamp open, the handle unlocked, and the lamp assembly in the first position.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary flashlight fixture of FIG. 1A in a third state.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an exemplary flashlight fixture having a first oriented lamp assembly.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the exemplary flashlight fixture of FIG. 7 with the lamp assembly in a second orientation.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the exemplary flashlight fixture of FIG. 7 with the lamp assembly in a third orientation.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the exemplary lamp assembly of fig. 7 mounted on a surface of a ferromagnetic material.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the exemplary flashlight clamp of FIG. 1A without the light assembly attached.

Fig. 12 is a cross section of an exemplary flashlight fixture.

FIG. 13A is a partially exploded side view of a portion of an exemplary flashlight clamp with a drive assembly in a first state.

FIG. 13B is a partially exploded side view of the exemplary flashlight clamp portion of FIG. 13A with the drive assembly in a second state.

FIG. 14A is a side perspective view of an exemplary flashlight clamp portion and its drive assembly in a first state.

FIG. 14B is a side perspective view of the exemplary flashlight holder holding portion of FIG. 14A with the drive assembly in a second state.

FIG. 14C is a side perspective view of the exemplary flashlight clamp portion of FIG. 14A, with the brake lever shown in a state without frictional engagement with the slide lever of the clamp.

Fig. 14D is a side perspective view of the exemplary flashlight clip portion of fig. 14A, with the jaws separated.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an exemplary lamp assembly.

Fig. 15B is a partially exploded perspective view of the exemplary lamp assembly of fig. 15A.

Fig. 16A is a perspective side view of an exemplary flashlight fixture having a handle that is generally perpendicular to a slide bar of the flashlight fixture.

Fig. 16B is a perspective bottom view of the exemplary flashlight clamp of fig. 16A.

Fig. 16C is a perspective side view of the example flashlight fixture of fig. 16A with a removable lamp assembly.

Detailed Description

Described herein is an improved flashlight fixture including a lamp assembly removably attached to different locations on the fixture. The clip can be attached to different objects such that the light assembly can provide light in various positions and settings, and can be pointed in various directions without requiring the user to hold the light assembly in place. The lamp assembly can be attached to the fixture at different locations to emit light in different directions. The lamp assemblies disclosed herein may also be rotated in different directions when attached to a fixture to further customize the pointing of the light. For example, a lamp assembly may include a hinge between a light source portion of the lamp assembly and a base portion of the lamp assembly that allows the light source portion to rotate about a first axis. The lamp assembly may also include a rotation mechanism between the base portion and an attachment portion of the lamp assembly, wherein the attachment portion is configured to attach to the clamp. The rotation mechanism allows the light source portion to move about the second axis as the base portion rotates relative to the attachment portion. The light assembly (e.g., hinge and/or rotation mechanism) may also include a detent so that after the light source portion is rotated or otherwise adjusted, it may remain stationary relative to the fixture without being held in place by a user. The clamp may also be operated by a user with one hand, making the operation of the flashlight clamp described herein easier to use. For example, the trigger handle of the clip described herein can be actuated by a user with one hand to tighten the jaws of the clip around an object.

The lamp assemblies described herein can be easily moved and attached between two or more mounting locations on a fixture. In this way, a user may change the configuration of the light assembly without the use of tools or other specialized equipment.

The lamp assemblies described herein may also include a magnet. The magnets may be of a particular type, strength and orientation such that the lamp assembly is attachable to a surface made at least in part of a ferromagnetic metal. The magnetic force between the magnet and the ferromagnetic metal causes the lamp assembly to be attached to a surface. The lamp assembly may also be rotated or otherwise adjusted in the same manner when the lamp assembly is attached to the fixture described herein. Thus, the lamp described herein may be very versatile, capable of being attached to multiple points of a fixture and any ferromagnetic metal surface.

The various clamps described herein may also include a trigger handle that, when actuated by a user, causes the clamp to close. Advantageously, the clamp may further comprise a slide for locking the trigger handle in position when the clamp is compressed. This will keep the trigger handle in a position that does not interfere or obstruct the user, and in a position that is not accidentally bumped by the user. Holding the trigger handle in the locked position also causes the drive assembly of the clamp to provide additional frictional engagement to the slide bar of the clamp to prevent the clamp from opening, as further described herein (e.g., as shown in fig. 13B, 14B).

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar features. First, with respect to 1A, 1B, and 2-9, an exemplary flashlight fixture having a lamp assembly that can be positioned at multiple locations on the fixture will be described. With respect to fig. 10, an example lamp assembly that can be used with the flashlight fixture of fig. 1A, 1B, and 2-9, removably attached to a ferromagnetic metal surface will be described. With respect to fig. 11, an exemplary fixture without a lamp assembly will be described. With respect to fig. 12, the components of an exemplary clamp will be described. With respect to fig. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B, exemplary drive assembly components of an exemplary clamp will be described. With respect to fig. 14C and 14D, exemplary brake assembly components of an exemplary clamp will be described. With respect to fig. 15A and 15B, an exemplary lamp assembly will be described. Finally, with respect to 16A-16C, an exemplary flashlight fixture will be described having a handle that is generally perpendicular to the slide bar of the flashlight fixture.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2-6 and 11 are perspective views of an exemplary flashlight fixture 100. The exemplary flashlight clip 100 includes a handle 105, a body 110, a first jaw 115 connected to an arm 185, a second jaw 120 connected to the body 110, a light assembly 125, a brake release button 135, a trigger handle 140, a slide 145, and a slide bar 155. The handle 105 is generally cylindrical and is located at a first proximal end of the flashlight fixture 100. The main body 110 is connected to a distal end of the handle 105, and the second jaw 120 is connected to a lower end of the main body 110 distal to the handle 105. As used herein, "proximal" refers to the end or portion of a device, component, etc. that is toward or relatively close to a user when the user is holding the handle of the flashlight fixture, and "distal" refers to the end or portion of a device, component, etc. that is away or relatively far from a user when the user is holding the handle of the flashlight fixture.

FIG. 1B illustrates the boundaries of the various components of flashlight fixture 100. Handle 105 extends from the proximal end of flashlight holder 100 to connect with body 110. When the trigger handle 140 is in the closed position as shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the top surface of the trigger handle 140 is flush with the cutout 190 of the handle 105. The trigger handle is shown in its open position and is described below with reference to fig. 5 and 6. When the trigger handle 140 is in the closed position and flush with the cutout 190, the trigger handle may be locked in place by the slide tabs 145. Further, when in the closed position, the trigger handle 140 and the handle 105 may together form a substantially cylindrical shape, thereby providing a comfortable gripping shape for the user.

The distal end of the handle 105 is connected to the proximal end of the body 110. The body 110 includes a surface 111 of a side of the body 110. The surface 111 is defined by a top surface 130, a distal surface 112 at right angles to the top surface 130, and a proximal surface 113 that is angled to both the top and distal surfaces 130, 112. Thus, the surface 111 may be generally triangular. A surface similar to surface 111 is located on the opposite side of body 110 from surface 111 (not shown). In various embodiments, the shape of the body 110 and other elements of the flashlight fixture 100 may be different than that shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2-6, and 11.

Referring again to fig. 1B, the proximal surface 113 of the body 110 can include one or more openings to accommodate a trigger handle 140 and a brake release button 135 that extend into the cavity of the body 110. The cavity of body 110 may house a drive assembly and a brake assembly of flashlight clamp 100, which are at least partially actuated by trigger handle 140 and a brake release button, respectively. The drive assembly and brake assembly are shown in fig. 12, 13A, 13B and 14A-14D and discussed. In the example of fig. 1B, the opening of the brake release button 135 is located on the proximal surface 113 of the body 110 at a location that is farther from the handle 105 than the opening of the trigger handle 140. In other words, the opening of the trigger handle 140 is closer to the handle 105 than the opening of the brake release button 135. The opening of brake release button 135 is also generally located opposite the location where second jaw 120 is attached to distal surface 112 of body 110.

The arm 185 is generally L-shaped when viewed from the side of the flashlight clip 100, with an upper portion attached to the slide bar 155 that is wider than a lower portion attached to the first jaw 115. Fig. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3 illustrate the distal surface 150 (shown in fig. 4) of the arm 185 on which the light assembly 125 is mounted. As described herein, in various embodiments, the lamp assembly 125 may be mounted to any other surface of the flashlight fixture, such as other surfaces of the arm 185 and/or the body 110.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the slide bar 155 extends through the wider upper portion of the arm 185 and the upper portion of the body 110 (including through the first portion 112). The slide bar 155 is attached to the arm 185.

The lower portion of the arm 185 is connected to the first jaw 115 on a surface opposite the distal surface 150 of the arm 185. The L-shape of the arm 185 provides space for the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120 to abut together, even though the arm 185 and the body 110 are immediately adjacent to each other as shown in fig. 1A and 1B.

In the example of fig. 1A and 1B, first jaw 115 and second jaw 120 constitute a clamping mechanism (which may be referred to herein as a clip) for attaching flashlight clip 100 to an object. The flashlight clip 100 may be attached to any object that may be mounted between the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120 of the clip by placing the object between the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120 in an open state and closing the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120 to grasp the object. In fig. 1A and 1B, the clamp is shown closed with no object attached in the clamp. However, in other examples and/or embodiments, any object may be attached within first jaw 115 and second jaw 120, thereby attaching the entire flashlight clip 100 to the object. In this way, a user may advantageously attach flashlight fixture 100 to an object to emit light at a desired location without requiring the user to hold flashlight fixture 100.

Exemplary light assembly 125 is configured to be removably attached to flashlight clip 100 at least two different locations on flashlight clip 100. Fig. 1A and 1B show the light assembly 125 attached in a first position (i.e., the distal surface 150 of the arm 185). The lamp assembly 125 can be easily removed from the first position without the use of tools (e.g., by hand) and attached to other locations on the flashlight fixture 100. As shown in fig. 4, the lamp assembly 125 may also be attached to the main body 110 at a second location, the top surface 130 of the main body 110. Referring to fig. 1A, 1B, and 4, the distal surfaces 150 of the arms 185 are substantially perpendicular to the top surface 130 of the body 110. In this way, the lamp assembly 125 may be mounted at different locations on the fixture such that light from the lamp assembly 125 may originate from and be directed to locations suitable for many different settings. For example, in some cases, the orientation required to attach the clamp to an object may be limited. However, even if the orientation and possible locations of the clip are limited, lamp assembly 125 may be mounted in different locations on flashlight clip 100 facing in different directions and/or differently positioned relative to the object to which flashlight clip 100 is attached so that a user may advantageously point lamp assembly 125 as desired.

Although the surfaces 130, 150 to which the lamp assembly 125 may be coupled are described above as being perpendicular to each other, this description is merely an example. In various other embodiments, the surfaces of the lamp assembly 125 that are mounted on the fixture may have a relationship other than substantially perpendicular to each other. Additionally, although two mounting surfaces 130, 150 are described above, in various other embodiments, the fixture may have more than two surfaces to which the lamp assembly 125 may be mounted. For example, the fixture may have three different surfaces and the lamp assembly 125 may be mounted on three different surfaces, each surface being substantially perpendicular to each other. In various embodiments, the surface 111 may serve as a third mounting surface to which the lamp assembly 125 may be mounted. Similarly, a side 186 of the arm 185 (shown in fig. 1B) that is perpendicular to the top surface 130 of the body 110 and the distal surface 150 of the arm 185 may serve as a mounting surface or mirror surface on the opposite side of the arm 185. In various embodiments, the clip can have surfaces to which the light assembly 125 can be attached at any other angle from zero (0) to ninety (90) degrees from one another (e.g., five (5), ten (10), fifteen (15), twenty (20), twenty-five (25), thirty (30), thirty-five (35), forty (40), forty-five (45), fifty (50), fifty-five (55), sixty (60), sixty-five (65), seventy (70), seventy-five (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85).

Lamp assembly 125 can be coupled to flashlight fixture 100 in different ways. For example, lamp assembly 125 may include one or more magnets such that magnetic forces between the one or more magnets of lamp assembly 125 and the magnets and/or ferromagnetic material of flashlight clamp 100 cause lamp assembly 125 to attach to flashlight clamp 100. In various embodiments, lamp assembly 125 may have no magnets, but may have ferromagnetic material, such that the magnets of flashlight clamp 100 and the ferromagnetic material of lamp assembly 125 cause a magnetic force to attach lamp assembly 125 to the flashlight clamp. Other methods of attaching lamp assembly 125 to flashlight fixture 100 may also be used, such as an interference fit between a portion of lamp assembly 125 and a portion of flashlight fixture 100.

An exemplary lamp assembly 125 may include a magnet such that the lamp assembly 125 is removably attached to a surface containing a ferromagnetic metal. In other words, the lamp assembly 125 may be attached to a surface that is constructed in whole or in part of a ferromagnetic material when the lamp assembly 125 is removed from the fixture. In this way, a user may advantageously attach to a surface using the lamp assembly 125 without using a clamp. The magnetic force between the magnet of the lamp assembly 125 and the ferromagnetic metal surface of the lamp assembly 125 attaches the lamp assembly 125 to the surface so that when turned on, light can be directed in a desired direction without being held by a user. Examples of lamp assemblies attached to ferromagnetic metal surfaces are shown in fig. 7-10 and will be described with reference thereto.

The shape of the handle 105 and trigger handle 140 is advantageous for ease of grasping by the user. Fig. 1A, 1B, 2-6 and 11 have a generally cylindrical body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end, the cylindrical portion at the proximal end having a wider diameter than the longitudinally central portion of the handle 105. Further, a proximal-most portion of the body 110 coupled to the distal end of the handle 105 is wider than a central portion of the handle 105. Thus, a user can easily grasp the center portion of the handle 105 without sliding the flashlight clamp 100 out of the user's hand because either end of the handle 105 is wider than the center portion or is coupled with a structure that is wider than the center portion of the handle 105.

In the exemplary flashlight fixture 100, the shape of the trigger handle 140 is such that a user can easily grasp both the handle 105 and the trigger handle 140 with the same hand and squeeze both to move the trigger handle 140 toward the handle 105. Due to the shape of the handle 105 and the trigger handle 140, the trigger handle 140 fits into the cutout 190 of the handle 105. Thus, the handle 105 and trigger handle 140 are together molded to the shape of a conventional flashlight having a cylindrical handle. Due to the convenient shape of handle 105 and trigger handle 140, a user can easily move flashlight fixture 100 and, with light assembly 125 turned on, can even use flashlight fixture 100 in a manner similar to a conventional flashlight.

1A, 1B, 2-6, and 11, when the user depresses the brake release button 135, the brake assembly is released so that the jaws 115, 120 of the clip can be separated from one another. The brake assembly is shown in fig. 12, 13A, 13B and 14A-14D and will be discussed with reference thereto.

The trigger handle 140 may be disposed on a lower surface of the handle 105. The slider 145 is configured to selectively lock or unlock the position of the trigger handle 140 in response to actuation of the slider 145 by a user. The slider 145 is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the slide 145 does not interfere with movement of the trigger handle 140. In the second position, the slide 145 locks the trigger handle 140 in a position flush with the handle 105 of the flashlight clamp 100 (if the trigger handle 140 has been moved to be flush with the handle). Another example of the operation of the trigger handle and slider is shown in fig. 12, 13A, 13B and 14A-14D and will be discussed with reference thereto.

In various embodiments, the slider 145 may include a detent to bias to an open (unlocked) or closed (locked) position. If the detent biases the slide 145 to the open (unlocked) position, the slide 145 is biased in the proximal direction of the flashlight clip 100 and interaction with the trigger handle 140 causes the slide 145 to lock the trigger handle 140 in place and causes the trigger handle 140 not to bias the slide 145 back to the open (unlocked) position without the application of force by the user. If the actuator biases the slide 145 to the closed position (locked position), the slide 145 is biased in a distal direction of the flashlight clamp 100, and when the trigger handle 140 is directed toward the handle 105, the interaction between the slide 145 and the trigger handle 140 causes the slide 145 to lock onto the trigger handle 140, and to be placed against the handle 140 once the trigger handle 140 is moved to a position flush with the handle 105.

A slide bar 155 (shown in fig. 5 and 6) connects the main body 110 of the flashlight clamp 100 to the arm 185 and the first jaw 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide bar 155 is permanently attached to the arm 185, but is slidably connected to the body 110 such that the slide bar can be moved to open/close the gripper (e.g., to separate or pull together the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120). The slide bar (and the main body 110 and first jaw 115 and slide bar 155) is movable by a drive assembly that is partially located in the main body 110 (the components of the drive assembly within the main body 110 are not visible in fig. 1A and 1B, but are shown in fig. 12, 13A, 13B, and 14A-14D and will be discussed with reference thereto). The drive assembly also includes a trigger handle 140, which is visible in fig. 1A and 1B. The trigger handle 140 is pivotally connected to the body 110 and is actuated to cause the drive assembly to move the slide bar 155, and thus the arm 185 and the first jaw 115, in a proximal direction (e.g., toward the proximal end of the flashlight clip 100). In the configuration of fig. 1A and 1B, lamp assembly 125 is removably attached to the distal-most arm 185 of flashlight clamp 100.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the example flashlight clamp of FIG. 1A in a second state with the clamp closed, the handle locked, and the lamp assembly 125 installed in a second position. Flashlight fixture 100 in fig. 4 has lamp assembly 125 mounted in an alternate location (e.g., top surface 130 of body 110 in fig. 1A). Flashlight fixture 100 also includes an alternative mounting location at distal surface 150 of arm 185 where lamp assembly 125 may be mounted substantially perpendicular to the mounting location of lamp assembly 125 in fig. 4. The light assembly 125 is mounted on the top surface 130 of the body 110 in a manner similar to the way the light assembly 125 is mounted on the distal surface 150 of the arm 185 of the flashlight clamp 100.

Fig. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the example flashlight clamp 100 in a third state, i.e., the clamp open and the trigger handle 140 open. In the third state, the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120 are separated from each other, and thus, the clip is open. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the flashlight fixture 100 includes a slide bar 155 rigidly coupled to the arm 185 and movable relative to the body 110. As further described herein, when a user grasps the handle 105 and actuates the trigger handle 140 toward the handle 105, the drive assembly moves the slide bar 155, the arm 185, and the first jaw 115 toward the handle 105 and the body 110, thereby moving the first jaw 115 to reduce the distance between the first jaw 115 and the second jaw 120.

Referring to fig. 5, lamp assembly 125 includes a light source portion 160, a base portion 165, and an attachment portion (not visible in fig. 4). The light source part 160 and the base part 165 may be connected by a hinge 170. The hinge 170 allows the light source portion 160 to rotate relative to the base portion 165 about the axis 175. In this way, the light source part 160 may be advantageously oriented in various directions to provide light in different manners as desired by a user. The light source part 160 includes light such as one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be powered, for example, by batteries stored in the light source portion 160 of the lamp assembly 125.

As described herein, an attachment portion (not visible in fig. 5) removably attaches the lamp assembly to the clip described herein. The base portion 165 rotates relative to the attachment portion about the axis 180.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5, axis 175 is substantially perpendicular to axis 180. In this way, the light can be directed in a variety of different directions. The hinge 170 and the rotation mechanism between the base portion 165 and the attachment portion may also have detents so that the light source portion 160 may be held in a desired orientation as desired by the user. Thus, the detent of hinge 170 may lock light source portion 160 into at least two different angular positions relative to base portion 165. Similarly, a detent of the rotation mechanism between base portion 165 and the attachment portion can lock base portion 165 in at least two different rotational positions relative to the attachment portion. In both examples, the detent may be configured such that light source portion 160 and/or base portion 165 again moves (or becomes unlocked) in response to a user applied torque, whether applied relative to shaft 175 to overcome the detent of hinge 170 or applied relative to shaft 180 to overcome the detent of the rotation mechanism. In various embodiments, hinge 170 and/or the rotational mechanism may have more than two detents such that each of hinge 170 and/or the rotational mechanism may maintain more than two positions. For example, one or both of the hinge 170 and the rotational mechanism may have enough detents to hold three (3), four (4), five (5), six (6), seven (7), eight (8), or more positions.

Fig. 15A is a perspective view of an example lamp assembly 1500 that may be used, for example, similar to the lamp assembly 125 of fig. 1-6 and in a similar manner. Fig. 15B is a partially exploded perspective view of the example lamp assembly 1500 of fig. 15A. The lamp assembly 1500 includes a light source portion 1505 and a base portion 1515. The light source portion 1505 and the base portion 1515 are connected by a hinge 1530 such that the light source portion 1505 can move relative to the base portion 1515. For example, the hinge 1530 may allow for movement about an axis of the hinge 1530, which may be similar to the axis 175 of fig. 5. The hinge 1530 may also include a detent or ratchet mechanism that maintains the light source portion 1505 in the same relative position with respect to the base portion 1515 as described herein. The transparent cover 1510 may be attached to the light source portion 1505 such that light may pass through the transparent portion of the cover 1510. The cover 1510 may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the light source portion 1505.

The base portion 1515 can include an exemplary detent mechanism that allows the lamp assembly 1500 to rotate, for example, about an axis similar to the axis 180 shown in fig. 5, when the lamp assembly 1500 is attached to a flashlight fixture as described herein. The detent mechanism includes an opening 1565 in the base portion 1515 that is configured to rotate the wheel portion 1520 therein. The wheel portion 1520 may be attached to the base portion 1515 and rotated in the opening 1565 by a pin, screw, or other mechanism that defines an axis of rotation for the wheel portion 1520 that passes through the hole 1540 of the base portion 1515 and the hole 1570 of the wheel portion 1520.

The notch 1560 located around the wheel portion 1520 is configured to receive the pin 1550 of the base portion 1515. The pin 1550 fits in the slot 1560 to hold the wheel portion 1520 in place unless a sufficient rotational force is applied to deflect the rod 1545 of the connecting pin 1550 such that the wheel portion 1520 can rotate and the pin 1550 moves into the other slot 1560. The bar 1545 is able to deflect because the back (not shown) of the bar 1545 is not integrally connected to the base portion 1515, and there is a space 1555 between the top and base portions of the bar 1545 such that the bar 1545 is attached to the base portion 1515 only at both ends thereof. Although the detent mechanism has been described with respect to the wheel portion 1520 moving within the opening 1565, the wheel portion 1520 may also be stationary while the base portion 1515 and the rest of the lamp assembly rotate about the wheel portion 1520. In both cases, the function of the brake mechanism is similar.

The magnet portion 1535 is attached to the wheel portion 1520. The magnet portion 1535 is rectangular, although other shapes are possible in various embodiments. The mounting location of the lamp assembly 1500 on the flashlight fixture may have a recess (whether rectangular or other shape) corresponding to the shape of the magnet portion 1535 so that the magnet portion 1535 may rest in such a recess when the lamp assembly is mounted to the flashlight fixture. A magnet or ferromagnetic material may be present on the bottom surface of the recess so that the magnetic force between the magnet 1525 and the flashlight fixture causes the lamp assembly 1500 to be mounted to the flashlight fixture. The shape of the magnet portion corresponding to the groove in the flashlight clamp prevents the wheel portion 1520 from rotating when a user rotates the base portion 1515 of the lamp assembly 1500, for example. As such, in conjunction with the detent mechanism, the lamp assembly 1500 may be attached to a flashlight clamp, and the base portion 1515 of the lamp assembly 1500 may be rotated relative to the flashlight clamp to direct light as desired. In the lamp assembly 1500, the magnet portion 1535 is permanently attached to the wheel portion 1520, and the magnet portion 1535 includes two recesses to accommodate the magnets 1525, which are permanently attached to the magnet portion 1535 and the wheel portion 1520. The two magnets 1525 may be placed apart from each other to attach the lamp assembly 1500 to a flashlight fixture or other object. As shown in fig. 15A and 15B, the magnets must be spaced apart and two separate magnetic forces can be generated to strengthen the attachment. When the lamp assembly 1500 may be attached to a surface that does not have a recess corresponding to the shape of the magnet portion 1535 (e.g., when attached to a refrigerator door as shown in fig. 10 and discussed further below), the plurality of magnets may generate a magnetic force, preventing the lamp assembly 1500 from rotating without the application of force by a user.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an example flashlight fixture with a lamp assembly in a first orientation. Flashlight fixture 700 includes a light source portion 705 and a base portion 710 of the lamp assembly, which rotate relative to the lamp assembly of fig. 5 and 6. In particular, the base portion 710 is rotated approximately ninety (90) degrees relative to the attachment portion from the orientation shown in fig. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a side perspective view of the example flashlight fixture 700 of fig. 7 with the lamp assembly in a second orientation. In the second orientation shown in fig. 8, the light source portion 705 is slightly rotated about the hinge relative to the base portion 710 as compared to fig. 7. Additionally, in the second orientation, the base portion 710 is rotated approximately ninety (90) degrees from the position shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of the example flashlight fixture 700 of fig. 7 with the lamp assembly in a third orientation. In a third orientation shown in fig. 9, the light source portion 705 and the base portion 710 are additionally rotated ninety (90) degrees relative to the fixture from the position shown in fig. 8. The base portion 710 can be rotated 360 degrees relative to the attachment portion of the lamp assembly (and subsequently the clamp). In comparison with fig. 7 and 8, the light source portion 705 also rotates around the hinge. A switch 715 is also shown on the light source section 705. Actuation of the switch causes one or more light sources in the light source section 705 to turn on/off and/or switch the light mode. In various embodiments, actuation of switch 715 may cause one or more light sources to switch illumination modes, such as a blinking mode, a steady on mode, a low power mode, a high power mode, and so forth.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the example lamp assembly 700 of fig. 7 mounted on an example surface constructed of a ferromagnetic material. The lamp assembly 700 is mounted on a refrigerator door 1005 in fig. 10. The force between the magnet in the base portion 710 and the ferromagnetic material of the refrigerator door 1005 attaches the lamp assembly 700 to the refrigerator door 1005. The magnetic force is strong enough that the light assembly 700 remains stationary on the refrigerator door 1005, but not so strong that a user cannot easily remove the light assembly 700 from the refrigerator door 1005 and/or rotate to a different orientation on the refrigerator door 1005. The magnetic force may be strong enough so that the light assembly 700 may be oriented differently without sliding, rotating, etc. on the refrigerator door 1005. In fig. 10, a light source portion 705 of the lamp assembly 700 is shown rotated about a hinge to direct light in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the refrigerator door 1005.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary flashlight fixture 100 with no light assembly attached. In such a configuration, the clamp is still functional, and flashlight clamp 100 may be attached to an object, or may also be used as a standard clamp to clamp two objects together.

Fig. 12 is a cross section of an example flashlight fixture 1200. The clamp of flashlight clamp 1200 includes a slide bar 1210 having a first (distal) end and a second (proximal) end. The first jaw 1260 is coupled to an arm 1280 that is coupled to the distal end of the slide bar 1210 at a point 1220, and the slide bar 1210 and arm move relative to the second jaw 1265 and the body 1270. Thus, as the drive assembly moves the slide bar 1210, the drive assembly also pulls the first jaw 1260 toward the second jaw 1265. As shown in fig. 12, handle 1275 of flashlight fixture 1200 is hollow so that slide bar 1210 can move within handle 1275. Thus, as the clamp is pulled closed, the slide bar 1210 moves further toward the handle 1275. The sliding bar 1210 is movable within the handle 1274 and also keeps the proximal end of the sliding bar 1210 and important other parts of the sliding bar 1210 never exposed, thereby protecting the user from pinch points and damage to the sliding bar 1210.

The main body 1270 slidably receives the slide bar 1210 such that the slide bar 1210 can move relative to the main body 1270. The body 1270 is coupled to a distal end of a handle 1275. The distal end of the body 1270 is connected to the second jaw 1265. The second jaw 1265 opposes the first jaw 1260 such that when the slide bar 1210 is pulled by the drive assembly, the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265 are pulled together as the slide bar 1210 moves relative to the main body 1270.

The flashlight clamp 1200 includes a drive assembly for moving the slide bar 1210 in a first direction to move the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265 together. The drive assembly includes a drive rod 1230, a spring 1255, and a trigger handle 1205.

The drive rod 1230 is a generally rectangular plate. In fig. 12, the narrow side of the plate-like drive rod 1230 can be seen. The drive rod 1230 moves between a first position and a second position when actuated by movement of the trigger handle 1205. In moving between the first and second positions, the drive rod 1230 frictionally engages the slide bar 1210 to move the slide bar 1210, and subsequently the arm 1280 and the first jaw 1260 move toward the second jaw 1265 to close the clip.

The drive rod 1230 defines an aperture through which the slide rod 1210 extends, the slide rod being movable relative to the aperture. The drive lever 1230 is movable between a first position, wherein the drive lever 1230 has substantially no frictional engagement with the slide lever 1210, and a second position, wherein the drive lever 1230 is frictionally engaged with the slide lever 1210. The first and second positions of the drive rod 1230 are shown in fig. 13A and 13B, respectively, and will be discussed with reference thereto. With continued reference to fig. 12, when the drive rod 1230 is not frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210, the slide bar 1210 can be moved such that the first and second jaws 1260, 1265 can be separated (e.g., the first and second jaws 1260, 1265 can be moved apart from one another to release a clip). Conversely, when the drive rod 1230 is frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210, the drive rod 1230 prevents the slide bar 1210 from moving. As a result, the distance between the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265 cannot be increased when the drive rod 1230 is frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210. In other words, the drive rod 1230 locks the clamp preventing the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265 from separating. Further, when in the second position and in frictional engagement with the slide bar 1210, the drive rod 1230 can pull on the slide bar 1210 such that the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265 move relative to one another to close the clip.

The trigger handle 1205 can be hingedly coupled to the body 1270 and in contact with the drive rod 1230 and can be configured to engage the drive rod 1230 in response to actuation by a user to move the drive rod 1230 between the first and second positions. In other words, in an embodiment, the user moves the trigger handle 1205 to engage the drive rod 1230 to move and pull the slide bar 1210 such that the first jaw 1260 moves toward the second jaw 1265.

The spring 1255 biases the drive rod 1230 to a first position in which the drive rod 1230 is not frictionally engaged with the slide rod 1210. One end of the spring contacts the drive rod 1230 and the other end of the spring 1255 contacts a cavity surface of the body 1270 in which the spring 1255 and drive rod 1230 reside. Thus, when the trigger handle 1205 is moved toward the handle, the drive rod pushes against the spring and frictionally engages the slide rod 1210 to move the slide rod 1210. Because the drive lever 1230 mechanically interacts with the trigger handle 1205, the spring 1255, when biasing the drive lever 1230 into the first position, also biases the trigger handle 1205 into the open position. In the open position, the trigger handle 1205 is directed away from the body 1270, the handle 1275, and the slide bar 1210 (e.g., similar to the positions shown in fig. 5 and 6).

In some embodiments, a trigger handle locking mechanism, such as a slide 1215, is disposed at the proximal end of the handle of flashlight clamp 1200. The proximal ends of the slide 1215 and the trigger handle 1205 have complementary mechanical features so that the slide 1215 can be manually moved to a position that locks the trigger handle 1205 in place. The drive lever 1230 frictionally engages the slide lever 1210 when the trigger handle 1205 is in the locked position. The slide 1215 is movable between a first position that releases the trigger handle 1205 and a second position that locks the trigger handle 1205. Thus, when the trigger handle 1205 is positioned as shown in FIG. 12 and the slide plate 1215 is in the second position locking the trigger handle 1205, the clip is locked in place such that the slide bar 1210 (and subsequently the first jaw 1260) cannot move (and the clip cannot open).

In some embodiments, the trigger handle 1205 is connected to the body 1270 at a pivot point 1225 such that the trigger handle 1205 can rotate about the pivot point 1225. When the spring 1255 pushes and biases the actuation lever 1230, and subsequently the trigger handle 1205, the spring 1255 pushes the trigger handle 1205 through the actuation lever 1230 away from the slide bar 1210 causing the trigger handle 1205 to rotate about the pivot point 1225. When the trigger handle 1205 is biased away from the slide bar 1210 and the handle of the clamp, the trigger handle 1205 is angled with respect to the slide bar 1210. The vertex of the angle between the trigger handle 1205 and the sliding rod 1210 is toward the distal end of the trigger handle 1205, and thus the vertex is closer to the distal end of the flashlight collet 1200 than the proximal end of the flashlight clamp 1200. This orientation advantageously provides an ergonomic grip for the user to grasp the grip 1275 of the clamp and the trigger handle 1205 to actuate the drive assembly and close the clamp, because the proximal end of the trigger handle 1205 is closer to the proximal end of the flashlight clamp 1200, making the trigger handle 1205 easier to grasp and compress toward the grip 1275. The trigger handle 1205 is also disposed on the same side of the slide bar 1210 (e.g., its underside, in the orientation shown in fig. 12) as the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265.

The body 1270 defines at least one cavity through which the slide bar 1210 extends. A drive rod 1230 is also located within the at least one cavity. In this way, the drive rod 1230 is advantageously not exposed to a user, protects the user from pinch points, and protects the drive rod 1230 from inadvertent damage due to direct contact with the user or the environment.

The example flashlight clamp 1200 includes a brake assembly that includes a brake lever 1240, a spring 1250, and a button 1235. The example brake bar 1240 is a generally rectangular plate. In FIG. 12, the narrow side of the brake lever 1240 can be seen. When engaged, the brake assembly prevents the slide bar 1210 from inadvertently moving in a distal direction. If the slide bar 1210 were to inadvertently move in the distal direction, the arm 1280 rigidly attached to the slide bar 1210 would also move in the distal direction. This in turn will cause the first jaw 1260, rigidly attached to the arm 1280, to separate from the second jaw 1265, causing the clip to open. Thus, the brake assembly prevents the clamp from being opened accidentally.

In some embodiments, flashlight fixture 1200 includes a detent lever 1240 that defines an aperture through which slide bar 1210 extends and is located in at least one cavity of main body 1270. The brake lever 1240 is movable between a first position in which it is substantially free from frictional engagement with the slide bar 1210 and a second position in which it is frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210. The brake lever 1240 rotates about a pivot point 1245 located substantially midway between the brake lever 1240 to move between a first position and a second position.

The spring 1250 biases the brake lever 1240 to a second position, wherein the brake lever 1240 frictionally engages the sliding bar 1210 to prevent the sliding bar 1210 from moving distally of the flashlight cartridge office 1200 (thereby preventing the clamp from opening). A first end of the spring 1250 pushes upward against the detent bar 1240 and a second end of the spring 1250 pushes upward against a surface of the at least one cavity of the body 1270. When the drive rod 1230 is actuated to move the slide bar 1210 toward the proximal end of flashlight clamp 1200, frictional engagement of the brake bar 1240 with the slide bar 1210 causes the brake bar 1240 to bear against the spring 1250 until the brake bar 1240 is in a first position in which there is no frictional engagement with the slide bar 1210 and the slide bar 1210 can be moved relative to the brake bar 1240 to close the clamp (e.g., move the first jaw 1260 toward the second jaw 1265). However, even if the brake lever 1240 is in the first position without frictional engagement with the slide bar 1210, the slide bar 1210 does not move relative to the main body 1270 if the trigger handle 1205 is in the locked position such that the drive lever 1230 is frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210.

The brake release button 1235 is located in the body 1270, with a portion of the brake release button 1235 extending out of the body 1270. Actuation of the brake release button moves the brake lever 1240 from the second position to the first position. In other words, depressing the brake release button 1235 rotates the brake lever about the pivot point 1245 and pushes against the spring 1250, causing the brake lever 1240 to move to a first position in which it is not frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210. Thus, when the brake release button 1235 is depressed to move the brake lever 1240 to the first position, the first jaw 1260 and the second jaw 1265 can be separated (such that the drive lever 1230 is in a non-frictional engagement with the slide bar 1210 if the trigger handle 1205 is not in its locked position against the handle as shown in FIG. 12).

Fig. 13A and 13B are partially exploded side views of an example flashlight clip portion 1300. Exemplary flashlight clamp portion 1300 is a portion of exemplary flashlight clamp 1200 of fig. 12. Fig. 13A shows the components in a first state in which the drive lever 1230 is not frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210, while fig. 13B shows the components in a second state in which the trigger handle 1205 has been squeezed toward the slide bar 1210 to actuate the drive lever 1230 to frictionally engage the slide bar 1210, and to pull the slide bar 1210 and the first jaw 1260 in a first direction a (e.g., in a direction toward the proximal end of the flashlight clip portion 1300).

The flashlight clip portion 1300 includes a slide bar 1210, a trigger handle 1205, a first jaw 1260, an actuation lever 1230, a spring 1255, and a pivot point 1225. The components of flashlight clamp portion 1300 function similarly to the components of flashlight clamp portion 1200 described with respect to fig. 12.

The trigger handle 1205 is pivotally coupled to the body (not shown) of the flashlight clamp portion 1300, and the spring 1255 biases the trigger handle 1205 (through the drive rod 1230) to the position shown in fig. 13A such that the trigger handle 1205 and the slide bar 1210 are oriented at a first acute angle to each other. In fig. 13A, the drive rod 1230 is not frictionally engaged with the slide rod 1210. Thus, when the user presses the brake release button, the slide bar 1210 can move in the configuration of fig. 13A to disengage the clamp so that the brake lever is not frictionally engaged with the slide bar 1210.

In fig. 13B, the trigger handle 1205 is pulled toward the slide bar 1210 such that the spring 1255 is compressed. In fig. 13B, the trigger handle 1205 and the slide bar 1210 are oriented at a second angle to each other, where the first acute angle (the angle between the trigger handle 1205 and the slide bar 1210 shown in fig. 13A) is greater than the second angle shown in fig. 13B. The second angle may be a second acute angle or may be a zero angle.

When the trigger handle 1205 is moved from the position shown in fig. 13A to the position shown in fig. 13B, the trigger handle 1205 actuates the drive rod 1230 to pull the drive rod 1230 in the proximal direction (as shown in direction a in fig. 13B), and thus the slide bar 1210 and the first jaw 1260 in the proximal direction a. When actuated by the trigger handle 1205, the drive rod 1230 also rotates slightly (as is evident by comparing the drive rod 1230 in fig. 13A and 13B) so that the aperture of the drive rod 1230 through which the slide bar 1210 passes frictionally engages the drive rod 1230 with the slide bar 1210. The drive rod 1230 in fig. 13B also moves slightly in the proximal direction a, as compared to the position of the drive rod 1230 in fig. 13A.

Fig. 14A-14D are side perspective views of an exemplary flashlight grip portion 1400 and its drive assembly in various states. The flashlight clamp portion 1400 of fig. 14A and 14B shows first and second positions of the trigger handle 1410, respectively, which are similar to the first and second positions shown in fig. 13A and 13B. In fig. 14A-14D, flashlight fixture 1400 is shown without the outer surface of the body to clearly illustrate the actuating and braking assembly, thereby exposing the cavity of the body (in which the actuating and braking assembly is located). However, in the final product, the outer surface of the body may protect the user from pinch points and protect components within the housing from damage (e.g., springs, drive and brake levers, etc.). The drive assembly includes a drive rod 1420, a spring 1415, and a trigger handle 1410. The brake assembly includes a brake lever 1425, a spring 1430, a pivot point 1435, and a brake release button 1440. A cavity formed in the body houses the drive lever 1420, spring 1415, a portion of the trigger handle 1410, spring 1430, brake lever 1425, a portion of the slide lever 1405 and a portion of the brake release button 1440.

First cavity 1455 of the body of flashlight fixture 1400 houses drive rod 1420, spring 1415, a portion of trigger handle 1410, and a portion of slide bar 1405. Portions of the trigger handle 1410 and the drive rod 1420 may interact within the cavity 1455 to move the slide bar 1405 by moving the drive rod 1420 between first and second positions, as described further below. Second chamber 1460 houses brake lever 1460, spring 1430, a portion of slide bar 1405, and a portion of brake release button 1440.

Fig. 14A shows trigger handle 1410 in an unlocked state, offset from slide bar 1405 position. The trigger handle 1410 is biased to an unlocked position by a spring 1415 via a drive rod 1420. As shown in fig. 14B, when a user compresses the trigger handle 1410 toward the slide bar 1405, the trigger handle 1410 mechanically engages the drive bar 1420, as described herein, to move the slide bar 1405, the first jaw 1445, and the drive bar 1420 in the proximal direction a. Thus, by moving the first jaw 1445 toward the second jaw 1450, the clip is closed.

In FIG. 14C, the user depresses the brake release button 1440, rotating the brake lever 1425 about the pivot point 1435 against the bias of the spring 1430. When a user depresses brake release button 1440, detent lever 1425 is in a position in which the aperture in detent lever 1425 through which sliding bar 1405 passes does not frictionally engage sliding bar 1405. Thus, as shown in fig. 14D, a user can separate the first jaw 1445 from the second jaw 1450 by moving the sliding bar 1405 and the first jaw 1445 in the distal direction B (if the trigger handle 1410 is also in the unlocked position) while pressing the brake release button 1440. This movement occurs because neither the brake bar 1425 nor the drive bar 1420 frictionally engages the slide bar 1405 in the configuration of fig. 14C and 14D.

Due to the orientation and configuration of the brake lever 1425 and the drive lever 1420, the first jaw 1445 and the slide lever 1405 can be manually moved in the A direction to close a clip when the clip is configured as shown in FIG. 14A. In other words, as long as the trigger handle 1410 is not locked by the slide tab, the user can push the jaws 1445, 1450 together because when the user pushes the jaws 1445, 1450 together, the brake bar 1425 and the drive rod 1420 both move against their respective biasing springs to a position where their frictional engagement with the slide bar 1405 is insufficient to prevent the slide bar 1405 from moving within the apertures of the brake bar 1425 and the drive rod 1420. Thus, the jaws 1445, 1450 can be moved together manually without the use of a drive assembly as described herein. This is advantageous to the user because the clamp is only closed a small amount each time the user squeezes the trigger handle 1410. Thus, a user can manually close a large portion of the clamp and then use the drive assembly to close the remainder of the clamp (by squeezing the trigger handle 1410) and/or tighten the clamp around an object to which the user desires to attach.

Fig. 16A is a perspective side view of an example flashlight clamp 1600 having a handle that is generally perpendicular to a slide bar of the flashlight clamp. The flashlight clamp 1600 includes a main body 1605, a handle 1610, a trigger handle 1615, an arm 1620, a first jaw 1625 connected to the arm 1620, a second jaw 1630 connected to the main body 1605, a handle 1635, a slide bar 1645, a slide bar latch 1650, a brake lever 1655, and a light assembly 1660. The flashlight fixture 1600 may include a drive assembly that functions similarly to the drive assembly discussed above with respect to fig. 12, 13A, 13B, and 14A-14D. The drive assembly of the flashlight clamp 1600 may include a drive bar within the housing of the body 1605 that moves a slide bar 1645 such that the first jaw 1620 moves toward the second jaw 1625 when the trigger handle 1615 is actuated. The brake lever 1655 prevents the slide bar 1645 from moving such that the first jaw 1620 is away from the second jaw 1625 unless a user of the flashlight clamp 1600 actuates the brake lever 1655 to release the slide bar 1645.

The difference between the drive assembly of flashlight clamp 1600 and the drive assembly shown and described in fig. 12, 13A, 13B and 14A-14D is that brake lever 1655 is not within the housing of main body 1605. Thus, the drive assembly of flashlight clamp 1600 does not pass through the brake release button of the housing of main body 1605 to actuate brake lever 1655. However, a user may actuate brake lever 1655 by interacting with brake lever 1655 itself. Another difference between the drive assembly of the flashlight fixture 1600 and the drive assembly shown and described in fig. 12, 13A, 13B, and 14A-14D is that the handle 1610 and trigger handle 1615 are generally perpendicular to the slide bar 1645. Although oriented differently, a drive lever (not shown) may still be actuated when a user pulls the trigger handle 1615 toward the handle 1610.

A slide bar catch 1650 is also attached to the slide bar 1645 to limit the extension of the slide bar 1645 into the enclosure of the body 1605. In addition, the shape of the slide bar catch 1650 provides a safer operation for a user of the flashlight clamp than an exposed slide bar without a catch. Further, the shape of the slide bar catch 1650 provides a safer operation for the user than other shaped catches, wherein the user can still easily pinch fingers between the slide bar 1645 and the body 1605. Specifically, the body 1605 includes a slide bar receiving surface 1675. Face 1675 includes an opening through which slide bar 1645 may pass. When the user pulls the arm 1620 of the flashlight clamp 1600 to separate the first and second jaws 1625, 1630 of the flashlight clamp 1600, the slide bar catch 1650 may contact the surface 1675 at edge 1680. The opening in face 1675 through which slide bar 1645 passes represents a potential pinch point for the user. To reduce the likelihood of such pinching, the slide bar catch 1650 includes first and second wings 1681, 1682 that extend from an edge 1680 of the slide bar catch 1650 toward the main body 1605 of the flashlight clamp 1600. Thus, when slide bar catch 1650 is proximate to face 1675, the wings may block the opening between edge 1680 and face 1675 so that a user cannot place a finger between edge 1680 and face 1675. Additionally, faces 1676 and 1677 of body 1605 located above and below face 1675 extend away from face 1675 and slide bar catch 1650 such that wings 1681, 1682 may rest against faces 1676, 1677, respectively, when edge 1680 is in contact with face 1675. The slide bar latch 1650 is also relatively large compared to the cross-section of the slide bar 1645. The size of the slide bar catch 1650, and particularly the shape and size of the side of the slide bar catch 1650 facing away from the slide bar 1645 and opposite the edge 1680, also provides for safer handling by the user. A flashlight fixture as described herein may be used in narrow spaces, crawl spaces, work spaces, or other environments where a user is working or moving in close proximity to the flashlight fixture. The relatively large slide bar clasp 1650 may prevent injury (e.g., to the face, eyes, chest, etc.) that may occur without a slide bar clasp or a smaller slide bar clasp. For example, the slide bar 1645 may have a cross-sectional dimension such that it may poke the user's eyes if a slide bar catch is not attached. Thus, the sliding rod catch 1650 acts as a safety feature to prevent stabbing or other types of wounds by dulling or distributing any forces that may be applied to a body part to prevent a user from inadvertently striking the flashlight fixture during use.

The body 1605 also includes a handle 1635. Handle 1635 may provide a convenient structure for a user to hold, grasp, move, and/or otherwise manipulate flashlight clamp 1600 as a whole. The handle 1635 is an opening in the body 1605. Handle 1635 represents only one way in which a handle may be formed in body 1605. In various embodiments, the handle may be formed in other portions of the flashlight fixture in addition to body 1605 or in place of body 1605. For example, one or more handles may also be formed on the slide bar 1645, slide bar latch 1650, arm 1620, and the like.

As with other flashlight clip embodiments described herein, the light assembly 1660 of the flashlight clip 1600 is removably attached to one or more surfaces of the flashlight clip 1600. In the example of fig. 16A, a light assembly 1660 is attached to the distal surface of the arm 1620. In various embodiments, the light assembly 1660 can be attached to other surfaces of the flashlight fixture 1600, such as any surface of the body 1605, a different surface of the arm 1620 (e.g., at the groove 1665 shown in fig. 16B), the slide bar catch 1650, the slide bar 1645, and so forth. The lamp assembly 1660 may also be removably attached to surfaces other than the flashlight clips described herein (e.g., to ferromagnetic surfaces). In various embodiments, the lamp assembly 1660 may be or may be similar to the lamp assembly shown in fig. 15A and 15B. .

Fig. 16B is a perspective bottom view of the example flashlight clamp 1600 of fig. 16A. In the perspective bottom view of fig. 16B, a groove 1665 in the arm 1620 is shown. The recess 1665 may be configured to receive a magnet portion of a lamp assembly 1660, for example, so that the lamp assembly 1660 may be attached to the flashlight fixture 1600. The magnet portion of the lamp assembly 1660 may be or be similar to the magnet portion 1535 of the lamp assembly 1500 of fig. 15A and 15B. The bottom surface of the recess 1665 can include, for example, a ferromagnetic material such that a magnet (e.g., magnet 1525) can generate a force that adheres the lamp assembly 1660 to the flashlight fixture 1600. In various embodiments, magnets may be located in the recesses 1665, and the lamp assembly 1660 may have a ferromagnetic material that is attracted to the magnets in the recesses 1665.

Fig. 16C is a perspective side view of the example flashlight fixture 1600 of fig. 16A without a lamp assembly. In other words, the flashlight fixture 1600 is shown in fig. 16C with the light assembly 1660 removed. Thus, a recess 1670 is shown similar to recess 1665, where the lamp assembly 1660 may be mounted to a flashlight fixture, as shown in fig. 16A and 16B. As described herein, in various embodiments, other similar ones of the grooves 1665, 1670 can be located at different locations on the flashlight fixture 1600, such that the lamp assembly 1660 can be attached to different locations on the flashlight fixture 1600. Further, the lamp assembly 1660 may be rotated in multiple directions as described herein with respect to the lamp assembly 1500 of fig. 15A and 15B. In this way, the multi-axis rotation of the lamp assembly, combined with the ability to attach the lamp assembly 1660 to different locations on the flashlight fixture 1600, enables a user to illuminate the light at any desired location. Additionally, advantageously, this light can also be illuminated when the flashlight fixture 1600 is clamped to an object, so that a user does not need to grasp the lamp assembly 1660 or the flashlight fixture 1600 to direct the light in a particular direction.

While the application has described certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the claims are not intended to limit the embodiments to that which is explicitly recited in the claims. On the contrary, the application is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the application. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present application, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the apparatus, systems, and methods consistent with the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.