USOlO378702B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 10,378,702 B2
`Sharrah et a1.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 13, 2019
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`PORTABLE LIGHT WITH PLANE OF A
`LASER LIGHT
`
`Applicant: STREAMLIGHT, INC., Eagleville, PA
`(US)
`
`Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Collegeville, PA
`(US); Thomas D. Boris, Collegeville,
`PA (US); Donald J. Keeley, Emmaus,
`PA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Streamlight, Inc., Eagleville, PA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 15/492,344
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 20, 2017
`
`(65)
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2017/0307148 A1
`
`Oct. 26, 2017
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Provisional application No. 62/325,917, filed on Apr.
`21, 201 6.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2016.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`F21L 4/02
`F21V 5/04
`F21V 23/04
`F21V 14/02
`F21L 4/04
`F21 Y 115/30
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............... F21L 4/025 (2013.01); F21L 4/045
`(2013.01); F21V 5/043 (2013.01); F21V
`14/025 (2013.01); F21V 23/0414 (2013.01);
`F21 Y 2115/30 (2016.08)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ........... F21L 4/025; F21L 4/045; F21V 5/043;
`F21V 14/025; F21V 23/0414
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,031,649 A
`6,150,943 A
`6,724,467 B1
`
`2/2000 Cotty et a1.
`11/2000 Lehman et a1.
`4/2004 Billmers et a1.
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Sean & Stephen Corporation,(untitled), date prior to Apr, 20, 2017,
`1 page.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner 7 Anh T Mai
`Assistant Examiner 7 Nathaniel J Lee
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm 7 Clement A. Berard, Esq.;
`Darm, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman, PC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A portable light may comprise: a light body having an
`illumination, e.g., white, light source and a laser light source
`supported thereby, each source being selectively energizable
`for producing light; and a switch for selectively energizing
`the illumination light source and/or laser light source. The
`laser light source is configured to provide a plane of laser
`light, so as to create a line of laser light on objects illumi-
`nated by the plane of laser light. The laser light source may
`include a cylindrical lens to create the plane of laser light.
`The plane of laser light may be rotatable relative to the light
`body. A TIR optical element may also be disposed in front
`of the illumination light source for receiving the light
`produced thereby.
`
`31 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`000000 1
`
`Parhelion, | 0.
`EXHIBIT
`
`1001
`
`

`

`US 10,378,702 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`6,864,799
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`8,360,612
`8,672,513
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`2004/0012962
`2004/0047145
`2005/0122710
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`2006/0233215
`2009/0067459
`2009/0086489
`2009/0185377
`2011/0157486
`2011/0163698
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`B2
`S
`B2
`S
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1 *
`
`201 2/0326635
`20 1 4/0268703
`201 5/0276347
`2016/001 807 1
`
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`
`3/2007
`8/2007
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`3/2010
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`4/2009
`7/2009
`6/2011
`7/2011
`
`12/2012
`9/2014
`10/2015
`1/2016
`
`Popps .................... G08B 7/062
`340/321
`Tung ...................... G02B 7/026
`385/92
`
`Sharrah et a].
`Sharrah et a].
`Reason
`Sharrah et a].
`Sharrah et a].
`Redpath et a].
`Redpath et a].
`Sharrah et a].
`Wolf
`Koren
`Kim
`Diehl
`Casazza
`Mizuuchi et a].
`Scott et a].
`Johnson
`Murata et al.
`SparLano ................. F2 1 L 4/027
`315/362
`
`Redpath et a].
`Ehlert et a].
`Sharrah et a].
`Sharrah et al.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Wikipedia, “Difl'raction Grating”, date last modified Feb. 13, 2016,
`9 pages, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/difi'ractiongrating.
`Wikipedia, “Double-slit experiment”, date last modified Feb. 6,
`2016,
`12 pages, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/double-slit7
`experiment.
`Physics Classroom, “Young’s Experiment”, printed Feb. 16, 2016,
`4 pages, http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/lightflesson-3/
`young-s-experiment.
`Yahoo.com, “Dilfraction GratingYoumg’s ExperimentiYahoo Image
`Search Results”, printed Feb. 16, 2016, 5 pages, htlps://images.
`search .yahoo .com/yhs/search;ylFa01evrcuhnmwhvyaulynni 1 q;jlu:
`x3odmteybxv.
`RP Photonics Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology,
`“Beam Splitters”, printed Jun. 15, 2017, 2 pages, https://www.rp—
`photonic s .com/beamisplitters .html .
`Edmund Optics, “What are Beamsplitters?”, printed Jun. 15, 2017,
`5 pages, htlps://www.ed.mundoptics.com/resources/application-notes/
`optics/what-are—beamsplitters/ .
`Wikipedia, “Beam Splitter”, last edited Mar. 21, 2017, printed Jun.
`15, 2017, 6 pages, htlps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/beam7splitter.
`PCT International Searching Authority, “Notification of Transmittal
`of the International Search Report and the Written Opinion of the
`International Searching Authority, or the Declaration”, in Interna-
`tional Application No. PCT/US2018/040249, dated Sep. 21, 2018,
`10 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`0000002
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`US 10,378,702 B2
`
`1
`PORTABLE LIGHT WITH PLANE OF A
`LASER LIGHT
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application No. 62/325,917 entitled “PORTABLE
`LIGHT WITH LASER” filed Apr. 21, 2016, which is hereby
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`The present invention relates to a portable light and in
`particular,
`to a portable light with an illumination light
`source and a laser providing a plane of laser light.
`Strong and reliable portable lights are important to the
`safety of personnel who must enter hazardous and/or dan-
`gerous locations. Lights intended for use in such locations
`often have special circuitry to reduce the danger from high
`temperatures and/or sparks, and/or have special light pro-
`ducing configurations that improve the ability of a user to
`see while in hazardous locations. Often the users of such
`
`lights may be firefighters, police, security, environmental
`specialists, military and other first responder personnel, as
`well as military and rescue personnel in such environments,
`who may risk health and life in such areas.
`Such portable lights are used in many environments to
`provide illumination and to enable personnel to operate in
`those environments. In certain environments, visibility may
`be reduced by smoke, particles, fog, steam, mist, rain, snow
`and/or other matter suspended or floating in the air. Often
`these kinds of environments may be hazardous and/or dan-
`gerous to personnel, and so the reduced visibility created by
`such environments can increase the level of hazard and/or
`
`danger. Lights for use in these environments may include
`special optical elements that form and/or direct the light
`beam produced by the light in ways thought to improve their
`ability to “cut through” the particle-filled air, thereby to
`improve visibility.
`Typically, a bright light is necessary to penetrate such
`environments, however, such environments tend to reflect
`light back towards the portable light and thereby can tend to
`“blind” the personnel using the portable light. Peripheral
`light is particularly oflensive when reflected back. One way
`to reduce this reflection-induced blinding is to employ a
`highly collimated beam of light
`thereby to reduce any
`peripherally projected light.
`Conventionally, lights employ a highly collimating para-
`bolic reflector and an opaque cover, e.g., as by a black
`opaque area 011 an incandescent
`light source,
`to block
`peripheral light. Thus the light intensity at the center of the
`light beam is increased relative to the intensity at
`the
`periphery thereof.
`A11 example of such light includes the SURVIVOR® light
`available from Streamlight, Inc. of Eagleville, Pa., which
`produces a high-intensity light fonned into a relatively tight
`spot beam for reducing side reflected light. A recent version
`of the SURVIVOR® light includes a removable selectable
`beam modification element, which may be either opaque or
`colored, that fits into a recess in a solid optical element in a
`way to improve visibility in certain reduced and/or limited
`visibility environments, and which is described in U.S. Pat.
`No.
`9,488,331
`entitled “PORTABLE LIGHT WITH
`SELECTABLE OPTICAL BEAM FORMING ARRANGE-
`
`MENT” which was issued Nov. 8, 2016, and is hereby
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`However, when a light having a highly collimated spot
`beam is employed in other environments, the absence of
`peripheral light may be a disadvantage.
`With the advent of modem high light output solid state
`light sources, e.g., light emitting diode (LED) light sources,
`a parabolic reflector is less efficient because the LED does
`
`U!
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`10
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`20
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`30
`
`40
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`U1 U1
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`60
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`65
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`not emit light relatively evenly over a complete spherical
`volume as does an incandescent source. Typically, modem
`LEDs include an integral curved plastic lens so as to produce
`light relatively evenly over a hemispherical volume. Typi-
`cally, many modem LED lights employ an optical arrange-
`ment in which internal reflection of light within an optical
`element is utilized to shape a forward projecting collimated
`light beam. Also typically, a level of peripheral
`light is
`provided by light that is directly emitted from the LED
`and/or by light diflusing elements to redirect light toward the
`periphery of the light beam. A pennanent opaque plate has
`been employed to block the direct forward projected light
`from the LED.
`
`However, even with lessening of the negative effect of
`peripheral light, Applicant believes there is a need for a
`portable light that allows individuals to better discern the
`physical features of environments, e.g.,
`structures and
`obj ects therein, in a limited visibility environment, e.g., one
`in which smoke, mist, particles, fog, steam and/or other
`matter may be suspended or floating in the air.
`Applicant believes there may be a need for a light that
`may provide improved discernment in a limited visibility
`environment.
`
`Accordingly, a portable light may comprise: a light body
`having an illumination light source and a laser light source
`supported thereby, each source selectively energizable for
`producing light; and a switch for selectively energizing the
`white light and/or laser light source. The laser light source
`may be configured to provide a plane of laser light, so as to
`create a line of laser light 011 objects illuminated by the laser
`light plane. In this regard, the laser light source may include
`a cylindrical lens to create the light plane. A TIR optical
`element may also be disposed in front of the white light
`source for receiving the light produced thereby, and form the
`white light into a collimated beam of light, the TIR optical
`element having a recess in a forward face thereof. A select-
`able beam modification element may be placeable into and
`removable from the recess in the forward face of the TIR
`
`optical element.
`Also, a portable light may comprise: an illumination light
`source and a laser light source supported by a light body and
`each selectively energizable by a switch for producing
`illumination light; and the laser light source may include a
`cylindrical lens for transmitting a plane of laser light.
`Accordingly, a portable light may comprise: light body;
`an illumination light source supported by the light body
`relatively remotely to a base end thereof, configured to emit
`illumination light in a predetermined direction and being
`selectively energizable by a switch for producing illumina-
`tion light; a laser light source supported by the light body
`relatively nearer to the base end thereof and being selec-
`tively energizable by the switch for producing laser light,
`wherein the laser light source includes a cylindrical lens
`configured for transmitting a plane of laser light in substan-
`tially the predetermined direction.
`Accordingly, a portable light may comprise: a light body;
`an illumination light source supported by the light body and
`selectively energizable for producing illumination light,
`wherein the illumination light source includes a shaped
`optically clear element having a forward surface through
`which the illumination light exits; and a laser light source
`supported by the shaped optically clear element and selec-
`tively energizable for producing laser light, wherein the laser
`light source includes a cylindrical lens configured for trails-
`mitting a plane of laser light
`in substantially the same
`direction as the illumination light.
`
`000001 7
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`

`

`US 10,378,702 B2
`
`3
`In summarizing the arrangements described and/or
`claimed herein, a selection of concepts and/or elements
`and/or steps that are described in the detailed description
`herein may be made or simplified. Any summary is not
`intended to identify key features, elements and/or steps, or
`essential features, elements and/or steps, relating to the
`claimed subject matter, and so are not intended to be limiting
`and should not be construed to be limiting of or defining of
`
`the scope and breadth of the claimed subject matter.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`3
`
`10
`
`4
`arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity, and any value
`stated in any Figure is given by way of example only.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT(S)
`
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of
`an example embodiment of a portable light 100 with a laser
`light source, FIGS. 1C and ID are front and rear views
`thereof, and FIGS. 1E and IF are top and bottom views
`thereof, respectively; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view
`of the example portable light 100 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a
`cross-sectional view of the example portable light 100
`including an example embodiment of an optical beam form-
`ing arrangement 200-300 with laser light source 400 there-
`for. Portable light 100 includes a body or housing 120 that
`is configured to have a base 130 upon which light 100 can
`rest, e.g., on a horizontal surface, and to have a light source
`140 that when energized projects light in a direction sub-
`stantially perpendicularly to the long axis (e.g., vertical axis)
`of body 120.
`Light 100 preferably, but optionally, includes a clip 150
`on light body 120 by which it can be attached (e.g., clipped)
`to an article of clothing or to equipment or to another object,
`e.g., a belt or strap or rope or bar, as well as a hanger or loop
`155 by which it can be attached (e.g., hung) from an article
`of clothing or equipment or another object. Hanger 155 is
`attached to light body or housing 120 by a bracket, e.g., the
`bracket 152 that supports clip 150, and more specifically,
`hanger 155 is pivotable on the pivot or hinge pin 154 on
`which clip 150 pivots on that bracket 152 relative to housing
`120.
`A switch actuator 160 is provided for selectively energiz-
`ing and de-energizing illumination light source 140, e.g.,
`white light source 140, and laser light source 400, where the
`light sources 140, 400 may be energized separately, so that
`only one source 140, 400 is on at a given time. Preferably
`switch actuator 160 is at the upper end on body 120 where
`it can easily be actuated by a finger when light 100 is held
`in hand or can be pressed when light 100 is resting on a
`horizontal surface or is attached by clip 150 or hung by loop
`155. Also preferably, light sources 140, 400 are proximate
`the upper end of light body 120.
`Light body or housing 120 is preferably a hollow tube
`120, e.g., a molded plastic tube, having a receptacle 1b for
`receiving elements, e.g., elements 142-148, 176, 200, 300 of
`white light source 140 extending substantially perpendicu-
`larly from the upper end of body 120, and having an opening
`126 at the upper end thereof for receiving elements, e.g.,
`elements 162-166, of switch actuator 160.A switchboot 162
`ofswitch actuator 160 is attached over an opening 126 in the
`upper end of housing 120 by a switch ring 164 which is
`attached to housing 120, e.g., by adhesive or by welding or
`by another suitable method to sealingly attach boot 162
`thereto. A switch spacer 166 is disposed behind switch boot
`162 for transmitting a pressing of boot 162 to actuate an
`electrical switch 172 which is adjacent thereto when LED
`module assembly 170 is inserted into housing tube 120
`through the opening at the base 130 thereof and is fully
`seated against the upper end thereof.
`LED module assembly 170 includes, e.g., a heat sink
`structure 178 to an upper end of which is mounted electrical
`switch 172 and to a lower end of which are mounted a pair
`of spring contacts 174 for making electrical connections to
`a battery assembly 180. Heat sink structure 178 is substan-
`tially rectangular with two substantially parallel opposing
`sides thereof having extensions projecting upwardly and
`
`20
`
`30
`
`The detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s)
`will be more easily and better understood when read in
`conjunction with the FIGURES of the Drawing which
`include:
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are front and rear perspective views of
`an example embodiment of a portable light with a laser light
`source, FIGS. 1C and ID are front and rear views thereof,
`and FIGS. 1E and IF are top and bottom views thereof,
`respectively;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the example
`portable light of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1C;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe example beam forming
`arrangement with a laser light source of FIG. 3;
`FIGS. 5A and 5B are first and second end views of the
`example optical beam forming arrangement with a laser
`light source of FIG. 4, and FIGS. 5C and 5D are side
`cross-sectional views of the example optical beam forming
`arrangement with a laser light source of FIG. 4 and of an
`alternative embodiment thereof, respectively;
`FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are side cross-sectional, end and
`plan views, respectively, of an example laser light source of
`FIG. 4;
`FIG. 7A is a front view of the example light illustrating an
`alternative position for the laser light source, FIG. 7B is a
`front view of the example light with the example optical
`element removed, and FIGS. 7C and 7D illustrate alternative
`mounting of the example laser light source in the example
`optical element including for rotatability of the example
`laser light source;
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of alternative 45
`embodiments of the portable light 100 including mounting
`the example laser light source on the light body thereof at
`locations that are spaced away from the illumination light
`source; and
`FIG. 9A is a front view of an alternative embodiment
`including mounting an example laser light source on a
`flexible stalk that is mounted to the example portable light,
`and FIGS. 9B and 9C are a perspective view and a cross-
`sectional view, respectively, of the example laser light
`source mounted on the flexible stalk.
`In the Drawing, where an element or feature is shown in
`more than one drawing figure, the same alphanumeric des-
`ignation may be used to designate such element or feature in
`each figure, and where a closely related or modified element
`is shown in a figure, the same alphanumerical designation
`primed or designated “a” or “b” or the like may be used to
`designate the modified element or feature. Similarly, similar
`elements or features may be designated by like alphanu-
`meric designations in dilferent figures of the Drawing and
`with similar nomenclature in the specification. According to
`common practice, the various features ofthe drawing are not
`to scale, and the dimensions of the various features may be
`
`40
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`US 10,378,702 BZ
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`downwardly, e.g., to increase the heat sinking area and mass
`thereof. A preferably integral wall fills the rectangular center
`of heat sink 178 and thermally connects to all sides thereof
`and presents a mounting surface substantially in the plane of
`heat sink 178. Mounted to that mounting surface of heat sink
`structure 178 is a light emitting diode @ED) 176, which is
`also an element of illumination light source 140. LED 176
`is mounted in a position to direct light substantially outward
`and away from that surface of heat sink 178 and around a
`perpendicular to the long axis of housing 120, e.g., into the
`base of optical element 200, as described below.
`Battery assembly 180 includes an inner carrier structure
`182 which carries, e.g., a plurality of battery cells (not
`shown) and provides interconnections therebetween and an
`outer carrier cover 186. Carrier 182 includes a pair of
`contacts 184 at
`its upper end, e.g., accessible through
`openings in the upper end of carrier cover 186, for making
`electrical connection to the spring contacts 174 extending
`from LED module 170. Battery assembly 180 may contain
`either single use battery cells or rechargeable battery cells.
`Where battery assembly 180 contains rechargeable battery
`cells, carrier cover 186 may be permanently attached to
`inner carrier 182. In that embodiment, battery assembly 180
`preferably also provides a pair of contacts at its lower end
`for making electrical connection to optional connections 134
`through battery door 132.
`Battery door 132 is hinged by pin 125 engaging a clevis
`124 at the base ofhousing 120 and preferably includes a pair
`of contacts 134 there through for connecting battery carrier
`180 internal to light 100 to an external source of charging
`power, e.g., a charger base, when light 100 is placed therein
`for charging rechargeable batteries that may be utilized in
`light 100. Battery door 132 includes a pivotable clasp 138
`for securing battery cover 132 in a closed position in housing
`120, and may also include an O-ring, gasket or other seal for
`sealing the battery door end of housing 120.
`White illumination light source 140 may be provided by
`an LED 176 of LED module assembly 170 in conjunction
`with elements 142-148, 200, 300. Optical element 200 is a
`shaped optically clear plastic element 210 that has a polished
`generally parabolic external side surface 240, a generally
`wider flat polished forward surface 220, and a shaped
`narrower rearward surface 230 that is disposed adjacent to
`LED 176 of LED module assembly 170. LED 176 may be
`surrounded by a raised ring sized and shaped to receive the
`rearward end 230 of optical element 200. Polished side
`surface 240 may be a generally parabolic surface or other
`suitably shaped surface to collimate the light produced by
`LED 176 into a desired beam, e.g., a collimated forward
`projecting white light beam.
`Optical element 200 is covered by a lens 144 and both are
`retained in the threaded receptacle 122 of housing 120 by a
`lens ring 142. Preferably Lens ring 142 has threads, e.g.,
`internal threads, that engage complementary threads, e.g.,
`external threads, of receptacle 122 for securing lens ring
`142,
`lens 144 and optical element 200 in housing 120.
`Preferably, but optionally, an O-ring 146 grommet 146 or
`other seal 146, may be provided between lens ring 142 and
`lens 144 to provide a seal thereat and housing 120 may have
`a second O-ring 148 around outer periphery of receptacle
`122 for sealing between lens ring 144 and housing 120.
`Preferably, but optionally, a pivotable clip assembly 150
`includes a pivotable clip 1500 and is attached at a bracket
`152 thereof to housing 120 by one or more fasteners 159,
`e.g., two screws 159. Clip assembly 150 includes the clip
`1500 which is pivotably mounted to bracket or base 152 by
`a pivot pin 154, and has hanger or loop 155 that is pivotable
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`by the ends thereof pivotably engaging hinge pin or pivot pin
`154 on which clip 155 pivots. Housing 120 may be provided
`with a pressure relief valve 128, typically a resilient valve
`128, disposed in an opening in housing.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe example beam forming
`arrangement 200 of FIG. 3; FIGS. 5A and 5B are first and
`second end views of the example optical beam forming
`arrangement 200 with a laser light source 40 of FIG. 4, and
`FIGS. 5C and 5D are side cross-sectional views of the
`
`example optical beam forming arrangement 200 with a laser
`light source 400 of FIG. 4 and of an alternative embodiment
`thereof, respectively. Optical element 200 is a shaped opti-
`cally clear plastic element whose optically clear body 210
`has a curved polished side surface 240, a generally wider flat
`polished forward surface 220, and a narrower rearward
`shaped surface that is disposed adjacent to LED 176 of LED
`module assembly 170 as described. Light, typically white
`light, produced by LED 176 enters optical element 200
`through the rearward end 230 thereof, is essentially totally
`internally reflected therein to form a highly collimated beam
`of light, and exits optical element 200 at the flat forward exit
`surface 220 thereof. Thus the totally internally reflective
`(TIR) optical element 200 serves to redirect the rays of light
`emitted by LED 176, which are emitted therefrom substan-
`tially radially into a substantially hemispherical volume, into
`substantially parallel rays of light defining a highly colli-
`mated beam of light that exits forward surface 220 of optical
`element substantially parallel to the central axis, e.g., the
`axis of optical symmetry, thereof.
`More specifically, light emitted by LED 176 impinges on
`and is refracted by the side wall of the rearward cylindrical
`recess 260 and into the body 210 of optical element 200
`wherein it is totally internally reflected (TIR) by external
`curved surface 240 to exit via the flat forward face 220
`
`thereof as a highly collimated beam. While most of the light
`entering via the side wall 262 of cylindrical recess 260 is
`believed to come directly from LED 176, LED 176 is not a
`true point source and so some rays may be reflected by
`surface 270 towards side wall 262. Because optical element
`200 is highly efficient in collecting and in internally reflect-
`ing and collimating the light emitted by LED 176, very little
`light is emitted toward the periphery of optical element 200.
`A substantially cylindrical recess 260 at the rearward end
`of optical element 200 has a curved convex bottom 270 for
`refracting light from LED 176 into optical body 210 in a
`direction towards the bottom 252 of cylindrical recess 250 in
`the flat forward surface 220 thereof, from which it exits
`optical element 200. Preferably, the light exiting optical
`element 200 is diflilsed through the textured bottom surface
`252 ofrecess 250 to provide peripheral light. The cylindrical
`recess 250 provided in the flat forward face 220 of optical
`element 200 in an available embodiment thereof has a flat
`
`textured bottom surface 252 so as to diflilse light from LED
`176 that impinges upon surface 252 thereby to provide the
`peripheral light.
`is sometimes desirable and
`light
`Because peripheral
`sometimes is not desirable, Applicant provides a selectable
`beam modification element 300 that enables a user to easily
`reconfigure portable light 100 to provide the desired level of
`peripheral light. A removable beam modification element
`300, e.g., a removable plug element 300, may be disposed in
`the cylindrical recess 250 in the forward surface of optical
`element 200, whereat is can block or otherwise modify one
`or more characteristics of the light exiting through surface
`252, e.g., which can provide peripheral light. Preferably
`removable beam modification element 300, e.g., removable
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`US 10,378,702 B2
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`7
`plug element 300, has an opaque body or base 310 so as to
`maximize the peripheral light that it blocks.
`It has been found that if the peripheral light is amber in
`color, it can be less objectionable and less fatiguing to a user
`than is white peripheral light, at least in some environments.
`Accordingly, a removable beam modification element 300,
`e.g., removable plug element 300, that has a body 310 of
`transparent or translucent amber colored material, e.g., plas-
`tic, may be provided, either in place of and/or in addition to
`an opaque plug 300, to modify the color or the intensity or
`both of the peripheral light, e.g., to be amber in color.
`One example embodiment of removable beam modifica-
`tion element 300, e.g., removable plug element 300, pref-
`erably comprises an opaque cylindrical body 310 having a
`diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the
`cylindrical recess 250 in the forward face of optical element
`200 and being of lesser thickness than the depth thereof.
`Intuitively, one might expect that placing an opaque beam
`modification element 300 directly in front of LED light
`source 176 would substantially diminish the light intensity at
`the center of the light beam emitted by light 100 and would
`have little effect upon the intensity of peripheral light, which
`beam modification element 300 does not appear to be in
`position to affect. Surprisingly, however, Applicant has
`found that the light intensity of the light near the center of
`the emitted light beam is not substantially diminished by
`beam modification element 300 while the intensity of the
`peripheral
`light
`is substantially diminished or otherwise
`modified.
`Optical element 200 may include on optical body 210
`thereof one or more orientation defining features 212, e.g.,
`one or more projections 212, that may engage one or more
`corresponding orientation features, e.g., one or more
`recesses, in the housing 120, 122 into which optical element
`200 is placed. Where the orientation of optical element 200
`in housing 120, 122 is desired to be a particular orientation,
`then orientation features 212 may be arranged in a non-
`symmetrical pattern.
`Selectable beam modification element 300 is preferably of
`a size and shape corresponding to that of the recess 250,
`preferably a cylindrical recess, e.g., recess 250,
`in the
`forward face of optical element 200 so that it can easily be
`placed into that recess and can easily be removed from that
`recess, thereby to reconfigure portable light 100 to produce
`a lesser and a greater level of peripheral light. Typically, and
`preferably, the base of selectable beam modification element
`300 may be a cylindrical disk having a diameter that is
`slightly less than that of the cylindrical recess of optical
`element 200, and having a thickness (or length) that may be
`the same as,
`less than or greater than the depth of the
`cylindrical recess.
`Preferably, but optionally, removable beam modification
`element 300 may have a raised gripping member 320, e.g.,
`a raised ridge 320 or a sphere 320 on a short post, so that
`removable beam modification element 300 may easily be
`gripped and removed from the cylindrical recess 250 in
`optical element 200.
`Selectable beam modification element 300 may be remov-
`ably retained in the recess 250 of optical element 200 in any
`one or more of a variety of different arrangements. For
`example, selectable beam modification element 300 may be
`removably retained in the recess of optical element 200 by
`friction, or may have a resilient periphery that contacts the
`inner surface of the recess 250 in optical element 200, or
`may be ofa resilient material and ofa diameter to contact the
`inner surface of the recess 250 in optical element 200, or
`may have an O-ring in a peripheral groove that contacts the
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`inner surface of the recess 250 in beam modification element
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`300, or may be retained by pressure where the dif