USOO9488331B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 9,488,331 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`Sharrah
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 8, 2016
`
`
`
`54) PORTABLE LIGHT WITH SELECTABLE
`OPTICAL BEAM FORMING
`ARRANGEMENT
`
`71) Applicant: Streamlight, Inc., Eagleville, PA (US)
`
`72)
`
`Inventor: Raymond L. Sharrah, Collegeville, PA
`US
`(
`)
`73) As51gnee: Streamllght, Inc., Eaglev1lle, PA (US)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ........ F21V 5/006; F21V 5/04; F21V 7/0091;
`F21V 14/006; F21V 17/002; F21V 17/02;
`F21V 21/0885; F21V 23/0428; F21Y
`2101/02; F21L 4/005
`USPC ..................................... 362/31102; 187, 208
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U. S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`* ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer; the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 39 days.
`
`6,474,837 B1
`6,633,152 32
`
`11/2002 Belliveau
`10/2003 Sharrah et 31.
`(Continued)
`
`21) Appl‘ NO‘ 14/684’699
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`22)
`
`65)
`
`Filed:
`
`AP“ 139 2015
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`wo
`WO
`
`2008/091931
`2011/023957
`
`7/2008
`3/2011
`
`US 2015/0300580 A1
`
`Oct. 22; 2015
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`.
`'
`Related US. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/980,972; filed on Apr,
`17, 2014.
`
`G,T. Price Products, Inc, “Smoke-Cutter Flashlights”, Aug, 20,
`1987,
`1 page.
`
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`F21V 7/00
`F21L 4/00
`F21V5/00
`F21V 5/04
`F21V17/02
`F2[)7 101/02
`F2] V 14/00
`
`(2006 01)
`(2006.01)
`(2015.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U-S- 0-
`CPC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ F21 V 7/0091 (201301); FZIL 4/005
`(2013.01); F21V5/006 (2013.01); F21V5/04
`(2013.01); F21V 17/02 (2013.01); 1211/
`14/006 (2013.01); F2IV 17/002 (2013.01);
`F21 V 21/0885 (2013.01); F2] V 23/0428
`(2013.01); F21Y 2101/02 (2013.01)
`
`Prlmary Exammer 7 Laura Tso
`fl
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm 7 Clement A. Berard, jsq.;
`Darin, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman, PC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A portable light may comprise: a light body and a light
`source supported thereby and selectively energizable for
`producing light; a switch for selectively energizing the light
`source; a TlR optical element disposed in front of the light
`source for receiving the light produced thereby, and form the
`light into a collimated beam of light, the TIR optical element
`having a recess in a forward face thereof; and a selectable
`beam modification element placeable into and removable
`from the recess in the forward face of the HR optical
`element.
`
`19 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`00003 10
`
`Parhelion, Inc.
`EXHIBIT
`
`1006
`
`

`

`US 9,488,331 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. Cl.
`F21 V 17/00
`F21 V 21/088
`F21V23/04
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7,222,995
`7,549,766
`7,581,847
`7,651,240
`7,745,957
`8,403,526
`2009/0027876
`2009/0237943
`
`2010/0165633
`2011/0069496
`
`B1
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`B2
`A1
`A1 "‘
`
`Al
`A1*
`
`5/2007
`6/2009
`9/2009
`1/2010
`6/2010
`3/2013
`1/2009
`9/2009
`
`7/2010
`3/2011
`
`201 1/00965 53
`
`A1*
`
`4/2011
`
`2013/0322089
`
`A1*
`
`12/2013
`
`
`
`Bayat et a1.
`ShaIrah et al.
`Dalton
`Bayat et a1.
`Bayat et a1.
`Bayat et a1.
`Yu
`Schmidt
`Moolman et al.
`Ing ................... B29D 11/00798
`362/3 11.02
`
`Shimokawa .......... F21V 5/04
`362/3 11 .02
`Martis ..................... F21V 13/14
`362/3 11.02
`
`. B60Q 3/0253
`362/3 11.02
`
`2014/0126220 A1*
`
`5/2014
`
`2014/0146545 A1*
`
`5/2014
`
`2014/0177234 A1*
`
`6/2014
`
`2015/0029723 A1*
`
`1/2015
`
`Chen ..................... F21K 9/1355
`362/31102
`Shum ........................ F21K 9/13
`362/311.02
`Wang He ................ F21V 5/048
`362/31102
`Lo ............................. F21K 9/50
`362/293
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`G.T. Price Products, Inc., “Smoke Cutter”, Fire Chief, Jul. 1989, 1
`page.
`G.T. Price Products, Inc., “The Professional Line with the Extras”,
`Jan. 1991, 2 pages.
`G.T. Price Products, Inc., “Code-4", prior to filed Apr. 13, 2015, 1
`page.
`G.T. Price Products, Inc., “New Compact Headlamps", prior to filed
`Apr. 13, 2015,
`1 page.
`Pelican Products, “VersaBrite 2250 Operating Instructions”, ©
`2010, 2 pages.
`Sharrah, Jonathan R., et a1., “Portable Light”, U.S. Appl. No.
`14/260,369, filed Apr. 24, 2014, 50 pages,
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`000031 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`NOV. 8, 2016
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`Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 9,488,331 B2
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`ON?
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`mmr
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`0:
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`00003 12
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 8,2016
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`Sheet 2 of 10
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`US 9,488,331 B2
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`IZO
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`FIGURE 1C
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`00003 13
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 8,2016
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`Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 9,488,331 B2
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`Nov. 8, 2016
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`US. Patent
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`NOV. 8, 2016
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`Nov. 8,2016
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 8,2016
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`Sheet 8 0f 10
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`US 9,488,331 132
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`PLUG
`
`LED
`
`SECTION
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`A-A
`
`FIGURE SC
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 8, 2016
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`Sheet 9 0f 10
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`US 9,488,331 BZ
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 8,2016
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`Sheet 10 0f 10
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`US 9,488,331 132
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`252
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`250
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`ZIZ.
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`000032 1
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`

`

`US 9,488,331 B2
`
`1
`PORTABLE LIGHT WITH SELECTABLE
`OPTICAL BEAM FORMING
`ARRANGEMENT
`
`This Application claims the benefit of US. Provisional
`Patent Application No, 61/980,972 entitled “PORTABLE
`LIGHT WITH SELECTABLE OPTICAL BEAM FORM-
`ING ARRANGEMENT” which was filed on Apr. 17, 2014
`and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
`entirety.
`The present invention relates to a portable light having an
`optical beam forming arrangement.
`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 or other matter
`suspended or floating in the air, e.g., in environments often
`encountered by firefighters, police, security and other first
`responder personnel, as well as in military and rescue
`environments. Often these kinds of environments may be
`hazardous and/or dangerous to personnel, and so the reduced
`visibility created by such environments can increase the
`level of hazard and/or danger.
`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 0 “ensive when reflected back. One way
`
`to reduce this reflec ion-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 on 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. However, when the light is employed in
`other environments, the absence of peripheral light may be
`a disadvantage.
`With the advent of modern high light output solid state
`light sources, e.g., light emitting diode (LED) light sources,
`a parabolic reflector is less eflicient because the LED does
`not emit light relatively evenly over a complete spherical
`volume as does an incandescent source. Typically, modern
`LEDs include an integral curved plastic lens so as to produce
`light relatively evenly over a hemispherical volume. Typi-
`cally, many modern 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 dilfusing elements to redirect light toward the
`periphery of the light beam. A permanent opaque plate ias
`been employed to block the direct forward projected light
`from the LED.
`Applicant believes there is a need for a portable light that
`is easily configurable to provide a reduced light intensity at
`the center of its light beam when that characteristic is
`desired, and that is also easily configurable to not provide
`such reduced light intensity at other times.
`Accordingly, a portable light may comprise: a light body
`and a light source supported thereby and selectively ener-
`gizable for producing light; a switch for selectively ener-
`gizing the light source; a TIR optical element disposed in
`front of the light source for receiving the light produced
`thereby, and form the light into a collimated beam of light,
`the TIR optical element having a recess in a forward face
`
`
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`3O
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`35
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`4o
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`45
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`5O
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`2
`thereof; and a selectable beam modification element place-
`able into and removable from the recess in the forward face
`of the TIR optical element.
`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/0r 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
`
`
`
`The detailed description of the preferred embodiment(s)
`will be more easily and better understood when read in
`conjunction witi the FIGURES of the Drawing which
`include:
`FIGS. 1A anc 1B which are front and rear perspective
`views of an example embodiment of a portable light, FIGS.
`1C and 1D which are front and rear views thereof, and FIGS.
`1E and IF which are top and bottom views thereof, respec-
`tively;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the example
`portable light of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a cross—sectional View of the example portable
`light including an example embodiment of an optical beam
`forming arrangement;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofthe example beam forming
`arrangement of FIG. 3;
`FIGS. 5A, SB and 5C which are first and second end
`views and a side cross-sectional view of the example optical
`beam forming arrangement of FIG. 4;
`FIGS. 6A and 6B which are side cross-sectional views of
`the example optical beam forming arrangement of FIG. 4
`illustrating example light paths therethrough; and
`FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C which are a first end View, a side
`View and a second end view and FIG. 7D is a side cross—
`sectional View of another example optical beam forming
`arrangement of FIG. 4.
`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
`a or
`primed or designated “ ”
`“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 diflerent 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
`arbitrarily expandec or reduced for clarity, and any value
`stated in any Figure is given by way of example only.
`
`
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`
`EMBODIMENT(S)
`
`FIG. 1 includes F GS. 1A and 1B which are front and rear
`perspective views of an example embodiment of a portable
`light 100, FIGS. 1C and 1D which are front and rear views
`thereof, and FIGS. 1E and IF which are top and bottom
`views thereof, respectively; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspec-
`tive 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
`
`0000322
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`

`US 9,488,331 B2
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`3
`forming arrangement 200-300 therefor. 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 substantially 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 light source 130. 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 source 140 is 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 11) for
`receiving elements, e.g., elements 142-148, 176, 200, 300,
`of light source 130 extending substantially perpendicularly
`from the upper end of body 120, and having an opening 126
`at the upper end thereof for receiving elements, e.g., ele-
`ments 162-166, of switch actuator 160. A switch boot 162 of
`switch 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
`downwardly, e.g., to increase the heat sinking area and mass
`thereof. Apreferably 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 (LED) 176, which is
`also an element of 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 perpendicu-
`lar 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
`
`10
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`15
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`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 of housing 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.
`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 rear-
`ward 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 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 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
`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, 300 of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 includes FIGS.
`5A, 5B and 5C which are first and second end views and a
`side cross-sectional view of the example optical beam
`forming arrangement 200, 300 of FIG. 4. Optical element
`200 is a shaped optically clear plastic element whose opti—
`cally 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 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
`
`0000323
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`US 9,488,331 B2
`
`5
`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 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 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 260. Because
`optical element 200 is highly efficient in collecting and in
`internally reflecting 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 diffused through the textured bottom surface
`252 of recess 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 diffuse 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
`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.
`lntuitively, one might expect that placing an opaque beam
`modification element 300 directly in front of LED light
`
`source 176 would substantially diminish the light in ensity at
`the center of the light beam emitted by light 100 and would
`have little effect upon the intensity of peripheral light, which
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`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
`into housing 120, 122 is desired to be a particular orienta-
`tion, 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 of a resilient material and of a 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
`inner surface of the recess 250 in beam modification element
`300, or may be retained by pressure where the difference
`between the diameters of selectable beam modification
`element 300 and the recess 250 are small. In the illustrated
`embodiment, selectable beam modification element 300 is
`retained by a cover provided by lens 10 and lens ring 11,
`however, a cover of a different form, e.g., a press in or snap
`in cover, may also be employed.
`Further, selectable beam modification element 300 may
`
`
`be opaque or may be transparent or translucent and of any
`
`desired color, or plural di “erent beam modification elements
`300 may be provided with light 100. For example, selectable
`beam modification element 300 may be of a transparent
`amber colored material so that the peripheral light is amber
`in color which is believec to be less fatiguing when reflected
`by smoke or other particulates in an environment. The
`intensity of the periphera light is directly related to the light
`transmissibility of the material from which selectable beam
`modification element 300 is made, and so the material
`employed may be selec ed to provide a desired level of
`peripheral light intensity. Further, selectable beam modifi-
`cation element 300 may be of materials of other colors, e.g.,
`
`
`
`00003 24
`
`

`

`US 9,488,331 B2
`
`7
`red, blue, green, yellow and the like, as may be desired for
`coloring the peripheral light for a given environment and/or
`preference, or for merely distinguishing by its color one light
`100 from another light 100.
`As a result of selectable beam modification element 300
`being removably retained in optical element 200, portable
`light 100 is easily configurable and reconfigurable by a user
`to produce a beam of light having a lesser peripheral light
`intensity or a greater peripheral light intensity, as well as to
`configurations producing peripheral light of different colors
`and/or intensities.
`FIG. 6 includes FIGS. 6A and 6B which are side cross-
`sectional views of the example optical beam forming
`arrangement 200, 300 of FIG. 4 illustrating example light
`paths therethrough. Light emitted by LED 176 is portrayed
`as an idealized point source from which example rays of
`light are illustrated to emanate radially. As fully described
`above,
`light from LED 176 enters optical element 200
`through the surfaces of cylindrical recess 260 and curved
`bottom 270 thereof from which they exit as substantially
`collimated rays Rf that provide a high intensity forwardly
`directed spot beam of light or as diffuse rays Rp that provide
`peripheral light.
`When beam modification element 300 is placed into
`recess 250 of optical element 200 it blocks light rays Rp
`which may be absorbed by beam modification element 300
`and/or reflected back into optical element 200, and possibly
`partially absorbed and partially reflected as a practical
`matter.
`FIG. 7 includes FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C which are a first end
`View, a side View and a second end View and FIG. 7D is a
`side cross-sectional View of another example optical beam
`forming arrangement 200 of FIG. 4. The optical beam
`forming element illustrated therein is substantially similar to
`that of FIGS. 5—6, except for the dimensions of certain
`features thereof and the shape of surface 270 thereof.
`Cylindrical recesses 250 and 260 in the forward and rear-
`ward surfaces 220, 230 thereof are of smaller diameter and
`of greater depth, and the shapes of curved surface 270 differs
`in that it is a cone-like peak having curved concave sides,
`
`thereby to better reflect light from LED 176 into the side
`walls of cylindrical recess 260.
`In a typical embodiment, TIR optical element 200 and
`lens 142 may be of an optically clear material, e.g., a glass,
`polycarbonate, polystyrene, PMMA (acrylic), acrylic, sty-
`rene acryl nitride (SAN), or another suitable clear plastic,
`glass or other suitable optical material. One example
`embodiment of optical element 200 is about 1.97 inches
`(about 50 mm) in diameter at its wide flat end, about 0.68
`inch (about 17.3 mm) in diameter at its narrower end, and
`about 1.0 inch (about 25.4 mm) in depth front to rear.
`Forward cylindrical recess 250 thereof is about 0.70 inch
`(about 17.8 mm) in diameter and about 0.24 inch (about 6.1
`mm) in depth, and rear recess 260 is about 0.67 inch (about
`17 mm) in diameter and about 0.46 inch (about 11.7 mm) in
`depth. An example selectable beam modification element
`300 therefor may be of acrylic, styrene or another suitable
`plastic, and is slightly less than about 0.67 inch (about 17
`mm) in diameter and about 0.11 inch (about 2.8 mm) thick.
`Another example embodiment of beam modification ele—
`ment 200 is about 1.97 inches (about 50 mm) in diameter at
`its wide flat end, about 0.65 inch (about 16.5 mm) in
`diameter at its narrower end, and about 1.0 inch (about 25.4
`mm) in depth front to rear. Forward cylindrical recess 250
`thereof is about 0.45 inch (about 11.4 mm) in diameter and
`about 0.3 inch (about 7.6 mm) in depth, and rear recess 260
`is about 0.59 inch (about 15 mm) in diameter and about 0.50
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`inch (about 12.7 mm) in depth. An example selectable beam
`modification element 300 therefor may be of acrylic, styrene
`or another suitable plastic, and is slightly less than about
`0.45 inch (about 11.4 mm) in diameter and about 0.11 inch
`(about 2.8 mm) thick.
`In the aforementioned examples of optical element 200,
`side surface 240 has a shape that is a series of arches and
`curved bottom 270 has a domed or peaked shape as illus-
`trated, one example being rounded and convex, almost
`parabolic and not quite spherical, and the other example
`being a curved sided peaked conical dome with concave side
`curvature.
`
`One example of an LED module and heat sink of the sort
`suitable for use in light 100 and similar to that described
`herein is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,883,243 issued Feb. 8,
`2011 and entitled “LED FLASHLIGHT AND HEAT SINK
`
`ARRANGEMENT” which is assigned to Streamlight, Inc.
`
`of Eagleville, Pa, which is hereby incorporated herein by
`reference in its entirety.
`A portable light 100 may comprise: a light body 120 for
`receiving a source of electrical power; a light source 140,
`176 supported by the light body 120 and selectively ener—
`gizable for producing light; a switch 160, 172 supported by
`the light body 120 for selectively energizing the light source
`140, 176 from the source of electrical power; a TIR optical
`element 200 having a rearward end disposed in front of the
`light source 140, 176 for receiving the light produced
`thereby, the TIR optical element 200 employing total inter-
`nal reflection to form light produced by the light source 140,
`176 into a collimated beam of light,