William L Hunt

US Patent:

6841941, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Jan 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/346537

Inventors:

Paul Y. Kim - Westminster CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

SureFire, LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

H05B 3700

US Classification:

315 86, 315241, 362205

Abstract:

Flashlights having selectively controllable brightness levels, preferred embodiments of which comprise in combination: a battery; a switch having an OFF position not connected to the battery, a first ON position connected to the battery, and a second ON position connected to the battery; an electrical component (such as a resistor or an inductor) in circuit with the battery when the switch is in its first ON position and not in circuit with the battery when the switch is in its second ON position; a light emitter assembly; and a controller in circuit with the battery, the switch and the light emitter assembly, for detecting whether or not the electrical component is in circuit with the battery when the switch is in either one of its first ON position and its second ON position, and for controlling electrical power to the light emitter assembly for producing a first light output when the electrical component is detected and for producing a second light output when the electrical component is not detected.

US Patent:

7116061, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Oct 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/966426

Inventors:

Paul Y. Kim - Santa Ana CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

Surefire, LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

F21L 4/00

US Classification:

315200A, 315 82, 315291, 307126, 307112

Abstract:

Flashlights having selectively controllable brightness levels, a preferred embodiment of which comprises in combination: a battery; a light emitter assembly; a switch in circuit with the battery and the light emitter assembly, the switch having a first OFF position and a second OFF position, the first ON position coupling the battery to the light emitter assembly for producing a first light output, and a second ON position coupling the battery to the light emitter assembly for producing a second light output; and a switch actuator adapted to be coupled to the switch alternatively in its first OFF position and its second OFF position, the switch actuator when coupled in its first OFF position is translatable by a first distance placing the switch in its first ON position and translatable by a second distance placing the switch in its second ON position, the switch actuator when coupled in its second OFF position is translatable by a third distance placing the switch in its first ON position. The switch actuator preferably comprises a click-ON/click-OFF pushbutton switch actuator, for alternatively placing the switch momentarily in its first and second ON positions and constantly in its second ON position from its first OFF position; and for alternatively placing the switch momentarily and constantly in its first ON position from its second OFF position.

US Patent:

7186002, Mar 6, 2007

Filed:

Dec 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/732873

Inventors:

John W. Matthews - Newport Beach CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

Surefire LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

F21L 4/04

US Classification:

362205, 362204, 362394

Abstract:

A flashlight having a lamp, a power storage element, a switch, and an electronic controller. The controller has a switch input connected to the switch and operates in response to the input to deliver power from the power storage element to the lamp. The controller may be directly connected to each of the lamp, source, and switch. The switch may include several separate contact elements operating sequentially in response to movement of a switch actuator. The controller may provide different illumination levels and functions in response to different pressures and durations of actuation. The flashlight may include a dimmer level control to establish an intermediate “dimmed” output level, and operate to provide the selected dimmed output when the switch is depressed by an intermediate amount, and to provide a greater maximum output level in response to full actuation of the switch.

US Patent:

7220016, May 22, 2007

Filed:

Dec 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/732883

Inventors:

John W. Matthews - Newport Beach CA, US
Paul Y. Kim - Irvine CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

Surefire, LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

F21L 4/04

US Classification:

362205, 362184, 362206, 362250, 362295, 362802

Abstract:

A flashlight has a lamp, a power source, two switches, and a controller connected to the switches. The first switch controls delivery of power to the lamp, and the second switch selects a dimmed brightness level. The first switch may invoke the dimmed level, or a maximum brightness level. The second switch may be a ring rotatable about the axis the flashlight, and either rotatable through a wide range of positions, with sensor circuitry to detect the absolute position, or having a limited range of rotation, with dimmed level selection provided by a duration of momentary rotation in either direction. The second switch may be positioned outside a leak resistant housing, and may include a magnet detectable by magnetic field sensors within the chamber.

US Patent:

7540625, Jun 2, 2009

Filed:

Feb 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/710456

Inventors:

John W. Matthews - Newport Beach CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

Surefire LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

F21L 4/04

US Classification:

362205, 362295, 362394

Abstract:

A flashlight having a lamp, a power storage element, a switch, and an electronic controller. The controller has a switch input connected to the switch and operates in response to the input to deliver power from the power storage element to the lamp. The controller may be directly connected to each of the lamp, source, and switch. The switch may include several separate contact elements operating sequentially in response to movement of a switch actuator. The controller may provide different illumination levels and functions in response to different pressures and durations of actuation. The flashlight may include a dimmer level control to establish an intermediate “dimmed” output level, and operate to provide the selected dimmed output when the switch is depressed by an intermediate amount, and to provide a greater maximum output level in response to full actuation of the switch.

US Patent:

7549765, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

Jan 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/700739

Inventors:

Paul Y. Kim - Santa Ana CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US
Lai Chang Tang - Chino Hills CA, US

Assignee:

SureFire, LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

F21L 4/04

US Classification:

362204, 362205, 362206

Abstract:

A flashlight has a body containing control circuitry, with a lamp connected to the body and to the control circuitry. A photodetector is connected to the body and the control circuitry, and faces the lamp to sense an operating condition of the lamp. The control circuitry operates the lamp in a start up mode until signaled by the photodetector that the lamp is properly operating. After this, the lamp is operated in a normal mode. The flashlight may have a switch with a button that moves through a range of positions. The switch may have several contact elements, and the button may have an actuator registered with each of the contact elements. The actuators may be of different heights, to provide a sequence of switch operation. Some of the actuators may be movable to allow the button to be actuated further after an initial contact is made.

US Patent:

7722209, May 25, 2010

Filed:

Apr 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/786625

Inventors:

John W. Matthews - Newport Beach CA, US
Paul Y. Kim - Irvine CA, US
William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

SureFire, LLC - Fountain Valley CA

International Classification:

F21L 4/04

US Classification:

362205, 362206, 362295, 362802

Abstract:

A flashlight has a lamp, a power source, two switches, and a controller connected to the switches. The first switch controls delivery of power to the lamp, and the second switch selects a dimmed brightness level. The first switch may invoke the dimmed level, or a maximum brightness level. The second switch may be a ring rotatable about the axis the flashlight, and either rotatable through a wide range of positions, with sensor circuitry to detect the absolute position, or having a limited range of rotation, with dimmed level selection provided by a duration of momentary rotation in either direction. The second switch may be positioned outside a leak resistant housing, and may include a magnet detectable by magnetic field sensors within the chamber.

US Patent:

8066396, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Feb 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/391491

Inventors:

William A. Hunt - Foothill Ranch CA, US

Assignee:

SureFire, LLC - Fountain Vally CA

International Classification:

F21V 21/084

US Classification:

362105, 362287, 362269

Abstract:

Various lighting devices are provided which may be used to advantageously illuminate areas of interest in a secure, convenient manner. In one example, a lighting device includes a headlamp. The headlamp includes a base, a body, and a light source. The base includes two support members and an aperture in each of the support members. The body is secured to the base through the apertures and is adapted to rotate relative to the base. The light source is in the body and positioned substantially between the two support members. The light source is adapted to rotate with the body relative to the base to adjust an angle of light emitted by the light source. As another example, related methods are also provided.