FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to safety devices and in particular to a new and useful device which combines a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device, in a single unit. It also includes a novel firing mechanism particularly suitable for combining said devices in that the cocking element of the firing mechanism is completely internal, thereby allowing the device to be water resistant.

Background Information A pyrotechnic signalling device generally comprises a sealed tube which contains a material which is to be projected (for example, in the case of a flare launcher, a material which will ignite and burn brightly once it reaches a specified point), a propellant and a primer, closed at one end by a casing designed so as to ignite the primer when struck by a firing pin.

The invention described and claimed herein comprises a novel safety device comprising a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher in a single unit. In a preferred embodiment, the combined device comprises a novel firing mechanism, the cocking element of which is completely internal, thereby allowing the device to be made water resistant. The invention will be described with reference to a preferred embodiment wherein the pyrotechnic signalling

device launcher is a flare launcher.

Two valuable safety tools are a flashlight and a flare launcher. For example, Coast Guard regulations require that both devices be carried on certain vessels subject to their jurisdiction. Important elements in designing and stocking an emergency kit are space and portability. Thus, combining two valuable tools such as a flashlight and a flare launcher is desireable.

The same considerations apply to other safety or emergency situations, for example rescue operations. Not only is there a premium on space and portability, but there may be a further premium on the ability of a user to operate multiple devices with one hand, as for example, when the user's other hand is occupied with assisting a rescue victim or maintaining another rescue device such as a rope.

Further, there is a premium on accessability; being able to launch a flare without having to put down a flashlight and search for a flare launcher may reduce response time by life- saving seconds or minutes. Consider the example of a hiker lost at night and traveling by flashlight. Upon hearing a rescue plane, the hiker could fire a location flare within seconds, without needing to put aside the flashlight and look for a flare launcher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing advantages are provided by a device combining a flashlight and pyrotechnic signalling device launcher in a single unit.

The device comprises two compartments: a first compartment suitable for carrying the components of a standard flashlight (i. e, batteries, a light bulb and wiring), and a second

compartment suitable for carrying a pyrotechnic signalling device and further comprising firing means for firing the pyrotechnic signalling device. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an essentially cylindrical housing carrying the aforementioned compartments and further comprises a water resistant flashlight switch; and the firing means comprises an internal cocking mechanism which is cocked by rotating one segment of the device with respect to a second segment of the device.

It is an object of the invention to provide, in a single unit, a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a single unit which is water resistant.

A principal feature of the invention is the combination of a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher in a single unit.

Another principal feature of the invention is the combination in a single water resistant unit.

Another principal feature of the invention is an internal, water resistant cocking mechanism for the pyrotechnic signalling device launcher.

Among the advantages of the invention are portability, ease of use, water resistance and therefore improved reliability over non-water resistant units.

These and other objects, features and advantages which will be apparent from the discussion which follows are achieved, in accordance with the invention, by providing a novel safety device comprising a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher in a single unit. In a preferred embodiment, the combined device comprises a novel firing mechanism with

internal cocking means.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objects, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and still other objects of this invention will become apparent, along with various advantages and features of novelty residing in the present embodiments, from study of the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cutaway side view of the device showing its principle components.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the components of the novel pyrotechnic signalling device launcher section of the device.

Figure 3 is a top view of the firing mechanism of the device, showing the details of construction of the safety mechanism of the trigger chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the invention is a novel safety device comprising a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher in a single unit. In a preferred embodiment, the combined device comprises a novel, internal cocking and firing mechanism.

Referring to Figure 1 for an overview, conceptually the device comprises two functional sections within a common housing (1), said common housing preferably being essentially cylindrical.

The first section is a flashlight section (100) comprising a receptacle for a flashlight bulb (110), a battery compartment (120) suitable for holding one or more batteries (130) for powering a flashlight bulb in receptacle (110) and a switch (140) for controlling power from the batteries (130) to the receptacle (110) and thereby to the bulb. In a preferred embodiment, switch (140) is actuated by button (150) which is separated from the switch (140) by a water resistant membrane (160), thereby improving water resistance of the device.

The second section is a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher section (200), defined by the common housing (1) but separated from the flashlight section (100) by a divider (199), said divider preferably being separably coupled to said device launcher section (200) and/or said flashlight section (100) so as to allow access to the battery compartment (120), said second section comprising three releasably coupled segments illustrated in Figure 2: a cocking segment (21), a firing mechanism (220), and a pyrotechnic signalling device compartment (230) suitable for holding a pyrotechnic signalling device. These three segments are preferably releasably coupled by screw threads Still referring to Figure 2, cocking segment (210) is preferably a tube, a first end of which is closed by divider (199) and a second end of which is threaded to couple to firing mechanism (220), enclosing a cocking chamber (211) for carrying a firing spring (300). Said cocking chamber (211) is essentially circular in cross-section and stepped when viewed longitudinally. Such a chamber may be constructed by boring a solid cylinder partially through with one size bit, then boring said cylinder completely through with a second size, smaller, bit. Cocking chamber (211) thus has a lip (212)

suitable for engaging a firing pin catch (402) (described below) The firing mechanism (220) comprises a tube, a first end (221) of which is threaded so as to couple to the threaded second end of cocking segment (210) and a second end (222) of which is threaded so as to couple to pyrotechnic signalling device compartment (230), enclosing a firing pin chamber (223) suitable for carrying a firing pin (400) and, at right angles to said firing pin chamber (223) a trigger chamber (224) suitable for carrying a trigger (500), a sear (600) and a trigger spring (700). Preferably, the trigger (500) and trigger chamber (224) are configured so as to act as a safety as well, as described below.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the firing pin comprises a rod with a stepped flat sear stop (403), terminating at a first end in a striker (401) suitable for detonating a pyrotechnic signalling device upon impact and at a second end in a flat shoulder (405). (Alternatively, a second stepped flat sear stop may be added to limit the forward travel of the striker.) Attached at or near said second end is a firing pin catch (402) of sufficiently small diameter to fit within cocking chamber (211), but of sufficiently large diameter that it cannot pass lip (212). A slot (404) is cut through the firing pin (400) along its long axis and perpindicular to the flat sear stop (403).

The trigger spring (700) is inserted into the trigger chamber (224) from above. The firing pin (400) is then inserted through the cocking chamber (211) and into the firing pin chamber (223) with the striker (401) facing the pyrotechnic signalling device compartment (230), and with the sear stop (403) facing down (away from the trigger). The firing spring (300) is then inserted, bearing on the shoulder (405) of the firing pin (400) and is compressed between the firing pin catch (402) and divider (199) (or alternatively by a plug

inserted into the open end of the cocking chamber).

The trigger (500) is then inserted through the firing pin slot (404) and the sear (600) is attached to the trigger (500) below the firing pin slot (404); the sear (600) and lower portion of the trigger (500) are then inserted into trigger chamber (224). So positioned, the sear (600) is pressed up by the trigger spring (700).

The pyrotechnic signalling device compartment (230) comprises a tube, suitable for carrying a pyrotechnic signalling device, a first end (231) of which is threaded so as to couple to the threaded second end (222) of the firing mechanism, and a second end (232) of which permits exit of the pyrotechnic signalling device when launched. Said second end (232) may either be open or covered with a material which is either removable prior to launching or which can be penetrated easily when the pyrotechnic signalling device is launched.

In a preferred embodiment, the trigger (500) is provided with a simple safety device as follows. The trigger (500) comprises an essentially cylindrical rod having a first or user end (501), which is depressed by the user to fire the Pyrotechnic signalling device, a second or sear end (502) which is connected to the sear (600), and a safety pin (503) perpindicular to the axis defined by said first and second ends. The safety pin (503) may be made easily by drilling a hole in the cylindrical rod and inserting a spring-loaded pin.

A safety shelf (225) is created in trigger chamber (224) by partially boring a slight enlargement of the trigger chamber.

The trigger may then be rotated such that the safety pin (503) rests against the safety shelf (225), thereby preventing the trigger (500) from being depressed sufficiently to release the sear (600), i. e., the"safe"position", or rotated such that the safety pin (503) clears the safety shelf (225), thereby permitting the trigger (500) to be depressed sufficiently to release the sear (600) thereby allowing the firing pin (400)

to strike the pyrotechnic signalling device. Referring to Figure 3, the safety shelf (225) may be created by selecting a suitable size drill bit and drilling a first segment to a first depth so as to create an enlargement of trigger chamber (224), said first depth being insufficient to permit the trigger (500) to be depressed far enough to release the sear (600), then drilling a second segment (226) to a second depth so as to create a second enlargement to trigger chamber (224), overlapping the first segment so as to create a cusp (227), but said second depth being sufficient to permit the trigger (500) to be depressed far enought to release the sear (600).

By springloading the safety pin (503), an additional degree of safety is provided since the trigger (500) will"click"into either the"safe"or"fire"position when rotated, and will be held in the selected position by the cusp (227).

Operation of the invention will now be explained. The flashlight section operates as a conventional flashlight.

Access to the battery compartment (120) for changing batteries is preferably provided by separable coupling means (198) between the battery compartment (120) and divider (199), for example, standard threading or bayonet mount coupling.

A pyrotechnic signalling device is loaded into the pyrotechnic signalling device launcher section (200) by placing the device in a safe condition (either by releasing tension on the firing spring (300) or by setting the trigger to the"safety" position), uncoupling (in the preferred embodiment, by unscrewing) pyrotechnic signalling device chamber (230), placing a pyrotechnic signalling device in said chamber (230) and recoupling said chamber securely.

The device is cocked by rotating cocking segment (210) with respect to firing mechanism (220) (in the preferred embodiment, by unscrewing), causing lip (212) to pull against firing pin catch (402) until the firing pin (400) is withdrawn sufficiently to be engaged by the sear (600) under pressure

from trigger spring (700), thereby placing it in the cocked position. Once cocked, the cocking segment (210) and firing mechanism (220) are returned to their initial, secured, position (in the preferred embodiment, by screwing), thereby improving water resistance. Once cocked, the device should be placed in the"safe"condition as described above.

Prior to firing, second end (232) of the pyrotechnic signalling device chamber must be clear. The device is fired by placing the trigger (500) in the fire position, then depressing the trigger (500), thereby causing the sear (600) to disengage from the firing pin, allowing firing spring (300) to propel firing pin (400) forward so that striker (401) contacts the pyrotechnic signalling device, thereby causing the pyrotechnic signalling device to launch.

Thus, there has been described a novel safety device comprising a flashlight and a pyrotechnic signalling device launcher in a single unit. In a preferred embodiment, the combined device comprises a novel, internal cocking and firing mechanism.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles and that various modifications, alternate constructions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. Thus, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described herein, but is defined by the appended claims.