It is known in the technical sector of emergency lighting that there exists the need for light sources able to emit light without connection to the electric mains.

It is also known that numerous types of portable torches have been designed for this purpose, said torches envisaging the use of both rechargeable and disposable batteries able to supply power until depleted.

Although performing their function, these torches of the known type nevertheless have certain drawbacks due to the fact that the batteries housed inside them are prone to deteriorate, in particular if not used for long periods, and therefore need to be replaced by new batteries (which are in turn subject to the same drawbacks) or require access to a power source for recharging, which possibility is normally not available or available only to a limited degree in the emergency conditions for which portable torches are designed.

The technical problem which is posed, therefore, is that of providing a device for powering light sources which is able to supply electric power without the need for auxiliary sources such as batteries and the like.

Within the context of this problem it is furthermore required that this device should be easy and inexpensive to produce and assemble, should not required maintenance in view of the intended use and

may be designed with small dimensions so that it can be associated with portable or pocket-size light sources.

It is also required that the device should be able to be operated in a simple and obvious manner also by non- specialized users.

This technical problem is solved according to the present invention by an electric power generating device comprising magnetic means rotating inside electromagnetic means, means for rotationally actuating said magnetic means and means for fast storage and slow release of the power generated.

The present invention also relates to a torch equipped with said power generating device.

Further details and characteristic features will emerge from the following description of a non-limiting example of embodiment of the device according to the invention provided with reference to the accompanying figures in which: - Figure 1 shows a view of a torch equipped with the power generating device according to the present invention; - Figure 2 shows a cross-section along an axial plane of the torch according to Fig. 1; - Figure 3 shows a front view of a second example of embodiment of the means for operating the generating device; - Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section along the plane indicated by IV-IV in Fig. 3; and - Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a further example of embodiment of the means for operating the power generator.

As shown in Fig. 1, a torch according to the present invention comprises a container body 10-in the example substantially cylindrical shaped-the opposite end faces of which (referred to for the sake of

convenience of the description as"front"and"rear") are respectively connected to a seat 13 which supports a lens 11 with associated light source 12 and a ring 21 forming the means for actuating the device 20 generating power to be supplied to the light source 12.

In greater detail (Fig. 2) said power generating device 20 comprises a magnet 22 integral with a support piece 23 in turn keyed onto a longitudinal pin 23a, the opposite front and rear ends of which projecting from the support piece are respectively mounted idle on a shaft 24 and on a bearing 27.

In a preferred embodiment, said support piece 23 has a cylindrical shape and the magnet 22 is coaxially arranged on its side surface.

Said shaft 24 is able to be coupled, in a conventional manner, to said ring 21 which is idle with respect to the casing 10 and is therefore able to rotate relative to the latter, causing rotation of the said shaft which has a toothed flange 24a able to mesh with a gear-up device 25 consisting of a train of gears 25a, 25b, 25c arranged between the said support piece and a tail portion 23b extending axially from the rear of the support piece 23 and provided with a set of end teeth 23c.

The magnet 22 is coaxially housed inside a volume which is circumferentially delimited by the pole shoes 26a which, by means of suitable fixing means such as rivets 26b, are fixed and connected to a winding 26. The whole assembly described is kept axially seated by means of said end bearing 27 integral with the casing 10.

Electrical connections 30 extend from the winding 26 and connect the electric power generating device to the light source 11; these connections comprise wires 31 for connecting the negative and positive poles of the

winding to a capacitor 32 in turn connected to an electronic circuit 33 controlling the light source 12.

The operating principle of the torch is as follows: - rotationally actuating the ring 21 causes rotation of the shaft 24; - said shaft 24, by means of the gear-up device 25, actuates the train of gears 25a, 25b, 25c of the gear-up device 25; - said gear-up device 25, meshing with the tail portion 23a of the support piece 23, causes rotation thereof and hence of the magnet 22; - rotation of the magnet 22 inside the pole shoes 26a, which are made of ferromagnetic material, causes the formation of induced currents; - said induced currents charge the capacitor 32 via the winding 26 and the wires 31; - said capacitor, in turn, releases its charge and supplies power to the light source 12 which emits light.

By correctly designing the dimensions of the various parts it is possible to ensure that charging of the capacitor is practically instantaneous and occurs as a result of a few rotations or fractions of a rotation of the ring 21 operated by the user, while discharging of the said capacitor may be gradual so as to obtain a sufficiently long time interval to allow supplying of light by the light source 21.

It is envisaged that numerous equivalent variants of the various component parts may be realized as for example shown in Fig. 3 where it is envisaged that the ring 121 has an extractable lever 121a provided with a grip 121b for facilitating rotational operation by the user.

In a further embodiment schematically shown in Fig. 5 it is envisaged that the ring 221 comprises a pulley

222 mounted on a pin 222b with the arrangement of a pre-tensioned coil spring 223 in between. A cord 224 with a gripping ring 224a is wound around the pulley so that an axial pulling force exerted by the user on the ring 224a causes unwinding of the cord and rotation of the pulley and therefore the ring 221; once the ring 224a is released, the spring 223 recalls the pulley, rewinding the cord which is prepared for a new cycle.

It is envisaged, moreover, that the light source may be of the conventional filament type or LED (light emitter diode) type which has the advantage of requiring a smaller amount of energizing power for the same amount of light emitted and having a longer life, therefore not requiring the use of replacement parts.

It can be seen therefore how, with the power generating mechanism according to the invention, it is possible to design lighting apparatus without the need for storage batteries, said apparatus being always available and effective, having small dimensions and a low weight, without the need for maintenance, as well as being able to be operated easily and without notable effort by non-specialized users such as elderly people and/or children.