Handle attachment for flashlight to form baton

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle ( 10 a ) for attaching to a flashlight ( 8 ) to form a baton ( 6 ). The flashlight ( 8 ) is of the type comprising a switch ( 2 ) for activating the flashlight light. The handle ( 10 a ) comprises a handle body ( 20 a ), attachment means for attaching said handle body ( 20 a ) to a flashlight ( 8 ), and an actuator fitted to said handle body ( 20 a ). When the handle body ( 20 a ) is attached to the flashlight ( 8 ) such that said actuator is positioned in register with the switch ( 2 ), actuation of the actuator will actuate the switch ( 2 ). A baton ( 6 ) comprising the handle ( 10 a ), a kit for forming the baton ( 6 ) and a method for forming the baton ( 6 ) are also provided.

1 . A handle for attaching to a flashlight to form a baton, the flashlight being of the type comprising a switch for activating the light of the flashlight, said handle comprising: 
 a handle body;    attachment means for attaching said handle body to a flashlight; and    an actuator fitted to said handle body and operable at a free end of said handle body, wherein when said handle body is attached to said flashlight such that said actuator is positioned in register with said switch, actuation of said actuator will actuate said switch.    
   
   
       2 . A handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said switch is a press-button switch which is actuated when said actuator presses said switch.  
   
   
       3 . A handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator is contained within said handle body.  
   
   
       4 . A handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said actuator returns to a standby position after said actuator actuates said switch.  
   
   
       5 . A handle as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said actuator comprises a spring for returning said actuator to said standby position.  
   
   
       6 . A handle as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said actuator comprises an actuator rod that can be positioned directly over said press-button switch when said handle body is attached to said flashlight.  
   
   
       7 . A handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said attachment means comprises a clamping collar.  
   
   
       8 . A handle as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said collar has a switch access hole such that a user can access the flashlight switch with a finger when the switch access hole is co-incident with the switch.  
   
   
       9 . A handle as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said collar is integrally formed with said handle body and there is further provided a slit on each of two opposing sides of said handle body, each slit extending radially outward from the inner surface of said collar along said handle such that said flashlight is clamped within said collar when said slits are narrowed through compression thereby attaching said handle body to said flashlight.  
   
   
       10 . A baton comprising: 
 a flashlight comprising a switch for activating the flashlight; and    a detachable handle attached to said flashlight to form a baton; said handle comprising a handle body, attachment means for attaching said handle body to a flashlight, and an actuator fitted to said handle body and operable at a free end of said handle body; wherein when said handle body is attached to said flashlight such that said actuator is positioned in register with said switch, actuation of said actuator will actuate said switch.    
   
   
       11 . A baton as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said switch is a press-button switch which is actuated when said actuator presses said switch.  
   
   
       12 . A baton as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said actuator returns to a standby position after said actuator presses said press-button switch.  
   
   
       13 . A baton as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said actuator comprises an actuator rod that can be positioned directly over said press-button switch when said handle body is attached to said flashlight.  
   
   
       14 . A baton as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said attachment means comprises a clamping collar.  
   
   
       15 . A baton as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said collar is integrally formed with said handle body and there is further provided a slit on each of two opposing sides of said handle body, each slit extending radially outward from the inner surface of said collar along said handle such that said flashlight is clamped within said collar when said slits are narrowed through compression thereby attaching said handle body to said flashlight.  
   
   
       16 . A kit for forming a baton, said kit comprising: 
 a flashlight comprising a switch for activating the flashlight; and    a handle for attaching to said flashlight to form a baton; said handle comprising a handle body, attachment means for attaching said handle body to a flashlight, and an actuator fitted to said handle body and operable at a free end of said handle body; wherein when said handle body is attached to said flashlight such that said actuator is positioned in register with said switch, actuation of said actuator will actuate said switch.    
   
   
       17 . A kit as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said switch is a press-button switch which is actuated when said actuator presses said switch.  
   
   
       18 . A kit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said actuator returns to a standby position after said actuator presses said press-button switch.  
   
   
       19 . A kit as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said actuator comprises an actuator rod that can be positioned directly over said press-button switch when said handle body is attached to said flashlight.  
   
   
       20 . A kit as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said attachment means comprises a clamping collar.  
   
   
       21 . A kit as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said collar is integrally formed with said handle body and there is further provided a slit on each of two opposing sides of said handle body, each slit extending radially outward from the inner surface of said collar along said handle such that said flashlight is clamped within said collar when said slits are narrowed through compression thereby attaching said handle body to said flashlight.  
   
   
       22 . A method for forming a baton from a flashlight and a handle; the flashlight comprising a switch for activating the flashlight light; said handle comprising a handle body, attachment means for attaching said handle body to a flashlight, and an actuator fitted to said handle body and operable at a free end of said handle body; said method comprising: 
 attaching said handle body to said flashlight using said attachment means such that said actuator is positioned in register with said switch, wherein actuation of said actuator will actuate said switch.    
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said switch is a press-button switch which is actuated when said actuator presses said switch.  
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said actuator returns to a standby position after said actuator presses said press-button switch.  
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein said actuator comprises an actuator rod that can be positioned directly over said press-button switch when said handle body is attached to said flashlight.  
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said attachment means comprises a clamping collar.  
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said collar is integrally formed with said handle body and there is further provided a slit on each of two opposing sides of said handle body, each slit extending radially outward from the inner surface of said collar along said handle such that said flashlight is clamped within said collar when said slits are narrowed through compression thereby attaching said handle body to said flashlight.  
   
   
       28 . A handle for attaching to a flashlight to form a baton, the flashlight being of the type comprising a switch for activating the light of the flashlight, said handle comprising 
 a handle body; and    attachment means for attaching said handle body to the flashlight, said attachment means comprising a collar;    wherein said collar has a switch access hole such that a user can access and actuate the flashlight switch with a finger when the switch access hole is co-incident with the switch.