Flashlight firestarter

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided . . . a flashlight firestarter that includes an illumination source, an electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials, and a firestarting element protective cap that includes a magnetic insert, all housed in a hollow multi-section cylindrical body. The firestarting element protective cap can be magnetically attached to the base of the invention for storage during operation of the firestarting element. Battery supplied electrons are directed through a component cylinder that works in conjunction with other elements of the invention to form a high current, cylindrical, multi-contact, low friction, auto-isolation switching mechanism. The flashlight firestarter also includes safety and reference channels that are used as both visual and tactile references during operation and are also used to house an onboard safety clip that prevents operation of the flashlight firestarter during storage or transport.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flashlight firestarter for providing light, and igniting combustible materials, comprising:
 means for igniting combustible materials using an electrically heated firestarting element;   means for providing a non-conductive element to mount individual switching components that collectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism;   means for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels;   means for providing a safety stop that is mechanically inserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-on reference channels and can be storable in the safety clip storage channel during operation of the flashlight firestarter;   means for providing protection for firestarting element during non use or storage that is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent loss when removed to allow operation of the firestarting element;   means for providing a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electrically conductive, threadably connected to said means for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels, and threadably coupled to said means for providing a non-conductive element to mount individual switching components that collectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism;   means for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements, sealably coupled to said means for providing a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electrically conductive;   means for providing visible or infra red light, removably held to said means for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements;   means for providing a frictional force to securely hold LED in place and allow quick replacement of led, removably held to said means for providing visible or infra red light, and removably screwed to said means for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements;   means for providing mechanism to secure top housing insert to top housing and allow electrical conductivity between the top housing insert and top housing, securely held to said means for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements, and threadably inserted to said means for providing a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electrically conductive;   means for providing a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, and batteries;   means for providing both electrical insulation and a mechanical housing for the main positive terminal while allowing free 360 rotation of the main positive terminal, threadably coupled to said means for providing a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, and batteries, and threadably coupled to said means for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels; and   means for providing a cap for the battery housing that allows electrical conductivity between the battery cap and battery housing and able to magnetically receive the firestarting element protective cap for storage while flashlight firestarter is operated, threadably coupled to said means for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels.   
     
     
         2 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for igniting combustible materials using an electrically heated firestarting element comprises a non-consumable, electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials, high temperature, large surface area, coiled nichrome wire, water proof, maintenence free, self cleaning, lithium ion battery powered firestarting element. 
     
     
         3 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a non-conductive element to mount individual switching components that collectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism comprises an electrically non-conductive housing, ball spring mechanism, retractable electrical contact, firestarting element positive screw terminal, LED positive terminal, contact spring, oversized screw driver slot for easy insertion, silent operating component switching cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels comprises an electrically conductive metal, flashlight-on reference channel, flashlight-off reference channel, firestarter-on reference channel, safety clip locking channel, o-ring channel, set screw, knurled for grip battery housing. 
     
     
         5 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a safety stop that is mechanically inserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-on reference channels and can be storable in the safety clip storage channel during operation of the flashlight firestarter comprises a spring steel, can be worn like ring when not in use safety clip, having an edge that can be used to condition wild tinderr. 
     
     
         6 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing protection for firestarting element during non use or storage that is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent loss when removed to allow operation of the firestarting element comprises a neodymium magnetic insert, removable magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal magnetic insert, threaded, heat resistant, able to magnetize, knurled for grip, metal firestarting element protective cap. 
     
     
         7 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electrically conductive comprises an electrically conductive metal, o-ring channel, threaded, knurled top housing. 
     
     
         8 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements comprises a threaded nipple, extended appendage that houses firestarting element, extended appendage that houses ceramic insert that acts as a thermal and electric insulator, houses LED, electrically conductive metal, houses ground screw, o-ring channel top housing insert. 
     
     
         9 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing visible or infra red light comprises a source of visible light, source of infrared light, press fit for quick removal and water tight seal, removably held by LED set screw, water tight led. 
     
     
         10 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a frictional force to securely hold LED in place and allow quick replacement of led comprises a threaded, quick removal LED set screw. 
     
     
         11 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing mechanism to secure top housing insert to top housing and allow electrical conductivity between the top housing insert and top housing comprises an electrically conductive, threaded top housing set screw. 
     
     
         12 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, and batteries comprises a rotatable around longitudinal axis, electrically conductive material, recessed channel to accommodate set screw main positive terminal. 
     
     
         13 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing both electrical insulation and a mechanical housing for the main positive terminal while allowing free 360 rotation of the main positive terminal comprises a non electrically conductive, channel riding set screw main positive terminal housing. 
     
     
         14 . The flashlight firestarter in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for providing a cap for the battery housing that allows electrical conductivity between the battery cap and battery housing and able to magnetically receive the firestarting element protective cap for storage while flashlight firestarter is operated comprises an electrically conductive metal, second neodymium magnetic insert, second magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal second magnetic insert, battery spring, knurled for grip battery cap. 
     
     
         15 . A flashlight firestarter for providing light, and igniting combustible materials, comprising:
 a non-consumable, electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials, high temperature, large surface area, coiled nichrome wire, water proof, maintenence free, self cleaning, lithium ion battery powered firestarting element, for igniting combustible materials using an electrically heated firestarting element;   an electrically non-conductive housing, ball spring mechanism, retractable electrical contact, firestarting element positive screw terminal, LED positive terminal, contact spring, oversized screw driver slot for easy insertion, silent operating component switching cylinder, for providing a non-conductive element to mount individual switching components that collectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism;   an electrically conductive metal, flashlight-on reference channel, flashlight-off reference channel, firestarter-on reference channel, safety clip locking channel, o-ring channel, set screw, knurled for grip battery housing, for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels;   a spring steel, can be worn like ring when not in use safety clip, having an edge that can be used to condition wild tinderr, for providing a safety stop that is mechanically inserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-on reference channels and can be storable in the safety clip storage channel during operation of the flashlight firestarter;   a neodymium magnetic insert, removable magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal magnetic insert, threaded, heat resistant, able to magnetize, knurled for grip, metal firestarting element protective cap, for providing protection for firestarting element during non use or storage that is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent loss when removed to allow operation of the firestarting element;   an electrically conductive metal, o-ring channel, threaded, knurled top housing, for providing a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electrically conductive, threadably connected to said battery housing, and threadably coupled to said component switching cylinder;   a threaded nipple, extended appendage that houses firestarting element, extended appendage that houses ceramic insert that acts as a thermal and electric insulator, houses LED, electrically conductive metal, houses ground screw, o-ring channel top housing insert, for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements, sealably coupled to said top housing;   a source of visible light, source of infrared light, press fit for quick removal and water tight seal, removably held by LED set screw, water tight led, for providing visible or infra red light, removably held to said top housing insert;   a threaded, quick removal LED set screw, for providing a frictional force to securely hold LED in place and allow quick replacement of led, removably held to said LED, and removably screwed to said top housing insert;   an electrically conductive, threaded top housing set screw, for providing mechanism to secure top housing insert to top housing and allow electrical conductivity between the top housing insert and top housing, securely held to said top housing insert, and threadably inserted to said top housing;   a rotatable around longitudinal axis, electrically conductive material, recessed channel to accommodate set screw main positive terminal, for providing a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, and batteries;   a non electrically conductive, channel riding set screw main positive terminal housing, for providing both electrical insulation and a mechanical housing for the main positive terminal while allowing free 360 rotation of the main positive terminal, threadably coupled to said main positive terminal, and threadably coupled to said battery housing; and   an electrically conductive metal, second neodymium magnetic insert, second magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal second magnetic insert, battery spring, knurled for grip battery cap, for providing a cap for the battery housing that allows electrical conductivity between the battery cap and battery housing and able to magnetically receive the firestarting element protective cap for storage while flashlight firestarter is operated, threadably coupled to said battery housing.   
     
     
         16 . A flashlight firestarter for providing light, and igniting combustible materials, comprising:
 a non-consumable, electrically heated ignition source for igniting combustible materials, high temperature, large surface area, coiled nichrome wire, water proof, maintenence free, self cleaning, lithium ion battery powered firestarting element, for igniting combustible materials using an electrically heated firestarting element;   an electrically non-conductive housing, ball spring mechanism, retractable electrical contact, firestarting element positive screw terminal, LED positive terminal, contact spring, oversized screw driver slot for easy insertion, silent operating component switching cylinder, for providing a non-conductive element to mount individual switching components that collectively comprise a rotatable multi-contact, low friction, high current, mechanical flashlight firestarter auto-isolation switching mechanism;   an electrically conductive metal, flashlight-on reference channel, flashlight-off reference channel, firestarter-on reference channel, safety clip locking channel, o-ring channel, set screw, knurled for grip battery housing, for providing a housing for batteries and main positive terminal housing that is marked with permanently machined operating reference channels and safety clip channels;   a spring steel, can be worn like ring when not in use safety clip, having an edge that can be used to condition wild tinderr, for providing a safety stop that is mechanically inserted into the flashlight-on or firestarting-on reference channels and can be storable in the safety clip storage channel during operation of the flashlight firestarter;   a neodymium magnetic insert, removable magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal magnetic insert, threaded, heat resistant, able to magnetize, knurled for grip, metal firestarting element protective cap, for providing protection for firestarting element during non use or storage that is magnetically attachable to battery cap to prevent loss when removed to allow operation of the firestarting element;   an electrically conductive metal, o-ring channel, threaded, knurled top housing, for providing a component switching cylinder and top housing insert housing that is electrically conductive, threadably connected to said battery housing, and threadably coupled to said component switching cylinder;   a threaded nipple, extended appendage that houses firestarting element, extended appendage that houses ceramic insert that acts as a thermal and electric insulator, houses LED, electrically conductive metal, houses ground screw, o-ring channel top housing insert, for providing an appendaged structure to house flashlight and firestarting electrical elements, sealably coupled to said top housing;   a source of visible light, source of infrared light, press fit for quick removal and water tight seal, removably held by LED set screw, water tight led, for providing visible or infra red light, removably held to said top housing insert;   a threaded, quick removal LED set screw, for providing a frictional force to securely hold LED in place and allow quick replacement of led, removably held to said LED, and removably screwed to said top housing insert;   an electrically conductive, threaded top housing set screw, for providing mechanism to secure top housing insert to top housing and allow electrical conductivity between the top housing insert and top housing, securely held to said top housing insert, and threadably inserted to said top housing;   a rotatable around longitudinal axis, electrically conductive material, recessed channel to accommodate set screw main positive terminal, for providing a rotatable conductive terminal that reduces friction and electrically connects the main positive terminal, to the firestarting element positive screw, and batteries;   a non electrically conductive, channel riding set screw main positive terminal housing, for providing both electrical insulation and a mechanical housing for the main positive terminal while allowing free 360 rotation of the main positive terminal, threadably coupled to said main positive terminal, and threadably coupled to said battery housing; and   an electrically conductive metal, second neodymium magnetic insert, second magnet retainer, small diameter hole at tip to reveal second magnetic insert, battery spring, knurled for grip battery cap, for providing a cap for the battery housing that allows electrical conductivity between the battery cap and battery housing and able to magnetically receive the firestarting element protective cap for storage while flashlight firestarter is operated, threadably coupled to said battery housing.