Wrappable flashlight

Abstract

This invention provides an elongated flexible member that is capable of being formed into a plurality of differing shapes so that it can be supported at a variety of locations and has retaining means for retaining it in a desired shape so that a holder connected to one end thereof can hold a flashlight at any desired position relative thereto.

1. A device for holding a flashlight at a desired location comprising:
 an elongated flexible member capable of being moved into a plurality of differing shapes;    retaining means for retaining said elongated flexible member in a desired shape;    holding means connected to an end portion of said elongated flexible member for holding a flashlight at a desired location;    attachment means comprising a portion of said elongated flexible member itself for attaching said elongated flexible member on a fixed object; and wherein said attachment means comprise:    a central body section, a male end section, an externally threaded end section and a longitudinal axis; and    said male end section having an outer surface having a configuration similar to that of said male end portion of said segment.    
     
     
       2. A device as in  claim 1  and further comprising:
 connecting means for connecting said holding means to said end portion of said elongated flexible member to permit relative angular and rotational movement between said holding means and the remaining portion of said elongated flexible member.    
     
     
       3. A device as in  claim 1  wherein said holding means comprises:
 a member having a generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration and a longitudinal axis; and    said member having an arcuate extent greater than  180  degrees and having spaced apart terminal end portions.    
     
     
       4. A device as in  claim 3  wherein:
 said member being formed from a resilient material so that said terminal end portions may be spread apart as said flashlight is inserted therein and function to resile back and exert a resilient force on said flashlight to hold it at a desired location.    
     
     
       5. A device as in  claim 4  wherein:
 said elongated flexible member comprises a plurality of interconnected segments.    
     
     
       6. A device as in  claim 5  wherein each of said segments comprises:
 a central body portion, a male end portion, a female end portion and a longitudinal axis.    
     
     
       7. A device as in  claim 6  wherein:
 said male end portion having an outer surface comprising a frustum of a sphere; and    said female end portion having an inner surface comprising a frustum of a sphere and dimensioned to receive said male end portion to permit relative movement between interconnected segments so that their longitudinal axes are either in or out of alignment and permits unrestricted rotational movement therebetween.    
     
     
       8. A device as in  claim 7  wherein said retaining means comprise:
 frictional forces between said outer and inner surfaces when said male end portion is within said female end portion to retain interconnected segments in the shape to which they have been moved.    
     
     
       9. A device as in  claim 8  wherein: each of said segments is formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
       10. A device as in  claim 1  wherein:
 said central body section having an outer surface configuration for receiving a tool for rotating said attachment means.    
     
     
       11. A method for positioning a light beam, comprising:
 (a) providing an elongated flexible member, that includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments, engaging a portable electric light, the light being electrically connected to a portable power source; and    (b) wrapping at least a portion of the elongated flexible member around an object to position the light.   
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the elongated flexible member is positioned between the light and the power source. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the light is located at an end of the elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the power source is connected to an end of the elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the light and power source are removably connected to said elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein said wrapping step comprises:
 forming said at least a portion of said elongated flexible member into a loop around said object.   
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein after said wrapping step said elongated flexible member is in a desired shape and further comprising:
 maintaining said elongated flexible member in said desired shape.   
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments includes a passage extending therethrough and a male end and a female end. 
     
     
       19. A method for positioning a light beam in a desired orientation, comprising:
 (a) providing (i) a portable electric light electrically connected to a portable power source with (ii) an elongated flexible member, the elongated flexible member including a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments; and    (b) wrapping at least a portion of the elongated flexible member around an object to position the light in a desired orientation.   
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the elongated flexible member is positioned between the light and the power source. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the light is located at an end of the elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the power source is located at an end of the elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 19 , wherein each of said plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments include a male end and a female end and the light and power source are removably connected to said elongated flexible manner. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said wrapping step comprises:
 forming said at least a portion of said elongated flexible member into a loop around said object.   
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 19 , wherein after said wrapping step said elongated flexible member is in a desired shape and further comprising:
 maintaining said elongated flexible member in said desired shape.   
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments comprises a passage extending therethrough. 
     
     
       27. A method for providing hands-free lighting to a desired area, comprising:
 (a) wrapping an elongated flexible manner around an object, wherein the elongated flexible member includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments;    (b) positioning a portable electric light and portable power source for the light, both of which are attached to the elongated flexible member, in a desired orientation.   
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the elongated flexible member is positioned between the light and the power source. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the light is located at an end of the elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the power source is connected to an end of the elongated flexible manner. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the light power source are removably connected to said elongated flexible member. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 27 , wherein said wrapping step comprises:
 forming said at least a portion of said elongated flexible member into a loop around said object.   
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 27 , wherein after said wrapping step and elongated flexible member is in a desired shape and further comprising:
 maintaining said elongated flexible member in said desired shape.   
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 27 , wherein each of the plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments comprises a passage extending therethrough and a male end and a female end.