Penlight

Abstract

To provide a penlight which can exchange translucent parts simply and quickly while drop of a translucent part in use is prevented.SOLUTION: In a penlight 1 provided with a grip part 10 and a translucent part 100, the translucent part 100 includes: a projecting insertion part 100 configuring a connection part with the grip part 10; and engaged parts 121, 122 provided for the insertion part 110. The grip part 10 includes: a reception part 13 capable of receiving the insertion part 110; movable engagement parts 51, 52 engageable with the engaged parts 121, 122; a movement mechanism 60 for moving the engagement parts 51, 52 between an engaging position and a disengaging position; energizing means 90 which imparts to the movement mechanism 60 an energizing force in the direction in which the engagement parts 51, 52 are moved to the engaging position; an operation part 22 capable of pressing operation of the movement mechanism 60 in the direction in which the engagement parts 51, 52 are moved to the disengaging position against the energizing force of the energizing means 90; and a lock mechanism 30 capable of locking the operation part 22 at a non-operation position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a penlight having a grip portion and a light-transmitting portion. [Background technology]

[0002] At events such as concerts, penlights are sometimes used that have a stick-shaped handle and a light-transmitting part connected to the tip of the handle. In this type of penlight, light is emitted from a light source such as an LED provided at the tip of the handle through the light-transmitting part to the outside.

[0003] The shape of the light-transmitting part varies, and in addition to a simple stick shape, heart-shaped, star-shaped, and other light-transmitting parts are also widely known. The surface of the light-transmitting part may also be decorated with letters and patterns using, for example, a film or a sticker. In particular, penlights with designs related to a specific artist or character (a so-called "oshi") on the light-transmitting part are often used at events where the artist or character appears.

[0004] In many penlights, the light-transmitting part is fixed to the grip part so that it cannot be removed. In this case, in order to use multiple light-transmitting parts with different designs, it is necessary to purchase a whole penlight for each design, which is a problem of high expenses. In addition, there is also the problem that spectators attending an event where multiple favorite idols are performing must carry multiple penlights in order to use a different penlight for each favorite idol.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a penlight in which the base end of a light-transmitting part is screwed into the tip of a grip. In such a screw-in type penlight, the light-transmitting part is unlikely to come off the grip even when it is swung around during use, and the light-transmitting part can be attached and detached as needed. Therefore, if the specifications of the screw part are standardized for multiple light-transmitting parts with different designs, it becomes possible to replace only the light-transmitting part as needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-032716 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned screw-in type penlight, the task of attaching and detaching the light-transmitting part by rotating it around the grip part many times is troublesome and time-consuming, which makes it difficult to replace the light-transmitting part in a timely manner according to the progress of the event in a crowded venue.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS An object of the present invention is to provide a penlight in which the light-transmitting part can be easily and quickly replaced while preventing the light-transmitting part from falling off during use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a penlight comprising a gripping portion provided with a light source, and a light-transmitting portion connected to the gripping portion so as to transmit light emitted from the light source to the outside, the light-transmitting portion comprising a convex insertion portion forming a connection portion with the gripping portion, and an engaged portion provided on the insertion portion, the gripping portion comprising a housing having a receiving portion capable of receiving the insertion portion, a movable engaging portion provided inside the housing so as to be engageable with and disengaged from the engaged portion when the insertion portion is received in the receiving portion, and an engaging position with respect to the engaged portion. The housing has a moving mechanism provided inside the housing for moving the engagement portion between a disengaged position and the engagement portion; a biasing means provided inside the housing for applying a biasing force to the moving mechanism in a direction to move the engagement portion toward the engagement position; an operating portion provided outside the housing so as to be able to push and operate the moving mechanism in a direction to move the engagement portion to the disengaged position against the biasing force of the biasing means; and a locking mechanism attached to the housing so as to be able to lock the operating portion in a non-operated position. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, by locking the operating part in a non-operating position by the locking mechanism while the penlight is in use, it is possible to prevent the light-transmitting part from falling off from the grip part. When replacing the light-transmitting part, the locking mechanism is released and the operating part is pushed in to release the engagement between the engaging part of the grip part and the engaged part of the light-transmitting part, so that the light-transmitting part can be easily removed from the grip part. Next, by inserting the insertion part of another light-transmitting part into the receiving part of the grip part, the engaging part of the grip part biased by the biasing means is engaged with the engaged part of the light-transmitting part, completing the attachment of the light-transmitting part. Therefore, the light-transmitting part can be easily and quickly replaced even at a crowded event venue or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a penlight according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the inside of the penlight. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 for illustrating a procedure for removing the light-transmitting portion. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 for explaining a procedure for attaching the light-transmitting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that terms indicating specific directions used in the following description (e.g., terms including "up", "down", "left", "right" and "sideways") indicate directions in the position of the penlight in the state of use shown in the accompanying drawings. The use of these terms is for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meaning of these terms does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0013] [Overall configuration] First, the overall configuration of a penlight 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the front view shown in Fig. 1, the rear view shown in Fig. 2, the side view shown in Fig. 3, and the enlarged cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 4. The penlight 1 includes a gripping portion 10 and a light-transmitting portion 100.

[0014] The grip portion 10 includes a housing 12 that houses various components including a light source 14 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 12 is, for example, in the shape of a flat stick. However, the shape of the housing 12 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings, and may be any shape that is easy for a user to grip. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 12 is configured, for example, by connecting a first housing member 12a arranged on the front side and a second housing member 12b arranged on the rear side, using, for example, a plurality of screws.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 4, the tip (upper end) of the housing 12 is provided with a receiving portion 13 that constitutes a connection portion with the light-transmitting portion 100. The receiving portion 13 is configured as a bottomless or bottomed hole that opens on the end face of the housing 12. The receiving portion 13 is configured to be able to receive an insertion portion 110 (described below) of the light-transmitting portion 100. The inner peripheral surface of the receiving portion 13 has, for example, an oval cross-sectional shape. However, the cross-sectional shape of the receiving portion 13 is arbitrary and may be, for example, an ellipse or a circle.

[0016] Movable engagement portions 51, 52 used for coupling with the light-transmitting portion 100 are provided adjacent to the radially outer side of the receiving portion 13 inside the housing 12. The engagement portions include a first engagement portion 51 and a second engagement portion 52 arranged to face each other.

[0017] The light source 14 is fixed inside the housing 12 near the tip (upper end) of the grip part 10. Specifically, the light source 14 is arranged to face the receiving part 13 from the bottom side. For example, an LED (light emitting diode) is used as the light source 14. In particular, the light source 14 may be a full-color LED that can be controlled to change the emitted color.

[0018] 1, a power button 16 is provided on the front side of the housing 12. The power button 16 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) provided inside the housing 12, for example. The control unit controls the emission of light from the light source 14 in response to the operation of the power button 16. If the light source 14 is a full-color LED, the emission color of the light source 14 may be controlled by the control unit so as to change each time the power button 16 is pressed, or may be controlled via wireless communication from the outside.

[0019] 2, a battery storage section 18 capable of storing a battery is provided inside the housing 12, and a cover 20 capable of opening and closing the battery storage section 18 is provided on the rear surface of the housing 12. A battery (not shown) attached to the battery storage section 18 is capable of supplying power to the light source 14.

[0020] 1 to 3, one side surface (e.g., the right side) of the housing 12 is provided with an operating part 22 used for removing the light-transmitting part 100 from the grip part 10, and a locking mechanism 30 for locking the operating part 22. The configurations of the operating part 22 and the locking mechanism 30 will be described later.

[0021] The light-transmitting part 100 is connected to the grip part 10 so as to transmit light emitted from the light source 14 to the outside. The light-transmitting part 100 is made of a transparent or translucent member having light-transmitting properties. The material of the light-transmitting part 100 is, for example, acrylic resin, but is not limited thereto. The light-transmitting part 100 may be made by joining a plurality of members together, similar to the grip part 10.

[0022] 1 and 2 show a heart-shaped light-transmitting portion 100, but the light-transmitting portion 100 may have any shape. The light-transmitting portion 100 may be decorated with any desired decoration, such as letters and patterns, using, for example, a film or a sticker.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, the base end (lower end) of the light-transmitting part 100 is provided with a convex insertion part 110 that forms a connection part with the grip part 10. The insertion part 110 is a part that is inserted into the receiving part 13 at the tip end (upper end) of the grip part 10 along the length direction (up-down direction) of the grip part 10. The outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 110 has a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the inner peripheral surface of the receiving part 13 of the grip part 10. This allows the insertion part 110 to be fitted inside the receiving part 13.

[0024] The tip (lower end) of the insertion portion 110 is disposed so as to face the light source 14 when received in the receiving portion 13. The tip of the insertion portion 110 may be provided with a notch 111 or a recess in order to avoid interference with the light source 14.

[0025] The insertion portion 110 is provided with engaged portions 121, 122 corresponding to the engaging portions 51, 52 of the grip portion 10. The engaged portions include a first engaged portion 121 and a second engaged portion 122. The first engaged portion 121 and the second engaged portion 122 are each provided in a concave shape on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 110. The first engaged portion 121 and the second engaged portion 122 are disposed at circumferential positions on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 110 that are opposite to each other.

[0026] The penlight 1 is provided with a plurality of types of light-transmitting parts 100 having different designs. Each light-transmitting part 100 is detachable from the grip part 10. This allows the plurality of types of light-transmitting parts 100 to be selectively connected to the grip part 10. Therefore, the user can use the same grip part 10 and replace only the light-transmitting parts 100 as needed. This means that the user does not need to purchase or carry a plurality of penlights.

[0027] [Connection structure between gripping part and light-transmitting part] 4 shows the internal structure of the connection portion between the grip portion 10 and the light-transmitting portion 100 and the surrounding area. In the connection state shown in FIG. 4, the first engagement portion 51 of the grip portion 10 protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion 13 and is engaged with the first engaged portion 121 of the insertion portion 110 of the light-transmitting portion 100. Similarly, the second engagement portion 52 of the grip portion 10 protrudes radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion 13 and is engaged with the second engaged portion 122 of the insertion portion 110 of the light-transmitting portion 100.

[0028] The first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are movable engaging portions that can protrude radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion 13. That is, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are provided to be movable between an engaging position (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5(a)) protruding radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion 13 and a disengaging position (see FIG. 5(b)) retracted radially outward from the inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion 13. As a result, when the insertion portion 110 of the light-transmitting portion 100 is received in the receiving portion 13, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are capable of engaging with and disengaging from the first engaged portion 121 and the second engaged portion 122 of the insertion portion 110, respectively.

[0029] Moreover, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are configured to be pushed from the engaged position toward the disengaged position by the tip of the insertion portion 110 entering the receiving portion 13. For example, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 have a shape in which the contact surface with the tip of the insertion portion 110 is inclined upward (toward the tip of the gripping portion 10) toward the radial outside of the receiving portion 13. As a result, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are pushed by the tip of the insertion portion 110 so as to retreat radially outward, thereby allowing the insertion portion 110 to be received by the receiving portion 13.

[0030] A moving mechanism 60 for moving the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52, and an elastic member 90 serving as a biasing means for applying a biasing force to the moving mechanism 60 are provided inside the housing 12 of the grip portion 10. The moving mechanism 60 and the elastic member 90 are disposed on the tip side (upper side) of the battery storage portion 18.

[0031] As the elastic member 90, for example, a coil spring is used. The elastic member 90 is disposed on the side (for example, on the left side) of the operation unit 22 at a height position overlapping with the operation unit 22. The elastic member 90 is sandwiched between a pair of holder parts 92, 94 in a state in which it is contracted in the horizontal direction, for example. One holder part 92 is fixed to the housing 12, and the other holder part 94 is connected to a member of the movement mechanism 60 (a base part 62 described later) so as to be able to translate in the horizontal direction, for example. As a result, the elastic member 90 is supported by the housing 12 via the pair of holder parts 92, 94 so as to be able to expand and contract in the horizontal direction, for example.

[0032] The moving mechanism 60 includes a base portion 62 connecting the operating portion 22 and the elastic member 90, a first link portion 64 connecting the base portion 62 and the first engagement portion 51, and a second link portion 74 connecting the base portion 62 and the second engagement portion 52.

[0033] The base portion 62 is disposed between the battery storage portion 18 and the light source 14 inside the housing 12 so as to extend perpendicular to the insertion direction (up-down direction) of the insertion portion 110 into the receiving portion 13. That is, the base portion 62 is an elongated portion extending, for example, in the horizontal direction. One end of the base portion 62 penetrates the side wall portion of the housing 12 and is connected to the operation portion 22 outside the housing 12. The other end of the base portion 62 is fixed to the holder portion 94 and is connected to the elastic member 90 via the holder portion 94. The base portion 62 is capable of translating, for example, in the horizontal direction together with the operation portion 22 and the holder portion 94.

[0034] The first link portion 64 comprises a first lever 66 having a first engagement portion 51 at one end (upper end), a first shaft portion 68 that rotatably supports the middle portion of the first lever 66 on the housing 12, and a base connection portion 70 that connects the other end (lower end) of the first lever 66 to the base portion 62.

[0035] The first lever 66 is disposed so as to extend along the length direction (up and down direction) of the gripping part 10 on the radially outer side (e.g., right side) of the receiving part 13. The first engagement part 51 is configured by a part that protrudes from one end (upper end) of the first lever 66 radially inward (e.g., left side). The first shaft part 68 is supported by the housing 12 on the side (e.g., right side) of the light source 14 so as to extend in the tangential direction of the inner circumference of the receiving part 13.

[0036] The base connection part 70 extends from the middle part of the base part 62 to the tip side (upper side) of the grip part 10, and further extends to the other end (lower end) of the first lever 66 while curving or bending laterally (for example, to the right side). The first lever 66 and the base connection part 70 are connected to be capable of relative rotation.

[0037] With such a configuration of the first link portion 64, when the base portion 62 translates in the lateral direction, the lower end portion of the first lever 66 connected to the base portion 62 via the base connection portion 70 is moved in the lateral direction. As a result, the first lever 66 rotates around the first shaft portion 68, and the first engagement portion 51 is moved in the lateral direction, i.e., in the radial direction of the receiving portion 13. In this way, the first link portion 64 is configured to move the first engagement portion 51 in conjunction with the translational motion of the base portion 62.

[0038] The second link portion 74 includes a second lever 76 having a second engagement portion 52 at one end (upper end), a second shaft portion 78 that rotatably supports the middle portion of the second lever 76 on the housing 12, and an inversion mechanism 80 interposed between the other end (lower end) of the second lever 76 and the base portion 62 so as to move the other end (lower end) of the second lever 76 in the opposite direction to the base portion 62.

[0039] The second lever 76 is disposed so as to extend along the length direction (up and down direction) of the gripping part 10 on the radially outer side (e.g., left side) of the receiving part 13. The second engagement part 52 is formed by a part that protrudes from one end (upper end) of the second lever 76 radially inward (e.g., right side). The second shaft part 78 is supported by the housing 12 on the side (e.g., left side) of the light source 14 so as to extend in the tangential direction of the inner circumference of the receiving part 13.

[0040] A rack member 82 is relatively rotatably connected to the other end (lower end) of the second lever 76. The rack member 82 is disposed between the light source 14 and the base portion 62 so as to extend substantially parallel to the base portion 62 (generally laterally).

[0041] The inversion mechanism 80 is a rack and pinion that includes a pinion gear 84 rotatably supported on the housing 12, a first rack 86 provided on the base portion 62 so as to mesh with the pinion gear 84, and a second rack 88 provided on the rack member 82 so as to mesh with the pinion gear 84.

[0042] The pinion gear 84 is attached to the housing 12 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the thickness direction of the grip part 10 (a direction perpendicular to the length direction and width direction of the grip part 10). A plurality of teeth are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the pinion gear 84. The pinion gear 84 is disposed between the rack member 82 and the base part 62 in the length direction (up-down direction) of the grip part 10. The pinion gear 84 is also disposed between the elastic member 90 and the base connection part 70 in the width direction (lateral direction) of the grip part 10.

[0043] The first rack 86 is composed of a plurality of teeth arranged in a row on the upper surface of the base portion 62 (the surface facing the tip of the gripping portion 10). The first rack 86 is provided in a portion of the base portion 62 between the elastic member 90 and the base connection portion 70. The second rack 88 is composed of a plurality of teeth arranged in a row on the lower surface of the rack member 82 (the surface facing the base end of the gripping portion 10). In the reversing mechanism 80 configured in this manner, the first rack 86 and the second rack 88 are adapted to translate in opposite directions to each other.

[0044] The reversing mechanism 80 configured as described above is configured to be compactly arranged together with a part of the moving mechanism 60 and the elastic member 90 in the narrow space between the light source 14 and the battery storage section 18 inside the housing 12. This prevents the grip section 10 from becoming large.

[0045] Due to the configuration of the second link portion 74 including the reversing mechanism 80, when the base portion 62 translates laterally, the rack member 82 connected to the base portion 62 via the reversing mechanism 80 translates in the opposite direction to the base portion 62. As a result, the second lever 76 connected to the rack member 82 rotates around the second shaft portion 78, and the second engagement portion 52 is moved in the horizontal direction, i.e., in the radial direction of the receiving portion 13. In this way, the second link portion 74 is configured to move the second engagement portion 52 in the opposite direction to the first engagement portion 51 in conjunction with the translational motion of the base portion 62.

[0046] As described above, the movement mechanism 60 is configured to move the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52 between the engagement position and the disengagement position. The movement of the first engagement portion 51 by the first link portion 64 and the movement of the second engagement portion 52 by the second link portion 74 are performed in conjunction with the translational motion of the common base portion 62. Therefore, the movement of the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52 to their respective engagement positions is always performed simultaneously, and the movement of the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52 to their respective disengagement positions is also always performed simultaneously.

[0047] A biasing force in a direction (e.g., rightward) that moves the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 toward the engaging position is applied to the base portion 62 of the moving mechanism 60 by the elastic member 90. As a result, unless a special operation is performed while the penlight 1 is in use, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are maintained in an engaged state with the first engaged portion 121 and the second engaged portion 122, and the light-transmitting portion 100 is prevented from falling off the grip portion 10.

[0048] [Operation section] The operating unit 22 is used to remove the light-transmitting unit 100 from the grip unit 10. The operating unit 22 is provided on the outside of the side wall of the housing 12 so as to be operable to push in the moving mechanism 60 in a direction (e.g., leftward) that moves the first engaging unit 51 and the second engaging unit 52 to the disengaged position against the biasing force of the elastic member 90.

[0049] [Locking mechanism] A locking mechanism 30 is attached to the side wall of the housing 12 at a position adjacent to the operating unit 22. The locking mechanism 30 includes an outer slider 32 arranged on the outside of the housing 12, an inner slider 33 arranged on the inside of the housing 12, and a connecting portion 34 connecting the outer slider 32 and the inner slider 33.

[0050] The connecting portion 34 is fitted in an elongated hole 40 provided in the housing 12 so as to extend in the length direction (vertical direction) of the grip portion 10, so that movement of the elongated hole 40 in the length direction is permitted within a predetermined range. This forms a slide-type locking mechanism 30 that can be slid in the length direction (vertical direction) of the grip portion 10.

[0051] The locking mechanism 30 is provided so as to be slidable between a locked position where the operating unit 22 can be locked in a non-operating position, and an unlocked position where the operating unit 22 is unlocked. In this embodiment, the locked position is the lower limit position of the movement range of the locking mechanism 30 (see FIG. 4), and the unlocked position is the upper limit position (see FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b)). When the locking mechanism 30 is in the locked position, the outer slider 32 fits between the operating unit 22 and the housing 12, thereby restricting the pushing operation of the operating unit 22.

[0052] The surface of the outer slider 32 may be provided with a protrusion 32a for preventing slipping. This allows the user to easily slide the locking mechanism 30 while pressing a finger against the surface of the outer slider 32. The inner slider 33 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the side wall of the housing 12 and a guide portion 43 provided inside the housing 12. This allows the locking mechanism 30 to be guided so as to slide without tilting.

[0053] A first positioning portion 41 and a second positioning portion 42 for positioning the locking mechanism 30 are provided, for example, in a convex shape, on, for example, the inner surface of the side wall portion of the housing 12. Correspondingly, an engaging portion 33a is provided, for example, in a concave shape, on, for example, the inner slider 33 of the locking mechanism 30, which is selectively engageable with the first positioning portion 41 and the second positioning portion 42. When the engaging portion 33a is engaged with the first positioning portion 41, the locking mechanism 30 is positioned in the unlocked position, and when the engaging portion 33a is engaged with the second positioning portion 42, the locking mechanism 30 is positioned in the locked position.

[0054] [Removing the transparent part] 5(a), when removing the light-transmitting part 100 from the grip part 10, the user first slides the locking mechanism 30 from the locked position to the unlocked position to unlock the operating part 22. This makes it possible to push the operating part 22.

[0055] 5(b), the user pushes in the operating unit 22. This causes the base unit 62 of the moving mechanism 60 to translate laterally (e.g., leftward) while compressing the elastic member 90. In conjunction with this, the first lever 66 and the second lever 76 of the moving mechanism 60 rotate in opposite directions, so that the first engaging unit 51 and the second engaging unit 52 move away from each other to disengagement positions. When the first engaging unit 51 and the second engaging unit 52 of the grip unit 10 are disengaged from the first engaged unit 121 and the second engaged unit 122 of the light-transmitting unit 100 in this manner, the light-transmitting unit 100 can be removed from the grip unit 10.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the light-transmitting portion 100 will not come off the grip portion 10 unless the locking of the operation portion 22 by the locking mechanism 30 is released. Therefore, the light-transmitting portion 100 is reliably prevented from falling off during use of the penlight 1. Furthermore, when replacing the light-transmitting portion 100, the user can easily remove the light-transmitting portion 100 by simply sliding the locking mechanism 30 to the unlocked position and pushing in the operation portion 22.

[0057] [Installation of the light-transmitting part] As shown in FIG. 6(a), when attaching the light-transmitting portion 100 to the gripping portion 10, the user simply inserts the insertion portion 110 of the light-transmitting portion 100 into the receiving portion 13 of the gripping portion 10 without operating the locking mechanism 30 which is in the unlocked position.

[0058] Then, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the insertion portion 110 of the light-transmitting portion 100 moves toward the bottom of the receiving portion 13 of the gripping portion 10, pushing the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52 from the engagement position toward the disengagement position.

[0059] In addition, since the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52 in this embodiment are configured to allow the tip portion of the insertion portion 110 to pass by being pushed and moved as described above, it is not necessary to operate the operation unit 22 to attach the light-transmitting portion 100. However, the first engagement portion 51 and the second engagement portion 52 may be configured to be temporarily retracted to a disengagement position by operating the operation unit 22, thereby avoiding interference with the tip portion of the insertion portion 110 when the light-transmitting portion 100 is attached.

[0060] When the insertion portion 110 is completely inserted into the receiving portion 13, the first engaging portion 51 and the second engaging portion 52 are moved to the engaging position by the moving mechanism 60 to which the biasing force of the elastic member 90 is applied, and are engaged with the first engaged portion 121 and the second engaged portion 122 of the light-transmitting portion 100 (see FIG. 5(a)). This completes the attachment of the light-transmitting portion 100 to the gripping portion 10.

[0061] At this time, the operation unit 22 is returned to the non-operation position. Then, the lock mechanism 30 is slid to the lock position, whereby the operation unit 22 is locked in the non-operation position. This prevents the light-transmitting portion 100 from falling off due to an erroneous operation of the operation unit 22.

[0062] As described above, according to the penlight 1 of this embodiment, the operations required to attach and detach the light-transmitting part 100 to and from the grip part 10 are only the sliding operation of the locking mechanism 30, the pushing operation of the operating part 22, and the insertion and removal of the light-transmitting part 100 into and from the grip part 10. Therefore, since troublesome and time-consuming operations such as screwing are not required, the light-transmitting part 100 can be easily and quickly replaced even at a crowded event venue or the like.

[0063] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0064] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which two engaging portions 51, 52 of the gripping portion 10 and two engaged portions 121, 122 of the translucent portion 100 are provided, but in the present invention, the number of engaging portions and engaged portions may be one each, or three or more each.

[0065] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the biasing means was composed of a coil spring, but in the present invention, the biasing means may be composed of an elastic member other than a coil spring (e.g., rubber), or may be composed of a means other than an elastic member.

[0066] Furthermore, the moving mechanism in the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned moving mechanism 60, and any configuration may be adopted as long as it moves the engaging portion between an engaging position and a disengaging position with respect to the engaged portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Penlight 10 Gripping part 12. Housing 13 Reception Department 14 Light source 18 Battery compartment 22 Control section 30 Locking mechanism 51 First engagement portion 52 Second engagement portion 60 Moving mechanism 62 Base 64 First Link 66 First Lever 68 First shaft 70 Base connection part 74 Second Link 76 Second Lever 78 Second Shaft 80 Reversal mechanism 82 Rack parts 84 Pinion gear 86 1st Rack 88 2nd Rack 90 Elastic member (urging means) 100 Translucent part 110 Insertion part 121 First engaged part 122 Second engaged part

Claims

1. A penlight including a grip part provided with a light source and a light-transmitting part connected to the grip part so as to transmit light emitted from the light source to the outside, The light transmitting portion is A convex insertion portion that constitutes a connection portion with the grip portion; an engaged portion provided on the insertion portion, The gripping portion is a housing having a receiving portion capable of receiving the plug; a movable engaging portion provided inside the housing so as to be engageable with and disengageable from the engaged portion when the insertion portion is received in the receiving portion; a moving mechanism provided inside the housing for moving the engaging portion between an engaging position and a disengaging position with respect to the engaged portion; a biasing means provided inside the housing for applying a biasing force to the moving mechanism in a direction to move the engaging portion toward the engaging position; an operating portion provided on the outside of the housing so as to be capable of pushing and operating the moving mechanism in a direction to move the engaging portion to the disengagement position against the biasing force of the biasing means; a lock mechanism attached to the housing so as to be able to lock the operating portion in a non-operating position, A penlight characterized by the above.

2. The engaging portion includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion provided adjacent to the receiving portion so as to be capable of appearing and disappearing radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of the receiving portion and to face each other, the engaged portion includes a first engaged portion provided in a concave shape on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion so as to correspond to the first engaging portion, and a second engaged portion provided in a concave shape on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion so as to correspond to the second engaging portion, 2. The penlight according to claim 1 .

3. The moving mechanism includes: a base portion provided to be movable in translation together with the operating portion and to connect the biasing means and the operating portion; a first link portion that connects the base portion and the first engagement portion so as to move the first engagement portion in conjunction with a translational motion of the base portion; a second link portion connecting the base portion and the second engagement portion so as to move the second engagement portion in conjunction with the translational motion of the base portion; 3. The penlight according to claim 2.

4. the first link portion includes a first lever having the first engagement portion at one end, a first shaft portion that rotatably supports an intermediate portion of the first lever on the housing, and a base connection portion that connects the other end of the first lever to the base portion, the second link portion includes a second lever having the second engagement portion at one end, a second shaft portion for rotatably supporting an intermediate portion of the second lever on the housing, and a reversing mechanism interposed between the other end of the second lever and the base portion so as to move the other end of the second lever in a direction opposite to that of the base portion.

4. The penlight according to claim 3.

5. the reversing mechanism is a rack and pinion including a pinion gear rotatably supported by the housing, a first rack provided on the base portion so as to mesh with the pinion gear, and a second rack provided on a rack member connected to the other end of the second lever so as to mesh with the pinion gear.

5. The penlight according to claim 4.

6. The light source is disposed inside the housing so as to face the receiving portion, the base portion is disposed between the battery storage portion and the light source inside the housing so as to extend perpendicular to a direction in which the insertion portion is inserted into the receiving portion, the rack member is disposed between the light source and the base portion inside the housing so as to extend substantially parallel to the base portion, The pinion gear is disposed between the rack member and the base portion.

6. The penlight according to claim 5.

7. The engaging portion is configured to be pushed and moved from the engaging position toward the disengaging position by a tip end of the insertion portion entering the receiving portion. The penlight according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The light transmitting portion is provided with a plurality of types of light transmitting portions each having a different design and each being selectively connectable to the grip portion. The penlight according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The light transmitting portion is provided with a plurality of types of light transmitting portions each having a different design and each being selectively connectable to the grip portion.

8. The penlight according to claim 7.

Images