A keychain style white LED light, that runs off a SuperCapacitor, Lithium cell and micro-Dynamo.
The light itself is a thin Green plastic rectangle that has a membrane switch and a small lanyard chain attached to a strong nylon rope, as well as a small hole for the LED.
Normally the light is powered from the Lithium watch battery, which should last a few hours with very good regulation.
When that runs out, the secondary power source comes into play:
The Lanyard when pulled will wind up a internal flywheel that will power the micro-generator and charge the super capacitor. Similar to how some flywheel wind up toy cars operate. This mode of operation will provide several minutes of operation. The flywheel may have to be pulled several times to get a full rotation speed, but at that point it will keep the capacitor charged until it slows down. The capacitor itself will supply a few minutes of slowly dimming light.
The casing itself is water resistant (the electronics are sealed against moisture, the mecanical parts are not. The plastic is a glow in the dark type.
The flywheel is really just a large neodymium magnet coated with teflon.-- Melchior, Jan 14 2006 Pull-Cord Flashlight http://www.holly.com.tw/fl-107.htmNot sure if that's a glow in the dark green plastic housing. [jurist, Jan 16 2006] I own such a light. It is nifty.-- bungston, Jan 14 2006 Some kind of illumination for Americans?-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Jan 14 2006 So, Do you prefer to yank it? or shake it?-- Minimal, Jan 16 2006 I think the idea of a lanyard that acts as a clockwork generator is really neat. [+]-- wagster, Jan 16 2006 Just hang if from your belt buckle and give it a few yanks erery once in a while to keep it charged.-- Galbinus_Caeli, Jan 16 2006 [AbsintheWithoutLeave] //Some kind of illumination for Americans?//
LOL. I just got the joke! Sigh.-- MoreCowbell, Nov 21 2006 random, halfbakery