GB2039355A - Internally illuminated switch for battery lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery-operated lantern or flashlight incorporates a warning blinker light 28 which is visible through the translucent actuating member 26 of the sliding switch which controls the light. The specification describes a lantern with a rigid carrying handle which extends in a forward and rearward direction and which has a forwardly directed steady light and the blinker light at opposite ends thereof. The handle is integral with a platform portion 11 to the underside of which a dry cell battery is attached by nuts 13 secured on the terminal posts 14 of the battery. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to lanterns and flashlights This invention relates to lanterns and flashlights and more particularly to lanterns and flashlights incorporating a switch-operated "blinker" light.

According to this invention, there is provided a lantern or flashlight incorporating a switch-operated blinker light, the switch comprising a manually operable actuating member at least part of which is translucent and covers the bulb of the blinker light such that when the actuating member is operated to switch the blinker light on, said light is visible through the actuating member.

Preferably the lantern or flashlight further comprises a switch-operated steady light.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of a lantern embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a part-sectional view of the lantern of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the rear part of the lantern of Figures 1 and 2 on a larger scale.

Referring to the drawings, the lantern comprises a plastics hollow carrying handle 10 moulded integrally with and extending in a closed loop over a platform portion 11 to the underside of which a dry coil battery 12 is attached by nuts 13 secured on the terminal posts 14 of the battery. Where the terminal posts extend through the platform they engage metal eyelets 15 and conductors extend through the handle from the eyelets to a switch actuated by a member 18 and controlling a steady light directed forwardly through a transparent lens and indicated generally at 19.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 3 of the drawings, the rear end part 20 of the hollow handle moulding is open at the back and carries a plastics slider 21 slidable up and down within the rear end part between two end positions. A metal angle bracket 22 is secured to a base portion of the slider, and has a limb 22a with a tapped hole to receive a fixing screw 25 for a coloured (red) transparent cover 26. The base 27a of a metal holder 27 for a bulb 28 is clamped to the other limb 22b of the bracket by a hollow metal rivet 29;,Plastics pads 30 are disposed between the respective ends of the rivet and the bracket 22 and a base 27a.The forward end of the limb 22b of bracket 22 projects through a hole in the slider 21 and movement of the slider downward and upward moves the limb 22b between the positions shown in Figure 3 in solid and broken lines respectively. In its lower position the limb 22b engages a contact strip 31 secured to the rearward eyelet 15, and serves thus to connect the base of the bulb holder 27 electrically to one terminal of the battery. A conductor 32 from the other terminal of the battery leads via a blinker unit of any convenient design and has its end soldered to the hollow metal rivet 29. A metal cap 34 clamped to the underside of the upper end of the metal rivet 29, but insulated from limb 22b of the bracket by the upper insulating pad 30, serves as a contact for the central electrode of the bulb.

It will thus be understood that the slider 21, bulb holder 27, bulb 28 and transparent cover 26 are securedtogetherforthe sliding movement which opens and closes the energising circuit of the bulb, and when the circuit is closed the blinking lights shows through the transparent cover.

It will be understood that the illustrated lantern is particularly advantageous for pedestrians on unlighted roads to indicate the presence of the pedestrian to passing traffic, whilst also enabling the pedestrian to see his way if necessary. The invention is equally applicable to other forms of lantern and to flashlights.

1. A lantern or flashlight incorporating a switchoperated blinker light, the switch comprising a manually operable actuating member at least part of which is translucent and covers the bulb of the blinker light such that when the actuating member is operated to switch the blinker light on, said light is visible through the actuating member.

2. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a switch-operated steady light.

3. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch for the steady light has an actuating member which is separate from the actuating memberforthe blinker light switch.

4. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the steady light is directed forward through a transparent lens and the blinker light is mounted rearward of the lens.

5. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 4 having a body provided with a rigid carrying handle, the steady light and the blinker light being disposed at opposite ends of said handle.

6. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said actuating member of the blinker light switch is linearly slidable for carrying out its switching function.

7. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a holder for a bulb of the blinker light is mounted on the actuating member for movement therewith.

8. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuating member for the blinker light or said part thereof is red.

9. A lantern substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to lanterns and flashlights This invention relates to lanterns and flashlights and more particularly to lanterns and flashlights incorporating a switch-operated "blinker" light. According to this invention, there is provided a lantern or flashlight incorporating a switch-operated blinker light, the switch comprising a manually operable actuating member at least part of which is translucent and covers the bulb of the blinker light such that when the actuating member is operated to switch the blinker light on, said light is visible through the actuating member. Preferably the lantern or flashlight further comprises a switch-operated steady light. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of a lantern embodying the invention, Figure 2 is a part-sectional view of the lantern of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the rear part of the lantern of Figures 1 and 2 on a larger scale. Referring to the drawings, the lantern comprises a plastics hollow carrying handle 10 moulded integrally with and extending in a closed loop over a platform portion 11 to the underside of which a dry coil battery 12 is attached by nuts 13 secured on the terminal posts 14 of the battery. Where the terminal posts extend through the platform they engage metal eyelets 15 and conductors extend through the handle from the eyelets to a switch actuated by a member 18 and controlling a steady light directed forwardly through a transparent lens and indicated generally at 19. Referring now more particularly to Figure 3 of the drawings, the rear end part 20 of the hollow handle moulding is open at the back and carries a plastics slider 21 slidable up and down within the rear end part between two end positions. A metal angle bracket 22 is secured to a base portion of the slider, and has a limb 22a with a tapped hole to receive a fixing screw 25 for a coloured (red) transparent cover 26. The base 27a of a metal holder 27 for a bulb 28 is clamped to the other limb 22b of the bracket by a hollow metal rivet 29;,Plastics pads 30 are disposed between the respective ends of the rivet and the bracket 22 and a base 27a.The forward end of the limb 22b of bracket 22 projects through a hole in the slider 21 and movement of the slider downward and upward moves the limb 22b between the positions shown in Figure 3 in solid and broken lines respectively. In its lower position the limb 22b engages a contact strip 31 secured to the rearward eyelet 15, and serves thus to connect the base of the bulb holder 27 electrically to one terminal of the battery. A conductor 32 from the other terminal of the battery leads via a blinker unit of any convenient design and has its end soldered to the hollow metal rivet 29. A metal cap 34 clamped to the underside of the upper end of the metal rivet 29, but insulated from limb 22b of the bracket by the upper insulating pad 30, serves as a contact for the central electrode of the bulb. It will thus be understood that the slider 21, bulb holder 27, bulb 28 and transparent cover 26 are securedtogetherforthe sliding movement which opens and closes the energising circuit of the bulb, and when the circuit is closed the blinking lights shows through the transparent cover. It will be understood that the illustrated lantern is particularly advantageous for pedestrians on unlighted roads to indicate the presence of the pedestrian to passing traffic, whilst also enabling the pedestrian to see his way if necessary. The invention is equally applicable to other forms of lantern and to flashlights. CLAIMS

1. A lantern or flashlight incorporating a switchoperated blinker light, the switch comprising a manually operable actuating member at least part of which is translucent and covers the bulb of the blinker light such that when the actuating member is operated to switch the blinker light on, said light is visible through the actuating member.

2. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a switch-operated steady light.

3. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 2, wherein the switch for the steady light has an actuating member which is separate from the actuating memberforthe blinker light switch.

4. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the steady light is directed forward through a transparent lens and the blinker light is mounted rearward of the lens.

5. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in claim 4 having a body provided with a rigid carrying handle, the steady light and the blinker light being disposed at opposite ends of said handle.

6. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said actuating member of the blinker light switch is linearly slidable for carrying out its switching function.

7. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a holder for a bulb of the blinker light is mounted on the actuating member for movement therewith.

8. A lantern or flashlight as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the actuating member for the blinker light or said part thereof is red.

9. A lantern substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.