GB2078924A - Interior lighting apparatus for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A handbag (10) has an aperture defined by a pair of rigid frames (13, 14) such that the frames are placed adjacent one another when the aperture is closed. A single pole, double throw microswitch 2 is mounted intermediate the two frames (13, 14) such that when the frames are placed adjacent one another the position of the microswitch is switched from the normally closed to the normally opened contact position. A direct current power source and an incandescent lighting member are mounted within the enclosure (12) of the handbag, the direct current power source being connected to the incandescent lighting member only when the handbag is opened. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION interior lighting apparatus for containers The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus for containers such as purses and handbags.

The construction of suitcases, handbags, purses and the like have presented a basic problem which has not been solved by any devices taught by the prior art. The basic problem which is inherent in containers such as purses and handbags is the inability to sufficiently open the container during normal operation to permit full visibility of the contents within the container. Although the present invention is applicable to substantially all containers which possess only a partial opening therein, for the purpose of discussion the remaining text shall refer to employment of the present invention with handbags. As opposed to containers such as briefcases, suitcases and the like, a handbag contains only a small opening therein for access to the contents held.Although the small opening in a handbag may be the result of the aesthetic design, the result of same is the almost complete inability to actually see the contents for the purpose of access thereto.

A number of methods have been employed to attempt to solve this basic problem, none of which fully resolve the difficulties recited hereinabove. One of the structural modifications to a handbag which has been employed to ease the difficulty in access incorporates the use of auxiliary opening and closing members such as zippers. Where a handbag has a small aperture or opening in the top thereof, a zipper or other closing device is used to provide a wider opening where total access is required. The problem inherent in this modification is apparent.

Where a handbag is used to hold numerous items, any attempt to provide a wider opening also aug menus the possibility that the contents of the handbag will be inadvertently spilled. Another structure taught by the prior art is the use of an attachable lighting member which is self-contained and which is held inside of the handbag. Atypical implementation of this structure employs a lighting member in the form of a conventional flashlight which is attached to the interior of the handbag by a chain or other securing member. The flashlight has a selfcontained switch which is turned on and off through the manual operation of the user. The inadequacies of thins design are self evident. In order to operate efficiently, the light must be turned on only when the handbag is opened and must be automatically turned off when the handbag is closed.Any other type of operation can cause the inadvertent draining of the direct current power source thereby rendering the entire feature inoperative.

According to the present invention there is provided a lighting apparatus for accessible containers comprising: (a) a container having a limited opening for access to the interior of said container; (b) a pair of rigid frames secured at the opening of said container, said frames being adapted to be placed adjacent one another when said container is closed and to be separated from one another for the access to the interior of said container; (c) a direct current power source mounted within the interior of said container; (d) an illuminating member mounted within the interior of said container; and (e) switching means for electrically connecting the direct current power source to said illuminating member when said frames are separated from one another, said switching means being mounted within the opening of said container.

Although the present invention can be used in substantially any type of container it is particularly useful for a purse or a handbag which employs a limited opening structure, typically for aesthetic purposes.

In an embodiment, the lighting apparatus is employed within a handbag which incorporates a pair of rigid members which frame the opening aperture and which are disposed adjacent one another when the handbag is in the closed position.

A single pole, double throw miscroswitch is affixed intermediate the rigid members. When the handbag is closed, the rigid members will produce a force in opposition to one another which is sufficient to put the switch in the closed position. The switch incorporates three contact positions, i.e. the wiper contact, normally closed contact and normally opened contact. When the handbag is closed, the wiper contact will be electrically connected to the normally opened contact. A direct current power source is connected to an incandescent lighting member through the wiper and normally closed contact of the switch.

When the handbag is in the closed position, the electrical circuit between the direct current power source and the incandescent lighting member will be opened thereby terminating any continuity between the two. Only when the rigid members of the handbag frame are positioned away from one another will the switch return to its quiescent state whereby the wiper contact is electrically connected to the normally closed contact. In this position, the direct current power source is electrically connected to the incandescent lighting member thereby illuminating the interior of the handbag.

An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a purse or handbag employing a lighting apparatus of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the handbag shown in Figure 1 taken through line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the handbag shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the lighting apparatus provided in the handbag of Figures 1 to 3.

The present invention can be best understood by reference to Figures 1 - 3, inclusive, wherein a handbag utilizing the present invention is shown, the handbag being generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Although the present invention can be used in connection with any type of container which is to be illuminated for the purpose of visual access, the remaining discussion shall consider use in connection with handbag 10. Handbag 10 is a conventional structure typically used by women or men. Handbag 10 comprises a pair of side walls 11 which enclose a cavity 12. As with all typical handbags, a limited opening is provided. In connection with the handbag 10 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, a pair of rigid frames 13 and 14 are affixed along the top of the sidewalls 11, frames 13 and 14 being rotatably coupled at the ends thereof by suitable hinges 15.As described hereinbelow, the interval between frames 13 and 14which define access to cavity 12 is limited thereby reducing the access to and visibility within handbag 10 as defined by cavity 12. Handbag 10 employs conventional handles 16 which are suitably coupled to the exterior of side walls 11 in a conventional manner.

As shown in Figures 1 - 3, inclusive, rigid frames 13 and 14 are formed as inverted U-shaped members and are adapted to be placed adjacent one another when handbag 10 is closed. As stated hereinabove, the present invention is usable with substantially any type of container which incorporates a door, flap or opening which can incorporate a pair of frame members which are placed adjacent one another in a closed position. Referring to Figure 3, microswitch 20 is secured to frame 14 substantially adjacent one of the hinges 15. Microswitch 20 incorporates a base 21 which has a substantially flat surface and which is adapted to be secured to the surface of frame 14. A spring-loaded actuator 22 is positioned to be in the open position (see Figure 3) when frame members 13 or 14 are in the open position.When actuator 22 is urged to move in the clockwise position as shown in Figure 3, actuator 22 depresses wiper 23 which comprises a momentary switch contact which will establish the relative electrical circuit to be described hereinbelow. When frames 13 and 14 are separated, actuator 22 will be resiliently separated from wiper 23. As stated hereinabove, when frames 13 and 14 are placed adjacent one another, actuator 22 will be urged against wiper 23 activating the switching circuit.

Since an objective of the present invention is to illuminate the inner compartment 12 of handbag 10 only when frames 13 and 14 are separated to provide access thereto, microswitch 20 must ensure that the powersource used for illumination is electrically isolated from the illuminating member while handbag 10 is closed. Referring now to Figure 4, a schematic diagram of the lighting and switching circuit is shown. As set forth hereinabove, microswitch 20 comprises a momentary switch. Microswitch 20 is a single pole, double throw switch which provides for electrical contact between wiper contact 23 and a normally open contact 24 or a normally closed contact 25 based upon the position of actuator 22.When actuator 22 is in its quiescent state, wiper 23 will resiliently extend from its closed position thereby providing for electrical contact with normally closed contact 25. This is the position shown in Figure 3. When frames 13 and 14 are urged against one another, actuator 22 will switch wiper 23 from normally closed contact 25 to normally open contact 24. As shown in Figure 4, a direct current power source 26 is utilized. Direct current power source 26 is typically a conventional battery such as those used in flashlights. Battery 26 is held within an accessible pocket 27 within cavity 12. An incandescent lighting member 28 which can be activated by battery 26 is mounted within cavity 12 to provide suitable illumination. The positive electrode of battery 26 is connected to wiper contact 23 of microswitch 20 by electrical conductor 29.The negative electrode of battery 26 is connected to bulb 28 by electrical conductor 30. The normally closed contact 25 of microswitch 20 is electrically connected to the remaining contact of bulb 28 by electrical conducts 31. When frames 13 and 14 are placed adjacent one another, wiper contact 23 will be switched adjacent.

normally open contact 24 thereby opening the circuit between battery 26 and bulb 28. When handbag 10 is opened, frames 13 and 14 will be separated from one another thereby causing actuator 22 to be resiliently positioned away from wiper 23. In this configuration, wiper 23 will be in electrical contact with normally closed contact 25 thereby providing for electrical continuity between battery 26 and bulb 28.

It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides a lighting apparatus to be used within containers such as purses and handbags in a manner which will ensure that the direct current power source will be isolated from the lighting member when the container is closed and supply power to the lighting member only when the container is opened for access thereto.

Claims (8)

1. A lighting apparatus for accessible containers comprising: (a) a container having a limited opening for access to the interior of said container; (b) a pair of rigid frames secured at the opening of said container, said frames being adapted to be placed adjacent one another when said container is closed and to be separated from one another for the access to the interior of said container; (c) a direct current power source mounted within the interior of said container; (d) an illuminating member mounted within the interior of said container; and (e) switching means for electrically connecting the direct current power source to said illuminating member when said frames are separated from one another, said switching means being mounted within the opening of said container.

2. A lighting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said direct current power source is a battery.

3. A lighting apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said illuminating member is an incandescent bulb.

4. A lighting apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said switching means is a single pole, double throw mementary switch having a wiper contact, a normally open contact and a normally closed contact, the direct current power source being connected to the wiper contact, the normally closed contact being connected to said illuminating member.

5. A lighting apparatus for handbags having a limited opening to the interior thereof, said lighting apparatus comprising: (a) a pair of rigid frames mounted within the opening of the handbag, said frames being hinged at the ends thereof, said frames being pivoted about said handbags and being placed adjacent one another when the handbag is closed; (b) a direct current power source mounted in the interior of the handbag; (c) an illuminating member mounted within the interior of the handbag; and (d) a single pole, double throw momentary switch having a base, actuator, wiper contact, normally opened contact and normally closed contact, said base being secured to one of said frame members, the actuator being urged against said wiper contact when said frames are adjacent one another, said direct current power source being connected to the wiper contact, said illuminating member being connected to the normally closed contact whereby said illuminating member is activated when the handbag is opened.

6. A lighting apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said direct current power source is a battery.

7. A lighting apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 wherein said illuminating member is an incandes cent bulb.

8. A container having a lighting apparatus sub stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.