GB364930A - Improvements in or relating to electric torches, flash lamps and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

364,930. Snap-action switches. EVER READY CO. (GREAT BRITAIN), Ltd., Hercules Place, Holloway, and BEESTON, E. F., Iredene, Barrowell Green, Winchmore Hill, both in London. March 9, 1931, No. 7293. [Class 38 (v).] The switch of an electric torch, flash lamp or the like comprises a button or stud which is associated with means to restrain it against depression when in its inoperative position, thereby preventing accidental closing of the circuit. The button 1, Fig. 5, is mounted upon one end of a resilient blade 6 which is riveted on the underside of an inverted metal channel member 4 secured to the metallic battery casing 3. When depressed the blade 6 is put into contact with a metal strip 7 mounted on a plate of insulating material 8 secured within the torch casing. One end of the strip 7 passes freely through a hole 10 in the torch casing and plate 8 and is offset to lie beneath the button 1, the other end of the strip 7 being connected to a metal diaphragm 9 carrying the lamp socket. A sliding member 11 mounted upon the inverted channel 4 is retained thereon by inturned lugs 12, Fig. 3, engaging within slots 13 in the outer walls of the channel 4, the slots being longer than the lugs 12 to enable the member 11 to be reciprocated. The button 1 projects upwardly through an aperture 14 in the slide and is provided with a horizontal slot 15 which engages one edge of the aperture 14 when the slide is in its rearward position, thus preventing the button from being depressed. The edge of the aperture 14 opposite to that which engages the button 1 is bent upwardly to form an inclined cam surface 18 which bears upon the button and depresses it when the slide is moved forwardly. The slide is retained in either its forward or rearward position by protuberances 16 thereon engaging within recesses 17 in the inverted channel 4. A knurled projection 19 facilitates manipulation of the slide. In a modification the slide is formed with a concave depression which forms a thumb or fingerpiece and provides a cam surface for depressing the switch button.