GB806557A - Improvements in and relating to electric torches - Google Patents

Abstract

806,557. Electric torches. ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERY CO. Jan. 23, 1957, No. 2476/57. Class 39(2) An electric torch comprises a tubular casing 11 for housing one or more dry cells and provided with switching means consisting of a ring which is slidable along the outside of the casing and secured to at least one contact strip 16 arranged within the casing so that it can be reciprocated into and out of contact with an electrically conductive surface which is in contact with a terminal of the lamp bulb. In the example two contact strips 16 arranged at diametrically opposite sides within a metal casing 11 are secured to a ring 19 outside the casing by means of lugs 20 which are stamped out from the ring and extend inwards through a short longitudinal slots 22 in the wall of the casing, the inner ends of the lugs being bent into gripping engagement with the sides of the contact strips, which may be notched to receive them. Preferably the ring 19 is surrounded by a decorative outer ring 18 provided with a raised and knurled periphery. As shown the ends 28 of the contact strips 16 are curled so as to make a sliding contact with the rear surface of the reflector 15 when the switching ring 18, 19 is in its forward position. The reflector may be made of solid metal or of plastic with metal-coated front and rear surfaces. The lugs 20 on the sliding ring engaging within the slots 22 in the casing, limit the extent of longitudinal movement of the ring in switching "on" and "off" Unintentional movement of the ring may be prevented by providing cooperating detents and recesses in adjacent parts of the casing 11 and contact strips 16. A plurality of similar contact strips 16 may be mounted in the manner shown. When the casing is made of insulating material a conductor is required between each contact strip 16 and the rear spring 12.