GB819915A - An electric torch - Google Patents

Abstract

819,915. Lamps combined with mirrors. ADLER, M. April 12, 1957 [Jan. 19, 1956], No. 1906/56. Classes 39(2) and 75(3) An electric torch comprises a substantially tubular body portion 11 for housing an electric battery, means for switching the torch on and off and gripping means for detachably mounting the torch on an edge of a hand mirror 14, the arrangement being such that main portion of light emerging from the torch is directed in a plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body portion. The body portion which is preferably of moulded insulating material is formed with a longitudinal groove whereby it can be gripped over an edge of a mirror, the lamp bulb 24 being disposed beneath an opaque dome or cap 23 which is rotatable relative to the body portion 11 and provided with an aperture through which light is emitted in a desired direction, e.g. upon the face of the user of the mirror, by rotating the said cap 23. As shown in Fig. 4 the body portion or casing 11 is hollowed to receive a cell 18 from which part of the insulation has been removed so that the wider end of a tapered helical spring 25 can be engaged over the metal casing of the cell and make electrical contact, the metal cap of the bulb being screwed into the other end of the spring so that its centre contact is normally spaced from the centre pole of the cell. The bulb circuit is completed by pressing the domed cap 23 inwardly within a space provided by a countersunk portion 19 of the housing 11. An inwardly directed beading or lip 21 at the opening of the housing 11 engages a beading 22 around the base of the cap 23 to retain the latter in the housing, either or both of the interengaging portions being provided with a slot to render it resilient and facilitate engagement and disengagement. An inwardly directed abutment may be provided to help ensure axial movement of the bulb when cap 23 is operated. The groove 13 which grips the edge of the mirror is V-shaped and the back edge of the rail 12 is rounded to avoid chafing the lining of a handbag when the mirror is inserted in and withdrawn from a handbag. In a modification, Fig. 6, switching is effected by exerting pressure upon the bottom of the cell so that the opposite end is pushed against the centre contact of the lamp, this being effected by a disc 37 on a stem 36 provided with pressing knob 39. Two diametrically opposite notches 41 may be provided in the disc 37 to receive inwardly projecting ridges 42 in the casing, so that by pressing the disc 37 further within the housing and then rotating it the lamp will remain "on". This switching method may be either alternative or additional to that shown in Fig 4. A small hood 31 may be provided at the edge of the light aperture 29, and the latter may have a translucent window or, preferably, a Fresnal lens 30. A leaf spring may be provided in the groove to grip the mirror edge or the body portion of the torch may be provided with one or more 'spring clips for detachably mounting the torch on the mirror's edge.