KR19980042018A - Portable flashlight with rotating cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

The flashlight 10 has a first stop position allowing access to the first compartment 30 for inserting or withdrawing batteries 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and a second operation allowing illumination of the flashlight 10. Case with battery 12A, 12D and assembly formed by bulb 18 and connection circuit arranged in cylinder 14 mounted so as to limit rotation in circular housing 62 of case 11 between positions. And (11). The cylinder 14, when switching from the first stop position to the second working position occurs such that the first contact 40 and the second contact 42 engage with respective terminals of opposite polarities of the batteries. A lamp in cooperation with the cells 12A, 12C. The pushbutton 52 for operating the switch can be in an inactive position corresponding to the closed state of the switch when the second contact 42 is supported at one of the terminals, and the switch is connected to the terminal and the first switch. It may be in an operating position forcing the open state due to separation from the two contacts 42.

Description

Portable flashlight with rotating cylinder

The present invention relates to a flashlight having a case, comprising a direct current power source including a plurality of batteries housed in a first compartment of the case, and a power contact electrically connected to the current source by a switch as a circuit for electrical connection of a bulb. A flashlight comprises a connecting circuit and a visible cover having a reflector incorporated with a transmission screen for emitting a light beam exiting the bulb in an energizing phase.

Lighting lamps in the form of flashlights generally comprise a tubular enclosure made of an insulated or metallic material having an orifice at the base level that can be sealed by a closed end. In order to operate such a flashlight, the terminal end must be removed upon insertion of the battery through the base of the enclosure. Thus, switching on and off of the bulb is performed by an integrated switch that is actuated by the rotation of the ring when the ring reaches the end of the travel position. The switch may be formed by a semi-fixed contact that cooperates directly with one of the terminals of the bulb, or by a support capable of limited translation within the enclosure. The semi-fixed contacts of the first device can have the problem of oxidation, which leads to poor contact and lighting failure. The second known device is complex and is commonly used for flashlights with metal enclosures.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a flashlight having a simple structure and reliable operation.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a flashlight having a universal fixing independent of support and capable of quickly converting a head-mounted lamp into a flashlight.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a flashlight according to the present invention;

2 is a perspective view of a flashlight showing that the rotating cylinder is in the first stop position after assembly;

FIG. 3 is the same view of FIG. 2 showing the cylinder in a second working position; FIG.

4 is a plan view showing a cylinder with a light bulb;

5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

6 shows an opposing face of the cylinder according to FIG. 4;

7 is a cross-sectional view of the flashlight at the illuminated position of the bulb, in accordance with the cut line through the second contact;

FIG. 8 is the same view of FIG. 7, along the cutting line through the first contact and at the illumination position of the bulb; FIG.

9 and 10 are views along the axis of the cell, in cross section in the illuminated and non-illuminated positions of the bulb;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the flashlight of FIG. 3, showing that the fixing plate is in a disengaged position; FIG.

FIG. 12 is a contour view of FIG. 11 showing a state before the fixing plate is clipped to the case; FIG.

FIG. 13 is the same view of FIG. 12 showing that the fixing plate is in the attachment position; FIG.

14 is a sectional view along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of FIG. 13 showing that the fixing plate has a band disposed as a carrying strip; FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: flashlight 11: case

12A, 12B, 12C, 12D: Battery 14: Cylinder

16: connection circuit 18: light bulb

20: cover 22: reflector

24: screen 26: cylindrical body

28: wall 30: compartment

40,42: contact 44: insulated terminal

48: terminal 50: orifice

52: Pushbutton 57: Base

60: compression spring 62: circular housing

64: circular end 66: rotary ring

68: opening 70: ramp

127: lower side 130: blind orifice

134: spare light bulb 136: fixing means

138: fixing plate 140,142: fixing button

144: U-shaped metal pin 148,150: latching studs

154,156: groove 158: closed ring

160: band

The flashlight according to the present invention is a cylinder in which a light bulb and a connecting circuit are inserted into a circular housing at the front of the case, and includes a first stop position that allows access to a first compartment for inserting or removing a battery. And a cylinder configured to enable rotational movement between the second working position, which energizes the bulb and locks in and out of the first compartment. The cylinder advantageously comprises a ramp which cooperates with the cell when switching to the second position occurs such that the first contact and the second contact engage with respective terminals of opposite polarities of the cells. do.

According to one feature of the invention, the cylinder further comprises a pushbutton for operating the switch of the electrical connection circuit, which pushbutton is in the closed state of the switch when the second contact is supported by one of the terminals. It may be in a corresponding non-acting position and may be in an acting position forcing the switch to an open state due to separation of the terminal and the second contact.

The reflector includes a stop configured to move the pushbutton from the non-acting position to the acting position when the cover's rotating ring reaches its highest position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second contacts of the connection circuit are in permanent electrical connection with the insulating terminal and the metal base of the bulb respectively. The pushbutton is arranged somewhat axially aligned with a battery located below the second contact, the second contact being an orifice configured to pass the pushbutton when the pushbutton is forced to an acting position by a stop of the reflector. Equipped with.

The two contacts are in permanent electrical connection with the bulb and the switch function is displaced to an area away from the bulb in the form of an insulation distance between one of the cells and the second contact.

According to one feature of the invention, the cylinder is formed by a cylindrical body made of molded insulating material comprising a perforated intermediate wall separating the first rear compartment with the battery from the second front compartment for receiving the bulb and reflector and The wall is provided with openings to allow entry into the first compartment from the first stop position of the cylinder after removal of the cover and to block such entry and exit as the cylinder is moved to the second working position.

According to another feature of the invention, the fixing means is a fixing plate which is installed in the blind orifice of the case and is configured to cooperate in a clip fixing manner with the locking means arranged to have a locking function to securely fix the fixing plate in the working position. And a stationary plate configured to disassemble with the case by moving the locking means to an inactive position requiring manual release. The locking means comprise a pair of retaining buttons positioned at two opposing sides of the orifice and configured to block two latching studs secured to the securing plate at the acting position.

Hereinafter, other advantages and features of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and not limited thereto.

1 to 10, the flashlight 10 is a cylinder having an extension case 11 made of an insulating material for accommodating batteries 12A, 12B; 12C, 12D, and an electrical connection circuit of a light bulb 18 ( 14 and a visible cover 20 having a reflector 22 and a transmission screen 24 for transmission of the light beam emitted by the bulb 18 upon energization of the bulb.

The cylinder 14 includes a first compartment 30, a light bulb 18, and a reflector 22, which accommodate the cells 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D and the connection circuit 16 inside the case 11. It is formed by a cylindrical body 26 made of a molded insulating material comprising a perforated separating wall 28 configured to divide into a receiving second compartment 32.

4 to 6, the base of the bulb 18 is screwed into a tubular insulated socket 34 secured to one of the faces 36 of the wall 28. The other opposing face 38 of the wall 28 is in permanent electrical connection with the insulated terminal 44 of the bulb 18 and the first power contact 40 which is in permanent electrical connection with the metal base of the bulb 18. The connection circuit 16 including the second power contact 42 is supported.

6 and 8, the first contact 40 extends radially along the face 38 of the wall 28 and passes through the side of the socket 34 to engage with the base of the bulb 18. It is formed by copper strips of small thickness. Copper, brass, bronze, or steel can be used as the material of the metal strip. The first contact 40 centers the projection 46 configured to contact the positive electrode terminal 48 of the two rows of cylindrical cells 12A, 12B axially stacked in a single column in the compartment 30. Include in the area.

The second contact 42 extends radially along the face 38, offset from the first fixed contact 40 by an angle of about 90 °. The second contact 42 is wider than the first contact and includes an orifice 50 in which the actuation pushbutton 52 is pivotally arranged on the wall 28 of the body 26. The second contact 42 is configured to contact the negative electrode terminal 56 of two cylindrical cells 12C, 12D in a second row that extends parallel to the cells 12A, 12B in a first row in the compartment 30. Has a boss 54 (FIGS. 7 and 9).

The closing base 57 of the case 11 includes two compression springs 58, 60 which are electrically connected to each other and on which two lower cells 12B, 12D, which are placed, are placed. The two springs 58, 60 are made up of conductive wires connecting four batteries 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D in series. On the opposite side of the base 57, the case 11 comprises a circular housing 62 into which the cylinder 14 is inserted, the male screw of which the rotating ring 66 of the barbed cover 20 is tightened. It is defined by the end 64 which has a part (FIG. 1).

The cylinder 14 is mounted so as to limit the rotation inside the housing 62, the first stop position allowing illumination of the flashlight 10 and the first stop position allowing insertion or removal of the batteries 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. Can occupy a second working position that allows. The bulb 18 extends aligned in the axial direction of the cylinder 14.

The first stop position is shown in FIG. 2, in which the opening 68 of the perforated wall 28 allows entry into and out of the compartment 30 for inserting or removing the battery. Switching from the first stop position to the second working position is achieved by manually rotating the cylinder 14 halfway clockwise (FIG. 3). Such rotational movement of the cylinder 14 is easier by means of a ramp ramp 70: FIGS. 5 and 6 on the face 38 of the separating wall 28. The reaction of the lamp 70 on the cells 12A, 12C is such that the projections 46 of the first contact 40 and the bosses 54 of the second contact 42 are respectively positive terminals of the cells 12A, 12C. It causes the compression movement of the springs 58, 60 to provide contact pressure when reaching the position where the 48 and the negative terminal 56 are pressed. When the cylinder 14 is rotated to the second position, automatic cleaning is achieved since the contacts 40, 42 cause rubbing with the cells 12A, 12C.

The actuation pushbutton 52 is formed by an elastic lever that can be in an inoperative position or an acting position based on the translational travel of the reflector 22 when rotation of the ring 66 occurs.

In the non-acting position (FIG. 7), the pushbutton 52 does not pass through the orifice 50 of the second contact 42, and the electrical supply circuit to the bulb is closed for the illumination. It is possible to adjust the focus by the rotation of the ring 66 to adjust the field of the light beam emitted through the translucent screen 24. Such adjustment of the light beam is described in detail in French patent application FR-A-2,513,740.

The action position of the pushbutton 52 is the end of the screw movement of the rotary ring 66 when the stop of the reflector 22 moves the pushbutton 52 through the orifice 50 of the second contact 42. Is achieved in FIG. 10. The end of the pushbutton 52 causes some rearward movement along the axial direction of the cells 12C, 12D compressing the spring 60. As a result, the current is interrupted in the electric supply circuit to the light bulb 18 due to the separation between the negative terminal 56 of the battery 12C and the second contact 42 of the cylinder 14.

The two contacts 40, 42 are fixed and are in permanent electrical connection with the metal base and the insulating terminal 44 of the bulb 18 when the pushbutton 52 moves to the acting position. Thus, the switch function is displaced to an area located anywhere in the compartment 30 in accordance with the separation of the boss 54 of the second contact 42 and the battery 12C.

Hereinafter, the operation and operation of the flashlight 10 according to the present invention will be described.

The flashlight 10 is assembled with a cylinder 14 inserted into a housing 62 formed at the top of the insulating case 11 at the factory. The light bulb 18 is fastened to the insulated socket 34 of the wall 28 and is electrically connected to the two fixed contacts 40, 42 of the connection circuit 16 fixed to the cylinder 14. The barbed cover 20 is partially tightened to the end 64 of the case 11.

To operate the flashlight 10 or to replace the used battery, first rotate the cover 20 to loosen it and then rotate the rotating cylinder 14 through the casing 11 through the opening 68 of the separating wall 28. It moves to the stop position which permits entry and exit to the compartment 30 of the. Then, the batteries 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are inserted through the openings 68 involved in the series electrical connection of the positive electrodes and the cells 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D (FIG. 2). The battery 57 is fitted through the front face of the case 11 so that the base 57 is completely closed and does not have any closureable orifices.

In the first stop position of the cylinder 14, the two contacts 40, 42 of the connection circuit 16 are not engaged with the respective terminals of the batteries 12A, 12C, and the bulb 18 is connected to the switch. In the open or closed state and permanently off regardless of the position of the reflector 22.

Illumination of the bulb 18 is only possible after the cylinder 14 has moved to the second working position (FIG. 3). Two contacts 40, 42 are supported on the terminals of the upper cells 12A, 12C causing cleaning of the contacts and energization of the bulb 18. Since the opening 68 of the wall 28 is sealed off by the internal protrusion 72 of the case 11, entry and exit of the case 11 into the compartment 30 is prevented. The actuation pushbutton 52 of the switch is permanently in the inactive position when the ring 66 of the cover 20 is not coupled to the end 64 of the case 11.

The assembly of the cover 20 is performed by tightening the ring 66 to the end 64, whereby the area of the light beam can be focused by the translational movement of the reflector 22 to a predetermined intermediate position. The stop of the reflector 22 does not engage the pushbutton 52, and the switch is closed due to the fixing of the battery 12C forced to the second contact 42 by the return action of the spring 60 (Fig. 7)

FIG. 8 is the same view as FIG. 7 and shows a cross section along the first contact 40 which is permanently coupled to the battery 12A.

9 is an axial cross-sectional view of the flashlight 10 shown through all two columns 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. The switch is in the closed state and the two contacts 40, 42 hold the two top cells 12A, 12C.

Referring to FIG. 10, the switch is converted to the open state at the end of the screw movement of the ring 66. The stop of the reflector 22 pushes the pushbutton 52 through the orifice 50 of the second contact 42 to move the batteries 12C, 12D downward against the return force of the spring 60. As a result, an insulation gap is generated between the second contact 42 and the negative electrode terminal of the battery 12C, and the supply circuit to the light bulb 18 is stopped. At the end of this movement position the bulb is turned off.

The opening of the switch by actuation of the pushbutton 52 is effected on the axis of the battery 12C by passing the pushbutton 52 through the orifice 50 of the second contact 42.

The case 11 is made of a metal material, mainly an aluminum base material. If the series electrical connection of all cells is maintained, the polarity of the cells 12A, 12C at the contact 40, 42 level can be reversed.

11 to 14, the lower side 127 of the case 11 has a curved shape with a reduced cross section in the direction of the base and is blind orifice 130 defined by the case 11 and the casted internal protrusion 132. Have Preferably, the orifice 130 includes a fixing means 136 to fit the spare bulb 134 and the flashlight to the fixing plate 138.

The fastening means 136 comprises two fastening buttons 140, 142 located at two opposing faces of the orifice 130 and cooperating with the U-shaped metal pin 144 in the orifice 130.

The stationary plate 138 is formed with a positioning lug 146 and a pair of latching studs 148,150 that can clip the flashlight 10 onto the stationary buttons 140,142 of the stationary plate 138. And a support plate made of an insulating material.

In the ratchet position (FIG. 13) of the fixing plate 138, two studs 148 and 150 are held by the fixing buttons 140 and 142, which are forced to the working position by the elastic return action of the pin 144. For this reason, the flashlight 10 is firmly fixed to the fixed plate 138.

If the user wants to use a flashlight as a head-lamp, the fixing plate 138 has two grooves 154 and 156 at both side surfaces configured to receive a band. In this case, the band is fixed around the user's head and the flashlight slightly protrudes from the central area above the head.

It is also possible to fasten the fixing plate directly to the helmet or any other moving element, such as a bicycle.

To remove the flashlight 10 from its holding plate 138 (FIG. 12), the buttons 140, 142 can be pushed outwards from each other to release the studs 148, 150 from the non-operational position. A passive release operation is performed against the return force of the elastic pin 144, which requires pressing both buttons 140 and 142 simultaneously.

Thus, it is possible to quickly switch the head-mounted lamp to a hand-fixed flashlight after dismantling the fixed plate 138.

Moreover, the base of the case 11 is equipped with a closing ring 158 for the passage of the band. Referring to FIG. 15, a band 160 attached to the fixed plate 138 advantageously passes through the ring 158 to form a transport strip.

As described above, according to the present invention, a flashlight having a reliable structure and simple operation is provided.

In addition, a flashlight is provided having a universal fixation independent of the support and capable of quickly converting a head-mounted lamp to a flashlight.

Claims (13)

As a portable flashlight having a case 11, A direct current power source including a plurality of batteries 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D housed in the first compartment 30 of the case 11; A connection circuit 16 including power source contacts 40, 42 electrically connected to the current source by a switch as a circuit for electric connection of the bulb 18; In a flashlight comprising a visible cover 20 having a reflector 22 incorporated with a transmission screen 24 for emitting a light beam exiting the bulb 18 when the switch is closed, The light bulb 18 and the connection circuit 16 are housed in a circular housing 62 at the front of the case 11 and are provided with the first and second batteries 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D for inserting or removing the batteries. A cylinder configured to enable rotational movement between a first stop position allowing entry and exit to the first compartment 30 and a second working position to energize the bulb 18 and to block entry and exit to the first compartment 30 ( 14) A flashlight, characterized in that arranged. A common device according to claim 1, for focusing the light region and operating the switch by relative translational movement of the reflector (22) and the bulb (18) according to the movement of the rotary ring (66) secured to the cover (20). A flashlight comprising: a cylinder (14) comprising a pushbutton (52) for operating a switch of an electrical connection circuit (16), said pushbutton having said second contact (42) having terminals (48); May be in a non-acting position corresponding to the closed state of the switch when supported by one of them, and in an acting position forcing the switch to an open state due to separation of the terminal 48 from the second contact 42 A flashlight characterized by being possible. 3. The reflector (22) according to claim 2, wherein the reflector (22) comprises a stop configured to move the pushbutton (52) from the non-acting position to the acting position when the rotating ring (66) of the cover reaches its highest position. The flashlight characterized by. 3. The cylinder (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylinder (14) causes a switching to a second position so that the first contact point (40) and the second contact point (42) engage with respective terminals of opposite polarities of the battery. And a lamp (70) which cooperates with the batteries (12A, 12C) when in place. 3. The first contact 40 and the second contact 42 of the connecting circuit 16 are in permanent electrical connection with the insulating terminal 44 of the bulb 18 and the metal base respectively, respectively. The pushbutton 52 is arranged somewhat axially aligned with the batteries 12C, 12D located below the second contact 42, and the first contact 40 and the second contact of the connection circuit 16 are arranged. (42) is a flashlight, characterized in that the angle is offset radially on the surface (38) of the wall (28) facing the first compartment (30) side. 6. An orifice (50) according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the second contact (42) is adapted to pass an orifice (50) configured to pass through the pushbutton (52) when the pushbutton is forced to the acting position by the stop of the reflector (22). A flashlight featuring 6. The pushbutton (52) according to claim 5, wherein the pushbutton (52) is against the return force of the contact pressure spring (60) arranged at the base (57) of the case (11) located opposite the cylinder (14) in the acting position. A flashlight characterized by moving batteries 12A, 12B. 2. The housing (62) of the cylinder (14) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (62) of the cylinder (14) is provided with a circular end (64) with a male thread on which the rotary ring (66) of the cover (20) coaxially arranged with respect to the cylinder (14) is tightened. A flashlight characterized by being limited by. 2. The perforated intermediate wall of claim 1, wherein the cylinder (14) separates a first rear compartment (30) having a battery from a second front compartment (32) containing a light bulb (18) and a reflector (22). It is formed by a cylindrical body 26 made of molded insulating material comprising 28, said wall 28 being the first compartment 30 in the first stop position of the cylinder 14 after the cover 20 is removed. A flashlight, characterized in that it has an opening (68) that permits entry and exit, and that blocks the entry and exit as the cylinder (14) is moved to the second working position. 2. A flashlight according to claim 1, comprising a fixing means for attaching to a body of the case (11) to use a flashlight as a head-mounted lamp, The fastening means is a fastening plate which is installed in the blind orifice 130 of the case 11 and is configured to cooperate in a clip fixing manner with the locking means 136 arranged to have a locking function for reliably fastening the fastening plate 138 in the working position. A stationary plate 138 configured to be disassembled from the case 11 by moving the locking means from an acting position to a non acting position requiring manual release action, The locking means 136 is arranged on two opposite sides of the orifice 130 and is configured to block two latching studs 148, 150 fixed to the fixed plate 138 in the acting position in the pair of fastening buttons 140, 142. A flashlight comprising a. A flashlight as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the two latching studs (148,150) are forced to the working position by U-shaped metal pins (144) arranged in the orifice (130). The lower side 127 of the elongated case has a curved shape with a reduced cross section in the direction of the base, and the blind orifice 130 of the case 11 comprises a spare bulb 134, Flashlight, characterized in that the orifice is sealed when the fixing plate (138) is clipped. 11. The fixed plate 138 has two grooves 154, 156 on both side surfaces configured to receive the attachment band 160, and the base of the case 11 carries the band 160 therethrough. A flashlight characterized by having a closing ring 158 configured to form a strip.