US1147269A - Luminous switch-key. - Google Patents

Description

M. T. ROSENHE'IM.

' LUMINOUS- SWITCH KEY- APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1 914.

1,147,269., Patented July a3, 3215.

INYEN TOR V'BY ATTORNEY MILTON T. ROSENHEIM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LUMINOUS SWITCH-KEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1914. Serial No. 845,377.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILTON T. ROSEN- HEIM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Luminous Switch-Keys, of

which the following is a specificatiomrcference being had to the accompanying drawnently retain its luminosity under all condi tions; which shall not require exposure to daylight or artificial light from time to time, in order to maintain it in aluminous condition, and to provide a luminous switch key, push, pendant or the like which may be cheaply and easily constructed and which may be used in connection with the ordinary type of gas or electric switches or fixtures now upon the market.

My invention further includes all of the other various novel ,objects and features hereinafter more definitely specified and described. 4 Y

In thedrawing forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a luminous switch key embodying one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is an end view thereof, and Fig. 3 a transverse section taken upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 4 is shown a side elevationpartially in section of a slightly modified form of key; Figs. 5 and 6 being respectively an end view 'of such a key and a transverse section thereof on the line 66 looking in the direction of the arrows. In Figs. 7 and 8 is-shown a further slightly modified form of key, Fig. 8 being a vertical central section of the key and Fig. 7 an end view thereof partially in section, such section being taken on the line7-7 'in Fig.8, looking in the direction of the arrows. Figs. 9 and 10 show respectively still other slightly modified forms of switch keys embodying my invention, each of said figures depicting such keys in substantially central vertical section. In Figs. 11 and 12 are re- PatentedJuly e0, 1915.

spectively shown elevational views, partially Y in central vertical section, of pendants em-' the features of my inventlon, and in Figs. 13 and 14 are shown simllar views bodying of two forms of'push buttons also embodying the features of myinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, one embodiment of my invention shown therein in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 may consistofa key. having a body portion'l which may be constructed integrally or by cementing or otherwise fastening together two or more sections or members 2, 3 by means of a suitable adhesive 5, or in any other desired manner, one or more of the sections being preferably formed ofany desired transparent,- ortranslucent material, such as glass or celluloid. The sections 2 and 3, if the key be'formed in sections and not integral, may be of any desired shape and are preferably so formed as to provide a cavity 6 of any desired depth in the interior of the key when the said sections are in assembled position, the dimensions of the cavity being limited merely by the limits afforded by the key, within which the cavity may be formed of any desired size.' If desired, however, the body ofthe key, instead of being formed in sections, may be formed integrally, either by blowing, molding or otherwise.

For the purpose of attaching thekey to suitably retained within a suitable aperture in the body of the key, or else the shaft may be permanently attached to the switch, and

means, consisting of a suitable threaded aperture 10, or the like, provided upon the key for the purpose of receiving the end of the shaft, as shown in Fig. fl, or other equivalent means employed.

Within the cavity 6 and preferably before the two sections of the key are cemented or otherwise secured together, if the same be not formed integrally, is'introduced a lumi nous substance '12, in any desired quantity, which substance may preferably consist. of radiumized zinc sulfid, or some other radiumized substance or compound. This sub? stance may be placed within the cavity in solid, liquid, pasty or powdered f0rni,, or

rod

itmay preferably, in this form of the invention, be applied as a coating to the walls of the cavity, as a coating 12, in any desired that as the cavity is of appreciableextent in every direction, the coating upon its walls will be visible from any point from which it may be viewed when the key is in position upon a switch,.as from no point from which itmay be observed when in position, will it present merely a hair-like line to the eye of the observer.

In Figs. 4,5. and 6 is shown a slightly modified form of switch key in which the body of the key may be formed in two or more sections 15 and l6,"suitably secured together, as by an adhesive 5 and provided .with means consisting of a suitable threaded aperture 10 or the like for the attachment of the key to the stub shaft of the switch, the section 15 being preferably of translucent material. In this form of key, the coating 12 may be applied to the inside of the aperture 6 within the key in like manner as in that form of key previously described, the two sections 15 and 16 being cemented or otherwise permanently secured in position after the introduction of the coating within the key.

' In Figs. 7 and .8 are shown a further slightly modified form ofkey embodying my invention, also constructed with a body having two or more parts or sections 20 and 21, provided with a'suitable internally threaded aperture 10, or the like, for the attachment of the stub shaft of the switch, the

two sections being cemented or otherwise permanently secured together. In this form of my device the coating 12 is applied to the surface of a preferably substantially conical point 23 formed upon the section 21 and projecting into the cavity 6 within the body of the key. If desired, in this form of key the section 21 need not necessarily be formed of translucent material, although I prefer at least to form the point 23 of material having a light color such as porcelain. It will be evident that the luminous coating upon the point will be visible to the observer from any angle from which the key may be observed when in use.

A slightly modified form of the device is that shown in Fig. 9, which depicts a longitudinal section of one of the members or sections which form the body of the key, such section being taken very slightly back of the meeting face of the member 30. The

cavity 6 in this form of the device is preferably formed of substantially conical shape,

substantially one half of the cavity being hollowed from each member, and the luminous coating 12 may be applied to the walls of the cavity, and the members maintained in fixed relation in any desired manner. In this form of key means for attaching the same to a switch or the like, preferably consisting of a suitable threaded aperture 10 are provided, which aperture may be formed directly in the body section or in a separate section 31 maintained in fixed relation to the body section as shown.

The form of key shown in Fig. 10 is quite analogousto that of Fig. 8, the body of the key being formed in two sections 38 and 39, the latter being preferably formed with a somewhat obtuse conical point upon which may be applied the luminouscoating 12. The two sections 38 and 39 being secured together in any-desired manner, as by a suitable adhesive.- The key is provided with a suitable means for attaching to a switch or the like, which may consist of a suitable threaded aperture 10, formed either directly within one section 39 of the key, or else within an extension .42 suitably secured thereto, as shown in Fig. 10, Or other equivalent means may be employed. The extension of course need not be of translucent material, nor need the section 39 be constructed thereof in this embodiment of my device.

In Figs. 11 and 12 are shown forms of my invention embodied in pendants suitable for use with pull switches, the pendantv shown in Fig. 11 comprising a body formed of two sections 45 and 46, a suitable cavity 48 within the body having a luminous coating 12 applied to its walls, and the pendant being supplied with a light chain 49 or other means for attachment to a switch, the two 'cured in fixed relation after the application of the coating to-the interior of the walls. In Fig. 12 the body of the pendant is formed with two sections 50 and 51, a suitable cavity 6 being formed between the two sections and the coating 12 being applied to the substantially conical face of the section 50, the two sections being secured together in any desired manner. A cap 52 may be provided as well vasmeans in the form of a light chain 54, or the like, for attaching the pendant to a switch, or the cap may be omitted and the chain attached, directly to the body of the pendant.

equivalent means, are secured to the body of the push button, and the sections thereof are secured tdgether in any suitable way. Fig. 14 shows another form of button also comprising two body sections 65 and 66, to-

gether with a shaft 67 for attachment-of the button to the switch or the like, a cavity 6 being formed between the faces of the f body sections, and a luminous coating 12'being appliedtto the face of one of the sections, preferably made somewhat conical in form, so as to be readily visible from any position.

It will be evident that in the various forms of my invention which I have illustrated,

the luminous surface 12 will be visible from any point in they room in which the key,

,now employed.

While I do not desire to limit myself to the use of radiumized zinc sulfid, or other radiumized substance, in a key, push or pendant constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention, as, if I desire, I may make use of any other luminous substance within the cavity in the body of the key, yet I have found. that radiumized zinc sulfid, or other radiumized substances, possess a distinct advantage in that they do not have to be exposed from time to time .to daylight, or other light, in order to keep them in luminous condition, and hence, a switch key embodying such a substance will retain these luminous qualities practically indefinitely although it may be located where it is i never. exposed to light of any sort, as in a dark closet or cellar. v

' I do not desire-furthermore-to limit myself to the use of any specific form or type of key, pusher pendant, as it will be evident that .various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the various details of my device, as well as in the materials from which the same may be constructed, and the manner of forming the keys, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A luminous switch key comprising a body portion having an interior cavity, a coating of luminous'substance in the interior of said cavity, and means for attaching said key to a switch or the like, the luminosity of said coating being visible from any angle.

2. A luminous switch key comprising a.

body portion having a plurality of members and an interior cavity, one or more of said members being formed of translucent material, a coating ofluminous material within said cavity, and means for attaching said key to a switch or the like.

3. A luminous switch key comprising a translucent body portion having a plurality of sections, the meeting faces of said sections forming a cavity in the interior of said body portlon, means for securing said sections in 'fixed relation, means for attaching said key to a switch shaft or the like, and a luminous substance coating the walls of said cavity,

the luminosity of said substance being observable from any point. I

4. A luminous switch key comprising a translucent body. portion having a. plurality of sections, the meeting faces of said sectionsbeing hollowed outto form a cavity in the interior of said body portion, means comprising adhesive material for securing said sectionsinffixed relation, means for attaching .said key to a switch shaft or the like, and a luminous substance. coating the walls ofsaid cavity, the luminosity of said sub stance being-observable from any point.

-In' witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this-"15th day of June, A. D. 1914.

MILTON T. ROSENI-IEIM.'

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