US1584454A - Portable electric lamp - Google Patents

Description

H. M. KORETZKY PORTABLE ELECTRIC LAMP May 11 1926; 1,584,454

Filed May 31 1923 l atented May ll, 192,5. UNETED TATES HARRY M. KORETZKY, QB Y.

FOB/TABLE ELECTRIC LAMP.

Application filed May 31, 192$. Serial Ne. 642,544.

The present invention relates to an. improvement in portable flashlights, and more particularly to that type of flashlights which is adapted to vary the focusing of the light in order to concentrate it at will upon ob jects at various distances from the user. One princnpal object of the invention is to provide a simple, easily constructed and convenient form of adjustable and removable support for the incandescent lamp, whereby a reliable contact may always be effected for connecting the lamp with the battery and switch.

Another principal object of the invention is the provision of a simple and inexpensive mounting for the lamp which greatly facilitates replacements in case of breakage of the lamp.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred form in the accompanying drawings, where-- in Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete device, Figures 2, 2* and 2 show the parts at the forward end of the device, partly in section, and partly in side elevation, the same being shown separated, Figure 3 is a plan view of the removable lamp support, Figures 4, 4t and t show, partly in section and partly in side elevation, the lamp and lamp support with the intermediate false socket, all shown separated. Figure 5 is a partial sectional View of the lamp support on the line w-m in Figure 8, and Figure 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of false socket shown in place.

The flashlight as a whole comprises an exterior casing 10 preferably cylindrical in form, which may be made either of metal (as in the form shown) or of fiber or other insulating material; as is well understood in this art. In either case the battery ll is introduced in the usual manner at the rear end, being held in place by the usual screw cap 12. lVhere the casing 10 is made of metal, contact with the zinc terminal of the battery is accomplished through an internal metal spring 13 (insulated from the casing as shown) thence through the switch let to the casing 10 and cap 12. This last usually carries an interior spiral spring, shown in dotted lines, which makes direct contact with the zinc of the battery at the rear end. These details are all well known in the art.

Of course, where a casing 10 of insulating material is used, the method of making connections may be varied in any manner well known in the art in this connection.

At 15 is shown a front cap which screws onto the forward end of the casing. This cap is preferably furnished with a plane glass 16, and carries a suitably shaped. rchector 17 having a central opening at 18, through which the lamp 19 protrudes when the whole is assembled. By screwing the cap 15 in or out, the relative positions of the lamp and reflector may be varied to change the focal distance. i

The present invention relates especially to the mounting of the lamp 19 and to means which support the mounting and accon'ipiish effective connection between the lamp on the one hand and the battery on the other hand.

The improved connecting support coinprises two metal members attached to an intermcdiate insulating disc which prevents electrical connection between these mcmberswhile serving to connect them mechanically.

The outer metal member consists of a disc 20 having an upturned screw-threaded peripheral flange 21, so threaded as toadapt it to be screwed into the threaded end 22 of the casing 10. The disc 20 has a central aperture 23. i

The inner metallic member of the connecting support consists of a disc 24 whose central portion is formed into a threaded socket 25 which projects upward through the opening 23 in the disc 20,1eaving an, annular space between the socket 25and disc 20, as shown.

In order to fasten the two members 20 and 2 1 to the intermediate insulating disc 26, the following preferred construction is adopt d.

The inner member 24; is fastened to the insulating disc 26 by two diametrically placed hollow metal rivets 2?, and, in order to avoid establishing electric connection between the members 20 and 2st through these rivets, openings 28 are made in the disc 20 around each rivet which are large enough to avoid contact therewith. Figure 4P is a sectional view through the rivets 27, showing this construction.

ln order to establish a similar mechanical and non-electrical connection between the outer member 20 and the disc 26, similar rivets 29 are used, and the inner ends of these rivets are countersunk in the disc 26 (see Figure 5) so that they do not touch the inner member 24:.

At 30 are shown two raised finger pieces which may have any suitable form, which are preferably struck up from the disc 20, and serve to facilitate the turning of the connecting support when it is being screwed into or out of the threaded end 22 of the casing.

In the ordinary use of flashlights of this general character it frequently happens that the lamp 19 becomes broken, leaving not enough of the lamp to be seized by the user, so that the whole device has to go to the factory or to a workshop to have the lamp removed. This is a wide-spread cause of annoyance and dissatisfaction.

In order to remedy the trouble, one feature of the present invention provides a false socket or intermediate threaded nipple 31 into which the lamp 19 may be screwed. This nipple is then screwed down into the socket 25. The nipple 31 is made slightly tapering, so that it will only screw inward a certain definite distance (see Fig ure 2 If, now, the lamp 19 be broken, the nipple 31 is unscrewed together with the lamp, and both may be thrown away. As the nipples 31 are very inexpensive and can be supplied as additional parts, the replacement of new lamps in case of breakage becomes a very simple matter, involving practically no loss of time.

It is, of course, not essential that the false socket or nipple should be inserted from the front of the connecting support. In Figure 6 is shown a modification, in which the nipple is inserted from the under side. In this form the lamp is screwed into place after the nipple-is inserted. As shown in Figure 6, the nipple is composed of a threaded metallic shell 33 in the bottom of which is the metal plug 3 1, supported by the insulation 85. This plug provides electrical connection between the central terminal of the lamp 19, which touches its upper end, and the carbon tery terminal 32, through the lamp 19, nipple 31, socket 25, disc 24, spring 1 3, switch let, casing 10, cap 12, and tOwt-he zinc terminal of the battery.

Various changes may be made in different parts of the device as shown without departing from the scope of the invention,

which is not limited to the details herein shown anti described.

lVhat is claimed is 1. In a portable flashlight, an external casing having a threaded neck, a connecting support having a socket for a lamp and adapted to be screwed into said neck, said connecting support comprising an exterior member having finger holds on its surface to facilitate manipulation of the connecting support.

2. In a portable flashlight, a connecting support for the lamp proper having a cen tral threaded portion, in combination with a false socket adapted to be screwed into said threaded portion from below and comprising a threaded metallic shell, an insulating base and a metal plug passing through said base and adapted to connect one bulb terminal with the battery.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand on this 25 day of May, 1923.

HARRY M. KORETZKY.

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