US1820620A - Focusing flash light - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 25, 1931` H. w. JONES 1,820,620

FOCUS ING FLASH LIGHT Fild July 12, 1923 Patented Aug; 25, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE HOMER W. JONES, F ELMHUBST, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0A NATIONAL CARBON 070M- PANY, INC., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK i FOCUSING FLASH LIGHT "Application led Iuly 12, 1.923. Serial No. 651,149.

This invention relates to flashlights and particularly to focusing flashlights adapted to project a concentrated or a diffused beam of light as desired. ,l y

To obtain a wider rangeV of illumination from flashlights it has been the practice to alter the spread of a reflected beam of light by adjusting the lamp and the reflector relatively to one another. The focusing mechanisms heretofore employed generally require one hand to hold the flashlight and another to manipulate the adjusting device and, usually having parts thereof disposed outside the outline of the flashlight casing, are liable to get out of adjustment by engaging other objects. The principal object of this invention is to vprovide `an improved focusing mechanism for adjusting thechimp and theA reflector relatively to one another Which-may be located within the outline of the flashlight casing and Which may be readily manipulated by the same hand that holds the flashlight. Another object is to provide a focusing mechanism thatV may be entirely supported by a removable head of a flashlight casing. l.

The above and other objects and the novel features of this invention Will be apparent from the following description, takenwith the drawings, in which.

Fig. 1 is a side elevationy portion broken out, illustrating an improve flashlight embodying this invention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central sectional View of the head end of the same.- y y v Broadly speaking, an improved-focusing mechanism embodying this invention comprises an operating device or wheel mounte Within a flashlight casing. and having a portion of its periphery exposed by a slot in said casing. The operating Wheelvmay berotatable about an axis extending lengthwise of the casing, desirably about the reflector axis, and is connected to a lamp holder' or reflector by mechanism for converting the rotary m0- tion of the wheel to rectilinearv motion, whereby the lamp and the focus ofthe reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another.` In a desirable embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed the reflector View, with. a

is stationarv While the lamp and the lamp holder are adjustable along the reflector axis by a Wheel that has a resiliently mounted threaded hub part which bears against a fixed support in the casing and is rotatable in a fixed plane perpendicular to the reflector axis, the threaded hub interfitting with a similarly threaded part of the lam vholder and also constituting a cushioned autment and contact'for the battery and` its center contact.

yReferring to the drawing, the improved flashlight comprises a suitableicasing of tubular sheet metal or other material, tne bottom part C of which 1s adapted to contain a battery B supported by the usual spring E" in the removable endV cap E. The upper end or head Hof the casin is removably coupled to the bottom part by interfitting threads 10, and carries the stationary para,- bolic reflector R, the adjustable incandescent lamp L andthe associated. focusing mechanism, whereby the head and these parts may be removed as a unit from thebottom art of the casing to simplify assembly an inspection. A standard non-focusing flashlight may thus be converted into a ocusin merely substituting a focusin hea for the head of the nn-focusing'flas light. Thevusual removable lens ring -J holds the cover glass G and the gasket F in. lace d against the front end of the head an v re-v flecton The'lamp L is carried by a threaded part 11' of a lamp holder that is movable by a wheel W along the axis of the reflector through an axial opening 12 in the reflector d The Wheel W is freely rotatable a limited number of turns in either direction about the reflector axis and has a minor segmental portion of its periphery projecting out through a circumferentially. extendin slot 13 in a e head wheredepression 13 in the Wall of t by rotative force may be applied thereto by the thumb or a finger ofthe hand holding the flashlight. As shown, the diameter of the wheel may be nearly equal to the internal diameter. of the head containing it, only a slight clearance being necessary for operation and purposes .of assembly. Tofacilitate any suitable mechanism that wil convert its .rota motion into rectllinear motion and appl t e latter to the'lamo holder. A desir- M ab e mechanism comorises a threaded conductive stem 14 that is secured to said holder and engages in the internallythreaded cavity 15 of a nut 16 secured to the wheel W and forming the hub thereof'. The wheel Wis rotatable in a fixed plane perpendicular to the reflector axis and ma be held in this position by a helical spring P thatbears against an inner shoulder 17 on the reflector and against the bottom 18 of a cup-shaped shell 18secured to the lamp holder, the pressure being transmitted through the stem 14 and hub' 16 toa shoulder 16 on the latter which is thereby held against a fixed support A within the head. The spring P also offers suicient resistance to the turning of the stem 14 and lamp holder with the wheel when the latter is rotated, but an additional key may be provided between the lamp holder and reflector.

y The lparts 11 and 18 of the lamp holder with the interposed insulating` washers 19 and 19 may be secured together and to the stem 14 by an expanded end 20 of a reduced part v20 on saidstem. The reduced part 2Ov extends'throue'h and is spaced from a central opening 18" in the bottom of the shell 18, and its upper end 20 is engageable by th center lamp contact L.

The hub 16 is desirably of conductive mathrough and below a central aperture 22 in the support A to provide a rotatable contact for engagingr the central terminal B of the batter This rotatable contact may have a slight y convex surface and is advantageous because its rotary wiping action keeps the contacting surfaces clean, resulting in a low resistance atk the point of contact. The hub 16, which may yield against the pressure of the spring P, thus also constitutes a cushioned or resilient abutment `for the front end of the battery which maintains a closed circuit at this point. The wheel, except it-s hub, A is non-conducting and may be made of rigid 'ber, whereby the' currentconducting parts of the mechanism are effectively insulated from the casing, where the latter is made of 'ffmetaL The support A may consist of a disk of 0 rigid insulating material such as fiber and may be held in fixed vosition against an internalbead 23 lby a .removable split spring ring 24. A metal contact ring 25 is secured to the bottom side of the support A by rivets l5 26, 26',k the latter also securing the lower end terial and has a reduced part 2l that projects of an insulation-covered conductor 27 to said support and electrically connecting it to said ring. The upper exposed end 27 of the conductor 27 is in electrical contact with the inner surface of the reflector. The contact ring 25 or the .rivets 26, 26 are engageable by the upper end of a circuit closing conductor 28 which may be operated by the usual switch S mounted on the part C ofthe casing. The construction is desirably such that when the head H is screwed firmly onto the casing body C, the depression 13 and the switch S will be substantially in line, and the battery, lamp and reflector will have a common axis.

The current for lighting the lamp has the following path: battery terminal B, hub 16, stem 14 and reduced end 20, center lamp contact L-, lamp filament, outer lamp contact L lamp holder parts 11 and 18, spring P, reflector R, conductor 27, rivet 26', ring 25, conductor 28, switch S, casing C, end cap E, spring E to the bottom or other terminal of the batter Rotation of the wheel W-in one direction eeds the stem 14 and the lamp holder and lamp carried thereby along the reflector axis in one direction and rotation of the wheel in the reverse direction moves the lamp holder and lamp in the opposite direction along the reflector axis a concentrated beam being reflected when the lamp filament is substantially at the focus of the reflector. and diffused illumination being delivered when the filament is in front of or behind the focal point. The same hand that holds the flashlight may operate the switch S and the focusing wheel W` which, being entirely within the outline of the casing, will not accidentally get out of adjustment, thereby eliminating special means for locking the focusing mechanism. y

The operating device or wheel that projects through the -slot 13 may be of different form or smaller size than shown and mounted in the casing on an axis parallel to the reflector axis, the lamp holder and the means connecting it to the operating wheel may be of different construction than illustrated, and other changes may be made in the flashlight disclosed without departing from the spirit of this invention.

- I claim: v

1. In a flashlight, the combination of a reflector, an incandescent lamp coaxial therewith, a casing for said lamp and said reflector, and means whereby said lampand said reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another to vary the spread ofthe reflected beam comprising a wheel rotatable ina fixed vplane about the axis of said reflector, said casing having an aperture exposing a portion of said wheel for manipulation.

2. In a flashlight, the. combination of a reflector, an incandescent lamp coaxial therewith, a casing enclosing said reflector and said lamp and having an aperture in its'wall, and

lwheel and said lamp holder,

means whereby said lamp and said /reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another to yary the spread of the reflected beam comprising through said aperture and rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally ofthe reflector axis, said aperture being substantially closed by a portion of the periphery of saidwheel.

3. In a flashlight, the combination of a stationary reflector, an incandescent lamp movable along the axis of said reector, a casing for said lamp and said reflector, and means whereby said lamp may be adjusted relatively to said reflector lcomprising a lamp holder, a wheel rotatable independently of said lamp holder about an axis extending longitudinally of the reflector axis, and means providing a threaded connection between said ing an opening exposing a portion of' sald wheel for mani ulation.

4. In a flas light, the combination of a4 an incandescent lamp movable along the axis of said reflector, a casing enclosing said lamp and said reflector, and means whereby said lamp may be adjusted relatively to said reflector to vary the beam of light comprising a wheel adjustable relatively to said lamp and rotatable about said reflector axis, said casing having a slot exposing and substantially closed by a portion of the periphery ofsaid wheel.

5. In a. flashlight, the combination of an incandescent lamp, a reflectortherefor, a casing for said lamp 'and said reflector, and means comprising a wheel whereby said lamp and said reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another, said casing having a depression and an opening in saidvdepression expos ing a portion of the peripheraledge of said fixed reflector,

' wheel for manipulation.

6. In a flashlight, the combination kof a lamp, a reflector therefor, a Icasi-ng for said lamp and said reflector, a fixed support in Said easing, and means whereby said lamp and said reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another to vary of light comprising a rotatable device bearingl against said support in thedirection of its axis of rotation, said casing having an opening exposing a portion of for manipulation.

7. In a flashlight, the combination of an incandescent lamp, a reflector therefor, a casing for said lamp and said reflector, a fixed support in'said casing, and means whereby said lamp and said reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another to vary they spread of the beam of'light comprising a wheel havinga conductive hub Vbearing against said support, said casing having an opening exposing a non-conducting peripheral portion of' said Wheel for manipulation.

8. In a flashlight, the combination of a a wheel projecting from said casingsaid casing hav-A I battery,

the spread of the beamsaid device stationary reflector, an incandescent lamp movable along the axis of said reflector, a casing enclosing said lamp and said reflector, a support in said casing, means whereby said lamp may be adjusted relatively to said reflector comprising a spring urging said lamp toward said support, and a wheel between said reflectorand said sup ort having a hub operatively connected to said lamp and bearing against said support, said casing having an openingexposing a portion of the periphery of said wheel for manipulation 9. In a flashlight, the combination of a casing, an incandescent lamp, a reflector therefor, a battery having a central terminal, such reflector, lamp and battery being coaxially arranged in said casing, means in said casing adjustable axiallyk relatively to said lamp whereby said lamp and said reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another, and a fixed support insaid casing for such adjusting means havinga central aperture through which the terminal of saidy llnattery maybe connected in circuit with said amp.

10. In a flashlight, the combination ofa casing, an. incandescent lamp, a reflectorl therefor, a battery, such reflector, lamp and battery being coaxially arranged in said casing, means rotatable independently of said reflector about an axis extending longitudinally of said casing whereby said lamp and reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another, a support for said rotatable means between said rotatable means and said said support having an aperture, and means extending through said aperture connecting said battery in circuit with said lamp.

11. In a flashlight, the combination of a casing, an incandescent lamp, a. reflector therefor. a battery having a central terminal. such reflector, lamp and battery being coaxially arranged in said casing, a wheel in said casing whereby said lanip'and said reflector may be adjusted relatively to one another, and a fixed support for said wheel between said lamp and said battery, said sup ort having an aperture and said wheel havmg a hub in said aperture in circuit with said battery terminal. l

12. In a flashlight, the combination of a reflector, a lamp, means whereby said reflector and said lamp may be adjus ed relatively to one another to vary the spread of the reflected beam, a battery in circuit with said lamp, a casing-containing said battery and having a removable head carrying said reflector and lamp and such adjusting means, a cover glass secured to one end of said head in front of said reflector,and a support for such adj ust-ing means secured in the opposite end of said head. ,I

13. In a flashlight,-the combination 0f a iso lng is in Said head, and said Wheel is rotatably mounted in snil bead midis operatively connected to the adjustable member by menus adapted to convert the rotary motion of tbe wheel into rectilinear' motion.

In testimony whereof, I ailix vmy signature.

HOMER NV. JONES.

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