US2006175A

US2006175A - Circuit closer

Info

Publication number: US2006175A
Application number: US435397A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alden E Osborn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1930-03-13
Filing date: 1930-03-13
Publication date: 1935-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1952-06-25

Description

June 25, 1935. A. E. OSBORN 2,006,175 CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed March 15, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

1a 2|; F|G.2. m\ L I June 25,1935. A, E OSBORN 2,006,175

CIRCUIT CLOSER Fiied March 13, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 25, 1935. 'A. E. OSBORN CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed March 13, 1930 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mum,

Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATES serum OFFICE CIRCUIT CLOSER Alden E. Osborn, New York, N. Y. Application March 13, 1930, Serial No. 435,397

6 Claims; (Cl. 52.40-40.68)

This invention relates broadly to circuit clostaken in connection with the accompanying drawing devices and more particularly to such devices ings, illustrating various embodiments by which adapted for use with flashlights and other portthe invention may be realized, and in which:. able electric lamps. Figure l. is a view, in longitudinal section, of a i One object of the invention is the simpliflcaflashlight embodying one embodiment of this in- 5 tion of circuit closers whereby conducting elevention; ments extending from the battery terminal to Figure 2 is a fragmentary view showing one end the lamp socket are done away with. Accordof the flashlight in side elevation, looking from ingly, in the preferred embodiment, the lamp theright in Figure l.

base is insulated from the flashlight casing which Figure 3 is a view in transverse section taken in 10 is in circuit with one terminal of the battery, the the plane indicated by the'line 3-3 of Figure 1, other terminal being in circuit with one lamp looking in the direction of the arrows, and illusterminal, and circuit closing devices are provided trating the circuit closing device in open circuit to bridge the casing and other lamp terminal. position.

Still another object of the invention is the Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing 15 provision of a circuit closer which can be inthe switch in position for makinga flash contact. sorted and removed as a unit. To this end, the Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing circuit closer comprises a conducting element the switch in position of contact for steady light. and an operating member united thereto, which Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a modification of the cirmay, if desired, be removably carried with the cuit closer in safety position, flash position and 20 flashlight casing. position for steady light, respectively.

Still another object of the invention is the Figures 9, l0 and 11 show a modification of the provision of a circuit closer which is selfrecircuit closer of Figure'6 in safety'position, flash taining in position. According to this aspect of position and position for steady light, respectively.

the invention, the conducting members may be Figure 121s a fragmentary view showing one end of resilient material Which Yieldingly ages the of a flashlight in longitudinal section and embodyinterior of the casing or suitable seats therein ing a composite circuit closer as illustrated in and holds itself in position. plan in Figure 13.

Still another object of the invention is a cir- Figure 13 is a transverse sectional View taken cuit closer which is capable of a locked or safety on the line iii-it of Figure 12. 30 position, a flash position and a position of steady Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional View of one light and can be pul d by one finger. I end of a flashlight embodying still another modifiaccordance with the invention, the flashlight cation of the circuit closer, as illustrated in plan casing is formed with a slot and seats in conin Figure 15. v

junction therewith, the operating member be- Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view taken in 35 inc m v in the l n h c n ctin m mthe plane indicated by the line i5| 5 of Figure 14. her being positioned on the seats. The operating Figure 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a member is fOTmed With Suitable Surfaces p modified electric lantern embodying a modified ed to Sel t v y engage Walls Of the S101? circuit closer in accordance with this invention.

to retain the Circuit 010591" in the different Figure 17 shows cross-sectional view on the line sitions of open circuit, flash and position of z4. 24 of Figure 16,

Steady l the resiliency O the Conducting For convenience the three positions of the cirmember being preferably relied upon to maintain cuit closer of this invention will be referred to as the selective engagement of the several surfaces follows: Safety position is that position in which of e Operating member With the edges of the the circuit is open and the circuit closer is locked S1011 against movement. Flash position is that posi- Th inv n n also has to with a circuit tion in which the circuit may be closed at will by 010561 and associated flashlight parts which is depressing the operating member and the lamp is p a a fTOm the standphiht of ease and pilluminated so long as manual pressure is applied.

" ness of man f n simplicity and v Steady light position is that position in which the ieD-Ce inflssembly and operating member is so held by the casing that These and other objects of t invention and the circuit remains closed without manual aid.

the means for their attainment will be more ap- In the form of the invention illustrated in Figparent from the following detailed description, ures 1-5, there is shown a flashlight which nay 55 'cf the part 38.

conveniently take the form of a cup shaped cylindrical casing I6 containing the battery of cells I I. The upper or open end of the casing is of increased diameter and is formed with a shoulder I 2 supporting a ring of insulating material I3 upon which rests the reflector I4. The reflector is prefferably formed with a socket I5 receiving the base I6 of the lamp I'I. Upon the reflector rests the lens I8 which is shown as held in place by a bezel ring I9 received inan inwardly facing groove formed in the end of the casing I0. While the casing I0 is illustrated as taking the form of a cup having its bottom end 23 integral with the casing III, other closure means for the bottom endare equally applicable. A longitudinally acting spring 24 is disposed within the bottom of easing I 0 and serves to hold the battery I I in position and urge its central terminal 25 against the central terminal 26 of the lamp base I6. I

Although the upper end of casing II] is shown as enlarged in diameter, this is not essential to the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, but is shown in order to make clear how the invention may be applied to a flashlight having a lens of larger diameter than the casing. The reflector I4 is illustrated as of a diameter less than that of the enlarged open end of the casing Ill and is held in position and spaced from the casing by means of the insulating ring I3 so that the lamp base is normally out of electrical connection with the casing I 9, which casing I 3 is always in contact with the other terminal of the battery I I through the spring 24. The circuit through the lamp is normally kept open by the insulating ring I3 but the circuit is completed by electrically connecting the metallic casing I0 and metallic reflector I4 or lamp base I6 supported therein by the circuit closing means of this invention.

The circuit closing means for connecting the casing I0 with the socket I5 as shown in Figures 1 to 5 comprises a combined operating member and conducting member 3 I44 positioned against displacement longitudinally of the casing II) by being disposed in a groove, track or channel 29 formed in the interior of the casing I G. The circuit closing means 3 I44 is illustrated as a single rod or piece of wire bent into such shape that it can be inserted into the casing throughan opening or slot 30 (Fig. 2) formed therein through which the operating member 3I extends for manual operation. The operating member 3I is formed by bending the wire intermediate its ends so that it forms a suitable button upon which pressure may be exerted in operating the circuit closer. From the button 31 the adjacent portions 33 of the wire are brought together and are then preferably bent at'substantially right angles to lie as shown at 34, 35 to form, respectively, a casing interior engaging surface and a casing exterior engaging surface, and are again bent at substantial right angles as at 36, 37, into a direction substantially parallel to but offset from the

portions

32, 33 to form abutments adapted to engage, respectively, the

ends

45 and 46 of the slot 30. One of the portions say 36, is again bent outwardly at an'angle to form the part 38, which is again bent inwardly, as at 39, to form another abutment adapted to engage the slot end 45 and is again bent, as at 40, in the general direction The part 40 forms a portion adapted to engage the casing interior and from ita long end 4| is bent inwardly to lie in. a chord of the groove 2I and terminate in a curved portion 42 conforming to the groove 2|. The

other portion of the

wire

33, 35, 31 is bent slightly toward the part 38, as shown at 43, and terminates in a reversely bent contact part 44.

The circuit closer 3I-44 may be considered as comprising generally an operating member 3I and a conducting member 32-44. When in the position shown in Figure 3, it is held in what is termed safety position so that the circuit is open and so that it cannot be closed merely by pressing on the operating button 3 I; this by reason of the fact that the part 35 rests upon the outside of the casing to prevent depressing the circuit closer. At the same time the circuit closer is prevented from turning bodily in a clockwise direction by reason of the shoulder 39 abutting against the end of the slot 30 and in a counterclockwise direction because the shoulder 37 abuts against the opposite end 46 of the slot 30. Thus the circuit closer is fixed against accidental movement which would result in closing the circuit and only a premeditated manipulation of the circuit closer will effect the closing of the contact.

To move the circuit closer from safety to flash position, in which the button 3| may be depressed at will for momentary contact with the lamp base or reflector to complete the circuit and light the lamp, the circuit closer must berotated in a clockwise direction to that position shown in Figure 4. In order to eii'ect this rotation, it is necessary to use pressure, say by the thumb, in such a way that the part 38 is pressed inside the casing thereby disengaging the shoulder 39 from the edge 45 of the slot 30 and permitting the circuit closer to be moved circumferentially in the groove 2I the desired amount or until the shoulder 36 engages the end 45 of the slot. When in this position it is possible to make the contact by simply pressing on the operating member 3I of the circuit closer, thereby moving the contact 44 inwardly from the full line position shown in Figure 4 until it contacts with the lamp base I6 or socket I5, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, thereby closing the circuit and illuminating the lamp I1. When, however, pressure is released the resiliency of the wire causes it to immediately return to the position shown in full lines in Figure 4 thereby immediately breaking the circuit.

To cause a steady light to be emitted by the lamp II, the circuit closer is further moved in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Figure 5. Thismovement is accomplished by first pressing inwardly on the operating member when in the position of Figure 4 to disengage shoulder 36 from the edge 45 of slot 39 until the part 34 comes inside of the slot and then turning the circuit closer in a clockwise direction until the part 32 engages the end 45 of the slot. In this position the part 34 engages the interior of the casing I0 Within the groove 2| thereby causing the contact to beheld against the lamp base I 6 (or socket I5) and a steady light obtained.

The amount of force required to turn'the circuit in the casing to the diflerent operating posi tions just described can be regulated by the abruptness of the several bends and the resiliency of the metal of which the circuit closer is formed. In order to prevent the removal of the circuit closer accidently through the opening 33 in the casing I0, the small curved part 40 is arranged between the part 38 and the part 4| which, in olf position, engages the interior of the casing but all the portions of the circuit closer are so proportioned as to pass through the slot 36 if it is desired to remove the circuit closer. To remove the circuit closer from the flashlightit is first necessary to forcibly raise the operating member 3| up from its normal operating position and turn the circuit closer in a direction to cause the curved part 45 thereof to clear the casing IE].

Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a modification of this invention in which the circuit closer also comprises a combined operating member 55 and conducting member l--63 and may be formed of either a piece of rod or wire or a strip of metal which wire or strip is held from longitudinal movement in the casing by a track or groove Ed in the casing as before. 1 This circuit closer is intended to be introduced into the casing if! after the reflector l4 and other adjacent parts have been removed so that it may be simply. pushed intoplace by compressing it to reduce its external diameter and passing the operating member or button so through the slot 35 in the casing it: from the inside.

Figure 6 shows the circuit closer in safety or inoperative position. The button 50 is formed by twoor more corrugations intermediate the ends of the strip. On one side 5| of button 58 the strip is bent sharply to the left to form the part 52 which corresponds in function to the part 3 1 shown in Figure 3. This end of the strip is then, at 53, reversely bent to form the casing exterior engaging part 54 which extends to about the midportion of the button 50 and in off position this part overlies the outside of the casing iii as does the part 35 in the modification of Figure 3. This part of the strip is again reversely bent, at 55, to provide a part 58 spaced from the part 55 a distance sufficient to receive the wall of the easing therebetween as shown in Figure 5. The part 56 is deflected away from the part 55 and extends for a greater distance and is again reversely bent as at 5'! to form the lamp base engaging con-v tact 58, the part 51 yieldingly engaging the wall of the casing Hi. The other portion of the strip extends inwardly as at 65 in a generally radial direction so as to substantially reach the slot 3!] and is then bent to extend in a clockwise direction and lie approximately in theslot fitito form the part 5! corresponding in function with the part 3% of the circuit closer illustrated in Figure 3. This portion El is then bent inwardly as at 62 to form a shoulder corresponding to shoulder 39 (Figure 3) and is then bent on the arc of a circle as at 63 to lie within the groove 2i and have the function of the parts AI- iZ of the embodiment of Figure 3. In off position (Figure 6) outward movement is prevented by the part 565 underlying the edge 46 of the slot 39 and turning movement in either direction is prevented by the

respective abutments

55 and 62. Inward movement is prevented by the part 54 overlying the casing edge 45.

When an intermittent illumination or flash is desired the part BI is depressed to disengage shoulder 62 from the slot end 45 and the circuit closer turned as before in a clockwise direction until'the' part 60 engages the end 55 of the slot 3!) as shown in Figure 'I. In this position the end 53 can clear the end 46 of the slot 30 and permit inward movement, when pressure is applied to the operating member 56, and thus bring the contact 58 into electrical connection with the socket or lamp base It as shown in dotted lines in Figure '7. When pressure is released, of course, the resiliency of the end 63 causes the contact 58 to leave the lamp base and open the circuit again.

To obtain asteady light, pressure is first applied to operating member 50 to bring the part 52 through the slot 30 as for an intermittent flash and then the circuit closer is turned 'to the left, that is, in a counter-clockwise direction as Viewed in the drawings, to. bring the part 52 beneath the edge 46 of the slot 35 against which it will be held by..the resiliency of the ends 63, the parts BI and. adjacent endof part 53 being bent inwardly thus increasing the tension. When the held against the lamp base and the compression of contact 58 also aids in holding the circuit closer in position.

This device thus functions similarly to that described in connection with Figures 1 to 5 except that'with this modification, the circumferential movement to lock the circuit closer to complete the circuit for steady. light is in the same direction as that to lock the circuit closer in safety position, instead of being in the opposite direction as with the embodiment lilustrated in Figures 1-5.

Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a modification of the circuit closer shown in Figures 6 to 8 in which similar reference numerals are used to designate identical parts. Instead of having the part 6| that locks the circuit closer in open circuit position move inwardly in order to allow the turning of the circuit closer to an operating position, this part 6! is arranged so that it is raised outside of the casing and moves around the outside thereof as shown in Figures 10 and 11 which show the circuit closer moved to-fiash and steady light position, respectively. of the part ill outside of the casing to, part 61! does not act as a stop, as will be understood, and the opposite end of the strip is continued on past the part 57 on the arc of a circle within groove 2| for approximately 180, as at 1B, and then reversely bent into another arcuatespring-like portion H which carries a reversely bent contact part i2.

Figures 12 and 13 show another modification of the circuit closer. veniently made in two parts, to Wit: an operating member and a conducting member. A rod or piece of wire or strip forms the conducting element and, preferably, an insulating button comprises the operating member which extends through the slot in the: casing and is formed with notches engaging the edges of the slot in the casing to function exactly as the parts hereinbefore described. The circuit closing means is shown in this figure as being restrained from sideways motion by suitable projections 15 formed in the casing IE3 at each side thereof instead of by a continuous groove or track therein, this arrangement, or a circular groove being simply a matter of preference from a manufacturing and appearance standpoint in any of the modifications. The circuit close-r parts are intended to be inserted in the casing when the lens, reflector, etc., are removed in exactly the same manner as the circuit closer shown in Figures 6 through 8. The conducting member as shown, comprises a strip or wire bent intermediate its ends in a single fold as at '16 to carry an operating member ll. On each side of the fold it the

parts

18 and 19 are turned in opposite directions, the shorter end I8 being reversely bent to form the contact 80, preferably lying immediate-1y inwardly of the button 11. The other and longer end19 is continued and conveniently bent into: a concentric curve which may, if

desiredrextend for more than 180 degrees as In order to permit movement This circuit closer is con- 10' part 52 is beneath the edge 45 the contact 58 is I operating member is formed with a shoulder 81 having an'upper surface 88 at a. greater radial distance from surface 85 than the surface '84 and also formed with a surface at right angles thereto, as a stop 90. On the other side of the bend I6 the operating member is formed with a slot SI of such length that the circumferential distance between the inner end of the slot 6| and the end 86 of the finger 83 is sufiicient to be received between the: ends of the casing slot 30.

Inwardly of the slot 9I the operatingmember I7 is formed with an extended portion or guide 94 directed oppositely to the finger 83 which portion 94 is preferably formed with curvilinear surfaces to conform to the interior of the casing, the part 94 being of such length that the circumferential distance from its end 95 to the abtument 90 is greater than the length of the slot 30. The portionof the operating member 11 defining the slot 9| may be considered as forming

fingers

94 and 96.

Normally. this circuit closer is locked against accidental operation by reason of the fact that the edge 46 of the slot 39 is received in the slot 9! between

fingers

94 and 96 and the end of finger 83 lies in the cylindrical plane of the casing l6 and vabuts against the opposite edge 45 of the slot 36.

Thus accidental operation of the circuit closer is prevented, the finger 96 preventing inward movement of the circuit closer. I

' To bring the circuit closer to flash position the operating member I7 is first tipped to bring the end 86 below the edge 45 of the slot 39 and is then moved in a clockwise direction until the abutment 91 on finger 96 clears the other end 46 of the slot 36 and the shoulder 90 abuts against the edge 45. The thumb piece I! may then be pressed inwardly against the action of spring I9 to bring contact 86 into engagement with the lamp base I or socket I6 to close the circuit.

As soon as pressure is released the resiliency of spring I9 pushed the operating member outwardly in a radial direction carrying with it the contact 86 and breaking the connection.

To obtain a steady illumination of the lamp the operating member 11 is depressed from' the flash position just described and again shifted in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 13 to bring the surface 88 underneath the edge 45 of the slot 38 and thus hold the contact 80 against the lamp base I5 or socket I6 to keep the electrical circuit closed.

Obviously other ways of securing the conducting member IS-86 to the operating member will be at once apparent to those skilled in the art as for instance by riveting the members together instead of embedding the loop I6 in the operating member.

The structure shown in Figures 14 and 15 is substantially the same in principle as that shown in Figures 12 and 13 and so far as the shape of the conducting member is concerned is identical with that shown in Figures 6, '7 and 8, like reference numerals being applied to corresponding parts of both groups of figures. A resilient metallic strip or ribbon is formed into a bend I06 and portions of both ends proximate thereto are positioned closely together as at IIlI. At an appreciable distance from the'end I60 the portions IOI are bent at substantial ri ht angles while closelv and 8. The remaining portions of the strip are numbered the same and function the same as in the latter figures and need no further description.

here. The thumb piece I85 takes the form of an arcuate member, preferably channeled in crosssection, having a lug I 06 pressed inwardly therein or otherwise carried therewith, said lug 66 being secured to the portions IOI of the strip in any suitable fashion as by rivets or welding. This lug I06 is spaced from the shoulder I02 a distance sufficient so that the end edge 46 of the slot 36 is engaged by the side'I81 of the lug I66 and between the arcuate thumb piece I65 and the extremity of the portions ,IOI. Then the shoulder I62 engages the opposite edge 45 of the slot and the circuit closer is in position to afford a steady light. This form of thumb piece I85 also In Figures 16 and 17 is illustrated a still further modification of my circuit closing means which is shown as applied to a slightly different form of lamp from that illustrated in Figures 1, 12 and 14. In these figures, the battery I69 is shown outside the casing I6I and has one terminal connected to the casing at I62, while the other terminal is connected by a suitable contact I63 to one terminal of the lamp. The circuit closing means acts between the casing I6I and the other terminal I 6 of the lamp or its socket I5 as in the foregoing forms. The circuit closing means is arranged so that it does not rotate in the casing but is held therein by having its end I64 fit in a socket or notch I65 therein or fastened to it by any other suitable means. It is actuated by an operating means I59 similar to that heretofore described in which the operating means may be moved circumferentially, but which in the present instance is shown as being moved longitudinally to cause the circuit closer to assume positions of safety, flash and steady light. Owing to the limited space that can usually be provided for such longitudinal movement the operating member need not have as much movement for the different positions as where a circumferential movement is employed.

A longitudinally extending slot I66 is defined in part by opposed end edges I61, I68. The operating member includes a guide part underlying all the edges of the slot at all times and secured to the conducting member in suitable fashion on the opposite side of the casing from the notch I65, the end I69 of the spring opposite to end I64 being reversely bent to form the contact I69.

The operating member is the same in principle as that discussed in connection with Figures 12 and 13 but the several shoulders and notches are so disposed that the operating member is moved ing member has a guide portion I10 underlying the ed es of the slot I66 on all sides. Above the guide I10 at one end, say over the edge I68 of the slot I66, the operating member is formed with a slot I'H of a radial width suflicient to freely receive the wall of the casing. At the same radial distance as the slot I'H the operating member is formed on its opposite end with a shoulder or abutment H2 and the axial distance between the end of the slot Ill and the face of abutment I12 is slightly less than the length of the casing slot I66 so as to provide freedom of movement in tipping the operating member in its movement from safety to flash position.

In flash position, the edge I6! is received in the set back or recess I13, the shoulder I'M on the opposite end positioning the same in the slot. It will be noted that the distance between set back and shoulder being substantially equal to the length of the slot. In this position the contact Hi9 may be brought against the lamp terminal to give a light whenever the operating member is pressed.

To afford a steady light the operating member is further depressed until the set back or surface is within the casing and then moved to the right as viewed in Figure 16 when the surface I15 is held beneath the casing and the contact IE9 is held in contact with the lamp terminal to complete the circuit.

It will thus be seen that a particularly simple circuit closer has been provided which, when applied to flashlights or other hand lanterns, results in a reduction in the number of parts and, in all, simplifies manufacture and assembly and permits an ease of operation not found in most circuit closers while the operating member therefore is capable of being locked in either open circuit or steady light positions.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the relation, composition, interchangeability and configuration of the component parts going to make up the circuit closer as a whole as well as in the manner of its application and no limitation is intended by the phraseology of the foregoing description or illustrations in the accompanying drawings except as indicated in the appended claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric flashlight of the class described having a battery, a casing formed with an aperture, means carried with the casing in electrical connection with one terminal of the battery, a lamp carried with the casing and insulated therefrom and having its central terminal in electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery, means to close the circuit between the first named means and the other terminal of the lamp comprising a substantially volute deformable conducting member lying in and deformable in a transverse plane including the lamp base and in electrical connection with the first named means and having a contact end movable transversely of the easing into electrical contact with the peripheral terminal of the lamp base upon the deformation of the conducting member, an operating member movable in the aperture and carried with the conducting member and extending exteriorly of the casing, said operating member having portions adapted to selectively engage the edge of the aperture to selectively permit and maintain, at will, depression of said operating member to deform the said conducting member and move the contact end into circuit making position.

' 2. In a flashlight of the class described, in combination, a casing formed with an aperture,

a lamp, a battery having one terminal in electrical connection with a terminal of the lamp, conducting means carried with the casing in electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery, circuit closing means comprising a deformable conductingmember in electrical connection with the conducting means and movable into and out of electrical contact with the other terminal of the lamp and operating means movable in the aperture comprising abutment means and recess means adapted to selectively engage opposed edges of the aperture to retain the deformable conducting member out of electrical contact with said lamp terminal, an edge engaging portion adapted to position the operating member in the aperture for depression of the operating member therein to cause the deformable conducting member to move into electrical'co-ntact with the lamp terminal and means to engage the edge of the aperture to so position the operating member in the aperture that the conducting member is maintained in electrical contact with said lamp terminal.

3. In a flashlight of the class described, in combination, a casing formed with an aperture, a lamp, a battery having one terminal in electrical connection with a terminal of the lamp, conducting means carried with the casing in electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery, a deformable conducting member in electrical connection with the conducting means and movable into and out of electrical contact with the other terminal "of the lamp, an operating member of non-conductive material operatively connected with the deformable member and movable in the aperture comprising abutment means and recess means adapted to selectively engage opposed edges of the aperture to retain the deformable conducting member out of electrical connection with said lamp terminal, an edge engaging portion adapted to position the operating member in the aperture for depression of the operating member therein to cause the deformable conducting member to move into electrical contact with said lamp terminal and means to engage the edge of the aperture to so position the operating member in the aperture that the conducting member is maintained in electrical contact with the said lamp terminal.

4. In a flashlight of the class described, in combination, a casing formed with an aperture, a lamp, a battery having one terminal in electrical connection with a terminal of the lamp, conducting means carried with the casing in electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery, a deformable conducting member in electrical connection with the conducting means and movable into and out of electrical contact with the other terminal of the lamp, an operating member of moldable non-conductive material operatively connected to the deformable member and movable in the aperture, comprising a guide portion underlying an edge of the aperture, an abutment and a recess oppositely directed with respect to one another and distanced from one another substantially equal to the length of the aperture, a stop portion and an abutment distanced from one another substantially equal to the length of the aperture, said stop portion adapted to engage an edge of the aperture for flash position, and a surface adapted to be disposed within the edge of the aperture for steady light positions.

In a flashlight of the class described, in combination, a casing formed with an aperture, a lamp, a battery having one terminal in electrical connection with a terminal of the lamp, conducting means carried with the casing in electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery, a deformable conducting member in electrical connection with the conducting means and movable into electrical connection with the other terminal of the lamp, an operating member connected to the deformable member, movable in the aperture, comprising ametallic ribbon bent substantially sinusoidally intermediate its ends to form an operating member, the adjacent sections thereto reversely bent and joined to form a casing exterior engaging section on one side to retain the deformable conducting member in electrically disconnected position, and an abutment on the other side to engage the edge of the aperture to position the thumb piece to be depressed and cause the deformable member to move into electrical connection With the lamp and the conducting means, the adjacent sections thereto oppositely bent to extend in the directions of the'walls of the casing to form casing interior engaging surfaces, the section adjacent thereto on one side reversely bent to form a contact membe'r'and the section adjacent thereto on the other side bent to form a second abutment to engage the edge of the aperture to prevent accidental dislodgment of the deformable conducting member from its electrically disconnected position.

6. In a flashlight of the class described, in

electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery, a deformable conducting member in electrical connection with the conducting means and movable into electrical connection with the other terminal of the lamp, an operatingmember integrally connected to the deformable member, movable in the aperture, comprising a metallic ribbon bent intermediate its operating member and reversely bent and joined to form a neck therefor, the adjacent sections thereto bent in the directions of the aperture Walls to form casing, interior and exterior engaging surfaces selectively operable to retain the formable member in electrically connected and electrically disconnected positions, the adjacent sections thereto bent radially of the casing to form abutments to selectively engage opposite edges of the aperture to position the thumb piece to be depressed to move the deformable member into electrically connected position and to position'the casing exterior engaging surface to hold the deformable member in electrically disconnected position, one of the sections adjacent thereto bent to form a contact portion and the other to form a second abutment to engage the edge of the aperture to prevent the dislodgment of the casing exterior engaging surface from its last named position.

ALDEN E. OSBORN.

ends to form an