US2102696A - Highway torch - Google Patents

Description

21, 1937. J GILMORE 2,102,696

HIGHWAY TORCH Filed Dec. 18, 1956 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 By Ewan/52% Aiiorneys Patented Dec. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE:

HIGHWAY TORCH Michael J. Gilmore, Youngstown, Ohio Application December 18, 1936, Serial No. 116,623

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a structurally new and novel highway torch characterized by appreciable individual features of refinement susceptible of mutual coaction collectively to pro- 5 vide a reliable illuminated signal for requisite safeguarding usage.

One feature and structural improvement has to do with the incorporation in the torch shell or body of an elevated concave-convex bottom calculated to facilitate reliable placement and maintenance of the torch on flat as well as inclined and comparatively irregular road surfaces and surrounding territory.

A secondary but nevertheless important feature is found in the adoption and use of a flexible chain handle purposely substituted for a rigid carrying bail so that the chain may reside, when not in use, in a loose hanging position not apt to become overheated.

20 Primarily, however, the chief novelty is predicated upon the specific construction and coordination of the neck and wick accommodating closure having quick separable, yet reliable, connection with said neck.

25 Other features and advantages may become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a highway torch constructed in accordance With the principles of the invention herein disclosed.

Figure 2 is a view, fragmentary in nature, and partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the complete assemblage and the relative association and arrangement of parts.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view looking down on the neck and showing the wick holder, its associated cap being removed for clarity of illustration.

40 Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the flanged accommodation and retaining neck.

Figure 5 is an elevational View of the wick holder per se.

Figure 6 is an elevational view, on a reduced scale, of the companion cap for said wick holder.

Reference being had now to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 2, it will be observed that the hollow, shell-like body is denoted by the numeral 1 and is of somewhat conventional stubby configuration. At its top is the aforementioned, specially constructed neck 8. This is provided with an inturned circular flange 9 forming a ledge, said flange being provided on its inner periphery with depending keeper or retention flanges l properly beveled into wedgeshaped formation as indicated at l l. The flanges are spaced apart. tov provide diametrically opposite clearance notches l2.

The elevated concavo-convex circular bottom is denoted by the numeral I3 and this is provided with a marginal channel formation l4 having a hooked terminalportion I5 interlocked with a hook on the bottom of the shell or body I. This provides the desired leak-proof interlocking joint and also forms an annular rest. That is to say, the rest l4 constitutes an ideal anchoring element in that it may be forced into snow or moist earth, or soft asphalt to guard against accidental slippage. The elevated bottom l3 cooperates therewith in providing a sort of a suction cup and when the device is set on plane or flat surfaces, it is even more effectively anchored in place.

The two-part double acting closure device is in effect a unit and comprises a wick holder l6 and a cap member [1. The cap member comprises a cap proper indicated at l8, the same being an inverted cup design and provided with suitable vent and flame opening ill to provide the requisite flame guard. An annular rest 20 is formed integral with the bottom of the cap and rests removably upon the ledge Band is provided with a rim 2| fitting telescopically down and around the neck 8. The companion wick holder l6 embodies a disc-like portion 22 joined to the part 20 and formed with an upstanding nipple 23 having a flared mouth 24 providing an ideal accommodation for the wick (not shown). The part or disc 22 is formed with a depending marginal rim 25 having diametrically opposite notches 26 adapted to be matched with the clearance notches l2. Arranged in these notches are outbent keeper tongues 21 terminating in lateral extremities 28 which may be conveniently called spring detents. These detents or shoes 28 engage the inclined or beveled edges 26 of the flanges ill to provide the desired rotary snap-in retention action for the closure (composed of the parts I6 and I! collectively).

As before indicated, I provide a chain handle 29 instead of the usual pivoted rigid bail or wire. When not in use this hangs down on the body of the torch so that it is guarded against overheating. The free ends of the chain are attached to pivoted fastening rings 30 secured on the body by appropriate anchoring clips 3|. The chain handle not only fails to become overheated, but drops down to an out-of-the-way position to facilitate racking and stacking of torches on road tables, benches, and the like. That is to say,

the flexibility of the handle promotes compactness and convenience, in handling.

As before indicated, novelty is based on the chain handle 29 and attaching means therefor, the concavo-convex bottom [3 with its surrounding annular rest, and the special flanged neck and two-part closure made up of the unique features l6 and 11.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A highway torch of the class described comprising a body provided at its top with a neck having an inturned annular ledge, said ledge being provided on its inner periphery with depend-' ing arcuate flanges, said flanges being spaced apart to provide clearance openings, and being beveled on their lower edges, a cap having openings therein, an annular member surrounding the lower end of the cap and adapted to rest on the ledge, a depending rim on the annular member for engaging the neck, a wick tube extending into the lower part of the cap, an annular member connected with and extending outwardly from the lower end of the tube and to which the annular member connected with the cap is fastened, the annular member of the tube having a depending rim extending into the neck and having notches therein, outwardly and downwardly sloping tongues located in said notches and formed with the annular member of the tube and having lateral extremities for engaging the beveled edges of the flanges of the ledge for removably holding the cap and tube on the neck.

MICHAEL J. GILMORE.

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