US2152187A - Flashlight - Google Patents

Description

March 28, 1939. H. G. GRAUBNER FLASHLIGHT Filed Oct. 25, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l Z INVENTOR HERMAN a. GRAUBNER" "6 BY I ATTORNEY H. e. GRAUBNER 2,152,187

FLASHLIGHT Filed Oct. 25, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 28, 1939'.

INVENTOR HERMAN G. G/PAUBNER BY .IIIIII lllllllllllll I 1 ATTORNEY March 1939- H. G. GRAUBNER FLASHLIGHT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 25, 1955 INVENTOR HERA IA N G. G/PA UBNER BY TTORNEY Patented Mar. 28, 1939 I I UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE FLASHLIGHT Herman G. Graubner, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, a corporation of New York Application October 25, 1935, Serial No. 46,721

14 Claims. (Cl. 240-105) The invention pertains to flashlights or batmay be readily moved for focusing it with retery operated self-contained illuminating devices spect to the reflector. Still other objects are to and more particularly to a flashlight adapted to provide aflashlight that is rugged in construction, provide a soft evenly diffused illumination of eflicient in operation, and pleasing in appearance.

relatively low intensity over a relatively large These and other objects and novel features of 5 area and also a more concentrated illumination the invention will be more fully disclosed by the of relatively high intensity over a smaller area following specification and the accompanying from a single source of light and energy. drawings, in which:

Prior flashlights in general have provided a Fig. 1 is a somewhat enlarged bottom view of relatively narrow beam of high intensity light a flashlight embodying the invention, with the 10 or a somewhat wider beam of light of lower intenremovable bottom and reflector omitted to show sity, but for interior illumination such flashlights the interior structure; are generally unsatisfactory due to the relatively Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional small area illuminated. Therefore, one of the view of the flashlight taken along line 2-2 of objects of the invention is to provide a fiash- Fig. 1, with the removable bottom and reflector 16 light especially for interior use that will illumiin place; nate a wide area and also when desired will more Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional highly illuminate a smaller area. Another ob- View of the flashlight taken along line 3--3 of Fig. .lect is to provide a flashlight that will give both 1 with the removable bottom and reflector in the above mentioned types of illumination at the place; 20 same time from a single source of light and pow- Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in verer contained therein. tical section of the bulb supporting structure Flashlights of the candle type have been known showing its construction in detail; heretofore, but they are generally unsatisfactory Fig. 5 is a fragmentary viewin vertical section because their proportionate height is too great of the means for unlatching the removable bot- 25 so that they are easily tipped over, and because tom with one of the latches in dotted lines to they provide no means for brightly illuminating Show its operation more clearly;

relatively distant areas. Therefore, another ob- Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in horizontal secject of this invention is to provide a flashlight t On taken a ong ne 66 of that is proportionately low in height so that it Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section 30 is relatively stable on its base and not readily taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 1 showing the strucupset. I ture of the switch;

Practically all prior flashlights have been pro- Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section Vided with a switch for closing the electric cirk n al ng lin 8-8 f g. 1 s w t globe 5 cult and such switches usually comprise a prosupporting structure in detail;

truding part that is either unsightly or exposed to Fig. 9 is a fragm y V in vertical Section damage, and therefore another object of this intaken along line 9-9 of Fig. 1 showing the means vention is to provide a flashlight having a confor insulating the combined switch and battery I cealed switch that is not exposed to injury. support from the body of the flashlight; Flashlights intended for interior illumination Fig. 10 is a sectional view of another embodi- 40 especially at night are often difficult to locate bement of the invention taken along line Ill-40 of cause they are naturally invisible in the dark. Fig. 11 showing the interior structure;

Consequently, such flashlights are often unsatis- Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along factory on account of the inconvenience entailed line H-ll of Fig. 10;

in locating them. Therefore, another object of Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 45 this invention is to provide a flashlight with a aken along line "-1 of F 0; relatively permanent source of illumination of Fig. 13 is a fra y view taken alon line suflicient intensity to enable it to be located in |3l3 of Fig. 12 wit the interior portions of the the dark. Another object is to provide a flashflashlight omitted to shO the means for u light in which this source of permanent illumig the r va l v r to the y f the fiash- 50 nation is concealed from view within the flashlight shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12; light where it is not exposed to damage. i 14 is a fragmentary view of the bottom of Other objects are to provide a flashlight in the flashlight of Figs. 10, l1; and 12 showing an which the battery, bulb, and other interior poralternative means for suppo the lamp bulb so tions are readily accessible and in which the bulb that less projected light is p ed; and N Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section along line l5-l5 of Fig. 2 showing an alternative arrangement of the bulb support whereby less projected light is intercepted.

The invention shown by the drawings may be embodied in a flashlight having an outer casing A proportionately low in height and adapted to normally rest on the top of a table or other substantlally horizontal surface. The casing A may be provided with a source of power such as a battery of dry cells B adapted to energize a source of light such as a lamp bulb C mounted in a fixed position therein which may project a rela-- tively wide beam of diffused light from a translucent globe D mounted in a suitable exposed position such as at the top of the casing A, and also at the same time project a relatively narrow beam of high intensity light, from the surface of a suitable reflector E mounted or secured in a fixed position in the lower portion or bottom of the casing A, when the electric circuit is closed by means of a suitable switch F concealed within the casing.

When this flashlight is resting upon a table or other opaque surface the light projected from the reflector E is intercepted and therefore only the mellow diffused light emanating from the globe D is visible. This diffused light is suflicient to enable a person to move around a room, such as a bedroom, and still it is not. bright enough to awaken another sleeping occupant. However, in case a stronger light is desired the flashlight may be removed from the surface upon which it is resting and the more concentrated beam of light projected through the transparent bottom may be directed wherever such illumination is desired. This desirable object is obtained by illuminating both the interior of the translucent globe D and the reflecting surface of the reflector E by a single bulb C so that duplication of the source of light and power is obviated and a flashlight of reasonably small size and high efliclency is made possible.

The casing A may be of any suitable peripheral contour such as round and it may have a height or vertical dimension somewhat less than its diameter, width, or horizontal dimension, so that it is relatively stable and may not be readily tipped over, and it may be of any suitable material either dielectric or conductive, although sheet metal is preferred. To provide access to the interior of the casing the bottom G of the casing A may be removable as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 or the top H of the casing J may be removable as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. These examples are simply preferred exemplifications however since it is obvious that the casing may be formed in two sections which may be separable at other points.

In order to provide suitable support for the interior portions of the flashlight shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the casing A may be provided with suitable means such as an interior frame K, of suitable conductive material such as metal, which may lie in a fixed position adjacent the inner surface of the top of the casing A and be provided with means for supporting the globe D,

the switch F, the dry cells B, and the detachable bottom G.

The battery may comprise any suitable number of dry cells B although two are preferred, and these cells may be mounted in any suitable position although one in which the cells are mounted in a horizontal position adjacent opposite sides of the reflector is preferred. To supin the top of the casing port the dry cells 18 the frame K may be provided with a suitable number of downwardly extending battery supports such as ID and i2 adjacent one side of the casing and these supports may be provided with suitable curved surfaces upon which one of the dry cells may be seated, and the frame K may also be provided with a suitable number of substantially identical sup ports l4 and i6 adjacent the opposite side of the casing upon which the other dry cell may likewise be seated. To releasably secure cells B upon their respective supports the frame K may be provided with suitable resilient members such as leaf springs :18 and 20 each partially encircling one of the cells B and resiliently securing it upon its respective supports. The springs .18 and 20 may be secured to the frame K by any suitable means such as the rivets 22 and 24.

To secure the cells 13 against longitudinal movement, and to provide suitable electrical connection, the frame K may be provided with a downwardiy extending contact 26 that engages one terminal such as the cap 28 of one of the cells, and with a contact 3i] secured to a downwardly extending support 32 engaging the bottom of the other cell. The contact 26 may be in conductive relation with the frame and the contact 30 may be electrically isolated from the frame and support 32 by an interposed sheet of suitable insulating material 34 as shown in Fig. 9.. The contact 30 may also be integral with or electrically connected with the switch P which will be described later. To suitably support and electrically connect the opposite ends of the cells B the frame K may be provided with a suitable resilient conductor 36 which may be supported by a downwardly extending extension 38 suitably secured to the frame K by conventional means such as a rivet 39. The conductor may be electrically isolated from the support 38 by an interposed sheet of suitable insulating material 40 as shown in Fig. 2, and the conductor 36 may also be provided with an overturned end or contact 42 engaging the bottom of one of the cells and an offset contact 44 engaging the cap or terminal 46 of the other cell. At least one contact for each cell, such as the contacts 30 and 42, may be eccentric with respect to one cell terminal and these contacts may resiliently engage the respective bottoms of the battery cells B at a sufficient distance away from the axis so that when the terminal position of either of the cells is reversed, with respect to the cell contacting conductors, one of the eccentric contacts will not establish electrical connection with the central terminal of the reversed cell and complete the circuit. This arrangement of contacts insures the correct insertion of the cells.

To provide suitable illumination for both the globe D and the reflector E, the lamp bulb C may be mounted in an upright position within the casing A and reflector E with the base of the bulb toward the lower and light projecting end of the reflector so that the direct downward rays of light from the bulb are substantially shielded or obstructed by the base of the bulb and the bulb socket, and the upward rays may be projected directly to the globe through a suitable opening in the apex of the reflector without material obstruction. The bulb may be mounted upon a suitable support 48 which may be secured to the frame K in fixed position with respect to the casing by suitable means such as rivets 50 at opposite sides of a suitable opening in which the globe is nounted. This lamp bulb support may extend iownwardly within the casing adjacent opposite aides of the globe D, inwardly below the bottom of the globe, and then downwardly into the redector adjacent each side of the lamp bulb where it may be provided with a threaded open- 'mg 52 in which the lamp socket L may be movably mounted.

The lamp socket L may comprise a, metal tube 56 having a threaded contour on the outer surface movably mounted in the threaded opening 52 and a threaded contour on the inner surface in which the threaded base 56 of the lamp bulb C is mounted, and this tube 54 may also be provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 58 at the lower end thereof which may be secured within a suitable cup 68 from which it may be electrically isolated by suitable insulating Washers 62. Below the washers, b2 the interior of the cup 68 may be provided with a conductive disc lid having a resilient tongue 66 formed therefrom and extending upwardly into contact with the central terminal of the lamp bulb C. Above the insulating washers t2 the cup 58 may be provided with a cylindrical spring retainer 68 having an outturned flange in resting on one of the washers 62, the upper edge of the cup 60 may extend inwardly over the fiange llli thereby rigidly securing conductive disc 66, insulating washers d2, flange 58 of tube 5 1, and spring retainer 68 therein.

To conduct electric current to the central terminal of the lamp bulb C one side or arm of the support 48 may be provided with a conductor l2 extending from the switch F to a point adjacent the tube 54. This conductor i2 may be secured to the support 48 by enclosing a suitable portion of both in an encircling metal band or strap i4, and this conductor may be electrically isolated from both the support t8 and the band M by an interposed sheet of suitable dielectric material "it which may surround the conductor within the band and also extend outwardly between the conductor and the support.

The central portion of the tube 54 of the socket L adjacent the lower end of the support 48 may be provided with a flanged ring l8 of conductive material and this ring may be electrically isolated from both the tube 54 and the support 48 by a flanged ring 30 of suitable insulating material which may be disposed between the conductive ring l8 and the tube 54 and also between the conductive ring 78 and the lower surface of the support 38. To electrically connect this conductive ring with the conductor '12 the lower portion or the conductor may extend inwardly and then downwardlyand be disposed between the conductive ring 78 and the dielectric ring 80,

conductive relation with the ring. The conductive ring 78 may also be electrically connected with the cup b by any suitable means such as a resilient member or coiled spring 82 secured in a state of partial compression with its uppermost coil encircling the conductive ring it? and beara ing against its integral flange, and its lowermost coil encircling the spring retainer 38 and bearing against the iipper surface of the cup $0. lhus, the lamp bulb C may be mounted within the casing A with its globe uppermost and at substantially the center of the casing.

The globe D may be mounted in a suitable opening in the upper portion or top of the casing A, and this globe may be provided with a closed hollow top or dome 84 extending above the top of the casing A and with a suitably formed cylindrical portion or open bottom 86 extending downwardly within the casing to a position adjacent the lamp bulb C. To avoid independently movable exterior parts which may be subject to damage and also be unsightly, the electric switch F within the casing may be operated by a movement of the globe D. This movement may be vertical as illustrated by the exemplification shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or it may be rotary as illustrated by the exemplification shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12. 4

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the globe D may be provided with an outer cylindrical surface or central portion 88 disposed within a flange Q0 extending inwardly around the opening at the top of casing A. The portion 88 may be somewhat smaller than the top of the globe to provide a shoulder 92 which may rest upon the top of the casing, and the cylindrical surface 88 may be of such size that the globe is suitably supported by the flange 98 and at the same time may be movable therein. To provide a definite range of axial movement for the globe D, and also means for releasably retaining it at either the upper or lower end of this range of movement, the cylindrical portion 88 may be provided with a peripheral groove 94 having a bottom curved longitudinally outward, and suitable resilient retaining means may be disposed in operative relation with this groove. This retain" ing means may comprise a suitable number of horizontal resilient members or wires 96 and 98 secured to the frame K and disposed in resilient engagement with the bottom 83 of the groove 94. For convenience of manufacture, the wires 96 and 98 may be bent or angled to form substantially a square, and the wire 96 may be securedto the battery support M by an overturned ear E08 that encircles the wire adjacent its central angled portion or bend. One arm of the wire 96 may extend through one side of the groove 84 and be secured in a suitable opening in the battery support is. The other arm may extend in another direction through the groove 94 to battery support l0 where it may be held against upward and outward movement by an outturned ear M2 and the support in. The wire 98 may be similarly secured to the battery support l2 by an overturned ear 5M and one arm of this wire may extend through the groove 94 to battery support it where it may be held against upward and outward movement by an outturned ear Hi6 and support l6, and against downward movement by the wire 96. The other arm of this wire may extend through the fourth side of the groove 94 and through a suitable opening in battery support l8 below the adjacent end of wire 96 so that this end of the wire 96 is held against downward movement by the adjacent end of the wire 98. The ends of the wires 96 and 98 may be slightly offset to bring the portions cooperating with the globe in horizontal alignment, and they also may be so spaced that they exert resilient pressure on the bottom 93 of the groove 94 and are forced outwardly by the curved bottom of the groove when the globe is moved vertically with respect to the casing.

The switch F, which may be integral or electrically connected with the conductor 30, may be provided with an inwardly extending resilient portion E08 having a contact H8 in operative relation with the upper exposed end of conductor :72, and with one or more upwardly extending ears H2 in resilient engagement with the lower surface or edge of the globe D. The switch F may be under resilient tension tending to move the contact IIIl toward and into engagement with conductor I2, and the length of the ears II 2 may be such that they are out of engagement with the bottom of the globe' D when it is in its upper position and the switch is closed.

For the purpose of projecting a more concentrated beam of light than that from the globe D, the flashlight may be provided with a suitable reflector E in operative relation with the lamp bulb C. This reflector may be mounted in the lower portion of the casing A and secured to the re movable bottom G. For this purpose the central portion of the bottom G may be provided with a suitable opening I H of substantially the same size as the reflecting surface of the reflector E, and surrounding this opening H ll the bottom G may extend downwardly and inwardly to provide an interior recess or depression H6. The opening I I4 may be closed by a conventional cover glass or crystal H8 which may be disposed in the depression IIS and held in place by the lower margin of the reflector, which may be pro vided with a radial portion I20 overlying the upper and outer margin of the cover glass, a cylindrical portion I22 encircling the periphery of the cover glass, and an outwardly extending flange I24 engaging the inner wall of the depression H6 and maintaining the reflector and cover glass in axial alignment with the opening H4. The cover glass and the reflector may be secured to the bottom G by any suitable means such as a plurality of somewhat resilient straps I26 each having a somewhat upwardly turned end engaging the outer surface of the reflector and an outer end secured within the bottom G by any suitable means such as a rivet I28. The apex of the reflector E may be provided with a suitable opening I30 through which the lamp supports 48 and conductor I2 extend downwardly to the lamp and lamp socket, and through which the light from the lamp bulb C is projected to the interior of the globe D.

The bottom G may be secured to the casing A by any suitable means, although means having no visible or exposed parts, one in which there Is no relative vertical movement between the casing and the bottom, and at the same time one that may be readily released, is preferred. To this end the bottom G may be provided with an outer cylindrical margin or peripheral rim' I32 that extends upwardly within the lower portion of the casing A, To hold the bottom against upward movement with respect to the casing the frame K may be provided with a suitable number of abutments or stops I34 upon which the bottom may be seated. These stops may-be integral with the frame and extend downwardly adjacent opposite sides of the easing A and then outwardly into engagement with the interior surface to provide a suitable seating surface for the upper edge of the rim I32. To hold the bottom against downward movement with respect to the casing the rim I32 may be provided with an inwardly extending annular rib I 36 having a substantially horizontal lower portion and a suitably sloping upper portion. The frame K may be provided with a suitable number of resilient latches I38 which may be integral with the battery retaining springs I8 and 20, and each latch may be provided with an outwardly extending substantially horizontal portion I40 adapted to engage the lower surface of the rib I36, and an inwardly angled lower end M2 adapted to engage the upper surface of the rib tilt and move the resilient latch inwardly when the bottom is inserted in the casing. To release the latches I38 from the rib I36 the bottom G may be provided with a suitable number of disengaging bosses M l. These bosses may correspond in number and relative position with. the number and position of the latches I3tl. They may extend inwardly below the rib I36 and be provided with. gradually ris ing ends that respectively engage the lower pottions I42 of the latches I38, when the bottom G is rotated with respect to the body of the casing A, and force the latches inwardly out of e1ngagement with the rib l3t. The upper portion I46 of each of these bosses may be angled inwardly and downwardly so that the resilient pressure of the lower ends Mt of the unlatched springs I38 tend. to force the bottom downwardly with respect to the casing and thereby facilitate its removal. To further facilitate disengagement of the bottom each of the disengaging bosses I H may be provided with an inwardly extending projection or stop M8 in position to engage one of the latches I3ii when the bottom is rotated in one direction with respect to the casing and arrest the movement when the bottom is in the correct position to be disengaged or withdrawn. These stops hit may be provided with a gradually rising" surface on one side so that when the bottom is rotated in a reverse direction from that recommended to open the casing the latches I38 will ride over the sloping sides of the stops I48 and the rotary movement of the bottom will not be arrested. The bottom G may also be provided with any suitable or conventional legs, supports, or the like, such as the projections I50 extending downwardly from the bottom of the depression H6. Also, the frame K may be secured to the casing A by any suitable means such as a plurality of cars I52 which may extend downwardly within the casing and be secured thereto by suitable means such as an autogenous weld or other conventional fastening. Furthermore, the frame K may be provided with a suitable flange I54 extending downwardly within the casing and engaging the outer surface of the flange to more accurately locate the frame within the casing.

In the exempliflcation of the invention shown in Figs. 10, ll, and 12 the casing J, globe M, lamp bulb C, reflector N, and dry cells B, may be substantially the same size and in the same relative position as in the preceding example. The structure of some of the elements and part of the connecting means however may be somewhat difierent.

In this embodiment access to the interior of the casing J may be had by removing the cover H which fits over the upper portion of the casing J, and this portion may be somewhat smaller than that below the cover so that the exterior surfaces of the cover and casing are substantially flush. The cover may be secured to the casing by any suitable releasable fastening such as a plurality of bayonet joints or latches I55 of the type shown in Fig. 13.

The dry cells B may be mounted on a suitable support such as a diaphragm wt, of suitable dielectric material such as flber or the like, which may be mounted in the upper portion of the casing J upon suitable brackets I58 secured to the inner surface of the casing and extending inwardly underneath the diaphragm. The diaphragm may be further secured to the casing by a suitable number of releasable resilient latches 50 of which each may be secured to the inner surface of the casing J below the diaphragm so that it extends upwardly through a suitable slot E62 to the edge of the diaphragm where it may be provided with an inwardly extending portion I64 overlying the upper surface of the diaphragm.

Each of the cells B may be secured between suitable conductive resilient contacts or conductors I66 and H38 mounted upon the underside of the diaphragm I156 by suitable means such as rivets i170, and a suitable contact plate i'l2 may be mounted upon the uppersurface of the diaphragm so that it extends outwardly therefrom. The central portion of the diaphragm may be provided with a suitable open- 'g l'lfl in which the globe retaining means is disposed, and a suitable resilient switch contact 1116 may be mounted upon the under sur- I-ace of the diaphragm so that it extends in- ..rdly a short distance beyond the edge of this opening. The contact plate H2 and the switch :cntact H6 may be secured to the diaphragm by any suitable means such as rivets and the switch contact may be secured to one of the battery supports by conventional means such as a joint of solder. One contact of one of the cells B may be joined to one contact ofthe other cell by means of a suitable conductor H8 which may be secured to the contacts by solder or other conventional means. Also, the remaining contact of one or" the batteries may be connected to the lamp bulb contact plate 2 by a suitable conductor i813 and the switch contact H6 may be in conductive relation with the remaining contact of the other battery. Thus, the battery contacts 566 and B68, switch contact H16, and lamp bulb contact plate H2, are electrically connected in series with the switch contact at one and the lamp bulb contact plate at the other.

The bottom of the casing J may be provided with a suitable recess 882 in which the reflector and lamp bulb may be mounted, and the bottom of this recess may be provided with a suitable opening 985 through which the reflected light from the reflector may be projected. The opening 1184 may be closed by a conventional cover.

glass 1186, and upon this cover glass a conductive ring H88 may be mounted having an opening therein substantially the size of the opening 084 and also the reflecting surface of the reflector N. This ring 38 may be provided with an inwardly extending lamp support 890 which also extends upwardly a suitable distance and terminates inan apertured end H92 in which the lamp bulb C is mounted. The outer periphery of the ring E88 may be of such size that it makes electrical contact with .the inner wall of therecess H82. The ring E88 may also be provided with a suitably insulated conductor 1194 which may be secured to one side of the ring by an overturned ear 196.

This conductor H94 may extend inwardly of the ring 588 and terminate in an exposed end or contact i913 that engages the central terminal of the lamp bulb C, and the other end of this conductor may extend upwardly along the inside of the casing J and terminate in an exposed portion or contact 200 which may be. disposed in conductive engagement with the under surface of contact plate M2.

The outer portion of globe M may be of the same general contour as that of the globe D and the central portion of the cover H may be provided with a suitable opening 202 through which the lower reduced portion of the globe may extend. The lower reduced portion of the globe may be provided with suitable means such as a thread-' ed contour 204 upon which a conversely threaded annular retainer 206 may be mounted. This retainer may extend downwardly through the central opening in the diaphragm H6 and the lower edge may be provided with a suitable number of extensions 20B adapted to engage the switch contact H6 upon rotation of the globe and the retainer. This retainer may also be provided with a suitable number of outwardly extending resilient members 2l0 which may engage the inner surface of the cover H and provide sufficient resistance to hold the globe M and retainer 206 against accidental rotation.

In case it is desired, the bulb support I90 and the insulated conductor E94 may be turned edgewise to the direction of light travel so that less light is intercepted as shown in Fig. 14, and the lamp support 58 shown in Figs. 2 and 4 may be turned in a similar direction to intercept less projected light as shown in Fig. 15.

To enable a person to locate these flashlights in the dark they may be provided with a luminous or glowing substance such as that commonly called radium, and this substance may be secured to the flashlight in any suitable location. However, to provide a location where the substance is not exposed to exterior contact or injury a suitable quantity or body of this substance may be enclosed in a suitable transparent container 2l2 such as glass and this container may be secured within the globes "M or D by a suitable adhesive 2M such as sodium silicate or water glass. In this position the light from the glowing material may be observed through the globe and at the same time it is protected from damage. The globes D and M may be of any suitable transparent material such as glass although a translucent material such as whitish or milky glass or the like is preferred because it gives a more diffused light and the luminous substance is visible only in the dark.

in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the path of the electric circuit may be from battery contact 26 through one of the cells to contact 42, cell connector 36, contact M, through the other cell to contact 30, switch member l08, conductor :12, ring 118, spring 82, cup 60, combined disc and battery contact 64 and 66, through the lamp bulb C, tube 54 of the lamp socket, supports 48, and frame K which is in electrical connection with the contact 26.

"in the embodiment shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 the path of the electric circuit may be from switch spring 816, through one of the contacts 968, one of the cells to contact i66, conductor M8, the other contact 568, through one of the cells to the other contact H66, conductor 30, contact plate M2, insulated conductor 994 to the central terminal of the lamp bulb C, then to lamp bulb support H92, H90, and H88, casing J, cover H, tension springs 200, and retainer 206 which upon rotation may move one of the projections 208 in contact with the spring [116.

The operation of lighting the flashlight as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 may be performed by moving the globe D axially to its upper position. This movement removes the downward pressure exerted on the ears N2 of the resilient switch spring i108 so that the latter moves upwardly into contact with conductor l2 and. closes the circuit. When standing on a table or other surface this flashlight projects a soft mellow glow through the globe D sufllcient for ordinary purposes. However, if a stronger light is desired the globe D may be used as a handle by which the flashlight may be picked up and a high intensity beam projected through the transparent bottom glass H8 may be directed wherever desired. To extinguish the light the globe is simply pushed axially downward with respect to the casing. The operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 is substantially the same as that previously described with the exception that the globe M is rotated about its axis in either direction with respect to the casing to close and open the circuit of the lamp C.

To renew the batteries in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the bottom G may be rotated in a. counter-clocklike direction with respect to the casing A until the stops Mi engage the latches I38, in which position the pressure oi the lower ends of the latches I38 upon the angular upper surfaces of the disengaging bosses Md tends to partially expel the bottom from the casing so that it may be readily removed. With the bottom removed the cells B may be withdrawn from between their supports and contacts and fresh cells may be inserted. In case it is desired to change the focus of the light the lamp bulb C may be moved with respect to the reflector by rotating the lamp socket L, which in turn moves the threaded tube with respect to the supports 48 and thereby moves the filament of the lamp bulb C along the axis of the reflector E. When the proper focus has been obtained friction of the partially compressed spring 82 maintains the movable portion of the lamp socket L in its adjusted position. To replace the bottom G it may be inserted in the casing A and pressed inwardly until the latches I38 engage the rib I36.

To renew the batteries in the embodiment shown in Figs, 10, 11, and 12, the cover H may be removed from the casing J by rotating it to disengage the bayonet latches and then moving it upward away from the casing. With the cover removed the latches I80 may be .disengaged from the diaphragm I58 which may be removed from the casing J, and then the cells B may be removed from their supporting clips I66 and I68 and fresh cells may be inserted in their stead.

Although the embodiments shown are preferred exempliflcations of the invention the component parts may vary in size and relative position, and other similar and equivalent materials may be substituted for those specified.

I claim:

1. A flashlight comprising a casing; a globe mounted upon said casing and protruding therefrom; a reflector mounted within said casing directly adjacent the inner end of said globe; and a lamp bulb mounted within said casing in illuminating relation with both said globe and said reflector, the reflecting surface of said reflector being disposed to direct light from said lamp bulb away from said globe.

2. A flashlight as defined by claim 1, in which said lamp bulb is mounted within said reflector with the base portion adjacent the light projecting end of the reflector and the filament adjacent a suitable opening in the apex of the reflector.

3. A flashlight as deflned by claim 1, in which said globe protrudes upwardly from said casing and the vertical dimension of said casing is somewhat less than the horizontal dimension thereof so that said flashlight is relatively stable upon its base.

4. A flashlight as defined by claim 1, in which the electric circuit may be closed by a suitable movement of said globe.

5. A flashlight comprising a casing; a globe mounted upon said casing and protruding therefrom; a reflector mounted within said casing; and a lamp bulb mounted within said casing in illuminating relation. with both globe and said reflector, said casing being provided with an. electric switch concealed therein which may be operated by an axial movement of said globe with respect to said casing.

6. A flashlight as defined by claim 1, in which said globe is provided with a suitable range of axial movement with respect to said casing, and said casing is provided with resilient means for detaining said globe at each end of its range of movement.

l. A flashlight as defined by claim 1, in which said casing is provided with a removable portion to which said reflector is secured.

8. A flashlight as defined by claim 1, in which said casing is provided with a removable portion secured thereto by a plurality of resilient latches which may be released by a relative movement of said portion, and when released. said latches tend to expel said portion from said casing.

9. A flashlight comprising a casing; a globe mounted upon said casing and protruding therefrom; a reflector mounted within said casing; and a lamp bulb mounted within said casing in iiluminating relation with both said globe and said reflector, said globe being provided with a luminous pendant attached to the inside surface of the protruding portion of said globe and extending inwardly therefrom, and said globe being translucent so that said luminous pendant is visible only in the dark.

10. A flashlight as defined by claim 1, in which said casing is provided with a suitable number of individual battery cells for energizing said bulb,, and also with suitable cell contacting conductors of which at least one cooperating with each cell is eccentric to one terminal thereof so that the circuit will not be completed when the terminal position of any cell is reversed with respect to said conductors.

11. A flashlight comprising a casing including a body portion and a detachable cover portion. each of said portions having an opening in one wall thereof; a hollow globe mounted upon said body portion and closing the opening in the wall. thereof; a reflector mounted within said cover portionvand facing the opening in the wall thereof an electric lamp mounted within said body portion and adapted directly to illuminate said globe and said reflector; and electric current supply means supported in said body portion in substantially fixed relation to said lamp and in circuit therewith.

'12. A flashlight comprising a casing having opposite walls and an opening in each of said walls; a'hollow globe mounted upon said casing and closing the opening in one of said walls; a reflector within said casing facing the opening in the opposite wall; an electric lamp within said casing adapted directly to illuminate said globe and said reflector; electric current supply means in said casing in circuit with said lamp; said globe being axially adjustable relatively to said casing; and a switch in circuit with said lamp and said current supply means and operable by the adjustment of said globe. I

13. A flashlight comprising a casing having opposite walls and an opening in each of said walls; a hollow. globe rotatably mounted upon said cas- I supply means and ing and closing the opening in one of said walls;

,a'reflector within said casing facing the opening inthe opposite wall; an electric lamp within said casing adapted directly to illuminate said globe and said reflector; electric current supply means in said casing in circuit with said lamp; and a switch in circuit with said lamp and said current operable by rotation of said obe.

14. A flashlight comprising a casing includin a fixed portion and a removable portion, each of said portions having an opening therein; a lens fixed in the opening in said removable portion; a reflector disposed in light projecting relation with said lens and fixed to said removable portion; a supporting frame secured in said fixed portion; a lamp socket secured to a portion of said supporting frame extending through an opening into said reflector; a protruding hollow translucent globe having its inner end movably disposed in the opening in said fixed portion; and means,

operable by movement of said globe, for closing 10 a circuit including said lamp socket.

HERMAN G. GRA'UIBN'ER.

Images