US2197941A - Flashlight switch - Google Patents

Description

April 23, 1940- w. J. OFFICER Er AL l 2.197.941

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed Aug. 17, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 57 wfg-J1 m2* /7 a M ff /Z (if L 1! 2 I k ff 7 l V"Milli/wm o 7 f7 ff MQ '/'f /f/f/ ff INVENTORS, Wslcy d.' ffz'cef;

ATTORNEY.

April z3, 1940.

' w. J. OFFICER Er AL FLASHLIGHT swrTcH 4 Sheets-Shee INVENTOR,

Filed Aug. 17, 1936 ATTORNEY.

April 23, 1940. J. OFFICER m- AL .FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed Agg. 17, 1936 4 Sheets-Slleefl 5 svlfllviflIllllllilllllll:vinili X mm OIIII 71,4 mm

hufig April 23, 1940. w` J. OFFICER n AL FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed Aug. 17, 1936 4 SheetsLSheet 4 ma m Patented `Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Wesley J. Oliicer, Hampden, and Orville T. Wood,

Clinton, Mass., assignors to Blake Manufacturing Corporation, Clinton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application August 17, 193s, serial No. 96,364

7 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in flashlight switches, and is particularly pertinent to that type of flashlight switch known in the art as a three-position switch, in which the actuating member of the switch construction has three definite positions, first, an open circuit position in which the electrical circuit is open; second, an intermittent or flash position, in which the electrical circuit may be closed by manual manipulation of the actuating member; and third, a closed circuit position, in which the electrical circuit is held in closed position.

An object of this invention is to provide a threeposition switch construction, incorporating means for definitely and positively locating and holding the switch actuating member in any one of its three positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a three-way switch construction and co-operating parts so arranged that insulation of the switch contact strip is unnecessary, thereby reducing the cost of manufacture relative to existing methods, and improving the reliability and life of the ashlight.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a three-position switch construction involving a minimum of parts, resulting in a substantial reduction in the cost of manufacture and assembly.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In carrying this invention into effect, .a lamp socket screw shell is supported from the casing and insulated from the casing. A contact member is electrically connected to the lamp socket and is adapted to be electrically connected with a contact strip, whereof an actuating member is movably supported in a switch housing, there being operative connecting means for actuating the contact strip, whereby the contact strip may be brought into engagement with the contact 45 member for closing the electrical circuit. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided co-operating means between the actuating member and the housing, which is, in effect, part of the casing, for positioning and holding the actuating 50 member in open circuit position, intermittent or flash position, or closed circuit position.

Preferred embodiments of our invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

whichf Il f Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of a nashlight cas- (Cl. 24o-10.66)

ing with switch, screw shell, and lamp assembled thereon.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch housing.

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the flashlight casing. 5 Fig. 4 is an end view of the easing, showing the screw shell supporting disc.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of the screw shell supporting disc.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken on the line l0 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. l5

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. l0 is an underside plan view of the switch housing, and contact strip.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view, taken on the go line H-Il of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. '1, illustrating a modified form of construction. f

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. '1, illustrating a further modification. g5

Fig. 14 is a partial p lan view of the casing, shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of a switch construction in which the actuating button is formed from a plastic material. 30

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view, taken on the line Iii-I6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view, taken on the une n-n of Fig. 15.

A battery casing I is formed near its front end y 2 with an inwardly projecting bead, or knurl 3, which provides a shoulder, or seat, for a metallic disc 4. (See Fig. 7.) In assembling, the disc 4 is placed against the knurl 3 and the end 2 of the casingk I is folded or spun inwardly over tledisc 4, as clearly indicated at 2 in Fig. 7. The disc 4 yis provided with a central opening 5, relatively larger in diameter than a lamp socket screw shell 6, and the lamp screw shell 6 is supported on the disc 4 by awasher 1 of insulation which is engaged in a socket, or recess 8, formed in the dise 4. A contact member 9 is also supported on the metallic disc 4 and insulated therefrom by a washer I9 of insulation. The disc 4, washers 'I' and IB, and contact member 9 are assembled firmly as a unit by means of the lamp socket screw shell 3, which tightly grips these members vbetween the bead 6 and flange 6". The contact member 9 is provided with a contact lip I I, which is bent at an angle, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and extends outwardly through an opening I2, formed in the metallic disc 4. The casing I is also provided with a notch I3 which registers with the opening I2, t0 provide clearance around the portion or bent lip II and a contact strip I4. (See Fig. 4.) To insure proper registration of the opening I2, notch I3, contact strip I4, the disc 4 is provided with detents I5, and, at assembly, after the end 2 of the casing I has been folded over the disc 4, the portion thus folded is struck inwardly into the detents I5, as indicated at I6 in Fig. 4, thus preventing relative rotary movement between the casing I and disc 4. The casing I is formed with a depressed portion I'I terminating at its forward end in a slot I8, and the depressed portion I1 is provided with a raised bump or projection I9, the purpose of which will be later explained. The casing I is also pierced at 29 for an eyelet or rivet 2I. A housing 22 is formed with a forwardly extending tab portion 23 at its front end, and pierced adjacent its rear end at 24 to receive the eyelet or rivet 2l. The housing 22 is securely attached to the casing I by engagement of the tab 23 in the slot I8, in co-operation with the eyelet 2I.

The housing 22 is also formed with the V- shaped station grooves 25, 26, and 21, and an opening 28 through which an operating button 29 projects. The operating button 29 is secured by means of tabs 39 and 3I to a channel-shaped slide member 32 slidably supported within the housing 22, and the contact strip I4 is also secured to the slide 32 and button 29 by the tab 3G. The contact strip I4 is also secured to the slide 32 by indenting the flanges, 33 at 34, as shown clearly in Figs. 1, 10, 11, 12, and 13. The contact strip I4 is ribbed at 35 and 36 for rigidity, and is formed with a rearwardly extending spring portion 31 terminating in a hook, or roll 38, which is normally engaged in one of the position grooves 25, 25, and 21. The end of the Contact strip In'. opposite the hook 38, is formed with a downwardly projecting bead or roll 39. terminating in an end portion 49 bent at an angle approximating the angle of the lip II on the contact member 9.

The operation is simple. The operating button 29, slide 32, and contact strip act as a unitary structure. In the inoperative, Or open circuit position, with the hook 38 engaged in the groove 25, a portion I4' of the contact strip I4 rests on the bump I9, thereby preventing depression of the button 29. When the button 29 is moved forwardly until the hook 38 is engaged in the intermediate, or flash position groove 26. the button 29 may then be depressed as indicated at 29 in Fig. '1. Such depression forces the contact strip i4 downwardly until the end 40 thereof is in contact with the lip I I of the Contact member 9. This position is indicated by dotted lines 40', in Fig. '1. A further forward movement of the button 29, to the position indicated at 29", in Fig. 7, with the hook 38 engaged in the closed circuit position groove 21, will move the contact strip I4 forwardly until the bead 39 is engaged on the lip I I,

as indicated at 39, and the free end of strip I4 is within the recess I2. The indented portion I1 of the casing I serves also to position the battery (not shown) in the casing, to clear the contact strip I4 and provide for absolute freedom of movement of the contact strip. The rear, sloped portion Il of the part I1 serves as a guide for easing the battery, during insertion, into the casing by the portion I1.

In the modified construction, illustrated in Fig. l2, a disc 4I of insulating material is secured in the casing I between the bead 3 and flange 2, and the disc 4I and a contact member 42 are secured together between the bead 6 and the flange 6 of the lamp socket screw shell 6. The contact member 42 is formed with an outwardly projecting lip 43 which extends through an opening 44 in the disc 4I. A Contact strip 45 is xedly secured on the casing I by means of the eyelet 2|, and extends thence forwardly through the slot I8 in the casing I and termin ates at 4G, over or above the bent lip 43. A spring-actuating member 41, formed with the spring portion 31 and groove-engaging hook 38, is secured in the slide 32, and is formed with the downwardly bent portion 48 which rides on the top of the contact strip 45. The portion 48 is formed with a raised bump or bead 49. The operation is similar to that described for the construction, shown in Fig. '1, except that the contact strip 45 is fixed and does not move longitudinally with the operating button 29. With the parts in the inoperative or open circuit position, indicated in Fig. l2, the hook 38 is engaged in the groove 25, and the portion 48 of the member 41 rests on the strip 45 directly over the bump I 9 in the casing I. In this position, deflection of the button 29 cannot deflect the strip 45 into engagement with the contact lip 43. When the button 29 is moved forwardly, until the hook 38 is engaged in the groove 26, the portion 48 of the member 41, will be positioned forwardly of the bump I9, and depression of the button 29 will force the xed strip 45 downwardly, until the end 45 is in contact with the lip 43. When the button 29 is moved forwardly, until the hook 3B is engaged in the groove 21, the bump or bead 49 on the spring portion 48, is forced under the flange 23 oi' the housing 22, thus forcing the contact strip 45 downwardly into permanent engagement with the lip 43.

In the construction, shown in Fig. 13, a disc 50 of insulation is secured in the casing I between the bead 3 and ange 2. The lamp screw shell 6, supported in the disc 50, binds the ends of an insulation strip 5I and a contact strip 52 to the disc 50. The opposite end 53 of the insulation strip 5I is secured on the under side of the portion I1 of the casing I by a rivet, or eyelet 54. The corresponding end 55 of the Contact strip 52 is secured on the insulation strip 5I by a rivet, or eyelet 56. The portion I1 of the casing I is formed with a slot 51 to clear the rivet 56 and prevent electrical contact between the casing I and rivet 56. The construction of the housing 22, button 29, slide 32, and spring 31 is the same as shown in Fig. 12. The operation is the same as that described for the construction shown in Fig. 12, except that in the intermittent position controlled by the groove 2G, depression of the button 29 will bring the part 48 into engagement with the contact strip 52 through the rivet 56, and in the closed circuit position controlled by the groove 21, engagement of the part 49, u

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under the flange r23, will also bring the part 48 into engagement with the rivet 56.

- In the construction, illustrated in Figs. to 20, inclusive, the construction and operation is the same as that shown in Fig. 12, with the exception of the operating button, slide, and spring. 'Ihe operating button, slide, and forward portion of the spring have been combined in a single member 51 of plastic, or molded material. This member 51 is formed with a button portion 5B, a slide portion 59, and a foot portion 60, corresponding to the portions 48 and 49 of the spring 41 in Fig. 12. A spring member 6I, having the spring portion 31 and hook 38, is formed with an upwardly extending portion 62 by means of which the spring 6I may be secured to the member 51 byy pressing the portion 62 into a groove 63, formed in the member 51. The operation is the same as that described for the construction, shown in Fig. 12.

It will be readily understood, by those skilled in the art, that the switch constructions disclosed in this application are applicable to all flashlights in which the lamp terminal is grounded through the batteries to the casing and the lamp shell grounded to a contact member, insulated from the casing and capable of electrical connection with some part of the switch construction only.

What we claim is:

1. Means for operating a slidable contact for closing the circuit with a contact terminal in a flashlight construction having a battery-enclosing casing, a struck-up portion in the casing, a housing on the casing having spaced grooves, said slidable contact having a springy part that engages the spaced grooves, a thumb piece slidable in the housing and connected to the said contact, the slidable contact normally engaging the struckup portion of the casing when the springy part of the contact is in one groove for maintaining an open circuit with the contact terminal and disengaged from the struck-up portion when the springy part of the slidable contact is in another groove for effecting either an intermittent or closed circuit.

2. In a switch construction for flashlights, a reciprocable composite actuating member comprising a contact member, a thumb piece havlng a lip and a plate formed with flanges, said flanges being bent into engagement with the contact member, the Contact member and the flanged plate having registering openings, respectively, to

the lip portion on the thumb piece passing through said openings and being bent to engage the contact member and the flanged plate, whereby the contact member, the thumb piece and the flanged plate are permanently secured together to move as a unit.

3. In a fiashlight switch construction, a casing formed with a depressed recess provided with a struck-up portion, said casing being also formed with an opening adjacent said recess and an inclined ramp opposite said opening, a switch housing secured on said casing and having a flange engaged in said opening, a disc secured in an end of said casing and provided with an opening extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, a contact terminal secured on said disc and insulated from said casing and having a part located in the opening in said disc, a lamp socket secured on said disc and electrically connected to said contact terminal, a contact strip in said casing and normally engaged on said struck-up portion for spacing said strip from said contact terminal, a switch slide in said housing in opera r tive engagement with said strip, an operating button on said slide, said housing being provided with position grooves, a spring on said slide cooperating with said position grooves for locating said slide in three positions relative to said struckup portion, an open circuit position in which the contact strip is spaced from the contact termi# nal, a flash position in which the contact strip may be depressed by said button into engagement with said terminal, and a closed circuit position in which the Contact strip is depressed into engagement with the contact terminal. f v 4. In a iiashlight switch construction, a casing, a lamp socket, a contact terminal electrically connected to said lamp socket, said lamp socket and said terminal being insulated from said casing, said casing being formed with a recess and an opening communicating with said recess, a projection in said recess, a housing on said casing provided with a flange engaged in the opening in the casing, a contact strip in said housing and extending into said casing through said opening and having an end thereof normally spaced from 'said contact terminal, a slide in said housing provided with an operating button, a spring on said slide, said housing being formed with three position grooves cooperating with said spring to position said slide, said slide and said projection cooperating to space said contact strip and said contact terminal to maintain an open f circuit when said spring is engaged in one of saidA grooves, said slide and said button cooperating to depress said strip into electrical contact with said terminal when said spring is in another of said grooves, and said slide and said casing cooperating to depress said strip into electrical connection with said terminal when said spring is in the third of said grooves.

5. In a flashlight, in combination, a battery containing casing, a lamp socket, a contact electrically connected with the lamp socket, said lamp socket and the contact being insulated from the casing, said casing being formed with a recess defined by a flat bottom wall terminating in an opening communicating with the casing interior,

a conductive contact strip in the recess having a portion thereof adapted to engage the iirst named contact, a housing on said casing and whereof a part encloses said recess, said housing being formed with an opening, a slide in the recess, an actuating member carried therewith and movable in the opening in the housing, a reciprocable member in the recess comprising operating means for the contact strip, positioning means carried with the reciprocablemember and relatively fixed positioning means adapted to coact therewith, whereby said conductive contact strip may be positioned either in open circuit, intermittent or closed circuit position.

6. In a iiashlight, in combination, a battery containing casing, a lamp socket, a contact electrically connected with the lamp socket, Vsaid lamp socket and the contact being insulated froml contact, resilient positioning means carried kwith the slide and having a portion engaging the casing and relatively fixed positioning means to coact therewith whereby said conductive strip may be positioned either in open circuit, intermittent or closed circuit position.

7. In a iiashlight, in combination, a battery containing casing, a lamp socket, a contact electrically connected with the lamp socket, said lamp socket and the contact being insulated from the casing, said casing being formed with a recess dened by a flat bottom wall terminating in an opening communicating with the casing interior, a conductive contact strip in the recess havingl a portion thereof adapted to engage the rst named contact, a housing on said casing and whereof a part encloses said recess, said housing being formed with an opening, a slide in the recess, an actuating member carried therewith and movable in the opening in the housing, a reciprocable member in the recess and comprising operating means for the contact strip, said contact strip being resilient and comprising a positioning end, relatively fixed positioning means adapted to coact therewith, whereby said conductive contact strip may be positioned either in open circuit, intermittent or closed position and a portion of said contact strip intermediate its ends engaging the casing.

WESLEY J. OFFICER.

ORVILLE T. WOOD.

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