US2231382A - Flashlight - Google Patents

Description

Fe. 11, im. A. J. DEslMoNE FLASHLIGHT File@ June so, 1938 sul.

Patented Feb. 1l, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT *OFFICE 2,231,332` rLAsnLrGn'r Application June 30, 1938, Serial No. 216,636

i i 2 Claims.

This invention relates to ila'shlights.

An object of the invention is a light weight and inexpensive flashlight of attractive appearance and simple construction.

A ilashlight embodying this invention is cornposed of a tubular casing, preferably ared at the bulb end and being provided at the other end with a closure having a 'portion threaded into the casing, both the casing and closure being composed of thermoplastic material such, for example, as the form of cellulose acetate kncwn to the trade as Lumarith. The outer surface of the casing preferably is of polygonal contour and the casing preferably diverges slightly from the base of the ared end to the remaining end, thus providing a comfortable grip and attractive appearance. The casing may be of any desired color, but when made up in white or other light colored material will have an attractive and unusual appearance, particularly when the bulb is` bulb filament is incandescent.

Other objects, novel features and advantages A of this invention will become apparent from the following speciication and accompanying drawlng, wherein: I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a iiashlight embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the end closure; Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified form of end closure;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view generally similar to Fig. 2 of a modication. The tubular casing I0 is provided at one end with an integral i'lared head II, and at the other end with a closure I2 having a portion threaded into the casing. From a point I3 at the base of the head II, the casing II) diverges outwardly very slightly in the direction of the closure I2. The casing and closure I2 are composed of thermo-plastic 'material such, for example, as cellulose acetate and are formed by the known in- :lection molding process. The ared head II is Provided with a threaded recess I4 and a lens I5 of transparent -cellulose acetate or other similar thermo-plastic material has an integral portion YI6 threaded into the recess I4. A reflector Il has its rim resting on the bottom of the socket I4 and engaged by the threaded portion I6 of the lens I5. The reflector I1 has a central aper: ture and is provided with a boss I8 in alnement with such aperture, the boss bearing of larger interior diameter than the aperture. A recessed plug I9 of insulating material is threaded into the boss vI8 and a resilient contact 20 is supportedin the plug by an eyelet 2|, a portion of which extends outside the plug. In the aperlo ture of the reilector I1 is arranged a standard pre-focused incandescent bulb 22 having its ilange terminal 23 engaging the bottcm of the boss I8 and having its center terminal 24 en- `gaging the resilient contact 20. l5

A metallic strip 25has an oiset portion 26 projecting into a slot in the casing I ll and being attached to a button 21 as shown. Movement of the button 21 longitudinally of the cas,- ing effects longitudinal movement of the strip 20 25 to bring its forward end into and out of engagement with the reflector I 1. The button 2l is composed 'of the same material as the cas- The closure I2 is hollow except for a cylindri- 25 cal central portion I2a in which is provided a cylindrical recess countersunk at its inner end. In the closure is received a metal cup 28 which extends somewhat beyond the end of the closure and is ared outwardly to contact the inner wall of the casing Ill. The strip 25 has an oiset portion in continuous engagement with the cup 28 irrespective 'of the position of the strip. Also, ln the cup is provided a spiral spring 29, one end of which rests on the bottom of the cup and the 35 other end of which is engaged by a battery 30 in the casing I0. The terminal at the other end of the battery engages the eyelet 2I in the plug I9.-

A spare bulb 3| is contained in; the closure I2 -with its ange 32 received in the countersunk portion'of the central recess and with its base extending through an aperture provided for that purpose in the bottom of the cup` 28. The base of the bulb is surrounded by the spring 29, but is not contacted by the same. Also, the arrangement is such that,the closure I2 may be disengaged from the cup 28 without in any way disturbing the bulb. 50

In the modication illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the centralportion I2b of the closure I2, instead of being cylindrical extends diametrically across the closure. In this portion is provided a recess having the same outline as that of the Aspare bulb 55 so that the latter may be received in the recess as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a different form of lens and attachment means therefor. In this modiiication, the ared end Il of thecasing l is cut A back slightly and the cut-back portion is provided with threads Ila. The rim of the reflector Il rests on the end of the cutQ-back portion and is engaged by the lens 33'composed of transparent cellulose acetate. A ring 3d of cellulose acetate or other similar material is provided with internal threads which engage the threads i la. A shoulder on the ring 34 engag the lens 33 to hold it in assembledrelation to the casing.

Since the lens is composed of transparent cellulose acetate, it is non-breakab1e. Also, because of the inherent characteristics of cellulose acetate, the casing is very sturdy and capable of withstanding high pressures for distortion. Furthermore, ln view of the almost complete absence of exposed metal, the ashlight may be used around electrical apparatus without any fear of short circuiting the electrical apparatus through the medium of the ashlight casing.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,

when the casing is composedof white 'or other light color material, light from the bulb is transmitted laterally through the translucentl portion i6 and the corresponding portion of the ilared end of the casing to render the same luminous and give a very unusual and attractive appearance to the flashlight. Such corona effect is enhanced by the fact that the lens l5 extends beyond the edge of the flared end. Such corona eiect, while presentin the embodiment of Fig. 6, is not so pronounced due to the fact that the reflector .extends more nearly to the end of the casing.

I claim: 1. A ashlight comprising a tubular casing of insulating material having a threaded recess at one end, a .metallic reflector having its rim engaging the bottom of said recess, said reector having a rearwardly extending interiorly threaded hollow hub formed with an inwardly projecting 5 shoulder for engagement by the ange of a prefocussed bulb, an exteriorly threaded hollow plug of insulating material arranged in the end of said y hub to receive the base of said bulb, a spring contact in said plug for engagement by the center contact of said bulb, a lens having an integral threaded portion tting into said threaded recess and engaging said reilector ring, and a conductor slidably supported by said casing in contact with the inner wall thereof for movement into and out 15 of contact with said reiector.

2. A flashlight comprising a tubular casing of insulating material having a threaded recess at one end, a metallicrei'lector having its rim engaging the bottom of said recess, said reector having a rearwardly extending interiorly threaded hollow hub formed with an inwardly projecting shoulder for engagement by the ange of a prefocussed bulb, an exteriorly threaded hollow plug of insulating material arranged in the end of said 25 hub to receive the base of said bulb, a spring contact in said `plug for engagement by the center contact of said bulb, a lens having an integral threaded portion tting into said threaded recess p and engaging said reflector rim, a conductor slid- 30 ably supported by said casing in contact with the inner wall vthereof for movement into and out of contact with said reilector, a recessed closure of insulating material having a portion threaded into another end of said casing and a metal cup in 35 said closure having its rim engaged by said con-' ductor.

ANTHONY J. .DESIMONEL

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