US2258544A

US2258544A - Illuminated vanity case

Info

Publication number: US2258544A
Application number: US213675A
Authority: US
Inventors: George M Cressaty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-06-14
Filing date: 1938-06-14
Publication date: 1941-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 1958-10-07

Description

l Oct. 7, 1941.

G. M. cREssATY ILLUMINATED VANITY CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 14, v195s l w l.

GEORGE M PESSHW oct. 7, 1941. G, M CRESSATY I i 2,258,544

ILLUMINATED VANITY CASE 'I Filed June 14, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 ni." :n

Patented Oct. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED VANITY CASE George M. Cressaty, New York, N. Y. Application June 14, 193s, serial No, 213,675

15 Claims.

This invention is directed to a vanity oase or the like made up in sections, with the sections mounted for relative swinging movement, and including a lighting unit which is automatically energized and deenergized in accordance with a predetermined swinging relation of the sections.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of `a vanity case which includes a body section in which the cosmetics are placed, and a cover section carrying a lighting unit and mirror, the respective sections being mounted for relative .swinging movement t move the body sectionin aligned inteli-ltting relation with the cover section to form a compact article, or to move the body section at any angle to the cover section to exposethe mirror for use.

A further object is the provision, in the type of vanity case described, of a lighting unit, together with means for energizing the lighting unit in a predetermined swinging relation of the sections, in order that the user, by relatively swinging the sections to a definite position, may

-obtain the use of articial illumination to assist in make-up.

A further object is the provision of an element of the `energizing control of the lighting unit which may be arranged in any one of a number of diierent positions, whereby the energizing of the lighting unit may be perfected in anyL angular relation of the sections, or when the `sections are extended in aligned relations. This permits the particular vanity case to be constructedk to permit the energizing of the lighting unit in any relative swinging position that may be desiredin the completed article.

A further object of the invention is the pro- Y vision of a Vanity case in which the sections are mounted for swingingv movement, with the cosmetic-carrying repectacle on the body section conveniently accessible to the user in any position of the parts, whether fully closed, fully opened, or at any intermediate position.

l Theinvention, in the preferred form of details, is illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in

which: Y

Figure 1 is a planview of a vanity case constructedr in accordancewith the invention, with the parts shown` in closed positions;

Figure'2 isas'imilar view, with the parts shown in fully open relation, the closure for the lightingun'it being omitted: to show the arrangement off'thefparts of such unit;

Figure 3` is rasection on the line 3--3 of Figure 2li Figure 4 -isa perspectiveview of the parts of the vanity case, shown separated;

Figure 5 is a broken plan view of the cover section, the connected body section being shown in dotted outlineat an angle to the cover section;

` Figure 6 `isxa perspective view of the circuit closing disk forming part of Vthe swinging joint between the sections;

Figure 'l is a diagrammatic view of the circuit for the lighting unit;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the vanity case showing a modied form Voi the invention; y

`Figure 9 isa broken enlarged plan view, partly in section, illustrating more particularly the control of the circuit for'thelighting unit; l

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the line IU-IU of Figure 8 l Figure l1 is a section on the line ll--I'I of Figure 8;V

Figure 12 is alongitudinal section through the vanity case,` with the parts in closed relation;

Figure 13 is a broken perspective view of the vanity case, with the movable sections approach ing closed positions; Vand f Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional View of,

the lightingunt, the section being Italft'en on line Ill-I4 `of Figure.

c The vanity case, 1n the construction showninv Figures 1 to '7, inclusive, jincludes what will be "f termed a cover section I madevup of a basev" plate ,2, ,formed at one end with an vouts"tanding housing 3 or the lignnngunitand `centrally of with a pivot opening 5. f

p the `opposite end with a projectingear ll, formed A body, or cosmetic-'carrying section lthis in:`

the form of a hollowreceptacla the transverse dimension of which is substantially that of the cover section, b'ut with a reduced longitudinal dimerision. The upper Wall of the body section is formed with an `opening having a door 'I to permit access tothe cosmeticsin the receptacle, and this receptacle `isformed, next the lower wall, witlia threaded enlargement 8.'

The sectionsfare connected for' relative swing"- ing movement through a pivot pin 9, which is' passed through the opening 5` in the ear ilu of the cover section and threadedjinto the enlargement 8. A switch' disk 'ID is vmounted on `the pin between the ear 4 andfthe enlargement. `This! 'rheiignting unit, which is arranged in the housing 3", includes batteries I2 and a light source 12a, said light source a socket and a lamp, the former being grounded at |21. The circuit for the light source includes conducting bars I3 and I4, the former of which leads through one battery I2, which is grounded at |33. The bar I3 is also connected to the other battery I2 and the latter grounded at I3b. The bar I4 leads to the lamp of the light source. Fig. 7 shows a diagram of the circuit between the batteries and lamp. The bars I3 and I4 extend lengthwise of the cover section, and at the end remote from the lighting unit are turned laterally and terminate in spaced contact ends I1 arranged in the path v of movement of the embedded contact section I I.

As the switch disk may be arranged in any angular relation to the enlargement 8 in any particular vanity case, the angular positions of the body section at which the lighting unit may be energized may be arranged as desired in the particular case. It is an important feature of the invention that this adjustment permits any angular relation of the body section to be selected as that where the lighting unit may be energized. In other words, the control of said unit may be such as to energize the light source at any relation of the parts other than when closed. -The end of the lighting unit housing 3 is preferably of arcuate outline, as indicated at I8, and the free end of the bodysection is similarly formed, as at I9. Thus, when the sections `are swung into aligned closed relation, the meeting ends intert, as shown in Figure 1, to improve the appearance and render the vanity case as a whole more compact.

y The wall ofthe lighting unit housing 3 is formed to receive a lens 20, to increase the intensity of the light from the miniature bulb necessarily employed, and to control-the spread and direction of the beam for proper and direct illumination of theV face of the user. The upper `face of the base plate 2 below the housing 3 is formed or provided with a mirror ZI, which is, of course, exposed for use when the body section is swung from its closed relation to the cover section.

In the form shown in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, the vanity case of this invention is shown in' slightly modied form. Here the mirror section 22 is formed as a at plate 23, with an outstanding box-like receptacle 24 at one end and with a door 25 hinged at 26.

, rITwo swinging sections are connected to the covei` section, one 'such swinging section, as 21, forming a battery case, and the other such section, as 23, forming a cosmetic-carrying section. The end of the mirror section opposite the receptacle is formed with a pivot extension 29, arranged similar to pivot sections 33 and 3| of the

respective sections

21 and 28, The sections 21; and 28 are formed as U-shaped sections in transverse section, with their open sides uppermost in the positions shown in Figure 8. These open sides permit the

sections

21 and 23 to telescope over the'mirror section, as shown in Figure 13, the outer walls of the sections 21 and 2B fitting more or less snugly against the outer face of the plate 23 of the cover section, and the inner or upper walls of the

sections

21 and 28 being spa-ced suiciently from the outer walls to permit such upper walls to t more or less snugly over the receptacle 24 when the case is closed. The dimensions of the

sections

21 and 28 transversely of the vanity case are approximately one half that of the mirror section 22, so that when the sections 21 and v28:- are in folded or closed` relation they completely inclose the mirror section 22 and overlie the door 25, to hold the same in closed relation.

Mounted on the

interiitting pivot sections

29, 30, and 3| is an insulating cup 32, the annular wall 33 of which is formed through its length with a slot or recess 34, which may open through the upper edge of the cup, but does not extend through the bottom thereof. A pivot pin 35 passes centrally through the bottom of the insulating cup and through the

interiitting sections

23, 30, and 3| to swingingly support the

sections

21 and 28 relative to the cover section 22, a nut 3S securing the inner end of the pin against outward movement.

A lamp socket 31 is carried by the outer end of the pivot pin 35, so that one terminal of said socket is grounded for circuiting provisions. The opposite terminal of the lamp socket is connected through a strip 38, engaging such terminal and extending through a channel 39 in the side wall, which leads within the lower end of the annular recess 34. The terminal of the strip 38 extends across and forms a contact abutment 40 in the recess 34, as shown more particularly in Figure 9.

The section 21 -forms the lighting unit, and receives batteries 4I and 42, one terminal of battery 4I being grounded and the other connected by a strip 43 with a non-similar terminal of battery 42. The opposite terminal of battery 42 has a conducting strip 44 which extends to the recess 34 of the insulating cup 32, and is provided with a contact end 45, curved concentrically with the recess 34 and designed to t movably in such recess.

rThe lamp is thus in circuit with the batteries, with the latter in series, said circuit being closed when the section 21 has been swung to a point to cause the contact end 45 of the strip 44 to contact with the contact abutment 40. With the section 21 in other positions, for example when it is in closed position, the lamp circuit is of course open and the circuit is not energized.

The section 28 is designed to carry the desired cosmetics, and is formed interiorly with a boxlike holder 43 opening through one side wall of the section and provided with a door 41 to permit access to the cosmetics. The section has a bar extension 48 terminating in a plate-like end 49, similar to the plate-like contact 45 of the' section 21. The plate-like end 49 also seats movably in the recess 34, the terminal of the end 49 being provided with insulation to avoid electrical connection with the abutment contact 40. The plate-like ends 45 and 49 of the

sections

21 and 28 will, when moved to contact with the contact abutment 43, be limited in further opening movement, and in this position the lamp will be energized.

Uninterrupted spaces 50, in the lighting unit section 21, and 5I, in the body section 28, are provided below the batteries and cosmetic holder to permit closing movement of these sections without Vinterference from the plate 23 ofthe cover section, and both the batteries and cosmetic-y holder are sufficiently spaced from the free ends of the

sections

21 and 28 to provide -for reception of the box 24, when closing the parts.

The plate 23 of thecover section is formed or provided with a mirror 52, which is exposed when the

sections

21 and 28 are open and covered when such sections are closed. The receptacle is designed for the reception of any articles which one may desire to carry with the vanity case,

"t is, of course, apparent thatiether sectionZT or `28 may besw-ung 'to open position independently of` the other, andthi's permits thef user,

merely by Vopening the section 28, to expose a 'partV of the mirror and position the cosmeticholder for convenient use. Where the section 2l is opened alone, the light is .energized and may be used for any purpose. With both sections opened, the light is energized and the cosmetic holder conveniently available. It is also to be noted that, with the.v vanity case held in a natural position, either or both of the sections Z'l and 28 will swing to open position by gravity, and remain inlopen position under gravital influence until manually closed. Of course, in this type of casel it. is. impossible to use otherthanmmiaturelamps andbatteries, fand, as experience has proven that the light fromsuch source is inefficient, it is of importance that controlled and adequate light be provided. To this. end,the upper end of the insulating cup 32` is. provided with4 a lens 53, whichis particularly designed to collect the light and control the spread of the beam to. aiord'A maximum light in a beam shaped and concentrated for lighting the face of the user. The lens also serves to close the upper end of the slot or recess 34 to prevent accidental separation of the parts movable in such recess, as more particularly shown in vFigure l1.

It will be apparent from the above description that, in the `form illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the lighting unit is energized in some predetermined angular relation of the body section with the cover section, so that when the body section is in any' other angular relation to the body section the lighting unit isnot energized. Of course, by properly positioning' the. insulating disk I0, the angular relation of the body and cover sections at which the light. is energized maybe selected as desired, so that the user of the vanity case may swing the body section to that preselected position in which the circuit is complete and obtain artificial illumination to aid in her make-up, while if such artificial illumination is not desired a change in. the angular relation of the` body and coversections will deenergize the lighting unit.

It is. to be noted that, without intending `any limitation, the control of the light source may `be more conveniently so arranged as to energize such source when the parts are substantially in the relations shown in Figure 5, where the body section is at an angle to the cover section. If the light source is energized in substantially this relation of the parts, there will be a definite movement on the part of the user to secure the energization of the light source. In ordinary daytime, the user swings the parts to an aligned position, as in Figure 2. This is the natural position, and in this position there will be no energization of the light source. If artificial illumination is required, the user will slightly move the body section from the naturally aligned positions of the parts to an angular position, as shown by 6 in Figure 5, and the light results. This tends to a more natural and comfortable useof the vanity case and of the light source.

While in both vforms of the invention illustrated and specifically described, the respective sections are mounted -for a swinging movement in substantially parallel planes, it will nevertheless be obvious that the sections may be otherwise connected for swinging in different planes. In other words, the connecting means between the sections may be so arranged that the sections hinge relative to each other in the Vnature of a book, or may be pivotedso: that they vmove in relatively non-parallel planes; Under a hinged movement, `and particularly in connection with the forms shown in Figures 1 to 7, the insulating disk will be caused 'to move with the body member, so Vthat its contact section is swung into the path of movement of the terminals of the `contact barsr of the lighting unit.

It will be further understood that, while a swinging movement is preferred, the term swinging element, as employed., is intended to cover the connecting of sections so as to cause their relative Vmovement either as swinging in sub-` stantially parallel planes or as hinged Ifor movement in planes approaching and receding from each other. Thus, the term swinging'inc1udes hinged connection as well as pivotal connection, to` provide for theA relative movement of the sections to insure the automatic energization and deenergization of the lighting unit in accordance with the relative degreeof movement of the sections.

While a detailed portrayal has been given of some of the` forms the invention may take, in

the optical as well. as in its mechanical characteristi'cs, it is' not intended to limit the invention. tothe above description. The nature of'the invention is such that it may be applied in connection with a multitude of different uses. The invention may be used lin connection with a multitude of compacts, vanity cases, cigarette cases, hand bags, lip stick or any other cosmetic carriers of different shapes or sizes. Various modications and changes, or rearrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of.' the appended claims.

What is claimed asnew is r 1. A vanity case comprising two sections, aI lighting unit, a pivot connection between the sections to provide for their having relative Swinging movement in substantially parallel plane and annular means about said pivot containing a portion of an` electrical switch which is controlled in the movement of one section to energize the lighting unitwhen it has reached va predetermined position with respect `to the othersection.

2. A vanity case including a lighting unit, a cover section, a body section, means connecting the sections to permit both sections to swing in substantially the same plane about a single axis; and a substantially annular member of electrical insulating material having an electrical conducting element concentric with said axis and -movable with and in response to the movement of the body section to automatically control the energization and deenergization of the lighting unit.

3. A vanity case including a lighting unit, a body section, a cover section, means for connecting the sections to permit their swinging movement, and an insulating disk mounted on the connecting means and xed with relation to the body section, said disk having a contact strip and circuit terminals for the lighting unit arranged in spaced relation in the .path of movement of the contact strip of the insulating disk.

4. A construction as defined in claim 3 wherein the insulating disk is adapted to be secured to the body section to provide varying positions of v the contact strip whereby the closing of the circuit for the lighting unit may be perfected in any angular position of the body section with respect to the cover section.

5. A vantiy case including a mirror section, two cover sections, and means for connecting all of the sections and permitting the covers to cover the mirror section when the parts are in closed position and a light source mounted on the axis of said means.

6. A vanity case including a lighting unit and a plurality of sections movable to open and closed positions, two of such sections being movable on a single pivot arranged in the longitudinal median line of the case to independently intert with and together enclose a third section containing a mirror to provide a unit substantially the size of such third section.

7. A vanity -case including a mirror section, two cover sections, and means for connecting all of the sections for relative swinging movement, the two cover sections moving outwardly relative to each other in their opening movement and a light source located on the axis of said means.

8. A construction as dened in claim 7 wherein the connecting means is in the form of an insulating cup and pivot pin, the light source disposed within the cup and a switch in communication with the lighting unit and movable in the insulating cup to close an electrical circuit when one of the cover sections has reached a predetermined open position.

9. A -vanity case including a mirror section, substantially duplicate cover sections, one Ifor holding a source of electrical energy and the other for holding cosmetics, a pivot pin uniting the sections to permit them to swing in substantially parallel planes, an insulating cup arranged about the pivot pin and formed with an annular recess, a lamp socket carried within the insulating cup and havinga conducting strip terminating in said recess, a contact plate forming part of a circuit operating in the recess in the cup whereby in a predetermined swing movement of one of the cover sections the circuit will be closed.

10. A vanity case having sections, the sections being pivotally connected for swinging in substantially parallel planes, a mirror in one of such Il l) sections, a light source, energizing means therefor, and means carried by the pivotal connection and responsive to relative swinging movement of the sections to control the energizing means for the light source.

11. A vanity case having swingingly connected sections mounted for relative movement in substantially parallel planes, a lighting unit, a circuit for the lighting unit, and annular switch means rotatably mounted about the swinging connection for controlling the circuit, said switch means being normally open when the sections are closed or only partially opened, and closed when the sections are fully opened.

12. A vanity case comprising two parts mounted for relative swinging movement in parallel planes, a lighting unit carried by one of such parts, means for energizing the unit, and means whereby the lighting unit is automatically energized in one predetermined swinging relation of the parts less than the full swinging movement and automatically deenergized in Afull swinging movement of the parts.

13. A vanity case including a cover section, a body section, the sections being movable to open and closed relation, a lighting unit section, and means for connectingv the sections for relative swinging movement, two of the sections moving outwardly relative to each other in their opening movement.

14. A vanity case including a lighting unit and a plurality of sections movable to open and closed positions, two of such sections being movable relative to a single pivot mounting to independently intert with and together inclose a third section containing a mirror to provide a unit substantially the size of such thirdsection.

15. YA vanity case having sections, the sections being pivotally connected for swinging in substantially parallel planes on a single pivot arranged in the longitudinal median line of the sections, a light source in one of the sections, energizing means for the light source in one of the sections, and means arranged immediately adjacent the pivot and responsive to relative movement of the sections to control the energizing means for the light source.

GEORGE M. CRESSATY.