US2385639A - Flashlight - Google Patents

Description

p c. s. PACK-ER r AL 2,385,639

FLASHLIGHT Filed Feb. 13, .1943

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 q IL INVENTORS Sept. 25 1945.

C. S. PACKER ETAL FLASHLIGHT 5 Sheets-Sheet -2 Filed Feb. 13, 1943' 25, 4 c. s. PACKER IETI'AL 2,385,539

' FLASHLIGHT Filed Feb. 13,1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS [/ZarZea 5Pac/zer,

la 720g Bmwrz,

Patented Sept. 25, 1945 FLASHLIGHT Charles S. Packer and Le Roy 0. Brown, Chicago,

111., assignors to Justrite Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 13, 1943, Serial No. 475,746

12 Claims. (01. 240-1057) The invention relates to flashlights and has reference to a three-cell flashlight of improved construction wherein the reflector is advantageously arranged with respect to the cells to make the best of the space available therefor.

An object of the invention is to provide a portable flashlight of sturdy construction, having relatively few parts, and which are arranged was to ,form a compact article of small size considering the power and efliciency of the unit.

A further object is tov provide a flashlight of a portable nature having improved switch structure which can be easily manipulated by the operator. 7

Another object is to provide a switch including a movable switch slide for controlling the electric circuit to the light source and which will incorporate a push button for temporary use, the button when depressed closing the circuit to the light source even though the switch slide may be located in 01f position.

A further object is to provide novel means for holding the movable switch slide against dis-' placement in any of a plurality of positions.

Another object is to provide a two-part flashlight casing for containing a total of three battery cells in compact arrangement and wherein the casing may be readily separated for insertion or removal of the cells and may also be held in connected relation by the threaded retainer for the reflector. 7

Another object is to provide a three-cell portable flashlight which will have an over-all height substantially equal to that of two cells in superposed relation.

Another object resides in the provision of a portable flashlight which will have an upright vertical position when placed on a table or on a desk or similar supporting structure and in which position the reflector will be angularly disposed.

Another object is to provide a flashlight having an improved form of casing for containing a plurality of battery cells and wherein the casing is split longitudinally to provide two halves substantially identical in construction.

With these and other objects in view the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and'operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of the three-cell flashlight of the invention showing in detail the reflector, the light source and the lamp socket;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken sub-' stantially along line 22 of Figure 1 with the movable switch slide being shown in off position;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the flashlight of the inventionillustrating the location of the movable switch slide on the exterior of the casing;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View of the switch structure showing the movable switch slide in on position;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a bottom View of the flashlight casing;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the longitudinal center line of the bottom closure member;

Figure. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view showing in detail the base structure for the lamp socket;

Figure 10 is an elevational view illustrating the flashlight of the invention in connection with a two-part casing and wherein the same is split longitudinally;

Figures 12 and 13 are rear elevational views showing the two halves of the present casing in separated relation;

Figure 14 is a transverse sectional View illustrating the manner of joining the two halves of the longitudinally split casing;

Figure 15 is a front elevational view looking into the reflector portion of the present casing with the two halves in connected relation;

Figure 16 is a sectional view showing in detail the manner of interlocking the bottom portions 1 of the casing sections; and

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken substantially along line I'|-ll of Figure 14.

The casing of the present flashlight, indicated in its entirety by numeral I0, Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, is formed of metal which can be stamped, die cast or machined, or a plastic that can be molded to the shape desired under heat and pressure. For the purpose of this description it is assumed that the casing is molded of a plastic or other insulating material. In actual practice.

should the casing be made of metal, the electrical accommodate the fourth cell is occupied by the reflector i5, light source l6, and metal lamp..

socket ll.

the metal retainer 2|.

the casing. The releasablespring clip 23 holds the reflector in position. 7 The light source It and metal socket H 'are centrally located with respect to opening 245m the reflector and said elements are also centrally" located with respect to the partition 25. The partition is integral with theicasing l and' is formed of insulating material. If made of metal, partsmounted on the partition must be insulated. The partition substantially closes the reflector section comprising the'part I8"from' the battery section of the casing. A" central opening-26,Figure '9, is formed in the partition and the "lamp socketll'islocated by means of'this opening in a manner to be presently described in detail. Other openings shown in Figure 2 'areprovided in partition 25 for. the passage of certain electrical conductors which. comprise the circuit from the battery. terminals 'to the switch and fr'onrthe switch to the light source. The battery cell H is placed within the casing Ill in inverted position with its negative terminal in contact with the negative conductor 21."

Said conductor comprises a metal strip' bent i to the shape as shown in Figure l and which is held in place on the partition 25"bymeans of resilient fingers struck from the metal of the strip and which have contact with the downwardly projectingboss 28; The upwardly directed'end of conductor 2! is bent to form a resilient portion 30 which has contact With the centerpin ial "of thelamp socket. V 7 p The positive terminal 32 of the cell -l I isj-in contact withthe metal conductor 33 suitably-secured to the bottom closure 34 of the casing H). A similar conductor 35 'is disposed 'on the side of the closure member oppositeconductcr 33 and the same is in direct contact'with the negative terminal 'of the cell 12. Y The positive terminal 35 of the cell l2 contacts-the negative terminal of the cell l3 since these two' cells are-in superposed relation. The positive terminal -31 of 'cell I3 is in contact withthe positive conductor; indicated in its entirety by numeral 38; the same being releasably secured to' the partition 25 'and having location on the side of said partition to-* ward the reflector. The releasable securement of the metal conductor 38 to the partition is effected by the projecting bosses 4 0 and the resilient fingers M which are struckfromthe metal of said conducting strip. The conductor 38 best shown in Figure'Z, is provided-with a laterally extending portion'4'2 which has a'ninetydegree band so asto extendthrough an opening 43 formed in the partition'25of the casing. -a result sai'd' bentportion oftheconductor 38 is This portion of the casing is formed with an upwardly projecting circular part": l8, threaded on its exterior as at 20, iand which: threads function to threadedly secure to said part This circular retainer. carries the glass lens 22 and the reflector I which is located thereby within the part'l8of I located in the battery section of the casing for convenient contact with the elements of the movable switch. Said bent portion is provided with a depending contact member 44 which is angularly bent so that the terminal end of the contact portion has considerable resiliency.

The negative conductor 21 is described as having-contact with the negative terminal of the battery il. Since the positive conductor38 is in contact with the positive terminal of the battery I3 the circuit to the light source is made through saidconductors by means of an intermediately positioned switch, which may be actuated from the exterior 'of thecasing so that the operator mayicontrol the current. The pin 3| is in contact with the center electrode of the light source [6 and accordinglysaid pin must be suitably insulated from the conductor 38 and from the metalsla'mp socket IT. The threaded shell 45 of the light source providesthe other electrode and thisshell 'is in electrical contact with the metal of the lamp.. socket, asshown by. Figure 1.

The coil. spring 46 is includediin the electrical connectionsl'from the shell 45'of the light source to the lamp socket "but in'ad'dition to this function, the coilspring'also'yieldingly maintains the bulb of the light source incontact with the wire bail .41. The, base of the lamp socket is incontact 'witha switch conductor which likewise comprises a strip. of metal, the same having location at one end adjacent the'switch structure and having its opposite 'end located un'derthe lamp socket. The terminal portion under 'the lamp socketis indicated by numeral Ell-audit will be observed that "this'terminal' portionis' insulatedfrom' conductor 38"by means of the-insul'ating button 5|. Said button is provided with a'hub 52,"Fig ure 9; which'extends through a cen'-' tral opening'in'ithe 'b'aseof the lampsocket i l. The metal 'conductor38, '1or .atleast that portion of the same which extends over the openinggZfi in the partition; see Figure 9, is provided with a circular opening 53 substantiallyconcentric with the hubg52'on' the insulating button 5|. The reason for this openingisto prevent contact betweerithe pin 3| and the saidconductortii since contact at'thisxpointwould close the circuit-to the. light source'andtheswitch Wouldbe rendered inefiec'tive;

The insulatingdisc 54*carries the pin-3l and by reason of the recess formedin saiddi'sc the pinhas limited movement'in a longitudinal direction: The disc54 is suitably secured to the metal lamp'socket I1 bymeans of screws 55; Fig ure 9, the said screws passing through the insulatin'g "button 5| and'the terminal portion 50 of the conductor 48; As a result-the-parts-are suitably held'together 'to form a-unitary assembly; it being understood that the metal lamp socket is thereby securedtothe :conductor- 38 which supports. the lamp socket and positions the same centrally of tl1e-opening ;26 formed in theparti'tion 25; Since the screws'55 have con: tact with the metallamp'socket I'L'it is necessary to space the screws from the conductor 38; For this reason the portion of the conductor 38' extending over the opening '26} Figure 9, is relatively.narrow-in width, it being made so by recesses 53-formed-in. the side edges-of the conductor. Thescrews 55 securely-join the-insulating button 5| and the insulating disc 54 to the lamp socket but'ih' so doing thescrews' arenot in electrical contact vwith'athe conductor -3 8.=although said 'conductor a is. c'onfi'ned' :between; the parts and -funcvertical movements along with said slide.

. tions. as. the supporting member. for. the..lamp

socket assembly,

. The terminal portion 50 of the switchcon'ductor148 extends laterally on the side. of the partition. adjacent. the reflector .until the portion is bent at a ninety degree angle similar to conductor 38 so that the same may pass through an opening 51 formed in the'partition. From said opening the conductor 48 extends downwardly for association with the switch. Said downwardly extending portion comprises a. vertically dis- ..posed strip 58 which is in direct contact with the switch slide 6| is in contact with said portion on the exterior of the casing.

The switch slide is provided. with a push button 62 and with a hook portion 63. The push button and the hook portion bothextend through an elongated slot 64 in the flat portion 60 of the casing, the length of this. slot determining the extent of movement of the switch slide 6|. A contact strip 65 is releasably secured to the switch slide 6| by means of the hook 63. Said 5 contact strip is formed with a slot 66, Figure 4,

through which the entire hook 63 can be passed. By moving the contact strip downwardly with respect tothe slide, the hookB'! can be inserted through an opening in the contact strip provided therefor and as a result of this securement to the bowed resilient section of the contact strip the same is releasably fixed to the slide and will have The lower end of the contact strip 65 is provided with a detent 68 which is locatedin either one of the openings 10, H, formed in the strip 58 of the conductor 48. With the detent located in opening .10, as shown in Figure 2, the switch slide is releasably held in off position. This is indicated by the fact that the contact strip 65 is in spaced relation with respect to depending contact 44 of the positive conductor 38. In Figure 4 the switch slide is shown in on position. In this position the detent 68 is located in opening H and the contact strip 65 is in electrical engagement with the depending contact 44. I

With the switch slide in on position, it will be observed that the electrical circuit to the light source is closed through thevarious conductors and the contact strip 65 of the switch, From the battery l3 the electric circuit includes the conductor 38, its laterally extending portion 42, contact 44, and the switch contact 65, From the switch contact the current flows to the vertical strip 58 which is in electrical engagement therewith. This vertical strip forms part of the switch conductor 48 which is in electrical engagement by means of its terminal portion 50 with the lamp socket IT. From the lamp socket the current flows to the shell 45 of the light source. The center electrode of the light source is in electrical engagement with the pin 3| which is insulated so that it has contact only with the negative conductor 21. This negative conductor in addition to closing the circuit to the negative terminal of the battery II also resiliently biases the pin toward the light source so as to resiliently maintain the pin in contact with the center elec-' trode of the lamp.v The circuit to the light source therefore may be controlled by movement of 'the switch slide BI and in eitherofitstwo positions the slide is held by means of the detent 68 so. that inadvertent displacement of the slide is prevented. V

With the slide in off position, as shown in Figure 2, the circuit to the light source'can' be momentarily closed by pressing the button.62. Pressure on the. button in a downwarddirection will flex the upper portion of the contact strip 65 so that this end thereof will engagethe 'depending contact 44. This engagement is sufficient' to close the circuit to the light source and current will be supplied to said light source: as long as pressure is maintained on button .62. However, just as soon as the operator releases the button the contact strip 65 will spring back into place, in which position its top end is separated from contact 44 and the circuit to the light source is therefore open.

The metal conductors 33 and 35 comprise resilient upwardly bowed portions formed on theopposite ends of the same metal strip, which strip is secured to the bottom closure 34 by applying heat and pressure to the upstanding boss [2, shown in Figure 7. The boss is thus peened ever the metal of said strip. Since the conductorsi33 and. 35 are securely fixed to the closure member they are. removed with the closure member'and therefore this bottom end opening of the casing will be unobstructed when the closure is removed to permit free passage into and from the casing of the flashlight. The bottom closure member 34 is substantially elliptical in plan elevationyas clearly evident from Figure 6. A ledge 13,15 provided around the periphery of the member and on the inside of said ledge there is located an upstanding flange I4. The'external dimensions of said flange approximate the inside dimensions of the bottom opening of the casing. Thus, in applying the bottom closure member to the casing the flange 14 guides the member intoplace so that the ledge 13 will be in contact with-the bottom edges of the casing walls.

On the inside surface of the member 34 spaced upstanding ribs 15 are provided whichfunction as supporting means for the conductors 33 and 35, respectively. Said bottommember. below the conductor 35 is additionally formedto provide pivot means for a metal carrying bale 16. The

- pivot ends 11 of the bale are located within the portion 18 formed on the bottom closure member for the purpose. When the bale is not in us'e'it is substantially retained within the socket portion 19.

'A passage is provided substantially along the transverse center of the closure member, a part of which is open, with the remainder being closed. This passage extends diametrically of the circular openings Bl. The openings receive the retaining screws 82 by means of which the bottom closure member 34 is releasably, held to the casing. Each screw extends through a metal sheath 83, Figure 2, suitably fixed to the closure member so as to form a part thereof. The sheaths help to direct the threaded end of the screws into: the metal inserts 84 located in portions 85 suitably secured to the walls of the casing in. With the bottom closure member in place the openings 8| in the same Will be located in alignment with the metal inserts 84. It is therefore only necessary to insert the screws and rotate them untilthey are in tight threaded engagement with the metal inserts. As a result thereof the member 34 'wil1 i be securelyz retained in positionflthe :bbttom :end structure'land;zpartition; tou -which is1-securedthe of 'tthe casingv'vill be completely 'closedpand the lamp socket and conductors. .The'iinumer l' H4 I1metalfc0nductOrS3 33L s 35 ..wi11 be:.prp'e ];1y '10 indicates the :other half c section soft the" casing heated t tt contactiithelpg'sifive :teyrmjnaLbf i-whichds shownainfEigure 11. when'thetwdpa-rts -;b3,1;tery ,the.negativ zztermjnaltofsbarttery :zofnthecasing areassembled; asin'Figuresi 14:and l2, respectively. It is desirable to rotate the lil5r7-al5pdrtableiflashlight-i5 provided containin 1*- sorews' 82 until the slot-in their-headers in" "alignthreerbatt ryfcells. c mpa tly ar a d. :"meni'; with the transverse passage lThis' pesir gtd'Figllr th 'ctifm .Iitionijfrthe.screws isvshown .mt'm s, imi eadapted to contain the batterycells ll]; H2-and :-.1 e k,--; a is be. jnseptd' .throughithis:lpgssage- H 3..arrange'd ea s shown. @The space which would mu th -t end-slv sea'led; m sal e Ithebgss accommo'datethe'"fourth cell'is occupied 'by the 81 rormedtinthe ca'singimmediate1y *beloW the .:-:1ight:-'=sour I a d metal p t I "reflector maybeused to seal the-lens ringiP-so iThisi'reflectnr-supportings'portion(if-{each i g 1that' it'cannotbe'rem'oved. 'Ihelockalsosea-lsthe formed by'ian p a y p j g ulal 1-'-ba;ttery casing so that -the hatteries cannot-"be v 15 part; i e' t ads n its e e i a t I 0 7 i i h l th flg m ght is t .w-so as: to'receive? the retainenwhich:isthreaded -It is desirable at-times to'attachthe portable -"fi etvand y 'm'eans of'whic'h the two sections ilflashlightqofsthe zinvention to a; belt or pocket of of 'the'casingarerheld in assembled relation. The -:the :userisinc when. 1d th l i' ht ealn very retainer is clearly shown'imFigure' 1: and it'will oftem-be directed -at the point desi-red-andat'the *be: understood that in thismodified form of the m ti th u will ihave bdbh"hands fifree, invention said retainerial so carries the glass'lens The flashlight of the invention is therefore proand "reflector-hr armanner asp y vided;withi-a, r gi nty n e u n u m The light source Ilfi-andflamp -socket, i H are 889' Figure 2, Which-clip is-su'itably fixdto the y l w th r p t to tlwopenins 6 ztfiat portiontfl :of: the casing} having location d i- *W 0h is pdsitioned'centrally the partition I25.

grectlylopposite t .=fl t; t ssu.- e The-(partition: is integral with the section i H0 ;.modates-the movab1e' switch slide. l he m'etal d p i n thereof p j s y y nd rivets 90 fixed1y-secure theupper'end of the lip this main-half section 'of the casingf s clearly ,gam t i asing and thezloweri-flreeigfldris \b nt r illustrated in Figure 12. The-battery cell III is outwardly-at 9l' to facilitate use-=of the-clip =in ..30 invertedso that-itsnegative terminal is in con- ;attaching th ;lant r tmai'bglt;, -gth like. fact with" the negativeconductor I21, whichis The-casing fo :t t s tzo et i nt on suitably fixed to: the: undersurface of the. partilihas been previously 'describedsassimulating= a 'itsup a y d td' d constructed figure eight ina transverse plane sulostantially -'-to.-forIn--:a resilient portion l3o' ihavjng Contact through-the center of the device. This'wconstruc- With the'centeripin- [3L :Thepositiv ter i -tiona1f'orm of thecasing is shownninFi'gureiifi, V |32-of-cell I I lis-in contact w'ith the metal-co V :Wherein 92. indicates one of the substantiailly ductor l33- suitably secured-as=-at B5 to the i cylindrical sectionsand 93 I :indicates the other tegral' bottom -portionjofnthi ectio f the I r section. 'These se'c'tionsare J'oined by 3theifl'at poring. '"Since. the 'metal conductor is centrally-potiOns BU-- and-89 whichextend longitudinally; one sitioned'with respect to. the flashlight casing as a 010. each side of the casingiiandwhi'clrzarezssymrwhole=a-portion of the same projects b the -metric'ally located with respect to bothzthe lonhalf: section"! 10 in a; mannervsim'ilar t t-pa titi gitudinal and transversecen-ter lines. 7 i 125. The :puropse-ofi conductor l33.is' to conduct The cylindrical sectior1v92 issubstantiallyztwice -:the: electric current: fromathe'finverted ll i H as high as thesectioni 93cand lthea'sectionsnace5 .430 .cell llz which has its positive-terminal I36 in icordingly retain? two zbatter f cellsnandfifoneibatcontact withthe negativeofrcell I13. Fromithe tery cell, respectively. In;:cylindrica1:isection 92 positive terminal -l3l-ofithislattercell thecurrent -the twobattery cells are inisuperposedtirelation :wis: conductedto the-lamp socket:byzthe positive .and the' positive conductorl-38 coriductsthe cur- "conductor l38which extends throug i rent therefrom to therswit'cn structure. :Inrsec-Jeo 140 the partition 125 for the-purpose. The 19.1;- tion -93 the battery eellt-iszrinvertedsso:thatrthe eral-lyeXtending portionl-42 -of-'this positive con- -negative conductor 2lielectrically'xconnectsrthe -ductor passes through opening M2 and ame with the'light source throughzthe centempin vided with a depending cont :23. V v 'shownin Figure l0g bymeans'ofwhich thei'sw'itch The construction. .of the casing t o-aecordinefio fi mec a closes n p ns he" el c ric rc it the invention lends itself to a positioningi'ofdshe to'thelight source.

reflector and light source-*aboveethemylindrical The switch wmechahism inFthisr -m difi form I section of shorter height, namely;::93. i'rhussthe ofthe'cinvention is exactlyith same as thatDrespace which would be occupied .by-theifourth" cell viously :describedflThe "swit h l d 5 Figure this flashlight is tak pbyithe reflectonli'ghto-co 12, sisvprovided' with a pu'sh button 'l 62 and said -q mp'socket. The partitionrZEfiorms v-r'slide isrsuitably"fixed'to' the contact strip [65 10- af base for the reflector supportingpertion;.tltand eated; on the inside; of'the casing. "By vertical said' p'artition effectively separateszlthe reflector zm v' m tf said'contact i h t h supportingportioniromftheintemvriof'theieas- -'-d-uct0r "I48 -15 electrically connected to Contact ring. As now n i f eu f fgi i gi gg 'l ornon I44 whi ch'has the effect.-of closing the I supportmg p 1011: St 29 a circuit from"the;negative conductor I21, through sameormm g 3 a F 1 "the light source to .the positive conductor 138 .tsixty degrees with the IOIIQIUIdIl'IaLCEHtBI.zhl'lB-Of lower end of the Contact tri '65 l the casing. v

'In the modification-showman;Figures 10111 117370 tii WW imtablwdetentr e y t e inclusive the-" fiashli'ghttcasingl'iszsplitflongitudi- SWIPQILSMG ls'l'eleasablyheld n 0n'=and .iOfi nally, each half sectionrsofithe"casingmhaving a pasltlonse-"'circuit1to theflight bottom formed integral-therewith. wInfFigu're- 10 Source icamalscbe o entarily closed-:sby pressing the numeral" H0 indicates Zthezmain: half ssection fi e utton": I-62. Detailsrof the switch structure or theca'sing-Since thisisectionrcarries thelswitchi includingrthe operationtof button-1- l62 ihas been particularly described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and. 3.

In this modified form of the invention the casing below the reflector supporting portion in a transverse plane may be described as comprising two semi-circular portions connected by straight lines. The'contour of the assembled casing below the reflector supporting portion is best shown in Figure 17. As previously explained, each half section has an integral bottom and for securely holding the sections in assembled relation the bottom of III) is provided with a depending lip I13 adapted to have interfitting relation with the groove I14 provided in the bottom of the companion section I I4. When the sections are assembled the lip is first fittted in the groove and then the threaded retaining ring i screwed on the circular part I I8 providing the reflector supporting portion of the casing. As a result of the interlocking engagement which the sections have when assembled it is only necessary to thread the metal retainer in place on the reflector supporting portion and the two parts of the present casing are securely held, effectively preventing inadvertent separation thereof. Also when the casing sections are assembled it will be understood that the projecting part of partition I25, as shown in Figure 12, will fit within section I I4. In fact, the section I I4 is provided with a groove I15, Figure 11, which coincides with the angular contour of the partition and said groove therefore receives the partition I25 when the casing sections are in assembled relation.

In both forms of the invention the cell II or III is prevented from moving upwardly beyond a predetermined distance by the stop rib I16, see

Figures 1 and 10. The rib is formed on the inside of the casing and extends vertically from the'partition to the battery cell. If it were not for the rib, the said battery cell would have a tendency to move toward the conductor I21, particularly when the flashlight is turned upside down. Such movement of the cell would bend the negative conductor and seriously damage the same. The rib I16 determines the inserted position of the inverted battery cell and accordingly the cell is retained between said rib and the bottom conductor 33 or I33.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a contact strip which will make the flashlight operative even though only two cells are employed. By means of the contact strip the three-cell flashlight can be used on two cells. The feature is applicable to both forms of the invention although the same is disclosed only in connection with the modified form. In Figure 11 the contact strip I11 is suitably fixed at I18 to the inside of section II 4. The strip is positioned within the groove I19 provided therefor in the inside wall of the casing'section. Since the strip I11 is resilient it has a tendency to bow outwardly, which position is clearly indicated in Figure 13. In this bowed position, assuming that the sections of the casing are assembled without the battery cell III, the upper end of the con- 3 tact strip will engage the negative conductor I21 and the lower end will engage conductor I33. Electrical connection istherefore made to the light source even though cell III is not in place. The flashlight therefore will operate on battery cells I I2 and I I3 only.

It will be understood that when all three cells are in place within the casing the contact strip I11 is automatically rendered inoperative since the cell III will bear against the contact strip,

tact strip rendered inoperative the battery cell performs its intended function of closing the electric circuit between conductors I21 and I33 and of delivering its portionv of the current and voltage supplied to the light source when the switch is closed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable flashlight, a casing adapted: to contain a plurality of battery cells and having a reflector supporting portion disposed at an angle to the longitudinal center line of the-cas ing, said casing including separable sections each having an integral bottom part and also havinghalf of the reflector supporting portion integral therewith, said sections beingseparable on a 1 plane substantially parallel to the longitudinalcenter line, a partition carried by one of the sections and adapted to fit within the other section when the sections are assembled, said'partition providing a base for the reflector supporting por-- tion andseparating' said portion from the remainder of the casing, and a lamp socket located" substantially centrally within the reflector suption. 1 3. In a portable flashlight, a casing adapted to I contain a plurality of battery cells andhaving a reflector supporting portion disposed at an angle to the longitudinal center line of the casing, said casing including separable sections each havwing an integral bottom part and also having half of the reflector supporting portlon'integral therewith, said' sections being separable On a plane substantially parallel 'to the'longitudinal center" line, a partition fixed to one of the sections and adapted to have location within the other section when the sections are assembled, said partition providing a base for the reflector support-' ing portion and separating said portion from the remainder of the casing, and a lamp socket located substantiallycentrally within. the reflector supporting portion and supported by said partition, and a metal conductor fixedly secured to theinside of the bottom part of the particular section also having the partition fixed thereto; saidmetal conductor electrically connecting certain of the battery cells in the casing.

4. In a portableflashlight, a casing of substan: tially oval shape in transverse section forco-ntaining a plurality of battery cells, said casing having a reflector supporting portion located adjacent the top thereof and disposed at an angle to the longitudinal center line of the casing, said casing including separable sections each having an integral bottom part and also having half of the reflector supporting portion integral therewith, said sections being separable on a plane substantially parallel to the 'longitudinal'center line, a" partition fixed to one of the sections and having locationwithin the other section when the sections are assembled, said partition providing I a base for the reflector supporting portion and separating said portion from the remainder of the casing, a lamp socket located substantially centrally within the reflector supporting portion and supported by said partition, and means provided on the bottom part of each section adapted to have interfitting engagement when the sections are assembled.

5. Ina portable flashlight, a casing of substan tially oval shape in transverse section for conforcing the same into groove I19." With the containinm; aplurality. of battery :"ce1ls,--.said. casing havingarefl'ector supp ortingiportionlocatedv ad.-- jacent ithe stop; thereof land-disposed at anangle 7 to;the.-longitudinal centerline of the casing, saidcasing includingseparable-sections each having of athe casing,';means provided on the bottom part of: each section :adapted toi'have interfitting en-,

gagementrwhenthe sections are assembled, and

said: reflector: supporting, portion having a threaded ZGXlIETiOIHfOI' receiving retaining means tocsecurlydioldith'e :sections in assembled rela-i 6;: An electn'c lamp'comprising a casingof oval shapezin transverse section andincludin an integrak tops-wall; a, removable bottom wall, and,

cylindrical: sections forreceiving battery cells, said casing "having a maximum internal Iwidth approximately' equal to that of a single cell, a maximum. internal breadth approximately equal to that of two cells and a height sufiicient to ac commodatee-aaplurality:of cellsya circular reflector supporting aportionproje'ctingoutwardly from oneicorneriofithei casing, .an integral partition provided.byathez'casingand forming ar-base for sai-dc reflector; supporting portion, said integral partition"beingzlocatedradjacent the top wall in one: cylindricalfisectionand dividing the casing intoea;cell::compartment and a lamp compartment; a lampisocket-w-ithin the reflector supportingnportionfand:supported by'the partition, and a conductor supported by said removable bottom wallscandrzhavinglcontact with a battery cell in eachoof' the. cylindrical sections for electrically connecting the cells.

7;! An: electric lamp comprising a casing of oval shapea-initransverse section and including an in-.

tegralztopiwallda:removable bottom wall and cylindrical sections for receiving battery cells, said casingirhavinga maximum internal Width substantially equal to-that of a single cel1,a maximuminternal. breadthisubstantially equal to that of two cells, andaheight. sufiicient to accommodate amlur'ality (of cells, a circular refiectorsupporting portion projecting outwardly from one COIH'GtzOfrthe casing at an-angle to the longitudinal center line, an integral partition within the casingzproviding a base for the reflector supportin'gnportio ngr said partition dividing the casing into;a cellf-compartment and alamp compartmentgialampsocket supported by the partition and'located ont the reflector side thereof, a switch conductor in the-cell compartment having a portionrextendingthrough an opening in the partitionwand electrically connecting with the lamp socket;:-swi tch.mechanism supported by the casingcandehaving:operative association with said switch :conductor, and other conductors sup-- ported yby-saidrtpartition and having electrical contact-Ywith certainof said battery cells, said switchomechanism in operative position electricallyconnecting one of said other conductors with :the switch conductor.

8.r-In.a-portable flashlight, a casing of substantially oval shape in transverse section'and includingglongi-tudinah portions for retaining battery cells said; casing havi-ng a top wall and a bottom wall, ';o'ne (longitudinal; portions: havingglasheightm greater than that of the other portion, tl1e;"po1itionrofz; greater aheight containing .agpluralityz'of battery; cells :whereas 'the portion of less height T contains 'a less number "of'cells; a partition',ex;-.-

tending. diagonally downward. fromthe topr' wall-i in alignment with and above the portion of less height,- said partition; dividing the casing. into a cell compartment iand a lamp, compartmenti a;

reflector-;supportingportion extending outwardly from the partition, arlamp socket withinthe lamp compartment and ,supportedcbypsaid partition, a conductor electrically connected ito thelamp socket and extending throughian openingzin the partition into the cell'compartment; and-a member supported-by said bottom Wall andrextendinginto said portions respectively'for electrically con. necting-the battery cells in said portions;

93inv a portable flashlight, a; casing pfwsubstantially oval shape. in. transverse 'section and including longitudinali portions for .retainingbattery-cells'; said casing havingz'a top wall and a bottom wall, one longitudinal portion having a" height-greater "than that "of-the other portion, the portion of greater heightrcontaining a-plurality of battery cells whereas the portion of less height contains a less number of cells, a partition extending diagonally downward from the top' wall in alignment with and-above the portion of lessheight, said partitiondividingthe casing-into a cell compartmentran'd a lamp compartment, areflector supporting portion. extending outwardly from the partition,- a lamp socket within the lamp compartment and supported by saidpartition, a conductor electrically'connected to the lamp ,socket and'extending through an opening in the-partition into the cell compartment; and other conductors supported by the partition and having electrical; contact with 1 certain battery cells;

10. In, 'a' portable flashlight-, a casing o'f"substantiallyroval shape in transverse section and including longitudinal portions for retaining "bat-- tery'cells, said: casingshaving a top'wall land' a bottomr'wallnone longitudinal portion having a heightgreater thantthat of the other-portion,- the portion of greaterheightcontaining aplu rality of battery cells whereas the portion ofle'ss height contains a? less number of cells; anintegral partition extending diagonally downwardfrom the top wallin alignment with and above the portionof less height, said partition dividing the casing into a cell compartment and a lamp;

compartment, a circular reflectorsupporting portion' extending outwardly from the partition," a

lamp socket within the lamp compartment and supported by said partition, a conductor electrically'connected .to'the lamp socket and extend-' ing through 'an'opening in thepartition into thecell-compartment, other conductors supported by;

the partition andhaving electrical contact with certain of said battery cells, and a member supported by said bottomwall and extending within the portions respectively for electrically connecting the battery cells in said portions;

11. In a portable flashlight, a-casingof sub:

stantially oval shape in transverse section and including two cylindrical, sections for retaining battery cells with their axes disposed inspaced' parallel relation, said casing having'a top wall and a bottom Wall and having a fiat longitudinally extending portion 'between the cylindrical sections on each side 'of the casing, one of said cylindricalsections having'aiheight greater than that of the other section; a partition-"fixed to the casing and extending diagonally downward from the top wall in alignment with and above'the cylindrical section of shorter height, a circular reflector supporting portion extending outwardly from the partition and forming a lamp compartment with said partition, a lamp socket within the lamp compartment and supported by said partition, switch mechanism positioned on one of said flat longitudinally extending portions and including a switch conductor, and said switch conductor having a portion extending through an opening in the partition and electrically connecting with the lamp socket.

12. In a portable flashlight, a casing of substantially oval shape in transverse section and including two cylindrical sections for retaining battery cells with their a-Xes disposed in spaced parallel relation, said casing having a top wall and a bottom wall and having a flat longitudinally extending portion between the cylindrical sections on each side of the casing, one of said cylindrical sections having a height greater than that of the other section, a partition fixed to the casing and extending diagonally downward from the top wall in alignment with and above the cylindrical section of shorter height, a circular reflector supporting portion extending outwardly from the partition and forming a lamp compartment with said partition, a lamp socket within the lamp compartment and supported by said partition, switch mechanism positioned on one of said flat longitudinally extending portions and including a switch conductor, other conductors fixed to said partition and adapted to electrically connect with certain of said battery cells, and a member carried by said bottom wall and extending into the sections respectively for electrically connecting .the battery cells in said sections.

CHARLES S. PACKER. LE ROY 0. BROWN.

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