US2404735A - Flashlight construction - Google Patents

Description

Juiy 23, 1946. J. 2. LBPPENQCDTT FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed June 15, 1944 IN V EN TOR.

/ JOSHUA GORDON uppmcon 11d Gav W it 1 ATTOPNEY Patented July 23, 1946 FLASHLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Joshua Gordon Lippincott, Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to Guth, Stern & 00., Inc., a corporation of New York Application June 15, 1944, Serial No. 540,418

7 7'Claims. 1

This invention relates to portabl flashlights and more particularly to hand or pocket flashlights of improved construction.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve flashlights of the character. described which shall comprise few and simple parts that. arev readily assembled to form a rugged, compact yet neat and attractive appearing article, which assembly shall have the parts conveniently proportioned for use, which shall be inexpensive tomanufacture, and which shall be practical. and eflicient to a high degree in use..

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out. The invention accordingly consistsof features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a sectionalized view taken longitudinally through a hand flashlight constructed with a toggle-like switch and tulip head embodying the invention.

'FigS. 2 and 3 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken through fragmentary portions of the improved flashlight construction at lines 22 and 3-3, respectively, in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 4-4-in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the improved flashlight showing the exterior construction.

Referring in detail to the drawing I0 denotes an improved toggle-like switch, tulip head, hand flashlight construction embodying the invention. As seen from Figs. 1 and 5, the flashlight construction It] includes a tubular casing portion I I formed with an integral closed bottom Ho and an enlarged bulbous hemispherical open end IIb, Said casing portion II preferably is made of sufficient length to house one or more electric dry cells I2 of conventional construction inwardly of said enlarged open end IIb as shown in Fig. I. Said flashlight construction H3 also includes a bezel cap portion I3 secured t said open end I Ib by suitable means, such as screw joint I I. The screw joint I4 may be formed with an interior thread I Ic on the inner surface of the casing open end IIb engaging exterior threads I-3a provided on the bezel cap portion I3. The exterior surface I3b of said cap portion [3 preferably; is arcuate shaped forming a curved spherical outer surface portion aligning with the exterior surface of the hemispherical open end I lb giving a tulip shape appearance to the flashlight head.

The exterior surface of the casing portionll below the enlarged open end IIb which houses the dry cells I2 may be formed with the spaced flutes I Id raised to extend longitudinally thereon and shown in Fig. 5 to provide efficient hand gripping means, the end of said casing portion II: adjacent the closed bottom Ila being tapered as at Hz to not only improve the casing portion. II structurally but also with. the flutes Hi to give the flashlight; I0 a neat and. attractive appearance. a

The entire casing portion I l and bezel caprportion I3 above described. are each preferably molded of suitable plastic material. of any well known composition that can be colored as desired and finished without machining to exact size and shape required. It has been found that by making the body portion II and bezel cap portion I3 in a contrasting color combination, as for example, said body portion I I in a high key shade, namel ivory, and the bezel cap portion I3 and a lever handle I50. of a toggle-like switch I5, hereinafter more fully described, in a low key shade, namely, bright red or some other contrasting color, a unique trimming is provided which lends itself to universal artistic appeal.

The bezel cap portion I3 has an inwardly extending flange I30 on the interior rim of. which may be seated a lens closure disc I6 as shown. in Fig. 1. Abutting the peripheral portion of. said disc I6, an outturned flange I'Ia of a metallic re:- flector I1 is positioned. The reflector II extends intothe enlarged open end i ll) of the casing portion I I and carries a centrallized screw shell portion I'Ib into which projects a. base I8a of an incandescent lamp I8- The lamp base I801. has a central terminal contact I8b located to continuously press against a top'center terminal I2'a of dry cell battery I2.

The bezel cap portion I3 preferably may be made of a thicker stock than the body portion I I to withstand rough handling and usage and the rim of the flange I30 provides a sturdy supporting ledge for the reflector flange I'Ia as seen from Fig. 1.

Th toggle-like switch I5 may comprise the lever handle I5a which is mounted to extend through an opening II 1 provided in the. casing portion I I at the junction of the battery compartment thereof and the structural portion of the enlarged bulbous open end III). The inner end I5b of said handle I5a i trunnioned by meansof integrally formed oppositely extending. stubshafts I50 which extend down into open ended slots I I h of a boss II 9 molded to extend from the interior side of the casing portion II along the rim of the opening I I f. Said boss I I9 with said slotted construction provides bearings in which said stub shafts I 50 are journalled.

The inner end I51) of lever handle I5a has a flattened surface I5d which is adapted to permit a tongu [9a terminating a connection stripor lead jumper I9 to be in an unfiexed position when the circuit from the dry cell battery I2 is open or in "olf position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2. Th handle portion I5a will then be swung in a direction extending away from the opening II Said inner end of lever handle IEa also may be provided with a projection I5e which is located just beyond, that is, outside an axis of the lever handle [5a through the pivotting point thereof when in oil or open switch position. Spaced from said projection I5e on the inner end of lever handle I5a opposite flattened surface I5d is a stop portion I51 which with said projection I5e retains the lever handle in closed circuit or on position with the tongue. I9a flexed to electrically contact the reflector I I as shown in Fig. l in dotted lines.

As seen from Fig. 1, when the lever handle I5a of toggle-like switch I5 is swung in between the off and on position the circuit will be closed but when said handle I 5a is released it will return either to off position or swing to on position depending on whether the projection I5e is on one or the other side of the off position of the axis (dead line) of the lever handle I5a.

From the above described parts and assembly it is seen that the flashlight circuit passes from the'center terminal I211 of the dry cell battery I2 to the center contact I312 of the lamp base I 8a. The remaining portion of said circuit may include a metallic helical coil spring 23 seated within the closed casing bottom I Ia having an end 23a contacting with container terminal I2b of the dry cell battery I2, an end I 9b of the strip I9 opposite tongue I9a being interposed between said bottom I la and spring end 23b to electrically contact the strip end I919. The strip I9 thus electrically connecting with the battery container terminal I2b may be secured to the casing by suitable means such as rivet 22 for extending said strip I9 along the interior of the casing body I I with said tongue |9a terminating above boss Hg. The tongue 19a on being flexed by the swinging of the handle I5a from a normal off position contacts the reflector I! for completing the circuit through the screw base I8a of the lamp I8 in the well understood manner. If desired helical spring 23 may be integrally formed to terminate strip end I91) instead of being made as a separate element.

In order to anchor the strip I9 more firmly t the body II, the tongue Ifia is made by slitting the strip I9 on opposite sides of the tongue as at I90 and forming spaced attachment means with reversed bent spring end ISd. The latter not only can be sprung into position for firmly gripping over the lip rims of slots I Ih but also extend into said slots IIh to bear against stub shafts I50 of the lever handles Ifia as seen in Fig. 4.

-With the parts made and assembled as described above and shown in the drawing, the

practical utility of the invention becomes at once apparent. The flashlight II can be conveniently 'carried in the hand and th toggl switch I readily actuated by the thumb for either flashing the light by. swinging the lever handl .I5a

partially up from the position shown in Fig. 1,

that is, so that the spring tongue I9a is either held deflected in closed circuit contact with the reflector IT, or swing by the lever handle fully to a self retain position with said tongue I 9a in such circuit contact position as shown in Fig. 1, in dotted line position. To open the circuit the lever handle I5a is swung down permitting the tongue I9a to return back to the unfiexed position shown in Fig. 1, full line position.

It is thus therefore seen that there is provided an improved flashlight in which the objects of the invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet all conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the invention for use for different purposes and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all the above matters here set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing, are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Thus having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plastic battery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantial uniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and a bulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, a metallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side of said body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connecting with an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, the end of said jumper at said open end top terminating in a toggle switch connecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted to connect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidly securing said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body, gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoining the blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, an anchorage boss molded On an interior wall of the bulbous open end top for engaging with said gripper attachment means, and a toggle-like switch lever extending through the casing trunnioned on said boss for actuating said blade spring contact to deflect the latter in making and breaking a circuit connection. 7

2. In a flashlight of the character described, a construction as defined in claim 1 in which said anchorage boss has open ended slots to serve as bearings for trunnioning said lever therein, said gripper attachment means being constructed and arranged as a spring mounting integrally formed with said jumper portion projecting into said slot bearings to confine said trunnioned portions of said switch lever therein.

3. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plastic battery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantial uniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and a bulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, a boss molded on an interior wall of the bulbous open end top having open-ended slot bearings, a toggle-like switch-lever extending through the casing having stub shafts journalled in said bearings to trunnion said lever on the boss, and an elongated metallic strip jumper havinga battery contact at one end secured to extend lengthwise the interior side of said body with said battery contact at the bottom, the other end of said jumper being slitted to terminate in an integrally formed spring switch blade contact with adjoining gripper attachment means, and fastening means secured inwardly of said blade contact for rigidly attaching said jumper to the body, an inner end of said lever being positioned to defiect the blade contact in making a circuit connection.

4. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plastic battery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantial uniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and a bulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, a metallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side of said body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connecting with an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, the end of said jumper at said open end terminating in a toggle-like switch connecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted to connect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidly securing said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body, gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoining the blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, an anchorage boss molded on an interior wall of bulbous open end top for engaging with said gripper attachment means, and a toggle-like switch-lever extending through the casing having stub shafts trunnioned on said boss for actuating said blade spring contact in making and breaking a circuit connection, said anchorage boss having an open-ended slot to serve as bearings for trunnioning said stub shafts therein, said gripper attachment means being formed by slitting and bending the end of said jumper to provide an integral spring mounting projecting into said slot for confining the stub shafts therein.

5. In a flashlight of the character described, a single molded plastic battery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantial uniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and a bulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, a metallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side of said body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connecting with an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, the end of said jumper at said open top terminating in a toggle-like switch connecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted to connect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidly securing said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body, gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoining the blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, an anchorage boss molded on an interior wall of bulbous open top for engaging with said gripper attachment means, a toggle-like switch-lever extending through the casing trunnioned on said boss for actuating said blade spring contact to deflect the latter in making and breaking a circuit connection, a single molded lens cap removably mounted on said open end top, the sectional thickness of said cap being constructed and arranged to exceed the thickness of the portion of said body attached thereto and to conform the exterior side of the bulbous open end with that of said cap for providing a tulip shape head for the flashlight,

6. In a flashlight of the character described, having a single molded plastic battery casing comprising an elongated tubular body of substantial uniform circular cross-section formed with a closed end bottom and a bulbous hollow hemispherical open end top opposite said bottom, a metallic strip jumper secured to extend lengthwise the interior side of said body and bottom to provide an electrical conductor for connecting with an under terminal of a dry cell battery housed in the casing, the end of said jumper at said open end top terminating in a toggle switch connecting part formed with an integral spring blade contact adapted to connect said battery in circuit, a rivetted fastening means for rigidly securing said jumper at an inner part of the blade contact to said body, gripper attachment means provided on portion of the jumper end adjoining the blade contact at a spaced distance from said fastening means, an anchorage boss molded on an interior wall of bulbous open end top for engaging with said gripper attachment means, a toggle-like switch-lever extending through the casing having stub shafts trunnioned on said boss for actuating said blade spring contact in making and breaking a circuit connection, said anchorage boss having open ended slots to serve as bearings for trunnioning said stub shafts therein, said gripper attachment means being formed by slitting and bending the end of said jumper to provide an integral spring mounting projecting into said slot for confining the stub shafts therein, and a single molded lens cap removably mounted on the open end top of greater sectional thickness than that of the adjoining casing, the exterior of said cap forming a continuous surface with that of said open end to provide a tulip shape head for the flashlight.

'7. A flashlight of the character described, as defined in claim 6, in which a metallic reflector fitted with a lamp is positioned in the bulbous open and top of said body with the open end of the reflector retained by the lens cap and a contact of said lamp connecting with an upper terminal of said battery, said blade contact being constructed and arranged to make and break said circuit connections with the exterior of said reflector on being flexed and unflexed, respectively, by said switch from a normal 0 circuit position.

JOSHUA GORDON LIPPINCO'IT.

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