US2408393A - Flashlight - Google Patents

Description

Oct. l, 1946. J. A. GlTs ET Al.

FLASHLIGHT Filed Jan.

2 Sheets-Shest l PL'ZLS,

JNVENTOR. fasefjvh/ @LS Jui@ Oct. 1, 1946. J. A. G11-s ETAL FLASHLIGHT Filed Jan. 2o, l1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @J um?? Nw F w@ Q19 wh lll Affi/IIIA,

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Patented Oct. 1, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLASHLIGHT i Joseph A. Gits and Jules I. Gits, Chicago, Ill. Application January 2o, 194i, serial No. Sissi;

20 Claims. A(Cl. 20G-60) `This invention relates to flashlights and more particularly to waterproof flashlights, an object being to provide such a device that shall have all the necessary features of construction and operation to enable its convenient and satisfactory use under all ordinary conditions and under the most severe conditions as well, such as in heavy rains, iording streams, submergence, the necessity'of signaling by dashing or by a continuous beam, sometimes immediately upon emerging from the water. Such use, of course, involves a Switch, and practical requirements necessitate that it be located on the side or" the eiongated shell or casing, be comparatively flat or thin with no greatly protruding parts such as operating levers or the like, be conveniently operable for intermittent or continuous beam operatic-n or for no operation at all, and the parts to remain in their selected positions of operation until p-ositively moved therefrom whereby to avoid accidental or inadvertent displacement.

In such devices, the current conductors may be arranged inside the shell or casing where they are protected but the switch contacts connected therewith must be'brought out to the exterior for engagement by the movable switch contacts in order to make and break the circuit therethrough without the operating movable parts passing through the shell. But the switch housing overlying and enclosing said contacts and switching parts has operating devices passing therethrough, such as a push-button for the intermittent or aslioperationof the switch, the connections of a three-position thumb-piece, or other parts, which are not Water-tight with the housing and therefore may admit more or less dampness or moisture to the interior ofthe same.

A further object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a device of the class described which, while conforming to the standard requirements as to form, size, space and operation, shall not permit dampness within the switch housing to reach the switch contacts. i In carrying out the invention, provision is made for separating the switch proper between the eX- posed ends of the conductor contacts and the operating mechanism therefor. The switch contacts are preferably operated by a transverse or radial movement as distinguished from a longitudinal movement, having reference to the elongated shell or casing of the device, as by a suitable spring metal Contact strip fixed at one end to one of the conductor rivets or exterior extensions with its free end standing over and normally out of contact with the other exterior conductor 2 rivet or extension. The free .end of the spring is thus adapted to be brought into contact with the other rivet or conductor contact by an inward substantially radial pressure or butt contact movement instead of a longitudinal sliding ccntact movement. i These switch contacts are preferably seated in va shallow exterior recess or groove in the shell beneath the housing of the switch mechanism of suilicient depth to accommodate the radial movement of the springcontact in opening the circuit. A thin flexible gasket, sheet or layer of suitable waterproof material is placed over the recess and the contacts and is sealed to the casing at its edges, preferably as hereinafter described. The switch housing and operating partspreferably of a more or less iiat construction are placed over the said gasket, the peripheral iiange of the housing conforming tothe surface contour of the casing about the recess andbeing suitably secured to the casing as by rivets through the casing walls and gasket. This eiectively clamps and seals the gasket around its edges to the `casing about the recess or groove and prevents the entrance oi moisture to the recess with its switch contacts.

The switch-operating mechanism thus enclosed within the housing outside the flexible gasket includes a radially or transversely acting pressure member placed over the position of the spring contact within the groove inside of the gasket, whereby said contact may be operated by the pressure o f said member directly through the gasket Without rubbing along the surface of the same as would be the case with a longitudinally slidable or rubbing contact operating device in the housing, and without being attached thereto. Thus the life of ther gasket is preserved, a better and more positive action of the switch contacts is, obtained, and no'sacrice is made of the compact flat top housing and longitudinal operating mechanism therein, as will be described.

Thus various additional objects of the invention are present and all will-appear from the detailed description and claims to follow, in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich represent an embodiment ofthe invention, and in whi'chi Fig. l is a side View of a ashlight embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same, taken on the line 2 2 oi" Figi; Fig. 3 is a similar section, taken at right angles to that of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the exterior switching mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on a larger scale through the switch and casing wall and showing the parts in the 01T position of the switch;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the switch parts in the intermediate position for intermittent or ashing operation of the light;

Fig. '7 is a similar viewshowing the parts in the third position :for the -continuous .or beam operation of the light;

Fig. 8 i's a cross-section through the switch and casing on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the switch parts in perspective.

The flashlight shown comprises preferably an elongated shell or casing Il), circular in crosssection, having at the front end-a right-angular head I I, which is threaded to receive an internally threaded cap I2, adapted to carry a lens I3 and an assemblycomprising a reflector I4, a light socketv I5. and alight bulb I6. Shell or 'casing ZIll -is preferably elongated 'toreceive 'one :or more batteries B, B', or'the equivalentarranged therein in .stacked relation, so that .the .terminals thereof are at or near the opposite ends ofthe shell yor casing.

The .shell or casing I0 is preferably of insulation, such as thermoplastic. material, which may be molded `at .-low cost, particularly if .molded under pressureby injection. This material, additionally, .is somewhat yieldab'le-.and resilient whereby .to withstand fracture, chipping .or .dentjing when the device .is .dropped or .otherwise roughlyhandled.. Further, .its yieldability and resiliency may be controlled'by ,the use .of vsuitable 'p'lasticizers to enable the material to withstand wide variations in .temperature as well as rough handling. 'The cap I2 maybe -of the same material. .The lens iI3 .may be made of transparent 'thermoplastic material .having .the same .index of refraction as glass, .whereby to reduce .liability of breakage .of .lens in case of dropping or other accident.

The rearend .of vthis .shell or .casing .l0 is ,externally threaded to receive an internally'threaded .closure cap I1 preferably .of the samematerial as the shell, said caphaving a chamber receiving a metal .strip .with its .endsbent rearwardly .tojform va removable .U-.shaped bracket I8, ,provided with .a spring .grip I9. 4riveted .centrally thereto :to carry an vextra lamp `bulb .20, if Vdesired.A

.The interengaging threads at the ends .oi-the Vshell l and on thecaps 'I2 vand I1 tend-to form a watertight Aseal when the caps are threaded in position. An adequate number of threads, together with the tendency of the thermoplastic material to have. a tight gripping action between its vown surfaces, provides a seal that prevents water or moisture from creeping past the threaded engagement into the Vinteriorcr the 'shell;

Howevengaskets I2 -are provided on opposite sides .of the rim :of reector AIII `:and a gasket I1' isiprovidedbetweenfafshoulder I9' von casing v"land cap rI'I. .Captl'l may :have `-a 'iV-shaped rib 'I8' about its rim :adapted vto bite into "gasket I'I when cap I1 Tis lthreaded 'tightly into vits position engaging shoulder In'. These Agaskets I 2' and I1' are furnished/when Tit is Vdesirable to assure a watertight relation Vbetween casing Il] and both Vcaps I2and I1.. .'A's'stated, thetendency of thermoplastic material-to :provide-atig'ht gripping 4action when Van ladequate lnumber of threads and the proper size relation between them are provided, may be suiicient to secure a watertight seal at both ends of the casing for certain uses of the ashlight. When gaskets I2' and I1' are used, it will be impossible for moisture or water to reach the interior of the ashlight under any condition of use because they assure a watertight relation at all times.

The reflector I4 is preferably somewhat arcuate in shape and the light socket I5 is preferably provided with an open fend through which the central'terminal of the 4lamp 1S may project. A transverse bridge 2l across. the shell IS may be molded integrally within the shell at the juncture of the cylindrical portion and the rightangular head II. From the central terminal of lthe lamp I6 the circuit is continued through .the bridge 2l by a curved spring contact member 22 engaging at its free end the said terminal of the .lamp bulb and being secured at'y its other end to the adjacent face of bridge 2i by means Iof a rivet 23 which passes vthrough .the .bridge andthe .inner head `.of which .forms .a terminal for engaging thefront terminal of the forward batteryB, as shown in Figs..2 .and3.

.The lamp .and socket arrangementmay be-of any .approved type solong as the lamp when in final position has Vits other .terminal .connected with the -metallic reector, which, .as will be described, is arranged to beconnectedthrough suitable conductors, including vthe .operating switch, .with the rear `terminal of the rear .battery B'.. .The arrangementshown, however, ispreferred, in which the socket AI5 is an .externally threaded tubular sleeve lof insulating material whichy if desired, may be lthe Same as that of the shell. This threads into the ymetallic extension 24 vof the .reflector I4. This extension y2li may .be lin,- tegralwith the reflector .I4 or formed as a sepa- .rate part and :interlocked therewith as indicated at 25, but in any event a metallic shoulder 26 'is formed so that the flange 21 of the bulb I6,

forming the other terminal .of thebulb I6, may be clamped against 'the shoulder or .flange 25 when the socket I5 .is threaded into position, as Shown in Fig. 3, whereby the electric circuit of .thelamp tothe reector is completed.

The rearbattery terminal 28, comprising the.

end Vplate 'of `battery B', will firmly press-against spirally vcoiled .spring -29 to `compress `itand fhold -it against seat Si) .formingan internal shoulderin cap -.II. This will `bring the outer convolution of the spring into rm electrical engagement with lan `annular metal insert, .collar -or -sleeve SI Aat the rear end of the cylinder. HL'When :the end cap II -is tightened.

The circuit is. brought from the ends of theshell to the location. of the operating switchingmechanism by two metal contact strips 32 and 33 which are located between'two integrally formed spacer ribs 34 -on the Vinside surface of the shell, 'said ribs being of suhicient yheight to prevent the batteries coming into contact with the conductor strips, to prevent short circuits orxleakage of currentin the event the insulationcf the batteries breaks down.

The forward strip 321mg a right-angular'extension or Contact end 35 pressing resilieritly against the adjacent outer surface of the `reflector Illxwhich permits the'reec'tor assembly'to be readily removed vand inserted withoutrspecial attention being-givenfto the contact 35m the use of tools to disconnecto connect the same. This spring 35 completes rthe electric circuit from the reflector to the 'conductor 32. The lower `'spacer rib @34, nas seen 'in'Fig v3, that is, Vonthe Aopposite side of the conductor 32 from the reflector assembly, may have an integrally formed flange 36 extending under and upwardly inside the conductor strip 32 whereby to form a shelf-like supporting means for this forward end of the conductor strip in order to keep the right-angularly extending linger or end 35 of conductor 32 properly supported whereby suitably to engage the reflector to complete the circuit therethrough.

The rear conductor strip 33 at the rear end of the shell is secured thereto by a rivet 3l' which also holds the inserted sleeve 3| in place as well as the conductor in good electrical contact therewith, the formed head of the rivet being pressed down to seat at or below the threaded surface to avoid interference with the threading of end cap 1 in place or its removal.

The inner ends of conductors 32 and 33 are disposed opposite an elongated recess or groove 38 formed in the exterior of the shell or casing I 0. This recess is long enough to overlap the adjacent ends of the conductors 32 and 33, wide enough (Fig. 8) to accommodate the switch spring contact to be described, and deep enough to receive the said spring contact and permit its free end proper operation transversely to open and close the circuit, as shown and hereafter described.

The rear end of forward conductor strip 32 is secured in place by a rivet 39 seated in the forward end of recess or external groove 38, and serves as one of the terminals or contacts of the switch for opening and closing the circuit of the device. The forward end of conductor 33 is likewise secured in place by rivet 40 which is seated at the rear end of the groove or recess 38 and serves to secure the contact spring 4| in the bottom of the recess and to provide a current-conductive path thereto. This spring extends to the forward end ofthe recess over the contact rivet 39. It is normally biased to stand away from or over the said contact rivet, but upon a transverse inward pressure being applied to its free end it closes contact with said rivet to complete the circuit of the device.

These rivets, and in fact all the rivets passing through the shell, are of the type and kind that permit their heads to be formed without providing connections that allow water and moisture to seep into or otherwise gain access to the interior of the shell I0. The yieldable or pliable nature of the thermooplastic material of the shell and the forming operation of the heads cause them to be rmly pressed against and bite into the material, and, in the case of conductors 32 and 33, to be pulled tightly against the inner Wall of this thermoplastic material and form thereby a perfect seal at each rivet.

In order that water or moisture may not get into the recess 38 and to the rivets and switch contacts therein, a suitable thin, flexible or elastic layer, sheet or gasket 42 of rubber or rubberlike waterproof material, preferably neoprene, is laid over the recess and the switch contacts and parts therein and is clamped and sealed at its edges in water-tight relation to the shell or casing I0 preferably by the peripheral edge flange of the housing 43 of the switch-operating parts, as will be described.

This switch housing 43 has a central raised at portion and a sloping edge portion terminating in an outwardly extending peripheral flange which is formed to conform to the surface of the shell or casing to which it is attached. The switch casing has a peripheral outline, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9, and the shell or casing I0 of the device has molded thereon a seat for the peripheral edge flange thereof, as indicated. An outer marginal raised rib or bead 44 on the shell l0 surrounds the' said seat and flange of the housing and a similar raised rib or bead 45 is at the inner periphery of the seat for the flange of the switch housing 43.

The neoprene or similar sheet or gasket 42 is of the same outline form as the switch housing 43, as seen in Fig. 9, but is a little larger, so that when placed in position over the switch contacts and recess, and the switch housing is pressed down thereon as indicated, the gasket is compressed between the said beads or ribs 44 and 45 and to the seat by the flange of the switch housing. This seals the joint all around against the entrance of moisture. The switch housing 43 is firmly riveted to the shell or casing of the device, preferably by three rivets, two at the forward end and one at the rear, as indicated by the holes 43e in Fig. 9, passing through the said flange, the gasket having similar holes 42a, and the elongated casing or shell ID, said rivets being of the leak-proof type mentioned. Thus the switch contacts within the groove or recess in the shell or casing I0 and the conductor rivets and connections therein are entirely protected from the presence of moisture.

The free end of spring contact 4| within the recess or groove moves in a radial or transverse direction to open and close the circuit and is operated by simple pressure through the gasket. Thus there is no undue wear on the inside of the gasket from such movement, as might be the case with sliding switch contacts or the like.

Likewise the switch-operating pressure on the outside of the gasket is radial or transverse, so that no undue wear thereon due to a sliding engagement takes place in operating the switch. This is accomplished by a longitudinally stationary pressure member or spring 46, seen in perspective in Fig. 9, and which is secured at its rear end to shell or casing I!) by the rear` rivet 47 of the switch housing 43 which passes through the housing flange, the gasket and the shell I0, and in this instance also through the rear conductor strip 33 which serves as a washer or bearing plate for the rivet on the inside of the shell, thus securing all these parts xedly together and in watertight relation so far as concerns the admission of moisture to the inside of the shell |0.

This member 46 extends forwardly to the forward part of the raised part of housing 43, over the outside of gasket 42, and with its free end over the end of contact spring 4| on the inner side of the gasket 42. The spring member 46 is biased when in position so that its free end tends normally to rise and not to apply pressure through tl e gasket on the spring contact 4|, although it may lie more or less close to the gasket 42. When an inward pressure is applied to the free end of this switch-operating spring 46, therefore, the pressure is carried through the gasket 42, which is elastic, iiexible or loose enough to permit the same, and the switch spring 4| is thereby depressed and closes Contact with the rivet contact 33, to close the lamp circuit of the device. When the pressure on the member 4S is released, it, together with the gasket and contact spring 4 will return to normal position and the circuit is opened.

It is desirable, and for some uses imperative, that the switch have a permanent on or closed position for continuous beam or ray operation of itheilightfat Vwhich time the ,push-button cannot `affect tthe foperation; a Ypermanently open lor `off '.position. when the push-button is likewise yincapable 1of;closing 'the circuit; and another or intermediate position 'when the push-button may beA operated `in .the usual way to open `or close the .switch for :flashing or temporarily lighting the lamp.

In :order to accomplish this ina simple, inexpensive and convenient manner without un- :dulyrenlarging or thickening the flat and shallow 1svi/itchhousing-the vforward end of switch-operating. '.springlt` is provided on the outside with two steps :.48 and 49, which are conveniently formed 'by bending up nvoappropriatelyformed V.side Vwingsfrom the spring itself,.as seen in Fig. 9. .These stepsware 'adapted to be appropriately engaged. by 'the .forward broad end of the member.: 50,.,:shown1in Fig. 9,-which suitably slidable along 'theinside of the fiat vtop of the switch .housing 1.43, as willbe now described.

:The pentral raised lportion yof the housing 43 .isprovided with ya pair of slitsl and an intermediate portion which is centrally corrugated, Vto provide, in effect, two round transverse shoul- 'ders yor .-ribsz52. Thumb-piece 53, shown separately in fFig. '9. 1is `provided Vwith side legs 54, one `on each side, passing respectively down through the slots 5l in the top of the housing Iandthrough theside notches :55, of the slidable ymember5l on the inside-of Ithe housing. The .endszof these legsare .bent inwardly on the under side of the member 59 in order to hold this'memfber againstfthe'runderside of the switch housing and enableit rto be moved therealong by a corresponding movement ofthe thumb-piece 53.

The three positions -of this .thumb-'piece to which the-slidable spring member 50 lis moved to .obtain the off, flash and on positions of operation of the device are denitely located by the .angularior il-shaped leaf spring 55 on the inside of the thumb-piece, as shown, the central point or line of which rides over the ribs 52 as the vthumb-piece is forcibly moved in either -di- .rection and causes said thumb-piece to'assume and come to rrestiin one of the three positions, as shown lin Figs. 5, 6 and '1, unless forcibly moved therefrom.

-Afpush-button `Y51 is mounted in the housing '43, as shown, over the forward portion of slid- .able spring r50 which tends vto keep the button in place, the 'angeof the vbutton normally seating in the raised ring of the housing.

In the off position of the'parts as shown 1in Fig. 5, thethumb-piece 53 is inits rear lposition. The forward end ofthe slidable member 59 lies :in the rear of "the steps 48 and 49 on the Aend Vof the 'switch-pressingmember 45. Ordinarily, the depression ofthe push-'button in this posi- ,tion of the parts would not be sufficient to cause the end of the member 5o to press down on the `member 46 enough to close thc-switchcontact 4l in the 'recess under the gasket. But to -insure against such a closure of the switch by la forced depression of the `push-button, lugs 58 on the lower side of theinember vilnear its outer edges are formed, preferably by striking them up from the material of the member. These lugs 58 are far 'enough apart to `straddle the reduced end 59 (Fig. 9) of member 45, and are in advance of shoulders 60 thereof, so thatthe member 4.6 Ais not depressed thereby. Then, on the shell or casing l adjacent the groove 38 for the `switch spring 4l .and Vin advance of the shoulders 60 V(Fig.v 9) on member Nli,.slight1y raised bosses 6| and close spring lcontact 4 I. -tion vof `the parts (Fig. 8) are formed in vertical ortransverse alignment withthe lugs 58 o-n the slidable member-when in the olf position. Accordingly, lwhen operating member 45. Depression of the pushbutton now causes the end of member 5i) to .engage steps 4S on memberf45 :and to press it down on the gasket and through the gasket to depress Thus in v.this posithe push-button 51 vmay be vused to flash the light Vin the ordinary man- Inet'.

In :the third or permanently on position -of thegparts, Vas seen in Fig. 1, thumb-piece 51 lhas Ybeen'moved'forward.to-its fullon position. The `free end of yslidable spring Y5e has been pushed over onto ithehigher step 49 of switch-actuating member 45, and the latter has been depressed to operate through gasket 42 the vswitch spring 4I vto close the circuit. This entire movementiof the end of spring 4S lis brought about by pushing V"the end of spring-59 between the raised step 49 on member Y4t and a lugor depression-62 on the inside of the vhousing formed preferably by indenting the rim of the raised part of the housing, as indicated in Fig. 9. This lug or indenta- Y tion 52 does .not interfere with the normal rise of the free end -of spring46,since the two wings constituting the said steps are able to straddle the samerin the ,uppermost position of the member 46. The broad portion of the-end of member `50 bridges the two -wings forming the steps when pushed forward yto -contact therewith.

jFrom the foregoing vdescription it 'will :be observed that the unique type of switch structure disclosed :herein Contemplatesthe use of a housinghaving a flanged rim adapted to be clamped upon-a seatdefined-by ythe outer and inner beads 441and45, the lflanged rrim 4being held between these beads with gasket 42 compressed between the-rim and seat and the forward end of the lrim-pressing against the outer edge of the gasket, which -may be turned `upwardly to .lie between the forward end fof the j rim and the vinside Vface of Vouter Vrib 44. Forming a seat of 'this character may be omitted `as a feature of the switch structure, when so desired, but it novelly assists in the assembly-of the switch structure upon the side of casing Ill and assures a water-tight Vfit when the -switch structure .is riveted in place. The inside rib 45 will `of course, have a -cutaway portion where rmember 46 ex- .tendsforwardly fromrivet 41 as shown in Fig. 6. Forming `a recess in ythe wall-of the barrel of a ashlight enables using a switchstructure that hugs .closely Ato the barrel, and also disposing switch parts in compact relationin this structure. This compactness is further made possible by these switch parts and their arrangement, the latter further providing positive operation and occupying but minimum space. In a device of the type described, which requires simplicity and minimum cost of production, .novelty resides in using aspring -contactmember engaging one vof .the contacts .serving battery 'terminals and positioned over the others of these contacts so that it may be pressed into circuit closing engagement therewith by a switch pressing member operable by a slidable spring member. The switch pressing member is disposed between the spring contact and the slidable spring member, and it acts cojointly with the slidable spring member tc eflect the closing of the circuit, either by a flashing or full on position, with a minimum movement of the parts.

Thus a waterproof flashlight is provided having a waterproof gasketed switch, without departing from accepted sizes and features of construction an `doperation and in which the gasket and engaging parts operate by transverse pressure, whereby wear on the gasket is minimized and the switch contacts are protected against dampness.

Having thus described the invention and the best manner now known for carrying same into effect, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, electric conductors therein arranged for connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply housed in said casing and having portions in close proximity with each other, and switching means including contacts to make and break the circuit between said portions said contacts being exposed externally of said casing, a flexible waterproof layer overlying said contacts and in waterproof relation with said casing, and operating mechanism on the exterior of the casing to operate said contacts by pressure through said flexible layer.

2. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and breaking relation therebetween, contacts in electrical relation with said conductor ends and exposed at the outside of said casing, a exible waterproof gasket overlying said contacts and in waterproof relation with said casing, and switch operating mechanism overlying said gasket to operate said contacts by pressure transmitted through the gasket to make and break the circuit through the contacts on the under side of the gasket.

3. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and breaking relation therebetween, contacts in electrical relation with said conductor ends exposed to the outside of said casing, a flexible waterproof gasket sheet overlying said contacts, a switch housing overlying said gasket sheet and clamping it in watertight relation at the edges to said casing, and contact operating means associated with the switch housing to operate said contacts by pressure thereon exerted through the said exible gasket.

4. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors being located in close proximity to establishv a circuit making and breaking relation therebetween, the casing having a recess in its outer face opposite said conductor ends, switch contacts in said recess in electrical connection with said ends, a :flexible waterproof gasket sheet overlying said recess and said contacts, a switch housing over said recess and gasket and clamping the gasket to the casing in watertight relation around the recess, and switch contact operating mechanisms connected with said switch housing to operate said contacts through the flexible gasket.

5. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and breaking relation therebetween, the exterior wall of the casing having a shallow recess opposite said ends, normally open switch contacts in said recess connected respectively through the bottom of the recess with said ends, a Waterproof exible sheet of material covering said recess and switch contacts therein, a housing over said sheet and recess and contacts having an edge flange clamping the exible sheet as a gasket to the casing with a watertight connection, and operating means within the housing to operate said switch contacts in the recess by pressure through the flexible sheet to make and break the circuit through said contacts and conductors.

6. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and 'breaking relation therebetween, the wall of the casing adjacent said ends being recessed on the exterior, rivets passing through said ends into the bottom of the recess and securing the conductors to the casing, a contact spring in the recess secured at one end by one of said rivets and overlying but normally out of contact with the other of said rivets but adapted to be brought into contact therewith to close the circuit therethrough, a flexible waterproof gasket sheet overlying said recess and contact spring and overlapping the edges of the recess, a switch housing overlying said gasket and clamping the same at the edges to the casing with a watertight connection, and manually operated mechanism in the housing and over the contact spring with the gasket between to operate said contact spring to make and break the circuit through the said conductors.

7. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and breaking relation therebetween, contacts in electrical relation with said conductor ends exposed to the outside of said casing, a switch housing over said contacts having a peripheral flange, raised beads on the casing along the inner and outer edges of said flange, a sheet of flexible waterproof material overlying said contacts and extending to said outer bead and clamped at the edge portion fo the casing between the said beads by the said flange in watertight relation, and switch operating means beneath the housing outside the said sheet to operate said contacts inside the sheet to control the circuit therethrough,

8. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing having conductors therein for electrical connection with the opposite poles of' a source of current supply, said conductors having portions in close proximity within the casing,

contacts connected with said portions exposed't'o the exterior of the casing, a sheet ofexible waterproof material overlying said exposed contacts, a switch housing over said sheet having a clamping flange conforming to the non-planular ccntour of the casing to clamp said sheet at its edge in watertight relation to the casing, and switch operating means in said housing to operate said conta-cts through the sheet to make and break the circuit through said conductors.

9. In a device of the class described, a waterproof casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of a source of current supply, two of the ends of said conductors .being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and break-V ing relation therebetween, contacts in electrical relation with said conductor ends exposed to the outside of said casing, a normally open spring contact to close when depressed the circuit through said exposed contacts, a switch housing on the casing over said contacts, a three-position slide inside the housing ope-rated by a thumbpiece on the outside thereof, a 'push-bitten in the housing` adjacent the thumb-piece, a metal strip secured at one end to saidcasingl and eX- tending under said push-button and slide and arranged at its free end' when depressed to operate and close said spring contact, said slide serving in the off position toprevent loperation of said strip bythe push-button, in another position to permit its ope 1ation by the push-button to intermittently open and'clo'se'thecircuit, and in a third position t'ofoperate the-spring contact to close the circuit independently vof the pushbutton.

10. Ina device of the class described, a casing, conductors in said casing arranged for electrical connection with opposite terminals of? a source ofcurrent supply, two endsl of' said conductors being located in close proximity to establish a circuit making and breaking relation therebetween, contact-s in electricalv relation with-said conductor ends andV having portionsV extending through the wall-of saidl casing, a spring contact member secured to one of said 'conductor contacts yand extending over the-other of said conductor contacts, a depressible member secured at one Yof its ends' to vhave itsl opposite end in a position to press against said4 spring contact member and to move the latter into engagement with saidV other conductor contact, and a sliadable member adaptedtobemoved-to one of three- 4positions, means for preventing said slidable'member from engaging andactua-t-ing said depressible member into-a position effecting an engagement by said spring contact member with said other Contact member, and meansl to cause said sl-idable member to effect either oft-wo movementsof said,` depressible member, e'fecting either momentary or distant engagement by said spring contact member with said other conductor contact.

il. Switch mechanism fora flashlight comprising in combination, two contacts, a spring Contact member in fixed electrical relation with one of said contacts and extending to a position over the other contact, a depressible member, and a` slidable member, said meinbersbeing disposed one above the other, said slidable member having a plurality of positions and being movable to eiect actuation of said depressible member wherebyV to move said spring contact member into circuit closing position with said other contact, protrusions on said depressible member engageable by said slidable member, and -me'ans to effect' depression also of said slidable 'member when ina position to engageA one of said' protrusions, the other protrusion when engaged by'said slidable member actuating said depressible member to eilect a. constant circuit closing relation between said spring-contact memberA and said other contact.

12. Switch` mechanism for a flashlight comprising, in combination, two contacts, a spring contact member secured to one of said` contacts andY extending to -a-posi't'ion" over the other -contact, a depressible member secured at one of its ends to have itsy opposite end in av position to press against said spring contact member and to move the latter memberv into engagement w-ith said other contact, a manually operable*- 'member adapted to have one of three positions, means for preventing said manually operable member from actuating said depressiblemember when in one off its positions and means to actuatev said depressi-ble member to-eiect either of two movements by the movement of saidl manually operable member to the other two of its saidV three positions, said movements of said depressible member effecting etiher momentary or constant engagement by said spring contact member with said other contact.

13. Switch mechanism for a flashlight comprising, in combination, a switch housing, av

spring contact member, a depressible member and a slidable member; said slidable member being arranged to engage" and depress said--depressible member into engagement with said spring contact member whereby` to move the latter: to

circuit closing position, and a plurality of points of engagement for said slidable member, one of said points vof engagement preventing said slidable member when actuated from engaging said depressible member, the other two points of engagement being at different-levels and disposed upon said depressibleI member, one of said two points of engagement causing momentary engagement only of said spring contact in circuit closing position when said slidable member isA in a position 'and' actuated to engage said point of engagement, the otherl of said two pointsv of en-l gagementY causing a constant circuit closing vposition of said spring contact when said slidable member is moved to a position to engage said last point of engagement.

14. Switch mechanism for a flashlight comprising, in combi-nation, a switch housing, a

spring contact member, a depressible member andA a slidable member, said lslidable member being arranged to engage and depress said: 'depressiblemember into engagement with said spring 'con'- tact member whereby to move the latter to circuit closing position, abutment means on said depressible member, saidY abutment means hav'- ing two engagement levels for said slidable member., one -of said engagement levels requiring said slidable member to bedepressed to engage the.

ber above said spring contact memberfor ef-v 13 fecting a depressing movement of said spring contact member` to circuit closing position, and a housing for enclosing said spring contact member and said slidable member.

16. In a device of the class described, a casing, spaced contacts carried by said casing, a spring contact member in ixed relation with one of said contacts for closing an electrical circuit by being depressed into engagement with the other contact, a well in said casing, said spring contact being disposed in said well, a switch housing having an outwardly extending iiange about its base, a seat upon said casing for receiving said flange, said seat being disposed about said well, a gasket between said seat and said ange, and a manually movable member within said switch housing for eiecting operation of said spring contact.

17. In a device of the class described, a casing, a Well in said casing, a switch structure adapted to be mounted upon said casing, the parts of said switch structure including a circuit closing member disposed in said well, a manually operable member and a housing for the same, a ange formed about the base of said housing, and spaced upstanding beads on said casing about said well adapted to form a seat to receive said housing flange.

18. Switch mechanism for a flashlight comprising, in combination, a, contact member adapted to be secured to the barrel of the ashlight, 30

a manually operable member above said contact l0 said contact member to circuit closing position,

a flexible waterproof membrane disposed between said contact member and said manually operable member, and a housing for enclosing said membrane and both said members, said housing se- 15 Acuring said membrane to said barrel whereby to seal said contact member in water-tight relation between said membrane and said barrel.

20. Switch mechanism for a iiashlight comprising, in combination, a contact member adapt- 20 ed to be secured to the barrel of the flashlight,

a manually operable member above said contact member for effecting a depressing movement of said contact member to circuit closing position, a housing for enclosing said contact member and 25 said manually operable member, and a flexible waterproof membrane disposed within said housing to seal said contact member in water-tight relation.

JOSEPH A. GITS. JULES P. GITS.

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