US2516180A - Finger ring with flashlight attachment - Google Patents

Description

Jul 25, 1950 BROWN 2,516,180

FINGER RING WITH, FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENT Filed May 27, 1948 INVENTOR. f7? /Z 590W Patented July 25, 1950 FINGER RING WITH FLASHLIGHT ATTACHMENT Meyer M. Brown, New York, N. Y. Application May 27, 1948, Serial N 0. 29,439

9 Claims. (Cl. 240-59) This invention relates to afinger ring with fiashlight attachment, particularly to a finger ring with flashlight attachment providing for control of the flashlight bulb by means of a finger operated switch.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, above referred to, which is designed as a self-contained unit, that is, as a unit in which the ring supports a light bulb and a battery employed as source of current.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, above referred to, so designed that the bulb may be displayed on the outside of the hand similarly to a ring stone while the battery and the switch are concealed within the palm of the hand when the ring is worn by a person.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring attachment of the general type, above referred to, the batteryof which is of such shape and size that it fits snugly into the palm of the hand, thereby allowing closin of the fingers even of a child's hand over the battery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, above referred to, in which the light bulb is arranged to illuminate a transparent or translucent ring stone, a small figure, etc., mounted over or in front of the light bulb, thereby creating an amusing and surprising effect.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring of the general type, above referred to, the diameter of which can be conveniently adjusted to fit the ring to fingers of different size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring with flashlight attachment which is convenient to wear, light in weight, and reliable in operation due to the simplicity of its design, the absence of loose wires, and easy replacement of the battery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved finger ring with flashlight attachment of the general type, above referred to, which can be inexpensively and attractively manufactured and is easy to assemble so that the finger ring is highly suitable as a novelty item.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and appear in the appended claims forming part of the application.

In the accompanyin drawing, several now preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a finger ring with flashlight attachment according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same ring seen from the opposite side.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modification of the finger ring,

Fig. 5 is a side view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modification of a finger ring according to the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a third modification of a finger ring with flashlight attachment according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. 7.

F Fi$. 9 is a rear view of the ring according to Fig. 10 is still another modification of a finger ring with flashlight attachment according to the invention. and

Fig. 11 is a side view of Fig. 10.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in detail, the exemplification of the invention shown on these figures comprises a split metal rin Ill. The split of the ring permits convenient adjustment of the size of the ring. A portion I I of this ring is flattened and supports a clamp I2 also made of metal. This clamp is fastened to ring I 0 by any suitable means for instance soldering or bent-oil hooks I3 extending through corresponding holes in ring portion II. Clamp I2 is open at both ends and serves to receive a light bulb Id of the type conventionally used for flashlights. The globe of the bulb may be of the spherical type, the lens-tipped pear-shaped type or any other suitable type. As can best be seen on Fig. 2, the clamp is Soillaped that the light bulb is securely held within the clamp and that the base of the bulb is in contact with the clamp thereby connecting the base terminal of the bulb to ring I U. The other terminal I5 of the bulb may slightly protrude from the clamp. Portion I2 of the clamp is slightly bulged, if necessary, to provide space for the glass globe of the lamp, the glass globe being shown in Fig. 2 as protruding beyond the rim of the clamp. As can best be seen on Fig. 2, the axial width of the clamp may correspond substantiall to the axial length of the bulb. The width of the ring is shown as being widened toward the clamp to provide for an attractive appearance of the ring. However, it should be understood that any other suitable ring shape and design or ornament may also be selected.

A ring portion spaced apart from ring portion ll, preferably substantially diametrically opposite to ring portion I I supports a second metal clamp I6 fastened by any suitable means to the ring, for instance soldering or welding or by means of a hook I! extending from clamp I6 and crimped or clamped over ring Ill. Fig. 2 shows clamp 86 secured to the ring and also separated therefrom to illustrate more clearly the design of the clamp. As will be apparent, clamp 16 may also be secured to the ring, adjustably in circum ferential direction.

The clamp encompasses tightly the cup or casing l8 of a battery or a dry cell generally designated by l9. The battery is cyllndrically shaped. A type of battery as small as possible is preferably employed, Figs. 1 to 3 showing approximately the natural size of a suitable battery. As the cup or casing of a battery conventionally constitutes one of the terminals of the battery, clamp l6 connects one battery terminal to ring ill and also to the base terminal of bulb I4.

For the purpose of completing the circuit, one open end of an insulated electrical conductor 20 is soldered or otherwise secured to, or held in contact with bulb terminal IS. The conductor may be made of Phosphor bronze, spring brass or other suitable conducting springy material. On the other end of the conductor, there is provided a contact element 2| so biased that it is normally separated from the second battery terminal 22. Conductor 20 is preferably secured to ring III by any suitable means such as a bent-01f nose 23 extending from one of the edges of the ring. The conductor may further be guided along the ring body for instance by means of a notch 24 in the edge of the ring. As will be obvious, the purpose of securing the insulated conductor to the ring body is to avoid a loose wire and to secure contact element 2| in its proper position relative to terminal 22 so that the contact element, when pressure is applied thereto, will engage terminal 22 and not casing l8. Various other means can of course be used to attain the same purpose.

The ring is to be worn by a person in such position that bulb I 4 is outside of the hand in a position similar to a ring stone while the battery is at the inside of the fingers or the palm of the hand. To close the bulb circuit and to illuminate the bulb, the wearer merely presses with one of his or her fingers, for instance the thumb or a finger contiguous to the finger on which the ring is worn, contact element 2! against terminal 22 whereupon the bulb circuit is closed as long as element 28 and terminal 22 are in engagement.

As will be noted, the ring according to the invention constitutes a self-contained unit avoiding the necessity of carrying a battery in a pocket or any other place separate from the ring and connected to the bulb by loose wires. Furthermore, the entire finger ring with all its associated parts is so small that it is not much bulkier than an ordinary finger ring.

The exemplification oi the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is in principle similar to the exemplification according to Figs. 1 to 3. Corresponding parts are indicated by identical reference characters. The design according to Figs. 4 and 5 is distinguished from Figs. 1 to 3 by showing the adjustable ring proper and the clamps supporting the light bulb and the battery as being made all out of one piece rather than securing the clamps to the ring. For this purpose a metal strip is bent to form a loop 25 for reception of bulb l4 and a second loop 26 to form the ring proper. One end of the metal strip is extended and bent to form a clamp 2i for holding and securing battery casing it. The shape of the clamps and the ring thus formed are clearly shown on Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 6 also shows a design in which. the ring and the clamps supporting the bulb and the bat tery are made out of one piece. All these parts are formed by bending a metal strip into substantially 8- or s-shape, the large loop 28 of the strip forming the adjustable ring proper and the small loop 29 the clamp for the light bulb H. An extension 30 of the strip' isbent to form the clamp for holding and securing the battery.

In this connection it should be mentioned that it is of course also possible and practical to combine the designs of Figs. 1, 4 and 6 by forming only one of the clamps integrally with the ring and securing the second clamp to the ring in a manner similar to the one shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show an exemplification of the invention comprising an adjustable ring 3! formed by bending a metal strip accordingly. Light bulb I4 is secured to the ring by means of a bracket or arm 32 extending from one edge of ring 3| and integral therewith or secured thereto by any suitable means. Bracket 32 is provided with an opening 33 designed to be threaded on the threads 34 of the bulb base. Of course, any other suitable means to secure the bulb base and hence one of the bulb terminals to bracket 32 can also be employed.

The bracket is supporting the bulb in a position substantially parallel to the axial width of the ring and slightly spaced from the flattened ring portion 35. This permits to slipping a sleeve or cap 36 over the light bulb and its base. It is of course also possible to provide an open sleeve in which case the bulb need not to be spaced from the ring. Sleeve 36 is shown in Figs. '7 and 8 as being made of a transparent material such as plastic and may support a ring stone 31 in a position substantially opposite to the light bulb. As a result, the light of the bulb when the same is illuminated will shine through the ring stone thereby creating the impression of a brilliant sparkler.

The battery is secured to the ring by means of a bracket 38. This bracket has an opening 39 through which the battery is extended. The outer end of the bracket is bent oil to form an arm 40 gripping and securing one end of the battery casing by a nose 4|. The other end of the battery casing is held and secured by a tongue 42 cut out of the material of arm 40 as can best be seen on Fig. 9. The end of tongue 42 is also bent ofi at 43 to extend over the top of battery casing l8.

The exemplification of the invention according to Figs. 10 and 11 is similar to the design according to Figs. 7 to 9 in respect to the mounting of the light bulb. The ring proper is formed by cutting two tongues 45 and 46 out of a metal strip and bending the same into a ring adjustable in size as can best be seen on Fig. 10. The ends of the strips are extended to form two arms 41 and 48 respectively. Each arm includes an opening 49 through which battery casing I8 is extended. The material of the ring strip and the shape of arms 41 and 48 are so selected that the arms have a certain springiness securing the battery in the position shown on Fig. 10.

A hood 5!] is shown removably slipped over the light bulb. This hood may be visualized as a transparent or translucent cap made of colored material, an opaque cap having openings therethrough for instance in form of a skull, a little figure or design, etc. In each instance an amusing or surprising efiect will be created by the light of the bulb.

It will be obvious from the previous specification that the various mountings of the light bulb and the battery as explained in connection with the figures can be used interchangeably, that is, the lamp mounting of Figs. 7 and 8 may for instance be applied to the ring design of Figs. 1 to 3 or of Figs. 4 and 6. Similarly, the battery mounting of Figs. 1 to 3 may be used in connection with the lamp mounting of Fig. 4 or 6, etc.

The difierent shapes of lamps as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 for example may also be used interchangeably.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certain now preferred examples and embodiments it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, a light bulb fastened to said ring, one of the bulb terminals being in electrical contact with the metal ring, an electric battery fastened to said ring, one of the battery terminals being in electrical contact with the metal ring, an insulated pliable conductor electrically connectable on one end to the second bulb terminal and shaped to substantially follow the ring contour, and a contact element at the other end of the conductor, said contact element being positioned normally disengaged from the second battery terminal and substantially opposite thereto for bending the said contact element into engagement with the said terminal, thereby closing the bulb circuit.

2. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, a light bulb fastened to said ring, one of the bulb terminals being in electrical contact with the metal ring, an electric battery fastened to said ring and positioned substantially diametrically opposite to the light bulb,

one of the battery terminals being in electrical contact with the metal ring, an insulated flexible conductor supported on the ring following substantially the contour thereof and connected at one end of the second bulb terminal, and a contact element at the other conductor end, said contact element being positioned substantially opposite to the second battery terminal and biased to be normally disengaged from the said battery terminal, said contact element being arranged to be bent into engagement with the said terminal by pressure applied to the contact element, thereby closing the bulb circuit while such pressure is applied.

3. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, a light bulb fastened to said ring at the outside wall thereof substantially axially parallel with the ring axis, one of the bulb terminals being in direct electrical contact with the metal ring, a substantially cylindrical electrical battery fastened to said ring at the outside wall thereof substantially transversely to the ring axis, one of the battery terminals being in direct electrical contact with the metal ring, an insulated flexible conductor supported on the ring following substantially the ring contour and at one end in contact with the second bulb terminal, and a contact element at the other conductor end, said contact element being positioned substantially opposite to the second battery terminal and biased to be normally disengaged from the said battery terminal, said contact element being arranged to be bent into engagement with the said terminal by the pressure of one of the fingers of a person wearing the ring, thereby closing the bulb circuit while such pressure is applied.

4. A finger ring with flashlight attachment comprising a metal ring, a light bulb, a metal clamp extending from said ring and supporting said bulb in electrical contact with one of the bulb terminals, an electrical battery, a second metal clamp extending from said ring and supporting said battery in electrical contact with one of the battery terminals, said battery clamp being positioned substantially diametrically opposite to the bulb clamp, an insulated flexible conductor supported on the ring following substantially the ring contour and connected at one end to the second bulb terminal, and a contact element at the other conductor end, said contact element being positioned substantially opposite to the second battery terminal and biased to be normally disengaged from the second battery terminal, said contact element being arranged to be bent into engagement with the said terminal, by the pressure of one of the fingers of a person wearing the ring, thereby closing the bulb circuit while such pressure is applied.

5. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 4, wherein said bulb is supported by the bulb clamp substantially axially parallel with the ring axis, and wherein the axial width of the ring at the part thereof opposite to the bulb corresponds approximately to the axial length of the bulb.

6. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 4, wherein portions of said ring are bent oil to form one of said clamps.

7. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 1, in combination with a translucent element arranged to be fitted over said bulb for illumination by the bulb.

8. A finger ring with flashlight attachment as described in claim 1, in combination with a translucent element supported on said ring in front of the bulb for illumination by the bulb.

9. A finger ring with flashlight atttachment as described in claim 1, in combination with a hoodshaped opaque element having an opening therethrough, said hood element being arranged to be fitted upon said bulb with said opening adjacent to the bulb.

MEYER M. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS Number Name Date 914,975 Radley Mar. 9, 1909 918,181 Meadows Apr. 13, 1909 1,199,710 Newton Sept. 26. 1918 1,519,266 Roebling Dec. 16, 1924 1,623,002 Gossett Mar. 29, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 414,438 England Aug- 9, 1984 275,291 England Aug. 9, 1927

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