US2662224A - Multicolored electric flashlight - Google Patents

Description

8, 1953 H. B. MITCHELL 2,662,224

MULTICOLORED ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHT Filed Aug. 18, 1950 r'lllll/llllll/ INVENTOR.

I/d5 Mme/1 A TTORNE Patented Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STAT'ELE FATLENT ()FFICE '2;662,224 amends rt-reducer l ioward Mitchel l, Larkspur, Calif. Application is, 19tjseiia1ivaia1ti 1 'Glaim. (01. 3415-421) This invention relates to improvements in electric hash lights or the kind in which a removable battery of dry cells is connected and disconnected at will to sn npandeseem lairip fror'n which the light is reflected in a given direction.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a variable light changing means slidably mounted relative tothe lens of theflash light, whereby the color characteristics of the light beams emitted by the flash light may be readily changed. H

A further object of the invention is the provision of a manually actuated cap that will instantly and easily change the color of the light beams from the preferred colors of red to white and vice-versa.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel mounting of the actuating rod for the colored cap relative to the lens of the flash light and to provide an unique seating for the cap when it is moved to its seating pos1t1on within the confines of the reflector of the flash light.

An additional object of the invention is the production of a variable light changer that can be readily adapted to the construction of standard flash lights, is economical to manufacture, positive in operation, strong, durable and highly efiicient in use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred and modified forms of the invention. I

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a flash light to which my invention is applied, the view being partially shown in cross section,

Fig. 2 is an inverted view of a modified form of the invention,

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the same,

Fig. 4 is an inverted view of the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view disclosing to advantage the actuating rod and colored cap of the device.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration like numerals refer to like parts throughout the same, the numeral 8 indicates a battery enclosing casing of any desired configuration and herein illustrated as cylindrical and equipped with a circuit closer 9 of conventional construction. To the upper end of the casing there is secured as at In a hood H illustrated as increasing progressively in diameter.

It will be noted that the said hood is externally threaded as at l2 and has threadedly connected therewith an internally threaded ring l3. The said hood and ring serve as a housing for the elec't'iic bulb "M, a 'parabol'i'c'al metallic reflector f5 and the red colored cap [6 of the present in"- vention. Any suitable support as at 1'6 can be provided for the bulb M. The said reflector is provided at its base with a circular opening I! through which the bulk l4 protrudes. Itis obvious that the socket of the bulb will be electricall'y connected to the batteries l8 for the desired illumination of the bulb when the circuit "closer or switch 9 is actuated. i

The lens of the invention is indicated by the numeral I9 and consists of a circular plate of clear plastic material as generally employed in flash lights. This lens rests on the upper marginal edge of the reflector and is detachably secured thereto. 'Said lens is equipped with a central aperture 26 to permit the passage therethrough a plastic cylindrical rod 2|, that is equipped at its upper extremity with a finger hold 22 that serves as a stop to prevent the passage of the rod entirely through the lens opening 26. To the lower end of the rod there is mounted the top surface 23 of the cap [6. This cap is preferably of a cylindrical configuration and has a lower open end of a slightly greater diameter than that of the bulb in order that the bulb can be encompassed when the cap is moved downwardly by the application of finger pressure to the rod.

The numeral 24 indicates a centrally apertured dome-shaped bead of clear plastic material that is suitably moulded to the upper surface of the lens and so positioned relative thereto that the bead aperture registers with the central opening in the lens, thus assuring ease of movement of the rod as it passes partially through the lens. The said bead functions as a reinforcing guide for the rod and tends to hold the cap in alignment with the bulb. To complete the structure lugs 25 are mounted to the bottom surface of the lens and are circumferentially positioned and spaced apart to provide a friction seat for the cap when the same assumes the full line position as illustrated to advantage in Figs. 1 and 5.

In the modified form of the invention as disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, instead of employing the lugs 25 of Fig. 1, a plurality of triangular shaped vanes 26 with integrally formed legs are provided and circumferentially spaced on the under surface of the lens. Each leg is equipped on its inner surface with a nub 21, the nubs serving to temporarily retain the cap in the position of Fig. 3, until it passes downwardly over the bulb when the rod 2| is actuated.

In either form of the invention and in either position of the cap, the latter serves as a shield to cast the light beams from the bulb on the metallic reflector. Accordingly when the rod 2| is moved upwardly to its full line position of Fig. 1, a clear white light will be diffused. There will be a negligible showing of red that will be entirely dissipated or will disappear when viewed from a distance. The red ca in this position will in no way diminish the efliciency and effectiveness of the light beams.

When the cap moves downwardly to the dotted line position of Fig. l to thus cover the bulb, a complete red light will be emitted when cast from the now colored red reflector.

While I have mentioned the color red as the constituent color of the cap, it is obvious that the cap could be made of varied colored lights for any desired purpose. The use of the red colored cap will be most effective and serviceable in converting a white light to a red light when danger is imminent, for instance when an automobile accident occurs and it is desired to flash a warning signal. The underlying principle of the invention of a variable colored light also has a splendid field of use in a variety of signalling devices, for instance railroad lanterns, and can also be used in illuminated toys.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes relative to the shape, size, material and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a flashlight, the combination, with a lamp, a casing and a reflector, of an apertured lens mounted in the upper end of the casing, said lens being made of clear plastic material, a red colored cap having a closed upper surface and an open bottom and transparent sides and being mounted beneath said lens, means for manually actuating said cap to cover and uncover the lamp to alternately cause red and white light beams to be projected through said lens, said means comprising a rod moveable through the apertured lens, and guide means for said rod comprising a transparent apertured bead mounted on the upper surface of said lens, the aperture of said bead adapted to coincide with the aperture of said lens.

HOWARD B. MITCHELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,273,026 Dircksen Feb. 17, 1942 2,361,480 Joffo Oct. 31, 1944 2,431,091 Thomas Nov. 18, 1947 2,434,741 Hefner et al Jan. 20, 1948 2,486,998 Szeklinski Nov. 1, 1949

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