US3226502A - Portable lamp switch - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1965 o. w. SCHOTZ 3,226,502

PORTABLE LAMP SWITCH Filed Jan. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V N OR 072 0 M' c ia 2.

BY wow ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,226,502 PORTABLE LAMP SWITCH Otto W. Schotz, 14351 Ashton Road, Detroit, Mich. Filed Jan. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 335,589 3 Claims. (Cl. 20060) The present application is a continuation in part of any copending application Serial No. 58,989 filed Sept.' 28, 1960, now Patent Number 3,124,306.

This invention relates to battery-type hand lamps of the kind in which a small incandescent electric bulb and a plurality of batteries are mounted in a casing together with suitable switch mechanism for controlling the flow of electric current from the battery source through the bulb. It is especially concerned with a portable lamp of this character usable by skin divers and the like for underwater operations and with a novel switch mechanism suitable for this work.

In said copending application I disclose a portable lamp for underwater use in which among other features, a pair of contact means or components of the bulb energizing circuit are respectively in circuit with the source of power and bulb of the lamp and are in constant pressure contact with one each of a pair of spring contact means fixed to the wall of the lamp casing inside the latter which are elements of a switch mechanism also comprising a resiliently supported movable current conductive link member and a movable current conductive circuit maker both within an external pocket of the casing, the circuit maker being operable upon the link member to move it into contact with one of the contact means while this circuit maker maintains a sliding contact with the other'contact means.

In this construction a number of thecurrent conductive parts of the switch mechanism are in said pocket into which water may gain entrance at diving depths, cause their corrosion and adversely affect operation, the parts are more vulnerable where the water is salt water. Moreover at substantial depths the link may be operated by the pressure of such water and prevent smooth operation of the switch mechanism.

The present invention relates to an improved construction in which all of the circuit conducting elements of the switch mechanism essential to effecting the bulb energizing circuit are within the lamp casing and avoid the described corrosion problems and wherein the operating link is better protected against unintentional operation at substantial water depths by biasing forces of the spring contact means.

.Thus the present invention provides a switch mechanism in which at least one of the spring contact means is normally biased out of contact with one of the lamp circuit components and provides a movable link lying in a passage between the switch mechanism pocket and the inside of the casing which is operably intermediate this one spring contact means and the operator or circuit maker of the switch mechanism. The link is movable by the operator to actuate the spring contact means into circuit making relation with said lamp circuit component to complete the bulb energizing circuit. The new construction also provides a flexible seal or cap at the pocket end of the passage which seals the link from the pocket and becomes a motion transmitting element along with the link. The seal prevents corrosion of any of the es sential circuit making parts and the bias of the spring contact means inhibits unintentional operation of the link by water pressure produced by water gaining entrance into the pocket.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an underwater lamp of the character in my copending application Serial No. 58,989 in which all of the essential 'ice current conducting parts of the switch mechanism of the lamp are within the casing of the lamp and sealed from operating parts of the mechanism subject to water contact which are located in an external compartment or chamber of the lamp.

A specific object is to provide a portable lamp casing mounted switch mechanism comprising a pair of casing mounted spring contact means both within the casing and in electrical circuit with each other, one in constant electrical series circuit with the bulb and power source of the lamp and the other movable to complete the electrical energizing circuit of the bulb and wherein such movement is provided by an operating link set in motion by a manually operable switch circuit maker located in a pocket in the outer wall of the casing which acts upon the link through a cantilever and a flexible diaphragm, the latter providing a Wall between the link and cantilever sealing the pocket from the interior of the casing.

()ther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the lamp of the invention, parts being broken away to show the battery power source;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the head end of the lamp of FIGURE 1 showing the battery power source, the bulb, and its mounting, the current conducting elements, and the switch mechanism, the latter shown in its off position;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view of the switch mechanism and casing of the lamp in FIGURES 1 and 2 taken approximately on the line 3-3 in FIGURE 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the switch mechanism of FIGURES 2 and 3 showing the switch mechanism in Flash-off position;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view as in FIGURE 4 showing the switch mechanism in Flash-on position; and

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view as in FIGURE 4 showing the switch mechanism in its permanent on position.

Referring to FIGURES 1 to 6 wherein similar numerals are used to identify corresponding parts of the structure, the numeral 10 generally designates a portable underwater lamp structure made in accordance with the invention and which broadly includes a hollow casing 12 of electrically insulating and waterproof material which casing comprises an elongated shank portion 14, and an enlarged head portion 16 to which is secured a releasable ring 18. Preferably integrally connecting a top portion 20 of the head 16 and a stop portion 22 of the rearward end of the shank 14 is a carrying handle or strap generally indicated by the numeral 24. Positioned at least in part in the interconnecting portions of the casing and strap is a switch mechanism generally designated by the numeral 26.

Since the lamp is particularly intended for underwater use, for instance by skin divers, it is essential that the casing 12 avoid electrical shorting and withstand substantial external water pressure and shock tending to collapse the casing inwardly against the inherent rigidity of the casing material as supported by such internal pressure, usually atmospheric pressure, within the casing. It has been discovered that a rigid type polethylene synthetic resin or plastic, also known as a linear polyethylene plastic, is especially suited for this purpose and in fact suitable for making an integral molding of the entire casing and carrying handle. It will be understood that where internal pressures higher than atmospheric are desired internally of the casing the latter may be provided with a suitable liquid proof check valve (not shown) through which air or gas under pressure may be delivered to the casing.

The shank portion 14 of the casing 12 is formed by a rearward or end wall 30, and a body or enclosing wall 32 whose transverse external contour as best seen in said copending application generally simulates that of the outline of a pair of intersecting circles or a FIGURE 8, producing an oblong section composed of a top circular wall portion 34 and a bottom circular wall portion 36 defining generally parallel interconnecting top and bottom wells 42, 44 each adapted to receive a column or tandem arrangement of conventional dry cells 46, 48 of any desired number for instance three. If desired these cells may be of the known rechargeable type and each well may be of sufficient length to accommodate the charging mechanism for which connection to an outside source of electrical power may be provided in the end wall 30 of the casing in a manner not shown.

In order to provide for some air circulation space around the cells and to keep the columns of cells in separated relation, the walls of each of the wells 42, 44 are provided with inwardly projecting narrow circumferentially spaced ribs or protuberances 52 preferably extending the full depth of the shank portion 14 of the casing to facilitate molding.

The head portion 16 of the casing 12 is formed by a wall portion generally designated by the numeral 56 and which is composed as seen in FIGURE 1 of connected cylindrical and conic-a1 sections 58 and 60 respectively which are substantially coaxial with the top well 42, the conical portion 58 converging to meet with the oblong sectioned shank wall 32 of the wells 42, 44 to form an integral structure therewith. Reinforcing generally circular ribs 62, 64 are provided externally on the conical section 60.

As best seen in FIGURE 2 the cylindrical section 58 and ring 18 are threaded with mating threads as :at 66 whereby the ring or lens cap 18 can be screwed in position to clamp a window or lens 68 of transparent glass or plastic between a pair of resilient rings or gaskets 69, 71 by means of the shoulder 72 of the cap 18 and the end face or rim 70 of the casing section 56, the lens 68 and ring 71 being received in the bore 73 of the cap 18 and the ring 69 being seated against the face 70. The lens cap also holds in place a suitable bulb and reflector assembly generally referred to by the numeral 74 the flange 77 of the reflector 75 being received in the bore 73 of the cap between the ring 69 and lens 68 where it is clamped with the lens between the rings 69, 71. In this arrangement the bore 73 is relatively shallow and of less depth than the combined thickness of the ring 71, lens 68 and fiange 77 to permit their being resiliently clamped between the shoulder 72 and ring 69 and effect a water tight joint.

The reflector 75 comprises a forward parabolic section 79 to provide a light reflecting face 30, and a rearwardly extending cylindrical neck portion 82. The reflector is preferably made of metal but may be of sil'vered plastic since it in no way provides part of the electrical circuitry. The neck portion 82 supports a bulb assembly generally designated by the numeral '84. It incorporates a bulb 86of the type provided with a base 88 having a central metallic terminal 90 connected electrically to one side of the filament 91 and having a metallic locating flange 92 intermediate the base 88 and globe portion 94 which connects with the other side of the filament 91.

The bulb assembly 84 also includes a metallic ferrule 96 tightly pressed into the bore 98 of the neck portion 82 of the reflector. The ferrule has an inturned flange 100 at its forward end which serves as an abutment for the flange 92 of the bulb and defines an opening 102 large enough to pass the globe portion 94 of the bulb 86.

The rearward end of the ferrule has an outwardly turned flange 104 which tightly holds a first contact means in the form of a forwardly dished circuit forming metallic disc 105 against the rearward end of the neck 82 of the reflector. The ferrule 96 is formed with a rolled internal thread 106 adjacent its flange end 104 to threadedly receive a cup-shaped threaded electrical insulation bushing 108. The base of the bushing is recessed on its outer face at 110 to receive a rearwardly dished metallic circuit forming washer 112. The washer is secured to the bushing by a central metallic eyelet rivet 114.

The bushing may be unscrewed from the ferrule 96 in order to insert a bulb 86, the base portion of which as seen projects into the internal bore 115 of the bushing. A metallic coil spring 116 preferably wound conically at both ends and with the last turn of each end in a loop, is located between the eyelet 114 and terminal of the bulb and serves not only as a current conducting path but also to resiliently bias the flange 92 of the bulb against the flange of the ferrule to properly locate the bulb filament 91 within the reflector.

The eyelet 114 is adapted to make electrical contact with the positive metal capped central pole 118 of battery 4-6 which is received within the dished washer 12. Urging the battery 46 into contact with the eyelet 114 are other batteries of similar designation arranged electrically in series with this battery 46, the pole 118 of one battery being in contact with the metal base or casing 120 (FIG. 1) forming the negative pole of the next succeeding battery. Furnishing spring bias for the batteries 46 in the well 42 and for the series arranged batteries 48 in well 44, the latter group facing in the opposite direction from the group in well 42, is a metallic spring member 122 (see FIGURE 1). This member is suitably located in the bottom of the wells 42, 44 and includes a base portion 124 abutting the casing wall 30 and inturned ends forming spring fingers 126, 128, the former in electrical contact with the casing 120 of battery 46 and applying bias thereto and the latter being in electrical con-tact with the pole 118 of battery 48 and urging that battery forwardly. The spring member 122 also serves as a jumper or terminal bar connecting the columns of batteries in series electrically.

Providing an electrical stop abutment for the casing 120 of battery 48 of the spring biased column in well 44 and a second contact means for switch mechanism to be described, is -a generally circular-shaped open or split spring ring which is spring mounted in substantially coplanar inwardly opening recesses 134 provided in circumferentially positioned pads or bosses 136 projecting radially inwardly of the conical wall section 60 of the wall 56 defining the head portion 16 of the casing 12.

The split spring ring 130 has one end bent with a forwardly projecting short lug 142 at right angle to the plane of the ring while the opposite end is formed with a loop or hairpin-shaped portion comprising a short leg 144 extending rearwardly at right angle to the ring and which connects by a U shaped loop 146 with a long leg 148 also at right angle to the ring, the latter extending forwardly beyond the plane of the ring to provide an elongated finger which may be gripped by the fingers of the operato-rs hand.

The ring 130 is rotatable relative to the casing in the plane of the ring by sliding in the recesses 134 and may be readily removed from the casing following removal of the lens and bulb assembly 74 by pressing the ends inwardly to release the spring ring from the recesses. Normally, however, once the ring is positioned in the recesses 134 there is no need to remove the same.

It will be observed that the loop 146 of the ring 130 forms an electrical abutment for the spring biased column of batteries '48 in the well 44. Also the open sector formed between the opposite ends of the ring is of a size which is greater in width than the diameter of a battery. Hence by rotating or sliding the ring 130 in the recesses 134 the loop 146 may be moved clear of the batteries 48 and they may be removed for replacement or testing without removing the ring 130. Obviously the batteries 46 may be removed once the lens and bulb assembly 74 is released from the casing by unscrewing the ring 1'8.

When the batteries are in place with ring 130 in position with loop 146 contacting the casing 1 20 of battery 48, a circuit will be established between one side of the filament 91 through bulb terminal 943 spring 116 eyelet 114 batteries 46, spring 122, batteries 48 and ring 130.

A feature of the invention is the control switch mechanism 2 6 which controls completion of the electrical circuit from .the battery power source 4 6, 48 to the opposite sides of the bulb filament 91 by electrically bridging the first and second contact means described above consisting of the split ring 130 and the dished circuit forming disc 1195 of which the former electrically connects with the negative pole of the power source while the latter is electrically in series with the positive side of the power source through the ferrule 96 bulb flange 92 filament 91 terminal 911 spring 116 and eyelet 114. This switch mechanism which is in part contained in a chamber 151 of the casing comprises as seen in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3 a further pair of spring contact means 152, 154 which I designate the third and fourth contact means located within the casing and operating means for the contact means 152 comprising the rigid manual operating member tea, the resilient operating element and detent 158, the motion transmitting cap and seal 161i and the motion transmitting link 162.

The chamber 151 is formed in an upstanding outwardly projecting hollow boss 164 on the top side of the conical section 611 of the head portion 16 of the casing 12 and coaxial with the head and shank portions of the casing as seen in FIGURES 1 to 3. The boss 164 is of generally H transverse section and comprises a horizontal wall portion or floor 166 of the casing extending rearwardly from the conical section to connect with a downwardly and rearwardly curving wall portion 168 joining the wall 32 of the shank portion 14 of the casing and connecting with casing side walls 176, 172 which extend above and below the wall 166 thus forming inner and outer pockets 1'74, 176 of the casing the latter combining with a cover 178 and end walls 181i, 182 to provide the chamber 150. The rearward portion of the horizontal wall 166 is somewhat thicker than the forward part thereof to provide a cylindrically shaped recess 184 opening into the chamber 151 and to provide an upstanding cylindrical boss 186 having a cup shape depression 188 which connects with the inside of the casing by a passage 1%. A further passage 192 in the wall 166 provides for drainage of water from the chamber 1511.

The spring contact means 152 and 154 are secured inside of the casing to the underside of the horizontal wall and in lapping relation by a rivet 194 so as to be in electrical circuit with each other. 2 the contact means 152 extends downwardly and rearwardly to provide a horizontal portion 196 that hugs the underside of the wall 166 by the inherent spring bias of this element and provides a downward reverse hook portion 198 having a free end portion 2% extending over the ring contact means 130 so as to be normally electrically disconnected therefrom. The contact means 154 has a downwardly and forwardly projecting spring portion 292 which is resiliently biased into contact with the contact means or circuit disc 1115, so as to be constantly in electrical circuit therewith.

The manual operating member 156 which is preferably made of a rigid polyethlene resin has an operating portion 204 within-the chamber and an operating knob 226 projecting through and operable in an elongated slot 2113 of the cover 178' preferably of a rigid plastic or metallic material which covers the pocket 176 and chamber 155 and is retained in position by resilient undercut portions 211) of the walls 171?, 172 (see FIGURES) the side edges of the cover plate 178 being shaped to fit the undercuts. The plate 178 may be snapped into position by spreading the wall portions containing the undercuts 210 and hence is releasably held in position. The operating portion 204 extends forwardly and rearwardly of the knob 206,

As seen in FEGURE ment such as a liquid epoxy cement.

these portions being normally resiliently seated against the underside of the cover plate 178 by action of the resilient operating element 158. The rearward portion is of less thickness than the depth of the chamber and is stepped in the direction of the knob 206 by recesses 212, 214 providing lands 216, 218, and 220 successively further from the floor surface 222 of the chamber, these lands corresponding to the off, flash and permanent on positions of the operator 156. The forward portion of this operator has depending side walls 224 of triangular shape as seen in FIGURE 2 which serve as fulcrums and guides for the operator 156. They extend substantially the full depth of the chamber 150 at the extreme forward end and taper down to intersect the land 218.

The resilient operating element 148 comprises a generally fiat spring-like metallic element secured to the floor wall 166 by the same rivet 194 which holds the contact means 152, 154. This rivet is tightly fitted in the wall 166 with or Without cement to produce a water tight seal. The element 158 extends rearwardly and terminates in a detent shaped end 226 which resiliently bears against the operator 156 to bias the same against the cover plate 178. Moreover it serves as a spring detent to engage the recesses 212 and 214 to establish the flash and off positions respectively of. the operator as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4 respectively, the permanent on position being established with the detent against the land 216 and the forward end of operator 156 against the forward wall 182 of the chamber 150 as seen in FIGURE 6. It will also be noted that in all positions of the operator 156 the spring element 158 overlies the cap 160. Furthermore in the off position of the operator 156 the spring element is spaced from the top of cap 161) a sufficient distance and the land 216 is spaced from the floor 222 of the chamber a distance inhibiting accidental engagement of the contact means 152 and ring 130 if the knob 156 be fully depressed in the 011 position.

The cap comprises a flexible or resilient, preferably spherical head portion 230 over the passage 1% and a cylindrical mounting portion 232 the latter tightly fitting the upstanding boss 186 in the recess 186 of the chamber floor wall 166 so as to form a water tight seal therewith, preferably with the aid of a suitable water proof ce- The head portion must be resilient so as to rendered movable to transmit motion to the link 162. A satisfactory cap has been made for example of resilient polyethylene plastic material.

The motion transmitting link 162 is freely operable in the passage 1%. It is preferably made of metal but can be a rigid plastic material. It comprises a shallow head portion 234 engageable with the cap and an elongated shank 236 the lower end of which is engageable with the portion 196 of thecontact means 152. The overall length of the link 162 is preferably just short of en-' gaging both cap and contact in the off position of the switch mechanism in FIGURE 2. I

The switch mechanism 26 has three selective positions, an off position as shown in FIGURE 2 wherein the detent 226 of the spring member 158 is engaged with the land 22-0 in the recess 214 of the operator 156 and the filament 91 circuit is open because there is no circuit established between the contact means 152 and 130; a flash position wherein the operator 156 is moved to the right to engage the detent 226 with the land 218 of the recess 212 as in FIGURE 4 and to establish the member 158 in proximity to the resilient head portion 230 of the cap 160 but without effecting movement of the contact means 152 into contact with the ring 139 this only occurring when the operator 156 is pressed downwardly to the position in FIGURE 5 by applying pressure against the control knob 206; and the on position where the operator 156 is moved to the extreme right, i.e. forwardly to the FIGURE 6 position during which movement the land 216 of the operator 156 is brought into position over the detent 226 where it remains until the operator is moved to one of the other two positions. In this position the operator causes depression of the element 158 against the cap 160 transmitting its downward movement through the flexible head 230 of the cap to the link 162 which moves the contact means 152 into circuit closing contact with the contact means 130.

In the flash position aforesaid the pressure applied to the knob 206 is transmitted to the spring element 158 and to the link 162 through the cap 160 without releasing the water tight engagement of the cap with the boss 186. In this operation the side wings 224 of the operator 156 which rests on the floor 222 of the chamber 150 acts as a fulcrum and the land 216 as a limit stop to prevent excessive movement of the contact means 152.

It will be noted that all operations of the switch mechanism may be carried out under water without permitting water to enter the interior of the casing. Moreover none of the essential circuit making contact means are subjected to the corrosive action of water or elements and the operating elements in the chamber 154 cannot be rendered inoperative by any corrosive action.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described underwater lamp and switch mechanism by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention set forth above. All such changes and modifications as may come within the purview of the appended claims are accordingly contemplated.

I claim:

1. In a portable hand lamp, a casing of electrical insulation material, first and second contact means inside of said casing for connection to a source of current adapted to be disposed inside of said casing for energizing a bulb arranged in circuit with said source and contact means, switch mechanism for electrically interconnecting said first and second contact means to complete said energizing circuit, an external pocket on said casing defined by a wall portion of said casing, a cover secured to said casing over said pocket and defining a chamber with said pocket for receiving at least a part of said switch mechanism, said cover having a slot therein, a through passage in said wall portion connecting said chamber with the inside of said casing, said switch mechanism comprising third and fourth contact means inside said casing and secured thereto in electrical circuit with each other, one of said third and fourth contact means being in electrical contact with one of said first and second contact means and the other of said third and fourth contact means confronting said passage and being operable for establishing an electrical circuit with the other of said first and second contact means from a normally non-circuit making relationship therewith, said switch mechanism further comprising operating means for said other of said third and fourth contact means, said operating means comprising an operating member having an operating portion within said chamber, an operating link in said passage and a cap over the chamber end of said passage forming a fluid seal between said chamber and the inside of said casing and including a movable portion for transmitting motion from said operating member to said other of said third and fourth contact means, said operating member having an operator operable projection extending through said cover slot and operable therein to position this operating member in a plurality of positions including a position in which it transmits movement to said other of said third and fourth contact means through said cap and operating link to move the same in circuit establishing relation with the other of said first and second contact means for completing the energizing circuit for said bulb.

2. In a portable hand lamp including a casing for receiving battery means for supplying electrical current to the filament of a bulb carried by said lamp, said casing being defined by a wall of electrical insulation material,

first and second contact means interiorly of'said casing, conductor means providing a current conducting path between said first contact means and one side of said bulb filament, conductor means providing a current conducting path between said second contact means and one side of said battery means, conductor means providing a current conducting path between the other side of said bulb filament and the other side of said battery means, switch mechanism for electrically interconnecting said first and second contact means, an external pocket on said casing defined by a portion of said casing wall, a cover secured to said wall portion over said pocket defining therewith a chamber for containing at least a part of said switch mechanism, said cover having an elongated slot therein, and a through passage in said casing Wall portion defining said pocket connecting said chamber with the interior of said casing, said switch mechanism comprising third and fourth contact means interiorly of said casing and secured to said wall in electrical circuit with each other, one of said third and fourth contact means being in electrical contact with one of said first and second contact means and the other of said third and fourth contact means confronting said passage and being operable for establishing an electrical circuit with the other of said first and second contact means from a normally non-circuit making relationship therewith, said switch mechanism further comprising operating means for said other of said third and fourth contact means, said operating means comprising first and second operating members, said first operating member having an operational portion within said chamber and having an operator operable projection extending through said slot in said cover and operable therein to position this operating member in a plurality of positions including a position in which it will effect establishment of said electrical circuit between the said other of said third and fourth contact means and the said other of said first and second contact means, said second operating member being positioned in said chamber in confronting relation to said first operating member and in securement to said casing wall portion of said chamber and said second operating member also confronting said passage and having a spring-like portion normally resiliently biasing said first operating member against said cover, and said operating means further comprising a cap over the chamber end of said passage arranged and constructed to provide a fluid seal between said chamber and the interior of said casing, at least a portion of said cap over said passage being movable in the lengthwise direction of said passage and a third operating member freely operable in said passage and serving with said movable cap portion as an operating link means between said second operating member and the said other of said third and fourth contact means, said operating link means being movable in response to positioning of said first operating member in said circuit establishing position thereof to actuate the said other of said third and fourth contact means into circuit establishing relation with the said other of said first and second contact means for completing the electrical circuit between said battery means and said bulb filament.

3. In a portable hand lamp including a casing for receiving battery means for supplying electrical current to the filament of a bulb carried by said lamp, said casing being defined by a Wall of electrical insulation material, first and second contact means interiorly of said casing, conductor means providing a current conducting path between said first contact means and one side of said bulb filament, conductor means providing a current conducting path between said second contact means and one side of said battery means, conductor means providing a current conducting path between the other side of said bulb filament and the other side of said battery means, switch mechanism for electrically interconnecting said first and second contact means, an external pocket on said casing defined by a portion of said casing wall, a cover secured to said wall portion over said pocket defining therewith a chamber for containing at least a part of said switch mechanism, said cover having an elongated slot therein, and a through passage in said casing wall portion defining said pocket connecting said chamber with the interior of said casing, said switch mechanism comprising third and fourth contact means interiorly of said casing and secured to said wall in electrical circuit with each other, one of said third and fourth contact means being in electrical contact with one of said first and second contact means and the other of said third and fourth contact means confronting said passage and being operable for establishing an electrical circuit with the other of said first and second contact means from a normally non-circuit making relationship therewith, said switch mechanism further comprising operating means for said other of said third and fourth contact means, said operating means comprising first and second operating members, said first operating member having an operational portion within said chamber and having an operator operable projection extending through said slot in said cover and operable therein to position this operating member in a plurality of positions including a position in which it will effect establishment of said electrical circuit between the said other of said third and fourth contact means and the said other of said first and second contact means, said second operating member being positioned in said chamber in confronting relation to said first operating member and in securement to said casing wall portion of said chamber and said second operating member also confronting said passage and having a spring-like portion normally resiliently biasing said first operating member against said cover, and said operating means further comprising a cap secured to said wall and extending over the chamber end of said passage to seal the chamber from the interior of said casing, at least a portion of said cap over said passage being of elastomeric material being movable in the lengthwise direction of said passage and an operating link in said passage, operably intermediate said movable portion of said cap and the said other of said third and fourth contact means, said operating link being movable in said passage in response to positioning of said first operating member in said circuit establishing position thereof and through the medium of said second operating member and said movable cap portion in operational series with said first operating member and link whereby said link actuates the said other of said third and fourth contact means into circuit establishing relation with the said other of said first and second contact means for completing the electrical circuit between said battery means and said bulb filament.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,420,585 5/ 1947 Crimmins 200 2,466,414 4/1949 Gits et al 200-60 2,564,612 8/1951 Schneider 20060 2,599,295 6/ 1952 Thomas 240-1066 X 3,124,306 3/1964 Schotz 240-1063 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A PORTABLE HAND LAMP, A CASING OF ELECTRICAL INSULATION MATERIAL, FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT MEANS INSIDE OF SAID CASING FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCE OF CURRENT ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED INSIDE OF SAID CASING FOR ENERGIZING A BULB ARRANGED IN CIRCUIT WITH SAID SOURCE AND CONTACT MEANS, SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT MEANS TO COMPLETE SAID ENERGIZING CIRCUIT, AN EXTERNAL POCKET AND SAID CASING DEFINED BY A WALL PORTION OF SAID CASING, A COVER SECURED TO SAID CASING OVER SAID POCKET AND DEFINING A CHAMBER WITH SAID POCKET FOR RECEIVING AT LEAST A PART OF SAID SWITCH MECHANISM, SAID COVER HAVING A SLOT THEREIN, A THROUGH PASSAGE IN SAID WALL PORTION CONNECTING SAID CHAMBER WITH THE INSIDE OF SAID CASING, SAID SWITCH MECHANISM COMPRISING THIRD AND FOURTH CONTACT MEANS INSIDE SAID CASING AND SECURED THERETO IN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WITH EACH OTHER, ONE OF SAID THIRD AND FOURTH CONTACT MEANS BEING IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT MEANS AND THE OTHER OF SAID THIRD AND FOURTH CONTACT MEANS CONFRONTING SAID PASSAGE AND BEING OPERABLE FOR ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WITH THE OTHER OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTACT MEANS FORM A NORMALLY NON-CIRCUIT MAKING RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, SAID SWITCH MECHANISM FURTHER COMPRISING OPERATING MEANS FOR SAID OTHER OF SAID THIRD AND FOURTH CONTACT MEANS, SAID OPERATING MEANS COMPRISING AN OPERATING MEMBER HAVING AN OPERATING PORTION WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, AN OPERATING LINK IN SAID PASSAGE AND A CAP OVER THE CHAMBER END OF SAID PASSAGE FORMING A FLUID SEAL BETWEENM SAID CHAMBER AND THE INSIDE OF SAID CASING AND INCLUDING

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