US3345474A - Illuminating means - Google Patents

Description

0a. 3, 1%? R.L. BUSTAMANTE 3,345,474

ILLUMINATING MEANS Filed Oct. 16, 1964 INVENTOR EMS Z 170? ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofllice 3,345,474 ILLUMINATING MEANS Roberto L. Bustamante, 4a C.P. N0. 40, Santa Ana, El Salvador Filed Oct. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 404,324 7 Claims. (Cl. 200-60) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE The lateral light and integral switch assembly comprises a non-conducting sleeve provided with a first exterior electrical contact ring having a diametrically extending bridge retained in a pair of slots in the sleeve; a second exterior electrical contact ring axially spaced from the first contact ring; and a threaded socket element having integral axially extending conductors mounted within said sleeve so as not to contact the diametrically extending bridge. One of the said axially extending conductors contacts said second ring and the other conductor has a terminal switch portion which is adapted to make selective contact with a conducting washer in contact with a source of electrical energy;

This invention relates to improvements in electrical switches for low electrical power devices such as flashlights and more particularly to improvements in electrical switches for flashlights and other portable electric lamps having a plurality of light sources.

This application is an improvement over my copending application, Ser. No. 324,810, filed Nov. 19, 1963, and now Patent No. 2,336,538 which in turn is a continuationin-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 216,847, filed Aug. 14, 1962, and now abandoned, and the subject matter of both such applications is incorporated herein by reference.

In the use of flashlights and portable electric lamps, attempts have been made to provide auxiliary to the head lamp, primary or principal light source, a secondary lamp or light source of similar or smaller size, merely for novelty purposes, or for use as an emergency, warning light. In such cases, for example, the secondary or guiding light source is often of smaller size and thus uses less of the available electric power to provide illumination for greatly extended periods of time.

Frequently, the constructions providing the secondary light source are complex and costly, and often unreliable for emergency use. In cases where the secondary light source is employed as an auxiliary guiding light, its opera- .tion has been cumbersome and often necessitates the use .of an extra hand to manipulate the switch, little effort having been made in the art to develop secondary light sources for flashlights, and switches therefor, to a useful degree. For example, in certain instances of using a flashlight in darkened areas, the bearer of the flashlight, while having the ability by means of the head lamp or principal light source to perceive objects located at some distance away, often experiences difliculty in discerning obstacles in his immediate proximity when such obstacles .are not directly in the beam of light cast by the flashlight.

My above mentioned applications provide novel secondary light constructions for overcoming the above noted deficiencies by modifying an ordinary flashlight having a protective and sometimes electrically conductive exterior casing, a source of electric power, a switch assembly in electrical contact with the source of electric power, and at least one primary light source. The improvement realized by the invention of my above mentioned applications comprises providing a secondary light source in any area of the flashlight exterior casing, without regard to the location of the primary light source, and then providing first unitary electrical contact means for directly connecting the primary and secondary light sources With said source of electric power. Second electrical contact means are also provided in electrical connection with said secondary light source and are adapted to be contacted with a switch assembly that may be the same as or in addition to the primary light source switch assembly for operation of the secondary or lateral light. Finally, the lateral light is preferably also provided with a third electrical contact means in direct association with the secondary light source itself, the third electrical contact means pro viding the electrical connection between the second contact means and the light source.

In producing the flashlight assembly of the invention of such applications, it also has been found possible and desirable to construct the secondary or lateral light assembly so that its parts are very small and of miniature size. Thus, the lateral light assembly therein described may be integrated with and utilized in flashlights of known construction without depreciation of the operating facilities, utility and effectiveness of such flashlights since the con sumption of electricity and the size of the lateral light of this invention are both relatively small. Moreover, the operation and construction of this lateral light are both surprisingly relatively simple, leading to obvious advantages in cost and use. It also has been found that in providing flashlights with a lateral light source, it is possible to adapt the same for use as a temporary or emergency table lamp. This is an important advantage as it permits a person to utilize the lamp while having the free use of both hands.

In efforts to continue the development and improve upon the invention of my above applications, I have found that the switch elements thereof, while ordinarily being quite satisfactory, do not offer the maximum flexibility that is desired when working with lateral light assemblies. For example, the present switch proposed for in application Ser. No. 324,810, only provides for on and off positions, but not for intermittent or dotdash signal light effects. While switch assemblies offering such alternatives are well known, they are of a rather complex construction and are more expensive than necessary for the result achieved. Such complexity and expense are of course undesirable in the field of flashlight and hand held lamps, since this is a highly competitive field and it is therefore necessary to keep costs low.

Further, and according to the prior art, it had been necessary to purchase a flashlight or hand lamp with an integrally formed lateral lamp. If the lateral lamp was not desired, or did not work, it could not be removed from the flashlight body; while a person having an ordinary flashlight could not add a lateral lamp to it. More particularly, it is desirable to have a lateral lamp assembly as a separate, distinct unit, such that it may be adapted for installation in any given flashlight without making necessary the extensive modification of an existing flashlight switch assembly. While a separable lateral light assembly is provided according to my application, Ser. No. 324,810, the same still requires modification of the usual flashlight assembly.

Accordingly, there is still a need demonstrated in the are for separable lateral light assemblies containing an integral switch. Furthermore, there is a clearly demonstrated need in the art for more simplified switch assemblies in the field of low electrical power devices, such as flashlights.

It is, therefore, the principal-object of this invention to provide an improved lateral light assembly with an integral switch assembly for incorporation into flashlights and hand lamps generally, without extensive modification thereof.

It is another principal object of this invention to provide an improved switch assembly for use with low electrical power devices wherein the switch assembly will exhibit simplicity of manufacture and ease in adapting the use thereof to any known flashlight or hand lamp.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved switch assembly for incorporation into known hand lamps and flashlights that will not be subject to the defects of prior art structures.

It is a further objectof the invention to provide known flashlights and hand lamps with a lateral light source and improved switching assembly for operating the lateral light source that will provide auxiliary light without deleteriously affecting the operation and structure of the primary light source.

Further objects of this invention, together with an appreciation for the advantages thereof, will become increasingly apparent as this description proceeds.

For a better understanding of this invention, reference should now be had to the drawings in which identical reference characters have been employed to denote parts which are the same or similar to those of application Ser. No. 324,810 and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the lateral light assembly of application Ser. No. 324,810, modified according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the lateral light of FIGURE 1, partly in section, to show suitable constructional details for the several components of the improved switch assembly according to' the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lateral light assembly.

As described in application Ser.. No. 324,810, an ordinary flashlight may comprise a tubular casing that may be prepared from or provided with any suitable electrical conducting material, for example, a strip, coil or cylinder of sheet metal, held together by or covered with an exterior insulating casing when desired or found necessary for protection from the effects of moisture, and mechanical or electrical. shock, etc. The flashlight is provided with two dry cell batteries, a rear closure member, flexible contact spring, a primary interrupter type switch assembly, and a head lamp portion having a socket assembly, a reflector, a bulb and a lens. According to said application, one battery electrode and the bottom of the bulb are in contact, while the other electrode of the battery and the bulb are in contact by means of the socket member respectively passing from the batteries to the spring closure, casing, switch and reflector to the socket tothe bulb.

According to the invention of application Ser. No; 324,810, the flashlight casing is provided wtih two casing openings 14 for receiving the lateral light assembly indicated generally in FIGURE 1 of the present application by the reference numeral 40. The lateral light assembly provides electrical connection from the contact button of the primary light source to the batteries by means of primary electrical contactring 46 which is in direct connection between the batteries and the primary light source. The electrical circuit to the lateral lamp assembly also operates through the batteries and primary contact ring 46 since both the primary and secondary light sources are in direct electrical connection with ring 46'. The lateral lamp exterior electrical circuit is completed, according to application Ser. No. 324,810, by connection of an auxiliary switch assembly to the batteries or other suitable source of electrical energy within the flashlight circ'uit, the lateral light electrical circuit passing from batteries through the spring, closure, and casing 10, to the contact point of the switch arm and to the secondary electrical contact ring 44.

As best shown in FIGURE 1, there is illustrated a suitable form for a protective insulating casing for the lateral light 40, shown as cylinder 41, prepared from any convenient plastic or other insulating. material and provided with a central opening which extends to the interior wall of a contiguous cover portion 60 provided with a substantially cylindrically shaped head, as shown, having a peripheral lip portion 64. Next to interior Wall of cover portion 641 and adjacent the peripheral lip portion 64, the walls of cylinder 41 are provided with one or more lateral openings 48 for receiving the bent over end 56 of an electrical conductor 54, which is in electrical connection with secondary contact ring 44, the end 56 and secondary contact ring 44' being insulated from contact with casing 10.

In the forward open end of cylinder 41, that is the end opposite cover portion 60, the cylinder is also provided with one or more additional lateral openings 42. The position of the openings 48, with respect to the openings 42, is generally in the form of a cross although it is obvious that any angular posit-ion may be employed. In the same open extremity, cylinder 41 is provided with a suitable exterior thread 43 for connection of the cylinder with a shade and lens assembly (not shown) which also serves as a closure member, also constructed of any convenient plastic or other insulating material of transparent or translucent qualities and connected to cylinder 41 by means of screw threads which coact with threads 43.

The lateral light assembly 40* may pass along a line defining the diameter of the casing Ill, and form semicircular spaces on both sides. The position of the lateral light 40, with respect to the primary or main switch as sembly of the flashlight, is generally shown in the form of a cross and this permits the lateral light assembly to be used in the form of a unitary separable assembly for incorporation within ordinary flashlights without deleteriously affecting the operation and structure thereof. The invention is of course not limited to such cross configurations and it is only desirable for the embodiment shown that there be some form of insulating separation between the primary switch assembly and light assembly 40.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, there are shown three electrical contact elements 44, 46 and 50 that may be essentially ring-shaped or any other suitable and useable shape, the latter or third contact ring 50 including conductors 54', 54' and each contact element being preferably constructed from sheet metal or other electrically conductive material. Secondary contact ring 44- is of ordinary cylindrical or ring form and is preferably located adjacent the head wall of cover portion 60 and around the exterior of insulating casing 41, just above openings 48, but out of electrical contact with casing 10. Contact ring 44 is intended. toprovide electrical connection between the auxiliary switch assembly intended for operation of the lateral light assembly according to application Ser. No. 324, 810 and. the conductor end 56 (also electrically insulated from casing 10) and conductor 54 located generally on the inside of cylinder 41, and this feature is retained according to the present improvement since it is contemplated to be sometimes desirable to provide a flashlight with an auxiliary light that may be operated by means of the primary switch, a flashlight mounted auxiliary switch, or by means of the present improvement.

Primary contact element 46 is also located on the exterior surface of cylinder 41, and may also be substantially ring shaped, although other apparent configurations are indicated hereinafter. The location therof is determined by the coaction of lateral openings 42 with the additional electrical conductor 47 which may be in the form of a bridge of a strip of sheet metal, or may be a wire, rod, etc., it only being necessary that some means be provided for facilitating electrical connection between contact ring 46 and the contact button of the secondary light bulb.

The third contact ring 50, also prepared from a strip of sheet metal and adapted to receive an electric light bulb, may be substantially ring shaped and is provided with one or more electrical conductors 54' shown in the form of strips of sheet metal, although wires or metal coatings on the interior of cylinder 41 may also be employed. These conductors, as will be appreciated, may be flat, parallel and opposite each other, although other structural and angular configurations may also be employed. Third contct ring 50 is also provided with a socket member or light bulb receiving assembly comprising a screw threaded socket 53 adapted to receive and mate with the threads of a suitable bulb. In an alternative embodiment, the socket ring 50 may be provided with a bayonet slot or other configuration to receive any preferred socket configuration of the bulb. For example, in the case of very miniature bulbs, the socket is usually adapted to merely receive two external electrode wires passing through the glass head or pressure footing of the bulb.

Regarding dimension, the entire lateral light assembly 40 may be reduced to such a degree that the diameter thereof substantially corresponds with the diameter of the threaded portion of the bulb. Similarly, the dimensions of lateral light assembly 40 may range from that of a separable miniature flashlight to a diameter that may be less than that of ordinary miniature flashlight bulbs such that the screw threaded socket 53 takes up the entire periphery of contact element 50.

From the drawings it is seen that the lateral lamp assembly comprises the combination of insulating cylinder 41 with electrical contact rings 44, 46 and 50, primary ring 46 and secondary ring 44 being on the outside of cylinder 41 and thus insulated from the bulb receiving ring 50 which is on the inside of cylinder 41. In the embodiment shown, bridge conductor 47 passes through lateral openings 42 and into the inside of cylinder 41 to rest on the end portions 45 of openings 42 and thus fix the locations of contact ring 46. Conductors 54 pass from ring 50 along the inside Walls of cylinder 41 but remain out of physical contact with conductor 47. The location of the several contact rings may be further assured by employing various securing means such as screws, adhesives, protruding friction members, or shrink fitting tolerances, etc., or by providing the several contact rings 44, 46 and 50, as well as electrical conductors 54, in the form of printed circuitry type metal coatings, embedded wires, powered metal particles, etc.

In the construction shown, contact rings 50 and 44 maintain their positioning by reason of the connection of conductor 54 with ring 44 through lateral opening 48. Although not necessary to the invention, the bent extension 56 of conductor 54 may be soldered or otherwise securely adhesively attached to contact ring 44 for additional security. Thus, the interior electrical circuit comprises the connection of contact ring 44 to conductors 54, to contact ring 50 and socket assembly 53, all of which are insulated from contact ring 46 and bridge conductor 47. When positioned as described, contact rings 46 and 50 are adapted to receive the contacts of the electric light bulb to complete the lateral light interior electrical circuit, for example by screw threads 53 receiving mating threads of the bulb while the contact button of the bulb rests on bridge conductor 47, although bayonet slot and spring arrangements for securing such bulbs may be employed, as indicated above.

According to the present improvement, the lateral opening 48 is extended as far as the interior Wall of the contiguous cover portion 60, in order to make a radial opening 62 which extends out to the edge of the peripheral lip portion 64. This radial opening 62 is for receiving the bent extended terminal 58 of the electrical conduct-or 54' which is out of an electrical contact with the secondary contact ring 44, the bent terminal 58 being located within the height dimension of the radial opening 62. The bent terminal 58 passes through the radial opening 62 and extends beyond the peripheral lip portion 64, forming a switch arm generally indicated at 59.

The switch arm 59, in its simplest form, is preferably shaped from the same metal as the conductor 54, although it will be apparent that more elaborate structures can be obtained through welding, riveting and the like. For the low power requirement contemplated, virtually any conductive metal or metal alloy may be employed, although some superior conductors may not be preferable in terms of economy. Some consideration should also be given to rigidity, flexure and the intended service life of the part. Since the necessary movement of the switch 59 in the slot 62 will be slight, fairly brittle metals may be employed. If some care is taken in the design of the cover portion 60 to eliminate any possibility of damage to or accidental movement of the switch 59, more malleable metals, such as soft coppers, valuminums, brass and the like, may be employed. Normally, common commercial steel or brass of sheet metal or electrical appliance grades will be found entirely suitable in terms of rigidity, flex life, spring rate, resistance to damage and shock, etc.

An electrically conductive contact strip, prepared, for example, from sheet metal and taking the form of a washer 49, is positioned adjacent to the lip portion 64, and substantially coextensive with the corner radius of the substantially cylindrically shaped head of cover portion 60. The sheet metal washer 49 is also located around the exterior of the insulating casing 41, but out of electrical contact with secondary electrical contact ring 44. On one side of the substantially cylindrically shaped head of cover portion 60 and by extending the radial slot 62 disposed on one side of the sheet metal washer 49, there is provided an L-Shaped Bayonet Slot for receiving the switch arm 59 which is an integral part of the conductor 54' and is provided by bending the end of conductor 54' into the shape shown, although it will be apparent that other angular configurations may also be employed. The bayonet slot 62 may be provided both as an opening in cover portion 60, and in washer 49, in which case both slots would be in registration with one another, or simply as a slot in the washer 49, while the opening in cover portion 60 takes a generally rectangular form of larger size.

By means of the addition of the parts 62, 59 and 49 and from the cooperation of one with the other, there is provided a switch assembly of the lateral light 40 without deleteriously affecting the operation and structure thereof. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the lateral lamp exterior electrical circuit is also completed by a connection of its own switch assembly 59-49, to the batteries 12 or other suitable source of electrical energy within the flashlight circuit, the lateral light electrical circuit passing from batteries through spring, closure, and casing 10, to the strip of sheet metal washer 49, which rests on the outside of the flashlight adjacent to the hole 14.

It will be appreciated that with the foregoing improved switch assembly, the basic lateral light structure remains unaltered because the electrical conductor 54 is united With the secondary electrical contact ring 44, and for this reason the lateral lamp exterior electrical circuit is completed in two ways, first by connection of the usual auxiliary switch assembly 20 and secondly by connection of the present switch assembly 5949. Hence the lateral light assembly 40 can be operated individually, that is, only by means of the auxiliary switch, or be operated individually only by means of its own switch assembly 59-49, or by means of both, if desired. The incorporation of its own switch assembly into the lateral light assembly 40 is an improvement which is very useful as it eliminates the use of an auxiliary switch assembly.

Following assembly of the foregoing elements onto cylindrically shaped insulating casing 41, the same may be inserted into openings 14 of flashlight 10 so that the lip 64 of cover portion 60 rests on the outside of the flashlight adjacent the switch assembly 20, although any other location in the structure of flashlight casing 10 may be used with suitable modifications of the various electrical contact elements. Thereafter, the closure cover and lens assembly described in application Ser. No. 324,810 may be inserted through the other opening 14 and screwed home on casing 41, until the cover is in snug abutting relationship with casing 10 of the flashlight. Pliable insulating washers may also be employed at the openings 14 to provide a weather-tight seal. Further, a weather-tight seal can be provided with the use of close tolerances between openings 14 and casing 41 and additionally or alternatively by the flattening of portions of flashlight casing 10 adjacent openings 14, beneath the respective lip portions.

With the present invention, it will be appreciated that the primary or headlight bulb 37 of an ordinary flashlight may be used in its usual fashion due to direct connection between the bulb, contact ring 46 and the batteries, merely by releasing the primary switch assembly to complete the circuit from the batteries, spring, closure, and casing 10 to the switch arm, reflector 35 and socket members of the primary bulb.

In accomplishing its objectives, both Ser. No. 324,810 and the present invention provide a great improvement in the art of lateral light assemblies. According to the prior art, it had been necessary to purchase a flashlight or hand lamp with an integrally formed lateral lamp. If the lateral lamp was not desired, or did not work, it could not be removed from the flashlight body; while a person having an ordinary flashlight could not add a lateral lamp to it. According to the present invention however, it is now possible for the present lateral lamp to have a separate, distinct unit, and adapt it for installation in any given flashlight. More particularly, according to the present invention, it is no longer necessary to modify an existing flashlight with switches 18, 19, 20 as in my application, Ser. No. 324,810, since the lateral light of the present invention contains the integral switch assembly 59-49.

It should be recognized that the present improvement over my co-pending application Ser. No. 324,810, filed Nov. 19, 1963, adds on a switch assembly 59-49 which is integral with the lateral light assembly 40, and which, if desired, may be used in place of, or in addition to the switch assembly 18-19 and auxiliary switch assembly 20 in said application, Ser. No. 324,810. That is, it is optional to use the lateral light assembly 40 together or separate, by means of either the switch assembly 18-19 and auxiliary switch assembly 20, or by means of the new integral switch assembly 59-49, as the lateral light assembly 40 is ready for use simultaneously, with switch assembly 18-19 and auxiliary switch assembly 20, and also by means of the new integral switch assembly 59-49.

Hence, the lateral light assembly 40 may be operated through the integral switch assembly 59-49 without affecting the operation or the qualities of the lateral light assembly 40, even by removing the secondary electrical contact ring 44, and the electrical conductor 54, including bent over end 56 in electrical connection with the secondary contact ring 44. This allows for a simpler construction and at a cost which is more advantageous. Further, by removing the additional parts 62-59-49, without affecting the use and qualities of the lateral light assembly 40, it may be used individually by means of the switch assembly 18-19 and auxiliary switch assembly 20'. In this manner the lateral light assembly 40 returns to its original state shown in application, Ser. No. 324,810..

However, the provision of switch assembly 59-49 as an integral part of the lateral light assembly 40 is a most important advantage as it allows for the operation and construction of the lateral light assembly 40 to be made easier and much more advantageous in cost over a switch assembly such as 18, 19 and 20 above.

With the foregoing description, it is clear that the present improvement may be provided without affecting either the use or the qualities of the lateral light assembly 40 of application, Ser. No. 324,810, but changes it to a dualpurpose lamp regarding the manner of use, as it can be used by means of the switch assembly 18, 19, 20, or by means of the present integral switch assembly 59-49.

It should also be understood that when the present invention is applied to the field of flashlight constructions, the details of the parent flashlight assembly are only presented for the purpose of aiding the understanding ofthis invention and the structure of such parent flashlight is not to be considered as limiting the present invention.

It should further be understood that the improved switch assembly of the present invention is susceptible to other uses in devices of low electrical power, for example, in the field of transistors and miniature radio tubes for miniature electrical and electronic devices which are not easily adapted to the use of presently known switches which require handles, pivot pins, and the like. Thus, a small radio or miniature television set could be operated according to the present invention by providing a conductor in the form presently shown, such as a strip of sheet metal substantially rectangular in cross section, appropriately bent, such that it can be moved to coact with an electrically conductive side-wall of a bayonet slot. Such a switch will also be returnable to and retainable in the off position by means of the resilient spring force of the metal, thus permitting a switch of very simple construction, and very small size, that will have longlasting qualities, and will not be susceptible to the deficiencies suffered by switches having moving parts, principally freezing and wear.

Thus, while various mechanical elements, materials of construction and structural shapes have been described for ease in illustrating the invention and facilitating the understanding thereof, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the foregoing disclosure without departing from the spirit of this invention.

For example, the conduits 54, 54 may be placed on the exterior of casing 41. Further, it will be appreciated that the entire lateral light assembly 40 may be placed in any area of a flashlight assembly, making the same suitable for incorporation into flashlights and hand lamps of various designs and configuration, including those of tubular, polygonal square, rectangular and box designs; as well as those having head lamps mounted in rotatable and gimbal fashions. Further, various expedients may be used to improve upon the present construction. One such improvement would be in the provision of a slot in the flashlight casing 10, adjacent the opening 14, to lock the lateral light against movement. Another improvement would be the provision of a slot in the bayonet opening 62 to eliminate slippage of the switch 59 from the on position. Hence, the invention should only be limited to the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrical contact assembly for use in a flashlight, a non-conducting sleeve and end cover portion, a first electrical conductor carried by said sleeve, said first conductor adapted to be in electrical contact with a source of electrical energy and a light-producing filament, a second electrical conductor carried within said sleeve and adapted to be in electrical contact with said light-producing filament, the improvement which comprises an electrical conducting means defining with said end cover portion an L-shaped slot, said electrical conducting means adapted to be connected to the source of electrical energy, and said second electrical conductor including an integral switch means, said switch means eXtending through said slot and being movable within said slot between an open position wherein the switch means is out of contact with the electrical conducting means and a closed position wherein the switch means contacts the electrical conducting means to complete the electrical circuit between the filament and source of electrical energy.

2. The electrical contact assembly of claim 1 wherein said second electrical conductor is substantially flat and has a substantially rectangular cross section, and said switch comprises a bent portion of said conductor, disposed at an angle thereto, the resilience of said conductor retaining said switch in normally open position.

3. The electrical contact assembly of claim 1 wherein said first electrical conductor is an electrically conductive member bridging and ancillary to a primary electrical conductor directly connecting said source of electrical energy with a primary light source.

4. The electrical contact assembly of claim 1 including a third electrical conductor leading from said filament to said source of electrical energy and connected in parallel with respect to said second electrical conductor, said third electrical conductor being connected to an electrically conductive contact member disposed between said filament and said source of electrical energy, and a second switch disposed between said source of electrical energy and said electrically conductive contact member, said second switch being provided to complete and interrupt electrical connection between said source of electrical energy and said filament.

5. In a flashlight having a protective exterior casing, a source of electric power, switch means in electrical contact with said source of electric power, a primary light source, a secondary light source in an area of the protective exterior casing, and first unitary electrical contact means connecting said primary and secondary light sources with said source of electric power, second electrical contact means being in electrical connection with said secondary light source, and adapting said switch means for contact with said second electrical contact means, the improvement which comprises providing separate switch means for said secondary light source com prising an electrical conductor interposed between said secondary light source and said second electrical contact means and being connected to said secondary light source, said separate switch means comprising an integral extension of said second electrical conductor adapted to complete the electrical circuit by contacting said second electrical contact means.

6. The flashlight of claim 5 wherein said second electrical contact means is a sidewall of a bayonet slot, the

widened portion of said bayonet slot permitting said separate switch to be insulated from electrical contact with the sidewall of said bayonet slot, and the narrow portion of said bayonet slot permitting electrical contact between said sidewall and said separate switch.

7. In an electrical contact assembly for use in a flashlight, a non-conducting sleeve and end cover portion, a first electrical conductor carried by said sleeve for contacting a source of electrical energy and a light-producing filament retained by a socket of said contact assembly, a second electrical conductor carried within said sleeve for contacting said light-producing filament, the improvement which comprises an electrical conducting means defining with said end cover portion an L-shaped slot, said electrical conducting means adapted to be connected to the source of electrical energy, and said second electrical conductor including an integral conducting switch means, said switch means extending through said L-shaped slot and being movable within said slot between an open position wherein the switch means is out of contact with the electrical conducting means and a closed position wherein the switch means contacts the electrical conducting means to complete the electrical circuit between the filament and source of electrical energy.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,837,634 3/1929 Stackhouse et al. 200157 X 1,988,293 1/1935 Arnesen 200157 2,194,992 3/ 1940 Walsh 240 10.67 2,359,597 5/1942 Wood 200- FOREIGN PATENTS 518,269 l/1940 Great Britain.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. E. SPRINGBORN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A FLASHLIGHT, A NON-CONDUCTING SLEEVE AND END COVER PORTION, A FIRST ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR CARRIED BY SAID SLEEVE, SAID FIRST CONDUCTOR ADAPTED TO BE IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND A LIGHT-PRODUCING FILAMENT, A SECOND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR CARRIED WITHIN SAID SLEEVE AND ADAPTED TO BE IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH SAID LIGHT-PRODUCING FILAMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTING MEANS DEFINING WITH SAID END COVER PORTION AN L-SHAPED SLOT, SAID ELECTRICAL CONDUCTING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, AND SAID SECOND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL SWITCH MEANS, SAID SWITCH MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT AND BEING MOVABLE WITHIN SAID SLOT BETWEEN AN OPEN POSITION WHEREIN THE SWITCH MEANS IS OUT OF CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTING MEANS AND A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN THE SWITCH MEANS CONTACTS THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTING MEANS TO COMPLETE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE FILAMENT AND SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

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