US3588490A

US3588490A - Lamp device

Info

Publication number: US3588490A
Application number: US781221A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas H Nicholl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-12-04
Filing date: 1968-12-04
Publication date: 1971-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-28

Abstract

A SELF-CONTAINED LAMP DEVICE HAVING A HOLLOW BODY SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE SHAPE OF A SPHERICAL SEGMENT HAVING A FLATTENED BASE AND A PLATFORM REMOVABLY MOUNTED WITHIN THE HOLLOW BODY. A PAIR OF BATTERIES ARE MOUNTED IN THE PLATFORM AND ENGAGE A PLURALITY OF CONTACTS MOUNTED IN SAID PLATFORM FOR ENERGIZING AN ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB MOUNTED IN A RESILIENT CONDUCTOR EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM ONE OF SAID CONTACTS. THE BODY HAS A RESILIENT PORTION WHICH IS DEFORMABLE INWARDLY TO ENGAGE AND OPERATE BULB-ENERGIZING MEANS WHICH

ARE OPERATIVE TO MOVE THE RESILIENT CONDUCTOR AND LIGHT BULB BETWEEN AN "OFF" POSITION AND "ON" POSITION.

Description

United States Patent inventor Thomas H. Nicholl 1204 W. 27th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64108 Appl. No. 781,221

Filed Dec. 4, 1968 Patented June 28, 197i LAMP DEVICE 8 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl. F2lv 33/00 Field of Search 240/64, 10, l0.5,l0.6,10.63,11,1l,2, 16

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,879,381 3/1959 Coffey.... 3,323,117 5/1967 Mason ABSTRACT: A self-contained lamp device having a hollow body substantially in the shape of a spherical segment having a flattened base and a platform removably mounted within the hollow body. A pair of batteries are mounted in the platform and engage a plurality of contacts mounted in said platform for energizing an electric light bulb mounted in a resilient conductor extending outwardly from one of said contacts. The body has a resilient portion which is deformable inwardly to engage and operate bulb-energizing means which are operative to move the resilient conductor and light bulb between an off" position and an "on" position.

PATENTFHJUWRIBH 3,588,490

SHEET 1 [1F 2 THOMAS H. NICHOLL ATTORNEYS PATENIEU JUN28 I971 SHEET 2 BF 2 Mgwdw ATTORNEYS LAMP DEVICE This invention relates to portable lamp devices and more particularly to lamp devices having bulb-energizing means having interengaging members having serrated edges for engaging arms of a post which move a light bulb between an on position and an oft position.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a lamp device which is self-contained within a portable housing or body which is a spherical segment having a flattened bottom member; to provide such a lamp device which is substantially watertight and floatable; to provide such a lamp device having a light bulb removably mounted in a platform which is mounted within a hollow body wherein bulb-energizing means are engaged and operated by a resilient portion of the body which is deformable inwardly to move a resilient conductor and the light bulb between "on" and off positions; to provide such a lamp device which is self-righting when thrown; to provide such a lamp device which is particularly adapted to function as a signal for emergencies, such as highway and water accidents; to provide such a lamp device which is particularly adapted to use at lawn, patio, and pool parties; and to provide such a lamp device which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easily maintained, positive in operation, and durable in use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this inventions.

FIG. I is a perspective view of a lamp device embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lamp device taken on line 2-2, FIG. 1 showing a resilient conductor having a light bulb mounted therein in an on" position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lamp device taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of bulb energizing means for moving the resilient conductor and light bulb between an on" and an off" position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the bulb energizing means and the resilient conductor with the bulb in an off" position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the bulb energizing means and the resilient conductor moving the light bulb toward the on" position.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bulb-energizing means.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the bulb-energizing means showing the relative height of elements ofa serrated edge ofa housing portion thereof.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a support bracket mounted on a support.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the lamp device stored in the support bracket with portions broken away to better illustrate the position of the bulb-energizing means when the lamp device is in the bracket.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view ofa modified method of supporting the bracket.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings the reference numeral 1 generally designates a lamp device which has a housing or body having an upper portion 2 and a lower portion 3 within which aplatform 4 is mounted. Batteries 5 and '6 are mountable in the platform 4 and are adapted to energize an electric light bulb 7 mounted in a resilient conductor 8. Pushbutton-type bulb-energizing means 9 is mounted in the platform 4 and is adapted to move the resilient conductor 8 and the light bulb 7 mounted therein between an off" and an on" position.

The body member preferably has walls of resilient elastic shock-resistant translucent or transparent material, as, for example, synthetic resins such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or other resilient flexible material. It is preferred that at least the upper portion 2 be made of translucent or transparent material for transmission of light therethrough. The upper portion 2 may be impregnated with a suitable coloring material to produce selected colors, such as yellow, red, blue, and green. Colors such as red and yellow may be used in warnings for emergencies, such as highway and water accidents while other colors would be appropriate for use at social functions and the like.

The upper portion 2 of the housing is illustrated asa substantially spherical member having screw threads 10 formed on a lower edge thereof for interengaging with screw threads 11 on a an upper edge of the lower portion 3. A mounting rib 12 extends outwardly from the exterior surface of the upper portion 2 substantially at the top thereof and has a plurality of openings 13 therethrough whereby the lamp device 1 may be suitably supported in a suspended or elevated position as for lawn, patio, and pool parties. A rope (not shown) may be attached to the mounting rib 12 and the lamp device I tossed or thrown into water to serve as a marker. When the screw threads 10 and 11 are interengaged, the housing or body is substantially watertight.

The housing portion 3 has a planar bottom member 14 whereby the body is a spherical segment. The batteries 5 and 6 and the platform 4 are within the lower portion 3 whereby the lamp device 1 is self-righting when tossed or thrown. The planar bottom member 14 has a resilient and flexible portion 15 therein which is deformable inwardly and is positioned to engage and operate the bulb-energizing means 9. The planar bottom member 14 has a housing button 16 which may be pressed or pushed inwardly into the lower portion 3 for engaging and operating the bulb-energizing means 9. A plurality of annular rings 17 are radially spaced from the housing button 16 and a plurality of recesses 18 alternate with the rings 17 thereby increasing the flexibility of the flexible portion 14 and allowing sufficient movement to engage and operate the bulbenergizing means 9. In the illustrated structure, the housing button 16 is formed integrally with the bottom member 14.

The lower portion 3 has a seat 19 below the screw threads 11 and the seat 19 is adapted to receive and support the platform 4. A guide rib 20 is mounted on the seat 19 and extendsupwardly therefrom to engage and position the platform 4, as later described. A POCKET 21 is formed within the lower por tion 3 and is diametrically spaced from the rib 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The pocket 21 is formed by a wall 22 which is spaced inwardly from the seat 19 and which is substantially parallel to the wall of the lower portion 3. The wall 22 has opposite ends turned substantially at right angles and suitably connected to the wall of the lower portion 3, as by being formed integrally therewith. The wall 22 thereby defines the pocket 21 with an open top which is adapted to receive a lug 23 depending from the platform 4 whereby the guide rib 20 and the pocket 21 cooperate to position the platform 4 within the lower portion A plurality of battery support ribs 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, are formed within the lower portion 3 and extend upwardly from the bottom member 14. Each battery support rib 24 has a pair of spaced arcuate recesses 25 and 26 for receiving and supporting the batteries 5 and 6 respectively thereby providing additional support for the platform 4 within the lower portion 3. In the illustrated structure, the battery support ribs 24 adjacent the flexible portion 15 are discontinuous thereacross to both support the batteries 5 and 6 and to allow the flexible portion 15 to be deformed inwardly into the lower portion 3 of the body.

The platform 4 has an annular flange 27 extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the seat 19in the lower portion 3. A notch 28 is formed in the flange 27 for receiving or engaging the guide rib 20. In the illustrated structure, the lug 23 depends from the platform 4 adjacent the flange 27 and is diametrically aligned with the notch 28 whereby the lug 23 and the notch 28 cooperate with the pocket 21 and the guide rib 20 respectively to position the platform 4 within the lower portion Q.

The batteries 5 and 6 each have a positive contact 29 and a negative contact 30 which in the illustrated structure are at opposite ends thereof. The batteries 5 and 6 are mounted in the platform 4 and engage a plurality of contacts which are operative to energize the light bulb 7 when the bulb-energizing means 9 and the resilient conductor 8 are in the on" position.

A common contact 311 is mounted on the platform 4 and depends therefrom. The common contact 31 is thereby positioned to be engaged by a positive contact 29 of one of the batteries, as for example battery 5, and a negative contact 30 of the other battery 6. A single contact 32 is spaced from the common contact 31 and depends from the platform 4 and is positioned to be engaged by the negative contact 30 of the battery 5. The single contact 32 has a bulb contact portion or arm 33 mounted on an upper surface of the platform 4 and positioned to be engaged by a contact of said light bulb 7 when in the on" position. The resilient conductor 8 is mounted on the platform 4 and is connected to a contact 34 which depends from the platform 4 and is positioned to be engaged by a positive contact 29 of the other battery 6. The resilient conductor 8 has an opening 35 adapted to receive and retain the light bulb 7 by engaging the casing thereof whereby a circuit is completed to the bulb 7 when the bulb is mounted in the resilient conductor 8 and engages the bulb contact portion or arm 33 of the single conductor 32.

The bulb-energizing means 9 has a housing portion 36 mounted in the platform 4 with a portion depending from the platform 4 and having a pushbutton 37 movable therein. A portion of the housing portion 36 extends above the platform 4 and has a serrated edge 38 adapted to be engaged by arms 39 of a post 40 movably within upper and lower portions of the housing portion 36, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.

The pushbutton 37 is positioned to be engaged by the housing button 16 in the planar bottom member 14 and has an upper serrated edge 41 having a plurality of spaced short projections 42 and a plurality of spaced long projections 43. The spaced short projections 42 are each positioned to engage one of the arms 39 of the post 40 when the bulb 7 is in the on" position. The short projections 42 are each spaced to urge the respective arm 39 from the on position toward an off position. The long projections 43 are each positioned to engage one of the arms 39 of the post 40 when the light bulb 7 is in the off position. The long projections 43 are each shaped to urge the respective arm 39 from the off" position toward the on" position.

The post 40 is engageable with the resilient conductor 3 having the light bulb 7 mounted therein. In the illustrated structure, the post 40 has a pair of diametrically opposed arms 39 extending radially outwardly therefrom. The arms 39 are positioned to be engaged by the

projections

42 and 43 of the pushbutton 37 whereby the arms 39 and the post 40 are moved along the serrated edge 38 of the housing portion 36.

The serrated edge 33 of the housing portion 36 has a plurality of spaced standards 44 and a plurality of recesses 45 between adjacent standards 44. Each of the standards 44 has a stop surface 46 extending outwardly therefrom and the stop surface 46 is positioned to be engaged by and retain one of the arms 39 of the post 46. Each of the stop surfaces 46 corresponds to the off" position of the light bulb 7 and each of the recesses 45 correspond to the on" position ofthe bulb 7.

When it is desired to energize the light bulb 7, the housing button 16 is engaged and pressed or pushed inwardly into the lower portion 3 of the housing or body. The housing button 16 engages the pushbutton 37 of the bulb-energizing means 9 and moves same inwardly or upwardly within the housing portion 36 to overcome the resistance of a suitable resilient member, such as a helical spring 47, to urge the post 40 from the of position to the on" position. In the "off" position, the arms 39 engage the stop surfaces 46 of the standards 44 and the long projections 43 of the pushbutton 37 engage the arms and move same above the stop surface 46 and into the recess 45 adjacent thereto. When the arms 39 are in the recesses 45, the resilient conductor 8 is biased to lower the light bulb 7 into enall,

gagement with the bulb contact portion or arm 33 thereby completing a circuit to the light bulb 7.

In the illustrated structure, FIGS. 5 and 8, the surfaces of the

projections

42 and 43 and the surfaces of the standard 44 are sloped to urge the arms 39 in a clockwise direction, whereby the arms move alternately between the stop surfaces 46 and the recesses 45. For example, a single movement of the housing button 16 moves the arms 39 from the stop surface 46 to the adjacent clockwise recess 45 and a subsequent movement of the housing button 16 moves the arms 39 from the respective recess 45 to the adjacent stop surface 46 in a clockwise direction.

The resilient conductor 8 is adapted to engage a portion of the platform 4 to thereby retain the post 40 within the housing portion 36. In the illustrated structure, an end portion 43 depends from the resilient conductor 8 and has a lip or flange 49 extending outwardly therefrom which is positioned to engage a top member 50 ofa housing 51 extending upwardly from the platform 4. The housing 51 also has sides 52 which retain the end portion 48 and the lip or flange 49 within the housing 51.

A lamp support bracket 55, as shown in FIGS. 9 to II, inelusive, is mounted on a suitable support 56 and is adapted to receive and retain the lamp device 1 therein for suitably storing same. The lamp support bracket is adapted to operate the bulb-energizing means 9 so that when the light bulb 7 is in the "on" position or in the off position, the light bulb 7 will be in the on" position or be moved to the on position when the lamp device is removed from the lamp support bracket 55.

The lamp support bracket 55 is illustrated as a substantially C-shaped structure generally corresponding in shape to the housing or body of the lamp device 1 and the bracket 55 has a pair of laterally spaced upper arms 57 extending outwardly from the support 56 and a lower support arm 58 having a projection 59 extending upwardly from the lower support arm 58 and adapted to operate the bulb-energizing means 9, as later described. A loop shaped member 69 is suitably secured to the support bracket 55, as by welding, and is adapted to be retained within and supported by the support 56.

The support 56 is adapted to support a plurality of lamp support brackets and is illustrated as a channel-shaped member extending upwardly from a base 61. The support 56 has inwardly directed arms or flanges 62 adapted to retain the loop-shaped member 60 within the support 56. The flanges 62 each have a notch 63 therein to receive the loop-shaped member 60 which is then lowered into engagement with an abutment member 64 which supports the bracket 55 above the base 61.

When the lamp device 1 is placed in the lamp support bracket 55, the mounting rib 12 is inserted between the upper arms 57 and the projection 59 engages the

housing button

16, 1

as shown in FIG. 10, deforming same inwardly to move the pushbutton 37 to adjust the post 40 to move the resilient conductor 8 to a position with the light bulb 7 in the on" positron.

In the illustrated structure, the upper edge 65 of the forward edge of each of the standards 44 terminates at a point above the upper edge 66 of the stop surface 46 thereon, whereby when the arms 39 are positioned within the recesses 45 corresponding to the on" position of the light bulb 7, the projection 59 of the bracket 55 does not move the pushbutton 37 upwardly sufflciently topermit the arms 39 of the post 40 to leave the respective recess 45 and engage the stop surface 46. Therefore, when the lamp device 1 is removed from the lamp support bracket 55, the arms 39 of the post 40 remain within the recesses 45, allowing the resilient conductor 3 to return the light bulb 7 to the "on" position.

When the resilient conductor 8 and the light bulb 7 are in the off position with the arms 39 engaging the respective stop surfaces 46 and the lamp device 1 is placed in the lamp support bracket 55, the projection 59 will move the pushbutton 37 upwardly moving the arms 39 over the respective upper edge of the respective stop surfaces 46 whereby when the lamp device 1 is removed from the lamp support bracket 55,

the arms 39 will be moved into the adjacent recesses 45, thereby allowing the resilient conductor 8 and the light bulb 7 to be moved to the on" position.

F lGS. l0 and 11 illustrate a modified method of supporting the lamp support bracket 55 wherein suitable fastening devices, such as bolts or screws 67, extend through the loopshaped member 60 and into a surface of a support 68.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to this specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

lclaim:

1. A self-contained lamp device comprising:

a. a substantially spherical housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, interengaging means on said upper and lower portions removably securing same together;

b. a platform within said housing;

c. means in the lower portion of the housing for receiving said platform and supporting same;

d. a light bulb;

e. a plurality of contacts mounted in said platform, one of said contacts having a resilient conductor extending outwardly therefrom and having said light bulb mounted therein;

f. a pair of batteries mounted in said platform and engaging said contacts for energizing said light bulb;

g. bulb-energizing means mounted in said platform for moving said light bulb between an off position and an on position, said bulb-energizing means having a post with diametrically opposed arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, said post engaging said resilient conductor having said light bulb mounted therein, said bulb-energizing means having a housing having a serrated edge engageable by said arms of said post, with said edge having portions when engaged by said arms operation to hold said post and light bulb in an on position and other portions engaged by said arms with the post and light bulb in off" position;

h. a pushbutton in the housing and operable to move the post and arms from one of said edge portions to the other; and

. a resilient portion in said housing, deformable inwardly and positioned to engage said pushbutton and operate same.

. A self-contained lamp device comprising:

. a substantially spherical housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a planar bottom member and screw threads on an upper edge thereof for interengaging with screw threads on said upper portion;

b. a platform mounted within said housing, said platform having a flange extending outwardly therefrom for seating within said lower portion of said housing;

c. alight bulb mounted in said platform;

d. a plurality of contacts mounted in said platform, one of said contacts having a resilient conductor extending outwardly therefrom and having said light bulb mounted therein;

e. a pair of batteries mounted in said platform and engaging said contacts for energizing said light bulb;

f. bulb-energizing means mounted in said platform for moving said light bulb between an "off" position and an "on position, said bulb-energizing means having a post with diametrically opposed arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, said post engaging said resilient conductor having said light bulb mounted therein, said bulb-energizing means having a housing having a serrated edge engageable by said arms of said post, said bulb-energizing means having a pushbutton having a serrated edge for engaging said arms of said post; and

g. a resilient portion in said planar bottom member of said lower portion of said housing, said resilient portion having a housing button deformable inwardly and positioned to engage said pushbutton, said resilient portion having a plurality of annular rings radially spaced from said housing button, each of said rings having a recess therein whereby said resilient portion is deformable inwardly thereby permitting said housing button to be moved into engagement with said pushbutton and return.

3. The lamp device as set forth in claim 2 including:

a. a seat within said lower portion of said housing for receiving said flange of said platform;

b. a notch in said flange of said platform;

c. a lug depending from said flange, said lug being diametrically opposed from said notch;

d. a guide rib mounted within said lower portion of said housing and extending upwardly from said seat, said guide rib being received in said notch in said flange; and

e. a pocket in said lower portion of said housing diametrically opposed from said guide rib, said pocket having an open top for receiving said lug thereby positioning said platform with said lower portion of said housing.

4. The lamp device as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said serrated edge of said housing has a plurality of spaced standards and a recess between each of said standards, each of said standards has a stop surface extending outwardly therefrom, said top surface is positioned to be engaged by and retain one of said arms of said post, each of said stop surfaces corresponds to said off" position of said bulb, each of said recesses corresponds to said on" position of said bulb;

b. said serrated edge of said pushbutton has spaced short projections extending longitudinally outwardly from said pushbutton, each of said short projections is positioned to engage one of said arms of said post when said bulb is in said on position, said short projections each are shaped to urge said respective arm from said on position toward said off" position; and

c. said serrated edge of said pushbutton has a plurality of long projections alternating with said short projections, each of said long projections is positioned to engage one of said arms of said post when said bulb is in said off position, said long projections are each shaped to urge said respective arm from said off" position toward said on" position.

5. A lamp device and supporting bracket therefor comprisa. a lamp support bracket mounted on a support, said bracket having a pair of laterally spaced upper arms extending outwardly from said support and a lower support arm having a projection extending upwardly therefrom;

b. a hollow substantially spherical housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion having a planar bottom member and screw threads on an upper edge thereof for interengaging with screw threads on said upper portion, said upper and lower portions of said housing having walls forming a chamber within said housing, said upper portion having a mounting rib extending therefrom and positioned to be received between said upper arms of said bracket;

. a platform mounted within said housing, said platform having a flange extending outwardly therefrom for seating within said lower portion of said housing;

. a pair of batteries mounted in said platform;

e. an electric light bulb mounted in said platform for emitting light when energized for transmission through said upper portion of said housing;

f. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said platform for engagement with said batteries, one of said contacts having a resilient conductor having said bulb mounted therein, said resilient conductor being normally biased to complete a circuit between said batteries and said light bulb;

g. bulb-energizing means mounted in said platform for moving said light bulb between an "off" position and an on" position, said bulb-energizing means having a post with diametrically opposed arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, said post engaging said resilient conductor having said light bulb mounted therein, said bulb-energizing means having a housing having a serrated edge engageable by said arms of said post, said bulb-energizing means having a pushbutton having a serrated edge for engaging said arms of said post; and

h. a resilient portion in said planar bottom member of said lower portion of said housing, said resilient portion having a housing button deformable inwardly and positioned to engage said pushbutton, said housing button being positioned to be engaged by said projection of said lower support arm of said bracket for moving said pushbutton of said bulb-energizing means whereby said light bulb will be moved from an off" position when said housing is placed in said bracket to an on position when said housing is removed from said bracket.

6. A lamp device comprising:

a. a hollow body substantially in the shape of spherical segment having a base with said base being a flattened bot tom member in a plane normal to a radius of the body, said bottom member being of an area whereby said body when positioned on said base will tend to remain at rest, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper and said lower portions having interengaging edges, said body portions having walls of resilient elasticshock resistant light-transmitting material defining a chamber within said body;

b. a platform;

c. means in said lower portion of said housing for receiving and supporting said platform to removably mount same within said chamber;

power means;

f. an electric light bulb for emitting light when energized for transmission through said walls of said upper portion of said body;

g. a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in said platform for engagement of said power means, one of said contacts having a resilient conductor having said light bulb mounted therein, said resilient conductor being normally biased to complete a circuit between said power means and said light bulb;

h. bulb-energizing means mounted within said chamber for moving said resilient conductor and said light bulb between anfoff" position and on position, said on" position having said light bulb energized by said power means;

i. said bulb-energizing means including a pushbutton having an edge with a plurality of spaced projections, a post engageable with said resilient conductor having said light bulb mounted therein, said post having a plurality of arms extending outwardly therefrom, said post being movable in response to movement of said pushbutton, said arms each being positioned to be engaged by said edge of said pushbutton, a housing mounted in said platform and having an edge with a plurality of spaced projections each having a recess therein, said projections each being engageable by said arms of said post, resilient means for urging said pushbutton away from said post; and

j. said lower portion of said housing including a resilient portion deformable inwardly to engage and operate said bulb-energizing means.

A lamp device comprising:

a. a hollow body substantially in the shape of spherical segment having a base with said base being a flattened bottom member in a plane normal to a radius of the body, said bottom member being of an area whereby said body when positioned on said base will tend to remain at rest, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper and said lower portions having interengaging edges, said body portions having walls of resilient elasticshock resistant light-transmitting material defining a chamber within said body;

. a platform; means in said lower portion of said housing for receiving and supporting said platform to removably mount same within said chamber;

. power means, said power means being a pair of batteries,

said batteries each having positive and negative contacts;

. means in said platform for receiving and supporting said pair of batteries;

. an electric light bulb for emitting light when energized for transmission through said walls of said upper portion of said body;

. the mounting of said power means in said platform having said lower portion of said housing including a resilient portion deformable inwardly to engage and operate said bulb-energizing means;

. said bulb-energizing means having a pushbutton with an edge having a plurality of spaced short projections each positioned to engage one of said arms of said post when said bulb is in said on" position, said short projections each being shaped to urge said respective arm from said on" position toward said off position; and

. a plurality of spaced long projections each positioned to engage one of said arms of said post when said light bulb is in said off position, said long projections each being shaped to urge said respective arm from said of position toward said on position.

. A lamp device comprising: a hollow body substantially in the shape of spherical seg ment having a base with said base being a flattened bottom member in a plane normal to a radius of the body, said bottom member being of an area whereby said body when positioned on said base will tend to remain at rest, said body having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper and said lower portions having interengaging edges, said body portions having walls of resilient elasticshock resistant light-transmitting material defining a chamber within said body;

. a platform within said chamber; means in said lower portion of said housing for receiving and supporting said platform;

. power means, said power means being a pair of batteries,

said batteries each having positive and negative contacts;

. means in said platform for receiving and supporting said power means;

an electric light bulb mounted in said platform for emitting light when energized for transmission through said walls of said upper portion of said body;

the mounting of said power means in said platform having a plurality of electrical contacts for engaging said batteries, one of said contacts having a resilient conductor hav ing the bulb mounted therein, one of said contacts being positioned to be engaged by said bulb when in on" position, said resilient conductor being normally biased to complete a circuit between said batteries and said light bulb;

bulb-energizing means mounted in said chamber for moving said resilient conductor and said light bulb between an off position and on" position, said on position having said light bulb energized by said batteries;

i. said lower portion of said housing including a resilient portion deformable inwardly to engage and operate said bulb-energizing means;

j. said bulb-energizing means having a pushbutton;

k. said resilient portion of said lower portion of said housing having a housing button movable into said body and positioned to engage said pushbutton;

1. said resilient portion having a plurality of annular rings radially spaced from said housing button;

rn. each of said annular rings having a recess therein for increasing flexibility of said resilient portion of said lower housing;

n. said platform having a flange extending radially out-