US3622776A - Auction light - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery-powered flashlightlike device adapted, when manually actuated, to produce a light beam viewable by a desired individual and by few if any others even when the user is located among a large group of people.

Description

United States Patent Maurer 240/46.53 X Lander et al 340/321 UX Fulton 240/46.53 Johnson 240/46.53 X Szeklinski.. 340/321 Goolsby 240/46.53 X Rose 340/321 Zorn 240/10.6 X Perry 240/41.3

Primary Examiner- Louis J. Capozi ABSTRACT: A battery-powered flashlightlike device adapted, when manually actuated, to produce a light beam viewable by a desired individual and by few if any others even when the user is located among a large group of people.

PATENTEBunv 23 IQYI AUCTION LIGHT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A flashlight with front lens removed has its bulb-carrying end coupled to the small end of a hollow truncated cone open at both ends. A hollow circular cylinder open at both ends is secured at one end to the larger end of the cone. The bulb is disposed in a reflector adapted to reflect light of a selected color such as red. The interior of the cone is coated so as to reflect light of the same color. The interior of the cylinder is colored black. The bulb cone, reflector and cylinder are all centered on a common axis. When the lamp is energized, the user can aim the open end of the cylinder at a person (such as an auctioneer) to attract attention (as for example to make a coded bid using light flashes). The person can readily see the light, but others even slightly out of the light path will see nothing. Thus secrecy is maintained. While my invention has many other applications, it is particularly usable at auctions where secrecy can result in lower purchase prices and, hence, I call my invention an auction light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my invention in position for use;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of my invention in collapsed storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a first hollow cylinder has a removable cap 12 at one end and a concave reflector 14 at the other. A flashlight bulb 16 which can be colored red is disposed in the reflector and extends therethrough into an inner socket 18. A switch 20 disposed on the exterior of the cylinder is connected in circuit with the socket and a replaceable dry cell 22 in the cylinder whereby the bulb can be turned on and off as required.

The reflector is adapted to reflect the light emitted by the bulb, in this example, red light. The reflector-carrying end of the cylinder is adapted to engage the small open end of a hollow truncated cone 24 having an inner wall adapted to reflect the light emitted by the bulb as for example having a suitable reflective coating. The open larger end of the cone is adapted to be integral with or detachably engages an open end of a second hollow cylinder 26. The opposite open end of this cylinder can be covered with a removable cap 28 when not in use. The interior of cylinder 26 is coated black.

The resultant device can then be used in the manner indicated. When not in use, cylinder 10 can be slid forwardly into the cone and cylinder 26 to form a compact structure. The axis of cylinder 10 is always coincident with the extended common axis of the cone and cylinder 26, and the reflector is symmetrically disposed about the axis of cylinder 10.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

detachably securable to the other end of the cylinder.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cylinder and cone have a common axis, said bulb being located on said axis, said reflector being concentrically disposed about the axis.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the interior of the cylinder is coated black.

Claims (4)

1. A device of the character indicaTed comprising: a battery-powered flashlight having at one end an exposed reflector with an exposed bulb therein; a truncated hollow cone open at both ends, the smaller cone end being detachably secured to said one reflector-bearing end of the flashlight; and a hollow cylinder open at both ends, one cylinder end being secured to the larger end of the cone.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 further including a cap detachably securable to the other end of the cylinder.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cylinder and cone have a common axis, said bulb being located on said axis, said reflector being concentrically disposed about the axis.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the interior of the cylinder is coated black.

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