US2518437A - Flashlight - Google Patents

Description

Aug- 15, 1950 w. R. AMsTUTz 2,518,437

FLASHLIGHT Filed Aug. 23, 1947 J0 43 A J4 2 s MM atenteci ug. 15,

FLASHLIGHT Walter R. Amstutz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Butler Brothers, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 23, 1947, Serial No. 770,244

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a flashlight and particularly to the details of construction thereof whereby a flashlight that is less expensive to manufacture results from design features which embody the invention described in the following specification.

`One object of the invention is to provide a flashlight housing and a cover member therefor which is formed of transparent plastic material, the cover member having a reflector portion which is concave in the usual manner of reflectors and on which mirror silver has been deposited by recently developed precipitation plating processes capable of providing a coating of silver or other metal on plastic material, the flashlight thereby eliminating the necessity of a. silvered reflector as a separate unit and a, cover lens therefor to protect the silvered surface from the atmosphere, the silvered surface in the case of my invention being protected by the plastic itself by reason of the silvering being applied on the inner surface of the plastic covering.

Another object is to provide a cup-like protector for the silvered surface which seals in the back of the cover member thus protecting the silvered surface from being scratched or other wise mechanically damaged when the cover member is oi the housing of the flashlight, the cuplike member also serving as a means to support.

a prefocused ashlight bulb which projects into the reector portion of the cover member.

Still another object is to provide a novel connecting means for the cover member in relation to the flashlight housing which comprises a bayonet joint type of connection, a portion of which is formed by the cup-like member and such portion also serving in conjunction with a special shape or bayonet slot to cooperate with contact springs in such manner as to provide a combined cover housing, connecting means and electric switch, the switch being operated by rotating the cover member relative to the housing, the degree of rotation being limited to on and on positions by the design of the bayonet connection. This switching arrangement eliminates the unsightliness of a separate switch projecting from the side of the flashlight housing and which type of switch presents a considerable percentage of expense in connection with the type of flashlight heretofore manufactured.

A further object is to provide a, spring within the flashlight housing which biases the dry cells therein into contact with the flashlight bulb, and through the bulb, the cover member and the cup member serves as a means to hold the bayonet (Cl. 24U-10.68)

2 slot connection in normally connected position and capable of manual disconnection only by pressing the cover member toward the housing against the bias of the spring.

. Still a further object is to provide an electrical connection between the spring which contacts one end of the battery and the cup member which is electrically connected with one terminal of the flashlight bulb, in the form of a U-shaped strip of metal, the terminal ends of which are positioned to be engaged by lugs struck from the cup-like member, which lugs are selectively brought into and out of engagement with these terminal ends by oscillation of the cover member relative to the housing, the housing being provided with a pair of longitudinally extending grooves in which the U-shaped strip of metal is seated to hold it in position against rotation and to accommodate it so that it does not interfere with the positioning of dry cells in the housing.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a, side elevation with portions broken away showing a flashlight embodying my presen invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the front end of the housing and cover showing them separated, and A Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the cover with the cup member removed therefrom in order to illustrate the silvered portion of the cover, which portion constitutes a reflector for the flashlight bulb.

On the accompanying drawing I have used the reference character H to indicate in general a flashlight housing and C a cover therefor. The housing H has a tubular portion I0, an enlarged flanged-like portion l2 and a tubular portion I4 somewhat larger than the tubular portion I0. The rear end of the housing terminates in a dome-like closure I6.

The cover C comprises a cylindrical portion I8 having ribs 20 to serve as knurling for ro-- tating the cover on the housing and a concave portion 22 terminating in an opening 24 for a flashlight bulb 26. The cylindrical'portion I8 is adapted to t over the cylindrical portion I4 and rotate thereon. The concave portion 22 is adapted to act as a. reilector for the bulb 26, the inner surface of the portion 22 being silVered as indicated at 28 for this purpose.

The material of the housing H and the cover C is preferably plastic, the cover C being transparent with the housing. H opaque translucent,

or transparent as desired. By having. the coverf eliminates the necessityiof a cover lens and a rim u tefnoleit position o-sfound in moet ashliehts.

thus reduoine costsl considerably@ Iloienhanoe the appearance of the ashliellt. in general the silve'ring: may;VV extend asat- 31),. (see cylindrical-portion, til-of the cover. C... It. is'tnon.

enolosefthy a: cnn-like .closure-member. 32 forrnofl Qffmet.al;g and having an annular flange 34 press fitted intotheovor; member... The, Center of. the onnelike member 3 2 `ter-min@train a cylindricalv ange 35i-:and1 an inturned flange 38. The flange.. 3iigisl adapted to have they mounting IlangeSS, of tnehulbl Secured-thereto inlany Suitable manner-..this..b1.1l.b beine, preferably of tneprefooneod.. type so that the flange. denitely determines theipositionor the filament ofthe bulb in rela ingof the light rays from. the. flashlight.

Toconnect the cover member C. to.tljigehousing H, I,- -provide inturned bayonet. lugs- -t on the. cylindricallilange -34. of the cup-like closure member. adapted. to. enterbayonet-,slgts theiiange. I4, E achof theseslots hast-three distinct porA tions-,-d an entry. portion 42extending axially, a,

locking portion 44 extending. circumferentiallyand aconstricted portionA 46 connecting the por... tions 42 and 44. Thefr length of the locking poition l44 isL somewhat longer than the width. of vthe bayonet lugs 46, the purpose of which. will hereinafter appear.

The? housing H; is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 48 which on the in; side ofy .thehousing.,formv longitudinally extending grooves 50. The ribs serve as a grip to hold the housing, while using the ilashlight or Iwhile .rotatin g.the .covermemb er C relative to the housing.

Two of the grooves 50 serve to receive, a ,U- shapedstripI of; metal 5.2 ..which.is. riveted at. 5,4,fin the-housing portion I6 and has its terminal ends. indicated at56, twisted; slightly as best. shown .in Eigure 3. A spring.58,.is interposed between the.. riveted end of the strip of metal 52 and a flashlight cell. 60and a.. second cell 621s locatedfin the housing H so that the two cellsare in series. in the usualmanner. The central electrode .640i the.

cell-'62 engages the base contact 66 of thelashf.

ngritbulb ze.

I Practical operation.

l In the operation of my flashlight. assuming the stopped-by a projection 45. of. 'the slot, Thev lugs arein theposition illustrated. in Figures, that is,

4 out of engagement with the terminal ends 56 of the U-shaped strip 52. Thus the circuit to the bulb 26 is broken.

To turn the flashlight on the cover C is rotated clockwise relative to the housing H which is illustrated by dot and dash lines in Figure 3, the direction of rotation being indicated by the arrow a. In this dot and-dashpositiomit; will be notedthat the. lugs for engaging the contacts 56 are sprung inward slightly, thus establishing a circuit between the two. The complete circuit may. now be traced from the rear end of the cell 6e' through the spring 58 and the U-shaped strip 5 2 jacross.the contacts 56 and 4B to the cup 32 and-through the cupfto the ange 46- which is one terminal of the flashlight bulb 26. The current then owsthrqugh the lament of the bulb and back through its base contact 66 to the center electroded of the cell 62.

When it is desirable to open the flashlight for renewing the. cells.- therein, the. cover member; C

pushed. towardv the housineH to take 11n-thee space shownA in Figures Land: 2 between the. rear.r edge of the-cylindrical-portion I3 .ofthecover and-,.-

Eigureea rand 5,) along the-inner sur-ino@ ofthe -z thoange l2 xof tno. housing.. This. positionstne.

' contact lugs 40 in alignment with therestricted,

portionsll of the bayonet slots so that. the. lugs can be.I brought by counterclockwise-rotationinto, alignx'nent the portions. 4.2.- of the slotsfor:- withdrawal therethrough asthe cover. is rernqved..

'from. the housing. While thecoverisremoved'...

the' Cup member 3.2..Protects.the.si1verine 2.8.-and. 3 ll. against. mechanicallz damage., The cells.` 6XL, and 62 arenow--accessiblelfor replacementaiter which the cover C may.. be,replacedv In Figure 4, it will nciteyslt'hat the cel-ll Elisir.

and getting them. into the portions '45. of the.

bayonet slots. The spring thenserveain addition. to maintaining proper relation between the nashlight cells and the bulb, to snap thev lugs 4Q, into.1

, the wider portions 44 of theslotsafter which they.

' will remainduring normal on" and oi operations of the cover mm.b.er.

From theforegoing specications,v it will be.. obvious thatI have provideda flashlight construc... tionin which manufacturing costs are considerably reduced by providing a reiiector silveringV ar. rangement that eliminates somer parts andproviding other parts which serve multiple purposes,4 thus eliminating. parts, and4 the time .required to, assemble, them in the manufacture ofaflashlight. TheI cover connecting means serves also as a, switch mechanism andthe spring 5B'` servesto. keep the cover assembled on the housing. in. ade dition. to. its. normal lninotlon. of engaging. the dn!v cellsv with the flashlight bullo.- The resulting structure. is neat i n app.ein'grricel particularly byl eliminating theA unsightly switch normally' provided' .on the housing, and'- is convenientto operate and v.open for thed renewal of' flashlightcellsL Some changesA may be. made in the construction and arrangement ofthe parts of my devicewith' out departing fronitheurealspirit andpurposeo my invention, and it is my intention-tocover by my claims .any modified forms ofi structure or use- A of mechanical' equivalents which' maybe reason ablyincluded Within their scope.

I claim as myinvention:

1. In, a. flashlight, la, .l h"ousing, a cover forv thel front end of saidhousing, said cover-lbeingi'ormed'- of transparentplasti-c material with aconcaveportion in which a flashlight bulb is adapted to be located, the back of said concave portion being silvered to provide a reflector for said flashlight bulb, and a cup-like closure member inserted in the back of said cover for enclosing the silvering therein, such silvering also extending along the inner surface of said cover member from the periphery of said reflector to said closure member.

2. In a flashlight, a, housing, a cover member for the front end of said housing, said cover member being formed of transparent material with a concave portion in which a flashlight bulb is adapted to be focused, the back of said concave portion being silvered to provide a reflector for said flashlight bulb, a cup-like closure member inserted in the back of said cover member for enclosing the silvering therein, said cover member being telescopically mounted on said front end of said housing and rotatable relative thereto, a bayonet slot and lug connection between the two, said-slot being arranged to permit limited movement of said lug and thereby limited rotation of said cover member on said housing, said cover member and housing having cooperating contacts in the flashlight circuit which engage at one limit of rotation and disengage at the other limit of rotation.

3. In a flashlight, a housing, a cover for the front end of said housing, said cover being telescopically mounted on said housing and rotatable relative thereto, a, bayonet slot and lug connection between the two, 4said slot being arranged to permit limited rotation of said cover on said housing, said cover and housing having cooperating contacts in the ashlight circuit which engage at one limit of rotation and disengage at the other limit of rotation, said cover being formed of transparent plastic material with a concave portion in which a flashlight bulb is adapted to be located, the back of said concave portion being silvered to provide a reflector for said flashlight bulb.

4. In a flashlight, a housing, a cover member rotatable on the forward end and removable from said end, a closure member in said cover member having bayonet lugs, said forward end of said housing having bayonet slots to receive the same, a U-shaped contact strip electrically connected with a flashlight battery in said housing and having its terminal ends extended into the path of movement of said bayonet lugs, a flashlight bulb supported by said closure member and electrically connected thereby through said. lugs with said contact strip in one position or rotation of the lugs in relation to the bayonet slots, said cover member having a reflectorshaped portion for said flashlight bulb and being silvered on its interior surface to provide a reector surface therefor, said closure member enclosing said silvered surface when said cover member is removed from said housing.

5. A ashlight housing, a cover member rotatable on the forward end and removable from said end, bayonet lugs carried by said cover member, said forward end of said housing having bayonet slots to receive said lugs, a U-shaped contact spring electrically connected with a flashlight battery in said housing and having its terminal ends yieldingly extended into the path of movement of said bayonet lugs, and a flashlight bulb supported by said cover member, said cover member-'having a reflector-shaped portion for said flashlight bulb, said reflector-shaped portion being transparent and being silvered on its interior surface to provide a reflector surface therefor.

6. In a flashlight, a housing, a cover for the front end of the housing, said cover being formed of a single transparent piece and having a rear tubular portion for securing the cover to the housing and an outwardly facing concave portion at the front, said concave portion being silvered on its back surface to provide a reflector, said concave portion having a central opening through which a ashlight bulb may extend to a focussed position in the concave portion and reector, and a cup-like closure member in said tubular portion in rear of said concave portion for enclosing the silvering thereon.

7. In a structure of the character disclosed, a housing, a cover member for the forward end thereof, said 'cover member being telescopically mounted on said forward end and rotatable relative thereto, said housing having a bayonet slot adjacent its forward end, said slot having an axially extending entry portion, a circumferentially extending locking portion, and an axially rearwardly extending projection between said portions defining a constricted portion between the other portions of the slot, said cover member having a lug insertible into said slot, said cover member having a normal, forwardly biased position wherein said lug is engageable with said projection and with the opposite end of the locking portion of the slot at opposite limits of rotation of the cover member, said cover member and housing having cooperating contacts in the flashlight circuit which engage at one limit and disengage at the other limit of rotation of the cover member, a flashlight bulb supported by said cover member, and flashlight cells and a spring interposed between said housing and said bulb, said spring, acting through said cells and bulb, being operative to bias said cover member forwardly to said normal position.

WALTER R. AMSTU TZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PTENTS Number Name Date 916,833 Blau Mar. 20, 1909 1,022,589 Lutwyche Apr. 9, 1912 1,487,983 Stiriss Mar. 25, 1924 1,591,627 Hopkins July 6, 1926 2,222,246 Tober Nov. 19, 1940 2,326,607 Bohner Aug. 10, 1943 2,439,496 Szantay Apr. 13, 1948

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