US1980351A - Electric flash lamp - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 13, 1934- s OSTERMAN 1,980,351

ELECTRIC FLASH LAMP Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Sq 77461682 07 14 ATTORNEY NOV. 13, 1934. s T R ELECTRIC FLASH LAMP Filed Feb. 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY hltented Nov. i3, 193% ELECTRIC FLASH mm Samuel Usterman, Brooklyn, N. 31., assignor to Gain, Stern a Co. Inc... a corporation of New York application February 26, 1934, Serial No. 712,949

Claims.

This invention relates to flashlight devices and more particularly is directed to devices of the character described adapted to be fitted and carried in a pocket or purse.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a flashlight of the character described comprising few and simple parts, which shall be readily assembled to form a rugged accessory of inexpensive construction, which shall be exceedingly compact so as to occupy the least space in a pocket or purse yet lend itself to .be incorporated in an ornamental design of neat and attractive appearance, and which shall be practical to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the feature of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplihad in the constructions hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective front view of a pocket or purse flashlight device construction to embody the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the improved device showing the casing cover and battery cells removed to show the current carrying unit.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on lines 33 in Fig. 2, showing one cell in place.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the current carrying unit in the casing cover showing the battery cells in place.

Figs. 5 and 6 are front elevational and top plan views, respectively, of a device showing a modified 40 form of the invention having a mirror adapted to be folded against the back of the casing box.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of improvedv device illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the unfolded position of the mirror being shown in dot and dash lines.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are front and side elevational, and bottom plan views, respectively, of another modified form of the invention showing portions of the casing broken away to expose the lip stick fitting.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of still another modified form of, the invention showing an improved device including a mirror, and lip stick and cosmetic fittings.

Fig. 12 is a front elevational view of the device (Cl. arc-sac) shown in Fig. 11 showing the mirror and cosmetic compartment in position ready for use.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view, showing an im proved form of the invention applied to a womans handbag, and

Figs. 14 and 15 are cross sectional views taken on lines 14-14 in Fig. 13, and 15-15 inFig. 14, respectively, showing the interior construction.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 indicates a pocket. or purse flashlight device constructed to embody the invention. Said device 10, as seen in Fig. 1, comprises a casing having a rear box 11 and a front cover 12 enclosing a current-carrying unit 13 fitted into said box 11. The latter has a slit 11a wherethrough a switch lever 14 extends having an exteriorly operating finger grip end 14a. The casing cover 12 has a central opening 12a to permit the passage of light from an electric lampor bulb 15 housed in the casing, said opening having a raised rim or boss 125 which forms a guard for the front end of the electric lamp 15. If desired, the casing of the device 10 may be made of a metal stamping with rounded corners and edges, andthe surfaces of said casing'may be suitably finished or ornamented to be attractive in appearance.

The current-carrying unit 13, as seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, comprises a fibre or other insulating backing sheet 16 having an interconnecting jumper formed with metal spring clips 1'7 and 18 which extend up from the front side of said sheet 16 at one end 16a thereof, said jumper being firmly retained in place by a clamp portion 19. Tie other end 16b of said sheet carries thereon spaced spring clips 20 and 21, corresponding to and cooperating with clips .17 and 18, respectively, to retain between them spaced dry battery cells 22 and 23 connected in series circuit.

Centrally mounted to rigidly extend from the front side of the sheet 16 midway between said cells 22 and 23, there is provided a receptacle having screw shell contact 24 into which the screw base 15a of the bulb 15 is fitted as shown in Fig. 3. The spring clip 20 has a portion 20a extending along the rear side of the sheet 16 which electrically connects it at 200 with the shell contact 24. The spring clip 21 also has a portion 211; extending along the rear side of the sheet 16, said portion 21 being spaced from the clip portion 20a to allow for the incorporation of a switch of which the switch lever 14 is a part. The clip portions 20a and 21a are securely retained to the sheet end 16b by fastening tabs 2% and 215, respectively, which extend through the sheet 16 and are clinched on the front s de thereof. The switch lever 14 may be pivoted in any suitable manner as'by a rivet 25 which passes through the rear side of the casing box 11 and electrically connects therewith, so that on swinging the finger grip 14a the switch contact 145 may be made to connect or bridge and disconnect the circuit between the central terminal 15b of the lamp and the clip portion 21a as is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 in the manner hereinafter described; the finger grip 14:; being shown, in dotted lines when in disconnected positions in Fig. 4.

The operation of the improved device 10 is now apparent. After assembling the battery cells 22 and 23 in the pairs of spring clips 17, 20 and 18, 21 with the unit 13 fitted and secured in the casing box 11 and the bulb l5 screwed into the shell contact 24, the casing cover 12 is applied for enclosing the unit 13, a thin flexible sheet of insulating material 26 being interposed between the back of the sheet 16 and the bottom of the metallic casing box 11. Said material 26'may be extended at opposite ends 26a, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 to insulate the clips 1'7, 18, 20 and 21 from being accidentally grounded against the casing wall. I

The center of the insulating backing 16 and sheet 26 are perforated as at 26b in order to permit the center contact 15b of the lamp 15 to make electrical contact against the bottom side of the casing box 11. The usual center contact required for the lamp receptacle is thereby eliminated, the metallic casing box bottom and rivet 25 being utilized in place thereof. Thus the connection from the lamp to theswitch is made positive yet requires few parts.

Now by simply moving the finger grip 14a upwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the switch contact 14b will close the circuit through. the lower tab 21b and the bulb 15 will project light through the cover opening 12a. The grip 14a when moved downwardly swings the lever 14 to disconnect the circuit between the clip tab 21b from the switch contact 141), as is apparent from the drawings. The electric circuit when completed, fiows through the two cells 22 and 23 in series.

A second rivet 25a spaced from the first rivet 25 may be used to more securely fasten the unit 13 in the casing box 11.

It is thus seen that the device 10 is of simple and inexpensive construction which because ofthe novel assembly of the parts is compact, neat, attractive and practical to a high degree.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 'I is shown a modified form of the invention. Here the improved device 110 is constructed like the device 10 with the currentcarrying unit 13 as described above, .and with the addition of a movable mirror member 27 adapted to be positionedfor utilizing the light from the lamp 15. Said member 2'7 may be attached by a suitable hinge 28 to the casing cover 12, and when so attached is bent at 27a in order that it may be moved selectively in position against the casing box 11 when not in use, as shown in full lines in Fig. '7, or into an effective position for use above the lamp 15. as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and in dotted lines in Fig. '7.

Another modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.; The improved device 210 here shown may like. the devices 10 and 110 have a current-carrying unit 13 as described above, the casing box 211 and cover 212 thereof however being made large enough to incorporate means 29a for holding a lip stick 29. With the parts of the device 210 positioned as shown in Fig. 8, the

' proved device 310.

lip stick may be withdrawn from the casing and readily applied with the aid of the mirror and light from the bulb 15 even in dark surroundings.

In Figs. 11 and 12 still another modified form of the invention is shown in the form of the im- The latter is like the device 10, 110 and 210 described above with the additional incorporation in the casing box 311 construetion of means not only for accommodating the lip stick 29, but also a movable compartment 30 containing desirable cosmetics such as a cake powder 31 or suitable shifter and a cake face rouge 32. With the parts of device 310 in open position as shown in Fig. 12, the mirror member may be used with the light from the lamp 15 illuminating the user's face, the cosmetics then being conveniently positioned for ready applica tion. The mirror member 27 when not in use may be folded up against the back of the casing as by means of a hinge 28 carried on the casing The device 310 thus forms a com-- cover 312. plete electric lighted accessory having readily accesible cosmetic fittings.

In Figs. 13, 14 and 15 is shownthe invention applied to a woman's handbag B having a conventional mirror M, said bag being provided with a pocket P in which the improved device 410 is fitted. Said device may be made with a cardboard casing 412 in which dry cells 422 and 423 are retained in spaced relation between the jumper clip 41'? and spaced clips 420 and 421. The

dry cell 422 may be left bare so that the zinc con-' tainer electrically connects directly at 4220 with.

the contact shell 424 of the receptacle. The jumper clip 417 connects the cells in series circuit, and the dry cell 423 has a paper cover for insu-' lating same from the receptacle shell. The clip 420 which contacts with the dry cell 423 has a portion 420a which connects in circuit with the center'contact 15b of bulb 15 when screwed all the way in. a

Any suitable switching means may be incorporated in circuit, for simplicity, however, the lamp may be screwed into or unscrewed from the shell for advancing or retracting the center contact of the lamp 150 which thereby becomes part of the switch for making and breaking the circuit as is apparent from Fig. 14. The device 410 is thus seen to form a unit which is easily replaceable and is inexpensive.

All the devices, 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 operate the same inv providing improved means to illuminate the users face for reflection by the mirror suitably positioned.

It will thus be seen that there are provided devices whereby the several objects of this invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet the conditions, of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various.

changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1 Having thus described my invention, I claim one side of said sheet, means connecting said receptacle, clips and batteries in series circuit,

ieececi and a movable switch mounted on said sheet interposed in the circuit between one of said clips and the receptacle.

2. A pocket flashlight comprising a metallic icox and cover forming an enclosure casing, a currentcarrying unit fitted into the casing coir, said unit including a centrally mounted lamp receptacle portion and dry battery cells parallelly aligned opening re is with said receptacle to permit the li i c therefrom.

described, a

to engage conductively with a dry battery cell, said clips extending from one side of said sheet, and a screw lamp receptacle over said opening whereby said lamp directly contacts said casing, said lamp, clips and batteries being mounted to be connected in series circuit.

a. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said sheet of insulating material has an opening formed therethrough, and a lamp receptacle mounted in line with said opening in said sheet of insulating material and being adapted to receive a lamp.

5. A pocket flashlight comprising a metallic box cover forming an enclosure casing, a lamp mounted inside said casing, said casing cover having a central opening in register with said lamp, and a mirror pivotally mounted on the side of the casing and formed to lie against the haclt of the casing when in collapsed position, said mirror being movable to extend beyond the side of the casing to permit therefiection in the mirror 0 the user's face illuminated by the lamp.

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