US2361480A - Illuminating device - Google Patents

Description

C. El, 1944. D, p JOFFO 2,361,423@

ILLUMINATING DEVICE @Marum/1a i Oc; E, i944. D. P. Jol-Fo 2,361,480

IILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 31, 1944 AUNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE ILLUMINATIN G DEVICE David P. Jofl'o, New York, N. Y.

Application December 4, 1942, Serial No. 467,884 4 claims. (ci. 177-327) The present invention relates to illuminating devices and more particularly to an illuminating device from which a selected color of light may be projected. Specifically. the invention embraces the concept of providing means incorporated with an electric torch which will enable the user to project a beam of light of selected color in addition to the usual white beam.

An electric torch of the above type finds particular use by police and traffic oicers, military and auxiliary police and air raid wardens during periods of blackout, airplane spotters, coast guardmen and others requiring the use of a visual signalling device in addition to an illuminating torch.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an electric torch incorporating'nger engaging means whereby the color of the beam of light projected therefrom may be selectively varied.

Another object is to provide a torch of the above character from which only reflected rays are transmitted.

Yet another object is to provide an electric torch incorporating, in combination with its source of light and parabolic reflector, a multicolored, transparent screen adapted to be interposed between the light source and the reiiector whereby the color of thereflected rays may be selectively changed.

A further object is to provide an electric torch of the above type with conveniently located 1inger engaging vmeans whereby the color of the rays transmitted from the torch may be selectively varied.

A still further object is to provide an electric torch adapted to transmit rays of white light or a colored light which includes means whereby white light may not be projected accidentally.

Yet another object is to provide a simple economical construction which is easily operated, requiring a minimum of moving parts and yet is positive and'eilicient for this operation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent, to those skilled in the art, from the following description.

In the drawings, which form part of this specication and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my electric mich- Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows with parts being broken away.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the color-changing screen in another position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the color-changing screen entirely removed from the path of the light raysl transmitted from the lamp whereby a white beam may be projected from the torch.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 taken along the line 5 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the lamp housing.

Figure 7 is a View in perspective of the color screen.

Figure 8 is a fragmental transverse sectional view of the lamp housing showing a. modified means for the prevention of the transmission of direct rays of the lamp.

v Figure 9 is a fragmental transversevsectional view of the torch showing a modied form of color screen.

Figure 10 is a fragmental transverse sectional view of the torch showing a still further modiiied form of color screen.

Figure 11 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken along the line II-Il of Figure 10,

Generally, my torch comprises a battery case adapted to contain dry batteries and a lamp housing attached thereto. The lamp housing contains a parabolic reflector in the focus of which is positioned a miniature lamp. Surrounding the lamp and movable in the axis of the reflector, is a transparent screen carrying bands of different colors. This screen is movable by means of a finger engaging member externally of the lamp housing, whichnger engaging member cooperates with a spring detent adapted to inhibit movement of the screen completely from the path of rays transmitted from the lamp to the retlector.

Referring more specically to the drawings, I have shown a battery case I of cylindrical conformation having a closed end 2 and external screw threads 3 adjacent `its open end. The lamp housing designated generally as 4 comprises a cylindrical body, 5 having internal threads 6 adjacent one end adapted to engage the threads 4 of the battery casing for attaching the lamp housing thereto. The opposite end of the body 5 is provided with external threads 'l for attaching a anged cap 8 for retaining in place, concentrically with the body 5, a lens 9 and a parabolic reflector l0.

Intermediate the ends of the body 5 is an interna] partition I I ln a central aperture of which is mounted a lamp socket I2. The socket I2 :passes through the aperture 'in` the partition II and has its projecting end turned .over to crimp in place a metallic disc I3. The opposite end of the socket i2 is provided with screw threads I4 for engaging the threads on the base of a miniature lamp or bulb I5. When the bulb is screwed into the socket, its tip is adapted to engage a conductor I6 insulated from the socket I2 by means of an insulating bushing I1. The opposite end of the conductor is adapted to contact the central terminal of a battery I8, the casing of which is in electrical contact with a helical spring I9 positioned in a metallic cup 20 carried in the bottom of a battery case I. Attached to the cup 20 is a contact strip 2|, the opposite end of which is in electrical contact with a switch 22. The switch 22 is adapted to move a second contact strip into engagement with the disc I3 for completing the electrical circuit from the battery I8 to the lamp I5. This is the usual construction and is not shown in detail.

The body 5 of the lamp housing 4 is provided with a longitudinal slot 24 in which is adapted to slide one end 26 of a bracket 21. The end 26 of the bracket 21 is adapted to beattached, such as by a rivet 28, to the inner face of a plate 29 provided with a linger engaging member 30. The longitudinal edges of the plate 29 are down turned as shown in Figure 5 and are adapted to be carried in longitudinal parallel grooves 3| provided in the exterior surface of the body 5 and aligned with the slot 24.

The opposite end of the bracket 21 is formed into an annular clamp 32 in which is held a transparent cylinder 33. The cylinder 33, when mounted in the bracket 21, is` adapted to surround the lamp I5 and move axially with respect to the lamp I5 and the reflector I Il through an aperture 34 provided in the center of the reiiector. The cylinder 33 is`composed of bands of color which are designated in Figure '1 as 35 and 36. These colors may be, for example, red and green.

It will be seen by reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4 that movement of the plate 29 will betransmitted through the bracket 21 `to the screen 33, positioning the screen with respect to the lamp I5. It is also to be noted that the plate 29 is of sufficient length so that the slot 24 is always covered regardless of the position of the plate 29.

As stated, the screen 33 is adapted to be moved axially with respect to the lamp I5 and in so moving one of the bands of color 35 or 36 will be positioned in the path of light rays transmitted from the lamp I5 to the reflector I9. When so positioned, the color of these rays will be filtered so that when they strike the reflector I I), and are reflected therefrom, the color of the beam of light projected through the lens 9 will assume the color of that portion of the screen 33 which is adjacent the lamp.

As shown in Figure 4, the screen 33 may be withdrawn entirely out of the path of the rays transmitted to the reflector I0.. When so withdrawn, 'obviously the reecterl rays projecting through the lens 9 will be the color of the light transmitted from the lamp I5, or white. In order to prevent accidentally transmitting white light from the torch, for instance during periods of blackout, there is provided a detent designated generally as 31 which comprises a button 38 projecting slightly through radial aperture 39 1n the wall of the body member 5 The button 38 1s normally urged outwardly, by means of a spring 40 attached to the face of the partition II, .into the path of movement of the plate 29 and is so positioned `with respect to the slot 24 that when the color band 35 of the screen 33 is adjacent the lamp I5, the plate 29 will engage the button 38, and prevent further rearward movement of the screen. In order to Withdraw the screen 33 entirely from the path of light rays transmitted from the lamp the operator depresses the button 39 withthe same finger which is in engagement with the member 30 thereby allowing the plate 29 to be moved into the position shown in Figure 4.

In order to prevent substantially the rays of White light which would normally be directly transmitted from the lamp I5, while colored light is being projected from the torch, I provide an opaque body 4I in the path of such directly transmitted rays. This opaque body 4I may comprise a cap, either black or of opaque color, fastened on to the globe of the lamp l5 as shown in Figures 2 to 5. The size of this opaque body and its position is such that only the forwardly directed rays Will be masked and it will not interfere with the rays transmitted to the reflector. A modiiied form of opaque screen for the forwardly transmitted rays is shown at 4Iol `in Figure 8. This modified screen comprises an opaque disc 42 formed on a rod 43 attached to, and projecting inwardly from, the lens 9. The diameter of the disc 42 is substantially the inside diameter of the cylindrical screen 33 and is positioned axially with, and adjacent the lamp I5.

Both the opaque screens 4I and 4Ia being in the axis of the reflector I0 will not interfere substane;

. tially with the directly transmitted rays nor wil.

they reduce the intensity of the light rays transl mitted from the reflector.

I have shown in Figures 9 and l0 modifications of my invention which are particularly adaptable for domestic use where a conventional torch is used about the home in normal times and which may also be safely used during periods of blackout.

In Figure 9, the construction and operation is similar to that described above with the exception that the color screen 33a comprises a single transparent color screen movable into and out of the path of the light rays transmitted from the lamp I5 to the reiiecting surface Ill. The color of this screen may be deep red or blue, Whichgwill give suiiicient illumination for safety in moving about a blackedout home, but yet not sufficiently intense to reflect light through uncurtained windows.

Figure 10 also illustrates means for changing the color of the light projected from the torch from white to a desired single color and is of more simple construction than tha't shown in Figure 9. This type of construction is also adaptable for use with a xed focus lamp such as shown at ISa which is a type usually provided with a flanged base 44 secured into the reflector Illa by means of a, hollow nut 45. Such a construction obviously does not provide an aperture in the reflector through Which the color screen may pass. While not illustrated, the type of construction shown in Figure 10 may be also used in connection with that type of torch in which the lamp is screwed directly into the reflector.

In this modification, the color screen 33h is cup-shaped and preferably made of a transparent colored plastic. Secured into the closed end of the screen 33h is one end of a rod 4B which passes through a friction sleeve 41 centrally secured as at 48 in the lens 9a. The projecting end of the rod 41 is provided with a. finger engaging knob 49 for moving the screen 33h into or out of the path of rays transmitted from the lamp I5a to the reflector Illa.

The operation of the torch is believed obvious from the above description and by reference to the several gures in the drawings. However, to summarize, the operator holds the torch in one hand in the usual manner supplying current to light the lamp 4i by means of the switch button 22. He may then project light of the desired color by moving his finger or thumb into engagementwiththe button 30 and sliding this button either forward or backward to change color of the projected light. When he desires to use the torch in the conventional manner, that is, by the projection of white light, he moves the button 30 rearwardly while depressing the button 38, thereby allowing the color screen 33 to be withdrawn to its extreme rearward limit.

While a specic embodiment of my broad concept is herein shown and described as applied to an electric torch or ash light adapted for signaling purposes, it is to be understood that the principle of changing the color of projected light herein disclosed may be applied to other devices employing reflected or projected light such as railroad signals or vehicular trailc signals. Additionally, the present principle may be eiectively employed in providing a simple means for converting the regular head lamps of an automobile to the so-called "fog lights by changing the color of the projected White beam to amber.

In operating such devices as those above set forth obviously mechanical or electrical means may be employed in moving the color screens in and out of the path of light transmitted from the source of light to the reector. Such mechanically and electrically operated apparatus, adapted to produce reciprocating motion, is well known and forms no part of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that many changes may be made, by those skilled in the art, in the specic device herein shown without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with an electric torch having a battery case, a lamp housing detachably secured thereto, a reflector positioned in said lamp housing, a source of light positioned in the focus of the reflector, a light permeable colored cylindrical screen mounted for axial movement along the axis of the reflector, and nger engaging means slidably secured to the lamp housing and operatively connected with said screen for imparting Amovement thereto whereby said `inga battery case, a lamp housing detachably secured thereto, a reector positioned in said lamp housing, a source of light positioned in the focus of the reflector, a light permeable cylindrical screen mounted for axial movement along the axis of the reector, said screen comprising juxtaposed annular bands of different color, finger engaging means slidably secured to the lamp housing and operatively connected with said screen for imparting movement'thereto whereby said annular bands of color may be selectively interposed in the path of rays transmitted from the source of light to the reector for selectively changing the color of light projected from the torch, and releasable blocking means normally in the path of movement of said finger engaging means for normally preventing movement of said screen out of the path of said light rays.

3. In combination vwith an electric torch having a battery case, a lamp housing detachably secured thereto, a lens carried by the lamp housing, a parabolic reflector positioned adjacent the lens and a source of light positioned in the focus of the reflector; a light permeable cylindrical screen mounted for axial movement along the axis of the reflector, said screen comprising juxtaposed annular bands of different color, finger engaging means slidably secured to the lamp housing and operatively connected with said screen for imparting movement thereto whereby said annular bands of color may be selectively interposed in the path of rays transmitted from the source of light to the reflector for selectively changing the color of light projected from the torch, and opaque means positioned in the path of rays transmitted from the light source to the lens for absorbing such transmitted rays.

4. In an electric torch which includes a battery case, a lamp housing detachably secured thereto, a parabolic reector `in the lamp housing, said reector having an axial aperture therein, a source of light positioned in the focus of the reflector, a finger engaging member mounted for longitudinal movement on the lamp housing, a bracket carried by the nger engaging member and adapted to project radially within the housing, and a light permeable colored cylindrical screen carried by the bracket and adapted to be moved by said finger engaging means through the aperture in said reector into and out of the path of light rays transmitted from said light source to the reector.

DAVID P. JOFFO.

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