US2564612A - Flashlight switch - Google Patents

Description

1951 .1. G. SCHNEIDER 2,564,612

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed June 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i IN VEN TOR. 1% Jam 5. SCHNEIDER.

ATTY' 1951 .1. G. SHNElDER 2,564,612

. FLASHLIGHT SWITCH I Filed June 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVTOR. JUHN [Z SCHNEIDER.

ATTK

Aug. 14, 1951 J. G. SCHNEIDER 2,564,612

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed Jhne 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. JUHN G. SEHNEIUEH.

Aug. 14, 1951 J. G. SCHNEIDER 2,564,612

FLASHLIGHT SWITCH Filed June 21, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ICE-11L- l 2/ zza /I"IJIIIIIII4 'IIIIIIIIII- v n I "1111" Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLASHLIGHT SWITCH John G. Schneider-,Toledo, Ohio 8 Claims.- 1 This invention relates to flashlights, moreparticularly tonovel switch constructions which increase the utility of the flashlight.

An object of this invention is to provide a switch for aflashlight which retains the normal flashlight appearance and its utilities and adds tc' place the use thereof beyond the limits ofeconomical production, dependable operation, or induce self -shorting within its circuit.

Other objects and advantages of this invention relating toth'e' arrangement, operation and function of" the related elements of the structure, to

various details of construction, to combinations'of parts'andto'economies of manufacture, will be apparent'to those skilled in the art'upon consideration of the following description and appended claims; ref'erencebeing had to the'accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate correspbndingparts in' the several views.

Refer-ring to the drawings:

Fig? 1 is" a side elevation of a flashlight'embodyingth'einvention herein;

Fig.2 is' a view of the portion of the flashlight casing which mounts the switch;

Fig. 3-is a'distributed View of the parts forming-a preferred form of the switch mechanism;

Fig.- 4 is a-view on the line IV-IV, Fig. 1, withthe switch in off position;

Fig. 51s a view similar to Fig. 4, with the switch in-blinker or flashing position;

Fig. G'is a view similar to Fig. 4, with the switch in steady light position;

Fig. 7 is a'view similar to Fig. 4, with the switch in test position;

Fig; 8isa View similar to Fig. 2, showing the casing adapted to mount and cooperate with a modified form of switch mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a distributed view of the parts of the modified form of the switch for mounting on the casing of Fig.8;

Application June 21, 1949; SerialNo'. 100,397

Fig; 10 is a longitudinal section through the switch of Fig.-9,-with the parts in' off position;

and from-which position blinker be effected;

Fig. His 2. view similar toFig. 10, with the parts in steady light position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar toFig. 10, with the parts in test position;

Fig. l3'is a longitudinal section, similar to Fig.

operation may 4, throu'ghthe type of-fiashlight switch which em bodies a pair of circuit controllers; this type also incorporating features of the invention herein a pluralit'yin series; of batteries I2, as'the ener Removable cap hi normally closesgy source. one end of the casing and spring i6 positioned bythe cap to engage the housing and one pole of the energy source places the conductor member ID in series therewith.

A-reflector I8 is mounted with the housing at the opposite end from the cap [4 and is electricallyinsulated therefrom in usual flashlight practice; The reflector mounts lamp 20 with 'the threaded portion 22 of its base in electrical'contact therewith and its base tip -24 or other contact in electrical communication with the other pole of the energy source.

Conductor strip or bar 26 in contact with the reflector extends therefrom along the interior ofthe casing an'dis insulated therefrom by nonconductor pad or strip 28. Rivets 30 or equivalent means fixedly mounts the bar 26' to the casing, these rivets also being insulated against any directcontact therewith.

The bar 26 mounts-pin 32, remote from the reflector, as an electric terminal of the bar, which pin radially extends through an aperture 34 in the casing In, which aperture is of greater diameter than the pin, so there is no contact between the-pin and the casing. It is apparent any electrical connection between the terminal 3 2 and the casing l0 completes the lamp circuit.-

A manually operable switch is provided having a reciprocatory contact strip 36 shiftable relatively to the terminals, the casing and the switchhousing and has four distinct stations between its limits of movement which may be designated ofi, flash or blinker, steady light, and test.

This contact strip 36 comprises a length of spring brass or bronze centrally arched to provide a bridge portion 38 between its pin cooperating terminus 46 and its casing engaging terminus 42 remote therefrom. The terminus 42 is in the form of a reverse bend providing a smooth sliding contact cooperating along the casing as well as a seat engaging offset hereinafter more fully discussed.

A housing 44 is provided for the contact strip which comprises an escutcheon plate stamped from sheet metal and fixed to the casing III by rivet-like fastening means 46 which also anchor an insulation frame plate 48 between the housing and easing thereby insulating the housing 44 from the casing I0.

The housing 44 is provided with a slideway 56 therein as a guide for manually shiftable metallic slide 52 projecting therethrough from the housing interior wherein it is seated on the bridge portion 38 of the contact strip 36. Shifting the slide along the slideway in turn shifts the contact therewith from station to station.

At one end of the,slideway or at off position, the slide 52 has a terminal offset 54 engaging seat 55 in the housing as a releasable catch holding the slide against non-intended movement. The spring nature of the contact acts to hold the slide against the inner face of the housing with the catch in holding position. A slight depressing of the slide releases the catch so that the slide may then be shifted away from the first or off station. Remote from the catch, the slide is provided with a pair of ears 58 maintaining the contact in proper alignment relative to the coacting parts. In their ofi position (Fig. 4), the contact terminus 40 engages the casing I6 as does the terminus 42 and the intermediate bridge portion 38 is arched over and above the pin terminal 32 such a distance that a depression of the slide 52 as far as the contour of the parts permit will not bring the contact 35 into engagement with the pin. Hence the circuit to the lamp remains open.

The slide 52 is shifted from the first station to the second station or the flash or blinker position (Fig. This position may be determined and felt by the operator, in that the terminus 42 engages seat 66, which may be an opening in the casing I6. At this position the contact still arches over the terminal 32 and the termini 46, 42, maintain their contact with the casing Ill, but the terminus is brought into such juxtaposition as to the pin that a partial depression of the slide causes a. contact between the terminus 46 and the pin 32. This lights the lamp and a release of the slide causes the spring element to shift away from circuit closing contact thereby extinguishing the light.

The slide may be shifted to the third or steady light station (Fig. 6). Here the contact terminus 48 rides up onto the terminal 32, the terminus 42 rides into a seat 62 embossed in the housing it, while the oiiset 54 engages an embossing 64 in the switch housing 44. These two engagements not only insure a firm contact for closing the lamp circuit, but permit the operator to feel the movement of the slide into steady light position.

The fourth step moves the slide to test position or where the parts are so positioned the housing 44 and the casing II) are in series with the lamp therebetween and any connection between the housing and easing completes the circuit (Fig. 7) The terminus 46 still rides on the terminal 32 but the terminus 42 has shifted from its seat 62 to engage contact 66, for convenience herein shown as an integral tongue extending from the housing into its interior.

A device 68 to be tested has leads I0, I2, therefrom, one to contact the housing 44 and the other to engage the casing I6. If a closed circuit exists between these lines, the lamp 20 will burn.

Flashlights embodying the push-button-inslide type of switch may also incorporate the test feature (Figs. 8 through 12). The casing I herein mounts housing I44 which is insulated therefrom by non-conductor frame plate I48 and is anchored in place by means of rivet-like fastening elements. This mounting provides a chamber I02 into which conductor strip I26 extends from reflector H8 through intermediate insulation I28 by Way of aperture I04 in the casing and Opening I06 through the plate I48. The strip I26 provides a terminal I68 within the chamber. The housing mounts a leaf spring element IIIl carrying a terminal II2 which is movable toward and from the terminal I08 by push button II4 carried in slide I52 shiftable along ways I56.

In off position (Fig. 10), the slide I52 is at one end of the ways I50 and operation of the push button will close the circuit for blinker action. If the slide is shifted to the opposite end of the ways, the button holds this switch closed (Fig. 11), due to the canted extent of the strip I26 within the chamber I62. The housing is in series with the casing due to metallic slide block II6 engaging the housing and terminal I26 on spring finger I22 in turn riveted to the casing. The insulation plate I43 is provided with an opening I24 exposing the terminal I26 therethrough for this contact. When the flashlight is burning steady, the block or slide I it, serving as a secondary switch, may be shifted toward the push button and the slide has an insulation inset central plug I24 which engages the terminal I25 thereby breaking the circuit between the housing and casing but retaining the housing in series with the lamp. A test arrangement between the housing and casing is now in effect.

A return of the slide I52 to off position resets the slide II6 to place the housing in series with the casing.

The slide and button type of flashlight switch may also incorporate features of the invention (Figs. 13 through 17). The switch housing 244 is mounted on and insulated from the casing 200 by insulation frame plate 248. The lead 226 from the reflector is attached to the casing interior by means of rivet-like fastening conductor elements 236 and insulated from the casing by separator 226. The insulation of these elements 230 is completed by pads or platforms 264, 266, surrounding the elements and exposin their termini in the chamber 262 to provide terminals 268, 2I0, therein.

The slide 252 is shiftable along way 256 and carries contact strip 236, having terminals 240, 242, variously positioned as to the terminals 208, 2 ID, in the four stations or positions of the slide. A spring plate 2 I2 disposed between the housing and contact strip mounts push button 2I4. The plate 2I2 and strip 236 are provided with a detent and multiple seat construction 2I6 which indicates and holds the contact relationships in the various stations.

In off position, the terminal 240 engages the casing 200, While the terminal 242 rests on pad 206 clear of terminal 2l0. At this station, terminal offset 2l8 from the strip 236 engages lugs 220 preventing operation of the push button 214. These lugs 220 may be turned-in portions of the housing.

When the slide 252 is shifted to the second or blinker station, the terminal 240 still contacts the casing 200, the terminal 242 is shifted along platform 206 into close proximity to terminal 2! and the offset H8 is clear of the lugs 220. Now, a depression of the push button 2l4 warps the terminal 242 into engagement with terminal 2 l0 and the lamp circuit is closed. A release of the button allows the spring plate 2|2, acting in cooperation with the spring material of the strip 236, to open the circuit.

The third station in this form of the switch also establishes a steady light condition for the circuit through the arrangement of the switch parts. The terminal 242 contacts and is held against terminal 2 [0 while the terminal 240 still engages the casing. At this station, the offset 2|8 abuts the tongue 266 inwardly bent from the housing as a stop against shift of the slide beyond this third station without action by the push button. In other words, without an extra movement on the part of an operator, this switch operates as in normal flashlight practice.

Now to convert the flashlight into a testing apparatus, the push button H4 is depressed to shift the offset 218 laterally of the stop 266 and while held depressed, the slide is moved into its fourth or test station. Here the terminal 240 is shifted from the casing to engage terminal 208 while the terminal 242 is in contact only with insulation 206. Now the casing and housing are in series with the lamp and a connection therebetween by lines and 12 from a device 68 to be tested imparts a signal.

It will be seen features of the invention are readily adaptable into any of the types of flashlight switches either slide, button-in-slide, or button and slide types.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the present invention is intended to disclose an embodiment thereof to those skilled in the art, but that the invention is not to be construed as limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The language used in the specification relating to the operation and function of the elements of the invention is employed for purposes of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims beyond the requirements of the prior art.

What is claimed and is desired to secure by United States Letters Patent:

1. In a flashlight, a metallic casing, a series lamp circuit therefor including said casing, a primary switch for said circuit, a metallic member providing a housing for said switch said member being electrically insulated from said casing, and a secondary switch mounted by said member and shiftable therein for connecting and disconnecting said member into said circuit.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided to limit the opening of the circuit by the secondary switch to a time when the primary switch is in circuit closing position.

3. In switch mechanism for a flashlight, a metallic member mounted on the casing of said flashlight and electrically insulated therefrom, a first switch mounted on said member operable for the normal operation of said flashlight, and a second switch mounted by said member operable to place said metallic member in and out of electrical contact with said casing.

4. Switch mechanism for a flashlight including a metallic member mounted on the casing of said flashlight and electrically insulated therefrom, said member providing a switch housing, said casing providing one terminal for the circuit of said flashlight with the other terminal extending from within said easing into the housing, a first slide shiftably mounted by said housing and including means movable into contact with said latter terminal, and a second slide mounted on said metallic member shiftable to place said metallic member into and out of electrical contact with said first named terminal.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 wherein said second slide is rendered inoperative unless said first slide is in terminal contacting position.

6. Switch mechanism for a flashlight wherein the casing of said flashlight is one terminal of the circuit for said flashlight and the other terminal is provided by a conductor extending through said casing to the exterior thereof, said mechanism embodying a metallic member mounted on said casing, electrically insulated therefrom and providing a housing for said latter named terminal, a pair of slideways defined by said member, a first slide in one of said slideways operable as a switch to open and close the circuit between said latter named terminal and said metallic member, and a second slide in the other of said slideways operable to open and close the circuit between said metallic member and said casing.

'7. The structure set forth in claim 6 wherein the arrangement of said slides one as to the other, precludes operation of the second slide by a predetermined positioning of said first slide.

8. In flashlight switch mechanism for a flashlight having a metallic casing, means mounting and electrically insulating said mechanism on the flashlight casing, a first switch in said mechanism for normally operating said flashlight, and a second switch in said mechanism operable to electrically connect and disconnect said mechanism with said casing.

JOHN G. SCHNEIDER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,296,404 Koretzky Mar. 4, 1919 2,059,029 Pryor Oct. 27, 1936 2,128,810 Fortine Aug. 30, 1938 2,185,849 Humeston Jan. 2, 1940 2,256,129 Tainer Sept. 16, 1941 2,471,032 Gray et al May 24, 1949

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