US1903947A - Flash-light safety switch - Google Patents

Description

April 18, 1933. F. G. STIMSON 1,903,947

FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH- Filed April 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK G. STIMSON, or BELLEVTLLE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BOND ELECTRIC CORPORATION, or JERSEY CI'TY, JERSEY, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE FLASH-LIGHT SAFETY swrrcn Application filed April 16,1930. Serial No. 444,648.

The present invention relates to flash lamps and embodies, more specifically, an improved switch mechanism by means of which the lamp may be illuminated steadily, flashed intermittently or'locked in an off position.

More particularly, the invention embodies an improved switch mechanism which is sim" ple of construction and eflective in operation A to prevent the accidental illumination of the lamp and the consequent discharge of the battery thereof. v The inadequate or acciden' tal lighting of flash lamps is quite common since they are frequently thrown about in tool kits, etc. and caused to engage projecting corners or extensions to cause the closing of the switches thereof. While forms of switches have been proposed to overcome this condition, those which provide for the positive locking of the switch parts in an off position have either been too costly to manufacture or have been ofsuch construction that the parts thereof easily become broken or inoperative and in need of repair.

Other forms of. switches have been provided which hold the movable switchelement yieldingly in its off position but this is not adequate under all conditions. It frequently happens that such yielding force is overcome and the lamp is accidentally lighted, thus discharging the battery and reducing the life thereof materially. I The present invention seeks to provide an improved switch mechanism by means of which the flash lamp may be effectively locked in its off position and illumination thereof accomplished only after a positive mechanical operation; In this-manner, it is impossible to close the switch accidentally and the lamp will thus remain unenergized until its light is desired.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide an improved contacting device for flash lamps by means of which the movable elements are prevented from being accidentally actuated when'in their off position.-

A further object of the invention is to provide a contacting device of the above character in which provision is made for steady illumination of the lamp as well as intermittent flashing thereof, the switch elements being locked in an off position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a contacting mechanism of the above character, the parts of which are simple in construction and readily assembled and operated.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a View in section, taken in a plane passing through the axis of a flash lamp provided with a switch mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the switch mechanism of this invention.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 33 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows, the switch mechanism being illustrated in the off position.

- Figure 4 is a view in section, similar to Figure 3, showing the switch mechanism moved to the flashing position.

Figure 5 is a view in section, similar to Figure 3, showing the switch mechanism moved to the steady illuminating position.

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line 66 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 77 of Figure 5, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view in section, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a view in section, taken on line 99 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the above drawings, a flash lamp tube is shown at 1,.having a bottom cap 2 and a hood 3 and carrying a battery 4. The shell of the battery is connected electrically with the bottom cap 2 through contacting device 5, and the central terminal 6 of the battery is connected with the central terminal of an electric bulb 7 by means of a spring contacting member 8. The electrical circuit of the bulb is completed through a contact plate 9 which is supported upon an internal flanged member 10 mounted upon the top of the tube 1. Bottom contact strip 11 is connected to the bottom cap 2 in the usual manner and top contact strip 12 is connected to the conducting member 10, all of the foregoing structure, being of usual construction and forming no part of the present invention.

Mounted upon the side of the tube 1 is a contact box 13, formed with flanges 14 which conform to the surface of the tube 1 and are secured thereto by means of eyelets 15. The contact box is thus not part of the electrical circuit, being insulated therefrom through the tube 1. A peripheral rib 16 is 'formed upon the box 13 and serves protection against accidental movement of the operating mechanism described hereinafter. An aperture 17 is formed in the tube 1 within the contact box 13 and an offset portion 18 is formed on the contact strip 12, the insulation of such.

offset portion being removed as clearly shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The end of contact strip 12 is secured to the tube by means of an eyelet 19 which extends within the contact box '13. The bottom contact strip 11 is secured to the tube 1 by an eyelet 20 which extends within the contact box 13. This eyelet serves as a switch terminal.

WVithin the recessed portion 21, formed by the rib 16, parallel slots 22 are formed. These slots extend longitudinally of the tube 1 and receive the mechanism to be described hereinafter. Spaced transverse slots 23 and 24 are also formed in the surface 21 and an aperture 25 is provided forwardly of the transverse slot24 to receive a button 26 carried by a spring contact strip 27. This but ton is formed with a terminal 28 which-is adapted to engage the oifset portion 18 of the contact strip 12 to connect the topstri'p 12 with the contact strip 27. Eyelet 29 secures the contactstrip to the tube 1 intermediate'the ends of the strip and spring por-' tion 30 normally urges the button 26 into the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. The contact 27 is further-formed with a curved portion 31 which serves as a camming surface and is adapted to be flexed downwardly to engage the eyelet 20, as shown in Figure 4. In this manner, contact strip 27 is connected to the bottom contact strip 11.

In order that the contact strip 2'? maybe suitably flexed, a slide 32 is provlded and formed to resemble a hollow semi-discoid, the

parallel sides 33 thereofbeing formed with downwardly extending flanges 34 to be received 'within the parallel slots 22. These flanges afterbeing placed within the slots 22 are turned over to slidably mount the slide 32 within the recess 21. The forward extremity of slide 32 is formed with a curved cam member 35 which is adapted to engage with a transverse slot or passage 36 within which a notched lever 37 is fulcrumed. This gages transverse slots 23 and 24 when the slide is in the proper position. A spring 41 normally urges the offset portion 39'downwardly and thus causes the detent 40 to engage, yieldingly, the transverse grooves 23 and 24. I

, Within the contact box 13, a camming strip 42 is provided, one end thereof being flanged at 43 to ride on the under surface of the recessed portion 21 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and may, if. desired, abut against the end wall of contact box 13 to limit the sliding movement of the slide 32, as shown Figure' 3, although the slots 22 may be relied upon to limit the rearward movement of the flanges 34 on the slide 32, if preferred. The strip is formed with a. camming surface 44 and an extension 45 for securing the same to the slide 32. This extension is formed with spaced notches 46 within which the flanges 34 are received. In this fashion, the cam strip 42 will be carried with the slide 32in its fore and aft movement.

The operation of the mechanism described above includes movement of the contact strip 30 into three positions In itsofl position, as illustrated in Figure 3, the contact strip is notconnected with either the bottom strip 11 or top strip 12. Depressing button 26, in this position, will not energize the lamp and thus accidental illumination thereof is effectively prevented. In such position, theslide 32 is in its extreme rearward position as viewedin Figure 3 and detent 40 engages transverse slot 23. To effect the flashing of the lamp, 1ever'37 is depressed to raise detent 40 out of the slot and the slide 32 advanced into the position shownin Figure 4, at which time, detent 40 engages transverse slot 24. During such movement, the camming surface 44 has engaged the cam strip 31 and moved it downwardly into engagementwith eyelet 20.

detent engages the slot 24 and thus locks the mechanism in this position. If the button 26 1 is now depressed, the terminal 28 engages the ofl'set portion 1801? the strip 12 and the lamp circuit is completed through bottom contact strip 11, eyelet 20, spring contactstrip30, terminal 28, oflset portion 18 and top contact strip 12. In this fashion, momentary for intermittentilluminationof the lamp is provided for. l j

To provide steady illumination of the lamp, the slide 32 'is adv anced to the position shown in Figure 5, the cam 35 engaging button 26 and depressing the same to cause terminal 2 8 to engage the ofiset portion'18 of the contact strip 12. During such movement the same strip 44 rides over the curved portion 31 of contact strip and maintains it in engagement with the eyelet 20. The flanged extension 43 of the strip 42 bears against the under surface of the recessed portion 21 of the contact box and thus eflectively maintains the extension 31 in engaging position. The contact lever 37 is maintained in its depressed position since the end of detent 40 engages upon and rides along the surface of the recess 21, maintaining the spring 41 in a compressed condition.

It will thus be seen that the switch is effectively locked in its off position as well as its flashing position. Accidental operation thereof is effectively prevented and the parts are simple of construction and readily assembled in operative position. In order to actuate the switch, a positive manual manipulation is required to overcome the locking mechanism and advance the slide into the proper position. Depressing the button 26 when the slide is in its ofi position will not illumimate the lamp since the circuit is broken between the curved extension 31 and the eyelet 20, thus doubly insuring the mechanism against accidental manipulation.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a flexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, a button on one end ofthe strip extending through the box, a slide on the box, a cam on the slide to engage and depress the but ton, means on the slide to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever carried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots.

2. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a flexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, a button on one end of the strip extending through the box, a slide on the box, a. cam on the slide to engage and depress thebutton, means on the slide to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever carried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots, said slots being so 0-. sitioned that the cam engages the button a ter 7 the slot engaging means has moved. away from the slots.

3. A device of the character described'comprising a contact box, a flexible contact strip mounted Within the box intermediate 7 its ends, a button on one end of the strip extending through the box, a slide on the box, a cam on the slide to engage and depress the button, a cam strip carried by the slide within the box to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever carried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots, said slots being so positioned that the lever engages one slot to lock the slide in an off position, and engages another slot to lock the slide in such position that the cam strip engages the cooperating end of the contact strip to cause the latter to engage a. switch terminal.

4:. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a flexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, an end of the strip being accessible fromwithout the box, a slide on the box, means on the slide to depress said end, means operated by the slide Within the box to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever carried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots- 5. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a flexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, an end of the strip being accessible from without the box, a slide on the box, means on the slide to depress said accessible end, means operated by the slide within the box to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever. carried by the slide and having slot engaging means extending therein to engage the slots, said slots being so positioned that said first named means depresses the accessible end after the slot engaging means has moved away from the slots.

6. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a flexible contact strip mounted within the box intermediate its ends, an end of the strip being accessible from without the box, a slide on the box, means on the slide to depress said end, means operated by the slide within the box to depress the other end of the strip, a plurality of slots in the box under the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever carried by the slide and extending therein to engage the slots, said slots being so positioned that the lever engages one slot to lock the slide in an ofi position, and engages another slot to lock the slide in such position that the cam strip engages the cooperating end of the contact strip to cause the latter to engage a switch terminal.

7. A flashlight circuit closer comprising a contact box, a slide onthe box, means carried with the slide to effect a contact, at least one slot in the box and a spring pressed looking lever pivotally carried With the slide to engage a slot.

I 81A flashlight circuit closer comprising a contact box, a slide on the box, means carried with the slide to efl'ect a contact, at least one slot in the box and a locking lever extending longitudinally of the slide and pivotally carried with the slide to engage a slot,

9. A circuit closer comprising a contactbox, a hollow slide on the box, means within the box movable with the slide to effect a confact, at least one slot in the box beneath the slide, and a spring pressed locking lever within the slide to engage a slot and having an arm extending therewithout for manual actuation.

10. A circuit closer comprising a contact box, a hollow slide on the box formed at one end with an aperture, means within the box movable with the slide to effect a contact, a

an edge of the aperture and adapted to engage the slot. I

11. A circuit closer comprising a contact box, a hollow slide on the box formed at one end with an aperture, means within the box movable with the slide to effect a contact, a plurality of slots'in the box beneath the slide,

and aspringpressed locking lever adapted to turn about an edge of the aperture and adapted to selectively engage the slots.

'12. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, switch contacts within the box, an operating slide movable upon the contact box and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raised portion upon the slide, at least one slot in the box under the slide, and a locking lever carried by the slide within the raised portion and engageable in a slot to lock the slide in position.

13. A device of the character described comprising. a contact box, switch contacts within the box, an operating slide moveable upon the contact box and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raised portion'upon the slide, at least one slot in the box under the slide, a locking lever carried by the slide within theraised portion and engageable inthe slot to lock the same in position, and a spring between the lever and the inner wall of the raised portion pressing the leverinto contact with the box.

14. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, switch contacts within the box, an operating slide movable upon the contact box and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raised portion on the slide, at least one slot in the box under the slide, a locking lever carried by the slide within the raised portion and engageable in the slot to lock the same in position, and an extension of the lever projecting through the slide.

15. A- device of the character described comprising a flashlightcasing, switch conportion on the slide, at least, one slotin the casing under the raised portion, and a lockingv comprising. a flashlight casing, switch contacts carried thereby, van operating slide movable upon the casing and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raised portion on the slide, at least one slot in the casing under theraised portion, a locking lever carried by the slide within the raised portion and engageable in a slot to lock the slide in position, and a spring between the lever andtheinner wall of the raised portion pressing the lever into. contact with the casing. f v c 17 A device of the character described comprising a flashlight casing, switch contacts carried thereby, an operating slide movable upon thecasing and moving the contacts into operable position thereby, a raised portion on the slide, at leastone slot in the casing-under the raised'portion, a locking lever carried by the slide within the raised portion and engageable'in a slot .to look the slide in position, and an extension of the lever projecting through the slide.

18. A device of the character described comprising a casing, switch contacts within the casing, an operating slide movable upon the casing and bringing the contacts into operable position thereby,'at least one slot in the. casing adjacent the slide, the slide having apart spaced from the casing forming a relatively narrow opening, a locking lever engageable in aslot to lockthe slide in position, and a U-shaped bend in the locking lever receiving the spaced portion ofthe slide to pivot the lever thereupon.

19. A device of the character described comprising a casing, switch contacts within thecasing, an operating slide movable upon the casing and bringing the contacts into.

operable position thereby, at least one slot in the casing beneath the slide,-the slide having a raised portion, an opening in the raised portion at the base thereof forming a relatively narrow opening between the wall of the slide and the casing, a locking lever within the raised portion andengageable in a slot to look the slide in position, and a U-shaped V bend in the locking lever receiving the wall of the raised portion of the slide at the opening to givot the'lever thereupon. r

20. device of the character described comprising a casing, a contact box on the cas-' ing, switch contacts within the contact box, an operating slide movable upon. the contact box and bringing the contacts into operable position thereby, at least one slot in the contact box adjacent theslide, the slide having a raised portion, an opening in the raised portion at the base thereof forming a rel a-tively narrow opening between the wall of the raised portion and the contact box, a locking lever within the raised portion and engageable in a slot to lock the slide in posi- 5 tion, and a U-shaped bend in the locking lever receiving the wall of the raised portion of the slide at the opening to pivot the lever thereupon.

21. A device of the character described comprising a casing, a contact boxon the casing, switch contacts within the contact box, an operating slide movable upon the contact box and bringing the contacts into operable position thereby, at least one slot in the 1 contact box adjacent the slide, the slide having a raised portion, an opening in the raised portion at the base thereof forming a relatively narrow opening between the wall of the raised portion and the contact box, a 2 locking lever within the raised portion and engageable in a slot to lock the slide in position, a U-shaped bend in the locking lever receiving the wall of the raised portion of the slide at the opening to pivot the lever T13 thereupon, and a spring between the inner wall of the raised portion and the locking lever.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

3 FRANK G. STIMSON.

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