U.S. patent number 3,924,117 [Application Number 05/509,722] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-02 for flashlight having a magnet-switch combination.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Union Carbide Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert E. Brindley.
United States Patent |
3,924,117 |
Brindley |
December 2, 1975 |
Flashlight having a magnet-switch combination
Abstract
A flashlight having a magnet-switch combination wherein the
actuating means of the switch and the magnetic means for attaching
the flashlight to a magnetic attractive surface are compactly
disposed within a non-slideable housing secured to the battery
casing of the flashlight.
Inventors: |
Brindley; Robert E. (New York,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Union Carbide Corporation (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
24027838 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/509,722 |
Filed: |
September 26, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/191; 200/60;
200/345; 362/398; 200/302.2; 362/205 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V
21/0965 (20130101); F21V 23/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
23/04 (20060101); F21V 21/08 (20060101); F21V
21/096 (20060101); F21L 007/00 (); F21L
015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/10.6,10.65,10.66,52.15 ;200/60,159R,302,340,330,333,159B |
Other References
"Hardware Age," Jan., 1972, p. 139..
|
Primary Examiner: Peters, Jr.; Joseph F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: O'Brien; Cornelius F.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flashlight comprising a lens and reflector unit having a front
open end adapted to be detachably mounted to a battery casing and
having a lens, a lens ring, a lamp holder adapted to accommodate a
lamp and containing a first contact means therein; a battery casing
provided with a first open end adapted to receive a battery means
and adapted to be detachably mounted to an end cap for securing
battery means therein, a second open end at the opposite end
thereof adapted to be detachably mounted to the front open end of
the lens and reflector unit, and wherein second contact means are
provided for electrically connecting the interior vicinity of the
end cap to said first contact means; a push button switch fixedly
secured on a mounting bracket disposed within the second open end
of the battery casing with the button member of the switch disposed
within an opening in the wall of the battery casing adjacent the
second open end thereof; a housing member substantially disposed on
the outer surface of the battery casing and having an opening
disposed therein with magnetic means disposed in the surface of
said housing member adjacent said opening, said housing member
aligned and secured to the battery casing such that the opening in
said housing member is aligned with the opening in the wall of the
casing so as to accommodate the button member of the switch
disposed in the opening in the wall of the casing; a flexible boot
member disposed and secured over the opening in the housing member
so that upon being depressed, the boot will in turn depress the
button member of the switch; and third contact means adapted
through actuation of the push button switch in the presence of a
lamp and battery means assembled in the flashlight to complete or
interrupt the continuity of an electrical circuit between the lamp
and the battery means.
2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said button member comprises
an extended member secured to the button of the push button switch
and is disposed such that it projects through the opening in the
wall of the battery casing and into the opening in the housing
member whereupon it is aligned for contacting the flexible boot
member.
3. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the flexible boot member
extends through the opening in the housing member and is aligned
for contacting the button of the push button switch.
4. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the battery casing is made of
a conductive material.
5. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the first open end of the
battery casing is threadably secured to the end cap and wherein the
second open end is threadably secured to the lens and reflector
unit.
6. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein a gasket is added between the
flexible boot and the opening in the housing so as to provide a
water-tight seal thereat.
7. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the battery casing is made of
a nonconductive material and wherein said second contact means is
an electrical contact strip extending from the first open end of
the battery casing to its second open end.
8. The flashlight of claim 7 wherein a first seal is added between
the first open end of the battery casing and the end cap and a
second seal is added between the second open end and the lens and
reflector unit so as to provide a water-tight seal at these
detachable joints.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a flashlight switch assembly and more
particularly concerns a magnet-push-button-switch combination for a
flashlight.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flashlights presently available are generally fabricated with
various sliding switches which are activated from the outside of
the flashlight casing. These types of flashlights generally require
a switch arrangement whereby sliding means disposed on the outside
of the casing have to be moved parallel to the axis of the casing
to complete the electrical circuit within the flashlight which, in
the presence of conventional cells, causes the bulb to light. This
type switch arrangement usually can be unintentionally actuated
while being stored in a rather confined compartment or when the
switch member of the flashlight is accidentally bumped against an
object.
Another type of flashlight, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,800
to Doring et al., emphasizes a magnet assembly mounted within the
battery casing of the flashlight having spring means for retaining
two elongated magnet members of the assembly within the wall of the
battery casing. The magnet assembly is substantially hidden within
the battery casing when not in use but the magnet members partially
protrude from the battery casing when the flashlight is positioned
near a magnet attracting surface so that it magnetically attaches
the flashlight to the surface. This type flashlight employes a
separate sliding switch assembly for activating the flashlight to
the "on" or "off" position.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,886,664 to Graubner discloses a magnet-switch
combination for flashlights wherein magnet means and switch means
are mounted in an assembly that slides on the battery casing of the
flashlight. Again this type of magnet-switch arrangement can result
in the flashlight being unintentionally actuated if the assembly
housing said switch and magnet means accidently bumps against an
object.
It is an object of this invention to provide a magnet-switch
combination suitable for use in a flashlight.
It is another object of this invention to provide a novel
magnet-switch conbination for a flashlight wherein the magnet and
switch actuating means are compactly arranged in a non-slideable
housing secured to the battery casing of the flashlight.
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel push button
switch fixedly secured within the battery casing and having its
actuation means disposed in a housing secured to the battery casing
and which contains magnetic means for attaching the flashlight to a
magnetic attractive surface.
These and other objects are accomplished by having a push button
switch adapted for mounting within a battery casing while the
actuation means for the switch along with magnetic means are
disposed in a housing fixedly secured to the outside of the battery
casing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a flashlight comprising a lens and
reflector unit having a front open end adapted to be detachably
mounted to a battery casing and having a lens, a lens ring, a lamp
holder adapted to accommodate a lamp and containing a first contact
means therein; a battery casing provided with a first open end
adapted to receive a battery means and adapted to be detachably
mounted to an end cap for securing battery means therein, a second
open end at the opposite end thereof adapted to be detachably
mounted to the front open end of the lens and reflector unit, and
wherein second contact means are provided for electrically
connecting the interior vicinity of the end cap to said first
contact means; a push button switch fixedly secured on a mounting
bracket disposed within the second open end of the battery casing
with the button member of the switch disposed within an opening in
the wall of the battery casing adjacent the second open end
thereof; a housing member substantially disposed on the outer
surface of the battery casing and having an opening disposed
therein with magnetic means disposed in the surface of said housing
member adjacent said opening, said housing member aligned and
secured to the battery casing such that the opening in said housing
member is aligned with the opening in the wall of the casing so as
to accommodate the button member of the switch disposed in the
opening in the wall of the casing; a flexible boot member disposed
and secured over the opening in the housing member so that upon
being depressed, the boot will in turn depress the button member of
the switch; and third contact means adapted through actuation of
the push button switch in the presence of a lamp and battery means
assembled in the flashlight to complete or interrupt the continuity
of an electrical circuit between the lamp and the battery
means.
As used herein, the button member of the switch can comprise one
long extended member secured to a smaller button member as shown in
FIG. 8 or it can comprise only a relatively small button member as
shown in FIG. 9. In the latter embodiment, the flexible boot would
extend into the opening in the wall of the battery casing and be
disposed therein so as to contact the button member of the switch
when said boot is depressed.
As used herein, the second contact means used to connect the
interior vicinity of the end cap, i.e., the vicinity within the end
cap occupied by a conductive member, such as a coil spring, that
contacts one pole of the battery disposed at the lower end of the
battery casing, can comprise one or more conductive strips and/or
the battery casing, when the latter is made of a conductive
material. The primary function of the second contact means is to
provide a conductive path from one pole of a battery to the first
contact means contained in the lens and reflector unit. It is also
within the scope of this invention to have the switch function as
one of the contact elements in connecting the pole of the battery
disposed at the lower end of the battery casing to the first
contact means in the lens and reflector unit. This arrangement is
disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,440.
As used herein, the battery means shall mean one or more cells with
the specific number and size being governed by the size and shape
of the battery casing. The more conventional size battery casing
usually accommodates two D-size or C-size cells.
In one specific embodiment of this invention, the battery casing
can be of the usual metallic tubular type in which the casing
itself provides the electrical path from the vicinity of the end
cap to the vicinity of the open end adapted to be detachably
mounted to the lens and reflector unit. In another embodiment where
the battery casing is made of a nonconductive material, then a
conductive strip would have to be employed to electrically connect
the interior of the end cap to the vicinity of the open end of the
battery casing adapted to be detachably mounted to the lens and
reflector unit. In both embodiments, it is preferable to have a
coil spring secured to the interior of the end cap so as to provide
sufficient pressure on the battery means within the casing to
insure good electrical contact between the battery means and the
contact means therein. The coil spring also functions to
electrically connect one pole of the battery to either a conductive
battery casing or to a conductive strip depending upon the material
used for the battery casing.
When the battery casing is made of conductive material, then the
flashlight could comprise a metallic tubular battery casing closed
at its lower or first open end by means of an end cap of similar
material which could be threadably engaged to said first open end
while the upper or second open end at the opposite end thereof
could be threadably mounted to a lens and reflector unit. The end
cap would preferably contain a coil spring to constantly supply
pressure on the battery means within the casing to maintain or urge
said battery means toward the upper or second open end of the
casing where a push button switch fixedly secured on a mounting
bracket would be disposed. A suitably shaped contact strip would be
employed to connnect the battery casing to the contact shell of the
lens and reflector unit which in turn would be electrically
connected to, or adapted to be connected to, a lamp bulb mounted in
said lens and reflector unit. The battery casing of the flashlight
would in turn be electrically connected to one pole of the battery
adjacent the end cap via the coil spring. The push button switch,
which is secured on a mounting bracket within the battery casing
with its button member projecting through an opening in the wall of
the battery casing, would provide the contact means adaptable for
electrically connecting the opposite pole of the battery (center
terminal), or the center terminal of the battery closest the push
button switch when more than one battery is employed, to the center
terminal of the lamp bulb thereby completing the electrical circuit
for the flashlight when the switch is actuated to the "on"
position. Thus by depressing the button member of the switch, the
electrical contact between the center terminal of the battery and
lamp bulb would be completed or interrupted depending upon the
state of the electrical connection prior to the button being
depressed.
In another embodiment of this invention, the battery casing could
be made of a nonconductive material whereupon a conductive strip
would have to be employed to electrically connect the coil spring
which is secured to the end cap to the contact shell member in the
lens and reflector unit.
In both these embodiments, a housing member having an opening
disposed and defined by a wall of said housing and containing
projected magnetic means secured in a surface of said housing
adjacent said opening would be aligned and secured to the battery
casing such that the opening in said housing would be aligned with
the opening in the wall of the battery casing so as to accommodate
the projected button member of the switch disposed within the
opening of the battery casing. As shown in the drawings, the
housing could lock or secure the switch mounting bracket in place
within the battery casing. A flexible boot could then be secured
over the opening in the housing where the button member of the
switch is disposed. In the flashlight embodiment utilizing the
nonconductive battery casing, the flashlight could be made
waterproof by water-tightly securing the flexible boot to the
opening in the housing, securing the housing water-tightly to the
battery casing and by employing suitable O-ring seals at each
threaded area, i.e., between the lens and reflector unit and the
upper end of battery casing and between the lower end of the
battery casing and end cap. By selecting a suitable floatable
material for the casing of the flashlight, a waterproof, floatable
flashlight can be produced which will have the capability of being
repeatedly operated without losing its water-tight features. The
novel push button switch and magnetic arrangement of this invention
can be used with various size and shape battery casings which could
be coupled to various size and shape lens and reflector units to
produce flashlights for all purposes.
As is apparent from this invention, the only movable part of the
housing assembly would be the flexible boot which is adapted to
contact the button member of the switch. The flexible boot would be
disposed below the plane defined by the top surface of the
projected magnetic means and thereby would not be subject to being
depressed when the flashlight is attached to a magnetically
attractive surface. In addition, this arrangement would eliminate
the accidental putting "on" of the flashlight which is sometimes
encountered when the magnetic means are mounted in the slideable
housing arrangement of the prior art.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a flashlight embodying this invention;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal section of the flashlight of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial top section of the flashlight of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of a push button switch
fixedly secured on a mounting bracket;
FIG. 5 is a top view of a mounting bracket in the open
position;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along lines
6--6;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a mounting bracket in the closed
position taken along the longitudinal axis;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of a portion of
the flashlight of FIG. 2 showing the magnetic-switch
combination;
FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of a switch assembly showing a
boot member having an inwardly extended center portion;
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the magnetic-switch housing shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged section view taken along line 11--11 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 12--12 of
FIG. 10.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a flashlight 1 having
a battery casing 2, an end cap 3, and a lens and reflector unit 4.
The battery casing 2 is of the usual metallic tubular type of thin
gage metal such as chrome plated steel, aluminum, brass or copper
coated steel or other similarly conductive material, preferably a
metal capable of being finished to a high polished state. Battery
casing 2 is closed at its lower end by means of end cap 3 which is
threadably engaged to the lower end of casing 2. End cap 3 contains
a coil spring 5 which electrically connects casing 2 with one pole
of cell 6 while simultaneously exerting pressure on batteries 6 and
7 to maintain good electrical contact to conductive strip 8 of push
button switch 9. The upper open end portion of casing 2 terminates
with a threaded segment 10 designed to engage threaded segment 11
of the lens and reflector unit 4. Disposed in the side wall of
casing 2 at the vicinity of the upper open end is a circular
opening 12.
Lens and reflector unit 4 comprises lens 13, lens ring 14,
reflector 15, contact shell 16, bulb holder 17 and lamp 18.
Reflector 15 is of the conventional type comprising a molded
reflector body composed of a non-conductive material, such as
plastic, for instance, polystyrene, and having substantially
corresponding concave-convex sides, the concave side of which is
provided with a metallic reflectory coating 19 such as aluminum
applied by conventional vacuum-metallizing techniques or the like,
and a central apertured cylindrical neck not shown. The contact
shell 16, composed of an electrically conductive material, is
preferably of frusto-conical shape with a tubular socket axially
formed therein. The tubular socket, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,798,440, is generally secured within the apertured neck of
reflector 15 and has a flanged end which interlocks with an annular
flange which is integrally molded to the opening of the apertured
neck of the reflector. The frusto-conical portion of contact shell
16 forms an annular shaped skirt 20 which projects radially
outwardly from and out of contact with reflector 15. The flanged
end of the tubular socket within reflector 16 also provides a seat
against which is mounted the flanged neck of lamp bulb 18 which is
of the conventional type having a cylidrical base 21 including a
button type terminal 23.
Lens ring 14 is preferably made of the same material as casing 2 so
as to give an overall streamline appearance. It is also within the
scope of this invention to have the lens ring 14 made of a
different material than that of casing 2. End cap 3 is preferably
made of the same material as casing 2 but if a different material
is desired, then said material has to be conductive so as to
provide a complete electrical path for the flashlight.
Bulb holder 17 is tubular shaped and is composed of a resilient
material, preferably a molded plastic, such as polyethylene. Bulb
holder 17 is securely mounted within the tubular socket of
reflector 15 by conventional means as also disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,798,440. To remove holder 17 to replace lamp 18, the holder
17 is simply pulled outwardly from the tubular socket to detach its
forward end. Once the lamp is replaced, it is simply pushed back
into the socket. The assembled unit containing reflector 15,
contact shell 16, bulb holder 17 and lamp 18 is held securely
within the lens and lens ring assembly by friction fit between the
reflector rib periphery and a bead within the lens ring 14. After
assembly, the forward opening of the battery casing entraps the
reflector between its forward thread and the lens.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a push button switch bracket 22 comprises
an overall flat sided (24, 26) substantially tubular configuration
which is pivotable about the midpoint 28 of one of the side walls
26. In the open position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a flat base 30
is disposed in one half of the tubular bracket with an inwardly
projecting annular wall 32 disposed in the other half of the
tubular bracket. Inwardly projecting annular member 32 defines an
opening 34 through which the inner button member 36 of switch 9 is
inserted while the base 38 of switch 9 seats on base 30 of the
mounting bracket 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Disposed on opposite sides
of opening 34 are semi-circular projection members 40 which help
maintain the base 38 of switch 9 in proper alignment when switch 9
is placed in the mounting bracket 22. The flat surfaces 42 are
aligned such that they are parallel with the longitudinal side wall
of base 38 when switch 9 is positioned on mounting bracket 22.
Disposed at each end of the longitudinal outer extremities of
mounting bracket 22 at the upper vicinity of the annular member 32
are grooves or openings 44 whose function will be described below.
A longitudinal groove 46 is disposed at the center of the outer
lower half of the bracket to accommodate a contact strip as will be
described below.
Mounting bracket 22 can be molded in one piece as shown in FIGS. 5
to 7 using a suitable plastic material such as polyolefin,
polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of acrylonitrile,
butadiene, or styrene or any other suitable material capable of
securing switch 9 within battery casing 2.
A conventional type push button switch 9 can be positioned in
bracket 22 by inserting the button member 36 through opening 34
whereupon the top surface of the base 38 will rest on the flange 48
of annular wall 32 and be aligned between members 40 as shown in
FIG. 2. Thereupon both halves of bracket 22 can be pivoted together
so that the bottom surface of base 38 of switch 9 will rest on base
30 of the bracket. The switch and bracket assembly along with a
conductive strip 49 placed in recess 46 can then be inserted into
the upper end of battery casing 2 and positioned such that the
button 36 of switch 9 is centered within opening 12 of the side
wall of casing 2 as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 8. Thereafter, an
extended cylinder 50, closed and partially filled at the closed
end, is secured to button member 36 so as to effectively project
the actuation means of the push button switch 9 substantially
through opening 12 in battery casing 2.
According to the present invention, novel means are afforded for a
magnet-switch actuation combination which will enable the
flashlight to be supported on a metal surface in any desired
position and yet will not interfere with the fuctioning of the
switch. As shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 10 to 12, a housing 51 comprises
a rectangular, cup-shaped, box-like segment 52 integrally extended
at one end to a cylindrical segment 53 and at the other end to an
expodential type curved segment providing a flange 54 thereat.
Cylindrical segment 53 had an opening defined by the internal wall
55 of the housing, said wall 55 extending below the lower surface
56 of rectangular segment 52 and having outwardly extending narrow
flexible tabs 57 and 58 disposed along the longitudinal axis of
housing 51. Disposed on the inside wall 55 is a groove 59, one side
of which is defined by a radially inwardly protruding flange 60.
The rectangular segment 52 comprises spaced side walls 61 joined at
one end to spaced end wall 62 and at the other end to spaced end
wall 63, said end wall 63 also forming part of the wall 55 defining
opening 64 in cylindrical segment 53. The walls 61, 62 and 63 are
integrally united with a top wall 65 disposed in spaced and
generally parallel relation to the wall of casing 2.
The housing 51 can preferably be made of a suitable non-magnetic
material such as plastic, e.g., nylon, polyethylene, polyolefin,
polypropylene, copolymers of acrylonitrile, butadiene or
styrene.
Mounted in the rectangular section 52 of housing 51 are a pair of
opposed elongated collector bars or angles 66 made of non-magnetic,
but magnet conductive material, for example, steel. Each collector
consists of a relatively short leg 67 which in assembly with the
other collector is disposed in spaced planar relation thereto and
forms a short gap therebetween, and a relatively longer leg 68
adapted to fit into a correspondingly enclosed slot 69 in the
housing top wall 65 and extend slightly beyond said wall 65 thereby
forming a tongue and slot connection. Seated within the hollow
rectangular segment 52 and in nesting engagement with the angled
collector bars 66 is a permanent magnet 70, preferably made of
Alnico metal. The collector bars 66, which are in magnetic contact
with the magnet 70, serve to conduct the magnetism beyond the
housing 51 in order that the magnet strength may be strongly
applied to a metal surface without significant loss or attenuation
of the magnet strength of the housing 51.
If desired to restrict unnecessary movement of the magnet inside
the switch housing, the magnet may be held captive therein through
the combined action of an elongated spacer or insulating filler
member 71 and an elongated spring strip 72 disposed respectively
immediately below and above the magnet 70 when viewed as in FIG. 2.
The filler 71 is slightly smaller in dimensions than the lower face
of the magnet 70 and lies between said magnet and said collector
legs 67. The spring strip 72 is arcuately bowed with its medial
portion in resilient engagement with topside of the magnet 70 and
its ends in resilient contact with the underside of the housing top
wall 65. A pair of open ended slots 73 at the remote ends of the
spring 72, constructed to loosely straddle a pair of reinforcing
ribs 75 (FIG. 12) in the housing 51, are provided for avoiding
lateral displacement of the spring 72 and simultaneously affording
the necessary clearance for longitudinal expansion thereof. While a
bowed spring is preferred, it is to be understood that helically
coiled springs are susceptible of use in the present invention.
Smaller or larger magnets may be employed in the magnet-switch
combination of the invention according to whether a lower or higher
magnetic strength is desired, additional fillers 71 being provided
or removed to suitably accommodate same. A protective gasket 75 may
be disposed between legs 67 of collector bars 66 and the wall of
casing 2. Gasket 75 and flange 54 of housing 51 have openings 76
and 77, respectively, to accommodate a rivet 78 for securing flange
54 of housing 51 to the casing 2 which also has an opening 79.
After the switch and bracket assembly is disposed into the upper
open end of the battery casing 2 and with the magnet components
assembled in the rectangular section 52, the housing 51 is
positioned over battery casing 2 and then the cylindrical member 53
is forced into opening 12 of casing 2. Projecting tabs 57 and 58 of
housing 51 are first flexed inwardly until they are aligned with
opening 44 in bracket 22 whereupon they will spring out and into
said openings 44. This will secure bracket 22 within casing 2 and
secure one end of the housing to casing 2. Thereafter, rivet 78 is
passed through rivet openings 79 in casing 2, 76 in gasket 75 and
77 in housing 51 thereby securing the flange end 54 to casing
2.
Either before or after housing 51 is secured to casing 2, the
extended cylindrical member 50 is suitably secured in a
conventional manner to button 36 thereby extending the actuation
means of switch 9 into housing 51.
A flexible switch boot 80, made of rubber, a low density
polyolefin, or the like, is assembled above switch 9 in opening 12
of module casing 2. A rigid gasket 81 of ABS copolymers or some
other rigid metallic-like material provides a seal between boot 80
and opening 12 while simultaneously securing boot 80 in a molded
recess or groove 59 in housing 51. This boot and gasket arrangement
provides a water-tight assembly for switch 9 while also providing
the flexibility necessary for actuating said switch 9. Thus be
depressing flexible boot 80, button 36 via extension 50 can be
lowered thereby effectively operating switch 9. As shown in the
drawings, one pole of battery 6 is electrically connected to coil
spring 5 which in turn is electrically connected to shell 16 via
conductive casing 2 and conductive strip 49. Push button switch 9
has two contact strips 8 and 82 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The
latter strip 82 is aligned and in contact with the lamp terminal 23
while contact strip 8 is aligned and in contact with the center
terminal of battery 7. Thus the actuation of switch 9 will
internally couple or uncouple contact strips 8 and 82, thereby
electrically connecting or disconnecting, respectively, the battery
terminal 83 to the lamp terminal 23 which will effectively complete
or interrupt, respectively, the electrical circuit of the
flashlight.
In certain applications, it may not be desirable to secure an
extended cylindrical member, such as member 50, to the button of
the switch. In such applications, the center portion 83 of flexible
boot 84 may be extended so that it could contact button 36 of
switch 9 as shown in FIG. 9, said FIG. 9 displaying only a partial
view of a switch actuating assembly identical to that shown in FIG.
2 except for the new embodiment of boot 84.
A flashlight constructed in the manner described above would be
admirably suited for use in all applications requiring a sturdy,
durable lightweight flashlight. Although this invention has been
described with reference to many specific details thereof, it is
apparent that the invention is not limited to such details.
* * * * *