Flashlight casing for a flat-shaped battery

Abstract

A flashlight having a flat shaped casing with an opening in one of its sidewalls through which a battery is inserted. The bottom wall of the casing has a projection along its internal surface for frictionally engaging the battery to secure the same in the casing.

Description

This invention relates to a torch case for a pocket torch with flat shaped battery and its object is to provide a pocket torch which is economical to manufacture, simple to asemble and reliable in operation.

It appeared advantageous according to the invention to create a torch case for a pocket torch with flat shaped battery, which case would have no cover and into which the battery could be inserted without handling its terminals.

A torch case according to the invention is characterised in that it has an opening at the side through which the battery can be placed in its operative position and in that it contains in its upper part a plate which is designed to provide contact between one of the terminals of the battery and the cap of a bulb which is mounted in the said upper part in such a manner that its contact terminal is in direct and constant contact with the other terminal of the battery.

According to the invention, the plate is held by one of its folded ends against the cap of the bulb which is mounted in its seating while the other folded end of the plate is adapted to be operated on by a switch to bring it into contact with the appropriate terminal of the battery.

To explain the invention more clearly, it will now be described with reference to the attached drawing which is given solely by way of example and which shows a side view of the case of a pocket torch equipped with flat shaped battery and constructed in accordance with the invention.

The torch case 1, which is preferably made of plastics, has a lateral opening 2 which partly extends over the two surfaces of the case at 2'. This opening allows for easy insertion and removal of a flat shaped battery 3 into and from the case.

The base 4 of the case has a central longitudinal projection 5 along its internal surface to secure the battery in the case.

The head cover or top 6 of the case has a clamp or seating 7 for a bulb 8 whose central contact terminal 8' is in constant contact with one of the terminals 9 of the battery, and it contains a very simple mechanism for contact. This mechanism consists of a single plate or strip 10 which is kept in position by one of its folded ends 10' bearing against the tapped cap 8" of the bulb while its other folded end 10" is subject to the action of a sliding switch 11.

When the switch 11 is pushed down, it pushes against the end 10" of the plate 10 which then comes into contact with the other terminal 9' of the battery to close the circuit so that the bulb lights up. This switch can be moved downwards into two positions, the first of which is unstable due to the elasticity of the plate while the second is fixed by abutments formed on slide bars and holding the switch.

The seating 7 for the bulb is not tapped, the bulb being simply pressed into the seating where it is firmly held by its contact with the folded end 10' of the plate 10.

Such a design greatly simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the torch case. Another advantage of this design is that the battery can be placed into position and is immediately ready for operation without any handling of its terminals.

It should be understood that one or other construction modification within the scope of the claims may be applied to the case described and represented without thereby departing from the field of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a flashlight housing having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, a bottom wall and a head cover, a flat battery and a light bulb, said pair of side walls and one of said end walls having cutout portions for insertion of said battery without removing said head cover, said electric bulb having a cap terminal and a central terminal, said central terminal being in constant contact with one terminal of the battery, a clamp for holding said cap terminal, and a strip having a folded end operable by a push button for contacting the other terminal of said battery with said clamp, said bottom wall comprising a central longitudinal projection along its internal surface frictionally engaging said battery to secure the battery in the housing.