U.S. patent number RE29,047 [Application Number 05/617,587] was granted by the patent office on 1976-11-23 for push button switching module for flashlights.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Union Carbide Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert E. Brindley.
United States Patent |
RE29,047 |
Brindley |
November 23, 1976 |
Push button switching module for flashlights
Abstract
A switching module for detachably mounting to various size lens
and reflector units and battery casings, said module comprising a
tubular casing having a lamp-circuit controlled push button switch
mounted therein with the button segment facing a flexible boot
covered opening in the wall of said casing.
Inventors: |
Brindley; Robert E. (New York,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Union Carbide Corporation (New
York, NY)
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Family
ID: |
26993575 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/617,587 |
Filed: |
September 29, 1975 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
343687 |
Mar 22, 1973 |
03798440 |
Mar 19, 1974 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/205; 200/60;
200/302.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21L
2/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21L 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/10.6,10.63,10.65,10.66,10.67,10.68,26 ;200/60,302 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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 push button switching module adapted
for coupling between a battery casing and a lens and reflector unit
which comprises a module casing having a push button switch secured
on a mounting bracket both of which are fixedly disposed wholly
within the module casing with the button member of said switch
aligned with an opening in the wall of the module casing, and
contact means adapted through activation of the push button switch
for completing or interrupting an electrical circuit between said
battery casing and said lens and reflector unit..]. .[.2. The push
button switching module of claim 1 wherein a flexible boot member
is disposed and secured over the opening in the wall of the module
casing where the button member of said switch is aligned, and
wherein said switching module has a first threaded open end adapted
to be threadably mounted to the battery casing and a second
threaded open end adapted to be threadably mounted to the lens and
reflector unit..]. .[.3. The push button switching module of claim
2 wherein the threaded open ends of the module are axially
aligned..]. .[.4. The push button switching module of claim 2
wherein the threaded open ends of the module are disposed on axis
spaced 90.degree.apart..]. .[.5. A flashlight comprising a battery
casing provided with a front open end adapted to receive at least
one battery and having means for electrically connecting the bottom
vicinity of said battery casing to the vicinity of the front open
end; a lens and reflector unit having a front open end and
including a lens, a lens ring, a lamp holder containing contact
means, and a lamp mounted therein, and a switching module adapted
at one end to be detachably mounted to the open end of the battery
casing and adapted at the opposite end to be detachably mounted to
the open end of the lens and reflector unit, said switching module
comprising a module casing having a push button switch secured on a
mounting bracket both of which are fixedly disposed wholly within
the module casing with the button member of said switch aligned
with an opening in the wall of the module casing, and contact means
adapted through activation of the push button switch for completing
or interrupting an electrical circuit between the battery casing
and the lens and reflector unit..]. .[.6. The flashlight of claim 5
wherein a flexible boot member is disposed and secured over the
opening in the wall of the module casing where the button member of
said switches faces; wherein the front open end of the battery
casing is threaded; wherein the front open end of the lens and
reflector unit is threaded; and wherein both ends of the switching
module are threaded so that the battery casing can be threadably
mounted at one end of the module while the lens and reflector unit
can be threadably mounted to the opposite end..]. .[.7. The
flashlight of claim 6 wherein the threaded ends of the switching
module are axially aligned..]. .[.8. The flashlight of claim 6
wherein the threaded ends of the switching module are disposed on
axis spaced 90.degree. apart..]. .[.9. The flashlight of claim 6
wherein a gasket is added between the flexible boot member and the
opening in the wall of the module casing so as to provide a
watertight seal thereat..]. .[.10. The flashlight of claim 9
wherein a gasket is added between each of the mating threaded
mountings of the flashlight..]. .[.11. The flashlight of claim 8
wherein a belt-clip is secured to the side of the switching module
casing..]. .[.12. The flashlight of claim 6 wherein said battery
casing has electrical contact means extending from the bottom of
said battery casing to the vicinity of the front open end; wherein
said lens and reflector has a contact shell mounted therein; and
wherein said switching module has a first means for coupling the
contact means at the vicinity of the front open end of the battery
casing to the contact shell in the lens and reflector unit, a
second means adapted for coupling the terminal of the lamp to the
center terminal of a battery disposed adjacent the front open end
of the battery casing, and wherein said switch controls at least
one of said first and second means..]..Iadd. 13. A waterproof
flashlight comprising a battery casing provided with a front open
end adapted to receive at least one battery and having contact
means for electrically connecting the bottom vicinity of said
battery casing to the vicinity of the front open end; a lens and
reflector unit having a front open end and including a lens, a lens
ring, a lamp holder containing contact means, and a lamp mounted
therein; a switching module adapted at one end to be detachably
mounted and watertightly sealed to the open end of the battery
casing and adapted at the opposite end to be detachably mounted and
watertightly sealed to the open end of the lens and reflector unit,
said switching module comprising a module casing having a push
button switch secured on a mounting bracket both of which are
fixedly disposed wholly within the module casing with the button
member of said switch aligned with an opening in the wall of the
module casing and contact means adapted through activation of the
push button switch for completing or interrupting an electrical
circuit between the battery casing, the lens and reflector unit and
at least one said battery when said battery is included in said
battery casing; a flexible boot member disposed and secured over
the opening in the wall of the module casing where the button
member of said switches faces so as to provide a watertight seal
thereat. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14. The waterproof flashlight of claim 13
wherein the front open end of the battery casing is threaded;
wherein the front open end of the lens and reflector unit is
threaded; and wherein both ends of the switching module are
threaded so that the battery casing can be threadably mounted at
one end of the module while the lens and reflector unit can be
threadably mounted to the opposite end..Iaddend..Iadd. 15. The
waterproof flashlight of claim 14 wherein the threaded ends of the
switching module are axially aligned..Iaddend..Iadd. 16. The
waterproof flashlight of claim 14 wherein the threaded ends of the
switching module are disposed on axis spaced 90.degree.
apart..Iaddend..Iadd. 17. The waterproof flashlight of claim 16
wherein a belt clip is secured to the side of the switching
module..Iaddend..Iadd. 18. The waterproof flashlight of claim 13
wherein said battery casing has electrical contact means extending
from the bottom of said battery casing to the vicinity of the front
open end; wherein said lens and reflector has a contact shell
mounted therein; and wherein said switching module has a first
means for coupling the contact means at the vicinity of the front
open end of the battery casing to the contact shell in the lens and
reflector unit, a second means adapted for coupling the terminal of
the lamp to the center terminal of a battery disposed adjacent the
front open end of the battery casing, and wherein said switch
controls at least one of said first and second means..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a flashlight, such as a waterproof
flashlight, and more specifically to a novel waterproof switching
module for use in said flashlight.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Waterproof flashlights presently available are generally fabricated
with magnetically operated switches which are activated from the
outside of the flashlight casing. These types of waterproof
flashlights generally require a dual type switch arrangement
whereby a first switch operating member is disposed outside the
watertight casing which upon being moved will activate a second
switch operating member disposed inside said casing. Damage to the
outside mounted switch will render the inside switch ineffective to
control the operation of the lamp.
Another type of waterproof flashlight utilizes a water-tight
flexible rubber member over a slidable switch disposed in a
water-tight casing. Repeated use of the slidable switch subjects
the rubber member to friction wear and possible damage to its
water-tight characteristics.
Waterproof flashlights have also been fabricated with part of a
conductive metal switch embedded in the wall of an enclosed casing
made of synthetic resin or the like. A second part of the metal
switch is exposed on the outside wall of the casing and is coupled
to an operating member which controls said exposed switch for
activating the flashlight to the "on" and "off" position. The
disadvantage with this type flashlight is that the water-tightness
of the casing is subject to damage owing to the corrosion of the
conductive metal on the switch segment positioned on the outside of
the casing. In addition, the operating parts of the switch are
rather difficult and expensive to fabricate.
One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a push
button switching module adapted for coupling between a battery
casing (or compartment) and a lens housing of a flashlight. Another
object is to provide a push button switching module for waterproof
flashlight that can be repeatably operated without losing its
watertight features.
It is another object to provide a push button switching module
which is adapted for use with various type and size battery casings
and lens housings.
It is another object to provide a push button switching module for
use in floatable waterproof flashlights.
It is another object to provide a push button switching module that
is easy to operate and has an attractive appearance. Another object
is to provide a push button switching module for flashlights
wherein the push button switch is substantially flush mounted in
the casing of the module.
These and other objects are accomplished by a push button switching
module adapted for coupling between a battery casing and a lens and
reflector unit and containing switch means for completing and
interrupting the electrical circuit between the battery casing and
the lens housing. The switching module can be detachably mounted to
the battery casing at one end and the lens and reflector unit at
the other end by threaded engagement means, bayonet socket means,
or any other suitable securing means.
One embodiment of this invention is a flashlight comprising a
battery casing provided with a front open end adapted to receive at
least one battery and having means for electrically connecting the
bottom vicinity of said battery casing to the vicinity of the front
open end; a lens and reflector unit having a front open end, and a
lens, a lens ring, a lamp holder containing contact means and a
lamp mounted therein; and a switching module adapted at one end to
be detachably mounted to the open end of the battery casing and
adapted at the opposite end to be detachably mounted to the open
end of the lens and reflector unit, said switching module
comprising a module casing having a push button switch secured on a
mounting bracket both of which are fixedly disposed wholly therein
with the button member of said switch aligned with an opening in
the wall of the module casing, a flexible boot member disposed and
secured over said opening, and means for completing and
interrupting the electrical circuit between the battery casing and
the lens and reflector unit. Specifically, the flashlight has a
battery casing provided with a threaded front open end adapted to
receive at least one battery and having a bottom mounted contact
spring coupled via a contact strip to a contact ring disposed and
secured within said casing at the vicinity of the front open end; a
lens and reflector unit having a threaded front open end and
including a lamp holder, lamp and contact shell mounted therein;
and a switching module adapted at one end to be threadably mounted
to the open end of the casing and adapted at the opposite end to be
threadably mounted to the lens and reflector assembly. The
switching module comprises, in combination, a one piece tubular
type modular casing having threaded segments at both ends and an
opening in its side wall; a mounting bracket secured in said module
casing, said bracket comprising a generally flat surface having an
opening therein and circumferentially terminating with an extending
substantially annular wall disposed substantially perpendicular to
said flat surface, and a support member extending from said flat
surface in a direction substantially parallel and opposite to said
extending annular wall; a push button switch assembly mounted
within said module casing on the support member and disposed with
the button element of the switch facing the opening in said module
casing; and a flexible boot mounted over said button element and
water-tightly secured to the opening in the module casing. The push
button switch has at least two contact strips for contacting at
least two members selected from the group consisting of the center
terminal of the battery adjacent the front end of the battery
casing, the terminal of the lamp bulb, the ring contact within the
battery casing, and the contact shell in the lens and reflector
assembly. For example, the push button switch may have a first
contact strip one end of which could protrude through the opening
in the flat surface of the mounting bracket so as to be in position
to contact the center terminal of the battery adjacent the front
end of the battery casing, and the opposite end could extend to
contact the terminal of the lamp bulb. A second contact strip could
be extended from the push button switch to abut the contact ring
within the battery casing while a third switch mounted contact
strip could extend into the lens and reflector assembly to abut the
contact shell therein. Thus the switch would operate to either
couple or uncouple the second and third contact strips thereby
completing or breaking, respectively, the circuit for lighting the
lamp bulb. Another arrangement would entail having a separate
contact strip electrically connecting the contact ring within the
battery casing to the contact shell within the lens and reflector
assembly. The switch could then contain a first fixedly secured
contact strip for abutting the center terminal of a battery and a
second fixedly secured contact strip for abutting the terminal of
the lamp bulb. Thus the switch could be activated to either couple
or uncouple the first and second contact strips thereby completing
or breaking, respectively, the circuit for lighting the lamp
bulb.
Coupling one end of the switching module of this invention to the
threaded opening of the battery casing, and the opposite end to the
threaded opening of the lens and reflector assembly, with a
suitable O-ring seal at each threaded end face joint, will produce
an excellent waterproof floatable flashlight capable of being
repeatably operated without loosing its water-tight features The
switching module of this invention is also admirably suited for use
with various size and shape battery casings and lens and reflector
units to produce flashlights for general purpose use.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a flashlight embodying the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal section of the flashlight of FIG. 1;
FIG. 2A shows one embodiment of a contact strip for the flashlight
of FIG. 2;
FIG. 2B shows another embodiment of a contact strip for the
flashlight of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the flashlight of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a lens and reflector
unit;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a switching module of this
invention;
FIG. 5a is a cross-sectional view taken along line A--A of FIG.
5;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view of the mounting bracket of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of an angle head flashlight
embodying the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a partial side view of an angle head flashlight embodying
the invention.
Referring in detail to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, there is shown a
flashlight having a battery casing 2, a switching module 3, and a
lens and reflector unit 4. The battery casing is preferably molded
from a suitable plastic material such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, ABS copolymers, or styrene and contains an
electrically conductive spiral contact spring 5 disposed in the
bottom closed end of the casing. An electrically conductive
L-shaped strip 6 is longitudinally disposed against the internal
wall of casing 2 with the short extended leg segment 7 contacting
spring 5. The opposite end of contact strip 6 abuts and is secured
to an electrically conductive contact ring 8 disposed within the
open end vicinity of casing 2. The end of contact strip 6 can be
spotwelded to contact ring 8 or secured by other suitable
techniques such as pressure. Likewise, the segment 7 of contact
strip 6 can also be suitably secured to spring 5 by conventional
techniques such as spotwelding or pressure. The leg segment 7 of
strip 6 may be appropriately bent to provide a curved protrusion 7'
or 7" as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, respectively. The use of such a
curvilinear configuration, or any variation thereof, for the leg
segment of contact strip 6, would negate the necessity of having
contact spring 5 since the protrusion portion of the leg segment
would be utilized to contact the bottom disc of battery 9 when
placed in the lower portion of casing 2. The open end portion of
casing 2 terminates with a threaded segment 10 designed to engage
threaded segment 11 of switching module 3.
Lens and reflector unit 4 comprises lens 12, lens ring 13,
reflector 14, contact shell 15, bulb holder 16 and lamp 17.
Reflector 14 is of the conventional type comprising a molded
reflector body composed of a nonconductive material, such as
plastic, for instance, polystyrene, and having substantially
corresponding concavo-convex sides, the concave side of which is
provided with a metallic reflectory coating 18 such as aluminum
applied by conventional vacuum-metallizing techniques or the like,
and a central apertured cylindrical neck 19. The contact shell 15,
composed of an electrically conductive material, is preferably of
frusto-conical shape with a tubular socket 20 axially formed
therein. The tubular socket 20 is secured within the apertured neck
19 of reflector 14 and has a flanged end 21 which interlocks with
an annular flange 22 which is integrally molded to the opening of
the apertured neck 19. The frusto-conical portion of contact shell
15 forms an annular shaped skirt 23 which projects radially
outwardly from and out of contact with reflector 14. The flanged
end 21 of tubular socket 20 also provides a seat against which is
mounted the flanged neck 24 of lamp 17 which is of the conventional
type having a cylindrical base 25 including a button type terminal
26.
Bulb holder 16 is tubular shaped and is composed of a resilient
material, preferably a molded plastic, such as polyethylene. Bulb
holder 16 is securely mounted within tubular socket 20 by
conventional means and has a socket 27 within which is disposed
base 25 of lamp 17. For example, the forward end portion of tubular
socket 27 of bulb holder 16 may be formed with a channel or groove
28 which engages with a corresponding peripheral bead portion 29
formed on the inside surface of tubular socket 20 of contact shell
15. The channel or groove 28, and corresponding bead 29, can be of
such size and arranged so as to permit the forward end of the bulb
holder 16 to be securely snapped into place by merely pushing
holder 16 through the rear open end of tubular socket 20 where it
will be securely retained. To remove holder 16 to replace lamp 17,
the holder is simply pulled outwardly from socket 10 to detach its
forward end. Once the lamp is replaced, it is simply pushed back
into socket 20. The assembled unit containing reflector 14, contact
shell 15, bulb holder 16 and lamp 17 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. After assembly, the
forward opening of the switch module entraps the reflector between
its forward thread and the lens.
The lens and lens ring, shown in FIG. 4, comprises a lens ring 30,
preferably molded of a suitable material, such as plastic, for
example ABS or polyolefin, which has a threaded segment 31 for
engaging with threaded segment 32 (FIG. 2) of switching module 3.
The lens 33 can be made of a clear plastic material similar to that
of lens ring 30 although lens ring 30 will preferably have various
color pigments added to give it an attractive appearance. Lens 33
can be secured water-tightly to lens ring 30 by embedding a
peripheral skirt edge 34 of lens 33 into a groove 35 in said lens
ring 30 during the molding of lens ring 30. It is also possible to
provide a one piece lens and lens ring by molding the lens and ring
in one operation. Preferably, the lens could be molded first of a
transparent synthetic resin or the like, followed by a second
molding operation whereby the lens ring could be molded onto said
lens using a translucent or opaque synthetic resin material. This
dual molding operation could be easily accomplished by first
molding the transparent lens, and then placing the lens within the
mold of the lens ring, and then injecting the material for the lens
ring around the lens.
As shown in FIG. 5, switching module 3 comprises a tubular modular
casing 36 having threaded segments 37 and 38 at opposite ends and
an opening 39 in its side wall. A mounted bracket 40 is fixedly
secured within module casing 36 and as isometrically shown in FIG.
6 comprises a generally flat surface 41 having an opening 42
therein and circumferentially terminating with an extending
substantially annular wall 43 disposed substantially perpendicular
to surface 41. Support member 44 extends from surface 41 in a
direction substantially parallel and opposite to wall 43 and has an
opening 45 disposed therein. An outside segment 46 of wall 43 is
molded flat to correspond to the internal flat segment 47 of casing
36 as shown in FIG. 5a, which is a cross-sectional view taken along
line A--A of FIG. 5. The corresponding or mating flat segments 46
and 47 provide a polarization means for insuring proper alignment
of mounting bracket 40 within module casing 36. The outside
diameter of wall 43 is slightly smaller at its leading edge 48 so
as to provide a circumferential surface 49 which can seat against
molded flange or projecting rim 50 on the internal surface of
casing 36. A second molded flange or projecting rim 51 is disposed
forward of flange 50 on the internal surface of casing 36 and is
provided to abut the opposite edge 52 of mounting bracket 40. Thus,
mounting bracket 40 can be pushed into module casing 36 until it is
fixedly secured between flanges 50 and 51. Although flat surface 41
terminates in a tapered segment 53, it is to be understood that it
could be extended radially outwardly so as to form an angle of
90.degree. with edge 48.
A conventional type push button switch 54 is fixedly mounted to
support 44 by placing its shaft member 55 through opening 45 and
then securing it in place by screwing nut 56 onto the threaded
segment portion 57 of shaft 55. The switch 54 is shown in FIG. 5
with a first contact strip 58 projecting through opening 42 in
bracket 40 and positioned so as to be aligned and in contact with
the center terminal of a battery as generally shown in FIG. 3. A
second contact strip 59 is shown projecting in the opposite
direction and positioned so as to be aligned and in contact with
the lamp terminal as generally shown in FIG. 3. Thus the activation
of the switch 54 will internally couple or uncouple contact strips
58 and 59 thereby electrically connecting or disconnecting,
respectively, the battery terminal to the lamp terminal. A third
contact strip 60 is disposed in a recess 61 in module casing 36 as
shown in FIG. 5a. This contact strip 60 is held in recess 61 by
bracket wall 43, and extends in one direction so that it can be in
a position to contact the shell member in the lens and reflector
unit and in the opposite direction so that it can be in position to
contact the ring member in the battery casing as generally shown in
FIG. 7. Thus when the switching module shown in FIG. 5 is assembled
to a battery casing at one end and a lens and reflector unit as the
other end, a flashlight will be produced having a complete electric
circuit for operating the lamp.
A flexible switch boot 63, made of rubber, a low density
polyolefin, or the like, is assembled above switch 54 in opening 39
of module casing 36. A rigid gasket 64 of ABS or some other rigid
metallic like material provides a seal between boot 63 and opening
39 while simultaneously securing boot 63 in a molded recess or
groove 65 in module casing 36. This boot and gasket arrangement
provides a watertight assembly for switch 54 while also providing
the flexibility necessary for activating said switch 54. Thus by
depressing flexible boot 63, button 66 of switch 54 can be lowered
thereby effectively operating said switch 54.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show a similar type switching module as in FIG. 5
except the contact strips are different. Here a first contact strip
67 extends from switch 68 through the opening in mounting bracket
69 to contact center terminal 70 of battery 71 while the opposite
end extends to contact lamp terminal 26 of lamp 17. Thus battery
terminal 70 is always connected to lamp terminal 26. Battery 9
contacts spiral spring 5 at one end and the bottom disc of battery
71 at the other end. A second contact strip 72 extends from the
switch 68 to contact annular shaped skirt 23 of contact shell 15. A
third contact strip 73, disposed in a recess in module casing 74
and held therein by mounting bracket 69 as shown in FIG. 5, extends
from switch 68 to contact ring 8 in battery casing 2. Again a
flexible boot 75 and gasket 76 are assembled over switch 68
providing a water-tight seal thereat. The depressing of boot 75
will operate switch 68 to either couple or uncouple the ring 8 to
skirt 23 via contact strips 72 and 73, thereby completing or
breaking, respectively, the circuit for supplying power to the
lamp.
To insure a water-tight seal at the threaded engagement areas
between one end of switch module 3 and the lens and reflector unit
4, and between the opposite end of switch module 3 and the battery
casing 2, gaskets or O-rings 77 and 78, respectively, are added.
The gaskets or O-rings could be made of rubber, a low density
polyolefin, or the like, as long as such gaskets are water
resistant so as to provide a water-tight seal for the threaded
areas. The overall assembled flashlight shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will
be water-tight, floatable, and capable of being repeatably operated
without loosing its water-tightness.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of this invention in a flashlight
commonly referred to as an angle-head flashlight. Lens and
reflector unit 100 comprises a lens ring 101, lens 102, reflector
103, contact shell 104, lamp 130 and lamp holder 105. These
components are similar to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 except that
the lens ring 101 is slightly shorter. Likewise, battery casing 106
comprises a casing 107, having disposed in its closed end a spiral
contact spring 108 in contact with a contact strip 109 secured to a
contact ring 110 as described above. In addition, battery casing
106 has longitudinally disposed ribs 133 which are used to center
the batteries within the casing. Switching module 111 comprises a
curved module casing 112 having mounted therein a mounting bracket
113 fixedly securing a push button switch 114. The threaded
segments at the ends of module casing 112 are disposed on axis
90.degree. apart. Mounting bracket 113 is disposed in module casing
112 as described above in conjunction with FIG. 5. Switch 114 is
secured to a support member 115 by nut 116 and is disposed with its
button member 117 facing opening 118 in module casing 112. Flexible
boot 119 and gasket 120 are securely assembled over opening 118 in
molded groove or recess 121 of module casing 112. This boot and
gasket assembly provides a water-tight seal for opening 118.
Contact strip 121 is disposed in a molded groove 122 in the
internal wall of casing 112 and is held therein by mounting bracket
113. One end of contact strip 121 contacts shell 104 in the lens
and reflector unit 100 while the opposite end contacts ring 110 in
the battery casing 106. Switch 114 has a first contact strip 123
extending through an opening 124 in mounting bracket 113 and is
positioned so as to contact the center terminal 125 of battery 126.
Battery 127 contacts spiral spring 108 at one end and the bottom
disc of battery 126 at the other end. A second contact strip 128 on
switch 114 extends to contact the terminal 129 of lamp 130. Thus
switch 114 can be operated to either couple or uncouple, via
contact strips 123 and 128, terminal 125 of battery 126 to terminal
129 of lamp 130 thereby closing or opening, respectively, the
circuit for delivering power to the lamp. Again gaskets or O-rings
131 and 132 are added to the threaded areas between one end of
switching module 111 and lens and reflector unit 100, and the
opposite end of switching module 111 and battery casing 106,
respectively, to provide a watertight seal for these areas.
FIG. 8 shows a partial side view of an angle head flashlight having
a lens and reflector unit 200, a switching module 201 and a battery
casing 202. On the side of switching module 201 is securely mounted
a conventional metal or plaster flexible clip 203. The upper end
204 of clip 203 is permanently secured to the switching module by
electrical welding, adhesive, or the like, while the lower end 205
of the clips will bear against the body portion of the battery
casing 202. The lower end 205 is adapted to be moved away from the
body portion to permit that lower end to telescope over a belt or
other portion of the apparel of the user of any external narrow
object.
Although this invention is directed mainly to a floatable,
waterproof flashlight, it is to be understood that the switching
module of this invention can be used with different size and shape
battery casings and lens and reflector units which may not be
floatable or water-tight. For example, metal battery casings can be
coupled to the switching module of this invention to provide a
general type flashlight. Likewise, in some applications, the
gaskets at the threaded areas of the flashlight may not be
necessary, and the gasket for the switch boot may be dispensed with
if the boot is fabricated with a peripheral rim having sufficient
thickness so that it can be fixedly secured into the molded recess
at the circumference of the opening in the wall of the module
casing.
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.
* * * * *