US2137230A - Electric flashlight - Google Patents

Description

3 .Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 22, 1938. T. R. ARDEN ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHI Filed March 3, 1937 Nov. 22, 1938. T.. R. ARDEN ELECTRIC FLISHLIGH?` Filed March 3, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNi-TED" sTATEs PATENT ori-ica 2437.230 ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHT Thomas R. Ardemaldwln, N. Y., assignor to- Ultrad Products. Incorporated, a corporation of ,New York *Application* March 3,',1937-,1Scrlal No. 128,856

speaking, have become standardized. Usually,`

the cells are of cylindrical shape and of a single standard -diameter and length. Usually. too, the

barrels are of a single standard diameter to more or less snugly receive the cells, but are of diierl ent standard lengths tol accommodate dierent numbers of cells disposed serially in end to end relationship, the greater the number ofA cells the higher thevvoltage and the more powerful the light, as is understood.

In .ilashlights o1' the type referred to and as heretofore constructed, all of the cells are in service whenever the ilashlight lamp circuit is closed. Therefore, there occurs a simultaneous depletion of the capacities of all of the cells regardless of their number, and when it becomes necessary to ren'ewthem the entire set must be removed from' thebarrel and an entirely new set substituted. Ihis may not be inconvenient nor of any' particular importance under ordinary conditions, if a new set of cells always isat hand ready to'be substituted for a depleted, useless set. On the other hand, in an emergency, the amount of time required to eilect the substitutionmay be of vital importance. In any' event, flashlight usersdo not, as a rule, carry a reserve set of cells,

since, for various reasons. that may be too inconvenient, yor impracticable. A's a rule, too,

' cells are not purchasable under conditions where the use ofa flashlight is necessaryor desirable.

Moreover, it has not been considered practicable heretofore toA increase the length oi.' a flashlight barrel by an amount such as would be necessary to 'enable the carrying therein of a reserve sei'.

eral type and size, therei may be carried'in the present ilashlight barrel two separate sets lo f cells, one set for reserve use, and each o t drawings and defined in the appended claims.

' 18 Claims. (Cl. 24th-10.661

' which has nearly v:or the same electrical capacity as a set comprising anequal number of cells of prior standard design.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a ashlight 'of the general type 5' referred to embodying novel means whereby the reserve set of cells may instantly be included in the circuit'of the ashlight lamp whenever this becomes necessary or desirable, without the necessity of removing either set oi' the. cells from 1o of cells requires replacement by anew set of cells.

Another important object of the invention is toprovide a flashlight of the vgeneral type referred to in which cells ofthe priorwell known 20 lcylindrical type may be used if desired in the event cells of the present type are not .,available. With the vforegoing andvarious other objects and .purposes in view, which'will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is' 25 better understood, the same consists in the novel features of construction, combination and slrrangement of f'parts as will Ybe hereinafter more fully dcribed, illustrated in the accompanying 30 In the/drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the dif-- ferent viewsz- Figure 1 is a `central longitudinal section through-a ashli ht constructed in accordance 35 with one practica embodiment ofthe invention.

ligure 2 isV a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. v-

Figures is a cross section on the line 3--3 oi' Fig. 2. 40

Figure 4 is an elevation of the inner end ofthe flashlight showingV the cap structure fully closed.

Y Figure s ma view similar to Fis.' 4 showis the elements of the cap .structure relatively adjusted 45 to open the end of one of the barrel compart-V l ments and to maintain the end of theother bar-4 rel compartment closed.

' Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line B- loi! ma. o

Figure? is a section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 showing that a Vdepleted setoi.' cells has been removed from one oi.' the cell `compartments ot thebarrl. 'j Y ll'lgureisavicwsimilartoll'imlfshowingthat 65 `a new `set -of cells has been in lieu of the depleted, removed set.

Figure 9 isa viewsimilar to Fig. 1 showing an Y alternative form of signal means for indicating Figure 11 is a cross-section on the linefl I-II of Fig. 10.

By reference to the drawings, will be observed that the present flashlight is, in general design and appearance, of the well-known commercial type comprising a cell accommodating.

handle in the form of a barrelhaving, at one end thereof, a closure cap structure, and, at the other end thereof, `the usual lamp, reflector and lens assembly.

The barrel of the present ilashlight is designated as III,.and is illustrated as being formed from insulating material. It may, however, be formed from metal, i'n which event suitable insulation will, of course, be provided where re; quired in accordance with known practice. Y

To one end of the barrel I Il is secured in any suitable manner a ared casing II which extends beyond the end` of the barrel and has engaged'over its outer edge a ring I2 of insulation.

Seated against this insulating ring I2 is the outer flanged end I3 of a reflector I4 which extends within the casing II and at its center'has threaded therein an electric lamp I5. Against the outer tor thus are removably mounted on the casing II with the reector insulated from said casing. Rigidly mounted in any suitable manner within the barrel I 0, near the end thereof which car- I barrel- I3 and is bent to provide an outwardly exries the lamp, reflector and lens assembly, is a transverse partition I9, preferably of insulating material- In the present instance this partition is fastened by rivets 28 to a transverse metal bal" 2I the ends ofwhicharemounted in openings in opposite sides of the barrel I0. The riveting is effected after insertion of the partition and said bar, and in this way the partition secured within the barrel. One of the rivets 28 serves to fasten, to the partition I9 a resilient contact arm 22 which extends outwardly from said partition into contactwith the reflector I4.' lhe other of said rivets 20 comprises a contact engaged bythe center contact of a signal lamp 23 which is threaded in a metal socket 24 carried by a metal plate 25 securedv by rivetsj28 against the outer face of the partition I3, the said ,lamp 23 being disposed in the space .between the casing II and the reflector I 3.

The plate. 25 isdisposed near one side of the tending ange 21 from which two` contact arms `2l. 23`arebenttoextendlaterally inispaced relav -l tionship'to the partition I3, vparallel thereto, and i tobe .thebarrelll v llolmtedinthepartition Il-aretwosmallmetal at opposite sides 'of the"center of n, nj, which are aimed, respectively. with the contact arms 28, 28 and are between reparation and seid contact e rel has an-external"shoulder' 33 fnear its end disposed cutwardlyiof thev partition I3 and opening in said partitionl and spun over against the inner race of the latter, whereby it 1e securedrigidly thereto.

.sndeble in eeen barrel 291e a eontaet'elemet end wall of the related barrel 23- urges theL contact element `constantly inward, and on the outer end of each stem 32 is a head 34 which serves the dual purpose of limiting inward movement of the contact element 3| under the influence 6i the spring-33 and of making electrical contact with the releatedcontact arm 28 when -the` contact element 3l is free to be moved inwardly by the spring 33. lBetween the outer end of each `bar rel 29 and the related contact 'arm 28 is a disk The barrels 29, 29 serve to secure to the partition I9 a metal plate 38 which is conned betweenthe outer face of said partition and the shoulders of said barrels. This plate 38 is provided with a springtongue 31 which constitutes th center contact for thelamp I5 and is electrically connected with the contact elements 3I through the barrels 29, 29..

Suitablysecured to the barrel I3, interiorly thereof, are two metal strips 38, 38 which are disposed at diametrically opposite sides of said barrel in a plane passing between the contact elements l3|, 3l, preferably at right angles to a plane' including said contact elements, and which project short distances into said barrell and together provide, in effect, a partition dividing the barrel into two separate cell accommodating'compartments. These strips 38, 38 extend longitudinally relative to the barrel III from points near f the partition I9 to points near the inner end of y said barrelvwhere at least one ofthem is in electrical contact with a metal cap band v39 which snugly embraces the inner end portion of said' barrel, and is detachably. fastened thereon.

The band 39 may be detachably fastened on the barrel I Il in 'any suitable manner. Preferably, however, it is detachably fastened on said barrel as, for example, by means of a pair of spring latches 33 fastened,respectively, to the adjacent, ends of the strips 38, 38. These spring latches are disposed outside of the barrel Il and their alined with said lugs, the lugs being wedge-shaped and being disposed to permit the band. 39 to be moved freely onto the barrel, but to prevent removal cf the band from the barrel when the lugs 'snap into the recesses 42. However. by depressing the springlatches to disengage the-@lugs 4I from the recesses 42, which may be done by exert- Y ing nser pressurel against the freeends or the spring latches@ which are disposed beyond the --inner edge of the band when the same is operajtivelymountedon the barrel, the band may readiiybe-released for' removalfrom the barrel whenever'desired. A A At its outerendthe l 'band 39 preferably is has its innerlend portion extending throughan -ilanizedinwardly, as indicated a't'l3, to overlie 75' shaped so that'by sliding the pin I1 .along-the held in assembly with said cap and said band Vfor the inner. end of the barrel Il, and seated' against said ange 43 is a'disk 44 which isheld seated against said flange by a'cap 45 which rotatably embraces theband 39 and is retained thereon `by-`havlng its inner'edge spun over the inner edge f said band, as indicated at 48. Thus, not

only is the cap'45 mounted on the band 3'! for rotation with respect thereto, but the disk u is rotation with respect to both the cap andthe band. The band 39 either is slit vto provide two or more spring tongues 41, .or equivalent spring tongues are secured thereto in any suitableqmanner. In either case, the' constant tendency oi said tongues is to spring outwardlyA to project lugslcarried at their outer sides into openings 49 formed in the cap 45 whenfby rotation of said cap relative' to'said band, said openings 49 -be come alined withthe lugs 48. Preferably the 4 lugs are of wedge-shape so that the cap 46 can be 'rotated only in a single direction.

The cap 45 is not completely closed at its outer end, but has-cut therein asemicircularlyshaped opening SII substantially corresponding in size to the cross sectional size o! each of the cell accommodating chambers of the barrel I0, the remaining semi-circular portion 5|` serving as an end closure for one orthe other 'of the two cell compartments of-the barrel I0. depending -upon the rotatedv` position of the cap relative to the barrel as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Similarly, the disk 44 is cut away to provide a semicircularly-shaped opening 152 of ythe same size as the opening 50 in the cap. It is apparent, therefore, that by relatively rotatin'g'the cap and the disk, the outer end of the barrel III may be either completely closed, one-haliby the cap and the other half by the disk, or may-be halfopened, by allning vthe openings B0 and l2 in the'cap and the disk.- Inthisponnection it, is

pointed out that the band ylis held against rotation relative to the barrel Ilby the. spring latchesf40 and that the openings 1 4! in @e cap 45 with which thelugs 48 on 'the spring tongues 41 carried by said band 39 cooperate, are so disposed that thea cap is rotatable through an angle of 180 from one tothe nextl latched position':

also, that when said capis in alatched position, the seml-circularly-shaped. opening 50 therein is alihed with one or the other of the two semi-cir# cularly-shaped cell compartments within the barrel I 0. f

One of the strips llhas fastened thereto one ,arm of a l J shaped spring switch element II', the'- otherv arm of whichis free and normally is spaced 4from one end of the aforementioned bar Il".

This switch element Bl' extends'i'rom tl1estrip 38 through an opening I4 in the'barrel I0 to the exterior of the latter and is .housed by a casing *55.whlch'is riveted or'otherwlse suitably secured and theouter wa11 of the casing Il, and 'the said second mentioned arm of said switch element is slot It in one direction the head Il serves to eilect depression of switch arm into engagement with the adjace t end oi' the bar 2|.,fthe

said switch arm being released to, springl away The present eens from said bar when the head lI! is slid in the opposite direction. Also, the pin I1 is of suff clent length to permit the switch arm to be moved into engagement with, the bar 2| by depression of the button 5B when thev pin 'and head are in a position permitting the switch arm to spring away from said bar.

f Now, in accordance with the present invention.

standard cells oi circular shape in cross section may be used insthe barrel I0 in the same manner as such cells commonly are used in flashlights voi the present general type. In other words', the 'distance between the inner edges of the strips ',38, 38 approximately is equal to the diameter of a standard cell; and thespring latches 40 provide for removal of the entire cap vassembly at t the inneren'd ofthe barrel I0 to permit the finsertion and removal -oi standard cells into and from said barrel. If standard cells are gused they will be inserted with their zinc casing closed ends toward the outer en d of the flashlight so that electrical contact will be made with one orthe other or both of the contacts 3|.. However, thepresent ilashlight is especially designed. to h dvantageously use cells of semi-circular Vshape in cross section.

The area of the zinc shell o r casing comprising the negative electrode of. a dry cell primarily determines the electrical capacity of the cell. It follows, therefore that two cells ot semi-cirvcular shapel in cross section and together corresponding ln size toa cell of', circular shape in cross section, have far greater electrical capacity than a single cell ofcircular shape lin cross section.' In fact, the electrical capacity of each of the cells of semi-circular shape in cross section is nearly equal to the electricalycapacity oi.' a corresponding lcell oi' circular shape in cross section, since the areav of the ilat side of a' cell of semi'- circularshape in cross section is not appreciablyless than the area of one-half the curved shell of a cell of circular shape in cross section.

Two sets of cells oi' semi-circular shape in cross section may obviously be accommodated in the same space which is required to accommodate a single set ofcells oi' circular shape in cross vention,v the compartments in the present barrel section. vMoreove'r, according to the present in- I for the accommodation ci two sets o f cells .of

semi-circularshape in cross section arev of greater combined-sectional area than the sectional area-of Ja standard cell of circular shape in cross section by an amountjapproxlmately such that 'the present'cellxV semi-circular shape in cross section may be -madeof a size to have substan- Y tlally the sameelectrical capacity as a standard cell of circular shape in cross section. In other 'worda' the present barrel I0 ls'oi greater diameter than the diameter of the barrel of a standa.rd.iiash1ight.l 'The difi'erence in diameter is, v however. slight and'not noticeable.l The present invention thus provides for carrying anJactive anda reserve set oi' cells, V each set of which has an electrical capacity approxlmately'equal to ja set ot standard cells. .ina flashlight handleo! no greater length andno-appreciably greater diam'- -eter than thehandle of av standard flashlight designed to use only 'a single set oi' standard ormay be. c! 'the same construction .as standard are designated as llland are.

.cells except as to shape. Inpther wordathe pres- "ent cells are,oi' semicircul ar'shape in cross section and each cell -comprisesa negative electrode v :sinc casing including one end wallhaving acon- 7s-l.-

tact 8|; an electrolyte' filling 82: apositive electrode 83 embedded in said filling, and a contact 84 on the end of the electrode 83 at the end of the cell opposite the end having the contact 8l.

By rotating the disk 44 and the cap 45 to aline inserted into the latter cell compartment. By then -rotating the disk through an angle of 180 relative to the cap, the cap opening 50 will beclosed by `said disk and thus both sets of the cells the case may be. at the -adjacent end of the cell- 50 lastly inserted in one oi' the barrel compartwillbe retained in the barrel, one set by the cap andthe other set by the disk.

'I'lae'isk 44 is provided with an insulated conte'et es which is positioned relative tt seid alergiav aline with and to engag the contact 8| or 8,4, as

ments, when the disk is positioned as aforemen tioned closing the opening 52 in the cap 45. This means, `of course, that if the disk 44 is rotated through an angle of 180 to aline its opening 50 with the cap opening 52, the contact 85 then will aline with and engage the contact 5I or 84, as the case may be, at the outer end of the cell. 80 lastly inserted in the other ofthe barrel compartments.

disk 44 and the cap 45 are in relatively rotated' 'Ihe contact 85 may comprise a metal eyelet extending through an opening of larger diameter in the disk 44 and serving to secure inrecesses in opposite faces of said disk apair of insulating disks 88,88. 'I'he contact 85 thus is insulatedv from said disk 44 and, at the same time, its inner end is exposedv for engagement with the contact 8| or 84 at the outer end of the outermost cell of either-set. Also, its outer end is exposed for engagement with the inner face of the semental end wall I of the cap 45 when the disk 44 is rotated to aline its segmental portion with the cap segmental portion. i

From the foregoing it is obvious that when the positions completely closing the inner end of the barrel I0, the two sets of cells 80 are retained in said barreland one set of said' cells isv inoperative to furnish current to the lamp I5 -due tothe lack 'of a circuit because of the insulation of thecontact 85 from the disk 44 and, therefora'from the cap structure. It is equally obvious that a circuit is established between the other set of cells and the lamp I5, under the control of the switch element 53 because of the engagement of the contact,8I or 84 at the outer end of the outermost cell of said other set with the segmental portion of the cap 45 which is electrically connected with the switch element 53 through one of the strips 38.'

In this connection it is pointed out thatthe contact elements 3i are positioned tobe vrespectively engaged by the contacts 8I .or 84, as the case may be, at the inner ends of the innermost cells of the two sets'when the two sets of cells are operatively positioned in the barrel III. It is also pointed out that the lamp I5 is of the single contact type having its illarnent conne ed at one end with a screw 'threaded shell -on its basev and at its other end with a central base contact insulated from said shell.;l It follows, therefore,that when a circuit is established between either setofthe cells and veither of the contact elements 3|-, the lamp circuit is completed due to the resilient contact arm 22 being connected ,with the bar 2| at one end and barre aiaaaso engaging the reflector" at its other end: to the metal base shell of the lamp engaging the reilector; to the center base contact of the lamp engaging the spring tongue 31 of the plate 38, and

to the engagement of said plate 38 with the metal barrels 28, .28 with which the metalcontact elements 3I, 3I are engaged. Thus, when the barrel III contains two sets of the cells 80 and the disk 44 and the cap 45 are in relatively rotated positions closing the inner end of the barrel and retaining the cells therein, that set of cells the outermost cell of which has its outer end contact in engagement with the segmental portion of the cap 45, is effective to furnish current to the lamp I5 underthe control of the manually operable switch element 53. set of cells is ineective to furnish current to the lamp I5 because ofthe contact 85, which engages the outer end contact ofthe outermost cell of said set, being insulated from the disk 44 and therefore, from the strip 38 with which the switch ele-- ment 53 is connected. e If, now, it is assumed that the first mentioned set of cells has become depleted and it is desired to use the lreserve set of cells comprised by the set last mentioned, all that is necessary to'be done is to rotate the cap 45 through an angle of 180 to bring its segmental portion into overlying relationship to the segmental portion of the disk 44. This results in engagement of the segmental portion of the cap with the outer end of the contact 85 carried by the disk 44 and thus an electrical connection is eil'ected between the contact at the outer end of the outermost cell of the reserve set and the manually operable switch element 53`through the cap structure and the strip 38 with which the switch element 53 is connected. e When the cap 45 is rotated to render the 'reserve vset of eens effective to furnish eurrentto the 1amp I5, the openings 52, 50 in the.disk 44 and the 'cap 45 obviously become alined with each other and with the barrel compartment containing the other or depleted set of cells. 'I'hese cells therefore no longer are retained in the barrel by the cap structure, but are free to be removed through said alined openings 52, 50. Moreover, the fact that the compartment containing the depleted set of cells is opened at its inner end by rotation l180 relative to the cap so that the segmental portion of -the disk closes the inner end" of the 1 compartment containing the new. set of cells. Thenew set ,thus becomes the reserve set andthe circuit between what was formerly the.

reserve set and the lamp remains established dueto the contact at the youter end nf the` outer most cell 'of the lastv mentioned set engaging with the segmental portionof the cap 45, it being pointed out in this connection thatfthe cells of both sets are constantly urged outwardly by the springs 33. When, now, the effective set of On the other hand, the other cells becomes'depleted, the operation just rel counted is repeated to, render the reserve set of cells effective and to release the depleted set forv removal fromthe. barrel.

Means are provided whereby, vupon rotation of Q thecap 45 to render the reserve set of cells eiiec- "tive to supply current for operation of the lamp lLond upon remover or the released, depleted of prererebly'red color. when e set omelia 1s set of cells, the disk 44 and the cap l! are locked against rotation in position retaining the reserve setof cells in the barreL'until the depleted set of cells is replaced by a new set. At the far side of each of the strips 38, 38, as regards the permissible direction of rotation of the cap 48, is. a leaf spring 810which is 4fastened either to the barrel Il) or to the related strip 38 and which tends constantly to spring inwardly into the related cell accommodating compartment in the barrel. One edge' of eachof said .leaf springs is disposed against or closely adjacent to the adjacent face of the related strip 38, and at its free end each spring has a laterally and outwardly extending 'terminal .portion 88 engaged ina recess in the.

barrel i0 whereby the spring is effectively re sistantto sidewise pressure. Moreover, the said terminal portion of eachrspring extends beyond the end oi.' the related strip 38,!(seeFig. 2v) Qn the disk 441s an outwardly directed tongue 8.8 for finger engagement to effect its rotation. Alsol on said disk is an inwardly directed lug 10 which i. is positioned at one end of the straight edge of Therefore, it is not possible to rotate the disk in either direction, since it is held against rotation in one direction by the leaf spring 81 in the vacant cell compartment of the barrel and in the other directionby the tongue 88 engaging the adjacent edge of the segmental portion of the cap 45, (see Fig. 5), which' is held against .rotation in the last mentioned direction by the spring tongues 41 and' their lugs 43. Since the disk is held against rotation in one direction by the .leaf spring 81, the cap is held against rotation in that direction by the tongue 89. carried by said disk. y

- Thus, both the cap. and .the disk lare held against rotation in either direction when the cap and disk . openings 58, 32 are alined with each other and with either of the cell compartments in the barrel and when said cell compartment is 'devoid of cells. lWhen, however, cells are inserted into the void cell compartment, .they serve to `displacethe leaf spring 81 outwardly vand to hold -it displaced out'- wardly (see Figs. 6and 8). The spring 81 thus is removed from in front of the lug 18 and the disk,44 is free to be rotated to bring its segmental` portion into covering lrelationship tothe inner lend of the compartment containing the newly inserted set of cells. When such rotation of the disk is effected, the lug` 10 rides over the outer end of the outermost cell of the lnewly inserted setV and finally beyond the straight side of said4 cell,whereupon the cells spring outwardly under the iniluence of the related spring 3i and the 'disk thus is locked against reverse rotation, (see Fig. 8). Therefore, the disk and the' cap must always be rotated in e same `direction and there fis no possibility of the inner end of either of the cell compartments being accidentally opened and consequently there is no possibility of accidental .loss of the cells from the barrel. I AIn the wall-of the casing Il isprovided one or more light emitting openings which is, or are.

closed by windows1l -of glass, `Celluloid orthelike contained in each of the cell compartments of the barrel I0, both of the contact elements 3| are held pressed into their guide barrels 28 and the cell4 compartments ofthe barrel is devoid oi cells, the relatedcontact element 3| is moved inwardly by its spring 33 and the head 34 on the stem 32 of said contact element `is engaged with theV related contact arm 28. Thus, under` such conditions, whenever, the circuit of the lamp i8 is closed, a circuit also is completed through the lamp 23 via the plate 23, the socket 24, the threaded shell of the lamp. the lamp nia-. ment, the center base contact ofthe lamp, the

related rivet contact 20, the bar 2|, the switch element 33, the strip v38, the cap structure, thev cells, the other cohtactelement 3i and the plate 38. The space between the reflector I4 land the casing H thus is illuminated and serves to illuminate the window, or windows 1l; thereby affordingl an unmistakable visual indication. each time the circuit of the lamp I8 is closed that one of the cell compartments oi!y the barrel is devoid of cells and that a set of cells should be supplied to said compartment..

`In lieu of the signal means just described, a mechanical signal means may. be provided if desired. in other. words, the lamp 23 may be dispensed with and may be replaced by' a shutter lmechanism as illustrated inl Figs. 9 vto 11. This shutter mechanismmay comprise a plate 12 pivvoted intermediate its ends, as at 13, to thecasing Il and spanning the space between the heads 34 and having its ends overlying said heads; a shutter 14 extending outwardly from the medial portion. of'said plate 12; a single window 18 in the casing Il into alinement with'and across which vsaid shutter is swingable; an opening 18. in the reflector adjacent to said window to permit light from the lamp i3 tofreach said window; and a light coil spring 18 to maintain an unstable condition of the plate 12., Bythis'arrangement. when'each-of the cell compartments of the barrel contains a set of cells, both of the heads 34 are maintained' projected and-serve to hold the' plate 12 against any rocking movement on its pivot 13. When Athe plate 12 thus is held, the shutter 14 overlies the window i Aand shades the latter whenthe'lanip 181s illuminated. If. on the other hand, either of the cell compartmentsJis devoid of cells, the corresponding head 34. is` retracted and the related -end of the plate 12 is free to swing inwardly, which it does under the-lnuence of the spring 18. The shutter 14 thus is'swu'ns.

from its positionin alinement. with 'and shading l the window 18 to. a Aposition to one side`of the window, and when,l under such-conditions, the:

lamp I3 is illuminated,.the window also is illuminated, thereby affording a signal indicatin that a set of cells is needed.

vwithout further description it is thought that the features andadvantages' ofthe inventionI will be readily 'apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood *that changes in the form', proportion and minor details of constructionmay befresort'ed to,.witl1out de'- l parting from the spirit of the 'inverlon and scope voi'v the appended claims. j l 4f I claimi- 1. In a ilashlight, a handle in the form of a barrel, alamp and reflector assembly at one end of said barrel, a rotatable closure cap structure at'theother end of said barrel, two' sets of," cells of semi-circular shape in cross section within said' barrel, one set ,inswitch controlled circuit with said lamp and the other set in reserve, and means f whereby rotation of safd closure cap structure is eil'ective to remove the cells of the rst setfrom the lampl circuit and to place the cells of the reserve set in circuit with said lamp.

2. In a flashlight, a lamp, a holder for two sets of cells. one s'et of which is to be carried -in rel serve, a signal, and means whereby said signal is rendered inoperative `whenthe holder contains two sets of cells and is rendered operable upon lighting of the lamp in the absence oi a reservea set of cells from the holder. 3.-In a flashlight, a handle in the `:Iorm oi a, barrel, strips extending into said barrel from opposite sides thereof dividing the barrel into two compartments each to receive a set of cells oi semi-circular slape in cross section, said strips being narrow to permit the use in the barrel oi cells of circular shape in cross section, a lamp,` and means for establishing a switch controlled electric circuit between said lamp and a set of cells of circular section disposed in said handle and between said lamp and either oi two sets of cells of semi-circular shape in crosssection disl' posed in said barrel.

-4.'In a ashlight, a handle in the form of a barrel, means dividing said barrel into two compartments, of senil-circular shape in cross section, each to receive a separate set of cells of semicircular shape in cross section, a lamp mounted at oneend of said barrel, a closure cap structure mounted at the other end of saidbarrel and comprising a pair of .elements rotatable relative to each other and relative to thebarrel rto close .the end of either or both of the cell compartments and to open the end of either cell compartment, and means including said closure cap structure for establishing an electricircuit between said lamp and one set of cells contained in said barrel.

5. In a iiashlight, a handle in the form of la barrel, means dividing said barrel into two compartments of semi-circular shaple in cross section, each to receive a separate set of cells of semicircular shape in cross section, a lamp mounted at one end of the barrel, a 'closure cap structure at the other end of the barrel, said closure capy structure comprising ayband engaged over the end of the barrel, alpair of elements assembled with said band for rotation relative thereto and relative to each other to close the end of either or both oi the cell compartments and to open the end of either cell compartment latch means rethe cap assembly may be removed from the barrel as a unit to open the entire end of the barrel for the insertion therein o f a set of cells of circular shape in cross section, and means including said cap structure .for establishing `an electric circuit between said lamp and either a set of cells of circular shape in cross section or either of two sets of cells of semi-circular shape in cross sectiondispo'sed within said barrel.

l 6. In a"- flashlight; a handle in the form of a barrel, means dividing said barrel into two oompartments of semi-circular shape in cross section, each to receivea separate set of cells of semi-cir-f cular shape in cross section, a lamp mounted at one end oi the barrel, aclosuro cap structure at the other end of the barrel, said closure cap structure comprising a band mounted on the barrel, a cap rotatably mounted on said band, and a disk rotatably mounted between the outer ends of said band and said cap, said cap and disk each having a semi-circularly shaped opening and a semi-circularly shaped barrel end closing portion, 'said cap and disk being rotatable relative to each other and' relative to the barrel to completely close the end of the barrel or to close the end of one of the cell compartments and open the end.

'ment closed and to simultaneously deny an elec- .n ,tric circuit between the lamp anda set of cells disposed in the first mentioned compartment and to establish an electric circuit between the lamp and a set of cells :disposed in the second mentioned compartment. 1

8. In a ilashlight, a holder lhaving two cell compartments, a reserve set of cells in one of said compartments, a set of cells in the other compartmet, a lampmeans including a closure capv structure for said"holderestablishing an electrical circuit between the second mentioned setl of cells and saidlamp, and means whereby said closure cap structure is operable to open the compartment containingthe second mentionedV y neously establish an electric circuit between the cluding means ywhereby the closure ca p structure' is operable, following opening of the compartment containing the second mentioned set oi.'

cells, to close said compartment without estab.

llshing an electric circuitbetween the @lamp and a set ofcells contained in said compartment, and

- to maintain the circuit between the lamp and the reserve set of cells .lO In a flashlight, a cell. holder, av lamp, two.

sets of cells in said holder, one set in switch controlled electrical circuit with said lamp andthe other set in reserve, a signal, and means whereby said signalo is maintained inoperative when the holder contains a reserve set of .cells and is rendered voperable upon closing of the lamp circuitlin the absence of a'reserve set lof from the holder. c

11. In a ashlight, a holder having two'cell compartments, a closure cap structure for said holder, a lamp, .a set oi. cells in one of said compartments electrically connected through said cells closure cap structure with said lamp, a reservev set of cells in the other compartment, said clo- -sure cap structure comprising a pair of elements movable relative to each other and relativeto the holder to close both. cell compartments and to open one cell compartmentD while maintaining the otherv cell compartment closed,- and means -whereby movement of said elements to open the compartment `containing the rst mentioned set oi'cells establishes an electric circuit between the reserve set .of cells and the lamp.

12. A ashllght as set forth in claiml 11 including means whereby, upon opening of the compartment containing the rst mentioned set of cells and removal of the cells from said comr partment, the closure cap ,structure is locked in closing relationship to the compartment containing the reserve set of cells until a set or ,cells is inserted into the iirst mentioned compartment.

13.-A' flashlight as set forth in claim 2 in which `the signal comprises a. second lamp, and wherein the means for rendering said signal operative and inoperative comprises a pair of switches controlling said signal lamp, each switch being constructed and arrangedl to be ymaintained open by the presence of a related s'et of cells in the holder and to be automatically closed inthe absence of a related set otcells from the holder. j

14. A ilashlight as set forth in claim 2 in which the signal comprises a window and a cooperating shutter, and wherein the means for rendering said signal operative and inoperative includes means whereby the shutter'is maintained in covering relationship vto said window by two 'sets of cells contained within the holder, and other means for moving said shutter from covering relationship to said window in the absence of one set of cells from the holder. 4

15.I In a ashlight, a cell holder, a lamp, means dividing said holder into two cell compartments, a separate set of cells in each compartment, and a closure cap structure for said holder operable to close both compartments and to open one compartmentgwhile maintaining the other compartment closed, said closure cap structure constituting a switch controlling the establishment of electric circuits between'the lamp and cells contained in said compartments. i

16. In combination with a ashllght having a cell holder in the form of a hollow handle of circularinternal cross section. means dividing said holder into two cell compartments of semi-circular cross section, a lamp and a lamp reflector 45 and lens assembly at one end of saidI holder,

separate sets ofcells of semi-circular shape in cross section disposed in flat face to at face relationship and said holder, and a closure-cap structure at the other end4 of said holder controlling opening and closing of said cell compartments and the establishment of electric circuits between the llamp and the respective sets of cells.

17. In a flashlight, a casing having two cell compartments each having an open portion for the insertion and the removal of a cell into and from the same, a lamp. a pair of closure elements, one for the open portion of each cell compartment, movable to close and open its related open portion, and switchmeans controlled by movement of said closure elements and constructed and arranged so that when each-compartment contains a cell and both' closure elements are closed a circuit is completed between the lamp and the cell-in only one of said compartments, and when the closure element related to the compartment containing the active cell is opened a circuit is completed between the lamp and the cell in the other compartment.

18. In a iiashllglit, a casing havingl two cell compartments each having an open portion for the insertion and the removal of a cell into and from the same, a lamp, a pair of closure elements each movable to close and open the open portion of each cell compartment, and switch means carried by said closure elements and constructed and arranged so that when one of said closure elements is in closing relationship to the open portion of one of said compartments and the other is in closing relationship tothe other of said ycompartments a circuit is completed between the lamp and the cell in one of said compartments and a circuit between the lamp and the cell in the other compartment is denied, and when the closure element related to the compartment containing the active cell is opened the THOMAS R. ARDEN.

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