US2084767A - Bulb holder for flashlights - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1937. e. c. FULLMER BULB HOLDER FOR FLASHLIGHTS Filed Dec. 13, 1935 w 2 0 6 \iw? z 1 ".7 EEE;

INVENTOR C? I zzmn/ ATTO R N EY S,

Patented June 22, 1937 STATES PATENT OFFICE Giles C. Fullmer, Bridgeport, Conn.,'assignor to The Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Company, Bridgeport, Connecticut Conn., a corporation of Application'December 13, 1935, Serial No. 54,190

. 9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in lighting devices and has particular relation to a bulb holder for flash lights.

An object of the invention is to provide a bulb holder for flash lights and which serves to hold a bulb straight and prevents it from getting loose and rattling.

Another object is to provide a holder particularly adapted for holding so called cats eye bulbs, and. in which the top or outer portion of the holder provides or comprises a reflector.

A further object is to provide 'a'bulb holder comprising a pair of parts to clampingly hold a bulb without the use of the usual threads on the base of the bulb, and which holder is adapted to be threaded into a flash light casing to mount the bulb therein.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown satisfactory embodiments of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details shown but includes all such variations and modifications as 5 fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a complete flashlight of the so called pen light type, with 30 portions broken away to show the manner of mounting the bulb and also showing the switch; Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing the improved holder;

.Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the holder 35 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a slightly difierent construction; and

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view with parts broken away showing the holder of Fig. 4.

Referring in detail to the drawing a tubular metal flash light casing is generally designated Ill and the same is provided with a clip H whereby it is adapted to be carried and secured in a pocket or the like in a manner similar to that of a fountain pen. The casing contains a battery l2 and in one end portion a switch l3 particularly shown and described in Abbotts Patent No. 1,919,024 of July 18, 1933. Into the other end of the casing there is inserted or fitted my improved holder l4 supporting a bulb 15.

The bulb i5 is of the new type known as a cat's eye bulb, and comprises a screw threaded base I6 from the outer end of which projects the center contact ll of the bulb. Globe portion 55 [8 of the bulb is somewhat tapered and is quite small at its outer end in which is a small lens 9. In flash lights as heretofore constructed the base of the bulb is ordinarily threaded into a stem like portion of a reflector of drawn sheet metal of thin gauge, and due to the thin metal and the fact the thread is rolled in this thin metal the bulb may not be securely held, and further is not always held straight since the stem portion of the reflector may be easily bent relative to the body portion thereof.

According to the present invention the bulb is clamped in and supported by a holder which is not drawn to a diameter to have the bulb threaded into it, and in the present instance the threads on the bulb base are not used in securing the bulb in place. The holder is of a diameter to fit into the flash light casing without the latter being drawn in or having its diameter reduced. Such holder comprises a two part construction and the bulb is held by being clamped between said parts. As the description proceeds it will become clear that the holder may take a variety of forms but two of which are shown in the drawing.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the holder [4 comprising the front and rear parts l9 and 20. Each may be of sheet metal and have screw threads rolled or pressed into its side walls whereby the rear part may be threaded into the front part to detachably connect the parts, and whereby the complete holder may be threaded into the end of the casing l0. Each part includes an end wall, although since part l9 tapers toward its forward end its wall 2| is of small area. Part 20 being substantially straight across its inner end its wall 22 is of appreciable area.

End wall 22 is provided centrally with an opening 23 of a diameter to permit of the passage therethrough of the insulation 24 and the center contact I! of the bulb. However, the hole 23 is of less diameter than the threaded portion of the bulb base l6 so that the said metal base or screw contact is engaged by the end wall 20a of part 20 about the opening 23 whereby to ground the bulb base and to assist in mounting the bulb as will later appear.

Part l9 has its end wall provided with an opening and the material of the part about the opening inclines inwardly as shown at 25 whereby to have the outer surface of said portion form a reflector. Also, this portion 25 has its inner edge defining the diameter of the opening in the end of the part l9, and such opening is of less diameter than the globe portion of the bulb. Therefore when the parts l9 and 20 are assembled about a bulb the inner edge of the reflector part 20 and to have the globe portion ofv the outer of said partshaving an external screw bulb partly enter the opening on part IS. The parts are screwed together until the globe portion of the bulb is pressed against the inner edg'e of the reflector portion 25 while the base of the bulb is in engagement with the end wall portion 20a. of part 20 about the opening 23. Obviously with such construction the bulb is clamped between the parts but may be replaced on separation of the parts by unscrewing them.

After a bulb is mounted in the holder it is securely held without any strain on the bulb and without threading the bulb into place. With the bulb in the holder the latter is threaded into the end of the casing to bring the center contact of the bulb into engagement with the center contact of the battery as shown in Fig. 1.- For coopera- .tion with the threads of the holder a thread 26 is rolled into the casing I adjacent the end thereof. A shoulder 27 on the holder limits the distance the latter may be threaded into the casing. 7

When the bulb and battery are in the casing as in Fig. l, on pressing inwardly on the button 28 the spring 29 engages the exposed end of the battery closing a circuit through the battery and bulb to energize the latter. A disc of insulating material 30 is held against the battery by a spring 3| and the battery is thus held in a forward position to maintain its center contact in engagement with the center contact I! of the bulb. The washer 30 may move or, float between the beads 32 whereby to accommodate batteries of slightly different lengths.

Figs. 4 and'5 show a two part holder 33 the forward portion 34 of which is of a shape contrasting with that of the forward part I9 of the holder of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. However, holder 33 includes the inner or rear portion 20 previously described. Part 34 beyond its screw threaded portion is enlarged, but in its forward end wall is provided with an opening 35 into which the bulb l partly enters. A portion of the material of the part about the opening 35 is directed inwardly providing a flange 36 the surface of which may be a reflector as in the first form, and the inner edge of which engages the bulb l5 as shown. The bulb is clamped in the holder 33 as in the holder l4, and the holders are used in the same manner.

The forward portion of the holder It may be ornamented by fluting as shown in Fig. 3. However, it will be understood that the forward portions of the holders may be ornamented or decorated to suit various tastes and may be colored or otherwise treated as desired. Further, where a portion, as the portion, 25 of holder M or 36 of holder 33 is to provide a reflecting surface it and plated if desired. Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

' 1. In a bulb holder for a flash light, a pair of parts adapted to be detachably connected, the

thread for threading into the casing of a flash light, one of said parts having an opening of less diameter than a bulb whereby the portion of the part about the opening engages the globe porwill be apparent that such surface will be polished tion of the bulb and light from the latter may pass through the opening, and the other of said 'parts having an opening for the passage therethrough of the center contact of the bulb base and having its portion about said opening engaging the bulb base to ground the same and whereby the bulb is clamped between the two parts of the holder.

2. A bulb holder comprising a pair of hollow detachably connected parts enclosing a bulb and respectively engaging the globe and base portions of the bulb to clampingly support the latter, and said part engaging the globe portion of the bulb having an opening therein for the passage of light and having its portion about the, opening inclining inwardly and providing a reflector.

3. A bulb holder for a flash light comprising a pair of detachably connected hollow telescoping parts each including an end wall, said holder adapted to be disposed in an end portion of a flash light casing, one of said parts having an opening in its end wall for the passage of light and having its portion about said opening arranged to engage the globe portion of a bulb, and the other of said parts having an opening in its end wall for the passage of the center contact of the bulb base and having its portion about theopening engaging the bulb base to ground the same and whereby the bulb isclamped between the end walls of the holder.

4. In a device of the character described two cupped members having telescoping threaded side walls, the end walls of said members each havin an opening therein, and a light bulb having its glass end seated in one opening and its center contact extending through the other opening with the base contact engaging said end wall and grounded thereon.

5. A bulb holder for a flash light comprising a pair of hollow detachably connected members, one of said members having a shoulder of less diameter than the globe portion of a bulb to engage the sam'e, the other member having an end wall to engage the end of the bulb base to retain the globe portion of the bulb against said shoulder, said end wall of the second member also having an opening for the extension therethrough of the center contact of the bulb, one of said members having an opening for the passage of light from said bulb, and means for securing said members to a flash light casing.

6. A bulb holder for a flash light comprising two hollow members having telescoping threaded engagement, one of said members having a shoulder to engage the globe of a bulb, the other member having an end wall to engage the end of the bulb base to retain the bulb against said shoulder, said end wall also having an opening for passage therethrough of the center contact of the bulb, one of said members having an opening for the passage of light from said bulb, and one of said members having an external screw thread for threading into a flash light casing.

7. A bulb holder adapted to be removably fitted to an end of a flash lightcasing, said holder comprising a pair of detachably connected parts respectively engaging the globe and base portions of a bulb and clampingly supporting the latter --between them; one of said parts having an openholder comprising two (fl pped members having telescoping threaded side walls, the end walls of said members each having'an opening, and a light bulb having its glass end seated in one opening and its base seated against the other end wall with its center contact extending through the opening therein, and said holder adapted to be threaded to a threaded portion of a flash light casing.

9. A holder for a flash light bulb including a base having a shoulder and a center contact at one end, comprising a pair of hollow detachably connected members, one of said members having an annular shoulder of less diameter than the globe portion of the bulb to engage the same, the other member having an end wall to engage the shoulder of the bulb base to retain the globe portion of the bulb against said shoulder of the first member, and means for securing said members in a flash light casing.

- GILES C. FULLMER.

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