Patent US3711699A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3711699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flashlight construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-02
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1990-04-02
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure is directed to a flashlight construction having a minimum of component working parts so as to render it readily adaptable as a relatively inexpensive, low cost, disposable unit. It comprises a housing having a reflector assembly with bulb socket for loosely receiving a bulb, and a battery connected in electrical circuit with the bulb by means of spring leaf type contacts or conductors, and having a toggle switching means operatively associated with one of the spring conductors for energizing and de-energizing the bulb.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bacevius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:52
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21L; F21L2/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A flashlight comprising: means defining a housing, a bulb reflector mounted on said housing, said reflector including a bulb socket, said bulb socket being defined by an inturned flange to form a bulb seat, a light bulb adapted to be loosely received in said socket, a battery means disposed within said housing, conductor means operatively connecting said bulb in circuit with said battery means, said conductor means including a spring contact acting on said bulb for maintaining said bulb in position within said socket, and said conductor means including a first spring contact having one end portion electrically connected to one electrode of the battery means and having its other end portion spring loading said light bulb whereby said light bulb is firmly seated within said socket against said flange, and a second spring contact having one end operatively connected in electrical contact with said bulb and having its other end movably mounted for engaging and disengaging with the other electrode of said battery means, and switching means being operatively associated with said movable end for energizing and deenergizing the circuit to said bulb, and including means for positioning spring loaded end portion of said first contact means adjacent the end portion of said socket, and said spring loaded end portion of said first contact having a spring finger blanked out of the plane thereof, said spring finger being adapted to spring load the end of said bulb for biasing said bulb against said flange.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A flashlight comprising: means defining a housing, a bulb reflector mounted on said housing, said reflector including a bulb socket, said bulb socket being defined by an inturned flange to form a bulb seat, a light bulb adapted to be loosely received in said socket, a battery means disposed within said housing, conductor means operatively connecting said bulb in circuit with said battery means, said conductor means including a spring contact acting on said bulb for maintaining said bulb in position within said socket, and said conductor means including a first spring contact having one end portion electrically connected to one electrode of the battery means and having its other end portion spring loading said light bulb whereby said light bulb is firmly seated within said socket against said flange, and a second spring contact having one end operatively connected in electrical contact with said bulb and having its other end movably mounted for engaging and disengaging with the other electrode of said battery means, and switching means being operatively associated with said movable end for energizing and deenergizing the circuit to said bulb, and including means for positioning spring loaded end portion of said first contact means adjacent the end portion of said socket, and said spring loaded end portion of said first contact having a spring finger blanked out of the plane thereof, said spring finger being adapted to spring load the end of said bulb for biasing said bulb against said flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 including fixed abutments for positioning the spring loaded end portion of said first contact adjacent the end of said socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said socket including a longitudinally extending slot formed therein, and said one end of said spring contact extending into said slot to engage said bulb.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
231 words
A flashlight comprising: means defining a housing, a bulb reflector mounted on said housing, said reflector including a bulb socket, said bulb socket being defined by an inturned flange to form a bulb seat, a light bulb adapted to be loosely received in said socket, a battery means disposed within said housing, conductor means operatively connecting said bulb in circuit with said battery means, said conductor means including a spring contact acting on said bulb for maintaining said bulb in position within said socket, and said conductor means including a first spring contact having one end portion electrically connected to one electrode of the battery means and having its other end portion spring loading said light bulb whereby said light bulb is firmly seated within said socket against said flange, and a second spring contact having one end operatively conNected in electrical contact with said bulb and having its other end movably mounted for engaging and disengaging with the other electrode of said battery means, and switching means being operatively associated with said movable end for energizing and deenergizing the circuit to said bulb, said switch means including an actuator pivotally mounted on said housing, and complementary latching means formed on said actuator and the movable end of said second spring contact for latching said movable end in electrical contact with said battery electrode in the operative position of said flashlight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
231 words
A flashlight comprising: means defining a housing, a bulb reflector mounted on said housing, said reflector including a bulb socket, said bulb socket being defined by an inturned flange to form a bulb seat, a light bulb adapted to be loosely received in said socket, a battery means disposed within said housing, conductor means operatively connecting said bulb in circuit with said battery means, said conductor means including a spring contact acting on said bulb for maintaining said bulb in position within said socket, and said conductor means including a first spring contact having one end portion electrically connected to one electrode of the battery means and having its other end portion spring loading said light bulb whereby said light bulb is firmly seated within said socket against said flange, and a second spring contact having one end operatively conNected in electrical contact with said bulb and having its other end movably mounted for engaging and disengaging with the other electrode of said battery means, and switching means being operatively associated with said movable end for energizing and deenergizing the circuit to said bulb, said switch means including an actuator pivotally mounted on said housing, and complementary latching means formed on said actuator and the movable end of said second spring contact for latching said movable end in electrical contact with said battery electrode in the operative position of said flashlight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said actuator comprises: a toggle member, said toggle member having a pivot intermediate the ends thereof about which said member pivots, a latching member connected to said toggle member, and a complementary catch formed on the movable end of said second contact, said catch being adapted to receive and lock said latch in the operative position of said flashlight whereby said movable end is maintained in electrical contact with the electrode of said battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said second contact includes a camming node adjacent the catch portion so that said latch is riding over said camming node effects displacement of said movable end toward said battery electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is integrally formed about said reflector and battery means to render said flashlight readily disposable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
222 words
A flashlight comprising a housing, a reflector mounted in one end of the housing, said reflector having a bulb socket formed in the end thereof for loosely receiving a bulb, said socket having a bulb seat defined by an internal flange, and said socket having a longitudinal slot formed therein, a bulb adapted to be seated in said socket against said flange, a battery means disposed in said housing, a contact means connecting one of the electrodes of said battery means in circuit with said lamp, said contact means including a spring contact portion for urging and maintaining said bulb against said flange whereby said bulb is wedged between said spring contact portions and said flange, a second spring contact, said second contact having an end portion adapted to extend into said slot to engage in electrical contact with said bulb, said second contact having its other end remote from said bulb movably mounted for enging and disengaging with the other electrode of said battery, and a switching means operatively associated with said movable end remote from said bulb for moving said remote end into engagement and disengagement with said other electrode of said battery means to make and break the circuit to said bulb whereby the mechanical activity of said switching means and associated movable end is away from said bulb.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
222 words
A flashlight comprising a housing, a reflector mounted in one end of the housing, said reflector having a bulb socket formed in the end thereof for loosely receiving a bulb, said socket having a bulb seat defined by an internal flange, and said socket having a longitudinal slot formed therein, a bulb adapted to be seated in said socket against said flange, a battery means disposed in said housing, a contact means connecting one of the electrodes of said battery means in circuit with said lamp, said contact means including a spring contact portion for urging and maintaining said bulb against said flange whereby said bulb is wedged between said spring contact portions and said flange, a second spring contact, said second contact having an end portion adapted to extend into said slot to engage in electrical contact with said bulb, said second contact having its other end remote from said bulb movably mounted for enging and disengaging with the other electrode of said battery, and a switching means operatively associated with said movable end remote from said bulb for moving said remote end into engagement and disengagement with said other electrode of said battery means to make and break the circuit to said bulb whereby the mechanical activity of said switching means and associated movable end is away from said bulb.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
189 words
A readily disposable flashlight comprising a housing having a lens opening, a reflector mounted in said housing adjacent said lengs opening, said reflector having a bulb socket formed in one end thereof, a bulb seat formed in said socket, said socket having a slot formed therein, a bulb adapted to be loosely received in said socket, a battery means disposed in said housing, a pair of spring contact members connecting said battery means in circuit with said bulb, one of said spring contacts having an end portion for exerting a bias on said bulb for maintaining said bulb seated in said socket, and one of said spring contacts having a movable end portion remote from said bulb for engaging and disengaging said battery in circuit with said bulb, a switch means operatively associated with said movable end of said one spring contact whereby the mechanical activity therebetween is remote from said bulb, said switch means and movable end having complementary releasable latch and catch means for effecting tHe actuation of said flashlight as said switch means is operated to maintain said movable end in engaging position with said battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
189 words
A readily disposable flashlight comprising a housing having a lens opening, a reflector mounted in said housing adjacent said lengs opening, said reflector having a bulb socket formed in one end thereof, a bulb seat formed in said socket, said socket having a slot formed therein, a bulb adapted to be loosely received in said socket, a battery means disposed in said housing, a pair of spring contact members connecting said battery means in circuit with said bulb, one of said spring contacts having an end portion for exerting a bias on said bulb for maintaining said bulb seated in said socket, and one of said spring contacts having a movable end portion remote from said bulb for engaging and disengaging said battery in circuit with said bulb, a switch means operatively associated with said movable end of said one spring contact whereby the mechanical activity therebetween is remote from said bulb, said switch means and movable end having complementary releasable latch and catch means for effecting tHe actuation of said flashlight as said switch means is operated to maintain said movable end in engaging position with said battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein one of said spring contacts has one end thereof biasing said bulb in its socket and having its other end movably mounted to engage and disengage said battery means in circuit with said bulb.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said switch means is pivotally mounted in the top portion of the housing adjacent the movable end of said one contact.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
237 words
A flashlight comprising means defining a housing, a bulb reflector mounted in said housing, said reflector including a bulb socket, said socket having an inturned flange to define a bulb seat within said socket, a light bulb adapted to be loosely received within said socket, said light bulb having a bulb casing, a battery means disposed within said housing, a pair of conductors for operatively connecting said light bulb in circuit with said battery means, one of said conductors including a spring contact on one end thereof acting on said bulb for positively maintaining said bulb in position against said seat within said socket and having its other end adapted to contact with one electrode of the battery means, fixed abutments for positioning said spring contact end adjacent said bulb to define a predetermined spacing between said flange and said spring contact for snuggly accommodating said bulb casing therebetween, and the other of said spring conductors having one end operatively connected in electrical contact with said bulb and having its other end adapted to contact with the other electrode of said battery means, one of said conductors having its electrode engaging end portion remote from the light bulb free to flex between a circuit and non-circuit position, and a switch means for energizing and de-energizing the circuit to said bulb, said switch means being operatively associated with the remote flexing end of said one of said conductors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
237 words
A flashlight comprising means defining a housing, a bulb reflector mounted in said housing, said reflector including a bulb socket, said socket having an inturned flange to define a bulb seat within said socket, a light bulb adapted to be loosely received within said socket, said light bulb having a bulb casing, a battery means disposed within said housing, a pair of conductors for operatively connecting said light bulb in circuit with said battery means, one of said conductors including a spring contact on one end thereof acting on said bulb for positively maintaining said bulb in position against said seat within said socket and having its other end adapted to contact with one electrode of the battery means, fixed abutments for positioning said spring contact end adjacent said bulb to define a predetermined spacing between said flange and said spring contact for snuggly accommodating said bulb casing therebetween, and the other of said spring conductors having one end operatively connected in electrical contact with said bulb and having its other end adapted to contact with the other electrode of said battery means, one of said conductors having its electrode engaging end portion remote from the light bulb free to flex between a circuit and non-circuit position, and a switch means for energizing and de-energizing the circuit to said bulb, said switch means being operatively associated with the remote flexing end of said one of said conductors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |