US2581129A - Portable electric flashlight with retractable mount for auxiliary lamps - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 1, 1952 l B. F. MULDOON PORTABLE ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHT WITH RETRACTABLE MOUNT FOR AUXILIARY LAMPS 3 Sheets-Sheet l HERA/45,0. 5mn/cfs MuLoaaN.

A TTOPNEY Jan. l, 1952 B. F. MULDooN l 2,581,129

PORTABLE ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHT WITH RETRACTABLE MOUNT FOR AUXILIARY LAMPS i Filed June 14, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 D x @lei n Y 134 13e 1% "I IN'VENTQR. 155 l ewmro /fwc/s MaLDoofv AMM Jan. 1, 1952` B. F. MuLDooN 2,581,129

PORTABLE ELECTRIC F'LASHLIGHT WITH RETRACTABLE MOUNT FOR AUXILIARY LAMPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 14, 1947 I N V EN TOR. 56AM/4R0 AEA/Q5 Mwnoolv Patented Jan. 1, 1952 PORTABLE ELECTRIC FLASHLIGHT WITH RETRACTABLE MOUNT FOR AUXILIARY LAMPS Bernard Francis Muldoon, Verona, N. J., assignor to Henry Hyman, New York, N. Y.

Application June V14, 1947, Serial No. 754,702

(Cl. 24U-10.6)

Claims.

This invention relates to a portable electric ilashlight with\ retractable mount for auxiliary lamp.

Primarily the invention is concerned with a fiashlight having an auxiliary extensible light.

It is an object of the invention to provide a iiashlight of the character described in which thecauxiliary Vlight is normally carried in an inconspicuous retracted position but is so mounted that itcan be quickly and easily moved to extended position. I

It is another object of the invention to provide a flashlight of the character described in -which the auxiliary light is permanently secured to the flashlight and derives its energy from the same source of electric power as does the lamp of the ashlight.

It is another object of the invention to provide a nashlight of the character described in which the auxiliary light is controlled by the same switch as that which controls the lamp of the flashlight.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flashlight of the character described having a common switch and a common source of energy for the flashlight lamp and the auxiliary light, in which the source of energy and the switch automatically supply power to and control the flashlight lamp when the auxiliary light is retracted and automatically supply power to and control the auxiliary light when the latter is moved away from its retracted position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flashlight of the character described wherein the auxiliary light is capable of being extended from the flashlight a distance greater than the length of the flashlight itself.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fiashlight of the character described in which the auxiliary light is so mounted as to be capable of a double extension, that is, a movement fromretracted to an initially extended position and a further movement, which is optional with the user, from the initially extended position to yet a further extended position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ilashlight of the character described in which the auxiliary light is capable of being pointed in any direction regardless of the manner in which the flashlight is held.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ashlight of the character described which comprises relatively few and simple parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and is rugged and efficient in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and of which the scope of application will Vbe indicated in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a iiashlight constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view through the flashlight taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figi;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional viewy taken substantially along the line S- of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the flashlight with the extension light moved far enough away from retracted position to enable the same to be energized; f

Fig. v8 is a fragmentary side View of the nashlight with the extension light fully opened;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 2 of the extension light and its support;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line lil-lll of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is an exploded view of a portion of the switching mechanism which automatically controls selective energization of either the ashlight lamp or the extension light; and

Figure 12 is a perspective partially schematic View of the electric circuit for the ilashlight.

In general the several objects of this invention are achieved by modifying a liashlight of any standard design so as to incorporate therein an auxiliary light consisting of an elongated standard at one end of which the auxiliary lamp is mounted. The standard is so connected to the battery casing of the main flashlight that it can be moved between two extreme positions, in one of which, known as the retracted position, it lies in close proximity to said casing and thereby either is substantially concealed or is inconspicuous, and in the other of which, known as the extended position, the auxiliary light has its lamp disposed a substantial distance away from said casing. The electric circuit for the main ashlight is so modified as to provide a branch circuit for the auxiliary light, this modification being such that the auxiliary light is connected to the batteries in the main flashlight as soon as the auxiliary light has moved a certain distance away from its retracted position. This arrangement permits the manual switch on the main flashlight to control energization bothl of the flashlight lamp and the auxiliary light lamp. A preferred construction is that in which` the support for the auxiliary light is pivotally connected to the casing of the main flashlight whereby this support can be swung out when it is desired to employ the auxiliary light. Furthermore said support may nestably house a slidable extension piece which carries the auxiliary lamp so that after the auxiliary lamp support is swung to its extended positionthe sliding exten-g sion can be pulled out to further project the auxiliary lamp.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, 2e denotes a combined ilashlight and extension light embodying the instant invention. The flashlight portion, as indicated above, is of conventional construction and comprises a battery casing 22 in .the form' of a hollow cylindrical tube 24' fabricated from a moldable insulatingv material, such for example as@ a phenolaldehyde condensate. The top of the tube' is of enlarged diameter whereby to form a headY portion 2E, at the upper end of Ithe ashlig'ht. This portion is provided dith a" set of malev threads .2S on which` a head cap 3 is screwed. `A lens 32` is caught between tlevca'p andtheM rirri ofthe head portion. Also held in the same n'anrier is the flanged edge of arnetal reflector 34 whose lower end has an' openig therein through which the envelope of a low voltage flashlight lamp 35' extends. A ferrule 88 i`s` rimped ontosaid reec't'or atV the aforesaid opening; this ferrule being formed with suitable Iea'ns, as for example, athreaded portion at its lower end; to receive internally aI molded bushing 4U of insulatingmaterial; Said bushing presses the fin'ge 42v of the lamp against s step si on the ferriile near the reflector. The shank of the ia'np extends" through the bushing and the Center Contact 46 of said lamp projects beneath the bottom of said bushing.y

trhsverse partition 48 is disposed within the casing between the' tube 24 and head 26, said partition optionally; and as shown, being molded in one piece with the casing; The partition" functions in the well known manner as an abutment member for the battery and as a support for various portions of the electrical system which supplies Aenergy to the flashlight lamp. The partition additionally serves as a support for the contact assembly which determines automaticallywhether the flashlight lamp or the auxiliary lightlamp is to be connected to the batteries.

A metal shell 56 is fastened as by riveting into thebottom end of the flashlight. Said shell is "shio'ned 'with a threaded portion rwhich is ed to be engaged by the matingly threaded rtioi'rof a metal cap 52 which is secured to a basecap 54'. The metal cap includes a ledge 5t onwhich vis seatedthe broad end of a tapering batteri/@Impression 9011 spring. 58 This Spring forces aset of batteries 80 up against the abutmentpartition. is usual, vthe circuit for energizing the hashlight lamp constitutes two legs, one running from thespring 58to one of the terminals of thelamp, e g. themetal sheath which covers the shank of the lamp and the other vrunning from the central terminal of the uppermost battery 6o tothe central lamp contact 46. The last mentioned leg in@ 19s. -.QFQWF st ll? 62 which. is .Stured tf?. the partition 48 .by suitable fastening means such as 4 rivets 64. A base portion t5 of the strip is held flat against the under-surface of the partition 48. said portion crossing the center of the partition in order that it may be engaged by the central terminal of the uppermost battery. The strip 62 also includes a vertical portion 58 which 1extends through the partition and is connected to a contact finger 18' parallel to' and' spaced above the top surface of the partition 48. This nger is located beneath the center of the opening in the reflector 34 and is close enough to said opening to beeng'a'ged by the center contact 4S of the flashlight lamp held in the ferrule 38. The strip El is of electrically conductive material and preferably isfresilien'tQa suitable material for this purpose being lPhosphor bronze.

The other leg of the electric circuit is partially shown in Fig. 4. This leg includes an electrically conductive strip l2 which is disposed longitudinally of the battery casing and lies against the side wall thereof. Qne end -of the strip is fastened by suitable means, such as ar rivet i4, to the shell 5il. The other end of the strip is fastened bya` rivet 'I Gtothe molded tube 24. An intermedite portion of the strip can beheld in position against the tube Aby another rivet '58. This rivet aslo' vis employed to fasten a manually operable swtich 881 to the flashlight casing. Inasrnuch as the shell of said switch is metal and is used asa part of the electric circuit, the same must be insulated from the strip 'l2 except when neces#- sarily connected thereto by manipulation of the switch. For this reason the rivet 'i8 is spaced from the strip by a fiber washer 82.

The switch includes a metal shell 84 secured to the battery casing by its lower end by the rivet 18 and at its upper end by a. rivet 86. The switch casing slidably supports abutton 88 in such fashion that the same can be shifted longitudinally of the ashlight. The switch casing also supports another button 9S in suitable manner to permit the same to be shifted transversely of the longitudinal axis of the flashlight. The button 88 carries a pair of fingers 82 which extend through the shell and enfold a resilient electrically conductive strip 94 having a depressed ringer 86 which slides on the exterior of the battery casing. The' strip 94 includes a nub 98 adapted to engage any one of a series of three indentations 18) formed on the internal surface of the switch shell. Thus, the strip 94 will be shifted with movement of the button 88 to any one of three positions which are xedby interen'gagement of the nub 98 and the indentations,

VWhen the button 88 isin its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 4 (nearest the base cap 54) the linger Se is in contact with the non-conductive wall of thebattery casing andthe tip |82 of the strip 9 4 is above said non-conductive wall.

Whenl the button 88 is shifted upwardly to advance the nub 98 one indentation; the nger 96 still vwill remain 4in engagement with the nonconductive vbattery casing. However, the tip |82 of the strip now willbedisposed in registration with, although spaced from, the externally clisposed head ofthe rivet 16 so that if the button 88isdepressed, the lstrip |02, and therefore the switch shell 84, will be placed in circuit with the strip l2. Releasing the button 98 will permit the resilient strip 94 to spring back to its idle position' outof Contact with the rivet [6 and force said buttonV outwardly. When the button 88 is advanced one more indentation, the finger 96 will engage the rivet 16 whereby to placethe switch shell in circuit with the strip 12.

vThe rivet 86 which holds the upper end of the switch shell to the battery casing also serves as an electrical connector between said switch shell and an electrically conductive strip |04 located inside the battery casing. This strip extends through an opening |06 in the partition 48 and has a horizontal reach |08 held to the upper face of the partition by a rivet ||0. Said rivet also serves to secure in place the base leg ||2 of an electrically conductive strip having a long upright leg ||4. This leg is so constructed that when unstressed it will be in such angular relationship to its base ||2 that the tip |6 thereof is spaced a short distance away from the outside wall of the reflector 34. In normal operation of the flashlight, i. e. an operation which does not involve the auxiliary light hereinafter to be described, the tip ||6 of said strip is forced into engagement with the reflector whereby to complete the other leg of the circuit which connects the cup electrode of the lowermost battery to the metal sheath of the flashlight lamp.

The auxiliary light is denoted by the reference numeral and constitutes an elongated sleeve |22 of electrically conductive material. Said sleeve is of approximately circular cross-section but is provided with a longitudinally extending external rib |24 which forms a corresponding longitudinally extending internal groove |26.

The sleeve may be fabricated from a long flat strip of sheet metal, the groove being depressed along the desired area and subsequently the longitudinal edges of the strip being curved toward one another until they meet at a seam |28. It may be pointed out here that the groove |26 extends from the upper end of the sleeve, i. e. the end near the head cap 30, to near but not up to the lower end of said sleeve.

The upper end of the sleeve includes nattened side portions |30 of circular contour which are provided with registered apertures |32 to receive a pin |34 on which the sleeve is journaled. The opposite ends of the pin are secured in a pair oi' ears |36 which may be molded integrally with the battery casing. It thus will be appreciated that the sleeve |22 can be swung through 180J from a retracted position in which it lies :dat against the side of the battery casing and runs along the length thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, to an extended position in which it is parallel to the battery casing but projects forwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 8. Due to the enlarged diameter of the head portion 26, it is desirable to offset the pin |34 so that the sleeve in its retracted position may lie alongside of the casing and in its extended position lie alongside of the head. The amount of oiTset is one-half the difference in radii of the battery casing and head portion, the displacement being outwardly from the center line of the sleeve in its retracted position.

The sleeve carries an auxiliary extension lamp in the form of a conventional light bulb |38 of the type having an envelope with an integral lens. Said bulb is held in place in a certain manner, hereinafter described in detail, the threaded shell |40 thereof being in series with the sleeve |22 and the center contact |42 of the lamp being in series with an electrically conductive insulated Wire |44.

Pursuant to the invention means is provided which is operative upon movement of the sleeve 22 toward extended position to disconnect the flashlight lamp 36 from the circuit controlled by the switch 80 and to connect the auxiliary lamp 38 in said circuit. Said means preferably 1s constructed so that the auxiliary lamp is automatically thrown into circuit after it has moved a predetermined angular distance away from its closed position and desirably the means is so constructed that as the sleeve passes through this position, or within a short angular distance before or after said position, the ashlightlamp is cut out of circuit.

The foregoing means constitutes a pair of discs |46, |48 of insulating material provided with central apertures |50 in which the pin |34 is freely rotatable. The disc |48 has a peripheral notch |52 in which a transverse strip |54 of insulating material integral with the other disc |46 is received. This strip includes a camming portion |56 which extends radially away from the discs.

The disc |46 is partially covered b y an electrically conductive cap |58 having a flat base Wall |60 which lies on `the outer side face of the disc |46 and a rim |62 which extends around the periphery of the disc and runs from the covered side face of said disc toward but not to said inner face. Said base wall |60 has an opening |64 which snugly receives a projection |65 on one of the flat side portions |30. Said projection also is snugly fitted into an opening |66 extending through the disc |46. The rim |62 has a notch |68 therein to pass the camming portion |56. The base wall |60 is provided with a central opening |l0 to rotatably receive the pin |34.

The other disc |46 likewise is partially covered by an electrically conductive cap |l2 having a flat base wall |74 which lies on the inner face of the disc |48 and has a rim A|'|6 encircling the periphery of said disc. This rim extends toward but not up to the outer face of the disc |48 and is notched as at |18 .to pass the camming portion |56. The base wall |74 includes an oversized central aperture through which the pin |34 extends but does not touch. Said base fall also has an outwardly extending projection |82 which is received in the opening |66 but is disposed on the opposite side of the disc |46 from that on which the projection |64 is located. The cap |12 includes a lug |64 which is suitably electrically connected to the wire |44, as for example by solder |86.

It will be appreciated that the transverse strip |54 and projections |65, |62 will cause the sleeve |22 and both discs and caps to turn together.

The `heads of the pin |34 press the ears I 36 against the flat side portions |30 of the sleeve whereby to frictionally retain the sleeve in `any angular position to which it may be turned.

The vcamu/ring portion |56 is so located with respect to the sleeve |22 that when the latter is in its restricted position shown in Fig. 2 said portion causes `the tip ||6 of the upright conducting leg ||4 to be pressed against the llashlight reilector 34. The camming portion need not directly engage the leg |4 but, as shown,

may press against the upright tip |68 of an electrically conductive strip |89 Whose base portion |90 is held to the partition 48 by the rivet H0. Inasmuch as this is the same rivet as that employed to hold the leg |4 in position, the two base portions ||2, |90 are both in electrical connection with the strip |04 whose energization is controlled by the switch 80. Said tip |68 is disposed at the end of an offset |92 extending outwardly from the upper end of the shank |94 of the strip |89. The shank |94 is located on the outer side of the upright leg ||4 and, when unessaies 7 stressed, 'niereiymnes eiongeidesaid ieg. How-v ev when the tip |88 of the strip las lis moved inwardly by the' camming portion |56,` said strip will press the, leg ||4 inwardly,y the oarnr'ning portion` being of such dimensions and oriented that when the sleeve |22 is retracted position itwill press the' tip ldd in far enough to cause the tip ||5 of the leg ll to engage the reflec-V It; win loe appreciated that withl this' arrange` nient if the sleeve |22 is revolvedthrou'gh a small angle away from its retracted position the carnmig poi-tion las win become disengaged from the tip las ory the etno las. said strip thereupon will `r-zturn` to its normal position in which it erngage's the conductive capw|58 so' that said cap is prepared to be energized by proper manipulation of the switch 86. Thus the strips IA, |39 jointly actas the throw member of what, effect',v is a single pole, double throw switch which in one po-l lsition closes -a circuit froml the battery to the lamp' 36 and in they other position to the lamp |33;

When thevsleeve is in an outward position, the other cap |12 is engaged by the tip l| 56 of an electrically conductive strip |98 whose base 200 is secured to the partition 48 by the rivet 61| so that saidl strip |98 is permanently electrically conected to the central terminal of the upper# most battery 66.1 The Vbase 2de of said stripis 'attached to the tip |95 thereof through a shank 202 and oifset portion 264'. I e

The tips |38 and |95 oi the strips |89, liilil respectively, are aligned so that both said-tipswill simultaneously be engaged in like manner by the camming portion |56. A 'Y As already notedvengagement of thecamrning portion with the strip |89 serves to disengage said strip fromA the cap |58. Similarly the engagement' of the camming portion with the strip |96 will disengage the latter strip froinuthe capY |72 which it normally engages when the carnning portion is out of the way. 'I hus rotation of the sleeve into such position that the camming portion abuts the tips of `the two conductive strips will cause said strips to breakA contact with the two caps |58, |12 and open both legs of the elec'- tric circuit to the auxiliary extension lamp. i i

It further will be noted that the canceling pci-- tion pressesuthe tip ||6 against the reilector 3d at substantially the discs as thatl at which said camming Aportion dieenge'gee the strip |789 frorothe oapL |58 eo that the main flashlight lamp 35 is rendered enerf gizable at about the same position of the lsleeve |22 as that at which the auxiliary ashlight lamp is'cut out of circuit, and Vice versa.

It should be noted that the reason both legs of the cireuit to the auxiliary ashlight lamp are broken when said lamp isin retracted position,` is to prevent accidental energization of said lainp should a circuit accidentallybe established bridging the switch shell and the sleeve 22. 'This circuit' would bypass the Aswitch eoniprisingthe cap |58 and strip |89. However, `with the other leg of the circuit opened by breaking the contact between the strip |98 andoap |12, the auxiliary extension lamp cannot be energized accidentally.

If desired, the switch which controls the con-A nection to the batteries of the lamp |38, or any other switch of suitable' construction, may con` trol the connection to the batteries of a fixed auxiliary lamp or lamps or even of some other power consuming auxiliary (e. g. a fuse tester) rather than the movable auxiliary lamp as indicated. Such fixed lamp or lamps or other auxilthe same angular position of Phosphor bronze'.

iary can be secured in any convenient manner upon or within the easing. l

Means is provided to aid in locating and at least partially concealing the auxiliary extension when the same is in retracted position, suoli means comprising al channel defined .by two spaced flanges 2do, 2de whichrare holded4 in tegallywith the casing'. Said flanges run pareil-'- lel to one anotherand extend along the length of the' battery casing; being vsuificie'ntly high to receive a substantial portion of the sleeve |22 when the latter is folded up to lie flat against the casing. Each of the flanges has a orescent Shaped elitout 2h? Which allows a user to grasp the sleeve with his lingers in order to extend the sarne. The foregoing channel constitutes 'in effect a receptacle integral with and'on the ex# terioi' of the casing. Such receptacle may if def sire'd be modified in size and shape to receive 'and house an auxiliary member other than the pive oted light. For instance it could house' a sep# arate Snall flashlight Whioli is completely Ieinovable from the flashlight 2li and has' its own source of energy. Said separate ashlight would be held in place in the receptacle by suitable clips.

Means also may be included to secure the ex- Jtension in retracted position so that it only can be opened deliberately. Said nearis is in the form 'of a clip 2|2 of resilient material,such as springV steel, shaped to re'siliently clasp' the end of the sleeve |22 remote' from the pin |34. The clip is held in position by a rivet passing through the side wall of the battery casing.

In order to allow for greater extension of the lamp, for instance into holes or pipes,` or within curved narrow spaces, the auxiliary lamp |38 instead of being mounted in a socket xedly se cured to the swinging end of the sleeve |22 is carried by a metal socket 2M which is secured to one end of a exible conduit 2|6 whicheasily is manuallydeformable. A suitable conduit is one formed from convoluted metal stripssuch as are used to shield electric wires. The other end of the flexible conduit is received in a slide fitting 2|8, constituting a metal cup 220 having a base 222 with an aperture therein through which the insulated wire |46 extends and caught. The rim of the cup has several, e. g. six, narrow fingers 224 integrally formed thereon. These lingers when unstressed flare outwardly at a slight angle' to the Sides of the cup', for instance about 15. The cup Vis formed of a resilient electrically conductive material, for example', The bases of the fingers are oifset outwardly a slight distance from the riin of the cup and conjointly define a circle of substantially v.the same diameter as the bore 'of the sleeve |22. Thus, said cup may be slid longie tudihally of the sleeve and will frictionally eri' gage the interior of the sleeve in any given'posi-l tion whereby to hold itself and the flexible lconduit 2|@ which is connected thereto in the posi#- tin in which itis left. Y

The cup is prevented from rotating .by entry oi one of the lingers into the groove |26 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Engagement between this linger and the groove also stops the cupv from be; ing slid out of the open end of the tube inasmuch as said nger is limited in its movementby abutment thereof against a step. zlzeconstitutins the lower end of, the groove |2. This arrangeinent does not prevent easy assembly of the up and sleeve becausesaid cup can be introdioed into the sleeve simply by thrusting the saine into the open lower end of the sleeve. Such action will cause al1 of the spring fingers to be constricted until the cup has passed the mouth of the sleeve. When the cup is pushed Wholly into the sleeve it can be turned until one of the fingers springs into the groove I 26.

The flexible conduit 246 is electrically conductive and is held in .place in the cup as for example by solder 228. The other end of the ilexible conduit is received in a pocket 239 integral with the socket 2|4 and is secured in place in a suitable fashion, as for instance by solder 232. Thus the shell of the lamp |38 always is in electric circuit with the sleeve |22 which in turn is constantly electrically connected to the cap |58.

The electric connection for the central contact |42 of the ilashlight extension lamp is made through the wire |44. Said Wire is insulated and, as already noted, extends through an opening in the base of the cup 2|3. passes through the iiexible conduit 2|6 and ends at a central terminal 234 located within the socket 2|4. Said terminal, as illustrated, is insulated from the socket.

It thus will be appreciated that the cup 2| 8 can be slid along the length of the sleeve |22 and in any position thereof the lamp |38 can be energized, providing, of course, that the sleeve |22 has been swung out far eough to permit the strip |89 to engage the cup |58.

.Although the same is in no sense to be considered as constituting a limitation upon the invention, it may be mentioned, by way of example, that the auxiliary extension light is particularly useful where it becomes eiective only a short :y

distance after it has been swung away from the battery casing, e. g. through as little as 10, inasmuch as under these circumstances light can be cast even on a member on which the nashlight is standing and which it is desired to illuminate.

The wire |44 is made sufficiently long so that when the cup is in its most extended position shown, for example in Fig. 8, said wire will easily span the distance from the cup to the lug |84. Moreover, in order that said wire may occupy a minimum space at such time as the flexible extension 2| is retracted, and to avoid kinking of the wire which may lead to breakage thereof, said wire has a set imparted thereto, the set being such that the wire will normally assume a closed helical shape such as indicated in Fig. 9. When the Wire is expanded it will assume the position shown in Fig. 8; but at such time as the flexible conduit is retracted into the sleeve, the Wire will automatically reassurne its closely compacted helical formation. The desired set can be imparted to the wire rather simply, as for instance merely by winding the wire in a close helix about a mandrel having a diameter slightly less than the internal diameter which the set wire is to take. Ordinary insulated copper wire thereupon will retain this conliguration when stretched only to the extent indicated in Fig. 8.

A transparent or translucent guard may be employed to protect the envelope of the lamp |33 when the same is in closed or intermediate positions and also when the same is employed in close quarters. Said guard conveniently is manufactured from a transparent or translucent synthetic resin plastic, such for instance as cellulose acetate butyrate or a styrene resin. The guard includes a cylindrical portion 236 having a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the socket 2| 4 so that it easily can be slid over the same. The forward portion 238 of the guard is of re- From here the wire duced diameter, being adapted to be received over the envelope of the lamp and to permit the tip of the envelope only to extend therethrough. rThe back of the guard has an inturned integral flange 243 which is adapted to be disposed in back of a step 242 on the socket 214 whereby to lock the guard in place. The guard is secured on the lamp merely by placing the same over the lamp and pushing it toward the pin |34. If the guard is thin enough, it will yield suiiiciently to permit the ilange 240 to expand far enough to be slid over the ysocket 2|4. However, if as is shown herein, the walls of the guard are too thick to permit of such expansion, at least one longitudinal slot 242 can be provided in the guard to enable the flange 24@ to be spread to the required extent.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a ashlight which achieves the several objects of the invention and is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use. y

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A portable electric ashlight comprising in combination'a casing including a head and an elongated portion adapted to house batteries, a flashlight lamp in said head, circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries, said means including an electric switch operable externally of the casing, and an auxiliary extensible light, said light including an elongated standard, means to pivotally mount said standard adjacent an end of said casing for swinging movement relative to the head and battery portion in a plane including the longitudinal axis of the battery housing portion from a position in which the standard lies flat against the casing to a position in which the standard extends from the casing, an elongated self form maintaining member slidable in said standard from a position in which it is substantially fully received in the standard to a position in which it is substantially fully extended from the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp carried by said elongated member, and circuit means for energizing said auxiliary lamp from said batteries.

2. A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and an elongated portion adapted to house batteries, a flashlight lamp in said head, circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries, said means including an electric switch operable externally of the casing, and an auxiliary extensible light, said light including an elongated standard, means to pivotally mount said standard adjacent an end of said casing'for swinging movement relative to the head and battery portion in a plane including the longitudinal axis of the battery housing portion from a posit-ion in which the standard lies fiat against the casing to a position in which the standard extends from the casing, an elongated self-form-maintaining manually distortable member slidable in said standard from a position in which itis substantially fully received in the standard to a position in which it is substantially fully extended from the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp carried by said elongated member, and circuit means for energizing said auxiliary lamp from said batteries.

3. A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, a flashlight lamp in said head, circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries, an auxiliary extensible light, said light including an elongated standard, an auxiliary electric lamp carried by said standard, circuit means for energizing said auxiliary lamp from said batteries an electric switch operable ex ternally oi the casing and common to both circuit means, means to retractably mount said standard on said casing, a single pole double throw switch means common to both circuit means and adapted to render either one or the other of the circuit means eiTective, and an element movable with the standard and operable upon movement thereof to actuate the single pole double throw switch means in such manner that the second named circuit means is rendered eiective when the standard is moved a predetermined distance away from retracted position and the rst named circuit means is rendered effective when the standard is in retracted position.

4L A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, a flashlight lamp in said head, circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries, an auxiliary extensible light, said light including an elongated standard, an

auxiliary electric lamp carried by said standard,

circuit means for energizing said auxiliary lamp from said batteries an electric switch operable externally of the casing and common to both circuit means, means to retractably mount said Standard on said casing, a single pole double throw switch means common to both circuit mean and adapted to render one or the other of said circuit means effective, said single pole double throw switch means including a iirst con tact member forming part of the first named circuit means, a second contact member forming part of the second named circuit means and movable with the standard, and a throw member, and means moved by said standard to actuate the throw member.

5. A portable electric ashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, a iiashlight lamp in said head, circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries, an auxiliary extensible light, said light including an elongated standard, an auxiliary electric lamp carried by said standard, circuit means for energizing said auxiliary lamp from said batteries, an electric switch oper able externally oi the casing and common to both circuit means, means to pivotally mount said standard on said casing, a switch meansor se-Y lectively energizing one or the other of the circuit means, said switch means including a throw member, a contact member on said battery casing and forming part of the first named circuit means, a contact member rotatable with the standard and forming part of the second named circuit means, and a camming member carried by the standard and engaging the threw member, said camming member being so shaped as to cause the throw member to engage the rlrsrl named contact member when the standard is in retracted position against the battery casing and to engage the second named contact member when the standard is moved away from retracted position.

6. A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, a flashlight lamp in said head, circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries, an auxiliary extensible light, said light including an elongated I standard, an auxiliary electric lamp carried by said standard, circuit means for energizing said auxiliary lamp from said batteries, an electric f, switch operable externally of the casing and common to both circuit means, means to pivotally mount said standard on said casing, switch means to selectively render one or the other of the circuit means effective, said switch means including a throw member near the pivotal mounting means, a contact member on the battery casing and forming part of the iirst named circuit means, a second contact member carried by the standard and forming part of the second named circuit means, said second contact member being of circular configuration and concentric with the pivotal axis, means to bias said throw member against said contact member'and a camming element carried by the standard and arranged to press the throw member away from the second contact member and into engagement with the rst contact member when the standard is in re,- traced position flat against the battery casing, said camming member being disengaged from said throw member when the standard is moved away from retracted position whereby the throw member can engage the second contact member to render the second named circuit means ef fective when the standard is moved away from retracted position.

7. For use in a portable electric flashlight hav ing a iiashlight lamp and an auxiliary electric lamp which are both adapted to be energized from the same battery and in which the auxiliary lamp is carried by a member pivotally mounted on a casing for the battery: a switch means comprising a throw member, a contact member on the casing and a contact member carried by the pivotally mounted member, the second named contact member having a circular conguration concentric with the axis of rotation of the pivotally mounted member, a camming member carried by the pivotally mounted member', the throw member being biased toward the second contact member and the camming member being so shaped and arranged that in one position of the pivotally mounted member it will press the throw member against the first named contact member and in another position of the pivotally mounted member it will release its pressure against the throw member so that the latter may engage the second named contact member.

8. A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, a reiiector in said head, a flashlight lamp carried by said reflector, means to effect an electrical connection from the center terminal of the uppermost battery in the'casing to the center Contact of the ashlight lamp,Y an elongated standard, an auxiliary electric lamp carried by said standard, means to mount said standard for pivotal movement on said casing, a pair of discs of electrically non-conductive material rotatable with said standard about the axis of pivotal movement thereof, each or" said discs having a cap of electrically conductive material, said caps being insulated from one another by said discs, a pair oi throw members biased into engagement with said caps, a camming element rotatable with said standard and engag- U ing said throw members when said standard is in retracted position against the casing whereby to disengage 'said throw members from said caps in such position of the standard, one of said throw E members in the aforesaid position of the stand'- 'W ard being pressed into engagement with the re iiector, circuit mea-ns connecting the two caps to the auxiliary electric lamp, means to connect the other throw member to the central terminal of the uppermost battery, means to connect the cup terminal of the lowermost battery to the throw member which is adapted to engage the reector, and an electric switch operable externally of the casing and series connected in said last means.

9. A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, an elongated standard, means to pivotally mount one end of said standard adjacent an end of said casing for swinging movement relative to the head and battery portion from a position in which the standard lies flat against the casing to a position in which the standard extends from the casing, a exible conduit slidable in said standard from a position in which it is substantially fully received in the standard to a position in which it is substantially fully extended from the standard, an electric lamp carried by said conduit, and circuit means to energize said lamp from said batteries.

10. A portable electric flashlight comprising in combination a casing including a head and a portion adapted to house batteries, an elongated standard having an internal groove running longitudinally thereof, means to pivotally mount said standard on said casing, a member slidable Within said casing, said member having an element riding in said groove, means to resiliently press said element into said groove, a flexible conduit having one end thereof secured to said member, and an electric lamp carried at the other end of said conduit.

BERNARD FRANCIS MULDOON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the yle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,232,824 Mayhew July 10, 1917 2,161,872 Kosta] June 13, 1939 2,228,009 Harford Jan. 7, 1941 2,329,556 Raabe Sept. 14, 1943 2,337,237 Garberding Dec. 21, 1943 2,427,051 Goudreau Sept. 9, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 438,549 France Mar. 19, 1912 740,483 France Nov. 14, 1932 675,426 Germany May 8, 1939

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