US2558870A - Marine light unit - Google Patents

Description

ly 3, 1951 N. MICHELM'AN 2,558 870 MARINE LIGHT UNIT Filed Oct. 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 3, 1951 N. MICHELMAN I 2,558,870

MARINE LIGHT UNIT Filed Oct. 1, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 3, 1951 UNITED' STATES OFFICE;

MARINE LIGHT'UNIT' Nathan Michelman, Brooklyn, N .Y.

Application October 1, 1948; Serial N 0.52240 9 Claims.

1 This invention relates to self-containedelectric lights and, more particularly, to an improved waterproof, original, automatically lighting flashlight particularly designed for use in marine emergencies.

The flashlight of the present invention includes improved means permitting ready replacement of exhausted dry cells, while still maintaining a water-tight enclosure of the flashlight elements. In particular, the casing ofthe light is arranged to hold a large capacity dry cell, such asthe' No. 6 size, in such a position that the weight of the cell acts to hold the flashlight erect when. it is supported on the water.

Novel means are providedfor readily connecting a new cell into the lamp circuit, and a shockresistant construction is provided toprevent damage to the components of the flashlight. Inparticular, an inner lamp, switchand cell sup-'- porting frame is resiliently and removably supported within an outer, water-tight casing. The latter is of such volume that the contained air space, relative to the weight of the components, is more than adequate -to afford buoyancy to the flashlight when the latter is water-borne. A mercury switch is provided 1 for automatically closing'the lamp circuit when the flashlight is in the upright position, and means may be provided for attaching the light to a life-preserver, life raft, or the like.

Having in mind the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved buoyant, waterproof flashlight for use in marine emergencies.

Another object is to provide such a flashlight in which parts may be readily replaced without damage to the waterproof construction;

A further object is to provide, in such a flashlight, an outer, water-tight casing having a large volume of free air space relative to its weight, to assure adequate buoyancy.

These, and other objects, advantages, and. novel features of the invention, will be apparentfrom' the following description and the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view showing the invention light in operative position and attached to a life preserver or the like.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view, partly in section,- showing the general interior arrangement of the flashlight.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, axial sectional view of the upper end of the flashlight.

Fig. 4 is a diametric sectional view, slightly en-' larged, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an axial sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and '7 are axial sectional views on lines Ei-B and 'l'|, respectively of Fig. 2, illustrating a shock absorbing construction.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a cellbeing removed or replaced relative to an-interior frame of the flashlight- Fig. 9 is a perspective view of means for interlockingly engaging the cell terminals.

Fig. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the lamp energizing circuit.

Referring=to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the flashlight I5 is shown as provided with a ring I6 having an attachment-loop I"! by means of which it can be secured-to a rope l8 on a life preserver or the like l9.- When floating in the water, flashlight It assumes an upright position with its upper endprojectingabove the surface and lens 20 illuminated by a lamp 25 energized from a battery 30 through a circuit controlled by a mercury lamp circuit when flashlight I5 is in the upright position;

Light I5 comprises an elongated, cylindrical, water-tight casing 2| open at its upper, or lens, end and closed at its opposite end by a cap 22 brazed, welded, or otherwise sealingly secured to casing 2|. Casing 2| and cap 22 are made of a suitable material having high resistance to the corrosive efiects of salt air or water. Except for a short distance near its lens end, casing 2| is formed with longitudinal, inwardly projecting flutes 23 for a purpose to be described.

The outer end of easing 2| has a threaded ring 24 secured thereto, and of substantial thickness. An annular gasket 26 rests on ring 24 and projects inwardly of casing 2| where it i engaged by a lamp supporting plate 27 of insulating material and forming the upper or outer cross member of a removable inner frame 35. Lens 20 has a flange 28 overlying gasket 26 and including a lens centering shoulder 29 fitting within the gasket 26. A bezel ring 3| overlies flange 28 and screws onto ring 24 to compress gasket 26 against the upper or outer cross member 27 of frame 35 and to form a tight closure for the casing 2|.

The removable frame 35 includes a pair of diametrically opposite, longitudinal metal strips 32, 32 which have flutes 33 interfitting with the flutes 23 of easing 2| to restrain relative rotation of the casing and frame 35. ends of strips 32 have bent ears 34 bearing against a metal plate 33underlying plate 27. The assembly is held together by suitable rivets or bolts .31. Plates 21 and 36 are centrally apertured to receive lamp socket 38 which has a plate 39 secured thereto and to plate 2i; The lamp socket is thus in electrical connection with frame 35.

The lower ends of strips 32 are secured to a plate 4| forming the lower or inner cross member of the frame 35, having a four-fingered spring 42 (Fig. 6), riveted to its lower side and engaging cap 22. A resilient, four-fingered clip 43 (Fig. '7) is riveted to the upper side of plate 4| and grips the lower end of cell 30, which may be a No. 6 dry cell having a center terminal 44 and a side terminal 46. A conductor 41 connects terminal 46 to one terminal of mercury switch 40, which is .held upright in a bracket 49 secured to a strip.32.

The upper A conductor 48 connects.

the other switch terminal to the center terminal of socket 38.

A metallic plate 50 (Fig. 9), forming the intermediate cross member of the frame 35, extends between strips 32 adjacent the upperend of battery 36, and has upright flanges 5| secured to the strips, and a third upright flange 52. Plate 50 has an open ended slot 53 extending perpendicular to flange 52 from one edge 5 of the plate to its center. Another plate 55 of insulating material, overlies and is secured to one-half of plate 58 and extends beyond edge 54. Plate 55 has an arcuate notch 55 in itsedge 51, and an arcuate slot 58 extends inwardly from edge 5?. Slot 58 has a radius equal to the radial spacing of battery terminals 44 and 46, being takenon terminal 35 as a center.

As may be seen from Figs. 4, 5 and 8, the battery or cell 39 is placed in frame 35 by first tilting the battery relative to the frame to place its bottom end into clips 43. Battery 30 is then swung inwardly with its terminals aligned with slot 53 until center terminal as hits the end of the slot. The battery is then turned to swin side terminal it into slot 58. Terminal 44 is tightened to make contact with plate 5%),the notch 52% being large enough to receive the terminal cap.

The changing of cell 38 is accomplished with frame 35 removed from casing 21. Such removal is effected by unscrewing bezel ring 3!, taking off lens 2i. and gasket 25, and withdrawing frame 35, including the lamp, battery and switch, from casing 21. When cell 38 is replaced, frame 35 is again slid into casing 2| and the lens assembly screwed tightly into place.

Above the battery 36, a bracket Bl on frame 35 holds a spare lamp bulb Eli, and another bracket 62 may be provided to hold a glass jar containing a suitable moisture absorbing chemical, such as silica gel, for example. It will be noted, however, that a large volume of unfilled space is provided in container 2! at its upper end and the entrapped air therein is sufficient to ensure buoyancy for flashlight IS.

The described light thus provides a watertight assembly which is buoyant, so as to float, and weighted by battery 35 to assume an upright floating position. The parts are easily assembled or disassembled by removing the lens assembly and withdrawing frame 35. Spring 42 and clip it force frame 35 against gasket 25 to make a tight joint, and also absorb any shocks on the flashlight.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that-the invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated water-tight casing having a closed end; a frame slidably engaged within said casing; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along the length of said casing and frame operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof; electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said current supply means; and water-tight means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer end of said frame.

2. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, .an elongated water-tight casing having a closed end; a frame slidably engaged within said casing; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along the length of said casing and frame operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof; electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said current supply means; and water-tight means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging theouter end of said frame; and resilient shock absorbing means disposed between the closed end of said casing and the inner end of said frame.

3. A self-contained light unit comprising, in

I combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing and including cliametrically opposite side members interconnected 1 at each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along the length of said casing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof; electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said current supply means; watertight means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; and resilient shock absorbing means disposed between the closed end of said casing and the inner cross member of said frame.

4. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having longitudinally extending flutes and having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extending ribs on said frame side members slidably interfitting with said flutes to restrain relative rotation of said casing and said frame; electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said current upply means; water-tight means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame and resilient shock absorbing means disposed between the closed end of said casing and the inner cross member of said frame.

5. A self-contained light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having longitudinally extending flutes and having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable Within said casing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extending ribs on said frame side members slidably interfitting with said flutes to restrain relative rotation of said casing and said frame; electric current supply means and a lamp carried by said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said current supply means;

water-tight means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame and resilient shock absorbing means disposed between the closed end of said casing and the inner cross member of said frame and resilient shock absorbing means carried by the inner cross member of said frame and engageable with the closed end of said casing.

6. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along the length of said casing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof; a lamp carried by the outer frame cross member; an electric cell carried by the inner frame cross member; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said cell; and water-tight lens means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; said cell having a length considerably less than half the length of said casing whereby a relatively large air space is provided within said casing above said cell to insure buoyance of the light unit and said cell acts to maintain the unit in an upright position when the unit is floating.

7. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end by, respectively, outer and inner cross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means along the length of said casing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidable movement betweensaid casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement at any point along the length of each thereof; a lamp carried by the outer frame cross member; an electric cell carried by the inner frame cross member; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said cell; and water-tight lens means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; and resilient shock absorbing means carried by the inner cross member of said frame and engageable with the closed end of said casing; said cell having a length considerably less than half the length of said casing whereby a relatively large air space is provided within said casing above said cell to insure buoyance of the light unit and said cell acts to maintain the unit in an upright position when the unit is floating.

8. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end and at an intermediate portion by, respectively, outer, intermediate and inner cross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means on said casing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement thereof; a lamp carried by the outer frame cross member; an electric cell arranged to have its lower end rest in a spring clip carried by the inner frame cross member; and having a pair of terminals on its upper end; the intermediate frame cross member being spaced from the inner cross member a distance of the order of the length of said cell and said side frame members being laterally spaced the width of said cell; the intermediate frame cross member having slots arranged to receive said terminals when said cell is canted into said frame with the cell lower end resting in the spring clip; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said cell; water-tight lens means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; and resilient shock absorbing means carried by the inner cross member of said frame and engageable with the closed end of said casing.

9. A self-contained buoyant light unit comprising, in combination, an elongated cylindrical water-tight casing having a closed end; an elongated frame engageable within said casing and including diametrically opposite side members interconnected at each end and at an intermediate portion by, respectively, outer, intermediate and inner cross members; longitudinally extending inter-engaging means on said casing and said frame side members operable to permit axial slidable movement between said casing and frame and effective to restrain relative lateral movement thereof; a lamp carried by the outer frame cross member; a cylindrical electric cell arranged to have its lower end rest in a spring clip carried by the inner frame cross member and having a central terminal on its upper end and a side terminal spaced laterally from said central terminal; the intermediate frame cross member being spaced from the inner cross member a distance of the order of the length of said cell and said side frame members being laterally spaced the width of said cell; the intermediate frame cross member having a radial slot arranged to receive said central terminal when said cell is canted into said frame with the cell lower end resting in the spring clip and an arcuate slot arranged to receive said side terminal when said cell is rotated when longitudinally aligned within said frame; a circuit controller carried by said frame and connected in circuit with said lamp and said cell; water-tight lens means removably closing the opposite end of said casing and engaging the outer cross member of said frame; and resilient shock absorbing means carried by the inner cross member of said frame and engageable with the closed end of said casing; said cell having a length considerably less than half the length of said casing whereby a relatively large air space is provided within said casing above said cell to insure buoyance of the light unit and said cell acts to maintain the unit in an upright position when the unit is floating.

NATHAN MICHELMAN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,355,013 Rochestie Aug. 1, 1944 2,377,161 Strange et al May 29, 1945 2,381,520 Saunders Aug. 7, 1945 2,389,266 Marr Nov. 20, 1945 2,404,681 Baack July 23, 1946

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