US2299035A - Waterproof casing for flashlights - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 13, 1942.

H. ROTHENBERG ETAL WATERPROOF CASING FOR FLASHLIGHTS Filed Aug. s, 1957 INVENTORS /6 m ZZWATTORNEY Patented Oct. 13, 1942 WATERPROOF CASING FOR FLASHLIGHTS Harry Rothenberg, Norwood, N. J., and Leopold C. Grimsley, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignors to Henry Hyman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 6, 1937, Serial No.-157,660

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a waterproof casing or jacket for flashlights. This casing may be made of rubber or other resilient, flexible, waterproof material, such, for example, as so-called artificial rubber like those known as Thiokol and neoprene. The Word rubber as used in the claims is intended to include artificial rubber.

In carrying out the invention, the casing or jacket for flashlights is made in a plurality of sections or parts, preferably three, so that the flashlight bulb may be replaced in the flashlight at one end and the battery cells may be removed and replaced at the other end without removing the flashlight from the waterproof casing. Also, the normal operation of the flashlight and the manipulations for turning on and ofi" the light are not interfered with. The casing or jacket not only prevents water or moisture from gaining access to the flashlight but also increases the safety of it or decreases the probability of breakage or injury because this casing, being soft, protects the flashlight when it is accidentally dropped or otherwise struck.

The invention will be understood from the description in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a casing illustrative of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section with parts broken away; and

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, reference character I indicates the middle section of the casing or jacket which in the illustrated embodiment shown in the drawing is made up of three parts or sections. Longitudinal ribs 2 are preferably provided on the casing for purposes of ornamentation, strength and convenience in handling. The section I is provided with an enlarged end 3 to receive the head of a flashlight that is to be protected by the casing. A rim 4 is provided at the other end of this section and it is also recessed or undercut as shown at 5, leaving an inwardly directed flange B at the end. A metal ring I that is rectangular in cross-section is located in the undercut 5.

The end section or part 8' is cap shaped and is preferably ribbed. It is provided at its open end with a rim 9 like the rim 4, and it is also provided with an annular recess or undercut at In similar to the undercut 5, leaving a flange ll like the flange 6. The end of the part 8 is closed as shown at l2, and a polygonal rim or flange I3 is provided at this end to prevent the device from rolling when it is laid down. A metal rim 55 or ring somewhat like the ring 1 is located in the undercut I0.

The third part or section I8 of the waterproof casing is in the form of a ring that is rounded along its outer edge and shaped along its inner edge as shown in section at the lower left hand corner of Fig. 2. An annular grove I9 is provided along the inside of this ring l8, leaving a lip or flange 20 to snap over the enlarged rim 2| of the part or'section l to make a watertight joint with the rim 2| fitting tightly in the groove I9. An annular grove 22 is also provided along the inside of the ring I8 somewhat similar to the groove I9, leaving an annular flange or lip 23 to bear against the side of the disc 24 of glass or other transparent material and make a watertight joint when this ring I8 is snapped over this disc. An annular flange 25 is preferably left between the grooves l9 and 22.

A longitudinal recess 28 is provided along the inner surface of the section I to accommodate the switch mechanism or housing diagrammatically indicated at 29 on the flashlight casing 3|]. The enlarged end 3| of this flashlight casing accommodates the light bulb and reflector of the flashlight in the usual way. The disc 24 bears against the end 32 of the reflector when the parts are assembled.

An enlargement 33 of the section I is provided for the recess 28. Circular grooves 34 and 35 are provided in the enlargement 33, leaving thin portions 36 and 31 so that when pressure is applied from the outside on the portions inside of the grooves 34 and 35 the material will readily yield, thus permitting the usual push buttons that are provided on the flashlights to be operated. These circular portions may be appropriately marked liofin lion),

An annular shoulder 40 is provided near the end of the flashlight casing 30 of larger external diameter than the internal diameter of the ring 1 to provide a stop. The portion 4| of the casing 30 beyond the shoulder 40 is externally threaded as shown at 42.

A metal cap 43 is provided for the end of the casing 30 and fits sufliciently tightly in the end section 8 to be turned when this section 8 is turned. Screw threads 44 are provided on the cap 43 to screw upon the threads 42. An outwardly projecting rim 45 is provided at the open end of the metal cap 43 to fit in the undercut ID of the section 8.

The flashlight is assembled in the Waterproof casing as follows: The part or section I8 is taken off by bending the flange 20 outwardly,

and the flashlight is inserted longitudinally with its switch housing 29 entering the groove or recess 28 in the section I. The flashlight is pushed inwardly until its shoulder 40 contacts with the ring I. The section I8 carrying the transparent disc 24 is then placed on by snapping its flange 2%] over the rim 2| of the section I with the side of the disc 24 pressing against the end 32 of the reflector. The cap I2 is then screwed on to the threads 42 of the end 4! of the flashlight which causes the inwardly projecting flanges 6 and II to be securely clamped between the ring 1 and rim 45 to make a watertight joint. The ring I8 can be removed to replace the light bulb, and the cap 8 can be removed to replace the battery cells.

What is claimed is:

1. A removable waterproof jacket for a flashlight divided transversely and having means to render the junction watertight, said means comprising a stiff ring and a flexible lip in contact with said ring.

2. A removable waterproof jacket for a flashlight comprising a plurality of disengageable parts having waterproof joints, one of said parts having an enlarged rim at one end thereof and another one of said parts being a rubber ring provided with an annular groove and lip to snap over said rim to make a watertight joint.

3. A removable waterproof jacket for a flashlight comprising a disc and a plurality of disengageable parts having waterproof joints, one of said parts having an enlarged rim at one end thereof and another one of said parts being a rubber ring provided with an annular groove and lip to snap over said rim to make a watertight joint and also being provided with an annular groove along its inner side to receive the edge of said disc.

HARRY ROTHENBERG. LEOPOLD C. GRIMSLEY.

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