|
(11) | EP 0 466 630 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Torch |
| (57) It is basically made up of three parts, two halves 1 and 2 and a transparent head
3, the latter fitted with plugs, 6, which can connect to projections inside half 1.
The two halves 1 and 2 are first fitted together by simply plugging in the pins 10
on one half into the openings 11 on the other. The battery 12 is located between the
two halves, in line with the lamp 9 which is partially housed in the opening 20 on
head 3, fed through a strip 13 fixed to half 2, with its bottom end 15 bent to connect
to the base of battery 12 and the top end 16 facing a section 17 on that half, which
is weakened, so as enable the strip to be deformed to contact laterally with the neck
of bulb 9. |
SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention refers to a torch, specifically a pocket torch of reduced size, designed to attain maximum structural simplification.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] In the field of torches and, specifically of small pocket types, an infinity of solutions are familiar whose common denominator is a circuit which closes the electrical feed battery with the associated bulb. These designs operate fundamentally with the switch used to close said circuit, in some cases a pushbutton, in others a sliding switch, in others a rotary bush, etc.
[0003] Said bulb is also assisted by a reflector screen which concentrates the light in "jet" form to aim it in a given direction.
[0004] Clearly, this involves a certain level of costs arising from the switch system used, and a limitation on the use of the torch, which is valid only to light highly defined and specific areas or zones.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The torch proposed in this invention solves the above problems completely satisfactorily, being a solution of maximum simplicity in terms of the means for opening and closing the bulb's feed circuit, at the same time as permitting an "ambient" lighting rather than one which is aimed or channelled.
[0006] Therefore, and more specifically, the lamp proposed is structured on the basis of a housing made up of two parts or halves made of plastic, preferably polypropylene, which can be merely pressure-fitted together and removable for replacement of the battery housed inside: said halves are open at one end with devices to receive and secure a transparent head which is in a continuous line with the housing, and which contains an axial opening to introduce the bulb partially inside said housing, also in line with the battery itself, so that one of the battery terminals is in direct contact with one of the bulb terminals. In addition, in one of the halves of the housing, there is a metal strip running along it, suitably secured to it in the middle: at the bottom end, there is a right-angled elbow forming a connection zone with the other battery terminal and which, at the top, laterally faces the neck or second terminal of the bulb with which it makes contact when the housing is laterally deformed at this point. For these purposes, the top of the half containing said strip has a weakened section to allow such deformation, conveniently marked with grooving or any other suitable configuration.
[0007] This provides a torch which, structurally speaking, is extremely simple and so very low-cost, where the two halves making up the housing can be fitted together simply and uncoupled just by pressure in order to replace the battery, and where the bulb is lit by merely pushing or pressing on the housing, slightly deforming it, and the lamp is placed inside a transparent head which allows overall light diffusion, said torch being an element for ambient lighting similar to a candle, match or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] To complement the description being given, and in order to help in a better grasp of the characteristics of the invention, these Specifications are accompanied by a single page of drawings, forming an integral part hereof and which, by way of illustration and without limitation, show the following:
[0009] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a torch designed according to the subject of this invention.
A PREFERENTIAL DESIGN OF THE INVENTION
[0011] These figures show how the proposed torch is basically made up of three parts, two referenced (1) and (2) forming the housing and made preferably of polypropylene or a similar material while the third, referenced (3), is a transparent head which, for its part, can be made of perspex or a similar material.
[0012] The parts or halves (1) and (2) making up the housing have a channelled shape and are closed at one end (4-4′): at the other end, one of them (1) has a pair of internal projections (5) which serve to secure the head (3) which, in turn, has a pair of lateral plugs (6) in its base or inside face which can be "plugged in" laterally to said projections (5) on the housing. At the same time, both halves (1) and (2) have complementary transversal partitions (7) at this end point, with a broad central semi-circular groove (8) to clamp to the neck of the bulb (9) when both halves (1) and (2) are pressure fitted by introducing the pins (10) on one of them into the complementary openings (11) on the other.
[0013] The housing (1-2) is of a length which means it can contain, placed lengthwise, a conventional feed battery to the bulb (9) and the bulb (9) itself, so that they are directly connected through one of their terminals while the connection of the second terminal makes use of a strip (13) secured to the half (2) in the middle, by weld spots (14) or any other appropriate means: at the bottom of said strip, there is a right-angle elbow (15) bent back to enter under the bottom end of the battery (12) and for connection with its other terminal. At the top, there is a small head (16) which protrudes inward and which laterally faces the neck of the bulb (9) and in contact with said bulb, closing the bulb supply circuit when the housing itself is bent laterally by hand, specifically by means of a weakened zone (17) on the half (2), clearly defined by transversal grooving or any other suitable means.
[0014] The transparent head (3) includes not only the side plugs (6) for coupling to the projections (5) on the half (1) of the housing, but also lugs (18) parallel to its axis and intended to be inserted in openings (19) in the transverse partitions (7) at the top of said halves (1) and (2): said head also has an axial opening (20) forming two sectors of differing diameter, the inner one of which is the smaller, and less than the body of the bulb or lamp but greater than the diameter of the classical terminal appendage of such bulb or lamp, containing its filament and designed to be inserted in said sector of smaller diameter on opening (20).
[0015] It is inferred from the foregoing that, as pointed out above, the head (3) is easily coupled to half (1) where it is also easy to install the battery (12) and bulb (9): finally, it is also easy to insert the other half housing (2), thereby structurally complementing the torch with two market components, namely the battery and the bulb, and three parts whose structure is extremely simple and which are easily fitted.
[0016] It is not felt necessary to dilate further in this description in order for any expert in the field to grasp the scope of the invention and the benefits derived therefrom.
1. A small volume torch of the pocket type, wherein, essentially, there is a housing
based on two parts or channelled halves which can contain a standard cylindrical battery
and bulb, the latter partly protruding through one end of the housing and where said
housing has devices to secure a transparent head, preferably of perspex, with an axial
opening in which said bulb is partly coupled, with a pair of grooved plugs which are
coupled into projections inside one of the halves making up the housing. The two halves
are coupled together by pressure only so that they do not move: the half which does
not have said projections for securing the transparent head has, at its halfway point,
and suitably fixed in place, a strip which is bent at the bottom to make contact with
the associated battery terminal while the upper end laterally faces the neck of the
bulb on which it can close the supply circuit to said bulb by the deformation of the
half on which said strip is mounted, by means of a weakened, elastically deformable
zone at the top of said half.