Torch with a rotary switch

Abstract

A torch (flashlight) and a method for producing a torch housing and a torch head provides a torch which is of simple design and is robust. The torch has a rotary switch, in which torch clear classification of the selected function is possible, so that regular function monitoring can be dispensed with. The torch housing and the torch head can be connected in a captive manner and so as to be rotated in relation to one another to form a rotary switch having different switching states. Markings are arranged on the housing and on the lamp head. The markings allowing clear classification of the switching states. After the torch is first assembled and after the torch is first switched on, to clearly define the switching states by in each case a torch-head-side and a housing-side marking for subsequent switch-on processes.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising: a flashlight housing; a flashlight head connected to the flashlight housing in a captive manner and such the flashlight head can be rotated in relation to the flashlight housing to form a rotary switch having different switching states; a plurality of markings arranged on the housing and on the lamp head, the markings allowing unambiguous classification of the switching states; a plate and an annular ring-shaped contact spring rotatably mounted between the flashlight head and the flashlight housing, wherein the annular contact spring is movable relative to the plate, the contact spring making contact with a housing-side, annular, electrical contact area by way of a first partial section and there latching into predetermined positions and passing over electrical contact zones of the plate by way of a second partial section, the annular ring-shaped contact spring having a single annular course.

2. A flashlight according to claim 1, wherein an annular element is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one of the flashlight housing and the flashlight head and at least one of the housing and the lamp head markings is arranged on the annular element.

3. A flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the plate is connected in a rotationally fixed manner and at least indirectly to the flashlight housing.

4. A flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the plate is connected to an annular sleeve inserted into the flashlight housing on a flashlight-head side and on which the electrical contact area and a plurality of groove-like recesses which are spaced apart from one another are arranged on the flashlight-head side.

5. A flashlight according to claim 4, wherein the annular sleeve is spaced apart from the flashlight housing in the radial direction in regions and forms a rear annular stop face.

6. A flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the flashlight head has a front part and a rear part, wherein a reflector is held in an interlocking manner by a fixing sleeve in the front part.

7. A flashlight according to claim 6, wherein the rear part has an annular stop face which bears against a stop face of the annular sleeve in order to form a captive connection between the flashlight head and the flashlight housing.

8. A flashlight according to claim 6, wherein the fixing sleeve has at least one recess at the rear, a driver of the annular contact spring engaging into the recess, so that the contact spring can be rotated by means of a rotary movement of the flashlight head.

9. A flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of recesses, the plurality of recesses defining the predetermined positions, the annular contact spring comprising an electrical contact projection, at least a portion of the annular contact projection being arranged in one of the plurality of recesses.

10. A flashlight according to claim 1, wherein the annular ring-shaped contact spring comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first protrusion being located at a spaced location from the second protrusion in a circumferential direction of the annular contact spring.

11. A method for producing a flashlight comprising: providing a flashlight housing and a flashlight head which can be connected to one another such that they can be rotated and in a captive manner in order to form a rotary switch having different and selectable switching states; providing unambiguous classification of the switching states, after the flashlight is first assembled and after said flashlight is first switched on, to clearly define the switching states by in each case a flashlight-head-side and a housing-side marking for subsequent switch-on processes; providing a plate and an annular ring-shaped contact spring rotatably mounted between the flashlight head and the flashlight housing, wherein the ring-shaped annular contact spring is movable relative to the plate, the contact spring making contact with a housing-side, annular, electrical contact area via a first partial section and the contact spring latching into predetermined positions and passing over electrical contact zones of the plate by way of a second partial section, the annular ring-shaped contact spring extending along a single annular course.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the housing-side or the flashlight-side marking is arranged on an annular element which, after the flashlight is first switched on, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the flashlight housing or to the flashlight head.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising: providing a fixing sleeve; providing an annular sleeve comprising an annular sleeve stop face, wherein the flashlight head has a rear part, the rear part having an annular stop face which bears against the annular sleeve stop face in order to form a captive connection between the flashlight head and the flashlight housing.

14. A flashlight according to claim 13, wherein the fixing sleeve has at least one recess, the annular contact spring comprising a driver, the driver engaging into the at least one recess, so that the contact spring can be rotated by means of a rotary movement of the flashlight head.

15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the annular contact spring comprises at least one annular contact spring electrical contact element, the plate comprising at least a plurality of plate recesses, wherein the least one annular contact spring electrical contact element is movable from one of the plurality of plate recesses to another one of the plurality of plate recesses via rotating the flashlight head.

16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of recesses, the plurality of recesses defining the predetermined positions, the annular contact spring comprising at least one electrical contact projection, at least a portion of the at least one annular contact projection being arranged in one of the plurality of recesses.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of recesses, the plurality of recesses defining the predetermined positions, the first partial section comprising at least one electrical contact projection, at least a portion of the at least one electrical contact projection being arranged in one of the plurality of recesses.

18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the annular contact spring comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion, the first protrusion being located at a spaced location from the second protrusion in a circumferential direction of the annular contact spring, the plate comprising at least a plurality of plate recesses, wherein each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is movable from one of the plurality of plate recesses to another one of the plurality of plate recesses via rotating the flashlight head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1a is a cross-sectional view through an assembled torch;

(3) FIG. 1b is a perspective cross-sectional view through an assembled torch;

(4) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a contact spring;

(5) FIG. 3a is a perspective illustrations of a torch without the front part of the torch head; and

(6) FIG. 3b is another perspective illustrations of a torch without the front part of the torch head

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) A specific embodiment of a torch 1 according to the invention essentially comprises a torch housing 2, a torch head 3 which is mounted such that it can be rotated in relation to the said torch housing about the longitudinal axis A and is held in a captive manner and has a rear part 4 and a front part 5, an annular sleeve 6, a contact plate 7 and a contact spring 8. The annular sleeve 6 is connected to the torch housing 2 by means of a threaded section 9. As an alternative to this, the annular sleeve 6 could also be adhesively bonded, pressed or connected in some other releasable or permanent manner to the torch housing 2. At that end which is averted from the torch housing 2, the annular sleeve 6 is connected to the contact plate 7 in a rotationally fixed manner, electrical contact zones 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ (see FIG. 3b) being formed on the said contact plate. Furthermore, a light source in the form of an LED 11 is located on the contact plate 7. The annular sleeve 6 protrudes beyond the torch housing 2 in the radial direction, with the result that a rear annular stop face 12 is formed on the annular sleeve 6. In the assembled state, this stop face 12 is in contact with a corresponding bearing face 13 of the rear part 4 of the torch head 3, as a result of which the torch head 3 is connected to the torch housing 2 in a captive manner but such that it can rotate about the longitudinal axis A.

(8) The front part 5 of the torch head 3 has a reflector 14 which is held in an interlocking manner by a fixing sleeve 15 in the front part 5. To this end, the fixing sleeve 15 is screwed into the front part 5 by means of corresponding threaded sections. In the assembled state, the rear end face 16 of the fixing sleeve 15 is axially spaced apart from the end face 17 of the annular sleeve 6 to a certain extent. A contact spring 8 is arranged in-between said end faces, the design of said contact spring being illustrated in detail in FIG. 2.

(9) The contact spring 8 is substantially annular, wherein it has two partial circle sections 19, 20 which extend over 180° and have different radii. In the assembled state, the first partial circle section 19 lies on the electrical contact area 31 (see FIGS. 3a, b) of the annular sleeve 6. Furthermore, a v-shaped latching lug 21 is formed in the first partial section 19, the said latching lug latching into recesses 32 (see FIGS. 3a, b).

(10) The first and the second partial section 19, 20 are connected to one another by a connecting piece 22, 22′, a driver 23, 23′ lifting off from each of the said connecting pieces. In the assembled state, these drivers 23, 23′ engage in (not illustrated) recesses in the fixing sleeve 15, so that the contact spring 8 rotates due to rotation of the torch head 3.

(11) The second partial circle section 20 of the contact spring 8 is arranged at an angle in relation to the first partial circle section 19 and has an electrical contact element 24 in the form of a v-shaped slot. The manner of operation of this contact element is shown, in particular, by FIG. 3a.

(12) FIG. 3a shows a torch 1 in a perspective view and without the front part 5 of the torch head 3. The contact spring 8 rests on the electrical contact area 31 of the annular sleeve 6 and latches into recesses 32 there. The annular sleeve 6 is connected to the contact plate 7 in a rotationally fixed manner, different contact zones 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ being formed on the said contact plate. Depending on its angular position, the contact spring 8 passes over the contact zones 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ by way of the v-shaped contact element 24 and consequently switches different electrical states. The number of possible switching states is unlimited in principle, wherein four different contact zones 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ and therefore four different switching states are provided in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.

(13) In order to adjust the switching states, the torch head 3 and therefore the front part 5 and the rear part 4 are rotated in arrow direction 34, as a result of which the contact spring 8 is likewise rotated. In order for the user to be able to select the desired switching state before the torch is turned on, a marking 35 is arranged on the rear part 4 of the torch head 3. Furthermore, a plurality of markings 36, 36′ are applied on an annular element 37 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the torch housing 2 only after the said torch is first turned on. As a result, the set classification of the switching states is also maintained when a battery is changed, it generally being necessary to remove only the end cap for this purpose. In order to be turned on, the torch preferably has a (not illustrated) pressure switch in the end cap (end cap switch) or on the torch housing.

(14) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.