TORCH

Abstract

A torch (1), which is producible at low cost and is operable comfortably with one hand, irrespective of a gripping position, includes a torch head (2) which has a lighting unit (18), including a housing (3) configured as a gripping piece that extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and has a closed end section (4) at the rear. A linear-travel switch with a slide (5) operates the torch (1). The slide (5) is slidably and captively mounted on the housing (3). The slide (5) is formed in an L-shape with a first section (6) and a second section (9). The first section (6) extends longitudinally and axially along the housing (3) and the second section (9) engages behind (or catches behind) the closed end section (4) of the housing (3), so that the linear-travel switch can be operated in different gripping positions.

Claims

1. A torch, comprising a torch head, which comprises a lighting unit WO, a housing, which is configured as a handle piece, that extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a closed end portion to the rear, and a push switch, which in order to operate the torch comprises a slider, wherein the slider is captively mounted on the housing so as to be slidable, wherein the slider is L-shaped in configuration, with a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending longitudinally-axially along the housing and the second portion engaging behind the closed end portion of the housing, so that the push switch can be operated in different grip positions.

2. The torch according to claim 1, further comprising a spring, wherein, to operate the push switch, the slider is configured to be moved against a force of the spring.

3. The torch according to claim 1, wherein, for the captive mounting of the slider, the first portion thereof engages at a front in a cylindrical receiver in the torch head and/or the second portion thereof comprises guide elements with guide faces and snap-in hooks, which engage in an undercut receiver on the end portion of the housing.

4. The torch according to claim 1, wherein in a portion of the housing, between a contact face and the end portion of the housing the slider is partially covered and in said portion of the housing, the slider runs within a guide channel in the housing.

5. The torch according to claim 1, wherein the push switch is configured as a magnetic switch, which comprises a magnet element and a magnet-sensitive sensor arranged in the torch head or in the housing such that, by means of a sliding movement of the slider, the magnet-sensitive sensor is brought into operative connection with the magnet element, which is connected to the slider.

6. The torch according to claim 5, wherein the magnet element is arranged in a portion of the slider in the torch head.

7. The torch according to claim 1, wherein the slider comprises a ball spring and ball, wherein the ball runs along an approach ramp when the slider is operated.

8. The torch according to claim 2, wherein the spring is configured as a compression spring and is mounted between the front face of the end portion of the housing and the second portion of the slider.

9. The torch according to claim 2, wherein, for the captive mounting of the slider, at least one of: the first portion engages in a cylindrical receiver in the torch head; and the second portion comprises guide elements with guide faces and snap-in hooks, which engage in an undercut receiver on the rear end portion of the housing.

10. The torch according to claim 2, wherein in a portion of the housing, between a contact face and the end portion, the slider is partially covered and in said portion of the housing the slider runs within a guide channel in the housing.

11. The torch according to claim 3, wherein in a portion of the housing, between a contact face and the end portion, the slider is partially covered and in said portion of the housing the slider runs within a guide channel in the housing.

12. The torch according to claim 2, wherein the push switch is configured as a magnetic switch, comprising a magnet element and a magnet-sensitive sensor arranged in the torch head or in the housing such that, by means of a sliding movement of the slider, the magnet-sensitive sensor is brought into operative connection with the magnet element, which is connected to the slider.

13. The torch according to claim 12, wherein the magnet element is arranged in a portion of the slider which engages in the torch head.

14. The torch according to claim 3, wherein the push switch is configured as a magnetic switch, comprising a magnet element and a magnet-sensitive sensor arranged in the torch head or in the housing such that, by means of a sliding movement of the slider, the magnet-sensitive sensor is brought into operative connection with the magnet element, which is connected to the slider.

15. The torch according to claim 14, wherein the magnet element is arranged in a portion of the slider which engages in the cylindrical receiver in the torch head.

16. The torch according to claim 2, wherein the slider comprises a ball spring and a ball, wherein the ball runs along an approach ramp with operation of the slider.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings:

[0018] FIG. 1a is a plan view of a torch;

[0019] FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional representation of the torch according to FIG. 1a;

[0020] FIG. 2a is a side view of a torch;

[0021] FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional representation of the torch according to FIG. 2a;

[0022] FIG. 3a is a plan view of a torch; and

[0023] FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional representation of the torch according to FIG. 3a.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1a shows a specific embodiment of the torch (flashlight) 1 according to the invention in a perspective plan view. The torch 1 has a torch head 2 with a lighting unit 18 (FIG. 1b). The torch head 2 is connected to a housing 3, which is configured as a handle piece and extends along a longitudinal axis L. The housing 3 has a closed end portion 4 to the rear. To operate the torch 1, there is provided a push switch with a slider 5, which is captively mounted on the housing 3 so as to be slidable in the arrow direction 24, the sliding ability of the slider 5 being limited by means of a front and a rear stop. To enable the slider 5 to be operated in both the standard and the tactical grip position, the slider 5 is L-shaped in configuration and has firstly a first portion 6, which extends longitudinally-axially along the housing 3. In FIG. 1a, this first portion 6 of the slider 5 is shown in a plan view, wherein the slider 5 has, in the front region, a roughened contact face 7 for operation with the thumb in the standard grip position.

[0025] FIG. 1b shows a cross-sectional representation of the torch 1 along the cross-sectional planes A-A, in which the L-shaped configuration of the slider 5 is visible. The captive mounting of the slider 5 is ensured in that it initially engages on the housing 3 with the first portion 6 of the slider 5 at least partly in a cylindrical receiver 8 in the torch head 2. At the rear end of the torch 1, the slider 5 has a second portion 9, which is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first portion 6 and engages behind the closed end portion 4 of the housing 3. This second portion 9 serves to operate the torch 1 in the tactical grip position and can be pressed using the thumb. In the embodiment shown, the slider 5 is mounted so as to be slidable against the force of a compression spring 13, the compression spring 13 being positioned between the rear end portion 4 of the housing 3 and the second portion 9 of the slider 5. In the region of the first portion 6 of the slider 5, the slider 5 has as a signal transmitter a magnet element 14, which, by sliding the slider 5, can be brought into operative contact with a magnet-sensitive sensor 19 as a signal receiver, positioned in the torch head 2, in order to operate the torch 1. The slider 5 also has a ball spring 15, which is mounted inside a cylindrical ball spring receiver 20 in the slider 5, wherein when the slider 5 is operated, the ball 16 of the ball spring 15 runs along an approach ramp 17, which is formed on the housing 3 of the torch 1.

[0026] FIG. 2a shows the torch 1 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b in a perspective side view. FIG. 2b shows a cross-sectional representation along the eccentrically arranged cross-sectional planes B-B. According to this representation, the captive mounting of the slider 5 is further ensured in that the slider 5 additionally has two spaced-apart guide elements 21 with guide faces 10 and snap-in hooks 11, which engage in an undercut receiver 12 on the rear end portion 4 of the housing 3.

[0027] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a further specific embodiment of a torch 1 according to the invention, in which in a portion 22 between the contact face 7 and the rear end portion 4 of the housing 3, the slider 5 is partially covered. In this portion 22 the slider 5 runs inside a guide channel 23 in the housing 3, which means that it is possible to operate the slider 5 smoothly and without obstruction, in both the standard and the tactical grip position, even when the torch 1 is held very firmly.

[0028] 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.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0029] 1 Torch (Flashlight) [0030] 2 Torch head [0031] 3 Housing [0032] 4 End portion [0033] 5 Slider [0034] 6 First portion [0035] 7 Contact face [0036] 8 Cylindrical receiver [0037] 9 Second portion [0038] 10 Guide face [0039] 11 Snap-in hooks [0040] 12 Receiver [0041] 13 Compression spring [0042] 14 Magnet element [0043] 15 Ball spring [0044] 16 Ball [0045] 17 Approach ramp [0046] 18 Lighting unit [0047] 19 Magnet-sensitive sensor [0048] 20 Ball spring receiver [0049] 21 Guide elements [0050] 22 Portion (with partially covered slider) [0051] 23 Guide channel [0052] 24 Arrow direction [0053] L Longitudinal axis