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‘May 26, 1925. I 1,538,992 - N. M. HOPKINS FLASH LIGHT AND RECHARYGING DEVICE FOR THE BATTERY THEREOF Filed Dec. 20, 19,20 Fig] 2 2 Sheets-Sheet l 44 Z6 INVENTOR. , 7Q“;. 771M “477%. @731, W 9 619%’ ATTORNEYS. May 26, 1925. 1,538,992 N. M. HOPKINS FLASH LIGHT AND RECHARGING DEVICE FOR THE BATTERY THEREOF Filedv Dec. 20, 1920 2 Sheet's-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. . Am _74W) + / A TTORNEYS. ‘1,538,992 Patented May 26, 1925. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORTTO NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. FLASH LIGHT AND RECHARGING DEVICE FOR THE BATTERY THEREOF. Application ?led December 20, ‘1920. Serial No. 432,021. T0 all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, NEVIL MONROE Hor KINs, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at New‘ York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in trical connection of the charging means to the battery only when the charging means is in operation and only when the battery is arranged so that the liquid acid electro~ ly'te thereof will not leak out during charg mg. ~ Flash Lights and Recharging Devices for ‘ Another object of this invention is to the Batteries Thereof, of which the follow provide a compact portable converter adapt ing is a speci?cation. 10 ' ed for recharging storage batteries, which ' This invention relates to portable electric will alternatively convert relatively high 65 lighting devices, known- generally as ?ash voltage ~direct current or relatively high lights, and battery hand orpocket lanterns. voltage alternating current electrical energy into relatively low-voltage direct current cerned with ?ashlights in which miniature‘ electricity suitable for charging storage bat The invention is more particularly con 1 storage or other rechargeable batteries are employed as the source of current for light pocket and hand lanterns, ?ashlights, and constitute a combined portable out?t em general application. Rechargeable batteries, such as storage batteries, have heretofore been employed in 80 spects than the dry cells generally in use in bodying a ?ashlight and a recharging means such lighting devices. But ?ashlights and for the miniature battery thereof. lanterns equipped with miniature storage The above and other important objects batteries have not attained general popular and novel features of this invention will be ity principally because it has been practi apparent --from the following description cally impossible for the average user to re taken with the drawings which are a part charge the battery himself, making its main of this application and in which— tenance about as expensive and inconven- . 35 1o the like, and are more desirable in some re ever, some of the novel features are of more 25 ~ Another object of this invention is to pro vide a recharging device of the above type comprising converting means or potential reducing and rectifying means of a size adapted to be incorporated in a ?ashlight 75 structure to provide a unitary portable elec tric lighting device, or so that it may be otherwise associated with the ?ashlight to ing the ?ashlight lamp, and with means for readily recharging such batteries. How 20 teries. 80 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of ient as the replacement of dry cells. a portable electric lighting device or ?ash One of the primary objects of this in light of a well known type, embodying my vention is, therefore, to provide a portable invention, 90 electric lighting device embodying a battery Fig. 2 is a partial view of another ?ash- ' that shall be, readily rechargeable, especial light embodying my invention, - ly by persons unfamiliar with electrical de 40 vices and circuits. Another object of this invention is to pro vide a portable recharging'device for ?ash light storage batteries which may be con Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams of-the connec tions of the electrical circuits in the lighting devices disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, 95 Figs. 5 and 6, are, respectively, a side elevation and a longitudinal sectional view veniently carried about with’ the ?ashlight of another type’ of charging device or con 4 50 and adapted and arranged for connection to verter embodying my invention, Fig. 5 the usual electric supply circuit of a resi showing ?ashlights on a smaller scale, asso dence, hotel or other building, soth'at the ciated with the charging device disclosed, ?ashlight battery may be recharged as de-W' Fig. 7 is the bottom plan view of the sired by an inexperienced person wherever charging device shown in Fig. 5, parts be electric current is available. ingillustrated in dotted lines and Another object of this invention is to Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of provide a portable electric lighting device another charging device embodying my in of the above type that shall embody a ?ash vention. light or hand lantern. charging means for In its broader aspect-s, my invention com 100 105 the storage battery thereof, and suitable prises a portable electric lighting device ' switch means arranged "to complete the elec embodying a rechargeable battery, such as a 7"“ 1,588,992 2 miniature storage battery, and means where the electrolyte within which the positive and by the battery may be readily recharged by negative plates P are disposed. The vent persons who are unfamiliar with electrical V desirably comprises a J or L shape capil devices and circuits. Such charging devices lary passage in a suitable tube sealed in the may be combined with the portable lighting cover 16 of the battery case, being designed device in such a manner as to form a unitary 20 herein but it will be understood that the in ever it becomes desirable or necessary to vention comprehends other suitable types of do portable devices comprising means for con 25 to permit the escape of gas that is generated device that may be conveniently carried about during the charging or recharging of the with practically the same ease as the well battery, but during use preventing the'leak known flashlight or portable lantern. On age of electrolyte therethrough, even when the other hand, the charging device may be the ?ashlight and battery are inverted. The 75 housed in a portable casing that is separate positive and negative plates or electrodes may be of any desired or‘ preferred form from the casing of the ?ashlight but of such size that it may be conveniently carried about and have their terminals suitably connected with the portable lighting device and as in circuit in a manner to be described. The sociated with such lighting device more or miniature storage battery is accordingly a less temporarily, by suitable electrical con permanent part of the portable electric ductors through which charging current is lighting device and is not discarded when it supplied to_ the battery of the lighting de has become discharged, but, on the contrary, vice. Several desirable forms of charging it may be recharged to substantially its in devices of the above character are disclosed itial condition of current and voltage when so. ' i . Suitable recharging apparatus and auxili verting relatively high-voltage electrical aries thereof are located in the compartment energy into relatively low-voltage direct cur~ 0 of the ?ashlight casing, or only a part of 90 such recharging apparatus may be housed in the compartment C and the other parts of ture storage batteries. _ Referring to the drawings, and particular the recharging apparatus may be provided ly to Figs. 1 and 3, A designates a unitary with means whereby they are attachable to rent electricity suitable for charging minia portable electric lighting device embodying said casing or with other means whereby 95 my invention and of the type generally they may be permanently or temporarily known as a ?ashlight or pocket lamp, the structurally associated with said ?ashlight. term “?ashlight” as herein employed, de As before stated, various types of devices signating generally pocket and hand lamps may be employed for the purpose of recharg 35 and lanterns, and the like, usually employed ing the storage battery B. Inasmuch as 100 as portable electric lighting devices for pro- ' electric current supply circuits, either direct viding a more or less temporary light. The current or alternating current of relatively ?ashlight A has a cylindrical or other suit high-voltage are now very generally avail 40 45 able casing 10 which in the present instance, able, the more advantageous ‘embodiments is somewhat longer than the casings gen of my invention employ av recharging de 105 erally employed in ?ashlights carrying dry vice that may be electrically connected to cells, the extra length of the casing forming such a supply circuit, taking therefrom a a compartment C to house the recharging comparatively small amount of electrical -‘ device or a portion thereof, and suitable energy of relatively high-potential and con automatically acting switch means. The verting such energy to relatively low-poten 110 forward end of the casing 10 carries a bell tial direct current suitable for charging the shaped portion 11 that is closed at its outer miniature ?ashlight battery. The term end by a lens 12. The bell-shaped portion “electric current converter” or “electric cur 11 of the casing contains the re?ector 13 rent converting device” is herein employed to designate generally those devices adapted candescent lamp 14 mounted concentrically and arranged to receive either direct cur behind the lens 12 and a miniature in with and in the focus of the reflector. 116 rent or alternating current and deliver direct The electricity for energizing the in 55 current of the desired potential, whether candescent electric lamp 14 is supplied by a employing resistance or other potential-re suitable miniature battery B disposed in the ducing means or not and whether employing 120 casing 10, and in the present arrangement rectifying means or not. The principles of such battery is of a type that is readily re this invention are applicable to converters chargeable, that is, one which may be re which only convert direct current of high stored to substantially its normal condition potential to direct current of a suitable 60 of current and voltage by suitable recharg potential to charge the miniature storage 65 ing means. The battery B is most desirably a miniature secondary or storage battery and may be of any suitable or preferred type, having a casing 15 sealed throughout, ex cept at a vent V, to prevent the escape of 125 battery, to converters which only convert alternating current of relatively high-poten tial to direct current of low-potential, and to converters which are adapted to alternative ly convert either direct or alternating cur 180 ‘1,533,992 8 rent of high—potential to direct current of employed for residence lighting and it is, low-potential for charging. therefore. desirable that the apparatus for The particular recharging device or con converting high-voltage electrical energy to verter illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 is an ad low-voltage direct current for charging the vantageous construction and consists of a battery shall be adapted to be connected to 70 miniature n'iotor-generator set 'which is and operate from a relatively high-voltage adapted to alternatively convert relatively alternating current electrical supply circuit. high-voltage direct current or relatively “There both direct current and alternating highw'oltage alternating current electrical current circuits may be available for charg 10 energy into relatively low-voltage direct cur ing purposes, it is desirable that a single 76 rent electricity suitable for charging the bat motor be employed which may be connected tery B. The generator G of this motor-gen alternatively to either alternating current or erator set consists of an armature 17 that direct current relatively high-voltage cir comprises a bipolar or multipolar laminated core. provided with a winding 18 of ?ne wire connected to the segments of a commutator 19 from which brushes 2O collect low-volt cuits. ‘Vith this end in view, in the present converting apparatus, I employ an electric 80 motor to rotate the generator armature that ‘is capable of operating satisfactorily and age direct current of 2. 4 or 6 volts, as the e?iciently from either direct current or al 20 case may be, to be supplied through suitable ternating current supply circuits, that is, a electrical conductors and switches to the motor which is generally known as a “uni positive and negative poles of the battery B. vcrsal” motor. Any-suitable or preferred The shaft 21 of the generator armature is form of universal electric motor may be em rotatably ‘supported in suitable bearing ployed. The universal motor illustrated in ‘ members 22 and 23 carried in the compart Fig. 1 comprises an armature core 26 built ment C of the casing 10 so as to rotatably up ‘of slotted laminations in the usual man~ support the armature 17 in the ?eld ‘pro ner and provided with an armature winding duced by the permanent horse-shoe electro 27 that is connected to the segments of a magnet 24 secured in the compartment C commutator 28, all carried by the armature and having its N and S poles on opposite shaft 29 that is mounted in suitable bearings 30 35 sides of the generator armature. WVhile I employ and have illustrated a permanent magnet because of its simplicity, it will be understood that the core of the magnet may be otherwise magnetized, as for example, it may consist of laminations carrying a suit in the motor casing 24 and the inner end of which may be angular and project into a similar angular socket in the outer end of the generator armature shaft 21 to thereby couple the shafts 21 and 29 together. The field core 30 of the motor M is also lami 100 able winding connected in circuit with the hated. being desirably built up of annular generator to set up the desired ?eld ?ux. Suitable means may be employed for ro 40 tating the generator armature at the proper speed to generate the desired direct current ot a relatively low-voltage to be supplied to the battery B. “There electric current is slotted laminations so as to eliminate eddy currents and heating when the motor is con nected to an alternating current supply cir cuit. The core 30 carries a suitable ?eld 105 winding 31 desirably connected in circuit with the armature winding 27 in a manner available. an electric motor is most desirably well understood. The conductors of the al 45 employed for this purpose and in Fig. 1 I ternating current supply circuit may be con‘ have illustrated an electric motor M di nected to suitable binding posts 32 on the 110 rectly coupled to the armature shaft of the motor casing and by suitable conductors generator G to drive the latter at the proper shown in the diagram, Fig. 3. the circuits generating speed. The motor comprises a are completed within the motor casing to Casing 25 that is detachably secured by suit the ?eld winding 81 and to the brushes 33 r‘ n 50 able means such as screws to a brass bushing which bear on the commutator 28. The mo 115 member 25’ threaded on or otherwise mount; tor casing and the flashlight casing may he ed on the rear end of the casing 10. but it provided with openings. and suitable cool— will be understood that if desired, the ?ash ing means such as a fan blade 34 on the ar light casing 10 may be extended so as to form mature shat't 29 may be employed to circu 55 a continuous casing for housing the entire late air through such openings and through charging vdevice including the motor. the converting apparatus to prevent over “There relatively high-voltage direct cur heating thereof. but in some types of con— rent. common on direct current distribution verting apparatus such cooling means may systcn'is, for example 60, 100. 110 or 120 be omitted without sacri?cing .any advan 120 60 volts. is the only source of electricity avail 125 tages of the invention. When the battery 13 is charged. the lamp direct ‘curl-(mt electric motor designed for l-t may be lighted or flashed by operating able. the motor M may consist of a miniature the higlevoltage direct current circuit upon the usual or any preferred torm of switch which it is to be used. However, alternating 36 that is carried by the casing 10 and is 05 current around no volts is now generally arranged to close the electrical circuit in 130 4: 1,538,992 ’ cluding the storage battery and lamp. This circuit contains another switch 37, which by the aid of a spring 38 or other suitable means, is normally held in position to elec will leak out of the battery casing, and in the present instance, this object is attained by supporting the battery so that its vent is at the upper end or uppermost during trically connect the conductor 39 leading the time that the battery is being charged. from the batteryi to the contact 40 con A simple means for holding the battery in nected to one terminal of the switch 86, so a correct chargingposition comprises a de that normally the operation of the switch vice for suspending the lighting device, as 36 will serve to complete the battery-lamp circuit and light the lamp. When it. is de sired to recharge the battery, suitable means may be provided for temporarily complet~ ing the charging circuit between the low voltage generator or other electrical device, '15 that supplies low-voltage direct current, and the storage battery to be charged. For this purpose, a switch is employed in the charg 10 20 cured to the outer side ofthe enlarged up 75 per end 11 of the ?ashlight casing. Such suspension eye may be folded out of the way and when in extended position, may be used to hang the lighting device on a nail or other suitable support while the battery is that the inner end of the vent will be un 35 40 tomatically to interrupt the charging cir from while the lighting device is in use, cuit when the charging device no longer even when the battery and lighting device functions, so that the storage battery will are inverted. not discharge through the electrical device Inasmuch as attempts may be made to ing device is idle. In the portable convert right position, say when it is lying on its ing device shown in Fig. 1, the switch 37 side, or inverted. an arrangement is pro is automatically operated and pulled away vided whereby it will be impossible to from the contact 40 against the tension of charge the battery under such conditions the spring 38 by a small electro-magnet 4]. and whereby the battery may only be which is controlled by the operation of the charged when its vent is in such a position charging device. In the present instance that the inner end of the vent is uncovered the coil of the magnet 41 is electrically con so that the electrolyte will not be expelled nected in series with the motor M so that therefrom during the charging operation. when current is supplied to the latter, the Various means may be employed to accom electro-magnct 41 will be energized. caus plish this purpose, the one herein disclosed ing the switch member 37 to open the cir~ comprising a simple and effective gravity cuit through the contact 40 and to engage operated switch means inserted .in the charg a- contact 42. thereby connectingr the latter ing circuit, and as shown, includes an in which is in the charging circuit. to the con verted frustro-conical conducting shell 45 ductor 39 which leads to one pole of the suitably mounted in'the casing 10 and con storage battery. Accordingly. the comple 55 erated within the electrolyte and a suitable vent such as the vent V is usually pro vided in the cover of the storage battery as a relief port for such gases. The liquid 90 95 100 105 nected by a conductor 45’ to the contact tion of the charging circuit depends upon 42. A switch member in the form of a the operation of the charging device or ball 46 of conducting material, is disposed converting means. in the shell 45 and is of such size as to \Vhile the storage battery is being roll freely therein and to partly project charged. as is well known, gases are gen from the loweropen end of the shell, to 50 85 structed that no electrolyte will ?ow there employed for charging it when the charg charge the battery while it is not in an up 30 80 being charged, thus arranging the device so ing circuit which completes the electrical covered and no electrolyte will be expelled connection of the converting device to the from the vent while the battery is gassing. battery only when the converting device is The vent is of such minute size and so con in operation, that is, one which will act au 25 for example, a suspension eye 44 that is se 110 engage a contact 47 that is electrically con nected to the charging device. This gravity 115 switch is arranged so that the ball 46 en~ gages the contact 4;? to close the circuit only electrolyte in such batteries is usually sul when the vent V of the. battery is arranged phuric acid and the leakage or expulsion or disposed so that no electrolyte will cover of even a small amount of the same, is the inner end thereof and be expelled there very undesirable, especially in portable from when the battery is being charged and lighting devices of the type herein described is gassing. In case the directions are not which are often carried about in clothing followed and an attempt is made to charge that is likely to be ruined by such acid. the battery while the device is lying on its Accordingly. in order to prevent the ex side, or inverted, the ball 46 will roll out pulsion of electrolyte while the gas is be— of contact with the contact 47 and the charg ing evolved during charging, it is desirable ing circuit will be incomplete. No current 125 to have the battery so arranged that the will then ?ow to the battery and no‘ elec inner end of the vent is open to allow the trolyte will be expelled therefrom. thus gas to escape freely so that no electrolyte avoiding the objectionable leakage of elec 130 1,638,992 5 trolyte which would otherwise occur by an small bevel pinion 57 on a shaft 29’ coupled accumulation of pressure due to gassing. to the generator armature shaft 21 and The operation of my improved portable meshing with a large beveled gear 57’ that electric lightingdevice will be apparent is arranged to be rotated by a crank 57” 10 from a consideration of the diagram shown secured thereto, thus providing a speed mul 70 in Fig. 3. Normally, the parts of the appa tiplying device whereby the generator arma ratus are in the position illustrated, except ture can be driven at a comparatively high that the ball member 46 may be in some speed. The gears 57, 57’ and their shafts, other position, depending upon how the are suitably. mounted in a bracket 58 that lighting device is held but this is imma is threaded at its forward end or otherwise 75 terial while the device is in use. In this arranged to be readily attachable to a co normal position, the lamp 14 may be lighted operating part on the rear end of the flash by closing the switch 36 to complete the elec light casing. trical circuit as follows: Positive terminal In the lighting device of Fig. 2, the charg of the battery B, conductor 39, switch 37, ing circuit is also normally open so as to contact 40, conductor 48, switch 36, con prevent the discharge of the battery through ductor 49, lamp 14, conductors 50 and 51 the generator. The main switch of‘ the 20 to the negative terminal of the battery B.. charging circuit may be, controlled by a When the battery B is to be recharged, the suitable device that will close the charg lighting device is ?rst suspended from the ing circuit when the charging device is in eye 44 or arranged so that the vent will be condition to supply current to the battery 80 85 at the upper end of the battery or uppermost and that will open the charging ‘circuit . to uncover the inner end of said vent and when the battery has become charged or 25 30 thereby prevent discharge of electrolyte whenithe charging device has completed the from the battery during the gassing inci charging of the battery. The particular dental to recharging. In this position, the means employed in the electric lighting de ball member 46 of the gravity switch will vice illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 may coin engage the contact 47. When either a rela prise a‘governor device 59 of well known tively high-potential alternating current or construction operatively associated with the a relatively high-potential direct current armature shaft of‘ the generator and having _ supply circuit is connected to the terminals connected thereto a switch lever 59’ pivoted 32, 32 of the motor M, current will ?ow at 59” so that a part thereof is movable into 90 95' through the motor to operate it and at the engagement with the contact 60 when the same time current will be supplied to the generator is driven at generating speed, as electro-magnet 41 by conductors 52 and 53, illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. '4. When 100 energizing the latter to attract the armature the charging device or generator is idle, or of the switch 37, moving the same to the the battery has been charged, the governor dotted position in Fig. 3 to complete the device restores to its normal position and ‘charging circuit as follows: Positive brush opens the charging circuit automatically, of the generator G, conductor 54, contact thereby preventing a return flow of current 47, ball 46, shell 45, conductor 45’, contact from the battery to the generator. A grav 42, switch 37, conductor 39', battery B, con ity or other suitable switch similar to the ductors 51 and 55 to the negative brush of one illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, is also em the generator G. “Then the battery has ployed to control the connection of the gen been recharged, and the electric current sup erator to the battery so that the latter may 110 ply is interrupted or disconnected from the only be charged when the vent of the stor binding posts 32, 32, the magnet 41 willbe age battery is arranged so there will be sub de-energized and the spring 38 will restore stantially no leakage of electrolyte there from while the battery is gassing. ' A single‘ gagement with contact 40, thereby prevent~ switch to control the connection of the lamp the switch 37 to its normal position in en ing the discharge of the battery through, to the battery B may be employed as illus the generator and also restoring the battery trated in Fig. 3, but in Fig. 4 I have shown lamp circuit to the condition inewhich the another desirable arrangement which com-. lamp 14 may be lighted by the operation of prises a three-way switch 36’. In one posi the switch 36. tion, the conductor 39’ from the positive Where no electrical supply circuit is pole of the battery B is not connected to available, for the operation of an electric‘ either the lamp or the charging device and motor, other suitable means, such as a me 15 120 in the other two positions the positive pole chanical device, may be employed to rotate of the battery may be connected to either the generator at the required generating the conductor 49 or the conductor 45’ which a portable electric lighting device embody charging device. ' speed. In Figs. 2 and 4 I have illustrated respectively lead to the lamp and to the ing my invention in which the generator Figs. 1 to 4 disclose a portable electric armature is rotated‘ by a mechanical device lighting device in which an electrical con that is manually operable and comprises a verter for recharging a flashlight storage 130 6 1,538,992 . battery is so combined with the casing and with the windings of the motor M by suit other elements of the ?ashlight as to form a able conductors. The lower end of the arma structurally unitary device that is adapted ture shaft 211 of the generator may operate to be carried about with the low-voltage di rect current generator in permanent electri cal connection with the storage battery and the switches controlling the electrical con nections, and in addition the generator driv ing means is associated with the ?ashlight or carry a suitable device such as fan blades 341 by means of which air may be circulated 70 through openings 64 and 65 in the casing and past the parts of the apparatus therein. Flashlight batteries to be charged may either be removed from the ?ashlight case either permanently or detachably. For some and mounted with the vents thereof sub 75 purposes it is desirable to arrange the electric stantially uppermost in a position to prevent converting device in an independent port expulsion of liquid electrolyte through such able casing having terminals adapted to be vents, as heretofore set forth, or the same electrically connected with the storage bat may be retained in the case, as in the forms tery of the ?ashlight by suitable electric con illustrated in Fig. 5, and the ?ashlight sup 80 ductors, but such portable converting device ported in a position so that the battery vents for charging the ?ashlight storage battery will be at the upper end of the battery, or may nevertheless be of a size adapting it in other words, so that the battery is dis to be carried about with the ?ashlight so posed with its vent substantially uppermost. that the latter may be recharged whenever or example, in the ?ashlight L’, the vent 85 desired. A converter or charging device of V’ of the battery B’ is at the base end of the this type may be electrically and mechani ?ashlight casing or the end remote from the cally disconnected from the ?ashlight after lamp 141, and in order to support this ?ash charging so that the latter will be free of light for charging, it may be mounted in an the additional weight otherwise imposed on inverted position as shown the lens 121 the ?ashlight when the charging apparatus thereof having a ?at outer face adapted to is unitarily combined therewith. serve as an enlarged base, enabling the ?ash Figs. 5 to 8 illustrate types of portable light to be set on a ?at support S, such as a electric lighting devices and charging de table. In another example, a ?ashlight L" 00 vices embodying the foregoing features, may be provided with a suspension eye or showing ?ashlights with which the charging book 441 whereby it may be hung from suit 35 or converting device may be temporarily associated by means of electrical connections between the two. In the arrangement il lustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, a substantially tub ular converter casing T comprises an upper able means, such as a nail, so that the vent_ V" of its battery B", which vent is adja cent the lamp end of the ?ashlight, will be adjacent the amp 142 and uppermost when the ?ashlight is suspended as shown. Suit portion T’ which is made somewhat larger able switch means may be arranged to con in diameter than the lower portion T", to trol the lighting of the lamps 141, 142, the house the universal electric motor M of the electrical connection of the charging device motor-generator set which constitutes the to the battery, and to prevent the discharge 10C 105 converting apparatus for supplying the of the battery through the charging device, charging current. 45 50 The universal electric and in all essential respects, these switches motor and the low-voltage direct current may be similar to those disclosed in Figs. generator coupled to it may be substantially 1 to 4. The gravity operated switches illus of the same construction as the set illus trated comprise tapering conducting shells trated in Fig. 1, the generator being disposed 451 and 452 having cooperating conducting in the lower, contracted portion T” of the balls 461 and 462 in the ?ashlights L’ and casing. A suitable ?eld winding F may be L” respectively. Terminals or bindinrr posts provided on the ?eld magnet core 61 also P, N and P’, N’, may be arranged on t e bot disposed in the smaller part of the casing tom ends of the ?ashlight cases or elsewhere 110 115 which, when energized, furnishes the ?eld thereon so that the terminals 66, 66', re ?ux for the generator armature. The frame spectively, of the charging device may be of the motor and generator and other parts electrically connected through suitable con are so combined into a structural whole as ductors to the ?ashlight batteries in said to be readily inserted in the casing T. Suit cases. In this manner, a ?ashlight and its able means may be provided for connecting battery embodying the present invention, the converter to an electric current supply may be temporarily structurally associated circuit, and in the present arrangement, the with the charging set and when recharged, upper end of the casing T is shown provided may readily be disconnected from the charge 00 with a threaded neck contact 62 and a center 65 ing device and used independently thereof. 125 contact 68 whereby a suitable electrical and The polarity of the low-voltage direct cur mechanical connection may be made with an rent delivery terminals may be readily de electric lamp socket or receptacle of well termined by suitable means associated with known construction. The contacts 62 and the binding posts 66, 66’. For this purpose 63' may be electrically connected in circuit an electrically operable indicating device 130 1,638,992 "7 may be located in the lower end of the electrically ' connected to the converter smaller portion of the converter casing, the winding. The converter may be embodied same comprising a segmental window 68 in a ?ashlight as a unitary part thereof, which may be in the bottom of the casing similar to the electric machine of the device and through which a ?ag or indicator 69 is illustrated in Fig. 1, for example, or the 70 visible. The side of the casing may also same ma have a window 68' through which an indi be housed in a separate case to be assoclated with the ?ashlight battery cator 69’ is visible. The indicators 69 and when the latter is to be charged. An ex~ 69’ may be mounted on a pivoted rod 70 ample of the latter type of device is broadly 10 and' a magnetic needle or head 71 at one end. similar to the charging device shown in 76 of the rod is disposed in the path of the Figs. 5 to 7,'as illustrated in Fig. 8 in which ?ux between the north and south poles of the rotary converter K is ‘housed in a sub a permanent magnet 72, which normally stantially tubular metal casing 80, the maintains the same in a balanced position upper end of which may carry suitable ter and the indicators 69 and 69’ in a position minals such as a screw threaded contact. 20 intermediate the terminals 66 and 66’. The head 71 of the indicator is also subject to the in?uence of an electro-magnet 73, the winding of which may be electrically con~ nected in series circuit with one of the low— .voltage direct current supply conductors leading to the binding posts 66, 66’. Low~ -voltage direct current supplied by the charg~ ing device will thus ?ow through the wind 25 ing 73, inducing a magnetic ?eld, the po shell’ 621 and a center contact 631, adapted to make electrical contact with the usual screw and center contacts of a lamp socket. The contacts ‘621 and 631are respectively, electrically connected to the brushes 75 by suitable electrical conductors. The termi nals of the generating winding of the con verter may be connected to a suitable com- . mutator 213 on the armature ‘shaft 212, from which the desired low-voltage direct larity of which depends on the direction of the . current is delivered through brushes 81, 81' currenttherein and which ?eld will act on the to exterior binding posts 82, 82 electrically needle 71 to turn the same and unbalance connected to said brushes. For supplying the pivoted rod 70. This swings the indi 30 the required ?eld excitation, a permanent cators 69 and 69’. to one side or the other ?eld magnet may be employed or a suitably of their intermediate position and opposite connected ?eld Winding F’ on the ?eld mags net core may be provided. Fan blades 342 on the armature shaft 212 may be provided cated adjacent opposite ends of the windows. to induce a circulation of air through the‘ or adjacent one or the other of the low _voltage direct current terminals 66, 66' lo The indicators 69, 69' are desirably arranged casing and throughopenings 651. Means to designate the positive terminalof the may be provided to manually start the charging device, and may be marked with miniature rotary'converter illustrated and a plus sign, as shown. . ‘for this purpose the armature shaft 212 Other types of electrical devices may ad may be provided with a projecting lower 40 vantageous y be employed to supply the de end upon which a knurled head 214 may be 105 sired. low-voltage direct current for re secured. The head 214 may be gripped and charging storage batteries of portable elec the armature spun rapidly, bringing it into tric lighting devices, such as ?ashlights. synchronism with the high-voltage alternat For example, a miniature synchronous ro ing current supply after which it will op tary converter may be designed ‘to operate from alternating current supply mains of the voltage commonly in use in residences and to deliver low-voltage direct ‘current The charging device illustrated in Fig. 8, erate as a synchronous rotary converter. 110 may also be equipped with suitable switches and a polarity indicator similar to the one suitable for charging ?ashlight batteries. employed in the charging device or con The essentials of the theory, construction verter shown in Figs. 1 to 7. c 116 and operation of such rotary converters, as The operation of the several devices will well as those of the motor-generator sets be understood from the foregoing descrip already described, are well understood by tion. The present invention may be em~ those skilled in the art to which this in bodied in other types of portable electric vention pertains, and it is therefore unnec lighting devices and recharging devices for 120 essary to describe them in detail. Gen the batteries thereof, and various changes erally speaking, the rotary converter K, may be made in the devices herein illus shown somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. trated and described without sacri?cing the 60 -8 to illustrate this embodiment of the advantages of the invention or departing present invention, is designed to operate from the principles set forth. The inven synchronously from the alternating current tion is therefore, not to be limited to the mains which may be suitably electrically details herein shown and described. I claim: connected to the winding of the converter, as through brushes 75, 75 which bear upon 1. A portable electric lighting device collector rings 76, 76, rotatable with and comprising an electric lamp and a storage no I 8 1,538,992 battery in circuit therewith having a vent, in combination with means for charging said battery, and means adapted to elec trically connect said charging means to said storage battery only when the vent of said battery is arranged so as to prevent dis direct current electricity suitable for charg ing said battery, and means for connecting such charging means in circuit with said 55 battery only when the vent of said battery is arranged so as to prevent the leakage of electrolyte therefrom during the gassing in charge of electrolyte therefrom during the cidental to charging. gassing incidental to charging. 10 ' 6. A portable electric lighting device 2. A portable electric lighting device, comprising an electric lamp, a rechargeable comprising an electric lamp and a storage battery in circuit therewith, and a casing battery in circuit therewith having a vent, carrying said lamp and said battery, in com in combination with electric current con 60 bination with means for charging said bat verting means for recharging said battery, tery comprising an electric machine carried '05 and means adapted to electrically connect by said casing, and driving means detachably said converting means to said storage bat mounted on said casing and adapted to be tery only when the vent of said battery is operatively coupled to said electric machine. disposed so as to prevent discharge of liquid 7 . A portable electric lighting device electrolyte therefrom during the gassing in comprising the combination of an electric 70 cidental to charging. lamp, a vented storage battery in circuit 20 3. A portable electric lighting device, with said lamp, a casing for said lamp and comprising an electric lamp and a storage battery, terminals on said casing to which battery in circuit therewith, having a vent, a suitable battery charging device may be in combination with means for charging electrically connected, switch means con 75 said storage battery, and automatically actu trolling the electrical connection of said ter ated switch means arranged to complete the minals to said battery, and means whereby electrical connection of said charging means said lighting device may be supported with to said'battery only when said charging the vent of said battery disposed so that means is operating and only when the vent no electrolyte will leak therefrom during 80 of said battery is arranged to prevent leak charging. 15 30 age of electrolyte therefrom during charg ing. ’ 8. The combination with a rechargeable battery containing an electrolyte and hav 4. The combination with a portable elec ing a vent for the escape of gases, of means tric lighting device comprising a lamp, a for recharging said battery, and switch vented storage battery connected in circuit means operable to electrically connect such 35 40 85 with said lamp, and a casing containing said recharging means to said battery only when lamp and battery, and-recharging means said vent is disposed so as to prevent leak~ associated with said lamp and battery and age of electrolyte therefrom during charg comprising current converting means, and mg. switch means operable to electrically con 9. The combination with a storage bat nect said converting means to said storage tery containing a liquid acid electrolyte and batiery only when the vent thereof is dis having a vent for the escape of gases formed posed so as to prevent leakage of electrolyte during charging, of electric current con 90 therefrom during charging. 45 50 verting means for recharging said battery, 5. An electric lighting device comprising and automatically operable switch means an electric lamp, a storage battery in cir cuit therewith having a vent, in combina tion with means adapted for charging said battery, such charging means being con for electrically connecting said converting means to said battery only when said vent is disposed so as to prevent the discharge of liquid electrolyte therefrom during the gas’ structed and arranged to alternatively con sing incidental to charging. vert relatively high-potential direct current In testimony whereof, I a?‘ix my signa or relatively high-potential alternating cur ture. rent electricity into relatively low-potential NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS, 100