Pistol-mount, trigger-switch lamp

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May 16, 1961

M. G. MERZ

2,984,724 □62*lt2.'

PISTOL-MOUNT, TRIGGER-SWITCH LAMP

Filed Aug. 25, 1958

Sheets-Sheet 1

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May 16, 1961

M. G. MERZ

2,984,724

PISTOL-MOUNT, TRIGGER-SWITCH LAMP

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2,984,724

Patented May 16, 1961

United States Patent Office

2,984,724 ₅

PISTOL-MOUNT, TRIGGER-SWITCH LAMP

May G. Merz, 1419 Morrison Road, Denver 4, Colo.

Filed Aug. 25,1958, Ser. No. 756,770

Claims. (Cl. 200—457)

This invention relates to table lamps, and the like, 15 for the operative support of an electric bulb, and has as an object to provide a novel organization of elements constituting such a facility.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved table lamp characterized by unique 20 appearance ingeniously adapted to practical use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel adaptation of a conventional cap pistol as a mount and switch control for an electric bulb.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel 25 adaptation of a conventional cap pistol as a mount and cap-detonating switch control for an electric bulb.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means adapting the usual trigger mechanism of a conventional cap pistol for actuation of a «° switch controlling current flow to an electric bulb supported by the pistol.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means adapting the usual cap-detonating mechanism of a conventional cap pistol for actuation ⁴⁵of a switch controlling current flow to an electric bulb supported by the pistol as an incident of its cap-detonating operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cap pistol mount for an electric bulb under control of a ^4Uswitch reactive to the trigger mechanism of the pistol that is susceptible of production in a variety of types, styles, and particular structural arrangements, that is amenable to development in association with diverse conventional cap pistol units, that is sightly and prac- _4gtical, and that ingeniously correlates an optional element of surprise with its manifest operational capabilities.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements as hereinafter set _ggforth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which—

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a typical embodiment of the invention in one of its style adaptations, certain conventional elements of the illustrated assembly being ₅₅partially omitted to conserve space and a portion of the base element being broken away to disclose otherwise concealed structural arrangements.

Figure 2 is a vertical section, on a relatively enlarged scale, through the breech portion of the pistol represented _g0by Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a typical embodiment of the invention in an alternative style adaptation, certain conventional elements of the illustrated assembly being partially omitted to conserve space and a portion _ggof the base element being broken away to disclose otherwise concealed structural arrangements.

Figure 4 is a vertical section, on a relatively enlarged scale, through the breech portion of the pistol represented by Figure 3. γθ

Figure 5 is a vertical section, on a relatively enlarged scale, through part of the breech and associated grippor- tions of the pistol represented by Figure 3 as alternatively organized within the contemplation of the invention.

Characteristically similar and functionally analogous cap pistols are conventional and widely distributed in some diversity of structural detail, and the instant invention is directed to the adaptation of such pistols for use as table lamp mounts for electric bulbs in a practical and ingenious manner distinguished by utilization of the conventional trigger and action mechanism of such pistols for actuation of a switch controlling flow of current to the associated bulb with optional simultaneous availability of such mechanism for its intended cap-detonating function.

As typified by the views of the drawings, conventional cap pistols, in any of their operative embodiments, include a tubular barrel 10 fixedly projecting from and interiorly communicating with a hollow chamber 11 which is hinged, as at 12, to the forward end of a hollow, or compartmented, grip 13 provided with a trigger guard 14 and operatively mounting a hammer 15 coactable with an anvil 16 at the rear of the chamber 11, a trigger 17, and an appropriate action, typified by the spring 18, operatively interlinking said hammer and trigger for detonation of a cap between the hammer and anvil when the trigger is pulled. Certain conventional cap pistols are arranged for repetitious manual insertion of individual caps in position for detonation, while other pistol constructions accommodate a strip succession of caps, as indicated at 19 in Figure 5, adapted for automatic feed across the anvil 16 as the trigger is operated, all of which, together with the structural features and associations represented by the views of the drawings as hereinbefore briefly described, are old, well known, and conventional, in and of themselves no part of the instant invention, and herein exemplified merely as essential environment wherein and wherewith the novelties of the invention combine for intended practical effect.

In the organization according to Figures 1 and 2, a conventional cap pistol characterized by the features and operative capabilities above noted is engaged at the butt plate 29 of its grip 13 with an upper surface area of a base block 21, of any desired appropriate material, size, and conformation, having a flat undersurface adapted to rest upon a table, or other horizontal supporting surface, and is thereto secured, as by means of a cap screw 22 entered upwardly through the block 21 to threaded engagement with said butt plate with the pistol barrel 10 spacedly parallel to the undersurface of the block. An L-shaped tubular stem 23 is connected at the free end of its shorter leg with the muzzle of the barrel 10 by means of a hollow swivel 24, whereby said stem is adjustably supported by and to upstand substantially vertically from the pistol barrel, and a second hollow swivel 24 at the end of the longer leg of the stem 23 adjustably mounts a conventional socket 25 for an electric bulb 26 thereby disposed as an upward extension of the stem 23 above the muzzle of the pistol barrel 10 for limited adjustment of its attitude relative to said stem and barrel. Through holes formed as desired in the block 21 and butt plate 20, leads 27 connectible with a source or supply of electrical energy enter the grip 13 and extend thence through the chamber 11, barrel 10, swivels 24 and stem 23 to connect with the socket 25 for powering of the bulb 26 in a customary manner, there being in the conventional pistol open passages through the pistol action wherethrough the leads 27 may be feasibly accommodated.

Realizing the concept and effectuating the purposes of the invention as particularly represented by Figure 2, a conventional pull-type snap switch 28 commercially available in appropriate size and construction is fixedly housed within the pistol chamber 11 with its flexible

3,884,734 actuating element 29 directed rearwardly of the action beneath the anvil 16 to connection with the hammer 15 above the pivotal axis of the latter in a manner to link said hammer to and for actuation of the switch at every oscillation of the hammer through its effective arc, so that, one of the leads 27 being connected through the switch 28 in the usual manner, each manipulation of the trigger 17 effective to rock the hammer 15 operates to reverse the current flow control position of the switch for consequent regulation of light output at the bulb 26. With no cap in position on the anvil 16, the trigger 17 is a natural and convenient facility for energizing and extinguishing illumination at the bulb 26, but with a cap inserted subject to impact of the hammer 15, switch actuation by means of the trigger 17 is accompanied by detonation of the cap.

The alternative style adaptation of the lamp organization represented by Figure 3 is the structural and functional equivalent of that hereinabove described and distinguishes from the latter only in the provision of a base block 21' having an inclined upper surface area to which the butt plate 20 of the pistol grip 13 is secured by the cap screw 22 to mount the pistol with its barrel upwardly and somewhat steeply inclined, and in elimination of the stem 23 through connection of the socket 25 by means of but one hollow swivel 24 directly to the muzzle of the upwardly-inclined barrel. Obviously, the arrangement according to Figure 3 is operable exactly as above set forth when furnished with the switch 28 and leads 27 organized and connected as heretofore described.

Applicable to the style adaptations of both Figures 1 and 3 is the alternative switch disposition and actuating arrangement according to Figure 4, wherein the conventional pull-type snap switch 28 is fixed within the pistol grip 13, instead of within tire chamber 11, with its flexible actuating element directed toward the said chamber and extended to connection with one end of a bell-crank 30 rockable on an axis 31 transverse of said chamber and linked at its other end, as at 32, to the hammer 15. Obviously, the arrangement according to Figure 4 will apply trigger manipulations to actuation of the light-control switch and to detonation of caps exactly as described in connection with the preceding views of the drawings.

Similarly applicable to the style adaptations of Figures 1 and 3 and particularly expedient for use with cap pistols of repeater type having automatic feed of strip ammunition, the switch disposition and actuating arrangement according to Figure 5 is distinguished by the use of a conventional snap switch 28' reactive to a laterally-rockable toggle 33. The switch 28' connected in one of the leads 27 is fixed within the base block 21 or 21' adjacent the attachment of the pistol grip 13 thereto with the free end of its toggle 33 disposed for connection by means of a flexible link 34 extending loosely through the base, butt plate 20, and grip 13 with an element 35 of the pistol action which shifts upwardly and inwardly of the chamber 11 when the trigger 17 is pulled. Thus, as is fully apparent, the arrangement according to Figure 5 operates to apply trigger pull for actuation of the switch 28' and for simultaneous detonation of caps from the supply 19 in manner and for effect identical with the capacities of the arrangements previously described.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.