US2302043A - Vanity case - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1942. 5, J, MATwAY v 2,302,043

VANITY CASE Filed March 11, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gin/0W SEW/{:9 J Halfway,

Nov. 17, 1942. s. 3. MATWAY 2,302,043

v VANITY CASE File d Marc z h 11, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o o I o llo Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VANITY CASE Stanley J .Matway, New Kensingt on, Pa. Application March 11, 1941, Serial No. 382,838

1 Claim;

My invention relates to vanity cases and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision of a vanity case equipped with illuminating means selectively operable for illuminating the face of the user, when the mirror is in open position, in order that the features of the face may be clearly visible, or serving as a flash-light, when the mirror is in closed position, for illuminating dark or shadowed areas.

An important object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple in construction, durable in use, efli'cient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claim and annexed drawings. 7

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my inven-' tion.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation with the cover in open position.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail fragmentary'seotional view As illustrated in the drawings, my novel vanity case 4 comprises a; receptacle 5 in the form of an elongated pan having a top wall or tray 6 formed with a plurality of compartments 1 for containing the usual cosmetics, for instance, powder. rouge and lip-stick. The receptacle 5 is also provided with side, bottom, front and rear end walls 8, 9, i and II respectively and with the bottom wall 9 being of a substantially U-shaped configuration in plan. The side portions l2 of the bottom wall are connected together, adjacent the front wall ID by means of a cross portion l3 which, together with the side portions l2 defines an elongated centrally disposed aperture l4 within the bottom wall 9 for a purpose hereinafter made apparent.

The inner faces of the side portions l2 of the bottom wall 9, adjacent the aperture l4, are provided with guideways l slidably receiving slides "5 formed on the side edges of a closure plate I! normally closing said aperture l4 and forming part of an illuminating unit hereinafter more fully described. The cross portion I3 of the bottom wall 9 is provided with a guideway I8 receiving a slide [9 formed on the front end of the plate I! for limiting the forward movement of the plate I! with respect to the bottom wall 9.

The rear end of the plate I! is formed with a right angularly disposed upwardly extending section normally closing a centrally disposed opening 2i formed in the rear wall H. The upper end of the section 20 extends an appreciable distance above the tray 6 and constitutes a reflector for an electric bulb 22 disposed prejacent said section. The threaded shank 23 of the bulb is detachably secured within a; vertically disposed socket 24 having its'lower end spaced an appreciable distance above the plate I! and with said lower end connected to an insulating strip 25 fixed by the plate whereby said socket is insulated with respect to the receptacles. The lower end of the shank 23 is provided with a centrally disposed contact 26 extending subjacent the 1 socket 24 and engaging one end of a contact arm' 21 secured to the strip 25. The opposite end of the contact arm is disposed upwardly and prejacent the socket 24 and constitutes a resilient wiping contact 28. Disposed within the receptacle 5 is a battery 29 having its forwardly disposed end seated within a socket of a retaining member 30 secured to the plate adjacent the front end of the latter. The opposite end of the battery has secured thereto a substantially U-shaped metallic clip 3|, the latter establishing electrical connection with the outer metallic shell of the battery. The clip 3| is provided with a rearwardlyextending arm 32 connected to the upper end of the socket 24 whereby to establish electrical connection between the socket and battery. Said opposit end of the battery is provided with the usual centrally disposed contact 33 which is disposed in spatiality with the contact 28.

Prejacent the strip 25, the plate I! is provided with an elongated transverse slot in which is slidably mounted a switch element 34, the upper end of said element being provided with an insulated section 35 fixed to a switch blade 36 transversely movable into and out of engagement between the contacts 28 and 33 whereby to break and make electrical connection therebetween. The lower end of the element 34 is provided with a finger-piece 31 to facilitate operation of the switch blade from without the receptacle. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that by moving the finger-piece in one direction, the electric circuit will be completed between the bulb and battery and by moving the finger-piece in the opposite direction, the

circuit will be broken, thus permitting the bulb to be illuminated when desired.

The rear end of the tray is provided with a centrally disposed opening 38 through which extends the upper portion of a transparent housing 39, the latter being disposed prejacent the reflector or section 20 and formed with front, topand side walls 43, 4| and 42 respectively. The rear edge of that portion of the tray adjacent the front wall of the transparent housing is formed with a depending resilient lip 43 provided with a rearwardly extending detent 44 normally seated within a transverse groove 45 formed in the front wall of the transparent housing for maintaining the latter in adjusted position with respect to the plate and section 29. The inner faces of the side walls 42 of the transparent housing are formed with opposed vertical grooves 46 slidably receiving the ends of guides 41 secured to the inner face of the section '20 whereby upon release of the detent 44 from the front wall 40 the transparent housing may be removed upwardly to expose the bulb whereby the latter may be conveniently replaced. The front wall 40 of the transparent housing, subjacent the groove 45, is formed with an opening 48 through which the adjacent e'ndof the battery 29 and the arm 2B extend, it being understood that the adjacent portions 'of the front wall 48, top and side walls 4| and 42, section Ziiand the plate I? coact to enclose the bulb therein and protect'thefsame;

The upper end of the rear Wall II is provided with a pair of hinges 49, one disposed on each side of the'section 20, and which hinges are connected to the rear end of a cover 50. The cover 50 is provided with a mirror i on its inner face whereby when the cover'is in open position the user may utilize the mirror to facilitate the application of the cosmetics in the usual manner. The rear end of the cover 59 is fashioned with an opening 52 registering with the opening 38 formed in the tray and receiving therethrough the upper portion of the transparent housing 39 when said cover.is in closed position as illustrated in Figure4. It will therefore be apparent that'the illu'minating means serves to perform a dual functionin that it illuminates the face of the user and the mirror when the latter is in open position and serves as a flash-light when the cover is in closed position.

By mounting the battery and the bulb on the plate 11 in the foregoing described manner, said battery and bulb may be easily replaced by longitudinally and rearwardly withdrawing the plate from the receptacle 5.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully explain the invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service. Moreover, it is notindispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations. It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in various forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction withinthe scope of the claim.

What'I claim is:

Ina vanity case, a substantially rectangular shaped receptacle including top, bottom, side, front and rear walls, said top and bottom walls having slots, said rear wall having a slot connecting the slots of the bottom and top walls,

guides on the bottom wall adjacent the slot thereof, -a plate supported by said guides within the slot of the bottom wall and having a reflector portion extending at right angles thereto and normally closing the slot of the rear wall and projecting through the slot of the top wall and terminating above the latten'guides carried by said reflector portion of the plate, an illuminating means in the receptacle and carried by the plate and movable therewith, a transparent housing for said illuminating means and slidable inthe latter-named guides and projecting through the slot of the top wall, a spring lip formed on the top wall and frictionally engaging the housing to releasably secure the latter against sliding movement in the second-mentioned guides, said top -wall having depressions therein providing compartments for cosmetics, and .a mirrored cover for closing the compartments and hinged on the receptacle at the rear wall and having a slot to permit the housing to extend through the cover when the latter is in either opened or closed position.

STANLEY J. MATWAY.

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