Importance

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Abstract

A rechargeable storage battery and miner's cap lamp apparatus includes a headpiece and a cable member which connects the headpiece with the battery. The battery is constructed with a detachable top in which is mounted protectively housed switching means for actuating a plurality of rechargeable cell groups contained in the battery. Typically two lead-acid cells may be provided in the battery and connected in series to provide a four volt output in a conveniently portable sized unit for miner's use. In the battery and detachable top construction, the rechargeable battery cell groups are further provided with positive and negative charging terminals located on and extending through the battery top, for example at opposite sides thereof, in a position to connect with suitable charging rack apparatus which avoids charging the battery through the headpiece. At points inside a limited space defined in the battery top and located in close proximity to the positive and negative charging terminals is further provided circuitry which is responsive to movement of the protectively housed switching means. The switching means is of uniquely constructed nature and is operable from points located externally of the battery top. In one position the switching means closes a circuit for operating the cell groups in series and simultaneously provides for completing a charging circuit in which a charging current may be conducted through the series arrangement. In this position of the switching means, the lamp means operated through the series cell group arrangement provides a relatively high intensity of light. In a second position of the switching means the cell groups are connected in parallel and simultaneously the charging circuit is disconnected. In this parallelly connected position of the switch the lamp means operates at a lowered intensity of light. Operation of the battery at a lower light intensity level substantially increases the period during which the battery powered cap lamp may be effectively used and there may be realized an increased emergency lighting capability for a miner trapped, for example, behind a roof fall.

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First Claim