GB2052037A

GB2052037A - Lamp Having a Shade Formed as an Umbrella

Info

Publication number: GB2052037A
Application number: GB8020693A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GARD E
Current assignee: GARD E
Priority date: 1979-06-26
Filing date: 1980-06-24
Publication date: 1981-01-21
Also published as: GB2052037B

Abstract

A lighting device which can take the form of a lamp standard with a base or a portable light source with a handle (Figure 2), comprises an elongate support (42) carrying at or near one end a lampholder (45) for a lamp (46) supplied with electric power through conductors which extend along the support, and an umbrella- type shade (36) which is attached to the said one end of the support to surround the lamp, with the spokes (38) of said umbrella radiating from the support, preferably being attached to a collar (40) slidable along the support to enable the shade to be raised and lowered. The shade may be translucent or reflective. An automatic switch is preferably incorporated to prevent operation of the lamp when the shade is lowered. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and Relating to Lighting Devices Field of Invention This invention concerns lighting devices and includes within its ambit static devices for illuminating rooms and similar internal environments as well as movable light sources normally thought of as hand-held torches and lanterns to allow for local illumination.

Background to the Invention A static light source for a room or similar environment is normally provided with a shade for diffusing the light from the conventional point source of light or deflecting the light into a particular selected region of the room. In addition static light sources require some form of base or stand to support the light source normally an electric light bulb and also to support the shade or other diffusing or deflecting arrangement associated therewith.

Personalised light sources such as lanterns and torches also require some sort of means by which they can be held or carried about the person in addition to providing a support for the bulb and reflector and source of electricity normally in the form of a dry cell battery.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a static light source of a novel type which not only provides a shade but also a support for an electric light bulb.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a personalised light source which can be conveniently carried by the user to provide ready illumination for when walking particularly during wet weather.

The Invention According to the present invention, a lighting device comprises an elongate support, a holder for-a light source at or adjacent one end of said support, conductors for conveying electricity to the holder in use to operate the light source, and a shade in the form of an umbrella having spokes radiating from the elongate support.

It is to be understood that the expression "umbrella" as used herein is intended to include any device in the form of an umbrella which may include a sunshade and is not in any way limited to devices for protecting one from rain.

Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention the device comprises an elongate column, one or more feet at the end of the column providing a base on which the column will stand, a lampholder at the upper end of the column, means for conveying electricity to the lampholder and thereby to an electric light source inserted therein, and a shade in the form of an umbrella with the spokes of the umbrella attached to the upper end of the column.

In this connection, it will be clear that the term "lampholder" is to be broadly interpreted to include a holder for high power lamp such as quartz-halogen lamp or for a gas discharge fluorescent-type source.

Preferably the umbrella spokes are of conventional design and are fitted to a sliding ring and catch assembly so as to allow the umbrella to be lowered in a conventional manner relative to the column.

In a particularly preferred embodiment two or three stops are provided along the length of the column intermediate the extreme positions of the column so that the umbrella-like shade can be either fully stretched in the shape of an ordinary umbrella or set at intermediate positions between the fully stretched and fully closed positions to form different shaped shades.

To avoid accidents, preferably interlock means is provided which automatically remove electric current from the lampholder when the slidable ring is moved into the lowest position corresponding to the fully closed condition of the umbrella. Obviously in this position it would be a fire hazard to operate the lamp within the closed confines of the umbrella fabric.

The fabric from which the umbrella shade is formed may be woven material, paper, reinforced paper, plastics sheet, woven plastics or foil including metalised foil or any combination of such materials. In specifying this list of materials it is not intended that the invention be limited to shades formed from such materials but this list is intended simply to specify materials which can be used to form the shade.

The column may be in the form of a single stem and the foot in the form of a massive base to provide a heavy firm footing from which the column will normally extend.

Alternatively the column may be formed from a plurality of struts each of which is formed with a curved crooked end at its lower end and the struts are arranged with the crooked ends extending outwardly and equally circularly arranged so as to form a stable plural-footed, preferably threefooted, base.

To permit the umbrella-like shade to be collapsed around the lamp the spokes may be kinked so that when the slidable ring is slid down the column the kinked regions of the spokes register with the position of the lamp and hold the fabric forming the umbrella shade away from the lamp.

The invention also embraces an arrangement wherein the lighting device comprises a column having a base at the lower end and a lampholder at its upper end, means for conveying electric current to the lampholder to cause a lamp fitted therein to be illuminated, means for attaching to the column an umbrella stem so that, with the handle of the umbrella at or near the base of the column, the extended spokes of the umbrella support the stretched'curved umbrella surface over and around the lamp in the form of a shade.

The means for securing the umbrella in place may be of the quick-release type so as to allow the column to serve as an umbrella support to allow the umbrella to serve a dual purpose not only as a shade for the light but also as a conventional umbrella.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a lighting device for providing personalised illumination comprises a mounting carrying a lampholder and means for conveying electric current to the lampholder for illuminating an electric lamp fitted therein, means for securing the mounting to an umbrella stem, preferably in a detachable manner, to support the lamp housing at the upper end of the stem within the umbrella shade when the latter has been extended, with the mounting located between the spokes of the umbrella so as to mount the light source at an elevated position within the canopy of the umbrella and provide a downward flood of light for the individual below the umbrella.

The lampholder may include a reflector for reflecting light in the desired direction.

In addition or alternatively the lampholder may include a lens for focussing the light into a relatively concentrated beam to illuminate a smaller area than would otherwise be illuminated but at a higher level of light intensity.

Means may be provided for mounting a dry cell battery either on the elongate mounting or on the umbrella stem. Alternatively but less desirably, a container for a battery may be provided for insertion into the pocket of a jacket or similar garment worn by the user of the umbrella and flexible conductors may be provided between the battery container and the lampholder.

The device may have a holder for high voltage light source, such as a gas discharge unit, in which instance an electronic step-up voltage converter is incorporated in the umbrella stem between the power source holder and the light source holder.

In addition, switch means is preferably provided on the stem for switching the lamp on and off.

The invention also extends to a portable lighting device in which the lamp is permanently mounted within the umbrella at the upper end of the umbrella stem, possibly for example contained within a generally cylindrical housing surrounding the umbrella stem at the upper end thereof with reflector means within the housing and/or lens means provided in a window surrounding the lamp so as to provide a good level of illumination below. The lighting device of the invention would then comprise an umbrella having an integral light source located on or in the umbrella stem which can be operated when the umbrella is in its outstretched position. Where the umbrella stem is a hollow cylindrical member small diameter dry cell batteries may be located therein between end contacts and integral switch means may be provided together with conductor means for conveying electricity to the lamp.

in order to provide a better level of illumination below the stretched umbrella canopy, the inside of the umbrella fabric may be metalised or otherwise formed with a refiective coating over some or all of its internal surface. However, the use of a reflector and/or lens associated with the lampholder is to be preferred.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the Drawings Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates in partial cross-section a static lamp stand employing an umbrella-like shade, Figure 1 A indicates the transverse crosssectional shape of the main portion of the stand; and Figure 2 is a similar part cross-sectioned view of a personalised light source incorporated into a conventional umbrella, as a permanent fixture.

Detailed Description of Drawings The static lamp stand shown in Figure 1 comprises an upright column 10 formed from three circular cross-section tubes which are joined together over their length and are splayed apart at the lower end and curved around to form three curved feet designated 12, 14 and 16 respectively. At the upper end the three tubes terminate in a lampholder 18 into which is fitted a bulb 20. Immediately below the lampholder is arranged a collar 22 which is a sliding fit on the column 10 and a conventional umbrella click stop 24 is provided for retaining the collar in the elevated position shown. Two intermediate click stops 26 and 28 are also shown and a lower end stop 30 is provided below which the collar 1 8 cannot move.

Hinged to the collar are set a of conventional spokes one of which is designated by reference numeral 32 and the array of spokes supports an umbrella shade 34. The latter is formed from a decorative fabric which may be translucent or opaque depending on the particular use for the lamp. Where the lamp is intended to provide light throughout all the room the fabric is translucent but where it is to be used specifically for producing a pool of light on the underside then the shade can be less translucent and even opaque.

An improved degree of floodlighting in a downward direction can be obtained by providing a reflective surface as by metalising on the underside of the umbrella shade. Alternatively and preferably, a reflector and/or lens unit may be incorporated above the lamp 20.

Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates an alternative form of lighting device which is primarily intended to be a personalised light source typically for use by an individual and primarily for use when it is necessary to use an umbrella because of inclement weather.

The device comprises a conventional collapsing umbrella canopy 36 attached to a conventional array of spokes generally designated 38 which are attached to a conventional sliding collar 40 which is retained on and slidable along a handle stem or strut 42 having a curved or crooklike handle 44 at its lower end.

The collar 40 is held in place by conventional spring catch at the upper end of the strut 42 (not shown).

The strut 42 includes a transparent window at its upper end within which is located a lampholder 45 into which is fitted a low voltage bulb 46 capable of being operated from one or more dry cell batteries.

The strut 42 is of hollow cross-section at least over a section of its length near the handle end and as shown in Figure 2 a penlight type battery 48 is held captive between sprung terminals 50 and 52 from which conductor means convey the current to the bulb 46 (the conductor not being shown in the drawing).

Between the position of the battery 48 and the lamp 46 is located a switch 54 by which the current to the bulb can be controlled.

A reflector and/or lens (not shown) may be included within the transparent section of the strut above the lamp 46 to improve the flooding of light in a generally downward direction.

In use the umbrella can be raised in conventional manner and in the event that the person using the umbrella wishes to have a pool of light either to assist in walking or to assist in for example reading a newspaper or the like whilst standing under the umbrella, the switch 54 is operated so as to illuminate the bulb 46. When not required the bulb is extinguished by turning off the switch 54.

Although the bulb 46 and battery 48 have been shown integrally formed within the strut or handle of the umbrella it is to be understood that the invention also includes the provision of a detachable lamp housing at the upper end of the strut 42 and the use of a detachable battery housing both of which are securable to a conventional umbrella or flexible leads to a battery to be secreted about the person using the umbrella.

Although not shown the switch 54 may be operated automatically upon the raising of the umbrella and to avoid unwanted operation of the bulb every time the umbrella is opened, preferably the switch is operated by pushing the collar 40 in an upward direction after it has been raised in the normal manner and clicked into place, the action of pushing the collar 40 in an upward direction causing a switch of the push-button variety to be operated with each upward push, so that the bulb can be illuminated by a first push and extingished by a second push.

Experiments carried out in connection with the second embodiment have shown it to be desirable to employ a bulb 46 having a built-in lens, preferably in conjunction with a reflector above the bulb, in order to provide a useful spread of light beneath the umbrella with sufficiently high illumination to enable the user to walk with confidence. Better illumination still could be achieved with a high voltage light source, which can be battery operated if an electronic step-up voltage converter is incorporated between the batteries and the lamp.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising an elongate support, a holder for a light source at or adjacent one end of said support, conductors for conveying electricity to the holder in use to operate the light source, and a shade in the form of an umbrella having spokes radiating from the elongate support.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the spokes are attached to a ring slidable along the support.

3. A device according to claim 2, including latching means whereby the slidable ring can be located in a plurality of positions along the support.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said positions include a position in which the umbrella is stretched fully open and a position in which the umbrella is fully closed.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the spokes are shaped to fit around the light source and holder therefor in the fully closed position of the umbrella.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductors extend along the support to the light source holder.

7. A device according to claim 6, including an on/off switching device on the support for controlling the supply of electricity through the conductors.

8. A device according to claim 7 when appendant to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said switch is adapted to be switched off automatically when the slidable ring is moved to the position in which the umbrella is fully closed.

9. A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, having one or more feet at the end of the support remote from the light source holder.

10. A device according to claim 9, having an elongate support in the form of three mutually adjacent struts having crooked ends forming a stable three-footed base.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the umbrella shade forms part of a conventional umbrella having its stem attached along and adjacent to the elongate support.

12. A device according to claim 11, including a quick-release attachment means for detachably securing the umbrella to the elongate support.

13. A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the elongate support itself constitutes an umbrella stem.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the light source holder is carried by a mounting on an extension of the stem of the umbrella beyond the sleeve on which the spoke ring is slidable, thereby to mount the light source at an elevated position within the canopy of the umbrella when the umbrella shade is extended so as to provide a downward flood of light for an individual beneath the umbrella.

1 5. A device according to claim 14, including a reflecting means and/or lens for concentrating light beneath the umbrella.

1 6. A device according to claim 15, wherein the reflecting means is formed by a coating on the underside of the umbrella shade.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein the reflecting means and/or lens is carried by the light source holder above the position of the light source.

18. A device according to any of claims 13 to 17, including a holder for a portable power source.

1 9. A device according to claim 18, wherein the portable power source holder is incorporated in the umbrella stem.

20. A device according to claim 19, with a holder for a high voltage light source, wherein an electronic step-up voltage converter is incorporated in the umbrella stem between the power source holder and the light source holder.

21. A device according to any of claims 13 to 19, wherein the lamp holder and mounting means therefor are detachable from the umbrella stem.

22. A lighting device according to any of claims 13 to 21, wherein at least the lamp holder is detachable from the umbrella stem for conventional use of the umbrella.

23. A lighting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.