AU4389501A - Electric lamp - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): FINK AND CO. PTY LTD Invention Title: ELECTRIC LAMP The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: Ill Australia Co Documents receiv)ed1 on MAY 2001 Batch No: 2 ELECTRIC LAMP FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to an electric lamp. In one form the electric lamp may be used as a desk lamp. However, in other embodiments the lamp is in the form of a track lighting system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many joints have been developed for the use in manoeuvring a light source. Such joints are often mechanisms that require some type of adjustment or maintenance in the 15 process of position and sometimes this can involve several operations to achieve the appropriate position. A typical lamp or adjustable lighting system has a track, a base, an arm and a light source, wherein one or more mechanical joints between each section allows the user to articulate the device in one or more axes. Many such joints already developed require adjusting using threaded components or tension devices with springs or pressurised rams. All systems could be described as having the capacity to be articulated in some way when acted on by the user, but remain in a static position after the operation.

A common disadvantage with many conventional mechanisms is 0 that they require upkeep or constant adjustment to maintain their function. This is generally to do with the components of the joint wearing, in some cases this wear can eventually render the mechanism redundant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention may be said to reside in an electric lamp including; a base member; \melbfiles \home$\paulad\Keep\ speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 3 a lamp support member for supporting a light globe; a moveable connection means having a first component and a second component, the base member having the first component and the lamp support member having the second component so that when the first and second components are engaged with one another the lamp support member is moveable relative to the base member; 0 a magnet in the base member or lamp support member for holding the base member in engagement with the lamp support member; and switching means for allowing electricity to be supplied from the base member to the lamp support member in a first position of the lamp support member relative to the base member and to cut off supply of electricity to the lamp support member in a second position of the lamp .support member relative to the base member.

According to this aspect of the invention, the lamp support member can be engaged with the base member by engaging the o components which in turn are held in place by the magnet and the lamp can be switched on by pivoting the lamp support member relative to the base member to a first position and switched off the lamp by moving the lamp support member relative to the base member to a second position. The holding of the lamp support member and base member together by the magnet also ensures a secure connection of those components and allows easy adjustment of the lamp support member relative to the base member.

The connection means may comprise a pivotal connection such as a simple ball and socket connection with the socket forming the first component and the ball forming the second component.

However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the pivotal connection means comprises a nutating sphere.

\\melbfiles\ho$eS\paulad\Keep\speci\FIN &CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 4 Preferably the first component of the nutating sphere comprises a first concave surface on the base member and a first convex surface on the base member spaced from the first convex surface, and the second component comprises a second convex surface on the lamp support member for engagement with the first concave surface on the base member, and a second convex surface on the lamp support member for engagement with the first convex surface on the base member.

Preferably the first concave and convex surfaces and the second concave and convex surfaces are hemispherical having a common centre of radius when the first and second pivot components are engaged together.

Preferably the switching means comprises a first contact surface on the first convex surface and a second contact surface on the second concave surface so that in the first position the first and second contact surfaces are in ***contact with one another so that electric power can be supplied from the first contact surface to the second contact surface, and in the second position the first and second contact surfaces are separated from one another so that electric power does not pass from the first contact surface to the second contact surface.

Preferably the electric lamp has an electric circuit means comprising a first circuit component in electrical contact with the first contact surface, a second circuit component extending between the second contact surface and the light globe, a third circuit component extending between the light globe and the second convex surface, and a fourth circuit component in electrical contact with the first concave surface.

In one embodiment of the invention the power supply \\.elbfiles\home$\.ulad\Keep\seci\FtNX&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAdoc 14/05/01 5 comprises a transformer for coupling with an electrical supply socket and an electric power cable from the transformer to the base member.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the switching means may comprise a switch element which is switched between a closed and open position by contact of the switch element with the first or second pivot component so as to selectively cut off supply of electricity to the lamp support member.

Preferably the magnet is provided in the base member.

In another embodiment of the invention the power supply may be a track member having a first track surface and a second track surface for supply of electrical power, the base member having a surface for engaging the track member so that said magnet couples said base member to the track member, the housing having a track engaging first surface and a track engaging second surface for making electrical contact respectively with the first and second surfaces of the track to supply electric power to the base member.

The invention in a second aspect may be said to reside in an electric lamp including; a base member; a lamp support member for supporting a light globe; a nutating sphere connection between the base member and the lamp support member for enabling pivotal movement of the lamp support member relative to the base member, comprising; a first concave surface and a first convex surface spaced from the first convex surface, on one of the base member or the lamp support member; and (ii) a second convex surface for engaging the first concave surface and a second concave \\melbfi es\home\pauad\Keep\speci\Fx&Co TY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 6 surface for engaging the first convex surface, on the other of the base member or lamp support member; a magnet for holding the first concave surface and first convex surface in engagement with the second convex surface and second concave surface respectively; and circuit means for supplying electrical power from the base member to the lamp support member for powering the light globe.

Preferably the first concave and convex surfaces and the second concave and convex surfaces are hemispherical having a common centre of radius when the first and second pivot components are engaged together.

Preferably the circuit means includes a switching means for switching power on and off to the lamp.

Preferably the switching means comprises a first contact 20 surface on the first convex surface and a second contact ooooo surface on the second concave surface so that in a first position the first and second contact surfaces are in contact with one another so that electricity can be ***supplied from the first contact surface to the second contact surface, and in a second position the first and second contact surfaces are separated from one another so that electricity does not pass from the first contact surface to the second contact surface.

Preferably the circuit means has a first circuit component in electrical contact with the first contact surface, a second circuit component extending between the second contact surface. and the light globe, a third circuit component extending between the light globe and the second convex surface, and a fourth circuit component in electrical contact with the first concave surface.

\\melbfiles\home\paulad\Keep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 7 In an alternative embodiment of the invention the switching means may comprise a switch element which is switched between a closed and open position by contact of the switch element between the first or second pivot component so as to selectively cut off supply of electricity to the lamp support member.

Preferably the magnet is provided in the base member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lamp according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the lamp of Figure 1 with relevant components apart showing detail of the connection between parts of the lamp; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 in an assembled condition in a first position for powering the lamp; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but in a second position showing the lamp in a switched off condition; Figure 5 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a view of an alternative embodiment to the embodiment shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a view of a mounting arrangement for mounting the second embodiment of the invention to a ceiling.

With reference to Figure 1 a lamp 10 is shown which has a base 12 and a lamp support member 14. The lamp support member 14 supports a light globe 16 and includes contacts (not shown) for making electrical contact with contacts \\melbf iles\homeS\pauladKeep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 8 (not shown) on the globe 16. The lamp support member 14 connects to the base 12 by a nutating sphere pivotal connection Figure 2 shows details of the connection 20. As shown in Figure 2, the connection 20 comprises a first hemispherical concave surface 22 which is formed in the base 12. The base 12 is formed from electrically conducting material and most preferably aluminium. A stem 24 is arranged within the base 12 and projects upwardly generally radially with respect to the hemispherical surface 22. The stem 24 carries a hemispherical convex surface 26. The stem 24 has an outer insulating sleeve 28 which insulates inner section of the stem 24 from the remainder of the base 12. A 15 rubber pad 27 may be located at the bottom section 25. The inner section 25 is formed from metal preferably bronze or aluminium. The insulating sleeve 28 has an upper portion which surrounds a first electrical contact 32 formed on the inner section 25. The contact 32 and upper portion 30 form a smooth transition and together form the convex surface 26. A first electrical conductor 38 of a power cable connects to the base 12 for supplying electrical power to the base 12. A second conductor 42 of the cable connects to the stem 24 within the insulating sleeve 28 for supplying electric power to the contact surface 32.

The base 12 carries a magnet 46 which, in the embodiment shown, is adjacent bottom wall 47 (or actually forms bottom wall 47) of the base 12. In other embodiments magnets marked 46' and shown in dotted lines could be arranged adjacent the hemispherical surface 22, or the magnet could form the surface 22.

The surfaces 22 and 26 form a first pivot component of the nutating connecting 20. The lamp support member 14, has a rod section 14a which has a sphere 49 formed at one end which has a second hemispherical convex surface 50. The \\melb-files\homeS\Paulad\Keep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 9 sphere 49 has a cut-out section 52 in the surface 50 which defines in part a second hemispherical concave surface 54.

A conical surface 56 joins the surface 50 to the surface 54.

The rod section 14a is insulated from sphere 49 by an insulating sleeve 58. The end of the rod section 14a forms a second contact 60 which forms part of the hemispherical surface 54 as clearly shown in Figure 2. Once again a smooth transition is formed between surface part 59 or sphere 49 and contact 60 or rod section 14a and the contact and surface 59 together form the concave surface 54.

The sphere 50 is preferably formed from a ferromagnetic 15 material such as steel. The rod section 14a is formed from an electrically conducting material which may again be steel.

An insulated electric conductor 62 is provided within the sleeve 14a and makes electrical contact with the sphere at end 53. The other end of the conductor 62 (not shown) is connected to one of the contacts which support the globe 16. The other of the contacts is in electrical contact with the rod section 14a.

The cable 40 is connected to a 12 volt transformer, (not shown) or other low voltage supply, so that electrical power can be supplied to the base 12 at a suitable voltage and current so that a person can make physical contact with the base 12 and lamp support member 14 without fear of electrocution. In other embodiments if the conducting parts of the lamp are hidden or insulated a higher voltage (such as 240 volts AC) could be used.

In order to supply power to the lamp the lamp support member 14 is simply located on the base 12 by engaging the surface 50 with the surface 22 and engaging the surface 54 \\nelbbfiles\home$ \paulad\Keep\speci\ FIN&CO PIY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 10 with the surface 26 as is shown in Figure 3. In the position shown in Figure 3 an electric circuit is created between the conductor 42, inner section 25, first contact 32, second contact 60, rod section 14a, the light globe 16 (Figure the conductor 62, the sphere 49 (via surface and surface 22 to cable 38. Thus, electric power is supplied to power the light globe 16 to provide light.

In order to turn off the lamp 10 the rod section 14a is simply gripped and the rod section 14a pivoted relative to the base 12 so as to pivot the surfaces 54 and 32, and and 22 on one another so that the lamp moves to the position shown in Figure 4. In this position it is apparent that the first contact 32 is no longer in contact with the second contact 60 and therefore the electric p *circuit referred to above is broken so that-power is not supplied to the globe 16 and the lamp is effectively switched off. To switch the lamp back on the rod section 14a is simply pivoted back towards the central position so that the contact 32 makes contact with the contact 60 so 6 •that power is supplied to the globe 16. Obviously, there will be a range of pivotal positions of the rod section 14a relative to the base 12 where contact still takes place between the surfaces 32 and 60 so that power will be supplied. However, in the extreme position shown in Figure power is effectively shut off to the globe 16. The range of positions available for contact between the surfaces 32 and 54 allows the rod section 14a to be arranged in a desired position for either aesthetic value or to provide light to the required place on a user's desk whilst maintaining the lamp in a turned on condition.

It should be noted that regardless of the position of orientation of the support section 14 relative to the base 12 the surface 50 and surface 22 are always in contact with one another and therefore an electric circuit is completed from the surface 22 to the surface 50 so that the circuit \\melb~fies\ home$ \paulad\Keep\speci\ FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 11 is only broken when the contact 60 moves away from the contact 32.

The nutating connection formed by the surfaces 50 and 22 and the surfaces 26 and 54 provides pairs of surfaces with two of the surfaces generally facing upwardly and two of the surfaces downwardly and therefore maintain the components when connected together in a stable nutating arrangement. As will be apparent from a consideration of Figures 3 and 4, the support section 14 can pivot relative to the base 12 by the surface 50 simply sliding on the surface 22 and the surface 54 sliding on the surface 26.

The surfaces 22, 26, 54 and 60 have a common central radial point when the support section 14 is connected to the base 15 12 so that all surface move relative to one another about a common radial or central point. The surfaces 22 and 50 are sufficiently large and the magnetic force strong enough so that there is a reasonable degree of friction between the surfaces so that when the section 14 is manually moved from one position to another the support section 14 will remain in the adjusted position due to the friction between the surfaces 22 and In order to connect the support section 14 to the base 12, the support section 14 is simply located on the base 12 with the surface 22 receiving the sphere 50 and the surface 26 locating into conical recess 52 and engaging with surface 54. Magnetic attraction between the magnet 46 and the ferromagnetic sphere 50 holds the sphere 50 securely within the base 12 by friction but allows the sphere 50 to pivot relative to the base 12 to change the position of the support section 14 relative to the base 12 as described above.

In an alternative embodiment, rather than switch off the lamp by virtue of the fact that the contact surfaces 32 and disconnect from one another, the lamp could be switched \\melbfiles\homeS\paulad\Keep\ speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 12 off by the provision of a micro-switch 70 (see Figure 2) which is contacted by surface portion 73 of the conical surface 56 when the support section 14 is pivoted to the extreme position shown in Figure 4. The portion 73 simply contact the switch 70 to break the circuit mentioned above or alternatively to relay a signal via wire 74 to the transformer (not shown) to cause power to be shut off from the transformer. In this arrangement it would therefore not matter whether the surface 54 and surface 32 are removed from engagement with one another when the lamp is moved to the extreme position in order to switch the lamp off.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In 15 this embodiment the lamp support section 14 and base 12 are the same as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 and operate in exactly the same manner. However, in this 0 embodiment the base 12 carries a lower section 12a which o includes a generally wedged shaped slot 120. The slot 120 20 engages with a wedged shaped rail 100 which has surfaces ooeoo S" 110 and 112. The surfaces 110 and 112 carry conductor tracks 114 and 116 respectively for the supply of power to 0 the lamp. The slot 120 is defined by walls 121 and 123 and the walls 121 and 123 carry conductors 122 and 124 for engaging with the conductors 116 and 114 when the base 12 is arranged on the track 100. The conductor 124 simply makes electrical contact with the base 12 and functions in the same manner as the conductor 38 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The conductor 122 is electrically insulated from the base 12 and is connected to inner section 25 of stem 24 by insulated wire 130. Thus, the conductor 122 function in the same manner as conductor 42 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the rail 100 could be formed from metal material with the conductor tracks 114 and 116 being suitably insulated from the rail 100. However, in \\melbjfiles\home$\paulad\Ieep\speci\FINx&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 13 other embodiments the rail 100 could be formed from plastics material and in this embodiment a ferrous core 159 is included in the rail 100 so that the rail 100 can be magnetically connected to the base 12.

According to this embodiment of the invention a track 100 of any desired length can be arranged in a building by connecting the track 100 to the sealing, wall or the like of the building by connectors (not shown). The housing 12 may then be located anywhere along the track 100 to locate the lamp in any desired position along the track. The rail 100 is formed from a ferromagnetic material such as steel.

The magnet 46 in the base 12 secures the base 12 to the track 100 by magnetic attraction between the magnet 46 and the base 12 and secures the support member 14 to the base 12 by magnetic attraction as previously described. Thus, a number of bases 12 and support sections 14 can be provided in the embodiment of Figure 5 and located along the length of the track 100 in desired positions.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment to Figure 5 in which the track 100' is formed from two conductors 140 and 142 which are connected together by a connector 144 which has a hole 146 which can receive a fastener such as a screw to secure the rack 100' to a roof or sealing of a building.

In this embodiment the base 12 is configured generally in the form of the base shown in Figures 1 to 5 expect that it has contact elements 150 and 152 connected to it. The contact element 152 engages with the conductor 140 to supply power directly to the base 12 and the conductor 142 provides power to the contact 150 which is insulated from the remainder of the base 12 and connected to the stem 24 by insulated wire 156. Once again the magnet 46 is used to couple the base 12 to the track 100' by magnetic attraction between the magnet 46 and the conductors 142 and 140. Once again, the support section 14 (not shown in Figure 6) connects to the base 12 in exactly the same \\melb-fi es\home$\pau1ad\geep\speci\pIK&CO PTY LTD ELECTP.IC LAHP CAP.doc 14/05/01 14 manner as described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 6, the contacts 150 and 152 can be provided in semicircular grooves which receive the conductors 140 and 142 to ensure good coupling of the base 12 to the conductors 140 and 142.

As in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the rail 100 with the conductors 142 and 140 are connected to a transformer (not shown) for supplying low voltage power for operation of the lamps when connected to the rails 100 or 100'.

Figure 7 shows an arrangement for mounting the embodiment of the invention of the type shown in Figure 5, to a ceiling. Figure 7 shows the arrangement in the correct orientation for connection to a ceiling.

With reference to Figure 7, a mounting bracket 200 has a first component 201 which is provided with a sleeve 210.

The component 201 can be connected to a ceiling and the sleeve 210 projects up into the ceiling, or alternatively, the component 201 could be suspended from the ceiling by the sleeve 210. The component 201 has walls 212 which define a channel 214. A pair of flanges 215 extend outwardly from lower ends of the walls 212 and have holes 216 for receiving a screw, bolt, or the like (not shown).

The internal surfaces of the walls 210 have conductor tracks 220 which make electrical contact with wires 222 which pass up through sleeve 210 into the ceiling for connection to a power supply.

A second bracket component 226 has flanges 228 which have holes 230 which register with the holes 216. The component 226 has walls 230 and a base 234 which define a channel 240. The bracket component 226 and the bracket component 201 sandwich rail 100 (which may be identical to the rail 100 previously described) so that when the bracket component 226 is connected to the bracket component 201 the \\melbfiles\home$\paulad\Keep\ speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELEC-TrIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 15 rail 100 is supported securely therebetween. In this embodiment the rail 100 may be formed from plastics material and have the ferrous core 159. Conductor tracks 116 and 114 contact conductors 220 of the bracket component 201 so that power can be supplied from the bracket 200 to the tracks 114 and 116.

A base member, (not shown) of the type described with reference to Figure 5 is coupled to the rail 100 in the same manner as described with reference to Figure 5 so that power is supplied from the rail 100 to power the lamp.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the rod section 14a acts as the conductor for supplying power from :15 the contact 54 to the globe 16. In other embodiments a "wire could be connected to the contact 54 and used to supply power rather than supplying power through the entirety of the rod section 14a. Similarly, the wire 42 could connect with the contact 32 rather than supplying power via the inner section 25 of the stem 24.

In the preferred embodiments, a single magnet is used to connect the lamp support section 14 to the base 12 due to magnetic attraction between the magnet 46 and sphere which is formed from a ferromagnetic material. In other embodiments a magnet could be provided in the base 12 as well in the sphere 50 with the opposite poles of the magnets arranged to be adjacent one another to provide the connection of the base section 12 with the lamp support section 14. This would allow the sphere 50 and base 12 to be formed from non-conducting materials. In this embodiment the conductor 40 would need to make contact with the surface 22 and the surface 22 coated with a electrically conductive material, and the conductor 53 would need to make contact with the surface 50 and the surface 50 coated with an electric conductive material so as to form the required electrical connection between the \\melb_files\home$\paulad\Keep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 16 surfaces 22 and 50 to complete the electric circuit to power the lamp. If the rod sections 14a and inner sections are formed from a non-conducting material then the conductors 42 would need to make electrical connection with the contact 32 and the surface 54 would need to be connected to the globe 16 by a conductor as described above.

In alternative embodiments, rather than provide a pivotal type connection as shown in the drawings which allows for a generally 3600 movement of the lamp support section 14 relative to the base 12, the connection could be of other configurations such as a cylindrical type connection which allows pivoting movement of the lamp support section 14 .9 0 15 only in one plane such as from left to right in Figure 2.

Furtherstill, the connection could be of a particular shape 0 0 0" such as a crescent shape which allows movement along a predetermined path only to take place.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

see* Dated this 15th day of May 2001 FINK AND CO. PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia \\melb_files\homeS\paulad\Keep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01

Claims (19)

1. An electric lamp including; a base member; a lamp support member for supporting a light globe; a moveable connection means having a first component and a second component, the base member having the first component and the lamp support member having the second component so that when the first and second components are engaged with one another the lamp support member is moveable relative to the base member; a magnet in the base member or lamp support member for holding the base member in engagement with the lamp support member; and switching means for allowing electricity to be supplied from the base member to the lamp support member in a first position of the lamp support member relative to the base member and to cut off supply of electricity to the lamp support member in a second position of the lamp *"se support member relative to the base member.

2. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the connection means geesecomprises a pivotal connection such as a simple ball and Soo* socket connection with the socket forming the first component and the ball forming the second component.

3. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection means comprises a nutating sphere.

4. The lamp of claim 3 wherein the first component of the nutating sphere comprises a first concave surface on the base member and a first convex surface on the base member spaced from the first convex surface, and the second component comprises a second convex surface on the lamp support member for engagement with the first concave surface on the base member, and a second convex surface on \melbfi les \home$ \paulad\Keep\ spec i\ FMN&CO PTY LTD -ELECTRIC LAMSP CAP.doc 14/05/01 18 the lamp support member for engagement with the first convex surface on the base member.

The lamp of claim 4 wherein the first concave and convex surfaces and the second concave and convex surfaces are hemispherical having a common centre of radius when the first and second pivot components are engaged together.

6. The lamp of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the switching means comprises a first contact surface on the first convex surface and a second contact surface on the second concave surface so that in the first position the first and second contact surfaces are in contact with one another so that electric power can be supplied from the :15 first contact surface to the second contact surface, and in the second position the first and second contact surfaces .are separated from one another so that electric power does not pass from the first contact surface to the second contact surface.

The lamp of claim 6 wherein the electric lamp has ooo an electric circuit means comprising a first circuit component in electrical contact with the first contact o. surface, a second circuit component extending between the oooo second contact surface and the light globe, a third circuit component extending between the light globe and the second gig convex surface, and a fourth circuit component in oeooo electrical contact with the first concave surface.

8. The lamp of any one of claims 1 to 7 further including a power supply having a transformer for coupling with an electrical supply socket and an electric power cable from the transformer to the base member.

9. The lamp of claim 1 wherein the switching means may comprise a switch element which is switched between a closed and open position by contact of the switch element \\melbfies\homeS\paulad\Keep\speci\ FNj&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 19 with the first or second pivot component so as to selectively cut off supply of electricity to the lamp support member.

10. The lamp of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the magnet is provided in the base member.

11. The lamp of claim 1 further including a power supply including a track member having a first track surface and a second track surface for supply of electrical power, the base member having a surface for engaging the track member so that said magnet couples said base member to the track member, the housing having a track engaging first surface and a track engaging second surface for making electrical contact respectively with the first and second surfaces of the track to supply electric power to the base member.

12. An electric lamp including; a base member; a lamp support member for supporting a light globe; a nutating sphere connection between the base member and the lamp support member for enabling pivotal movement of the lamp support member relative to the base member, comprising; a first concave surface and a first convex surface spaced from the first convex surface, on one of the base member or the lamp support member; and (ii) a second convex surface for engaging the first concave surface and a second concave surface for engaging the first convex surface, on the other of the base member or lamp support member; a magnet for holding the first concave surface and first convex surface in engagement with the second \\melb_files\homeS\paulad\Keep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 20 convex surface and second concave surface respectively; and circuit means for supplying electrical power from the base member to the lamp support member for powering the light globe.

13. The lamp of claim 12 wherein the first concave and convex surfaces and the second concave and convex surfaces are hemispherical having a common centre of radius when the first and second pivot components are engaged together.

14. The lamp of claim 12 or 13 wherein the circuit means includes a switching means for switching power on and off to the lamp.

The lamp of claim 14 wherein the switching means .*comprises a first contact surface on the first convex surface and a second contact surface on the second concave surface so that in a first position the first and second contact surfaces are in contact with one another so that electricity can be supplied from the first contact surface to the second contact surface, and in a second position the first and second contact surfaces are separated from one ee another so that electricity does not pass from the first 0° 25 contact surface to the second contact surface.

16. The lamp of claim 15 wherein the circuit means oo oo has a first circuit component in electrical contact with the first contact surface, a second circuit component extending between the second contact surface and the light globe, a third circuit component extending between the light globe and the second convex surface, and a fourth circuit component in electrical contact with the first concave surface.

17. The lamp of claim 12 wherein the switching means comprises a switch element which is switched between a \\Melbfiles\ho$eS\paulad\Keep\speci\FINK&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01 21 closed and open position by contact of the switch element between the first or second pivot component so as to selectively cut off supply of electricity to the lamp support member.

18. The lamp of any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the magnet is provided in the base member.

19. An electric lamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. \\melb-files\homeS\pau1ad\Keep\speci\ FNX&CO PTY LTD ELECTRIC LAMP CAP.doc 14/05/01