CA2044703A1 - Touch activated decorative lamp - Google Patents

Touch activated decorative lamp

Info

Publication number
CA2044703A1
CA2044703A1 CA 2044703 CA2044703A CA2044703A1 CA 2044703 A1 CA2044703 A1 CA 2044703A1 CA 2044703 CA2044703 CA 2044703 CA 2044703 A CA2044703 A CA 2044703A CA 2044703 A1 CA2044703 A1 CA 2044703A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
touch
lamp
activated
decorative lamp
base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2044703
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ronald Leslie Tubman
James Roy Porter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2044703 priority Critical patent/CA2044703A1/en
Publication of CA2044703A1 publication Critical patent/CA2044703A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Landscapes

  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A decorative lamp comprising a top, a body and a base.
The base houses a touch-activated switch connected to a light bulb socket contained in the body. The touch-activated switch is connected to an exterior surface of the lamp by a connector. The exterior surface provides the mechanism for actuating the touch-activated switch. The body includes a display support used to orient a removeable display to the exterior of the lamp and to enhance the display when the lamp is lit.

Description

47~3 TITLE OF INVENTION
Touch-Activated Decorative Lamp ~I~LD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel touch-activated 5 decorative lamp with a housing for retaining a removeable image contained on a planar sheet.
Bt~CKGROUND OF THE ~NVENTION
In general, lamps that illuminate images have had a significant aesthetic value with adults and children. Lamps of this 10 type can be used as night lights or advertising signs for example.
The public, generally, finds these t~pes of lamps appeal;ng or, in the case of advertising, an effective means of displaying a message.
In addition, lamps activated by a touch-sensitive switch have recently become popular. This is due to the ease and simplicity l 5 of operation provided by the touch-sensitive switch.
Prior to this invention, lamps with decorative screens had been disclosed. United States Patent 1,878,750 teaches a display device with a translucent cylindrical screen containing decorative images. In addition, Canadian Letters Patent 213,146 shows a
2 0 display apparatus with a planar translucent screen. However, both of these lamps are operated by a manual switch.
Also previous ~o this invention, touch-activated devices had been disclosed. United States Patent 4,~378,107 teaches a touch-sensitive light emitting diode. In addition, French Patent 2 5 2,567,623 discloses a touch-sensitive lamp. However, both of these lamps lack a decorative screen.
Nowhere in the prior art is there found a decorative lamp with a touch-activated mechanism and changeable screens. Further, nowhere in the prior art is theTe found a path from the touch-activated mechanism to the top surface of the lamp housing for ease of use.
It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a decorative lamp with a touch-activated mechanism.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a touch-activated decorative lamp that can be safely used by young children as well as others, while providing a pleasing aesthetic value.
Further objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when considering the following summary of the invention and more detailed description of the preferred embodiments illustrated herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the present invention provides a decorative lamp comprising a top, a body and a base, the base having a touch-1~ activated switching means connected to a light bulb socket contained in the body, the touch-activated switching means being connected to an exterior surface of the lamp by a connecting means, the exterior surface providing the means for actuating the touch-activated switching means, the body including a display supporting means to 2 0 orient a removeable display to the exterior of the lamp and to enhance the display when the lamp is lit.
Preferably the touch-activated switching means is a capacitive switch following the design taught in Canadian Letters Patent 938,667.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting means may be a rod-like member that extends from the touch-activated switching means to the exterior surface of the lamp and preferably the top thereof which forms the actuator for the touch-activated switching means.

Z~4~703
- 3 -Preferably, the body is a substantially translucent cylinder.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the touch-activated decorative lamp may comprise a ventilated base, a ventilated top capable of conducting a capacitive charge and a translucent, cylindrical body extending from the top to the base where the base contains a touch-activated switching means connected to the top of the lamp by a rod-like connecting means whose placement within the lamp limits the size of light bulb that 10 can be placed within the lamp, fixes the power cord within the lamp and engages a clamping means on the top thereby allowing the top to form the actuator of the touch-activated switching means and the clamping means is of sufficiently strength to prevent the removal of the top by small children and disposed within the body of the lamp 1~ is a removeable image means constructed from a translucent heat resistant material.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the touch-activated switching means may operate on a 4 step cycle (low level illumination, medium level illumination, maximum level 2 0 illumination and off setting).
In yet another embodiment, the rod-like member may be situated within the cylindrical body in a manner limiting the size of light bulb that can be placed within the lamp.
In another aspect of the invention, the top is constructed 2 5 from a non-metallic, electrically conductive material.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the top may have disposed within it a clamping means that physically and electrically connects the top to the conducting rod.

2Q~703
- 4 -In yet ~nother embodiment of the invention, the clamping means holds the top in place with sufficient strength to make it difficult for a small child to remove the top.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the connecting means engages a power cord restraint to fix the power cord in place when the connecting means is secured within the lamp.
In one embodiment of the invention, the display means is a translucent picture or illustration preferably placed on a flexible translucent heat resistant planar sheet.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the top and base may be provided with apertures to allow free air flow through the body of the lamp thereby safely dispersing the excess heat generated by the light bulb.
DESCRTPrlON OF T~E DRAWINGS
15 The embodiments of the present invention will now be illustrated by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional side plan view of the touch-activated decorative lamp.
~0 Figure 2 is a side view of the top of the decorative lamp.
Figure 3 is a side view of the lower reflector of the decorative lamp.
Figure 4 is a side view of the touch-activated decorative lamp in operation.
25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF T~E
INVENTION
Referring to Figure 1, a ventilation louver 1 is located on the top 2 allowing for the escape of heated air generated during the operation of the lamp. The top 2 is made from an injection moulded ~O~ ;;703 blacl~ polypropylene material filled with carbon black. This forms a top surface capable of conducting a capacitive charge and forms the actuator of the touch-activated switch 11. The upper reflector 3 is located on the underside of the top. It is constructed i~rom a white polypropylene material with a matte finish. This has the effect of reflecting light back into the lamp. The clamping device 4 extends downwards from underside of the top 2 through the upper reflector 3. The clamping device includes conducting, concentric prongs 15 tied together by an O-ring S which provides the necessary clamping 10 force. The clamping device 4 is secured to a rod-like member 7 making the top 2 difficult to remove by small children. The rod-like member 7 has a rough surface to assist ~he clamping device 4 in securing the top 2 to the lamp. A rough surface is obtained by a zinc-like plating on the rod-like member 7. The rod-like member 7 l ~ is contained in a translucent cylindrical plastic body 6 integrally press fitted with the base 14 at seal 1รป. The body 6 allows for the mounting of a removeable image. The rod-like member 7 connects to ~ touch-activated switch 11 located in the base 14. The base 14 is constructed from a black plastic material with a lower reflec~or 9 O made from a white polypropylene material with a matte finish.
Additionally, ventilation apertures 16 are located in the base 14 for the free flow of air through the lamp. The base 14 also contains a light bulb socket 17 that retains only smaller sized light bulbs. This limits the power output of the lamp to a range that is acceptable with 2 5 respect to the construction of the lamp. The light bulb socket 17 and the touch-activated switch 11 are supported by a support 1 3 located within the base 14. Also within the base 14 is a cord restraint 12 that clamps the power cord to the base 14 when the rod-like member 7 is tightened into screw recess 8.

Referring to figure 2, the top 2 comprised of a louver 1having two apertures 18 and l 8' that allow for the escape of the heated air generated by the lamp during its operation.
Referring to figure 3, the lower reflector 9 is a truncated ~S conical structure with ventilation apertures 19 and 19' allowing for the free flow of air through the lamp. Alignment member 21 aligns screw recess 20 with the corresponding screw recess on the base 14 as best shown in figure 1.
Referring to figure 4, a hand 22 is shown touching the top 10 2. This has the effect of actuating the touch-activated switch 11, best shown in figure 1, causing the lamp to be activated. The light generated by the lamp causes the image 23 to appear illuminated thereby creating a decorative effect. The touch-activated switch 11 has a four-step cycle (low, medium, maximum, off) for controlling the 1~ operation of the lamp.

Claims (15)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. A decorative lamp comprising a top, a body and a base, the base having a touch-activated switching means connected to a light bulb socket contained in the body, the touch-activated switching means being connected to an exterior surface of the lamp by a connecting means, the exterior surface providing the means for actuating the touch-activated switching means, the body including a display supporting means to orient a removeable display to the exterior of the lamp and to enhance the display when the lamp is lit.
2. The touch-activated decorative lamp of Claim 1 where the body is a cylinder that extends from the base to the top of the lamp.
3. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 1 where the touch-activated switching means is connected to the top of the lamp by a connecting means allowing the top to be the actuator of the touch-activated switching means.
4. The touch-activated decorative lamp of Claim 1 or 3 where the connecting means is an electrically conductive rod-like member.
5. The touch-activated decorative lamp of Claim 1 where the connecting means engages a power cord restraint to fix the power cord in place when the communication means is secured within the lamp.
6. The touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 4 where the rod-like member is situated within the body of the lamp in a manner limiting the size of the light bulb that can be placed within the lamp.
7. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 3 where the top is constructed from a material capable of conducting a capacitive charge.
8. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 1 where the top has disposed within it a clamping means connects the top to the connecting means.
9. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 7 where the top has disposed within it a clamping means connects the top to the connecting means.
10. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 8 or 9 where the clamping means holds the top in place with sufficient strength to make it difficult for a small child to remove the top thus improving the safety of the lamp.
11. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 where the rod-like member has a rough surface constructed from a zinc-like plating to assist the clamping device in securing the top to the lamp.
12. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 1 or 2 where the image means is a translucent picture or illustration placed on a translucent heat resistant medium.
13. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 1 or 2 where the image means is removably disposed between the light bulb and the body.
14. A touch-activated decorative lamp according to Claim 3 or 7 where the top and base are provided with apertures that allow the free flow of air through the body of the lamp thereby safely dispersing the heat generated by the light bulb.
15. A touch-activated decorative lamp comprising a ventilated base, a ventilated top capable of conducting a capacitive charge and a translucent, cylindrical body extending from the top to the base where the base contains a touch-activated switching means connected to the top of the lamp by a rod-like connecting means whose placement within the lamp limits the size of light bulb that can be placed within the lamp, fixes the power cord within the lamp and engages a clamping means on the top thereby allowing the top to form the actuator of the touch-activated switching means and the clamping means is of sufficiently strength to prevent the removal of the top by small children and disposed within the body of the lamp is a removeable image means constructed from a translucent heat resistant material.
CA 2044703 1991-06-14 1991-06-14 Touch activated decorative lamp Abandoned CA2044703A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2044703 CA2044703A1 (en) 1991-06-14 1991-06-14 Touch activated decorative lamp

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2044703 CA2044703A1 (en) 1991-06-14 1991-06-14 Touch activated decorative lamp

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2044703A1 true CA2044703A1 (en) 1992-12-15

Family

ID=4147829

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2044703 Abandoned CA2044703A1 (en) 1991-06-14 1991-06-14 Touch activated decorative lamp

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2044703A1 (en)

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Legal Events

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