CN113710957A

CN113710957A - Lamp mounting member assembly and lamp assembly including the same

Info

Publication number: CN113710957A
Application number: CN202080029220.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 索非亚·布雷姆
Original assignee: Ikea Supply AG
Current assignee: Ikea Supply AG
Priority date: 2019-03-07
Filing date: 2020-03-05
Publication date: 2021-11-26
Also published as: SE1950288A1; EP3935311A1; WO2020180240A1; EP3935311A4; SE543349C2

Abstract

A lamp mount assembly includes a lamp holder interface (28) and a C-clip assembly (22), the C-clip assembly (22) including a web (32), a first jaw (34), and a second jaw (36). A first jaw member (40) comprising a first jaw (34) and a first web portion (42) of the web (32); and a second jaw element (44) comprising said second jaw (36) and a second web portion (46) of said web (32), wherein the first and second web portions (42, 46) are connectable to each other at any one of a plurality of different mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c) to define a respective plurality of different jaw gap widths.

Description

Lamp mounting member assembly and lamp assembly including the same

Technical Field

The invention relates to a lamp mount assembly and a lamp assembly comprising such a lamp mount assembly.

Background

US5097400 discloses a lamp assembly comprising a swing arm pivotally connected to a C-shaped clamp. However, the following more versatile lamp mounts are needed: it is simpler, less costly and easier to install.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to solve or at least reduce some or all of the above mentioned problems. To this end, according to a first aspect, there is provided a lamp mount assembly for attaching a lamp to a furniture piece, the lamp mount assembly comprising a lamp holder interface and a C-clamp assembly for assembling a C-clamp, the C-clamp assembly comprising a web, a first jaw and a second jaw, the first and second jaws extending from the web in substantially the same direction, and the first jaw carrying a clamping element movable relative to the first jaw in a clamping direction towards the second jaw to clamp the furniture piece against the second jaw, wherein the first jaw element comprises a first web portion of the web and the first jaw; and a second jaw element comprising said second jaw and a second web portion of said web, wherein the first and second web portions are connectable to each other at any one of a plurality of different mutual positions to define a respective plurality of different jaw gap widths. Throughout this disclosure, the term "plurality" should be construed to refer to a plurality, i.e., at least two. The first and second web portions may be configured to directly engage one another. Alternatively, the first and second web portions can be connected to each other via one or several intermediate members. The clamping member may be threadably engaged with the first jaw to move in the clamping direction upon rotation about the threads.

According to an embodiment, the first and second web portions may be connected to each other without tools, such that the first and second web portions may be moved relative to each other to obtain the plurality of different jaw gap widths by hand only, i.e. without using any tools.

According to an embodiment, the first web portion may be locked and released from the second web portion by pivoting the first web portion into and out of engagement with the second web portion, e.g. about an axis perpendicular to the clamping direction and/or the jaw direction.

According to an embodiment, the first web portion may be lockable and releasable with the second web portion by linearly moving the first web portion into and out of engagement with the second web portion, e.g. in a direction perpendicular to the clamping direction.

According to embodiments, the first jaw may be integrally formed with the first web portion and/or the second jaw may be integrally formed with the second web portion. By way of example, each or any of the jaw elements may be formed from a respective sheet metal piece. Alternatively or additionally, either or both of the respective jaw elements may be integrally cast in metal or integrally moulded in plastic.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of different mutual positions comprises at least three different mutual positions, more preferably the plurality of different mutual positions is three to ten different mutual positions, even more preferably three to five different mutual positions, such as three different mutual positions.

According to an embodiment, the first and second web portions may be connected to each other at the plurality of different mutual positions via a first locking structure integrally formed or rigidly joined to the first web portion and a second locking structure integrally formed or rigidly joined to the second web portion, wherein the first and second locking structures are configured to directly interlock with each other in the clamping direction when connected. By way of example, the locking structure may comprise one or several protrusions of one of the first and second jaw elements configured to interlock with one or several cooperating recesses or holes of the other of the first and second jaw elements, such that the locking structure may interlock at a plurality of different mutual positions along the clamping direction.

According to an embodiment, one of the first and second web portions includes a plurality of locking apertures and the other of the first and second web portions includes a locking protrusion engageable with any one of the plurality of locking apertures to provide the plurality of different jaw gap widths. The locking protrusion may be integrally formed or fixedly joined with the other of the first and second web portions.

According to an embodiment, the lamp mount assembly further comprises a web guide for guiding at least one of the web portions in the clamping direction for guiding the first and second web portions relative to each other between the plurality of different mutual positions. The web guide may be a separate component connectable to one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member to guide the web portion of the other of the first jaw member and the second jaw member. Alternatively, the web guide may be fixedly attached to one of the first and second jaw members to guide the web portion of the other of the first and second jaw members. According to an example, the web guide may be integrally formed with the one of the first and second jaw members; in particular, the web guide may be integrally formed with a web portion of the one of the first and second jaw members. The web guide may be configured as a guide sleeve. According to an embodiment, one of the first jaw element and the second jaw element may be configured to be fixedly attached to the web guide. By way of example, the web guide and the one of the first and second jaw elements may be provided with respective screw holes aligned with each other for receiving one or several attachment screws.

According to an embodiment, the web guide comprises a fulcrum, wherein one of the first and second web portions is configured to pivot about the fulcrum to move between a locked position in which the one of the first and second web portions is engaged with the other of the first and second web portions and a disengaged position in which the one of the first and second web portions is free to move along the web guide. The web guide may be configured to guide a web portion of the guided jaw element along a web guide axis, and the fulcrum may be disposed near the following axial ends of the web guide: the axial end is closest to the jaw of the guided jaw element.

According to an embodiment, the second web portion can be connected to the web guide at: in this position, the second web portion prevents the first web portion from completely separating from the guide if the first web portion has been inserted into the web guide. Thus, loss of the first jaw element can be prevented as soon as the second web portion is connected to the web guide. By way of example, complete separation may be prevented by having the second web portion partially block the axial end of the jaw of the web guide closest to the first jaw element. The web guide may be shaped to: even if complete separation is prevented, the first and second web portions are still allowed to be guided relative to each other between said plurality of different mutual positions.

According to an embodiment, the lamp mount assembly may comprise a swing arm socket for receiving a swing arm. The swing arm is typically configured as the following arm: the arm is provided at one end thereof with a light source and at the other end thereof with a pivot shaft which is connectable to the swing arm socket to form a pivotal connection for swinging the swing arm about a pivot axis. Thus, the light source may be conveniently moved to a desired position and/or the light may be directed in a desired direction.

According to an embodiment, the swing arm socket is arranged in a swing arm bracket provided with a fixture interface connector for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket to the fixture interface.

According to an embodiment, the swing arm bracket is connectable to the light fixture interface in at least two different mutual orientations. According to an embodiment, the two different mutual orientations differ by less than 180 °, for example by between 45 ° and 135 °, or by about 90 °. According to embodiments, the swing arm bracket can be connected to the light fixture interface in at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six different mutual orientations.

According to an embodiment, one of the lamp holder interface and the lamp holder interface connector comprises a guide rail element and the other of the lamp holder interface and the lamp holder interface connector comprises a guide device cooperating with the guide rail element, wherein the guide rail element is slidably insertable into the guide device in at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five or at least six different mutual orientations. Also, the two different mutual orientations may differ by less than 180 °, for example by between 45 ° and 135 °, or by about 90 °. By way of example, the guide means may comprise a pair of grooves extending in mutually transverse directions, and the rail element may be shaped to cooperate with each groove of the pair of grooves, such that the rail element may be rotated into alignment with either groove by rotating the swing arm bracket, and then slid into engagement with the respective groove. According to an embodiment, the rail element and the guide device may be configured to cooperate such that the rail element is rotationally locked to the guide device, thereby preventing rotation of the swing arm socket relative to the light holder interface.

According to an embodiment, the guide device comprises a guide rail guide provided with a pair of guide rail edges opposite to each other, and the guide rail element comprises a first pair of guide rail edges opposite to each other and substantially parallel and a second pair of guide rail edges opposite to each other and substantially parallel transverse to the first pair of guide rail edges, wherein the guide rail element is fittingly inserted into the guide rail guide with either of the pair of guide rail edges aligned with the guide rail edges. The first pair of rail edges may be perpendicular to the second pair of rail edges to define a square shape. In an alternative embodiment, the rail element comprises one or several additional pairs of mutually opposite and substantially parallel rail edges, which are transverse to the first pair of rail edges or the second pair of rail edges. Thus, the rail edges may define other polygonal shapes, such as hexagonal or octagonal. In this way, the rail element can be slidably inserted into the rail guide in a further different orientation.

According to an embodiment, the swing arm socket comprises a sleeve having a cylindrical inner face extending along a sleeve axis, which may coincide with the pivot axis, the sleeve being configured to frictionally engage a cylindrical lamppost inserted into the swing arm socket along the sleeve axis to form a frictional engagement holding the lamppost at a stable axial position. Such swing arm sockets allow the lamppost to move axially between different axial positions and the lamppost to rotate within the socket about the sleeve axis. The lamppost may be held solely by frictional engagement so that movement of the lamppost in the socket between different positions may be obtained without loosening or tightening any fasteners or clamps. The lamppost may be inserted through the swing arm slot until it protrudes on the other side, thereby enabling a wide range of translation of the lamppost along the sleeve axis. According to one embodiment, the surface of the inner face of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of inwardly facing friction protrusions. The friction protrusions may be distributed around the circumference of the sleeve and may be configured, for example, as dimples or as ridges extending along the sleeve axis. The friction protrusions, or alternatively the entire sleeve, may be made of plastic. A suitable material may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as a thermoplastic copolyester or thermoplastic polyurethane.

According to a second aspect, some or all of the above mentioned problems are solved or at least reduced by a lamp assembly comprising a lamp mount assembly as defined above and a lamp post configured to hold and supply power to the power supply, the power supply being attached to said lamp post. The lamp mount assembly may be constructed in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples hereinabove. The light source may be fixedly attached to the lamp post; alternatively, the lamppost may be provided with a light source connector for releasably attaching a light source. The lamppost may be inserted into the swing arm socket so as to be vertically supported in the swing arm socket only by frictional engagement, such that the lamppost may slide vertically along the axis of the swing arm socket between a plurality of stable positions. The strength of the frictional engagement should exceed the weight of the lamppost to obtain said stable position. According to an example, the frictional engagement is provided solely by the engagement between the swing arm socket and the lamppost. The stable positions may be different positions defined by the surface structure of the lamppost and the swing arm socket, for example. Alternatively, at least one of the interengaging surfaces of the lamppost and swing arm socket may be smooth to provide a continuous range of stable positions. According to an embodiment, at least one, and optionally each, of the swing arm socket and the light post may have a circular cross-section to facilitate rotation of the light post within the swing arm socket. By way of example, the lamppost may be configured as a cylindrical lamp post.

According to a third aspect, some or all of the above mentioned problems are solved or at least alleviated by a lamp mount assembly for attaching a lamp to a furniture piece, comprising a C-shaped clamp assembly comprising a web, a first jaw and a second jaw extending from the web in substantially the same direction, and the first jaw carrying a clamping element movable in a clamping direction relative to the first jaw towards the second jaw for clamping the furniture piece against the second jaw, the C-shaped clamp assembly comprising a lamp holder interface, the lamp mount assembly being characterized by comprising a swing arm bracket connectable to the C-shaped clamp assembly, the swing arm bracket being provided with a swing arm socket and a lamp holder interface connector for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket to the lamp holder interface, wherein, the swing arm bracket can be connected to the light fixture interface in at least two different orientations. The light holder interface and the light holder interface connector may be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples defined hereinabove.

According to a fourth aspect, some or all of the above mentioned problems are solved or at least alleviated by a lamp assembly comprising a lamppost configured to hold and power a light source and a lamp mount assembly configured to support said lamppost, wherein the lamp mount assembly comprises a swing arm socket cooperating with the lamppost such that the lamppost is insertable into the swing arm socket so as to be vertically supported in the swing arm socket by only frictional engagement such that the lamppost is vertically slidable along an axis of the swing arm socket between a plurality of stable axial positions. The lamp mount assembly and/or the lamp post may be constructed in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples defined above. By way of example, the lamppost may be inserted through the swing arm slot until it protrudes on the other side, thereby enabling a wide range of translation of the lamppost along the axis of the swing arm slot. Optionally, the swing arm socket may include a sleeve defining a level of frictional engagement. The sleeve may be constructed as defined above with reference to the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect, some or all of the above mentioned problems are solved or at least alleviated by a lamp assembly comprising a lamppost configured to hold and supply power to a light source and a lamp mount assembly configured to support said lamppost, wherein the lamp mount assembly comprises a swing arm socket cooperating with an axial end of the lamppost such that the axial end of the lamppost is insertable into the swing arm socket to define a swing arm connection pivoting about a pivot axis, wherein said axial end is provided with an electrical connector having a protrusion on a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis which is the same or smaller than a corresponding protrusion on said plane of the axial end of the lamppost, thereby allowing the axial end with the electrical connector to be inserted all the way through the swing arm socket. Thus, the mating electrical connector of the power cord can be connected to the axial end of the lamppost after insertion through the swing arm slot, which allows for a neat lamp installation without excessive wiring. The lamp mount assembly and/or the lamp post may be constructed in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples defined above.

It is to be noted that embodiments of the invention can be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that the various embodiments and examples described with respect to any of the above aspects may be combined with other aspects.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used for like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a lamp assembly including a lamp post and a lamp mount;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are perspective views of the light assembly of FIG. 1 in three different mounting scenarios;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the C-clamp assembly of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 1 prior to assembly, with some components omitted from the view of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4B is a perspective schematic view of the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4A in a first intermediate step of assembly;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4A in a second intermediate step of assembly;

FIG. 4D is a perspective schematic view of the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4A in a final assembled state, with the jaws of the C-clamp assembly in a first mutual position;

FIG. 4E is a perspective schematic view of the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4A in a final assembled state with the jaws of the C-clamp assembly in a second reciprocal position;

FIG. 4F is a schematic perspective view of the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4A in a final assembled state, with the jaws of the C-clamp assembly in a third reciprocal position;

FIG. 5A is a schematic perspective view of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 3 with the jaws of the C-clamp assembly in a first mutual position illustrated in FIG. 4D;

FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 3 with the jaws of the C-clamp assembly in a second reciprocal position illustrated in FIG. 4E;

FIG. 5C is a schematic perspective view of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 3 with the jaws of the C-clamp assembly in the third reciprocal position illustrated in FIG. 4F;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 1, with the C-clamp assembly in a first intermediate step of assembly;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional exploded view of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 6A with the C-clamp assembly in a second intermediate step of assembly;

FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the swing arm bracket coupled with the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4F in a first mutual orientation to adapt the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 1 for use in the installation scenario of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 7B is a plan view of the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 1 from below;

FIG. 7C is a schematic perspective view illustrating the swing arm bracket coupled with the C-clamp assembly of FIG. 4F in a second mutual orientation to adapt the lamp mount assembly of FIG. 1 for use in the installation scenario of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1 in perspective, cross-section taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7B, and illustrating the connection of the lamppost to the swing arm bracket;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the lower portion of the lamp assembly of FIG. 8 after the light post is connected to the swing arm bracket, and illustrating the connection of the cable to the light post; and

fig. 10 is a perspective schematic view of the lamp assembly of fig. 8 and illustrates height adjustment of the lamp post within the swing arm bracket.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only parts that are necessary in order to elucidate the embodiments, wherein other parts may be omitted.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a lamp assembly 10, the lamp assembly 10 including a lamp mount assembly 12, a lamp post 14, and a light source 16 connected to a light source connector 15. The first end 14a of the lamppost 14 is connected to a power cord 18 for receiving power, while the second end 14b of the lamppost 14 holds and supplies power to the light source 16.

As shown in fig. 2A, 2B and 2C, the lamp mount assembly 12 may be reconfigured between three different modes of attachment, wherein a first mode (fig. 2A) allows the lamp assembly 10 to be attached to a face of the flat wall 19 with the lamp post 14 in an upright position; the second mode (fig. 2B) allows clamping the light assembly 10 to the horizontal plate 20a of the furniture piece 20 with the lamppost 14 also in an upright position; and a third mode (fig. 2C) allows clamping the light assembly 10 to the vertical plate 20b of the piece of furniture 20 while still having the lighting column 14 in an upright position. Thus, the same light mount assembly 12 may be used to clamp to furniture piece 20 or otherwise attach to furniture piece 20 in different positions.

Fig. 3 illustrates the lamp mount assembly 12 in more detail along with an exploded view. The lamp mount assembly 12 includes a C-clamp assembly 22 and a swing arm bracket 24 connectable to the C-clamp assembly 22. The swing arm bracket 24 is provided with a swing arm slot 26 for receiving the second end 14b (fig. 1) of the lamppost, which operates like a swing arm to pivot about a pivot axis a defined by the swing arm slot 26. The C-clamp assembly 22 is provided with a light holder interface 28 and the swing arm bracket is provided with a light holder interface connector 30 that mates with the light holder interface 28.

The C-clamp assembly 22 forms a C-clamp comprising a web 32, a first jaw 34 and a second jaw 36, the first jaw 34 and the second jaw 36 extending from the web 32 in substantially the same direction, and the first jaw 34 carrying a clamping element 38, the clamping element 38 being movable relative to the first jaw 34 in a clamping direction D towards the second jaw 36 to clamp the furniture piece 20 against the second jaw 36 (fig. 2B, 2C).

C-clamp assembly 22 includes a first jaw member 40, a second jaw member 44, a web guide sleeve 48, and a clamping member 38, first jaw member 40 including said first jaw 34 and first web portion 42; the second jaw member 44 includes the second jaw 36 and a second web portion 46. Each of the first jaw member 40 and the second jaw member 44 is integrally formed from a respective piece of steel plate. The set of locking apertures 49 a-49 c is configured as rectangular through holes distributed along the second web portion 46, and the locking projections 53 of the first web portion 42 configured as curved locking tabs are configured to engage with any of the locking apertures 49 a-49 c in a manner that will be explained further below. The locking projections 53 and the locking apertures 49a to 49c are examples of locking structures for interlocking the

web portions

42, 46 in the clamping direction D. The clamping member 38 includes a threaded clamping screw 50 that engages a threaded through bore 58 in the first jaw 34. A first end of the clamping screw 50 is provided with a handle knob 51 for turning the screw 50, while a clamping plate 52 is attached to a second end of the clamping screw 50 by means of a so-called "E-shaped" external circlip 54. The clamping plate cover 56, which may be made of, for example, a relatively soft polymer, protects the furniture 20 (fig. 2B) from scratching by the clamping plate 52, and the clamping plate 52 may be made of metal or a relatively hard polymer. Similarly, the jaw pad 57 attached to the second jaw 36 protects the furniture 20 from scratching by the second jaw 36. Even though in the illustrated embodiment the clamping element 38 is movable along the threaded through bore 58 relative to the first jaw 34, alternative configurations are possible. By way of example, the clamping element 38 may be resiliently connected to the first clamping jaw 34, e.g. via a spring, in a biased manner in the clamping direction D towards the second clamping jaw 36, so that the furniture piece 20 (fig. 2B) may be resiliently clamped in the gap between the clamping

jaws

34, 36. Furthermore, according to yet another alternative configuration, the first jaw 34 and the second jaw 36 are movable relative to each other to grip the furniture piece 20. In such a configuration, there is no need for a clamping element 38 that is movable relative to either of the

jaws

34, 36. According to an example, the clamping

jaws

34, 36 may be biased towards each other to clamp the furniture piece 20.

The first and

second web portions

42, 46 can be connected to each other inside a web guide sleeve 48 in a manner that will be explained in more detail below. Furthermore, the second web portion 46 is securely attached inside the web guide sleeve 48 by means of two screws 60 which pass through the web guide sleeve 48 to engage with a corresponding pair of threaded holes 62 in the second web portion 46. The guide sleeve cover 64 is snap-fitted to the web guide sleeve 48 to cover the axial end opening of the web guide sleeve 48.

Swing arm carrier 24 includes a cylindrical sleeve 66, which sleeve 66 is made of plastic, such as thermoplastic elastomer TPE, and forms the cylindrical inner face of swing arm socket 26. The sleeve 66 protects the lamppost 14 (fig. 1) from scratching by the swing arm socket 26. Wall connector plate 68, which is provided with keyhole slot 70, can optionally be attached to swing arm bracket 24, for example with screws 72, to facilitate hanging swing arm bracket 24 from wall 19 (fig. 2A) without C-clamp assembly 22. Swing arm bracket cover 74 is snap-fit to the bottom end of swing arm bracket 24.

Fig. 4A-4F illustrate in cross-section how the various components of the C-clamp assembly 22 are assembled to form a C-clamp. Starting from fig. 4A, the second web portion 46 of the second jaw element 44 is inserted into the web guide sleeve 48 and is firmly attached to the web guide sleeve 48 by means of screws 60. The sleeve cover 64 is then snapped into place, bringing us to the position illustrated in fig. 4B.

In fig. 4B, the first jaw member 40 is pivoted in a first pivot direction J1 about a pivot axis (not shown) perpendicular to the gripping direction D (fig. 3) and the general direction in which the

jaws

34, 36 extend: such that when pivoted, the first jaw 34 moves toward the second jaw 36. The first pivot direction J1 may be referred to as a jaw disengagement direction for reasons that will be set forth below.

In fig. 4C, the first web portion 42 is inserted into the web guide sleeve 48 along the web guide axis G to an axial position where the locking projection 53 is aligned with the first locking aperture 49 a. Once in position, first jaw element 40 is pivoted in a jaw engagement direction J2 (fig. 4D) opposite to jaw disengagement direction J1 illustrated in fig. 4B such that locking protrusion 53 engages with first locking aperture 49a to reach a locked position. This brings us to the position illustrated in fig. 4D, in which

jaw members

40, 44 are connected to one another to define a first jaw gap width W1. When in the position of fig. 4D, the first web portion 42 is seated against a support edge 76, which support edge 76 may also serve as a fulcrum when pivoting the first jaw member 40. In the final position of fig. 4D, the

jaws

34, 36 are substantially parallel, and the locking engagement between the

jaws

34, 36 prevents the

jaws

34, 36 from pivoting further to their substantially separated positions.

From the position of fig. 4D, the first web portion 42 may be disengaged from the second web portion 46 again by pivoting the first jaw member 40 in the jaw disengaging direction J1 (fig. 4B) such that the first jaw member 40 becomes free to move along the web guide axis G (fig. 4C). By moving the first jaw member 40 along the web guide axis G such that the locking projections 53 are aligned with the second and

third locking apertures

49b, 49c, the first jaw member 40 may be pivoted in the jaw engagement direction (fig. 4D) such that the locking projections 53 are engaged with the

respective locking apertures

49b, 49 c. These two alternative respective positions are illustrated in fig. 4E and 4F, in which

jaw members

40, 44 are connected to one another to define second jaw gap width W2 and third jaw gap width W3, respectively.

The three different jaw gap widths W1, W2, W3 (fig. 4D, 4E, 4F) may be quite different; for example, the jaw gap widths may differ by more than 5mm, more than 10mm, more than 20mm, or even more. The different jaw gap widths W1, W2, W3 are easily achieved without moving the clamping element 38 (fig. 3) in the clamping direction by turning the screw 50 in the thread 58, which allows the C-clamp assembly 22 to quickly and easily adapt to a variety of clamping widths. After setting the jaw gap width, a secure clamping engagement with the furniture 20 (fig. 2C) can be obtained by tightening the clamping screw 50.

Fig. 5A-5C illustrate the lamp mount assembly 12 attached to three different thickness plates 20a, wherein the clamping element 38 is in the same position relative to the first jaw 34 in all three instances.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the C-clamp assembly 22 of the lamp mount assembly 12 that is identical in most respects to the embodiment of fig. 4A-4F. However, the embodiment represented by the example of fig. 6A and 6B differs from the embodiment of fig. 4A to 4F in that the axially lower end opening 75 of the web guide sleeve 48 cooperates with the axially distal end 47 of the second web portion 46 to prevent the first web portion 42 from being completely removed from the web guide sleeve 48 after the second web portion 46 is attached to its position in the web guide sleeve 48 illustrated in fig. 4B. This embodiment requires a different assembly sequence for the C-clamp assembly 22. This assembly sequence is illustrated in fig. 6A. In a first step, the first jaw element 40 is pivoted in said first pivoting direction J1, and its first web portion 42 is inserted into the web guide sleeve 48 from below, as indicated by the arrow 101 associated with the first jaw element 40. Thereafter, the second web portion 46 of the second jaw member 44 is axially inserted along the web guide axis G in the direction of arrow 102 associated with the second jaw member 44 and attached within the web guide sleeve 48 at the location illustrated in fig. 6B using screws 60 (fig. 4A). Finally, the sleeve cover 64 is snapped into place along its associated arrow 103, bringing us fully to the position illustrated in fig. 6B.

As is evident from the enlarged view of fig. 6B, the axial lower end opening 75 defined by the fulcrum 76 and the opposing edge 77 cooperates with the distal end 47 of the second web portion 46 to partially block the axial lower end opening 75 of the web guide sleeve 48 to prevent withdrawal of the locking projection 53 through the axial end opening 75. In this way, loss of the first jaw element 40 is prevented. The first web portion 42 is still free to move within the sleeve 48 along the web guide axis G to engage the second web portion 46 at any of the different axial positions illustrated in fig. 4D, 4E and 4F.

Turning now to fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C, and beginning with fig. 7A, the swing arm bracket 24 can be connected to the C-clamp assembly 22 in four different orientations of the swing arm bracket 24 relative to the C-clamp assembly 22. To this end, the light holder interface 28 includes a rail member 80, and the light holder interface connector 30 includes a rail guide 82 that cooperates with the rail member 80 such that the rail guide 82 can slide onto the rail member 80 along a rail guide axis R defined by the interface between a pair of opposed guide edges 82a, 82B (fig. 3 and 7B) of the rail guide 82 to engage a first pair of opposed and substantially parallel rail edges 80a, 80B of the rail member 80. The upper wall 83 of the swing arm carrier 24 defines an axial stop for guiding movement along the guide rail guide axis R. In the illustrated example, the guide rail guide axis R is parallel to the pivot axis a.

Fig. 7B illustrates the lamp mount 12 from below, and shows the guided engagement that is obtained after sliding the light fixture interface connector 30 (fig. 6A) of the swing arm bracket 24 into engagement with the light fixture interface 28 of the C-clamp assembly 22 in the manner illustrated by the arrow in fig. 7A. This guided engagement prevents relative movement between swing arm bracket 24 and C-clamp assembly 22 in any direction within a plane perpendicular to rail guide axis R (FIG. 1).

Turning now to fig. 7C, the rail element 80 further comprises a second pair of mutually opposed and substantially parallel rail edges 80C, 80d, the second pair of rail edges 80C, 80d being perpendicular to the first pair of

rail edges

80a, 80 b. The distance between the first pair of

rail edges

80a, 80b is substantially the same as the distance between the second pair of

rail edges

80c, 80d such that the rail edges 80 a-80 d together define the shape of a square. Rather than sliding the rail guide 82 along the first pair of rail edges 80a, 80B as shown in fig. 7A, the rail guide 82 may be slid onto the rail member 80 along a rail guide axis R defined by the interface between the second pair of

rail edges

80c, 80d and the guide edges 82a, 82B (fig. 7B) of the rail guide 82. Thus, the swing arm bracket 24 may be rigidly connected to the C-clamp assembly 22 with the pivot axis a extending in either of two mutually perpendicular directions relative to the C-clamp assembly 22. In the illustrated example, the sleeve axis, which coincides with the pivot axis a, is perpendicular to the general direction in which the jaws 34, 36 (fig. 3) extend from the web 32. For each of the cases of fig. 7A and 7C, two additional relative orientations may be obtained by sliding the rail guide 82 onto the rail element 80 in a direction opposite to the sliding direction illustrated in the respective figures. The possibility of attaching the swing arm bracket 24 to the C-clamp assembly 22 in either of two opposite directions has certain benefits. Referring to fig. 7C, prior to sliding swing arm bracket 24 onto C-clamp assembly 22 in the direction illustrated in fig. 7C, C-clamp assembly 22 may be attached to, for example, vertical plate 20b by a clamping element 38 (fig. 5A) located on the left side (illustrated) of plate 20b or the right side (not illustrated) of plate 20 b. Thus, a user may select on which side of the panel 20b there is a clamping element 38 (fig. 5A), which may be helpful, for example, to position the panel 20b close to a wall, which panel 20b may form part of a larger piece of furniture 20.

The C-shaped clip assembly 22 has a square-shaped profile at the light holder interface 28 defined by four

sides

81a, 81b, 81C, 81d of equal length. Similarly, swing arm bracket 24 has a square-shaped profile at the fixture interface connector defined by four

sides

85a, 85b, 85c, 85d of equal length, and four

sides

85a, 85b, 85c, 85d are the same length as four

sides

81a, 81b, 81c, 81 d. When the C-clamp assembly 22 is connected to the swing arm bracket 24, the respective square-shaped profiles of the C-clamp assembly 22 and swing arm bracket 24 align, regardless of whether the C-clamp assembly 22 and swing arm bracket 24 are connected together in the mutual orientation of fig. 7A or the mutual orientation of fig. 7C. Thus, a smooth exterior face of the lamp mount assembly 12 may be obtained at the interface between the C-clamp assembly 22 and the swing arm bracket 24.

Fig. 8 illustrates the connection of the lamppost 14 to the swing arm socket 26. The lamppost 14 is inserted from the top side of the swing arm socket 26 along the pivot axis a defined by the sleeve 66 all the way through the swing arm socket 26 until the lamppost 14 protrudes on the other side. The swing arm socket 26 or lamppost 14 has no axial support structure for holding the lamppost 14 at a fixed height-the lamppost 14 has a uniform, smooth, circular cross-section along its length. Instead, once released, the lamppost 14 is held in a stable vertical position by frictional engagement between the cylindrical outer face of the lamppost 14 and the inner face of the sleeve 66.

The cross-section of fig. 8 through the swing arm bracket 24 taken along line VII-VII shown in the bottom view of fig. 7B reveals the interior face of the sleeve 66 provided with a plurality of inwardly facing friction protrusions 84, the friction protrusions 84 configured to frictionally engage the lamppost 14 (fig. 8) to improve the frictional engagement that holds the lamppost 14 in a stable axial position. This arrangement facilitates axial movement of the lamppost 14 between different axial positions and rotation of the lamppost 14 about the pivot/sleeve axis a within the swing arm socket 26. The friction protrusions 84 are configured as ridges extending along the sleeve axis a, and the friction protrusions 84 are distributed around the circumference of the sleeve 66, as can be better seen in the view of fig. 7B.

Turning to fig. 9, the axially lower face 14c of the lamppost 14 is provided with a female electrical connector 86 which mates with a male electrical connector 88 of the power cord 18. The female electrical connector 86 is fixedly arranged on the axially lower face 14c of the lamppost 14 and thus does not add to the protrusion of the axial face 14c of the lamppost 14 on a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis a. Thus, the female electrical connector 86 does not in any way obstruct the insertion of the lower end 14a of the lamppost 14 through the swing arm socket 26.

Fig. 10 illustrates how the lamppost 14 can be adjusted axially along the pivot axis a (fig. 8) by manually grasping the lamppost and pressing it axially with a force that exceeds the frictional force.

The present invention has generally been described above with reference to several embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

For example, the lamp mount need not be separable into the swing arm bracket 24 and the C-clamp assembly 22; rather, the swing arm socket 26 and the C-clamp assembly may be integral. In such an arrangement, the swing arm socket 26 serves as a light fixture interface in the meaning of claim 1. Furthermore, the swing arm slot is optional; the lamp may be carried by the C-clamp assembly in any other suitable manner. The

web portions

42, 46 need not be connected to each other at different mutual positions via protrusions engaging with a plurality of holes; other alternatives are also within the scope of the claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Claims

1. A lamp mount assembly for attaching a lamp (10) to a piece of furniture (20), the lamp mount assembly (12) comprising:

a lamp holder interface (28), and

c-clamp assembly (22) for assembly into a C-clamp, the C-clamp assembly (22) comprising a web (32), a first jaw (34) and a second jaw (36), the first jaw (34) and the second jaw (36) extending from the web (32) in substantially the same direction, and the first jaw (34) carrying a clamping element (38), the clamping element (38) being movable relative to the first jaw (34) in a clamping direction (D) towards the second jaw (36) to clamp the furniture piece (20) against the second jaw (36), characterized in that the C-clamp assembly (22) comprises:

a first jaw member (40), said first jaw member (40) including said first jaw (34) and a first web portion (42) of said web (32); and

a second jaw member (44), the second jaw member (44) including the second jaw (36) and a second web portion (46) of the web (32),

wherein the first and second web portions (42, 46) are connectable to each other at any one of a plurality of different mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c) to define a respective plurality of different jaw gap widths (W1, W2, W3).

2. The lamp mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the first jaw (34) is integrally formed with the first web portion (42) and/or the second jaw (36) is integrally formed with the second web portion (46).

3. A lamp mount assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of different mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c) comprises at least three different mutual positions; more preferably, the plurality of different mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c) is three to ten different mutual positions, even more preferably three to five different mutual positions, such as three different mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49 c).

4. The lamp mount assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second web portions (42, 46) are connectable to each other at the plurality of different mutual positions via a first and a second locking structure (53, 49a, 49b, 49c), the first locking structure being integrally formed with or rigidly joined to the first web portion (42) and the second locking structure (49a, 49b, 49c) being integrally formed with or rigidly joined to the second web portion (46), wherein the first and second locking structures (53, 49a, 49b, 49c) are configured to directly interlock with each other in the clamping direction (D) when connected.

5. The lamp mount assembly of any preceding claim, wherein one (46) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) includes a plurality of locking apertures (49a, 49b, 49c) and the other (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) includes a locking protrusion (53), the locking protrusion (53) being engageable with any one of the plurality of locking apertures (49a, 49b, 49c) to provide the plurality of different jaw gap widths (W1, W2, W3).

6. The lamp mount assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a web guide (48), the web guide (48) for guiding at least one (42) of the web portions (42, 46) along the clamping direction (D) for guiding the first and second web portions (42, 46) relative to each other between the plurality of different mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49 c).

7. The lamp mount assembly of claim 6, wherein one (44) of the first and second jaw members (40, 44) is configured to be fixedly attached to the web guide (48).

8. The lamp mount assembly of any of claims 6 to 7, wherein the web guide (48) includes a fulcrum (76), wherein one (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) is configured to pivot about the fulcrum (76) to move between a locked position in which the one (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) is engaged with the other (46) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) and an unengaged position in which the one (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) is free to move along the web guide (48).

9. The lamp mount assembly of any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the second web portion (46) is connectable to the web guide (48) at: in said position, the second web portion (46) prevents the first web portion (42) from completely separating from the guide (48) if the first web portion (42) has been inserted into the web guide (48).

10. The lamp mount assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a swing arm socket (26) for receiving a swing arm (14).

11. The lamp mount assembly of claim 10, wherein the swing arm socket (26) is disposed in a swing arm bracket (24), the swing arm bracket (24) being provided with a fixture interface connector (30) for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket (24) to the fixture interface (28).

12. The lamp mount assembly of claim 11, wherein the swing arm bracket (24) is connectable to the lamp holder interface (28) in at least two different mutual orientations.

13. The lamp mount assembly of claim 12, wherein one of the lamp holder interface (28) and the lamp holder interface connector (30) comprises a guide rail element (80) and the other of the lamp holder interface (28) and the lamp holder interface connector (30) comprises a guide (82) that mates with the guide rail element (80), wherein the guide rail element (80) is slidably insertable into the guide (82) in at least two different orientations.

14. The lamp mount assembly according to claim 13, wherein the guide arrangement (82) comprises a rail guide provided with a pair of mutually opposed guide edges (82a, 82b), and the rail element (80) comprises a first pair of mutually opposed and substantially parallel rail edges (80a, 80b) and a second pair of mutually opposed and substantially parallel rail edges (80c, 80d) transverse to the first pair of rail edges (80a, 80b), wherein the rail element (80) is fittingly insertable into the rail guide (82) with any one of the pairs of rail edges (80a, 80 b; 80c, 80d) aligned with the guide edges (82a, 82 b).

15. The lamp mount assembly of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the swing arm socket (26) comprises a sleeve (66) having a cylindrical inner face extending along a sleeve axis (a), preferably a surface of the inner face of the sleeve (66) is provided with a plurality of inwardly facing friction protrusions (84), the inner face of the sleeve (66) being configured to frictionally engage a cylindrical lamppost (14) inserted into the swing arm socket (26) along the sleeve axis (a) to form a frictional engagement that holds the lamppost (14) at a stable axial position.

16. A lamp assembly comprising a lamp mount assembly (12) according to any one of the preceding claims and a lamp post (14) configured to hold a light source (16) and to power the light source (16), the light source (16) being attached to the lamp post (14).

17. The lamp assembly according to claim 16, wherein the lamp mount assembly (12) is configured according to any one of claims 9 to 14, and wherein the lamp post (14) is insertable into the swing arm socket (26) to be supported vertically in the swing arm socket (26) only by frictional engagement, such that the lamp post (14) is vertically slidable along the axis (a) of the swing arm socket (26) between a plurality of stable positions.

18. A lamp mount assembly for attaching a lamp to a piece of furniture (20), the lamp mount assembly (12) comprising:

a C-clamp assembly (22), said C-clamp assembly (22) comprising a web (32), a first jaw (34) and a second jaw (36), said first jaw (34) and said second jaw (36) extending in substantially the same direction from said web (32), and said first jaw (34) carrying a clamping element (38), said clamping element (38) being movable relative to said first jaw (34) in a clamping direction (D) towards said second jaw (36) to clamp said furniture piece (20) against said second jaw (36), said C-clamp assembly (22) comprising a fixture interface (28), said lamp mount assembly (12) being characterized by comprising a swing arm bracket (24) connectable to said C-clamp assembly (22), said swing arm bracket (24) being provided with a swing arm socket (26) and a lamp for rigidly connecting said swing arm bracket (24) to said fixture interface (28) A fixture interface connector (30), wherein the swing arm bracket (24) is connectable to the fixture interface (28) in at least two different orientations.

19. A lamp assembly comprising a lamppost (14) configured to hold a light source (16) and to supply power to the light source (16) and a lamp mount assembly (12) configured to support the lamppost (14), characterized in that the lamp mount assembly (12) comprises a swing arm socket (26), the swing arm socket (26) cooperating with the lamppost (14) such that the lamppost (14) is insertable into the swing arm socket (26) to be supported vertically in the swing arm socket (26) solely by frictional engagement such that the lamppost (14) is vertically slidable along an axis (a) of the swing arm socket (26) between a plurality of stable axial positions.

20. A lamp assembly comprising a lamppost (14) configured to hold a light source (16) and to supply power to the light source (16) and a lamp mount assembly (12) configured to support the lamppost, wherein the lamp mount assembly (12) comprises a swing arm socket (26), the swing arm socket (26) cooperating with an axial end (14c) of the lamppost (14) such that the axial end (14c) of the lamppost (14) is insertable into the swing arm socket (26) to define a swing arm connection pivoting about a pivot axis (A), characterized in that the axial end (14c) is provided with an electrical connector (86), the electrical connector (86) having, in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (A), the same or a smaller protrusion than a corresponding protrusion of the axial end (14c) of the lamppost (14) in said plane, thereby allowing the axial end (14c) with the electrical connector (86) to be inserted all the way through the swing arm socket (26).