EP3935311A1

EP3935311A1 - Lamp mount assembly, and lamp assembly comprising lamp mount assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3935311A1
Application number: EP20766023.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sofia BREHM
Original assignee: Ikea Supply AG
Current assignee: Inter Ikea Systems BV
Priority date: 2019-03-07
Filing date: 2020-03-05
Publication date: 2022-01-12
Also published as: CN113710957B; SE543349C2; SE1950288A1; WO2020180240A1; EP3935311A4; CN113710957A

Abstract

A lamp mount assembly comprises a lamp carrier interface (28) and a C- clamp assembly (22) comprising a web (32), a first jaw (34) and a second jaw (36). A first jaw element (40) comprises the first jaw (34) and a first web portion (42) of said web (32); and a second jaw element (44) comprises 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 anyone of a plurality of distinct mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c), to define a respective plurality of distinct jaw gap widths.

Description

LAMP MOUNT ASSEMBLY. AND LAMP ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LAMP

MOUNT ASSEMBLY

Field of the invention

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

Background

US5097400 discloses a lamp assembly comprising a swing arm pivotally connected to a C-clamp. There is however a need for a more versatile lamp mount, which is simpler, less costly, and easier to install.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to solve, or at least mitigate, parts 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 piece of furniture, the lamp mount assembly comprising a lamp carrier interface, and a C-clamp assembly for assembling a C-clamp 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 said piece of furniture against the second jaw, wherein a first jaw element comprises said first jaw and a first web portion of said web; and a second jaw element comprises said second jaw and a second web portion of said web, wherein the first and second web portions are connectable to each other at anyone of a plurality of distinct mutual positions, to define a respective plurality of distinct jaw gap widths. Throughout this disclosure, the term“plurality” should be construed as referring to a plural number, i.e. at least two. The first and second web portions may be configured to engage directly with each other.

Alternatively, they may be connectable to each other via one or several intermediate component(s). The clamping element may be in threaded engagement with the first jaw to move along said clamping direction when turned about the thread.

According to an embodiment, the first and second web portions may be tool less connectable to each other, such that the first and second web portions may be moved relative to each other to obtain said plurality of distinct jaw gap widths by hand only, i.e. without using any tools. According to an embodiment, the first web portion may be lockable to and releasable from the second web portion by pivoting the first web portion into and out of engagement with the second web portion, for example about an axis which is perpendicular to the clamping direction and/or to the jaw direction.

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

According to an embodiment, 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 by a respective piece of sheet metal. Alternatively or additionally, any one or both of the respective jaw elements may be integrally cast in metal or integrally molded in plastic.

According to embodiments, said plurality of distinct mutual positions comprises at least three distinct mutual positions; more preferably, said plurality of distinct mutual positions is three to ten, still more preferably three to five, such as three distinct mutual positions.

According to embodiments, said first and second web portions may be connectable to each other at said plurality of distinct mutual positions via a first locking structure which is integrally formed with or otherwise rigidly joined to the first web portion, and a second locking structure which is integrally formed with or otherwise rigidly joined to the second web portion, wherein said first and second locking structures are configured to, when connected, interlock directly with each other along said clamping direction. By way of example, the locking structures may comprise one or several protrusions of one of the first and second jaw elements configured to interlock with one or several mating recesses or holes of the other of the first and second jaw elements, such that the locking structures can interlock at a plurality of distinct mutual positions along the clamping direction.

According to an embodiment, one of the first and second web portions comprises a plurality of locking apertures, and the other of the first and second web portions comprises a locking protrusion engageable with anyone of the plurality of locking apertures to provide said plurality of distinct jaw gap widths. The locking protrusion may be integrally formed, or otherwise fixedly joined, with said 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 along the clamping direction, to guide the first and second web portions relative to each other between said plurality of distinct mutual positions. The web guide could be a separate component connectable to one of the first and second jaw elements, to guide the web portion of the other of the first and second jaw elements. Alternatively, the web guide could be fixedly attached to one of the first and second jaw elements, to guide the web portion of the other of the first and second jaw elements. According to an example, the web guide may be integrally formed with said one of the first and second jaw elements; in particular, it may be integrally formed with the web portion of said one of the first and second jaw elements. The web guide may be configured as a guide sleeve.

According to an embodiment, one of the first and second jaw elements may be configured to be fixedly attached to the web guide. By way of example, the web guide and said one of the first and second jaw elements may be provided with respective screw holes in register 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 be pivoted about said fulcrum to move between a lock position, in which said one of the first and second web portions engages with the other of said first and second web portions, and a disengaged position, in which said one of the first and second web portions is free to move along the web guide. The web guide may be configured to guide the web portion of a guided jaw element along a web guide axis, and the fulcrum may be provided adjacent that axial end of the web guide which is the closest to the jaw of the guided jaw element.

According to an embodiment, the second web portion may be connectable to the web guide in a position in which, if the first web portion has been inserted into the web guide, the second web portion prevents a complete separation of the first web portion from the guide. Thereby, once the second web portion is connected to the web guide, loss of the first jaw element may be prevented. By way of example, complete separation may be prevented by the second web portion partially blocking the axial end of the web guide which is the closest to the jaw of the first jaw element. The web guide may be shaped to still allow guiding the first and second web portions relative to each other between said plurality of distinct mutual positions, even though complete separation is prevented. According to an embodiment, the lamp mount assembly may comprise a swing arm socket for receiving a swing arm. A swing arm is typically configured as an arm provided with a light source at one end thereof, and a pivot at the other end thereof, the pivot being connectable to the swing arm socket to form a pivotal connection for swinging the swing arm about a pivot axis. Thereby, the light source may be conveniently moved to a desired position and/or 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 lamp carrier interface connector for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket to the lamp carrier interface.

According to an embodiment, the swing arm bracket is connectable to the lamp carrier interface in at least two different mutual orientations. According to an embodiment, said 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 is connectable to the lamp carrier 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 carrier interface and the lamp carrier interface connector comprises a rail element and the other of the lamp carrier interface and the lamp carrier interface connector comprises a guide arrangement mating with the rail element, wherein the rail element is slidably insertable into the guide arrangement in at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six different mutual orientations. Again, said 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 arrangement may comprise a pair of grooves running in mutually transversal directions, and the rail element may be shaped to mate with each groove of the pair of grooves, such that the rail element may turned into alignment with any one of the grooves, by turning the swing arm bracket, and then slid into engagement with the respective groove. According to an embodiment, the rail element and guide arrangement may be configured to mate in such a manner that the rail element is rotationally locked to the guide arrangement, thereby preventing the swing arm socket from rotating relative to the lamp carrier interface.

According to an embodiment, the guide arrangement comprises a rail guide provided with a pair of mutually opposing guide edges, and the rail element comprises a first pair of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges, and a second pair of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges which are transversal to the first pair of rail edges, wherein the rail element is matingly insertable into the rail guide with either of the pairs of rail edges aligned with the guide edges. The first pair of rail edges may be perpendicular to the second pair of rail edges, to define the shape of a square. In alternative embodiments, the rail element comprises one or several additional pairs of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges which extend transversal to the first and second pairs or rail edges. Thereby, the rail edges may define other polygonal shapes, such as a hexagonal shape or an octagonal shape. In this way, the rail element may be slidably insertable into the rail guide in additional different orientations.

According to an embodiment, the swing arm socket comprises a sleeve having a circular cylindrical inner face extending along a sleeve axis, which may coincide with the pivot axis, the sleeve being configured to frictionally engage with a circular cylindrical lamp post inserted into the swing arm socket along the sleeve axis, to form a friction engagement holding the lamp post at a stable axial position. Such a swing arm socket allows axially moving the lamp post between different axial positions, as well as rotating the lamp post within the socket, about the sleeve axis. The lamp post may be held by the friction engagement alone, such that the movement of the lamp post in the socket between different positions may be obtained without loosening or tightening any fasteners or clamps. The lamp post may be insertable all the way through the swing arm socket until it protrudes on the other side, thereby enabling a long range of translation along the sleeve axis. According to one embodiment a surface of the inner face of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of inwardly facing friction protrusions. The friction protrusions may be distributed about a circumference of the sleeve, and may be configured as e.g. dimples, or as ridges extending along the sleeve axis. The friction protrusions, or optionally the entire sleeve, may be made of plastic. A suitable material may be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as thermoplastic copolyester or thermoplastic polyurethane.

According to a second aspect, parts or all of the above mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by a lamp assembly comprising a lamp mount assembly as defined hereinabove, and a lamp post configured to hold and electrically power a light source attached to said lamp post. The lamp mount assembly may be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples hereinabove. The light source may be fixedly attached to the lamp post; alternatively, the lamp post may be provided with a light source connector for releasably attaching the light source. The lamp post may be insertable into the swing arm socket to be vertically supported therein by only friction engagement, such that the lamp post may be vertically slid along an axis of the swing arm socket between a plurality of stable positions. The strength of the friction engagement should exceed the weight of the lamp post to obtain said stable positions. According to an example, said friction engagement is provided only by the engagement between the swing arm socket and the lamp post. The stable positions may be distinct, defined by e.g. surface structures of the lamp post and the swing arm socket. Alternatively, at least one of the mutually engaging surfaces of the lamp post and the 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 lamp post may have a circular cross-section, to facilitate rotation of the lamp post within the swing arm socket. By way of example, the lamp post may be configured as a circular cylindrical stem.

According to a third aspect, parts or all of the above mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by a lamp mount assembly for attaching a lamp to a piece of furniture, the lamp mount assembly comprising a 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 said piece of furniture against the second jaw, the C-clamp assembly comprising a lamp carrier interface, the lamp mount assembly being characterized in comprising a swing arm bracket connectable to the C-clamp assembly, the swing arm bracket being provided with a swing arm socket and a lamp carrier interface connector for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket to the and lamp carrier interface, wherein the swing arm bracket is connectable to the lamp carrier interface in at least two different orientations. The lamp carrier interface and lamp carrier interface connector may be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples defined hereinabove.

According to a fourth aspect, parts or all of the above mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by a lamp assembly comprising a lamp post configured to hold and electrically power a light source, and a lamp mount assembly configured to support said lamp post, wherein the lamp mount assembly comprises a swing arm socket mating with the lamp post in such a manner that the lamp post is insertable into the swing arm socket to be vertically supported therein only by friction

engagement, such that the lamp post may be vertically slid along an axis of the swing arm socket between a plurality of stable axial positions. The lamp mount assembly and/or lamp post may be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples defined hereinabove. By way of example, the lamp post may be insertable all the way through the swing arm socket until it protrudes on the other side, thereby enabling a long range of translation along the axis of the swing arm socket.

Optionally, the swing arm socket may comprise a sleeve defining the level of friction engagement. The sleeve may be configured as defined above with reference to the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect, parts or all of the above mentioned problems are solved, or at least mitigated, by a lamp assembly comprising a lamp post configured to hold and electrically power a light source, and a lamp mount assembly configured to support said lamp post, wherein the lamp mount assembly comprises a swing arm socket mating with an axial end of the lamp post in such a manner that the axial end of the lamp post is insertable into the swing arm socket to define a swing arm connection pivotal about a pivot axis, wherein said axial end is provided with an electrical connector having the same, or a smaller, projection onto a plane

perpendicular to the pivot axis than a respective projection of the axial end of the lamp post onto said plane, thereby allowing the axial end with the electrical connector to be insertable all the way through the swing arm socket. Thereby, a mating electrical connector of a power supply cable may be connected to the axial end of the lamp post after insertion through the swing arm socket, which renders the lamp installation neat, without any excessive cabling. The lamp mount assembly and/or lamp post may be configured in accordance with any of the embodiments and examples defined hereinabove.

It is noted that embodiments of the invention may be embodied by all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments and examples described for any one of the above aspects are all combinable with the other aspects.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of a lamp assembly comprising a lamp post and a lamp mount;

Fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C are diagrammatic views in perspective of the lamp 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 a C-clamp assembly of the lamp mount assembly of Fig. 1 , with some parts left out in the view of Fig. 4A, and prior to assembly;

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

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

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

Fig. 4E is a schematic view in perspective of the C-clamp assembly of Fig. 4A in a final state of assembly, in which the jaws of the C-clamp assembly are in a second mutual position;

Fig. 4F is a schematic view in perspective of the C-clamp assembly of Fig. 4A in a final state of assembly, in which the jaws of the C-clamp assembly are in a third mutual position;

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

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

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

Fig. 6A is an exploded view in section 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 an exploded view in section of the lamp mount assembly of Fig. 6A, with the C-clamp assembly in a second intermediate step of assembly; Fig. 7 A is a schematic view in perspective illustrating the connection of a swing arm bracket to the C-clamp assembly of Figs 4-F in a first mutual orientation, to adapt the lamp mount assembly of Fig. 1 for the mounting scenario of Fig. 2B;

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

Fig. 7C is a schematic view in perspective illustrating the connection of the swing arm bracket to the C-clamp assembly of Figs 4-F in a second mutual orientation, to adapt the lamp mount assembly of Fig. 1 for the mounting scenario of Fig. 2C;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view in perspective of the lamp assembly of Fig. 1 , in a section taken along the line VII-VII of Fig. 7B, and illustrates the connection of the lamp post to the swing arm bracket;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view in perspective of a lower portion of the lamp assembly of Fig. 8 after connecting the lamp post to the swing arm bracket, and illustrates the connection of a cable to the lamp post; and

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

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

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

Fig. 1 illustrates a lamp assembly 10 comprising a lamp mount assembly 12, a lamp post 14, and a light source 16 connected to a light source connector 15. A first end 14a of the lamp post 14 is connected to an electric power cord 18 for receiving electric power, and a second end 14b of the lamp post 14 holds, and electrically powers, the light source 16.

As is illustrated in Figs 2A, 2B and 2C, the lamp mount assembly 12 is reconfigurable between three different attachment modes, wherein a first mode (Fig. 2A) allows attaching the lamp assembly 10, with the lamp post 14 in an upright posture, to the face of a flat wall 19; a second mode (Fig. 2B) allows clamping the lamp assembly 10, again with the lamp post 14 in an upright posture, to a horizontal slab 20a of a piece of furniture 20; and a third mode (Fig. 2C) allows clamping the lamp assembly 10, still with the lamp post 14 in an upright posture, to a vertical slab 20b of a piece of furniture 20. Thereby, the same lamp mount assembly 12 can be used for clamping to, or otherwise attaching to, a piece of furniture 20 in various positions.

Fig. 3 illustrates the lamp mount assembly 12 in greater detail, along with an exploded view. The lamp mount assembly 12 comprises 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 socket 26 for receiving the second end of the lamp post 14b (Fig. 1 ), which operates as a swing arm to be pivoted about a pivot axis A defined by the swing arm socket 26. The C-clamp assembly 22 is provided with a lamp carrier interface 28, and the swing arm bracket is provided with a lamp carrier interface connector 30 mating with the lamp carrier 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 and second jaws 34, 36 extending from the web 32 in substantially the same direction and the first jaw 34 carrying a clamping element 38 movable relative to the first jaw 34 in a clamping direction D towards the second jaw 36, to clamp a piece of furniture 20 (Figs 2B, 2C) against the second jaw 36.

The C-clamp assembly 22 comprises a first jaw element 40 comprising said first jaw 34 and a first web portion 42; a second jaw element 44 comprising said second jaw 36 and a second web portion 46; a web guide sleeve 48; and the clamping element 38. Each of the first and second jaw elements 40, 44 is integrally formed by a respective piece of steel sheet. A set of locking apertures 49a-c are configured as rectangular through-holes distributed along the second web portion 46, and a locking protrusion 53, configured as a bent locking tab, of the first web portion 42 is configured to engage with any of the locking apertures 49a-c in a manner which will be elucidated further below. The locking protrusion 53 and locking apertures 49a- c are examples of locking structures for interlocking the web portions 42, 46 along the clamping direction D. The clamping element 38 comprises a threaded clamping screw 50 engaging with a threaded through-hole 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, whereas a clamping plate 52 is attached to a second end of the clamping screw 50 by means of an external circlip 54 of so-called Έ type”. A clamping plate cover 56, which may be made of e.g. a relatively soft polymer, protects the furniture 20 (Fig.

2B) from being scratched by the clamping plate 52, which may be made of metal or a relatively hard polymer. Similarly, a jaw pad 57 attached to the second jaw 36 protects the furniture 20 from being scratched by the second jaw 36. Even though in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping element 38 is movable relative to the first jaw 34 along a threaded through-hole 58, alternative configurations are possible. By way of example, the clamping element 38 may be resiliently connected to the first jaw 34, e.g. via a spring, in a manner to be biased in the clamping direction D towards the second jaw 36, such that a piece of furniture 20 (Fig. 2B) may be resiliently clamped in the gap between the jaws 34, 36. Moreover, according to still alternative configurations, the first and second jaws 34, 36 may be movable relative to each other for clamping the piece of furniture 20. In such a configuration, no separate clamping element 38 needs to be movable relative to any of the jaws 34, 36.

According to an example, the jaws 34, 36 may be biased against each other to clamp the piece of furniture 20.

The first and second web portions 42, 46 are connectable to each other inside the web guide sleeve 48 in a manner which will be elucidated in greater detail further below. Moreover, the second web portion 46 is fixedly attached inside the web guide sleeve 48 by means of two screws 60 penetrating the web guide sleeve 48 to engage with a respective pair of threaded holes 62 in the second web portion 46. A guide sleeve cover 64 is snap-fit to the web guide sleeve 48 to cover an axial end opening of the web guide sleeve 48.

The swing arm bracket 24 comprises a circular cylindrical sleeve 66, which is made of plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, TPE, and forms a circular cylindrical inner face of the swing arm socket 26. The sleeve 66 protects the lamp post 14 (Fig. 1 ) from being scratched by the swing arm socket 26. A wall connector plate 68 provided with keyhole slots 70 is optionally attachable to the swing arm bracket 24, for example with screws 72, to facilitate hanging the swing arm bracket 24 on a wall 19 (Fig. 2A) without the C-clamp assembly 22. A swing arm bracket cover 74 is snap-fit to a bottom end of the swing arm bracket 24.

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

In Fig. 4B, the first jaw element 40 is pivoted in a first pivot direction J1 about a pivot axis (not illustrated) which is perpendicular to the clamping direction D (Fig. 3) as well as the general direction in which the jaws 34, 36 extend, such that when pivoting, the first jaw 34 is moved towards the second jaw 36. The first pivot direction J1 may be referred to as a jaw disengagement direction for reasons that will be elucidated below.

In Fig. 4C, the first web portion 42 is inserted into the web guide sleeve 48 along a web guide axis G to an axial position in which the locking protrusion 53 is in register with a first locking aperture 49a. Once in position, the first jaw element 40 is pivoted in a jaw engagement direction J2 (Fig. 4D), which is opposite to the jaw disengagement direction J1 illustrated in Fig. 4B, such that the locking protrusion 53 engages with the first locking aperture 49a to reach a lock position. This brings us to the position illustrated in Fig. 4D, in which the jaw elements 40, 44 are connected to each other to define a first jaw gap width W1. When in the position of Fig. 4D, the first web portion 42 rests against a support edge 76, which may also operate as a fulcrum when pivoting the first jaw element 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 being pivoted further apart to a position in which they substantially diverge.

From the position of Fig. 4D, the first web portion 42 may be disengaged again from the second web portion 46 by pivoting the first jaw element 40 in the jaw disengagement direction J1 (Fig. 4B), such that the first jaw element 40 becomes free to be moved along the web guide axis G (Fig. 4C). By moving the first jaw element 40 along the web guide axis G such that the locking protrusion 53 comes in register with a second or a third locking aperture 49b, 49c, the first jaw element 40 can be pivoted in the jaw engagement direction (Fig. 4D), such that the locking protrusion 53 engages with the respective locking aperture 49b, 49c. These two alternative respective positions are illustrated in Figs 4E and 4F, in which the jaw elements 40, 44 are connected to each other to define a second and a third jaw gap width W2, W3, respectively.

The three distinct jaw gap widths W1 , W2, W3 (Figs 4D, 4E, 4F) may differ substantially; for example, they may differ by more than 5 mm, by more than 10 mm, by more than 20 mm, or even more. The distinct jaw gap widths W1 , W2, W3 are easily obtainable without having to move the clamping element 38 (Fig. 3) in the clamping direction by turning the screw 50 in the thread 58, which makes it fast and convenient to adapt the C-clamp assembly 22 to a wide range of clamping widths. After setting the jaw gap width, a strong clamping engagement with the furniture 20 (Fig. 2C) may be obtained by tightening the clamping screw 50. Figs 5A-5C illustrate the lamp mount assembly 12 attached to three slabs 20a of different thicknesses, with the clamping element 38 in the same position relative to the first jaw 34 in all three instances.

Figs 6A and 6B illustrate an alternative embodiment of the lamp mount assembly’s 12 C-clamp assembly 22, which embodiment is in most aspects identical to that of Figs 4A-4F. Flowever, the embodiment represented by the example of Figs 6A and 6B differs from that of Figs 4A-4F in that the lower axial end opening 75 of the web guide sleeve 48 cooperates with the distal axial end 47 of the second web portion 46 to prevent complete removal of the first web portion 42 from the web guide sleeve 48 once the second web portion 46 has been attached to its position in the web guide sleeve 48 illustrated in Fig. 4B. Such an embodiment would call for a different order of assembly of the C-clamp assembly 22. Such an order of assembly is illustrated in Fig. 6A. In a first step, the first jaw element 40 is pivoted in said first pivot 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 therewith. Thereafter, the second web portion 46 of the second jaw element 44 is inserted axially along the web guide axis G, in the direction of the arrow 102 associated therewith, and attached within the web guide sleeve 48 at the position illustrated in Fig. 6B using the screws 60 (Fig. 4A). Finally, the sleeve cover 64 is snapped into place along the arrow 103 associated therewith, thereby bringing us fully to the position illustrated in Fig. 6B.

As is apparent from the magnified view of Fig. 6B, the lower axial end opening 75, defined by the fulcrum 76 and an opposite edge 77, cooperates with the distal end 47 of the second web portion 46 to partly block the lower axial end opening 75 of the web guide sleeve 48, thereby preventing the locking protrusion 53 from exiting through the axial end opening 75. In this way, loss of the first jaw element 40 is prevented. Still, the first web portion 42 is free to be moved within the sleeve 48, along the web guide axis G, to be engaged with the second web portion 46 in any of the different axial positions illustrated in Figs 4D, 4E, 4F.

Turning now to Figs 7A, 7B and 7C, and starting with Fig. 7A, the swing arm bracket 24 is connectable to C-clamp assembly 22 in four different orientations of the swing arm bracket 24 relative to the C-clamp assembly 22. For the purpose, the lamp carrier interface 28 comprises a rail element 80, and the lamp carrier interface connector 30 comprises a rail guide 82 mating with the rail element 80, such that the rail guide 82 may be slid onto the rail element 80 along a rail guide axis R defined by the engagement between a pair of mutually opposing guide edges 82a, 82b (Figs 3 and 7B) of the rail guide 82, engaging with a first pair of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges 80a, 80b of the rail element 80. An upper wall 83 of the swing arm bracket 24 defines an axial stop for the guided motion along the rail guide axis R. In the illustrated example, the rail guide axis R is parallel to the pivot axis A.

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

Turning now to Fig. 7C, the rail element 80 also comprises a second pair of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges 80c, 80d, which are

perpendicular to the first pair of rail edges 80a, 80b. The distance between the first pair of rail edges 80a, 80b is substantially identical to the distance between the second pair of rail edges 80c, 80d, such that the rail edges 80a-d together define the shape of a square. Instead of sliding the rail guide 82 along the first pair of rail edges 80a, 80b as illustrated in Fig. 7A, the rail guide 82 may be slid onto the rail element 80 along a rail guide axis R defined by the engagement between the second pair of rail edges 80c, 80d and the guide edges 82a, 82b (Fig. 7B) of the rail guide 82.

Thereby, the swing arm bracket 24 may be rigidly connected to the C-clamp assembly 22 with the pivot axis A extending in any 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. Two additional mutual orientations may be obtained by sliding, for each of the situations of Figs 7A and 7C, the rail guide 82 onto the rail element 80 in a direction opposite to the sliding direction illustrated in the respective figure. The possibility of attaching the swing arm bracket 24 to the C-clamp assembly 22 in either of two opposite directions has certain benefits. With reference to Fig. 7C, the C-clamp assembly 22 may be attached to e.g. a vertical slab 20b with the clamping element 38 (Fig. 5A) either on the left side of the slab 20b (illustrated) or on the right side of the slab 20b (not illustrated), before sliding the swing arm bracket 24 onto the C-clamp assembly 22 in the direction illustrated in Fig. 7C. Thereby, the user may select on which side of the slab 20b to have the clamping element 38 (Fig. 5A), which may facilitate e.g.

positioning the slab 20b, which may form part of a larger piece of furniture 20 (Fig. 2C), close to a wall.

The C-clamp assembly 22 has, at the lamp carrier interface 28, a square shaped contour defined by four sides 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d of equal length. Similarly, the swing arm bracket 24 has, at the lamp carrier interface connector, a square shaped contour defined by four sides 85a, 85b, 85c, 85d of equal length, and of the same length as the four sides 81 a, 81 b, 81 c, 81 d. When the C-clamp assembly 22 is connected to the swing arm bracket 24, the respective square-shaped contours of the C-clamp assembly 22 and the swing arm bracket 24 align, regardless of whether they are connected together in the mutual orientation of Fig. 7A or in the mutual orientation of Fig. 7C. Thereby, a smooth outer 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 lamp post 14 to the swing arm socket 26. The lamp post 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 it protrudes on the other side. There is no axial support structure of the swing arm socket 26 or the lamp post 14 to hold the lamp post 14 at a fixed height - the lamp post 14 has a uniform, smooth, circular cross-section along its length. Instead, once released, the lamp post 14 is held at a stable vertical position by the friction engagement between the circular cylindrical outer face of the lamp post 14 and the inner face of the sleeve 66.

Fig. 8’s section through the swing arm bracket 24, along the line VII-VII indicated in the bottom view of Fig. 7B, reveals the inner face of the sleeve 66, which is provided with a plurality of inwardly facing friction protrusions 84 configured to frictionally engage with the lamp post 14 (Fig. 8), to improve the friction engagement holding the lamp post 14 at a stable axial position. The arrangement facilitates axially moving the lamp post 14 between different axial positions, as well as rotating the lamp post 14 within the swing arm socket 26, about the pivot axis/sleeve axis A. The friction protrusions 84 are configured as ridges extending along the sleeve axis A, and are distributed about the circumference of the sleeve 66, as may be better seen in the view of Fig. 7B.

Turning to Fig. 9, the lower axial face 14c of the lamp post 14 is provided with a female electrical connector 86, mating with a male electrical connector 88 of the power supply cable 18. The female electrical connector 86 is fixedly arranged in the lower axial face 14c of the lamp post 14, and thereby does not add to the projection of the axial face 14c of the lamp post 14 onto a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis A. Hence, it does not in any way obstruct the insertion of the lower end 14a of the lamp post 14 through the swing arm socket 26.

Fig. 10 illustrates how the lamp post 14 may be axially adjusted along the pivot axis A (Fig. 8), by manually gripping and pressing the lamp post axially using a force exceeding the friction.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few 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 separably divided into a swing arm bracket 24 and a C-clamp assembly 22; instead, the swing arm socket 26 may be unitary with the C-clamp assembly. In such an arrangement, the swing arm socket 26 operates as a lamp carrier interface in the meaning of claim 1. Moreover, the swing arm socket is optional; the lamp may be carried by the C-clamp assembly in any other suitable way. The web portions 42, 46 need not be connectable to each other at distinct mutual positions via a protrusion engaging with a plurality of holes; there are many other alternatives 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 carrier interface (28) and

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

a first jaw element (40) comprising said first jaw (34) and a first web portion (42) of said 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 anyone of a plurality of distinct mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c), to define a respective plurality of distinct jaw gap widths (W1 , W2, W3).

2. The lamp mount assembly according to 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. The lamp mount assembly according to any of the previous claims, wherein said plurality of distinct mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c) comprises at least three distinct mutual positions; more preferably, said plurality of distinct mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c) is three to ten, still more preferably three to five, such as three distinct mutual positions (49a, 49b, 49c).

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

5. The lamp mount assembly according to any of the previous claims, wherein one (46) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) comprises a plurality of locking apertures (49a, 49b, 49c), and the other (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) comprises a locking protrusion (53) engageable with anyone of the plurality of locking apertures (49a, 49b, 49c) to provide said plurality of distinct jaw gap widths (W1 , W2, W3).

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

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

8. The lamp mount assembly according to any of the claims 6-7, wherein the web guide (48) comprises a fulcrum (76), wherein one (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) is configured to be pivoted about said fulcrum (76) to move between a lock position, in which said one (42) of the first and second web portions (42, 46) engages with the other (46) of said first and second web portions (42, 46), and a disengaged position, in which said 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 according to any of the claims 6-7, wherein the second web portion (46) is connectable to the web guide (48) in a position in which, if the first web portion (42) has been inserted into the web guide (48), the second web portion (46) prevents a complete separation of the first web portion (42) from the guide (48).

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

1 1. The lamp mount assembly according to claim 10, wherein the swing arm socket (26) is arranged in a swing arm bracket (24) provided with a lamp carrier interface connector (30) for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket (24) to the lamp carrier interface (28).

12. The lamp mount assembly according to claim 1 1 , wherein the swing arm

bracket (24) is connectable to the lamp carrier interface (28) in at least two different mutual orientations.

13. The lamp mount assembly according to claim 12, wherein one of the lamp carrier interface (28) and the lamp carrier interface connector (30) comprises a rail element (80) and the other of the lamp carrier interface (28) and the lamp carrier interface connector (30) comprises a guide arrangement (82) mating with the rail element (80), wherein the rail element (80) is slidably insertable into the guide arrangement (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 opposing guide edges (82a, 82b), and the rail element (80) comprises a first pair of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges (80a, 80b), and a second pair of mutually opposing and substantially parallel rail edges (80c, 80d) which are transversal to the first pair of rail edges (80a, 80b), wherein the rail element (80) is matingly insertable into the rail guide (82) with either of the pairs of rail edges (80a, 80b; 80c, 80d) aligned with the guide edges (82a, 82b).

15. The lamp mount assembly according to any of the claims 10-14, wherein the swing arm socket (26) comprises a sleeve (66) having a circular 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 with a circular cylindrical lamp post (14) inserted into the swing arm socket (26) along the sleeve axis (A), to form a friction engagement holding the lamp post (14) at a stable axial position.

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

17. The lamp assembly according to claim 16, wherein the lamp mount assembly (12) is configured in accordance with any of the claims 9-14, and wherein the lamp post (14) is insertable into the swing arm socket (26) to be vertically supported therein only by friction engagement, such that the lamp post (14) may be vertically slid along an 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) comprising a web (32), a first jaw (34) and a second jaw (36), the first and second jaws (34, 36) extending from the web (32) in substantially the same direction and the first jaw (34) carrying a clamping element (38) movable relative to the first jaw (34) in a clamping direction (D) towards the second jaw (36), to clamp said piece of furniture (20) against the second jaw (36), the C-clamp assembly (22) comprising a lamp carrier interface (28), the lamp mount assembly (12) being characterized in comprising a swing arm bracket (24) connectable to the C-clamp assembly (22), the swing arm bracket (24) being provided with a swing arm socket (26) and a lamp carrier interface connector (30) for rigidly connecting the swing arm bracket (24) to the and lamp carrier interface (28), wherein the swing arm bracket (24) is connectable to the lamp carrier interface (28) in at least two different orientations.

19. A lamp assembly comprising a lamp post (14) configured to hold and

electrically power a light source (16), and a lamp mount assembly (12) configured to support said lamp post (14), characterized in that the lamp mount assembly (12) comprises a swing arm socket (26) mating with the lamp post (14) in such a manner that the lamp post (14) is insertable into the swing arm socket (26) to be vertically supported therein only by friction engagement, such that the lamp post (14) may be vertically slid along an axis (A) of the swing arm socket (26) between a plurality of stable axial positions.

0. A lamp assembly comprising a lamp post (14) configured to hold and electrically power a light source (16), and a lamp mount assembly (12) configured to support said lamp post, wherein the lamp mount assembly (12) comprises a swing arm socket (26) mating with an axial end (14c) of the lamp post (14) in such a manner that the axial end (14c) of the lamp post (14) is insertable into the swing arm socket (26) to define a swing arm connection pivotal about a pivot axis (A), characterized in that said axial end (14c) is provided with an electrical connector (86) having the same, or a smaller, projection onto a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis (A) than a respective projection of the axial end (14c) of the lamp post (14) onto said plane, thereby allowing the axial end (14c) with the electrical connector (86) to be insertable all the way through the swing arm socket (26).