GB2232477A - A warning lamp unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A warning lamp unit is secured to a fixed structure by first and second fixing elements 24, 14. One fixing element 24 is rigidly fastened to a lamp holder 10. The other fixing element 14 is part of a closure plate which is used to hold a lamp 16 inside the holder as well as to locate the second fixing element in the correct position relative to the holder 10. <IMAGE>

Description

A Warning Lamp Unit This invention relates to a warning lamp unit which can be secured to a fixed structure. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, directed to warning lamps to be attached either to rubbish skips which are often parked in streets, or to scaffolding.

The problem with the permanent lighting of skips or scaffolds when they are left unattended is that the lights are vulnerable to theft and/or damage. Lighting requirements for skips are generally set by by-laws and it is an offence to fail to meet the standards set by the bylaws. If lights which have been placed by a contractor are subsequently removed, the contractor is at risk of being prosecuted under the by-laws.

According to the invention, there is provided a warning lamp unit having first and second fixing elements by which it can be secured to a fixed structure, a lamp holder having the first fixing element rigidly secured thereto, a lamp adapted to be received within the holder, and a closure element carrying the second fixing element, the closure element being adapted to be locked to the lamp holder so as to hold the lamp within the holder and to secure the second fixing element to the holder.

The lamp may be generally cylindrical with a lens at one end and a body containing batteries. The lamp holder may comprise a generally tubular member to contain the body.

The second fixing element may be adapted to close one end of the lamp holder, and the closing of one end of the holder can operate a switch actuating the lamp. The second fixing element can be secured to the lamp holder by means of a padlock.

The fixing elements may be provided with hook means for engaging with the fixed structure to secure the lamp unit in position, or can be provided with loops or rings whereby the lamp unit can be secured to the fixed structure.

The warning lamp unit described can be simply and securely fixed to a structure such as the side of a skip. The light itself is securely protected against both theft and against damage in situ.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a warning lamp unit in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the unit of Figure 1, in place on a skip, and taken along the line II-II; Figure 3 is a side view of a rubbish skip; Figure 4 is a detail of part of the lamp unit of Figures 1 and 2 showing an alternative construction; and Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a warning lamp unit in accordance with the invention.

The unit shown in Figure 1 comprises a holder with a generally cylindrical tubular body 10 having a head flange 11 at one end through which a polycarbonate lamp lens 12 projects. The other end of the body 10 is open and has a transverse cut-out 13 with a tang 14 extending through this cut-out and registering with a lug 15 fixed to the body 10.

The body 10 will normally be tubular, but could also be of square, rectangular or other cross sectional shape.

Looking now at Figure 2, the whole of the lamp 16 contained within the body 10 can be viewed. The lamp has the lens 12 at one end, and a body 18 which contains rechargeable batteries for powering a bulb 19. The unit also has a recharge socket 20 and an ON/OFF switch 21. The switch operation is arranged such that when the lamp 16 is placed inside the body 10, the switch is forced into its ON position. In order to centralise the lamp in the body 10, a centralising pad 22 is formed on the side of the body opposite to the switch 21.

The tubular body 18 of the lamp is preferably a plastics tube, and the lens 12 is preferably of polycarbonate or a similar material with high shock resistance. The lamp may also incorporate a light sensor so that, once the switch 21 is ON, the light thereafter switches itself on and off in response to the absence or presence of ambient light.

Additionally, the body 10 contains a rubber pad 23 which cushions the lamp against shocks if it is struck at its lens end.

The housing has a fixing element in the form of a welded on hook 24 adjacent the lens end. In Figure 2, the holder is shown, in position against a wall 25 of a skip, and the wall has two holes 26 and 27, forming the necessary fixing locations, drilled through it. To bring the holder into this position, it is first maneouvered so that the hook 24, which forms a first fixing element, passes through the hole 26. Next the holder is brought back to the position alongside the surface 25, and the tang 14, which forms a second fixing element, is inserted through the hole 27, through the cut-out 13 and into the position shown in Figure 2. Both the tang 14 and the lug 15 have holes through them so that a padlock 28 can be placed through both holes as shown to lock the tang in place. In this condition, the holder is locked to the surface 25 and cannot be removed.

Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement where a lug 15a has a triangular form, and the cooperating end of the tang 14a has a corresponding slope. This makes the lug/tang area of the holder less vulnerable to impacts directed parallel to the length of the unit. The padlock 28a is chosen so that its staple is as compact as possible.

The padlock 28 and the tang 14 are permanently attached to the body 10 by way of chains 29 and 30. Figure 3 shows where the holes 26 and 27 will be disposed on a skip body 25. In use, the lens 12 will be pointing outwards on the end of the skip, and there will be one lamp unit at each end of the skip.

With the arrangement as shown, the lamp is totally enclosed (apart from the unbreakable lens 12) within the tube body 10. The body 10 is a metal tube which is stout enough to resist any attempt to lever it off from the side of the skip. The dimensions of the hook 24. and the tang 14 are preferably such that the holder can still be fitted to the side of the skip, even if the wall has been damaged and is no longer perfectly flat.

Alternative methods of securing the holder to a skip (or to any suitable surface) can be devised. For example, the lock 28 could be arranged to be on the inside of the skip rather than the outside as shown.

It may be possible for a lock to be integrated into the housing structure so there is no separate padlock. Ushaped lugs could be welded onto the side of the skip, in place of the holes 26 and 27, and the hook 24 and tang 14 could then be located between the lugs.

In practice, when a holder as shown in the drawings is sold for fitment to an existing skip, it will be sold together with a template which can be used to mark the exact locations of the holes 26 and 27 on the skip side, before these holes are drilled. The holes can be drilled anywhere on the surface, provided the spacing between them is correct and in accordance with the template. The simple requirement for two holes means that a holder as described can be attached to any skip, of whatever size or construction and can be locked in place against theft or damage. At the same time however the holder can be easily removed once the lock is opened so that skips can be stacked without damaging external fitments of this type.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 5, the holder lOb has a welded-on ring 32 and the tang 14b has an integral ring 34. Both rings 32 and 34 can slide over a standard diameter scaffolding pole 36, and the two spaced fixing locations are both provided by the pole 36. The rings 32 and 34 form the fixing elements. In this case, the locking of the tang 14b to the body lOb stabilises the holder on the pole and secures the lamp inside the body.

Figure 5 also shows an alternative switch arrangement. The ON/OFF switch 21b is placed at the base of the lamp 16 and is operated by the tang 14b when this is positioned on and locked to the body.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A warning lamp unit having first and second fixing elements by which it can be secured to a fixed structure, a lamp holder having the first fixing element rigidly secured thereto, a lamp adapted to be received within the holder, and a closure element carrying the second fixing element, the closure element being adapted to be locked to the lamp holder so as to hold the lamp within the holder and to secure the second fixing element to the holder.

2. A lamp unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lamp has a lens at one end and a body containing batteries.

3. A lamp unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lamp holder comprises a generally tubular member and the lamp comprises a generally cylindrical body.

4. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing element is adapted to close one end of the lamp holder.

5. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing element is adapted to operate a switch actuating the lamp.

6. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing element is adapted to be secured to the lamp holder by means of a padlock.

7. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing elements are provided with hook means for engaging with the fixed structure to secure the lamp unit in position.

8. A lamp unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the fixing elements are provided with loops or rings whereby the lamp unit can be secured to the fixed structure.

9. A warning lamp unit as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown with respect to any one of the accompanying drawings.

9. A warning lamp unit substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown with respect to any one of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A warning lamp unit having first and second fixing elements by which it can be secured to a fixed structure, a lamp holder having the first fixing element rigidly secured thereto, a lamp adapted to be received within the holder, and a closure element carrying the second fixing element, the closure element being adapted to be locked to the lamp holder so as to hold the lamp within the holder and to secure the second fixing element to the holder.

2. A lamp unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lamp has a lens at one end and a body containing batteries.

3. A lamp unit as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lamp holder comprises a generally tubular member and the lamp comprises a generally cylindrical body.

4. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing element is adapted to close one end of the lamp holder.

5. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing element is adapted to operate a switch actuating the lamp.

6. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing element is adapted to be secured to the lamp holder by means of a padlock.

7. A lamp unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fixing elements are provided with hook means for engaging with the fixed structure to secure the lamp unit in position.

8. A lamp unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the fixing elements are provided with loops or rings whereby the lamp unit can be secured to the fixed structure.