GB2262598A - Angler's lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A lamp particularly useful for anglers comprises a curved reflector 10 mounted at an angle on a support 16 which is arranged to be worn on the user's head, and one or more side-by-side festoon-type bulbs 13, 14 mounted vertically in front of the reflector 10. A switch 15 is provided for selecting which bulbs are lit. <IMAGE>

Description

A Lamp This invention relates to a lamp particularly but not solely for anglers.

It is known to provide battery operated lamps which can be worn on the user's head. These lamps enable the user to direct the beam of light in the required direction, whilst leaving both of his hands free. Such lamps are particularly useful for miners, anglers, potholers and others who need to keep both hands free in the dark.

Known lamps which are worn on the head include conventional coiled-coil bulbs and emit a beam of light which is relatively narrow and not very bright. These known lamps are therefore of limited use for e.g. sea anglers especially if these wish to climb down cliffs or over rocks etc. I have now devised a lamp which emits a wide and bright beam, making it useful for a wide range of uses, including sea angling.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a lamp comprising means for mounting the lamp in a generally upright position on a user's head, a curved reflector the rim of which is wider in the horizontal direction then in the vertical, and an elongate bulb having a filament extending lengthwise thereof, the bulb being mount vertically in front of the reflector.

When the bulb of the lamp is lit, a wide and bright beam of light is emitted. Preferably the bulb is offset in the horizontal direction from the centre of the reflector.

Preferably two bulbs are mounted side-by-side in front of the reflector, offset in opposite horizontal directions from the centre, and a switch is provided for selecting which of the bulbs are lit. A third bulb may be mounted between these two bulbs: in this case the switch may select this third bulb alone (which may be a conventional coiled-coil bulb) to provide a narrow beam, or the first and second bulbs together to provide a wide beam.

Preferably the mounting means of the lamp comprises a support arranged to be held on the user's forehead, and is preferably held in place by an elasticated strap attached to opposite ends of the support.

The lamp is preferably arranged at an angle on the support so that, with the support held centrally on the user's forehead, the beam created by the first bulb is directed generally forwardly from the user.

Preferably the first and second bulbs can be lit simultaneously to provide a wider beam.

Preferably a front cover is provided for the reflector.

The cover may also act as a diffuser for the light emitted by the bulb or bulbs.

Preferably the bulbs are of the so-called festoon type.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a lamp in accordance with this invention; and FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the lamp when worn by a user.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a lamp for wearing on the head, the lamp comprising a curved reflector 10 mounted on a support 16. The rim of the reflector 10 lies in a flat plane, where the reflector 10 is wider in the horizontal direction than in the vertical. A transparent plastics cover 11 is fitted across the reflector and held by two wing nuts 22,23 threaded onto respective bolts projecting forwardly from the reflector. An elastomeric seal 12 extends around the periphery of the cover 11 to seal it to the rim of the reflector 10. Main and auxiliary festoon bulbs 13,14 are mounted side-by-side under the cover 11. Each bulb e.g. 13 is supported by having its opposite ends snap-engaged with formations on a pair of conductors e.g. 17,18. A flexible electrical cable 20 is provided for connecting the lamp to a battery.The two upper conductors 18,28 are electrically connected to each other and to the positive supply from the battery. The negative supply is connected to the lower conductor 17 which supports the mains bulb 13. A switch 15 connects the negative supply to a lower conductor 27 which supports the auxiliary bulb 14. The two bulbs 13,14 may be of a different wattage from each other e.g. 15 and 10 watts respectively.

The support 16 comprises a curved metal plate, an upper portion 19 of which is bent forwardly and mounts the reflector 10. The support 16 is arranged to hold the reflector upright on the user's head, but it will be appreciated that the direction of the beam of light emitted by the lamp will depend upon the angle of the upper portion 19 to the curved portion of the support 16. The lamp reflector is preferably directed to one side such that when the support 16 is held centrally on the user's forehead and the main bulb 13 is lit, the beam of light is directed generally forwardly from the user, as shown in Figure 2 although the angle of the reflector to the support 16 is shown exaggerated.

A number of slots e.g. 21 are formed in the support 16 adjacent its end for attaching an elasticated strap 30.

In use the user passes the strap 30 over his head H, and arranges the support 16 centrally on his forehead as shown in Figure 2. The user normally operates the main bulb 13 only, but if the main bulb 13 blows or more light is required, the user can switch on the auxiliary bulb 14. The beam from the auxiliary bulb 14 will be directed to one side of the user and, to correct this, the user adjusts the position of the support 16 on his forehead, so that the beam will be directed straight ahead.

The lamp is powered from a battery which is strapped around the user's waist.

Claims (10)

1) A lamp comprising means for mounting the lamp in a generally upright position on a user's head, a curved reflector the rim of which is wider in the horizontal direction than in the vertical, and an elongate bulb having a filament extending lengthwise thereof, the bulb being mounted vertically in front of the reflector.

2) A lamp as claimed in claim 1 in which the bulb is offset in the horizontal direction from the centre of the reflector.

3) A lamp as claimed in claim 2 comprising two bulbs mounted side by side in front of the reflector, offset in opposite horizontal directions from the centre of the reflector.

4) A lamp as claimed in claim 3 comprising a third bulb mounted between the two side-by-side bulbs.

5) A lamp as claimed in claims 3 or 4 comprising a switch for selecting which of the bulbs is or are lit.

6) A lamp as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mounting means comprises a support arranged to be held on the user's forehead by an elasticated strap attached to opposite ends of the support.

7) A lamp as claimed in claim 6 in which the lamp is arranged at an angle on the support.

8) A lamp as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a cover for the reflector.

9) A lamp as claimed in any preceding claim comprising festoon bulb(s).

10) A lamp substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.