GB2263331A - Adjustable lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A lamp includes a lamp housing 16 connected to a base 12 via relatively slidable members 20, 22. Physical and electrical contact between the slidable members is maintained by first and second retaining assemblies, each assembly comprising a slot 64, 66, formed in one member and having an electrically conductive surface and a peg 50, 52 formed on the other member and held in the slot for relative sliding movement in contact with the surface. <IMAGE>

Description

A LAMP This invention relates to a lamp.

According to the invention there is provided a lamp having a support comprising first and second relatively slidable members, the members being held in physical and electrical contact by means of first and second retaining assemblies, each assembly comprising a slot, formed in one member and having an electrically conductive surface and a peg formed on the other member and disposed in the slot for relative sliding movement in contact with said surface, a light supported by the support and connected electrically between said assemblies and means for connecting said assemblies to a power source.

A lamp constructed in accordance with the invention has the advantage that an adjustable support may be provided that is formed from relatively slidable members which has retaining mechanisms which provide both physical coupling and electrical contact between the members, so that separate electrical and physical connections are not required.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in a first position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 showing the embodiment of the invention in a second, extended position.

Figure 3 is a side view of two relatively slidable support members of the lamp of figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow 4' of figure 3; and Figure 5 is a sectional view through the plane of 5'-5 of figure 4.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, a lamp, generally designated 10 is shown. The lamp comprises a base 12 which includes a cavity for retention of a battery power supply (not shown). An on/off switch 14 is connected to the base 12. A light housing 16 including a light 18 is connected to the base via first and second arcuate slidable members 20, 22. In use, the slidable members may be moved relative to one another to extend the lamp for example to the position as shown in figure 2. The slidable members 20, 22 and arcuate portion 40 of the base 12 which engages slidable member 20 have complementary sliding surfaces in the form of a ledge provided on one surface which mates with a channel provided on an opposed surface of another member. For example, member 20 has a ledge 30 which engages a channel 32 formed in member 22. Likewise member 12 has a ledge 34 engaging a channel 36 (figure 3).The slidable members are coupled together by means of retaining mechanisms which are shown in more detail in figures 3-5.

Figures 3-5 show base 12 and slidable member 20 only, for simplicity. Arcuate portion 40 of base 12 include first and second pegs 50, 52 which are connected to ledge 34 at one end. These pegs are received in and can slide along corresponding slots 54, 56 formed in the sides of channel 36 of member 20. Additional slots may be provided in ledge 34, with corresponding pegs being provided at an end of channel 36, as shown by "phantom peg" 51 in figure 3, to give added support if desired.

Pegs 50, 52 are connected via electrical wire connections 60, 62 to the battery power supply in base 12.

Furthermore, a metal track 64, 66 is disposed in each slot 54, 56 so as to mate against the peg 50, 52 received in the respective slot and be in wiping contact during movement of the pegs in the slots. The metal tracks 64, 66 are in turn connected to pegs 70, 72 of member 20 via wire connections 74, 76.

Thus, an electrical connection is formed between the positive and negative polarities of the battery power supply in base 12 and respective pins 70, 72. Slidable member 22 is equipped with slots and metal tracks similar to those of member 20 but the metal tracks of member 22, rather than being connected to further pins, are connected via wire connections (not shown) to light 18.

Thus, through the action of the pins and metal tracks, an electrical connection is made from the battery power supply in base 12 to the light 18 in light housing 16, so that separate electrical and physical connection of the slidable members 20, 22 is not required.

In use, when it is desired to extend the lamp from the position shown in figure 1 to, for example, the position shown in figure 2, the pegs and slots guide relative sliding movement of the members 20, 22 and at the same time maintain electrical connection of the lamp with the battery by means of wiping contact between the pegs and the metal tracks in the slots.

Claims (8)

1. A lamp having a support comprising first and second relatively slidable members, the members being held in physical and electrical contact by means of first and second retaining assemblies, each assembly comprising a slot formed in one member and having an electrically conductive surface and a peg formed on the other member and disposed in the slot for relative sliding movement in contact with said surface, a light supported by the support and connected electrically between said assemblies and means for connecting said assemblies to a power source.

2. A lamp as claimed in claim 1 wherein each slot includes a conductive track providing said surface, the peg being in wiping contact with said track.

3. A lamp as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one said member includes a guide channel and the other said member includes a raised ledge slidable in the channel.

4. A lamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims where the support further comprises a third member held in physical and electrical contact with the second member by means of third and fourth retaining assemblies, the first and third assemblies being electrically connected and the second and fourth assemblies being electrically connected.

5. A lamp as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of the second and third members includes a guide channel and the other of said second and third members includes a raised ledge slidable in the channel.

6. A lamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each member is of arcuate form.

7. A lamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each assembly further comprises a further slot formed on said other member and a further peg formed on said one member and disposed in the further slot for relative sliding movement.

8. A lamp substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.