GB2435273A

GB2435273A - Portable, telescopic stand having internal power cable

Info

Publication number: GB2435273A
Application number: GB0603284A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Hoyland
Original assignee: RAIL PLANT Ltd
Current assignee: RAIL PLANT Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-18
Filing date: 2006-02-18
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Also published as: GB0603284D0

Abstract

A stand for a lamp comprising a head portion 2 having a mounting bracket 3 arranged to accommodate a lamp 4, a head portion power coupling 6 and a base power coupling 10, wherein the power couplings connected together via an internal conduit 9 of the stand. The bracket may accept a range of lamp types. It may also defines a platform which is angularly adjustable. The bracket may incorporate a clip 14 for retaining electric cable. The head power coupling preferably projects from the bracket. The internal conduit may be provided by a hollow post or mast, it may be telescopic. It may be secured to the base 12 by welding, or by a hinge which allows flat storage. The base is preferably flat to provide stability and may incorporate mountings for lateral extensions 13. The base power coupling may be adjacent to the base. The stand is especially suitable for a road located work-site. In use the stand enhances site safety by preventing the formation of a dangling loop of electrical cable which can be a trip hazard.

Description

A Lamr Stand The present invention relates to lamp stands and more

particularly to lamp stands utilised in hazardous or difficult locations where health and safety issues are of importance.

Illumination is important in order to enable workplaces and sites to be appropriately illuminated for works to be performed. An increasing reluctance to overly disrupt transport infrastructure such as railways and highways leads to an increased desire to perform repairs to such infrastructure at night where illumination is important.

It will be understood that lamp stands utilised for providing illumination at work sites traditionally are supplied with electrical power through electrical cables which run from a generator. The lamps are held at elevated positions and the cables droop from the lamp downwards. Cables can be pulled and stretched such that there is a cable loop extending outwardly from the lamp.

In such circumstances there are significant health and safety issues with regard to workers tripping over such cables particularly as it will be understood the lamps produce high intensity illumination which may dazzle workers otherwise in a dark environment and also distracted by such activities as welding and manipulating heavy machinery, plant and components.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a lamp stand for work site illumination, the stand comprising a lamp head having a mounting bracket with a head power coupling, the mounting bracket arranged to accommodate a lamp with a lamp cable connector at an elevated position associated with the head power coupling and a base power coupling connected to the head coupling through an internal conduit to prevent cable loop from the elevated position.

Typically, the bracket has connections for a range of lamp types.

Possibly, the bracket defines a platform for correct orientation of the lamp.

Advantageously, the platform may be angularly adjusted. Additionally, the mounting bracket may incorporate a clip to retain any cable between the lamp and lamp cable connector.

Possibly, the head power coupling is closely adjacent the mounting bracket. Typically, the head power coupling externally projects from the mounting bracket. Possibly, the head power coupling and the lamp cable connector are shape matched for conformity.

Typically, the internal conduit is provided by a hollow post or mast.

Advantageously, the internal conduit is telescopic to provide variation in length. Generally, the internal conduit is secured to the base. Possibly, the internal conduit is secured to the base by welding. Alternatively, the internal conduit is secured to the base by entry of a part of the internal conduit into an aperture in the base. Generally, the part of the internal conduit which enters the base is shaped for matched consistency with the aperture in the base.

Alternatively, the internal conduit is secured to the base by a hinge. Possibly, the hinge allows the internal conduit and base to be stowed in a flat configuration.

Generally, the base is flat to provide topple stability. Possibly, the base incorporates mountings for lateral extensions.

Generally, the base power coupling is adjacent to the base to present in use any power cable coupled to the base power coupling laterally.

Generally, the base and/or conduit have a power supply coupling.

Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a lamp arrangement comprising a lamp stand as described above and a lamp secured to a bracket and connected to the power supply coupling by the lamp cable connector through a cable loop remote from and elevated above ground level.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference of the accompanying drawing providing a schematic illustration of a lamp stand.

Provision of illumination at work sites is important as indicated in order to ensure safe and accurate working at that site. In such circumstances relatively powertul lamps generally in the order of at least 500 watts are presented at elevated positions from ground level in order to illuminate an area of the work site. Traditionally, work stands simply comprise a tripod or mast with a lamp secured at the top of that tripod or a mast coupled to a power supply through an electrical cable. This cable droops down and creates a significant trip hazard.

Fig. 1 provides a schematic illustration of a lamp stand 1 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Thus, the stand includes a lamp head 2 formed by a mounting bracket 3 and a lamp 4. The bracket 3 is generally secured upon a box section 5 from which protrudes a head power coupling 6.

The lamp 4 and head power coupling 6 are connected through an electrical cable 7 which forms a cable loop remote from and elevated above ground level 8. Thus the cable loop formed by the cable 7 does not create a significant trip hazard.

The lamp 4 provides light utilising electrical power taken through the cable 7. The head power coupling 6 is connected through an internal conduit 9 to a base power coupling 10. This base power coupling 10 allows connection of a power cable 11. The power cable 11 is generally presented laterally without any droop from the elevated position about the lamp 4. As the power cable 11 generally projects laterally and rests upon ground level 8 it presents limited if any trip hazard.

The internal conduit 9 is formed by a hollow post or mast through which a connecting cable 12 extends between the head power coupling 6 and the base power coupling 10. This connecting cable 12 may be coiled.

The mounting bracket, as indicated, generally comprises a box section to provide a robust structure upon which the head power coupling 3 can be secured for external projection to allow easy connection of the cable 7 of the head power coupling. It will be understood that the lamp 4 as indicated will generally be used to provide illumination at work sites such as adjacent railway tracks or highways, and in such circumstances the stand 1 must be robust to withstand operation at such locations as well as harsh transportation between such locations. It will be understood that because of the operational conditions, the lamps 4 may be damaged or otherwise fail. By providing a bracket 3 to which the lamp 4 is robustly but releasably attached as well as by provision of a short cable loop formed by the cable 7 to a releasable connection between the head power coupling 6 and that cable 7 it will be understood that lamps can be rapidly changed. Furthermore, depending upon lighting requirements, different types of lamps can be secured to the bracket 3 of differing illumination capacity or focus or an array of lamps provided which subtend around the complete circumference of the stand 1 rather than directionally to one side or over a limited arc. To enable such operation the bracket 3 will include appropriate apertures or other fixings to allow a range of lamp 4 types to be secured to it.

As indicated above, it is generally preferable to provide a bracket 3 which accommodates a range of lamp types. However, it is also important that the lamp stand 1 is stable and the electrical power capacity of the stand 1 is not exceeded. In such circumstances the bracket 3 may be designed to only accommodate specific types of lamp which will not create problems with regard to instability and topple as well as not exceeding the electrical power capacity of the cable within the stand 1. Additionally, the head power coupling 6 may be specifically shaped such that only lamps 4 through their cable 7 having a reciprocally shaped connector for association with the head power coupling 6 can be accommodated. In such circumstances the manufacturer of the stand can limit the type of lamps associated with a particular grade of lamp stand for safety purposes.

Stability is important with regard to the lamp stand 1 so, as can be seen, a base 12 is provided which has a broad engagement footprint with the ground level 8 surface. The size of the base 12 will be determined in order to ensure topple of the stand 1 is inhibited. However, by provision of only a limited cable loop at the lamp head of the stand 1 and the power cable 11 extending and lying upon the ground level surface 8 it will be understood that the drag effect of electrical cables drooping directly from the head 4 to one side of the stand is eliminated and therefore topple performance improved.

The base 12 may also incorporate or have mountings for lateral extensions 13 (shown in broken line) to further improve topple stability for the stand 1. To again facilitate orientation of the power cable 11 and possibly to avoid inadvertent pull release the base 12 may incorporate clips 14 to secure the power cable 11.

Generally, as illustrated, the internal conduit formed by the post or mast 9 is robustly secured to the base 12. Such location and securing of the post or mast 9 to the base 12 may be performed through welding.

Alternatively, the post or mast 9 may enter an aperture 15 within the base 12 with sufficient depth that there is robust location between them. Possibly, through appropriate reciprocal shaping of the part of the post or mast 9 which enters the aperture 15 and the aperture itself. It will be understood that appropriate association of the correct post or mast 9 with the correct base 12 can be ensured. This will have significant benefits in situations where the lamp stand 1 must be collapsible for ease of transportation.

It will also be understood that the post or mast 9 may be secured to the base 12 with a hinge to allow flat transportation and storage.

The mounting head 2 can be arranged through the bracket 3 to allow angular adjustment of the lamp 4 in order that the light from the lamp is appropriately presented. However, more typically the lamp 4 will be secured upon a swivel pivot bracket 16 to allow such adjustment.

The base power coupling 10 is generally secured to the internal conduit formed by the post or mast 9 at its base. Again, typically a box section is provided in the post or mast 9 within which the coupling 10 is located. Such box provision again improves secure connection between the post or mast 9 and the base 12. It will also be understood that base power supply coupling 17 can be provided through the boxed structure providing sufficient space to allow appropriate connection between the base power coupling 10 and the base power supply coupling 17.

The post or mast 9 as indicated generally provides a hollow internal section through which the cable 12 is presented. This cable 12 will generally be coiled but in any event it will be understood that the post or mast 9 can be telescopic to allow extension of its length and therefore vary the height of the elevated position for the lamp head 2.

Alterations and modifications to the embodiment of the invention described above will be appreciated by those skilled in the technology. Thus, for example the internal conduit in the form of a post or mast may be secured to the base through a screw thread or pin location mechanism. Furthermore, the stand may be formed from a metal such as steel or plastic or any other appropriate material to provide stability. The lamp stand may be asymmetrically weighted with particularly the base portions, that is to say the base and lower most parts of the pole or mast arranged to weigh more than the upper parts of the stand to improve topple stability.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A lamp stand for work site illumination, the stand comprising

a lamp head having a mounting bracket with a head power coupling, the mounting bracket arranged to accommodate a lamp with a lamp cable connector at an elevated position associated with the head power coupling and a base power coupling connected to the head coupling through an internal conduit to prevent cable loop from the elevated position.
2 A stand as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bracket has connections for a range of lamp types. * **
3. A stand as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bracket defines a 9**S 1 5 platform for correct orientation of the lamp. S. * . * SSS

*.
4. A stand as claimed in claim 3 wherein the platform may be angularly : adjusted. S...

 20
5. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting bracket may incorporate a clip to retain any cable between the lamp and lamp cable connector.

6. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the head power coupling is closely adjacent the mounting bracket 7. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the head power coupling externally projects from the mounting bracket.

8 A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the head power coupling and the lamp cable connector are shape matched for conformity.

9. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the internal conduit is provided by a hollow post or mast.

A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the internal conduit is telescopic to provide variation in length.

11. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the internal conduit is secured to the base.

12. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the internal conduit is secured to the base by welding.

: ** 13. A stand as claimed in any of claims ito 11 wherein the internal conduit S...

is secured to the base by entry of a part of the internal conduit into an aperture in the base. S.

S S * *SS

14. A stand as claimed in claim 13 wherein the parfof the internal conduit which enters the base is shaped for matched consistency with the aperture in : the base *555 . 20 15. A stand as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the internal conduit is secured to the base by a hinge 16. A stand as claimed in claim 15 wherein the hinge allows the internal conduit and base to be stowed in a flat configuration.

17 A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base is flat to provide topple stability.

18 A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base incorporates mountings for lateral extensions.

19. A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base power coupling is adjacent to the base to present in use any power cable coupled to the base power coupling laterally.

20 A stand as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base and/or conduit have a power supply coupling.

21 A lamp stand for work site illumination substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22 A lamp arrangement comprising a lamp stand as claimed in any preceding claim and a lamp secured to a bracket and connected to the power : ** supply coupling by the lamp cable connector through a cable loop remote from and elevated above ground level.

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

24. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.