US1605421A - Best available copy - Google Patents

Description

BEST AVAiLABLE com Nov. 2 1926. 1,605,421

' F. A. ANDERSON THERAPEUTIC LAMP efz/eiziar Q9912? Q. Qzzaeraozz c W mags.

Patented Nov. I 2, 1926.

EST AVAZLABLE cos.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRITZ A. ANDERSON, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BURDICK CABINET COM- PANY, OF MILTON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

THERAPEUTIC LAMP.

- Application filed October 19, 1925. Serial No. 63.262.

My invention relates to therapeutic lamps.

It will be explained as embodied in a small portable or hand electric lamp although, of course, it is applicable to larger sizesof lamps. Even the smaller sizes, such as that chosen to illustrate the features of the invention, may be more or less permanently mounted on any desired and appropriate support.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved therapeutic lamp.

Another object is to provide an improved light generating unit and reflector therefor.

Another object is to provide an improved lamp particularly adapted to produce visible and invisible radiant energy toward, the red end of the solar spectrum.

Another object is to provide an improved light generating unit' or cartridge for the conversion of electric energy into radiantenergy. 4

Another object is to provide a unit or cartridge in which interference with radiation is reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a unit or cartridge which may be readily repaired in case of accidental injury.

Another object is to provide a lamp which is eflicient, durable, of pleasing appearance and readily used and manufactured.

- Other objects andadvantages will hereinafter appear.

An embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a substantially axial section through the assembled lamp.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the light generating unit or cartridge removedtrom the. reflector.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section showing the method ofattaching the handle to the reflector, and y.

Fig. 5 is a, section on the line 5+5 of Fig. 4:. v

Thelamp comprises, in general, a substantially parabolic reflector A, carrying an electric screw-plug receptacle B at its rear or closed end, a handle G attached to the receptacle housing and a light generating unit or cartridge D carried by the plug receptacle. Reflector A isa substantially parabolic sheet metal shell having the rim of its outer or open larger end rolled outwardly and face may be painted or given any desired finish to improve its appearance. The smallor end of the reflector is formed into a cylindrical rearwardly projecting flange 11 whose rear edge is bent inwardly and then slightly back to form an annular ledge or shoulder 12. This ledge or shoulder forms a seat for the attachment of a housing 13 which supports the reflector shell and encloses and carries plug receptacle B.. The rear end of housing 13 is closed to form a cup while its forward end is open and flared outwardly into substantial bell-shape to encompass a considerable portion of the rear of the reflector adjacent flange 11.. A number of screwsld, passing loosely through holes in housing 13 and into aligned threaded holes in the reflector shoulder 12, serve. to clamp the reflector shell and receptacle housing together. Because of its flare, the outer rim of housing 13 engages the'reflector shell a considerable distance from its axis thereby adding to the strength, rigidity and appearance of the structure. Ventilating openings 15 in flange 11 of the reflectorshell and ventilating openings '16 in the flaring rim of housing 13 serve to keep the lamp from becomingtoo hot.

Plug receptacle B fits and is" secured within the cup-shaped rear end of housing 13. This receptacle is of the ordinary'commercial type having a cylindrical base 17 of porcelain or other suitable insulating material and a metallic screw plug-receiving shell 18. At the .bottom of shell18 and insulated therefrom is the usual central or inner-contact.- Housing 13.is made of such depth that the 1'earwarclly.tu1'ned rim of flange 12 abuts againstthe outer end of the porcelain base 17 of the receptacle when the rear of the receptacle is against the back wall of the housing. Thus the plug receptaele 'is securely anchored to the reflector. The plug receptacle may be of the switchless type or, if desired, it may be of the ordinary I switch type indi cated in the drawings and operable to open and close the electric circuit by apair of push buttons19 projecting through suitable openings in opposite sides of housing 13. A fiber insulating sleeve 20 may be interposed between the receptacle and housing.

Handle C may be made of wood or other suitable material. It has a bore therethrough for the passage of the current supply cord 23. In order to attach the handle to the reflector a small boss or projecting flange 24 is struck out from the body of the housing at substantially a right angle to the axis of the lamp and an. internally threaded nipple 25 is anchored to this boss in the following manner. The inner end of nipple 25 is of reduced size and octagonal shape. The outer edge of boss 24, which also is of octagonal shape, is flanged inwardly to form an octagonal lip 26 which fits about the reduced and similarly shaped end of nipple 25. An octagonal washer 27 isplaced upon the inner side of lip 26 and then the end of nipple 25 is upset or riveted over upon the washer as shown most clearly in Fig. 4. This construction is rigid and strong and the turning of the nipple is prevented. The end of handle C may be threaded to fit the internal threads of nipple 25 or it may be pro vided with a threaded ferrule to effect the union.

The light generatingtcartridge or unit D is adapted to be held in position, by the plug receptacle. It has a base composed of two complementary substantially cylindrical sections 30 and 31 formed of porcelain or other suitable insulating material. The forward or outer section30 has an enlarged head which is provided with a pair of grooves in its face to form. seats for receiving the inturned rear ends of two spring currentcarrying clips 32 and 33. The outer or free .ends of clipsv 32 and 33 are formed into sockets 32 and 33 for receiving the ends of the light generating elements to be hereinafter described. The major portion of each spring clip is formed from a nickel copper alloy such as Monel metal which retains its temper well under heat and thus maintains its resiliency. The surface of the Monel metal, however, oxidizes rather readily under the influence of heat and so, in order to insure good electrical contact with the light generating elements a part or all ofthe socket or contact portions of the clips are made from a chromium steel alloy such as Ascoloy metal. The two metals may be joined together by riveting or other suitable means. Clip 32 is anchored to the face of base section 30 by a bolt 34 which extends entirely through base section 31 and thus serves also to assist in clamping the two base sections together. Clip 33 is secured to the face of base section 30 by a bolt 35 which threads into and is riveted upon a metallic anchoring and current carrying block 36. Block 36 lies in a cavity in the hase formed by two complementary recesses in the base sections and is thereby prevented from turning. A screw 37, which forms the central or inner contact of the cartridge screw plug, also threads into block 36. Thus the spring clip, attaching bolt 35 and the inner contact forming screw 37 assist in holding the two base sections together. The outer plug contact comprises a metal cup shaped shell 38 which surrounds the plug base section 31 and is provided with thread formation to register with the thread of receptacle shell 18. Bolt 34 and a small bolt 39 serve to hold this outer plug contact shell in place on the base. The bottom of shell 38 has a centrally disposed opening through I which extends a lug 4O projecting from base section 31. Contact screw 37 passes through this lug 40 and the head of the screw lies ex posed on its rear surface so as to be advanced in a position to engage the central or inner contact of the receptacle when the cartridge plug is screwed therein.

Projecting from the front face of base section 30 and lying between the grooves which form the seats for spring clips 32 and 33 is a projecting lug 41. This lug 41 serves to assist in holding the spring clips in proper position and to insure that they are insulated from each other. It also serves to steady a post 42 which extends through base section 30 and is securely clamped in position by a nut 43. Post 42 is thoroughly insulated from clips 32 and 33 as it is not intended to carry current. The outer end of post 42 is threaded to receive a cup shaped nut 44. Lying within and against the top of nut 44 is a washer 45 which is formed with a transverse bump or ridge 46. Nut 44 and washer 45 form a supporting and current-carrying yoke for the outer ends of the light producing elements hereinafter described.

The light generating elements 47 and 48 which transform the electric energy into radiant energy extend and are held between spring clips 32 and 33 respectively and the cap washer 45 at the forward end of post 42. Each element consists of a semi-tubular stick of non-metallic current conducting material which is brought to a greater or less degree of luminescence upon the passage of electric current therethrough. Various substances, such as carbon or composition of carbon and other suitable materials, for example carborundum, are suitable for this purpose but I have found that semi-tubular elements made from material of which the so-called Globar is manufactured gives excellent results. These elements resemble sticks of carbon and I have found them to be efficient and to produce light which is rich in the longer visible and invisible red rays of the solar spectrum. Each element is seated at one end in one of the sockets 32'33 of the corresponding spring clip 32 or 33 and at the other end lies within cap 44 against washer 45. The convex sides of the 1,605,421 BEST AVAILABLE COP\ elements are turned outwardly from the axis or port- 42 and at the outer ends their fiat edges lie against the bump or ridge 46 across washer 45. Thus the elements are tirmly held under compression and converge toward the open end of the reflector. The degree of compression may be varied by turning cap 4+ to move the same inwardly or outwardly and, when an eleinent is to he replaced this may be done readily because the cap and its washer 45 can he quickly removed and returned to position. The conductivity between the elements and their metal spring clip sockets and washer 45 may be improved by coating the ends of the elements with aluminum. The molten aluminum spraying process has been found to give good results. Globar elements can be obtained wherein the ends are of greater conductivity or lesser resistance than the body portion and such construction has the advantage of lowering the temperature in the vicinity of the metal contacts.

When the lamp is in service vthe two elements are connected in series to the source of current. Thus for example current may enter the lamp from one cord conductor, flow through the central contact of the plug receptacle'to the inner contact 37 of the cartridge plug, thence through block 3t, bolt 35 and clipv 33 to element -18, through element 48 to washer 45 and cap 44, back through element 47, spring clip 32, bolt 34, outer plug and receptacle contacts 38 and 18 to the other cord conductor. If a switch type receptacle is used its make and break contacts will, of course, be interposed in this circuit in the usual way.

The forwardly converging elements of semi-cylindrical form aiford a relatively large light radiating-surface and, because the supporting post is centrally located where it does not screen any effective part of either element, the elements are exposed to the reflector directly and without obstruction. The cartridge may be readily removed and replaced like an ordinary electric lamp bulb and the elements may be quickly renewed should occasion require.

Having thus illustrated and described the nature and one embodiment of my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A therapeutic lamp comprising a curved reflector, an insulating base mounted in the reflector, a plurality of rigid radiant energy generating elements lying in front of the base about the axis of the reflector and for producing therapeutic effects when heated by electric current passing therethrough, a plurality of supports mounted on the base and carrying the rear ends of the elements, a rigid post carried by the base on the axis of the reflector, means on the post for carrying the forward ends of the elements, and electrical conductors for connecting the elements to an' electric circuit.

2. A therapeutic lamp unit comprising an electric current conducting plug for attachment to a receptacle. a rigid post projecting from the face of the plug, a plurality of current carrying clips mounted on the plug, a detachable yoke mounted on the outer end of the post, and a'plurality of therapeutic light generating elements supported by and between the clips and yoke. 3

3. A therapeutic lamp unit comprising an insulating plug base having inner and outer current conducting contacts, a rigid post projecting axially from the face of the plug base, a plurality of rigid electric radiant energy generating elements lying along the post, and supports carried by the plug base and the outer end of the postdetachably to hold the elements under compression at opposite ends. V 4. A therapeutic lamp comprising an open ended flaringrefiectorfa'plug receptacle mounted within the reflectoi' 'ad]'acent its smaller end, a plug detachably fitting'the receptacle, a pair of currentcarrying'spring clips mounted on the plug, a postprojeeting forwardly from the plug on the axis-thereof and including an abutment, a pair of electrically operated radiant energy roducing elements lying in the plane of t epost on opposite sides thereof, each element being supported at one end by one of'the clips and at the other end by the abutment on the post. W

5. A radiant energy generating unit comprising an insulating, base, a supporting post projeeting'from thebase, a yoke carried by the post, a plurality of current conducting spring clips carried by the base and insulated from the post, energy converting elements supported between the yoke and the clips, and electrical terminals carried by the base and connected tov the clips.

6. A therapeutic radiant energy generating unit comprising an insulating base provided with inner and outer plug-receptacle contacts, a supporting post projecting from the base, a current conducting yoke carried by the post, a pair of current conducting spring clips carried by the base on opposite sides of the post. an energy converting element supported by and between each clip .and the yoke, and electrical conductors for connecting the clips to the plug-receptacle contacts whereby current may be conducted to and from the energy converting elements.

7. A radiant energy generating unit for a therapeutic lamp comprising a pair of elongated energy converting elements, a post extending therebetween, a current conducting yoke for anchoring one end of each element to the post, an insulating base for supporting the post, a pair of spring clips secured to the base and carrying the opposite ends of the elements, and electrical terminals carried by'the base and connected to the spring clips to conduct current to and from the elements.

8. A therapeutic lamp radiantenergy generating cartridge comprising a pair of semitubular rods of electrical resistance material which Will become incandescent when electric current-is passed therethrough, an insulatin-g' base provided with inner and outer contacts for attachment to a plug-receptacle, a pair of spring clips secured to the base and for supporting one end of each rod in current conducting relation to the inner and outer contacts-respectively, a. post projecting from the base and lying between the rods, and a. metalyoke carried by the post and supporting the outer ends of the rods and electrically interconnecting them.

9. A therapeutic lamp radiant energy generating cartridge comprising an insulating base, inner and outer plug-receptacle contacts carried bythe base, a post projecting from the base,-a metal yoke attached to the outer end oi the post, a pair of spring clips attached to the base on opposite sides of the post and insulated from the post, semi-tubular energy converting units supported between the clips and the yoke on opposite sides of the post.

- 10. A radiant energy generating-cartridge fora therapeutic lamp comprising an insulating-base provided with contacts for cooperation with a plug receptacle, a plurality of current conducting elements for converting electrical energy into radiant energy, a

current conducting support for holding one end of each element, said supports being carried by the base, and a post for supporting the other endsof said elements, said post extending longitudinally between said elements and carried by the base.

'11. A radiant energy generating unit for a therapeutic lamp comprising a plug of in- BEST AVAILABLE COP;

sulating material for attachment to a receptacle and having electrical terminals adapted to contact with the receptacle terminals, a plurality of current conducting spring clips attached to the base and having sockets adjacent theirouter ends, said clips being electrically connected to the plug terminals, a post supported by and projecting axially from the plug and insulated from the spring clips, a removable current conducting yoke carried by the post adjacent its outer end, and a plurality of rigid electrically encrgized radiant energ generating elements seated at opposite ends in the clip sockets and against the yoke to be supported thereby on the plug in circuit with the plug terminals.

12. An energy generating unit designed for generating ray energy at the red end of the spectrum, said unit comprising a plug base having outer and inner contacts and designed to be inserted into usual forms of lamp socket, a plurality of supports carried by and projecting from the base, a member projecting axially of the base and having an abutment thereon, a plurality of rigid elements designed for producing radiant energy of the character described when energized by an electric current and each having one end held by a support and the other end held against the abutment of the member projecting axially of the base, and means for connectingsaid radiant energy producing elements electrically with the contacts of the base.

13. A unit as defined in claim 12 wherein said supports are of conducting material, and are electrically connected to the outer and inner contacts respectively, the generating means thereby being electrically connected in the circuit in series.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16 day of October, 1925.

FRITZ A. ANDERSON.

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