US2056682A

US2056682A - Electric lamp attachment

Info

Publication number: US2056682A
Application number: US53063A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold A Marsino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-12-05
Filing date: 1935-12-05
Publication date: 1936-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1953-10-06

Description

Get. 6, 1936. H. A. MARSINO ELECTRIC LAMP ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 5, 1935 gym/wanton; f/Q'ro/Jfl Jib 131320.

Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to electric lamps and particularly to an extension lamp attachment for portable electric lamps, such as floor lamps and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a lamp extension which may be readily attached to or removed from a conventional electric floor lamp without the necessity of making any change in the floor lamp or of disarranging any part thereof. When in place, the extension attachment provides an auxiliary lamp at the outer end of the extension so that the floor lamp may be located, for instance, at the side of a bridge table with the auxiliary lamp suspended over the center of the table to concentrate its light directly on the persons seated at the table and on the playing surface. Thus, there is no need of the usual practice of placing several floor lamps about a table in order to secure illumination, which even then is inadequate.

A further object is to provide for lighting the extension lamp alone, or the floor lamp may also be lighted to provide additional general illumination if desired.

Of particular importance are the form of the extension attachment and the manner in which it is mounted upon the floor lamp so as to preclude tipping over or upsetting of the latter, either because of the Weight or leverage of the attachment or as a result of a person accidentally striking it.

Provision is also made for adjusting the extension lamp both vertically and horizontally while supported by the floor lamp, so as to permit loca- 35 tion of the lamp in substantially any desired position.

Further features of the attachment include the simplicity, neatness and attractiveness of its design, the extremely light weight of the structure,

40 and the low cost at which it may be manufactured. Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing illustrating a practical embodiment of the device now in use.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the attachment mounted upon a conventional floor lamp with the auxiliary lamp suspended over a table.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevation, partly in section, showing the manner of connecting the extension to the floor lamp.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the mode of mounting the auxiliary lamp on the outer end of the extension.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modification of the connection between the attachment and the floor lamp.

Figure 5 is a view, similar to Figure 2, showing the connection between the attachment and a floor lamp of a slightly different type. 5

The conventional floor lamp shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 comprises the usual base 6, standard or post I and the enlargement 8 at the upper end of the standard which carries the lamp sockets 9, 9. The upper end of standard 1 has a threaded stud or reduced portion I I (Figure 2) which carries the internally threaded, shade securing'knob or nut l2.

'The shade I3 is supported on the lamp by a spider l4 forming part of the shade frame. This spider includes a centrally perforated disk 15 which fits over stud II and rests on the annular shoulder l6 formed by enlargement 8, so that, when knob I2 is tightened, the shade is rigidly secured in place on the lamp. Pull chains I1, I! are provided on the sockets 9, 9.

The extension lamp attachment for the floor lamp described is in the form of an elongated arm rigidly attached to and extending substantially horizontally from the top of the floor lamp as 25 shown in Figure 1. The arm, which is preferably in the formof a fiat strip of springy metal such as brass or Wrought iron, comprises a main horizontal portion [8. The outer end of this arm carries the auxiliary lamp socket l9 having a switch 20 and a bulb 2|.

Inwardly of portion l8, the arm takes the form of an upwardly inclined portion 23 which merges into a curved portion 24, the greater part of which latter extends beyond the vertical axis of the floor lamp diametrically opposite the main portion l8 of the attachment arm. Thus, the arm is curved backwardly beneath itself and is continued to form a horizontal portion 26 which extends between knob l2 and disk IE on the floor lamp. In portion 26, there is an opening 21 (Figure 2) through which stud l I on the floor lamp standard extends. With the parts assembled as described, it will be seen that, when knob I2 is tightened, portion 26 of the extension arm will be tightly clamped between the knob and disk l5 and the extension arm will be asrigidly mounted on the floor lamp as though it were an integral part of the same.

Auxiliary lamp socket [9 has a shade 28 mounted thereon. A ring 29, rigidly secured in the socket, is mounted in a second ring 3| (Figure 3). Ring 3! has a base 32 and a reduced threaded stud 33 which projects through an opening 34 in the outer end portion I8 01 the extension arm.

A knob or nut 36, having a threaded socket, receives stud 33 and secures ring 3| rigidly in place. Thus, with the double ring mounting described, there is provided a swivel support which insures the auxiliary lamp hanging with its shade 28 in substantially vertical position at all times.

Running from auxiliary socket I9 is an extension cord 31 which is threaded through suitable openings 38 located at intervals in the extension arm. In this manner the cord is held snugly against the arm and does not detract from the neatness and attractiveness of the device. The inner portion of electric cord 31 is preferably wound around the extension and at its end has a removable prong connector 39 which is plugged into a removable screw plug 4| located in one of the sockets 9 of the floor lamp. The other socket 9 has a bulb l0 therein.

With the extension lamp attached to the floor lamp as described, it will be seen that there is provided such a supporting inter-connection be tween the two that, although the extension projects outwardly a considerable distance from the floor lamp, there is no tendency for the assembly to topple over. This is due in part to the extreme lightness of the attachment and its substantial centering relatively to the entire floor lamp structure, including its base 6.

Any tipping tendency which might be set up by the weight of the arm portion l8 and the other portions of the extension on the one side of the vertical axis of the floor lamp, is oifset by the fact that all of this part of the structure and in fact the entire attachment, is supported from the floor lamp solely at a point on the diametrically opposite side of the axis or the floor lamp. In a sense, this provides a counter-balanced arrangement, and even possesses advantages thereover because of the springy nature of the extension arm. Any accidental upward blow struck the extension will only cause it to spring up and down momentarily, thus absorbing the shock of the blow and resisting any tendency of the structure to tip over. A side blow will cause the extension to swing horizontally about stud 33.

The last mentioned feature also provides for horizontal adjustment of the auxiliary lamp to any desired position without disturbing the shade l3. Vertical adjustment to compensate for an unusually low or an unusually high floor lamp, is obtained by bending arm l8 upwardly or downwardly at the junction between portion l8 and inclined portion 23. When such adjustment is made the described swivel connection between the auxiliary lamp and the extension arm permits shade 28 to automatically adjust itself to proper vertical position.

Auxiliary bulb 2| may be controlled directly by its switch 20 or by pull chain I! on the floor lamp, while the other chain I! may be manipulated to light bulb ID or to extinguish it, as desired.

Even when not in use the extension may remain attached to the floor lamp without detracting from its appearance. Obviously, when desired, the device may readily be removed from the floor lamp by merely pulling out connector 39 and unscrewing and removing knob I2. The extension may then be lifted off of stud II and knob |2 replaced to secure the shade l3. To mount the attachment on the floor lamp, the reverse of the simple operations just described is followed. This may be done without even disarranging shade l3. 7

The extension lamp is shown in Figure 1 as suspended over the center of a bridge table A.

Thus sufficient light is projected on the table surface and on the persons seated thereabout without the aid of another light, although bulb I0 may also be used if desired. This materially reduces the electricity consumed, since a small bulb furnishes the required illumination, whereas several bulbs of higher capacity would otherwise be employed. In view of the length of the extension arm, the fioor lamp may stand some distance from the table, so as not to interfere with the persons seated thereabout.

The modification of Figure 4 involves providing an elongated opening 42 in horizontal portion 26 of the extension arm, so that the extension may be moved a limited distance radially on stud M if necessary to properly center or balance the attachment on the floor lamp structure. This probably would be necessary only where the floor lamp has an unusually small base 6.

In Figure 5 there is shown the connection be tween the attachment and a floor lamp having a slightly difierent top construction. In this case, the lamp standard I has a threaded socket 43 and a threaded stud 44 is formed on the lower end of knob I2. The remainder of the floor lamp remains unchanged and there is no change in the auxiliary lamp attachment. With the perforated shade holder disk l5 centered over socket 43, the stud of knob I2 is inserted in the alined openings and screwed into socket 43 until all of the parts are secured firmly together ready for use.

While the device has been particularly described for attachment to floor lamps, it is understood that it may also be used with table and other lamps suited to the purpose. Likewise the assembled lamp and attachment are adapted for use in concentrating a light not only over a table, but may also be used at a work bench, at a reading chair or wherever such an arrangement may be needed.

While a practical embodiment of the invention has been shown, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention except as the same may be limited by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with' a portable lamp having an upright standard, an electric lamp socket and a. shade, of a readily detachable extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm having a supporting part rigidly but removably attached to the standard and projecting outwardly a substantial distance at one side thereof and a body part connected only to the outer end of said supporting part and extending across the upper end of the standard with the major portion of said arm projecting outwardly at the opposite side of the standard, said body part of the arm being devoid of support except for said connection with the supporting part of the arm, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of said body part of the arm, and a detachable electrical connection between the socket on the standard and.

the auxiliary socket.

2. The combination with a portable floor lamp having a base, an upright standard, electric lamp sockets provided with individual switches, a shade and shade securing means including a removable knob and a threaded stud connecting the knob and the standard and projecting through a portion of the shade structure, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm having a supporting part removably secured to and projecting outwardly a substantial distance from the standard at one side thereof and a body part connected only to the outer end of said supporting part and extending across the top of the lamp with the major portion of said arm projecting outwardly at the opposite side of the standard, said body part of the arm being devoid of support except for said connection with the supporting part of the arm, while said supporting part is located between the knob and said portion of the shade structure and has an opening through which the stud extends, whereby the knob, when tightened, secures the shade and the arm on the standard, an auxiliary lamp socket at the outer end of the arm provided with a switch and a detachable electrical connectionbbetweeri one of the sockets on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

3. The combination with a portable lamp having an upright standard, an electric lamp socket and shade securing means, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm projecting from one side of the standard and having its inner end detachably secured to the standard by said shade securing means, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of said extension arm, and a detachable electrical connection between the socket on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

4. The combination with a portable lamp having an upright standard, electric lamp sockets, a shade and shade securing means including an upstanding threaded stud on the standard projecting through a portion of the shade structure. and a detachable, internally threaded knob on the stud, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm projecting from one side of the standard, the inner end of said arm being located between said portion of the shade structure and the knob and provided with an opening through which said stud extends whereby the knob, when tightened, serves to secure the extension arm and the shade in place on the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of the extension arm, and a detachable electrical connection between one of the first mentioned sockets and the auxiliary socket.

5. The combination with a portable lamp having an upright standard, electric lamp sockets, a shade and shade securing means including a knob having a depending, threaded stud projecting through a portion of the shade structure and into a threaded socket in the standard, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm projecting from one side of the standard, the inner end of said arm being located between said portion of the shade structure and the knob and provided with an opening through which said stud extends whereby the knob, when tightened, serves to secure the extension arm and the shade in place on the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of the extension arm, and a detachable electrical connection between one of the first mentioned sockets and the auxiliary socket.

6. The combination with a portable lamp having a base, an upright standard, an electric lamp socket and a shade, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm disposed across the upper end of the standard with the major portion thereof located at one side of the standard, a detachable supporting connection between the standard and the arm adapted for adjustment to shift the arm bodily in the direction of its length and thereby vary the length of the major portion of the arm located at said side of the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of the major portion of the arm, and a detachable electrical connection between the socket on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

7. The combination with a portable lamp having a base, an upright standard, an electric lamp socket, a shade and removable shade securing means including a knob and a threaded stud connecting the knob and the standard and projecting through a portion of the shade structure, of an extension lamp device comprising an elongated arm disposed across the upper end of the standard with the major portion thereof located at one side of the standard, the inner end of said arm being located between said portion of the shade structure and the knob and provided with an elongated opening through which said stud extends whereby the knob, when tightened, serves to secure the arm and the shade in place on the standard, but may be loosened to permit lengthwise adjustment of the arm on the stud to vary the length of the major portion of the arm located at said side of the standard, an auxiliary electric lamp socket at the outer end of said arm, and a detachable electrical connection between the socket on the standard and the auxiliary socket.

8. A readily removable extension lamp attachment for portable lamps of the type having an upright standard, an electric lamp socket and a shade, comprising an arm having an elongated body part and a relatively short inturned supporting part connected only at its outer end to the body part and adapted for readily detachable connection with the lamp standard, an auxiliary lamp socket at the outer end of the arm, and an electrical connection extending from the auxiliary socket for readily detachable connection with the socket on the standard, said arm being constructed and arranged so that, when mounted in place, the supporting part thereof projects outwardly a substantial distance at one side of the lamp standard while the body part extends across the top of the lamp with the major portion of the arm projecting outwardly at the opposite side of the standard, and said body part of the arm is devoid of support except for said connection with the supporting part of the arm.

9. The readily removable extension lamp attachment of claim 8 further characterized in that said arm is made of one piece of resilient metal, whereby it is adapted to yieldably resist blows applied thereto and thereby prevent upsetting of the lamp when the attachment is in place there- 10. An extension lamp attachment for portable floor lamps of the type having an upright standard, an electric lamp socket, a shade and shade securing means, including an upstanding threaded stud on the standard projecting through a portion of the shade structure and a detachable, internally threaded knob on the stud, comprising an arm having an elongated body part and a relatively short, inturned supporting part connected only at its outer end to the body part, the inner portion of the supporting part being adapted for clamping arrangement between the knob and said portion of the shade structure and ha ing an opening to receive said stud, an auxiliary I lamp socket at the outer end of said arm, and an electrical connection extending from the auxiliary socket for readily detachable connection with the socket on the standard, said arm being constructed and arranged so that, when in place on the lamp, the supporting part of the arm projects outwardly a substantial distance at one side of the lamp standard while the body part extends across the top of the lamp with the major portion of the arm projecting substantially horizontally outwardly at the opposite side of the standard, said body part of the arm being devoid of support except for said connection with the supporting part of the arm.

11. The extension lamp attachment of claim 10 further characterized in that said arm is made entirely of a single fiat strip of resilient metal having openings therein at intervals through which said electrical connection extends and the auxiliary lamp socket has a switch thereon and a universal connection with the outer end of the extension arm which includes a pair of loosely connected rings.

12. An extension attachment for a floor lamp of the type having an upright standard, a shade, a detachable shade securing member and an electric lamp socket, comprising an elongated arm terminating in a hook-shaped part at one end having a supporting portion adapted to be clamped between said shade securing member and a portion of the floor lamp to firmly secure the extension in place and form the sole connection between the attachment and the lamp, said arm proper, when the attachment is in place, having its major portion projecting outwardly at one side of the lamp standard at the top thereof and connectedat its inner end to said supporting portion only at a point located a substantial distance on the opposite side of the lamp standard, an auxiliary lamp socket at the outer end of said arm, and a detachable electrical connection between the auxiliary socket and the socket on the standard.

HAROLD A. MARSINO.