US2198770A - Therapeutic lamp - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1940. N. E. GOODRICH THERAPEUTIC LAMP Filed July 2, 1937 "Fits-.7 PIE/4 INVENTOR Norms E. GOOdJLCh BY 01; QGM

Firs--6 ATTO R N EY length deep-penetrating heat rays.

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 U-NlTED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE THERAPEUTIC LAMP Creek, Mich.

Application July 2, 1937, Serial No. 151,709

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to therapeutic lamps, and particularly to those lamps which have elements for producing ultra-violet and infra-red rays.

Natural sun-light consists of infra-red, visible, and ultra-violet rays, the use of the combination of all of which results in the well-known benefits of sunlight. Ultra-violet rays are short wave length rays known as 'actinic or chemical rays. Infra-red rays, on the other hand, are long wave Ultra-violet rays alter the blood chemistry with resulting stimulation of metabolismyincrease the vitamin content of the body, make vitamins more active, increase resistance to disease, and give new energy and strength. Infra-red rays cause dilation of the blood vessels, improve nutrition, relieve congestion andpain, and make the ultraviolet-rays more effective by bringing the blood to the surface capillaries where the short wave length ultra-violet rays influence it advantageously. The presence of sufiicient infra-red rays further makes possible the application of larger amounts of ultra-violet rays without destructive action on the tissues, and at the same time produces, in conjunction with the ultraviolet rays, bodily reactions and erythem'a like natural sunlight.

In Patent No. 1,735,679 issued to me November 12, 1929, I described a therapeutic lamp having a carbon arc'for producing ultra-violet rays. A re 'sistance was placed in series with the carbon arc to reduce the voltage, and at the same time to producesome heat. This apparatus involved the use of a segmental guard to catch and retain de'bris'falling from the arc, and also utilized a large opening in the top of the reflector for ventilation purposes. My present invention has been devised to still further advance the art in this field and to produce a lamp which is a marked improvement over the therapeutic lamps heretofore placed on the market.

Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a therapeutic lamp adap-tedto supply both infra-red and ultra-violet rays, and to deliver them in balanced amounts when supplied together.

Another object is to provide a therapeuticlamp with a double, air-cooled reflector.

'Anotherobject is to provide a therapeutic lamp utilizing a bulb for producing ultra-violet rays.

Another object is to provide means for aircooling the socket of the ultra-violet ray producing bulb. I

Another object is to provide atherapeuticlamp which utilizes Monel metal or metal-plated parts adapted to resist electric corrosion at the electric contact points of the ultra-violet ray bulb and infra-red ray units.

A further object is to provide a double wire terminal connection for the end of each'of the infra-red units.

A still further object is to provide means *for adjusting the height of the lamp head above the floor, together with a special arm pivot -ior'-tilting the lamp head.

Further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and N related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating,

however, but several of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be'used.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a front assembly-view of one form I of theinvention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the head of the'lamp shown in Figure 1, but with the refiector rotated 45 degrees.

Figure 3 is a front View of a modified lamp head.

Figure 4 is a side view of one of the infra-red units.

Figure 5 is a partial-sectionthrough the lamp head mounting on the vertical standard or pedestal extension.

Figure 6 is an edge view of the pivot for the lamp head.

Figure '7 is a typical wiring diagram for the lamp shown in Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a wiring diagram for a modified form of lamp.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, Figure 1, as supplemented by Figure '5, shows one type of assembly which permits the lamp head to be slidup and down, as well as tilted'forward' and back. The lamp in this form has'a base I, and may, if desired, be provided with castors 2. On base I is provided a suitable ventilated housing 3 for a-transformer 4. A switch mechanism 3'! for the ultra-violet and infra-red ray units may be installed at any convenient point, for instance, at the top of housing 3. Directly mountedover housing 3 is a tubular-pedestal 5 with top cap -6 carryingpedestal extension 1. -A suitable opening 8 is provided intop cap 6 to permit the'passage of a wire cable from the bottom portion of the lamp through pedestal 5 to the units in the lamp head 9.

The lamp head 9 is mounted on pedestal extension 1 by means of a sliding arm ill (Figure 5). For purposes of appearance, it is normally desirable to nickel or chrome plate pedestal extension 1, and in order to substantially avoid marring same in use, sliding arm I3 is provided with a fiber block H. A screw member l2, preferably provided with a knob end, is adapted to thread edly engage a threaded opening in the back face of sliding arm 10 in manner such that when screw 12 is tightened, it will force fiber block I 2 against the side of pedestal extension I to frictionally hold the head mechanism in place.

In order to permit the lamp head to be tilted forward and back, a pivot joint is provided between sliding arm Ill and head mounting arm l3 (Figures 5 and 6). Arm i3 is preferably made of hollow construction to permit the wire cable to pass therethrough into lamp head 9. This minimizes chafing and shorting of the cable in use. On opposite sides of the end of sliding arm I!) are provided flexible metal plates 54, which may be fastened in conventional manner as by welding or riveting to sliding arm H3. The head mounting arm l3 and metal plates M are provided with an opening through which bolt may pass and form the pivot axis for the lamp head 9. The threaded end of bolt is preferably provided with a hand-operated knob it, which, for ease of operation, may be knurled. Between head mounting arm i3 and metal plates M are preferably provided fiber washers ll.

- These fiber washers i1 act to provide frictional resistance to pivoting of the lamp head 9 when hand-operated knob i6 is slightly loosened. In order to provide considerable latitude in the amount of frictional resistance to pivoting of lamp head 9, the bolt i5 may be provided with spring washers l8, one of which may be placed under the head of bolt 15, and another, if desired, under hand-operated knob "5. These spring washers will exert gripping tension on head mounting arm l3 even though hand-open ated knob i6 is rotated a part turn for loosening purposes. In fact, if desired, hand-operated knob I6 may be left partially loosened, so that the lamp head 9 will be held in place, though it may be tilted forward or back at will.

Where lamp head 9 is constructed as shown in Figure 2, it is provided with reflector I9 and a cover housing 20. This type of construction provides an air space between reflector l9 and cover housing 20 with annular front opening which aids in air-cooling the mechanism, including the socket 2! for the ultra-violet ray bulb 22. This not only has the advantage of causing the socket 2| to have a longer life, but keeps the cover housing 20 relatively cool to the touch and permits it to be painted in various colors without danger of the paint burning therefrom. The back of the lamp head 9 is in the form of a cap 23, with ventilated sides, mounted on. head mounting arm l3. A T-shaped member 24 fastened to cap 23 acts as the mounting for socket 2| which is preferably fastened thereto by means of screws having a spring washer or the equivalent under the head of each. The forward end of cap 23 is provided with a bell-shaped portion 25 and posts 26. When the cover housing 20 is placed up against the ends of posts 26 as shown, there is an annular ventilation opening between the bell-shaped portion25 of the cap 23 and the back face of cover housing 20. The latter is fastened by means of screws to posts 26, but before these screws are inserted, a cage 21 is set in place and the screws passed through suitable openings in its base to threadedly fasten it and the cover housing 20 to the posts 26 of cap 23. Reflector I9 is fastened to the forward end of cage 21 by means of suitable screws. While reflector [9 may be highly polished if desired, it is preferable to wire brush, or otherwise slightly roughen or satin finish the reflecting surface of same, so that the ultra-violet and infra-red rays will be reflected in diffused manner. This prevents hot spots or focus points of reflected rays which might cause serious burns.

In Figures 1 and 2, a reflector carrying 4 infrared ray units 28 has been shown. There is no particular limitation to the use of 4 such units, and more or less may be used at the option of the manufacturer. Where a cheaper lamp is desired, 2 infra-red ray units 28a may be used in the lamp head, for instance, as is shown in Figure 3. These units, if desired, may be mounted on an elevated, independent, polished reflector piece 29 which is curved and tilted so as to face forward and down in manner such that its line of reflection will cross the axis of the main reflector l9a approximately two feet in front of the lamp head, a convenient distance from the lamp for the patient when taking a treatment. This reflector piece 29 also acts to prevent main reflector 19a from getting excessively hot at this point, and at the same time supplements the infra-red ray reflection of the main reflector l9a. The lamp shown in Figure 3 may be so constructed as to omit cover housing 20, and, in this case, the back face of reflector I90, is preferably nickel or chrome plated. Under these circumstances, cap 23 would be modified to extend for mounting directly on the back of main reflector Ha. This changed form of cap 23 has not been illustrated, since it is merely an appearance detail which is not one of the elements of the invention.

The infra-red unit 28 may be of various shapes, but one that is relatively easy to construct and wire is of the cylindrical shape shown in Figure 4. The infra-red unit consists of a grooved insulating core 30 with a lengthwise axial passageway for the reception of a threaded rod with head, for instance, a cap screw or bolt 31. To withstand heat and burning, it is preferable to make the bolt out of a metal or alloy which is highly resistant to corrosion from heat at temperatures up to dull red, for instance, nickel alloys such as Monel or nichrome. The body of insulating core 30, for convenience, is provided with two openings therethrough at each end for use in threading and anchoring the resistance element 32 which is preferably in the form of nichrome wire. The upper end of the resistance element 32 is preferably double at the point of anchoring under the head of bolt 3|. The doubling may be accomplished by turning the resistance wire 32 back on itself and then twisting, or a separate piece of wire may be used in equivalent manner. In preferred construction, the doubled end is sufficiently long to thread through the openings in the insulator as shown in Figure 4. The doubling of the wire at this point avoids burning in two of the resistance element, a thing which commonly occurs with a single wire if same happens to be nicked where it is bent around the terminal in assembling the infra-red ray unit. A further factor involved in the failure of a. single wire at this point may be back of insulating block 34.

2,193,770 the. expansion ,of .the ,parts .of the infra-red ray rayunits 28 have been tightened into place, this projection 33 acts to prevent side slippageof the unit and shorting of bolt .31 on the reflector i9.

Behind therefiector I9at each infra-red.ray unit is an insulating block 34 on which connections from infra-red ray .unit to infra-red ray unit and to thesource of current are made. Where the back face of this block 34 is hollowed out next to the reflector at the opening therethrough, projection 33 on insulating core 30 may be made correspondingly longer without interfering with the tight gripping of reflector l9 between infrared rayelement 28 and insulating blockild. A small insulating bushing 35 is used to insulate theend 32a. of resisterelement 32 where itpasses through the reflector to the connection on the Where ordinary iron, steel, brass, or the like is used for the bolt and washersof the infra-red rayunit and socket for the ultra-violet ray bulb, it gradually disintegrates due to heat and electric corrosion, which appears to be, or at least is similar to electrolytic decomposition. To maintain a good connection which will be practically non-corrodable under conditions of use,

it is preferable to use heat and electric corrosion resistingwashers 3$ for gripping the end-of re- .sister element 32 under the head of bolt 3!.

These Washers may be made of Mono] metal, nichrome, or may be made of other corrosion resisting metal, or, if desired, may be nickel or chrome plated. The metal portion of the ultraviolet bulb socket in contact with the-base of the .bulb is also preferably made of corrosion-resisting metal, and one of the simplest ways of accomplishing this is to nickel plate the metal parts of the socket.

In Figure '7 is shown a typical wiring diagram for the therapeutic lamp shown in Figure 1. This hook-up, it will be noted, uses transformer 6, preferably of the auto transformer type, for supplying power to the ultra-violet ray bulb 22. The four infra-red ray units 28 are hooked inseries with themselves directly to the line voltage through a separate switch. Under these condiup and causes some of the mercury to vaporize,

whereupon an are forms between the two electrodes and emits rays which are rich in ultraviolet.

A modified form of wiring diagram is shown in Figure 8. The ultra-violet ray bulb and infrared ray unite here are operated in parallel through single. switch. .This requires that both .head 9a of Figure 3.

the ultra-violet ray bulb and the infra-red ray units be operated together .or else the infra-red ray units operated .alone by screwing the ultraviolet .ray bulb out sufiiciently to .break contact. The wiring shown in this diagram .is particularly well adapted for use :in connection with lamp A three wire cable is .all .that is required to carry current to the ultraviolet ray and infra-red ray units in the .lamp

head when wired according to the diagrams shown in Figures. '7 and 8.

Where thelamp, as shown in Figure 3, has-two infra-red ray units, a convenient size for these is such that when operated in series, they will draw a load of 250 watts. Whereufour infra-red .ray units are used, as shown in Figure 1, a convenient size 'for these units is such that when all four are connected in series, they willdrawa total load .of .500 watts. A convenient size of ultra-violet ray bulb, such as the General Electric S 1, will draw afload of 500 watts. These ultra violet ray bulbs not only produce ultra-violet rays in the usable range of wave length (2600-3100 angstroms), but also a small amount .of infra-red rays of the penetrating type (6500-14900 angstroms) The ultra-violet ray bulb, accordingly, may beused alone for therapeutic treatments, but due to its low infra-red ray productiom a more balanced combination of therapeutic rays is attained .by the additional use of oneor more infra-red ray elements, as described above.

' Whenyusing the combination of the 8-1 ultra- :Other modes of applying the principle of my 1% invention may beemployedzinstead of those ex plained, change beingmade as regardsthe mechanismherein disclosed, provided the meansstated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An irradiating device comprising in combination, a cap, .a socket mounted insaid cap and adapted to receive the connecting end of an ultra-violet ray bulb therein, means for ventilating said cap and coolingsaid socket-a reflector, m'eansfor joining said reflectorto said cap, and a plurality of infra-red ray emitting means -sep- :arately mounted on the inner face 0f said refiector.

. 2. An irradiating device comprising in combination, a cap, a socket .mounted in said cap and adapted to receive the connecting end of an ultra-violet ray bulb therein, means for ventilat- 1 .ing said cap and cooling said socket, arefiector, means for joining said reflector to said cap, a plurality :of separate unit means within said re- .fiector for emitting -infra-red rays, each of said infra-red ray emitting units comprising an insulator having wound and anchored thereon a suitable metal wire resistance element, one end of said insulator having a bushing-like projection fitting a suitable opening in the reflector, a .bolt passing through a suitable opening in said insulator, .an insulating block back of the reflector and adapted to have the end .oisaid bolt pass therethrough, means for tighteningsaid bolt so as to fasten said .insulator and insulating block inzplace, said bolt. also .being electrically connected to the outer end of said wire resistance element, a separate small insulator with opening mounted on said cage within said cover housin in manner such that there is an air cooling and ventilating space between said reflector and cover housing to cool the former and to retard flow of heat from the former to the latter under operating conditions, an ultra-violet bulb removably mounted in said socket and passing through said cover housing and reflector so that the ray emitter portion of said bulb is within said reflector, and separate means within said reflector for emitting infra-red rays.

4. An irradiating device comprising in combination, a cover housing, a cap mounted on the back of said cover housing, a socket mounted in said cap, means for ventilating said cap and cooling said socket, a cage mounted in said cover housing on the opposite side thereof from said cap, a reflector mounted on said cage within said cover housing so as to be spaced therefrom in manner permitting air-flow between said reflector and cover housing to cool the former and retard flow of heat from the former to the latter under operating conditions, an ultra-violet bulb removably mounted in said socket and passing through said cover housing and reflector so that the ray emitter portion of said bulb is Within said reflector, and a plurality of separate units for emitting infra-red rays, said units being separately mounted on said reflector and Within the reflecting portion thereof.

5. An irradiating device comprising in combination, a cover housing, a cap mounted on the back of said cover housing, a socket mounted in said cap, means for ventilating said cap and cooling said socket, a cage mounted in said cover housing on the opposite side thereof from said cap, a reflector mounted on said cage within said cover housing so as to be spaced therefrom in manner permitting air-flow therebetween for cooling purposes, an ultra-violet bulb removably mounted in said socket and passing through said cover housing and reflector so that the ray emitter portion of said bulb is within said reflector,'

a plurality of separate units for emitting infrared rays, each of said units being individually supported by said reflector and mounted within same adjacent the outer edge thereof, each unit being formed from an insulator having one end of a reduced size adapted to pass through a suitable opening in said reflector, a longitudinal passageway through said insulator adapted to receive a bolt, an insulating block back of said reflector and adapted to have said bolt pass therethrough so that when the bolt is suitably tightened the insulator and insulating block will grip the reflector therebetween while holding said bolt out of contact therewith, a resistance element wound on said insulator, the outer end of said resistance element being doubled back and the end of the doubled portion placed under the head of said bolt so that same acts as a conductor of electricity, and means for electrically connecting said ultra-violet bulb and infra-red ray emitting units to a suitable source of electricity.

6. In an irradiating device, the combination of a cover housing, a 'cap mounted on the back of said cover housing, said cap being provided with ventilation openings and means for holding the edge of same spaced from the back of the cover housing so as to further facilitate ventilation, a socket mounted in said cap and adapted to receive the connecting end of an ultra-violet bulb, a cage mounted in said cover housing on the opposite side thereof from said cap, a reflector mounted on said cage within said cover housing so as to be spaced therefrom in manner permitting airflow therebetween for cooling purposes, a plurality of separate units for emitting infra-red rays, each of said units being individually supported by said reflector and mounted within same adjacent the outer edge thereof, each unit being formed from an insulator having one end of a reduced size adapted to pass through a suitable opening in. said reflector, a longitudinal passageway through said insulator, a heat resisting bolt adapted to pass through said passageway,

an insulating block back of said reflector and adapted to have said bolt pass therethrough so that when the bolt is suitably tightened the insulator and insulating block will grip the reflector therebetween while holding said bolt out of contact therewith, and a resistance element wound on said insulator and, anchored by threading through suitable openings in the ends thereof, at least the outer end of said resistance element being doubled back for threading double through said openings and wrapping around said bolt under the head portion thereof so that said bolt becomes part of the electric circuit.

7. In a therapeutic lamp, the combination of a cover housing, a cap mounted on the back of said cover housing, a socket mounted in said cap, means for ventilating said cap and cooling said socket, a cage mounted in said cover housing on the opposite side thereof from said cap, a reflector mounted on said cage within said cover housing so as to be spaced therefrom in manner permitting air-flow therebetween for cooling purposes, an ultra-violet bulb removably mounted in said socket and passing through said cover housing and reflector so that the ray emitter portion of said bulb is within said reflector, separate units for emitting infra-red rays, said units being mounted on said reflector and within the reflecting portion thereof, supporting means for said lamp comprising a stand, a vertically slidable arm mounted on said stand, means for gripping said slidable arm on said stand at various locations, a reflector assembly supporting arm, a pivot connection between said slidable arm and reflector assembly supporting arm for permitting the reflector assembly to be moved to various positions ranging from vertical to horizontal, means for maintaining the reflector assembly in any such position, and means for electrically connecting said ultra-violet bulb and infra-red ray emitting units to a suitable source of electricity.

8. In a therapeutic lamp, the combination of a cover housing, a cap mounted on the back of said cover housing, a socket mounted in said cap,

means for ventilating said cap and cooling said socket, a cage mounted in said cover housing on the opposite side thereof from said cap, a reflector mounted on said cage within said cover housing so as to be spaced therefrom in manner permitting air-flow therebetween for cooling purportion of said bulb is within said reflector, a,

plurality of separate units for emitting infra-red rays, each of said units being supported by said reflector and mounted within same adjacent the outer edge thereof, each unit being formed from an insulator having one end of a reduced size adapted to pass through a suitable opening in said reflector, a longitudinal passageway through said insulator adapted to receive an electrical corrosion and heat resisting bolt, an insulating block back of said reflector and adapted to have said bolt pass therethrough so that when the bolt is suitably tightened the insulator and insulating block will grip the reflector therebetween while holding said bolt out of contact therewith, a resistance element wound on said insulator, the outer end of said resistance element being doubled back and twisted and the end of such doubled portion placed under the head of said bolt so that same acts as a conductor of electricity, the other end of said resistance element also being doubled and twisted for a considerable distance'from its point of joinder to a suitable source of electricity, supporting means for said lamp assembly comprising a stand, a slidable arm mounted on said stand and provided with a fiber member therein in slidable gripping contact with the side of said stand, means for gripping said fiber member against the side of said stand to hold said slidable arm in fixed position, a reflector assembly supporting arm, a pivot connection between said slidable arm and reflector assembly supporting arm for permitting the reflector assembly to be moved to various positions ranging from vertical to horizontal, said pivot comprising two flexible metal plates attached to one of said arms, openings through said flexible metal plates and the other arm for the reception of a pivot bolt, fiber washers on each side of said arm and between said flexible metal plates, a threaded member for engaging said bolt to permit controlled relative movement of said arms about said pivot, and means for electrically connecting said ultra-violet bulb and infra-red ray emitting units to a suitable source of electricity.

NORRIS E. GOODRICH.

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