US2433314A

US2433314A - Angularly adjustable support

Info

Publication number: US2433314A
Application number: US670495A
Authority: US
Inventors: White Fred Hall
Original assignee: PEARL VAN LEW WHITE
Current assignee: PEARL VAN LEW WHITE
Priority date: 1946-05-17
Filing date: 1946-05-17
Publication date: 1947-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1964-12-23

Description

Dec. 23, 1947. F, w 1 2,433,314 ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT Filed May 17; 1946 1 FIG. 2

F|Gj5 3 I INVENTOR.

F red Hull White Attornev Patented Dec. 23, 1947 2,433,314 ANGULARLY ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT Fred Hall White, Chicago, 111., assignor to Pearl Van Lew White, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 17, 1946, Serial No. 670,495

3 Claims.

Th present invention relates to an angularly adjustable support and more particularly to a support which is especially adapted for use where it is desired to support a device or instrumentality in such a manner that it may be adjusted to occupy any relative angular position.

Angularly adjustable supports or adjustable pivotal supports have many applications. In photography, for example, floodlights are extensively used and require adjustable means so that the lights may be brought to bear on a particular subject from any desired angle. Various means have been provided for adjustably supporting such floodlights which have not been entirely satisfactory. Usually such means comprise a clamping screw which is released to obtain movement of the device or instrumentality such as a lamp, for example, relative to its support. In arrangements used heretofore, a minute movement of the lamp or a final critical adjustment thereof was not obtainable since if the clamping screw were loosened sufiiciently to obtain movement, the device such as a lamp was likely to move completely out of position. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide an adjustable pivotal support for a device or instrumentality so that it can be moved to any angular position and maintained in such position including means whereby a slight release of the clamping screw will permit even an infinitesimal movement of the device if it is de sired without in any Way effecting the clamping screw or associated mechanism.

In connection with photographic floodlights, it has been common practice to provide a spring clamp which will grip the edge of any surface whereby the lamp can be fastened to any suitable support such as a chair, table, or the like. Adjustable means are interposed between the sprin clamp and the floodlight or the like to adjustably support the light at any angle with respect to the spring clamp. The present invention is also concerned with a simple means of fastening the spring clamp to the new improved adjustable pivotal support of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved support of the above-mentioned type which can be swung with freedom through a wide arc of adjustment and which embodies a novel and simple arrangement for efiectively holding the support in a selected position of adjustment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable pivotal support for a device in which movement of the device, however small;

may be obtained together with accurate positioning thereof regardless of the angle involved.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable pivotal support and means for fastening it to a spring clamp of the type commonly used in connection with photographic floodlights.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conventional photographic floodlight embodying the adjustable pivotal support of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 1 taken on line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Although the adjustable pivotal support of the present invention is especially useful in connection with photographic floodlighting and the like, it should be understood that it is applicable for a wide variety of purposes as, for example, for holding reading lamps, spotlights, instrument trays, and almost any number of other devices or instrumentalities. It should also be understood that the following description of the invention as applied to a photographic floodlight is by way of example only.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a photographic floodlight l0 embodying the present invention. This floodlight H1 includes a reflector l I adapted to be supported from any suitable support by means of a spring clamp E2. The spring clamp I2 is preferably formed of spring wire arranged in the form of a U with a coiled portion l2 comprising a plurality of turns at the base of the U so as to tend to bias the ends of the wire away from each other. However, in order that the ends of the wire may be biased towards each other to produce a clamping action therebetween they are arranged to cross each other as is clearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing, whereby the coiled portion l2 causes deformed clamping portions I2" to move toward each other so that any suitable member may be clamped therebetween. Preferably, the clamping portions I2" are covered with resilient material such as rubber or the like as indicated at I3 to prevent damage to furniture or other supporting means to which the floodlight I is clamped.

In order to support the reflector II and associated lamp not shown from the spring clamp I2 in an adjustable manner so that light may be thrown in any desired direction, there is provided the pivotal support of the present invention generally indicated at I4 which comprises a U-shaped member I5 having the base or bight of the U fastened to the spring clamp 52. as will be described hereinafter. The ends of the U-shaped member I5 are connected to the adjustable pivotal support of the present invention comprising a rotatable cylindrical member I6 having a pair of cone-shaped recesses I1 and I8, respectively formed therein, one positioned at either end of the rotatable cylinder I5. Arranged in interfitting relationship with respect to the cylinder I6 are a pair of cone-shaped members or washers I9 and 2b.. The cone-shaped members I9 and 20 are shaped so as to. have the same angle as the recesses. Il and I8, whereby the end pieces IS and 2!): touch the cylindrical member I5 throughout the entire interfitting conical surfaces thereof which are in frictional engagement. Although the cylindrical member I6 is rotatable, the end pieces: I9 and 2B are stationary being held in this manner by the ends of the U-shaped member I5 which fit into recesses 2| and 22 formed in end pieces I9 and 25, respectively, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the. drawings. It should be understood that any other suitable: means for holding end pieces I9 and 2E! in fixed; relationship with U-shaped member 55 may be equally well employed.

To hold the U-shaped member I5, the rotatable cylindrical member I6 and the end pieces l9 and 20 in the assembled relationship shown in the drawing, one arm of the U-shaped member I5, the end piece 25), the cylindrical member I5, and the end piece I9 are provided with aligned

apertures

23, 24, 25 and 26, respectively. Also, the other arm of the U-shaped' member I5: is provided with a tapped opening 2? so that a clamping screw or bolt 28 which is extended through apertures, 23., 243. 25 and. 26 may threadedly engage the tapped opening 2! so as to not only hold the members in assembled relationship but also to apply a clamping force to the interfitting. conical surfaces. As illustrated, the clamping screw 28 is provided with a winged head 29 so that it may readily be manually adjusted with respect to the clamping force applied tothe interfitting conical surfaces.

In order to fasten the U-shaped member I 5 to the spring clamp I2 there is provided, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawing, a suitable clamping bolt 38 having an aperture BI. therethrough into which the spring wire of the clamp I2 may extend. This clamping bolt 30 may be positioned on spring clamp I2 by removing the protecting portion such as the rubber tube. I3 from one endthereof and sliding the bolt into position so that the center turn of the coils I2, as is: clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, passes through the opening 3!. A suitablelock washer 32 and a. nut 33 may then be applied to the bolt 30. which extends through an opening 34 in the base or bight of the U-shaped clamp l5 firmly to fasten. the spring. clamp I2 to the U--shaned member I5. It will be understood that other means may be employed for fastening the spring clamp I2 to U-shaped member I5. For example, one or more of the turns may be welded to the U-shaped clamp I5. In certain situations this may not be desirable, however, in view of the fact that such welding might interfere with the operation of the clamp IE. The particular arrangement described and disclosed in the drawing is very simple and inexpensive and in addition, it satisfactorily fastens the U-shaped member I5 to the clamp I2 without interfering with the operation of either member.

Any suitable means may be provided to fasten the rotatable cylinder IE to the reflector I I which, of course, supports the lamp socket and flood lamp not shown in the drawing. One such means illustrated in the drawings comprises a ball 36 which is threaded by any suitable means into a threaded aperture in cylinder I6 as is clearly shown at 37 in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The reflector II is provided, with a cylindrical extension I I within which is supported the lamp socket, not shown. This cylindrical extension II provides a very satisfactory means for clamping the reflector II to the ball 36 described above. One means of accomplishing this is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing and comprises a pair of identical members 38 which are provided at one end with a curved portion for fitting around the cylindrical extension II of the reflector II and at the other end with a semi-spherical depression so as to fit around ball 35. A bolt 39 having a winged head 30 and a wing nut II is provided to clamp the members 38 so as firmly to hold the reflector II to the ball 36. An opening I52 is provided in the end of the cylindrical extension I I so that an electrical connection with the lamp socket within the reflector II may be made through this opening. The electrical circuit or cord for supplying the fixture within reflector II with electrical energy is not shown in the drawing.

With the arrangement described thus far, the wing nut III is released slightly to make rough adjustments by moving the reflector I I with reference to the ball 35. However, the final adjustments are made with the adjustable pivotal support I4. The screw 28 is loosened sufficiently to permit rotational movement of cylinder I6. The cone-shaped end pieces I9 and 2D cooperating with the cone-shaped recesses in cylinder I5 provide a very smooth control and in effect produce a velvety clutch arrangement. Preferably the members I 6, I9 and 20 are formed of a suitable metal having polished interengaging surfaces. Steel, brass and other metals have been found suitable. In certain cases it has also been found desirable to employ interfitting parts made from molded insulating material such as a suitable plastic of some sort. With this arrangement, adjustment of the pivotal support may be made affording either large movement of the cylinder I 6 or an infinitesimal movement thereof. Wherever cylinder I6 is positioned, it will remain in that position since the adjustment of screw 28 willprovide any desired friction which furthermore insures smooth movement of the cylinder I II as contrasted with the jerky movement of prior arrangements. Consequently, the difiiculties encountered in prior art arrangements where a slight movement of the support to obtain the desired positioning resulted in loosening the support with the consequent requirement of complete resetting thereof, is completel eliminated.

In the event that still more accurate control is desired, the number of interengaging conical surfaces which move relative to each other may be increased as is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawing for example. The corresponding parts of Fig. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 3. In this case, the end pieces i9 and 2t] and the U-shaped member l5 and the screw 28 are substantially identical. However, the rotatable cylindrical member I6 is replaced by a cylindrical member 44 having out- Wardlly extending conical surfaces 45 at either end thereof. Between the member 54 and the end piece Hi there is provided a cylindrical member t6 having a conical recess ll at either end thereof. Similarly, a cylindrical member 48 is interposed between cylindrical member it and the end piece 253. The cylindrical member 58 is provided at either end with a conical recess 49. The assemb'y of the parts is obvious from the disclosure of Fig. 5 and it will be observed that the arrangement functions in the same manner as the adjustable pivotal support i l described above except that additional interengaging conical surfaces are provided.

In View of the detailed description included above, the operation of the adjustable pivotal support of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and no. further description is included herewith.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific details of construction herein iLustrated and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the present invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a pivotal support for a lamp which is adjustable to any position within predetermined angular limits, a rotatable member supporting said lamp and having a cone-shaped recess in either end thereof, a pair of stationary coneshaped washers adapted to fit into said recesses, aligned apertures in said member and said washers, means for holding said member and said Washers in interfitting relationship and for locking said member in adjustable position comprising a U-shaped member and a bolt, said bolt extending through said apertures and engaging 6 the arms of said U-shaped member, and means for holding said washers in fixed relationship relative to said U-shaped member comprising a recess in each of said Washers for receiving the arms of said U-shaped member.

2. In a pivotal support for holding in a stationary position a device such as a lamp, a rotatable member supporting said device and having cone-shaped end surfaces, a pair of washers having cone-shaped portions adapted to engage said end surfaces, aligned apertures in said rotatable member and said washers, means for holding said member and said washers in interfitting relationship and for locking said member in adjustable position comprising a U-shaped member and. a bolt, said bolt extending through said apertures and engaging the arms of said U-shaped member, and means for holding said washers in fixed relationship relative to said U-shaped member.

3. An adjustable pivotal support for a normally stationary device or instrumentality comprising a rotatable member supporting said device and having conical end surfaces, a plurality of members associated with each end of said member having interengaging conical surfaces, one each of which engages with the associated one of said conical end surfaces, aligned apertures in said rotatable member and said plurality of members, means for holding said rotatable member and said plurality of members in interengaging relationship and for locking said rotatable member in adjustable position comprising a U-shaped member and a bolt, said bolt extending through said apertures and engaging the arms of said U- shaped member, and means for holding only some of said plurality of members in a fixed position relative to said U-shaped member.

FRED HALL WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 168,938 Thomas Oct, 19, 1875 309,203 Clark et a1. Dec. 16, 1884 1.722,773 Stewart July 30, 1929