US2632098A - Selectable switching means for stand lamps - Google Patents

Description

March 17, 1953 v. J. MARCHESE S ELECTABLE SWITCHING MEANS FOR STAND LAMPS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1949 FIG. 2.

m5 INVENTOR. .Vincent J. MElFEhESE ATTORNEYS.

March 17, 1953 v. J. MARCHESE 2,632,098

SELECTABLE SWITCHING MEANS FOR STAND LAMPS Filed Sept. 14, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-9.

/09 r-IOS IO7 INVENTOR.

Vincerfl Mar 121-12512 ATTORN EYS.

March 17, 1953 v. J. MARCHESE 2,632,098

SELECTABLE SWITCHING MEANS FOR STAND LAMPS Filed Sept. 14, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet s u a) 3s F ca. 6.

INVENTOR.

Vince 111 .J. Marchese ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELECTABLE SWITCHING MEANS FOR STAND LAMPS 7 Claims.

This invention relates to electric fighting equipment and more particularly to the electric circuit controls of electric lighting fixtures, such as portable electric lamps.

An important object of the invention is to provide an electric lighting fixture embodying means to cause the lamp or lamps of the fixture to be energized or deenergized by a slight pressure upon confined portions of the fixture.

In my application for patent Serial Number 20,771, filed April 13, 1948, now matured in Patent 2,474,484, dated June 28, 1949, I disclose an electric lighting fixture in which the lamp or lamps thereof are caused to be energized or deenergized by a slight tilting movement imparted to a portion of the fixture by a slight manual pressure upon this portion, in this present disclosure, one embodiment of the structure contemplates the employment of a movable portion of the fixture, moved, by slight manual pressure, in a path substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of this movable portion, and I provide suspension means for the herein-disclosed movable section considerably different from that contained in my application referred to above.

In addition, the herein-disclosed fixture may include a second means to cause the lamp or lamps to be energized or deenergized by a slight manual pressure parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixture, which, of course, does not cause tilting of the portion pressed. This latter means is not embodied in the structure disclosed in my prior application referred to above.

Another important object is to provide a novel electric lighting fixture having no electric switch portion, as a button, projecting outwardly from the fixture housing, yet the electric circuit to light the lamp or lamps of the fixture may be actuated from the exterior of the housing.

A further important object is to provide a portable electric lighting fixture, such as a table or fioor lamp, which may be carried from place to place without accidently operating the electric switch associated therewith.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide means, having plural functions, forming an electric contact as well as a movement dampener for the new lighting fixture.

One of the defects of lighting fixtures, including manually actuated portions (not switch buttons or the like) to cause lighting and extinguishing of the lamp, is that there is an undesirable so-called fluttering caused by uncertain or defective electric contacts. An important object of this invention is to fluttering.

eliminate such extinguishing the same.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section of an upper portion of the new fixture.

Figure 3 is a transverse section, substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of novel electrical contacts forming parts of the new fixture.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section of the lower portion of the new fixture.

Figure '7 is a horizontal section, substantially on the line of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another novel electric contact forming a part of the new fixture.

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram of the new fixture.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical section of a fragment of the structure of Figure 6, showing a modification of a resilient support means.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown two embodiments of the invention, the letter A designates one embodiment, B a shade therefor, and C a second embodiment.

The fixture A is illustrated as including a housing structure l0, comprising a first or lower housing portion I! and a second or sectional upper housing portion I2, a support structure l3, including a lower support or base portion 14, preferably immediately above which the portion ll extends, and an elongated standard l5 carried by the base portion 14 and supporting a lamp shade B and a conventional two-terminal electric lamp base-receiving socket structure, of any approved kind, at its upper end. An example of one kind of such electric lamp basereceiving structure and a conventional twoterminal electric lamp are disclosed in my copending application referred to above. There is also shown means IT to movably support a section of the upper housing portion I2, a dual electric switch or electric contacts assembly, comprising units l8 and [8 carried, as by the housing ID and support structure I3, means l9 to resiliently support the lower housing portion II, and another electric switch or electric contacts assembly 20 carried by the lower housing portion H and base portion [4. The fixture A also in- 3 cludes a suitable cff-and-on electric switch assembly 2i and electric wiring or conductor means 22.

Any suitable material or materials may be employed for the housing structure H), such as metal, hardened plastics, wood or combinations of these, as well as minor portions of suitable conventional dielectric material or materials, and the housing is of sectional construction for the proper functioning of the electric switch assemblies it, it and 20.

The first or lower housing portion H, best shown in Figure 6, is preferably bell or inverted dish-shaped having an upper foot-contacting section with an axial opening 26, and a flared lower edge section 21. The section 25 may be provided with a suitable opening 23 for portions of the wiring 22. As may be seen in Figure 1, the section 2'6 gives the appearance of a bead on a solid base of an electric lamp.

Above the housing portion ii is the second or sectional upper housing portion i2, which comprises a movable section 30, first fixed section 31 and and second fixed section 32.

Preferably, the movable section 313 is the intermediate of the three sections and this movable section 39, best shown in Figure 2, includes a tube or sleeve 35 open at its upper and lower ends, but the lower end may be partly closed by an inturned flange 35. The section 35 may carry a narrow skirt 3?, which may be a somewhat inverted dish-shaped member, with a central opening aligning with the edge of the flange 36. Viewed in elevation, the skirt 31 appears as a bead on the upper housing portion i2.

The first fixed section 3! is, preferably, above the section 36, may be cylindrical and is supported by the standard l5 as by being secured thereto by a set screw extending through a screw threaded radially extending bore in a plug within the section 3% and bearing against the standard [5. Preferably, the section 3i carries a' narrow skirt 4| at its lower end, which may be substantially like the skirt 3i and gives the exterior appearance of another bead, as may be seen in Figure 1. Both skirts 37 and 41 are normally spaced from the sections immediately below them. An axially perforated cap 42 at the upper end of the cylinder permits the upper screw threaded end of the standard 25 to protrude. The upper end part of the cylinder may also support the conventional bracket arms which, in turn, at times support the lamp shade B. This may be accomplished by providing a suitable number of radially-extending bores 43 through this upper end part and a, central recess 44 closed by the cap G2.

Like the section 3!, the lower section 32 is preferably cylindrical, may be a tube and is supported by the standard it, as by a screw 45 extending through thewall of the section 32 and through a suitable ring-shaped upper spacer 45 (preferably of dielectric material and disposed at the upper end portion of the section 32) and into the standard E5. The lower end portion of the section 32 may be spaced from the periphery of the standard i5 as by a ring-shaped, dielectric-material, lower spacer ll (Figure 6).

Thesupport structure It may be of metal, wood, hardened plastic material or combinations thereof, and the lower support or base portion l4 thereof, best shown in Figure 6, comprises a wall 50, which-may be cylindrical, extending upwardly from a preferably removable bottom wall 5t, and an upper wall 52 atthe upper end 4 of the wall 50, all defining a chamber 53. The wall 50 may contain an opening 5 5, from the exterior of the base portion [4 to the chamber 53, to receive a, dielectric sleeve through which may extend portions of the electric wiring 22, while the upper wall 52 may be provided with an axial opening and a plurality of openings 56 and Si to receive other portions of the electric wiring 22. There is also provided a plurality of thimble-receiving openings 53 in this wall 52, equally spaced apart, one from another, and each spaced the same distances from the axial center of the wall 52. In the example shown, there are three openings 58.

Extending upwardly from the axial center of the upper wall 52 is the elongated standard it, which may be a metallic tube through which extend parts of the wiring 22, and with the upper and lower end parts of the tube exteriorly screw threaded. Upon the lower screw threaded part is an enlargement 60, below and secured to the upper wall 52, in any approved way. I prefer to slot the lower end face of the enlargement and peen the lower end of the standard so parts thereof will enter the slot iii and thus fixedly secure the standard to the base portion M.

The means if to resiliently support the movable section iit of the upper housing portion I 2 by the standard It is shown in Figures 2 and 3. There, by way of illustration (since their number may vary) are shown two spiral springs 65 (preferably retraction springs), carried upright. in and extended from socketed members 57 spaced substantially apart and an equal distance from the axial center of a ring support 61 mounted upon the standard 15 and spaced from the surrounding section 30. A set screw 68 extending through an axially-disposed, screw-threaded bore in the support 5?, bears against the standard.

- The upper end portion of each of the springs 65 may each carry an outwardly-flanged socketed member 66 with the sockets thereof opening upwardly and each containing the free end of a yoke 69 which may be an inverted U-shaped member, with the other end of each yoke fixedly secured to the inner face of the section at its upper end. The socketed members 66 have outwardly-extending flanges resting upon the uppermost convolutions of the springs 65. The springs 65 are not intended to support the section 30 for rocking thereon but, rather, to permit movements of the section 3@ in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the standard i5 (and, of course, substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the entire fixture A). That is, the springs 65 will distort longitudinally upon pressure upon the section 39, such as illustrated by the advancing hand in Figure 1. This distortion will minutely shorten the distance between the ends of each spring but the reciprocatory motion of the section 38 will be so slight that it will be negligible. Of course, as soon as the hand is removed from contact with the section 30 and the momentum imparted to the section has ceased, the springs will straighten and restore the section 30 to its initial position. When so restored and because the adjacent convolutions are in substantial contact, there will be no tendency whatever for the section 30 to oscillate. This is not always the case with swinging movable, sections.

The dual electric switch assembly, actuated by the lateral movement of the section 30, comprises in the example shown in- Figure 2, two switch units I8 and 8 This first includes aring 10 of electricity-conducting metal (which provides a movable contact), carried by a support sleeve ll of dielectric material, presents a continuous face to a special cylindrical fixed contact sleeve 12 of electricity-conducting, somewhat springy metal and shown particularly in Figure 4. This sleeve I2 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally-extending, substantially parallel slots I3 extending from one edge to short of the opposite edge, whereby a plurality of contact fingers or segments I4 are provided. I have discovered that this plurality of independent, springy fingers I4 provides for several point contacts during the closing of the electric circuit and eliminates socalled fluttering.

This fixed contact sleeve I2 may be mounted upon a ring support of dielectric material, fixed to the standard I5 as by a set screw I6.

The second electric switch unit I 8 has its fixed and movable contacts carried by the standard I5, but the movable contact is moved by the section 38. That is, a ring or sleeve support TI is fixed to the standard and carries a fixed contact ring 78 of electricity-conducting metal, while a special skirt-like movable contact I9 (shown particularly in Figure 5) of electricity-conducting, somewhat springy metal is provided. This contact I9 has a plurality of spaced-apart, substantially parallel, longitudinally extending slits 80, extending from its slightly inturned lower edge 82 to short of the opposite end of the contact 19, whereby a plurality of sprin-gy contact fingers or segments 82 are provided for the same general purpose as the fingers I4. The upper end of the contact '19 is provided with an inturned flange 83 encircling the standard I5 and abutting the lower face of a ring-shaped abutment 84 carried by the standard I5 as by means of a set screw 85. The fiange S3 is urged against the abutment by an expansion spring 86, one end of which bears against the under face of the flange 83 while the other end of the spring bears against the upper face of the support 17. This spring 88 thereby supports the contact 19 in a floating manner but with the widest portion of the latter in contact with the inner face of a dielectric sleeve 87 carried by the section 33 whereby, when the section 38 is moved laterally it pushes one or more of the contact fingers 32 until it causes one or more of them to make contact with the fixed contact ring '58. Of course, the entire contact I9 can rock, upon yielding of the spring 86, to cause contact, but the spring resists accidental closing of the electric circuit and, in fact provides (taken with the skirt-like contact 19) a means to resist accidental or undesired lateral movements of the section (as when the fixture A is being carried about).

Means I9 to resiliently support the lower housillg portion II preferably comprises a plurality of expansion springs 90 with their upper portions projecting upwardly from the wall 52 and with their lower portions within sockets formed by upwardly-opening, outwardly-flanged thimbles 91) within the openings 58. The upper ends of these springs are seated in suitable sockets, as downwardly-opening shallow thimbles 9| secured to the underside of a dielectric material disc 96 forming a part of the electric switch assembly 20, which disc 98 is, in turn, in contact with the under side of a downwardly-flanged disc 92 bearing against the under face of the wall 25. Since the wall 25 bears against the lower end edge of the fixed housing section 32, this edge forms an abutment limiting upward movement of the housing portion II, while downward movement thereof is limited by the flange of the flanged disc 92.

The electric switch assembly 2!] includes a movable contact (shown best in Figure 8) which is a flattened ring 95 of electricity-conducting resilient metal, provided with a plurality of spacedapart radially-extending slits 9E extendingfrom its outer periphery toward its axis and providing a plurality of resilient contact fingers or segments 97, and the ring 95 is retained in a horizontal position by a disc 98 of dielectric material which is disposed on the under face of the flanged disc 92. The flattened ring 95 has a lug 99 at its inner periphery adapted to electrically receive the end of a lead of the wiring 22.

Below, and interposed in the path of travel of the movable contact ring 95 is a fixed contact which is preferably a disc Hill having a central opening and supported by two supports IOI and I02 of dielectric material, these also having openings and through which extend the springs standard I5 and portions of wiring 22. Preferably, the outer portions of the disc 58%] are bowed and are convex as viewed from above. The assembly of disc I98 and supports I02 are secured to the upper face of the wall 52. Downward pressure upon any portion of the wall 25 will cause yielding of one or more of the springs and consequent downward movement of the wall 25, beingeither a straight vertical movement of this wail or a tipping thereof. In either event, one or more of the movable fingers 9? will engage the fixed contact disc I88.

The oif and-on electric switch assembly 2| may be the same as the off-and-on electric switch assembly of my prior application referred to above and this switch assembly 2i is preferably contained in the chamber 53. However, a conventional off-and-on electric switch assembly, is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 9.

The wiring diagram of Figure 9 is arranged for a three-lamp fixture but, obviously, one or two lamps instead of three may be employed without invention and the wiring thereto is conventional. Through the electrical insulated opening 54 in the wall 58 extend the two conductors I85 and i175, with leads IIJI, H38 and I89 extending from the conductor I95 for electric contact with one terminal of each of the lamps. From the conductor me also extends a lead lit) with branch i 53 which extends to the movable contact 72 with which it is electrically connected, and to the movable contact ring I8 with which it is also electrically connected, Still another lead H4 is electrically connected with the conductor I85, extends to the fixed contact disc I90, and is electrically connected therewith.

A lead H5 extends to the fixed contact ring it, movable contact skirt It and movable contact ring 95, and is electrically connected therewith (the connection with the latter being by way of lug 9%). This lead HE extends to one terminal of a thermostat I52 which is electrically connected with one terminal of a coil III. This thermostat ii?! is provided in the event someone or something leans or is leaned against the switch assemblies I8, 58 and/or 28, singly or collectively. When any one of these is closed, current flows through the coil. In normal operation, the circuit is closed for a fraction of a second (just a touch). In that short interval, the coil does not heat up. But if any of the switch assemblies are kept closed, whether intentionally or not, the coil will, after a few minutes, begin to heat up.

A book, for example, may be laid against the section 25,01 a cat may lay against it, or a child push on the section 39 out of curiosity. When the coil has heated up, the thermostat opens the coil circuit. The normal positions of the parts of the thermostat are circuit-closed positions. As previously stated, the oil-and-on elec-- tric switch assembly may be the same as that disclosed in my U. S; patent referred to previously and illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of that patent, the coil 5 l I being the coil of the conventional solenoid illustrated and described in that patent.

A second lead H5 extends to the other end of the coil iii and another lead ill extends to a contact, as an arcuate bus bar i is or the con ventional oiT-and-on switch assembly 25. Electri'cally connected with the contact I of the off-and-on switch assembly 2: is a lead H8 ex. tending to the other terminal of one of the electric lamps. Additional leads I22 and I23 extend to the other terminals of the other lamps and to fixed contacts 24 and :25 respectively of the off-and-on electric switch assembly. The assembly 2| also includes a centrally-pivoted conventional switch arm [2% adapted to make and break contacts with the several contacts ii 9, I26, I24 and I25.

With the conductors 1% and H36 in condition to conduct electric current and the base DON/i011 i l of the fixture A disposed upon a substantially flathorizontal surface and the housing portion 12 extending upwardly, a slight push, as by the fingers, upon the movable section. to will close either (or both) electric switch assemblies 28 and i8, depending upon the portion or the section 3! contacted by the fingers. If the push is in the vicinity of the switch assembly it, that assembly will be actuated, but if the push is low down upon the section 30, the assembly i8 will be actuated. the assemblies i3 and Et will actuate both or one of them, In any event, the ofi-andon switch 2! will be actuated to close the circuits to the lamps. Another slight push will close either or both of the switch assemblies 18 and f8 and the off-and-on switch 2! will be actuated to open the circuit to the lamps.

A slight push downwardly to either tip the lower'housing portion I l or cause it to bodily descend vertically, will close the switch assembly 20 and actuate the olT-and-on switch 2! to close the circuit to the lamp then in circuit therewith. If, then, either switch assembly l8, [8 or 20 is closed, the off-and-on switch will be actuated to open the circuit of the lamp in which the switch [8, lt or 20, as the case may be, is inter posed. Thus, selective controls are provided, yet it is now apparent that accidental actuation of the oif-and 'on switch will not take place if the fixture A is being carried (as by grasping the fixed section 3| or 32 of the upper housing portion 12) and so-called fluttering will not take place.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown th only structure differing in the form C from the form A. In form C the means i536 of form C is substituted for the means it of form A, and comprises an expansion spiral spring it! with its lower end preferably contained in a circular upwardly-opening groove itl in the upper end of an enlargement 533 carried at the lower screw threaded end portion of the standard 55. Oth= e'rwise this enlargement is preferably like the enlargement til, and is welded or otherwise se cured at its outer upper end portion to the un- A push intermediate 8 der side of a wail I34 which may be like the wall 52', except that the wall I34 has an axial opening I35 spaced from the standard 15 in order that there may be clearance for the spring Hi. The upper end of the spring 131 bears against the disc 98. The function of the spring H is substantially the same as the springs and it, too, urges the wall 25 against the lower end edge or the "fixed housin portion H but downward pressure upon the wall 25 will cause short ening of the spring Isl and permit consequent closing of the electric Switch assemmy 20.

Various changes may be made to the form or the invention herein shown and described Without departing from the spirit or the invention orthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric lighting fixture, an elongated support structure; an elongated housing structure disposed about and spaced from the support structure; means for supporting the hous ing' structure by the support structure so that the housing structure may be manually moved in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said support structure and will then return along said path to its normal position, including a pair of spaced-apart retraction spiral springs with adjacent convolutions of each spring in substantial contact and said springs being carried upright and in parallelism by said support structure, and members bridging said housing structure and upper end portions of said springs and connected with said housing structure and said upper end portions of said springs; a two-terminal electric lamp carried by said support structure; a first electric contact carried by said housing structure; a Second electrio contact carried by the Support structure and disposed in a straight path of travel of said first electric contact; an off-and-on electric switch; electric means for actuating said switch upon abutment of said contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of th terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said lamp to one of the terminals of said switch; a lead from the other of said contacts to another terminal of said switch; and thermostat means placing said electric means in electric circuit with said first electric contact and said another terminal of said switch.

2. In an electric lightin fixture, an elongated support structure; an elongated housing structure disposed about and spaced from the sup port structure; means for supporting the housing structure by the support structure so that the housing structure may be manually moved in a path substantially normal to the lon itudinal axis of said support structure and will then return along said path to its normal position, including a pair of spaced-apart retraction spiral springs with adjacent convolutions of each spring in substantial contact and said springs being carried upright and in parallelism by said support structure and inverted substantially U-shaped members bridging said housing structure and upper end portions of said springs and connected with said housing structure and said upper end portions of said sprin s at the leg portions of said members; a two-terminal electric lamp carried by said support structure; a first electric contact carried by said housing structure; a second electric contact carried b the support structure and disposed in a straight path of travel of said first electric contact; an

contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of the terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said lamp to one of the terminals of said switch: a lead from the other of said contacts to another terminal of said switch; and thermostat means placing said electric means in electric circuit with said first electric contact and said another terminal of said switch.

3. In an electric lighting fixture, an elongated support structure; an elongated housing structure disposed about and spaced from the support structure; means for supporting the housing structure by the support structure so that the housing structure may be manually moved in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said support structure and will then return along said path to its normal position, including a pair of spaced-apart retraction spiral springs with adjacent convolutions of each spring in substantial contact and said springs being carried upright and in parallelism by said support structure, a socketed ring support mounted upon said support structure and having a pair of spaced apart, upwardly-opening sockets with the lower portions of said springs within said sockets, and members bridging said housing structure and upper end portions of said springs and connected with said housing structure and said upper end portions of said springs; a two-terminal electric lamp carried by said support structure; a first electric contact carried by said housing structure;

a second electric contact carried by the support structure and disposed in a straight path of travel of said first electric contact; an off-and-on electric switch; electric means for actuating said switch upon abutment of said contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of the terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said lamp to one of the terminals of said switch; a lead from the other of said lamp to one of the terminals of said switch; and thermostat means placing said electric means in electric circuit with said first electric contact and said another terminal of said switch.

4. In an electric lighting fixture, an elongated 3 support structure; an elongated housing structure disposed about and spaced from the support structure; means for supporting the housing structure by the support structure so that the housing structure may be manually moved in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said support structure and will then return along said path to its normal position; a two-terminal electric lamp carried by said support structure; a first electric contact and a second electric contact carried by said support structure. said second electric contact comprising a skirt of electricity-conducting metal surrounding said first contact and provided with an upper inturned flange and plurality of resilient segments extending downwardly below said flange and normally spaced from said first contact, said flange having an upper face and an under face, a pair of spaced apart abutments of dielectric material carried by said support structure above said first contact, and an expansion spiral spring surrounding a portion of said support structure above said first contact and with one end bearing against one abutment and its other end bearing against the under face of said p flange, the upper face of said flange being in contact with the other of said abutments, the

widest portion of said skirt at said segments being in operative contact with said housing structure and said first contact being in the path of travel of any of said segments moved upon movement of said housing structure toward said support structure in said path; an off-and-on electric switch; electric means for actuating said switch upon abutment of said contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of the terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said lamp to one of the terminals of said switch; a lead from the other of said contacts to another terminal of said switch; and thermostat means placing said electric means in electric circuit with said first electric contact and another of the terminals of said switch.

5. In an electric lighting fixture, a lower hous ing portion, an upper housing portion extending upwardly therefrom and including a fixed substantially cylindrical section having a lower edge; a support structure comprising a base portion below said lower housing portion and spaced therefrom, and an upper support portion surrounded by said upper housing portion including said fixed section; means securing said fixed section to said upper support portion; means resiliently supporting said lower housing portion from said base portion with said lower housing portion normally in contact with said lower edge; a first electric contact carried by said base portion; a second electric contact within said lower housing portion, resiliently supported by said resilient means above said first contact and in a position to be moved into abutment with said first contact upon downward pressure upon said lower housing portion away from said edge; a two-terminal electric lamp; an off-and-on electric switch; electric means for actuating said switch upon abutment of said contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of the terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said lamp to one of the terminals of said switch; a lead from the other of said contacts to another terminal of said switch; and thermostat means placing said electric means in electric circuit with said movable electric contact and said another terminal of said switch.

6. In an electric lightin fixture, an elongated support structure; an elongated housing structure disposed about and spaced from the support structure; means for supporting the housing structure by the support structure so that the housing structure may be manually moved in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said support structure and will then return along said path to its normal position; a two-terminal electric lamp carried by said support structure; a first electric contact and a second electric contact carried by said support structure, said second electric contact comprising a skirt of electricity-conducting metal surrounding said first contact and provided with an upper inturned flange and plurality of resilient segments extending downwardly below said flange and normally spaced from said first contact, said flange having an upper face and an under face, a pair of spaced apart abutments of dielectric material carried by said support structure above said first contact, and an expansion spiral spring surrounding a portion of said supi 1 Dortstructure above said first contact and with one end bearing against one abutment, and its other end bearing against the under face of said flange, the upper face of said flange being in contact with the other of said abutments, the widest portion of said skirt at said segments being in operative contact with said housing structure and said first contact being in the path of travel of any of said segments moved upon movement of said housing structure toward said support structure in said path; an ofi-and-on electric switch; electric means for actuatin said switch upon abutment of said contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of the terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said lamp to ture disposed about and spaced from the, support structure; means for supporting the housing structure by the support structure so that the housing structure may be manually moved in a path substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said support structure and will 3 then return along said path to its normal position, including a plurality of spaced-apart retraction spiral springs with adjacent convolutions of each spring in substantial contact and said springs being carried, upright and in parallelism by said support structure, and members bridging said housing structure and upper end portions of said springs and connected with said housing structure and said upper end portions of said springs; a two-terminal electric lamp carried by said support structure; a first electric contact carried by said housing structure; a second electric contact carried by the support structure and disposed in a straight path of travel of said first electric contact; an ofi-andon electric switch; electric means for actuating said switch upon abutment of said contacts; an electric connection between one of said contacts and one of the terminals of said lamp; an electric connection between the other of the terminals of said contacts to another terminal of said switch; a lead from the other of said contacts to another terminal of said switch; and thermostat means placing said electric means in electric circuit with said first electric contact and another of the terminals of said switch.

VINCENT J. MARCHESE.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 676,289 Wagner June 11, 1901 761,563 Wagner May 31, 1904 985,234 Wagner Feb. 28, 1911 2,102,224 Ruppel Dec. 14, 1937 2,474,484 Marchese June 28, 1949 2,481,033 Nelson Sept. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 720,979 Germany May 20, 1942

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