US2850622A

US2850622A - Adjustable lamp

Info

Publication number: US2850622A
Application number: US427813A
Authority: US
Inventors: Axel E F Johnson
Original assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp
Current assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp
Priority date: 1954-05-05
Filing date: 1954-05-05
Publication date: 1958-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 1975-09-02

Description

Sept. 2, 1958 A. E. F. JOHNSON ADJUSTABLE LAMP Filed May 5. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. flzeZfi f Jwow P 2, 1958 A. E. F. JOHNSQN 2,850,622

ADJUSTABLE LAMP 2 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1954 Qmw alga; INVENTOR.

qfrzawa 1 2,850,622 ADJUSTABLE LAMP Axel E. F. Johnson, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to American Hospital Supply Corporation, Evanston, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 5, 1954, Serial No. 427,813 11 Claims. (Cl. 240-81) This invention is concerned with a lamp, particularly with an adjustable lamp designed for hospital or similar bedside use.

Several characteristics are necessary or desirable in lamps designed for bedside use, particularly for use in hospitals with adjustable hospital beds. A general broad level illumination on the bed is necessary for reading in bed and for general observation of a patient. However, it is desirable that this broad level of illumination be confined more or less to the particular hospital bed with which the lamp is associated so that other patients in a room or ward will not be disturbed. Furthermore, a relatively small spot of light is necessary for certain diagnostic and observational purposes. This small spot of light must be capable of rather precise aiming. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that hospital beds are adjustable as to height, most particularly the upper end of the spring and mattress against which a patients head and shoulders rest are adjustable up and down to attain various positions of comfort. It will be apparent that an ordinary reading lamp having a fixed light would not be satisfactory with a bed that is adjustable up and down, as the lamp would be too high part of the time, or too low part of the time, and would be of satisfactory height for only one position of adjustment of the bed.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a hospital floor lamp of improved adjustability.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a hospital floor lamp having a head which is vertically adjustable for maintaining the light source at a proper height relative to an adjustable hospital bed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vertically adjustable hospital lamp wherein such vertical adjustment does not upset the balance of the lamp.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a vertically adjustable hospital lamp wherein the lamp can be locked in any position of vertical adjustment.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hospital floor lamp wherein the head of the lamp is vertically adjustable by a swinging movement.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hospital floor lamp wherein the height of the head is adjustable by a swinging movement and wherein the direction in which the light is directed from the head is independent of such swinging movement.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a lamp constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the top portion of the lamp showing the lamp in another position of adjustment;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing yet another position of adjustment;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the top portion of the lamp taken at right angles to Figs. 1-3;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the top portion of the lamp taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the center of the top portion of the lamp; and

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the adjusting portions of the lamp.

Fatented Sept. 2, 1958 Referring first to Fig. 1, there will be seen a lamp generally designated as numeral 10. This lamp includes a weighted base 12 having feet 14 of rubber or the like for resting on a floor. A lamp standard 16 of substantial height upstands from the base adjacent one edge thereof so that the base and center of gravity of the lamp can be placed beneath a bed with the standard positioned immediately adjacent the bed. A housing 18 is provided on the base 12 having light transmitting openings 20 in the sides thereof. A light bulb is placed within the housing 18 and is energized under the control of a switch 22 on the standard 16 so that the lamp readily may be located in the dark, and yet will have no light thrown up into a patients eyes.

A lamp head generally designated by the numeral 24 is provided at the top of the standard 16 and comprises a swivelly adjustable connection 26 forming the subject matter of this invention, and shortly to be set forth in detail. The lamp head 24 also includes a shade or refiector 28 which is provided with a rotatable mounting 30 as also will be set forth in detail shortly. A switch 32 is provided on the lamp standard 16 immediately above the switch 22 for controlling a light bulb housed in the shade or reflector 28. A socket or receptacle 34 is provided intermediate the

switches

22 and 32 for attachment of an electrical appliance such as a radio or clock.

Turning now to Figs, 57, the swivel adjustment 26 will be seen to comprise a substantially cylindrical base 36 mounted on top of the lamp standard 16. The substantially cylindrical base 36 is hollow, and is provided with a pair of bores of slightly different diameters providing a shoulder 38 limiting movement of the base onto the standard 16. A set screw 40 is threaded through an enlargement 42 on the side of the base 36 and has an unthreaded tip 44 projecting into a complementary aperture in the lamp standard 16 positively to lock the base 36 on the lamp standard.

The upper portion of the base is provided with a flat face 46, and a cylindrical bore 48 communicates with the interior of the base and is arranged prependicular to this face. It will be observed that the bore 42% is chamfered into the face 46 as indicated at 59. The opposite side of the base from the face 46 also is provided with a fiat face section 52. The fiat face section 52 is substantially semi-circular in extent, and a projection 54 extends outwardly over this flat face. A bore 56 is provided in the rear of the face communicating with the face 52, and forms a continuation of the bore 48. The exterior of the top portion of the base preferably is paraboloidal in form as indicated at 58, and fairs into the cylindrical portion of the base as at 60, thus providing a neat appearance While serving its function as is now being brought out.

An arm 62 is swivelly carried by the base 36 and supports the head 28. The arm 62 includes an elbow 64 which is generally similar in configuration to the base 36, including a cylindrical portion 66 receiving a tube 68. The tube seats against a shoulder 70, and is locked in place by a set screw 72 threaded through an enlargement 74 and having a tip 76 projecting into a complementary aperture in the tube.

The elbow, in addition to the cylindrical portion 66, includes a transversely arranged paraboloidal portion 78 having a protuberance 80 at its rear end, and having a hollow stud 82 projecting from its front end. The stud is beveled or chamfered at 84 into a flat face 86, and the stud is rotatably journaled in the

bores

48 and 56. A friction washer 83 is trapped between the flat face 86 of the elbow and the opposed fiat face 46 of the base.

The hollow stud 82 is provided with a transverse openla counterbore 128 which receives a coil spring This spring is-compressed nected to this button;

"154 abuts the beveled face V V r V face 156011 the 'fshade holder frictionally abuts the flat ing 90 for accommodating the electric wires 92 leading to the light source as hereinafter will be set forth. A solid, threaded stud 94 is threaded into the outer end of the.stud.82 and projects axially therefrom, being locked in place .bva transverse pinor dowel 96. A'limiting pin 93 extends radially from .thetstud94 in only one direction and rides 'against theflat face 52 and beneath theprojection 54 to limit the elbow i and arm 62 to 180 rotary motion, the pin abutting the shoulders 19% tormed between the projectionfirl and the flat face 52-. These shoulders, thus act as positive stops limiting rotary motionoi the arm, and elbow. In Fig. 7 the transverse pin. 9:81has been shown inplace in the stud 94,

but'it will be appreciated that this transverse pin is not actually assembled with the stud until the stud hasbeen assembled with ,the hollow stud .82 and the two studs have been assembled in the'bores 48 and 56.

7 IA knob 192 is threaded onto the stud 94 and abuts the end of the projection 54. When this knob is threaded tightly onto the stud, it pulls the elbow 64 toward the base 36 to clamp the friction washer v$8 between the

flat faces

46 and 86, andthereby to lock the elbow 6d and arm .62 relative to the base 36 and the lamp standard 16. Reverse threading ofthe knob 102 to loosen the same on the stud 94 releases the pressure on the frictionyvasher 88 ,an'd allows the arm 62 and elbow 64 to be swiveled to 180 as limited by the pin 93 and stops An .L-shaped member 194 generally similar to the elbow 641s mounted on top of the tube 68 and comprises a cylindrical portion 106 fltting'ontop of the tube and havinga shoulder. 1G8 abutting the topedge of the tube. 'A sct screwlltl threaded through an enlargement in on the side of the cylindrical portion has a tip .114 projecting through a complementary hole in the side of the tube 63 positively to lock the L-shaped-memher on the tube. The 'L'-shaped member is provided 'with a paraboloidal portion .116 at right angles to the cylindrical portion and providing a protuberance 118.

The front of the parab'oloidal portion i provided with a flat .tace -.12tl, and a hollow stud 122 projects therefrom. 7 V V Socket holder 124' is held on the'end of the stud 122 by means uch'as'a set vscrew 126 and is provided J .and threaded into. suitableltappedapertures in the socket holder 12 2:LThe-socket{incorporates a screw threaded metal shell 142 in accordance with conventional practice,:and:one.,of the wires -92 lea'dsto this shell. A central condensates 144' is.

nlate ll lfi arranged. across-the ppen inner end of the screw threaded shell 142,.zindthepther wire-.92 is con- 7 i The sere wlbase ldd of an ordinary light bulb 156 is threaded into the screw shell of [the socket as readily will be apparent;

A shadeholder 15Z'rotatablym ounts 'theshade or reflector 28 on the .L-shaped me bef 10d and' comprises a cylindrical portion 154;rotatably'flttingf about the hollow stud 122; .The outer end prime cylindrical .member 7 134 of the ringil32, and a flat facej120 of the L-shaped member; The spring Blip/edges the ring' 1'32 against the cylinder"154 and frictionally -forces:th faces 156and l2fl to'gether, thus-to holdthc shade holder in' frictionally adjustable position. The shade holder further includes an integral shell 158 having in ternalfbosses 160receivh 1g 1screws 162 which extend through the sheet material of the shade or reflector 28 to mount the shade or reflector on the holder 152. The

shade or reflector thus is rotatable with the holder about a the hollow stud 122.

The lamp shade or reflector flflis of dished. out con-.

' by means of a'flared-over rim 170 gripping the sheet metal 23 ofthe reflector. auxiliary reflectojr172 is mounted; on the insideof the shade or

reflector

28 and 7 comprises a reflecting portion 174 of cup-like configure tionaligne d with the 'spot shade -168-for reflecting light from the bulb 15t3directly through the opening :166. The auxiliary shade or reflector172 further includes afsplit cylindrical section 176 encircling the socket11j36" and socket holder 124. outwardlydirectededge or flange 178 on the cylindrical sejction'is held against the inner face of the shade or'reflectorZS by some of thernounting screws 1 62; V Y

Operation of the lamp and adjustment thereof will best be understood from Figs. 1-4. As shown in Fig. l, the

' arm 62 may extend upwardly to hold the lampfhead 2.4

at a relatively high elevation, and the openside io fthe shade or reflector 28 may be directed downwardly for a broad, diflused light source.

and the arm' 62 is 'swivelly adjusted up. to 180 (the extreme position being shown'inFig. 2) to, lower the lamp head. Theknob'102 then is tightened to'loclr the head in lower position. Additionally, the lamp .sha'deM flector.

' A socket 136of:p0rcelain'or other stutable insulating.

,r'nounted. on an insulating maybe rotated about its mounting, such as from the position shown in Fig. 1 to theinverted position shown in Fig. 3. In this position, a spot of light is projected downwardly from .the lamp head. Fig. 4 indicates this rotary adjustment of the lamp shade about its mounting, and it will be understood that this rotatable adjustmentrnayiextend to 360 or more. 7

From the foregoingit will be apparent that theheight of the lamp head can be adjusted readily through a .sub-' stantial range, and the direction in which the light isaimed likewise may be varied considerably.

The lamp shade-and associated parts at all times substantially overlie. the.base. 12'so that there .is. no chance of tipping. over the lamp. The lamp base can be posi tioned beneath the edgeof the bed so that the light from the lampiis directed directly onto the bed. The swiveling vertical adjustment of the elevation of the lampshade is readily accomplished, and the lamp shade andassociatedparts are locked in adjusted position against accidental movement. Adjustment of the shade about .its mounting for obtaining a broad diflused light, or a'spotlight effect is easily done with little likelihood ofa'nnoiy- W ing other patients. In fact, thearrangement of partsof the lampis such that all adjustment is in a plane parallel to the length of the bed. Thus, no light will be-thrown transversely of the bed to. annovan adjoining patient when the hospital beds are conventionally arranged side by T side in a room or ward;

It will be understood that the specific embodiment of the invention herein 'shown and described isby way of illustration only. Various structural changes willno doubt occurto'those skilled in' the art and will be understood as.forminga part' ofthis invention insofar as they fall within the spirit andscope of theappended claims; V

Iclaim:- V V.

V 1. A lamp comprising a base, an upstanding standard :on s'aid ba-se, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an elongated arm, meansmounting said elongated 7 arm on said upstanding standard for angular adjustment relative toqsaid standard in a'plane substantially. parallel gto Ithelongitudinal axis of said standard, and means supporting said lamp head from said arm fo'riangular adjust- 7 When the lamp is to be a used with a lower bed, then th'e'knob 102 is loosened,"

ment relative to said arm about an axis perpendicular to said arm, said lamp head lying to one side of said arm in the direction of said axis, angular adjustment of said arm thereby varying the height of said lamp head.

2. A lamp comprising a base, a standard upstanding from said base and fixed relative thereto, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm, means mounting said arm on said upstanding standard for angular adjustment relative thereto about an axis perpendicular to said standard, and means adjustably supporting said lamp head from said arm to one side of said arm and including means for angularly adjusting the shade relative to said arm, angular adjustment of said arm thereby varying the height of said lamp head.

3. A lamp comprising a base, an upstanding standard on said base, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm, means mounting said arm on said standard for angular adjustment about an axis forming an angle other than a straight angle with said standard, said adjustment being through substantially 180 relative to said standard between up and down positions parallel to said standard, said arm being angularly adjustable to and from the plane containing said standard and said arm in up and down positions, and means supporting said lamp head from said arm to one side thereof for angular adjustment relative to said arm.

4. A lamp comprising a base, a standard upstanding from said base and fixed relative thereto, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm, means mounting said arm on said upstanding standard for angular adjustment about an axis substantially transverse of said standard through substantially 180 relative to said standard between raised and lowered positions parallel to said standard, said arm being rotatably adjustable in and out of the plane containing said standard and said arm when in either of said two positions, and means adjustably supporting said lamp head to one side of said arm from said arm for angular adjustment of said shade relative to said arm about an axis substantially transverse of said arm.

5. A floor lamp comprising a base, a standard of substantial height upstanding from one side of said base whereby said base can be positioned beneath a bed with the standard extending up beyond the edge of the bed, a

lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm,

means adjustably mounting said lamp head to one side of said arm for angular adjustment of said shade relative to said arm about an axis angularly arranged relative to said arm at an angle other than a straight angle, and means mounting said arm on said standard for movement angularly about an axis forming an angle other than a straight angle with said standard to and from a plane containing said standard and the center of said base whereby to vary the height of said lamp head while maintaining said lamp head over a bed at all times.

6. A lamp comprising a base, an upstanding standard on said base, a lamp head including a light source, an arm, means including a pivot having an axis substantially transverse of said arm for adjustably supporting said lamp head from said arm to one side thereof, bearing means in said standard having an axis substantially transverse of said standard and stud means on said arm interfitting with said bearing means for pivotally supporting said arm from said stand, friction means, and means for clamping said friction means between said arm and said standard for locking said arm in adjusted position.

7. A floor lamp comprising a base, a standard upstanding from said base adjacent one edge thereof whereby said base may be placed beneath a bed with the standard extending upwardly beyond the edge of said bed, a lamphead including a light source and shade, an arm carrying said lamp head for angular adjustment of said shade to one side of said arm about an axis substantially transverse of said arm, means mounting said arm on said upstanding standard for angular adjustment relative thereto in a plane perpendicular to the plane containing said standard and the center of said base whereby the height of said lamp head can be adjusted for maintaining said head at all times above said bed, friction means, and means for utilizing said friction means to lock said arm in adjusted position.

8. A lamp comprising a base, a standard on said base, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an elongated arm, means mounting said lamp head adjustably from said arm to one side thereof for rotation of said shade about an axis transverse of the arm, cooperating means on said arm and on said standard mount ing said arm on said standard for angular adjustment relative thereto about an axis transverse of the standard, friction means adjacent said cooperating means, opposed clamping faces on said arm and said standard on opposite sides of said friction means, and means for forcing said clamping faces toward one another to clamp against said friction means for locking said arm in adjusted position relative to said standard.

9. A lamp comprising a base, a standard on said base, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm, means for adjustably supporting said lamp head from said arm to one side thereof, resilient means holding said head in adjusted position relative to said arm, cooperating stud and bearing means on said arm and standard and perpendicular to both said arm and standard for mounting said arm on said standard for angular adjustment relative thereto, said arm and standard having cooperating clamping faces adjacent said stud and bearing, friction means mounted between said clamping faces, and means including a knob threaded on said stud for forcing said clamping faces relatively toward one another to clamp said friction means between them and thereby to lock said arm in adjusted position relative to said standard.

10. A lamp comprising a base, a standard on said base, a lamp head including a light source and shade, an arm, a stud projecting transversely from one end of said arm, means at the other end of said arm adjustably supporting said lamp head, a hollow housing at the end of said standard opposite to said base, said hollow housing having a transverse bore therethrough and swivelly receiving said stud, a projection on said stud extending substantially radially thereof, stop means on said housing engageable with said stud and limiting angular movement of said arm relative to said standard to a predetermined angle, a friction washer surrounding said stud and positioned between said housing and said arm, said housing and said arm having flat faces opposing said friction washer, and a rotary member threadedly engaged with said stud for pulling said stud into said bore to clamp said friction washer between said flat faces and thereby to lock said arm in adjusted position relative to said housing and said standard.

11. A lamp as set forth in claim 10 wherein the arm includes a hollow tube and a housing similar to the housing on the end of said standard, said stud projecting transversely from said housing and including a hollow portion for accommodating electric wires, said stud further ineluding a solid portion threaded into said hollow portion and held against retraction by a cross pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 97,878 Versen Dec. 17, 1935 D. 108,144 Peters Jan. 25, 1938 1,012,383 Lyhne Dec. 19, 1911 1,397,453 Rekar Nov. 15, 1921 1,834,428 Seitz Dec. 1, 1931 2,491,448 Hillenbrand Dec. 13, 1949 2,745,949 Borin May 15, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 488,045 France May 24, 1918 618,163 France Dec. 10, 1926 941,448 France July 19, 1948