US2903571A - Panel light - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 8, 1959 M. SQUIRE ETAL PANEL LIGHT Filed oct. 24. 1956 IN V E N TORS MAJOR JQU/RE awn/.5: W/Nm/V TURNER ATTORNEY United States Patent 6 PANEL LIGHT Major Squire, Christchurch, and harles Wintou Turner, Bournemouth, England, assignnrs to Thorn Electrical Industries Limited, London, England Application October 24, 1956, Serial No. 618,038

Claims priority, application Great Britain October 25, 1955 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-816) This invention relates to light fittings and has for its object to provide an improved fitting in which the light emitted by a lamp within the fitting can be readily varied.

According to the present invention there is provided a light fitting comprising an opaque tube adapted to receive a lamp, an opaque sleeve in sliding engagement with the tube, an opaque member adapted to close the end of the sleeve remote from the lamp, and means for telescoping the sleeve relatively to the tube in such a manner as to vary the aperture between the sleeve and the opaque member, and hence the emission of light from the fitting.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view in section of one embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 shows the fitting of the aforesaid drawing mounted in a suitable support and with a lamp in position therein.

Referring first to Fig. 1, an opaque tube 1 adapted to receive a lamp has a flange thereon clamped toa cap 4 of translucent moulded material by means of a nut 2 spun over a shoulder on the cap as shown. A rubber sealing ring 8 is provided to prevent, at least in some measure, the entry of liquid vapour into the cap 4. The nut 2 and tube ll may be of metal.

An opaque sleeve 3, which may be of metal, is slidable over the tube 1 and a coarse thread thereon is adapted to engage a corresponding thread on the tube 1. Rotation of the sleeve 3 relatively to the cap 4, is prevented by two diametrically opposed tabs 6, formed integrally with the sleeve 3, engaging in slots 7 moulded Within the cap 4.

An opaque member 5, for instance of metal, is moulded into the cap 4 and serves, in the setting shown in the drawing, to close the lower end of the sleeve 3. For this purpose the member 5 is provided with a portion of reduced diameter over which the end of the sleeve 3 can slide into the position shown. In the setting shown no light is emitted from a lamp within the tube 1.

In order to emit light, the cap 4 is rotated carrying with it the sleeve 3 which is telescoped relatively to the tube 1 by the action of the engaged threads. When the lower end of the sleeve is thereby raised above the re- Hce d-uced diameter portion of the opaque member 5, light is emitted through the aperture between the sleeve 3, and the opaque member 5 and passes out through the cap 4.

The inner surface of the opaque member 5 is preferably made convex as shown and light-reflecting, in order to reflect through the cap 4 as much as possible of the light falling thereon.

Referring now to Fig. 2, a lamp 9 is shown mounted in a lamp holder 10 which is a push fit within the tube 1. The internal thread on the nut 2 is screwed on to the threaded end of a body 11 of moulded material which is mounted in an aperture in a panel 12 by means of a nut 13.

Contact with the lamp holder 10, and thus with the lamp cap, is made to a conductor 14 extending through the body 11 and through a rubber sealing member 15 to the outside. The centre contact of the lamp is in engagement with a spring contact 16 which also passes to the outside.

We claim:

1. A light fitting comprising an opaque tube adapted to receive a lamp, an opaque sleeve surrounding said tube and in sliding engagement with said tube, an opaque member closing the end of the sleeve remote from the lamp, a translucent cap held rotatably around said sleeve, said sleeve being slidable axially within said cap and being prevented from rotation relative to said cap, whereby rotation of the cap forces the sleeve back in the tube, telescoping the latter to vary the light-emitting aperture between the sleeve and the opaque member.

2. A light fitting comprising a support member, an opaque tube, means fixedly securing said tube to said support, lamp supporting means in one end of said tube, an opaque sleeve surrounding the other end of said tube, inter-engaging screw threads on said tube and sleeve for effecting axial displacement of said sleeve relatively to said tube in response to relative rotation of said tube and sleeve, a light-transmitting cap rotatably mounted upon said support member, interengaging means between said sleeve and said cap providing a rotation transmitting coupling between said sleeve and said cap and permitting axial movement of said sleeve relatively to said cap between an inner and an outer extreme position, and an opaque member mounted upon said cap and positioned to close the end of said sleeve further from said lamp when said sleeve is in said outer extreme position, light of progressively increasing inten sity being emitted between the said end of said sleeve and said opaque member as said sleeve is moved towards the said inner extreme position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,757,395 Schwarze May 6, 1930 2,361,765 Grimes Oct. 31, 1944 2,707,780 Heller et al. May 3. 1955

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