US2947852A - lozeau - Google Patents

Description

' Aug. 2, 1960 H. A. LOZEAU ELECTRIC LAMP STRUCTURE WITH BULB ADJUSTMENT Filed Feb. 3.. 1958 I 2 Sh eats-Sheet l ATTORNEY 1960 H. A. LOZEAU 2,947,852

ELECTRIC LAMP STRUCTURE WITH BULB ADJUSTMENT Filed Feb. 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGS Fla INVENTOR.

BY W a 7fiWW-ZJX.

ATTORNEY United States Patent ELECTRIC LAMPESTRUCTURE new ADJUS'IMENI Y Homer A. Lozeau, Worcester, MaSsQassign'or to Koehler Manufacturing Company, Marlboro, Mass, at corporation of Massachusetts Filed Feb. s, 1 58, Ser.,No. 112,389

'8-Claims. to]. 240-4135) This invention relates :to an adjustable electric lamp structure and, more particularly, "to ,a minerTs'saIety lamp of the jtype commonly referred to as a miners cap lamp. In general, this "form of .lamp includes a headpiece which an electric 'lamp'is secured and means'for supportingthe headpiece on a cap, hat or otherpart of the clothing worn "by .a miner. electric storage battery is supported "by a suitahle'holding device around the waist of theminer and anelectricalconductor extends from the battery upwar ly .to the headpiece.

Currently, mineris electricpap'lampsare eguippedwith a reflector and two bulbs, or with .a two-ffilamentbulb. 'In the two-filament 'bulb, one filament 'is located .at or near the focalpoint ,of the reflector and the other filament is located a short distance away from the "focal point. Either filament provides a satisfactory, light pa-tternwhen used with a matte-finished reflector, 'but only .the {filament most nearly in focus provides a satisfactory 'beam when used with a specular "finished reflector of the; class now employed'most extensively in the -art. More recent cap lamp models have included a focussing device to focus the more centralfilament but thesecond'filament remainsrout of focus. Thus, the'tendency has'been'for'the miner to use the same focussed filamenteveryday and to reserve the second filament jfor temporary andgenerally unsatisfactory use in'the event .of burn-out of the correctly focussed filament.

The present invention is based on thenovelconcept of combining filament energiza't'ion and beam focussing in one simplified turningiadjustment. "To accomplish lt'his objeotiveQI have devised alamp and electrical switch artrangement wherein'I provide means resp'onsi've to movement of'the electrical switch for focussing arefle'cted beam of lightfrom the lamp.

The combined switch and 'fo'cussing.arrangement'of'ithe I invention while adapted for 'use'in' fo'cussing alight beam from either a single filament lamp 'or multiple filament lamp, is especially designed for use with a lamp having two filaments. The several componentsre'ferred;to are arranged in suchrelation to-one another as to provide "for sequential operation "of each filament 'of aftwo'filamerit lamp whereby "each filament 'is 'usedinterchangeably. Selective focussing of light from either ,filarnent takesplace'as apartof each sequence operation. I

I' have found "that these concepts ofsequentialfpperation may bepractically embodied on one form, in an' adjusting lamp structure in which "a unique rotor .switchjdevice'is'combine'd'in interlocking'relationship witha special 'lamp socket positioning apparatus. f-Bojth df these units insulating-strip and =a pair of spr'ing'contacts. "'By means ofrthisearran'gemerit rotative movement'ofi-thecylindrical switch body may be utilized to selectively open and close 2,947,852 Patented Aug. 2, 1950 2 independent circuits to each of the filaments in a two filamentbulb.

Another important feature in the combination 'is the cylindrically shaped rotor of an eccentricdevice oractu- 5 ating-the lamp-socket positioning apparatus so thatthe lamp may be located in a correctly focussed position regardless of which filament is energized.

These and other objects and novel features, will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment of thefi'nvention selected {for purposes or -illustration and shown in' the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 -'is -a composite 'view in side elevation illustrating alamp enclosure body for use with a miners cap or other supportingmeans, and, further indicating a storage battery and an electrical conductor of the class commonly carried {by a miner in,'conju ncti on with a miners cap lamp;

Fig. '2 is a front elevational view of-'thelamp enclosure body s'hoWn in-Fig. l

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.2; 1

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on the line 4-4 of g V Fig. 5 is"anothericross-sectional view;

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational -view of a'focussing cam arrangement; i

Fig. -7 is a detail plan view of hanger and bracket components s'howing 'th'e lamp socket removed; 3 "Pigs/ 84 1 inclusiveare=diagramrnatic views illustrating a series of sequence positions assumed by'the rotor switch elemenrand-hrilb positioning apparatus in operation; and

EFig.'-l"-2iisadetail perspective view. l

*Referring more indeta'il to the structure-shown inthe drawings numeral 2 denotes a cup shapedla'mp en- 35 closure body which may'preferably consist of Bakelite or other rigidmolded plastic. As'shl'o wnin Figs. 1 -3, the

enclosure body'is recessed'at one side to define a-chamber '4-- w'liich is normally closed by means of a glass -lens 6 secured in-place by means of aihreaded bezel 8. H i 40 An, electrical conductor cord 10 is connected through one side of "the enclosureZ and .(at its opposite end, *is

connected to a storage batteryilZ of the type utiliz 'ed in conjunction 'with -well-known charging devices. At the =outer'rear wall of'the enclosurezisa clip element 14 "for -use in attaching the lamp structure'to a supporting-part -of ;a=miner s-'oap or the like, as suggestedin Fig. '1. 'Th'e recessed portions of "the enclosure 2 include shoulder'ed sections 16 and 16' which are spacedapart to :defineasocket andbulb adjustmentaperture 18, as shown finFig. -4. Supported at the upper surfaces'ofthe sections 1'6 and 16' are a pair'of-rig'ht 'angularly shaped hangers 'QO andJZO Which' are pivotally mounted about slotted cam pins 22 and'22.'. i

'The slotted cam-pinslz and 22' areconstructed with'in- : termediate cam portions 24 and 24 which engagein slots *as- 26rand;26'ilocated through the hanger elements.

and 20' ass lg stedzinhigure 7. i

. Supported in suspended relationship between ;the hangersonpivots 523 and;23 isa swivelhrackeu-ZS. It 60 will .be seen that the tslotted.cam pins 22 and 22 when turned will cause the .cam portions24 and 24 to m oye in the s1ots.26 land..26.landthebracket becomes swing "into various positions of adjustment .on .the shouldered sectionsf16 and 16'. i i w Y i The swivel bracket 25 is made up of two. spaced apart sidesasshown in Figs. 2 and 4 and projectin'gqfromlhese spaced apart sides is an extension arm. ,28. A lamp soc'ket3'0ofitubular construction isresilientlyf held on two opposite =-sides'-tliereof 'by -means' of ,a pair of engaged -springs 3 2-and 34-whose ends-;are anchored around a'holding rod-element 36 isclearly sh'own in F igures' 2 and '5. This holding rod element 36 also passes through openings formed in upper extremeties of the swivel bracket 25 and is movable with the bracket 25 when the slotted cam pins 22 and 22' are rotated.

Detachably secured in the socket B ll is a lamp 4% which is constructed with two filaments 41 and 42 as shown in Figure 3. The outer end of larnp 49 is engaged by a bulb holder 44 consisting of an eye portion and a retaining post which is rigidly fixed to the extension arm 28.

The bulb holder 44 functions to force the lamp against the resistance of the springs 32 and 34 and positions the end of the lamp against spring contact arms 46 and 43. The eifect of this arrangement is. to permit the lamp in the event it is broken, to be spring ejected out of the socket by means of the tension in the springs 32 and 34, thus eliminating danger of igniting gases which may be present.

The spring contact arms 46 and 48 are so arranged as to provide electrical connections for independently ene gizing the two filaments 41 and 42. The circuits completed by these contact arms are under the control of a rotor switch 50 mounted inside the enclosure body as shown in Fig. 5. A knob 54 is fixed to the outer end of the spindle for externally operating the spindle and rotor switch.

At the inner end of the cylindrical switch portion 50 is secured an eccentric part 52 having fixed therein an actuating pin 54, which is arranged to extend through an elongated slot 56 formed in an angle piece 58 of the extension arm 28 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. By means of this arrangement it will be apparent that rotation of the rotor switch-will act through the eccentric part 52 to oscillate the extension arm '28 and move the lamp socket and lamp through a short arc of travel. This are of travel is so chosen as to provide for causing each of the two filaments 41 and 42 to move successively into respective true focal positions with respect to a parabolic reflector 7 supported by the shell #2 and fastened in place by the bezel ring 8.

It is pointed out that are are of travel of the lamp produced by the eccentric movement described above occurs in a plane which lies substantially at right angles to the plane of the two paths of travel of the lamp induced by turning the two slotted cam pins 22 and 22". Also, in both of these adjustments, the swivel bracket 25 is guided by a stud 60 fixed in one side of the enclosure body 2 as shown in Fig. 3 and projecting through a slotted end 62 of the arm 28. In the case of the two cam adjustments, the bracket rotates around the stud 60 as an axis; in the case of the eccentric switch adjustment, the bracket moves toward and away from the pin.

. In accordance with the invention I further combine with the rotor eccentric part 52 means for alternately energizing the filaments 41 and 42 with each successive focussing adjustment. An important component in this connection is a semi-annular insulating strip 70 secured about the periphery of the eccentric 52 as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 and shown in detail in Fig. 12. This insulating strip 70 is adapted to lie in rolling contact with the contact springs 46 and 48 as it is clearly shown in Fig. 3. It will be readily seen that as the eccentric part rotates, the spring 46 will be allowed to come into contact with the electrically conducting surface of the eccentric part 52, thus, completing a circuit to one of the lamp filaments. Further rotation of the eccentric part 52 will allow the contact spring 48 to come into contact with the electrically conducting surface, while at the same time, the contact spring 46 will be raised out of engagement with the conducting surface by means of the insulating strip.

The outer peripheral surface of rotor part 50 is also arranged to lie in wiping contact with a resilient brush element 50a extending from an electrical terminal T (Figs. 2 and 3). This brush element 50a is formed with a V-portion 50b for engaging in one or the other of two V-slots as 500 to make an electrical connection and to also locate and define two off-positions.

Animportant feature of the invention is the arrangement of the insulating strip 70 in such relationship to the eccentric part 52 that as one of the filaments is turned into its true focal position, the insulating strip releases that contact spring which'will energize a current through the filament thus focussed.

It will be observed that with an insulating strip of a size such that it extends through an arc of for example, there will be a short interval when both springs are out of contact with the conducting surface of the eccentric part and, thus, both filaments are held inoperative. Each filament circuit is thereafter energized in succession, during rotative movement of the eccentric part through an arc of approximately 180".

Various operating positions of the rotor switch have been illustrated in Figs. 8-11 inclusive. Thus, in Fig. 8, the brush 50a is shown engaged with the rotor switch in an off-position in which the insulating strip 70 is positioned to separate the two spring contacts 46 and 48 from the electrically conducting surface of the member 52. Thus, filaments 41 and 42 are both inoperative.

In Fig. 9, the rotor switch has been turned to a position in which the insulating strip 70 continues to hold contact spring 46 out of contact with the conducting surface of the member 52, but the spring contact 48 is in contact with the electrically conducting surface of member 52 and a circuit is closed through filament 41 which is grounded through the base of the lamp and back to a ground terminal as suggested by the conductor G in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 10, the brush Stla is again engaged with the rotor switch 50 to hold it in an off-position and both contact springs 46 and 48 are in an inoperative position.

In Fig. 11, spring contact 46 is in contact with the electrically conducting surface of member 52 while spring contact 48 is in an inoperative position and, thus, the circuit is closed through the filament 42 and grounded through the base and the electrical conductor G.

It is pointed out that by means of the bulb adjusting apparatus desired two entirely separate adjustments may be carried out. .One. adjustment is made at the time the bulb is installed in the lamp assembly. This adjustment is performed by a lamp maintenance man and is especially desirable in connecting bulbs manufactured with varying degreesof mis-alignment between the filaments and bulb axis, or varying length between the filaments and the bulb base pin. By moving one or the other or both of the slotted cam pins the bulb holder may be pivoted about either one of two axes and brought into a position where each filament may be accurately focussed depending on the position of the switch knob.

The second adjustment is of course designed to be carried out by a miner by turning the switch knob and essentially this adjustment is a means of periodically shifting from one filament to the other. It will be seen that the miner can thus renew the light beam in the event of sudden failure of one filament and he can do this in a convenient manner while the lamp is on the miners cap.

Another advantage of the specific arnangement described is that instead of one filament being required to operate all of the time until failure, there will automatically occur an alternating type of operation since the rotor switch energizes first one and then the other filament. The net result of this may well be to realize longer operating life from a lamp before a bulb replace ment operation is required. It will further be appreciated that the desirable two filament operation described is accomplished with both safety and durability being maintained.

The invention has been described in one preferred form in which a two filament rotor switch is combined with focussing positio'n apparatus. It should be understood that various changes and modifications may be resorted to in connection with this structural form of the invention and, similarly, I may desire to employ the combination rotor switch and focussing apparatus with various other filament arrangements, either of a single filament or a plurality of filaments in excess of the two illustrated.

The scope of the invention is to be understood as being defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A miners lamp construction comprising in com bination a lamp enclosure body, a lamp unit removably supported therein, said lamp unit including a lamp socket positioning mechanism and a tubular socket having a pair of electrical contact elements attached at either side thereof, a bulb member resiliently held in the socket and presenting a pair of filaments occurring in electrically co'nnected relationship to the said electrical contact elements to constitute two independent sources through which current may flow, a storage batteryand electrical conductor means leading therefrom, a manually operated rotary switch device for closing a circuit through one of said filaments and simultaneously opening a circuit through the remaining filament, a reflector mounted around the bulb in secured relationship to the enclosure body and having a bulb adjusting aperture formed therein, eccentric means forming a part of said manually operated rotary switch operatively connected to the lamp socket positioning mechanism, and said eccentric adapted upon movement of rotary switch device to pivot the socket and bulb and focus a reflected beam of light from whichever of the filaments is beingenergized.

2. Miners lamp construction comprising in combination a lamp enclosure body, a lamp socket positioning mechanism including a lamp socket bracket, pivoted hanger elements for rotatively supporting the lamp socket bracket in suspended relationship in the enclosure body means for turning the pivoted hanger elements and lamp socket bracket through a predetermined arc of adjustment, extension arm means forming a part of the lamp socket bracket for pivoting the bracket in the hanger ele ments through a second arc of adjustment which lies in a plane at right angles to the said first part of adjustment, a tubular lamp socket received in the bracket, a lamp detachably mounted in the tubular socket, spring means for engaging a surface of the lamp and resiliently holding the lamp in the socket, said bulb presenting a pair of filaments and comprising two independent sources through which an electrical current may flow, a storage battery, an electrical conductor means for leading current to the filaments, a manually operated rotary switch device for closing a circuit through one of the said filaments and simultaneously opening a circuit through the remaining filament, a reflector mounted around the bulb in fixed relationship to the enclosure body and having a 6 bulb adjusting aperture formed therein, and means forming a part of said manually operated rotary switch for actuating said extension arm means on the lamp socket thereby to pivot the socket and bulb and focus a reflected beam of light in accordance with the filament which is being energized.

3. A structure according to claim 2 in which the means for actuating the extension arm means includes a rotor body having an insulating strip secured thereto.

4. In an electric lamp, an enclosure body, a reflector fixed in said enclosure body and having an apertured central portion, brackets fixed to each side of the enclosure body, a hanger structure including a lamp socket assembly pivotally mounted on said brackets for supporting a bulb for travel through the slot in the reflector, said bulb including filaments for independent illumination, circuit means for connecting a source of current with said filaments in said bulb for illuminating said filaments, switch means controlling said circuit means for selectively energizing said filaments, operating means connected to and actuated by said switch means, and

means connecting said operating means and said pivoted hanger structure for swinging said bulb in an arc to selectively position said filaments in said bulb in predetermined focal positions with respect to said reflector simultaneouslywith the actuation of the switch means controlling the illumination of each of the filaments.

, 5. The structure of claim 4 characterized in that the brackets fixed to each side of the enclosure body are angularly adjustable.

6. The structure of claim 4 characterized in that the operating means connected to and actuated by the switch means comprise an eccentrically mounted member which travels in a slot formed in a portion of the hanger strucbeam of light from said source of illumination when the switch means is actuated, said rotary switch means consisting of a rotor element, and said focussing means including a swivel bracket having a bulb supported therein, and mechanism for pivotally moving the bracket and bulb when the rotor element is rotated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,361,557 Wheat Dec. 1, 1920 2,313,165 Nelms et a1. Mar. 9, 1943 2,516,993 Holt Aug. 1, 1950

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