US2991351A

US2991351A - Remotely positionable lamp

Info

Publication number: US2991351A
Application number: US778346A
Authority: US
Inventors: Malcolm P Haines
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-12-05
Filing date: 1958-12-05
Publication date: 1961-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1978-07-04

Description

July 4, 1961 M. P. HAlNEs 2,991,351

REMOTELY POSITIONABLE LAMP Filed Dec. 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /l rok/Viro'.

July 4, 1961 M. P. HAlNEs REMOTELY POSITIONABLE LAMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 5, 1958 V In INVENTOR. Mu MLM i. MWA/f5.

United States Patent 2,991,351 REMOTELY POSITIONABLE LAMP Malcolm P. Haines, R.R. 14, Box 792, Indianapolis, Ind. Filed Dec. 5, 1958, Ser. No. 778,346 8 Claims. (Cl. 240-61.13)

This invention relates generally to remotely positionable lamps such as spotlights or the like and in particular to spotlights which can be adjusted to a desired attitude in both a horizontal and a vertical plane by means of a single, remote actuator.

In utilizing lamps such as spotlights or the like, operating conditions often require that means be provided for adjustably positioning the lamp remotely from its physical location. A familiar example exists in the spotlights positioned on the exterior of autos, particular-ly police patrol cars or ambulances, which are positionally yadjusted from the auto interior. Some spotlights of this type are mounted on a post passing through a universal joint in the auto body, the spotlight being positioned by directly manipulating the inner end of the post. Where the spotlight is to be mounted at a location other than immediately adjacent to the auto dashboard, on the roof, for example, the direct mechan-ical connection of the light and its control member or handle is obviously unsatisfactory. Attempts at solution of this problem` have, in the past, involved the use of multpile exible shafts, differential gearing and the like.. An example of prior art devices may be found disclosed in Kosian Patent No. 1,768,613.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a remotely positionable lamp or spotlight utilizing a single flexible member fto provide both rotational movement of the spotlight in a horizontal plane and tilting movement in a vertical plane.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spotlight positioned by a remote actuating member wherein the spotlight assembly per se includes flexible members attached to each of two pulleys disposed on opposite sides of the. spotlight assembly and on the verticaltilt axis thereof, the ilexible members rotating the pulleys as the actuating member is moved, whereby tilting force is applied to the spotlight assembly uniformly and backlash is eliminated or at least minimized.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spotlight positioned by a remote actuating member characterized by a motion transmission system between the actuator and the spotlight wherein the motion of the spotlight follows the motion of the actuator without requiring the use of return springs. or similar biasing means.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a spotlight of the type referred to above which incorporates an auxiliary warning light on its rear face.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spotlight of the type referred to above having a manual actuator incorporating a simple, adjustable detent mechanism for establishing a neutral or stowed position for the lamp assembly.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide a spotlight of the type referred to Iabove which can be oriented in both a horizontal and vertical plane by manipulation of its actuator with one hand.

It-is a further object of the present invention to prorice 2 vide a mobile spotlight which is of rugged construction and easily installed.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

FIG. 1 is a front view, partially in section, illustrating a spotlight embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of of the apparatus shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the drive pivot assembly.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating the action of the drive mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the wiring circuit for the apparatus of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, the spotlight assembly includes a circular lamp Iframe 10` which accommodates the convex lens 11 of a conventional sealed beam type of lamp, having a reflector plate 12, an incandescent element 13 and a terminal connection 14 al1 visible in FIG. 2. The frame also accommodates a convex lens `16 which serves to focus the light originating from the conventional low voltage bulb 17. The lens 16 may be colored to provide a warning illumination from the rear -face of the spotlight, the lens 11 directing the primary spotlight beam. The frame 10 is supported by .a yoke comprising spaced legs 118v and a central support member 19'. The lamp frame 10 is supported at opposite points on the spaced legs by means of drive

pivot assemblies

21 and 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, the drive pivot assemblies each include a bearing and electrical insulating member 23 rigidly carried on the end of the yoke legs 18. The inner face of the yoke leg is recessed to accommodate a sheave 24 having an extending portion 26 received within an aperture 2'7 in the member 23. A boss carried by the sheave is internally threaded to receive a clamp nut 31 which serves -to rigidly attach the sheave to the lamp frame. An electrical conductor member 32 extends centrally through the clamp nut and the sheave is electrically insulated therefrom by the

insulator members

33 and 34. At one end the conductor member 32 is formed to provide a connecting terminal 32a and at its other end is provided with a head 3211 which Abears against a conducting block 36 slidable within the member 23. v

A compression spring 37 serves to provide electrical contact between the block 36 and the conductor member 32, but permits rotation of the conductor member relative to the block. Both the member 23 and the yoke leg are apertured toaccommodate an insulated wire 38 which is electrically connected as at 39 to the block 36. The terminal 32a is adapted to be connected to one terminal of the sealed beam incandescent member 13 (FIG. 2), the wire 38 thus forming one circuit connection for the lamp, the other circuit connection being provided by grounding of leg 18.

The sheave is provided with a peripheral groove 41 which receives a flexible cable 42 formed of nylon or similar material.

Apertures

43 and 44 in the sheave permit the cable to be connected therein, providing attachment to the sheave. The cable extends freely through the axial aperture in the yoke leg 46.

a portion While .only the drive pivot assembly 21 has been desribed in detail, it will be understood that the drive pivot assembly 22 is substantially identical with a flexible cable 47 and an electrical wire 48 which are the counterparts of the cable 42 and the wire 38 in the pivot assembly 21. The pivot assembly 22 differs from pivot assembly 21 in that in pivot assembly 21 the cable 42 extends tangentially from the rear peripheral edge ofthe sheave 24 (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4), while the cable 47 extends tangentially from the front marginal edge of the sheave forming a part of pivot assembly 22. The sheave just referred to is not visible in FIG. 1, but its general position and relation to sheave 24 is shown in FIG. 5, wherein it is identiied by reference numeral 51.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the support member 19 is mounted for rotational movement by means of ball bearings 52 which are accommodated in an annular recess in the support member and are supported on the outwardly flanged upper end of a support tube 53. The support tube may be rigidly mounted on the supporting surface 54 by any suitable means, such as the screws S6. The enlarged upper end of the tube 53 accommodates an annular member 57 formed of electrical insulating material and

mounting collector rings

58 and 59. The support member 19 carries a spring loaded brush 61 which cooperates with the collector ring 58 which is electrically connected to the wire 38. A spring loaded brush 62 is similarly carried by the support member 19 and cooperates with the inner collector ring 59. A wire 63 is electrically connected to the collector ring 58 and extends through the tube 53 to be connected to one terminal 64 of a threeposition switch 66 which is located remotely from the spotlight assembly.

The collector ring 59 is connected by means of a wire 67 to another terminal 68 of the three-position switch. The common terminal of the three-position Vswitch 66 is connected toa source of electrical power which may take the form of the conventional 6-12 volt automobile battery, indicated at 69. One side of the battery is grounded, as is conventional, the supporting surface 54 for the spotlight is also grounded to provide a circuit path. lt will be understood that the conductor member 32 is connected to the spotlight and the corresponding conductor member forming a part of the pivot assembly 22 is connected to the auxiliary warning bulb 17 of FIG. 2. The circuit arrangement referred to is shown in FIG. 6, and, as will be evident from FIGS. 1 and 6, movement of the three-position switch from its neutral or olf position will alternately energize either the spotlight or the auxiliary warning light provided by bulb 17.

The `means for rotating the lamp frame on an axis extending between the pivot assemblies and for rotating the supporting yoke in a horizontal plane will now be described with reference to FIGS. l and 3. Depending from the lower end of the support member 19 are spaced

members

71 and 72 which extend within the tube 53. The

members

71 and 72 accommodate therebetween a crosshead 73 which is vertically slidable between the members and is attached to a flexible cable 74. The flexible cable is encased Within a flexible sheath 76, this assembly being of a conventional type. The flexible cable and sheath are supported in conventional `fashion by means of an internally threaded member 78 accommodated on the threaded boss extending from the end plate 53a of the tube 53. It will be understood that the crosshead and the

members

71 and 72 provide a motion transmission element whereby rotary motion of the crosshead will be transmitted to the support member 19 without transmitting linear movement of the crosshead to the support member 19.

As may be seen in FIG. l, the flexible cable 42 is directly attached to the crosshead at 79. The tlexible `cable 47 extends around a motion reversing sheave 81 4carried by the

members

71 and 72 and is attached at 82 to the crosshead.

With the

cables

47 and 42 extending from their corresponding sheaves, as shown in FIG. 5, when the crosshead is lowered within the

members

71 and 72, the downward force will be applied to the cable 42 which will rotate the sheave 24 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 5. Since the sheave 24 is mechanically linked through the frame 10 to the sheave 51, this sheave, forming a part of the pivot assembly 22, will also be rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5. This draws the cable 47 upwardly which, through the action of the motion reversing sheave 81, accommodates the downward motion of the crosshead. If the crosshead is moved upwardly within the

members

71 and 72, the cable 47 is drawn downwardly, thereby rotating

sheaves

51 and 24 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, the cable 42 moving upwardly thereby to accommodate the upward motion of the crosshead. lt will be noted that this take-up action of the sheaves substantially eliminates slack or backlash in the drive arrangement.

Rotating the tlexible cable 74 produces rotary motion of the crosshead which is transferred to the support member 19, the lamp supporting yoke being thereby rotated in a plane parallel to the support surface 54. The flexible cable and sheath 74-76 may extend to the required location remote from the spotlight assembly and may be attached to a remote actuator indicated generally at 83. The remote actuator includes a tubular body 84 mounted by means of clamp nuts 86 to a support surface 87. The exible cable 74 is rigidly connected to a central rod 88 which extends through the body 84 and carries on its outer end a manual operator or handle 89. The portion of the rod 88 within the body 84 carries thereon a member 91, the member 91 being ad justably positioned along the rod by means of a setscrew 92. The member 91 is provided with a detent recess 93 which accommodates a spring biased detent ball 94 carried within the sidewardly extending portion 96 of the body 84. Cooperation of the detent recess and the detent ball provides a neutral or detent position for the rod 88 and consequently for the lamp assembly.

In operation, the spotlight assembly may be positioned in a horizontal plane, that is, in a plane parallel to support surface 54, by rotating the handle 89 of the remote actuator, the rotary motion being transmitted through the crosshead 73 to the spotlight supporting yoke. Linear motion of the handle 89 of the remote actuator causes tilting of the spotlight in a vertical plane, that is, about an axis defined by the

drive pivot assemblies

21 and 22. It will be noted that both this rotary motion in a horizontal plane and the tilting in a vertical plane may proceed through 360, the extent of continuous motion of the spotlight in a vertical plane depending upon how many complete turns of the cables are wound on the sheaves.

The feature of the present invention can, of course, be utilized in a spotlight which omits the auxiliary warning light described herein, and is adapted for directional outdoor lighting other than on vehicles. In a spotlight of this modified type the pivot contact and the collector ring for the auxiliary bulb 17 could be used as `one of the A C. lines to the spotlight.

The apparatus of the present invention thus provides a two wire electrical circuit to its lighting element. The spotlight can be remotely moved through 360 or more by manipulation of its actuator with one hand. There are no gears or sprockets utilized in the apparatus. 'Ihe drive is not subject to either slippage or backlash. Relatively heavy spotlight units can be oriented in both a horizontal and vertical plane since the motive force is applied close to the center of balance of the unit, and movement in `both a horizontal and vertical plane is accomplished by use of a single motion transmitting cable.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character,'as other `rrloditicationsmay readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A remotely positionable spotlight comprising an electrically energized lamp mounted within a frame, a yoke for mounting said frame having spaced legs and a vertically disposed support member, said yoke being joined to said frame by drive pivot assemblies carried at oppositely disposed points on the legs of said yoke, said drive pivot `assemblies each comprising a sheave rigidly mounted on said frame and having an extending portion journalled for lrotation -in said yoke, a flexible cable carried on each of said sheaves and arranged thereon so that motion of said cables in opposite directions produces unidirectional rotation of said sheaves, a motion transmitting element movable with relation to said support member in a vertical di-rection and means for preventing movement of said motion transmitting element with relation to said support member in `a horizontal direction, one of said cables being connected directly to said transmission element and the other of said cables being connected to said transmission element through a motion-reversing sheave, mounting means on said yoke for rotation thereof in a horizontal plane, a remote actuator mounted for both linear and rotational motion and having a exible connection to said motion transmission element whereby linear motion of said actuator tilts said lamp frame in a vertical plane and rotational movement of said actuator rotates said lamp frame in a horizontal plane.

2. A remotely positionable spotlight comprising an electrically energized lamp mounted within va frame, a yoke for mounting said frame having -spaced legs and a support member, said yoke being joined to said frame by Adrive pivot assemblies carried at oppositely disposed points on the legs of said yoke, said drive pivot assemblies each lcomprising a sheave rigidly mounted on said frame and having an extending portion journalled for rotation in .said yoke, ya ilexible cable carried on each of said sheaves :and arranged thereon so that motion of said cables in opposite directions produces unidirectional rotation of said sheaves, a motion transmitting element movable with relation to said support member along the axis thereof and means for preventing movement of said motion transmitting element with relation to said support member in a direction transverse to the axis thereof, one of said cables being connected directly to said transmission element and the other off said cables being connected to said transmission element through a motion-reversing sheave, mounting means on said yoke for rotation thereof in a horizontal plane, a remote actuator mounted for both linear and rotational motion and having a tiexible connection to said motion transmission element whereby linear motion of said actuator tilts said lamp frame in a plane parallel to the axis of said support member and rotational movement of said actuator rotates said lamp frame in a plane transverse to the axis of said support member.

3. A remotely positionable spotlight comprising an electrically energized lamp mounted within :a frame, a yoke for mounting said frame having spaced legs and a support member, said yoke being joined to said frame by drive pivot assemblies carried at oppositely disposed points on the legs of said yoke, said drive pivot assemblies including rotatable means for tilting said frame within said yoke, ilexible cables engaging said rotatable means and `arranged so that motion of said cables produces tilting of said frame, a motion transmitting element movable with relation to said support member along the axis thereof and means for preventing movement of said motion transmitting element with relation to said support member in a direction transverse to the axis thereof, said cables `being connected to said transmission element, mounting means on said yoke for rotation thereof in a .6 horizontal plane, a remote actuator mounted `for both linear and rotational motion and having a single flexible connection to said motion transmission element whereby linear motion of said actuator tilts said lamp frame in a plane parallel to the axis of said support member and rotational movement of said actuator rotates said lamp in a plane transverse to the axis of said support member.

4. A remotely positionable spotlight as claimed in claim 3, wherein said remote actuator includes a single flexible shaft, a housing, a member extending through and movable within the housing, means exterior of the housing for manually moving said member linearly and rotationally within said housing, said flexible shaft having a rigid mechanical connection to said member, and detent means for establishing a reference position for said shaft comprising an element adjustably positioned on said member and a cooperating detent socket and detent abutment carried by said element and said housing.

5. A remotely positionable spotlight as claimed in claim 3, wherein electrical energization of the light generating elements is accomplished Aby dual electric circuits thereto, said electric circuits including conductor elements carried by said yoke and abuttin-gly engaged with conductor elements carried by said frame to maintain electrical continuity upon relative movement between the frame and the yoke, concentric collector rings stationarily mounted in encircling relation with said support member, brushes carried by said support member in sliding engagement with said collector rings, and wiring means connecting said brushes to the conductor elements carried by said yoke whereby electrical continuity is maintained upon rotation of said lamp frame in a plane transverse to the axis of said support member.

6. A remotely positionable spotlight as claimed in claim 3, wherein electrical energization of the light generating elements is accomplished by an electric circuit thereto, said elect-ric circuit including conductor elements carried by said yoke and abu-ttingly engaged with conductor elements carried by said frame to maintain electrical continuity upon relative movement between the frame and the yoke, and a brush in sliding engagement with a collector ring operable by said support member, whereby electrical continuity is maintained upon rotation of said lamp frame in a plane transverse to the -axis `of said support member.

7. A remotely positionable assembly comprising an element to be positioned, a yoke for mounting said positioned element having spaced legs and a vertically disposed support member, said yoke being joined to said element by drive pivot assemblies carried at oppositely disposed points on the legs of said yoke, said drive pivot assemblies including rotatable means for tilting said positioned element within said yoke, ilexible cables engaging said rotatable means and arranged so that motion of said cables produces tilting of said positioned element, a motion transmitting element movable with relation to said support member along the axis thereof and means for preventing movement of said motion transmitting element with relation to said support member in a direction transverse to the axis thereof, at least one of said cables being connected to said transmission element, mounting means on said yoke for rotation thereof in a horizontal plane, a remote actuator mounted for both linear and rotational motion and having a exible connection to said motion transmission element whereby linear motion of said actuator tilts said positioned element in a plane parallel to the axis of said support member 4and rotational movement of said actuator rotates said positioned element in a plane transverse to the axis of said support member.

8. In a remotely positionable spotlight a lamp frame, a yoke for mounting said frame having spaced legs and a central support member, said yoke being joined to said frame by drive pivot assemblies carried at oppositely disposed points on said legs, said drive pivot assemblies each comprising a rotatable member rigidly mounted on said frame and journalled for rotation in said yoke, a ilex- -ible cable attached to each of said rotatable members, said References Cited -in the-tile of this lpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Sagle Oct. '12, 19,20

Beam June 13, 1922 Goetz Mar. 9, 1926 Cameron Dec. 17, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 15, 1956