US3071764A

US3071764A - Signaling table lamp

Info

Publication number: US3071764A
Application number: US139770A
Authority: US
Inventors: Grant E Frezieres
Original assignee: Superweld Corp
Current assignee: Superweld Corp
Priority date: 1961-09-21
Filing date: 1961-09-21
Publication date: 1963-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-01-01

Description

Jan. 1, 1963 G. E. FREZIERES 3,07

SIGNALING TABLE LAMP Filed Sept. 21, 1961 IN V EN TOR. GRANT :E- P25215255 s s offFIG. 1;

United States Patent 3,071,764 SIGNALING TABLE LAMP Grant E. Frezieres, Granada Hills, Califi, assignor to Superweld Corporation, NorthHollywood, Califi, a

corporation of California Filed Sept. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 139,770

9 Claims. (Cl. 340-366) This invention relates to a table lamp for a restaurant or the like to be used for local illumination and in addition to be used by a patron to signal for service.

The broad object of the invention is to provide a pleasingly ornamental lamp for this purpose of relatively simple and durable construction that will provide subdued local illumination and be capable of signaling for service Without using an intense or glaring signaling light. Generally described, this object is achieved by using a signal light on the lamp that is pleasingly subdued and by energizing the signal lamp in a pulsating manner. Thus the invention takes advantage of the fact that a fluctuating light source quickly attracts attention. It has been found that a fluctuating light source of low candle power is just as effective for attracting attention as a steady light source of high candle power, in fact the weaker fluctuating light may be more effective.

A feature of the preferred practice of the invention is the concept of using such a lamp with a lamp shade for illumination of the environment by indirect light and adding pulsating light to the indirect light. This concept makes it possible to employ a very low intensity, distinctly colored pulsating signal light above the lamp shade since the pulsations of the downwardly reflected light also attracts attention to the patrons request for service.

Since the lamp has a translucent upright hollow structure, the wiring for the two lamp bulbs and the means for supporting the 'two lamp bulbs in the upper portion of the hollow structure should be of a construction to avoid casting heavy shadows on the translucent walls of the hollow structure. In the present embodiment of the invention, this problem is solved by using a relatively stiff upright wire to'serve three functions One function is to support the two lamp bulbs. A second'purpose is to serve as a conductor in the circuits for the two lamp bulbs respectively. A third purpose is to support two thepreferred practice of the invention, the general illumination switch is in a recess on the underside of the lamp so that access thereto requires that the lamp be lifted bodily from the table on which it rests.

The features and advantages of. the invention may be understood from the following detailed description and In. thedrawing, which is to bere'girded "as merely illus- -trative: a FIGNI i513. vertical longitudinal sectional view of the .presentlypreferred embodiment of the lamp, the view b'eing'partlyin side elevation; r

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lamp; FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken along the line FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the two lamp bulbs as seen along the angular line 4-4 of FIG." 1'; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section along thelline 5- 5 of 3,071,7s4 Patented Jan. 1, 1963 FIG. 1 showing the signal switch and associated structure.

The selected embodiment of the table lamp has a hollow upright structure carrying a downwardly concave.

lamp shade 10, the hollow upright structure comprising a tubular column 12 extending upward from a base 14. At least the upper portion of the tubular column 12 is made of light-transmitting material. In this instance, the tubular column 12 comprises an outer support tube 15 of substantially clear or transparent plastic and a translucent liner 16 inside the tube. The translucent liner 16 may be simply a thin sheet of suitably colored plastic or paper rolled to cylindrical form.

The base 14 is downwardly concave and thus forms a relatively large recess 18 on its underside. In the construction shown, the base 14, which is made of plastic and may be opaque, forms an upright chamber 20 for a battery 22 and the bottom portion of the chamber is enlarged to form an annular seat 24 for the lower end of the tubular column 12. This annular seat is surrounded by a shoulder 25 to confine the lower end of the tubular column 12.

The lamp shade iii in this particular embodiment of the invention comprises molded translucent plastic which has a cap portion 26 resting on the upper end of the tubular column 12 and closing the top of the tubular column. The inner surface 28 of the lamp shade has a mirror finish to serve as a highly etficient reflector. The cap portion 26 is apertured to seat a small chamber 36 of colored translucent material preferably differing in color from the cap portion 26 to transmit colored pulsating signal light, the bottom of the chamber being open and opening into the interior of the tubular column 12. In the construction shown, the translucent liner 16 terminates short of the upper end of the clear support tube 15 so that an upper portion 32 of the tubular column 12 has a transparent cylindrical wall lying inside the lamp shade 10.

An upright conductor in the form of a relatively still wire 34 extends upward from the upper end of the battery chamber 20 and is anchored to the upper end of the battery chamber by a metal fitting 35 which serves as one contact against one pole of the battery 22. The second contact for the lower end of the battery is in the form of a resilient strip of metal 36 to support the battery 22 in the battery chamber 26. In the construction shown the metal strip 36 is made of beryllium copper. One end of the metal strip is hingedly connected to the battery chamber 20 and for this purpose is formed with a loop 38 that engages an aperture 40 in the side wall of the battery chamber 26. The second end of the metal strip 36 is bent to form a hook 42 for releasable engagement with a second aperture 44 in the side Wall of the battery chamber.

A first lamp bulb 45 for general illumination and a second lamp bulb 46 to generate pulsating signal light are mounted on the upper end of the stiff wire 34 for support thereby. In the construction shown, the base ferrules of the two lamp bulbs screw into socket members 37 that are directly soldered to the stifi wire 34 for en- 'ergization of the two lamp bulbs by the battery 22. The first lamp bulb 4-5 is shown at a location at which it is within the level of the lamp shade 10 but entirely surrounded by the translucent liner 16 so that the lamp bulb provides only subdued and pleasingly colored light for general illumination, the light being reflected downward by the inner mirror surface of the lamp shade Ill. The

second lamp bulb 46 is positioned at a higher level and .preferably close to the lower end of the upper translucent chamber 30. A portion of the light emitted by the second lamp bulb,46 illuminates the translucent chamber 30 and the adjacent translucent cap portion 26 of the lamp shade to create the desired pulsating colored signal light above the lamp shade 10. A substantial portion of the light emitted by the lamp bulb 46 passes through the clear wall of the upper portion 32 of the tubular column 12 to reach the inner mirror surface 28 of the lamp shade with only insignificant loss in intensity. By virtue of this arrangement the signal lamp 46 adds a pulsating component of clear light to the general illumination. It has been found that the pulsating colored light emating from the top of the table lamp above the lamp shade in combination with the synchronous fluctuation of the indirect lighting of the table surface around the lamp is highly elfective for attracting attention to the patrons need for service but the effect is not intense or glaring and does not objectionably distract other patrons.

A first switch 48 operated by a rotary knob 50 is mounted in the recess 18 on the bottom of the base 14 to control the general illumination lamp bulb 45. A second switch 52 is mounted on the lamp base 14 with a manually operable plunger 54 for turning off and on the signaling lamp bulb 46. Supported by the second switch 52 is a circuit component 55 of a well known type which automatically makes and breaks the circuit for intermittent energization of the lamp bulb 46 to produce the desired pulsating signal effect. In the construction shown, the second switch 52 is secured in an aperture in the base 14 by a lock nut 56 and this lock nut anchors an angular bracket 58 on which the first switch 48 is mounted.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, one side of the switch 48 and one side of the circuit component 55 of the second switch 52 are connected to the metal strip 36 by a wire 60. The second side of the switch 48 under the base of the lamp is connected to the lamp bulb 45 by a wire 62 that is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2 and is shown in full line in FIG. 1. In like manner, the second side of the circuit component 55 associated with the second switch 52 is connected to the signaling lamp 46 by a Wire 64 that is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2 {and is shown in full line in FIG. 1. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the two

wires

62 and 64 are twisted or twined about the stiff wire 34. Since all three wires extend along the axis of the upright tubular column 12, they are concealed by the translucent liner 16 and do not cast heavy shadows on the liner.

In the construction shown, the upper ends of the two

wires

62 and 64 are connected to

corresponding terminals

65 and 66 as shown in FIG. 4 which terminals are mounted on the two socket members 37 in an insulated manner and touch the end contacts of the two lamps. It is a simple matter to lift the tubular column 12 and the associated lamp shade 10 away from the base 14 to expose the two lamp bulbs and the wiring inside the tubular column whenever it is desired to inspect or service the lamp.

It is to be noted that the stiff wire 34 is inclined so that an upper portion lies a substantial radial distance from the lower lamp bulb for minimum masking effect on the light from the lower lamp bulb.

When a restaurant first opens for a business day, a waiter lifts the table lamp and manipulates the switch 48 on the underside of the base of the lamp to close the circuit for constant energiz-ation of the lamp bulb 45 for general illumination of the table top. When a patron requires service, the patron simply depresses the exposed plunger 54 of the switch 52 to cause the signaling lamp 46 to be energized intermittently for creating pulsating signal light. The portion of the light that goes through the translucent chamber 30 at the top of the lamp may be red or amber in color.

My description in specific detail of the selected embodiment of the invention will suggest various changes, substitutions and other departures from my disclosure within the spirit and scope of tthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a table lamp for use, for example, in a restaurant by a patron to signal for service, the combination of: an upright hollow structure at least the upper portion of which has light-transmitting walls; a first lamp means in said upper portion to illuminate the environment; a second lamp means in said upper portion to signal for service; a first circuit for energizing said first lamp means; a second circuit to energize said second lamp means intermittently with a flashing effect to attract attention; a switch for operation by a patron to energize said second circuit, said switch having a manual operating member exposed on the exterior of said structure for the convenience of a patron; and a switch carried by said structure to energize said first circuit, the latter switch having a concealed manual operating member difiicult of access to prevent inadvertent operation by a patron.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said hollow structure has a base and in which said latter switch is on the underside of said base whereby the lamp must be lifted for access to the latter switch.

3. In a table lamp for use, for example, in a restaurant by a patron tosignal for service, the combination of: an upright hollow structure at least the upper portion of which has light transmitting walls; a relatively stiff conductor anchored in the lower portion of said structure and extending upward to said upper portion; a first lamp means supported by said conductor in said upper portion of the hollow structure for illumination of the environment; a second lamp means supported by said conductor in said upper portion of the hollow structure to signal for service; a first wire and a second wire both supported from the upper end of said conductor and extending downward through the hollow structure; a first circuit including said conductor and said first wire to energize said first lamp means; a first switch to control said circuit; a second circuit including said conductor and said second wire to energize said second lamp means intermittently to attract attention; and a second switch to control the second circuit, said second switch having a manual operating member exposed on the exterior of said structure for operation by a patron, said first switch having a manual operating member concealed behind a wall of the structure to prevent inadvertent operation by a patron.

4. In a table lamp for use, for example, in a restaurant by a patron to signal for service, the combination of: an upright hollow structure comprising a hollow column extending upward from a base, said base having a recess on its bottom side, at least the upper portion of said holow column having light-transmitting walls, a lower portion of the hollow structure forming a vertical battery compartment; a battery in said compartment; a first contact in the upper endof said compartment for one terminal of the battery; a second contact in the lower end of said compartment for the other terminal of the battery, said second contact releasably supporting the battery in the compartment; a relatively stitf conductor anchored at the upper end of said compartment and extending upward to said upper portion of the hollow column; a first lamp means supported by said conductor in said upper portion for illumination of the environment; a second lamp means supported by said conductor in said upper portion to signal for service; a first wire and a second wire both supported from the upper end of said conductor and extending downward through the hollow structure; a first circuit including said battery, said first wire, said conductor and said two contacts to energize the first lamp means; a second circuit including said battery, said second wire, said conductor and said two contacts to energize the second lamp means intermittently to create pulsating signal light; a first switch to control said first circuit; and a second'switch to control said second circuit, said second switch being exposed on the exterior of the structure for convenient operation by a patron, said first switch being mounted in said bottom recess for difliculty of access to prevent inadvertent operation thereof by a patron.

5. In a table lamp for use, for example, in a restaurant by a patron to signal for service, the combination of: an upright hollow structure comprising a hollow column extending upward from a base, said base having a recess on its bottom side, at least the upper portion of said hollow column having light-transmitting walls, a lower portion of the hollow structure forming a vertical battery compartment; a downwardly concave lampshade surrounding said upper portion ofthe hollow column at an intermediate level thereof; a battery in said compartment;

'end of said compartment for the other terminal of the battery, said second contact releasably supporting the battery in the compartment; a relatively stifi conductor anchored at the upper end of said compartment and inclined upward to said upper portion of the hollow column; a first lamp means supported by said conductor in said upper portion of the hollow column within the horizontal planes of said lamp shade to illuminate the environment; a second lamp supported by said conductor in said upper portion of the hollow column to transmit light above the lamp shade to signal for service; a first wire and a second wire both supported from the upper end of said conductor and extending downward through the hollow structure; a first circuit including said battery, said first wire, said conductor and said two contacts to energize the first lamp means; a second circuit including said battery, said second wire, said conductor and said two contacts to energize the second lamp means intermittently to create pulsating signal light; a first switch to control said first circuit; and a second switch to control said second circuit, said second switch being exposed on the exterior of the structure for convenient operation by a patron, said first switch being mounted in said bottom recess for diffieulty of access to prevent inadvertent operation thereof by a patron.

6. In a table lamp for use, for example, in a restaurant by a patron to signal for service, the combination of: an upright hollow structure comprising a base having a recess on its underside and a hollow column of substantionally transparent material'extending upward from the base, a downwardly concave reflector mounted. on said column and surrounding the column near the top thereof with the top portion of the column extending above the reflector, at least a part of said top portion being made of colored translucent material; a colored translucent liner inside said column extending upward from said base and terminating below said top portion of the column thereby providing a clear portion of said column below said top portion and inside said reflector; a relatively stifi conductor extending upward inside said column; a first lamp means mounted on said conductor insider the upper end of said liner for illuminating the environment through the liner; a second lamp means mounted on said conductor to signal for service; a first wire and a second wire both supported from the upper end of said conductor and extending downward through the hollow column; a first circuit including said conductor and said first wire to energize the first lamp means; a first switch to control said circuit; a second circuit including said conductor and said second wire to energize the second lamp means intermittently for a pulsating elfect to attract attention; and a second switch to control said second circuit, said second switch being exposed on said structure for operation by a patron, said first switch being concealed in said recess in the base to prevent inadvertent operation by a patron, said second lamp means being positioned in said clear portion of said column for pulsating illumination of both said colored translucent material of the top portion of the column and said clear portion of the column whereby pulsating clear light from the second lamp means is reflected downward by said reflector and is thereby added to the light from the first lamp means for attention-attracting pulsating illumination of the environment under the reflector.

7. In a table lamp for use, for example, in a restaurant by a patron to signal for service, the combination of: an upright hollow structure made of light-transmitting material; a downwardly concave reflector mounted on said structure and surrounding the structure near the top thereof with a top portion of the structure extending above the reflector, at least a part of said top portion being made of colored translucent material; a first lamp means inside said hollow structure in the region of said reflector for illuminating the environment; a second lamp means in the upper portion of said hollow structure to illuminate said top portion from the inside, said second lamp means being inside said reflector for additional illumination of the environment; a first circuit to energize said first lamp means; a second circuit to energize said second lamp means intermittently to create pulsating light; a first switch for said first circuit; and a second switch for said second circuit, said first switch being concealed by said structure to prevent inadvertent operation by a patron, said second switch being exposed on said structure for operation by a patron.

8. A table lamp having: a base open on its underside and providing an upwardly extending battery chamber, said base forming an annular seat surrounding the upper portion of the battery chamber; a translucent tubular column removably resting on said seat; a relatively stiff conductor extending upward through said tubular column from said battery chamber; lamp means supported on the upper end of said conductor; and circuit means to energize said lamp means, said circuit means including said conductor and at least one flexible. wire extending along and supported by the conductor.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said tubular column comprises an outer tubular support of substantially transparent material and a translucent liner inside said tubular support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,265,903 Hartje Dec. 9, 1941 2,415,991 Christian Feb. 18, 1947 2,804,611 Craddock Aug. 27, 1957 2,878,373 Bramming Mar. 17, 1959 2,957,169 White Oct. 18, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 161,703 Switzerland May 15, 1933

Claims

6. IN A TABLE LAMP FOR USE, FOR EXAMPLE, IN A RESTAURANT BY A PARTON TO SIGNAL FOR SERVICE, THE COMBINATION OF: AN UPRIGHT HOLLOW STRUCTURE COMPRISING A BASE HAVING A RECESS ON ITS UNDERSIDE AND A HOLLOW COLUMN OF SUBSTANTIONALLY TRANSPARENT MATERIAL EXTENDING UPWARD FROM THE BASE, A DOWNWARDLY CONCAVE REFLECTOR MOUNTED ON SAID COLUMN AND SURROUNDING THE COLUMN NEAR THE TOP THEREOF WITH THE TOP PORTION OF THE COLUMN EXTENDING ABOVE THE REFLECTOR, AT LEAST A PART OF SAID TOP PORTION BEING MADE OF COLORED TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL; A COLORED TRANSLUCENT LINER INSIDE SAID COLUMN EXTENDING UPWARD FROM SAID BASE AND TERMINATING BELOW SAID TOP PORTION OF THE COLUMN THEREBY PROVIDING A CLEAR PORTION OF SAID COLUMN BELOW SAID TOP PORTION AND INSIDE SAID REFLECTOR; A RELATIVELY STIFF CONDUCTOR EXTENDING UPWARD INSIDE SAID COLUMN; A FIRST LAMP MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CONDUCTOR INSIDER THE UPPER END OF SAID LINER FOR ILLUMINATING THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE LINER; A SECOND LAMP MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CONDUCTOR TO SIGNAL FOR SERVICE; A FIRST WIER AND A SECOND WIRE BOTH SUPPORTED FROM THE UPPER END OF SAID CONDUCTOR AND EXTENDING DOWNWARD THROUGH THE HOLLOW COLUMN; A FIRST CIRCUIT INCLUDING SAID CONDUCTOR AND SAID FIRST WIRE TO ENERGIZE THE FIRST LAMP MEANS; A FIRST SWITCH TO CONTROL SAID CIRCUIT; A SECOND CIRCUIT INCLUDING SAID CONDUCTOR AND SAID SECOND WIRE TO ENERGIZE THE SECOND LAMP MEANS