US1819842A - Lamp support - Google Patents

Description

C. W. MOORE LAMP SUPPORT Aug. 18, 1931.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 29. 1928 gwuewtop Aug. 18, 1931. c. w. MOORE l4 I LAMP SUPPORT Filed Feb. 29. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet. 3

C/are/rce l7 Moo/a.

Aug. 18, 1931. c, w. MOORE 1,819,842

' LAMP SUPPORT Filed Feb. 29. 1928 4 sheets-"sheet. 4

gwuemtoz Patented Aug. 18, 1931 4 "UNITED STATES PATENT] CLARENCE w; M00311, or ROSLYN, PENNSYLVANIA,,ASSiGtTQR' BY MESNE ASsie1v- 1= .MENTS, To BITTER DENTAL M'ANurAcTunnm company Inc, or RocHEsT R EW YO K, A CORPORATION or DE AWARE LAMP SUPPORT,

Application filed. February 29, 1928. Serial no. 258,002,

x Thisinvention relates to lamp supports, and particularly to improvements 'in thelamp clusters known as dental operating 1 lights. 4

,r Among the objects of the invention are;- "to provide a dental operating lighteluster. with means for adjusting the cluster in three.

planes; to improve the construction of lamp clusters and supports; to provide a lamp m cluster about a hub susceptible tooscillation on a horizontal axis passing through the' hub; to so balance the parts in an adjustable lamp cluster that an imparted position of adjustment will be retained with a min- I 5 imum of frictional resistance; to provide a 1 dental operating light susceptible to adjustment to any required position in response'to a single movement-by the operator; to provide an adjustable dental operating light.

instantly returnable to a normalvertical position without careful and vminute adjustments; to. providefa dental operating light susceptible to easy and quick adjustments with an enhancement of ornamental and compact appearance thereof; toimp rovethe crane construction of dental operating lights; and many other objects and advantages as will be more apparent as the description proceeds. 1 In the accompanying drawings disclosing an illustrativeiorm otthe invention:

Fig. 1, represents a top plan of the assembled dental operating light, and the pivoted, extensible crane upon supported, V

Fig. .Zfrepresents alongitudinal section through the assembly taken on line 2-2 of Fig.1,"

which it is Fig. 3, represents a section through the '40 frictional pivot at the inner end'of the crane,

I taken on line'3 3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4, represents, a vertical section through the telescoping elements of th crane, taken on line 4+ of Fig. 2, i I

Fig. 5, represents an enlarged vertical section taken through the lamp cluster, the

yoke and its support, i

Fig. 6, represents a horizontal section through the connection between the yoke and I its support, taken on line 6-6. of Fig. 5,

.ing the range ofoscillation on a vertical axisto Which it is susceptible,

i F1g. 10, represents: a diagrammatic elevationo'f the lamp cluster in its normalunadjusted position in the supporting yoke, and lts Fig. 11, represents the .same with the cluster tilted or adjusted in the yoke.

With the development of thermechanical side of dentistry ther'ehas'arisen the necessity for, better lighting facilities. Bettera'zo lighting has been'effected by the-cluster of lights about a central. hub, forming standard equipment in the modern dental'office 'at though as previously arranged. this lamp 7 cluster has been mounted ona vertically adjustable. support as the only'mea'ns for adjusting the position of the, cluster, and therefore does not provide'the utmost in lighting efliciency. 'It'has been discovered that even better results were obtainable when the lamp cluster was'made angularly adjustable relative the vertical support. So far as known, however, the only means provided in the past for thispurpose, involved a universal connection disposed in the hub of the clusterfiss by means'of a ball and socket connection, which, whileaffordinga measure of adjustability was also possessed of anumber of disadvantages. Among, others, the undesirable characteristics-ofthe ball and socket connec-Em tion were; undue 'frictionalresistanc'eto movement, necessitating the use of both hands of the operator'in order ,tosecur'e' the proper adjustment as an inciden-tof the large frictional area of the ball and socket connec- FBS be appreciable frictionalresistance .to movementin order tomaintain an imparted position of adj ustment; adispleasing. and unornai mental appearance due to the necessary disposition of the elements of the lamp cluster; difliculty in returning the cluster to proper vertical or normal position without careful and minute adjustments; undue expense owing in part to the number of parts used. It was with these factors in mind that the invention herein was invented.

The preferred form of the invention contemplates the provision of a lamp cluster comprising light sources grouped about a central hub, to which a yoke is affixed upon a horizontal axis passing substantially through the center of gravity of the cluster, the yoke having a limited swivel connection 'with a vertical member, and the vertical member in turn supported upon a novel coun terbalanced crane.

Referring now to the drawings, n Figs. 1

and 2, a vertical element or pintle 12 is provided, which may be mounted upon a wall as disclosed, or otherwise maintained in a vertical position, as by being mounted on a dental unit. It is preferred that the pintle 12 be pivotally mounted so as to swing on a vertical axis. The pintle 12 is enlarged as at 13, to receive the clevis 14 joined thereto by a pivot pin 15. The pin is differentially threaded at opposite ends, and is engaged by a thumb nut 16 arranged to vary the tension of the legs of the clevis on the enlargement 13, so that pivotal movement of the clevis on the pintel is subject to varying resistances,

as will be clear. The clevis 14 forms a terminal of a relatively heavy tube 17 formed with internal restricted bearing surfaces 18 at each end thereof, with which a relatively .thin hollow tube 20 is axially held'in'the 1 heavy tube. The tube 17, at a point between its pivot 15, and its free end 19, is'formed with an integral vertical lug 21, preferably extending downwardly to engagement with t a spring unit 'counterbalancing the crane.

' The preferred, illustrative form of spring unit, comprises a tubular housing 22, closed at one end by a hinge'piece 23 pivoted to the pintle 12 in vertical alignment with the pivot 15, the housing having a longitudinal slot 24 through which the lug 21 extends into the housing. The lug 21 has a threaded opening 25 in which an adjusting pin 26 is movably mounted andarranged for adjust- -ment at the outer open end of the tubular housing, and having a head 27 arranged to compress a coil spring 28 against the hinge piece 23. The open end of the housing is preferably closed by a threaded cap 30. It

' will be clear that if the spring unit were disposed above the crane instead of below, that the coil spring would in that case be a tension spring instead of the compression member disclosed. This spring unit extends in parallel spaced relation with the crane, and is susceptible to easy and quick adjustments when it is desired to vary the compression tive to counterbalance the weight of the crane and its supported weight in any position of adjustment, being maintained in a desired position of adjustment by the frictional resistance of the pivot 15.

The inner fixed tube 20, has a threaded outer end to receive a clamping nut 31, through the center of which extends the telescopic arm 32, slidably disposed in the tube 20. The outer end of the arm 32 carries a clevis 33. It will be noted that the pintle 12, enlargement 13, and the entire crane so far described, are hollow and form conduits through which conductors may extend. I

A vertical sleeve or swivel member 34 having an internal wire receiving bore 35, is pivoted fromthe clevis 33, by a hinge pin 36, and is provided with an eccentric lug 37 toward its upper end, beneath which the sleeve .is restricted in diameter as at 38, and has a peripheral groove close to the lower end.

The swivel member is arranged for swivel connection with the upper end of the yoke 41, which is provided with a bore of such diameter as to have sliding engagement with the portion 38 of the sleeve, and which bore opens downwardly with the lug 37 against the bottom Wall of therecess, in which position the portion 38 extends into the bifurcation of the yoke to permit the insertion of a split washer 44 in the groove 40, which is seated in a lower recess 45 in yoke, 41. This recess is preferably closed by a plug having openings registering with the bore 35 of the sleeve or swivel member to form a conduit for conductors. The yoke at its lower end terminates in a pair of bowed legs 46, having each a vertical groove on its inner surface, as at '47, in which conductors may lie. Each leg 46 is relatively slender to enhance the ornamental aspectsof the assembly. 7 1 i i The hub of the cluster, identified broadly by 48, is preferably comprised of a casting 39, as an annulus, havin a cross-web 49, and

carrying a plurality of radially extending relatively short bracketarms or sockets 50,

lus, and evenly spaced between adjacent bracket arms, the depending ears 51 are formed with openings 52 spaced below the plane of the bracket arms for reasons to be explained. The bowed legs of the yoke are engaged with the ears of the annulus by hol lowthreaded pins 53 passing through the respectiveopenin'gs 52 and into the ends of the legs, in registry with the grooves 47 formed "therein so that wires or conductors l in in the grooves may pass through the hollow 3 pins into the'interior of the hub. 'Within "the hub nuts 54 are threaded upon the hollow pins 53, compressing coilv springs 55 against the inner surfaces of the ears, in order to im-- parta slight frictional resistance to the pivotal connection, which is varied by movement carried by a leg of the yoke, to maintain the sired.

of the nuts on the threads of the pins, as de *At least one of the ears 51, carries a lug or ="stop 56, and a shoulder 59, on its under surface, in position to be engaged by a lug 57 perpendicular relation of the hub to the yoke in-one direction, and to limit its relative movement in the other direction, when the cluster is adjusted for position relative a patient. The lugs and shoulder cooperate to limit the oscillation of the'hub, and thus the cluster, relative to the yoke in both direc--- tions. p

The web 49 is arranged to support a switch of any desired constructiomas by means of screws 58, and such other terminals, etc. as maybe used. The hub is completed by the proper positioning of opposed, preferably substantially identical semi-ovular shell portions; the upper shell 60 having a plug 61 in the axis thereof to form a neat closure there for, and the lower shell 62 having a depending axially extending handle 63, in which a switch; control 64 is mounted, in position to j function on the switch mounted on web 49.

It will be clear-that if desired a counterweight, (not shown), may be positioned within the shells of the hub,'subject to vertical adjustments in any desired manner, as by proper actuation of the handle 63, so that the center of gravity of the lamp cluster may be caused to coincide exactly with the hori- 1 zontal axis of the hub as defined by the pins 53. With such accurate adjustment the frictional devices associatedwith the pins 53 --would be discarded as unnecessary. How-- ever, without such counterweight, it: is fpointed out that the center of gravity of'the lamp cluster is substantially on the horizontal axis in any case, owing to the disposition of thebracket arms with their attached illuminants, to be described, ona plane above that passing through the axis, so that the frictional elements shown, or such others as may be used will impose but little resistance to ad ust ng movement, belng merely sufficient and adequate to maintain a desired position.

It will be'understood that the bracketarms 50 are internally bored to house" conductors pass ng through them, and each is arranged to receive the vertical portion of a gooseneck 65, extendlng upwardly to a pointabove the blfurcation of the yoke thenbendmgdownwardly and outwardly-in planes-radially of the hub, and supporting illuminating sources or lamps 66, the lower extremities of which are below the bottomend of the hub and so disposed that the center of gravity of the. assembled light sources and theirimmediate supports is substantially in, the plane of. the

horizontal axis of the hub. It will be noted that there is but little clear .ance between the thin but fairly wide legs of the yoke, and the outer surface of the hub so that the compactness of the assembly, and its ornamental effect is maintained, while affording ample clearance for the hub, and the lamp cluster of which it is the center, to swing-on the horizontal axis without interference between the hub and the yoke,-or the yokeand the bracket arms or goos'enecks. V

I As it is neither necessarynor desirable that the lamp cluster be swung in any direction. other than toward the patient the limitations placed upon the adjustments between the yoke and hub conduce toward that end, but also enable the operator to return the lamp cluster to normal position instantly by swings.

ing it from its, adjusted position on its horlzontal axis, (Fig 11), to its vertical ,position thereon, (Fig. 10), bythe abutment of the lugs ofthe yoke'and ear of the hub, as

will be clear. In securing any desired adjust-1 I ment, whether vertical, bymovement of the crane, horizontal, by the vertical axis of they swivel connection; at the top of the yoke, or of the clusteritself on-a horizontal axis, it

will be clearthat the operator may simply grasp the handle63, and secure any of these ,ad'ustments or an combinationsof them b proper manipulations of the handle, and thus of the cluster. In the same manner, and with out appreciable effort the lamp cluster may,

be returned .to normal position. As noted such ease of ad ustment and return ism contrast to the minute and careful, and manually pressed'below the lower levels of the indi- Y vidual lights of the cluster as is necessary when the universalconnection at the to'p of thejhub is provided.

The'lamp support of this invention is easier to adjust than the previous constructions involving the ball and socket as it will move properly even though the operator inadvertently exerts force'andlturning stress on the cluster in thewrong dlrection, whereas due to unavoidable imperfections resulting in uneven and unpredetermined friction the. ball and socket connection tends to assume an improper position as much asthe pr-operone,

even though the operators force is properly directed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lamp cluster including a hub having a closed upper end, light sources mounted on porting the hub for oscillation on the supporta ing means, both said last mentioned means being provided with electric conductor receiving channels whereby conductors may extend from the last mentioned means to the light sources on the hub below the closed end of the hub.

2. A lamp cluster including a hub comprised of a ring and radially extending arms, hub shells mounted on the ring and extending vertically therefrom, light sources mounted on the arms, ears formed on the ring at diametrically opposite points between thev mentioned shank limiting the inward movearms, a yoke arrange-d to straddle the upper shell of the hub, and means pivotally connecting the yoke to the ears so that the hub may oscillate on a horizontal axis.

3. A lamp cluster including an oval shaped hub, arms extending from the substantial center of the hub, light sources carried by the arms and evenly disposed about the hub, a yoke arranged to straddle the hub, means for connecting the yoke to the hub between pairs of arms below the level of said arms so that the hub may oscillate in the yoke on a horizontal axis passing substantially through the center of gravity of the cluster.

4. A lamp cluster including a cast ring having oppositely disposed depending ears, radially extending arms mounted on the ring above the level of the ears, an oval hub mounted on the ringvertically extending goose necks mounted on the respective arms and spaced from the hub by the length of said arms, substantially, the goose necks terminating in light sources and each gooseneck positioned in a plane respectively radial of the hub, a yoke having legs curved to straddle the hub in evenly spaced relation thereto substantially through their lengths, and means pivotally connecting the legs of the yoke with the respective ears, the diameter of the yoke being such as to permit relative oscillation of 6. A lamp cluster including a pivotally mounted sleeve support, arranged for free swinging on a. substantially horizontal axis, the sleeve having a shank and an eccentric, a yoke having a bore to receive the shank of: the sleeve and axially recessed to receive the eccentric, a stop disposed in the recess arranged to abut the eccentric to limit rotational movement of the yoke relative the sleeve, means for connecting the sleeve and yoke in a rotative assembly, and alamp cluster supported by the yoke.

7. In a lamp cluster, sources of illumination, a-yoke supporting said sources on a substantially horizontal axis, the upper end of theyoke terminatingin a shank having a bore, and upper and lower recesses communicating therewith, the upper recess having an internal-stop or lug projecting from the outer periphery of the shank, a sleeve having a shank slidably insertable in the bore of the yoke, an eccentric extending from the last ment of the said shank in said bore, the last mentioned shank having a peripheral groove, means engageable in said groove to limit the outward movement of the shank in said bore, and seatable in the lower recess of the yoke shank, the stop andeccentric arranged for abutting engagement as the yoke is oscillated in relation to the sleeve.

8. A'lamp cluster comprising a hub, light sources carried by the hub, a yoke arranged to straddle the hub, the yoke having arms having internal grooves, hollow pins connecting the yoke arms to the hub and forming conduits'in registry with the grooves of said arms for the reception of conductors and permitting their extension into the hub for distribution to the light sources, the yoke having a hollow shank, a hollow sleeve rotatably supporting the yoke through which the conductors may extend to the grooves in the arms of said yoke, a hollow support for the lamp Icluster arranged to house the conductors extending into the hollow sleeve.

9. In a lamp cluster, a lamp support comprising a supporting member, a crane frictionally pivoted thereto, a stud extending from the crane vertically of the crane, a

allelism with the crane between its pivot and the stud with the stud extending into the slot in the tube, and meansfor varying the condition of the spring device including a follower threaded in the stud and disposed in the tube.

10. In a lamp cluster, a hub of substantiallyoval shape, arms and goose necks eXtending from the hub and substantially centered thereon vertically, a yoke including relatively thin legs arranged to straddle the upper end of the hub and substantially uniformly but inappreciably spaced therefrom, means connecting the yoke to the hub on a substantially horizontal axis below the arms, and light sources depending from the goose necks cooperating to bring the center of gravity of the assembly in substantial registry with the horizontal axis, to form an ornamental, adjustable lamp cluster.

11. A lamp cluster including a hub having a closed upper end, radial arms uniformly spaced about the periphery of said hub and carrying light sources, oppositely disposed means engaging the hub to provide a horizontal axis extending diametrically of the hub and peripherally spaced between certain of said arms below the closed upper end, a vertically extending supporting element also spaced between certain of said arms for supporting the hub for oscillation on said oppositely disposed means, both'said last mentioned means having channels for electrical conductors leading into the hub below the closed upper end thereof.

12. A lamp cluster comprising a hub, goose necks mounted on said hub at substantially the vertical center thereof, the goose necks having legs extending vertically in substantial parallelism with the vertical axis of the hub and in closely spaced relation to the hub, light sources mounted on the goose necks in such manner as to create a center of gravity for the assembled hub, goose necks and light sources in proximity to the vertical center of said hub, and vertical supporting means arranged in spaced relation to the hub and extending between a pair of goose necks,

and connected to said hub on a horizontal A axis passing substantially throughsaid center of gravity to form a compact unit which is susceptible to a wide range of adjustments.

13. A lamp cluster comprising a hub, having an upper tapered surface, light sources and means for supporting said light sources on the hub in such manner as to locate the center of gravity of theassembly near the middle of the hub, said means including elements including vertical portions radially closely spaced from the hub, a supporting arm for the unit including a vertically extending element merging into a curved element, pivotally connectedto the unit on a horizontal axis passing substantially through said center of gravity of the unit,

upon which the unit may be oscillated with the vertical portion of the arm in the path of movement of the vertical portion of the light source supporting means, said vertically extending portion of the arm bearing such proportion to the curved portion of said arm as to prevent contact between the supporting arm and the light source supporting means.

incident to a maximum oscillation of the unit upon its pivot.

14;. A lamp cluster comprising a hub having a closed upper end, radially disposed light sources carried by the hub, a yoke arranged to straddle the hub in substantially uniformly spaced relation to the closed upper end of the hub, and means for pivotally connecting the yoke and hub on a substantially horizontal axis passing substantially through the center of gravity of the hub and light sources, and said means having chan nels for electric connectors for the light sources.

15. A lamp cluster including a hub of generally oval shape having a closed upper end, radial arms peripherally spaced about the substantial center of said hub and carrying light sources, an inverted yoke having legs straddling the hub and extending vertically, means between the yoke and said hub forming a horizontal axis extending diametrically through the hub just below the level of said arms and peripherally spaced between certain of the arms, the yoke having a substantially uniform clearance from the closed upper end and the horizontal axis having a channel for the reception of electrical connectors leading into the hub.-

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

CLARENCE W, MOORE.

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