US1827141A - Illuminating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 13, 1931. G. H. cUsI-IING ILLUMINATING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1929 gnu@ what lPatented ct. 13, 1931 PATENT oFFlcE GEORGE H. CUSHING, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IILUMINATQING APPARATUS Application led June 15,

This application is a continuation in art of application Serial No. 752,214, filed ovember 25, 1924.

This/invention relates in general to illumination and more particular] has reference to household lamps employlng the principle of secondary reflection, or indirect illumination, for spreading light emanating from a source, over an area to be illuminated.

A major object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating structure in which direct rays emanating from a source of light are shielded so that the light source can never be directly observed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an illuminating device which utilizes all, or substantially all, of the light emanating from the light source, and one that is adapted to spread the light so as to evenly distribute it over an area to be illuminated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a table or reading lamp which so controls the light that light ordinarily permitted to be wasted is intercepted and directed to the location to be illuminated.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lamp, the light from which simulates daylight, and has characteristics making it particularly desirable for use in examining textile materials and for matching colors. v

A still further object of this inventionA is to lprovide a compact lamp, which is strong and sturdy in construction, which is formed of easily obtainable parts, requiring no adjustments, and which are readily accessible for cleaning and inspection.

' With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the 1929. Serial No. 371,258.

hold lighting, and particularly to lamp structures such as table lamps and similar devices.

In carrying out my invention an illuminating structure is provided having a base in which is incorporated a light source. A rimary reflector is positioned about the 'llght source in such a manner as to redirect rays of light emanating from the source upwardly. The base is provided with a super-structure adapted to support a secondary reflector in a definite position relative to the primary reiiector, and above the base. This secondary reflector is so constructed as to redirect the light. impinging thereon to a definite area about the base of the lamp.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical ei'ect, without limiting the improvements in theirA useful applications to the particular constructions, which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a household lamp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp depicted in Figure 1 taken on line 2-2 thereof and showing the construction and arrangement of the primary and secondary reiectors.

Figure 3 is an `enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the plated construction of the reflecting surfaces.

Figure 4 is a detailed view showing a modified bracket construction.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the refleeting surface of the secondary reflector associated with the lamp forming the subject matter of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar arts throughout the several views of the diawings, there is shown in Fi ure 1 a household lamp having a pedestal-li e base l, which is in the form of a hollow member 2 shaped as desired. Base 1 is provided with a foot portion 3, in which is incorporated a block 4, which serves to strengthen the foot portion lll and retainsthe same in its initial shape. lf desired, the block 11- may be constructed of material of relatively high density, in which instance it will be olicult to turn the lamp over.

rll`he block lmay be rovided with a central opening 5, and a ra ial passageway 6, the latter re istering with an opening in the foot 3 of the amp, through which a suitable cord 7 passes. A. bushing 8 ma be insert/ed 1n the passageway to insure a ignment of the duct 6 and the opening in the foot 3.v A pad 9, constructed of felt or any other suitable material, is attached to the bottom of the base structure to prevent the structure from marring finished surfaces on which it may be placed.. y A

Ill`he upper end of the hollow body 2 is spun or shaped in any suitable manner to provide a shoulder 10 and a Hangs 11, which serve to support other structure. A. primary reector 12, preferably ofthe parabolic type, is mounted within the hollow base 2. 'While .this redector is described as parabolic,- ll wish it to be clearly understood that it may be of a form other than truly parabolic. llfor.

instance, this reflecting surface may be similar to that generated by gyrating a parabola with 'its axis arranged at an desired angle, or it" may be of any other suitable form. lln any event the focal length may be of any prea determined value. rlFhe particular shape of the reflector 12 will, of course, depend on the manner in which the light is to be redected therefrom. rlhis redector is rovided with 'l a peripheral Hangs 13 ada te to cooperate receives the base of an electric light bulb 15,

and a plug 16 connected with the current supply cable 7. Light emanating from the lament in bulb 15 will impinge on the surface of the reector 12, and will be directed in a direction depending upon the particular shape of the reflector.

A band 17 is fitted on the shoulder 10 and has attached thereto a plurality of supporting arms, or brackets 18. 'llhese brackets support a superstructure with which is associated a secondary redector, 19. 'lhe ends of the arms, or brackets, 18 are received between the reflector 19 and the flange formed by turning in the edge 21 of the cover 20. A split resilient ring 27 is fitted between the reflector 22 and the arms 21 so that all parts are held in an assembled relation. llf desired, however, the brackets 18 may be associated with the superstructure, as shown in Figure 4, that is, by shaping the brackets 18 to receive the cover member 20 and the reflector.Y carried thereby. rlhis secondary re- Hector has a surface similar to that generated by revolving a curve corresponding to that of .a semi-cubic parabola of the general for mula of gy2=003,about its au airis. 'llhe par ticular curvature of the reflector, of course, depends upon the light distribution to be effect/ed.

While upon a casual observation, the reldecting surface of reidector 19 appears smooth, it is in reality formed of a multiplicity of segregated flat sections arranged in stepped relation. This arrangementcomprises a series of flat planes blended at their intersections, each flat assuming a different angular relation to the true horizontal, but so pitched that the light projected by no two such Hats will fall upon the same point. llt has been found that this construction of the secondary reflector produces far better results than are obtained by constructing a eector having an actually continuous surace.

l reector of the general shape above described is fitted into a cover member 20, the edge 21 of which is spun or otherwise shaped to retain the reector 19 in position. Cover member 20 may be provided with a knob 22 or other structure, by means of which the lamp may be moved, and which serves to ornament the structure.

rlhe arms 18 may be secured to the cover 20 in any desired manner, and the band 17 and the reflector 12 may be fixed to the -base 2 by means of a ring member 423, which may be secured to the base 2.

'llhe reflectors 12 and 20 may be formed of a plated metal, or of metal on which is plated a plurality of other metals. ll have found that reflecting surfaces which are plated first with gold and then with silver are especially desirable. Figure 3 shows a section of one of the reflectors; the base metal of which the reflector is constructed is indicated by refer ence numeral 24;. Plated on the base metal is a layer of gold 25, and superimposed on the layer of gold -is a layer of silver 26. lt has been found that the reflection characteristics glass, or other suitable transparent material which is backed by light reflecting substances such as used in preparing ordinary mirrors.

The concept of the present invention may be embodied in various types'of lamps, such as table lamps, desk lamps, counter lamps, floor lamps, ceiling lamps and lamps of various other types adapted to be used for all purposeso Lamps constructed in accordance with lill lli

Uil)

the present invention are particularly desir-l able as reading lamps, since the light is soft approaching that of natural daylight, and under no circumstances can a person in the vicinity of the lamp observe any glare, such as could be seen by directly viewing the light source.

It will be appreciated that the structure shown inthe drawings is more or less diagrammatic, and that the precise details of construction of the essential portions of the lamp will be determined by the particular use for which the lamp is to be employed.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A household lamp comprising a hollow base member, a foot portion therefor, a deep parabolic primary reflector positioned within the base member, the mouth of said reflector being supported upon the upper end of said base member, a light source positioned at the apex ofsaid primary reflector, a plurality of arms extending upwardly from the upper end of the base member, an annular opaque parabolic secondary reflector having a reflecting surface formed of a plurality of segregated fla-ts and an opaque cover member for said secondary reflector both supported by said arms, said secondary reflector being so positioned with respect to the primary reflector as to intercept an'd redirect all of the light reflected thereby and also all of the unrelected light emanating from said light source.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE H. CUSI-IING.

Images