US2290282A - Piano lamp - Google Patents

Description

M. HERR P'IANo LAMP Filed Oct. 2'7. 19:59

July 21,1942.

R INVENTOR v ATTORNEY.

MAX HER Patented July 21, 1942 2,290,282 Y PIANO .LAMP Max Herr, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 2'7, 1939, Serial N0. 301,666

5 Claims.

This invention relates in general to electric lamps and lamp attaching means which are particularly designed for use in connection with grand pianos, whereby means is afforded for illuminating music sheets on the music support or rack without subjecting the performers eyes to glare.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lamp of this character which includes a simple and effective means for detachably associating the same with the forward ends of the cross rails of the grand piano sounding board which extend in front of the music rack so that the lamp supporting bracket extends upwardly with the lamp housing and reflector in a position to flood the music on said rack with sufficient light to facilitate the reading of the music on the piano.

The invention furthermore comprehends a clamping element provided with securing jaws and adjustable set-screws to afford a rigid-connection for the bracket to the piano.

The invention furthermore comprehends means for adjusting the lamp bracket forwardly and r'earwardly and also means for adjusting the lamp casing and housing horizontally with respect to the music rack and keyboard thereof.

The invention furthermore contemplates a piano lamp unit comprising a fluorescent lamp or a gaseous electric discharge lamp consisting of a tubular glass container provided at opposite ends with filamentary thermionic electrodes, said container being closed by metal discs sealed to each end thereof and with an electrode mounted on each of said discs and electrically connected thereto, the disc being shaped to engage with suitable holders for the mounting of said lamp. Said lamp being adapted to receive a hood or reflector which is preferably constructed of sheet metal and comprises a cylindrical body which is normally arranged horizontally and of substantially the same length as the glass container, said reflector partially encircling said lamp and providing in one side a longitudinal light outlet opening, said reflector being adjustably mounted upon said lamp bulb.

The invention still furthermore contemplates a piano lamp construction which is comparatively simple, inexpensive to manufacture and highly eflicient in its purpose.

the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical view of a grand piano equipped with one form of electric lamp embodying my invention; the side boards of the piano being removed to show said lamp mounted on said piano, and also showing the position of said lamp with relation to piano.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of a similar type grand piano equipped with one embodiment of the present invention showing the lamp bracket clamped to the sounding board of the piano and with the lamp mounted thereon, and also showing the relation of the illuminating unit to the music rack of said piano.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side View of one of the sounding board rails with one end of a lamp clamped thereon, showing an end view of the lamp housing, one of the lamp bulb supports, and the lamp reflector.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of one embodiment of the present invention, showing the relation of the illuminating element to the lamp supporting bracket and clamping means.

'Like reference character designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Specifically describing the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the piano lamp is constructed to be applied to a grand piano and mounted upon the rails of the sounding board thereof, and arranged forwardly of, and below, the usual music rack or support In, associated with the grand piano l2.

The piano lamp unit is provided with a fluorescent lamp bulb |4 provided at opposite ends with filamentary thermionic electrodes consisting of finely-coiled tungsten wire; these electrodes have not been shown in the drawing as they are within the tubular glass container or bulb. Said bulb being closed and sealed by metal discs each having metal electrodes mounted thereon. Said electrodes suitably supported by the lamp supports I5 and I6 secured to the end portions of lamp housing IT. The lamp housing I! contains and encloses the usual transformer and parts necessary for use with a fluorescent lamp bulb I 4.

the music rack on said 'The housing I! is equipped with a snap switch and manually operated button 18 at one end thereof, said housing adapted to receive the extension cord [9 which extends thru the end portion 20 of said housing, said cord preferably extending laterally over the top of the piano so that the finish of said piano will not be marred by special fixtures mounted thereon.

The lamp supporting bracket 22 is mounted upon the sounding board rails 23 and secured thereto by clamping members 24 and 25. Said bracket 22 is an L shaped metal bar composed of a vertical portion 26 and a horizontal portion 21. The horizontal portion 21 is adapted to rest upon the rails 23 and become clamped thereto by the horizontal members 28 and 29 forming a part of members 24 and 25. The former clamp portions 28 and 29 have set screws 30 and 3| adapted to be turned as desired so as to secure the bracket 22 rigidly to the rails of said piano, the clamps 24 and 25 being rigidly secured to the same rails by set screws 32 and 33. Due to the channel or U shaped formation of said members 24 and 25, said members flt over the top of said rails and form a very eflicient clamping means.

The lamp housing I! is provided with supporting arms 34, each formed from a strip of thin metal, and comprising a horizontal arm 35 carrying upon its forward end an attaching lug 35 secured to the back side of said housing by welding or other suitable means. A vertical abutment 3'! extends downwardly from the rear end of the arm 35-. Said horizontal arm 35 is so designed that it can rest upon or be elevated by the vertical support 26. It is important to note that the arms 35 snugly engage the vertical support 26 but are so arranged and designed that the housing I! can be moved horizontally as desired without the use of tools or the like, since the frictional engagement of the members 34 affords the sole clamping means.

As shown by the drawing the lamp bulb is substantially enclosed by a hood or reflector which is preferably constructed of sheet metal and comprises a cylindrical body 40 which is normally arranged horizontally and provided in its rear side with a longitudinal light outlet opening 4|, and two circular clamping members 42 mounted upon the interior thereof. These clamping members 42 are pliable and yielding so as to encircle the lamp bulb, being attached to the reflector by bolts 43 having enlarged heads thereon to support and space the reflector a suitable distance from said bulb.

It is important to note that the bulb shown in Figure 4 is covered at its mid-section by a cylinder 45 constructed of paper or other suitable material to diffuse the light and lessen the intensity of the glare at the mid-section of the music supported upon the rack of said piano. It has been found that where sheet music is folded, this mid-section has a tendency to reflect a bright light and cause an uncomfortable glare upon the other sections of the sheet music.

It is important to note that my novel piano lamp and improvements relate more particularly to the lamp and its mounting whereby this lamp is detachably supported on the sounding board of the piano without drilling or marring the piano at any section. The heat from the electric bulb is prevented from being transmitted from the reflector or bulb to any highly flnished or varnished surfaces so that scorching or marring of the same is avoided due to location of attachment. In applying this lamp it is only necessary to place the lamp supporting bar upon the cross rails of the sounding board and clamp the same rigidly thereon by the novel clamping means described herein, the lamp itself can now be dropped in place so that the supporting arms will rest upon the supporting bracket,- said lamp being so mounted that it can be freely moved horizontally upon said support.

Owing to the compact and neat construction of this lamp, the same when mounted on a piano does not detract from the appearance of the piano but rather enhances the same.

It is obvious that the invention above described may be embodied in other details of construction without departing from the spirit or a scope of the invention. Therefore, I do not desire to be limited in the construction and use of the invention except as required by the following claims when construed in the light of the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A lamp for a grand piano having sounding board cross rails and a music rack comprising a housing enclosing electrical means and. having an extension cord attached therewith, with means mounted thereon to receive and support a lamp bulb and a light reflector connected therewith, a supporting bracket therefor and clamping means for securing the same to the rails within said piano, said housing having adjustable connection with the bracket and said bracket having adjustable connection with the clamping means, the said clamping means including locking means to secure said bracket rigidly to said sounding board cross rails.

2. A lamp for a grand piano having sounding board cross rails and a music rack comprising a housing enclosing electrical auxiliaries, means mounted thereon to receive and support a lamp bulb and a light reflector carried therewith, an L shaped supporting brackettherefor and clamping means engaging with said bracket for securing the same to the sounding board rails within said piano, said housing having adjustable connection with the vertical portion of said bracket and said bracket having adjustable connection with the clamping means, the said clamping means including locking means to secure the horizontal portion of said bracket rigidly to said rails.

3. The combination with a grand piano having sounding board cross rails and a music rack, of an electric lamp fixture comprising a housing for enclosing the lamp auxiliaries, a supporting bracket therefor and a clamping means engaged therewith, said housing being slidably mounted on said bracket, and said clampingmeans being adjustably mounted on said bracket, said clamping means embodying a groove to receive and be mounted upon the cross rails within said piano, said clamping means also including locking means to secure said bracket rigidly to said piano cross rails, said housing supporting an electric bulb and a reflector which extend horizontally and in the direction of the length of the music rack on said piano, said reflector provided with a longitudinal light emitting opening arranged with respect to said music rack to flood the same with sufficient light to facilitate reading the music placed upon the rack of the piano.

4. A lamp for a grand piano having sounding board cross rails including a housing and a supporting bracket, a clamping means carried by said bracket for attaching the same to the cross rails of the sounding board of said grand piano comprising slotted portions and locking means therefor, said housing mounted on said bracket supporting a fluorescent lamp bulb thereon and enclosing .the usual transformer and automatic switch necessary for use with a fluorescent lamp bulb, said bulb having a cylindrical reflector mounted thereon, said reflector having a longitudinal light emitting opening arranged and positioned before the music rack on said piano to flood the same with suflicient light to facilitate reading the music supported upon the rack of the piano.

5. A lamp for a grand piano having soundboard cross rails and a music rack including a horizontal housing for the lamp auxiliaries and an L shaped supporting bracket, clamping means in contact with said bracket for securing the same rigidly to said cross rails of the sounding board of said grand piano, said clamping means also comprising a slotted portion and suitable locking means, said housing slidably mounted on the vertical portion of said bracket and supporting a fluorescent lamp bulb thereon and enclosing the usual transformer and automatic switch necessary for use with a fluorescent lamp bulb, said bulb having an adjustable cylindrical reflector mounted thereon, said reflector having a longitudinal light emitting opening positioned before the music rack on said piano to flood the same with suflicient light to facilitate reading the music supported upon the rack of the piano.

MAX HERR.

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