Illumination – Plural light sources – Diverse light generators
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-05
2001-06-19
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
Diverse light generators
C362S095000, C362S216000, C439S217000, C439S218000, C439S537000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247829
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an interchangeable lamp apparatus having a detachable plug which is positionable in one of a plurality of orientations with respect to a base of the lamp apparatus and a construction of the base protects against undesired electrical shock when the plug is detached from the base.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional lamps have a base or stand and a bulb which is insertable into a socket disposed within the base or stand. While these conventional lamps may provide adequate light, they also have several disadvantages.
One disadvantage of conventional lamps is that if the base is connected to a power supply with the bulb detached from the base, there is a substantial risk of electrical shock, for example, if a person places his or her finger or another conductive object in an open socket of the base.
Another disadvantage of conventional lamps is that an attached bulb is limited to one orientation or position with respect to a base. Conventional light bulbs are inserted into the base and rotated to a position where a conductor of the bulb contacts the socket within the base.
It is apparent that there is a need for a lamp apparatus having a base with interchangeable decorative bulbs of different size, shape and/or color. It is also apparent that there is a need for a lamp apparatus having a base design that minimizes the risk of electrical shock when the plug is in a detached position. Further, it is apparent that there is a need for a lamp apparatus wherein the plug is positionable in a plurality of orientations with respect to the base of the lamp apparatus, so that the decorative bulb and the base can be arranged in different aesthetic combinations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of this invention to provide a lamp apparatus that has a detachable plug, allowing interchangeabilty of other plugs, each with a bulb having a different size, shape, configuration and/or color.
It is another object of this invention to provide a lamp apparatus having a base designed to minimize the risk of electrical shock when the plug is in a detached position.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a lamp apparatus having a plug that is positionable in a plurality of orientations with respect to the base of the lamp apparatus.
The above and other objects of this invention are accomplished with a lamp apparatus having a base with a bore. The bore is defined by a support wall molded into, integrated with or otherwise attached to the base. Preferably, the support wall is a segmented wall formed by at least two arcuate segmented wall portions.
At least two first contacts are connected to the base and spaced apart from each of the other first contacts. For example, the first contacts can be separated from each other by the segmented wall portions. The first contacts are recessed, such as in a radially outward direction, from the support wall defining the bore and away from the bore. Preferably, but not necessarily, the first contacts are spring-loaded or biased radially inward, toward the bore. Each first contact is electrically connected to a power supply.
A second contact, for example an electrode, is mounted with respect to the base and is exposed to the bore. The second contact is spaced apart from each of the first contacts. The second contact is electrically connected to the power supply.
Electric current can flow through the base and the lamp apparatus only when there is continuity across the first contacts and the second contact. As a result of the spacing of each first contact with respect to the other first contacts and the second contact, an electric system is closed only when there is simultaneous contact across each of the first contacts and the second contact. This safety feature minimizes the risk of electrical shock if, for example, a person places his or her finger or another conductive object into the bore while the base is connected to the power supply. This safety feature is enhanced when the first contacts are recessed from the support wall and away from the bore.
The lamp apparatus has a detachable plug, mateable with the bore. A first conductor and a second conductor are connected with respect to the plug. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the first conductor is a conductor ring having at least two projections which extend radially outward from a periphery of the conductor ring.
The bulb is an electrical ornamental or decorative bulb wherein a voltage is applied across one or more inert gases within the bulb to create a plurality of traveling electrical arcs in one or more colors. In such an embodiment, the bulb may be non-symmetrical. The bulb may be made of a transparent or translucent glass having any size, shape, configuration, symmetry and/or color.
When the detachable plug is inserted into the bore, the projections of the conductor ring are positioned within projection entry slots radially offset with respect to a corresponding first contact and molded into, integrated with or otherwise attached to the support wall.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, after each projection is positioned within a corresponding projection entry slot, the plug is rotatable to a locked position wherein each first contact contacts a corresponding projection and the second contact contacts the second conductor of the plug.
The plurality of projections of the conductor ring and the plurality of first contacts allow for the positioning of the plug in a plurality of orientations with respect to the base. The plug is detachable and replaceable with a second similar plug having a different bulb.
The lamp apparatus has an electric system capable of detecting small gas leaks from the bulb. As inert gas leaks from the bulb, an electric surge or spike results from the increased electric demand to produce electrical arcs within the bulb. The electric surge opens the electric system and the electric system cannot close for a delay period.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1595973 (1926-09-01), Hudson et al.
patent: 4952157 (1990-08-01), Hudson et al.
Lumisource, Inc.
O'Shea Sandra
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
Zeade Bertrand
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