U.S. patent number 3,723,720 [Application Number 05/165,664] was granted by the patent office on 1973-03-27 for illuminating device for display frame.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Magna Battery Reflector Corp.. Invention is credited to Aladar Heppes, Joseph Schmidt.
United States Patent |
3,723,720 |
Schmidt , et al. |
March 27, 1973 |
ILLUMINATING DEVICE FOR DISPLAY FRAME
Abstract
An illuminating device for a display frame having a bracket that
is adjustable to grip different sizes of frames, a lamp adjustably
supported from the bracket by a flexible conduit, and a
rechargeable battery pack supported by the bracket and electrically
connected to the lamp through a remote operating switch.
Inventors: |
Schmidt; Joseph (New York,
NY), Heppes; Aladar (Ridgefield, CT) |
Assignee: |
Magna Battery Reflector Corp.
(New York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
22599914 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/165,664 |
Filed: |
July 23, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/183 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S
9/02 (20130101); F21V 33/0032 (20130101); F21W
2131/304 (20130101); F21V 21/088 (20130101); F21V
21/34 (20130101); F21V 21/32 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
33/00 (20060101); F21v 033/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;240/2R,4,52,52.1,6.4R,4.1,4.2,6,2AD,2C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Woodiel; Donald O.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An illuminating device for a display frame, which comprises an
adjustable bracket disposed for engagement with the frame for
support thereby, a lamp adjustable relative to said bracket, a
flexible conduit connected to said bracket and connected to said
lamp to adjustably support same from said bracket, and a
rechargeable battery pack electrically connected to the lamp by
conductors extending through said conduit to energize said lamp for
illuminating the display frame.
2. An illuminating device according to claim 1 including a switch
electrically connected to said battery pack and lamp, said switch
being operable at a location remote from said bracket to
selectively energize the lamp from the battery pack.
3. An illuminating device according to claim 2 including a jack
electrically connected to said battery pack and disposed to receive
a matching plug connected to an electrical power source for
recharging the battery pack.
4. An illuminating device according to claim 3 including housing
means disposed for support by the frame and connected to said
switch and jack to support both at a location remote from said
bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to the illumination of
display frames and more particularly to an illuminating device
powered by a rechargeable battery pack.
By individual illumination, the appearance of framed pictures and
other works of art can often be improved.
In general, cordless, rechargeable battery powered picture lighting
devices are known in the prior art, as exemplified by U. S. Pat.
No. 3,475,603 issued to Roger A. Gheno. Such type of lighting
device, while suitable for many applications is quite restricted as
to direction of illumination, and because the operating switch and
removable battery pack are located on the lamp structure itself, a
certain inconvenience occurs when that type of device is installed
on either a large frame or one having its upper edge above shoulder
height.
The invention provides an illuminating device having a bracket that
is adjustable to grip different sizes of frames for support
thereby. Illumination of the framed work is effected by a lamp that
is adjustably supported from the bracket by a flexible conduit, and
powered by a rechargeable battery pack also supported by the
bracket. The battery pack is electrically connected to the lamp
through a remote operating switch and by conductors extending
through the flexible conduit.
For recharging the battery pack there is provided a jack
electrically connected to the battery pack and disposed to receive
a matching plug connected to a suitable DC power source.
Both the recharging jack and the operating switch are mounted on a
housing disposed for support by the frame and located at a
convenient position thereon remote from the bracket which grips the
top portion of the frame.
The flexible conduit allows the lamp to be shifted either parallel
to the top edge of the picture, or tilted in relation thereto as
desired to produce a selected lighting effect.
For a better understanding of the invention and its several
advantages, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings
and following detailed description pertaining to a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an illuminating device
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown as
installed upon the frame of a picture to be illuminated.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the back of the illuminating device
and picture shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially along
the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of the illuminating device.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In FIGS. 1-3 there is exemplified a device 10 for illuminating a
framed picture 11 that can be hung on a wall or otherwise supported
in the upright position shown.
Illuminating device 10 has an adjustable bracket 12, a lamp 13
supported by bracket 12 for adjustment relative thereto, and a
rechargeable battery pack 14 that is also supported by bracket 12
and electrically connected to lamp 13 through an operating switch
15 remote from bracket 12.
Bracket 12 is essentially hung behind the picture 11 and from the
top portion of frame 16, so that when picture 11 is hung upon a
wall, much of the illuminating device 10 will be hidden from view
as shown in FIG. 1, thereby giving a more aesthetic presentation of
picture 11. For such purpose, the upper flange 17 of bracket 12 is
provided with a plurality of tapped holes 18 adapted to receive
thumbscrews 19 used for locking clamp member 20, Each clamp 20 has
an elongated slot 21 through which extends a corresponding
thumbscrew 19, the slot 21 making the clamp 20 adjustable relative
to the front wall 22 of bracket 12 to accommodate gripping frames
16 of different thickness sizes. As better seen in FIG. 3, the
bracket wall 22 is set against the back of frame 16 and the two
clamps 20 are adjusted until the lip 23 of each clamp 20 engages
the front of frame 16. For practical purposes, two clamps 20 are
used, and a plurality of spaced tapped holes 18 are provided so as
to allow a choice in selectively spacing the clamps 20 to
accommodate frames 16 of different widths and ornamental
contours.
The rechargeable battery pack 14 rests upon the bottom 24 of
bracket 12 and between the front wall 22 and back wall 25
thereof.
A flexible gooseneck conduit 26 connected to bracket flange 17 and
connected to the reflector shade 27 of lamp 13 provides an
adjustable support therefor from bracket 12 whereby the lamp 13 can
be shifted either parallel to the top edge of frame 16, or can be
tilted in relation thereto as needed to achieve a desired lighting
effect upon picture 11.
Within shade 27 at opposite ends thereof are a pair of incandescent
lamp bulbs 28 which, as indicated by FIG. 4, are electrically
connected in parallel by a pair of conductors 29. Lamp 13 is
provided with a translucent diffuser 30 that is releasably
connected to shade 27 by screws 31 so as to allow convenient
replacement of bulbs 28 in sockets 32.
The battery pack 14 positive terminal is connected by a conductor
33 to a designated terminal of a jack 34 which terminal is in turn
connected to one of the conductors 29 by conductors 35 and 36
through assembled matching connectors 37A and 37B. The negative
terminal of battery pack 14 is connected by conductor 38 to another
terminal of jack 34 identified by a negative polarity sign in FIG.
4. This negative terminal of jack 34 is connected to one side of
switch 15, and the other side of switch 15 is connected to the
other one of the conductors 29 by conductors 39 and 40 through the
assembled connectors 37A and 37B.
In essence, the battery pack 14 is, regardless of the state of
switch 15, electrically connected at all times to jack 34 and can
be recharged by electrical current transferred therethrough. Jack
34 is disposed to receive a matching polarized plug 41 that is
connected to a suitable power source, such as an AC to DC converter
42 adapted for plug-in operation with a conventional residential
electrical outlet (not shown). There are numerous commercially
available solid-state converters that can be used for battery pack
recharging, the particular converter 42 selected depending upon the
operating voltage of the battery pack 14.
To allow the lamp 13 to be turned on and off, and the battery pack
14 to be recharged without the need for reaching up to the top of
the frame 16, the invention provides for supporting both the switch
15 and jack 34 at a convenient location along the side of frame 16.
For such purpose, switch 15 and jack 34 are connected to a housing
43 for support thereby, and said housing 43 is secured to frame 16
as by screws 44. Alternatively, housing 43 may be secured to frame
16 by other conventional means; such as tape or adhesives.
For neater wiring, the four conductors 35, 39, 33, 38 are combined
into a common cable 45 that extends behind picture 11 from housing
43 up to bracket 12, the conductors 35, 39 terminating in connector
part 37A, and the conductors 33, 38 terminating in a polarized
connector plug 46 fitting into battery pack 14. The conductors 36
and 40 which terminate at connector part 37B, extend through the
conduit 26 for connection to corresponding conductors 29.
Operation and maintenance of the illuminating device 10 is
extremely simple because its lamp 13 can be selectively turned on
or off by a single switch 15, its battery pack 14 can be recharged
by inserting plug 41 into jack 34 with converter 42 energized, and
battery pack 14 as well as bulbs 28 can be installed and replaced
without disturbing any permanent wiring connections.
By using a translucent diffuser 30, diffuse lighting of picture 11
can be obtained with clear bulbs 28.
As can be appreciated by the artisan, the invention is adaptable to
numerous modifications and variations as will become obvious from
the drawing and description of a preferred embodiment presented
herein by way of example.
* * * * *