Retractable lamp

Abstract

 A retractable lamp comprises a containment body (12) to be built-in equipped with an upper opening (17) for the sliding of a mobile lighting body (13), through control means, from a retracted switched off position in the containment body (12) to an extracted switched on position, in which the mobile lighting body (13) comprises at least one light source (29) and is equipped with a tubular casing (25) equipped with at least one portion (43) for light to pass through and in which the control means are arranged on the mobile body (13) and comprise at least one reversible electric motor (32) with a respective vertical drive shaft (34) which controls a geared actuator (24) to transfer the motion to transmission shafts (39) which extend towards the outside on an axis (20) perpendicular to the drive shaft (34) and which carry pulleys (19) at their ends which engage on two rack shafts (18) also arranged vertically in the containment body (12) on opposite sides with respect to the perpendicular axis (20) and with toothings (44) facing the pulleys (19).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a retractable lamp, in particular for use both indoors and outdoors.

[0002] Retractable lamps substantially comprise a containment body to be built-in and a lighting body, at least partially contained in it. The lighting body telescopically slides out from the containment body when the lamp is operating.

[0003] Devices for controlling the movement of the lighting body generally comprise preloaded sprung elements or else, alternatively, motorised threaded elements and they are generally arranged on the containment body.

[0004] The main drawbacks of such lamps consist of the complexity of the extraction mechanisms, as well as the low reliability thereof.

[0005] Moreover, in the various types of known retractable lamp, in particular, it is difficult to carry out ordinary and extraordinary maintenance operations.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is that of realising a retractable lamp which avoids the quoted drawbacks.

[0007] Another purpose of the present invention is that of realising a retractable lamp which can be actuated both manually and electrically.

[0008] Another purpose of the present invention is that of realising a retractable lamp which is particularly simple and functional, with low costs.

[0009] These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by realising a retractable lamp as outlined in claim 1.

[0010] Further characteristics of a retractable lamp are the object of the dependent claims.

[0011] The characteristics and advantages of a retractable lamp according to the present invention shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a retractable lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, in extracted position and in rest position, respectively;

Figure 3 shows the retractable lamp of figures 1 and 2, in which the containment body is partially in section;

Figure 4 is a top side section view of the mobile body of the retractable lamp, object of the present invention, in which the left rack of figure 3 is shown with a broken line.

[0012] With reference to figures 1 and 2, a retractable lamp is shown, wholly indicated with 10, comprising a containment body 12 to be built-in, for example co-planar with a plane of application 11, and a lighting body 13, telescopically mobile from a retracted position in the containment body 12 to an extracted position.

[0013] The containment body 12 consists of a shell 14, in the example cylindrical, closed at the bottom by a support plate 15 and equipped at the top with a cover 16 equipped with an opening 17 in which the lighting body 13 slides.

[0014] Moreover, according to that which is shown in figure 3, the containment body 12 comprises, inside of it, two rack shafts 18 which extend vertically from the support plate 15 to the upper cover 16 and which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the mobile lighting body 13. On opposite sides of the rack shafts 18 pulleys 19 are engaged, which are integral with the mobile body 13 and are arranged along the same axis.

[0015] A sealed hole 21 is also arranged on the containment body 12 for the passage of a mains voltage power supply cable 22.

[0016] The mobile lighting body 13 comprises a flange 23, in which a geared actuator 24 of the pulleys 19 is housed and on which a tubular casing 25, in the example cylindrical, is applied.

[0017] The tubular casing 25 is connected at the bottom to the support flange 23 through a threaded coupling 26 made airtight by the arrangement on the annular abutment portion between the tubular casing 25 and the flange 23 of a sealing element 27, for example and O-ring.

[0018] The tubular casing 25 is realised, at least in a portion 43 thereof near to the end protruding from the containment body 12, in transparent material. Such a material consists, for example, of transparent plastic material such as Plexiglas or another material, through which light passes.

[0019] The tubular casing 25 is equipped at the top with a removable cover 28 which is also airtight, for example mounted under pressure or through threaded connection with a sealing element placed in the middle, according to known methods and therefore neither described nor depicted in detail.

[0020] Inside the lighting body 13 are housed at least one light source 29, applied to a lamp holder 30, for example of a standardised size, as well as control means comprising an electronic group for commanding movement and lighting 31, a reversible electric motor 32 and a reduction unit 33, which transmits the clockwise or anti-clockwise rotary movement, through a respective vertical drive shaft 34, to the geared actuator 24 housed in the flange 23.

[0021] As an example, the aforementioned elements have been represented contained in a containment structure 35, applied to the flange 23, which could be realised differently or could be left out completely in a different embodiment of a retractable lamp 10, object of the present invention.

[0022] By removing the cover 28 of the tubular casing 25 of the mobile lighting body 13 it is possible to extract the elements contained in it and proceed to ordinary and extraordinary maintenance without having to remove the fixed containment body 12 from its installation position.

[0023] The geared actuator 24, housed in an axial seat 36 of the flange 23, consists of two bevel gear pairs consisting of a bevel gear 37 fitted on the drive shaft 34 and coupled with two bevel gears 38 fitted on transmission shafts 39, which extend towards the outside on an axis 20 perpendicular to the drive shaft 34.

[0024] The transmission shafts 39, housed in holes with a circular cross-section 40 made in the thickness of the flange 23, carry pulleys 19 fitted at their ends, which engage with respective rack shafts 18.

[0025] Indeed, the rack shafts 18 are arranged in the containment body on opposite sides with respect to the perpendicular axis 20 and with toothings 44 facing the pulleys 19.

[0026] Moreover, the transmission shafts 39 are equipped with rings 41, realised with a diameter greater than or substantially equal to the diameter of the hole 40 of the flange 23, with the function of water-tight rings.

[0027] The flange 23, shown in particular in figures 3 and 4, has a substantially circular cross-section and is equipped in two opposite positions with seats 42, arranged along the perimeter and shaped to house the rack shafts 18 and the pulleys 19.

[0028] The retractable lamp 10, object of the present invention, in switched-off rest position, is entirely co-planar with the plane of application 11 (figure 2).

[0029] When operated, the mobile tubular body 13 comes out from the containment body 12 and lights up, partially in portion 43 or totally (figure 1).

[0030] The electric motor 32, indeed, makes the drive shaft 34 rotate and through the bevel gear pairs also makes the transmission shafts 39 rotate in opposite directions. The pulleys 19, integral with the transmission shafts 39, rotating in the opposite direction, determine the upward or downward translating movement of the flange 23 and of the mobile body 13 integral with it with respect to the rack shafts 18 of the fixed body 12.

[0031] For example, a rotation in the clockwise direction of the drive shaft 34 according to the arrow R, as represented in figure 4, determines the displacement of the flange 23 in the direction of the arrows F and the consequent extraction of the mobile tubular body 13. An anti-clockwise rotation, on the other hand, determines an opposite movement of retraction of the mobile body 13.

[0032] The lower and upper end stop positions, as well as the switching on and off of the light source 29, are controlled by the electronic control group 31.

[0033] The reversible electric motor 32 also allows manual extraction of the tubular lighting body 13, as well as the manual repositioning thereof inside the containment body 12.

[0034] In different embodiments of a retractable lamp, object of the present invention, the mobile tubular body 13 could be made entirely from opaque or coloured transparent material and could light up for its entire length when extracted from the containment body 12. Alternatively, just a portion could light up, for example at the extracted end.

[0035] The lamp could also realise different lighting effects, if a horizontal or vertical light deflector (not shown) is positioned near to the light source 29.

[0036] The retractable lamp, object of the present invention, is advantageously equipped with control means entirely arranged on the mobile lighting body.

[0037] Moreover, the tubular body, containing the electronic and electrical components in the mobile tubular body, is perfectly air-tight. This specification advantageously allows the lamp to be supplied with power at mains voltage.

[0038] The particular arrangement of the rack shafts on opposite sides with respect to the transmission shafts carrying the pulleys at their ends also advantageously allows excellent balancing of the translating movement of the lighting body with respect to the containment body to be realised.

[0039] Moreover, the retractable lamp has the advantage of being able to be easily inspected by extracting the mobile body manually and by accessing inner elements from the upper cover of the mobile lighting body.

Claims

1. Retractable lamp comprising a containment body (12) to be built-in equipped with an upper opening (17) for the sliding of a mobile lighting body (13), through control means, from a retracted switched off position in said containment body (12) to an extracted switched on position, in which said mobile lighting body (13) comprises at least one light source (29) and is equipped with a tubular casing (25) equipped with at least one portion (43) for light to pass through, characterised in that said control means are arranged on said mobile body (13) and comprise at least one reversible electric motor (32) with a respective vertical drive shaft (34) which controls a geared actuator (24) which transfers the rotary motion of said drive shaft (34) to transmission shafts (39) which extend towards the outside on an axis (20) perpendicular to said drive shaft (34) and which carry pulleys (19) at their ends which engage on two rack shafts (18) also arranged vertically in said containment body (12) on opposite sides with respect to said perpendicular axis (20) and with toothings (44) facing said pulleys (19).

2. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said control means comprise an electronic movement and lighting control group (31).

3. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said control means comprise a reduction unit (33) placed between said electric motor (32) and said geared actuator (24).

4. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said geared actuator (24) comprises a bevel gear (37), fitted on said drive shaft (34), engaged with two bevel gears (38), fitted on said transmission shafts (39).

5. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said tubular casing (25) of said mobile body (13) is applied so that it is airtight through threaded coupling (26) with a sealing element (27) in the middle having a support flange (23).

6. Lamp according to claim 5, characterised in that said support flange (23) is equipped with an axial seat (36) for housing said geared actuator (24).

7. Lamp according to claim 5, characterised in that said flange (23) is equipped with holes with a circular cross-section (40) arranged in its thickness according to said axis (20) perpendicular to said drive shaft (34).

8. Lamp according to claim 5, characterised in that said support flange (23) is equipped with seats (42) arranged along the perimeter for housing said pulleys (19) and said rack shafts (18).

9. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said tubular casing (25) is equipped at the top with a removable airtight cover (28).

10. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said portion for light to pass through (43) of said tubular casing (25) is made from transparent material, such as transparent plastic material known as Plexiglas.

11. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said tubular casing (25) is made entirely from transparent material.

12. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that said containment body (12) consists of a shell (14), closed at the bottom by a support plate (15) and equipped at the top with a cover (16) in which said opening (17) for the sliding of said mobile lighting body (13) is formed.

13. Lamp according to claim 10, characterised in that said rack shafts (18) extend from said support plate (15) to said upper cover (16).

14. Lamp according to claim 1, characterised in that an air-tight hole (21) is arranged on said tubular containment body (12) for the passage of a mains voltage power supply cable (22).

Drawing