Lighting device with a rotating lamp

Abstract

 A lighting device (1) with a rotating lamp (5), of the kind comprising a lamp socket structure (2) apt to receive an oblong shaped lamp (5) having a single fixing end, provided with a plugging mechanism (7) apt to be plugged in corresponding socket (8) provided in the lamp socket structure (2), allows an easy plugging, without positioning the lamp (5) in the lamp socket structure, and a size reduction of such structure, because the lamp (5) socket (8) and the lamp socket structure (2) are connected by means of a joint allowing the socket (8) to rotate relative to the lamp socket structure (2), from a plugging position, wherein the lamp (5) is rotated and external to the lamp socket structure (2), to a working position wherein the lamp (5) is laying down in the lamp socket structure (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a lighting device with a rotating lamp, of the type comprising a lamp socket structure apt to receive a lamp, e.g. in form of a fluorescent lamp.

[0002] Among known lamps, lamps having an oblong, substantially tubular shape are known, having a single fixing end in correspondence of one of the two ends of the lamp.

[0003] In their most common design, these lamps are formed by fluorescent lamps having a plugging mechanism in correspondence of a fixing end, operating as a base of the lamp and being apt to be plugged in a respective socket provided in the lamp socket structure.

[0004] Nevertheless, it is intended that other fixing designs exists, e.g. with a threaded screw.

[0005] In order to allow a safe plugging in the lamp socket structure, it should be provided at least with enough space for allowing to place the lamp therein. This is followed by plugging in the plug, requiring a lateral displacement of the lamp.

[0006] For this reason, the space to be provided should be wide enough to allow the positioning of the whole lamp, comprising the base and the plug. When plugging is completed, an amount of that space, opposed to the plug, remains clear and substantially unused.

[0007] For such reason, the lamp socket structures for the above mentioned kind of lamps should have be oversized, thus requiring a high use of space during storage and a higher cost for materials.

[0008] Moreover, when lighting devices are manufactured, stored and handled already comprising the lamp therein, the latter could be unplugged from the socket and can move within the lamp socket structure, with risks of breaking as a result of the wide space available.

[0009] The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a lighting device allowing to overcome the drawback mentioned above with reference to the known art.

[0010] Such problem is solved by a device as above specified characterized by that the socket of the lamp and the lamp socket structure are connected by means of a joint allowing the socket to rotate relative to the lamp socket structure, from a plugging position, wherein the lamp is rotated and external to the lamp socket structure, to a working position wherein the lamp rests in the lamp socket structure.

[0011] The main advantage of the lighting device according to the present invention lies in that it allows an easy plugging, without positioning the lamp in the lamp socket structure, and a size reduction of such structure.

[0012] The present invention will be in the following described according to a preferred exemplificative embodiment with some modifications, given by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the annexed figures, wherein:

• figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a lighting device according to the invention;
• figure 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the device of figure 1;
• figure 3 shows a perspective view of a further detail of the device of figure 1;
• figures 4A, 4B and 4C show perspective views showing a lamp plugging in the device of figure 1;
• figures 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D show partial perspective views showing some details of the plugging depicted in the previous figures;
• figures 6A, 6B and 6C show perspective views showing a further detail of the device of figure 1 in various operative arrangements; and
• figures 7A, 7B and 7C show partial perspective views showing some details of a lamp plugging in the device of figure 1, with reference to the above mentioned detail.

[0013] With reference to the figures, a lighting device is overall shown with the reference number 1. It comprises a lamp socket structure 2 closed by a transparent wall in an operative arrangement, and comprising an opening 4 apt to house a lamp 5, in particular a fluorescent lamp.

[0014] The lamp 5 is oblong shaped, substantially tubular, being formed of two sided parallel tubes, connected at one end. It comprises a single fixing end 6, opposed to the end connecting the two tubes, provided with a plugging mechanism 7 that should be plugged in a corresponding socket 8 provided in the lamp socket structure 2.

[0015] Also the lamp socket structure 2 is oblong shaped, flat and rectangular, and it is suitable to be fixed on a wall to work as, e.g., an emergency lamp. With this regard, under the opening 4 there will be the electronic circuitry (not shown) required for turning on and off the lamp. Such circuitry, powered by a battery and/or by supply mains, is connected to the socket 8 by means of suitable cables.

[0016] In the present example, the socket 8 comprises a plurality of holes 9 holding the electrical contacts connecting to plugs 10 of the plugging mechanism 7. The latter plugs in the socket 8, in particular in a recess 11 formed in the socket, substantially as a dap joint.

[0017] The lamp socket structure 2 opening 4 also contains supports 12 for the lamp and a fixing device 13 of the lamp 5 free end 14, that will be described in the following.

[0018] In the device 1, the lamp 5 socket 8 and the lamp socket structure 2 are connected by means of a joint allowing the socket 8 to rotate relative to the lamp socket structure 2.

[0019] Accordingly, the socket 8 could be rotated in a plugging position (Figure 4A), wherein the lamp 5 is rotated and it is external to the lamp socket structure 2 and, therefore, it can be easily plugged in the socket 8. Then, the lamp 5 is laid down (figure 4B) in the lamp socket structure 1 until it reaches an operative position (figure 4C), in which the transparent cover can be placed on the structure 2.

[0020] In the present exemplificative embodiment, the socket 8 is formed by an enbloc part that could be inserted in a frame 15 provided with a clamping device and made of elastic material, e.g. plastic, so as to be able to easily plug and unplug the socket 8 (Figures 2, 5A. 5B, 5C).

[0021] The frame 15 has pins on opposed ends that can be inserted in suitable seats in the lamp socket structure 2. Alternatively, the pins can be formed in the structure 2 and the seats in the frame 15.

[0022] According to a modification (figure 3), the enbloc socket 8 is provided with pins or holes apt to cooperate with corresponding holes or pins of the lamp socket structure 2.

[0023] At the end of the lamp socket structure 2 opposed to the socket 8, the device 1 comprises the above mentioned fixing device 13 of the lamp 5 free end 14.

[0024] It comprises a seat 16 obtained on the opening 4 bottom of the lamp socket structure 2, into which a fixing element 17 is inserted so that it can move longitudinally, i.e. parallel to the lamp 5 development.

[0025] The seat 16 comprises an inserting hole of said element 17 and a longitudinal guide 18, at the sides thereof pawls 19 being provided (Figure 6A).

[0026] The fixing element 17 has a pair of elastic arms 20 with an end shaped such that it realizes a clamping spike cooperating with the pawls (Figure 6B). Accordingly, the fixing element 17 can be translated along the guide 18 remaining in a preset position, if it is not subjected to any load stress (Figure 6C).

[0027] The pawls 19, forming on each side of the guide 18 a continuous rack, and the above described clamping spike allow to finely adjust the position of the fixing element 17, and to push it according to a direction concordant and opposite in sign to the unplugging one. They provide stopping means of the fixing element 17 in a certain position.

[0028] In turn, the fixing element 17 comprises a tab 21 under which the free end of the lamp 5 is received.

[0029] Therefore, once the lamp 5 is plugged in the socket 8, the lamp 5 is rotated so that it is adjacent to the lamp socket structure 2 in the opening 4 (figure 7A), a user can properly move the fixing element 17 of the device 13 (figure 7B) until the lamp 5 free end is compressed. Such end will be restrained by the tab 21 (figure 7C) that could be advantageously made of elastic material such that it can slightly provide an elastic pressure on the lamp 5.

[0030] Accordingly, the lamp 5 remains fixed in its position and it not affected by vibrations or other movements that could cause the unplugging of the plug 7 from the socket 8.

[0031] It is anyhow intended that such fixing device could envisage other modifications. E.g., it can envisage the use of a snap hook keeping the lamp 5 in place. Furthermore, it can comprise an elastic element on the opening 4 edge, eventually embedded in the same edge of the lamp socket structure 2.

[0032] The present device could be modified to receive any substantially oblong shaped lamp, fluorescent, energy saving or of other type.

[0033] The connection between lamp and structure could be obtained by a device such as the one above described or even by a different device, e.g. with a threaded screw.

[0034] To the above-described lighting device a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy further and contingent needs, could effect several further modifications and variants, all however encompassed in the protective scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) with a rotating lamp, of the type comprising a lamp socket structure (2) apt to receive an oblong shaped lamp (5) having a single fixing end, provided with a plugging mechanism (7) apt to be plugged in corresponding socket (8) provided in the lamp socket structure (2), characterized by that the lamp (5) socket (8) and the lamp socket structure (2) are connected by means of a joint allowing the socket (8) to rotate relative to the lamp socket structure (2), from a plugging position, wherein the lamp (5) is rotated and external to the lamp socket structure (2), to a working position wherein the lamp (5) is laying down in the lamp socket structure (2).

2. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lamp socket structure (2) is closed, in operative arrangement, by a transparent wall (3) and comprises an opening (4) apt to receive the lamp (5).

3. The lighting device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the lamp socket structure (2) is oblong, rectangular and flat shaped and it is apt to be fixed to a wall in order to operate as an emergency lamp.

4. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the socket (8) has a recess (11) substantially providing a dap joint with the lamp (5) plugging mechanism (7).

5. The lighting device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the socket (8) is formed by an enbloc part that can be inserted in a frame (15) provided with a snap locking mechanism made of elastic material.

6. The lighting device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lamp socket structure (2) has a fixing device (13) of the lamp (5) free end (14).

7. The lighting device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the fixing device (13) has a seat (16) in the lamp socket structure (2) wherein a fixing element (17) is inserted such that it can move longitudinally, i.e. in a direction parallel to the lamp (5) development.

8. The lighting device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the seat (16) has a longitudinal guide (18) into which stopping means (19, 20) of the fixing element (17) operates.

9. The lighting device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fixing element (17) comprises a tab (21) under which the lamp (5) free end (14) is received.

Drawing