Multiple positioning and switching

[0001] The present application claims priority from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/668,482 filed Apr. 5, 2005, which is to be incorporated herein in its entirety including all specification and drawings.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to electrical connectors and more specifically relates to a novel electrical light fixture which may be adjusted in multiple directions and further specifically relates to lamps or other electrical devices having a requirement for various light intensities.

[0003] Swivel type lamps having a conical movement have been used extensively for years. However, many of these devices have a complex and unsightly appearance often with obtrusive locking devices and separate controls for light intensity.

[0004] The present invention incorporates the use of a design incorporating canted coil springs to provide electrical connection in addition to latching, longitudinal positioning, and conical movement of a light fixture.

[0005] A multiple positioning assembly in accordance with the present invention generally includes a housing having a cavity therein with a circumferential groove disposed proximate a cavity opening.

[0006] A ball assembly, including a ball portion, forms a spheroidal joint with the cavity and enables conical movement of the ball assembly.

[0007] The ball assembly includes a bore therethrough with a subtending groove.

[0008] A coil spring disposed in the circumferential groove maintains the ball portion within the cavity at any desired angular orientation. Spring loading of the ball portion provides stabilization of the ball assembly.

[0009] A plunger is slidably disposed in the ball assembly bore with the plunger having a plurality of spaced apart indentations thereon proximate one end and a lamp fixture, preferably a light bulb socket, at another end thereof.

[0010] Springs, preferably canted coil springs, disposed in the subtending groove engage, in a serial manner, each of the spaced apart indentations thereby enabling lateral positioning of the plunger within the ball assembly bore. As hereinafter described, these various lateral positions of the plunger enable switching of electrical current in order to provide conventional three-way electrical control to the socket.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bore has a plurality of subtending grooves and the springs disposed therein are axial canted coil spring segments. Electrical contacts disposed in the indentations, and electrical connectors axially disposed within the plunger provide electrical continuity. Electrical input wires are connected to the spring segments in order to provide electrical power through the contacts and conductors to the socket depending upon the lateral position of the plunger within the ball assembly bore.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a multiple positioning assembly in accordance with the present invention generally including a housing 12 having a cavity 14 therein with a circumferential groove 18 disposed proximate a cavity opening 20.

[0023] A ball assembly 24 includes a ball portion 26 disposed within the cavity 14 and forming a spheroidal joint 30 therebetween. A garter spring 32, preferably a canted coil spring, is disposed in the circumferential groove 18 which retains the ball portion in the cavity 14 at desired angular orientations as illustrated in FIG. 1 along with a plunger 36 slidably disposed in a ball assembly bore 38.

[0024] Conical movement of the ball portion 26 and plunger 36 of up to 45° can be seen in FIG. 1 by comparison of the solid line plunger 36 and a dashed line plunger 36. It should be appreciated that the materials of construction of all the components of the present invention are conventional materials typically used in the lamp fixtures and the like.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1–7, and 9, the ball portion 26 further includes grooves 42, 44 subtending the bore 38 proximate a plunger end 40 which in combination with springs segments 46, 48 therein and indentations 54, 56, 58 in the plunger 36, enable lateral positioning of the plunger at 36 within the ball portion bore 38 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 by arrows 60, 62, 64. As most clearly shown in FIG. 9, electrical contacts 66, 68 are disposed respectively in indentations 56, 58.

[0026] Electrical strips 72, 74, interconnected respectively to contacts 66, 68, provide electrical continuity between a socket 80 through springs 46, 48 and electrical contacts 66, 68 respectively to electrical input wires 84, 86 and ground wire 88.

[0027] Plunger 36 travel between positions shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 illustrated by T in FIG. 6, provides for an “off” position for a three way light bulb 90, shown in FIG. 2, to a “dim” or intermediate position, shown in FIG. 4, and a “full on” position as shown in FIG. 6. Connections of the socket and conventional three-way light bulb are not shown for brevity.

[0028] To prevent rotation of the plunger 36 within the bore 38, a flat 94 is provided on the plunger 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 7, and 8.

[0029] As can be seen, the assembly 10 provides for not only positioning the light bulb 90 in any conical position, but further enables, without further circuitry or switching, the control of power to the light bulb by simple lateral movement of the plunger socket and light bulb within the bore 38.

[0030] Although there has been hereinabove described a specific multiple positioning and switching in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the recited elements. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.