Abstract:
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. A construction of the base protects against undesired electrical shock when the plug is detached from the base whereby current can flow through the base and the lamp apparatus only when there is continuity across first contacts.

Description:
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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings show different features of a lamp apparatus, according to preferred embodiments of this invention, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the base of the lamp apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is top view of the base of the lamp apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional side view of the base of the lamp apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the conductor ring, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the plug of the lamp apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the plug of the lamp apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the base of the lamp apparatus in connection with one embodiment of the bulb according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A lamp apparatus  5  according to a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a base  10  having a bore  15 . Bore  15  is defined by a support wall  16 . Preferably but not necessarily, support wall  16  is molded into, integrated with or otherwise attached to base  10  by means well known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, support wall  16  is a segmented wall formed by at least two segmented wall portions  18 , as shown in FIG.  3 . In one preferred embodiment of this invention, support wall  16  is formed by four arcuate segmented wall portions  18  equally spaced apart from each other to define bore  15  having a generally circular shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that support wall  16  may comprise a continuous wall or may be formed by a plurality of segmented wall portions  18  or tabs defining bore  15  having any general geometric shape, for example a rectangle or triangle. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, at least two first contacts  13  are connected to base  10 . First contacts  13  are made of any suitable conductive material known to those skilled in the art. It is apparent to one skilled in the art that any number of first contacts  13  may be used, for example, three, four or five first contacts  13 , without departing from the basic principles of this invention. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, each first contact  13  is spaced apart from each of the other first contacts  13 . First contacts  13  are separated from each other by segmented wall portions  18 , as shown in FIG.  3 . In another preferred embodiment of this invention, first contacts  13  are equally spaced about support wall  16  defining bore  15 . First contacts  13  are recessed, such as in a radially outward direction, from support wall  16  defining bore  15  and away from bore  15 . Preferably, but not necessarily, first contacts  13  are spring-loaded or biased radially inward toward bore  15 . A first power lead  14  electrically connects each first contact  13  to a power supply (not shown). Preferably, the power supply provides a 12 V dc current to lamp apparatus  5 . Any power supply known to those skilled in the art may be used to provide sufficient power to operate lamp apparatus  5 . 
     A second contact  11 , for example an electrode, is mounted with respect to base  10  and is exposed to bore  15 . Preferably, but not necessarily, second contact  11  is mounted on an inner surface of a bottom plate  7  of base  10  and aligned with bore  15 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Second contact  11  is spaced apart from each first contact  13 . Second contact  11  is electrically connected to the power supply (not shown) via a second power lead  12 . 
     In one preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in FIG. 7, second contact  11  has a generally circular periphery and an inner surface  18 . It is apparent to those skilled in the art that second contact  11  may have any periphery, for example, a rectangular or triangular periphery. Second contact  11  is mounted with respect to bottom plate  7  of base  10  and aligned with bore  15 . Preferably, but not necessarily, second contact  11  is mounted to a plate  20 , which is connected to bottom plate  7  by a fastening means, for example a screw  40 . Any fastening means known to those having ordinary skill in the art may be used to fasten plate  20  to bottom plate  7 . 
     Electric current can flow through an electrical system of lamp apparatus  5  only when there is continuity across each first contact  13  and second contact  11 . As a result of the spacing of each first contact  13  with respect to other first contacts  13  and second contact  11 , the electric system is closed only when there is simultaneous contact across each first contact  13  and second contact  11 . This safety feature minimizes the risk of electrical shock if, for example, a person places his or her finger or another conductive object into bore  15  while base  10  is connected to the power supply. This safety feature is enhanced when first contacts  13  are recessed from support wall  16  and away from bore  15 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, lamp apparatus  5  further comprises a detachable plug  21 , having a support surface  22 , mateable with bore  15 . Plug  21  further comprises a bulb  30 . A first conductor  24  is connected with respect to plug  21 . Preferably, first conductor  24  is mounted to a first end portion  31  of plug  21 . First conductor  24  is made of any suitable conductive material known to those skilled in the art. 
     In one preferred embodiment of this invention, first conductor  24  comprises a conductor ring  25 , as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferably, but not necessarily, conductor ring  25  has a generally circular periphery. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that conductor ring  25  may have any periphery, for example, a rectangular or triangular periphery. 
     Conductor ring  25  comprises at least two projections  26 , which extend from the periphery of conductor ring  25 . Conductor ring  25  may comprise any number of projections  26 , for example three, four or five projections, without departing from the basic principles of this invention. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, projections  26  are equally spaced around the periphery of conductor ring  25 , as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, preferably but not necessarily, each projection  26  forms at least one aperture  29 . Aperture  29  may have any suitable shape and/or dimensions. During the manufacture process of plug  21 , material forming plug  21  flows through aperture  29  to securely connect conductor ring  25  with plug  21 . 
     A second conductor  23  is connected with respect to plug  21 . Preferably, second conductor  23  is mounted to a second end portion  32  of plug  21 , as shown in FIG.  5 . Second conductor  23  is made of any suitable conductive material known to those skilled in the art. A first wire  27  and a second wire  28  are connected to second conductor  23 . First wire  27  and second wire  28  extend through a cavity  43  of plug  21  and emerge from cavity  43  of plug  21  within bulb  30 . In one preferred embodiment of this invention, an electrode  35  is connected with respect to first wire  27  and second wire  28 , as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     In one preferred embodiment of this invention, bulb  30  is an electrical ornamental or decorative bulb wherein a voltage is applied across one or more inert gases within bulb  30  to create a plurality of traveling, ethereal electrical arcs in one or more colors. In such an embodiment, bulb  30  may be non-symmetrical. Bulb  30  is preferably made of a translucent glass. Any suitable material known to those skilled in the art may be used to produce bulb  30 , being transparent or translucent, of any size, shape, configuration, symmetry and/or color. 
     Lamp apparatus  5  according to this invention enables multiple configurations of bulbs  30 , specifically decorative electrical arcing bulbs to be interchangeable with one another. For example, the horn-shaped bulb shown in FIG. 7 may be exchanged with a mushroom-shaped bulb or a spherical bulb. 
     Lamp apparatus  5  according to a preferred embodiment of this invention is capable of detecting small gas leaks from bulb  30 . The leakage of inert gas from bulb  30  results in a higher demand for electricity to produce the electrical arcs within bulb  30 . The higher demand for electricity produces an electric surge or spike which automatically opens the electric system of lamp apparatus  5 . Once the electric system is open, there is a time delay, preferably about 3 seconds, before the electric system can be closed to operate lamp apparatus  5 . For example, if bulb  30  breaks and exposes electrode  35 , connected to first wire  27  and second wire  28 , to atmosphere, the electric system opens to minimize the risk of electrical shock. 
     When plug  21  is mated with or inserted into bore  15 , projections  26  engage with base  10  and support surface  22  of plug  21  contacts a recessed surface  19  of base  10 . Support surface  22  provides a stable mounting surface when plug  21  is in the inserted position. In the inserted position, projections  26  of conducting ring  25  are positioned within projection entry slots or entry slots  17 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Each projection entry slot  17  is preferably radially offset with respect to a corresponding first contact  13  and molded into, integrated with or otherwise attached to support wall  16  to form a support surface  33 , which each corresponding projection  26  contacts. 
     In one preferred embodiment of this invention, after each projection  26  is positioned within a corresponding projection entry slot  17 , plug  21  is rotatable to a locked position wherein each first contact  13  contacts a corresponding projection  26  of conducting ring  25  and second contact  11  contacts second conductor  23  of plug  21 . 
     In one preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, second conductor  23  is mateable with second contact  11 . Second conductor  23  contacts inner surface  18  of second contact  11  when plug  21  is in the inserted position. 
     The plurality of projections  26  of conductor ring  25  and the plurality of projection entry slots  17  and corresponding first contacts  13 , allow plug  21 , having a non-symmetrical bulb  30 , to be positioned in a plurality of orientations with respect to base  10  so that decorative bulb  30  and the base  10  can be arranged in different aesthetic combinations. Plug  21  is detachable and replaceable with a second similar plug  21  having a different bulb  30 . 
     While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, and many details are set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described in this specification and in the claims can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of this invention.