Abstract:
A lamp that houses an illumination source such as, for example, a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs), is selectively adjustable to vary the length of the lamp to accommodate a number of installation types and configurations. The single lamp housing design meets all the required lamp standards and can be used interchangeably within fixtures requiring differed lamp lengths. The lamp includes a base that is configured to be coupled to a power source of a lamp fixture. The lamp has a neck coupled to the base and a housing arrangement this is movable relative to the neck that can move between an extended and retracted position via a guide arrangement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/673,034 filed Jul. 18, 2012, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     This invention relates broadly to an illuminating lamp and, more particularly, to a lamp that houses an illumination source such as, for example, a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and which is selectively adjustable to vary the length of the lamp to accommodate a number of installation types and configurations. 
     A typical illuminating lamp comes in predetermined standard shapes and sizes which are meant to fit a majority of residential and commercial light fixtures. These predetermined shapes and sizes have become known as the industry standard for lamp housings. The availability of different sizes depends largely on the lamp shape, e.g., Arbitrary (A-series), Cylindrical (C-series), and Parabolic reflector (PAR-series), and the corresponding size demands of the consumer. 
     For example, Parabolic Aluminum Reflector (PAR) lamps are widely used in commercial, residential, and transportation illumination. PAR lamps exhibit the same general parabolic shape and generally are sold in the following standard sizes: PAR-16 (2 inch diameter), PAR-20 (2.5 inch diameter), PAR-30S (3.75 inch diameter), PAR-30L (3.75 inch diameter), PAR-36 (4.5 inch diameter), PAR-38 (4.75 inch diameter), PAR-46 (5.75 inch diameter), PAR-56 (7 inch diameter), PAR-64 (8 inch diameter). The PAR-30S and PAR-30L are the same diameter but come in “short” and “long” neck versions, as indicated by the “S” and “L”, respectively, which are meant to accommodate different fixture sizes. These size variations may be especially important if the light socket is inset in a wall or ceiling, and generally inflexible to differing lamp sizes. 
     For consumers who require a lamp size that differs from the industry standards, e.g., different length neck or base, it has been a requirement for these lamps to be specially manufactured to the desired size. This is burdensome for the consumer and the manufacturer since the general components of the lamp housing remain the same. The only part that differs is the neck length. 
     For consumers who have many differently sized light fixtures that require differently sized lamps, it has also been a requirement to keep an inventory of many different lamp shapes and sizes. This can be expensive and space consuming given the great variety of lamp shapes and sizes available on the market. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an illuminating lamp with a selectively variable neck or base in order to accommodate different light fixtures or lamp configurations. It is a further object of the invention to provide a single lamp housing design meeting all the required standards, e.g., American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, which can be interchangeable within fixtures requiring different lamp lengths. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lamp includes a base that is able to be coupled to a power source, a neck which is coupled to the base, and a housing arrangement that is selectively movable relative to the neck by a guide arrangement that is interposed between the neck and housing for moving the housing arrangement between an extended position and a retracted position. 
     In one embodiment the guide arrangement may include a slot and a channel. In one embodiment there may be at least one rib movably coupled to at least one slot, and at least one projection movably coupled to the at least one channel. 
     In one embodiment the housing arrangement may have a shoulder element with an engagement arrangement which is configured to engage the guide arrangement for movement of the housing arrangement relative to the neck. 
     In one embodiment the housing arrangement may be coupled to the neck and to a housing where the housing supports a cover element and a lens element. 
     In one embodiment of the housing arrangement the guide arrangement has two longitudinally extending slots and two longitudinally extending channels. The two longitudinally extending slots are circumferentially spaced from one another and the two longitudinally extending channels are circumferentially spaced from one another and the slots. 
     In one embodiment the housing arrangement is selectively moveable to at least one intermediate position between the extended and retracted positions. 
     The invention also contemplates a method of lamp length adjustment, in which a lamp substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary is selectively adjusted to a desired length. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a variable length lamp having an extendable and retractable base in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the variable length lamp of  FIG. 1  showing the base in an extended position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the variable length lamp of  FIG. 1  showing the base in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of the variable length lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded bottom isometric view of the neck element and shoulder element of the variable length lamp and showing the connections therebetween; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded top isometric view of the neck element and shoulder element of the variable length lamp; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along a cross section as indicated at line  7 - 7 - in  FIG. 1  showing the base in an extended position; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along the cross section as indicated at line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 1  showing the base in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along a the cross section at line  9 - 9  as indicated in  FIG. 1  showing the base in an extended position; and 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along the cross section at line  10 - 10  as indicated in  FIG. 1  showing the base in a retracted position. 
     
    
    
     In describing the embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected,” “attached,” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This invention relates to an illuminating lamp and, more particularly, to a lamp that houses an illumination source such as, for example, a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and which is selectively adjustable to vary the length of the lamp to accommodate a number of installation types and configurations. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a lamp  10  in accordance with the present invention includes a base  12  at one end  14  opposite a second end  16  that includes a housing  18  that contains an illumination source, shown here as a number of LEDs  20 , but understandably, the illumination source may be any type of electrical illumination source known in the art or subsequently developed. The housing  18  may also function as a heat sink for the lamp  10  that dissipates the heat generated by the lamp  10  into the surrounding air. The lower end of housing  18  is coupled to a shoulder element  22  at an upper end portion  24  of the shoulder element  22 . The upper end portion  24  may have a generally circular cross-section and may be configured to be received within a corresponding recessed opening of the housing  18  (see  FIGS. 7-10 ) to secure the upper end portion  24  to the housing  18 . Understandably, the upper end portion  24  may have a cross-section of any alternative shape, such as polygonal, oval, and the like. The shoulder element  22  and the housing  18  together define an interior in which the electronics (not shown) necessary for operation of the lamp  10  may be contained. 
     A lower end portion  26  of the shoulder element  22  opposite the upper end portion  24  may be movably coupled to a neck element  28  to adjust the length of the lamp  10  between an extended configuration ( FIG. 2 ) and a retracted configuration ( FIG. 3 ) as designated by arrows  30  and  32  and as will be described in further detail herein. The lower end portion  26  may be frustoconically shaped as shown or may be otherwise suitably shaped. In the extended position, the housing  18  and the shoulder element  22  are positioned at a maximum predetermined distance from the base  12 , and in the retracted position, the housing  18  and the shoulder element  22  are positioned at a minimum predetermined distance from the base  12 . In the extended position, the relative length of the lamp  10  is greater than in the retracted position, which enables it to be used in lighting situations that may call for a longer lamp  10  or lamp base  12  while still enabling the lamp to be moved to its retracted position to be used where a shorter lamp  10  or lamp base  12  may be desired. In this manner, a single lamp  10  may accommodate a multitude of needs, which greatly reduces inventory and purchasing costs associated with providing differently sized lamps. It is to be understood that the lamp  10  may alternatively be constructed to be positioned at a number of additional or intermediate positions to provide even greater configurability. 
     The lamp  10  further includes a light emitting element  34 , which may securely house the LEDs  20  and any supporting structure such as a printed circuit board or the like, or otherwise be configured to direct light emitted by the LEDs  20  in a desired manner, such as outward through the lamp  10  opening or lens. The lighting element  34  may be securely received within a recess  36  defined by an upper end  38  of the housing  18 . The lighting element  34  may be secured within the recess  36  by any suitable means such as mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or the like. A cover element  40  may be coupled to at least a portion of the upper end  38 . As shown, the cover element  40  may be ring-shaped and circumferentially disposed about the upper end  38 , and may include an opening or lens through which light transmitted by the LEDs  20  passes. 
     The base  12  may be a standard light bulb base as shown or may be any other type of base configured to couple the lamp  10  to a source of electricity for powering the LEDs  20  for illumination thereof. Representatively, the base  12  may include a number of threads  42  for threading the base  12  into a socket (not shown) coupled to a power source for providing power to the lamp  10 . A variable length conductor (not shown) extends between the base  12  and the light source  34  for supplying power to the light source  34  when the base  12  is coupled to a power source. The variable length conductor may be contained within the passage defined by the neck element  28 , and may be in the form of, for example, a coil-type or accordion-type ribbon or wire conductor. 
     The housing  18  may be a standard lamp housing of the kind generally known in the art and may serve as a heat sink. For instance, the housing  18  may include a number of fins  44  circumferentially formed in an exterior surface of the housing  18 . The fins  44  may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the electronics of the lamp  10  by increasing the surface area in contact with the ambient air surrounding the lamp  10  as is generally understood in the art. 
     The neck element  28  includes an upper end  46  and a lower end  48  opposite the upper end  46  and may be cylindrically constructed over at least a portion therebetween. The lower end  48  may be generally narrower relative to the rest of the neck  28  and configured to couple the base  12  to the lower end  48 , and the upper end  46  may include a flanged portion  50  configured to engage the shoulder element  22 . The lower end  48  may include a cutout or recessed portion circumferentially extending around the lower end and configured to be securely engaged by an upper edge of the base  12  to secure the base  12  to the neck element  28 . Understandably, any other suitable manner of coupling the base  12  and the neck  28  to one another is within the scope of the invention. 
     With additional reference now to  FIGS. 5-6 , the neck element  28  may be inserted through an aperture  52  of the shoulder  22  until the flange portion  50  engages a corresponding upper edge of a shoulder flange portion  54  configured to catch the upper end  46  to prevent the neck element  28  from being pulled entirely through the aperture  52 . The shoulder flange portion  54  includes a pair of opposing bump elements  56  and a pair of similarly opposed rib elements  58  that are interposed between each of the respective bump elements  56 . That is, the bump elements  56  are generally spaced 180 degrees relative one another and 90 degrees relative to each of the rib elements  58 . Correspondingly, the rib elements  58  are spaced 180 degrees relative to one another while being spaced 90 degrees relative to the bump elements  56 . Understandably, alternative arrangements and spacing may be used in constructing the lamp  10  of the present invention. 
     Each of the bump elements  56  is configured to operably engage a corresponding longitudinally extending channel  60  disposed on the neck element  28 . The rib elements  58  are configured to operably engage a corresponding longitudinally extending slot  62  disposed on the neck element  28 . The channels  60  may be relatively shallow as compared to the slots  62 , or in one construction of the lamp  10 , the channels  60  may be devoid altogether and the bump elements  56  may simply move along the outer surface of the neck  28 . The channels  60  have a pair of longitudinally spaced indentations  64  configured to securely receive the bump elements  56  to act as a detent and secure the lamp  10  in either the extended or retracted position as will be described in additional detail (see  FIGS. 9-10 ). In the embodiment in which the neck  28  is devoid of channels  60 , the indentations  64  may be formed into the side walls of the neck element  28 . The slots  62  may define a deeper recess into the body of the neck element  28  and may be sized and shaped to entirely receive the rib elements  58  therein to maintain engagement between the shoulder element  22  and the neck element  28 . The slots  62  may be longer than the channels  60  and thereby extend further downward on the neck element  28  to accommodate for the relative lengths of the rib elements  58  as compared to the bump elements  56 . In addition, the rib elements  58  are sized and configured to engage the slots  62  to prevent rotation of the neck element  28  relative to the shoulder element  22 . 
     The bump elements  56  include a generally longitudinally extending portion  66  that may be integrally formed with the shoulder flange portion  54  and which may include spaces on opposing sides thereof. The longitudinally extending portion  66  terminates at its upper end in a head portion  68  that extends perpendicularly relative to the longitudinally extending portion toward a center of the aperture  52 . The medial end of the head portion  68  is configured to engage the indentations  64  of the channels  60  as will later be described (see  FIGS. 9-10 ). The rib elements  58  may be integrally formed with the shoulder flange portion  54  and extend perpendicularly with respect thereto toward the center of the aperture  52  for engaging the respective slots  62 . The rib elements  58  as shown have a rectangular cross-sectional shape although it is understood that any number of alternative shapes may be used. 
     With additional reference now to  FIGS. 7-10 , showing the cross-sections as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the lamp  10  is shown in the extended and retracted positions, respectively, and the relative positions of the rib elements  58  within the slots  62  in each of the positions. When the lamp  10  is in the extended position as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the rib elements  58  are positioned at an upper end of the slots  62  and the bump elements  56  are engaged with the upper indentation  64   a  to secure the shoulder element  22  relative to the neck  28 . In the retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the rib elements  58  are positioned at a lower end of the slots  62 , and the bump elements  56  are engaged with the lower indentation  64   b  in the same manner. 
     In operation, to move the lamp from the extended position to the retracted position, the shoulder element  22  is moved downwardly relative to the neck  28  so the neck  28  is received within the interior space defined by the shoulder element  22  and particularly the upper end portion  24  leaving a relatively small portion of the neck element  28  exposed to the user. Once the shoulder element  22  has been moved to the fully retracted position, the medial portions of the bump elements  56  engage the respective indentations  64  to secure the shoulder element  22  relative to the neck element  28  so the lamp  10  may not be accidentally or otherwise undesirably moved from the retracted position. To move the lamp  10  from the retracted position to the extended position, the user applies an axial force that moves the shoulder element  22  upward relative to the neck element  28  to withdraw a greater portion of the neck element  28  through the aperture  52  until the respective upper indentations  64   a  are engaged by the medial portions of the bump elements  56  to secure the shoulder element  22  and the neck element  28  to one another as previously described. As may be appreciated, the lamp  10  may be alternatively constructed to include any number of additional, intermediate indentations  64  to configure the lamp  10  in any number of additional intermediate positions as may be desired. It can be appreciated that the bump elements and indentations may be reversed, such that the bump elements are on the neck element  28  and the indentations are on the shoulder element  22 . 
     It should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It also being understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.