Abstract:
The lamp has a superior, sleek, aesthetic profile, while also providing robust functionality and articulation. The lamp includes at least one joint that combines the functionality of allowing an arm of the lamp to articulate and rotate, as well as allowing the joint to be pulled apart and plugged back together. Each articulating hinged or pivoting joint transmits electrical power between the adjoining members without the use of exposed wiring. There are a variety of structural options regarding the lamps base or attachment mechanism, including a weighted base, a clamp, a through-table mount, or a wall mount. Available versions of this sleek lamp include a variety of arm and joint configurations so that the lamp can serve a wide range of installations and applications, while using a standardized group of components.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to lighting fixtures and, more specifically, to an Articulating Lamp. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Lamps configured to rest on desks, tables and the like in order to provide localized utility lighting for work surfaces have been widely available for a number of years. Furthermore, in order to provide maximum lighting capability and utility, most of these lamps have a positionable arm extending from a base to a lighting assembly (at the arm&#39;s distal end). These days, the newest innovations for lighting products have come in the form of products utilizing LED light sources. LED&#39;s provide extraordinarily long life, bright, high quality light, and a substantially smaller form factor that lends itself to elegant, sleek lamp designs. 
     The conventional positionable or articulating desk lamp arm was made of a series of linkages interconnected by elbow-like joints. At the lighting assembly, a ball and socket-type joint allowed the lamps light to be trained in a variety of different directions by the user. The linkages usually included visible springs that provided the necessary tension so that the lamp arm could be hand-positioned, as desired, over the work surface. The springs and joints would then hold the arm in place until moved by the user. 
     While these prior forms of articulating or positionable desk lamps were functionally acceptable, they were not supremely pleasing from an aesthetic standpoint. Furthermore, the sleek designs now available using LED lights and modules seem to be mismatched with the old spring-loaded linkage design. A producer could create a very modern lighting assembly that would have its sleek aesthetics diminished substantially by the old fashioned arm design. 
     What is needed, then, is a desk-type lamp that has an articulating arm with at least the functionality of the prior spring-loaded designs, but with the advanced aesthetic properties made available through use of LED light assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Articulating Lamp. The lamp should present a superior, sleek, aesthetic profile, while also providing robust functionality and articulation. The lamp should include at least one joint that combines the functionality of allowing an arm of the lamp to articulate and rotate, as well as allowing the joint to be pulled apart and plugged back together. Each articulating, hinged or pivoting joint should transmit electrical power between the adjoining members without the use of exposed wiring. The lamp should have a variety of options regarding its base or attachment mechanism, including a weighted base, a clamp, a through-table mount or a wall mount. Versions of this sleek lamp should be available that include a variety of arm and joint configurations so that the lamp can serve a wide range of installations and applications, while using a standardized group of components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the articulating lamp of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view of the base area of the lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the second angulating joint of the lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of the articulating assembly of the lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the articulating assembly of the lamp of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the captured conducting peg of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the end cap of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded top view of portions of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partially exploded bottom view of portions of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Articulating Lamp. 
     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the articulating lamp  10  of the present invention. As should be casually apparent, the lamp  10  has a clean, sleek shape that was previously unavailable from any manufacturer. Importantly, and as will be discussed further herein, the lamp  10  provides, and even exceeds the lighting quality and user functionality previously only available in conventional exposed spring desk lamps. 
     The lamp  10  rests atop a flat supporting surface at base  12 . First rotating joint  14  extends upwardly from the base  12 , and allows the lamp  10  arms to rotate around a generally vertical axis. In other designs, the base  12  could be configured differently (e.g. clamp, weight, etc.). Immediately adjacent to the first rotating joint  14  is first angulating joint  16 . First angulating joint  16  permits the first arm  20  to move in a hinge-like motion around a generally horizontal axis, such that first arm  20  travels between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation (with up to approximately 180 degrees total range of motion). 
     In this version, a pair of sleek illumination control buttons  18  are provided on the upper surface of the first arm  20 . Depressing one or the other of these buttons will increase or decrease the light intensity generated by the lamp  10 . In other versions, touch-sensitive pads (i.e. solid-state) may be employed. 
     The first arm  20  terminates at its distal end in second angulating joint  22 . This is also where second arm  24  attaches to the first arm  20 . Like the first angulating joint  20 , the second angulating joint  22  allows the second arm  24  to pivot around a generally horizontal axis, with up to approximately 180 degrees total range of motion. 
     The lamp arm  28  extends from articulating assembly  26 . This lamp  10  version has six light elements  30  dispersed in spaced relation along the face  31  of the lamp arm  28 . These light elements  30  happen to be recessed LED clusters having conical baffles extending from each LED cluster to the face  31  of the light arm  28 . Of course, other versions could be provided, depending upon the particular application or intended use for the lamp  10 . 
     A critical part of the lamp  10  of the present invention is the articulating assembly  26  because it allows for previously-unavailable range of motion in such a aesthetically pleasing package. The articulating assembly  26  interconnects the second arm  24 , and enables the lamp arm  28  to undergo the following motion:
         R 1 —since there are no wires passing through this connection, there is unlimited rotation of the assembly  26  around an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the second arm  24 ;   A—angular motion relative to the second arm  24 , with up to approximately 200 degrees total range of motion; and   R 2 —as with R 1 , unlimited rotation of the lamp arm  28  around an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the lamp arm  28 .       

     It is noted that other combinations of arms, joints and light elements may be used in order to fill the widest range of user needs. As such, the particular orientation and arrangement shown here is simply provided as a single example to demonstrate the attributes of the present invention. We will now turn to  FIG. 2  to examine the previously-mentioned elements in more detail. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view of the base area of the lamp of  FIG. 1 . The base  12  has a generally cylindrical peg  32  extending from it. The first rotating joint  14  comprises the interface between the peg  32  and the first hinge-half  36 . The first hinge-half  36  is formed with a socket  34  configured to accept the peg  32  therein; this interface allows for free rotation between the base  12  and the first hinge-half  36 . 
     The first arm  20  terminates at its proximal end in a second hinge-half  38 . The first and second hinge-halves  36  and  38  cooperate with a bolt  40  and nut  42  to form what is essentially a hinge between the first rotating joint  14  and the first arm  20 . The combination of these two joints  16  and  14  allows the first arm  20  to rotate and raise/lower relative to the base  12 . 
     The first angulating joint  16  is designed to provide a tight elbow-like connection between the peg  32  and the first arm  20 . Since it would be undesirable if the joint  16  required repeated tightening (as some prior art assemblies are know to require). a spring  33  is captured within the joint  16  in order to securely hold the angle at which a user sets the first arm  20 . In order to present optimum aesthetics, the nut  42  has a cavity formed within it (not shown) with which the spring  33  resides. 
     A pair of hinge caps  37  bracket the first hinge-half  36 ; these caps  37  work with the spring  33  to provide the aforementioned holding forces. A washer  35  and spacer  39  are also parts of the assembly comprising the joint  16 .  FIG. 3  describes the elements of the next joint within the lamp. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the second angulating joint  32  of the lamp of  FIG. 1 . The second angulating joint  32  is essentially the same as the first angulating joint (see  FIG. 2 ), however, without the socket for interface with the peg for rotation, and with an offset rotation axis so that the second arm  24  can be folded flat against the first arm  20 . The first hinge-half  36  and second hinge-half  38  cooperate with each other and the bolt  40 , nut  42 , spring  33 , washer  35  and spacer  39  (generally the same as the joint  16 ) to form the second angulating joint  32 , which allows rotational or angular movement between the first and second arms  20  and  24 . The first and second elbow elements  41 A,  41 B form the hinge-half  38 , and provide the arms with an offset axis of rotation (as related to the longitudinal axis of the first arm) which allows the two arms  20 ,  24  to be able to be folded together.  FIG. 4  provides an initial introduction to the preferred articulating assembly  26 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of the articulating assembly  26  of the lamp of  FIG. 1 . There are at least two critical aspects to the articulating assembly  26  that are absent from prior lamps. First, there is a rotating joint  46  between the second arm  24  and the lamp arm  28 . Second, the lamp arm  28  actually can be snapped in and out of its interconnection with the articulating assembly  26  (without tools). This is particularly valuable because this joint  46  conducts electricity from leads within the second arm  24  for use in the lamp arm  28 . 
     The assembly  26  has a conducting socket  50  at its distal end for interfacing with the interlockable conducting peg  48  that extends from the proximal end of the lamp arm  28 . The peg  48  comprises a conductive core surrounded by and insulating sleeve, around which are located a pair of electrical contacts  52  spaced along the length of the peg  48  (and having an insulator between them). One of the two contacts  52  is in electrical contact with the conductive core (not shown). The tip  54  is made from non-conducting material (such as nylon or the like), and has a groove formed in it in order to create a positive feature to “click” into the socket  50 . When interlocked, the peg  48  will be able to rotate, but will not come out of engagement with the socket  50  until a firm pull is exerted to force the lamp arm  28  away from the socket  50 . The detachability of the lamp arm  28  allows for interchangeability of lamp arms  28  (and lighting elements), while the remaining lamp (see  FIG. 1 ) elements remain the same. This advancement is expected to substantially reduce manufacturing costs.  FIG. 5  exhibits the articulating assembly  26  in substantial detail. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the articulating assembly  26  of the lamp of  FIG. 1 . Beginning at the second arm  24 , an anchor insert  56  is attached within the internal volume of the second arm  24 . The insert  56  serves to anchor the second arm  24  to the other elements comprising the articulating assembly  26 . The center element  70  has a collar  68  extending from it. The collar  68  engages a pair of finger elements  64 . Each finger element  64  has a threaded stem  66  extending from it; when fully assembled, the threaded stems  66  each pass through apertures formed in the anchor insert  56 , and are held thereto by nuts or other securing means (not shown). 
     When the assembly  26  is assembled, the captured conducting peg  62  extends from a socket  73  formed in the center element  70 , through the end cap  60 , spring  58 , and the anchor insert  56 . The finger elements  64  and threaded stems  66  hold the anchor insert  56  to the collar  68 , and keeps the other elements sandwiched therebetween. The spring  58  biases the end cap  60  away from the anchor insert  56  in order to hold the center element  70  firmly in place, yet still allow rotation around the captured conducting peg  62 . 
     The center element  70  has a first face  71 A (on top in this depiction) and a second face  71 B. An outer contact element  74 , which conducts electricity, is captured between a first housing half  72 A and the first face  71 A. An inner contact element  76 , which also conducts electricity, is captured between a second housing half  72 B and the second face  71 B. It is noted here that the center element  70 , first housing half  72 A and second housing half  72 B are all non-conductive, and therefore provide insulation between the various electrical conducting elements. 
     An interface sleeve  79  interconnects the two housing halves  72 A and  72 B with the lamp arm  28 . The interlocking conducting peg  80  releasably locks into a central bore (not shown) formed within the socket element  78 . The electrical contacts on the interlocking conducting peg  80  achieve electrical contact with the tips of the two contact elements  74  and  76  when the peg  80  is fitted into the socket element  78 . We will now turn to  FIGS. 6-9  to discuss various aspects of the assembly  26  in additional detail. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the captured conducting peg  62  of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5  and  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the end cap  60  of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The captured conducting peg  62  (and the other associated elements of the assembly  26  of  FIG. 5 ), like the peg extending from the base (see  FIG. 2 ), permits relative rotation between the adjacent structural members of the lamp. The captured conducting peg  62  has the additional attribute of conducting electricity from the second arm to the lamp arm (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The end cap  60  has a bore  96  formed through it to cooperate with the captured conducting peg  62 , such that the peg  62  passes through the bore  96 . The shoulder  88  on the peg  62  impacts the top face (on the left in this depiction) of the throat  94 . 
     Briefly referring back to  FIG. 5 , one can see that the spring  58  presses the end cap  60  away from the anchor insert  56 , while the finger elements  64 , threaded stems  66  and anchor insert  56  resist this biasing force and keep the elements together. The threaded stems  66  threadedly engage the anchor insert  56 . The finger elements  64  each engage the collar  68  to create this resisting force. The spring force serves to securely hold the angular position of the articulating assembly  26 . 
     The peg  62  is defined by two metallic contacts at the end that is inserted into the socket  73  of the center element  70 . In this example, the positive contact  82  is at the tip end of the peg  62 . A negative contact  84  is located between the shoulder  88  and an insulator strip  86  separating the two contacts  82 ,  84 . The negative contact  84  electrically connected to lead  90 . The positive contact  82  is electrically connected to lead  92 . Of course, the leads  90  and  92  are connected to the supply power wiring encased within the second arm (see  FIG. 1 ).  FIGS. 8 and 9  illuminate the functional aspects of other important components related to the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a partially exploded top view of portions of the assembly, and  FIG. 9  is a partially exploded bottom view of portions of the assembly of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Specifically, these two drawing figures depict the center element  70  and two contact elements  72 ,  74 , and the other associated elements that allow the assembly (see  FIG. 1 ) to provide hinged motion and rotational motion to the lamp arm (see  FIG. 1 ), while also transmitting electrical power therethrough. 
     The first face  71 A of the center element  70  (on the top in the view of  FIG. 5 ) has a rounded circular groove  100 A formed within it, around the entire circumference of the face  71 A. The peg  62  is shown here fully inserted into the socket  73  formed in the collar  68 . The socket  73  has at least a portion of its length exposed or cut away, so that the contact  84  is exposed. It is noted that the contact  84  is aligned with the groove  100 A. 
     The outer contact element  74  is defined by a contact plate  104 A, with a contact arm  102 A extending from it. The contact arm  102 A has an arm contact ridge  108 A formed near its distal end. As discussed in connection with previous drawing figures, the ridge  108 A contacts one of the electrical contacts on the interlockable conducting peg (see  FIG. 4 , elements  52  and  48 , respectively). 
     The contact plate  104 A has a circular contact ridge  106 A protruding from it. The ridge  106 A is shaped and located such that when the outer contact element  74  is placed over the top of the center element  70 , the ridge  106 A will rest within the groove  100 A. As should be apparent, in such a condition, the ridge  106 A will also be in contact with the contact  84 , thereby making an electrical connection between one of the electrical contacts on the interlockable conducting peg (see  FIG. 4 , elements  52  and  48 , respectively), and one of the leads  90 ,  92  on the peg  62 . 
     Similarly, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , the second face  71 B has a groove  100 B formed in it. This groove  100 B is radially closer to the center of the face  71 B of the center element  70 . Correspondingly, the circular contact ridge  106 B is formed on the contact plate  104 B such that it will reside in the groove  100 B when the inner contact element  76  is placed against the second face  71 B of the center element  70 . 
     Clearly, the contact  82  is aligned with the groove  100 B when the peg  62  is inserted into the socket  73  (the socket  73  having at least a portion of its wall removed to expose that portion of the peg  62  that aligns with the groove  100 B). The arm contact ridge  108 B, as with the outer contact element of  FIG. 8 , aligns with one of the electrical contacts on the interlockable conducting peg (see  FIG. 4 , elements  52  and  48 , respectively), such that there is electrical connectivity between the leads in the second arm and the lamp arm (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Again, as should be apparent by the arrangement and configuration of the elements, rotation of the inner and outer contact elements  74 ,  76  with relation to the peg  62  will not interrupt the electrical connectivity between the leads  90  and  92  (and therefore the electrical power being supplied to the lamp arm). 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. A specific example is that it would be obvious to someone skilled in the art that this design could be used with any number of arms in between the base  12  and lamp  28 , e.g. one arm, three arms, even no arms in which case the articulating assembly  26  attaches directly to a base  12 . The base  12  does not have to be a weighted base, it could be a clamp (e.g. to clamp to a desk), a wall mount, or a mount that mounts through the surface (e.g. a through-table mount).