Abstract:
A light fixture apparatus includes a support frame mounted to the wall and an auxiliary or examination light source coupled to the support frame and movable from a first stored position to a second deployed position. A first switch in series with the auxiliary light source is opened when the auxiliary light is in the stored position and closed when the auxiliary light is in the deployed position. The light source has three degrees of adjustment. The light source is connected to one end of telescopic members which are pivotally connected at its second end to the support to pivot about an axis transverse the telescoping axis. A safety switch is provided adjacent the telescopic members to sense the pivoting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/065,695, filed Nov. 14, 1997 with respect to common subject matter and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to light fixture apparatus for mounting on a wall of a room and more particularly to an improved patient auxiliary light mounted to the wall of a hospital room. 
     Some conventional hospital rooms are provided with a track mounted on a wall of the hospital room. Lights, electrical outlets and various other ancillary equipment are mounted to this track. A typical example is the Integris Patient Light and Headwall System available from Hill-Rom of Batesville, Ind. and is described in U.S. patent application 08/705,214 filed Aug. 29, 1996, which is incorporated herein by reference. The auxiliary light source disclosed in the aforementioned mentioned rotates about an axis parallel to the wall and may be used as an examination light. Such light has only one degree of freedom of adjustment. 
     The present invention provides an auxiliary or examination light for a hospital room which has more than one degree of freedom of adjustment. 
     The light fixture apparatus of the present invention is configured to be mounted onto the wall of the room, preferably a hospital room. It includes a support frame mounted to the wall and an auxiliary or examination light source coupled to the support frame and movable from a first stored position to a second deployed position. Also, depending upon the light fixture, it may include another light box coupled with a frame and including a light source. A first switch in series with the auxiliary light source is opened when the auxiliary light is in the stored position and closed when the auxiliary light is in the deployed position. An on/off switch is connected in series with the first switch and the auxiliary light source. While the on/off switch is preferably coupled to the support frame, the first is coupled to the support frame to detect the stored or deployed position of the auxiliary light source. A transformer for the light source is coupled to the support frame and connected electrically to the first switch and the auxiliary light source. Also, a fan may be coupled to the auxiliary light source and connected electrically to the first switch and the auxiliary light source. 
     A pair of telescopic members move relatively to each other along a first axis and couple the auxiliary light source to the support frame. Telescopic members allow the auxiliary light source to move from the stored position to the deployed position. The auxiliary light source is rotatably connected to a first end of the telescopic members. A bracket is pivotally connected to the first end of the telescopic members to pivot about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The auxiliary light source is connected to the bracket. This produces the pivotal motion of the auxiliary light source about the second axis. The auxiliary light source is pivotally connected to the bracket to pivot about a third axis transverse to the second axis. A stop is provided to limit the pivoting of the auxiliary source about the third axis. Thus the light source has three degrees of adjustment, namely one, along the first axis of the telescopic members, two, pivoting about the second axis and three, pivoting about the third axis. Alternatively, the pair of telescopic members may rotate relative to each other. Again, a stop is provided to limit the relative rotation of the telescopic members. In this embodiment, the light source is pivotally connected to the first end of the telescopic members to pivot about the second axis transverse to the first axis. 
     In both embodiments, the telescopic members are pivotally connected at its second end to the support to pivot about a fourth axis transverse the first axis. The frame includes a stop and a spring biasing the telescopic members about the fourth axis towards the stop. A switch is provided adjacent the telescopic members to sense the pivoting about this fourth axis. This switch is a safety switch connected to the electrical system of the bed such that if the telescopic members pivot up, the safety switch will open and disconnect the power source to the bed. 
     A cover is coupled to the support frame and has a first contour extending from the support frame. A housing for the auxiliary light source has, in the stored position, a second contour extending from the support which is similar to the first contour of the cover. The auxiliary light source housing has opposed end walls which in the stored position are transverse to the support frame. The lamp of he auxiliary light source is positioned in the housing such that the illumination from the lamp exits an aperture in one of the end walls. 
    
    
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a light fixture apparatus including the auxiliary light of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of a light fixture apparatus with the auxiliary light in its stored position. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a filler wedge incorporating the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the light housing assembly. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the telescopic assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic of the auxiliary light assembly circuit. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic of the safety switch circuit. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the light fixture apparatus according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the light housing assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the telescopic assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A light fixture apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.  1 . The assembly includes a support frame  10  which is mounted to the wall of the room and having covers  19  mounted thereto which may cover compartments or include lights, electrical outlets and other related ancillary items. In an opening between a pair of covers  19  as illustrated in FIG. 2, an auxiliary light assembly  40  is included with filler wedge assembly  20 . The contour of the wedge filler assembly  20  and the auxiliary light assembly  40  in its stored position illustrated in FIG.  2  and extending from the support frame is similar or matches the contour of the covers  19 . Thus, when the auxiliary light assembly  40  is in its stored position, the light fixture apparatus has a uniformed contour except for the handle  44  of the auxiliary light assembly  40 . The auxiliary light assembly  40  moves between its stored and deployed position by telescopic assembly  60  which also allows the auxiliary light assembly  40  to rotate or pivot about two transverse axis. A rail enclosure assembly  90  is also provided as part of the assemblies related to the auxiliary light assembly  40 . Details of each of these assemblies will be described with respect to the remaining figures. 
     The support frame  10  includes the ledge  12  to support various elements as well as to provide a top to the track  14 . Auxiliary equipment is received in tack  14  as described in the previously referenced patent application. Support frame  10  includes fastener channel  16  in its face wall as well as fastener channels  17  and  18  in the ledge  12 . 
     The filler wedge assembly  20  is illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a wedge  22  having inside wall  24  and outside wall  26 . A bracket at the back of inside wall  24 , lying behind the wedge  22 , is mounted to a bracket  30  by fasteners  29 . Fasteners  31  mount the bracket  30  to the back wall of wedge  22 . Fasteners  27  secure the outside wall  26  to the wedge  22 . Switch  32  with feeler  34  is secured to bracket  36  by fasteners  33 . Bracket  36  is secured to the wedge  22  by fasteners  35 . The inside wall  24  has a slot  38  through which the feeler  34  extends. Switch  32  determines whether the auxiliary light assembly  40  is in its stored or deployed position. Fasteners  37  in FIG. 1 extend through openings in bracket  39  of the inside wall  24  and received in fastener channel  17  of ledge  12  to mount the filler assembly  20  to the support frame  10 . 
     The auxiliary light assembly  40  is illustrated in FIG.  4  and includes a housing  42  with a handle  44  secured thereto by fasteners  43 . A slide guide  46  is mounted to the back of the housing  42  by fasteners  45  and engages wall  97  of the lower enclosure  94  of rail enclosure assembly  90  (see FIG. 1) to guide the auxiliary assembly into its appropriately stored position. A bezel  48 , having lens  50  mounted thereto by retainer  52  and fasteners  51 , is mounted to the end wall of housing  42  by fasteners  47 . A heat sink assembly  54  including lamps  58  is mounted to the other end of housing  42  by fasteners  53 . The lamp  58  preferably is halogen. The heat sink assembly  54  includes slots  55  and  56  therein to receive a portion extending from the other end wall plate  82  or mounting to the telescopic assembly  60 . Opening  57  is also provided to receive a fan  59  to be described with respect to the second embodiment and illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     The telescopic assembly  60  is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5. A floating plate  62  includes a hinge  64  secured thereto by fasteners  63 . Fasteners  61  through hinge  64  is received in and mounts the telescopic assembly to the support frame  10  (See FIG.  1 ). A Z-bracket  66  is mounted to floating plate  62  by fastener  65 . As will be discussed below, Z-bracket  66  cooperates with a limit switch  110  of FIG. 1 to determine the position of the telescopic assembly  60  rotating about the axis of the hinge  64 . 
     Extending from floating plate  62  is guide  68  for slide  70 . Slide  70  includes an elongated recess  72  through which pin  74  extends and limits the telescopic movements of slide  70  within guide  68 . At the end of slide  70 , is an aperture  76  whose axis is an axis of rotation transverse to the sliding axis of slide  70 . A screw  78  extends through bracket  80  which is a U-channel bracket and aperture  76  to pivotally mount the bracket  80  to the end of the slide  70 . Bearings  77  are also received in aperture  76  and a nut  79  and washer  81  receive the end of the screw  78 . The bearing  77  and the screw  78  may be brass impregnated with teflon. It should also be noted that slide  70  has a teflon coating and provides sufficient lubrication in the guide  68 . 
     End wall  82 , which forms the end wall of the auxiliary light assembly  40  includes a bracket  84 . The bracket  84  includes an arcuate slot  86  and an opening  87 . Fasteners  83  extend through the openings in the bracket  80  and slot  86  and opening  87  in the bracket  84 . Washers  85  and nuts  89  are provided on fasteners  83 . While parts  85  are flat washers,  85 A is a conical washer and  85 B is a thrust washer. The bracket  84  and consequently the end wall  82  and the light assembly  40  rotate about the fastener  83  in opening  87 . The fastener  83  in the arcuate slot  86  defines the limit of rotation of end wall  82  and the auxiliary light assembly  40  to approximately under 90 degrees. Flange  88  extending from end wall  82  also extends over the slide  70 . The slots  55  and  56  in the heat sink  54  receive the brackets  80  and  84 . Fastener  75  of FIG. 1 mounts end wall  82  to the light assembly  40 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1, springs  69  connected above floating plate  62  by fasteners  71  and spring retainers  73  extending through openings  67  of the floating plate  62  and into ledge  12  of the support frame  10 . Spring  69  biases the floating plate  62  against the ledge  12  which operates as a stop. This maintains the telescopic assembly  60  in its horizontal position. If the bed or any element of the bed should knock up against the auxiliary light assembly  40 , the floating plate  62  will pivot up against the springs  69 . As will be discussed below, Z-bracket  66  will intersect safety switch  110  to indicate that the light assembly  40  has been moved from its normal position. 
     The rail enclosure assembly  90  as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a top cover  92  secured to the outside wall  26  of the filler wedge assembly  20  by fastener  91 . As shown in FIG. 2, the cover  92  is a continuation of the contour of housing  42  of the auxiliary light assembly. A lower enclosure  94  of the rail enclosure assembly  90  encloses the floating plate  62  and a substantial portion of the guide  68  and all of the spring  69 . An opening  96  in the front wall of lower enclosure  94  allows the extension of the slide  70  therefrom and includes side wall  97 . Mounted to the top of lower enclosure  94  is a channel  98 . A flange  100  extending from the top of the lower enclosure  94  receives fasteners  99  which mounts the enclosure to the support frame  10  with the fasteners  99  being received in fastener channel  16 . 
     A top plate  102  is mounted to the channel  98  by fasteners  101 . This then forms the top enclosure. An upper enclosure  104  is mounted to the top element  102  by fasteners  103  and to the top cover  92  by fasteners  105 . A support  106  is mounted to the front wall of lower enclosure  94  by fasteners  107 . The support  106  engages the bottom of the auxiliary light assembly housing  42  and supports it in its stored position. An on/off switch  108  is mounted to the upper enclosure  104 . A safety switch  110  is mounted to the top of lower enclosure  94  and has a plunger  112  extending down therefrom to be aligned with the Z-bracket  66  of the telescopic assembly  60 . When the telescopic assembly  66  is rotated up out of its normal position, plunger  96  is depressed, opening switch  110  and disconnecting the circuitry to the bed. 
     A transformer  116  is secured to ledge  12  of the support bracket  10  by double back tape. 
     Referring to the schematic of FIG. 6, the on/off switch  108  is in series with the switch  32  which is closed when the light is in the extended position. They are connected through transformer  116  to light  58  and fan  59 . Although the on/off switch  108  is shown to be connected to the support structure, it may also be provided on the auxiliary light assembly  40  if desired. If the on/off switch  108  happens to be closed when the auxiliary light assembly is moved into a stored position, switch  32  will open. This will prevent the light from staying on and from being overheated when it is stored. 
     The schematic for the safety circuit is illustrated in FIG.  7 . Safety switch  110  which is open when the auxiliary light assembly, and more specifically, the telescopic assembly  60  is rotated from its normal position. Also illustrated is safety switch  118  which may be associated with other switches on the light fixture assembly connected to support frame  10 . These safety switches are connected in series with the bed circuit. This is described in the aforementioned patent application. 
     The second embodiment of the auxiliary light assembly is illustrated in FIG.  8 - 10 . Those elements which have the same structures and functions have the same numbers as those of the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 7 . The filler wedge assembly  20  including switch  32  with feeler  34  is the same. The auxiliary light assembly  40  as illustrated in FIG. 9 is substantially the same except that a fan  59  has been added to the heat sink  54  drawing air through opening  57 . Also, the shape of the heat sink  54  is shown as modified. 
     The major difference between the first and second embodiment is in the telescopic assembly  60 . Those elements which have been modified have the letter “A”. The bracket  66 A extending from the floating plate  62  cooperates with safety switch  100  and plunger  112 . Also mounted to bracket  66 A is one end of the telescopic elements which includes guide tubes  68 A and slide tube  70 A. As shown in FIG. 10, the slide  70 A includes a pin  74 A extending therefrom and cooperates with a channel within guide  68 A to limit the angular rotation of slide  70 A with respect to guide  68 A to approximately 90°. An end cap  120  is secured in the end of guide  68 A and secured thereto by set screw  122 . Pin  74 A also engages the end cap  120  and therefore limits its extension along the first axis. Bracket  80 A is pivotally mounted by screw  78  and washer  81  to the end of slide  70 A. Fasteners  83 A mount the end wall  82 A to the bracket  80 A. Slot  124  in end wall  82 A allows the auxiliary light assembly  40  to rotate over the slide  70 A. 
     The upper portion of the rail enclosure  90  has been modified with the location of the on/off switch  108  being centrally located. The location of the safety switch  110  and the structure of the lower enclosure  94  has not been modified from that of the embodiment of the previous figures. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.