Patent Publication Number: US-9416945-B2

Title: Lighting apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2012/011792 having international filing date 28 Dec. 2012, which designated the United States of America, and which International Application was published under PCT Article 21(s) as WO Publication 2013/100728 A1 and which claims priority from, and the benefit of, Korean Application No. 10/2011/0146102 filed December 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The presently disclosed embodiment relates to a lighting apparatus, and more particularly, to a lighting apparatus having an improved structure of a middle connection unit in order to allow a user to change a position of a lighting unit more conveniently and smoothly. 
     In general, lighting apparatuses include various light sources such as fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps, and LED bulbs, and their specific forms vary. 
     Among such lighting apparatuses, a lighting apparatus such as a ceiling lamp is installed on a ceiling of a house or an office to light up a wide range of an area and a light apparatus such as a desk stand is used to light up a relatively small range of an area. 
     Especially, a lighting apparatus such as a table stand is put on a desk or a floor during use, or its base unit is fixed on a wall for use. When a user reads a book or lighting for a limited space is required by a certain need, such a lighting apparatus is widely used as a necessary illumination for a necessary place because its lighting unit including a light source is movable. 
     A lighting apparatus such as a table stand typically includes a base unit, a rod-shaped member connected to the base unit, and a lighting unit connected to an end portion of the rod-shaped member and provided with a light source to emit light. 
     Additionally, in the case of a lighting apparatus that is the subject of the presently disclosed embodiment, since a rod-shaped member includes a first rod-shaped member and a second rod-shaped member, a lighting unit may easily moves to a desired position. A movable middle connection unit such as a joint is provided at a portion connecting the first and second rod-shaped members mutually. 
     However, in the case of the lighting apparatus including such a related art middle connection unit, since a relative movement of the second rod-shaped member with respect to the first rod-shaped member is dissatisfied due to the structural limitations of the middle connection unit, a user may not conveniently move or cannot move the position of the lighting unit. 
     The presently disclosed embodiment provides a solution to resolve the issues that a lighting apparatus including a middle connection unit has, and thus, provides a lighting apparatus that allows a relative movement of a second rod-shaped member with respect to a first rod-shaped member to be made more easily and more conveniently with less power. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment, there is provided a lighting apparatus including: a base unit disposed on a flat surface or fixed on a wall; a first rod-shaped member whose one end portion is coupled to the base unit; a second rod-shaped member having one end portion provided with a lighting unit; and a middle connection unit connecting the other end portion of the first rod-shaped member and the other end portion of the second rod-shaped member mutually, wherein the middle connection unit includes: a first frame fixed at the other end part of the first rod-shaped member; a second frame fixed to the other end portion of the second rod-shaped member, having a form corresponding to the first frame, and coupled to the first frame to be rotatable with respect to the first frame; at least one guide elongate hole provided for any one of the first and second frames, extending along an arc, and penetratively formed; and a guide pin unit fixed to the remaining one of the first and second frames and fixed to be movable along the guide elongate hole. 
     An entire form of each of the first and second frames may be a substantially ring form. 
     At least two guide elongate holes may be formed spaced apart from each other in any one of the first and second frames; and the guide pin unit may be fixed to the remaining one of the first and second frames and fixed in correspondence to each of the guide elongate holes. 
     The length of each of the guide elongate holes may be formed to allow the size of the central angle of an arc corresponding to the guide elongate hole to become about 60° or less and thus is configured to limit a relative rotating operation of the first and second frames to be about 60° or less. 
     One end portion of the guide pin unit may be fixed to the remaining one of the first and second frames; the other end portion of the guide pin unit may have a size greater than a width of the guide elongate hole; and a main body connecting the one end portion and the other portion of the guide pin unit may penetrate the guide elongate hole. 
     The guide pin unit may further include a bearing member at an outer side of the main body, so that the bearing member contacts an inside of the guide elongate hole. 
     The lighting apparatus may further include: an elastic supporting unit disposed at one of the first and second frames facing each other and elastically supporting the other frame; and an inclined unit disposed at the remaining one of the first and second frames and having an inclined plane, which protrudes along a moving trajectory of an arc form where the elastic supporting unit moves when the first and second frames move relatively and which is formed to allow the protruding height to be gradually higher or lower along the arc. 
     The elastic supporting unit may include a groove portion having a concave form, an elastic member in the groove portion, and a ball member elastically supported by the elastic member. 
     In order to allow an angle between the second rod-shaped member and the first rod-shaped member to be smaller, as the second frame rotates with respect to the first frame, the inclined plane of the inclined unit may be formed to have a height that becomes gradually higher to press the elastic supporting unit further. 
     Each of the first and second frames may be provided vertically; and the lighting apparatus may further include a case unit at the outer sides of the first and second frames to cover the entire first and second frames. 
     According to a lighting apparatus of the presently disclosed embodiment, in order for a user to change the posture or position of a lighting unit, an operation of a middle connection unit is made smoothly with less power. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lighting apparatus according to an aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic partial exploded perspective view of the lighting apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic exploded perspective view of a middle connection unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view when a first frame and a second frame of  FIG. 3  are coupled to each other; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic exploded perspective view of the first frame and the second frame of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a view when a middle connection unit of  FIG. 5  further includes another guide elongate hole and another guide pin unit according to another aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, aspects of the presently disclosed embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 9 , the lighting apparatus of the presently disclosed embodiment may be implemented as a table stand mainly used to put on a desk, but is not limited thereto. That is, it is possible to make various modifications adapting a configuration of a middle connection unit. That is, a lighting apparatus having a base unit fixed on a wall may be used as an embodiment. 
     The lighting apparatus  1  of  FIG. 1 , as a lighting apparatus for a table stand mainly put on a desk or a table, may include a base unit  10 , a first rod-shaped member  20 , a second rod-shaped member  30 , a lighting unit  40 , and a middle connection unit  50 . 
     The base unit  10  is put on the top surface of a desk in use in which other elements configuring the lighting apparatus are connected to and supported by the base unit  10 . The base unit  10  may be made heavily in order to provide stability during operations of other elements. In another embodiment, the base unit may be fixed on a wall for use, and may be put on a floor for use. 
     In this aspect, the base unit  10  includes an upper case  102  and a lower case  104 , which are mutually coupled to each other. The upper case  102  may be detachably coupled to the lower case  104 . 
     The first rod-shaped member  20  has one end  22 , i.e. a lower end, connected to the base unit  10  and the other end  24 , i.e. an upper end, coupled to the middle connection unit  50 . The first rod-shaped member  20 , as a thin and long member in a lengthy direction, may be a hollow pipe or may be a pole member having a cross-section of a circular or polygonal form. 
     The lighting unit  40  is provided at one end  32  of the second rod-shaped member  30 . Like the first rod-shaped member  20 , the second rod-shaped member  30 , as a thin and long member in a lengthy direction, may be a hollow pipe or may be a pole member having a cross-section of a circular or polygonal form. 
     The other end  24  of the first rod-shaped member  20  and the other end  34  of the second rod-shaped member  30  are mutually connected to each other through the middle connection unit  50 . The middle connection unit  50  serves to provide a relative movement of the second rod-shaped member with respect to the first rod-shaped member  20  and support the second rod-shaped member  30  at a desired position. 
     The middle connection unit  50  includes a first frame  52 , a second frame  54 , a guide elongate hole  56 , and a guide pin unit  58 . 
     The first frame  52  is fixed to the other end  24  of the first rod-shaped member  20 . A first frame supporting shaft  522  inserted into and fixed to the first rod-shaped member  20  is provided at one side of the first frame  52 . The first frame supporting shaft  522  is fixed to one side of the first frame  52  by screws  523 . 
     The second frame  54  is fixed at the other end  34  of the second supporting shaft member  30 . The second frame  54  has a form corresponding to the first frame  52  and is coupled to the first frame to be rotatable with respect to the first frame  52 . 
     A second frame supporting shaft  542  inserted into and fixed to the second sealing member  30  is provided at one side of the second frame  54 . The second frame supporting shaft  542  is fixed to one side of the second frame  54  by screws  543 . 
     In the case of this aspect, an overall form of the first and second frames  52  and  54  is substantially ring form. The substantially ring form does not need to necessarily fit the definition of a mathematical or lexicographical ring form, and means a donut form or a circular plate having a middle hole. 
     Additionally, in the case of this aspect, the first and second frames  52  and  54  are provided vertically. Additionally, a case unit covering the first and second frames  52  and  54  entirely is further provided at the outer sides of the first and second frames  52  and  54 . The case unit includes a second case unit  74  and a first case unit contacting the first and second frames  52  and  54 , respectively. 
     Moreover, in the case of another aspect, if only a mutual relative circular movement is performed, the first and second frames may have a circular plate form instead of a ring form. Additionally, an overall form of the first frame may not be a circle but may be a rectangular plate. At this point, a plurality of guide elongate holes are mutually spaced apart from each other along the circumference. 
     The second frame  54  includes the guide elongate hole  56 . The penetrated portion of the guide elongate hole  56  extends along the arc on the circumference of the second frame  54 . The guide elongate hole  56  is provided a total of three in the case of this aspect. 
     The length of each guide elongate hole  56  is formed to allow the size of the central angle of an arc corresponding to the guide elongate hole  56  to be about 60° or less and thus is configured to allow a relative rotating operation of the first and second frames  52  and  54  to be about 60° or less. 
     Moreover, in the case of this aspect, under the assumption that the first rod-shaped member  20  is disposed vertically and the second rod-shaped member  30  is disposed horizontally, the second rod-shaped member  30  fixed to the second frame  54  is configured to rotate in a range of about 25° upwards to 30° downwards. According to an aspect, such a rotatable range angle may vary if necessary. 
     Additionally, in the case of another aspect, the lengths and number of the guide elongate holes may vary if necessary. Additionally, the guide elongate hole may be formed in the first frame and the guide pin unit may be formed at the second frame. 
     The guide pin unit  58  is fixed at the first frame  52  to be movable along the guide elongate hole  56 . In the case of this embodiment, the number of the guide pin units  58  is three in correspondence to the number of the guide elongate holes  56 . 
     Moreover, a modified middle connection unit  50   a  having four guide elongate holes and four guide pin units is shown in  FIG. 9 . When compared with the previous embodiment, one guide elongate hole  56   a  and one guide pin unit  58   a  corresponding thereto are further provided. According to this embodiment, the first and second frames may be more firmly coupled to each other in terms of additional effects. 
     In this aspect, the guide pin unit  58  includes a screw  581 , a washer  582 , a pin  584 , and a bearing member  587 . 
     The head portion of the screw  581  configures one end of the guide pin unit  58  and is fixed to the first frame  52 . The pin  584  includes a diameter enlarging portion  583  and a body portion  585 . The diameter enlarging portion  583  of the pin configures the other end of the guide pin unit and the size of its diameter is greater than the width of the guide elongate hole  56 . 
     The body portion  585  of the pin configures a body portion connecting the one end and the other end of the guide pin unit  58 . The body portion  585  is configured to penetrate the guide elongate hole  56 . 
     Additionally, in the case of this aspect, the guide pin unit  58  further includes a bearing member  587  at the outer side of the body portion  585 . The bearing member  587  is configured to contact the inside of the guide elongate hole  56 , so that the guide pin unit  58  may move in the guide elongate hole  56  more smoothly. The washer  582  is inserted into and fixed to the screw  581 . 
     Additionally, in the case of this aspect, an elastic supporting unit  60  and an inclined unit  62  are further included. 
     The elastic supporting unit  60  is disposed at the side where the second frame faces the first frame. The elastic supporting unit  60  supports the first frame elastically. 
     The elastic supporting unit  60  includes a groove unit  601  having a concave form, an elastic member  603  in the groove unit  601 , and a ball  605  elastically supported by the elastic member  603 . The ball  605  is received into a ball holder  604  contacting the elastic member  603 . 
     The inclined unit  62  is indicated with a virtual line as shown in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , which is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along arc VIII-VIII of  FIG. 4 , the inclined unit  62  becomes greater as its protruding height moves to the right gradually along the arc. The protruding height and the inclination degree of the inclined plane may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of elasticity and the weight of the lighting unit. 
     As the second frame  54  having the elastic supporting unit  60  rotates with respect to the first frame  52 , the ball  605  is pressed against the elastic force of the elastic member  603 , due to the inclined plane  621  of the inclined unit  62  protruding along the moving trajectory of the arc form where the elastic supporting unit  60  moves. The power by the elastic force of the elastic member  603  is balanced with the weight of the lighting unit, so that the position of the second frame is stably maintained always even when moving. 
     In the case of this aspect, as the second frame  54  rotates with respect to the first frame  52  to allow an angle between the second rod-shaped member  30  and the first rod-shaped member  20  to be smaller, the height of the inclined plane  621  of the inclined unit  62  becomes higher, so that the elastic member  603  of the elastic supporting unit is further pressed. 
     That is, when the second rod-shaped member  30  is lowered from the horizontal plane, the elastic member  603  is further pressed. Due to such a configuration, the second rod-shaped member  30  is stably placed at any position and when a user raises up the second rod-shaped member  54  that is below the horizontal plane, it is possible for the second rod-shaped member  30  to move with less power, with the help of the elastic member  603 . 
     Moreover, in the case of another aspect, the formation position of the elastic supporting unit and the inclined unit may vary between the first and second frames if necessary, and also the number of the units may vary. 
     Hereinafter, the action and effect of the lighting apparatus  1  having the above configuration are described. 
     Since the lighting apparatus  1  of this embodiment includes the middle connection unit  50  having the first and second frames  52  and  54 , the guide elongate hole  56 , and the guide pin unit  58 , a mutual movement may be possible only within a desired angle. 
     As mentioned above, since the guide pin unit  58  has the bearing, a movement between the first and second frames may be made smoothly. 
     Additionally, in the case of this embodiment, since the elastic supporting unit  60  and the inclined unit  62  are provided, the vertical movement of the second rod-shaped member  30  is made smoothly with less power, and it may be stably placed at a desired position. 
     That is, when the lighting unit  40  of the second rod-shaped member  30  is raised upward, a portion of the inclined unit contacting the elastic supporting unit is moved to a portion having a lower height, so that the amount of press in the elastic member  603  becomes smaller gradually, and also, when lighting unit  40  of the second rod-shaped member  30  is lowered, a portion of the inclined unit contacting the elastic supporting unit is moved to a higher place, so that the amount of press in the elastic member  603  becomes larger gradually. The elastic force of the elastic supporting unit including such an elastic member and the weight of a portion including the lighting unit are equilibrated. As a result, when the position of the lighting unit is changed, a user may feel an unparalleled degree of softness and convenience when compared with a lighting apparatus including a related art middle connection unit. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  . . . lighting apparatus 
           10  . . . base unit 
           20  . . . first rod-shaped member 
           30  . . . second rod-shaped member 
           40  . . . lighting unit 
           50 , 50   a  . . . middle connection unit 
           52  . . . first frame 
           54  . . . second frame 
           56  . . . guide elongate hole 
           58  . . . guide pin unit 
           60  . . . elastic supporting unit 
           62  . . . inclined unit