Abstract:
A combination lamp assembly which includes at least one gas-filled luminescent bulb such as a black light lamp and a fluorescent light and at least one other type lamp or light such as an incandescent light such as a halogen light and lamp bulb, and/or a fluorescent light bulb is disclosed wherein the different light bulb or light sources are preferably assembled within the same combination lamp assembly allowing a user to manually select between the light sources as desired.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to lamps, and more specifically, to a combination lamp assembly which includes a gas-filled luminescent bulb such as a black light lamp and an incandescent light such as a halogen lamp or light bulb thereby providing characteristic of versatility, durability, convenience, and ease of use.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Today, black lights have become a common accessory. Black light lamps emit ultraviolet light which is in the UV light spectrum. A black light emits ultraviolet light that is invisible to the human eye. However, when the ultraviolet light comes into contact with certain materials, the light causes the material to fluoresce. This is especially useful in, for example, finding scorpions who fluoresce when a black light is used.  
           [0003]    Black lights are not traditionally used on a daily basis because the ultraviolet light is not optimal for illuminating a room. When desired, however, individuals often replace the standard incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs of common household lamps and light fixtures with black light bulbs.  
           [0004]    Switching the standard light bulbs with the black light bulbs may prove to be inconvenient because the individual would need to keep track of each bulb whenever it was not in use. While unused, these light bulbs may be lost or damaged in storage. The task of switching the light bulbs may also be time-consuming and the alternative choice of purchasing a separate lamp or light fixture for a black light bulb could be expensive.  
           [0005]    Therefore, a need existed for a combination lamp assembly that would use, in one assembly, different types of lamps or bulbs. More specifically, a need existed for a combination lamp assembly which would include a gas-filled luminescent bulb such as a black light lamp or a fluorescent light and an incandescent light such as a halogen lamp or light bulb wherein the black light lamp or bulb and at least one of the other above mentioned lights or bulbs are part of the same lamp assembly thereby allowing a user to manually select between the light sources as desired. The term gas-filled luminescent bulb as used in this application including the claims is intended to cover both a black light lamp or bulb and a fluorescent light since both are gas-filled luminescent bulbs. The term black light lamp as used in this application including the claims is intended to cover any lamp or bulb that emits UV light. The term light bulb as used in this application including the claims is intended to cover any light source that emits visible light.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a combination lamp assembly which would include at least one gas-filled luminescent bulb such as a black light lamp or fluorescent light and at least one of an incandescent light such as a halogen lamp or light bulb, and/or another gas-filled luminescent bulb such as a fluorescent light wherein the gas-filled luminescent bulb such as a black light lamp or bulb or the fluorescent light and the at least one other light or bulb or lamp noted above are preferably assembled within the same lamp assembly thereby allowing a user to manually select between the light sources as desired.  
           [0007]    It is another more specific object of this invention to provide a light stand or assembly which contains both a halogen and black light lamp, that are separately controlled to selectively provide one or the other type of light.  
           [0008]    It is still another more specific object of this invention to provide a light assembly which includes both at least one fluorescent light and at least one light bulb in one assembly to selectively provide one or the other type light.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
         [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a combination lamp assembly is disclosed which comprises, in combination: a lamp apparatus connectable to an AC source and having at least one black light lamp and at least one other light unit that emits light in the visible spectrum. The lamp apparatus comprises an upper lamp cover opening upwardly and having a halogen light source located within the cover. The lamp apparatus also has a lower base portion for supporting the lamp assembly. A substantially vertical stem connects the housing to the lower base portion and a black light source is located within the vertical stem.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a combination halogen and black light lamp assembly is provided which comprises, in combination: an upper lamp cover opening upwardly, a halogen light source located within the upper lamp cover, and a black light source coupled to the upper lamp cover. The lamp apparatus of this embodiment also has a lower base portion for supporting the lamp assembly and a substantially vertical stem connecting the upper lamp cover to the lower base portion.  
           [0011]    In accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, a combination fluorescent light and light bulb lamp apparatus comprises a fluorescent light tube assembly, and at least one light bulb coupled to the fluorescent light tube assembly to permit a user to select at least one of a fluorescent light and incandescent light wherein at least one of the fluorescent light tube assembly and the at least one light bulb being movable.  
           [0012]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first combination lamp embodiment of the present invention, shown with a multiple (i.e. 3) rod stem.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the stem and black light source of the combination lamp of FIG. 1, taken along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base portion and stem of a second combination lamp embodiment of the present invention, shown with a transparent casing stem.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a third combination lamp embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention showing a combination of fluorescent and incandescent light bulb units in one assembly.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the combination assembly of FIG. 5 with parts broken away to show the arrangement of the fluorescent light and the light bulbs.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line  7 - 7  of FIG. 6 showing the rear portion of the connection of one of the light bulbs within the combination assembly.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the  8 - 8  of FIG. 7.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a partial side elevational view with parts broken away to show a pivotable hinge connection between one of the light bulb units and a side of the fluorescent light portion of the combination assembly.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the combination assembly of FIG. 5 wherein the combination assembly is mounted on a wall rather than on the ceiling as shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment illustrating a rotatable fluorescent light unit that can be rotated in a number of different positions to shine fluorescent light in a number of different directions.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 12A, B and C illustrate, for example, three different positions for rotating the fluorescent light unit of FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 1-3 refer to, for example, a combination lamp assembly  10  comprising an upper lamp cover  20  opening upwardly and, for example, a halogen light source  22  located within a transparent cover and a fluorescent light bulb  30  configured in a substantially circular configuration or, if desired, any other shape or configuration located within the cover  20 . The cover  20  can have a concave or conical shaped configuration. Also, if desired, instead of a halogen light, an incandescent light bulb  22  or an LED (light Emitting Diode) or LASER type light may be located within the transparent cover or, if desired, any of these visible light sources can be used without a cover. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a vertical black light source or tube  60  is also shown. Thus, any desired combination light arrangement may be provided or the combination light arrangement may be limited to any one of the above noted light sources. The lamp assembly  10  preferably has a substantially solid base portion  40  for supporting the upper portion of the lamp assembly  10  and a substantially vertical stem generally designated by reference number  50  connecting the cover  20  to the base portion  40 .  
         [0026]    Preferably the black light source  60  is located within the stem  50 . The stem  50  has a first end  51  and a second end  52  preferably demountably connected to the cover  20  and the base portion  40 , respectively, so as to allow, for example, for easy removal of the black light source  60  when it requires replacement. In the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the stem  50  is comprised of multiple support rods  53  (preferably at least three support rods  53 , spaced equidistantly for optimal weight distribution and support are used). These three support rods  53  can be spaced and sized, if desired, to permit the black light sources  60  to be-removed and replaced therethrough. These support rods  53  may be substantially transparent or substantially opaque. These support rods  53  may, if desired, have a tapered configuration (upwardly or downwardly tapered) to permit other ways to remove the black light tube  60  through an enlarged opening in the tapered rods (upwardly or downwardly). These support rods  53  may also be solid or hollow to allow for the passage of electrical wires  80  (shown for example in one support rod  53  in FIG. 2). Here, a control switch  70  is shown coupled to the base portion  40 . If desired, the control switch  70  may be located on a portion of the stem  50  (as shown in FIG. 3) or elsewhere. The control switch  70  allows a user to manually select between the light sources as desired. Also, the control switch  70  can be used to act as a light dimmer or light timer and thereby function as a light control device for any of the noted light sources.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 shows three hollow support rods  53 , with electrical wires  80  passing, for example, through one of the support rods  53 . The black light source  60  is also shown in FIG. 2 with the support rods  53  spaced equidistantly around it.  
         [0028]    In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the stem  50  is preferably comprised of a transparent casing  54  allowing for both protection and visibility of the black light source  60  while also providing a mechanical structure that can support the cover  20  (see FIG. 1) above the base portion  40 . Here, the control switch  70  is preferably shown coupled to the stem  50  rather than to the base  40  as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is directed to another embodiment of this invention which comprises an upper lamp cover  120  opening upwardly as part of at least a combination halogen and black light lamp assembly  110 . A halogen light source  122  is located within the cover  120 . The cover  120  has an outer perimeter portion  121  and preferably multiple (i.e. at least three) gripping members  132  extending substantially horizontally and outwardly from the outer perimeter portion  121 . These gripping members  122  are preferably spaced equidistantly along the outer perimeter portion  121  so as to provide optimal support to and for a substantially circular black light source  160  concentrically spaced from a substantially circular fluorescent light source  130 . Each gripping member  132  has an attachment end  123  that engages the black light source  160  to hold the black light source  160  in place.  
         [0030]    Also shown is a stem  150  and its first end  151  that is preferably demountably connected to the cover  120 . This allows for ease of assembly and disassembly.  
         [0031]    Referring to FIG. 5, reference number  200  generally refers to the combination assembly embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 of a fluorescent light unit  202  preferably centrally located between two separate light bulb units  204  and  206 . If desired, only one light bulb unit can be used with the fluorescent light unit  202  or, alternatively, more than one fluorescent light unit can be used in the same combination light arrangement with one or more light bulb units. As shown in FIG. 5, the combination assembly embodiment  200  is shown suspended from a ceiling.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 6, the details of the wiring of the different units of the combination assembly embodiment  200  is shown as well as the mechanical connection of the different units within the combination assembly embodiment  200 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on line  7 - 7  of FIG. 6 and shows different rotational positions that can be created for the light bulb unit  204 . The other light bulb unit  206  can also be rotated to different rotational positions as shown for the light bulb unit  206  in FIG. 7.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line  8 - 8  of FIG. 7 which depicts the mechanical connection for the light bulb unit  204  that permits the rotational positions shown in FIG. 7. Vertical member  208  rotates around Center hub member  210  to permit the light bulb unit  204  to take any of the rotational positions shown in FIG. 7. The center hub member  210  is connected to vertical member  212  to provide mechanical connection to the inner frame portion of assembly  200 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 depicts another method of moving the light bulb unit  204  (other than the rotational method shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). In the embodiment of FIG. 9, a hinge  214  is provided at preferably the bottom portion of members  216  and  218  in order to permit the light bulb unit  206  to pivot, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 (phantom lines) thereby providing another way of moving the light bulb unit  204 . Thus member  216  pivots downwardly while member  218  remains in a vertical position.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 10, the combination assembly  200  and its associated units (fluorescent light unit  202 , and lamp bulb units  204  and  206 ) are shown connected to a wall rather than the ceiling as depicted in FIG. 5.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 11, this embodiment depicts a method of rotating a fluorescent light unit  302  for providing light in different directions. The fluorescent light unit  302  can be either ceiling or wall mounted.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 12A, B and C illustrates for example, different fluorescent light positions using the fluorescent light unit  302  shown in FIG. 11 which can be pivoted to any, for example, position shown in FIGS. 12A, B and C.  
         [0039]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.