Patent Description:
LED reflector lamps become more and more popular in a wide range of lighting applications. Typically a LED reflector lamp is an arrangement of a LED light source, heat sink, driver electronics, and most importantly a lens or reflector is being used to collect lights from the light source and direct them to form an illumination pattern defined mainly by the illumination beam angle it was designed for.

Current LED reflector lamps include spotlights and floodlights. Generally reflector lamps are classified as follows on the basis of the beam angle:.

However it is often required to change the illumination area and the beam angles in many occasions such as retail stores or performance stages. For instance, it is necessary to carry inventory of all the different beam angles versions of the same reflector lamp in order to satisfy various application requirements of the user's, which results in a large inventory in stock and affects cash flow. In other cases, when the users want to change the lighting pattern utilizing lamp with a different illumination angle, they would either need to change out the existing lamps, or to change the lenses or the reflector kits with new replacements, which incur a lot of money, time and labor.

In the early days of stage lighting, the light sources were mainly incandescent, and the beam angle for the spotlights is changed by changing the relative distance between two or more lenses in front of the light source installed on a fixed reflector cup. <CIT> teaches such a design with two sets of lenses and a sliding beam angle adjustment mechanism using a rotating dial knob installed on the side of the lens assembly. Similar design can also be found in US patent application no. <CIT> using LEDs as a light source.

Another design useful in torch lights for this purpose is to utilize an adjustment mechanism that allows a user to turn the lens assembly around its longitudinal axis. The grooves inside the lens assembly would then push the lens assembly further away from, or pull the lens assembly closer to the light source, hence the illumination angle of the torch light is being adjusted, which is taught, for example, in <CIT>.

Apart from using the lens assemblies to effect the change of illumination beam angles, the use of multiple reflector assemblies could also achieve similar effects. US patent application no. <CIT> teaches how the LED light beam angle is changed by extending or retracting the linear positions of a three section reflector assembly.

In some cases for a small change of the beam angle, it is only needed to move a single reflector toward or away from the light source along the reflector's central axis against its focal point. Adjusting the position of a lens, for example TIR (Total Internal Reflection) lens or Fresnel lens, towards and away in front of a LED light source, and along its central axis can also achieve the same results.

Push switches are well known in the mechanical field, which comprise an actuator mounted for reciprocal movement among alternate positions in a "push to change" manner. For example, <CIT> describes an "alternate action switch". A variant of the push switch is designed as a "push latch" described in <CIT>.

There is a need for adjusting reflector lamp conveniently to generate a light beam with variable beam angles.

<CIT> describes a safety torch which comprises a light source which is at least partly covered by an at least partly translucent cover. The cover is adjustable between positions by means of an adjusting mechanism comprising two substantially parallel guides arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing.

<CIT> describes an adjustable lamp that includes a scattering shade which is slidable on the lamp. The scattering shade is reflective blade which is bent at a selected angle to reflect light.

<CIT> describes a push-push bayonet lamp socket where the socket accepts a conventional lamp bulb. The push-push mechanism allows the bulb to be set in different positions.

<CIT> describes a miniature flashlight where the bulb extends into the head. The head includes a parabolic reflector surrounding the bulb such that the rotation of the head relative to the barrel changes the focus of the flashlight beam.

<CIT> describes a lighting and diffuser apparatus for a flashlight. The apparatus may include a truncated parabolodial shaped reflector to focus the light.

An object of the disclosure is to provide a novel reflector lamp which comprises an adjustment mechanism for varying the beam angle of the light beam. The adjustment mechanism is arranged such that the user simply pushes at the front of the lamp to select the desirable beam angle. In elevated installation locations, the user can make use of a long stick to push the lamp instead of climbing a ladder, with an advantage of saving time and labor.

The above object can be attained by providing a reflector lamp according to claim <NUM>.

In one preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the push-push adjustment assembly may be provided as a cam track and latch pin assembly, comprising:.

Preferably, the cam track comprises a closed course defined by a plurality of track sections having a plurality of differences in groove depth in order to guide movement of the pin member in the closed course in accordance with a predetermined unidirectional path. The pin member follows the closed course to move and be latched in a plurality of locked positions, so that the plurality of locked positions are respectively correspondent to the plurality of resting positions of the slider in the frame.

In a particular embodiment of the disclosure, the cam track and latch pin assembly further comprises at least one plunger arranged above the slider, and at least one opposed pair of pivotable catches in a number corresponding to the number of plunger, wherein the pair of the pivotable catches are rotatably disposed on the slider and under the constrain of a pair of stopper pins on the frame to close and to capture the plunger, and to open and release the plunger in response to alternating application and removal of a pushing force on the plunger. In order to provide a longer travel distance for the plunger, the plunger may comprise a housing fixed on the lamp, a spring barrel mounted on the housing, a spring member received in the spring barrel, wherein a first portion of the plunger has a top button protruding beyond the spring barrel and is terminated at one end of the spring member, and a second portion of the plunger extends out of the spring barrel and is capturable by the pair of pivotable catches.

In some cases, the cam track and latch pin assembly may comprise two or more plungers which are different in plunger length and are installed in their corresponding cam track and latch pin assemblies, and a corresponding number of the catch pairs, each of the catch pairs is positioned to capture a respective one of the plungers, thereby enabling the selection of more than two axial spacings between the lens or the reflector that is attached to the plungers and the light source.

In a further preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the push-push adjustment assembly may be provided as a cam track and latch trackball assembly, comprising;.

Similarly, the cam track of the further preferred embodiment comprises a closed course defined by a plurality of track sections having a plurality of differences in groove depth in order to guide movement of the trackball in the closed course in accordance with a predetermined unidirectional path. The trackball constrained by the lateral slot hole is movable in the closed course to be latched in a plurality of locked positions, so that the plurality of locked positions are respectively correspondent to the plurality of resting positions of the slider in the frame.

In a yet preferred embodiment of the disclosure, the push-push adjustment assembly may be provided as a cam track and pivotable arm assembly, comprising;.

Preferably, the latching pin at the free end of the pivotable arm travels along the sliding ramp of the frame to drop into the cam track, and moves to engage in the cam track to be latched in a plurality of locked positions, so that the plurality of locked positions are respectively correspondent to the plurality of resting positions of the slider in the frame. The cam track of this yet embodiment is designed such that the latching pin at the free end of the pivotable arm is movable in the cam track to be latched in a latch position where the slider is in a retracted position and movable to be latched in the upper end of the sliding ramp where the slider is in an extended position.

According to the disclosure, the frame of the push-push adjustment assembly may be fastened to a bottom of the reflector or to a part of a heat sink of the reflector lamp.

The reflector lamp of the disclosure includes a special push-push adjustment assembly coupled to the reflector or the lens that is positioned in the front of the light source. Direct or indirect application of a pushing force onto the lens or the reflector at the front of the reflector lamp may vary and latch the relative positions of the lens or the reflector and the light source. As a result, the beam angle of the resultant light beams from the reflector lamp is being changed. When the lens or the reflector is being pushed toward the lamp body once again, the beam angle for instance would resume to the previous beam angle.

The objects, characteristics, advantages and technical effects of the disclosure will be further elaborated in the following description of the concepts and structures of the disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings.

While this disclosure is illustrated and described in preferred embodiments, reflector lamps with the push-push adjustment assembly may be produced in many different configurations, sizes, forms and materials.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> illustrate different methods known in the art to vary the light beam angle of a reflector lamp, with a result of changing the size of the resultant light spot on a target in the illumination area.

<FIG> shows a reflector lamp <NUM> comprises a light source <NUM>, a reflector cup <NUM> and a converging lens <NUM> installed at a narrow beam angle position (I) along an axial center line <NUM> of the reflector cup <NUM>. The size of the light spot casted by the lamp on the target is shown as I in <FIG>. The light spot size on the same target can be increased (II in <FIG>) if the lens is moved along the axial center line <NUM> towards the light source, to the wide beam angle position (II). The positions of the reflector cup <NUM> and the light source <NUM> remain stationary and fixed.

Similarly <FIG> shows a reflector lamp <NUM> comprises a light source <NUM> and a reflector cup <NUM>. When the reflector cup <NUM> is at the narrow beam position (I), the size of the light spot casted by the lamp on the target is shown as I in <FIG>. The light spot size on the same target can be increased if the reflector cup <NUM> is moved along an axial center line <NUM> towards the light source <NUM> to the wide beam angle position (II). The position of the light source <NUM> remains stationary and fixed.

There are different ways proposed in the prior arts to effect the change of the relative position of the lens or the reflector to the light source in order to adjust the illumination beam angle of the lamp. <FIG> shows a reflector lamp <NUM> with a reflector cup <NUM>, and a knob <NUM>. The light source (not shown) is fixed inside the reflector. The common ways of adjusting the beam angle include:.

The present disclosure provides a new method of varying the beam angle of the reflector lamp. <FIG> illustrates the concept of the disclosure to re-position the lens relative to the light source. In particular, the reflector lamp comprises reflector cup <NUM>, a light source (not shown) that is fixed inside the lamp, and a lens assembly <NUM>. As illustrated, the lens assembly <NUM> is originally set to a first position (or extended position) <NUM>. Application of a pushing force F can lead to the lens assembly <NUM> being latched automatically at a second (or retracted) position <NUM> to provide a different beam angle of the reflector lamp. The lens assembly <NUM> can return and be latched at the first position <NUM> when the lens assembly <NUM> is being pushed again to resume the original beam angle.

<FIG> provide a push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> constructed consistent with a first preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> and a slider <NUM> slidably disposed in the frame <NUM>. The slider <NUM> slides linearly with respect to the frame <NUM> in a way similar to a piston moving inside a reciprocation engine. A resilient member <NUM> acts on the slider <NUM> to urge the slider <NUM> outwardly to an extended position. The resilient member <NUM> may be a helical compression spring.

A cam track <NUM> is defined on the slider <NUM> and retains the slider <NUM> in the correct preset positions during different phases of operating the adjustment assembly <NUM>. A pin member <NUM> has a first end anchored onto an appropriate location at the closed end of the frame <NUM> and a second end (also called "sliding end") which slidably and selectably engage a closed course <NUM> in the cam track <NUM> to cause the slider <NUM> to alternate between a retracted position and an extended position in response to alternating application and removal of a pushing force on an outer end face of the slider <NUM>, which will be elaborated herein below. The pin member <NUM> may be made of a wire form spring type of material, and the near-middle section of the pin member <NUM> is compressed downward such that the sliding end (i.e. second end) of the pin member <NUM> is always pressed down and stays inside the closed course <NUM> of the cam track <NUM>.

The cam track <NUM> is in heart-shaped and the closed course <NUM> of the cam track <NUM> is formed by different track sections which are different from one another in groove depth in order to guide the sliding end of the pin member <NUM> in anticlockwise direction. As best seen in <FIG>, the cam track <NUM> comprises upward ramps <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> followed by downward step walls <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The remaining parts of the cam track are flat and smooth.

The operation of the adjustment assembly <NUM> will be depicted with reference to <FIG> shows the pin member <NUM> is in a first latched position 105a where the slider <NUM> is in an extended position. When a pushing force is applied by a user on the outer end face of the slider <NUM> to push the slider moving inwards, the sliding end of pin member <NUM> leaves its first latched position 105a and travels along the cam track <NUM> (<FIG>) towards the first end position 105b (<FIG>) and stops where the user cannot push the slider any further and the pushing force is removed. The slider <NUM> would then spring back out of the frame <NUM> by reaction of the resilient member <NUM> and the cam track <NUM> guides the sliding end of pin member <NUM> to the second latched position 105c and stops here automatically (<FIG>). The second latched position 105c corresponds to a retracted position of the slider <NUM>.

The slider <NUM> travelled a distance "D" which is equivalent to the distance between the first and second latched positions 105a and 105c of the pin member <NUM>. In the present disclosure, the slider <NUM> is terminated with the lens or the reflector of a reflector lamp, the reflector lamp would be able to provide two preset beam angle settings in the extended and retracted positions of the slider <NUM>.

When the user wishes to reset the slider <NUM> from the retracted position (<FIG>) to the extended position (<FIG>), he just needs to push the slider <NUM> by applying the pushing force on the slider <NUM> towards the frame <NUM>. The cam track <NUM> would guide the sliding end of pin member <NUM> to the second end position 105d (<FIG>). The user feels that the slider cannot be pushed any further and the pushing force is removed. The slider <NUM> would then spring back out of the frame <NUM> by reaction of the resilient member <NUM> and the cam track <NUM> guides the sliding end of pin member <NUM> to the first latched position 105a and stops automatically (<FIG>). The slider <NUM> resumes to the extended position.

As discussed above, the cam track <NUM> comprises upward ramps <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> followed by downward step walls <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, which guide the pin member <NUM> to travel in the unidirectional manner. When the slider <NUM> in the extended position (<FIG>) is being pushed, the sliding end of pin member <NUM> travels from the first latching position 105a in the anticlockwise direction up onto the ramp <NUM>, and then suddenly falls onto the step wall <NUM> and stop at the first end position 105b (<FIG>). When the user releases the pushing force, the sliding end of pin member <NUM> cannot go back to the first latching position 105a because it is being constrained by the step wall <NUM>, but can only advances to the second latched position 105c (<FIG>) where the slider <NUM> is in the retracted position. Since the second latched position 105c is off center to the pin member <NUM>, there is a biasing force to the pin member <NUM> directing it toward the ramp <NUM>. When the user presses the slider <NUM> again to release the slider <NUM> from the retracted position, the sliding end of pin member <NUM> would leave the second latched position 105c and slides up the ramp <NUM> and drops into the step wall <NUM> towards the second end position of 105d (<FIG>). When the user releases the pushing force, the sliding end of pin member <NUM> would slide in anticlockwise direction to avoid the step wall <NUM> and refrains from going back to the second latched position 105c, the resilient member <NUM> urges the slider <NUM> out of the frame <NUM> and the sliding end of pin member <NUM> finally goes up the ramp <NUM> and drops the step wall <NUM> to reach the first latched position 105a (<FIG>). The unidirectional movement ensures equal wear and tear of the different sections of the cam track to achieve longer lifetime of this component.

<FIG> show a push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> constructed consistent with a second embodiment of the disclosure, which is a variant of the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> discussed in the above first embodiment. The push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> of this embodiment is similar as the one shown in the first embodiment above, and comprises a frame <NUM> having an open end and a closed end, and a slider <NUM> slidably disposed in the frame <NUM>, a pin member <NUM> arranged in the frame <NUM> wherein the pin member <NUM> has an anchor end anchored onto the closed end of the frame and a sliding end engaged with the cam track <NUM>, and a resilient member <NUM> acting on the slider <NUM> to urge the slider <NUM> outwardly.

The push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> further comprises a plunger <NUM> arranged above the slider <NUM> and an opposed pair of pivotable catches <NUM> which are rotatably disposed on an upper part of the slider <NUM> to open in the extended position of the slider <NUM> and to close in the retracted position of the slider <NUM>. The pivotable catches <NUM> may be rotatably disposed on the slider <NUM> to open and to close in response to relative movement of the slider <NUM> with respect to the frame <NUM>. The pivotable catches <NUM> are able to selectively capture the plunger <NUM> when the plunger <NUM> is pressed to move down (<FIG>).

When the slider <NUM> is in the extended position wherein the pin member <NUM> is latched in a first latched position (<FIG>), the catches <NUM> are in the open position. When a top of the slider <NUM> is being pressed down by the plunger <NUM>, the sliding end of pin member <NUM> slides upwards to be latched at the second latched position where the slider <NUM> is in the retracted position as shown in <FIG>, the catches <NUM> are constrained by two stopper pins <NUM> and closed automatically, grabbing a bottom end of the plunger <NUM> and preventing the plunger <NUM> from being withdrawn from the latched catches <NUM>. Application of a downward pushing force to the plunger <NUM> would be able to disengage the plunger <NUM> from the catches <NUM> as the slider <NUM> returns into the extended position, thereby opening the catches <NUM> and releasing the plunger <NUM>. In the present disclosure, the plunger <NUM> is terminated with the lens or the reflector of a reflector lamp, the reflector lamp would be able to provide two preset beam angle settings in the extended and retracted positions of the plunger <NUM>.

Illustrated in <FIG> is a variant of the push-push adjustment assembly shown in <FIG>. The push-push adjustment assembly of this embodiment is structurally same as the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> shown in <FIG>, except for the more complicated plunger <NUM> which comprises a housing <NUM>, a spring barrel <NUM> running through the housing <NUM>, a coil spring <NUM> installed inside the spring barrel <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> passes through the coil spring <NUM> and comprises a long upper plunger portion 207a that features a top button 207c, and a stopper 207d that rests on the top end of the coil spring <NUM> and is constrained by a top end of the spring barrel <NUM>. The bottom end of the coil spring <NUM> compresses against the opposite end of the spring barrel <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> further comprises a lower plunger portion terminated by a plunger stub 207b which protrudes outside of the spring barrel <NUM>. When a pushing force is being applied to the plunger <NUM> on the button 207c, the stopper 207d compresses the coil spring <NUM> and thus causes to extend the plunger stub 207b towards the latch direction to activate the latching mechanism of the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> until the catches <NUM> close and clamp the plunger stub 207b. When the pushing force is released, the coil spring <NUM> springs back and pulls up the plunger <NUM>. The plunger stub 207b is then being captured tightly by the catches <NUM>. This variant allows to provide the button 207c of the plunger <NUM> a longer travel distance which mainly depends on the length of the plunger <NUM> and the coil spring <NUM>. It is therefore being utilized in the present disclosure to increase the spacing between the lens or the reflector and the light source of the reflector lamp to enhance the effect of change in the beam angle.

Using a pair of two spring loaded plungers can achieve two different travel distances with three different latched positions for the slider <NUM> that is attached to the lens or reflector of the reflector lamp to provide three beam angle settings. It is illustrated in a simplified form in <FIG> the different combinations of extended/retracted conditions in a pair of spring loaded plungers 207A and 207B with different lengths, which have essentially the same structure as the plunger shown in <FIG>. When both of the plungers 207A and 207B are in the extended position with the coil springs fully relieved, the top ends (i.e. the buttons 207c) of the two plungers 207A and 207B are at the same level I, giving the initial state of beam angle effects. When the long plunger 207B is depressed to be captured by the catches <NUM>, a short travel distance L1 is accomplished and the plunger 207B is lowered to the level II, which in turn results in a small change of the light beam angle from its initial state. If the short plunger 207A is also depressed to be captured by the catches, such that both of the plungers 207A and 207B are being latched, a long travel distance L2 is accomplished and the short plunger 207A is lowered to the level III. In the present disclosure, the two plungers 207A and 207B of this push-push adjustment assembly are coupled to the lens or the reflector of a reflector lamp on the two sides of the lens or the reflector, then the lens or the reflector can be carried to the three different latched positions at three levels I, II and III to distribute the lights with three different beam angles. It would be appreciated that more than two plungers which are different in length are possible according to the disclosure so as to accomplish more beam angles. For example, installing four plungers of different lengths may get five different light beam angle settings.

Now turning to <FIG>, a push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> constructed consistent with a third preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is being illustrated. In this embodiment, the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> includes a frame defined by a front frame member 301a and a rear frame member 301b, and a slider <NUM> slidably disposed in the frame between the front member 310a and the rear frame member 301b. The slider <NUM> includes a lateral element <NUM> and a lower stud <NUM> extending from the lateral element <NUM>. The lower stud <NUM> is loaded with a resilient member <NUM> so that the slider <NUM> is urged by the resilient member <NUM> upwardly towards the extended position. The slider <NUM> slides linearly with respect to the frame. The resilient member <NUM> may be a helical compression spring.

As shown in <FIG>, a cam track <NUM> is defined on the front frame member 301a and retains the slider <NUM> to rest in the different resting linear positions of the front frame member 301a. The cam track <NUM> defined a closed course <NUM> and a stopper <NUM> is formed within the cam track <NUM>. The lateral element <NUM> of the slider <NUM> is formed with a lateral slot hole <NUM> for movably constraining a trackball <NUM> which is able to move freely along the slot hole <NUM> when an external pushing force is applied to the slider <NUM>. The trackball may be made of plastic, steel or other materials. The trackball <NUM> is sized to engage the cam track <NUM> after it is being installed in place. The length of the slot hole <NUM> may be equal to or slightly greater than the largest width of the cam track <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the trackball <NUM> rests in a first latched position 305d where the slider <NUM> is latched in an extended position. The slider <NUM> is depressed by a pushing force towards the frame, the trackball <NUM> would guide the slider <NUM> to move downward to leave the extended position to reach its retracted position. The operation of the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> will be depicted with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the trackball <NUM> in a first latched position 305d where the slider <NUM> is in an extended position (also seen in <FIG>). When a pushing force is applied by a user on the outer end of the slider <NUM> to push the slider move downward, the trackball <NUM> guides the slider <NUM> leaving its first latched position 305d and travels along the cam track <NUM> towards the first end position 305e (<FIG>) and stops where the user cannot push the slider any further and the pushing force is removed. The slider <NUM> is then driven by reaction of the resilient member <NUM> to reach the second latched position 305a and stops by the stopper <NUM> right above the second latched position 305a (<FIG>). The second latched position 305a corresponds to a retracted position of the slider <NUM>.

The slider <NUM> has travelled a distance which is equivalent to the distance between the first and second latched positions 305a and 305d of the trackball <NUM>. If the slider <NUM> is terminated with the lens or the reflector of a reflector lamp, the reflector lamp would be able to provide two preset beam angle settings in the extended and retracted positions of the slider <NUM>.

When the user wishes to reset the slider <NUM> from the retracted position (<FIG>) to the extended position (<FIG>), he just needs to push the slider <NUM> by applying the pushing force on the slider <NUM> towards the frame. The cam track <NUM> would guide the trackball <NUM> to leave the second latched position 305a and stops in the second end position 305b (<FIG>). The user feels that the slider cannot be pushed any further and the pushing force is removed. The slider <NUM> would then be driven by the reaction of the resilient member <NUM> to move up to the position 305c (<FIG>) and then return to the first latched position 305d (<FIG>) where the slider <NUM> resumes to the extended position.

Similar to the cam track <NUM> in the first embodiment discussed above, the closed course <NUM> of the cam track <NUM> may be formed by different track sections which are different from one another in groove depth in order to guide the trackball <NUM> to move in an unidirectional manner. In this regard, the cam track <NUM> may comprise similar upward ramps followed by downward step walls, which is not elaborated here.

<FIG> illustrate a push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> constructed consistent with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> includes a cuboidal frame <NUM>, and a slider <NUM> slidably disposed in the frame <NUM>. The slider <NUM> includes a lateral element <NUM> and a base post <NUM> extending from the lateral element <NUM>. The base post is formed with a longitudinal cavity <NUM> there through. The base post <NUM> is loaded with a resilient member <NUM> so that the slider <NUM> is urged by the resilient member <NUM> upwardly to an extended position. The slider <NUM> slides linearly with respect to the frame <NUM>. The resilient member <NUM> may be a helical compression spring.

A pivotable arm <NUM> is pivotably mounted on the lateral element <NUM> of the slider <NUM> at its pivot end <NUM>. The pivotable arm <NUM> has a free end <NUM> at which a latching pin <NUM> is mounted. The pivotable arm <NUM> is pivotably received in the cavity <NUM> of the base post <NUM> of the slider <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a cam track <NUM> is defined in one vertical side of the frame <NUM> and retains the slider <NUM>. A sliding ramp <NUM> is formed above the cam track <NUM>, and has a lower end 406a whose end surface terminates in the cam track <NUM> and an upper end 406b whose end surface bridges with the cam track <NUM>. The pivot end <NUM> of the pivotable arm <NUM> is loaded with a spring <NUM> that exerts a biasing force such that the pivotable arm <NUM> has a tendency of resting on the upper end 406b of the sliding ramp <NUM> of the frame. The spring loaded pivot end <NUM> also pushes the pivotable arm <NUM> especially the latching pin <NUM> towards and against the frame above it. The pivotable arm <NUM> may pivot in the cavity <NUM> to drive the latching pin <NUM> to selectably engage the cam track <NUM> or the sliding ramp <NUM> to cause the slider <NUM> resting in response to the application or the removal of a pushing force on the lateral element of the slider <NUM> toward the frame.

<FIG> illustrates that the latching pin <NUM> rests in a first latched position 406b where the slider <NUM> is latched in an extended position. The slider <NUM> is depressed by the pushing force, the pivotable arm <NUM> would pivot downward to leave the extended position to reach its retracted position (<FIG>). The operation of the adjustment assembly <NUM> will be depicted with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the latching pin <NUM> is in a first latched position 406b where the slider <NUM> is in an extended position. When a pushing force is applied by a user on the lateral element <NUM> of the slider <NUM>, the pivotable arm <NUM> is guided by the latching pin <NUM> to leave its first latched position 406b and travels along the sliding ramp <NUM> towards the lower end 406a of the sliding ramp <NUM> (<FIG>) which terminates in the cam track <NUM>. Therefore, the pivotable arm <NUM> would drop off the lower end 406a of the sliding ramp <NUM> to engage with the cam track <NUM> and stops at a first end position of the cam track <NUM> (<FIG>) where the user cannot push the lateral element <NUM> any further and the pushing force is removed. The latching arm <NUM> is then driven by reaction of the resilient member <NUM> to reach the second latched position and stops because the latching pin <NUM> is engaged with a stopper feature on the upper wall of the cam track <NUM> (<FIG>). The second latched position corresponds to a retracted position of the slider <NUM>.

The slider <NUM> travels a distance with respect to the frame <NUM>, which distance is equivalent to the distance between the first latched position (<FIG>) and the second latched position (<FIG>) of the latching pin <NUM>. If the lateral element <NUM> of the slider <NUM> is terminated with the lens or the reflector of a reflector lamp, the reflector lamp would be able to provide two preset beam angle settings in the extended and retracted positions of the slider <NUM> for selection by a user.

When the user wishes to reset the slider <NUM> from the retracted position (<FIG>) to the extended position (<FIG> and <FIG>), he just needs to push the slider <NUM> by applying the pushing force on the lateral element <NUM> towards the frame. The slider <NUM> would be guided by the latching pin <NUM> of the pivotable arm <NUM> to leave the second latched position and stops in the second end position (<FIG>). The user feels that the slider cannot be pushed any further and the pushing force is removed. The slider <NUM> would then be driven by the reaction of the resilient member <NUM> to move up, taking the latching pin <NUM> of the pivotable arm <NUM> along the cam track <NUM> and jumps to the upper end 406b of the sliding ramp <NUM> (<FIG>) because the sliding ramp bridges with the cam track <NUM>. Therefore, the latching pin <NUM> returns to the first latched position 406b (<FIG> and <FIG>) where the slider <NUM> resumes to the extended position.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary LED reflector Lamp <NUM> constructed in one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The reflector lamp <NUM> comprises a push-push adjustment assembly of the disclosure, for example the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> as discussed above.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the LED reflector lamp <NUM> comprises a lamp housing <NUM>, a push-push adjustment assembly <NUM>, a heat sink <NUM>, a reflector cup <NUM>, a lens <NUM> placed over a top and within the inside of the reflector cup <NUM>, and LED light sources (not shown) installed on the heat sink <NUM> and arranged coaxially inside and at a bottom of the reflector cup <NUM>. It would be understood that the provision of lens <NUM> and reflector cup <NUM> is dependent on the design of the reflector lamp, either one of them can be removed in a simplified embodiment of this disclosure.

The lamp housing <NUM> is usually a molded plastic part installed with two metal terminals <NUM> at its bottom such that the lamp would fit a desirable lighting fixture such as common GU10 lighting fixture. Electronic driver or other electronics are usually disposed inside a lower part of the cavity of the lamp housing <NUM>, isolated from other metal parts such as the heat sink <NUM>.

The lens <NUM> is a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens being used for its compactness and high optical performance. The lens <NUM> is generally a molded clear transparent plastic or molded glass part to converge the light beams from the LED light source to distribute a specific illumination beam angle. The heat sink <NUM> has an inner surface that receives an outer surface of the reflector cup <NUM>.

The bottom of the reflector cup <NUM> has two holes, which are exposed by a notch <NUM> formed at the bottom of the heat sink <NUM> for fastening the reflector cup <NUM> with the lateral element <NUM> of the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> by means of two screws <NUM> (see <FIG>) such that the lens <NUM> and the reflector cup <NUM> are movable. Alternatively, the lateral element <NUM> can be attached directly to the lens <NUM> through the holes formed in the reflector cup <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM> in order to move the lens <NUM> while keeping the reflector cup <NUM> stationary and attached to the heat sink <NUM>. The assembly of the lens <NUM>, the reflector cup <NUM>, and the adjustment assembly <NUM> can therefore move in a reciprocal manner inside the lamp housing <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is fixed at the back of the heat sink <NUM> with two screws <NUM> and remained stationary. The structures of the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> may be made reference to the fourth embodiment discussed above except that the screw holes of the frame <NUM> in the reflector lamp <NUM> are designed on the same side for fastening the frame <NUM> to the LED lamp <NUM>, unlike the frame <NUM> shown in <FIG> which has two opposite screw holes with respect to the center axis of the frame. Therefore, the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> is not described in detail in terms of its structure.

<FIG> illustrate perspective views of the exemplary LED reflector Lamp1000, with the lens <NUM> observed in the extended and retracted positions respectively. The distance between the two positions is marked as "D" in <FIG>.

<FIG> further shows the lens in the extended position with a wider gap observed between the surface of the lens <NUM> and the neighboring edges of the heat sink <NUM>. The lateral element <NUM> of the slider <NUM> is attached to the lens <NUM> or the reflector cup <NUM> by the mounting screws <NUM>. An open gap <NUM> formed between the lateral element <NUM> and the frame <NUM> showing that the reflector cup <NUM> and the lens <NUM> is in the extended state. <FIG> shows the lens in the retracted state. The lateral element <NUM> of the slider <NUM> is retracted, exposing two holes <NUM> inside the heat sink <NUM> that allow the slider <NUM> to pass through, and the gap <NUM> between the frame <NUM> and the lateral element <NUM> is closed.

For the sake of simplicity, <FIG> shows the partial components of the reflector lamp having the lens <NUM>, the reflector cup <NUM> and the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM>, with other mechanical and electronic components of the reflector lamp removed.

<FIG> are the cross section views of the reflector lamp <NUM> in the extended state (<FIG>) and in the retracted state (<FIG>). In <FIG>, the lens <NUM> of the reflector lamp <NUM> is elevated and the lateral element <NUM> is very close to the bottom surface of the heat sink <NUM>. The reflector lamp in <FIG> is in the retracted state. The reflector cup and lens assembly has moved downwards by a distance D as the push-push adjustment assembly <NUM> is in its retracted position.

The other structures of the reflector lamp <NUM> including driver and other electronics are not the essence of the disclosure and therefore not described in detail herein.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a reflector lamp which effectively solves the problem of adjusting the light beam angle and the lighting pattern with ease, which is accomplished by pushing the reflector cup or the lens at front of the lamp in a pushing manner or by pushing the plungers to select between more than two beam angle settings.

Claim 1:
A reflector lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a light source (<NUM>, <NUM>) for generating a light beam, and
a lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged coaxially with and being spaced apart from the light source (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is a Total Internal Reflection lens,
wherein the reflector lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises a push-push adjustment assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for varying a beam angle of the light beam in a push manner, the push-push adjustment assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled fixedly to the lamp;
an actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in operative connection with the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) movably rests in the frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) so that the movement of the actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) enables the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to slide relative to the light source (<NUM>, <NUM>) thereby to provide variable axial spacing between the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the light source (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that in a first position the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provides an original beam angle and in a second position the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provides a different beam angle, wherein the beam angle is increased if the lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is moved along an axial centre line (<NUM>, <NUM>) towards the light source (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a push-push latch mechanism coupled to the actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and/or the frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to move and to latch the actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in the frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).