Patent ID: 8421328

Claim:
A heat lamp ( 200 ) comprising: an outer tubular member ( 202 ); a heating element ( 208 ) having first and second terminal ends ( 210 , 212 ) and a coiled portion ( 214 ) defined between said first and second terminal ends ( 210 , 212 ), said coiled portion ( 214 ) being disposed at least partially within said outer tubular member ( 202 ), said coiled portion ( 214 ) having a plurality of turns ( 216 ) defining a through passage ( 218 ); and an inner elongate member ( 222 ) disposed within said through passage ( 218 ) of said coiled portion ( 214 ), said inner elongate member ( 222 ) having a plurality of support members ( 224 ) extending therefrom, each of said plurality of support members ( 224 ) engaging at least one of said plurality of turns ( 216 ) of said coiled portion ( 214 ); whereby said coiled portion ( 214 ) is supported by said plurality of support members ( 224 ) when said heating element ( 208 ) is in a vertical orientation.