GB2208135A

GB2208135A - Portable lamp with rechargeable supply

Info

Publication number: GB2208135A
Application number: GB8814209A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gian Pietro Beghelli
Original assignee: GPB Beghelli SRL
Current assignee: GPB Beghelli SRL
Priority date: 1987-06-19
Filing date: 1988-06-15
Publication date: 1989-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2008-06-15
Also published as: GB2208135B; SE8802260D0; FR2616882B1; IT211280Z2; PT87751A; IT8704900V0; CH674560A5; ES1011774U; SE8802260L; PT87751B; ES1011774Y; GB8814209D0; JPS6429701U; DE8816809U1; KR890000831A; DE3820460A1; FR2616882A1; BE1002152A3

Description

1 f 21 c- /- L c. '16 - 1 PORTABLE LAMP WITH RECHARGEABLE SUPPLY Portable

lamps are in extensive use for illuminating areas which are normally inaccessible and/or in emergency when there is no direct mains lighting. Nickel-cadmium batteries are normally used for the rechargeable batteries.

j The present Invention aims to make recharging of the lamp supply more convenient and provides a lamp as set out in claim 1.

It is known that the duration of the charge of the rechargeable lamps is relatively small, approximately 1.2 to 3 hours, and that a very long period of some 24 hours is needed to recharge them by contact with the mains supply It is obvious that these lamps cannot be used for continuous operation without pauses unless a large and sufficient number of lamp units plugged into the mains supply at a number of points for recharging and re-use of each unit after the long recharging period needed is available.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the combination with a portable lamp which comprises a rechargeable power supply, a light source connected to the supply, and means to connect a recharging voltage to the supply, of a high capacity charging device connected to the connecting means for charging the supply in the same order of time as it takes to discharge through the light source. A rapid charge battery and charging device make possible continuous use using one independent lighting unit which is recharged while a further unit is in operation. A rapid charging device may have a voltage transformer and a rectifier supply device, which may operate at low voltage both at alternating voltages and direct voltages, connected 1 to the electricity supply. The high capacity of the device provides a high current intensity over a small period of time enabling charging in 2- 3 hours, of the same order as the discharge time.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a lamp Figure 2 is a side elevation of the lamp of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan of the lamp of Figure 1 and 2, but with its hook rotated through 180 degrees, and Figure 4 is a detail of the base of the lamp of Figures 1 to 3 fitted into a recharging device.

The lamp comprises a housing in two generally semicylindrical parts 4 and 8, secured together by screws not shown, and a bottom cylinder 5. Within an enlarged part at the top of the housing is a reflector 1 behind a light source not shown, both protected by a transparent shield 2 reinforced by a metal grille 3.

A hook 7 supports the housing and is rotatable relative to the housing about the axis of its cylindrical shape. The hook has a straight portion lying along this axis and a curved portion which can loop over a support. Both portions of the hook have a T-shape cross section.

The remainder of the housing is more strictly cylindrical although shaped as a handle 4 by which the lamp can be carried. A rechargeable battery is contained within the housing. The bottom cylinder 5 fits into the lower ends of the housing portions 4 and 8 and carries at least one and preferably two contacts 6 (the second is not shown) on its bottom exterior wall through which the battery can be recharged. Figure 4 shows the bottom end of the housing 41 4 3 - 1 fitted into a recharging device 11 so that the contacts 6 engage corresponding contacts on the recharging device. battery is protected by a protection,device (not shown) against overheating due to overloading or overcharging.

Claims

1. A portable lamp comprising a housing having two parts securable together, a rechargeable power supply, a light source connected to the supply, a reflector behind the light source and a protective screen in front of it, and a contact on the exterior of the housing through which the supply can be recharged.

2. A lamp as claimed in claim 1 comprising two said contacts through which said supply can be recharged.

3. A lamp as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the housing Is formed with a handle portion, the contact or contacts being mounted on the handle portion.

4. A lamp as claimed in claim 3 wherein the handle portion is cylindrical and the contact or contacts are mounted on the end of the cylinder.

5. A lamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a rotary hook on the housing by which the lamp may be suspended from a support.

6. A lamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising means to protect the power supply against overheating due to overload or overcharging.

7. A portable lamp substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. The combination with a portable lamp which comprises a rechargeable power supply, a light source connected to the supply, and means to connect a recharging voltage to the supply, of a high capacity charging device connected to the 5-1 1 connecting means for charging the supply in the same order of time as it takes to discharge through the light source, 0 1>ulb,Islieci 1988 a ThE Faien-. Sa^e Hi-sC5C. 7-' Lc- Sa:es Branch. St Cr.a.,.- Ken. E-E5 3RE Prin-C-- b,- ',J-. St Ma7,, Cray. Ke-.-. Cin l E-