US3116024A

US3116024A - Lamp adapted for mounting on music sheet support

Info

Publication number: US3116024A
Application number: US175562A
Authority: US
Inventors: Filler Abraham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-02-26
Filing date: 1962-02-26
Publication date: 1963-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1980-12-31

Description

A. FILLER Dec. 31, 1963 LAMP ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING ON MUSIC SHEET SUPPORT Filed Feb. 26, 1962 INVENTOI? ABRAHAM FILLER A rrokwf United States Patent 3,116,024 LAMP ADAPTED FOR MOUNTlNG 0N MUSIC SHEET SUPPORT Abraham Filier, Great Neck, N.Y. Mrs. Michael Fader, Massapequa Park, N.Y.) Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 175,562 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-0-4) This invention relates to lamp constructions and is especially concerned with a lamp construction adapted for use in conjunction with an upstanding music support to illuminate music carried by the support.

While there have, in the past, been proposed lamps of various construction-s intended for illuminating sheet music when in use upon a music stand or support, these prior constructions have not found wide acceptance, their use having been unsatisfactory in one or more respects or limited to a particular type of music support or stand. Thus, it is now conventional to employ a picture-type lamp for use in conjunction with collapsible and similartype music stands, which type of lamp construction is inconvenient and unreliable, while the use of desk-type lamps is common for illuminating music on self-standing instruments, such as pianos, or the like.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a lamp construction for illuminating music on a music support which is adapted for use in conjunction with a wide variety of music supports, including upright, spinet, console, and grand pianos, and organs, as well as many different constructions of collapsible and permanently set-up music stands.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a music lamp of the type described having unique structural features enabling connection to an electrical socket on either side of the music support without doubling or reverse bending of the electric cord.

The instant invention further contemplates the provision of a novel structural means for embracing engagement with a music support or stand, which means is adjustable both as to height and shape, so as to be universally applicable to all design variations of music supports.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a music-lamp construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is of simple, durable and entirely reliable structure and operation, which is neat, attractive and inconspicuous in use, extremely versatile for entirely satisfactory operation under all conditions, and which is capable of economical manufacture for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of par-ts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a musiclamp construction of the present invention in operative association with the music support of a piano.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the lamp and piano of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial front elcvational view of the instant lamp construction, somewhat enlarged and partially broken away for clarity of understanding.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating in phantom a feature of versatility.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated therein a piano generally designated 19, and a lamp or music-illuminating means 11, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the lamp being shown in operative association with the piano. The piano 10 may be conventional, and is shown as the type having an upwardly facing surface 12, and a plate or board 13 upstanding from the surface 12 for supporting sheet music 14- having its lower edge resting on the upwardly facing surface. The sheet music is shown in FIG. 2.

The lamp 11 includes a lower part or base 16 adapted to rest on the upwardly facing surface 12 proximate to the music support 13, and which carries upstanding therefrom a standard 17. On the upper region of the standard is provided .a lamp proper 18, which may include a lamp bulb and a suitable shade therefor. Carried by the standard 17 is a construction, generally designated Ztl, for holding the lamp 11 in a desired operative association with the support 13.

The lower part or base 16 may include a generally fiat board or plate 21, which may be semi-circular, as shown, or of other desired configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the base or plate 21 has a generally straight lower edge 22 adapted to rest on the upwardly facing surface 12, and may be further formed with a generally semi-circular or arcuate edge 23 extending between and connected at opposite sides to the lower edge, as by

rounded corners

24 and 25. The

corners

24 and 25 may thus be considered as located at opposite side edges of the plate 21.

The plate 21 is formed with an inwardly or downwardly extending hole 27, which opens upward through the uppermost region of edge 23. As best seen in FIG. 3, the hole 27 extends generally vertically, substantially normal to the lower edge 22; and, the upper part of the hole is of an oblate o-r ovaloid cross-sectional configuration, having its major axis generally coplanar with the plate 21. An open-ended tubular ferrule or bushing 28 is conformably engaged in the hole 27, and is preferably provided with a circumferential upper end flange 29 seated on the edge 23. The plate hole 27 and its bushing 28 thus combine to define an upwardly opening socket of a non-circular internal cross-sectional configuration sy-mmetrical about a plane normal to the plate 21, as a plane containing the minor axis of the oblate cross-sectional socket configuration.

An internal passageway 31) is formed in the plate 21, coplanar therewith, having one end region, as at 31, opening upward into the lower end of the socket 2'7, 28. The passageway 30 extends from the lower socket end entirely within the plate 21 to an opening 32 at one side of the plate through the side edge thereof. For example, the internal passageway 36 may open through one rounded corner 25 of the plate 21.

The standard 17 may advantageously be fabricated of tube stock and include a generally vertical tubular portion 34 having its lower end region 35 deformed to an ovaloid cross-sectional configuration for conforming engagement in the

socket

27, 23. That is, the lower portion 35 of standard 17 is removably engaged downward in the

socket

27, 28, and may alternatively be removed from the socket, rotated 180 degrees about its axis, and replaced in the socket, for a purpose appearing presently.

The other end region of the tubular standard 17 is bent at 36 to extend forward in a generally horizontal portion 37, normal to the plane of the major axis of

socket

27, 28. On the forward end of the horizontal portion 37 is the lamp proper 18, which may be adjusted to direct its rays of illumination toward the music 14. An electric supply cord 39 extends from electrical connection with the lamp assembly 18, through the tube portions 37, 36 and $4, downward and outward through the lower end portion 35 of the standard, and thence through the passageway 30 of the plate 21 and exteriorly of the plate through the passageway opening 32. The electric cord 39 may be provided with a manual switch 46, and an end plug 41 for engagement in an electrical receptacle. Thus, it will now be appreciated that upon withdrawal of the lower standard end portion 35 from the

socket

27, 28, of the base 16, subsequent rotation of the base 180 degrees and reengagement of the lower end portion of the standard in the socket, the electric cord 39 is adapted for selective extension from either side of the lamp construction. This, of course, enables the cord to extend directly to an electrical receptacle, without reversal or doubling of the cord, no matter what the relative location between the lamp and the receptacle.

The holding means 2th includes a tubular part axially circumposed about the vertical portion 34 of standard 17 and longitudinally shiftable therealong for selective location at any desired elevation. At one end of the tubular part 44, the upper end in the illustrated embodiment, there is provided a deformable extension 45 for embracing engagement over an edge of the music support 13. The tubular part 44 of the holding means thus connects the deformable extension 45 to the standard 17, and embracing engagement of the extension 45 about a music support 13 insures that the lamp 11 is firmly held in a desired position with respect to the music support and sheet music carried thereby. In dot-anddash outline in FIG. 4 is shown the holding means 243 in an alternative position adjusted upward along the standard 1.7 for embracing engagement of its deformable extension 45 about a music support 13a of greater height than the support 13.

The holding means may advantageously be fabricated of wire, preferably covered, or insulated wire, and may be formed of a single integral length of wire. More specifically, the tubular part 4-4 (FIG. 3), may be formed of a single, integral piece of wire doubled or bent upon itself to define a pair of longitudinal

coextensive lengths

47 and 48 connected together by a U-shaped bend 46. The pair of longitudinally coextensive lengths of wire may then be helically coiled together to define the tubular part 44. That is, the tubular part 44 may be considered as formed of a pair of helically coiled lengths of wire 47 and 43, each defining a helical coil with the convolutions of each coil interposed in alternate relation between an adjacent pair of convolutions of the other coil. By this construction the tubular part 44 may readily be drawn tight about the standard 17 for firm fric tional engagement therewith, or loosened for ease of coil movement along the standard.

:The extension 45 extends from the upper end of the coil 44, opposite to the bend 46, and is composed of the

wire lengths

47 and 48, each being separately wound to form a planar spiral, as at 49 and 5t respectively. A slidable sleeve or tube 51 receives the

wires

47 and 48 in the region between the tubular part or helical coil 44 and the

extension spirals

49 and 50.

The generally

planar spirals

49 and 50 of extension 45 are coated with a substantial covering of soft plastic, to form integral unitary pads and may be selectively located and arranged to insure firm embracing engagement of the extension 45 with a music support. While the planar spirals 49 and 5%) are well suited for facing engagement with the platealike music support 13, it will also be appreciated that the great latitude in adjustment, location and configuration of the extension spirals provides for firm embracing engagement thereof with a wide variety of music-support constructions, including fancy filigreed music supports, collapsible music stands, etc. Hence, by the above-described construction of holding means 20, the illuminating means 11 may be firmly secure-d in proper position on a wide variety of music supports for illuminating music carried thereby, even under the most difficult conditions of use.

While the lamp 11 is shown in the drawings as having its base 16 resting on edge on the surface 12 of a piano, forward of the music support 13, as between the support and the music 14, which would be a practical arrangement for many grand or spinet pianos, it is, of course, appreciated that the illuminating construction 11 may also conveniently be arranged with its base 16 rearward of the support 13.

In the former relation, the extension 45 would extend re arwardly over and in embracing engagement with the music support, retaining the standard 17 in position leaning against the support. A friction O ring 55 may also be used on the standard 17 to serve as an adjustable stop to prevent inadvertent upward movement of the tubular part 44.

From the foregoing, it is seen. that the present invention provides an illuminating lamp for music supports which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Apparatus for illuminating sheet music which rests on an upstanding music support, said apparatus comprising in combination a thin planar plate having a fiat bottom edge for resting proximate to a sheet-music support, a standard upstanding from an upper edge of said plate, a lamp proper carried by the upper region of said standard, and holding means carried by said standard, said holding means including a helical coil circumposed about said standard and defining a tubular part shiftable longitudinally of said standard, an end portion of said coil extending radially from said tubular part and readily bendable for embracing engagement with a sheet-music support for holding said standard and hence said lamp in proper position, said tubular part comprising a pair of helically coiled wires each having its convolutions interposed between adjacent convolutions of the other and integrally connected at their lower ends, the upper ends of said wires being free and defining said extension, said upper Wire ends each being wound in a generally coplanar spiral and selectively distortable for engagement with a face of a said sheet-music support of any construction, a sleeve engaged about said pair of wires between the spirals and helical coils thereof and shiftable along said wires as desired, said plate having a socket, opening upward from its upper edge for receiving the lower end of said standard, said plate being formed with an internal passageway communicating with the inner end of said socket and opening through one side edge of said plate for receiving an electric cord, said socket being of non-circular internal cross-sectional configuration and the lower region of said standard being of an external cross-sectional configuration for removable conforming engage- 5 ment in said socket.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, said socket being of an internal cross-sectional configuration symmetrical about a plane normal to said plate, for removable engagement of said standard in said socket with said plate rotated 186' degrees to locate said cord-passageway opening on a selected side of said standard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hamilton Aug. 23, 1904 Heine Apr. 3, 1923 Lieberman June 1, 1926 Mathia-sen Nov. 29, 1932 Davis May 2, 1950 Conrad Ian. 5, 1960

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR ILLUMINATING SHEET MUSIC WHICH RESTS ON AN UPSTANDING MUSIC SUPPORT, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A THIN PLANAR PLATE HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM EDGE FOR RESTING PROXIMATE TO A SHEET-MUSIC SUPPORT, A STANDARD UPSTANDING FROM AN UPPER EDGE OF SAID PLATE, A LAMP PROPER CARRIED BY THE UPPER REGION OF SAID STANDARD, AND HOLDING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID STANDARD, SAID HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A HELICAL COIL CIRCUMPOSED ABOUT SAID STANDARD AND DEFINING A TUBULAR PART SHIFTABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID STANDARD, AN END PORTION OF SAID COIL EXTENDING RADIALLY FROM SAID TUBULAR PART AND READILY BENDABLE FOR EMBRACING ENGAGEMENT WITH A SHEET-MUSIC SUPPORT FOR HOLDING SAID STANDARD AND HENCE SAID LAMP IN PROPER POSITION, SAID TUBULAR PART COMPRISING A PAIR OF HELICALLY COILED WIRES EACH HAVING ITS CONVOLUTIONS INTERPOSED BETWEEN ADJACENT CONVOLUTIONS OF THE OTHER AND INTEGRALLY CONNECTED AT THEIR LOWER ENDS, THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID WIRES BEING FREE AND DEFINING SAID EXTENSION, SAID UPPER WIRE ENDS EACH BEING WOUND IN A GENERALLY COPLANAR SPIRAL AND SELECTIVELY DISTORTABLE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A FACE OF A SAID SHEET-MUSIC SUPPORT OF ANY CONSTRUCTION, A SLEEVE ENGAGED ABOUT SAID PAIR OF WIRES BETWEEN THE SPIRALS AND HELICAL COILS THEREOF AND SHIFTABLE ALONG SAID WIRES AS DESIRED, SAID PLATE HAVING A SOCKET, OPENING UPWARD FROM ITS UPPER EDGE FOR RECEIVING THE LOWER END OF SAID STANDARD, SAID PLATE BEING FORMED WITH AN INTERNAL PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING WITH THE INNER END OF SAID SOCKET AND OPENING THROUGH ONE SIDE EDGE OF SAID PLATE FOR RECEIVING AN ELECTRIC CORD, SAID SOCKET BEING OF NON-CIRCULAR INTERNAL CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION AND THE LOWER REGION OF SAID STANDARD BEING OF AN EXTERNAL CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION FOR REMOVABLE CONFORMING ENGAGEMENT IN SAID SOCKET.