US3119568A

US3119568A - Trouble light guard

Info

Publication number: US3119568A
Application number: US153365A
Authority: US
Inventors: Broder Leonard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-11-20
Filing date: 1961-11-20
Publication date: 1964-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1981-01-28

Description

Jan. 28, 1964 L. BRODER 3,119,568

' TROUBLE LIGHT GUARD Filed Nov. 20. 1961 FIIG.6

I NVENTOR.

62 LEONARD BRODER MM- w, W

O F I 7 ATTORNEYS Unite rates 3 are nice 3,119,568 TROUBLE LIGHT GUARD Leonard Broder, 210 Summit Drive, Cranston, RI. Filed Nov. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 153,365 6 Claims. (Cl. 240102) The present invention relates to a trouble light guard. More particularly, the present invention relates to a trouble light guard that is molded of a plastic material in a one-piece construction.

Trouble light guards are normally employed with extension trouble lights and are adapted to protect the light bulb mounted in the extension connection. Prior to the instant invention, trouble light guards have always been fabricated of metal materials and usually included a reflector element to which a cage member was hingedly secured. A hook was also secured to the reflector and provided for hanging the trouble light in use. Although the prior known trouble light guards have been generally satisfactory for the purpose for which they were employed, they have found some disfavor because of the poor shock absorbing characteristics of the metal materials from which they were constructed. The metal materials also materially increased the cost of manufacture of the assembled trouble light. The cage member of the trouble light guard of the prior known devices was further formed as a separate element from the reflector, and in the assembly of the unit it was necessary to hingedly connect the cage member to the reflector. This additional step in the manufacture of the trouble light guard further increased the cost of the complete unit.

The present invention represents a total departure from the concept of trouble light guards known heretofore, and includes a trouble light guard that is molded of a plastic material in a one-piece construction. Thus, the guard reflector is integrally connected to the cage member by a hinge construction that is also formed in the molding process, the requirement for fabricating separate hinge members thereby being eliminated.

The present invention further includes a novel hook construction that is joined directly to the reflector, the hook construction including a double hook arrangement which provides for hanging the trouble light guard in a variety of positions regardless of the location of the means on which the trouble light guard is hung. The present invention also includes a novel cage latch structure which is formed as an integral part of the molded trouble light guard, thereby avoiding the requirement of a separate latch for securing the cage member to the reflector. The strap for securing the trouble light guard to the trouble light lamp holder on which the guard is adapted to be mounted is also molded as an integral part of the entire guard assembly and thereby eliminates the requirement of attaching an additional element to the assembly for securing the guard to the lamp holder.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trouble light guard that is molded of a plastic material in a one-piece construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a molded trouble light guard that includes a novel hinge construction that provides for integrally connecting the cage member of the trouble light guard to the reflector thereof.

Still another object is to provide a hinge construction for use in a trouble light guard wherein the cross-sectional dimension thereof is reduced, the reduced cross-sectional dimension of the hinge construction enabling a cage member to be integrally and hingedly connected to a reflector of the trouble light guard.

Still another object is to provide a molded trouble light guard that is formed with a double-hook hanging construction.

Still another object is to provide a latch for a molded trouble light guard formed of a plastic material, wherein the resilient properties of the plastic material from which the trouble light guard is molded enable the latch to retain the cage member of the trouble light guard in closed position with respect to the reflector thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molded plastic trouble light guard embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the molded plastic trouble light guard showing the cage member in the open posit-ion thereof;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the trouble light guard in the open position thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the hinge construction that is seen in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the latch that is joined to the cage member.

Referring now to the drawing, the trouble light guard embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a reflector member generally indicated at 12 and a cage member generally indicated at 14. The reflector member 12 and cage member 14 are molded together as an integral unit and are formed of a plastic material that is substantially rigid to resist external forces applied to the trouble light guard and that also has heat resistant characteristics that will prevent breakdown of the plastic material when a burning lamp is enclosed within the reflector and cage member for a considerable period of time. Plastic materials derived from the petrochemicals have been found to be particularly adaptable for the purpose set forth in the present invention, and in particular polypropolene has been found to satisfy all of the strength and heat resistant characteristics that are required by the various underwriting institutions.

The reflector member 12 is defined by a body 16, the main portion of which is semi-cylindrical in configuration so as to define a reflecting surface. Continuously joined to the semi-cylindrical portion of the body 16 is an upper semi-domed portion 18 and a lower semi-truncated portion 20. Extending around the outside edges of the body 16 and defining a margin therefor is a beaded edge 22, which as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, has an enlarged portion 24 formed thereon approximately intermediate the body 16. Formed in the enlarged portion 24 is a slot 25 that is adapted to receive a latch, as will hereinafter be described.

The trouble light guard 10 is adapted to be secured to a lamp holder that forms a component part of the complete trouble light assembly, and for this purpose the lower semi-truncated pontion 20 has a semi-circular lower neck portion 26 integrally joined thereto at the bottommost edge thereof to which a strap 27 is joined. The strap '27 is defined by opposed legs 28 and 30 to (which are joined outstanding ears 3-2. and 34, respectively.

Bars

32 and 34 have suitable openings [formed therein for receiving a bolt that is adapted to tighten the stnap 26 on the lamp holder. As indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 5, the legs 28 and 30 of the strap 26 are molded in an outwardly extending position. In the position of use the legs 28, 30 are folded inwardly .to the fullline position so as to define substantially circular securing 3 means for receiving the neck of the trouble light holder therein. It is understood that the bolt extending through the openings in the

cars

32, 34 will secure the cylindrically formed legs 28, 30 around the neck of the lamp holder.

Joined to the marginal edge 22 at the uppermost end of the semi-domed portion 18 is a hook member 36 that has a double-hook configuration defined by oppositely disposed hook elements 38 and 40. It is seen that by providing the double-hook construction, a trouble light incorporating the guard herein may be conveniently mounted in position so as to expose the lamp therein regardless of the position of the means on which the trouble light is hung.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cage member 14 is shown comprising a plurality of arcuate-shaped transversely' extending ribs 42 and a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 44 that, in effect, define a spider-like structure. The transversely extending 'arcuate-shaped ribs 42 intersect the longitudinally extending ribs 44 adjacent the ends thereof, the remaining portions of the upper ends of the longitudinally extending ribs 44 being arcuate in shape to complement the configuration of the semi-domed portion 18 of the reflector body 16. Both the transversely extending and longitudinally extending

ribs

42 and 44 are joined to a marginal edge 46 that defines the outer rim of the cage member. Joined to the lowermost ends of the marginal edges 46 are inclined ribs 48 and 50, while the central longitudinal rib 44 has an extension joined thereto defined by an inclined rib 52. Joined to the inclined ribs 48, 50 and 52 is a semi-circular lower rim 53 that cooperates with the semi-circular lower neck portion 26 to define a circular opening for receiving a lamp holder therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the hinge connection joining the cage member 14 to the reflector member 12 is illustrated, and as shown, the hinge connection includes spaced hinge sections generally indicated at 54. Both hinge sections 54 are defined by an integral connecting section which is indicated in FIG. 6 at 58, the hinge connection 58 being reduced in cross sectional dimension with respect to the dimension of the adjacent marginal edges 22. and 46 that are formed on the reflector member '12 and cage member 14 respectively. By reducing the cross'sectional dimension of hinge element connecting sections, resistance to folding movement of the cage member 14 is decreased and the cage member, accordingly, may be hinged along the reduced section. However, the material from which the trouble light guard is molded is sufficiently resilient and resistant to bending stresses to avoid deterioration even though. the cage member 14 may be frequently pivoted on the hinge axis thereof to a latched position with respect to the reflector member 12. By providing the integral hinge connection as illustrated and described, the complete trouble light guard construction may be molded in a one-piece unit, the only external elements being a fastening bolt that extends through the openings in the

strap cars

32 and 34 and a nut associated with the bolt.

In order to latch the cage member 14 to the reflector 12, the portion of the marginal edge 46 of the cage member that is located opposite the hinge axis of the trouble light guard is formed with an outwardly extending latch 60 that is illustrated more clearly in FIG. 7. The latch 60 is disposed in aligned relation with respect to the slot 25 and is formed with an outwardly extending locking.

portion 62 on which a shoulder 64 is tormed. A tongue 66 is joined to the locking portion 62 and defines a guide for directing the locking portion 62 within the slot 25. The locking portion 64 is sufficiently flexible so as to be squeezed through the slot 25 and it is understood that when the cage member 14 is to be latched tothe reflector member 12, the tongue 66 is pushed through the opening 25 in the projection '24, the latching portion 62 being depressed until the shoulder 66 is moved beyond the confines of the slot. The shoulder 66 then locks the latch 60' in position within the slot 25. When the latch 60 is to be released, the locking portion 62 is deformed to permit the latch 60 to be withdrawn from the slot.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a trouble light guard integrally molded of a plastic material, a body portion formed in a generally curved configuration and defining a reflector, the inside surface of which is concave, said body portion including an enlarged peripheral edge on one side of which a slot is formed that defines a latch opening, a double hook construction molded integrally to the enlarged peripheral edge of said body portion and extending upwardly from the uppermost end thereof, a cage member molded integrally to said body member and defining a one-piece construction therewith, said cage member including a continuously extending marginal edge that is generally of the same shape and size in cross section as the peripheral edge of said body portion and abutting said peripheral edge in the closed position of said cage member, hinge sections molded integrally to the marginal edge of said cage member and to the peripheral edge of said body portion on the side that is opposite to said latch opening, said hinge sections being reduced in cross section with respect to the cross sectional dimension of said marginal and peripheral edges to provide for free hinging movement of said cage member relative to said body portion, and a latch integrally molded to the marginal edge of said cage member opposite the side on which said hinge sections are located, said latch projecting into said latch opening for closing said cage member on said body portion.

2. A trouble light guard integrally molded of a plastic material, comprising a body portion having a curved configuration and defining a reflector, the inside surface of which is concave, said body portion including an enlarged peripheral edge, a cage member molded integrally to said reflector and defining a one-piece construction therewith, said cage member including a plurality of transversely and longitudinally extending ribs that are integrally joined by a marginal edge which abuts the peripheral edge of said body portion, at least one hinge section hingedly connecting the peripheral edge of said body portion to the marginal edge of said cage member along one side thereof, said hinge section being reduced in the cross sectional dimension thereof with respect to the cross sectional dimension of said marginal and peripheral edges to which it is joined, said hinge section providing for the hinging action of said cage member relative to said body portion, and means formed on the peripheral edge of said body portion and the marginal edge of cage member opposite the side on which said hinge section is formed for latching said cage member to said body portion.

3. A trouble light guard integrally molded on a plastic material comprising a curved reflector member, the inside surface of which is concave, a cage member molded in tegrally to said reflector member and defining a one-piece construction therewith, said cage member including curved transverse ribs and substantially straight longitudinal ribs to which are joined arcuate upper ribs, at least one hinge element molded integral to and hingedly interconnecting said reflector member and said cage member, said hinge element having a reduced cross sectional dimension with respect to the cross sectional dimension of the portion of said cage member and reflector member to which it is joined that provides for relative hinging movement between said reflector member and an s said cage member, and means formed on the peripheral edge of said cage member and on the marginal edge of said reflector member opposite said hinge element for latching said cage member to said reflector member.

4. A trouble (light guard as set forth in claim 3, a hook portion joined to the uppermost end of said reflector member, said hook portion including oppositely extending hook elements.

5. A trouble light guard as set forth in claim 19, a lower semi-truncated portion joined to the lowermost end of said curved reflector member, and a securing strap interconnected to said semi vruncated portion.

6. A trouble light guard as set forth in claim 3, said latching means including a slot that is formed on the side of said reflector member that is opposite the side on which said hinge element is formed, and a latch joined to said cage on the side opposite to that on which References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,965,004 Rowell July 3, 1934 2,236,940 Foley Apr. 1, 1941 2,499,825 Havlicek Mar. 7, 1950 2,635,781 Hume Apr. 21, 1953 2,716,701 Becker Aug. 30, 1955 2,778,533 Savary Jan. 22, 1957 2,880,264 Ruskin Mar. 31, 1959

Claims

1. IN A TROUBLE LIGHT GUARD INTEGRALLY MOLDED OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL, A BODY PORTION FORMED IN A GENERALLY CURVED CONFIGURATION AND DEFINING A REFLECTOR, THE INSIDE SURFACE OF WHICH IS CONCAVE, SAID BODY PORTION INCLUDING AN ENLARGED PERIPHERAL EDGE ON ONE SIDE OF WHICH A SLOT IS FORMED THAT DEFINES A LATCH OPENING, A DOUBLE HOOK CONSTRUCTION MOLDED INTEGRALLY TO THE ENLARGED PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE UPPERMOST END THEREOF, CAGE MEMBER MOLDED INTEGRALLY TO SAID BODY MEMBER AND DEFINING A ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTION THEREWITH, SAID CAGE MEMBER INCLUDING A CONTINUOUSLY EXTENDING MARGINAL EDGE THAT IS GENERALLY OF THE SAME SHAPE AND SIZE IN CROSS SECTION AS THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION AND ABUTTING SAID PERIPHERAL EDGE IN THE CLOSED POSITION OF SAID CAGE MEMBER, HINGE SECTIONS MOLDED INTEGRALLY TO THE MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID CAGE MEMBER AND TO THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID BODY PORTION ON THE SIDE THAT IS OPPOSITE TO SAID LATCH OPENING, SAID HINGE SECTIONS BEING REDUCED IN CROSS SECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE CROSS SECTIONAL DIMENSION OF SAID MARGINAL AND PERIPHERAL EDGES TO PROVIDE FOR FREE HINGING MOVEMENT OF SAID CAGE MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID BODY PORTION, AND A LATCH INTEGRALLY MOLDED TO THE MARGINAL EDGE OF SAID CAGE MEMBER OPPOSITE THE SIDE ON WHICH SAID HINGE SECTIONS ARE LOCATED, SAID LATCH PROJECTING INTO SAID LATCH OPENING FOR CLOSING SAID CAGE MEMBER ON SAID BODY PORTION.