US2954771A - Sun lamp oscillating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 4, 1960 E. A. BOYAN sun LAMP OSCILLATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 20, 1956 INVENTOR.

0a. 4, 1960 E. A. BOYAN 2,954,771

SUN LAMP OSCILLATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Oct. 4, 1960 E. A. BOYAN 2,954,771

SUN LAMP OSCILLATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Fgn

Oct. 4, 1960 E. A. BOYAN 2,954,771

SUN LAMP OSCILLATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I EXPOSURE FACTOR SLUEEP Tl ME LEFT CENTER RIGHT INVENTOR.

United States Patent SUN DAMP 'OS'CIIJLATING APPARATUS Edwin 'A. Boyan, 6369 Mad River Road, Dayton, Ohio Filed Nov. 20, 1956,5421. No. 623,455

19 Claims. (Cl. 128-396) The present invention relates to holders for sun lamps and other therapeutic lamps, and is particularly directed to a device for supporting and oscillating a sun lamp, or the like, to direct its rays over extended areas of a persons body. I

In the past, it has been conventional to support a sun lamp over a person being treated by means of a floor or table stand carrying a fixed socket adapted to receive the lamp and a reflector or shield surrounding the lamp. Such a support generally includes means for manually adjusting the position of the lamp and shield so as to project the rays of the lamp in a selected direction. A

sun lamp mounted in this manner produces relatively concentrated rays which impinge upon a limited area of a persons body. While, a lamp and holder of this type pro- 'vide beneficial results if carefully used they have not proved to be completely satisfactory for several reasons. In the first place, the relatively concentrated rays produced by the lamp will impart a severe burn to a person in the event he receives too great an exposure. Many people using these prior art sun lamp holders have received serious burns when they were distracted or fell asleep, and failed to manually shift the lamp or turn it off.

A further disadvantage of these prior art stationary sun lamp holders is that it is practically impossible for a person using such a holder to obtain a uniform tan over large portions of his body. Since, during any one exposure period, the rays of the sun lamp are projected onto only a small area of his body; a person desiring a complete tan is required to periodically shift the lamp from one position to another. However it is almost impossible to manually shift the lamp so that during successive intervals it applies the same amount of radiation to all parts of the body.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide apparatus for oscillating a sun lamp or the like so that the rays of the lamp sweep back and forth .over an extended area, preferably the entire body of an individual. By the use of such a lamp oscillating device, a person is able to obtain a uniform tan over his whole body; and even if the lamp is operated for an excessive period of time, the tendency of the person to become burned is minimized since the rays of the sun lamp are not concentrated, but are spread over a large area.

It is an equally important object of the present invention to provide a timing mechanism for a sun lamp which automatically deenergizes the lamp and stops its oscillation after a preselected exposure time. Consequently, a person using the present apparatus can set a dial on the sun lamp mechanism for the exposure period he desires,

and the lamp will automatically be turned off at the end of the period even though the individual falls asleep or becomes occupied and forgets about the sun lamp.

The present invention is in part predicated upon the concept of providing a sun lamp oscillation device including a synchronous hysteresis type motor which drives both the lamp oscillating mechanism and the timer.

2,954,771 Patented Oct. 4, 1960 In the preferred embodiment, the motor is connected through a suitable gear reduction unit to an oscillating member which carries a drive pin in cooperative engagement with a slot formed in a pivotally mounted bracket. This bracket supports a conventional socket for receiving the end of a sun lamp. In the preferred embodiment, the driving pin also passes through an arcuate slot in a stationary panel member, the ends of the slot functioning to limit the travel of the oscillating member and the sun lamp.

The synchronous hysteresis motor is effective to provide an extremely simple reversing drive which does not require any auxiliary reversing switches. The motor automatically reverses its direction in response to the load imposed when the driving pin engages an end of the armate slot. Thus, in operation the motor functions to drive the oscillating member in one direction until the driving pin reaches an end of the slot; whereupon without any change in the electrical circuit, the direction of motor rotation is reversed to drive the oscillating arm in the opposite direction toward the other end of the slot. Since the lamp supporting bracket and lamp are shifted along with the oscillating arm, the lamp swings back and forth and its rays sweep an extended area.

The present apparatus also includes a switch and timing mechanism for automatically deenergizing the lamp and oscillating motor after a preselected period of operation. In the preferred embodiment, this timing mechanism includes a snap action switch in series connection with the lamp and motor. This switch is operated by an actuator connected to a cam follower adapted for engagement with a timing cam. The timing cam is provided with a notch for receiving the follower when the cam is in its initial or home position. The switch is open when the follower resides in the notch and is closed when it engages other portions of the cam. A pawl and pinion mechanism is provided for converting the oscillatory movements of the lamp drive to rotary motion for advancing the cam in step by step increments toward its home position. The cam drive includes a friction element by means of which the cam can be initially displaced a selected amount from its home position depending upon the length of exposure desired. A dial suitably calibrated in minutes is provided so that the user can readily choose the exposure period. Once the dial is set, rotating the cam from its home position, the timing switch will be held closed, energizing the lamp and drive motor for the length of time required to return the cam to its home position.

One of the principal advantages of the present apparatus is its extreme simplicity and reliability. A single motor drives both the lamp oscillating mechanism and the timing mechanism. Moreover, the oscillating motion is secured directly by reversing the motor rather than by a complex linkage; and this motor reversal is effected automatically Without then eed of separate reversing switches.

Another advantage of the present drive apparatus is that the velocity of the lamp as it moves through its arc is continuously varied so that all portions of a persons body within the sweep receive substantially the same amount of radiation. It will be appreciated that since the intensity of the rays impinging upon an object vary with the inverse square of its distance from the source, those portions of the persons body directly under the lamp would normally tend to receive more radiation than portions of the body located at the ends of the are. With the present apparatus, however, the lamp moves more rapidly adjacent to the center of the arc than it does at the ends. Therefore, those areas of a persons body receiving the less intense rays at the end of the are are subjected to radiation for a longer period with the net result that all portions of a persons body receive substantially the same total amount of radiation.

A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the lamp oscillating apparatus is that the socket carrying portion of the lamp supporting bracket extends upwardly into the housing from the pivotal support of the bracket. Consequently, the pivotal mounting of the bracket substantially coincides with the center of gravity of the sun lamp, socket and bracket so that these moving parts are substantially counterbalanced. This is extremely advantageous since the lamp can be mounted in any plane and yet the load on the motor is minimized.

An additional advantage of this bracket mounting is that it provides an extremely compact unit in which maximum protection is aiforded for the sun lamp, since the socket and neckof the sun lamp are mounted well within the housing of the oscillating mechanism.

A further advantage of the present construction is that the timing mechanism imposes a load on the motor only when the oscillating arm is in the center of its arc and maximum torque is available for driving the cam advancing mechanism. Moreover, operating the timing mechanism only at this point tends to make the apparatus more reliable since the greatest tendency of an oscillating mechanism to jam occurs at the end of the arc.

An additional advantage of the present invention is that it is substantially jam proof. For even if an obstruction should develop preventing the lamp from swinging through its whole arc, the motor automatically reverses itself when the obstruction is met; so that the lamp will continue to oscillate through whatever free arc remains.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a sun lamp oscillating apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the oscillating apparatus, a portion of the cover being removed to show details of the driving mechanism;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the electrical connections to the lamp and drive motor;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the oscillating apparatus with the rear cover removed;

Figure 6 is a partial elevational view of the timer cam advancing mechanism;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the timer gear being advanced on the return stroke of the oscillating arm;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the timer gear;

Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the lamp oscillating apparatus;

Figure 10 is a partial enlarged view of a modified form of mounting panel provided with adjustable stops; and

Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship of impinging radiation with angular displacement of the lamp.

As shown in Figure 1, sun lamp holder 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a lamp oscillating unit 11 for oscillating a sun lamp 12 through a predetermined are, a hood 13 attached to the oscillating'apparatus for shielding the sun lamp, and a or can be provided with any suitable form of clamp for securing the apparatus to furniture, doors and the like.

As best shown in Figures l-S, the lamp oscillating unit 1 1 comprises a housing formed of sheet metal, plastic or the like. The housing is of generally rectangula r, cross-section and includes a top 21, a front wall 22 and end walls 23. A suitable cover plate 24 is bolted or otherwise mounted over to the housing and forms a rear wall thereof. The lower wall of the housing is provided with an opening 25 communicating with hood 13. The hood is preferably formed integral with the housing, although if desired it can be formed separately and bolted or otherwise secured to the housing. Hood 13 is of generally oval, cross-section and is disposed to open in a generally downward direction. This hood is preferably provided with louvers 26 for permitting escape of heat generated by sun lamp 12.

The housing also supports a mounting panel 27. This panel, preferably formed of sheet metal includes two flanges 28 extending along opposite sides of the panel. The flanges are provided with suitable apertures for receiving mounting bolts 30 by means of which the panel is secured to the housing walls. The mounting panel carries means for pivotally supporting sun lamp socket 31, a drive 32 for oscillating the socket, and a timing mechanism 33 for controlling the length of time the sun lamp is energized and oscillated. In the preferred embodiment every mechanical and electrical component of lamp oscillating unit 11 is supported by this panel so that the lamp components can readily be preassembled on the panel, and the panel subsequently inserted in the housing and bolted in place.

The socket oscillating drive 32 comprises a synchronous hysteresis motor 34 and unitary gear reduction unit. One suitable construction of the motor and gear unit is shown in Patent No. 2,492,197. This unit is bolted to the rear face of the mounting panel by means of bolts 35 passing through mounting flanges 36 formed on the motor housing and engaging suitable openings in the mounting panel. Output shaft 37 of the gear reduction unit extends through the mounting panel and carries a driving pinion 38 adapted to cooperate with a gear segment 40 formed on a portion of the periphery of oscillating arm 41.

This oscillating arm 41 includes a substantially circular portion 42 pivotally supported upon a hub 43 passing through the center portion of the arm. Hub 43 is in turn mounted upon a bolt 44 passing through the hub and threadably engaging nut 45 disposed in abutment with the opposite face of the mounting panel. Oscillating arm 41 also includes a radial extension 46 carrying a driving pin 47; this pin includes a shoulder 48 and carries a bolt 50 effective to rigidly mount the pin on arm 41. Driving pin 47 extends rearwardly through an arcuate slot 51 formed in mounting panel 27. The pin also passes through a slot 52 formed in lamp mounting bracket 53. The rear end of the driving pin is provided with a head 54 in abutment with the rear surface of the mounting bracket; while a suitable spacer 55 is disposed over the pin between the front face of the lamp mounting bracket and panel 27.

Lamp mounting bracket 53 is pivotally supported upon a hub 56 including a head 57 in engagement with the bracket and a cylindrical bearing portion 53 passing through aligned openings in the bracket, a spacer 60 and panel 27 A collar 61 fits over the forward end of the hub in abutment with panel 27, the collar being held in place in any suitable manner, such as by means of a resilient clamping ring 62 in engagement with the collar and with a groove formed in hub 56. Mounting bracket 53 includes an upright arm 63 in which slot 52 is formed, the slot extending radially from pivot hub 56. In addition to the upright arm, bracket 53 includes an angulated arm 64 provided with an opening for receiving socket 31.

receiving the ball.

' etc.

Socket 31 is formed of ceramic or Other suitable insulating material and is adapted to threadably receive a sun lamp 12. This socket is preferably formed in two sections 65 and 66 adapted to clamp arm 64 therebetween to rigidly mount the socket upon the mounting bracket. The socket is also provided with two electrical leads 67 and 68 respectively interconnected to terminal block 70 and timing switch 71.

Switch 71 controls the energization of sun lamp 12 and main driving motor 34. This switch is actuated by timing mechanism 33 including a rotatable paw-l 72 pivotally mounted on pin 73 carried by the circular portion of oscillating arm 41. This pawl is spring urged in a clockwise direction by means of a coil spring 74, one end of which passes through an openingin the lower end of the pawl. The other end of the spring engages a lug 75 projecting from oscillating arm 41. A stop 76 is provided on the arm for limiting rotational movement of the pawl in a clockwise direction. The end of pawl 72 remote from spring 74 is provided with a finger 77 adapted for cooperative engagement with gear 78.

Gear 78 is rotatably journaled on a hub 80 carried by mounting panel 27. Gear 78 includes two axially spaced teethed sections 81 and 82. Section 81 is adapted for cooperation with pawl 72 and is of greater diameter than section 82 disposed for engagement with cam advancing gear 83. Gear section 81 is provided with eight teeth 84 on that portion of the gear section which extends forw'ardly of arm 41. However, on that portion of the the gear section in alignment with the oscillating arm, alternate teeth are removed so that only four teeth remain as best shown in Figure 8. These latter four teeth are adapted to be sequentially received in a peripheral recess 85 formed in oscillating arm 41.

Cam advancing gear 83 which meshes with pinion 82 is rotatably mounted on a sleeve 86 carried by bolt 87, the bolt threadably engaging a nut 88 mounted behind panel 27. Gear 83 is urged forwardly along sleeve 86 by means of a spring 90 compressed between the gear and panel 27 An internally threaded nut 89 is mounted over the outer endof main bolt 87. This nut carries a dial 91 mounted adjacent to the front face of the housing, the dial being secured to the nut in any suitable manner, such as by means of a set screw (not shown).

Nut 89 also carries a timer cam 92 and a ball detent spring 93 which is pressed fit over the nut or is mounted in some other suitable manner for rotative movement therewith. As best shown in Figure 2 and 3, switch actuating cam 92 is configurated to form a peripheral portion 94 of generally circular configuration and a generally V-shaped notch 95. This cam is adapted to cooperate with follower 96 of switch actuator 97. The switch actuator which includes a rotatable pin 98 which passes through a suitable opening in panel 27. Follower 96 is connected to this pin in any suitable manner, such as by means of set screw 100. An arm 101 is mounted for rotative movement with the pin adjacent to the rear face of panel 27. Arm 10.1 abuts plunger 102 of switch 71, the switch being provided with an internal spring effective to urge arm 101 counterclockwise in Figure 5. Thus, follower 96 is at all times spring urged into contact with the adjacent surface of cam 92.

This cam is frictionally connected to gear 83 by means of a ball 103 which resides in an opening 104 provided in the cam and is spring urged toward the gear by spring 93. Gear 83 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures disposed on the same radius as opening 104 for As explained below these openings are spaced apart at regular distances corresponding to various time intervals such as five minutes, ten minutes, It is contemplated that other suitable forms of friction drive, such as a spring compressed between the gear and cam can be employed if desired.

As shown in Figure 4, switch 71 is placed in series electrical connection with sunlamp '12 and motor 34;

these latter two components being connected in parallel. As there shown, the control circuit of the lamp unit, preferably but not necessarily, is provided with an auxiliary safety switch in the form of a thermal cutoff switch 105. This switch is normally closed but is adapted to open when its temperature is raised above a predetermined level. The thermal element of this switch can be positioned to be responsive to motor temperature, or to the temperature of some other portion of the lamp assembly, or alternatively to the temperature of an auxiliary bleeder resistor connected in series with main switch 71. In any event, this switch is calibrated to open when the sun lamp has operated for a length of time slightly in excess of the maximum selectable operating time of the oscillating mechanism. Then, if for any reason, the lamp is not deenergized by timer switch 71 within the time setting of the thermal cutoff switch, the circuit to the lamp and oscillating motor is opened by the latter switch to prevent serious burning of the user.

In operation, the sun lamp is positioned so that the are through which the lamps rays travel will traverse the body of the person desiring treatment. The user then rotates dial 91 in a clockwise direction until the minute indicia printed on the dial face corresponding to the desired exposure time is brought into alignment with a reference line provided on the housing face. Thereafter, the sun lamp will automatically sweep back and forth so that all portions ofthe persons body will receive substantially equal amounts of radiation. When the desired exposure period has elapsed, the sun lamp is automatically deenergized and the oscillation of the lamp is stopped by deenergization of the drive motor.

More particularly, when dial 91 is turned, it causes rotation of nut 89 and cam 92. As this cam turns relative to gear 83, ball 103 is shifted from opening 106 in gear 83 and forced further into aperture 104 provided in the cam against the pressure of spring 93. When the dial is set at the selected exposure time, for example ten minutes, the ball is brought into alignment with another aperture in the gear. In a preferred embodiment, these apertures are spaced so that the exposure time can be selected at five minute intervals. Thus, in order to select an exposure time of ten minutes, the user would turn the dial a sufficient distance to shift ball 103 two apertures in gear 83.

When cam 92 is shifted from its home position follower 96 which normally resides in notch, or recess, is forced from the notch onto the peripheral portion 94 of the cam. This causes pin 98 to rotate, which in turn pivots arm 101, depressing plunger 102 and closing switch 71 to complete a circuit to motor 34 and sun lamp 12.

When switch 71 closes the lamp filament is energized to emit rays which impinge upon the patients body. Simultaneously, motor 34 is driven at synchronous speed and commences to drive oscillating arm 41 through pinion 38 mounted on the output shaft of the gear reduction unit and in mesh with gear segment 40 formed on the oscillating arm. The arm is rotated in. one direction until pin 47 strikes the end of arcuate slot 51. Further movement of the arm in the same direction is prevented and the overload placed upon the hystersis motor causes it to automatically change its direction of rotation so that pivot arm 41 is driven in the opposite direction until pin 47 strikes the opposite end of slot 51, whereupon, the direction of motor rotation is again reversed. Consequently, as long as switch 71 remains closed, motor 34 oscillates arm 41 through an are limited by the length of slot 51.

As explained above, pin 47 passes completely through slot 51 and engages radial slot 52 formed in bracket 53. As pin 47 moves back and forth across slot 51, it causes the bracket to oscillate about hub 56. Since the bracket in turn carries socket 31 which supports the sun lamp, the lamp is similarly oscillated. It will be appreciated that bracket 53 pivots about an axis which is substantially in registry with the center of gravity of the bracket, socket,

lamp unit. Consequently, this portion of the apparatus is substantially counterblanccd and a minimum force is required to oscillate the lamp. Furthermore, oscillating unit 11 can be mounted at any angle without appreciably increasing the load on the drive motor.

At the same time that motor 34 is ocillating the sun lamp 1 2, it also operates the timing mechanism. More particularly, each time oscillating arm 41 is rotated clock"- v'vise, pawl 72 pivots clockwise about pin 73 and slips beneath gear segment 81. This gear is prevented from rotating by the engagement of teeth 107 with the periphery of arm 41. However, when arm 41 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in Figure 7, finger 77 of pawl 72 engages one of the teeth 84 and the pawl is rotated in a clockwise direction about pin 73 until it strikes stop 76. The pawl is effective to rotate gear 81 in a clockwise direction, the gear being free to rotate by virtue of the fact that recess 85 is brought into registry with the adjacent tooth 107 of gear section 81. Gear section 82 meshes with the cam advancing gear 83 and is effective to rotate that gear intermittently. Thus, each time that the lamp is oscillated back and forth, gear 83 is advanced by one tooth rotating cam 92 a similar amount toward its home position. When the cam reaches the home position, follower 96 drops into notch 95 pivoting shaft 98 and finger 101 to release plunger 102 and open the timing switch, thereby deenergizing both the sun lamp and driving motor.

It is to be noted that in the preferred embodiment pawl 72 engages gear 82 to advance that gear only when the oscillating arm 41 is in a substantially vertical position.

In this position, a maximum torque is available for operating the timing mechanism. Moreover, since the maximtun tendency of an oscillating mechanism of this type to jam occurs at the ends of the arc, advancing the gear and cam when the oscillating arm is in the center of its are greatly minimizes the possibility of a jam occurring.

It is to be noted that the rate of movement of the lamp is not constant; nor is it a true harmonic. Rather, the 'lamp moves at varying speeds throughout its travel in such a manner that a substantially equal quantity of radiation impinges upon each area of the persons body. This advantage of the present lamp oscillating mechanism can best be appreciated from a consideration of the graph of Figure 11.

Figure 11 is a graph depicting the manner in which the relative exposure of various areas of a user varies with the sweep time as the sun lamp is shifited from a vertical position to the end of its are. It is to be understood that the precise configuration of these curves will vary depending upon the relative dimensions of various component parts of the sun lamp drives. However, the three curves plotted show typical exposures for a sun lamp which is driven so that its beam sweeps a user at a constant velocity, a sun lamp which is oscillated at a substantially harmonic velocity, and a sun lamp driven by means of the present apparatus.

More specifically, the ordinates of graph 11 represent an exposure factor which is directly correlated with the amount of radiation impinging upon a given area of the user. The exposure factor plotted was obtained by determining the displacement of a sun lamp during each of five equal periods as the sun lamp was shifted from a vertical position to a position at the end of its arc. The reciprocals of the products of these displacements and the associated square of the distance to the lamp bulb equals the exposure factor. Curve 112 corresponds to a sun lamp moving back and forth at a constant velocity. It is obvious that the areas of the user directly under the lamp receive substantially more exposure than the areas at the end of the sweep. Curve 113 corresponds to a lamp moved back and forth at a substantially harmonic velocity, that is minimum when the lamp is vertical and maximum when the lamp is at the end of its are. It is apparent that this type of oscillation causes the areas of the user at the ends of the lamp sweep to receive appreciably more exposure than portions of his body positioned directly beneath the lamp.

Cur ve 114 represents a lamp oscillated by means of the present apparatus. It is obvious from this curve that the exposure remains substantially constant throughout the sweep so that the user of the lamp obtains a uniform tan over his entire body. Furthermore, the present apparatus provides means for readily changing the exact shape of the exposure curve 114. More specifically, in the present oscillating apparatus the motor and oscillating member rotate through only a fraction of 360. By in creasing or decreasing the are through which these members are shifted, the shape of exposure curve 114 can be changed to provide more or less exposure at the ends of the sweep as desired.

From the foregoing discussion of the principles of the present invention and of the above description of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. One such modification is shown in Figure 10. In the modification there illustrated, means are provided for readily changing the amount of are through which the sun lamp travels. Thus, while the are through which the lamp of the preferred embodiment swings is great enough to project rays over the entire body of a person, in some cases, it may be desirable to have the lamp oscillate over only the upper or lower portion of the body. This adjustment is readily obtained by means of the construction shown in Figure 10. It will be understood that the sun lamp of this modification is identical with the sun lamp of the preferred embodiment except for the provision of selectively adjustable blocking means adapted to extend over the ends of arcuate slot 51. In the embodiment shown, these means comprise two eccentric cam members 198 mounted upon studs 110. The studs are in turn mounted in any suitable manner upon panel 27. A clamping nut 111 threadably engages the end of each of the studs and is adapted to be threaded inwardly to secure cam member 108 in any desired position. By loosening these nuts and rotating the cam members, they can be selectively positioned to extend a predetermined distance over slot 51. Since, as explained above, motor 34 automatically reverses when pin 47 strikes an obstruction, the motor will automatically oscillate arm 41 through the uncovered portion of slot 51. It is obvious that as the length of this slot is shortened, the are through which sun lamp 12 oscillates is correspondingly shortened. It is further contemplated that suitable abutment elements other than cams 108 can be employed for limiting the movement. For example, abutment means could be provided to engage oscillating arm 41.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a lamp receiving socket, a synchronous hysteresis motor, driving means interconnecting the motor and socket, said driving means including a rotatably supported oscillating member, spaced abutment means for limiting rotary movement of said oscillating member to a predetermined arc, said motor automatically reversing its direction of rotation to oscillate said member between said abutment means.

2. A lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a lamp receiving socket, a synchronous hysteresis motor, driving means interconnecting the motor and socket, said driving means comprising a rotatably supported oscillating member, spaced abutment members for limiting rotary movement of said member to a predetermined are, said motor automatic-ally reversing its direction of rotation to oscillate said member between said abutment members, and means for selectively positioning said abutment members to adjust the arc transversed by said oscillating member, whereby the arc of movement of said lamp is correspondingly adjusted.

3. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising asynchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a driving pin, a pivotally mounted bracket eonfigurated to form a slot for receiving said driving pin, whereby oscillation of the member causes oscillation of the bracket, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, and spaced abutment means adapted for engagement with said driving pin to limit the arc of movement thereof.

4. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a driving pin, a pivotally mounted bracket configurated to form a slot for receiving said driving pin, whereby oscillation of the member causes oscillation of the bracket, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, spaced abutment means disposed for engagement with said driving pin to limit the arc of movement thereof, and a timing mechanism including a switch in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, a cam for opening said switch when the cam is in a home position, and means 'for converting the oscillating movements of said oscillating member to unidirectional movements for advancing said cam toward its home position.

5. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a driving pin, a pivotally mounted bracket configurated to form a slot for receiving said driving pin, whereby oscillation of the member causes oscillation of the bracket, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, spaced abutment means disposed for engagement with said driving pin to limit the arc of movement thereof, and a timing mechanism including a switch in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, a cam for opening said switch when the cam is in a home position, and means for converting the oscillating movements of said oscillating member to unidirectional movements for advancing said cam toward its home position, said last named means including a friction element for permitting the cam to initially be displaced a predetermined amount from its home position.

6. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a driving pin, a pivotally mounted bracket configurated to vform a slot for receiving said driving pin, whereby oscillation of the member causes oscillation of the bracket, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, spaced abutment means for engagement with said driving pin to limit the arc of movement thereof, and a timing mechanism including a switch in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, a cam for opening said switch when the cam is in a home position and means for converting the oscillating movements of said oscillating member to unidirectional movements for advancing said cam toward its home position, said last named means including a friction element for permitting the cam tobe displaced a predetermined amount from its home. position, and a dial connected to said cam and bearing indicia indicating the interval required to return said cam to its home position.

7. Apparatus for oscillating a therapeutic lamp com prising a housing, a panel mounted within said housing, a synchronous hysteresis motor mounted within said housing, an oscillating member pivotally mounted upon said panel, gear means interconnecting the motor and oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a driving pin said panel being configurated to form an arcuate slot for receiving said driving pin, a bracket pivotally mounted upon said panel, said bracket being configurated to form a slot for receiving said driving pin, a lamp 10 receiving socket carried by said bracket, said motor being effective to drive said oscillating member through an are limited by the engagement of the pin with the ends of the arcuate slot in the panel.

8. A therapeutic lamp oscillating device comprising a lamp receiving socket, a synchronous hysteresis motor, driving means interconnecting the motor and socket, whereby the socket is oscillated through a predetermined arc, and a timing mechanism comprising a switch in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, a rotatable cam for actuating said switch, and means interconnected to the driving means for advancing said cam in step by step increments, said last named means being etfective to cause advancement of said cam only when the socket is in the central portion of its arc. 9. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a drive pin, a pivotally mounted bracket configurated to form a slot for receiving said drive pin, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, means adapted for engagement with said driving pin for limiting the arc of movement of said pin, and a timing mechanism comprising a switch in circiut controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, a rotatable cam having a peripheral portion of generally circular configuration and a recessed portion, a cam follower interconnected with said switch and adapted to engage said recess when said cam is in its home position, and means interconnected with said motor -for advancing said cam toward said home position.

10. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a drive pin, a pivotally mounted bracket confi-gurated to form a slot for receiving said drive pin, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, means adapted for engagement with said driving pin for limiting the arc of movement of said pin, and a timing mechanism comprising a switch in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, a rotatable cam having a peripheral portion of generally circular configuration and a recessed portion, a cam. follower interconnected with said switch and adapted to engage said recess when said cam is in its home position, and means interconnected with said motor for advancing said cam toward said home position said last named means comprising a gear mounted coaxially with said cam, spring means urging the gear toward said cam, said gear being configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a retractable detent member carried :by said cam and spring urged toward said gear, a dial secured to said cam and adapted to rotate the cam relative the gear, and means including a pawl carried by said oscillating member (for advancing said gear and cam unidirect-ionally in step by step increments.

11. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising .a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, said oscillating member carrying a drive pin, a pivotally mounted bracket configurated to form a slot for receiving said drive pin, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, means adapted for engagement with said driving pin for limiting the arc of movement of said pin, and a timing mechanism comprising a switch in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, .a rotatable cam having a peripheral portion of generally circular configuration and a recessed portion, a cam follower interconnected with said switch and adapted to engage said recess when said cam is in its home position, and means interconnected with said motor for advancing said cam toward said home position, said last named means comprising a gear mounted coaxially with said cam, spring means urging the gear 11 toward said cam, said gear being configur-ated to form atzplu'rality of spaced apertures, a retractable detent member carried by said cam and spring urged toward said gear, a dial secured to said cam and adapted to rotate the cam relative the gear, a pinion meshing with said gear, said pinion having a second set of teeth formed thereon, a pawl pivotally mounted upon said oscillating member, said pawl being spring urged into engagement with said teeth, a stop carried by said oscillating member for limiting movement of said pawl, and a notch formed on the periphery of said oscillating member for receiving one of the said set of teeth.

'12. A timing mechanism comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, driving means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, means limiting rotation of said motor, a switch, a cam for opening said switch when the cam is .in a home position, and means for converting the oscillating movements of said -oscillating member to unidirectionalmovements for advancing said cam toward its home position.

13. A timing mechanism comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and said oscillating member, abutment means limiting the movement of said oscillating member, a switch, a cam for opening said switch when the cam is in a home position, means for converting the oscillating movements of said oscillating member to unidirectionalmovements for advancing saidcarn toward its home position, said last named means including a frictional element tor permitting the cam to initially be displaced a predetermined amount from its switch when the cam is in a home position, means for converting the oscillating movements of said oscillating member'to unidirectional movements for advancing said cam toward its home position, said last named means including a frictional element for permitting the cam to initially be displaced a predetermined amount from its "home" position, and a driving connection mechanically interconnected to said motor shaft for oscillation therewith.

15. A timer comprising a synchronous hysteresis motor, an oscillating member, gear means interconnecting said motor and oscillating member, a switch, a rotatable cam having a periphery configurated to formarecess, a cam follower interconnected with said switch and'adapted to engage said recess when said cam is in a home position, means interconnected with said motorfor advancing said cam toward said home position, said last named means comprising a gear mounted coaxially with said cam, spring means urging the gear'toward said cam, said gear being configurated to form a plurality of spaced apertures, a retractable detent member'carried by said cam and spring urged toward said gear, a dial secured to said cam and adapted to rotate the cam relative the gear, and means including a pawl carried by said oscil lating'member for advancing said gear and cam unidirectionally in step by step increments.

16. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a housing, a lamp receiving socket, means carried by the housing pivotally mounting said socket for angular movement, a motor carried by said housing, and linkage means disposed within said housing interconnecting the motor and said socket, said linkage means being effective to pivotally oscillate said socket through an are at a nonuniform velocity, the velocity of the socket at the central portion of the are being greater than the velocity at the ends of the are.

17. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a housing, a lamp receiving socket, means carried by the housing pivotally mounting said socket for angular movement, a motor carried by said housing, and linkage .means disposed within said housing interconnecting the motor and said socket, said linkage means being efiective to pivotally oscillate said socket through an are at a nonuniform velocity, the velocity of the socket at the central portion of the arc being greater than the velocity at the ends of the arc, and a timer including switch means in circuit controlling relationship with the lamp and motor, said timer switch means being effective to deenergize said lamp and said motor aftera preselected interval.

18. A therapeutic lamp oscillating apparatus comprising a housing having an opening in one wall thereof, a motor mounted within said housing, a bracket, means pivotally mounting said bracket within the housing, a lamp receiving socket carried by said bracket, a lamp mounted within said socket and extending outwardly through the opening in said housing, said socket being disposed on the side of said pivot means remote from said opening, the socket and a portion of said lamp being disposed within said housing, the axis of said pivotal means being in substantial alignment with the center of gravity of said lamp, socket and bracket, whereby said last named members are substantially counterbalanced, and linkage means for oscillating said bracket through a predetermined are, said linkage means and said bracket being eifective to pivotally oscillate said socket through an are at a nonuniform velocity, the velocity of the socket at the central portion of the are being greater than the velocity at the ends of the are.

19. In a lamp oscillating apparatus, the combination of a housing, a motor, a bracket, means pivotally mounting the bracket within said housing, a lamp receiving socket carried by the bracket, a lamp mounted Within the socket, the axis of'said pivotal means being in substantial alignment with the center of gravity of said lamp, socket and bracket, whereby said last named members are dynamically counterbalanced, and linkage means for oscillating said bracket through a predetermined arc, said linkage means and said bracket being effective to pivotally oscillate said socket through an are at a nonuniform velocity, the velocity of the socket at the central portion of the arc being greater than the velocity at the ends of the arc.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 22,096 Monroe May 12, 1942 2,611,367 Harkenrider Sept. 23, 1952 2,716,698 Bruckner Aug. 30, 1955

Images