GB2206957A - Support column - Google Patents

Abstract

A support column (e.g. for a table lamp) is provided that, when in use, extends vertically or substantially vertically, the column comprising a base 1 and an upper unit 6 which are interconnected solely by three helical elements 4 each of which is wound around an imaginary common central axis, the three elements 4 being spaced apart from one another around that axis at equiangular intervals. Preferably the helical elements are made from a rope that is hardened by impregnating it with a liquid synthetic plastic material and subsequently hardening the letter. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT COLUMN This invention relates to support columns for a multiplicity of purposes and an object of the invention is to provide support columns which, as well as performing their mechanical supporting functions to an entirely satisfactory extent, are of aesthetically pleasing appearance to the eye.

According to the invention, there is provided a support column intended to extend, in use, vertically or substantially vertically, the column comprising a base and an upper unit supported from the base by at least three helical elements that are unconnected with one another except by said base and said upper unit, the helical elements each being wound around an imaginary common central axis and being spaced apart from one another about that axis at equiangular intervals.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a table lamp incorporating a support column in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a section taken on the line II-II in Figure 1.

It has already been mentioned that a support column in accordance with the invention may be used for a large number of purposes and it should be borne in mind that the table lamp which is shown in the drawings will be described merely as one example of the many ways in which a support column in accordance with the invention can be practically and decoratively employed.

The table lamp which is shown in the drawings is formed partially from rope and might therefore be expected to appeal to sailors and others having marine and/or yachting interests. The table lamp has a relatively heavy base 1 that may be formed wholly or partly from polished brass, polished or lacquered wood or even from an appropriately weighted synthetic plastics material.

An electricity supply cable 2 including an on/off switch (not shown) extends into an opening at the foot of the base 1 and upwardly through the hollow interior of the latter. If desired, the electricity supply cable 2 may include a commercially available dimmer switch having an on/off facility in place of the simple on/off switch that has just been mentioned. A ring 3 surrounds the edge of a circular plinth at the top of the base 1 and is formed from rope that has been hardened by, for example, impregnating it with a thermo-setting liquid synthetic plastics material and then applying heat to harden the ring.

Three basically identical helical elements 4 extend vertically, or substantially vertically, upwards from the plinth at the top of the base 1 and have their lower ends securely fastened to that base by, for example, recessing the plinth and anchoring said lower ends therein with a strong adhesive such, for example, as an epoxy resin adhesive. Each element 4 is formed basically from rope which has been hardened in the same manner as has been briefly described with reference to the ring 3. However, one of the three helical elements 4 has the aforementioned electricity supply cable 2 concealingly wound into the strands of the rope concerned, the cable in question being a conventional 3-core cable whose earth conductor is preferably coupled to the base 1 if any exterior parts of the latter are of metallic or other electrically conductive construction.

The upper ends of the three helical elements 4 are each rigidly secured to a preferably wooden or other electrically non-conductive plate 5 that forms part of an upper unit of the support column which is generally indicated by the reference 6. The three elements 4 are firmly secured to the circular plate 5 and this may be accomplished in the same way as has been briefly described for securing the lower ends of the same elements 4 to the plinth at the top of the base 1. A second or upper ring 7 is fixedly mounted on top of the plate 5 and has the same construction as does the ring 3 except that it is of somewhat smaller diameter and is formed principally from rope of lesser thickness than that used for the lower ring 3.A more or less conventional polished brass or other metallic or synthetic plastics lamp holder 8 is mounted on top of the second or upper ring 7 and includes a conventional bayonet connector for an electric light bulb (not shown) and a screw-threaded retaining ring to clamp to it the mounting ring of a lamp shade whose translucent cover might appropriately feature a naval, yachting or other marine view. An Edison Screw holder could, of course, be substituted for the bayonet holder for cooperation with Edison Screw electric light bulbs. The electricity supply cable 2 which is concealed inside one of the helical elements 4 is continued from the upper end of that element 4 right through a hole in the plate 5 and internally through the second or upper ring 7 and is electrically connected to the lamp holder 8.

If the latter comprises exposed metallic or other electrically conductive parts, the earthing conductor of the cable 2 is directly connected to those parts.

In a table lamp which exhibits no exposed metallic or other electrically conductive parts, the three-core electricity supply cable 2 may be replaced by a twocore supply cable that omits any earthing conductor.

The three helical elements 4 are unconnected with one another except by the base 1 and the upper unit 6, each helical element 4 being wound around an imaginary common central axis and being spaced apart from one another about that axis at equiangular intervals of 1200. In the example which is being described, the pitch of each element 4 is substantially 450 but a greater or lesser pitch may, if preferred, be employed as an alternative. A support column in accordance with the invention may comprise four, or even five, helical elements 4 instead of the three that are illustrated in which case those elements 4 would be equiangularly spaced apart from one another around the imaginary central axis at angles of 900 or 720, respectively.

With such a construction, a pitch angle greater than 450 would generally present a more attractive appearance. If the incorporation of the three-core electricity supply cable 2 into one of the helical elements 4 presents any difficulty as regards the external appearance of the element 4 being identical to that of its two or more companions, it would be possible to separate the three conductors in the base 1 and to incorporate only one of them internally into each of the three elements 4 and to form three holes right through the plinth at the top of the base 1 and the circular plate 5 at the bottom of the upper unit 6.

Where more than three of the elements 4 are employed, any fourth or fifth element 4 that does not incorporate a sheathed electrical conductor may, if required, incorporate a "dummy" conductor purely for the purpose of ensuring that the external appearance of each helical element 4 is substantially identical.

A support column in accordance with the invention finds practical and decorative employment in many articles and situations other than table lamps. Whilst it is impossible to give an exhaustive list of the many possibilities, mere examples of those possibilities include standard lamps, furniture legs, building support columns and the like. The elements 4 may, depending upon the strength required, be formed from metal, stone or synthetic plastics materials or from combinations of those materials, the single materials or combinations of materials having the same or contrasting coloured or other finishes. Purely for example, a support column in accordance with the invention having three helical elements may have those elements respectively coloured red, white and blue.

The axial lengths, pitch angles and thicknesses/strengths may be varied as required and the cross sections of the elements 4 need not necessarily be circular, elliptical or the like. A regular or irregular polygonal cross section may be employed or even one whose outline is partly curved and partly rectilinear. Under some circumstances, the elements 4 may be of hollow, tubular formation which can be advantageous when cables or the like, such as the electricity supply cable 2 in the embodiment that has been particularly described, need to extend up the column in a concealed manner.

When a support column in accordance with the invention is to sustain a heavy load, such as part of a building, it may be of massive construction and be formed from natural stone or from an appropriately moulded and reinforced concrete material. Normally speaking, the helical elements will be substantially rigid but they could, for example, be formed from spring steel when it is desirable that whatever load is to be supported by the upper unit 6 of the column should be resiliently displaceable relative to the base 1 of that column.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. A support column intended to extend, in use, vertically or substantially vertically, the column comprising a base and an upper unit supported from the base by at least three helical elements that are unconnected with one another except by said base and said upper unit, the helical elements each being wound around an imaginary common central axis and being spaced apart from one another about that axis at equiangular intervals.

2. A support column according to claim 1, wherein each helical element is formed wholly or principally from rope that is rendered substantially rigid by impregnating it with a liquid synthetic plastics material and subsequently hardening the latter.

3. A support column according to claim 2, wherein the synthetic plastics material is a thermo-setting material that is made rigid by applying heat to harden that material.

4. A support column according to any preceding claim, wherein electrical conductors are incorporated into at least one of the helical elements to supply electricity to a lamp holder carried by, or forming part of, said upper unit.

5. A support column according to any preceding claim, wherein only three helical elements are provided, said helical elements being equiangularly spaced apart from one another around said imaginary axis at angles of 1200 and each such element having a pitch angle of substantially 450.

6. A support column according to claim 1 or to claim 5 when read as appendant to claim 1, wherein the helical elements are formed from wood, metal, stone or synthetic plastics material or from combinations of at least'two of those materials.

7. A support column according to claim 1 or to any one of claims 4 to 6 when read as append ant to claim 1, wherein each helical element is of circular or substantially circular cross-section.

8. A support column according to claim 1 or to either of claims 6 or 7 when read as appendant to claim 1, wherein at least one of the' helical elements is of a hollow tubular formation.

A A support column according to claim 1, wherein the helical elements are of a rigid construction which incorporates a significant degree of resiliency.

10. A table lamp comprising a support column according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

11. A support column according to claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with or without reference to the accompanying drawings.