GB2065857A - Portable UV lamp with power unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a portable ultra-violet hand lamp for use where mains electricity is not available or its use may be hazardous and comprises a housing containing a rechargeable battery and mains-operated charging unit 10 and a lamp 1 external of the housing and connected to the battery by an extendable cable 6. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A portable ultra-violet hand lamp unit The invention relates to a portable ultra-violet hand lamp unit particularly but not exclusively for medical diagnostic purposes.

Ultra violet lighting units for hospital use are available which operate from mains electricity supply, and whilst such supply offers the advantage of being normally available at any time, it is not available in every place and may not be employed in all circumstances. The object of the invention is to provide an ultra-violet hand lamp retaining the above advantage whilst overcoming at least to some extent the disadvantages mentioned.

According to the invention there is provided a portable ultra-violet hand lamp unit comprising at least one ultra-violet lamp connected or for connection to a rechargeable battery which is connected to a mains-operated charging unit.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 shows the unit in front elevation, the hand lamp component of the unit being in the rest position; and Fig. 2 shows the unit in rear elevation, the hand lamp shown in use.

The hand lamp 1 comprises a length of lightweight PVC mini-trunking 2, one end of which acts as a hand grip 3 and on which are mounted two miniature bi-pin lamp holders 4. The lamp holder fits in the slot of the trunking and snap-on trunking lid retains the lamp holder in position. A plastics reflector is fitted to the trunking lid between the lamp holders. A 12" 8-watt blacklight blue ultra-violet miniature fluorescent tube 5 is fitted to the holders. In another embodiment twin fluorescent tubes are employed.

The lamp holders are electrically connected to a coiled table 6 which leads to the power unit 10.

The power unit comprises a metal and plastics case provided with a carrying handle 11 which also acts as a stand for the hand lamp. Within the case 12 are a 12 volt miniature ballast unit and a 12 volt 1.6 ampere-hour rechargeable battery connected to a power supply module via an on-off switch. The power supply module also contained within the case 12 comprises a charging unit and transformer with 250-volt mains input and 12-volt stabilised output.

The components of the power unit 10 are connected so that the unit may be plugged into a mains supply whereby the rechargeable battery is charged by the charging unit when the lamp is not in use and a switch 13 in the electrical connection to the hand lamp 1 is in the off position. When the unit is required to be used in a location remote from mains supply, the power unit may be disconnected from the mains by withdrawing a plug from an input socket 14 at the rear of the power unit. In this condition the fluorescent tube 5 is powered by the battery which provides for a long period of operation of the lamp unit.

Not only is the battery operated hand lamp useful in situations where mains supply is not available but also in situations where mains supply, though available, may introduce some hazard, for example in an atmosphere containing explosive or flammable vapour where a high voltage spark may occur with mains electricity, and also in a situation where water or other liquid may lead to the conduction of electricity from the power source to the operator or another person.

After use, the hand lamp 1 is returned to the rest 11 and the whole equipment returned to a location where mains supply can be connected to socket 14 whereby the battery is recharged by the power supply module.

In a situation which is both convenient and safe, the hand lamp may be used whilst connected to mains supply, the mains voltage being reduced to the operating voltage of the fluorescent tube by the transformer in the power supply module.

1. A portable ultra-violet lamp unit comprising at least one ultra-violet lamp, a rechargeable battery and a mains operated charging unit, the battery being connected or for connection through switches both to the or each lamp and to the charging unit.

2. A lamp unit according to Claim 1 wherein the battery and charging unit are contained in a housing and the or each lamp is external of the housing and connected to the battery via a coiled extendable cable.

3. A lamp unit according to Claim 2 wherein the housing is provided with a carrying handle which acts as a rest for the lamp.

4. A lamp unit according to Claim 1 wherein the lamp is or the lamps are supported on a length of trunking of which a portion projecting beyond the lamp or lamps provides a hand grip.

5. A lamp unit according to Claim 3 and Claim 4 wherein the carrying handle of the housing cradles the trunking of the lamp or lamps.

6. A portable ultra-violet lamp unit substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A portable ultra-violet hand lamp unit The invention relates to a portable ultra-violet hand lamp unit particularly but not exclusively for medical diagnostic purposes. Ultra violet lighting units for hospital use are available which operate from mains electricity supply, and whilst such supply offers the advantage of being normally available at any time, it is not available in every place and may not be employed in all circumstances. The object of the invention is to provide an ultra-violet hand lamp retaining the above advantage whilst overcoming at least to some extent the disadvantages mentioned. According to the invention there is provided a portable ultra-violet hand lamp unit comprising at least one ultra-violet lamp connected or for connection to a rechargeable battery which is connected to a mains-operated charging unit. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. 1 shows the unit in front elevation, the hand lamp component of the unit being in the rest position; and Fig. 2 shows the unit in rear elevation, the hand lamp shown in use. The hand lamp 1 comprises a length of lightweight PVC mini-trunking 2, one end of which acts as a hand grip 3 and on which are mounted two miniature bi-pin lamp holders 4. The lamp holder fits in the slot of the trunking and snap-on trunking lid retains the lamp holder in position. A plastics reflector is fitted to the trunking lid between the lamp holders. A 12" 8-watt blacklight blue ultra-violet miniature fluorescent tube 5 is fitted to the holders. In another embodiment twin fluorescent tubes are employed. The lamp holders are electrically connected to a coiled table 6 which leads to the power unit 10. The power unit comprises a metal and plastics case provided with a carrying handle 11 which also acts as a stand for the hand lamp. Within the case 12 are a 12 volt miniature ballast unit and a 12 volt 1.6 ampere-hour rechargeable battery connected to a power supply module via an on-off switch. The power supply module also contained within the case 12 comprises a charging unit and transformer with 250-volt mains input and 12-volt stabilised output. The components of the power unit 10 are connected so that the unit may be plugged into a mains supply whereby the rechargeable battery is charged by the charging unit when the lamp is not in use and a switch 13 in the electrical connection to the hand lamp 1 is in the off position. When the unit is required to be used in a location remote from mains supply, the power unit may be disconnected from the mains by withdrawing a plug from an input socket 14 at the rear of the power unit. In this condition the fluorescent tube 5 is powered by the battery which provides for a long period of operation of the lamp unit. Not only is the battery operated hand lamp useful in situations where mains supply is not available but also in situations where mains supply, though available, may introduce some hazard, for example in an atmosphere containing explosive or flammable vapour where a high voltage spark may occur with mains electricity, and also in a situation where water or other liquid may lead to the conduction of electricity from the power source to the operator or another person. After use, the hand lamp 1 is returned to the rest 11 and the whole equipment returned to a location where mains supply can be connected to socket 14 whereby the battery is recharged by the power supply module. In a situation which is both convenient and safe, the hand lamp may be used whilst connected to mains supply, the mains voltage being reduced to the operating voltage of the fluorescent tube by the transformer in the power supply module. CLAIMS

1. A portable ultra-violet lamp unit comprising at least one ultra-violet lamp, a rechargeable battery and a mains operated charging unit, the battery being connected or for connection through switches both to the or each lamp and to the charging unit.

2. A lamp unit according to Claim 1 wherein the battery and charging unit are contained in a housing and the or each lamp is external of the housing and connected to the battery via a coiled extendable cable.

3. A lamp unit according to Claim 2 wherein the housing is provided with a carrying handle which acts as a rest for the lamp.

4. A lamp unit according to Claim 1 wherein the lamp is or the lamps are supported on a length of trunking of which a portion projecting beyond the lamp or lamps provides a hand grip.

5. A lamp unit according to Claim 3 and Claim 4 wherein the carrying handle of the housing cradles the trunking of the lamp or lamps.

6. A portable ultra-violet lamp unit substantially as described with reference to the drawings.