Handle and cover for positionable lighting fixture

Claim 2

In a lighting fixture which is movable by means of an elongated handle projecting therefrom, the improvement comprising a substantially rigid circumferential shoulder disposed on and extending generally radially from said handle at a location adjacent said fixture, means defining lip means on said shoulder, and cover means for the handle including an elongated tubular portion which is closed at one end and open at its opposite end to define a perimeter, circumferential flange means projecting generally radially outwardly from said perimeter of said open end, latch means carried by said flange means at a location thereon whereby said latch means is in position to engage said lip means when said tubular portion of said cover means is received by said elongated handle and said latch means is urged toward said circumferential shoulder.

Claim 3

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said circumferential flange means is resilient so that said latch means can be displaced radially as said cover means is being received on said handle and said latch means is urged into engagement with said lip means and said latch means rebounds to maintain its engagement with said lip means following engagement therewith.

Claim 4

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises lug means projecting substantially orthogonally from said flange means on a surface thereof facing said circumferential shoulder on said handle, said lug means including a detent on an end thereof facing said circumferential shoulder, with said detent being of a geometric configuration which permits said detent to engage said lip means.

Claim 5

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said lip means is located at the outermost edge of said circumferential shoulder of said handle.

Claim 6

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a plurality of detent means, each of which is disposed at a radial location on that surface of said flange means facing said circumferential shoulder of said handle when said cover is received by said handle such that said latch means will engage said lip means at circumferentially spaced apart locations thereon to secure said cover in position on said handle.

Claim 7

The improvement of claim 1 wherein said cover includes hinge means integrally formed with said flange means at least adjacent to said latch means whereby the radial displacement of said latch means as the same is urged into engagement with said lip means is facilitated.

Claim 8

The improvement of claim 6 wherein said hinge means comprises a circular reduced wall thickness region that is disposed radially on said flange and said latch means is disposed in said circular region.

Claim 9

The improvement of claim 7 wherein said latch means comprises a plurality of projections that are disposed at spaced apart locations along said circular region.

Claim 10

The improvement of claim 6 wherein the flange means is of a stepped construction defined by radially spaced circumferential segments having vertically spaced adjacent ends connected by a substantially vertical circumferential segment, wherein the latch means is carried by a radially outermost segment, and wherein said hinge means is provided substantially by the connection between said segments.

Claim 11

The improvement of claim 9 wherein said hinge means further comprises a circular reduced wall thickness region in the segment carrying the latch means at a location adjacent to the connection thereof with the vertical segment.

Claim 12

The improvement of claim 10 wherein said latch means comprises a plurality of projections that are disposed at spaced apart locations along said circular region.

Claim 13

Apparatus for grasping to provide positional movement of a movable lighting fixture comprising handle means including an elongated projection and defining a longitudinal axis, means at one end of the elongated projection for securing said handle to said lighting fixture, circumferential shoulder means extending generally radially outwardly from said elongated projection at a location adjacent to said one end and defining lip means, cover means including an elongated tubular section having a closed end and an open end and being adapted to receive therein a substantial length of said elongated projection of said handle means and further including flange means projecting generally radially from the open end of said elongated tubular portion and having a surface adapted to generally face said circumferential shoulder means when said cover is received by said handle means, and latch means disposed on that surface of said flange means generally facing said circumferential shoulder means at a location thereon which permits said latch means to engage said lip means when said cover is received on said handle means to secure said cover in position on said handle means.

Claim 14

Apparatus for grasping to provide positional movement of a movable lighting fixture comprising handle means including an elongated projection and defining a longitudinal axis, means at one end of the elongated projection for securing said handle to said lighting fixture, circumferential shoulder means extending generally radially outwardly from said elongated projection at a location adjacent to said one end and defining lip means, cover means including an elongated tubular section having a closed end and an open end and being adapted to receive therein a substantial length of said elongated projection of said handle means and further including flange means projecting generally radially from the open end of said elongated tubular portion and having a surface adapted to generally face said circumferential shoulder means when said cover is received by said handle means, and latch means disposed on that surface of said flange means generally facing said circumferential shoulder means at a location thereon which permits said latch means to engage said lip means when said cover is received on said handle means to secure said cover in position on said handle means.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 and including means resiliently mounting said latch means for radial displacement thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle means when said latch means is engaging and disengaging said lip means.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said means mounting said latch means comprises hinge means integrally formed with said flange means at a location adjacent to said latch means whereby the radial displacement of said latch means is facilitated.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said hinge means comprises a circular reduced wall thickness region of said flange means.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said flange means comprises a stepped construction of radial circumferential segments integrally connected together in said region, and wherein the hinge means further comprises the connection between said segments.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said latch means comprises a plurality of projections extending from said flange means toward said circumferential shoulder means when said cover is received on said handle, each of said projections including detent means adapted to engage said lip means.