Heat lamp
A heat lamp is provided that minimizes visual obstructions between an individual and a food service line, while more evenly distributing heat across food. The heat energy penetrates into the food and does not merely heat the surface. Different heating capabilities can be provided by locating the lamp head at different positions over a large adjustable height range. Additional lighting elements provide illumination to heated surfaces to improve visual appeal. Each heat lamp on a service line may be connected to an adjacent heat lamp through built-in power receptacles. The surfaces of the heat lamp are sealed and/or made of easily cleaned substances and have features compliant to one or more industry standards. The heat lamp may be easily transportable and may be resistant to damage.
1 . A heat lamp comprising:
a portable base comprising an opening in a top surface of the portable base, wherein the opening receives a first end of a segmented support arm beneath the top surface of the portable base; and
an elongated lamp head coupled to a second end of the segmented support arm, the elongated lamp head having a rectangular cross section and comprising:
an opening at a distal end of the elongated lamp head;
an exposed cavity in a lower face of the elongated lamp head, wherein the exposed cavity is opposite a solid top surface of the elongated lamp head;
a heat element linearly aligned with the exposed cavity in the lower face of the elongated lamp head and located in the exposed cavity, wherein the exposed cavity is physically separate from the opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head; and
at least one illumination element located within the opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head, wherein a first width of the elongated lamp head is substantially the same as a second width of the segmented support arm, and wherein the opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head passes through the elongated lamp head from a top surface of the elongated lamp head to a bottom surface of the elongated lamp head; and
wherein the segmented support arm is foldable to form a triangular storage position, wherein a first segment of the segmented support arm forms a handle separating the elongated lamp head from a second segment of the segmented support arm.
2 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , wherein the segmented support arm is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the portable base.
3 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the elongated lamp head is parallel to a bottom surface of the elongated lamp head.
4 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the elongated lamp head comprises a solid top surface, wherein the at least one illumination element is thermally separated from the heat element, and wherein the elongated lamp head comprises a thermal sensor used to maintain the solid top surface below a defined temperature.
5 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , wherein the segmented support arm includes at least two segments connected via a pivoting hinge.
6 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the elongated lamp head is selectively positionable at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to the segmented support arm.
7 . The heat lamp of claim 1 further comprising a pivot connecting the second end of the segmented support arm to a portion of the elongated lamp head.
8 . The heat lamp of claim 7 , wherein the pivot is physically connected at a central location of the elongated lamp head.
9 . The heat lamp of claim 7 , wherein the pivot is physically connected at a distal end of the elongated lamp head.
10 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , wherein the segmented support arm is foldable to form a storage position comprising a connected portion of the opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head to a feature on the portable base.
11 . The heat lamp of claim 1 , further comprising a rotating pivot associated with the opening in the top surface of the portable base.
12 . The heat lamp of claim 11 , wherein a movement of the rotating pivot rotates the segmented support arm about an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the portable base.
13 . The heat lamp of claim 11 , wherein a movement of the rotating pivot rotates the segmented support arm about an axis parallel to the top surface of the portable base.
14 . A heat lamp comprising:
a portable base comprising a first opening in a top surface of the portable base and wherein the portable base comprises a single component;
a first segmented support arm rotatably coupled to the portable base via a first end of the first segmented support arm being inserted into the first opening of the portable base, wherein the first end of the first segmented support arm inserted into the first opening in the portable base is surrounded by the portable base; and
a first elongated lamp head coupled to a second end of the first segmented support arm, the first elongated lamp head comprising:
a solid top surface comprising an opening at a distal end of the first elongated lamp head;
a rectangular cross-section, wherein a first width of the first elongated lamp head is substantially the same as a second width of the first segmented support arm;
a bottom surface parallel to the solid top surface and comprising an open cavity exposed through the bottom surface opposite the solid top surface;
a heat element linearly aligned with the first elongated lamp head within the open cavity via the opening of the bottom surface, wherein the open cavity is physically separate from the opening at the distal end of the first elongated lamp head; and
at least one illumination element located within the opening at the distal end of the first elongated lamp head, wherein the opening at the distal end of the first elongated lamp head passes through the solid top surface of the first elongated lamp head and the bottom surface of the first elongated lamp head; and
wherein a first section of the first segmented support arm, when configured in a storage configuration, forms a triangular shape with the first elongated lamp head and a second section of the first segmented support arm.
15 . The heat lamp of claim 14 , wherein the portable base includes a second opening in the top surface of the portable base and wherein the heat lamp further comprises:
a second segmented support arm rotatably coupled to the portable base via a first end of the second segmented support arm; and
a second elongated lamp head coupled to a second end of the second segmented support arm, the second elongated lamp head comprising:
a second solid top surface comprising a second opening at a second distal end of the second elongated lamp head;
a second bottom surface opposite the solid top surface, wherein the second bottom surface comprises a second open cavity;
a heat element linearly aligned with the second elongated lamp head within the second open cavity, wherein the opening of the bottom surface comprises a cavity physically separate from the opening at the distal end of the second elongated lamp head; and
at least one illumination element located within the second opening at the second distal end of the second elongated lamp head, wherein a first width of the second elongated lamp head is substantially the same as a second width of the second segmented support arm.
16 . The heat lamp of claim 14 , further comprising a rotating pivot associated with the first opening in the top surface of the portable base.
17 . The heat lamp of claim 16 , wherein a movement of the rotating pivot rotates the first segmented support arm about an axis perpendicular to the top surface of the portable base.
18 . An elongated lamp head comprising:
a pivoting member that rotatably attaches the elongated lamp head to a support arm, wherein the support arm elevates the elongated lamp head above an object to be heated, wherein a first width of the elongated lamp head is substantially the same as a second width of the support arm;
a solid top surface comprising an opening at a distal end of the elongated lamp head;
a bottom surface opposite the solid top surface comprising an open cavity comprising an opening within the bottom surface, wherein the open cavity is separate from the opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head;
a heat element linearly aligned with the elongated lamp head within the opening of the bottom surface;
a thermal sensor used to maintain a surface temperature of at least the solid top surface of the elongated lamp head below a threshold temperature; and
at least one illumination element located within an opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head, wherein the opening at the distal end of the elongated lamp head extends from the solid top surface of the elongated lamp head to the bottom surface of the elongated lamp head; and
wherein a first section of the support arm forms a carrying handle when positioned in a triangular storage configuration separating the elongated lamp head from a second section of the support arm.
19 . The elongated lamp head of claim 18 , wherein the pivoting member is physically connected at one of a distal end of the elongated lamp head or a central location of the solid top surface.