CA1064450A - Snap-together light fixture - Google Patents

Snap-together light fixture

Info

Publication number
CA1064450A
CA1064450A CA280,974A CA280974A CA1064450A CA 1064450 A CA1064450 A CA 1064450A CA 280974 A CA280974 A CA 280974A CA 1064450 A CA1064450 A CA 1064450A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
socket
cup
wall
pan
openings
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA280,974A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edward Spicer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA280,974A priority Critical patent/CA1064450A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1064450A publication Critical patent/CA1064450A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)

Abstract

SNAP-TOGETHER LIGHT FIXTURE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A snap-together light fixture including a bulb receiving socket having associated spring means for releasably locking the socket in a support, a metal cup for receiving and enclosing the socket, and a base member adapted to fit upon a wall or ceiling, the cup and base member cooperatively supporting the socket by means of openings through which the socket extends, while the spring means of the socket releasably grasps the edges of the openings for holding all three parts together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In manufacturing light fixtures it is essential to maintain the artistic appearance of the product as well as its operational ~ -capability. Each light fixture includes a number of mechanical parts which are manufactured separately. Within the context of the present technology it has been necessary to permanently fasten the various parts of thè fixture together, by means of fastening screws, or solder connections, or the like.
It has therefore been an accepted fact in this industry that substantial labor costs must be paid for the work of fastening the part~ of each fixture together, as the fixture i~ being assembled. :, -SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention a releasable spring means is utilized for fastening all the mechanical parts of a light fixture together. The more time-consuming procedures required for soldering the parts together, or for fastening them with screws, `~ are eliminated.
According to the invention a bulb socket having spring means ~-for releasably fastening the socket to a support, is utilized inconjunction with a metal pan or ba~e member, and a metal cup, to provide a complete light fixture. Holes are formed through the ba~e member and through the bottom wall of the cup, and the cup and base member are placed in juxtaposition with the holes aligned.
The base end of the socket is then inserted within the holes, and the expanding spring means aseociated with the socket is engaged with the circumferential edges of the hole~ or openings so as to hold all three of the parts together.

: ~F ., - ", . . . . . .

DRAWING SUMMARY
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a snap-together light fixture ~n accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 2 i5 a cross-sectional elevation view taken on line
2-2 of Figure l;
FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;
FIGURE 4 is an exploded pe~spective view of the light fixture of Figure l;
FIGURE 5 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the bulb soc~et and the cup before they are assembled together;
FIGURE 6 is an end view of the cup taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5;
FIGURE 7 is a side view, partially in cross-section, of the bulb socket and cup as they are being assembled;!
FIGURE 8 i9 a view like Figure 7 showing completion of the assembly;
FIGURE 9 i8 a perspective view of a modified form of light fixture in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 10 i8 a cross-sectional elevation view taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 9; and FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a triple-bulb fixture : in accordance with the invention.
FIRST EMBODDMENT
Reference is now made to Figure 1-8, inclusive, of the drawings which illustrate a first embodiment of the invention.
As best seen in Figur~ 2, fixture F in accordance with the invention is adapted to be mounted upon a wall or ceiling W and covering a junction box J. `Location of the junction box is indi-.

cated in Figure 2, but the details of its construction which are conventional and well-known are not shown. The major component -parts of the light fixture F are a base member or pan B, a metal cup C, a bulb socket s, and an ornamental plate o. A light bulb ~ ~
L, shown in Figure 2 in dotted lines, is ~hown in solid lines in ~ -Figure 1.
In the fully assembled condition of light fixture F, and with the light bulb L in place as shown in Figure 1, the bulb socket S i8 hidden from view. However, the bulb socket S i8 the 10 central structural member of the entire fixture, and it will therefore be described in some detail before proceeding to a de-tailed description of the other parts Reference i8 now made to Figures 2-5 and 7, 8 which il-lustrate the bulb socket S. The bulb socket S includes a generally cylindrical socket body 30, a pair of electrical terminals 40, 41, ,~ . .
and a spring steel strap 50. Terminals 40, 41 are shown only in Figure 3. The~ socket body 30 has a b~lb-receiving end 31 which i8 open and in which internal threads 32 are formed. The other or ba~e end 33 is substantially closed and has the terminals 40, 41 20 attached to it. For about half its length the socket body 30 ha9 a reduced external diameter portion 34 which terminates a~ the ba~e end 33, thereby forming a circumferential shoulder 35 which .
is about mid-way of the length of the ~ocket body.
Spring steel strap 50 is of generally U-shaped configuration but with its leg~ 52, 53 being somewhat outwardly expanded. The ~ central or base portion of strap 50 extends acro~s the base end 33 - of ~ocket body 30 and i~ attached there by means of a central rivet 51. Therefore, the legs of the spring steel strap extend along the sides of socket body 30 and toward the open end 31 thereof, but
3 -.. . . , ~ ............................... .
, . . . . . . .

10~i44S0 terminating at about the position of the circumferential shoulder 35. The ends of the spring leg-~ 52, 53 are bent to form hook~ 54, 55, respectively, which open outward and whose longitudinal pO8 i-tion coincides rather precisely with that of the circumferential shoulder 35.
Wires 42, 43 are connected to the electrical terminals 40, 41J reBpectively. In the installed condition of the fixture, a~
shown in Figure 2, wire nuts N are used to attach the wires 42, 43 to respective leads emanating from junction box J.
The bulb socket S i~ a conventional product which has been known and used prior to the present invention, and hence the socket S does not, in and of itself, constitute the invention.
However, in accordance with the present invention the socket S, and particularly the spring means 50 thereof, is utilized in a novel manner for holding the various part~ of fixture F together, in lieu of other fastening means.
.
The metal cup C i~ of g!~nerally cylindrical configuration but with a bottom wall 20 extending transversely at one end thereof. A concentric circular opening 21 i~ formed in the bottom wall 20 (~ee Figure 6)- An opposed pair of rectangular cutouts 22, ; 23 are formed in the bottom wall20 as circumferential extensions of the opening 21. The open end of cup C is outwardly flared.
In order to assemble the complete fixture F together it -~
is preferred to first a~semble the bulb socket S and metal cup C.
The progressive steps of the a~embly are ~hown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, respectively. The reduced diameter portion 34 df socket body 30 is in~erted into the open end 25 of cup C, and hence into and through the circular opening 21 of bottom wall 20. In the nearly assembled condition as shown in Figure 7 the circumferential
- 4 -. ` . ~.

, :
~ 0~ 4S0 shoulder 35 of socket body 30 ha~ not yet come into engagement with the bottom wall 20 of cup C. The lateral extremities of the spring legs 52, 53 occupy the deepe~t portions of the rectangular cutout~ 22, 23, respectively, while the inner or back surfaces of the hooks 54, 55 are very close to the circumferential shoulder 35.
The assembly is completed by applying force to the open end 31 of socket body 30 in a direction towards the bottom wall 20 of cup C, while holding the cup C in place. This force is indicated by arrow 37 in Figure 7. The assembly is completed as shown in Figure 8, with hooks 54, 55 then engaging the cutouts 22, 23, and with circumferential shoulder 35 engaging ~he inner surface of bottom wall 20 of the cup C.
Base member or pan B has a generally flat front wall 10 F and a side wall 15. A circular opening 11 is formed in the wall 10 and has an opposed pair of rectangular cutouts 12, 13 formed in its periphery. See Figure 4.~ A pair of small holes 16 are al-o formed in the front wall 10, on opposite sides of the opening 11, and ~crews 17 are utilized in conjunction with~the holes 16 for attaching the base momber to the junction box J and hence sup-porting it in a fixed position relative to wall or ceiling W.
The opening 11 and cutouts 12, 13 of base member B are of ~ precisely the same dimensions as the opening 21 and cutouts 22, 23 : of cup C. In the fully assembled state of fixture F (Figure 2) the hooks 54, 55 engage cutouts 12, 13 as well as cutouts 22, 23, re~pectively.
The plate 0 is a relatively thin plate which has no parti-cular mechanical function and is used only for ornamental or de-corative purposes. It has a circular opening 61 in which cutouts 62j 63 are formed. The opening 61-63 is also of precisely the
- 5 -. ~, , .

-- 10~4~0 same dlmensions as the opening 21-23. Ornamental plate o is positioned between cup C and base member B, and therefore in the assembled condition of fixture F the spring hook 54 engages cut-outs 12, 62, and 22 while spring hook 55 engages cutouts 13, 63, and 23.
While base member B as p~esently illustrated has a square configu~ation, it may be circular or of such other shape a~ may be desired. Ornamental plate O as presently illustrated is cir-cular, but it may be square or of other desired configuration. In the particular embodiment illustrated the diameter of plate O is sufficient to cover the head of screws 17 90 that they are con-cealed from view. ;
MODIFIED FORM
Re~erence is now made to Figures 9 and 10 illustratinga modified form of the invention. Fixture F' of Figures 9 and 10 i~ identical to fixture F, except that ornamental plate O i8 :
omitted, and the means for fastening base member B to walls W are not specifically illustrated.
Figure 11 illu~trates an alternate form F'' of the light fixture of the present invention. Base member B' may be of the same height as base member B of the first embodiment, but three times as wide, hence having the capacity for three bulb instal-lations. A horizontal row of cans Cl, C2, C3 house the light bulbs Ll, L2, L3, respectively. The internal details of construc-tion, while not specifically shown, are the same as for the first embodiment.
The invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing a full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed
- 6 -~ .

o~so description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the invention, or the scope of patent monopoly to be granted.

Claims (5)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A snap-together light fixture comprising:
a wall or ceiling pan having a generally flat front wall, and having means for supporting said front wall in spaced relation-ship to a junction box;
a metal cup having an open top and a bottom wall, said bot-tom wall thereof being releasably supported by the front surface of said front wall of said pan;
said front wall of said pan and said bottom wall of said cup having formed therein congruent circular openings and congruent pairs of opposed cutouts in the circumferential edges of said openings;
a bulb socket having a generally cylindrical body, the bulb-receiving end of said body being open to form a socket and being in-ternally threaded, and the base end of said socket body being closed and having a pair of electrical terminals thereon for energizing said socket and also having the central portion of a generally U-shaped spring steel strap attached thereto with the legs of said strap extending along the sides of said body and toward said open end thereof;
said open end of said socket body being received within said metal cup, said base end thereof having a reduced exterior diameter forming a circumferential shoulder about mid-way of the length of said socket body, said base end of said socket body extending through said congruent circular openings of said metal cup and pan wall and therebeyond with said shoulder removably engaging the inner surface of said metal cup bottom wall; and the extremities of said strap legs having outwardly opening hooks formed therein, said strap legs being inwardly flexed and said hooks thereof engaging said cutouts of both said pan and said cup for securing the same to each other and said socket to them.
2. A light fixture as in Claim 1 wherein said bottom end of said metal cup directly engages said pan wall.
3. A light fixture as in Claim 1 which additionally includes an ornamental plate disposed between said pan front wall and said cup bottom end, and also having a congruent circular opening and opposed cutouts; said spring hooks securing said pan, plate, and cup together.
4. A snap-together light fixture including a bulb receiving socket having associated spring means for releasably locking the socket in a support, a metal cup for receiving and enclosing the socket, and a base member adapted to fit upon a wall or ceiling, the cup and base member cooperatively supporting the socket by means of openings through which the socket extends, while the spring means of the socket releasably grasps the edges of the openings for holding all three parts together.
5. A snap-together light fixture comprising:
a plurality of bulb-receiving sockets each having associated spring means for releasably locking the socket in a support;
a plurality of metal cups for receiving and enclosing re-spective ones of said sockets, each of said cups having a bottom wall with a central opening therein; and a base member adapted to fit upon a wall or ceiling and having a plurality of openings therein for receiving respective ones of said sockets;
each of said cups having its bottom wall supported upon said base member with the central opening thereof aligned with a corresponding opening of said base member, the associated socket being disposed within said cup and extending through said aligned openings, and the spring means of the socket releasably grasping the edges of the openings for holding all three parts together.
CA280,974A 1977-06-20 1977-06-20 Snap-together light fixture Expired CA1064450A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA280,974A CA1064450A (en) 1977-06-20 1977-06-20 Snap-together light fixture

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA280,974A CA1064450A (en) 1977-06-20 1977-06-20 Snap-together light fixture

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1064450A true CA1064450A (en) 1979-10-16

Family

ID=4108929

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA280,974A Expired CA1064450A (en) 1977-06-20 1977-06-20 Snap-together light fixture

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1064450A (en)

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