EP0940893A2 - Electrical lamp socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The main body (11) has a matching protrusion (34) which slots into the slot (24) in the bell shaped cap, allowing easy assembly.

Description

The present invention relates generally to sockets intended to receive a light bulb, for support and power of it.

It relates more particularly to those of these sockets which comprise, in particular, on the one hand, a body, in whose grip the connection terminals required for connection of a clean electrical cable to the supply of the electric bulb, and, on the other hand, by measuring security, to avoid third parties any risk of coming to touch such terminals of connection even though they may be live, a cap, generally bell-shaped, which, on the side of its outlet, at least partially covers the body, and which, at a distance from its outlet, has a clean opening for the passage of the electric cable.

Most often, to date, this cap is in one piece.

As a result, it is necessary to thread it on the front electric cable to connect it to the body of the socket.

But it is not uncommon for an installer, even informed, to fail to follow this assembly sequence, and starts, on the contrary, by connecting the cable electric to the body of the socket.

Since it is out of the question that, to the detriment of security, it leaves bounds connection to the open air, neglecting to do what is necessary so that the cap duly provided for this purpose is actually in place, it must proceed disconnection of the electric cable, then repeat the operations, respecting, this time, the assembly sequence necessary for the presence systematic of this cap.

Realizations have been proposed, in which, for a reason or for another, the cap is in two parts, which allows it to be closed on the electric cable even though it is already connected to the body of the socket.

This is the case, in particular, in European patent applications Nos 0 684 669 and 0 798 820.

But this realization in two parts of the cap makes it more complex the manufacture of the socket and longer and more delicate operations during installation.

This is all the more so with the sockets described in the requests mentioned above that in these sockets, the partition affects not only the cap but other elements of the socket which also happen to be in one piece with this cap.

The present invention generally relates to a arrangement to facilitate the installation of sockets of the kind mentioned above, without the above drawbacks and without the need to associate with their cap any element other than one of those already participating in the constitution of such a socket.

More specifically, it relates to a bulb socket electric of the kind comprising, in particular, a body, in the grip of which are installed the connection terminals necessary for the connection of a electric cable, and a cap, generally bell-shaped, which, on the side of its outlet, at least partially covers the body, and which, at a distance from its outlet, has a clean opening for the passage of the electric cable, this socket being generally characterized in that, on the one hand, the cap has, laterally, an opening, which extends continuously from its opening at its outlet, and which is specific to its engagement on the cable electric even though it is not yet in place on the body, and, on the other hand, the body is equipped with a cover, which at least partially obscures the opening of the cap when it is in place on it.

Thus, according to the invention, the cap can advantageously be put in place on the electric cable even after connecting it to the body of the socket, thanks to the opening which it presents over its entire height, and, jointly, it is taken advantage of the body of the socket to then conceal its opening.

This cap can therefore advantageously be made in one taking advantage of the simplicity of manufacturing and operations installation, and for the closing of the opening which it contains, necessary for compliance with the safety conditions to be ensured, it is advantageously need no other element than one of those already present elsewhere in the socket.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une douille suivant l'invention ;

la figure 2 en est une vue en perspective éclatée ;

la figure 3 est une autre vue en perspective éclatée ne concernant que certains des éléments constitutifs de cette douille, vus de dessus ;

la figure 4 est, avec un arrachement local, une autre vue en perspective éclatée de ces mêmes éléments, vus de dessous ;

la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de deux des éléments constitutifs de la douille suivant l'invention, pour une variante de réalisation de ceux-ci ;

la figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée analogue à celle de la figure 2, pour une autre variante de réalisation de la douille suivant l'invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a socket according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view;

Figure 3 is another exploded perspective view relating only to some of the components of this socket, seen from above;

Figure 4 is, with a local cutaway, another exploded perspective view of these same elements, seen from below;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of two of the components of the socket according to the invention, for an alternative embodiment thereof;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view similar to that of Figure 2, for another alternative embodiment of the sleeve according to the invention.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the socket 10 according to the invention is of the kind comprising, in particular, on the one hand, a body 11, in whose right-of-way are the connection terminals 12 necessary for the connection of an electric cable 13, which is shown diagrammatically in broken lines in Figure 2, and, on the other hand, a cap 14, shaped general bell, which, on the side of its outlet 15, covers at least partially the body 11, being axially wedged relative to this body 11, and which, at a distance from its outlet 15, has an orifice 16 specific to the passage of the electric cable 13.

This socket 10 does not fall, in its entirety, from the present invention, it will not be described in full detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that, in the usual way, it complements, for essentially, by a jacket 18, in which the electric bulb, not shown, to be put in place must be introduced by its base.

In the embodiment shown, this jacket 18 is adapted, for example, to receive an electric bulb with bayonet base.

But it goes without saying that, as a variant, it could just as easily be suitable for receiving a screw base bulb.

In the embodiment shown, the shirt 18 forms, annularly, on the side of the cap 14, a strip 19, and it comprises, in withdrawal from this strip 19, a threaded section 20 in favor of which it associated with it, for example for fixing the assembly to any lampshade not shown, a skirt 21.

In the embodiment shown, the shirt 18 forms, internally, at the base of its strip 19, a transverse shoulder 22, for the axial support of the body 11.

In the embodiment shown, finally, it is provided, in the jacket 18, below the body 11, a safety shutter 23.

The corresponding provisions not covered by this invention, they will not be described here.

Only the elements of the socket 10 will be described in the following. necessary for understanding the invention.

According to the invention, the cap 14 comprises, laterally, a opening 24, which extends continuously from its orifice 16 to its outlet 15, and which, as will be described in more detail later, is specific to its engagement on the electric cable 13 even though it is not yet in placed on the body 11, and, jointly, the body 11 is fitted with a cover 25, which at least partially obscures the opening 24 of the cap 14 when this one is in place on him.

In the embodiments shown, the opening 24 of the cap 14 extends substantially along a radial plane of this cap 14, and the lips 26 of this opening 24 are substantially parallel to each other.

In the embodiments more particularly represented on the Figures 1 to 5, the cap 14 is fixed axially relative to the body 11 by latching means 27, 28 involving a simple axial engagement of this cap 14 on this body 11.

For example, and as shown, these latching means 27, 28 intervene between the cap 14 and the jacket 18 on which the body 11 axially supported.

More specifically, in the embodiments shown, these snap-fastening means 27, 28 comprise, on the one hand, on the cap 14, two snap tabs 27, which, arranged in diametrically positions opposite to each other, each locally extends the cap 14 beyond its outlet 15, and which, each shaped internally hooked, are elastically deformable, and, on the other hand, on the sleeve 18, two notches 28, which, each arranged respectively in correspondence with the locking tabs 27, each intervene at the favor of a notch 29 provided locally for this purpose on the strip 19 of this shirt 18, and on which the latching tabs 27 are clean to come and crochet.

Jointly, the cover 25 equipping the body 11 is a rib on which the cap 14 is capable of fitting through its opening 24.

In the embodiments shown, the body 11 has, at its base, a sole 30, by which it is able to bear axially on the jacket 18, and, more precisely, on the transverse shoulder 22 that internally presents this one.

In these embodiments, the body 11 is therefore partly fitted in shirt 18.

In the embodiments shown, the rib forming the cover 25 fitted to the body 11 protrudes from the back of a flange 33, which extends substantially perpendicular to its sole 30, and on the other side of which there are connection terminals 12.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5, the outer surface 34 of the rib forming the cover 25 fitted to the body 11 is like the external surface 35 of the cap 14.

More specifically, in these embodiments, the outer surface 34 of the rib forming the cover 25 equipping the body 11 is in continuity with the outer surface 35 of the cap 14 when this cap 14 is in place on the body 11.

In other words, the rib forming the cover 25 equipping the body 11 a lateral flanks 36 which are substantially parallel to each other, and the distance separating one from the other these lateral flanks 36 is substantially equal at the distance separating one from the other the lips 26 from the opening 24 of the cap 14 while being slightly less than this distance.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiments shown, the cover 25 fitted to the body 11 is in one piece with this one, by forming of molding only one and the same piece with this body 11.

In practice, the body 11 is assembled in the workshop and of the jacket 18, with incorporation of the safety shutter 23 between them, and, for safety reasons, this assembly is done in a non-removable manner.

For example, this assembly uses latching means, which operate inside the jacket 18, in alignment with the notches 29 thereof.

These latching means, which are only partially visible on the Figure 3, not within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described here.

For the implementation of the socket 10 according to the invention, it can by example proceed as follows.

At first, and as shown in broken lines on FIG. 2, the electric cable 13 is connected to the connection terminals 12 that comprises the body 11, the electrical conductors constituting it being each individually brought into engagement with one of these terminals of connection 1 2.

In a second step, the cap 14 is engaged, laterally, by its opening 24, on the electric cable 13, as shown schematically by the arrow F1 in Figure 2, until this electrical cable 13 aligns with its orifice 16.

Thirdly, finally, the cap 14 is engaged axially on the body 11, along the arrow F2 in FIG. 2, by sliding along the electric cable 13, until, by its snap tabs 27, it comes in engagement with the shirt 18.

As will be noted, at the end of its engagement on the body 11, the cap 14 carries by its outlet 15 on the edge of the strip 19 of the shirt 18.

As will be noted, also, when the cap 14 is thus in placed on the body 11, the cover 25 equipping this body 11 then obscures totally the opening 24 of this cap 14, restoring in addition perfectly continuity of it.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the cap 14 comprises, along at least one of the lips 26 of its opening 24, on at least part of its height, a return 38, which is directed inward, and which, when in place on the body 11, is inserted between the rib forming the cover 25 fitted to this body 11 and a stop 40 which the body 11 has at distance from this rib.

For example, and as shown, the cap 14 has a return 38 along each of the lips 26 of its opening 24, and this return 38 extends over most, at least, of its height, counting from its outlet 15.

As a corollary, the body 11 has a stop 40 on each side of the rib forming the cover 25 which equips it, and this stop 40 extends parallel to this rib, like a cheek.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the two stops 40 thus presented by the body 11 form, overall, a convergent 41 at their leading end, that is to say on the side opposite the sole 30, to facilitate the engagement of the cap 14.

Like the rib forming the cover 25, these stops 40 protrude from the flange 33 of the body 11.

When the cap 14 is engaged on the body 11, its returns 38 contribute to its guidance, in cooperation with the stops 40 of the body 11, and they also help to compensate for the loss of rigidity of the cap 14 due to the presence of its opening 24, and this, in particular with regard to possible efforts of which the electric cable 13 could be the object.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cap 14 is wedged axially with respect to the body 11 by screwing means 42, 43 involving a rotation with respect thereto.

For example, and as shown, these screwing means 42, 43 comprise, on the one hand, on the cap 14, a tapped section 42 provided on the internal surface of this cap 14 in the immediate vicinity of its outlet 15, and, on the other hand, on the jacket 18, a complementary threaded ring 43 of the tapped section 42 of the cap 14.

Jointly, the cover 25 equipping the body 11 then extends radially set back relative to the cap 14, to allow the rotational movement required by the latter for its screwing.

As before, the cover 25 fitted to the body 11 is a rib projecting from the flange 33 of this body 11.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, this cover 25 has a width greater than the width of the opening 24 of the cap 14.

In the embodiment shown, the cap 14 has, at level of its orifice 16, on the side opposite its opening 24, a notch 44 allowing an adapter 45 to be blocked therein in rotation when such an adapter 45 must be provided to allow the socket 10 to be fixed to any threaded support rod, not shown.

For the rest, the provisions are of the same type as those previously described.

In particular, when the cap 14 is in place on the body 11, the cover 25 fitted to this body 11 completely obscures its opening 24, although it is then radially set back relative to the latter.

Of course, an adapter 45 can also be used when, as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, the cap 14 is wedged axially with respect to the body 1 1 by latching means 27, 28.

But it goes without saying that, in either case, this adapter 45, and the associated threaded rod, must be threaded on the electric cable 13 before the connecting it to the connection terminals 12.

Of course, also, the present invention is not limited to embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant of execution and / or combination of their various elements.

In particular, instead of coming in continuity with the external surface of the cap when the latter is axially wedged relative to the body by simple axial engagement thereon, that the corresponding wedging means are latching means or whether they are wedging means for another type, for example wedging means involving the implementation of one or several fixing means such as screws or others, the cover fitted to this body can just as well come to project more or less on this external surface.

In addition, instead of being integrated into the shirt, the headband allowing the cap snap could just as easily be integrated into the body.

The same is true of the threaded ring, when the cap is wedged axially with respect to the body by screwing means.

Finally, the field of application of the present invention extends by elsewhere advantageously to any type of socket, and, in particular, to that of the sockets in which the body and the shirt form a part of a in one piece, as can be the case for example when no shutter security is provided.

Claims (14)

Socket for an electric bulb, of the type comprising, in particular, a body (11), in whose grip the connection terminals are located (12) necessary for the connection of an electric cable (13), and a cap (14), in the general shape of a bell, which, on the side of its outlet (15), at least partially covers the body (11), and which, at a distance from its outlet (15), has a hole (16) suitable for the passage of the electric cable (13), characterized in that, on the one hand, the cap (14) comprises, laterally, an opening (24), which extends continuously from its orifice (16) to its outlet (15), and which is specific to its engagement on the electric cable (13) even when it is not yet in place on the body (11), and, on the other apart, the body (11) is equipped with a cover (25), which obscures at least partially the opening (24) of the cap (14) when the latter is in place on him. Socket according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening (24) of the cap (14) extends substantially along a radial plane of this cap (14). Socket according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that, the cap (14) being wedged axially with respect to the body (11) by latching means (27, 28) involving a simple engagement axial of this cap (14) on this body (11), the cover (25) equipping the body (11) is a rib on which the cap (14) is able to fit together by its opening (24). Socket according to claim 3, characterized in that the surface outer (34) of the rib forming the cover (25) equipping the body (11) is continuity with the external surface (35) of the cap (14) when this cap (14) is in place on the body (11). Socket according to any one of claims 3, 4, characterized in that, along at least one of the lips (26) of its opening (24), the cap (14) has, over at least part of its height, a return (38), which is directed inward, and which, when in place on the body (11), is inserted between the rib forming the cover (25) fitted to this body (11) and a stop (40) that the body (11) has at a distance from this rib. Socket according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop (40) that the body (11) extends parallel to the rib forming the hides (25) who equips it. Socket according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the latching means (27, 28) by which the cap (14) is axially wedged relative to the body (11) involved between the cap (14) and a jacket (18) on which the body (11) takes axially supported. Socket according to any one of claims 1, 2, characterized in that, the cap (14) being wedged axially with respect to the body (11) by screwing means (42, 43) involving rotation relative to the latter, the cover (25) fitted to the body (11) extends radially backwards by relative to the cap (14). Socket according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (25) fitted to the body (11) has a width greater than the width of the opening (24) of the cap (14). Socket according to any one of claims 8, 9, characterized in that the cover (25) equipping the body (11) is a rib. Socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lips (26) of the opening (24) of the cap (14) are substantially parallel to each other. Socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover (25) fitted to the body (11) completely conceals the opening (24) of the cap (14) when the latter is in place on the body (11). Socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the external surface (34) of the cover (25) fitted to the body (11) is like the external surface (35) of the cap (14). Socket according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cover (25) fitted to the body (11) is in one holding on with this one.

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