GB1579331A - Electric lamps for vehicle - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO ELECTRIC LAMPS FOR VEHICLES (71) We, BRITAX VEGA LIMITED, formerly known as VEGA AUTO PRODUCTS LIMITED, a British Company of Berry Hill Industrial Estate, Kidderminster Road, Droitwich, Worcestershire, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to electric lamps for vehicles.

The present invention consists in an electric lamp for a vehicle including a body of insulating material in which is formed a plurality of light source holders, and a contact assembly comprising a metal plate attached to a parallel plate of insulating material, the metal plate being adapted for electrical connection to earth and having locating means adapted for engagement with a respective light source when fitted in each holder in use to provide an earth connection with the light source and to retain the light source releasably in the holder, and the plate of insulating material carrying at least one electrical supply connecting for each light source.

Each light source holder may be in the form of a tubular housing of plastics material attached at one end to a body of the lamp, and at the opposite end of which is the metal plate. Preferably the holder is formed integrally with the body.

Conveniently the locating means is integral with the metal plate. It may comprise a hole in the plate adapted to receive a cap of a light source and a marginal portion of the plate at the edge of the hole shaped to co-operate with the cap to retain the light source to the metal plate. Alternatively the locating means may comprise lugs or like projections which are formed out of the plate and project from one face of the plate, and into the holder. There may be slots in the projections for engagement by pins of a bayonet cap of a light source, or the projections may be shaped for engagement with a screw-threaded cap.

The plate of insulating material may comprise a printed circuit panel forming the electrical supply connections. The contact assembly may be arranged to be clipped into position so that it can be readily fitted and removed.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a multiple lamp assembly for the rear of a vehicle and Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

The illustrated assembly contains a turn signal lamp 1, a stop-tail lamp 2, a reversing lamp 3 and a fog lamp 4. The lamps are fitted with light sources of the type having end terminals and metal caps 6 with locating pins.

A unitary plastics moulding 7 is shaped to form a row of lamp bodies 8, one for each lamp, separated by partitions 9. A cover 10 providing appropriate lenses for the different lamps is fitted over and secured to the moulding 7. The partitions 9 extend into contact with the cover 10 and help to give it support.

Each lamp body 8 has a dished portion 11 which is suitably coated to form a reflector, a circular opening 12 large enough to allow the caP 6 of the light source 5 to pass through it, and an integral tubular cylindrical light source holder 13 which is joined to the dished portion around the opening and extends rearwardly. Two diametrically opposed grooves, not shown, extend along the inside surface of the holder 13.

Positioned towards the ends of the row of lamp bodies are two aligned pairs of resi lient prongs 14 which are integral with and extend rearwardly from the moulding. At one end of the row there is a lug 15 which is also integral with the moulding and extends rearwardly from it, and which is disposed transversely of the row.

Fitted to the rear of the moulding and extending longitudinally of the row of lamp bodies is a unit 16 which comprises an oblong rectangular metal earth plate 17 and superimposed behind, but spaced from, the plate a stiff printed circuit panel 18 of simi out outline. The unit is releasably clipped into position by engagement with the prongs 14, the prongs having grooves, or otherwise being suitably formed, to co-operate with the opposite longitudinal sides of the unit.

One end of the unit abuts against the lug 15 which serves to ensure that the unit is correctly positioned in relation to the moulding.

The earth plate 17 has a shallow peripheral flange 19 by which it is crimped, rivetted or otherwise secured to the printed circuit panel 18. Through its attachment to the printed circuit panel 18 the late is connected to an earth conductor of the printed circuit. Four holes 20 are punched out of the plate which are of corresponding diameter to and register with the bores of the four light source holders 13. Each hole 20 has two diametrically opposed notches, not shown, in its edge which register with the grooves in the holder. Two diametrically opposed depressions 21 are pressed into the rear of the plate near to the notches. The rear end of the holder 13 is shaped to accommodate the deformed plate at the depressions 21 so that the plate lies generally flat against the end.When inserting the light source 5 into the holders the locating pins of their caps 6 are engaged in the grooves of the holders, the light sources are pushed into the holders until the pins have passed the notches of the holes 20 in the earth plate, and then the light sources are twisted to engage the pins in the depressions 21, and so secure the light sources in the holders.

Opposite the holes 20 spring blade contacts 22 are rivetted to the printed circuit panel 18 in electrical connection with the supply circuitry thereof. The contacts have the effect of urging the locating pins into tight engagement with the depressions 21 of the earth plate. The printed circuit panel 18 has terminals, not shown, for connection to electrical leads in the vehicle to which the multiple lamp assembly is fitted for use.

The lamp assembly. is secured in conventional manner to the vehicle body.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electric lamp for a vehicle including a body of insulating material in which is formed a plurality of light source holders, and a contact assembly comprising a metal plate attached to a parallel plate of insulating material, the metal plate being adapted for electrical connection to earth and having locating means adapted for engagement with a respective light source when fitted in each holder in use to provide an earth connection with the light source and to retain the light source releasably in the holder, and the plate of insulating material carrying at least one electrical supply connection for each light source.

2. An electric lamp according to Claim 1 wherein each holder comprises a tubular housing of plastics material attached at one end to a body of the lamp, and at the opposite end of which is the metal plate.

3. An electric lamp according to Claim 2 wherein the housing is integral with the body.

4. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the locating means is integral with the metal plate.

5. An electric lamp according to Claim 4 wherein the locating means comprise a hole in the metal plate shaped to receive a cap of a light source, and a marginal portion othe plate at the edge of the hole shaped to cooperate with the cap to retain the light source to the metal plate.

6. An electric lamp according to Claim 4 wherein the locating means comprise lugs or like projections formed out of the metal plate which project from one face of the plate into the holder and are shaped for co-operation with a cap of light source to retain light source to the metal plate.

7. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the body has resilient clips with which the contact assembly engages to retain it to the body.

8. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the plate of insulating material comprises a printed circuit panel forming the electrical supply connections.

9. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the metal plate has a peripheral flange by which it is secured to the plate of insulating material.

10. An electric lamp according to Claims 8 and 9 wherein the peripheral flange is electrically connected to an earth conductor of the printed circuit.

11. An electric lamp substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

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

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. lient prongs 14 which are integral with and extend rearwardly from the moulding. At one end of the row there is a lug 15 which is also integral with the moulding and extends rearwardly from it, and which is disposed transversely of the row. Fitted to the rear of the moulding and extending longitudinally of the row of lamp bodies is a unit 16 which comprises an oblong rectangular metal earth plate 17 and superimposed behind, but spaced from, the plate a stiff printed circuit panel 18 of simi out outline. The unit is releasably clipped into position by engagement with the prongs 14, the prongs having grooves, or otherwise being suitably formed, to co-operate with the opposite longitudinal sides of the unit. One end of the unit abuts against the lug 15 which serves to ensure that the unit is correctly positioned in relation to the moulding. The earth plate 17 has a shallow peripheral flange 19 by which it is crimped, rivetted or otherwise secured to the printed circuit panel 18. Through its attachment to the printed circuit panel 18 the late is connected to an earth conductor of the printed circuit. Four holes 20 are punched out of the plate which are of corresponding diameter to and register with the bores of the four light source holders 13. Each hole 20 has two diametrically opposed notches, not shown, in its edge which register with the grooves in the holder. Two diametrically opposed depressions 21 are pressed into the rear of the plate near to the notches. The rear end of the holder 13 is shaped to accommodate the deformed plate at the depressions 21 so that the plate lies generally flat against the end.When inserting the light source 5 into the holders the locating pins of their caps 6 are engaged in the grooves of the holders, the light sources are pushed into the holders until the pins have passed the notches of the holes 20 in the earth plate, and then the light sources are twisted to engage the pins in the depressions 21, and so secure the light sources in the holders. Opposite the holes 20 spring blade contacts 22 are rivetted to the printed circuit panel 18 in electrical connection with the supply circuitry thereof. The contacts have the effect of urging the locating pins into tight engagement with the depressions 21 of the earth plate. The printed circuit panel 18 has terminals, not shown, for connection to electrical leads in the vehicle to which the multiple lamp assembly is fitted for use. The lamp assembly. is secured in conventional manner to the vehicle body. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An electric lamp for a vehicle including a body of insulating material in which is formed a plurality of light source holders, and a contact assembly comprising a metal plate attached to a parallel plate of insulating material, the metal plate being adapted for electrical connection to earth and having locating means adapted for engagement with a respective light source when fitted in each holder in use to provide an earth connection with the light source and to retain the light source releasably in the holder, and the plate of insulating material carrying at least one electrical supply connection for each light source.

2. An electric lamp according to Claim 1 wherein each holder comprises a tubular housing of plastics material attached at one end to a body of the lamp, and at the opposite end of which is the metal plate.

3. An electric lamp according to Claim 2 wherein the housing is integral with the body.

4. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the locating means is integral with the metal plate.

5. An electric lamp according to Claim 4 wherein the locating means comprise a hole in the metal plate shaped to receive a cap of a light source, and a marginal portion othe plate at the edge of the hole shaped to cooperate with the cap to retain the light source to the metal plate.

6. An electric lamp according to Claim 4 wherein the locating means comprise lugs or like projections formed out of the metal plate which project from one face of the plate into the holder and are shaped for co-operation with a cap of light source to retain light source to the metal plate.

7. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the body has resilient clips with which the contact assembly engages to retain it to the body.

8. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the plate of insulating material comprises a printed circuit panel forming the electrical supply connections.

9. An electric lamp according to any preceding Claim wherein the metal plate has a peripheral flange by which it is secured to the plate of insulating material.

10. An electric lamp according to Claims 8 and 9 wherein the peripheral flange is electrically connected to an earth conductor of the printed circuit.

11. An electric lamp substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.