GB2359848A

GB2359848A - Spring clip for holding a lamp

Info

Publication number: GB2359848A
Application number: GB0004654A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Marsden
Original assignee: Illuma Lighting Ltd
Current assignee: Illuma Lighting Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-29
Filing date: 2000-02-29
Publication date: 2001-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-29
Also published as: GB0004654D0; GB2359848B

Description

2359848 SPRING CLEP FOR HOLDING A LANT The invention relates to lighting

and in particular to a spring clip for holding a lamp, of the type having a generally flat lens, in a generally cylindrical 5 lamp housing such as in the case of ceiling mounted lights.

In recent years, it has become popular to use low voltage lighting both in public areas such as shops and in domestic situations. Whereas the lamps (lightbulbs) of mains lighting are normally both electrically connected and supported by a screw fit or bayonet fit into the lamp housing, low voltage lamps are normally provided with a pair of pins which are a push fit into a connector mounted to the ends of the electrical leads and free to move within the housing. The lamp is then held in place in the housing by other means such as a retaining ring and/or spring detents in the housing. In order to remove the lamp from the housing, it is necessary to remove any retaining ring and grasp the lamp. In the case of small lamps which are a close fit into the housing, this can be very awkward.

The present invention provides a spring clip which supports the lamp in its housing but which can be grasped for removal from the housing along with the lamp.

According to the present invention, there is provided a spring clip for holding a lamp, of the type having a circular generally flat lens, in a generally cylindrical lamp housing; the spring clip being formed from a single piece of spring steel and comprising: an annular ring adapted to lie against the outer edge of the lamp surrounding the lens so as to support the lamp; and at least two limbs spaced apart on the outer edge of the ring and extending generally in the axial direction therefrom; the limbs being adapted to resiliently engage the housing to support the lamp within the housing; wherein the limbs can be deflected to enable the lamp and the spring clip to be withdrawn from the housing.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a spring clip; Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section of the spring clip of Figure 1 taken on the line A-A; and Figure 3 is a side view of the spring clip.

The spring clip 1 shown in the Figures is formed from a single piece of spring steel and comprises a generally flat annular ring 2 and a pair of limbs 3 disposed opposite each other and connected to the outer edge of the ring. The limbs extend away from the ring generally in the axial direction and each carry a pair of diverging arms 4. The free end of each limb 3 is formed with a kink or hook 5.

Spaced at 90' to the limbs the ring is also formed with a pair of Lshaped engagement elements 6 which extend from the ring in the opposite direction to the 5 limbs. An annular stiffening flange 7 is formed on the inner edge of the ring 2.

The purpose and operation of the ring is shown in Figures 4-6. Figure 4 shows a generally cylindrical lamp housing 8 adapted to be mounted with its axis substantially vertical. As shown, the housing is a gimbalmounted part of a ceiling light and is of short axial extent. A lamp 9 is shown here diagrammatically and has a circular, generally flat lens 10 and a body 11. The rear end of the lamp will be connected by pins (not shown) to a connector (not shown) which is in turn connected to the electric supply leads (not shown).

is In use, the spring clip 1 is fitted to the lamp 9 with the ring 2 lying against the outer edge of the lamp surrounding the lens 10 and the arms 4 engaging the body 11 of the lamp. The limbs must now be deflected towards each other to enable the lamp and spring to be inserted into the lanip housing 8. In the fully engaged position shown in Figure 6, the hooks 5 engage the upper cylindrical edge of the housing and the lamp is supported in the housing by the spring clip. In other possible arrangements, the housing may be formed with annular ribs, grooves or other means for engaging with the hooks 5.

The lamp can be withdrawn from the housing by grasping the L-shaped engagement elements 6 with the finger tips and/or fingernails and pulling the spring clip downwardly. The limbs 3 and arms 4 are sufficiently resilient to deflect to pen-nit the lamp and spring clip to be withdrawn from the housing. The connector will be withdrawn with the lamp so that a new lamp can be fitted if necessary.

Claims

1. A spring clip for holding a lamp, of the type having a circular generally flat lens, in a generally cylindrical lamp housing; the spring clip being formed from a single piece of spring steel and comprising: an annular ring adapted to lie against the outer edge of the lamp surrounding the lens so as to support the lamp; and at least two limbs spaced apart on the outer edge of the ring and extending generally in the axial direction therefrom; the limbs being adapted to resiliently engage the housing to support the lamp within the housing; wherein the limbs can be deflected to enable the lamp and the spring clip to be withdrawn from the housing.

2. A spring clip as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each limb carries a pair of diverging arms adapted to engage the lamp; the arms being deflectable to pem-fit deflection of the limbs as the lamp and spring clip are withdrawn from the housing.

3. A spring clip as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising at least one element extending from the ring in the direction away from the larnp and being manually engageable to enable withdrawal of the spring clip and lamp from the housing.

4. A spring clip for holding a lamp substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.