US1571646A - Dash lamp - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 2 1926. 6 v C. D. RYDER DASH LAMP Filed June 12, 1924 Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES ID. RYDER, OF COVING-TON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE CINCINNATI VIC- TOR COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

DASH LAMP.

Application filed June 12, 1924. Serial No. 719,687.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. RYDER, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Dash Lamps, of which the following specification is a full disclosure.

My invention relates to lamps and is particularly directed to dash lamps for automobiles. Many makes of motor car, including the Ford are not equipped with dash lamps and it is often desirable for the user to have this feature.

Therefore, one object of my invention is to provide a dash lamp for automobiles which can be quickly and easily installed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a dash lamp for automobiles which will have a switch involving no extra wiring or multiplication of parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a dash lamp for automobiles with an electric connection suitable to connect the lamp, mounted on the front of the dash, with a terminal on the back of said dash.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a dash lamp for automobiles with a hood which will be securely attached thereto and at the same time will be simple in structure and easily removed.

Other objects and certain advantages will appear from the description of the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a view of the lamp mounted on the instrument board of an automobile.

Figure 7 is a rear view of the instrument board showing the electrical connection and the fastening means for the lamp.

I contemplate mounting a dash lamp on the instrument board of the automobile by means of clips and a yieldable finger, thereby eliminating all extra nuts, bolts or screws. The switch is of rotary type mounted in the shank of the lamp and the circuit control is accomplished by simply turning the lamp hood. The wiring comprises a single fiat electrical connection attached at one end to the terminal of the lamp, passing between the instrument board and the dash itself, and connected at the other end to one of the instruments, preferably the ampere meter. The circuit is completed through the metal of the dash.

More specifically the lamp comprises a base portion 1 adapted to engage the instrument board or plate 2. Two hook-shaped clips 3 extend from this base portion 1 and when the lamp is mounted pass around the edge of and behind the instrument board 2. The lamp is further held in service position by a yieldable finger 4L, opposed to said clips and preferably between them, which finger extends outwardly from the base portion and engages the dash board 5, thereby securely seating the base 1 on the instrument board 2. This finger l is provided on its side adjacent to the instrument board 5 with a depression 6 adapted to provide some clearance for the connecting member 7. This construction also reinforces the yieldable finger 4:. The connecting member 7 comprises a flat strip of metal preferably permanently secured as by soldering, to one lamp terminal 8, in this case of hollow structure. The opposite end of said connecting member 7 is provided with an eye terminal 9, which is secured to an appropriate terminal 10 of one of the dash instruments, such as the amperemeter.

This connecting member 7 is insulated by means of a strip of adhesive tape 11 longitudinally lapped about it. The other lamp terminal 12, also hollow, is connected with the base member 1 by means of a short metallic strip 13 preferably soldered at both ends. Thus the circuit is made through the fiat connection and the metal of the dash.

Inside of the base member 1 and secured thereto by means such as solder, is a tubular member 14 and in this tubular member is a core 15 of insulating material. This core 15 supports the two hollow terminals 8 and 12 in which are two yieldable contact 1119111 bers 16 pressed outwardly by springs 17 also located in said hollow terminals 8 and 12. The contact members 16 are respectively adapted to engage the terminals 18 of an incandescent electric bulb i9. Mounted on this tubular member 1 1 just above the base is a socket member 20 secured thereto by means of. a pin 21- extending into a circumferential slot 22 in the tubular member 14. Thus the socket member 20 can be rotated upon the tubular member 1a and base 1- but is held thereto axially. This slot and pin construction also serves to limit the degree of this rotation. The socket member is interiorlyprovided with a lamp socket 23 preferably soldered therein, said lamp socket having a bayonet slot 21 adapted to engage the pins 25 of the incandescent bulb 19. When the socket member and bulb are rotated, first one way then the other, the electric circuit flowing through the lamp 1s alternately made and broken.

The socket member has a flange 26 at its outer end and over this flange'fits a hood 27. This hood 2'? is cylindrical in form and is provided with .a light aperture 28 in the cvlindrical wall. This hood 27 is also provided with the flange 29 on the end which engages the flange 26 of the socket member and this flange29 isprovided with fluting 30 so. that it maybe easily expanded as 1t 1s forced over the flange of the socket member 26 thereby securing a tight lit between these parts. On the flange of the socket member 26 is a small obtrusion 31 formed by bending the metal, adapted'to, engage and fit into one of these flutes 30 to prevent the hood from being rotated independently of the socket member.

Thus, ,I provide a small compact dash lamp which can'be mounted by anyone by, simply unfastening the instrument board, hanging the lamp on the edge of the lnstrument board by means of the clips, attaching the connecting member to the proper amperemeter terminal and replacing the instrument board. The switching is accomplished by simply turning the hood and the fluted construction serves to afford a good gripping surface. The connecting member being flat will pass between the instrument board and the dash board without necessitating any drilling or bending of these mem bers.

lVhilethis lamp may be put oniniany makes of automobile, it is particularly de signed and adapted for use on Ford. automobiles.

Having described my invention, I claim:

-1. In a device of the class described, a base, two hook-shaped clips extending from said base, a yieldable finger between said hook-shaped clips extending outwardly from said base, a tubular member secured in said base, a circumferential slot in said tubular tated into alignment with the same, a hood adapted to be secured to the flange of the socket member, said hood having itself a flange of fluted construction, a flat insulated electric connection securedto one of said terminals, said other terminal being secured to said base. I

2. In a device of the class described, a base, two hook-shaped clips extending from said base, a yieldable finger extending outwardly from said base, a tubular member secured in said base, a circumferential slot in said tubular member, a socket member rotativ'ely mounted on said base and tubular member, a pin extending through saidsocket member into said circumferential slot, terminals provided with yieldable electric-com tacts inside of said tubular member, an in candescent electric light bulb mounted in said socket member having terminals adapted to engage said contacts in the tubular member and complete an electric circuit when rotated into alignment with the same, a flat insulated electric connectionsecured to one of said terminals, said other terminal being electrically connected to the base,

3. In a devicev of the class described, a base, two hook-shaped clipsextending from said-base, a yieldable finger eXtend-ingoutwar'dly from said base, a tubular member secured in said base, a circumferential slot in said tubular member, a socket member rotatively mounted on said base and tubular member, a pin extending through said socket member into said circumferential slot, yieldable electric contacts inside of said tubular member, an incandescent electric. light bulb mounted in said socket member having terminals adapted to engage said contacts in the tubular member when rotated into alignment with the same and to complete an electric circuit, and a. hoodhaving awflange of fluted construction, said flange adapted to engage the socket member and secure the hood thereto.

4. In a device. of the class described, a

base, two hook-shaped clips extending fromsaid base, a yieldable linger extending outwardly from said base, a tubular member secured in said base, a circumferential slot in said tubular member, a socket member rotatively mounted on said base and. tubular member but secured thereto axially, spring pressed electric contacts inside of saidtubular member, an incandescent electric light bulb mounted in said socket member having terminals adapted to engage said contacts in the tubular member and complete an electric circuit When rotated into alignment with the same, said socket member provided with a flange on its outer end, and a hood adapted to be secured to this flange,

said hood having itself a flange of fluted construction, said flange cooperable With the flange of the socket member for securing 0 the hood to the socket member. 7

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe CHARLES D. RYDER.

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