US1604907A - Electric lamp - Google Patents

Description

G. lW. GOODRDGE ELECTRIC LAMP 2 Sheets-Sheer?l 1 INVENTOR G/LeE/v'r N Govan/DGE Filed July 22 ATTORNEYS oct. 2e, 1926. 1,604,907

G. W. GOODRIDGE ELECTRIC LAMP Filed July 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENToR G/LBETM- Govan/DGE MLM ATTORNEYS fil stalled in factories, hotels. trains, etc.

Patented Oct. 26, 1926.

, GILBERT W. GOODBIDGE, OF FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICT.

ELECTRIC LAMP.

Application filed July 22, 1924. Serial No 727,531.

My invention relates to electric lamps, and'particularly to the base of the lamp. The object of my invention is to provide a lamp base with self-contained means which, upon the removal of the lamp from a standard socket, operates to disable the lamp and render it unfit for further service.

My invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, only some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a broken section through a standard lamp socket into whichis inserted a lfamp base embodying my invention in one orm;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2, Fi 1; Fig. 3 is a dropped section of the ase andV bulb illustrating the assemblyY of the parts; v

l Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4, Fig). 3; ase

Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe lamp detached;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the lever blank detached Fig. 7 is a broken elevation of a lamp baseV in which my invention is embodied in modified form;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8, Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective of the modified lever used in the construction shown in Fig.7; Y Y y Fig. 10 isla dropped perspective of the insulating washers used in bothof the constructions above referred to; l

Fig. 11 is a broken section through a lamp base in which my invention is embodied in another modified form, the subigures A andB bein broken elevations of' opposite sides of the ase; and

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12A- 12,`

. arious devices and attachments have been proposed for preventing theft of lamps Finor the most part these devices have involved special socket constructions, and are not available for use in standard sockets. It has also been proposed to provide the lamp base with a swivelling shell contact which prevents removal of the lamp without breakage of the bulb, but devices of this character have not proved consistently theft-proof and may be easily removed in most instances. AOther constructions have been proposed which require a longitudinal displacement of the bulb with respect-to the shell contact of the base in order 'to secure its removal; incidentally the lead wire connection to the filament is ruptured, thus` tact, with the object in both instances, of

wrenching ofi' the center contact and destroying the utility of the lamp in the act of removal from the socket. Thls type of construction is badV electrically as it leaves metal elements in the socket, and these must be removed before another lamp Ican be 'inserted. Not only is dan er of short circuit of the socket introduce but also danger of shock to the attendant who attempts to get the metal parts out of the socket.

My invention provides means self-contained in the lamp base, which operate automatically, on the unscrewing of the lamp, to render the lamp unfit for further use. These means are removed with the lamp and leave the socket clean and ready for the reception of another lamp. The lamps containing my invention are not materially increase in cost. The operation of the device is certain and involves no danger to the attendant.

Referring to the embodiment of my invention in Figs. 1 to 6, I have shown a standard lamp socket vhaving an yinsulating body 15 on which are mounted a center con. tact 16 and screw' shell 17 housed within the usual casing 18 and insulatinglining 19. The lamp comprises theV standard -bulb 2O within which is the lamp filament 21 supported on the glass cane 22 fused to the hollow stem 23. Also fused to the head of thestem is the exhaust tube 24 'which extends beyond the open end of the stem 23 and, after evacuation of the bulb, is sealed by fusion, at the nib 25. The lead wire 26 sealed in the head of the stem 23, passes ont between the stem and tubeV and is carried to the screw shell contact 27 of the lamp base,

'to which it is soldered. The other lead wire 28, also sealed in the head of the stem 23, passes out between the .stem and tube to the center contact 29 ofthe lamp base to able construction.

which it is also solde-red. The center and shell contacts are rigidly united by a button 30 of insulating material, such as glass. The bulb is seated vagainst the open end of the screw shell 27 and secured in position by cement 31.l These features are standard in modern lamp construction.

The mechanism which operates to destroy i the utility of the lamp on its removal is arranged within the chamber afforded within the screw shell contact 27 and between-the button 30 and the base of the stem 23 of the bulb 20. To keep this chamber open, to limit the quantity of cement used, and to preventthe cement from coming into contact with the operating parts, I provide a circular washer 32 of paper, fiber or the like, which is forced into the open end of the screw shell to approximately the plane of the base of the stem element 23 of the bulb when the latter is seated against'the screw shell. Vhile the base ofthe stem may not .actually seat againstk the washer, it approaches sufficiently close to confine the cement in the area between the margin of the screw shell. the washer and the base of the stem, ample cement being present to effect a rigid connection While at the same time the chamber beyond the washer is maintained clean and free. Space for the rupturing mechanism hereinafter described is thus afforded.

Within the chamber beyond the washer 32, I provide rupturing mechanism of any suit- A practical device for this purpose comprises a lever 33 (Fig. 2) anchored at one end to the nib end of the eX- haust tube 24 and slightly projecting at its opposite end through a circumferential slot 34 formed in the screw shell 27. Any suitable engagementwith the tube 24 may be effected. I have shown the anchorage end 35 of the lever provided with an opening X of considerably greater diameter than that of the tube 24, and thus accommodating the lei ver end to the nib end 25 of the tube with considerable latitude to take care of variac tions incident to manufacture. A gob 36 of 39 of the cement rigidly unites the tube and lever,

lwhile this cement is prevented from 'uniting the parts to the base of the stem 23 by a washer 37 of paper, or the like, which is sli ped over the nib end of the tube 24.

he projecting outer end of the lever is bevelled to a point 38, Athe bevelled margin oint being the leading edge of the lever W en the lamp base is screwed into the socket shell 17. In the following edge of the lever, slightly inward from its point, is formed a notch 4() which engages the screw shell 27, and by which the lever is held against inward displacement while the lamp is being screwed into the socket. Preferably the shell is offset inward in the area of the circumferential slot 34. This permits the location of the notch 40 a sufficient distance inward from the pointed end 38 ofthe lever 33 to insure ample mechanical strength in the pointed end of the lever-an effect not sol readily attained if the notch 40 is located closer to the point. Instead of indenting the shell throughout the length ofthe slot the same resu-lt could be secured by offsetting in- `ward a supporting tongue at the following end of the v slot which would engage the notch 4(). Such a construction, however, does not afford as great strength as that shown, and it will be realized that ample support is lnecessary in order to prevent the inward displacement of the lever during the insertion ofthe lamp base in the socket, and

to prevent rupturing ,strain on'the tube 24.

I have described the lever in the form which it assumes in the commercial lamp. During the course of manufacture it is preferably. in the form of the blank shown-,in Figz, and comprises'two legs 41 and 42 prochorage 35, The leg 41 is weakened at 43 to afford a point of breakage fwithin the chamber. The leg r42 is .weakened at 44 for the same purpose, and for the further pur-` pose of forming, with the -lever 33, a4 sprin fork. It will be -noted that the screw she 27 of the base is provided, opposite the slot 34, with an aperture 45. To assemble the lever in proper position with respect to the shell during the course of manufacture 0fthe base, it is only necessary to pass it inward through the slot (the leg41 leading) until the legy 41 projects through the aper- ,jecting 1n opposite directions from the ansuch that the overall vWidth of the forkadl jacent its outer end, slightl exceeds the length of the lchord of the s ot 34. Conseuently a slight effort is necessary to ush t ie lever homethat is. until the note 40 engages the edge of the shell at the following en 11o of the slot 34. The spring ofthe leg 42 permits this, and also serves to'snap and old the lever notch 40 in'engagement with the edge of the `shell (Fig. 4). The lever blank may be permitted' to remain in this condition (Figs. 3 and 4) untilthe remaining assembly operations are all completed,' whereupon the pro'ecting end of the leg 41 may be readilyl ro en off by a slight twisting motion while the leg 42 may be broken ofi' b bending it (see dotted line Fig. 4) towar the lever 33, thus leavingl the latter in the finished article in the form shown in Fig. 2.

The operation of the device will bc readily l ment With the lamp base. The lever is therefore held stationary while the base turns (the arcuate slot 34 accommodating the lever during this period) with theresult that the exhaust tube 24 is broken and the lamp is thus disabled. In this condition the filament 21 at yonce burns out when current is again applied. A`s soon as the tube breaks, the support for the inner end of the lever 33 is removed, and the lever is displaced inward by the socket shell into the chamber of the lamp base, thus permitting the latter to be freely unscrewed from the socket, carrying the broken parts with it. The socket is thus cleared and is in condition to receive a fresh lamp.

It will of course be understood that the invention is equally applicable to gas-filled lamps, which in the course of manufacture are first evacuated through the exhaust tube 24 vand then filled with an inert gas before the nib 25 is sealed ofi". Uponbreakage of the tube by the (present device, the escape of lthe gas from an the entrance of air into the bulb render the latter unfit for further use, just as effectively as the destruction of the vacuum of a vacuum lamp.

In both cases the bulb remains intact, since rupture of the tube 25 does not affect the bulb. Consequently the vlamp may be unscrewed from the socket by gras `ing the bulb andsuch dangers as are inci ent to a removal of the base from the socket after the bulb is broken, are entirely eliminated. It

is again pointed out that'after it has performed its function, the rupturing lever moves to position Within the base and is thus withdrawn with the latter as the lamp is unscrewed.

The same result can be accomplished in other ways-for example as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Here the lever 46 is extended across the chamber of the base and is pro' vided at one end with 'a bevelled point 47 which rojects through the circumferential slot 48 m the shell 27, while its opposite end is provided with bosses 49 which are loosely accommodated in holes 50 in lugs 51 struck inward from the opposite sideof the shell. The intermediate portion 52 of the lever is enlarged and piercedto accommodate a close fitting ring washer 53 of insulating material, through which the nib end of the exhaust tube 24 passes. In assembled position-the projecting' end of the lever lies at the following end ofthe slot 48, while it is supported at its opposite end against displacement, by one of the lugs 49, The lamp base may therefore be screwed home in the socket `Without danger of injury to the exhaust tube. Then the lamp is reversely rotated, however, the lever point 47 digs intothe socket shell, and the lever swings through the slot 48, thus rupturing the exhaust tube 24.

Upon further unscrewing of the-lamp base in the socket, the bevelledface of the lever point is engaged by the opposite end of the slot 48 and cammed inwardsuiiiciently to withdraw its point from detaining engagement with the screw shell and permitting the lamp to be freely unscrewed from the socket.

It will be obvious that if desired an insulating bushing such as 53 may be inserted in theanchorage aperture X of the lever 33 first described, to prevent any possible contact between the metal of the lever yand the center contact lead 28. In most cases, however, the gob of cement 36 suffices-for this purpose, particularly if the lead be given a turn around the nib 25 as shown.

Instead of disabling the lamp by rupturing the exhaust tube, the lever may be used to rupture one of the filament lead wires, for example, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In this modification, a rigid bridge member 54 is mounted in the lam base and provided with, a'central steel bus ing 55 insulated by a ring washer 56.- lA juxtaposed swinging lever 57 is similarly rovided with a steel bushing 58 insulated y a ring washer 59. When the bushings 55 and 58 are in register they afford a closely fitting passage for the lead wire 28, andin this position the projecting pointed end 60 of the lever lies at the following end of the circumferential slot (il in the base shell. When the lamp is turned into the socket, no displacement of the lever 57 with respect to the bridge 54 occurs. On reverse rotation, however, the bridge 54 turns with the shell, while the lever 57` is held stationary, and the lea-d Wire 28 is sheared a9 the bushings 55 and 58 move out of register, thus rendering the lamp unfit for further duty. Further outward rotation of the base cams the lever inward, as above described, and permits the lamp to be freely removed from the socket.

The bridge 5.4 and lever 57 maybe mounted in the base in any suitable fashion. For example, at one end both may be notched to straddle a shouldered web 62 inwardly offset from the shell. `At an opposite point the shell is provided with a shouldered tongue 63 which the end'of the bridge straddles, while the projecting,lr end ofthe lever rests on the tongue and swings through the adjacent slot 64. Various other ways of accomplishing the result will readily occur 'to those dealing with the construction. It is obvious furthermore, that the projecting ends of the through which they swing, in order to afford additional support against inward displacement incident to end pressure thereon y the screw shellof the socket while the lamp base is being inserted. Inasmuch as the leverin each case is supported at its opposite end by the shell contact of the lamp A base, this notch is not so necessary as in the p invention.

I claimv l l. An electric lamp having 'a-bulb, a base rigidly joined thereto and' comprising only a single screw shell, a lamp element projecting into the base below7 the joint between the bulb and base, and means arranged within said base and operative, on relative angular displacement withl respect to the base, to -disorganize said lamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp;

Q 'An electric lamp having a bulb, a basev rigidly joinedfthereto and comprising only a single screw shell, a lamp element projecting into the base below the joint between the bulb and base, and means arranged within said base, but projecting therefrom for external actuating engagement, and operative on relative angular displacement with respect to the base, to disorganize said lamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp. v

3. An electric lamp having a screw shell base for engagement with the screw shell of a cooperating socket, a bulb having a rigid joint with said base and a lamp element extending below said joint into the base, in combination' with means carried within said lamp base screw shell to engage the socket shell and servingto automatically disorganize said lamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp during its reverse rotation for withdrawal from the socket..

4. An electric lamp having a screw shell base for engagement with the screw shell of a cooperating socket, a bulb rigid with said base and an element extending from the bulb into the base beyond said joint, in combination with means mounted within said lamp base screw shell and projecting therefrom to engage a socket element andserving through its engagement with said socket element to disorganize said lamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp during the reverse rotation of the latter for withdrawal from the socket.

5. An electric lamp having a screw shell base for engagement with the screw sheii of a cooperating socket, a bulb rigid with said base and a lamp element extending therefrom into the base beyond said joint, in com bination with means mounted within said lamp base screw shell and projecting therefrom-to engage the socket screw shell, and

serving through its engagement with said socket element to disorganize said lamp element within the base and thus disable the lamp during the reverse rotation of the latter for withdrawal from the socket.

6. An electric lamp having a bulb and a base rigid therewith and atfordinggi chamber beyond the joint between the bulb and base, in combination with llamp-disabling lneans comprising a displaceable member arranged transversely within said chamber but projecting therefrom for operative detaining engagement with a lamp holder of standard construction. j Y

7. 'An electric lamp having a screw shell base-with peripheral slot., a member mounted within-said base and projecting through said slot for detaining engagement with an element of a socket of standard construction, and a lamp element lextending into said base anddisorganized by said member incident to its angular displacement in said slot during the withdrawal of the lamp from the socket, whereby the lamp is disabled. 8..An electric lamp having a screw shell base with peripheral slot, a member mounted within said base and projecting through said slot for detaining engagement with a socket element, said member being held against displacement during the insertion ot' thelamp base into the socket, and means associated'with said member for rendering the lamp inoperative incident to the angular displacement of said member in the slot during the withdrawal of the lamp from the socket.

9. An electric lamp having a screw shell base with peripheral slot, a member mounted within said base and projecting through said slot for detaining engagement with a socket element, said member being located at the following end of the slot during the Ainsertion of the lamp base into the socket,

and means associated with said member for rendering the lamp inoperativeincidcnt to the angular displacement-oi said member in the slot during the withdrawal of the lamp from the socket.

10. An electric lamp having a chambered base, a swinging lever mounted within the chamber of the base but projecting therefrom for engagement with a socket element on the insertion ot' the lamp base in a holder` and means operated by the displacement of the lever during the withdrawal of the lamp l from its holder to disable the lamp.

ll. An electric lamp having a chambered base, a swinging lever mounted within the chamber ot' the base but projecting from the base for engagement with a socket element on the insertion of the lamp in a holder,

means. preventing displacement of the lever during the insertion of the lamp in the holder but freeing said lever for movement onwithdrawal of the lamp from the holder, and means operated by the displacement of the lever during .the withdrawal of the lamp to disable the lamp.

12. An electric lamp having a screw shell base, a lever mounted within the base but projecting therefrom at one end, said projecting end being shaped to aord a one-way engagement with a socket element, together with means withinthe base operated on by` the lever, on its detention incident to the reverse rotation of the lamp to remove the latter from the socket, to disablethe lamp.

13. An electric lamp having abase, a bulb peripherally jointed above and to the `base, a portion of the bulb located axially inward of said joint and projecting into the base, and means operative within the base for rupturing said portion of the bulb to'establish within the bulb lamp-disabling conditions.

14. An electric lamp having a base, a bulb cemented thereto, a sealed element serving on rupture to open a passage communicating with the interior of the bulb and projecting from the inner end thereof into the lamp base, and means carried by and displaceable with respect to the base for rupturing said element. A

l5. An electric lamp having -a bulb, a base for securing the same in a lamp holder, a sealed element serving on rupture to open a passage communicating with the interior of the bulb and projecting from the inner end thereof into the lamp base, and displaceable means automatically operative upon removal of the lamp from its holder, to rupture said` element.

16. An electric lamp having a bulb, a hollow base, normally closed means within the.

chamber of the base communicating with the interior of the bulb, and means associated with the base to open said normally closed' means to establish lamp-disabling gaseous conditions within the bulb. 1 17. An elect-ric lamp having arbulb, a single screw shell side contact rigidly secured to the bulb for rotation therewith in both directions, said screw shell being adapted to enter and directly engage a lamp holder of standard construction, and displaceable means mounted within the lamp base but projecting therefrom to operatively engage a standard element `of the lamp holder, together with a lamp element arranged within the lamp base and disorganized by the movement of said displaceable means to disable the lamp during the rotation of the latter for withdrawal from the lamp holder.

18. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base secured thereto anda apted to entera lamp holder of standard construction, displaceable means arranged within the lampn base and adapted`v to operatively engagea standard .element of the lamp holder on withdrawal of the lamp, together with a lamp element within the base ruptured by the movement of said displaceable means to disablethe lamp.

19. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base secured thereto and adapted to enter a lamp holder of standard construction, displaceable means arranged within the lamp base and adapted to operatively engage a Vstandard element of the lamp holder on withdrawal of the lamp, together with an element entering the lamp base from the bulb proper and displaced by said displaceable means, on operation of the latter, by the withdrawal movement of the base. from the holder,. to

vadmit a lamp-disabling gas to the interior 21. An electric lamp havin a bulb, a base adapted to enter a lam hol er of standard construction, displacea le lamp-disabling means arranged within the base but adapted for detaining engagement with an element of the lamp holder on withdrawal movement of the lamp therefrom, said isabling means moving into the base af r functioning, whereby the lamp and disabling means may be freely and simultaneously withdrawn from the lamp holder.

22. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base secured thereto and adapted to enter a lamp holder, displaceable means associated lwith, the base to engage an element of the lamp holder, and means operated by said movement of said displaceable means to admit lamp-disabling gas to the interior ofthe bulb without injury to the .joint between the bulb and base whereby the lamp may be withdrawn from the holder by grasping'the bulb.

23. An electric lamp having a bulb, a base adapted to enter a lamp holder, displaceable means associated with the base to engage an element of the lamp holder, and means operated by said movement of said displacement means to admit lamp-disab1ing gas to the interior of the bulb without injury to the latter, said displaceable means movin into the lamp base on functioning, to permit the free withdrawal of the base and disablin means from the lamp holder by grasping lt e bulb. 24. An electric lamp having a base, a bulb leo 'shaped for detaining engagement with a 1am holder on the Withdrawal movement of tiie lamp.

26. An electric lamp having a base, a bulb having an exhaust tube extending into the base, and means associated with the base for rupturing said exhaust tube, said means comprising a movable lever arranged Within the base but projecting therefrom and shaped for detaining engagement with a lamp holder on the Withdrawal movement of the lamp, together with means preventing operation of said lever during the linsertion of the lamp base into its holder.

27. An electric lamp havin a bulb, a base rigid therewith, and lamp-disabling means arranged within the base, but projecting therefrom for operative detaining en agement with an element of an associated amp holder of standard construction, said lampdisabling means being automatically freed from detaining engagement with the holder after disabling the lamp so that thev latter and the lamp-detainingl means may be freely and simultaneously withdrawn from the holder.

28. As an assembly unit fora lamp base,`a

lever adapted to be positioned transverselyv within the base and having a pluralit of supporting arms adapted to engage the ase durin assembly o eration, `certain of said arms eing shape for rupture within .the base after assembly is completed.

29. An electric lamp havmgfa base, a bulb having an exhaust1 tube entering the base, and a displaceable tube-rupturing lever projecting from the lam base and having a oneway engagement Wit an element ofa standard lamp holder'.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GILBERT W. GooDRIDGE.

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