US2152834A - Lamp - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1939. s. F. ARBUCKLE ET AL I LAMP Filed July 25, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS 1' Sm ue/F 17115 oc/f/e. BY Gar/if. (bu/fez? ATTORNEYfi April 4, 1939-.

s. F. ARBUCKLE ET AL 5 ,334

LAMP

Filed July 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO Fl? fickle. gu/fu/fen 'ATTORNEY5 LAMP Filed July 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 QRNEYS April 1939- s. F. ARBUCKLE' ET AL 2,152,834

LAMP

Filed July 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 P1257 54. v I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAMP Delaware Application July 25, 1935, Serial No. 33,121

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in lamps and particularly to an improved arrangement of headlamp construction for automotive vehicles.

' The invention relates to an arrangement of lamp casing and lens construction wherein the opening of the lamp casing is entirely closed solely by the lens.

a The invention embraces the formation of a headlamp casing of an integral construction and a particular lens arrangement which is of simple construction and readily assembled with the headlamp casing to provide a substantially closed arrangement wherein the lens forms the sole cover for the opening of the casing.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a headlamp construction wherein the lens is of particular configuration to be assembled within and retained as a front cover for headlamp casing of integral construction and wherein a seal is resiliently effected for the refiector.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a lamp of this character wherein the lens is formed with retaining means so that assembly and disassembly may be made without the use of special tools.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a lens of a character for completely enclosing the forward portion of a lamp casing and which is integrally formed with retaining means of a character which will properly locate the lens with respect to the lamp casing.

Another object is the provision of a headlamp construction wherein the lens forms the sole cover for the opening in the lamp casing whereby rims and special tools and retaining devices have been entirely eliminated and the assembly of the lamp greatly facilitated and simplified.

( Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, ele- {5' ments per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a headlamp of our invention;

'Figure 2 is a side elevational View partly in section showing a form of invention of retaining the lens within the integrally formed casing;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a form of means for resiliently re taining the reflector within the headlamp casing and of effecting a seal between the lens and reflector construction;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the 5 lens per se as illustrated in the assembly view of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lens taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; In

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lens taken on the line B--6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lens taken on the 15 line 'l'| of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view showing one form of retaining means for the lens in the headlamp casing;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical 20 sectional view showing the form of lens retaining means illustrated in Figure 8, this view being taken on the line 9--9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing a lens retaining means in retracted position; 25

Figure 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line ll--ll of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an isometric view of a particular form of lens retaining means forming an ele- 30 ment of our invention;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevational View showing another form of lens retaining means of our invention;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail 35 sectional view taken substantially on the line M-M of Figure 13.

Figure 14a, is a view similar to Figure 13 showing still another form of lens retaining means of our invention;

Figure 14b is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line l4b-l4b of Figure 14a;

Figure 15 is a front elevational view of a headlamp of our invention wherein a lens retaining means is positioned at the lower portion of the headlamp;

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line "5-46 of Figure 15; 5

Figure 1'7 is a partial vertical sectional view, the section being taken substantially on the line ll-ll of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an isometric view of a lens retaining element of our invention;

7 an outer casing or housing It.

Figure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View showing the method of assembly of the lens retaining means of Figure 18 of our invention;

Figure 19a is a detail sectional View taken on the line l9a-l9a of Figure 19;

Figure 20 is a front elevational view of still a further form of the invention wherein the lens is retained within the headlamp casing by means of particular lens configuration;

Figure 21 is a substantially Vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 2I2l of Figure 26;

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21 showing the method of assembling the lens and associated parts of the headlamp;

Figure 23 is a front elevational view of a lens illustrated in Figure 22;

Figure 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 2t-2 l of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 25-25 of Figure 23.

Though the invention has been illustrated as incorporated for use in vehicle headlamp constructions, it is to be understood that its use is contemplated in all types of lamps or light projecting apparatus and wherever the same may be found to have utility.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures 1 to 3 thereof, the structure illustrated as incorporating a form of the invention is shown as a headlamp or light projecting apparatus suitable for use on automotive vehicles, and includes The casing ill is formed at its open end with an inturned flange I2 preferably provided with a notch or recess I5. The flange l2 serves to support a lens or light emitting closure M, providing in the embodiment illustrated the sole means to enclose the open end of the casing ill. The lens or closure M is secured in position by a looking or retaining member l5 preferably located substantially opposite the notch I5 and adjacent the top of the casing. Interiorly of the casing Ill is secured a support l8 of annular formation pro vided with an inwardly directed flange portion 20 serving to support the retaining member l6 and a reflector or light projecting means 22.

The reflector 22 is provided with a radial projection or flange 2 having a groove 26 to receive a suitable gasket or sealing means 28 of cork or other sealing material. The groove portion 26 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 30 adapted to receive reflector positioning elements or screws 32 having enlarged end portions 34 adapted to have threaded engagement with openings 35 in the flange 2! during assembly, the end portions 3% serving as stops upon being projected through the openings 36. The unthreaded portions of screws 32 are surrounded by expansive springs 38 the extremities of which contact with the flanges 28 and 24 tending to separate the flanges and resiliently hold the reflector 22 in spaced relation with respect to the support 58. Arranged in the reflector 22 are lamps lil and 42 provided with suitable light sources or filaments (not shown).

The lens M as illustrated is provided with a smooth convex exterior surface and a concave interior surface having horizontalprisms 4 6, but it is to be understood that other types of lenses having different prism arrangement may be used. As particularly illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and '7, the lower portion of the lens I4 is provided with an extension or projecting flange 45, the forward surface of which is engageable with the inturned flange l2 of the casing it. A positioning lug or tongue 48 is provided in the lens adjacent its lower edge adapted to engage the recess i5 in the edge of the casing ill. The upper edge of lens M is provided with recessed portion ll as illustrated in Figure 5. The recess ii is preferably formed with a horizontally disposed groove l9 and notch 2i. The edge portion of the lens adjacent the recess I? has a second notch or recess 23 to properly position the lens in the lamp and to facilitate installation or removal thereof as will hereinafter appear. An annular wall or extension i5 is provided on the inner surface of the lens M to engage with gasket 28 to seal the reflector 22 from ingress of moisture and other foreign matter.

The movable lens retaining member It includes a body portion of arcuate configuration adapted for sliding engagement with the interior surface of flange l2 on the lamp casing, a pair of in turned lugs 25 being provided adjacent a projection 27 at one end of the member l6 adapted to respectively engage the groove l9 and slot 2! of the lens I i. The other end of member it is provided with an angularly disposed portion 29 formed with a struckup projection 3!. A guide member 33 is riveted or otherwise secured at one end to the portion 29, the other end of member 33 projecting through an opening 35 in the ring member l3. The member it is resiliently urged into engagement with the lens Hi by means of a spring 31 surrounding the guide member 33, the ends of the spring being engageable with projection 29 and ring member i8, projection 3| serving to properly position the spring 3'! with respect to the guide member 35. Means such as a cotter key 39 may be secured in the end of guide member 33 to limit its outward movement and thus prevent dislodgement of the retaining member it when the lens is removed from the lamp casing.

In order to remove the lens M from the easing Ill, the retaining member IE is moved upwardly from the position shown in Figure 8 to.

the position illustrated in Figure 10 and this operation, while same may be performed by moving the member i6 by a finger, the same is readily accomplished by inserting a suitable instrument or tool in the opening it in the member. Due to the expansive characteristics of the uppermost spring 38, the lens is forced outwardly beyond the edge of the casing when member N5 is retracted thus permitting removal of the lens by raising the same to free the flange 46 from the casing flange. The lens M is installed by first positioning the lens projection 46 rearwardly of edge E2 of the lamp casing so that the lug 38 engages the recess E5. The upper portion of the lens is then moved rearwardly so that the wall engages gasket 28 to move the reflector 22 rearwardly against the pressure of springs 38. Retaining member i6 is held in its uppermost position until lens H5 is in proper position, at which time member I6 is moved into engagement with the lens recess ll under the force of spring 31 so that the lips 25 of the retaining member U5 engage the groove E9 in the forward face of the lens.

Another form of lens retaining means is illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. In this form of the invention a knurled knob 50 having a stem portion 52 is secured to retaining member 54 in a suitable manner as at 53. To accommodate the stem 52 and permit relative slidable movement between the retaining member and the housing, a slot 56 is provided in the wall of casing I adjacent the open end I2. A cover 58 preferably carried by the stem 52 so as to be movable with knob 50 is provided to prevent the ingress of moisture and foreign matter through the slot 56. Thus, it will be noted that by the use of the knurled member 50, easy and effective manipulation of the retaining member 54 is provided, without necessitating the use of special tools, the installation and removal of the lens I4 being otherwise similar to the form of the invention hereinbefore described. In Figures 14a and 1417, another form of lens retaining member is illustrated wherein the lower portion of retaining member 60 is substantially V-shaped, the central portion being recessed as at 62. To accommodate the recessed portion 62, lens I4 is formed with a similarly recessed portion 64. To manipulate the retaining member 60, a knurled member 66 may be secured thereto in the manner illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, a slot 68 being provided in the casing I0 to permit 5.;movement between the member 60 and the casing. A cover 69 is preferably positioned over the slot 68 and movable with the member 66 to at all times cover the slot 68.

A further form of the invention has been illus- 3llgtrated in Figures 15 to 19 inclusive, wherein the casing Ill is provided with an open end I2. In this form of the invention, a reflector and lens positioning member in the form of a ring "I0 is flxed within the casing adjacent the open end I2. 35 1A reflector I2 provided with a flange portion '13 terminating in an annular extension I4 is received within the opening provided by the ring H1. The flange I3 serves to position a gasket member 15 of cork or other suitable material for 4ozneffectively sealing the reflector from moisture when a lens 78 is properly positioned within the casing. To the rear of the flange I3are suitably secured a plurality of spaced mounting elements I6 to which are secured, as by riveting, resilient 45tor spring members 11. The extremities of the spring members I! are engageable with the ring HI and tend to yieldingly position the reflector 12 with respect to the ring. The lens 18 of any desired type is preferably provided with a pro- 5o ejection l9 along its upper edge. The rear surface of lens I8 is formed with an annular ledge or extension BI] which is adapted to engage the gasket I5. In the front surface of lens 18 and preferably adjacent the lower edge thereof is pro- 55 vided an annular recessed portion 82.

To removably secure lens I8 in the casing, a retaining member or clip 84, illustrated in detail in Figure 18, is provided. Clip 84 is formed with a uniplanar body portion 85 terminating in a stepped portion 86 having a lip 81 disposed angularly with respect thereto. To accommodate the clip 84 and to guide the same during its movement with respect to the casing, a slotted open- 65 ing 89 is provided in the ring 10. The clip 84 is of a width to correspond to the length of the recess 82 in the lens I8 and the slot 89 in the ring 10, the side walls of the slot 89 having projecting angularly disposed portions 90 to facili- 70 tate or guide the entrance of clip 84 into the slot.

To install the lens I8 in the open end of a oasing IE, the upper edge of the lens is inserted thin the casing so that the projection 19 thereof engages the inner wall of the casing Ill. The

75 lower portion of the lens is then moved into contact with the gasket I5 against the tension of springs I'I until the several elements are substantially in the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 19. The clip 84 is then placed in the position illustrated in full lines so that the uniplanar portion 85 may be projected through the opening 89 in the ring 10. The clip 84 is then moved to the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 19 and the tension of springs 'I'I then force the reflector and thus the lower portion of the lens outwardly until the lower edge of the lens is in engagement with the stepped portion 86 of the clip, thus retaining the lens and associated parts in position in the casing. To remove the lens from the casing, the lower portion of the lens 18 is forced inwardly and the clip 84 raised upwardly and withdrawn from the casing. The removal of the clip 84 from the casing permits withdrawal of the lens from the open end of the casing, the spring members TI forcing the reflector l2 and thus lens '18 outwardly along its lower edge to facilitate the latters removal.

A still further form of the invention is illustrated in'Figures 20 to inclusive, wherein casing I0 is provided with an open end I2 having a notch or recess 99 in the lower edge thereof. Adjacent the open end of the casing is secured a ring-like member I09 forming an opening to receive a reflector I02. Reflector I02 is provided with a flange portion I93 which terminates in an annular portion I34, the flange I03 serving to position a sealing gasket I05. Between the ring member I00 and the flange I03 in assembled relation are positioned a plurality of resilient members or springs I 06 preferably of the expansive typev The springs I06 serve to resiliently mount the reflector I02 andalso hold the reflector in spaced relation with respect to the ring IIIIl.

To enclose the open end of the casing 50, a lens III] is provided which is preferably formed with peripheral projections or extensions III and I I2 on the upper and lower edges respectively. At the lower front edge of lens III] is formed a projection H4 engageable with the recess 99 in the casing when the lens is positioned therein.

To install lens III! within the casing, the projection 'I I I ispreferably inserted within the casing so that the front surface of the lens engages the open end I2 of the casing, to permit the projection II2 to be swung inwardly against the tension of the lowermost spring I06 and at the same time clear the lower edge of the casing. The lens is then moved downwardly until projection II4 engages the recess 99, at which time the peripheral projections III and II 2 are in engagement with the surface of the in-turned flange of the open end of the casing. Springs I06 exert suificient' force upon the reflector flange I03 and the lens to securely and positively hold the lens in position. To remove the lens from the casing, the upper pait of the lens is moved rearwardly' and then upwardly against the tension of spring I06 to permit the lower portion of the lens and projection H2 to be swung outwardly. The lens is then moved downwardly until projection III is free from the upper edge of the casing. The gasket I95 seals the space between the lens and the reflector when the several elements are in assembled relation. However, due to construction of the lens which permits its withdrawal and installation within the casing, a slight clearance is necessary and a certain amount of moisture may collect between the casing and the exterior of the reflector. If desired, an opening H6 may be provided in the lower portion of the casing to permit moisture which may collect within the casing to drain therefrom.

It is apparent that, Within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What We claim is:

l. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned circular flange integrally formed at its open end, a reflector Within said casing, a lens of a diameter which substantially corresponds to the diameter ofthe inner edge of said circular flange engageable with said reflector and having a projection underlying said casing flange, a retaining element engageable with said lens to secure the lens in said casing, means to urge said lens into engagement with said casing, and means to form a seal between said lens and said reflector.

2. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned annular flange integrally formed at its a open end, a lens having a major peripheral portion fitting said open end and having a projection underlying said flange whereby said lens may be inserted within and removed from said casing without distortion thereof, a recess in said lens, and retaining means engageable with said recess for securing the lens adjacent said flange.

3. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned continuous annular flange integrally formed at its open end, a lens formed with a peripheral contour fitting said open end and having a projection underlying said flange, means within said casing to urge said projection into engagement with said flange, and a retaining element having a portion exterior of said casing for removably securing said lens in said casing.

4. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned continuous annular flange at its open end, locating means on said flange for positioning a lens, a lens fitting said open end and having a projection underlying said flange, a second projection on said lens engageable with said locating means, and retaining means adapted to be manipulated from the outside of said casing and engageable with a portion of said lens for securing the lens adjacent said flange.

5. A lamp comprising a casing having a flange at its open end, a lens fitting said open end and having a projection underlying said flange, retaining means engageable with a portion of said lens for securing the lens adjacent said flange, and a manipulating member secured to said retaining means.

6. A lamp comprising a casing having a flanged open end, a reflector within said casing, a lens engageable with said reflector and having a projection underlying said flanged end, a recess in said lens, a removable retaining element engageable with the recess in said lens to secure the lens in said casing, and means to urge said lens into engagement with said retaining element and said casing.

7. A lamp comprising a casing having an inturned open end, a reflector within said casing, a support for said reflector, a lens engageable with said reflector and having a projection underlying said inturned open end, retaining means engageable with said lens to secure the lens in said casing, resilient means between said reflector and said support to urge said lens into engagement with said casing, and sealing means between said lens and said reflector.

8; A headlamp comprising a housing having a lens receiving opening, and a lens fitting in the aperture in the housing, and provided at one side with means for interlocking with the housing to prevent axial separation thereof, and means at the other side of the lamp engaging an indenture in the lens for drawing the lens toward the housing and into clamping engagement therewith.

9. A headlamp comprising a housing having a lens receiving opening, a ring within the housing, a lens provided at one side thereof with means for interlocking with the edge of the opening to prevent axial separation of the lens and housing, means at the other side of the lens engaging an indenture therein for drawing the lens toward the housing and into clamping engagement therewith and means associated with said ring for resiliently urging the lens into engagement with the housing.

SAMUEL F. ARBUCKLE. GUY H. COULTER.

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