US2653217A

US2653217A - Projection lamp holder

Info

Publication number: US2653217A
Application number: US130013A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E Ulrich; Vesper A Schlenker
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1949-11-29
Filing date: 1949-11-29
Publication date: 1953-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 1970-09-22

Description

Sept. 22, 1953 R. E ULRICH ET AL PROJECTION LAMP HOLDER Filed Nov. 29, 1949 MW, 55:75 Z/zz/m' (Itforneg Patented Sept. 22, 1953 PROJECTION LAMP HOLDER Robert E.

Ulrich, Riverton,

and Vesper A.

Schlenker, Camden, N. J., assignors to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application November 29, 1949, Serial N 0. 130,013

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to projection lamp holders, and more particularly to a miniature, prefocused, projection lamp holder particularly useful in sensory aid instruments for the blind.

Many instruments of a type particularly useful to blind persons for providing information as to the presence of objects in their path depend for their operation upon a projected beam of light which originates from an accurately located light source. Because of the high degree of sensitivity of these instruments, the light source should be provided with a support or holder which will secure it against movement from its position in the instrument regardless of any movements of the instrument or vibrations transmitted thereto during the carrying of the instrument. Propection lamps for these indicating instruments are generally quite small, and in many cases are of the order of approximately one half of an inch in length and one eighth of an inch in diameter. Because of this small size, considerable difiiculty is encountered in assembling such a lamp in an instrument and rigidly securing it against further movement. Conventional, prefocused lamps and their holders in use today have not been found satisfactory, particularly for blind aid instruments, either because the lamp is not firmly secured in position to project a beam of light without deviation from a definite axis, or because readjustments ofthe position of the lamp are necessary with each replacement of the bulb. In addition thereto, the prior art lamp holders known to us have not been of such design that a blind person, who must rely only on his sense of touch, can replace the bulb easily and accurately.

It is, therefore, the primary object of our present invention to provide a projection lamp holder whereby the lamp filament will be accurately located and secured in a fixed position at all times to project a beam of light uniformly along a predetermined axis.

It is another object of our present invention to provide a projection lamp holder for a sensory aid instrument for the blind which permits quick and easy removal of the lamp from its holder and accurate replacement thereof without further focusing adjustments being necessary.

It is still another object of our present invention to provide a projection lamp holder for It is also an object of our present invention to 2 provide a projection lamp holder which is simple and easy to construct and which requires no special skill to effect accurate location of the lamp within an instrument in the event replacement thereof is necessary.

In accordance with our present invention, we provide a projection lamp holder comprising a tubular retaining member which is open at both ends, and a cylindrical housing closely fitting around and providing a light shield for an electric projection lamp, the housing being removably carried Within the tubular retaining member. Both the retaining member and the lamp housing are provided with at least one aperture in their respective sides for the emission of light therethrough with the lamp housing aperture being disposed opposite to the lamp filament. The lamp housing, which is dimensioned to be slidably mounted within the retaining member, is provided with a pin extending through the housing for cooperation with a locking slot in the retaining member, the pin and slot also serving as orienting means for aligning the apertures. One portion of the pin member is arranged to receive a tool to facilitate removal and replacement of the lamp and its housing from the retaining member. The housing is of greater length than the lamp and the retaining member is substantially as long as, or longer than, the housing so that the lamp and its housing are secured against movement in the retainer throughout a major portion of the length thereof, A supporting member, which is suitably mounted in the instrument, is provided forthe retaining member and is adjustable in different directions in two planes disposed normal to each other topermit accurate positioning of the lamp filament.

The novel-features characteristic of our invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure l is a perspective view of a projection lamp holder in accordance with our present invention, together with an adjustable support therefore and shown in association with a lens and contact member,

Figure 2 is an enlarged, side View of the electric lamp and housing therefor, a portion of the extraction tool being shown broken away, and Figure 3 is a central, longitudinal section of the projection lamp holder shown in Figure 1 the extraction tool being shown in elevation. Referring more'particularly to the drawing,

wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown a projection lamp holder l comprising an elongated, hollow cylindrical retainer 3 which is open at both ends, and an electric lamp assembly 5 comprising an electric lamp or bulbl mounted in a. housing 9 comprising a hollow, cylindrical, opaque shield or sleeve member which is received telescopically in the retainer 3.

The electric lamp assembly 5 has an outer diameter of slightly smaller dimension than the inner diameter of the retainer 3 so as to be freely slidable therein. The end H of :the retainer 3 is outwardly flanged to facilitate inserting the lamp assembly 5 within the retainer 8 and'f-unctions as a guide therefor. A pin i3 extends laterally through the housing pr shield member 1,9 adjacent an open end It thereof and has an end portion ll extending outwardly from the shield member 8. The retainer 8 is provided with a locking, J-shaped slot '19 starting at the flanged end ii and extending longitudinally inwardly from the peripheral edge thereof. The slot it is dimensioned to slidab-l-y receive the pin l3 and lock the lamp assembly l5 securely in the retainer 3 when the pin is is disposed in the innermost position at the end 21 of the slot, as shown particularlyin Figure 1 of the drawing. The shield member '8 is of greater length than the bulb Ti, and the retainer '3 is of a length at least as great as, and preferably of greater length than, the shield member -9 so that, when the shield member 9 is disposed within the retainer 3 and the pin i3 is in the locked position in the slot Is, th retainer will support the shield member .9 throughout the greatest portion or its length.

Another portion 23 of the pin ["3 extends diametrically across the interior of the shield member 9 and is dimensioned .to receive a tool 25 which has a bifurcated end 2''! and may :be inserted through the shield member open end 15. The bifurcated end 21 of the tool member .25 is biased to frictional-1y hold the pin portion 23 between the end portions thereof .so that, when the lamp assembly 5 is inserted into the retainer 3, it can be locked readily in the slot [9. After the lamp assembly :has been locked in position in the retainer 3, the tool member 215 may .be removed easily by pulling 'it longitudinally outwardl-y from the shield :member 9, a handle '29 being provided in the opposite end of the tool member to facilitate application of the :toolmemher to the pin 18 or mounting the lamp assemply-5 in the retainer 3.

The electric lamp or bulb 11 is provided :witha filament 3i and a pair of wire leads '33, .35 connected to the filament and extending outwardly from one end of the bulb l. The bulb "TI is mounted inside the shield member 9 with the sides of the bulb in closely spaced relation to the internal wall of the shield member 9 and at a predetermined distance from the pin E3. The bulb is securely held in place in the shield memher 9, as by cement 31 shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, so that the filament 3i will be disposed at all times in an accurate, prefocused position when mountedinan instrument.

A pair of diametrically disposed apertures '39 is provided in the side of the shield member -9- Opposite the filament 3i and in registry therewith for the purpose of passing light through the shield member '9, and another aperture 4| is provided in the retainer 3 for the ,same purpose. The apertures 39, .4I are so d sposed the sides of their respective members 9,. '3 that,

when the lamp assembly 5 is mounted within the retainer 3, the apertures 39, 4| are in alignment and the electric bulb 1 will cast a beam of light along an axis such as that represented by the broken line @3 in Figure 1 of the drawing. The lamp axis ll? may be so arranged that when the lamp and its holder are mounted in an instrument (not shown) fixedly supporting a lens at such as the lens pictured in the drawing, the lamp will project a beam of light (not shown) through the lens id. While two apertures 39 are shown provided in the shield member 9, only one of these apertures is necessary to project the beam of light through the lens M. The other aperture *has been found advantageous in assembling the bulb l in the shield member 9 and reflecting the proper preiocusing of the lamp filament 3! and orientation thereof with respect to the pin it during manufacture of the assembly.

A source of energy (not shown) for making electrical connections to the filament lead wires 33, 1555 may .be provided in any suitable manner. However, as shown in the drawing, the retainer 3 and shield member .are made from metal .in order to serve as one of the contact .elements for the "bulb filament El with .one of the lead wires being attached to the shield member 3. The other contact element comprises a button 55 mounted in the end Ill .of the shield member 9 opposite the .end containing the pin it and the other lead wire 35 is connected thereto. The button 435 secured in place by a suitable insulating'rnaterial 59 and is arranged .to engage a resilient contact member .5! mounted on a .wall .of the instrum nt housing in which the holder is mounted. The button attached to oneend of f lament wire and a contact element, including the shield member .9, and the retainer 3,-attached to filament wire Figures 1 and 2, perform th function of lighting the lamp by completing the electrical connection between the scurceoi energy (notshown) and the lamp filament ill A suitable support or jholder 5.5 is provided for the retainer 3, the retainer being secured to the holder .by force fitting .or in any other suitable manner. The support is .adjustably supported from a walled structure within the instrument with which the lamp holder 1 is associated and is adjustable in different directions in two planes normal to each other, and another :plane pass.- ing through the 'lens axis 53. For this purpose, adjusting screws .5? :or other suitable adjusting means are provided which are threaded through the walled structure.

Thus, it will become obvious to those persons skilled in the art, that we have provided a projection lamp holder i which is particularly adapted :for use in instruments for blind people. The holder i is not only simple in construction but permits an unskilled person to replace a lamp in the instrument without further adjustments being necessary after the lamp is "locked in its retainer in the instrument. Furthermore, the arrangement of interlocking .of parts makes it impossible for anyone to incorrectly replace a ulb.

While we have described and illustrated but a single embodiment of our present invention, it will also be recognized that various changes and modifications are possible within the spirit of our invention. Therefore, we desire that 13161 341- ticular form of our invention described herein shall be considered as illustrative and not as limiting.

What is claimed is:

1. In a projection lamp holder, the combination of a retainer having a cylindrical inner surface and an aperture in a side thereof for the transmission. of light, an electric bulb having a filament therein, and a housing for said bulb, said housing being slidably mounted within said retainer and having an opening in a side thereof for the transmission of light, said bulb being mounted within and held by said housing with said filament disposed opposite to and in registry with said housing opening, cooperative means on said retainer and said housing for locking said housing and said bulb in fixed position within said retainer, said means being oriented with respect to both said openings in a manner to align said openings one with the other, and said housing being so disposed Within said retainer that said retainer supports said housing throughout at least a major portion of its length.

2. An electric lamp assembly adapted for slidable mounting in a hollow, cylindrical retainer having an aperture and also having locking means therein, said lamp assembly comprising a sealed bulb having a filament mounted therein and a pair of leads connected to said filament extending outwardly from said bulb, an elongated opaque, sleeve encompassing said bulb and being at least coextensive with said bulb and constituting a light shield therefor, said sleeve having at least one aperture disposed in a side thereof adjacent to said filament for providing a light channel therethrough, electrical contact means disposed in one end of said sleeve and connected to one of said leads, and means disposed adjacent to the opposite end of said sleeve for cooperation with said locking means for looking said lam assembly in the retainer.

3. A projection lamp holder comprising an elongated, hollow, cylindrical retainer having at least one end open, a hollow cylindrical shield member telescopically mounted in said cylindrical retainer, said shield member having an open end and an electric lamphaving a filament, said lamp being mounted within and held by said shield member, said cylindrical retainer and said shield member each having at least one aperture in their respective cylindrical surfaces, said shield member aperture being disposed adjacent to and in registry with said filament, and said cylindrical retainer in said shield member being provided with interengageable means for effecting and maintaining said apertures in alignment, said interengageable means comprising a pin disposed adjacent to one end of said shield member and having an end portion extending outwardly therefrom, said pin having another portion thereof extending diametrically across the hollow interior of said shield member, the portion of said pin disposed within said shield member being positioned to receive a tool member inserted through said shield member open end to facilie tate replacement of said shield member and said electric lamp within said cylindrical retainer, and a locking slot disposed in one end of said cylindrical retainer extending longitudinally inwardly from said one end and dimensioned to slidably receive said first named pin end portion.

4. A projecting lamp holder comprising an elongated, hollow, cylindrical retainer having at least one end open, a hollow cylindrical shield member telescopically mounted in said cylindrical retainer, and an electric lamp havin a filament, said lamp being mounted within and held by said shield member, said cylindrical retainer and said shield member each having at least one aperture in their respective cylindrical surfaces, said cylindrical retainer and said shield member comprise electrical conducting members, said shield member being provided with an electrically conductive contact button mounted in one end thereof and insulated from. said shield member, and said lamp being provided with. a pair of leads connected to said filament and ex tending to the exterior of said lamp, one of said leads being connected to said shield member and the other of said leads being connected to said contact button, said shield member aperture being disposed adjacent to and in registry with said fi ament, and said cylindrical retainer and said member being provided with interengageable means for effectin and maintaining said apertures in alignment.

5. A projection lam holder comprising an elongated, hollow, cylindrical retainer having at least one end open, a hollow cylindrical shield member telescopically mounted in said cylindrical retainer, said projecting lamp holder being provided with support means engaging said cylindrical retainer, and wherein said support means is provided with adjustable means for adjusting said support means and said lamp holder in separate planes normal to each other, and an electric lam having a filament, said lamp being mounted within and held by said shield member, said cylindrical retainer and said shield member each having at least one aperture in their respective cylindrical surfaces, said shield member aperture bein disposed adjacent to and in registry with said filament, and said cylindrical retainer and said shield member being provided with interengageable means for efiecting and maintaining said apertures in alignment.

, 6. An electric lamp assembly adapted for slidable mounting in a hollow, cylindrical retainer having locking means therein, said lamp assembly comprising a sealed bulb having a filament mounted therein and a pair of leads connected to said filament extending outwardly from said bulb, an elongated opaque, sleeve encompassing said bulb and being at least coextensive with said bulb and constituting a light shield therefor, said sleeve having at least one aperture disposed in a side thereof adjacent to said filament for providing a light channel therethrough, electrical contact means disposed in one end of said sleeve and connected to one of said leads, and means comprising a pin extending laterally through. said sleeve, a portion of said pin Within the interior of said sleeve being positioned to receive a tool inserted through said opposite end of said sleeve to facilitate replacement of said lamp assembly in the retainer.

ROBERT E. ULRICH. VESPER A. SCI-ILENKEB.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 953,425 Miller Mar. 29, 1910 1,180,658 Kratz Apr. 25, 1916 1,199,731 Ilgner Sept. 26, 1916 1,921,214 Carpenter Aug. 8, 1933 2,088,559 Kollsman July 27, 1937 2,171,431 Kollsman Aug. 29, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 607,338 Germany Dec. 21, 1934