US2705750A

US2705750A - Combination tilt switch and lamp holder for lift type lids

Info

Publication number: US2705750A
Application number: US300683A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert B Farnon
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1952-07-24
Filing date: 1952-07-24
Publication date: 1955-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 1972-04-05

Description

Apnl 5, 1955 R. B. FARNON COMBINATION TILT SWITCH AND LAMP HOLDER FOR LIFT TYPE LIDS Filed July 24, 1952 Fig. 2.

- Inventor. Pobert. B.Far-non,

His Attorney 1 es Patent-" COMBINATION TILT SWITCH AND LAMP HOLDER FOR LIFT TYPE LIDS Robert B. Far-non, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application July 24, 1952, Serial No. 300,683

6 Claims. c1. 240-4 My invention relates to illuminating means and pertains more particularly to illuminating structures including tilt operated switching means.

Illuminating structures including tilt operated switches such as mercury tilt switches are sometimes employed in cabinet constructions for illuminating the interiors of the cabinet when lids closing access openings in the cabinets are lifted or opened. To obtain satisfactory operation of the lamps in such'structures it is essential that the tilt switches be retained in the structures in particular radial positions with respect to them and that the structures in turn be mounted and retained in particular radial positions relative to the lids. Heretofore, this particular positioning of the switches and the lamp holding structures has proved time consuming in the assembly of the cabinets. Also, since the positioning of the switches and the lamp holders was often dependent upon human judgment, correct positioning and satisfactory operation of the lamps were not ensured. Y

A primary object of my invention is to provide an improved combined lamp holder and tilt switch. Another object of my invention is to provide with an improved combined lamp holder and tilt switch improved mounting means whereby satisfactory lamp operation is ensured.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved combined lamp holder and tilt switch comprising parts adapted for facilitating the assembly thereof. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

In carrying out the objects of my invention, 1 provide a tilt switch indexed in a lamp holder which is in turn indexed in a bracket adapted for mounting the lamp holder on a cabinet lid.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary showing of a freezer cabinet illustrating my invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the means whereby my illuminating structure is mounted;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the mounting bracket; v V

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of a section taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. l and looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 in Fig. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating the lamp holder in a different radial position.

In Fig. l, I have shown partially a freezer cabinet 1 comprising a chest 2 and a lift lid 3 hingedly connected to the chest by a plurality of hinges 4, only one of which is shown. The lid 3 comprises an outer lid 5 and a spaced inner lid 6. Disposed between the outer and inner lids 5 and 6, respectively, is my improved cabinet illuminating structure generally designated 7. As better seen in Fig. 2, the structure 7 includes a mounting bracket 8 and a member or lamp holder 9 adapted for being held in a predetermined radial position by the mounting bracket.

The bracket 8 is formed of a resilient material such as steel and, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, includes a base portion v 10 and an upstanding portion 11 inclined I v 2,705,750 Patented Apr. 5,. 1.955

'ice

with respect to the base portion. The base portion 10 includes an enlarged opening 12 whereby it fits over a substantially frusto-conical portion 13 of a lamp mask 14 formed of a heat insulative material such as plastic. The frusto-conical portion 13 of the mask 14 includes a rim 13a shaped to conform to the contour of an electric lamp. Lugs 15 formed on the upper surface of the mask 14 pass through suitable openings in the base portion 10 of the bracket 8 and are formed over the edges of the openings so as to fasten the mask to the bracket. The mask 14 also includes a base portion 16, the contiguous edges of which are formed to provide a shoulder 17. In order to hold the illuminating structure 7 in the lid 3, the shoulder 17 on the mask 14 cooperates with a tab 18 bent out of the base portion 10 of the bracket 8 and a resilient retaining member 19 formed off the base portion of the bracket opposite the tab 18. In mounting the structure 7, the assembler inserts it into the lid 3 through an opening 20 in the inner lid 6. One side edge of the opening 20 becomes positioned between the shoulder 17 and the tab 18. Then the assembler presses on the lamp mask 14 whereby the resilient member 19 is depressed by the opposite side edge of the opening ZO'and the opposite side edge of the opening is positioned between the resilient member and the shoulder 17. In this manner the structure is removably and securely held in place in the space betwen the inner and outer lids, and the inclined portion 11 of the bracket is so positioned as to extend substantially transverse the axis of rotation of the lid 3.

The inclined portion 11 of the bracket 8 includes an opening 21 shaped to receive the lamp holder 9. The edge of the opening 21 is further shaped to provide a pair of irregularities or indentations 22. The indentations 22 are adapted for receiving a corresponding pair of irregularities or projections 23 formed longitudinally on the surface of the lamp holder 9. While I have shown the indentations 22 and the projections 23 as being spaced degrees apart, it will be seen that any spacing less than degrees will prove satisfactory. This arrangement facilitates assemblage of the structure and ensures predetermined radial positioning or indexing of the lamp holder 9 relative to the bracket 3, since the lamp holder is not insertable into the bracket opening 21 in any position other than the predetermined radial position. It will be seen that one, or more than two, cooperating indentations 22 in the edge of the bracket opening 21 and projections 23 on the lamp holder 9 may be employed. Of course, when two or more are employed, the spacing apart thereof must always be such as to perrnit insertion of the lamp holder into the bracket in only one or a single predetermined radial position. It will be seen further that indexing of the lamp holder 9 in the bracket 8 in the just described manner results also in the predetermination of the radial position of the lamp holder when the lid 3 is in the open and closed positions thereof.

The lamp holder 9 is formed of an insulative material and, as seen in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, comprises two substantially identical half pieces which shall be hereinafter referred to as the left and

right side pieces

24 and 25, respectively. One of the pairs of projections 23 comprises half a projection formed on the left side piece 24 and another half of a projection formed on the right side piece 25. The other of the pairs of projections '23 is formed wholly on the left side piece 24. It will be seen that instead of having the projections 23 formed on the lamp holder, the lamp holder could be provided with longitudinal grooves for receiving corresponding projections formed on the edge of the opening 21 in the bracket.

The

side pieces

24 and 25 are formed with cooperating recesses 26 wherein, when the side pieces are assembled to form the lamp holder 9, is housed a mercury tilt switch 27 or any other switch adapted for being operated through tilting movements. The mercury switch 27 comprises two opposed cup-shaped metal terminals 28 which are suitably secured together and insulated from each other. The interior space of the switch is divided by an insulative diaphragm indicated by 29 in Fig. 4 and in which is formed an aperture 30. Within the switch 27 is a small quantity indicated by 31 of mercury which completes a circuit between the terminals 28' when the switch is radially positioned so that the aperture in the diaphragm 29 is submerged in the mercury in the manner shown in Fig. 5. When the switch 27 is radially positioned so that the aperture 30 is above the level of the mercury 31, for example, in the position shown, in Fig. 6, the circuit between the terminals 28 is interrupted by the diaphragm 29.

The terminals 28 are each formed with a contact recess 32. The contact recess 32 in one of the terminals 28 receives a contact button 33 formed on a contact arm 34 to which is electrically connected an insulated wire 35 leading to any suitable power source. Arms 36 extending outwardly from either side of the contact arm 34 and also extending forwardly assist in maintaining the mercury switch 27 satisfactorily positioned in the lamp holder. The contact recess 32 in the other terminal 28 receives a contact button 37 formed on a resilient contact arm 38. Arms 39 extending outwardly from either side of the contact arm 38 and extending rearwardly also assist in maintaining the mercury switch 27 satisfactorily positioned in the lamp holder. The. contact arm 38 is part of a U-shaped member 40. The U-shaped member 40 includes a second arm 41 which is suitably secured to a portion 42 formed off the left side piece 24 of. the lamp holder 9. Formed on the second arm 41 is a contact button 43 adapted for being engaged by another contact button 44 on the threaded base 45 of, an electric lamp 46. The base 45 of the lamp 46 is threadedly engaged in a socket 47. A contact strip 48 formed off the socket 47 electrically connects the socket with another lead wire 49 to the mentioned power source. A detent arm 50 formed by being bent out of the side of the socket 47 engages in a slot 51 formed between the left and right side pieces of the lamp holder 9. Engagement of the detent arm 50 in the slot 51 is effective for retaining the socket 47 in the lamp holder 9 and for preventing rotation of the socket in the lamp holder during threading of the lamp 46 into and out of the socket. In the arrangement described to this point completion of a circuit through the lamp 46 to energize the lamp is dependent upon the radial position of the mercury switch 27 As seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the mercury switch 27 is predeterminedly positioned or indexed in the lamp holder 9 by means of an indentation 52 formed in the side of the switch and adapted for receiving a projection 53 formed in the recess 26 in the left side piece 24 of the lamp holder. By this arrangement, predetermined radial positioning of the switch in the lamp holder is ensured since the switch will not otherwise fit into the lamp holder, or in other words, positioning of the switch in the lamp holder is limited to a single predetermined radial position. This predetermined radial positioning of the switch in the lamp holder could be alternatively obtained by providing a projection on the switch and a corresponding predeterminedly located indentation in the recess 26 in the lamp holder.

It will be seen that my improved illuminating structure 7 is adapted for being assembled and mounted without the use of tools or reliance on the judgment of the assembler. Additionally, satisfactory lamp operation is ensured since my structure is incapable of being assembled and mounted in any way other than that in which satisfactory lamp operation results. The indentation 52 in the mercury switch 27 by receiving the projection 53 in the lamp holder facilitates and ensures satisfactory radial positioning or indexing of the switch relative to the lamp holder. The indentations 22 in the bracket 8 by receiving the projections 23 on, the lamp holder 9 facilitate and ensure satisfactory radial positioning or indexing of the lamp holder relative to the bracket. The resilience of the bracket both holds the lamp 46 in resilient engagement with the rim of the frusto-conical portion 13 of the mask 14 whereby the lamp holder 9 is retained in the bracket opening 21 and facilitates replacing the lamp if and when such replacement is required. The tab 18 and the resilient member 19 formed ofi the bracket base portion 10 cooperate with the shoulder 17 formed on the mask base portion 16 for facilitating mounting and dismounting of the bracket 8 in a predetermined position in the lid. All this serves to ensure the radial positioning of the mercury switch 27 in the manner shown in Fig. 5 when the lid 3 is opened to the position thereof in Fig. 1. In this position the diaphragm aperture 30 is submerged in the mercury 31 and the circuit between the terminals 28 of the switch is completed for energizing the lamp 46 and thereby illuminating the interior of the cabinet 1. When the lid 3 is closed and illumination of the cabinet interior is no longer required, the mercury switch 27 will be radially positioned in the manner shown in Fig. 6 in which position the diaphragm aperture 30 is above the level of the mercury 31 and the lamp circuit is interrupted.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular form shown and described, and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a construction including a cabinet, an access opening and a lift lid hingedly connected to said cabinet for closing said access opening, means for controlling illumination of the interior of said cabinet in accordance with the position of said lid comprising a member holding a lamp, a tilt operated switch carried by said member, cooperating irregularities in said member and said switch limiting positioning of said switch in said member to a single predetermined relative radial position, said switch controlling an energizing circuit for said lamp in accordance with the radial positioning of said switch, a bracket adapted for being mounted in a predetermined radial position on said lid to hold said member, cooperating irregularities in said bracket and said member limiting the positioning of said member in said bracket to a single predetermined radial position, said predetermined radial positioning of said switch in said member, of said member in said bracket and of said bracket on said lid ensuring completion of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is open and interruption of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is closed.

2. In a construction including a cabinet, an access opening and a lift lid hingedly connected to said cabinet for closing said access opening, means for controlling illumination of the interior of said cabinet in accordance with the position of said lid comprising a memberfor holding a lamp, a tilt operated switch carried by said member, an indentation formed in said switch, a projection formed in said member cooperating with said indentation in said switch thereby to limit positioning of said switch in said member to a single predetermined radial position, said switch controlling an energy circuit for said lamp in accordance with the radial position of said switch, a bracke adapted for being mounted in a predee termined radial position on said lid, said bracket include ing an opening for receiving said holder, the edge of said opening inclding an indentation, a projection formed on said member cooperating with said indentation in said edge of said opening thereby to limit positioning of said member in said bracket to a single predetermined radial position, the predetermined radial positioning of said switch in said member, of said member in said bracket and of said bracket on said lid ensuring completion of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is open and interruption of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is closed.

3. In a construction including a cabinet, an access opening and a lift lid hingedly connected to said cabinet for closing said access opening, means for controlling illumination of the interior of said cabinet in accordance with the position of said lid comprising a lamp, a member for holding said lamp, said member including a recess, a tilt operated switch carried by said member in said recess, an indentation formed in said switch, a projection formed on said member in said recess cooperating with said indentation in said switch thereby to limit positioning of said switch in said member to a single predetermined radial position, said switch controlling the circuit through said lamp in accordance with the radial positioning of said switch, a bracket, said bracket including a base portion adapted for being secured to said lid, said bracket further including a portion upstanding from said base portion, said last mentioned portion of said bracket including an opening for receiving said member, the edge of said opening including an indentation, a projection formed on said member cooperating with said indentation in said edge of said opening thereby to limit positioning of said member in said upstanding portion of said bracket to a single predetermined radial position, said predetermined radial positioning of said switch in said member and of said member in said upstanding portion of said bracket ensuring completion of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is open and interruption of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is closed.

4. In a construction including a cabinet, an access opening and a lift lid hingedly connected to said cabinet for closing said access opening, means for controlling illumination of the interior of said cabinet in accordance with the position of said lid comprising a lamp, a member holding said lamp, said member including a recess, a tilt operated switch carried by said member in said recess, an indentation formed in said switch, a projection formed ofi said member in said recess cooperating with said indentation in said switch thereby to limit positioning of said switch in said member to a single predetermined radial position, said switch controlling a circuit through said lamp in accordance with the radial positioning of said switch, a bracket, said bracket including a base portion adapted for being secured to said lid, said bracket further including a portionextending substantially transverse the axis of rotation of said lid, said last mentioned portion of said bracket including an opening for receiving said member, the edge of said opening including a plurality of radially extending indentations, a corresponding plurality of radially extending projections formed on the exterior of said member cooperating with said indentations in said edge of said opening, the spacing of said cooperating indentations and projections limiting the positioning of said member and said bracket to a single predetermined radial position, said predetermined radial position of said switch in said member and of said member in said bracket ensuring completion of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is open and interruption of said circuit by said switch When said lid is closed.

5. In a construction including a cabinet, an access opening and a lift lid hingedly connected to said cabinet for closing said access opening, means for controlling illumination of the interior of said cabinet in accordance with the position of said lid comprising a lamp, a member for holding said lamp, said member including a recess, a tilt operated switch carried by said member in said recess, an indentation formed in said switch, a projection formed off said member in said recess cooperating with said indentation in said switch thereby to limit positioning of said switch in said member to a single predetermined radial position, said switch controlling a circuit through said'lamp in accordance with the radial positioning of said switch, a lamp mask, a bracket, said bracket including a base portion, said base portion being secured to said mask and cooperating therewith for mounting said bracket on said lid, said bracket further including a resilient portion extending substantially transverse the axis of rotation of said lid and inclined with respect to said base portion, said resilient portion including an opening for receiving said member, the edge of said opening including a plurality of radially extending indentations, a corresponding plurality of radially extending projections formed on the exterior of said member cooperating with said indentations in said edge of said opening, the spacing of said cooperating indentations and projections limiting the positioning of said member and said resilient portion-of said bracket to a single predetermined radial position, said predetermined radial positioning of said switch in said member and of said member in said bracket ensuring completion of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is open and interruption of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is closed, said resilient portion of said bracket holding said lamp in resilient engagement with said lamp mask whereby said member is retained in said opening in said resilient portion.

6. In a construction including a cabinet, an access opening and a lift lid hingedly connected to said cabinet for closing said access opening, means for controlling illumination of the interior of said cabinet in accordance with the position of said lid comprising a lamp, a member for holding said lamp, said member including a recess, a mercury switch carried by said member in said recess, an indentation formed in said switch, a projection formed off said member in said recess cooperating with said indentation in said switch thereby to limit positioning of said switch in said member to a single predetermined radial position, said switch controlling a circuit through said lamp in accordance with the radial position of said switch, a lamp mask, said mask including a rim conforming to the contour of said lamp, a bracket, said bracket including a base portion, said base portion being secured to said mask and cooperating therewith for removably mounting said bracket on said lid, said bracket further including a resilient portion extending substantially transverse the axis of rotation of said lid and inclined with respect to said base portion, said resilient portion of said bracket including an opening for receiving said member, the edge of said opening including a pair of radially extending indentations, a corresponding pair of radially extending projections formed on the exterior of said member cooperating with said indentations in said edge of said opening, the spacing of said pairs of cooperating indentations and projections being less than degrees whereby the positioning of said member in said bracket is limited to a single predetermined radial position, said predetermined radial positioning of said switch in said member and of said member in said bracket ensuring completion of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is open and interruption of said lamp circuit by said switch when said lid is closed, said resilient portion of said bracket holding said lamp in resilient engagement with said rim of said lamp mask whereby said member is retained in said opening in said resilient portion of said bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,075,612 Tregoning Oct. 14, 1913 2,206,094 Hobbs July 2, 1940 2,344,129 Clayton Mar. 14, 1944 2,434,065 Courtney Jan. 6, 1948