US2806937A

US2806937A - Signal lamp for automotive vehicles

Info

Publication number: US2806937A
Application number: US523206A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jesse R Hollins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-07-20
Filing date: 1955-07-20
Publication date: 1957-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 1974-09-17

Description

Sept. 17, 1957 J. R. HOLLINS SIGNAL LAMP FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Filed July 20, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

V JESSE R. HOLLINS ATTORNEY Unite rates aterrt Gfifice kll SIGNAL LAMP FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES Jesse R. Hollins, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 20, 1955, Serial No. 523,206

Claims. (Cl. 240-822) This invention relates to lamps for automotive vehicles and, more particularly, to an improved and simplified double aspect signal or marker lamp requiring only a single bulb for illumination of both aspects.

Double aspect signal or marker lamps, as hitherto constructed for, by way of example, providing signal indications both forwardly and rearwardly of a vehicle have essentially comprised two single lamp units or compartments with each lamp unit having a separate lamp bulb therein. This has resulted in a rather bulky and thick lamp casing to accommodate the two bulbs and their sockets, and to provide clearance for changing the bulbs. In addition, the construction has been relatively heavy and expensive.

One reason for the bulky construction of present lamps is that it has not been considered possible to provide sufficient space therein for a lamp bulb of high enough candle power to assure adequate illumination of both aspects. Consequently, resort has been had to two smaller lamps each of suflicient candle power to adequately illuminate one aspect.

In accordance with the present invention, a double aspect signal lamp is provided having novel constructional aspects permitting the interchangeable mounting of a single lamp of suflicient candle-power to adequately illuminate both aspects, the lamp having overall dimensions and manufacturing costs of the order of those of a single aspect lamp.

More specifically, the lamp comprises a pair of identical circular metal baffle plates superposed on each other and formed with peripheral flanges to which a relatively short cylindrical outer casing is welded. These baflie plates have matching lamp bulb shaped cutouts and threaded bosses receiving bolts holding the inwardly projecting rims of the two lenses against sealing gaskets engaging the flat outer surfaces of the baffle plates.

The lamp socket is formed of two identical mating sections each comprising a substantially semi-cylindrical central portion terminating in co-planar side flanges. These sections are arranged in facing relation to enclose the base portion of the baflie plate openings with the side flanges engaging the bafiie plates. The battle plates, spacing the two sections from each other, form diametrically opposite lead in grooves for the pins on the lamp base, and the socket sections are formed with grooves to complete a bayonet type lamp base lock.

The flanges of the socket sections and the baflie plates are formed with correspondingly located rivet holes for securing the sections in position. However, one corner of one flange of each section is cut away to expose a rivet hole in the baflie plates. Thus, one securing rivet of each section is directly engaged with a baffle plate rather than with the opposite socket section (when the rivets are peened) thereby directly grounding each socket section to a baflie plate.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an outside front elevation view of a lamp embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the lenses removed;

Fig. 3 is an axial sectional view of the lamp; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the lamp 1!) comprises a pair of identical circular metal baffle plates 20 having axially extending peripheral flanges 21, and formed with oifset bosses 22 having threaded openings 23. Bafile plates 20 are formed with mating large lamp bulb shaped openings 25 extending inwardly from the lower edges thereof.

Plates 20 are superposed with their flanges extending in opposite directions, and an axially short cylindrical outer casing member 15 is telescoped over flanges 21 and welded thereto. The lower edge of casing member 15 has an opening 16 aligned radially with openings 25.

A base member 30 has an .arcuate flange portion 31 spot welded to member 15 and formed with an offset 32 in which is secured a hollow threaded mounting bolt or stud 33 arranged to receive washers 34 and a nut 35 for mounting lamp 10 on a fender or other supporting surface.

The lamp is enclosed by lenses 35 having holes re ceiving bolts 37 threaded into openings 23 in plates 20. Lenses 35 have inturned peripheral flanges seated against gaskets 11, of cork or the like, engaging baflle plates 20. At flange 31, which is wider than member $15, lenses 35 are enlarged, as at 38 to make a smooth juncture with mounting member 30.

The lamp socket is formed by two identical socket sections 49, of brass or similar conductive metal. Each section 40 includes a central, substantially semi-cylindrical portion 41 from which project

coplanar side flanges

42 and 43. For a purpose to be described, side flanges 43 have their upper corners cut away as at 44. Each side flange 42 is formed with two rivet holes alignable with correspondingly located holes in baflie plates 29. Each side flange 43 has a single hole alignable with the lower hole in the flange 42 of the other socket section, the upper hole in such other sect-ion being opposite cutout 44.

Socket sections 40 are assembled in facing relation with their

side flanges

42, 43 engaging the outer surfaces of baffle plates 20. In this position,

rivets

46 and 47 are used to assemble the socket sections in position. The rivets 46 are peened over at each end against a section 40. However, each rivet 47 is located at a cutout 44 so that one end of the rivet en ages a flange 42 of one section 40 and the other end of each rivet 47 is peened against a baffle plate 20. This forms an eifective grounding connection between each section 4%) and a plate 20, particularly when the bafiie plates 20 are painted or lacquered.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that baifle plates 20 space the socket sections 49 from each other forming grooves 45 for pins 51 on the base 552 of a lamp bulb 50. Grooves 45 connect with lateral slots 43 in sections 40 to provide the bayonet slots for the lamp base pins 51.

The socket assembly is completed by the usual insulated wire 53 having a contact head 54 on the upper side of a dielectric Washer 56, a coil spring 57 embracing wire 53 beneath washer 56. Wire 53 is drawn through opening 16 and the passage through hollow stud 33.

Lamp 59 is readily inserted in place by putting the lamp in openings 25, inserting base 52 into socket 4il-49 with pins 51 in grooves 45, pressing the lamp downwardly, and then rotating the lamp to move pins 51 into slots 48, this action compressing spring 57.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application and extending through said baflle means; at least one fastening means engaged with each section being peened into direct mechanical contact with said bafile means.

2. An automotive vehicle lamp comprising, in combination, a pair of identical mating lamp socket sections each comprising a substantially semi-cylindrical central portion having substantially coplanar side flanges extending therefrom, a corresponding flange of each section being cut away at a corner; metal baffle means interposed between facing flanges of the two sections and having a lamp bulb receiving opening aligned with such central portions; aligned rivet receiving holes formed in said flanges and said baffle means, one rivet hole in one flange of each section being opposite. the cutaway corner of the other flange of the other section; and rivets inserted through said aligned holes and headed over at each end, one rivet in each section being headed against said baflle means at a cutaway corner of a flange.

3. An automotive vehicle lamp comprising, in combination, a pair of identical mating lamp socket sections 'each comprising a substantially semi-cylindrical central portion having substantially coplanar side flanges extending therefrom; metal baffle means interposed between facing flanges of the two sections and having a lamp bulb receiving opening aligned with such central portions; fastening means interconnecting said sections and extending through said baflle means; the width of the opening in said baflietmeans being greater than the diameter of said central portions so that said baffle means cooperates with said flanges to provide grooves for the pins of a bayonettype lamp bulb base; and lateral slots in each section communicating with said grooves to receive the lamp bulb base pins upon rotation of the lamp. j

4. A lamp as claimed in claim 3 in which said baflle means comprises a pair of superposed circular metal plates having mating lampbulb openings and each having an axially extending peripheral flange; a cylindrical casing element secured to said peripheral flanges; and a pair of translucent lenses secured to said circular plates and ex tending into said casing element.

5. A lamp as claimed in claim 4 in which a corresponding flange of each section is cut away at a corner; aligned rivet receiving holes formed in said flanges and said baflle means; one rivet hole in one flange of each section being opposite the cutaway corner of the other flange of the other section; and rivets inserted through said aligned holes and headed over at each end, one rivet in each section being headed against said baflie means at a cutaway corner of a flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,475,443 Mason Nov. 27, 1923 1,895,455 Eberling Jan. 31, 1933 2,058,546 Haines Oct. 27, 1936 2,637,804 Hollins May 5, 1953