US2824214A

US2824214A - Lamp mounting

Info

Publication number: US2824214A
Application number: US374079A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph H Bertsche
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1953-08-13
Filing date: 1953-08-13
Publication date: 1958-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1975-02-18

Description

Feb. 18, 1958 R. H. -Bx-:R-rscHE. r 2,824,214

` LAMP MOUNTING Filed Aug. 1s, 195s INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent O LAMP MOUNTING Ralph H. Bertsche, Detroit, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application August 13, 1953, Serial No. 374,079

9 claims. (Cl. z4041) This invention relates to lamp mounts and has particular reference to means for mounting a headlamp of the sealed beam type in an automobile.

Though it has become standard practice in the art vto use lighting units of the sealed beam type for vehicle headlighting, the use of such lighting units is relatively expensive in that the failure of the light bulb necessitates replacement of the complete light unit assembly. Aside from the normal bulb failure due to burning out of the filament, such lighting units are subject to failure by reason of the accumulation of dirt, dust, moisture, water, and corrosive salts in the lamp casing which act to short out and corrode the terminals of the light bulb. This is especially true in the case of military and commercial vehicles which are subjected to normal driving conditions of extreme severity.

Attempts have been made in the past to weather-seal the ball and socket joint between the lighting unit and the lamp lcasing by using a rubber sealing gasket therebetween. Such expedients were without success since the seal interfered with the aiming of the lamp.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a lamp of simple and inexpensive construction adapted to prolong the life of the sealed beam lighting unit.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a headlamp mounting wherein the electrical connections are sealed from contamination.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a headlamp mounting which provides for the effective sealing of the electrical connections and permits ready adjustment of the aim.

To attain .these objects, I provide a .resilient sealing boot having a laterally extending flange around the bulb terminals and connector, the mounting member being provided with a seating flange for urging the boot flange against the reflector.

Further objects and advantagesof the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of the headlamp of my invention with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a front View of the headlamp of my invention with parts broken away.

Referring now to the drawing with particular reference to Figure 1, there is shown a sealed beam lighting unit A comprising a lens 1 and reflector 3 sealed together at their peripheral flanges to form a bead 5. A light bulb 7 is positioned therein at substantially the focal point of the reilector. A pluralityV of unequally spaced locator lugs 9 are formed on correspondingly located spacing steps 11 positioned on the rear surface of the bead 5.

The light bulb 7 is provided with a plurality of terminals 13 at the rear thereof and projecting through to the exterior of the lighting unit. Electrical energy is supplied to the light bulb by means of a connector 15 having a plurality of wires 17 attached thereto, the other 2,824,214 Patented Feb.. 18, 1958 end of the wires being attached to the male portion 19 of a detachable connector projecting through the lamp casing.

Lamp casing 23 is formed in a generally cup-shaped conguration having a rolled brim 25 and an annular channel 27 at its front end. A pair of threaded bushings 29 are positioned at the top and one side of the casing in the channel 27 and serve as anchor points for a pair of adjusting screws 31. The annular rim is apertured directly under bushings 29 in order that the adjusting screws 31 may project therethrough to the rear of the lamp casing. The head and shank ends of the adjusting screw are slotted in order to permit aiming of the lighting unit from either the front or rear of the lamp.

A mounting ring 33 is provided for receiving the lighting unit and forms a subassernbly therewith. A plurality of spaced outwardly pressed ribs 35 are formed on ring 33 for vbearing yon the rolled brim 25 of the lamp casing which forms a ball and socket type connection therewith in order to permit easy adjustment of the subassembly,

. lamp casing 23 serving as a support for the lighting subassembly. The mounting ring is further provided with a laterally extending peripheral ange 37 at its outer edge in which there are formed a plurality of unequally spaced apertures 38 for receiving the locating lugs 9 provided on the lighting unit. A pair of additional apertures 39 is provided at the top and one side of the flange 37 for permitting the passage therethrough of the adjusting screws 31, adjusting screws 31 being rotatably attached to the mounting flange in any suitable manner. As shown on Figure 1, the heads of the adjusting bolts 31 are necked down as at 41, the necked portions being journaled in the apertures 39.

The lighting unit A is retained within the mounting ring 33 by means of retaining ring 45 lbearing on the front portion of bead 5 and being attached to mounting ring 33 at a plurality of equally spaced points. Ring 45 may be attached to flange 37 in any suitable manner. As shown on Figure l, the threaded end of bolts 49 are surrounded by split ring clamps 51 positioned on the rear surface of the flange. A pair of additional apertures 42 are provided at the top and one side of the ring 45 for permitting the passage therethrough of the head of adjusting screws 31.

It should be noted that retaining ring 45 is formed with an annular outer portion 47 extending axially and rearwardly to overlap the outer surface of the lamp casing. This is an important feature of my invention whereby the lamp casing is shielded from any water, dirt or other contaminants through which the vehicle may be moving. Further, the retaining ring 45 itself acts as the lamp door thus decreasing the cost of the assembly. Additionally, in the headlamp of my invention it is no longer necessary to remove the door to have access to the adjusting screws.

I provide additional waterproofing and protection in the manner clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. I provide a sealing boot 53 of resilient insulating material, such as rubber, neoprene, butyl rubber, etc. for positioning on the rear surface of the reflector 3 and surrounding the bulb terminals 13 and connector 15. Sealing boot 53 is closed at the rear end and is provided with a plurality of passages 55 for admitting the wires 17, an annular groove 56 being provided in the inner surface of the boot 53 for positioning the connector 15 therein. An annular flange 57 extending laterally outwardly is formed at the open end of the boot and is adapted to be urged against the rear portion of the reflector thus effectively sealing the electrical connections from the casing. In my preferred embodiment, a plurality of concentric sealing lips 59 are formed on the frontsurface of .the sealing ilange and act as a plurality of sealingl barriers when in intimate contacting relation with the reflector. It should be noted that whereas this is a preferred form, it may be omitted without departing from the spirit of my invention. Y

The mounting ring 33 is provided on its inner peripheral edge with a seating flange 61 extending inwardly in substantially parallel relationship with the reflector portion immediately adjacent thereto. The spacing of the flange 61 from the reilector surface and the thickness of the sealing flange 57 are such that the sealing flange is pressed into intimate sealing contact with the reflector on clamping the lighting unit A within the mounting ring.

The headlamp assembly above described as mounted on the vehicle in the usualV manner. As shown in Figure 1, the lamp casing 23 is bolted to the vehicle by means of attaching members 63 and resilient vibration absorbing members 65 sleeved therearound.

As is readily seen from the above description, the electrical elements of the headlamp are efficiently sealed -by boot 53 from contact with contaminating dirt and/or water, moisture and corrosive salts which act to short out the bulb filaments and thus make it necessary to replace the lighting unit before the otherwise possible life period has passed. The aim of the lamp in the horizontal and vertical planes is adjusted by running either one or both of the adjusting screws 31 up or down in the threaded bushings 29. A tension spring 40 is attached to the lamp casing 23 in the annular channel 27 at one end and to the mounting ring 33 at the other end and serves to yieldingly urge the lighting subassembly against the supporting brim 25 and oppose the action of adjusting screws 31. It should be noted that this adjustment of the lamp subassembly is free and unhindered since only the electrical connections at the rear. of the subassembly are sealed as distinguished from the sealing of the entire headlamp which, as taught by the prior art, necessitates the use of a sealing gasket between the movable lighting unit and the fixed lamp casing.

While I have provided convenient means for attaching the lighting subassembly to the lamp casing, retaining ring to the ball type mounting ring, and lamp casing to lthe vehicle structure, it should be well understood that other forms might be adopted. I also wish to particu- Iarly point out that the sealing boot of my invention may be used with lamps of construction other than the ball and socket type, the seating flange being then formed on any suitable member ofthe lamp mounting.

While the form of the embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted7 as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. In a lamp, the combination of a lighting unit within a lamp casing, said lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens and light source within said reflector, said light source having a plurality of terminals projecting through the back of said rellector, means for mounting said unit within the lamp casing, resilient means positioned on the rear portion only of said reflector and around said terminals insealing relationship therewith, a laterally extending flange formed on said` resilient means and contacting only said retlector, and means formed on said first mentioned means and bearing on said llange to urge it into sealing Contact with said reflector, said lamp casing being nonresilient and extending over only the rellector portion of said lighting unit.

2. In a lamp, the com-bination of a lighting unit within a-lamp casing, said lighting unit comprising a retlector, lens and light source within said reflector, said light source having a plurality of terminals projecting through thc back of said reflector, means for mounting said unit within the lamp casing, a connector engaged with said terminals, a-resilient sealing boot positioned on the rear portion only of said rellector and around said connector and said terminals forming a seal therewith, a laterally extending llange formed on said boot and contacting only said reflector, and a seating flange formed on said means and bearing on said boot ilange to urge it into sealing contact with said reflector, said boot flange having a plurality of concentric sealing lips formed on its reflector contacting face.

3. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens and light source within said reflector, a mounting for said unit extending over the reflector and having a substantially spherical seating surface, a ring overlapping the front edge of said unit, means securing the ring to said mounting and clamping the unit therebetween to form a subassembly, a support for said subassembly comprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, said ring having an annular portion overlapping the forward side portion of said support and being in spaced relationship thereto, means attached to said support at one end and to said mounting at the other end for yieldingly urging said subassembly into engagement with said rolled brim at one side, and adjusting means having one end attached to said support and the other end to said mounting at the other side to permit aiming of said subassembly, the forward side portion of said support being free of vehicle attaching structure.

4. In a headlamp, the combination of a lighting unit comprising a rellector, lens and light source withinsaid reflector, a mounting for said unit extending over the reflector and having a substantially spherical seating surface, a ring overlapping the front edge of said unit, means securing the ring to said mounting and clamping the unit therebetween to form a subassembly, a support `for said subassembly comprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim, resilient means having one end attached to said support and the other end to said mounting for yieldingly urging said subassembly into engagement with said rolled brim at one side, adjusting means having one end attached to said support and the other end to said mounting at the other side to permit aiming of said subassembly, terminals projecting through the back of said reflector, resilient sealing means positioned around said terminals and having a laterally extending portion formed thereon, and means formed on said mounting to bear on said portion and urge it into sealing contact with said reflector.

5. In a headlamp, the combination of a lighting unit comprising a reflector, lens and light source within said reflector, a mounting for said unit extending over the reflector and having a substantially spherical seating surface, airing overlapping the front edge of said unit, means securing the ring to said mounting and clamping the unit therebetween to form a subassembly, a support for said subassembly comprising a cup-shaped member having a` rolled brim, said ring having a portion overlapping said support and functioning as the headlamp door, a spring having one end attached to said support and the other end to said mounting for yieldingly urging said subassembly into engagement with said rolled brim at one side, adjusting screws having one end attached to said support and the other end to said mounting at the other side to permit aiming of said subassembly, a plurality of terminals projecting through the back of said reflector, a resilient sealing boot positioned around said terminals, a laterally extending flange formed on said boot and contacting said reflector, and a seating flange formed on said mounting and bearing on said boot flange to urge it into sealing contact with said reector.

6. The combination of a lighting unit comprising a reilector, lens and light source within said reflector, a mounting for said unit extending over the reflector and having a substantially spherical seating surface, a ring overlapping the front edge of said unit, means securing the ring to said mounting and clamping the unit therebetween to form a subassembly, a support for said subassembly comprising a cup-'shaped member having a rolled brim, means yieldingly urging said subassembly into engagement with said rolled brim at one side thereof, adjusting means acting between said mounting and said support at the other side to resist the force of said yielding means and permit aiming of said subassembly, terminals projecting through the back of said reector, a sealing boot made of resilient material positioned around said terminals, a laterally ex tending flange formed on said boot and contacting said reector, and a seating flange formed on said mounting and bearing on said boot flange to urge it into sealing contact with said reector, said boot flange having at least one `concentric sealing lip formed on its reflector contacting surface.

7. In a headlamp, the combination of a lighting unit comprising a reector, lens and light source within said reflector, a mounting for said unit extending over the reector and having a substantially spherical seating surface; a ring overlapping the front edge of said unit, means securing the ring to said mounting and clamping said unit therebetween to form a subassembly, a support for said subassembly comprising a cup-shaped member having a rolled brim surrounded by an annular channel, said ring having a portion overlapping the side portion of said annular channel and functioning as the headlamp door, a spring having one end attached to said support in said annular channel and the other end to said mounting for yieldingly urging said subassembly into engagement with said rolled brim at one side, ladjusting screws having one end attached to said support in said annular channel and the other end to said mounting at the other side to permit aiming of said subassembly, a plurality of light source terminals projecting through the back of said reflector, a connector engaged with said terminals, a sealing boot made of resilient material positioned around said connector and said terminals, a laterally extending llange formed integral with said boot and contacting said reflector, and a seating flange formed on the central portion of said mounting and bearing on said boot ange to urge 6 it into sealing contact with said reflector, the side portion of said annular channel being free of vehicle attaching structure.

8. In a lamp wherein a lighting unit is adjustably supported within a non-resilient lamp mounting, said lighting unit having a plurality of terminals projecting through the back thereof, the combination therewith of resilient means positioned on the rear portion only of said lighting unit and about said terminals in sealing relationship therewith, a laterally extending llange formed on said resilient means and contacting only the back of said lighting unit, and bearing means formed on said lamp mounting contacting said ilange to urge said ange into sealing contact with said lighting unit.

9. A lamp wherein a lighting unit is adjustably supported within a non-resilient lamp mounting, said lighting unit having a plurality of terminals projecting through the back thereof, characterized by the fact that a resilient sealing boot is positioned on the rear portion only of said lighting unit and about said terminals in sealing relationship therewith, said boot having a laterally extending flange contacting only the back of said lighting unit, and a seating ange formed on said lamp mounting bearing on said boot ange to urge it into sealing contact with said rellector, said boot ilange having `a plurality of concentric sealing lips formed on its lighting unit contacting face,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,745,901 McKay et al. Feb. 4, 1930 1,784,539 Rieker Dec. 9, 1930 2,246,808 McKechnie June 24, 1941 2,334,899 Bosten et al Nov. 23, 1943 2,347,055 Johnson Apr. 18, 1944 2,423,664 Ryder July 8, 1947 2,508,063 Gross May 16, l()