US3351888A

US3351888A - Lamp socket assembly

Info

Publication number: US3351888A
Application number: US469454A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald R Ford
Original assignee: BOYNE PRODUCTS Inc
Current assignee: BOYNE PRODUCTS Inc
Priority date: 1965-07-06
Filing date: 1965-07-06
Publication date: 1967-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-07

Description

' Nov. 7, 1967 D. R. FORD LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY 2 sheets-sheet i Filed July 6, 1965 I NVE N TOR- ATTORNEYS Ncov 7, 1967 f D. R. FORD. 3,351,888

LAMP SOCKET AS SEMBLY Filed Jul e, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet? A TTORNE YS United States Patent g 3,351,888 LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY Donald R. Ford, Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich, assignor to Boyne Products, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Juiy 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,454 9 Claims. (Cl. 339-93) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lamp bulb-supporting socket assembly having a tubular member formed of insulating material terminating at one end in a flange against which is seated an electrically conductive mounting bracket which is anchored to the flange by electrically conductive fingers projecting from a lamp bulb-accommodating socket and extending through openings in the flange externally of the tubular member. Within the tubular member is an axially slideable terminal which occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the tubular member and is urged toward the socket member and against a tilt-responsive switch by a spring.

This invention relates to a socket assembly for a lamp bulb and more particularly to a lamp socket construction that is especially adapted for use with vehicles and which provides for automatic operation of a lamp bulb.

It is customary to equip vehicles with lamp assemblies within the trunk compartment and under the hood for illuminating the trunk and engine compartments upon raising of the trunk lid or the hood. Some of the known lamp assemblies utilize a mercury type switch for controlling the operation of the lamp in response to raising and lowering of the hood or trunk lid, whereas others utilize a mechanical switch that is mounted for engagement and operation by the trunk lid or hood. The mercury type switch is preferable inasmuch as it may be incorporated in the socket assembly and thereby minimizes the number of parts and mounting devices which must be used. The known constructions utilizing such switches, however, have other disadvantages, such as the likelihood of being damaged by the shock of operation of the trunk lid or hood, the possibility of being shortcircuited, and the possibility of improper contact between the electrically conductive parts of the assembly. In addition, the electrical parts of conventional socket assemblies utilizing mercury type switches must be so carefully insulated that the assembly of the construction becomes a time-consuming, tion.

An object of this invention is to provide a lamp socket assembly especially adapted for use with vehicles and which may utilize a mercury or similar type automatic switch without being subject to the disadvantages reintricate, and costly opera .ferred to above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket assembly which is economical to produce and assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket assembly which is so constructed as to promote electrical reliability and minimize the possibility of short-circuiting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket assembly having self-contained cushioning means for minimizing the shocks to which the assembly may be subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp assembly of the kind described which incorporates fewer parts than have heretofore been necessary.

ice

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse sectional view of one embodiment of the invention and taken on the line 11 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view, partly broken away, of the assembly shown in FIGURES 1 :and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating a modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 4.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 comprises a body 1 formed of electrically nonconductive, inherently resilient material such as polypropylene or the like, and having a generally cylindrical or tubular portion 2 terminating at one end in an end wall 3 that is provided with a central aperture 4. The other end of the portion 2 is open, but preferably includes three or four uniformly spaced, inwardly extending ribs or projections 5 located at the end of the portion 2.

Adjacent the open end of the portion 2 is a peripheral flange or enlargement 6 that terminates at its outer edge in an annular wall 7 that extends in prolongation of the portion 2 to form a well or socket. The flange 6 is pierced by a pair of diametrically opposed slots 8 lying radially outwardly of the tubular portion 2.

Surrounding the wall 7 is a generally elliptical mounting wall 9 that is joined to the wall 7 by a flexible web 10 that is substantially V-shaped in cross-section. All of the parts of the body 1 preferably are integral and may be formed by conventional plastic molding processes.

Means is provided for mounting the body 1 on a suitable metallic portion of the hood or trunk lid of a vehicle (not shown) and comprises a metallic, electrically conductive bracket 11 having a pair of spaced

apart legs

12 and 13 which straddle the tubular portion 2 and are secured to the wall 9 by means of rivets 14 or the like. Flanges 15 and 16 are joined to the

legs

12 and 13 to provide means for attaching the bracket to the trunk lid or hood of the vehicle body.

An electrically conductive member 17 is secured to the bracket 11 by one of the rivets 14 and comprises a loop 18 of such size as to receive the portion 2 of the body 1. Integrally formed with the loop 18 is a laterally extending arm 19 of such length as to extend to the

adjacent bracket leg

12 or 13.

A lamp-accommodating socket member 20 is included in the assembly and comprises a cylindrical body 21 formed of electrically conductive metal and being open at both ends. The body 21 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed bayonet slots 23 that extend to one end. From the other end of the body 21 extends a pair of diametrically opposed legs 22 which may be projected through the slots 8, as is indicated in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, and then turned outwardly so as to be clamped against the loop 18 of the conductive member 17. The turning of the free ends of the legs 22 not only provides an electrical connection between the cylinder 21 and the V bracket 11, but also securely anchors the cylinder 21 to the body 1.

A conventional lamp 24 is adapted for reception in the socket member 20 and comprises a glass bulb 25 within which is enclosed a filament (not shown), one end of which is connected to a metal jacket 26 that is secured to the bulb, and the other end of which is connected to a terminal 27 that is insulated from the jacket 26. Opposite sides of the jacket 26 are provided with radially extending projections (not shown) which may be accommodated in the opposed bayonet slots 23 as is customary.

An elongated electrical conductor 28 is associated with the socket assembly and has secured to one of its ends an enlarged, metallic terminal 29. To the other end of the conductor 28 is secured a terminal 30 wihch may be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy such as a battery (not shown). Surrounding the conductor 28 is a compression spring 31, and between the spring and the terminal 29 is a conductive, preferably C-shaped washer 32 having a diametral size corresponding substantially to, but slightly less than, the inside diameter of the tubular portion 2. The arrangement is such that at least one of the terminals 29 and 30 is of such size that it may pass through the opening 4 in the end wall 3 of the tubular member 2, thereby permitting joining of the terminals to the conductor 28 prior to the assembly of the conductor with the socket 1. The spring 31 and the washer 32 may be assembled with the conductor 28 as the latter is threaded through the tubular body 2.

The terminal 29 is adapted to engage one end of a conventional mercury or similar switch 33 of the kind which may make or break a circuit in response to being tilted, and the other end of the switch is adapted to engage the terminal 27 of the lamp 24. The diameter of the switch 33 should be somewhat less than the inside diameter of the body portion 2 so as to enable the switch 33 to be axially slideable therein, but the diameter of the switch 33 should be slightly greater than the clearance between the projections 5 so as to have an interference fit therewith.

To assemble the apparatus thus far described, the conductor may be threaded through the opening 4 in the tubular portion 2, and the spring 31 and the washer 32 assembled with the conductor so that the washer 32 is interposed between the spring and the terminal 29. The switch 33 then may be forced into the tubular portion 20, past the projections 5, as is permitted by the inherent yieldability of the material from which the body 1 is formed. The conductor 17 then may be secured to the bracket 11 and the latter riveted to the wall 9. The socket member 20 then may be inserted within the wall 7 and the legs 22 turned over to engage the conductive ring 18. The lamp 24 then may be assembled with the socket 20.

When the parts are assembled in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, both the terminal 29 and the washer 32 constantly will be biased toward the switch 33 by the spring 31, and the switch 33 constantly will be biased toward the lamp terminal 27 by the spring. There thus will be positive engagement of the electrically conductive parts of the apparatus. In such an arrangement, and assuming that the switch 33 is tilted to such position that it is electrically conductive, energy from the battery will be delivered via the conductor 28, the terminal 29, the switch 33 and the terminal 27 to the bulb filament. From the filament, the circuit is completed to ground via the lamp jacket 26, the socket member 20, the conductor 17 and the bracket 11.

Upon tilting of the switch 33 to another position, the circuit will be broken. It will be understood that the body 1 and its associated parts will be so mounted on the trunk lid or hood that the switch 33 will be in a position to break the circuit to the bulb when the lid or hood is in its lowered position, and will be tilted to a position to complete the circuit to the bulb upon raising of the lid or hood.

One of the principal advantages of the disclosed construction is that there is no possibility of a short circuit developing within the member 1 inasmuch as the entire member 1 is formed of electrically nonconductive material. Moreover, the forming of the member 1 entirely of nonconductive material makes it possible to use a metallic washer 32 which increases by several times the electrically conductive area of the terminal 29 and actually becomes part of the terminal. As a result, cocking of the switch or of the terminal 29 will not prevent electrical engagement thereof. Should there be any imperfection in the formation of either the switch 33 or the bulb terminal 27, the area of effective electrical conductivity is not limited to the relatively small area of the terminal 29, but is increased to the full area of the member 32.

The

parts

9 and 10 provide for a cushioned or shock resistant mounting for the body 1 and the bulb. The thin, flexible web 10 is so formed that a radially compressive force exerted on it results in deflection of the two legs of the V, rather than compression of the web. As a consequence, the body 1 may be subjected to rather severe blows without damage.

The construction disclosed in FIGURES 4 and 5 comprises a body member 35 formed of material such as that previously described and having a tubular body portion 36 similar in all respects to the portion 2 earlier described. Adjacent the open end of the portion 36 is an annular flange 37 which is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed slots through which the legs 22 of the socket member 20 may project. A metallic mounting bracket 38 includes a flange 39 which bears against the flange 37 and is provided with a pair of slots through which the socket legs 22 extend. The legs 22 may be bent over, as is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, so as to secure the socket 20 to the body member 35 and to clamp the bracket flange 39 between the cylinder 21 and the flange 37. The bracket 39 also includes flanges 40 and 41 for mounting the assembly on a portion of the vehicle body.

The conductor 28, the spring 31, the washer 32 and the switch 33 may be assembled with the lamp 24 and the member 35 in exactly the same manner as has been described in connection with the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES l3. The principal diflerence between the two embodiments is that the embodiment disclosed in FIG- URES 4 and 5 does not include the anti-shock or cushioning wall 9 and web 10 of the previously described embodiment.

The disclosed embodiments are representative of presently preferred forms of the invetion, but are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A socket assembly for a lamp bulb comprising a body member formed of electrically insulating material, said body member having a tubular portion terminating adjacent one end thereof in a peripheral flange; electrically conductive terminal means mounted in said tubular portion of said body member for movements toward and away from said one endthereof; spring means acting on said terminal means and biasing the latter to move toward said one end; an electrically conductive socket member adapted to accommodate an electrical lamp bulb; conductive means securing said socket member to said flange; and electrically conductive means connected to said socket member by said conductive securing means, said flange comprising radially inner and outer annular wall portions joined to one another by a flexible web portion.

2. The assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular portions and said web portion are integral.

3. A socket assembly for a lamp bulb comprising a body member formed of electrically nonconductive material and having a tubular portion terminating at one end in a peripheral flange having a plurality of openings therein external of said portion; electrically conductive terminal means mounted in said tubular portion and having a dimension corresponding substantially to the internal cross-sectional dimension of said portion; an electrically conductive mounting member carried by said body member; an electrically conductive socket member carried by said body member and adapted to accommodate a lamp bulb therein; and electrically conductive anchor means carried by said socket member in engagement with said mounting member and extending through said openings for electrically interconnecting said socket member and said mounting member and securing said members to said flange.

4. The assembly set forth in claim 3 including switch means accommodated in said tubular portion between said terminal means and said socket member and operable to make and break an electrical circuit between said terminal means and said mounting member.

5. The assembly set forth in claim 4 including deformable means at said one end of said tubular portion extending inwardly of the latter for precluding inadvertent removal of said switch means from said one end of said tubular portion.

6. The assembly set forth in claim 3 including spring means acting on said terminal means and biasing the latter toward said one end of said tubular portion.

7. The assembly set forth in claim 3 wherein said flange comprises radially inner and outer annular wall portions joined to one another by a flexible web portion.

8. The assembly set forth in claim 7 wherein said annular portions and said web portion are integral.

9. The assembly set forth in claim 3 wherein said terminal means includes a disc-like member having a slot therein.

References Cited MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. R. E. MOORE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR A LAMP BULB COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER FORMED OF ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A TUBULAR PORTION TERMINATING ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF IN A PERIPHERAL FLANGE; ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE TERMINAL MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID TUBULAR PORTION OF SAID BODY MEMBER FOR MOVEMENTS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID ONE END THEREOF; SPRING MEANS ACTING ON SAID TERMINAL MEANS AND BIASING THE LATTER TO MOVE TOWARD SAID ONE END; AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE SOCKET MEMBER ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE AN ELECTRICAL LAMP BULB; CONDUCTIVE MEANS SECURING SAID SOCKET MEMBER TO SAID FLANGE; AND ELECTRICLALY CONDUCTIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SOCKET MEMBER BY SAID CONDUCTIVE SECURING MEANS, SAID FLANGE COMPRISING RADIALLY INNER AND OUTER ANNULAR WALL PORTIONS JOINED TO ONE ANOTHER BY A FLEXIBLE WEB PORTION.