US3610914A - Illuminated indicating instrument with front replaceable lamps - Google Patents

Illuminated indicating instrument with front replaceable lamps Download PDF

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Publication number
US3610914A
US3610914A US32087A US3610914DA US3610914A US 3610914 A US3610914 A US 3610914A US 32087 A US32087 A US 32087A US 3610914D A US3610914D A US 3610914DA US 3610914 A US3610914 A US 3610914A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cartridge
lamp
bezel
socket
holder device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US32087A
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English (en)
Inventor
Dana J Blackwell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lewis Engineering Co
Original Assignee
Lewis Engineering Co
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lewis Engineering Co filed Critical Lewis Engineering Co
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Publication of US3610914A publication Critical patent/US3610914A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
    • B60Q3/10—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards
    • B60Q3/14—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for dashboards lighting through the surface to be illuminated

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an illuminated indicating instrument or meter as provided by the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the instrument, showing the front portion thereof with the casing and instrument movement removed.
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is .a fragmentary axial sectional view, greatly enlarged, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in axial section, of a lamp holder device employed in the instrument.
  • FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the lamp holder device of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, greatly enlarged, of a removable capsule unit adapted to cradle a lamp.
  • FIG. 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the capsule body, greatly enlarged.
  • FIG. 10 is an opposite side elevational view of the capsule body of FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the capsule body of FIGS. 9 and 10.
  • FIG 12 is a view like that of FIG. 10, but showing a modification of the invention.
  • the illuminated instrument comprises a casing 10 (shown partially in broken outline in FIG. 2) carrying at its front an annular bezel 12 in which there is mounted a window 14 of the kind adapted to be edge lighted.
  • the window 14 may be of any usual construction involving prisms or lenses l6, 18 as it well understood in the art.
  • the instrument has a dial, including a scale or indicia 20 and one or more pointers 22, as is common practice.
  • a novel and improved lighting means or assembly is provided for effecting illumination of the instrument dial, indicia 20 and pointer 22, such lighting means comprising miniature incandescent lamps and sockets therefor, so arranged that the lamps may be easily and quickly removed and replaced via the front of the instrument without requiring its being dismounted, or requiring dismantling of the casing 10 thereof.
  • the illumination means comprises a pair of identical lighting units 24, 26 only one of which, for the sake of brevity, will be described in detail.
  • the lighting unit 26 comprises a lamp holder in the form of a tube 28 disposed within the casing at the rear of the bezel 12, said tube having a pair of angle brackets 30 which are secured to the rear bezel by suitable screws 32.
  • the angle brackets 30 may be spot welded to the exterior of the holder tube 28, as indicated.
  • the forward edge of the holder tube 28 has a notch 34 which adjoins the edge portion of the window 14 as clearly shown in FIG. 4, for the purpose of, enabling light from the lamp to strike such edge portion, as explained below.
  • the inner wall of the holder tube 28 comprises a guide means which extends in forward and rearward directions, and within the tube there is a lamp socket comprising portions 36, 38 constituted as a single unit.
  • the socket portion 36 which is the larger in diameter, is affixed in the holder tube 28 between an intumed end flange 40 and an internal shoulder means 42 formed in the wall of the tube.
  • a miniature incandescent electric lamp 50 Disposed within the small-diameter portion 38 of the lamp socket are split, spring receptacle sleeves 44 adapted to frictionally receive prongs 46 extending from the base or cylindrical member 48 of a miniature incandescent electric lamp 50 of the type commonly referred to as a grain of wheat lamp.
  • the socket 36, 38 has rearwardly extended terminals 52 to which lead wires 54 are secured, said terminals and attached ends of the wires being enclosed in a heat-shrunk plastic sleeve 55.
  • the said lamp cradling device comprises a metal capsule part havinga tubular capsule body 58 which may be advantageously formed as a metal stamping in the shape of a deep cup with a C-shaped or arcuate transverse bottom wall defining a large circular bottom opening 60, said body 58 also having a relatively wide and long side slot 62 communicating with the bottom opening 60.
  • the capsule body 58 and openings 60, 62 are sufficiently large to enable the lamp 50 to be inserted and positioned therein as illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the rear peripheral edge of the lamp base member 48 is seen, in this figure, to be engaged by the transverse wall of the cartridge which contains the bottom opening 60.
  • the capsule body 58 has a plurality (here shown as three in number) of spring prongs 64 which are lanced from the mouth of the body, being preferably arcuately spaced apart by approximately 90.
  • the central one of the spring prongs 64 is disposed in the portion of the body 58 which is diametrically opposite the side slot 62.
  • annular internal groove 66 provided in the bezel 12, such groove providing a shoulder at its front that engages the prongs 64, the arrangement being such that the capsule body 58 may be yieldably retained in the assembled position illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the contained lamp 50 has its prongs accommodated in the spring sleeves 44 of the socket 36, 38.
  • the lamp-holding capsule further comprises a handle or closure piece 68 in the form of a small knob, having a cylindrical shank portion 70 which is accommodated in the mouth of the capsule body 58 and is spot welded thereto at a plurality of places, one being indicated at 72.
  • the shank 70 of the handle or knob 68 is preferably provided with a central bore 74 in which there is press-fitted a plastic insert 76 having a concave exposed end face 78 adapted to receive the front end portion of the lamp 50.
  • the plastic insert 76 is preferably constituted of a heat resistant and heat-insulating formulation, such as is known commercially as Teflon.”
  • the knob 68 is shown as having a central undercut portion 80 forming an annular groove 82 adapted to receive the fingernails or a fiat tool for the purpose of prying the capsule with its contained lamp forward to disengage the spring fingers 64, and thus permit its removal.
  • the bezel 12 has a light opening 84 adjacent the notch 34 of the holder tube 28 whereby light from the filament 56 of the lamp 50 can strike the edges of the window l4 and travel through the same for the purpose of illuminating the dial, indicia 20 and pointer 22 thereof.
  • the closure piece 68 is preferably provided with a keying projection or lug 86 adapted to be accommodated in a cooperable notch 88 of the bezel 12 to assure the proper orientation of the capsule at the time that it is being replaced in the holder tube 28.
  • FIG. 12 Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12, wherein a detent means is provided to releasably hold the lamp in the capsule or cartridge.
  • a detent means is provided to releasably hold the lamp in the capsule or cartridge.
  • Shown therein is a cartridge 580 having an end opening 600 defined by an inturned, curved end flange, and having a side opening 62a to admit the lamp.
  • Spring detent fingers 64a yieldably hold the cartridge in the holder, as with the cartridge 58.
  • the cartridge shell 58a has a lanced spring finger 66 provided with an upturned or outtumed tip 68.
  • the finger 66 is engageable with the base 48 of the lamp to prevent the latter from slipping out of the cartridge during handling.
  • the tip 68 facilitates insertion of the lamp into the cartridge 58a, since it earns the finger 66 outward to make clearance when the lamp is being pushed in.
  • an indicating instrument of the type having an enclosing casing, a lighting assemblage comprising, in combination:
  • annular bezel located at the front of the instrument casing
  • a transparent window carried by said bezel and adapted to be edge lighted
  • said lamp being removably carried in said socket and extending forwardly thereof
  • said bezel having an opening which provides access to the socket and which is aligned with the holder device and adapted to pass a lamp therethrough for insertion into the socket,
  • a removable cartridge disposed in said holder device and bezel opening, said cartridge including a cover piece for said bezel opening,
  • detent means for releasably holding the cartridge in the holder device, with the cover piece thereof disposed over the opening of the bezel,
  • said cartridge having a nest for releasably cradling the lamp in a position to be received in the socket, or to be removed therefrom when the cartridge is pulled out of the holder,
  • said bezel and cover piece having cooperable keying means to effect a desired orientation of the cover piece and lamp, thereby to facilitate insertion of the lamp in the socket.
  • the cooperable keying means of the bezel and cover piece comprise a projection on said piece and a notch in the bezel, receiving said projection.
  • a lighting assemblage comprising, in combination:
  • annular bezel located at the front of the instrument casing
  • a transparent window carried by said bezel and adapted to be edge lighted
  • a lamp having a base at one end and terminal prongs thereon, said lamp being removably carried by said socket and extending forwardly thereof and the prongs of the lamp being frictionally held in the spring contact receptacles of the socket,
  • said bezel having an opening which provides access to the socket and which is aligned with the holder device and adapted to pass a lamp therethrough for insertion into the socket,
  • a removable cup-shaped cartridge disposed in said holder device and bezel opening, said cartridge including a cover piece for said bezel opening,
  • spring detent means for releasably yieldably holding the cartridge in the holder device, with the cover piece thereof disposed over the opening of the bezel, said spring detent means yielding in response to a forceful pull on the cartridge, thereby to release the cartridge from the holder device,
  • said cartridge having a nest for releasably cradling the lamp in a position enabling the prongs thereof to be received in the receptacles of the socket, or to be removed therefrom when the cartridge is pulled out of the holder,
  • said lamp base comprising a cylindrical member
  • said cartridge having an arcuate apertured transverse wall comprising an intumed end flange engaged with edge portions of the cylindrical lamp base member whereby pulling forces applied to the cartridge will be transmitted to said base member to effect release and removal of the lamp prongs from the spring receptacles of the socket,
  • said detent means comprising spring prongs on the walls of the cartridge, and comprising a shoulder disposed in the bezel and engaged with the spring prongs.
  • the cartridge comprises a deep cup having a side opening and a bottom opening communicating with the side openmg,
  • said lamp being receivable sideways into the cartridge cup through the side opening thereof with the lamp terminal prongs disposed in the said bottom opening.
  • the cartridge has at the interior of its front end a concavity to receive the end portion of the lamp envelope.
  • the cover piece of the cartridge comprises a knob affixed in the front end of the cartridge cup,
  • the cartridge has a central undercut projection at its front end, adapted to be engaged by a flat instrumentality for the purpose of pulling the cartridge out of the holder device.
  • the inner end of the knob comprises a heat-insulating
  • the cartridge cup is a metal stamping
  • the detent means comprises spring fingers lanced from the walls of the cartridge cup.
  • a spring finger on said cartridge engageable with the base of said lamp to yieldably hold the lamp in the cartridge against inadvertent slipping out during handling.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
US32087A 1970-04-27 1970-04-27 Illuminated indicating instrument with front replaceable lamps Expired - Lifetime US3610914A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US3208770A 1970-04-27 1970-04-27

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US3610914A true US3610914A (en) 1971-10-05

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US (1) US3610914A (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)
FR (1) FR2090718A5 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3714406A (en) * 1970-04-09 1973-01-30 Decca Ltd Sealed housings for electronic or electrical equipment
US3761703A (en) * 1971-12-23 1973-09-25 U S Radium Corp Apparatus for illumination of instrument faces
US4772986A (en) * 1987-08-11 1988-09-20 Mcnemor Glenn A Illuminating device
US6536932B1 (en) * 1999-12-28 2003-03-25 Minebea Co., Ltd. Spread illuminating apparatus with a frame having resilience for clamping constituent members
US7494244B1 (en) 2005-12-21 2009-02-24 J & J Electronics, Inc. Serially controllable LED lighting systems

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2413381A (en) * 1943-10-22 1946-12-31 Bendix Aviat Corp Illuminating means for indicating instruments
US2677045A (en) * 1950-10-13 1954-04-27 Cons Vultee Aircraft Corp Edge illuminated instrument panel
US2681980A (en) * 1951-02-13 1954-06-22 Marco Ind Company Console lamp assembly for edge lighting of instrument panels
US2778930A (en) * 1956-01-19 1957-01-22 Marco Ind Company Indicator light with snap-in mounting
US2916606A (en) * 1956-05-18 1959-12-08 Grimes Mfg Company Instrument lighting fixtures
US2963571A (en) * 1957-02-11 1960-12-06 Glar Ban Corp Lighting device for instrument panels
US3120349A (en) * 1962-05-11 1964-02-04 Earl W Howland Illuminating means for instruments
US3122329A (en) * 1961-07-18 1964-02-25 United Aircraft Corp Instrument illumination system
US3320412A (en) * 1965-03-04 1967-05-16 Earl W Howland Aircraft instrument illumination
US3475602A (en) * 1967-07-06 1969-10-28 Gen Electric Aircraft instrument light supporting means
US3526762A (en) * 1968-03-26 1970-09-01 Lewis Eng Co Illuminated indicating instrument with replaceable lamps

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2413381A (en) * 1943-10-22 1946-12-31 Bendix Aviat Corp Illuminating means for indicating instruments
US2677045A (en) * 1950-10-13 1954-04-27 Cons Vultee Aircraft Corp Edge illuminated instrument panel
US2681980A (en) * 1951-02-13 1954-06-22 Marco Ind Company Console lamp assembly for edge lighting of instrument panels
US2778930A (en) * 1956-01-19 1957-01-22 Marco Ind Company Indicator light with snap-in mounting
US2916606A (en) * 1956-05-18 1959-12-08 Grimes Mfg Company Instrument lighting fixtures
US2963571A (en) * 1957-02-11 1960-12-06 Glar Ban Corp Lighting device for instrument panels
US3122329A (en) * 1961-07-18 1964-02-25 United Aircraft Corp Instrument illumination system
US3120349A (en) * 1962-05-11 1964-02-04 Earl W Howland Illuminating means for instruments
US3320412A (en) * 1965-03-04 1967-05-16 Earl W Howland Aircraft instrument illumination
US3475602A (en) * 1967-07-06 1969-10-28 Gen Electric Aircraft instrument light supporting means
US3526762A (en) * 1968-03-26 1970-09-01 Lewis Eng Co Illuminated indicating instrument with replaceable lamps

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3714406A (en) * 1970-04-09 1973-01-30 Decca Ltd Sealed housings for electronic or electrical equipment
US3761703A (en) * 1971-12-23 1973-09-25 U S Radium Corp Apparatus for illumination of instrument faces
US4772986A (en) * 1987-08-11 1988-09-20 Mcnemor Glenn A Illuminating device
US6536932B1 (en) * 1999-12-28 2003-03-25 Minebea Co., Ltd. Spread illuminating apparatus with a frame having resilience for clamping constituent members
US7494244B1 (en) 2005-12-21 2009-02-24 J & J Electronics, Inc. Serially controllable LED lighting systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2090718A5 (cg-RX-API-DMAC10.html) 1972-01-14

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