US3800267A - Lamp socket - Google Patents

Lamp socket Download PDF

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Publication number
US3800267A
US3800267A US00267130A US26713072A US3800267A US 3800267 A US3800267 A US 3800267A US 00267130 A US00267130 A US 00267130A US 26713072 A US26713072 A US 26713072A US 3800267 A US3800267 A US 3800267A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
ground
bulb
socket body
insert unit
socket
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
US00267130A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
J Burgess
M Polkinghorn
S Brzozowski
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.)
TDK Micronas GmbH
ITT Inc
Original Assignee
Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH filed Critical Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH
Priority to US00267130A priority Critical patent/US3800267A/en
Priority to AU57341/73A priority patent/AU482532B2/en
Priority to CA175,049A priority patent/CA994882A/en
Priority to JP7323773A priority patent/JPS5332635B2/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3800267A publication Critical patent/US3800267A/en
Assigned to ITT CORPORATION reassignment ITT CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
    • H01R33/94—Holders formed as intermediate parts for linking a counter-part to a coupling part
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R33/00—Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection via a counterpart which is structurally associated with the apparatus, e.g. lamp holders; Separate parts thereof
    • H01R33/05—Two-pole devices
    • H01R33/46—Two-pole devices for bayonet type base
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S439/00—Electrical connectors
    • Y10S439/918—Multilamp vehicle panel

Definitions

  • the principal plastic bodies are molded to receive and hold plastic bulb inserts which are sized to fit standard bayonet light bulbs.
  • Spring contacts to make connections to the light bulbs, are inserted in the principal plastic bodies and are held in place by tangs which contact molded areas of the plastic bodies.
  • Other tangs provide connections from the spring contacts through windows in spade terminals connecting to a wiring harness.
  • Ground connections are provided by ground contact straps embodying tangs and other elements which secure them to the principal plastic body. The ground contact straps permit completion of a ground connection through another tang to the wiring harness or, alternatively, through a ground tab to a metal wall.
  • the present invention relates to lamp sockets of particular utility with automotive vehicles. It relates especially to economical plastic lamp sockets for use in sheltered places when the need for weather-proofing is minimal.
  • Lamp sockets according to the invention embody improved connectors of use in establishing stress relieving connections to wiring harnesses and simple connections to ground.
  • the sockets are adaptable to permit plastic inserts for a wide range of socket bases regardless of depth and focal length.
  • Connectors are provided which enable ground connections to be completed either to a wiring harness or to metal walls throughwhich the sockets have been placed.
  • lamp sockets such as those disclosed in the'prior applications referenced above.
  • These prior art sockets have overcome many of the objections to the use of metal sockets. They relate to a class of lamp sockets which provide weather-proof construction adaptable to use in areas exposed to outside weather, moisture and the like. This provision of weather-proof construction is necessary where sockets are placed in exposed positions but imposes costly penalties where sockets are to be located in protected places such as automobile trunks and covered weatherproof lamp housings.
  • objects of the present invention include the provision of new lamp sockets for installation in protected places where moisture seal is not required and the provision of novel grounding facilities while preserving all other important functions of the prior art devices.
  • the new sockets are adaptable to be connected directly to wiring harnesses through connectors which enable connections between the sockets and the wiring harness to be completed by pushing the components together.
  • the connectors include elements which latch together to prevent the wiring harness from separating from the socket by simple pulling action.
  • the latching elements may be characterized as snap-together connectors incorporating tangs which in cooperation with other elements latch the elementstogether, preventing the connector parts from being pulled apart after they have latched and provide relief for stresses between the connectors and the wiring harness leads.
  • the new sockets are formed to incorporate lampreceiving inserts which permit adaptation to all socket bases regardless of depth and focal length.
  • a selfgrounding snap-in tab may be provided to eliminate the need for a separate ground wire when the sockets are mounted on a metallic housing.
  • the sockets include elements which mate with open ings in reflector elements permitting simple insertion and a quick twist to lock them in position in the manner disclosed in the above referenced patent applications.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the principal components of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area in which a blade terminal and a spring contact meet
  • FIG. 3 shows details of construction of a blade terminal
  • FIG. 4 illustrates, in section, certain salient relationships between a spring contact and the socket body
  • FIG. 5 shows the relationship between a ground extension tab, the cutting edge of the tab and a rubber pad
  • FIG. 6 illustrates in cross section various relationships between a ground strap, a ground extension tab and the walls of the socket body and of the bulb insert unit
  • FIG. 7 shows further relationships between the ground contact strap, the ground extension tab, and the tang formed on the ground extension tab
  • FIG. 8 shows in greater detail the manner in which the boss and the tang of the ground extension tab engage the ground contact strap and the socket body, respectively.
  • FIG. 1 there is disclosed a sectional view which illustrates many of the most important aspects of a lamp socket in accordance with the present invention.
  • the lower socket body is indicated at 15.
  • a bulb insert unit 16 is shown in position within the open end of the lower socket body 15.
  • the bulb insert 'unit 16 is held in position by action between its own plastic extensions indicated as the plastic projections 10 and extensions in the form of lips 9 of the lower socket body.
  • a spring contact 17 is shown positioned to establish contact between the blade terminal, or spade terminal, 21 of a wiring harness and a contact on the base of a standard bayonet base light bulb (not shown)v
  • the elastic properties of a suitable rubber or plastic pad 20 may be used to help hold the socket against a thin wall.
  • the lamp receiving bulb insert unit 16 may be of one size to fit standard lamp bases.
  • the plastic insert is not intended to be removed once it is inserted.
  • the present invention makes use of a two-piece socket, the base and the plastic insert, instead of the one piece socket common in the past.
  • FIGS. 2 through 8 provide enlarged views of various elements and assemblies from FIG. 1. These Figures augment FIG. 1 to make it easier to understand both the mode of use and the assembly of sockets in accordance with the invention.
  • the first step in the assembly of a socket is to insert the proper number of spring contacts 17 into the lower socket body 15 so that the tang T1 on the spring contact (FIG. 4) becomes engaged under the lip 8 of plastic in the lower socket body and the tang T3 becomes engaged in an opening 5 against the wall 6 of the lower plastic body.
  • the tang T1 prevents the spring from being pushed out or dislodged during the application of the blade terminal 21 as the socket is mated with a wiring harness.
  • the tang T2 serves to provide strain relief against a pull by the blade terminal 21 and prevents the spring from being pulled through the spade or blade terminal receiving opening.
  • the next step is to insert the ground contact strap 18 (see FIG. 6) into the lower socket body.
  • the ground contact strap incorporates a tang T4 which snaps under a lip of plastic at 30 to prevent the accidental release of the ground during insertion of a blade terminal.
  • a tang T5 in the ground contact strap is formed to latch to a blade terminal which provides a connection to ground through the wiring cable, when such a connection is needed.
  • the plastic bulb insert 16 is snapped into place so that the plastic projections 10 on the insert lockingly engage the lips 9 of the socket body thus perventing the insert from being disengaged.
  • the rubber pad 20 is slipped over the socket body to rest on the flange and is forced under the locating towers 31, 32 of the socket body so that the rubber pad will not come off during handling.
  • an L-shaped ground extension tab 19 is put in place with the sharp cutting edge 14 (see FIG. 6) left exposed over the rubber pad so as to make contact to the conductive housing.
  • the other end of the tab 19 is pushed into the slot of the socket body until the tang T12 has been engaged under the lip 12. Meanwhile, the boss 13 on the ground extension tab has been forced into contact with the ground strap 18 so that a continuous electrical path may be made from the ground terminal of the lamp bulb in the bulb insert area through the ground strap to the ground extension tab and onto the conductive housing itself.
  • the sharp cutting edge of the ground extension tab 14 acts as a paint striker under a high force condition when the socket is inserted into an electrically conductive housing so that a good contact is assured when the twist lock socket is turned into proper position on the housing.
  • the socket described herein is designed so that only the socket body need be tooled especially for each focal length.
  • a common bulb insert is designed to fit all of these lower socket bodies for any specific focal length. Since there are two sets of bulb inserts, differing only in the location of the slots for the bayonets of the lamp bulb base, both of these bulb inserts will also fit into any socket body. This allows for maximum flexibility in utilization of the mold tooling of the socket components.
  • the socket mates with a blade terminal 21 having a hole, or window, 1 (FIG. 3) which engages the tang T2 of the spring contact 17 (FIG. 2) so that the terminal cannot be removed without depressing the spring contact.
  • the terminal is prevented from going into the socket body 15 beyond a given distance by the shoulder 3.
  • the window 1 in the spade, or blade, terminal is rectangular. The window slides readily over the tang T2 being guided by sidewalls of the terminal cavity to close confinement. This is in contrast to the use previously of a pin terminal which ruptured a membrane and held the terminal by means of its lance against removal. A bent nail-like tool may be used to remove the terminal by reaching through the window to depress the tang.
  • the blade terminal has a very low force insertion terminal because the spring contact has only a short distance to move to allow the blade to enter the socket yet a positive force is maintained by the spring against the blade as contained by the plastic wall of the plastic,
  • the spring contact utilizes a second tang T3 (FIG. 4), a cavity 5 in the socket body and a ledge 6 in a unique way to prevent the terminal from allowing the lower end of the spring from being distorted when the terminal and wire are pulled away from the socket body.
  • the tang T3 engages the wall 6 of the cavity 5 anchoring the spring in place until the forces required for further distortion greatly exceed the required minimums of the automotive industry.
  • a lamp socket structure for mounting through a mating opening in a thin walled housing, comprising a bulb insert unit formed of insulating material,
  • said bulb insert unit including means adapted to resaid socket body including lip means to engage said projection and tolock said bulb insert unit and said socket body together, and means, including a spring contact engageable in said socket body, to complete an electrical connection between a light bulb and a wiring harness, said spring contact including a plurality of fastening elements for engaging said socket body and elements of said wiring harness.
  • the bulb insert unit includes'means for receiving the retaining prongs of a bayonet base lamp bulb, and
  • said bulb insert unit in cooperation with said spring contact, serves to retain said bulb in retaining grooves within said bulb insert unit.
  • the socket body includes a groove and a lip for engaging fastening elements of said spring contact and retaining it within the socket body.
  • a lamp socket as claimed in claim I in which a ground contact strap is fitted between the bulb insert unit and the socket body.
  • a lamp socket as claimed in claim 1 in which a ground contact strap is fitted between the bulb insert unit and the socket body, and
  • a ground extension tab is fitted between the socket body and the ground contact strap to provide a means for establishing a ground connection to a thin metal wall.
  • ground extension tab includes a sharp edge to engage the thin metal wall and provide a ground contact therewith.
  • a lamp socket as claimed in claim 1 in which the means to complete an electrical connection between a light bulb and a wiring harness includes a tang on said spring contact and a spade terminal connected to said wiring harness,
  • said spade terminal including a window to engage said tang and provide a direct metallic connection from the spring contact, via the tang and the window, to the wiring harness.

Landscapes

  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
  • Connecting Device With Holders (AREA)
US00267130A 1972-06-28 1972-06-28 Lamp socket Expired - Lifetime US3800267A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00267130A US3800267A (en) 1972-06-28 1972-06-28 Lamp socket
AU57341/73A AU482532B2 (en) 1972-06-28 1973-06-26 Lamp socket
CA175,049A CA994882A (en) 1972-06-28 1973-06-27 Bayonet type lamp socket with connector
JP7323773A JPS5332635B2 (en(2012)) 1972-06-28 1973-06-28

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00267130A US3800267A (en) 1972-06-28 1972-06-28 Lamp socket

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3800267A true US3800267A (en) 1974-03-26

Family

ID=23017438

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00267130A Expired - Lifetime US3800267A (en) 1972-06-28 1972-06-28 Lamp socket

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US3800267A (en(2012))
JP (1) JPS5332635B2 (en(2012))
CA (1) CA994882A (en(2012))

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3999095A (en) * 1975-10-06 1976-12-21 General Motors Corporation Lamp socket and bulb assembly with side contacts
US4295698A (en) * 1978-10-10 1981-10-20 Bunker Ramo Corporation Electrical connector housing
US4473869A (en) * 1981-09-28 1984-09-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Luminaire with resilient sleeve and band connection
US4738630A (en) * 1985-04-16 1988-04-19 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen Mbh Socket for receiving the base of a single-based fluorescent lamp
US4804343A (en) * 1988-04-11 1989-02-14 General Motors Corporation Lamp socket assembly
US4940422A (en) * 1989-05-17 1990-07-10 Zanxx, Inc. Low profile lamp socket assembly
US4958429A (en) * 1989-05-17 1990-09-25 Zanxx, Inc. Method of making low profile lamp socket assembly
US5000702A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-03-19 Zanxx, Inc. Low profile lamp socket assembly and method of making
US5035643A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-07-30 Zanxx, Inc. Axial low profile lamp socket assembly
FR2717953A1 (fr) * 1994-03-25 1995-09-29 Cemm Contact d'alimentation de lampe.
EP0650231A3 (en) * 1993-10-26 1997-01-02 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Lamp holder.
US6430858B1 (en) 2000-05-31 2002-08-13 Joseph Andre Wall art picture decorated with electric lamps
US6971904B2 (en) 2003-10-30 2005-12-06 Bernhard Juergenhake Gesellschaft Fuer Kabelkonfektion Und Metallverarbeitung Mbh Light bulb socket for motor vehicle lamps
US20130012040A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Michael Eugene Cofini Threadless Light Bulb Socket
US9478929B2 (en) 2014-06-23 2016-10-25 Ken Smith Light bulb receptacles and light bulb sockets
RU2628410C1 (ru) * 2016-04-11 2017-08-16 Акционерное общество "Военно-промышленная корпорация "Научно-производственное объединение машиностроения" Способ соединения одножильного провода с контактом электросоединителя методом обжимки

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2982939A (en) * 1959-07-13 1961-05-02 Gen Motors Corp Socket and locking means
US3383637A (en) * 1966-09-16 1968-05-14 Vare Corp Plastic lamp socket
US3601778A (en) * 1969-02-03 1971-08-24 Microdot Inc Lamp socket

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2982939A (en) * 1959-07-13 1961-05-02 Gen Motors Corp Socket and locking means
US3383637A (en) * 1966-09-16 1968-05-14 Vare Corp Plastic lamp socket
US3601778A (en) * 1969-02-03 1971-08-24 Microdot Inc Lamp socket

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3999095A (en) * 1975-10-06 1976-12-21 General Motors Corporation Lamp socket and bulb assembly with side contacts
US4295698A (en) * 1978-10-10 1981-10-20 Bunker Ramo Corporation Electrical connector housing
US4473869A (en) * 1981-09-28 1984-09-25 U.S. Philips Corporation Luminaire with resilient sleeve and band connection
US4738630A (en) * 1985-04-16 1988-04-19 Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen Mbh Socket for receiving the base of a single-based fluorescent lamp
US4804343A (en) * 1988-04-11 1989-02-14 General Motors Corporation Lamp socket assembly
US5035643A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-07-30 Zanxx, Inc. Axial low profile lamp socket assembly
US4958429A (en) * 1989-05-17 1990-09-25 Zanxx, Inc. Method of making low profile lamp socket assembly
US5000702A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-03-19 Zanxx, Inc. Low profile lamp socket assembly and method of making
US4940422A (en) * 1989-05-17 1990-07-10 Zanxx, Inc. Low profile lamp socket assembly
EP0650231A3 (en) * 1993-10-26 1997-01-02 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Lamp holder.
FR2717953A1 (fr) * 1994-03-25 1995-09-29 Cemm Contact d'alimentation de lampe.
US6430858B1 (en) 2000-05-31 2002-08-13 Joseph Andre Wall art picture decorated with electric lamps
US6971904B2 (en) 2003-10-30 2005-12-06 Bernhard Juergenhake Gesellschaft Fuer Kabelkonfektion Und Metallverarbeitung Mbh Light bulb socket for motor vehicle lamps
US20130012040A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Michael Eugene Cofini Threadless Light Bulb Socket
US8668504B2 (en) * 2011-07-05 2014-03-11 Dave Smith Chevrolet Oldsmobile Pontiac Cadillac, Inc. Threadless light bulb socket
US20140248786A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2014-09-04 Dave Smith Chevrolet Oldsmobile Pontiac Cadillac, Inc. Threadless Light Bulb Socket
US9214776B2 (en) * 2011-07-05 2015-12-15 Ken Smith Light bulb socket having a plurality of thread locks to engage a light bulb
US9478929B2 (en) 2014-06-23 2016-10-25 Ken Smith Light bulb receptacles and light bulb sockets
RU2628410C1 (ru) * 2016-04-11 2017-08-16 Акционерное общество "Военно-промышленная корпорация "Научно-производственное объединение машиностроения" Способ соединения одножильного провода с контактом электросоединителя методом обжимки

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA994882A (en) 1976-08-10
AU5734173A (en) 1975-01-09
JPS5332635B2 (en(2012)) 1978-09-09
JPS4964278A (en(2012)) 1974-06-21

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ITT CORPORATION

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004389/0606

Effective date: 19831122