WO1998012777A2 - Douille pour ampoules electriques - Google Patents

Douille pour ampoules electriques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998012777A2
WO1998012777A2 PCT/DK1997/000394 DK9700394W WO9812777A2 WO 1998012777 A2 WO1998012777 A2 WO 1998012777A2 DK 9700394 W DK9700394 W DK 9700394W WO 9812777 A2 WO9812777 A2 WO 9812777A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light source
base portion
socket
portions
retaining
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DK1997/000394
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1998012777A3 (fr
Inventor
Erik Jacobsen
Kim Quist Jacobsen
Original Assignee
Quist Development K/S
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 Quist Development K/S filed Critical Quist Development K/S
Priority to AU42951/97A priority Critical patent/AU4295197A/en
Publication of WO1998012777A2 publication Critical patent/WO1998012777A2/fr
Publication of WO1998012777A3 publication Critical patent/WO1998012777A3/fr

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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
    • H01R33/90—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 adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • 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

Definitions

  • Socket for electrical light sources is Socket for electrical light sources.
  • the present invention relates to a socket for electrical light sources, said socket comprising a base portion, base connection means for interconnecting the base portion with an electrical conductor, a light source retaining portion, intermediate connection means for interconnecting the light source retaining portion with the base portion, light source connection means for interconnecting an electrical light source with the light source retaining portion, and electrical connection means for electrically connecting the light source to the electrical conductor.
  • the problem has been solved to a certain extent by fitting the tube to a base having a screw thread corresponding to the standard screw threads in conventional light bulb bases so that a conventional light bulb socket may be used.
  • the focus of the light source will in this case be placed farther away from the socket while the entire assembly also is longer than for the standard light bulb.
  • This entails a series of disadvantages in relation to existing lamps and new lamps designed for standard light bulbs.
  • a solution has not yet been found to the problem of being able to install a series of different light sources of the types mentioned in lamps designed for conventional incandescent light bulbs, at least not in such a manner that the lighting effect, overall outer dimensions, fitting of lamp shades and so on correspond to lamps with standard light bulbs.
  • a main object of the invention is to eliminate said disadvantages and to solve the mentioned problem and further to provide a flexible socket that also is prepared for use with future, as yet unknown, light sources.
  • This object is obtained according to the invention in that the light source retaining portion is a member of and exchangeable with any one of a group of two or more mutually different light source retaining portions which at least differ from the other light source retaining portions in said group of mutually different light source retaining portions by comprising a first portion of light source connection means characteristic for each of said light source retaining portions, said first portion being designed for cooperating with a second portion of light source connection means of a corresponding light source of a group of mutually different light sources which at least differ from the other light sources in said group of mutually different light sources by said second portion comprised by each of the light sources being characteristic for that particular light source.
  • a universal socket is thus provided according to the invention which can be utilized in connection with a series of different electrical light sources by simply replacing the light source retaining portion for the currently used light source type with another light source retaining portion corresponding to the desired new light source type.
  • Lamp manufacturers may supply lamps having the novel socket according to the invention together with a selected variety of different light source retaining portions according to the invention, or the latter may be supplied by others.
  • the existing sockets may be replaced by a socket according to the invention so as to obtain the advantages described above and the further advantages which may be obtained by the features according to invention described in the following and claimed in the attached patent claims.
  • the intermediate connection means of the socket according to the invention may comprise female portions provided in the base portion and male portions corresponding to said female portions provided in the light source retaining portion and preferably the female portions and the male portions have the form of cooperating plugs and plug outlets generally used in households.
  • the inverse arrangement of the male and female portions may also by implemented although in this case it would require some kind of pro- tection against inadvertently touching the male portions connected to the mains.
  • the base portion and the light source retaining portion in mutually interconnected condition have outer dimensions corresponding to substantially cylindrical sockets generally used in households.
  • a socket according to the invention may replace conventional sockets in existing and future lamps without any problems.
  • the intermediate connection means may advantageously comprise intermediate connection interlocking means for cooperating with corresponding interlocking means provided in the base portion and the light source retaining portion and/or the light source, respectively for mutually interlocking said portions in their mutually interconnected position.
  • the intermediate connection interlocking means comprises a substantially cylindrical interlocking portion having an internal diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of a substantially cylindrical socket comprising the base portion and the light source retaining portion and furthermore having an axial extent sufficient to prevent accidental contact by a person with the electrically conductive portions of the socket and the light source when said light source is fastened to the light source retaining portion.
  • the substantially cylindrical interlocking portion has an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of substantially cylindrical sockets for light sources generally used in households, and the base portion and the light source retaining portion in their mutually interconnected position preferably have outer dimensions allowing them to be at least partially enclosed by the substantially cylindrical interlocking portion in their mutually interconnected position.
  • At least one of the light source retaining portions of the group of mutually different light source retaining portions comprises one or more of the electronic or electrical components necessary for the operation of a corresponding light source such as the so-called low-energy fluorescent light sources or halogen light sources.
  • a corresponding light source such as the so-called low-energy fluorescent light sources or halogen light sources.
  • the intermediate connection means of all the different light source retaining portions of the type that comprise electrically conductive portions which according to the prevailing rules and regulations should not be able to be electrically connected to the mains by means of plug outlets generally used in households may advantageously comprise means that prevent such a connection to the mains but allow connec- tion of all the light source retaining portions with the base portion.
  • the substantially cylindrical interlocking portion further comprises retention means for cooperating with corresponding retention means of the light source for releasably fixedly connecting the light source to said substantially cylindrical interlocking portion.
  • At least one of the light source retaining portions is fixedly attached to the corresponding light source.
  • the base portion is shaped generally like a conven- tional screw threaded light bulb socket having a configuration allowing insertion of correspondingly shaped light retaining portions having electrical and mechanical connection means to cooperate with corresponding electrical and mechanical connection means of the base portion.
  • This embodiment of the socket according to the invention allows use with conventional screw threaded Edison light bulbs identical with conventional socket while at the same time allowing use of other light sources in a simple and practical manner.
  • the intermediate connection means further may comprise an adaptor for mechanically and electrically interconnecting the light source retaining portions with a conventional screw threaded light bulb socket.
  • the light sources and the light source retaining portion according to the invention may be used in connection with conventional incandescent light bulb sockets.
  • the intermediate connection means and/or the light source connection means comprise anti-theft security means for locking interconnection of the light source to the light source retention portion and/or to the base portion, and/or for locking interconnection of the light source retention means to the base portion, and preferably the locking inter- connection is such that release of the locking interconnection requires a special tool therefor.
  • the invention furthermore relates to a base portion, a light source retaining portion and an intermediate connection interlocking means for use in connection with a socket according to the invention.
  • the invention relates to a socket comprising a base portion and/or a light source retaining portion and/or intermediate connection interlocking means according to the invention.
  • the invention furthermore relates to an electrical light source for use in connection with a socket according to the invention, to a combination of a socket according to the invention and an electrical light source according to the invention for use with the socket, to an illumination device incorporating a base portion according to the invention and to an illumination device incorporating a combination of a socket according to the invention and an electrical light source according to the invention for use with the socket.
  • the invention relates to a method of exchanging a first electrical light source connected to a socket according to the invention with a second electrical light source of a different configuration, the method comprising the steps of:
  • Fig. 1 schematically shows a socket according to the invention illustrating some of the various possible combinations of base portion, light source retaining portions, intermediate connection interlocking means and light sources, all according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 further illustrates the arrangement of the intermediate connection means of Fig. 1 for allowing the base portion to be used as a conventional plug outlet while affording protection against accidents,
  • Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a safety device for a base portion according to the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows various embodiments of the locking means for attaching the intermediate connection interlocking means to the base portion
  • Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means
  • Fig. 6 shows a yet further embodiment of the intermediate connection means
  • Figs. 7 and 7a show two embodiments of the socket allowing simple fitting of a lamp shade
  • Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the intermediate connection means according to the invention
  • Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a light source retaining portion according to the invention for a low energy fluorescent light source according to the invention
  • Fig. 9a illustrates the assembly of the embodiment of Fig. 9 to form a complete light source and socket assembly according to the invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows an exploded view that illustrates the application of the fluorescent light source of the embodiment of Figs. 1-2 as a transportable light source assembly
  • FIG. 11 and 11a illustrate different embodiments of the intermediate connection interlocking means
  • Fig. 12- 12b illustrate different embodiments of light source and socket assemblies for halogen type light sources
  • Fig. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means according to the invention
  • Fig. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means according to the invention
  • Fig. 15 illustrates a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means according to the invention
  • Fig. 16 illustrates a further embodiment of the light source connection means
  • Fig. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the socket according to the invention for use with small diameter base portions adapted for use in small diameter lamps utilizing small diameter screw threaded conventional incandescent light bulbs,
  • Fig. 18 illustrates a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means including an adaptor for use in existing conventional screw threaded sockets,
  • Fig. 19 is a detailed exploded view of an embodiment of the adaptor of Fig. 18,
  • Fig. 20 shows a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means with an adaptor for use in existing conventional screw threaded sockets
  • Fig. 21 illustrates a yet further embodiment of the socket according to the invention
  • Fig. 22 shows a top view of the base portion of Fig. 21,
  • Fig. 23 illustrates a still further embodiment of a socket according to the invention designed as a unitary socket
  • Fig. 24 illustrates yet another embodiment of a socket according to the invention being provided with anti-theft means
  • Fig. 25 illustrates another embodiment of a socket according to the invention provided with anti-theft means.
  • a base portion 1 for connection to a conventional two lead electrical wire W has a body 2, an externally threaded cylindrical portion 3 and three plug apertures 4, 5 and 6 for receiving electrical plug legs 4a, 5a and 6a of various light source retaining portions 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 for cooperating with a tapered conventional light bulb 12, a standard conventional light bulb 13, a low energy fluorescent type light source 14, a halogen light source 15 and a future, as yet unknown light source 16, respectively.
  • the retaining portion 7 has an internal screw thread 7a for cooperating with an external screw thread 12a of the tapered light bulb 12.
  • the retaining portion 8 has an internal screw thread 8a for cooperating with an external screw thread 13a of the standard light bulb 13, the internal screw thread 8a, as apparent, having a larger diameter than the internal screw thread 7a corresponding to the different diameters of the external screw threads 12a and 13a.
  • the retaining portion 9 has four plug apertures 9a for cooperating with four plug legs 14a of the fluorescent light source 14.
  • the retaining portion 10 has two plug apertures 10a for cooperating with two plug legs 15a of the halogen light source 15.
  • the retaining portion 11 is shown in dotted lines to indicate a future, as yet unknown configuration as regards the means to retain the future, as yet un- known light source 16, merely indicated in dotted lines.
  • the retaining portions 9, 10 and 11 may accommodate the electronic components necessary for the operation of the fluorescent and halogen light sources 14 and 15 and the future ones 16, respectively.
  • the retaining portions 9, 10 and 11 may be replaced by new portions when the electronic components have lived out their useful life even though the corresponding light source still is operative. Naturally this separately replaceable principle may be applied for any future, as yet unknown, retaining portions 11 and light sources 16.
  • the retaining portions 9, 10 and 11 have a diode indicator, 9d, lOd and l id, respectively, connected to an auto-check circuit in the retaining portion for indicating whether the electronic components are operative or not so that it is simple to ascertain whether light failure is due to failure of the light source or due to failure of the electronic components in the retaining portion.
  • a diode indicator 9d, lOd and l id, respectively, connected to an auto-check circuit in the retaining portion for indicating whether the electronic components are operative or not so that it is simple to ascertain whether light failure is due to failure of the light source or due to failure of the electronic components in the retaining portion.
  • an active illuminated diode indicates operative electronics.
  • This failure identification feature as well as the one shown in Fig. 9a may advantageously be utilized in known systems of cooperating separate electronics portions and fluorescent light sources where the electronics portion has a screw threaded socket portion for insertion in a conventional screw socket and a plug connection to the fluorescent light source.
  • the retaining portion 9 has two opposed ridged areas 9b for cooperating with two corresponding opposed resilient tongues 14b for releasably snap locking the retaining portion 9 to the light source 14 in their interconnected position with the plug legs 14b inserted in the plug apertures 9a.
  • a cylindrical sleeve 17 has an internal screw thread 17a at one end for cooperating with the external screw thread of the cylindrical portion 3 of the base portion 1.
  • the sleeve 17 has an internal annular rib 17b for abutment with edges 7b and 8b of the retaining portions 7 and 8, respectively, and with annular shoulders 9c, 10b and 11a of the retaining portions 9, 10 and 11, respectively, when the respective retaining portion is interconnected with the base portion 1 and the sleeve 17 thereafter has been screwed on the base portion 1.
  • the sleeve 17 has two opposed indentations 17c for cooperating with a tool (not shown) when the base portion 1 is installed in a lamp affording no room for screwing the sleeve 17 onto the base portion 1 by hand.
  • the arrangement of the plug apertures 4-6 and the plug legs 4a-6a shown in Fig. 2 allows the base portion 2 wired as indicated by the arrows to the electrical lead W to be utilized optionally as an outlet for an ordinary cable plug 16a and for a standard conventional light bulb 13, where the conductive plugs 4a and 5a of the light source retaining portion 8 do not fit into a conventional two plug aperture outlet for reasons of safety while the conductive plugs 4a and 6a of the retaining portion 9 for a fluorescent light source 14 allow same to fit into a conventional plug outlet thus allowing the assembly 9, 14 to be used as a safe transportable light source.
  • the plug aperture 5 may be located in any practical position as long as for safety reasons the distance between the apertures 4 and 5 is not equal to the distance between the two plug apertures in a conventional plug outlet.
  • the inactive plug leg 6a of the retaining portion 8 serves as a blocking means to ensure correct assembly of the portion 8 with the base portion 2.
  • the configuration of the conductive plug legs 4a-6a as shown in Figs. 1-2 corresponds to conventional electrical plugs in Denmark, but they may have any suitable configuration corresponding to the conventional plug legs in other countries. If the features of being able to utilize the low energy light sources as transportable light sources and being able to utilize the base portion 2 as a conventional power outlet are not desirable, then the plug legs and apertures may of course be of any suitable configuration affording electrical and/or mechanical connecting means between the light source retaimng portions 7-11 and the base portion 2.
  • a plug aperture portion 18 of the base portion 2 of Fig. 1-2 is provided with plug apertures 4-6 (aperture 5 shown in dotted lines).
  • a safety disc 19 has corresponding plug apertures 4b-6b, respectively, said apertures having inclined guide surfaces 4c-6c, respectively,
  • the safety disc further has recesses with inclined surfaces 20 and 21 adjacent plug apertures 5b and 6b, respectively, and a central aperture 22 corresponding to an internally threaded bushing 23 of the portion 18.
  • a screw 24 is inserted through a spring bushing 24a, a coil spring 24b, the aperture 22 and into the bushing 23.
  • the coil spring 24b is to be attached to the spring bushing 24a by means of an end 24d inserted in a slit 24c thereof while the other end 24e of the spring 24b is to be inserted in an internal slit (not shown) in the wall of the central aperture 22 of the safety disc 19.
  • the plug aperture portion 18 is further provided with projections 26 and 26a for cooperating with the inclined surfaces 21 and 20, respectively, and with projecting ribs 25a and 25b for cooperating with shoulders 19a and 19b, respectively, of a cut out portion of the safety disc 19.
  • the device is assembled by inserting the spring 24b in the spring bushing 24a with the end 24d in the slit 24c.
  • the screw 24 is inserted through the spring 24b and the spring bushing 24a.
  • This assembly is inserted in the central aperture 22 with the spring end 24e in the not shown slit thereof and the screw 24 is screwed into the threaded bushing 23.
  • the spring bushing 24a is rotated 180 degrees so that the coil spring x24b will exert a rotative bias on the safety disc 19.
  • the projections 26 and 26a are received in the recesses of the surfaces 21 and 20, respectively.
  • the apertures 4-6 are aligned with the inclined surfaces 4c-6c of the apertures 4b-6b, respectively.
  • the ribs 25a and 25b serve as safety end-stops for limiting the rotation of the safety disc 19.
  • the safety disc will only tilt and the projections 26 and 26a will not disengage the respective surfaces 21 and 20.
  • the safety disc 19 will be prevented from rotating and the single plug leg or object may not be inserted into the interior of the base portion and contact the electrically conductive elements therein.
  • the security regulations governing plug outlets will thus be met in a simple and reliable manner.
  • This safety device may advantageously also be inco ⁇ orated in conventional plug outlets for cooperating with conventional electric cable plugs having two or more plug legs.
  • FIG. 4 there are shown various sleeves corresponding to the sleeve 17 in Fig. 1.
  • a sleeve 28 has an internal groove 28a for receiving a projection of each of two or more resilient tongues 28b.
  • a sleeve 29 is provided with an L-shaped internal recess for receiving a stud 29b in a bayonet-lock type engagement consisting in axial displacement followed by rotation.
  • a sleeve 30 has one or more recesses 30a with a notch 30b for receiving a projection 30c of a resilient arm 30d of the base portion 2.
  • a sleeve 31 has an internal thread 31a for engaging an external thread 31b of the base portion 2. Numerous other solutions are conceivable. Referring now to Fig.
  • a base portion 32 similar to the base portion 2 of Fig. 1-2 has a substantially reduced axial length, and plug legs 33 and an inactive plug leg 34 are substantially shorter allowing a substantially shorter overall length of the assembly but not allowing the base portion to used as a conventional plug outlet.
  • plug legs of all types of retaining portions may alternatively have identical locations and the inactive plug leg 34 may be dispensed with.
  • Fig. 6 there is shown an embodiment of the intermediate connection means complying with safety regulations prohibiting plug connections allowing one plug leg to be inserted in the plug outlet with the other plug leg or legs being free and accessible.
  • Plug legs 4d-6d of the retaining portions 8 and 9 have flat chord-like regions 4e-6e, respectively, corresponding to flat chord-like regions 4g-6g of the plug apertures 4f-6f, respectively, of the base portion 2. Said flat chord-like regions only allow insertion of the plug legs in the plug apertures in a manner where both plug legs are inserted at the same time.
  • the flat regions of the plug legs 4d and 6d are oriented such that the retaining portion 9 may be inserted in a conventional plug outlet having contact surfaces in the plug apertures thereof corresponding to the tangents t, thus allowing the fluorescent light source 14 of Fig. 1 to be utilized as a transportable light source.
  • a sleeve 35 having an external screw thread for engaging a screw threaded aperture of a lamp shade holder is screwed on to the base portion 2.
  • the retaining portions 8 and 9 are inserted into the sleeve 35 and are fastened to the base portion either (Fig. 7) by means of snap locking between annular recesses 4h-6h and corresponding resilient engagement means (not shown) inside the base portion 2, or (Fig.
  • FIG. 7a In Fig. 8 the security feature of flat portions 4ii and 6ii of the plug legs 4i and 6i, respectively, corresponding to flat portions 36i and 36h, respectively, of the widened parts 36c and 36d, respectively, is illustrated more clearly.
  • This security feature only allows insertion of the plug legs 4i and 6i in the apertures 36b and 36a, respectively, simultaneously, thus preventing one single plug leg from being inserted by itself.
  • This bayonet-locking feature satisfies regulatory requirements to the stability and electrical insulation of the socket connection.
  • the socket assembly 2, 9, 17 of Figs 1-2 is shown illustrating an arrangement of electrical and electronic components 9f for the low-energy fluorescent light source inside the light source retaining portion 9.
  • the interlocking means 9b, 14b for interlocking the light source 14 and the retaining portion 9 may be designed in many different ways, and the interlocking may be designed so that the light source is locked to the sleeve 17 instead of to the retaining portion 9.
  • Fig. 9a another location of the failure indicator diode is shown at 37. In this position the diode is visible through an aperture 38 in the light source 14 so that a simple glance at the assembly may reveal whether the electronics 9f are in working condition and if so that it is only the light source 14 that should be removed and replaced avoid- ing the necessity of disassembling the entire socket to ascertain the reason for a light failure.
  • Fig. 10 the assembly of the light source 14, the retaining portion 9 and the sleeve 17 takes place as indicated by the arrows thereby pro- viding a transportable light source assembly for use in conventional household electrical plug outlets.
  • Figs. 11 and 1 la alternative embodiments of a sleeve 40 and 41 corresponding to the sleeve 17 of Fig. 1 and the connection means of said sleeves to light sources 42 and 43, respectively, are illustrated, showing how the low energy fluorescent light sources 40 and 41 also may be attached to the sleeve 17 of Fig.
  • the light source 42 has resilient locking means 44 for engaging in a locking groove 45.
  • a groove 46 allows the unit to transformed into a transportable light source as indicated in relation to Fig. 10.
  • the locking mechanism may also be established as a locking mechanism between the light source retaining portions 7x-10x of Fig. 13 and the base portion (see Fig. 14).
  • Fig. 1 la further illustrates how light sources may be attached to the sleeve 41 by means of an internal locking mechanism comprising resilient locking means 47 for engaging an internal groove 48 of the sleeve 41.
  • This internal locking mechanism may also be applied between the light source 43 and the retaining portions 7x-10x of Fig. 13 if the latter are provided with a collar-like skirt as shown in Fig. 14. This skirt may be provided at both ends of the retaining portions.
  • Fig. 12 shows a halogen type light source 15 for connection with a corresponding light source retaining portion 10 locked by a sleeve 17 as also shown in Fig. 1.
  • the retaining portion 10 may or may not have internal electronic elements and it may be of variable axial length depending on the desired location of the light source relative to the base portion and consequently the lamp.
  • the electronics in the retaining portion 10 may comprise a 110/220 Volt transformation circuit so that separate electronic components outside the socket may be avoided.
  • Figs. 12a and 12b illustrate how the retaining portion 10 (not shown in Figs. 12a and 12b) may be coupled to various adaptor means so that all types of halogen light bulbs may be used with the socket according to the invention when utilizing the same plug legs 15a and plug apertures 10a.
  • Different retaining portions and light source connection means may alternatively be used for the different types of halogen light sources.
  • a reflector 49 for a halogen light bulb 50 having plug legs 15a is attached to an adaptor 51 having plug legs
  • the adaptor has a skirt 52 with an interior surface 53 for abutting the cylindrical surface lOf of the retaining portion 10.
  • the skirt 52 has resilient arms with projections 54 for engaging an interior annular rib 17b of the sleeve for locking the adaptor 51 in place in engagement with the retaining portion 10.
  • the adaptor 51 is further provided with a pivoting member 55 having a spherical engagement surface 56 for cooperating with a spherical socket surface 57 to allow swivelling of the pivoting member and the light bulb 50 when the latter is inserted with its base portion 58 received in a socket portion 59 of the pivoting member 55 and its plug legs 15a received in electrically conductive plug sleeves 60 electrically connected to the plug legs 15aa by means of coil springs 61.
  • This construction may be utilized for other types of light sources as well.
  • the adaptor 62 shown in Fig. 12b has the same engagement means for engaging the retaining portion 10 and sleeve 17 as the adaptor 52 in Fig. 12a as well as plug sleeves 60 for receiving plug legs 15a of a halogen light bulb 15 or 50 or some other light source.
  • the adaptor 62 has an intermediate extendable and flexible harmonica-like member 63 consisting of a spiral embedded in rubber or a soft, pliable plastics material. Said member 63 allows the light bulb to be displaced in the direction of the arrows S and A relative to the sleeve 17 thereby allowing great flexibility in the positional adjustment of the light bulb relative to the base portion.
  • the member 63 may be replaced by a telescopically adjustable member comprising concentric cylindrical sleeves with decreasing diameter to allow telescopic relative movement thereof guided by internal guide means that also may serve as stop elements defining axial relative positions of the concentric sleeves corresponding to different distances of the light bulb from the sleeve 17.
  • the adaptor may be designed so that it may be utilized together with the reflector 49 of Fig. 12a. Referring now to Fig. 13, another way of installing different light sources in the same illumination device or lamp is illustrated.
  • the retaining portions all have plug legs 4x and 6x for insertion in annular plug apertures 4y and 6y, respectively, of a base portion 64.
  • the plug legs are locked by means of an internal friction lock in the plug so that the sleeve corresponding to sleeve 17 in Fig. 1 may be dispensed with.
  • Fig. 14 illustrates further locking means between a light source retaining portion 65 and a base portion 66, the retaining means 65 being provided with a skirt 67 and the base portion 66 with a cylindrical surface 68, the locking means therebetween corresponding to the locking means of either sleeve 28 or 31 in Fig. 4.
  • the skirt 67 may instead be provided on the base portion with a corresponding inversion of the locking means.
  • Fig. 15 illustrates a yet further locking means between a retaining portion 69 and a base portion 70, the retaining means being provided with a cylindrical projection 71 for being received in an aperture 72 of the base portion 70, a locking recess 73 on the projection 71 being for cooperation with a resilient locking projection 74 of the base portion 70 when the plug legs 4z and 6z are inserted in the plug apertures 4 and 6, respectively, and the projection 71 is inserted in the aperture 72.
  • the retaining portion 69 has an annular shoulder 69a for engaging an internal rib of a sleeve such as sleeve 17 in Fig.
  • Fig. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which light source retaining portions 80 and 82 are fixedly coupled to light sources 81 and 83, respectively, and may be interchanged with one another and a retaining portion 84 of the type shown in Fig. 12, all for being connected to a base portion 85 by means of plug legs 4x and 6x and plug apertures 4y and 6y, respectively.
  • This embodiment may be varied to comprise many of the different embodiments of the intermediate connection means shown in the other Figures.
  • Fig. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the socket according to the invention for use with small diameter base portions adapted for use in small diameter lamps utilizing small diameter screw threaded conventional incandescent light bulbs.
  • the combination possibilities shown are very similar to the combination possibilities shown in Fig. 1 except for the diameter of the base portion, retaining portions and sleeve, said diameter corresponding to small diameter screw threaded incandescent light bulbs.
  • the most recent developments in thick film print electronics allows the electronic components of a low energy fluorescent light source to be accommodated in a retaining portion with this smaller diameter even though this possibility is not shown in Fig. 17.
  • Fig. 18 illustrates a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means including an adaptor for use in combining a low energy fluorescent light source with existing screw threaded sockets for incandescent light bulbs.
  • a light source 14 may either be releas- ably or fixedly combined with light source retaining portion 9 or with retaining portion 9x for insertion in base portions 2 and 64, respectively, and for insertion in a screw thread adaptor 86 for insertion, as shown by the arrows, in a standard conventional screw threaded socket 87 having terminals 88 and 89 for conventional electrical contact with the adaptor 86.
  • new light source retaining portions according to the invention together with the corresponding new light sources according to the invention may be utilized in existing conventional sockets as well as with the new base portions according to the invention. This applies to halogen type light sources also.
  • Fig. 19 is a detailed exploded view of an embodiment of the adaptor 86 of Fig. 18.
  • An insert 122 for the adaptor 86 that may be moulded in one piece with a cover 123 for the adaptor is pressed into the casing 86 whereby said parts 122 and 123 are interlocked with the casing 86 by interlocking of locking apertures 125 of the insert 122 with corresponding locking projections (not shown) of the inner surface 126 of the casing 86.
  • Conductive means 111 and 113 are inserted in and around, respectively, a bottom portion 116 of the casing 86 so that they can conduct electricity from the bottom terminals of a standard screw threaded socket to the plug legs of a retaining portion/light source.
  • the conductive means 111 and 113 are made from thin metal sheeting.
  • the conductive means 113 is installed by abutting the inner surface of a metal flap 115 of the means 113 against the exterior surface 116c of the bottom portion 116 of the casing 86 whereafter the metal flap 115 is guided into a rectangular aperture ate the bottom portion 116 which guides the metal flap 115 into a guide member 118 of the insert 122.
  • Guide flaps 113a of the conductive means 113 are thereafter inserted in rectangular apertures 117 in the screw threading of the casing 86 whereafter the portion 113 is fixed to the casing 86 by being pressed into place.
  • a skirt 114 is pressure fitted into a recess around the bottom portion 116 so that the skirt 114 serves both as a guiding means and a fastening means when the conductive portion 113 is fitted to the casing 86.
  • the conductive means 111 is installed by abutting the outer surface of a metal flap 112 of the means 111 against the inner surface 116b of the bottom portion 116 whereafter the flap 112 is inserted in a rectangular aperture in the bottom portion 116 which guides the flap 112 into the guide member 118 of the insert 122. The portion 111 is thereafter pressed fixedly into place in the bottom portion 116.
  • the plug legs 132 of the light source 134 may now be inserted in the plug apertures 124 of the adaptor 86.
  • the surfaces 131 of the plug legs 132 will ride on the surfaces of the fixedly arranged conductive portions 112 and 115 establishing an electrical connection to the plug legs 132.
  • a good electrical connection between the plug legs 132 and the plug apertures 124 are ensured by means of spacing members 127 affording a correct distance between the conductive portions 112 and 115 and by means of the rectangular aperture 129 in the insert 122 that ensures that the material of the insert may be resiliently displaced so that optimum contact is permanently achieved between the plug apertures 124 and the plug legs 132.
  • the locking members 130 of the light source/retaining portion 134 will engage the corresponding locking means 119 of the adaptor 86 thereby releasably interlocking the adaptor and the light source/- retaining portion.
  • the insert 122, 123 may be in two separate portions, for instance separated at the rectangular aperture 129.
  • the bottom portion 116 serves both as an insulator between the con- ductive portions 111 and 113 and as a guide for same when they are interconnected as indicated above.
  • Fig. 20 shows a further embodiment of the intermediate connection means with an adaptor for use in existing conventional screw threaded sockets where a light source 14 together with a retaining portion 9 may be combined with a sleeve 17 and base portion 2 as in Fig. 1 having the features of a transportable light source and possible use of the base portion as a conventional household plug outlet.
  • the retaining portion 9 may also be inserted in a corresponding adaptor 90 according to the invention as shown by the arrows for use with a conventional screw threaded socket 87.
  • a base portion 91 is provided with a skirt 92 internally provided with screw thread segments 93 for cooperation with a screw thread 13a of an incandescent type light bulb 13 and with bottom terminals 94 and 95 for electrical connection to the light bulb 13.
  • Light source retaining portions 96, 97 and 98 for a small diameter screw thread light bulb, an integral light source 14x and a light source 14 have axially extending recesses 100 allowing said retaining portions 96-98 to be inserted in the base portion 91 , said screw thread segments 93 being received in said recesses 100 and plug legs 4aa, 5aa and 6aa being received in plug apertures 4, 5 and 6, respectively.
  • the retaining portions 96-98 may be provided with various types of locking means for cooperation with corresponding locking means provided on or in the base portion 91 or the skirt or sleeve 92.
  • Such cooperating locking means may as shown comprise the bottom terminals 94 and 95 that resiliently engage annular recesses 101 in the plug legs 4aa-6aa and lock the retaining portions 96-98 in engagement with the base portion.
  • Other locking means may be constituted by resilient projections in the recesses 100 to engage with the screw thread segments 93 or other projections inside the sleeve 92 or a collar-like circumferential skirt with one or more radially inward projecting protuberances such as a rib or studs, the space between the skirt and the retaining portion receiving the rim of the sleeve 92 having one or more recesses for locking interengagement with said protuberances.
  • Fig. 23 it is illustrated how the socket according to the invention may be constructed as a variant of the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 7a as a one-piece or unitary base portion 135 that is inexpensive as it is cast and assembled into a single unit of a plastic material.
  • the base portion 135 is similar to the base portion 2 + sleeve portion 35 of Fig. 7 and illustrates that other plug connections may be used between the base portion and the various light source retaining portions 7, 8, 9, 10 etc.
  • the light source 14 in Fig. 23 is provided with a diode indicator 14c which, when the electric current is connected, can indicate to a user whether the light source 14 or the electronics in the portion 9 is not functioning correctly.
  • the light diode indicator 14c is functionally interconnected with certain components of the electronic components inside the light source 14 in such a manner that the diode 14c shines when voltage is applied from the electronics in the portion 9 while the diode 14c switches off again as soon as a drop in said voltage occurs when the light source 14 begins to shine.
  • the diode 14c will shine if the electronics in the portion 9 are functioning correctly.
  • the diode shines in case of an operational breakdown, it is the light source that should be replaced, while the electronics of the portion 9 should be replaced if the diode indicator 14c does not shine in case of an operational breakdown.
  • recesses 135a may be provided for receiving projections or guides 135b on the light source retaining portions 7, 8, 9 etc such that the portions 7, 8 etc are guided into the base portion.
  • the projections 135b and recesses 135a also serve to cool the electronics in the portions 7, 8 etc while the projections 135b furthermore serve as gripping knobs or handles when removing the portions 7, 8 etc from the base portion 135.
  • Figs. 24 and 25 embodiments of the socket according to the invention are illustrated wherein the interconnection of the light source and the rest of the socket components comprise means to avoid theft of the light source and/or any electronics necessary therefor.
  • Theft of this kind is a large problem for institutions such as hotels employing a large number of relatively expensive low energy (PLC) light sources, particularly in non- supervised locations.
  • PLC low energy
  • the base portion 135 shown in Fig. 24 is provided with fastening means 136 for fastening and/or theft-proofing the light source retention portion 9, 10, 11 and/or the light source 14.
  • the light source 14 is provided with fastening means 14b for engaging fastening means 9b of the light source retaining portion so as to securely interconnect the light source and the light source retaining portion without any theft-proofing.
  • a security means 141 may be inserted in a security means holder 145 in the light source 14. Fastening means 137 of the security means 141 are able to engage with fastening means 139 of the security means holder 145 of the light source 14 so that the security means 141 is locked to the light source 14.
  • the light source 14 is shown with the security means 141 inserted in the security means holder 145.
  • the light source retention portion 9 is inserted in the base portion 135 with grooves 145a for allowing passage of the legs of the security means 141 when the light source 14 of part A is inserted into the light source retention means 9/base portion 135 so that gripping means or hooks 138 on said legs may lock into the fastening means 136 of the base portion 135.
  • the light source and the light source retention portion is now protected against being stolen as the locking engagement of the security means 141 with the base means 135 may only be released by means of a tool such as tool 144 as described below.
  • the unlocking tool 144 is provided with gripping means 146 for engaging a raised portion 140 of the security means 141 when the tool 144 is inserted through the light source 14 through an aperture 143 therein. When totally inserted, the tool 144 is rotated until the gripping means 146 grip the raised portion 140. Thereafter the tool
  • the security means 141 is retracted whereby the security means 141 will flex thereby pulling the gripping means 138 out of locking engagement with the fastening means 136 and thereby allowing the light source 14 and the light source retention portion 9 to be detached from the base portion 135.
  • the mobility of the security means 141 is ensured because the security means 141 is arranged free above the bottom 142 of the light source 14 as the security means 141 only rests on the edges 147.
  • the fastening means 9b of the light source retention portion 9 have been eliminated and replaced by the fastening means 136 of the base portion 135 in cooperation with the gripping means 138/152 of the security means/- fastening means 141/148, the latter being interchangeable such that 141 is used when theft-proofing is desired and 148 is used when theft-proofing is not necessary.
  • the function of the means 141/148 is the same as described in connection with Fig. 24.
  • the legs of the tool 150 are inserted in the grooves 145 until the gripping means 151 thereof engage the gripping means 149 in the grooves 145 whereafter the tool may be retracted together with the light source 14.
  • the anti-theft means described above and any modifications thereof may be used for protecting conventional low energy light sources from theft when attached to conventional sockets provided with features analogous to the ones described above.
  • the intermediate connection means and the light source connection means may for instance by designed in any suitable manner to serve as retaining, connecting, locking or child-proofing means between the base portion and the various light source retaining portions and light sources.
  • Different types of latching means, child-proofing means of the combined twist-and-press type, locking means requiring standard tools such as a wrench, socket key, screw driver and so on or requiring special tools, are conceivable and suitable and fall with the scope of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention se rapporte à une douille permettant l'échange d'ampoules électrique différentes les unes des autres avec un minimun de coûts et en obtenant un effet lumineux uniforme, cette douille comprenant une partie de base (1), un moyen de connexion de la base servant à connecter la partie de base à un conducteur électrique (W), une partie (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) de retenue de l'ampoule, des moyens de connexion intermédiaires (4, 4a, 5, 5a, 6, 6a) servant à connecter la partie de retenue de l'ampoule à la partie de base, des moyens (7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a) de connexion de l'ampoule servant à connecter une ampoule électrique (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) à une partie de retenue correspondante, et des connecteurs électriques (4, 5, 6, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a) servant à connecter électriquement l'ampoule au conducteur électrique, toutes les parties de retenue d'ampoules étant interchangeables pour permettre d'utiliser la même partie de base avec tous les types d'ampoules.
PCT/DK1997/000394 1996-09-18 1997-09-18 Douille pour ampoules electriques WO1998012777A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU42951/97A AU4295197A (en) 1996-09-18 1997-09-18 Socket for electrical light sources

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK101996 1996-09-18
DK1019/96 1996-09-18
DK23997 1997-03-06
DK239/97 1997-03-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998012777A2 true WO1998012777A2 (fr) 1998-03-26
WO1998012777A3 WO1998012777A3 (fr) 1998-05-07

Family

ID=26063592

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/DK1997/000394 WO1998012777A2 (fr) 1996-09-18 1997-09-18 Douille pour ampoules electriques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4295197A (fr)
WO (1) WO1998012777A2 (fr)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2811145A1 (fr) * 2000-06-29 2002-01-04 Gerard Gandus Adaptateur d'ampoule electrique sur une douille de type different
FR2818032A1 (fr) * 2000-12-07 2002-06-14 Legrand Sa Dispositif de connexion electrique pour luminaire
FR2879363A1 (fr) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-16 Didier Poissonniere Lampe a base unique a culots et douilles interchangeables
DE102008060779A1 (de) * 2008-12-05 2010-06-10 Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Adapter für eine Leuchte und Leuchte
US7744412B2 (en) 2005-07-13 2010-06-29 Arnold & Richter Cine Technik Gmbh & Co. Betriebs Kg Apparatus for making electrical contact with luminous means in spotlights
EP2287979A1 (fr) * 2009-08-19 2011-02-23 AML Licht + Design GmbH Adaptateur de détection de moyen d'éclairage
JP2012142242A (ja) * 2011-01-06 2012-07-26 Adfuji Co Ltd 口金変換アダプタ

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1465816A (en) * 1918-05-27 1923-08-21 Bryant Electric Co Adapter
US1700538A (en) * 1924-11-20 1929-01-29 Grant William Edward Socket for electric-light globes
US4936789A (en) * 1989-08-01 1990-06-26 Joseph Ugalde Method and apparatus for preventing the theft of a fluorescent lamp and ballast transformer
US5394133A (en) * 1992-06-29 1995-02-28 Harwood; Ronald P. Transformer housing system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1465816A (en) * 1918-05-27 1923-08-21 Bryant Electric Co Adapter
US1700538A (en) * 1924-11-20 1929-01-29 Grant William Edward Socket for electric-light globes
US4936789A (en) * 1989-08-01 1990-06-26 Joseph Ugalde Method and apparatus for preventing the theft of a fluorescent lamp and ballast transformer
US5394133A (en) * 1992-06-29 1995-02-28 Harwood; Ronald P. Transformer housing system

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2811145A1 (fr) * 2000-06-29 2002-01-04 Gerard Gandus Adaptateur d'ampoule electrique sur une douille de type different
FR2818032A1 (fr) * 2000-12-07 2002-06-14 Legrand Sa Dispositif de connexion electrique pour luminaire
FR2879363A1 (fr) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-16 Didier Poissonniere Lampe a base unique a culots et douilles interchangeables
US7744412B2 (en) 2005-07-13 2010-06-29 Arnold & Richter Cine Technik Gmbh & Co. Betriebs Kg Apparatus for making electrical contact with luminous means in spotlights
DE102008060779A1 (de) * 2008-12-05 2010-06-10 Osram Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Adapter für eine Leuchte und Leuchte
EP2287979A1 (fr) * 2009-08-19 2011-02-23 AML Licht + Design GmbH Adaptateur de détection de moyen d'éclairage
JP2012142242A (ja) * 2011-01-06 2012-07-26 Adfuji Co Ltd 口金変換アダプタ

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1998012777A3 (fr) 1998-05-07
AU4295197A (en) 1998-04-14

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