Illumination – Plural light sources – With support
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-03
2003-01-28
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With support
C362S229000, C439S672000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06511205
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to rear lighting backplates used in automobiles for rear/tail lamps, and relates more specifically to a rear lighting backplate that includes one or more integral bulb sockets.
In one type of prior art rear lighting system for automobiles, a rear lamp housing is provided on each side of the automobile—one at the rear of the automobile on the driver's side, and another at the rear of the automobile on the passenger's side. The rear lamp housings contain the rear lamps of the automobile, such as the brake/tail lamps and reverse lamps. Each housing includes a plurality of apertures for receiving bulb sockets, and each bulb socket includes its own bundle of electrical wires (i.e., a wire harness) which engages a lamp or bulb. The electrical wires effectively connect the lamp to the automobile's electrical system. To change a lamp which has burned out, one must pull the respective bulb socket out from the corresponding aperture in the housing, replace the bulb, and then re-install the bulb socket in the aperture in the housing. A disadvantage to this prior art system is the fact that there is a bundle of electrical wires provided for each bulb. Additionally, each aperture in the housing provides a possible point of entry for moisture to invade the housing. It is desirable to keep the inside of the housing generally moisture-free in order to prevent condensation in the lamp lens.
An improvement to the system described above provides that a backplate is secured to the housing. The backplate includes a receptacle for receiving a main wire harness, and a lead frame is embedded in the backplate. The backplate is configured to carry a plurality of bulb sockets. Specifically, the backplate includes a plurality of apertures or orifices for receiving removable (e.g. twist-in, snap-in) bulb sockets. Each removable bulb socket includes a set of electrical contacts which connect with the lead frame when the bulb socket is installed in the corresponding aperture in the backplate. Hence, the improved system provides that a plurality of bulbs can be connected to the automobile's electrical system using a single bundle of electrical wires (i.e., a single wire harness) which engages the backplate. Hence, all of the bulbs in the housing can be connected to the automobile's electrical system via a single multiple-pin connector. Therefore, this system provides an improvement over the system described first hereinabove.
However, the improved system includes a plurality of removable sockets—one for each bulb—and each socket is formed of multiple pieces and is relatively expensive. Additionally, each is relatively awkward to install in the backplate. Because each removable socket must be configured to mate with the backplate with a watertight seal to prevent condensation on the inside of the lamp lens, each removable socket includes a sealing member which engages against the edge of the corresponding aperture in the backplate. The engagement between the sealing member of the removable socket and the edge of the aperture often makes it relatively difficult to remove/install the socket. Additionally, as with the system described first hereinabove, the improved system provides a plurality of apertures leading to the housing, each of which provides a possible moisture leak path into the lamp lens.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
A general object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rear lighting backplate that includes one or more bulb sockets which are integral with the backplate.
A further object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rear lighting backplate that is readily removable from a rear lamp housing in an automobile, such that one or more bulbs retained on the backplate can be changed.
A still further object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rear lighting backplate that includes one or more bulb sockets on one side of the backplate, and a receptacle for receiving a wire harness on an opposite side of the backplate.
Briefly, and in accordance with at least one of the foregoing objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a rear lighting backplate that includes a backplate lower which is engaged with a backplate upper. A lead frame is sandwiched between the backplate lower and backplate upper. The backplate lower includes a receptacle for receiving a wire harness, and the backplate upper includes one or more integral bulb sockets which are configured to receive bulbs. The lead frame conductively engages each bulb which is engaged with the backplate upper and conductively engages the wire harness which is engaged in the receptacle on the backplate lower. Preferably, the lead frame includes clips for conductively engaging and retaining the bulbs in the bulb sockets. The backplate is preferably configured for selective engagement and disengagement from a lamp housing. Preferably, the backplate provides a sealing surface around each bulb for sealing with the lamp housing when the backplate is engaged therewith. To change a bulb which has burned out, one disengages the backplate from the lamp housing, disengages the burned out bulb from the backplate upper and lead frame, and installs a fresh bulb in the same location (i.e., installs the bulb in the same bulb socket, thus engaging the fresh bulb with the backplate upper and lead frame), and then re-engages the backplate with the lamp housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5060121 (1991-10-01), Cunningham et al.
patent: 5536175 (1996-07-01), Forish
patent: 5664870 (1997-09-01), Uchida et al.
Cariaso Alan
Elco Textron Inc.
Trexler, Bushnell Giangiorgi, Blackstone & Marr, Ltd.
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