Illumination – Plural light sources – Diverse light generators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2001-03-20
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
Diverse light generators
C362S457000, C313S318010, C313S318100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203169
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a lamp assembly, and more particularly, to a lamp assembly which includes retainer members by which a lamp sleeve is supported relative to a lamp base. The retainer members are firmly attached to the sleeve and provides 3-axis lamp focus before being firmly attached to the base. A method of producing such a lamp assembly is also provided.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known to provide a lamp assembly which generally includes a lamp coupled to a lamp sleeve which is coupled to a lamp base by a retainer member. It is known to provide a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp in this manner. The conventional sleeve used with such an HID lamp is typically fabricated from glass and is generally cylindrical in configuration. Typically, the sleeve is attached to the lamp base by engaging an outer surface of the sleeve with a retainer member which is coupled to the lamp base. One concern regarding such structure is that although the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve is round, it is often not consistently round enough to provide a surface which can be satisfactorily held in place by the retainer member. In addition, any imperfections, such as scratches and nicks in the glass which are proximate to the retainer member have a tendency to propagate cracks during lamp assembly, and this ultimately causes lamp failure. In some instances the lamp may even explode. If the glass sleeve is replaced with a plastic sleeve, it will be necessary for thermal reasons to limit the lamp wattage. In one known HID lamp, the retainer member is molded from plastic, and this also tends to limit the temperature capability of the lamp. In addition, processing of such plastic retainer member requires that the retainer member and the base be fabricated by metal insert molding. Further, it is necessary for three parts to be insert molded into such lamp base. An example of such a prior art lamp assembly is illustrated in FIG.
1
. In this embodiment a lamp sleeve
2
is held in place by a molded plastic retainer member
4
which is attached to a molded plastic base
6
. The retainer member
4
and base
6
contain a plurality of metal inserts
8
which must be provided by metal insert molding. Such a process is difficult and costly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lamp assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp assembly which obviates the disadvantages of the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved and cost efficient lamp assembly.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp assembly having a sleeve and retainer arrangement which provides improved support for the sleeve.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a lamp assembly having improved thermal capability.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a lamp assembly wherein fabrication thereof includes simplified molding of the base and no molding of the sleeve retainer member.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing the lamp assembly of the present invention.
The present invention achieves these and other objects by providing a lamp assembly comprising a sleeve extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis from a first sleeve end to an opposite second sleeve end. An outer surface of the sleeve comprises at least one groove which extends in a plane which is transverse to the longitudinal axis and is located between the first sleeve end and the second sleeve end. A base component is provided having a mounting portion and comprising contacts structured and arranged for connection with a connector. A lamp is provided which extends in the sleeve and comprises lead wires coupled to the contacts. A pair of retainer members is provided each of which extends from a first end segment to an opposite second end segment. The groove is disposed between, and mated with, the first end segments. The second end segments are structured and arranged to be (a) tensioned relative to the mounting portion in a first mode, and (b) fixed to the mounting portion in a second mode.
A method of producing a lamp assembly of the present invention is also provided. Such method comprises the steps of forming at least one circumferential groove in an outer surface of a lamp sleeve so that the groove extends in a plane which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the lamp sleeve; affixing a lamp internal of the lamp sleeve; forming a base component having a mounting portion; shaping a first end segment of respective first and second retainer members so as to be engagable and matable with the groove; shaping a second end segment of the respective first and second retainer members so as to be tensioned relative to the mounting portion when the first and second retainer members are coupled to the mounting portion; attaching the first and second retainer members to the sleeve such that each first end segment contacts and mates with the groove; coupling the first and second retainer members to the base component; focusing the lamp relative to the base component by moving the retainer members relative to the mounting portion until the lamp is focused; and fastening each second end segment to the mounting portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4473770 (1984-09-01), Baba et al.
patent: 4890202 (1989-12-01), Blanche
patent: 5229683 (1993-07-01), Eckhardt et al.
patent: 5239226 (1993-08-01), Seredich et al.
patent: 5627428 (1997-05-01), Helbig
patent: 0 321 866 (1989-06-01), None
Coushaine Charles M.
Otto Edward P.
Meyer William E.
Osram Sylvania Inc.
Sember Thomas M.
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