Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Bayonet coupling part movable about its axis
Patent
1993-12-06
1996-08-06
Paumen, Gary F.
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Bayonet coupling part movable about its axis
439241, H01R 16625
Patent
active
055428576
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to lamp assemblies and more particularly, but not exclusively, to lamp assemblies for photographic and display lighting purposes.
A known lamp assembly for display lighting purposes is shown in FIG. 1. The lamp assembly comprises a reflector lamp 21 and a lamp holder 22.
The lamp holder has a ceramic base 23 with spring arms 24 having kinked portions 27 adjacent each free end 28. Lead wires 30 are connected to terminal sockets 31.
The reflector lamp 21 has a bulb 32 set in the reflector 33. A stem 34 has opposed grooves 35 complementary to the ridges 27 in arms 24. Terminal pins 36 protrude from the bottom of the stem 34. The lamp 21 is fitted in the lamp 22 by locating the ridged portions 27 of the spring arms 24 within the corresponding grooves 35. The pins 36 then locate in the terminal sockets 31.
Display lamps like that described above are often attached to ceilings and their installation and/or replacement can present difficulties. This is because such display lamps are relatively small in size and so it can be difficult for a person to obtain a firm grip on the lamp to pull the lamp away from its holder against the strong spring holding force. This may be a particular problem if the person replacing the lamp is standing on a ladder. Further difficulties arise by virtue of the use of thin terminal pins, these pins may become bent or broken during a replacement operation by the lamp installer. Installation may also be hampered if there is limited accessibility to the lamp fitting.
An object of the present invention is to provide a lamp assembly having a design which enables the lamp to be more easily installed and/or replaced.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lamp assembly comprising a lamp having a plurality of terminal pins projecting from a base, and a lamp holder having terminal contacts for engaging the pins characterised in that the lamp is first located in the holder by inserting the pins into respective openings in a base of the holder, and the lamp is then rotated relative to the holder to bring a portion of each pin into contact with a respective terminal contact of the holder.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a lamp assembly comprising a lamp having a plurality of terminal connections projecting from a stem, and a lamp holder adapted to receive the terminal connections, characterised in that the stem locates in a cylindrical recess in the holder to constrain lateral movement of the lamp relative to the holder, and the base of the recess has slots for receiving the terminal connections, the width of each slot varying along its length whereby an enlarged end portion of each terminal connection is inserted through a wide portion of the respective slot and is then rotated into a locking position beneath a narrow portion of the slot so that a shoulder of the enlarged portion rests against the underneath surface of the base to constrain longitudinal movement of the lamp relative to the older.
The lamp may be provided, if desired, with a reflector within which the lamp bulb is secured.
The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art lamp assembly as discussed hereinbefore;
FIG. 2 is a section through a lamp forming part of an assembly according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is a section through the lamp taken along line AA in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a holder for the lamp of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lamp holder with its insulating cover removed;
FIG. 5a is a plan view of the insulation cover;
FIG. 6 is a section through the lamp holder taken along line AA of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a section through the lamp holder taken along the line BB of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c show details of a ceramic insert shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lamp and lamp holder (unassembled); and
FIGS. 10a, b, c, d, illustrate another design of lamp that can be used in
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Barling Lawrence C.
Barrell Anthony J.
Felstead Richard A.
Hume Roger A.
Lee Douglas G. L.
Corwin Stanley C.
General Electric Company
Hawranko George E.
Paumen Gary F.
Vu Hien D.
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