Illumination – Light source and modifier – With sealing means or artificial atmosphere
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-02
2001-08-14
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
With sealing means or artificial atmosphere
C362S310000, C362S540000, C362S549000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273588
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to a submersible lamp and to a waterproof cable entry for a submersible lamp, and more particularly, though not solely, to a waterproof cable entry for use in a submersible tail lamp fittable on a boat trailer or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, it has been particularly difficult to provide a completely waterproof submersible lamp which is able to withstand knocks and vibrations in use while being able to maintain waterproof integrity. This problem is particularly manifest in the tail lights of boat trailers but can also be present in other motor vehicle situations, and in other locations such as in underwater lights in swimming pools or in areas which are often subjected to high pressure water treatment.
In a trailer-like situation, the problem is made worse by the necessity to provide different colored lenses within a single light. For example, the tail and brake lights of a motor vehicle must have a red lens, the turn indicator light must have an amber lens and there is also often the necessity to provide a clear lens section for illuminating the adjacent number plate of the trailer or other motor vehicle. It has proven extremely difficult to manufacture conventional combined tail/stop/indicator
umber plate lights which will maintain waterproof integrity at the joints of the various different colored lamp segments. It is of course possible to provide individual lamps for each of the above functions but this significantly increases the cost and also the complexity and “untidiness” on the motor vehicle.
The legal requirements of many countries also make it necessary for the various lenses to have certain light focusing or diffracting characteristics and it has proven extremely difficult to provide these characteristics in a waterproof tail light or indicator light lens of the type described above.
There are also many situations where it is desirable to provide a waterproof entry for an electrical cable into an apparatus. In the past, in some instances, an elastomeric collar or O-ring is provided which forms an interference fit with the outer sheath of the cable to inhibit the influx of water. In other cases, the cable passes through a bush or collar and is “potted” in place using a setting chemical compound such as a silicon based compound or an epoxy resin. Such waterproof entries can work loose over time, particularly in situations subject to high vibration or stress loadings which will then allow the ingress of water into the apparatus. Furthermore, if the outer sheath of a multi-conductor electrical cable becomes ruptured or pierced, water can enter into the housing through the cable sheath, even if the entry point remains intact about the external perimeter of the sheath.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved submersible lamps or lights.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a submersible lamp having a waterproof cable entry.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved waterproof cable entry for an apparatus such as a submersible light.
In order to achieve these objects and others, a submersible lamp in accordance with the invention comprises a base member having a waterproof cable entry arranged in connection therewith, at least one bulb holder mounted to the base member, a lamp cover positioned over the bulb holder, and an at least partially transparent over cover extending over the lamp cover and engageable with the base member in a sealing relationship so that the base member, waterproof cable entry and over cover together form a waterproof enclosure.
Preferably, the lamp cover is mounted directly or indirectly to the base member.
Also, the transparent over cover may be engaged with the base member in a sealing relationship by providing an elastomeric sealing strip or member between the over cover and the base member.
The over cover preferably has a peripheral flange adapted to mate with a corresponding area on the base member, e.g., the front surface thereof, and the elastomeric sealing member may comprise an O-ring or the like located in a suitable groove in one of the base member or the peripheral flange on the over cover.
Further, the transparent over cover may be detachably engageable with the base member by means of fastening members, such as bolts or screws, passing through the peripheral flange in the over cover and through the base member, outside the location of the elastomeric sealing member.
In one embodiment of the invention, the lamp cover incorporates discrete portions having different colors for use as a combined tail indicator light on a motor vehicle, such portions typically including a red portion for use as a tail/brake light, and an amber portion for use as an indicator light. In such an embodiment, individual bulb holders may be provided for each desired function.
The waterproof cable entry in accordance with the present invention for a multi-conductor cable comprises a housing through which the cable passes in use, an elastomeric plug adapted to fit within the housing, and more particularly within a bore of the housing, and securing means adapted to urge the plug into the bore of the housing and secure the plug within the housing. The housing, plug and securing means are arranged to compress the plug as it is urged into the housing. The entry also includes a plurality of holes passing through the plug, one hole for each conductor in the cable so that in use the plug may be threaded onto the conductors of the cable and then compressed within the housing, thereby providing a waterproof seal between the plug and each conductor, and between the plug and the housing. The waterproof cable entry may be used in the submersible lamp described above or any other type of electrical apparatus.
Preferably, the housing is cylindrical in configuration and the plug has a substantially circular cross-section.
Also, at least one of the housing and the plug are preferably tapered, causing the plug to be compressed as it is urged into the housing.
The securing means may comprise a threaded cap adapted to be engaged with a male thread on the outside of the housing, the cap having a hole therethrough for passage of the cable.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3612852 (1971-10-01), Bogossian
patent: 3949212 (1976-04-01), Larrimore
patent: 4259710 (1981-03-01), Schlack
patent: 4569008 (1986-02-01), Creaser
patent: 4947304 (1990-08-01), Payne et al.
patent: 5442525 (1995-08-01), Tsukada
patent: 5508894 (1996-04-01), Payne et al.
patent: 5626413 (1997-05-01), Ferrell et al.
patent: 5842771 (1998-12-01), Thrasher et al.
Ark Engineering Pty Ltd.
Hobden David V.
O'Shea Sandra
Steinberg & Raskin, P.C.
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