Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Specific lamp mounting or retaining
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-25
2001-06-12
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Specific lamp mounting or retaining
C362S368000, C362S370000, C362S378000, C362S485000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244736
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to vehicle lamp assemblies and, more particularly, to a theft resistant lamp assembly mounting bracket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles, particularly trucks, utilize many replaceable lamps, such as sidemarker lamps which are installed on the sides of trucks and trailers in order to clearly mark the boundaries of the truck and trailer at night. Because these lamps must be replaced on a regular basis when their lamp elements fail, typical prior art lamps are formed as a unit assembly with a case and lens (usually of plastic), and mount to a bracket permanently affixed to the vehicle. Rotation of the lamp assembly upon the bracket in a clockwise manner serves to affix the lamp assembly to the bracket, while rotation of the lamp assembly in a counter-clockwise direction allows the lamp assembly to be completely removed from the bracket.
While it is important for the lamp assembly to be removable from the bracket to allow for servicing of failed lamps, such removability also allows for relatively easy theft of the lamp assemblies. Such theft has become a greater concern with the introduction of lamp assemblies utilizing light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the illumination elements, as these lamp assemblies are substantially more expensive. Not only does this expense increase the loss associated with the theft of a lamp assembly, but it also presents an increased incentive for theft.
There is therefore a need for a vehicle lamp and mounting bracket that is theft resistant. The present invention is directed toward meeting this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a mounting bracket that may be permanently mounted to a vehicle, such as by riveting. The mounting bracket includes at least one deflectable tab that is deflected away from a main plane of the bracket when the lamp assembly is pressed against it. The lamp assembly includes an extending surface which interacts with the mounting bracket tab in order to deflect the tab. Subsequent rotation of the lamp assembly in a clockwise direction causes the lamp extending surface to move under the mounting bracket, allowing the deflected tab to return to its quiescent position. Any attempt to remove the lamp assembly from the mounting bracket by turning the lamp assembly in a counter-clockwise direction is prevented by interaction between the lamp extending surface and the now non-deflected mounting bracket tab. Theft of the lamp assembly is thereby prevented.
A theft resistant lamp assembly mounting bracket is disclosed, comprising a mounting surface adapted to mount the bracket to a vehicle; a first flange coupled to the mounting surface, the flange defining an opening therethrough; and at least one deflectable tab formed into the first flange and having a quiescent position wherein application of a force to the tab causes it to deflect away from the quiescent position and removal of the force allows the tab to substantially return to its quiescent position.
A theft resistant lamp assembly and mounting bracket therefor, in combination, are disclosed comprising a mounting bracket, comprising a mounting surface adapted to mount the bracket to a vehicle; a first flange coupled to the mounting surface, the flange defining an opening therethrough; and at least one deflectable tab formed into the first flange and having a quiescent position wherein application of a force to the tab causes it to deflect away from the quiescent position and removal of the force allows the tab to substantially return to its quiescent position; and a lamp assembly, comprising an illumination element; a base adapted to carry the illumination element; at least one surface extending away from the base; wherein the at least one extending surface aligns with the at least one tab when the lamp assembly is placed upon the mounting bracket, such that pressing the lamp assembly against the mounting bracket deflects the at least one tab away from the quiescent position, whereupon rotation of the lamp assembly with respect to the mounting bracket moves the at least one extending surface under the first flange, thereby allowing the at least one tab to return to the quiescent position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4507718 (1985-03-01), Bury
patent: 5193643 (1993-03-01), McItyre
patent: 5730522 (1998-03-01), Wyke
Alavi Ali
Grote Industries Inc.
O'Shea Sandra
Woodard Emhardt Naughton Moriarty & McNett
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